Chapter 1: What Do You Fight For?
Vergil watched as Dante and Asmodeus embraced warmly before he embraced the children and lead them into the kitchen. They all jumped when they heard Titus storming out of Sparda's office. Marius pulled his gaze away from Dante and walked out to check on his brother.
"That little bastard!" Titus growled. "HE GETS WHAT I WORKED MY BUTT FOR!"
"Will you keep it down?" Marius hissed. "They are in the kitchen!"
"Mars don't play yourself," Titus growled. "We know that you think the same about Vergil where Dante is concerned!"
"That may be, but I don't thunder it where all can hear."
"I just read Father's journal," Titus admitted. Marius gasped.
"Are you crazy? You're lucky Father didn't skin you alive. He's particular about his journals."
"He chose Nero over me."
"Well, I agree with him." Marius said, which shocked his brother. "You are too hot headed and too high and mighty to lead."
"Nero was a hot-head…."
"He was," Marius said. "But he matured,"
"I am mature….."
"Ty, look at how you're acting. Besides Nero may not want it."
"Father will try to cajole him… "
"I don't think so."
"What if you're wrong?"
"Then I'm wrong, but I don't think I am. Now, calm down and let's play nice."
"Right, easier said than done." Unbeknownst to them, Dami and Sai were in the shadows listening and had heard everything.
"We better tell Father and fast." Sai said. Dami was too shocked to speak so he nodded in agreement.
Sparda sat at the head of the table as he looked at his family. He and Asmodeus felt the tension between his sons and eldest grandson. He felt Asmodeus hold his hand in comfort before he stood up and got everyone's attention.
"We would like to thank you all for coming." He said as he raised his glass. "I am happy to announce that the New Order is coming along splendidly, thanks to Nero's insight and assistance." Titus' soft scoff turned into a yelp as Marius kicked him. Vergil raised an eyebrow before giving a look of disapproval, causing Titus to gulp and bow his head while Marius shrugged and smirked challengingly. Vergil stilled when he felt Dante's hand grip his.
"In addition," Sparda continued. "I am happy to announce that I have chosen a successor for the Order once I step down. Congratulations Nero." Sparda raised his glass and Nero blinked.
"What?!" The younger Hunter cried. "Grandfather, I don't want it!"
"Nonsense Child, it's an honor…"
"Well, I'm sorry I'm going to have to tell you to shove it." Nero said, causing his mother to laugh and his father to cough on his wine. "It's not for me. So, while I thank you, no thank you." Marius hid a smile at his nephew. "I'm a Devil Hunter, I'm damn good at it and I love my job."
Dante and Vergil grinned in approval and raised their glasses before exchanging a sweet chaste kiss. His younger siblings hooted and cheered at their elder brother's bold statement. Titus saw Marius' look of disapproval at the lovers' tender kiss.
"Please, this is the dinner table not your bedroom." Titus said in a snide attitude. Asmodeus glared at his firstborn who gulped and looked down for a second time. Sparda chuckled.
"Well, if you change your mind Child, the position is yours."
"Grandfather, there are many candidates for the position…."
"Not in your caliber." Sparda said.
"I stand by my decision." Nero said firmly. "I intend to return to Devil May Cry. Mother, do we still have the office building?"
"Ah thank you for reminding me My Angel." Dante said with a grin. "Babe, do you want to do the honors?" Vergil nodded and handed Nero a leather case.
"The keys, the deed and the ledger." Vergil said. "The building is all repaired and all yours. It even has a garage and weapons lab. Ms. Goldstein is willing to train those who show potential to become a weapons artisan."
"But you will need help. I hunted alone before I met Lady and Trish."
"Mother, can I go with Nero?" Rian asked. "I would love to kick some ass!"
"LANGUAGE!!!" The two Patriarchs shouted. Rian grinned sheepishly while Dante laughed.
"Well Nero, you're the boss, it's your choice."
"Rian, you can come. Sai, Dami?"
"We're in!" Sai said after she and Dami whispered it over. They were affectionately dubbed the Shadow Duo for both inherited their father's Shadow Magic abilities.
They both had familiars as their sire had, but while Vergil had two, they had one apiece. Dami had a Shadow panther like his father while Sai had a Shadow Raven like her father's Griffon. The two were Mordred (The Shadow Panther) and Morgana (Shadow Raven). But they were also able to exchange familiars. Their abilities first came when they were only five years old during a game of hide and seek. While Vana was able to sense her twin, she couldn't see him! But Sai was able to, and this upset Vana.
Both their parents explained that twins aren't always alike and that they were all special. Although she understood, Vana couldn't help but feel a bit jealous. Their familiars arrived when they were six. Mordred was one of Shadow's cubs. Morgana was one of Griffon's hatchlings.
"Ok, so, it's settled. We'll head off to Devil May Cry and set everything up." Rian said with a grin.
"Hold your shorts buddy!" Dante said with a chuckle. "Nero may be in charge in office but it's we," He pointed to Vergil and himself. "Who calls the shots!" Vergil laughed darkly then sipped his wine as the children stared agape.
"Oh, did you see their faces Beloved?"
"Priceless!" Dante laughed. "You're not running ragged."
"But Mother….." Rian, Sai and Dami pleaded.
"No!" Dante said. "Our decision stands. Accept them or you don't go."
