Chapter 11: Last Lesson

The atmosphere was a somber one at first at Devil May Cry since Sparda's passing. The next morning before dawn, on a hunch, Vergil and Nero went back to the site where the tower was and they found Sparda's lifeless body somehow not smashed amongst the rubble. The cause of death was by kamikaze. He took Arkham down with him. Vergil thought and Nero whimpered before looking away. Vergil sighed and hugged his son.

"Let's prepare him for his final rest." Vergil said softly. Nero sniffled but nodded and helped his father pick up the elder carefully and bring him home. What they didn't anticipate, was Mira waiting for them. Oh shit! The men swore. Mira looked at the sleeping face of her father and lovingly pushed back a stray bang away from his eyes. She looked at Vergil and Nero but nodded, placing a kiss goodbye on his forehead. Goodbye Daddy. Mira thought with a sob. And thank you for keeping me safe, for not giving up hope on us all. May you and Mother rest in peace .

The Sparda family were dressed in their finest and their home and lands were restored. The Legendary Dark Knight was given a hero's funeral and was laid to rest beside his wife. Mira and Nero walked on Vergil's left and right respectively and everyone bowed their heads in respect. Nero saw a few people he had grown up with at the orphanage and they were in awe. Nero shrugged and walked on, making sure his mother was comforted. Nico, Trish, Lady and even Morrison attended. The priest serviced the funeral and Vergil was ordained Lord Sparda, as the eldest, it fell to him to perform the last rites with the priest. Mira kept a brave face but Nero held her hand, which the Huntress was thankful for. The service lasted until sundown and everyone else went home. The family remained at the tomb. It was Nero who finally broke the silence.

"Father," Nero began softly. The new Lord looked at their son and waited. Nero motioned to speak alone and Vergil nodded and kissed Mira softly, whispered they'd be back in a moment and walked with their son. Nero and Vergil sat down close by but made sure Mira wasn't listening. "Mother needs to get away from here a bit. It'll do her good. With all that has happened, it may be best for her to have a break from things." Vergil nodded in agreement.

"I can think of a few places for us to go. Not just your mother and I but you as well."

"Father, I…."

"Your songstress will understand I'm certain. Right now, grant us this." Nero nodded and his father smiled softly. "Good, let's say our final goodbyes and allow our departed to rest in peace." Both men walked back to where Mira was waiting, setting flowers on both resting places. Both men helped her up and hugged her. They all said goodbye and while Nero escorted his mother away his father stayed a bit.

"I've done so many mistakes," He began. "Committed so many sins, blood of countless innocent people on my hands. All due to my foolish pride. I devoted my life to pursue power, to ensure that I would never be weak again. But Mira and Nero both knocked sense into me. For that, and for loving me, I'm grateful. I will fight for them, protect them and love them as I should have. Father, you and Mother tried to have me see that, but Mira and Nero understood it before I did. It made them strong, now I see that they are my true power. They are my strength. I love them both and cherish them both…"

"We love and cherish you too." A voice interrupted him gently. Vergil turned and saw Mira standing there, with a sad but soft smile on her lips. "I sent Nero ahead to let Kyrie know that he'll be with us for a while. She sends her love and condolences."

"My love, Nero and I believe that it would be best to have a break from things."

"I think that is a good idea. But the office…."

"Lady and Trish can take up the jobs." Vergil said. "But we can have that broker of yours to watch over the place."

"Good idea….Wha…Verge, look!" Mira's eyes widened and she pointed to their parents' tomb. Vergil stood in front of his intended, ready to fight but blinked when he saw a figure in purple….

"Father?" Vergil asked, truly startled. Mira bit back a sob. Sparda looked at them and smiled. At first they believed he was alive but when he shimmered they knew they were seeing a phantom.

"Didn't think I'd leave my family without saying goodbye did you?" The elder's phantom asked with a smile. "Nero, I can see you Lad, come on out."

