Author's Warning: Character Death!
Chapter 10: Final Moments
The family continued to work up the tower and Mira whimpered as memories hit. Vergil stayed next to her as Sparda and Nero took the lead. He held her close and hugged her.
"Memories my love, nothing more." He whispered as he wiped her tears away gently. Mira looked at him and nodded.
"I know Verge, but…" She traced the part where Vergil had stabbed her with Rebellion when she was Dante so long ago. Vergil bowed his head at the memory but held her tighter.
"Forgive me my love."
"I already have, the memory is still…"
"I know my love, but it's in the past now. We've done this, lived this. These can't hurt us anymore." They leaned in and shared a tender kiss before Nero walked up.
"Mother, are you alright?"
"Yea Kiddo, memories just hit me hard."
"I understand. Father, the sector's cleared, where to, those blood birds were nuts. Found this," He handed over the soul of steel to his father. When Sparda came down to them after killing the last of the blood goyles they proceeded to where the demons Agni and Rudra were supposed to be. They weren't there.
"Hm, the pooch wasn't in place either. Ah, that's right, I have their Devil Arm!" Mira said. "Memories…."
"And nothing more," Vergil finished gently. The group continued on. Upon approaching the place where Mira first fought Vergil and lost she dropped to her knees.
"I can't!" She sobbed. Vergil picked her up and motioned for Nero and Sparda to give them a moment.
"My love, just memories….forgive me…" He held her tight, allowing her to cry. She clung to him and cried hard, shaking. Oh my heart, I am so sorry.
"I know it was necessary…"
"It was…without it, we wouldn't awaken. I was trigged when we were children. I wasn't in my right state of mind when I awakened you. I'm not excusing myself."
" I know Babe. It just…"
"Let's go, we have a large sushi order to fill." Mira laughed as they both jumped off the platform.
The family continued on and both Mira and Vergil took the lead as Nero and Sparda fell behind, giving them a break. Nero liked the Opera house and Mira had a teasing grin.
"Father did you and Neven have a thing?" She giggled. Sparda blushed a bit and looked away. Vergil and Nero smirked.
"Father, I believe you were asked a question." Vergil chuckled. Nero grinned and also smirked.
"A gentleman never kisses and tells." The elder said smoothly. The three devils were floored. Mira grinned.
"It's OK daddy." She said sweetly. "I'll just ask Neven when we get back home." Sparda stopped in his tracks. Vergil and Nero laughed darkly. That's my Queen! Vergil thought with a smile. Make him sweat!
"How?" Sparda asked. Mira just hummed and walked away. Sparda walked after her demanding how while Vergil and Nero laughed.
"Grandfather is so busted!" Nero said. "Who is Neven anyway?" Mira whistled and waved Nero and Vergil over.
"Quick peek," She whispered and held their hands.
A barely clothed woman with red eyes, pale skin and bats flying around appeared as Dante entered the Opera house.
"Welcome Sir," She greeted. "Is this your first time here?"
"Yea it is, you'll be nice to me right?" Dante asked feigning innocence. The witch smiled.
"I'll treat you so nicely you'll never want to leave…"
"Now, that's…what I'm talking about!" Dante said as he pulled Rebellion out. Neven chuckled as she walked and exhaled pure electricity
"Well, come on sugar."
Nero and Vergil blinked and blushed. Nero chuckled a bit after.
"Can I borrow her sometime?" He asked and Vergil whapped him upside the head. "Ow! What's that for Old Man?" Vergil's eyes narrowed then nodded toward Mira. Nero hung his head.
"Sorry Mother."
"Boys will be boys." Mira said with a grin. "Now if your father asked, he'd be a dead man."
"I'm not a fool, I got the best!" Vergil said with a grin. Nero grinned as well.
"Yes you did Father. Mother's a bombshell who's able to kick your ass. Who'll keep you on your toes. That's a rare beauty all right."
Vergil watched as Mira cleared out the next area with their father and smiled. She was everything he could ever ask for and she gave him a wonderful son. Even though the child needs to learn a few things…Vergil thought with smirk. He was startled by a hand on his rear but relaxed when he heard Mira's crisp warm laughter in his ear.
"I wouldn't do that right now my love, we have a mission to finish." The older man whispered. Mira smiled and hugged him.
"I'm dying to get out of here." She whispered. Vergil held her closer and silently agreed with her. He wanted nothing more than to have his family and himself back home. I will crush Arkham's still bleeding heart in my hands…Dare to touch my wife…I'll make him watch as I rip it from his chest!
"Verge, you had that blood thirsty look in your eyes again." Mira said as they gathered where the two dueled again to shed blood. She saw the old bloodstained tiles and sighed.
"Mira, I assure you there is no influence upon me. I was imagining when I rip Arkham's still bleeding heart out of his chest and crushing it."
"Ah, I'd rather just kick his ass into hell." Mira said. Sparda nodded.
"The heart thing sounds good, my son. A befitting punishment for his crimes." Nero blinked.
"I agree with Mother. So looks like the vote is split."
The family made it through the now broken tower and rode back up by motorcycles. Vergil, Mira and Nero were shocked that Sparda was able to handle one! Mira grinned.
