Chapter 10: Battle Royale
December arrived with a snow storm. Dante and Nero had trained in all aspects: in physical, spiritual, mental and emotional. In the course of their training, they also saw the changes in Vera. She was still asleep but the changes were there. Especially in the hair. Her black hair had white in it now, giving her a salt and pepper look . Griffon teased her saying she had a Dracula status in which Dante shot at him . Nero hid a laugh but saw that it was true. The white at the temples did give her the look. She still looked beautiful though. He even saw some blue violet in her hair blended with the black. It was like a deep indigo. He also saw that her power had grown, not faded. That's a good sign.
The ladies made sure Vera was tended to on areas the men couldn't. Today she was dressed in a beautiful black and blue violet outfit similar cut to her Dark Slayer outfit, minus the boots and coat which was by the door and by her bed.
Dante lightly caressed her face as he knelt and kissed her lovingly, as he did every chance he got. On their free time, they all made sure to keep Vera up on current events and read to her. They even talked to her. Although she was asleep, they knew the Demon Queen was listening.
When the sun began to set, Griffon and Shadow looked up and while the demon bird perched on Dante's shoulder, Shadow roared.
"It's time." Griffon said. "You guys ready?"
"As we're going to get." Dante said as he geared up. Nero nodded and followed suit. When they were ready, Dante kissed Vera one more time and Nero kissed her cheek.
"We love you Mother." Nero said. "And we will fight for you. We will bring you back." He stood up and Dante took his place.
"We will kick his ass Babe. Wait for us ." Patty ran into the room.
"Guys, he's here."
"Let's go." Dante said as he stood up. Nero followed and Shadow stood with the younger Hunter. Griffon stayed with Dante. A force field rose around Vera and Nightmare was at the ready. Dante remembered that little force field trick from when they were nineteen. Yep that's one of her moves.
Vergil opened his eyes as the Hunters approached. He inspected them both and nodded. They were stronger and dressed in their best. Dante was in his traditional red and black (as he recalled from Mallet Island) and he looked well kept, and Nero was dressed in his Holy Knight uniform. He even allowed his hair to grow to the length he would have when he triggered.
"You two have trained well. Shall we begin?"
"The terms still stand Vergil?" Dante asked. The older devil raised an eyebrow.
"Of course, I am not without honor."
"I beg to differ, for if you were with honor and Fair play, Mother wouldn't be asleep." Dante smirked at Nero's logic. It was sound. Vergil chuckled.
"Fair enough, but I still won't rouse her. This is our fight." He unsheathed Yamato and took a stance. " Winner from our last match goes first " He said. Dante blinked then shook his head.
"No fucking way Vergil," Dante said as he put the younger Hunter behind him and stood protectively. Vergil smirked at his twin's behavior. Who would've thought that Dante would be so paternal...
"Dante, stand down. I wish to fight the winner of our last fight first." Dante was about to attack but Nero placed a hand on the older man's shoulder.
" Father, please. I got this." Nero said. "Trust me ok?"
"You better tag me in if it proves too much. You hear me Kid?" Dante looked at Nero with a deadly serious look.
"Yea Old Man I hear you, stop creaking will you?" Nero said with a grin as he and Shadow walked onto the battlefield. Dante and Griffon stayed behind.
"Good luck Kid."
Nero unsheathed Red Queen and looked at the one who turned their world upside down. He was angry but he didn't dare let his emotions get to him. That's what he wants!
"Are you ready to die Child?"
"Not in this lifetime." Nero said. "But if I do, I'm taking you with me, you fucking asshole."
"My my such language. You kiss your Mother with that mouth?"
"Yea but it's going to be my foot up your ass!" The combatants heard Dante and Griffon laughing.
"Way to go Kid! Piss him off!" Dante cheered. "That's my boy!" Nero grinned as Dante cackled. Vergil was slowly getting pissed. He lunged but was stopped with a flaming sword and a combatant was in front of Nero! The combatant was a woman dressed in Dark Slayer gear, her salt and pepper hair in an elegant high ponytail. In her hands, the Mirage Edge! Nero blinked and grinned.
"Mother,"
Dante and Griffon whooped when they heard Nero say 'Mother'.
She's back! Dante thought happily as he suppressed a happy sob. Vera was indeed awake! She looks even more beautiful in battle...and she's all mine...I'm a lucky son of a bitch! Dante grinned. Jackpot!
"When did she wake up?" Dante asked. Griffon tilted his head then shook his head.
"Not sure."
"And you're one of her familiars."
"Doesn't mean I know every second. Besides I was with you. And where's Nightmare? Oh never mind I see him." Griffon pointed with a wing and close by, in the shadows, was Nightmare.
Nero was ecstatic that his Mother was awake. Her power came off of her in waves. Even Vergil was impressed.
"This is curious," He said. " How are you awake?"
"I will not tell you. You will not fight Nero nor Dante. You will be fighting me."
"What, Mother, no!" Nero cried. Vera looked at her son and cupped his chin.
"Nero, look at me." She ordered. "I have no intention of dying today, but this will end. Go wait with your Father, I will be right behind you."
"Mother, please!" Nero pleaded. Vera hugged him and kissed his forehead.
"I love you both." She whispered before sending Nero and Shadow out of the battlefield. She erected a force field so Nero and Dante nor her familiars could get in. Vergil nodded.
"Brave but foolish." Vergil said as he took a stance. "To be fair, I'll be sure your death is quick and painless." His words didn't phase Vera. She took a stance as well, facing the Demon King.
Nero pounded on the force field and cried. Dante ran over and hugged the younger Hunter.
"Kid, it'll be ok…."
"Father, we have to get in there and help her."
"She's stronger than she looks Kid. Let her do this."