Mira and Vergil chuckled at the startled gasp and the 'How the hell did he find me?' Nero came out of the shadows and Mira hugged him. Nero smiled and hugged his mother back. Vergil smiled and turned to his father's spirit.

"When I sent you three off I made my choice. I knew that man had to be stopped so I took it upon myself to make sure he didn't terrorize you again. Ah, look who's here." The family gasped when a kind woman with blond hair and dressed in red came to them. For Mira, it was like looking into a mirror. She sobbed again.

"Oh my sweet girl," Eva smiled. "You've grown into a beautiful strong woman. And what a handsome son. Hello Nero dear." Nero smiled shyly and waved to his grandmother. She looked at Vergil and she had a proud smile for him. "Ah my strong boy, look at you, a Lord and a King as well. You were always ambitious and took command quite early, I said this to your father. And now, you're a father as well and soon," She looked at the ring on Mira's finger. "A husband. You have a beautiful family and I am so proud of you. Vergil, look at me." Vergil looked up at his mother and saw his look in her eyes. She may have been kind but when she looked like this, it was as if Vergil was looking in a mirror. He had that same look from her. Mira had more their father's stern look.

"Vergil, you confessed and are sorry for your misdeeds. A lot of them weren't even your doing. But you learned to love and have discovered your place. It's not on a constant pursuit for power. Your place is right here, with your family. As it always had been. I never abandoned you, I was killed when I went to search for you." Vergil bit back tears. He knew from when Dante told him but now, that he's heard it from their own mother, it impacted him. Mira and Nero placed their hands onto Vergil's shoulders. He saw the love in their eyes, the strength to protect him, support him, always be there for and with him. He hugged them both. The two phantoms smiled at the family. Sparda looked at the sky and saw a shooting star. He made a wish and looked at them then placed a hand on his wife's shoulder. She looked at him and nodded. "Don't worry children, we are with you, always. We love you all very much."

"You'll see us sooner than you think." Sparda said with a wink and a devilish smile. "This will be fun…We love you and we are very proud. Treasure and Cherish each other, children. Nero, my brave lad, you have shown these two the way, guide them and love them and as you have, bitch slap them if you need to. You have our blessing." Mira and Eva both looked at the elder who gulped and grinned sheepishly. Vergil and Nero snickered. With a last laugh and last goodbyes the parents faded away and the family left the tomb with lighter hearts and looked forward to what laid ahead.

Nero and Vergil woke up extra early and gathered fresh cut flowers and made breakfast in bed for the demoness. Nero thought of how his grandfather said they would see them soon. He saw that his father had thought along the same lines.

"So what did you have in mind for our trip Father?"

"As a start, I was thinking somewhere, musically enriched, good food and grand sights."

"Hm, sounds like Italy." Nero guessed. His father smiled.

"Bravo." His father praised. "And maybe you can find something for that songstress of yours…"

"Father I…it's not like that with Kyrie and I."

"And why not?"

"Father I…"

"Oh, you…"

"No Father its not that either, I just don't…see that for me."

"Well, in time I'm sure you'll change your mind." Vergil said as he set the tea for Mira. "I should know."

"Father?"

"Before I claimed your mother I didn't think about having children. I was too into my pursuit for power. However when I met your mother in Fortuna, I knew that she was to be mine. I had to have her."

"So it just happened?" the younger devil asked as they walked. His father nodded.

"As your mother pointed out, things happen for a reason. Do I love your mother, yes. Do I love you , yes. My split and my time as V helped me realized how much you two meant to me, and shown my regret for all the wrongs I've done." At this Nero saw the regret and remorse in his father's blue green eyes. He truly was sorry. Nero opened the door and both men saw Mira was awake and greeted both with a smile.

"Good morning." She greeted as she closed the wine red photo album carefully and set it aside. "Oh, for me?"