"First one up has to cook for a week!" She called. "Losers have to do the dishes!"
"You're on!" The men called. Vergil came up close then smirked.
"Sorry my love, but I won't lose." He revved up his bike and went up. Mira smirked and allowed the others to get a head start. When she saw they were half way up with Vergil in the lead she revved up the bike, eyes red and glowing scarlet. She sped up so fast that she almost flew up! She heard the men stammering and calling out hey no fair and dark laughter. Mira looked up and saw more demons. Without missing a beat, she took out Ivory and began to shoot one handed. Sparda and Nero followed suit with the firing and Vergil launched energy swords. A trio of blood goyles and reapers snagged the front tire of the motorcycle. Mira was thrown off her bike!
"Mother!" Nero cried out as he saw the whole thing but was trapped in battle, as was his grandfather who also saw it as well, heart dropping.
"Delmira!" Sparda cried out. Vergil surprised them all by impressive motorcycle and aerial skill armed with Beowulf, catching her while killing the demons with his motorcycle. Mira looked at him and smiled and batted her eyes.
"My hero, how can I repay you?"
"Hm, I reserve that decision for now. Hold on tight." Mira did and Vergil revved up the bike, allowing his partial trigger speed up the bike, energy swords launching to kill the demons ahead while he took care of others with the gauntlets. Mira and Vergil made it first to the top, followed by Nero and Sparda.
"Mother!" Nero called as he hugged his mother. "Are you alright?"
"Yea kiddo I'm ok." She said as she hugged him back. "Who would've guessed your father to have such skills on a motorcycle and those gauntlets."
"Yea Father those stunts were wicked. How'd you…"
"One day I'll tell you." Vergil said as he got off the bike and slicked back his hair. Sparda was also impressed. After defeating the angel wannabes they moved on. After a few more memory lanes they made it to the pillar of light and the bells were ringing.
"I don't miss this one bit!" Mira called over the ringing. Nero covered his ears and grimaced. Bells this loud he found annoying. Vergil and Sparda agreed with the younger devil and covered their ears. Mira blocked it out and the four of them went up.
They entered the forbidden nirvana where Arkham was waiting.
"So you all made it up here, it's too late I already have the power of Sparda!"
"Oh really?" Sparda asked as he tilted his head. "Ah I see, well I can fix that." He clenched his fist and Arkham powered down and the power returned to its rightful Master. As did the Forced Edge and the amulets. Arkham blinked as a void opened up under his feet and he dropped down with a scream, with Sparda jumping in after him. Mira laughed a bit before she, Vergil and Nero followed the elder down. Mira gasped in recognition when they landed and she whimpered. Vergil looked at her and understood why she was distraught. This is where it all began….where we dueled the last time before I fell into the Underworld. Arkham smirked.
"So, what's it going to be?" The man asked. Vergil was about to fight when Sparda put his arm out, preventing his firstborn to pass.
"Not this time," He said sternly as he looked at Vergil then nodded to Mira and Nero. "You three go."
"But Father," Mira and Vergil said.
"Grandfather no."
"It's best. I am so proud of you all. Vergil, take care of your family. Now go!" Mira reached out for her father with tears in her eyes. He father smiled lovingly,
"Do not cry my sweet noble protector. You will see me again, soon enough." Vergil and Nero pulled Mira gently to go with them. She allowed them to, crying. Nero bit back tears as did his father. Vergil knew at that point that the mantle of Lord and Patriarch now fell to him. He had become like his father. For the first time in my life, I truly feel the weight. The three of them made it out as the tower collapsed and disappeared, the gate closed once again. Vergil and Nero hugged a sobbing Mira.
"Father, will Grandfather come back?" Nero asked as he hugged his mother.
"I don't know son." Vergil said honestly. "But let's go home. The tower is no more." With a nod and while comforting Mira, the family returned to Devil May Cry.
When they returned, Mira went straight to her room, crying. Nero and Vergil sighed and Vergil sat at the desk. Nero bowed his head. He was also upset at the loss of his grandfather.
"He may come back." The older man said. Nero looked at his father and sighed.
"Mother is very upset." Nero said. "Father, she needs you. I can handle the office." Vergil nodded and headed upstairs. He found Mira in the room they father stayed in, lying on the bed and sobbing softly. He walked over slowly and leaned down, stroking her cheek lovingly. She slowly looked up, pained and tear filled icy blues gazed into pained blue green eyes.
"Vergil," She sniffled. "Father's gone…"
"My love, you can't think that…"
"I felt him die." Mira sobbed. Vergil held her close and laid down with her. Mira buried her face into Vergil's shoulder and cried for their father. Vergil suddenly felt numb. No….he….he is gone….Father….what have you done? Suddenly Vergil heard church bells tolling mournfully.
Nero picked up his head at the first toll and immediately lit a candle and unsheathed his sword, took a knee and bowed his head, delivering a last prayer for his grandfather. Grandfather, thank you for all that you have done, we love you and miss you, may you find Grandmother and your peace at last. Amen.
I think the Dark Knight has done enough. He may come back, in some form….