"How the fuck are you so calm?" Nero asked. Dante smiled and looked at the force field.
"I have faith."
The two Dark Slayers battled and clashed. They were evenly matched and move for move.
"You should have remained asleep." Vergil said as he dodged a slash which would've got his liver. "It really is a shame to destroy you."
"I never realized how long winded and delusional you were." Vera said as she gracefully dodged a slash to her shoulder. "You are too blinded by your ambition."
Vergil growled and went full Sin. Vera did the same and the battle raged. It became a battle of wills. Question was, who wanted it more?
"I will reign unchallenged!" Vergil said as he rose higher into the air." No one can defeat me. Time to bow before me! Your strength and power….will be mine!" He dove down, gripping Yamato, dead set on killing Vera. Vera smirked and gripped the Mirage Edge.
"You wretched fool," She said as she took a stance on the ground, looking at him. "You forget who I am." She took a breath and timed his descend. When Vergil raised Yamato, about to stab her, she impaled him through the heart with a scream. They looked at each other. "I am part of you and you are part of me. But you no longer have power over me! Rest in peace!" She continued to impale him and placed a hand onto his forehead. Her hands glowed blue and Vergil slowly faded, becoming her shadow. Yamato lay at Vera's feet. She knelt down and picked it up, secured it onto her belt and with a wave of her hand, dismissed the force field. Dante and Nero gasped and looked at her.
"Vera?" Dante asked carefully. Vera looked at him and smiled, holding her arms open. Nero cried and hugged his mother. Vera held him and soothed him as the younger Hunter cried. She turned to Dante and placed one of her hands into his, still holding Nero. Dante pulled her close to him and looked into her eyes. Vergil was nowhere to be seen. Dante smiled and hugged her tightly then kissed her with all he had. Vera smiled and looked at him.
"Hello My Devil. I missed you."
"Hello Babe, welcome home "
The family returned home and the women welcomed Vera home. Vera smiled and thanked them and everyone enjoyed the peace. While Nero and the other women left to shop for necessities, leaving the older devils alone on the loveseat, Dante held Vera's battle journal out to her. Vera smiled and gently took it from him.
"Did it help?" She asked.
"More than you know Babe." Dante said. "So what happened in there? How did you wake up? When?"
"When you two said you loved me and that you would fight for me. I couldn't just lay down and wait. Not when my loved ones were putting themselves on the line when I know I can still fight."
" We do love you Babe and we will fight for and with you." Dante held her close, his demon crooning. "God I missed you…."
"Hmmm, you seem lustful My Devil." Vera whispered as she turned in his embrace. She saw that his eyes were glowing red. Oh, I can see…oh my…. She blushed then leaned in and kissed him. Dante growled softly and kissed her back, silently asking to take charge. She allowed him to by moaning softly and resting on him. Dante deepened the kiss and held her tight. Vera gasped as she felt his claws lightly caressing her. Oh my, if he continues he'll trigger, then there will be no stopping him….
"Care for one more spar My Devil?" She purred. Dante looked at her and grinned. He was very interested. Vera smiled and when Dante released her, they got up and were about to gear up when Nero ran in grinning, quickly putting groceries away and shivering but happy.
"Guys, guess what?!"
"What is it Kid?"
"It's snowing!" Nero cried as he grabbed his snow gear. Dante whooped and grabbed his own. Vera laughed at the way they acted. They're like children! She thought. She smiled as she remembered when she and Dante were children. Dante and their parents loved playing in the snow while Vera was inside reading, until Dante shoved snow down the shirt. …
"Mother! Come on!" Nero cried. Shadow roared and Griffon dodged snow balls. Patty, Lady, Trish and Nico were building a snow fort. Vera shook her head and chuckled but blinked when she didn't see Dante. Where is that rogue? Vera thought before yelping as she was swept off her feet.
"Come on Babe! I promise no snow down the shirt this time."
"Dante! Put me down!"
"Never!" The older Hunter cried as he held her tighter and bounded out. Vera laughed and begged to be put down. Dante refused and kissed her. Vera closed her eyes and leaned in but yelped when they got a snowball to the face!
"Get a room the both of you!" Nero grinned.
"Bullseye Superstar!" Griffon said. Dante and Vera looked at each other then Dante gently set Vera down. The Dark Slayer waved her hand and five snow balls appeared! Dante grinned.
"Get 'em Babe!" Dante cheered. Vera launched the snowballs and yelps were heard.
"Dang Bro, get yer Mama!" Nico said. Nero grinned and went to tackle his mother but Dante intercepted and both Hunters went down with a laugh.
The crew settled down later on from their snow play by the fire in warm clothes and sipping hot chocolate. Nero was on the rug with Shadow and Griffon while Dante and Vera were on the loveseat under a quilt.
"Babe, your hair is not as it was before." Dante said as he looked and stroked her salt and pepper locks. Vera smiled.
"I decided to keep it this way. You don't like it?"
"Are you kidding? I love it. Even your eyes are different they're green blue now with a bit of frost. You enchant me." Vera blushed as Dante kissed her. Nero grinned as he looked at them.
"Well, I'm going to call it a night. Goodnight you two." He leaned in and kissed his mother goodnight. Vera smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Goodnight son."
"Goodnight Kid." Dante said as he sat back on the loveseat.
"Goodnight Old Man."
"Aw, no kiss for me?" Dante teased as he blew a kiss. Nero rolled his eyes but laughed.
"Get the hell out of here Old Man, I think Mother's got you covered."
"Oh, I'm cool then," Dante laughed as he held Vera close. "She smells better." The Hunters laughed and Vera chuckled. Nero went upstairs while the older devils stayed on the loveseat, enjoying the peace, quiet, and each other.