Vergil nodded and set it down and lovingly kissed Mira. Nero heard his mother's soft moan as she kissed him back. He blushed a bit but smiled at the gesture. He saw that his father did indeed love his mother. Just from that one kiss…

"Good morning my love, how are you feeling?"

"I feel better. Verge um, what did Father mean by we'll see them soon?"

"We've been thinking on that as well." Vergil said as he poured a cup of tea for himself and Nero after he handed Mira hers. "We are also drawing blanks."

"I may have an idea it may be a bit far fetched." Mira said. "It's believed that children are an extension of their parents. I think he was hinting at Reincarnation." Vergil sat back and thought on this. Nero did as well. What Mother said can be spot on. I mean, look at me.

"Father, what do you think?"

"I think your mother may be right." Vergil said. "Children generally share traits with their parents, physical or otherwise. Grandchildren are no exception to the rule. Even with multiple generations , traits are passed down. So it could be through us or…." He looked at Nero.

"Father, we went through this.."

"What happened?"

"Nero doesn't see children in the future." Vergil summarized. Mira looked at Nero and tilted her head.

"Not to pressure you, but why not? Kyrie is a wonderful young lady…"

"Mother, I see Kyrie as a sister."

"You forget I was there when you went to rescue her. When you two almost kissed."

"Thank you for bringing that up my love." Vergil smirked. " You see, child? Fate is fickle as it is mysterious. You and your songstress may have a chance. Beside I like her as well. And that doesn't come easy for me, your mother can vouch for that."

"You'd make a great father Nero. I've seen you with the children in the orphanage."

"Mother, with all the protecting this world needs, do you honestly think I can do what we do and still be on time to kiss my children goodnight? To see them grow up, walk a potential daughter down the aisle on her wedding day? To stand with my son for his? To welcome my grandchildren..?" At this Nero choked. Mira hugged her son tight and the young devil sobbed. Vergil watched quietly but rubbed soothing circles on his son's back. He completely understood Nero's mindset. In his private moments he had thought the same. His parents were together for a spell, conceived him and Mira but Sparda had been called away a lot on missions, before one trapped him and their family fell apart. Sparda did what he did to preserve the line, by concealing his only daughter. The seal not only protected Mira but Nero as well. Vergil had protected himself by awakening early in life and gaining power . He carried out what was destined for him without realizing when he claimed Mira and conceived Nero that night in Fortuna. But even then, they couldn't be a family.

Now, 25 years later, here they were, finally together. They were a family at last. Vergil looked at them both and smiled softly. Our family, and I will not fail them again.

"Verge, you didn't fail us before either." Mira said as she kissed his knuckles. Nero placed his right hand, his devil bringer arm, onto his shoulder in silent agreement. Vergil gasped softly as he noticed which hand Nero used. As he allowed Nero to use Yamato, Nero placing his right hand on his father was a huge step. Mira smiled and placed her hand over Nero's. After sharing a peaceful moment the elder stood up and beckoned for them to follow him. They did and Vergil took out three tickets and three passports. Nero and Mira grinned. They were really going! Nero thanked his father as he took his ticket and passport. He opened it up and whistled in surprise. His father booked them first class! Mira squealed at the place they were to go.

"Verge, we haven't been here since we were…." She gasped. Vergil smiled at the light in her eyes. He knew that she loved where they were to go.

In his travels, Sparda found the area and fell in love with it, bought the lands and built the home. It became where he proposed to their mother and was their first marital home. Then when Vergil and Mira were born (although Mira was concealed) they visited the villa. In his brief stay on Earth, while Mira was asleep, Sparda and Vergil visited the villa, restored it and Sparda gave the villa to his son.

"But Father,"

"No son, this is my gift to you and Mira. I proposed to your mother here. You proposed to Mira in Fortuna. But here, is where our family began. You and Mira can begin here with Nero. This will be your home." Vergil bit back tears. He was overwhelmed. Sparda looked at his son and smiled.