"Mother, you drive a hard bargain…" Rian groaned before looking at Sai and Dami who nodded in agreement.
"That's business!" Dante said with a wink. Vergil nodded and saluted the kids with his glass while chuckling darkly. It was a shrewd move, but it was worth it!
"Ok, we're in."
"Great!" Dante said. "Nero, you got this, My Angel."
"Awesome!" Nero said with a grin. "Welcome to Devil May Cry guys."
"Sweet!" The three said with a grin.
"So, all of you are leaving the nest?" Sparda asked. The four heading to Devil May Cry nodded. Nero blinked.
"All?"
"Yes, Dart and Vana are in the Order…."
"I'm sorry….WHAT?!!" Dante, Vergil, and Nero asked. Vana and Dart winced before looking at their grandfather who blinked and swore.
"Mother, Father, we signed up to join the Order." Dart said. Vergil went rigid then the room grew cold….
" When did you do this?" Vergil asked with deadly calm.
"When we went to visit," Vana said.
"Well, Hell no!" Nero said as he glared at Vana.
"Hey, wait a minute, I'm allowed to go…." Dart began. Nero glared at him.
"NO YOU'RE NOT!!!"
"NERO YOU ARE NOT FATHER!"
"Boys…..SIT DOWN!" Their father commanded, causing them to yelp and grab their seats. Dante was ready to burst into tears. "We will discuss this at home…" He held Dante's hand.
"Beloved, would you like to leave?"
"I….think we should…." Dante sobbed. Vergil nodded and gathered his family, hugging his Mama and shaking his father's hand and nodding to their younger brothers before escorting his family home. Asmodeus sighed heavily and got up from the table while Sparda and the twins cleared everything.
"Asme?" Sparda whispered as he held his mate close.
"Where did we go wrong?" He asked brokenly. Sparda hugged his mate as their sons watched. They were upset that their mother was hurting. They also felt bad that Dante was hurting as well. Marius wanted to give Dante everything and Titus wanted to comfort both his mother and older brother.
He also agreed with Nero and Vergil, on Vana joining the ranks of the Order. The training was merciless and wasn't for a woman, even if she was a Sparda. He had to talk his father out of allowing Vana to join.
"Vana," Dante began softly as they reached home, and three of the four Devil Hunters went to get ready to head to the office. "You seriously didn't join…."
"Yes, Mother I did?"
"But why Baby?" Dante asked. "It's not a place for…."
"A girl?"
"For any member of this family." Dante said with a sigh. "I don't want Dart to go either. Even though your grandfather and uncle are there, it is not the best idea."
"How DARE you sign up for that without consulting your mother and I…" Vergil said, his green eyes blazing with anger. "We understand that you are all of age, but I didn't think your intelligence and judgement would go out the window!"
"Father, you and Mother taught us to fight and to defend ourselves…Nero was in the Order…."
"Yes, it became Corrupt due to a power-hungry human who wished to become a demon and rule the world." Vergil said, anger still in his eyes. "I know with all I've done I am the last to preach, but this is not the path for you or your sister…."
"But it was ok for Nero?"
"Your mother was against it then as well."
"Then why did he get to go?"
"Because I gave him a choice Dart." Dante said sadly as he walked into the room with Vana in tow.
"He did the same thing you two had done. He was around your age. I was against him going but I left it to him because he was old enough to make his own decision."
"Beloved I…."
"So, we will do the same for you two." Dante said as he held Vergil's hand. "You are all of age. We love you no matter what you decide. You'll always be our children, no matter what. Unless you decide to raise hell on Earth then we're coming to kick your asses." Vergil chuckled at this. Again, his Beloved was right.
"How about this," Vergil began. "Give it, one month. If you wish to continue, you may. If not, go to your grandfather and you leave. Fair enough?"
"More than fair Father." Dart said. Vana nodded in agreement and Dante went to make the call.
"Yes?" Sparda greeted as he picked up the call. It broke his heart to hear Dante's sobs. He heard soft siffling and Vergil soothing him, encouraging him to continue.
"Father, the children want to try if for a month and if they don't like it, is it possible for them to leave?"
"Of course, it is My Hellion, please don't cry. I'll make sure they're safe."
"Thank you, Father," Dante said with a soft sob before hanging up. Sparda hung up the phone and looked up to see a concerned Asmodeus.
"That was Dante, he asked if the children could stay at the Order for a month only to see if they wish to continue."
"I think that is fair." Asmodeus said with a nod. "But you can't be there all the time my love."
"I know, but Titus would be in their year. He could watch them as well."
"Do you think that's wise?" Asmodeus asked. "I love our boys, but they are not…. cut out for such a task."
"It'll be a perfect test for him."
"I don't like this." Asmodeus said. "I think Vana and Dart should go to Devil May Cry with their siblings."
"Asme…They'll be Devil Hunters…."
"There's nothing wrong with that." Asmodeus said. "In fact, Devil Hunting is more this family's legacy than a glorified soldier. Best think about that and not lose yourself." With that, he walked out of the room and to their bedroom. Sparda sat back and thought back.
He was a Dark Knight, he fought for justice and honor, for peace. Dante fought for it, Nero fought for it, Vergil as well once he realized the wrongs he had done. All died for it and rose as Devils. Their purpose was to protect the worlds. Now that it was peace time, what did he fight for now?