Chapter 12: Summoning the Lord

Nero was the first to wake on Christmas morning. He grinned and hurried to get ready and dressed. He grabbed the presents for Dante and his Mother. For the Hunter, he managed to find a nifty must have for any Hunter: A Devil Compass. Instead of having to wait for the phone to ring, Dante would know right away when the compass' arrow moved!

For his mother, he found a beautiful set of hair combs which would enhance her Devil Trigger, even her Sin mode. They were silver and blue violet crystal. The design was of elegant ivy and blossoms.

He smiled when he saw his Mother dressed and setting breakfast. She was dressed in frosted blue violet and silver; her hair was in a high ponytail and a white poinsettia was in the middle of the ponytail. Nero grinned.

"Good morning Kid!" Dante cheered. Nero looked at his soon to be stepfather and grinned. Dante was dressed in blood red and platinum trim with a slight hint of gold. What shocked Nero was Dante's hair! It was slicked back! In this way, he looked like the Sparda statue! Minus the horns….

"G…good morning…wow you look…. amazing."

"Thanks Kid, where's your Mother?"

"Breakfast," Nero said as he pointed. Dante smiled and both Hunters went for breakfast.

"Merry Christmas!" They greeted Vera, who looked at them and smiled.

"Merry Christmas," She said warmly. "Come and eat, after that, you may have your presents…..." She gasped when she saw Dante. She was pleasantly shocked. "Well, well, look at you My Devil."

"He looks like Grandfather." Nero said. Vera nodded but hugged the Hunter and kissed him softly. Dante pulled her in closer and deepened the kiss, dipping her. Nero grinned and set up his own plate. The older devils moaned softly, not breaking their kiss until a throat cleared.

"Holy SHIT! SPARDA'S BACK!" Nico said, floored. Trish and Lady were wide eyed with awe. Patty blinked then giggled.

"That's Dante!" She said as she recognized the Hunter. Dante grinned and winked at his ward. She would recognize him, for she saw him dress this way on a few occasions. Even though he did look like his Father even more so when dressed to the nines, he did not want the attention.

"Oh man, what a headache." Griffon groaned as he flew in. "But damn that eggnog was BANGING…... HOLY SHIT! IT'S SPARDA!" The demon bird's eyes bugged out. Nero and Dante laughed as the bird tried to compose himself. Vera placed a bowl of herbal water before the demon bird. He saw the ring on her finger, and he grinned.

"Congratulations V, when did he ask?"

"Thank you, Griffon, and he proposed last night."

"That's awesome."

Nero finished his breakfast and handed his presents to the shocked devils. "Merry Christmas."

"Oh, Kid you didn't have to do this!" Dante said as he slowly opened his. Vera nodded in agreement but opened hers as well. The older devils gasped as they saw their presents.

"Oh my god…... This is amazing Kid!" Dante said as he held the Devil Compass. Vera gasped at the combs.

"Nero, where did you... I remember these combs….." Vera held them and sat back. "They were Father's last anniversary gift for Mother. But he had never been able to give them to her. He was called away to a mission. He crafted these himself. Let me see that compass…" Dante blinked but handed it over. Vera inspected and smiled. "This was Father's. Another craft of his. This compass was created to help him track down demons and devils during his travels. If I remember correctly, there should be a way for a map to appear." Dante and Nero blinked and inspected the compass. Nero saw an inscription.

"Father, look there, read that." Nero pointed. Dante held the compass out and saw the inscription.

"Iustitiae me deduxisti me." Dante read. Immediately the map came forth as a projection and showed a swarm of demons not too far from a children's hospital in Red Grave City. The three Spardas grinned and when Nero was about to gear up, Vera stopped him and handed Nero his gifts and a pair of highly shined boots. Nero hugged the devils and geared up.

"What did you give him Babe?"

"Father's Order of the Sword uniform, medals, sigil and Sword." Vera said as she handed Dante his present. Dante blinked but opened it and gasped.

"Father's watch!" He choked. "Babe how did you find it?"

"I swiped it when we were children. I kept it hidden all these years. I even had it repaired. Look here," She opened the watch and Dante saw their family portrait from when they were children.

"You know I'll have to have a new portrait commissioned." Dante said. "Once we marry."

"True," Vera said with a smile. Dante smiled and pulled Vera close and kissed her.

"Vera I…"

"You two gave me the best gift; your love and a second chance. A new life." Dante smiled and hugged her.

"These are amazing!" Nero said as he showed the gear. Nero was dressed in Navy blue, blood red and dark purple trim. The Order of The Sword was in purple outlined with black and a hint of silver. The sword was like Red Queen in design. Vera took the sword and Red Queen and handed one of them, their father's sword to Dante. Dante nodded and allowed for red flames to burst forth from his hands, engulfing the entire blade. Vera did the same for Red Queen and both devils clashed the swords. Nero shielded his eyes as they clashed, the flames becoming purple. The sword became an entirely new blade! It was a Celtic sword with black with navy blue, the blade shimmered silver and a blood red jewel in the heart of the blade. The guard was in the form of Hell Angel wings. On the pommel was a blue violet jewel and the hilt was black with navy and red trim.

"It has a name, Celestial Grace." Vera said. "It is the blade of Celestial Royalty."

"Damn that blade is nice!" Dante said. Nero held his sword close and stuck out his tongue. "No way Old Man, you got your own."

"It's all good Kid. Now, let us kick these demons back to Hell." He said with a smirk. Vera and Nero grinned and the family went out to open a can of Christmas ass kicking.

It seemed like hardly an effort for the family and they were thanked. Vera and Nero were shocked that Dante refused the money, saying to use it to give the children a Christmas. Vera smiled brightly and Nero was proud of the Hunter. He knew that Dante was a bleeding heart. Wow, he is fucking amazing! Nero thought. He is not selfish at all.

As they walked in, Dante looked down and blinked at the official letter, bearing the seal of Fortuna. He blinked and held it in his hands. Nero and Vera looked at him and waited. He picked up the letter opener and opened it carefully, reading it. His eyes widened and he sat down.

"Father?"

"My Devil?"

"It's from the Council. They want me to become the new Lord of Fortuna." Nero and Vera blinked as Dante groaned and sat back. "I can't do this."

"Father, you're not alone. We will help you. We are a family." Nero said. Dante smiled softly and held Vera's hand in his.

"This is a Christmas we will never forget." Dante said. "What is this a Christmas joke?"

"No, they're summoning the Lord." Vera said. "And how shall the Lord respond?"

"I'm fucked."

One of many changes. Thank you for reading and stay tuned for the Sequel