"You're ready son. Look at the man you've become. You've more than redeemed yourself. Mira and Nero love you and will fight for you. You've been blessed more than once my son."

"But Father, I failed…" Vergil whispered as he bowed his head.

"Vergil, look at me." Sparda commanded firmly. The younger looked at his father, blue greens gazed into icy violet blues. "You didn't fail.. when Mundus attacked our home, you were a child. You wanted vengeance and that's what drove you. Yes you should've taken your sibling with you but you two believed each other dead. When you claimed her, you knew that you couldn't stay, as much as you may have wanted to…"

"I should've protected her and Nero."

"And what do you think would have happened then?" Sparda asked as Vergil traced the carving on a tree with his parents' initials. "I believe you had this conversation with Mira. You know deep down that she is right. But all and all, now, things have changed. Mundus is no more, nor others like him. You have the crown, you sit on the throne which means no one can challenge your rule. You did something I WOULD have done!" Vergil was floored at his father's admission. He did after all sacrificed a human priest to seal the tower and his power.

"While I am furious at the lives lost and you eating the fruit, its what I would have done. You are more like me than you realize. You learned to love, and you learned what it is like to be like me. It's a heavy burden. Powerful as it may be, the journey has many twists and turns. I wasn't born this powerful you know. No one is. True power is EARNED through actions, knowledge and experience. You, Mira, even Nero are powerful. Your knowledge, experiences and actions shaped you to what you see in the mirror." Vergil looked at his father whose smile didn't waver.

"Despite all that's befallen, I am proud of you my son." Vergil smiled softly and both father and son hugged warmly before Sparda pulled back with a devilish grin.

"Long Live the King." He teased and Vergil groaned.

"Father! You just killed a warm moment!" Sparda laughed richly and Vergil smiled. Both continued to work and Sparda handed a small box to Vergil. It was palm size.

"I gave this to your mother on our wedding night. My father gave it to my mother on theirs." Vergil opened it and gasped. It was his mother broach. It was gold and silver with a similar looking stone as the Perfect Amulet. But this one wasn't red like the perfect amulet, but a perfect harmony of blue and red with a hint of violet, and it shimmered steadily. It reminded Vergil of the blue roses in Fortuna. "I see you remember it. This is the Devil Rose. It is a token of love given in love for our beloved. It is only from husband to wife or in some occasions on a same sex pairing which does happen, the Dominant of the pair gives to their Submissive."

"Father…"

"Nero," Sparda began. "He is young, don't pressure him into marriage. It'll come in its own time."

"He's a gentleman." Vergil said and Sparda smirked.

"So much to learn, even the most proper of men become beasts of lust when in the presence of those meant for us. You of all people know this. I was a bit wild myself." Vergil yelped and blushed as he covered his ears. He did NOT need that in his head. Sparda laughed and hugged his son again. "You're redder than Mira's outfit. Come, let's finish this up." Vergil nodded and smiled, continuing with work and planning out the future of his family.

"Vergil?" He heard Mira call and felt hands on his shoulders. He opened his eyes and looked at the concerned faces of Mira and Nero. "What happened?"

"Damn, what was in that tea Father? You were gone!" Vergil blinked as Nero laughed and blinked as he sniffed his cup. Hm, its lavender and vanilla. That's what I prepared then what did happen?

"Verge, we can postpone…"

"Nonsense, we can go. I'll rest later I promise."

"OK, I'm holding you to that, even if I have to keep an eye on you." Nero smiled sadly as he recalled those words.

"That's why I'm going too, someone's got to keep an eye on your old man."

He allowed a small chuckle and looked at his mother. No matter the form, the spirit was the same.

"I love you Mother." Nero said with a smile. Mira smiled and gave the grin and wink Dante was famous for.

"I love you too kid."

At last my son, Vergil heard Sparda's voice in his mind. You're ready.

Yea a long chapter sorry. More to come!