The Angel's Demon

Chapter 11: A Tower of Fear and Memories

There was no light even though it was the middle of the day; many dark shades of clouds covered the sky and the rumbling of lightning threatened the town. It was pouring rain outside, not to mention the temperature had gone down a significant amount, it was freezing. This situation felt stripped of hope, this much was what Lady felt.

Lady had recognized upon opening her eyes where she was, even if this place pertained to a memory long since passed. "Temen-ni-gru… the tower of fear…which means…" her eyes widened when she perceived many growls approaching, she turned to face the many hooded demons, their large blue orbed eyes focusing on her.

She stood up without fear, she would embrace this battle, these demons would be no match for her. That's what she thought up until she reached into her side holsters and realized that they were empty, even her leg holsters were devoid of any weapon: she was completely unarmed.

"Yes, you seem to find yourself at quite a disadvantage, this is troublesome. I don't think I need to remind you of what happens if you perish in this realm, hmm?" Tempus said in a mocking manner as he appeared before her.

Lady couldn't see Tempus' face but he spoke as if he had a constant smile on his face. "Decisions decisions, time moves with or without you so decide quickly now. Whatever will you do?" He disappeared once again.

The demons were even closer to her now, racing to reach their prey…better play it safe for now. She hurried in the other direction, the vast hallway appearing never to cease until she saw a set of grand doors. This had better be open! She peered behind her and the demons were at her heels.

Just as she was reaching the door it began to open, a slight crevasse just enough for her to slip in. When she finally slipped through the door it closed, it clunked as if it were under lock. She heard the angry growls and mumbles of the demons outside.

She turned around, observing her new surroundings: it was a circular shaped room with a series of colorful, crystal glass covering the walls. There was an enormous chandelier hanging dead center illuminating the room. The light reflected would bounce off the colorful crystals on the wall giving out so many shades of color: oranges, blues, greens and clear white just to name some. What also stood out from the room were the large knight statues placed across from each other in a star shape.

Lady heard the sudden creak of the door opposite of her and went to hide behind one of the knight figures. She peeked her head out slightly and her gaze softened as she saw a younger version of herself appear through the door with an expression of utter agitation.

She wanted to step out and promise that everything would turn out alright, that this pain and darkness wouldn't be forever but she stopped herself from taking any further steps.

Her younger self was looking around the room her expression still downcast and upset when Lady saw Tempus appear behind her younger version holding a large lance in one hand prepared to strike her down. Lady exited her cover and yelled a warning, "BEHIND YOU!" Younger Lady turned around swiftly holding her missile launcher Kalina Ann ready but Tempus had already vanished before she had a better look at him but she did take a good look at the doppelganger across the room from her. She pointed Kalina Ann at her - gaze serious, her eyebrows furrowed and lips pursed.

"Don't shoot." Lady said keeping a calm voice, she outstretched her hands as a gesture to her younger self to lower the weapon.

Her younger version glared and without hesitation shot a missile and it exploded right behind Lady sending her flying forward, closer to her former self. "You haven't given me a reason to put my weapon down." Her younger version said behind clenched teeth.

Lady was closer to her and the missile launcher was pointed directly at her, in other words there was no escape at least not one that included not harming her younger self. Lady noticed a translucent Tempus floating above them cackling. That's when she had a revelation, she looked back at her younger self and she remained unfazed by the laughter which meant she couldn't hear it let alone be hurt by him. "It was all a trap. "You wanted me to kill me…" She said looking up, her eyes narrowed, "well played."

She looked back at her younger self who seemed bewildered and still upset, it was a miracle she held her patience to kill me this long, Lady thought with a brief smirk. Above everything Lady looked into her younger self's eyes she still had that wild and innocent look which meant she still hadn't faced her father but that moment was approaching.

Lady sighed unsure of where to begin but she best begin quickly, unsure of how much longer her younger version's patience would last, "there is something you will face, it's the hardest decision we've had to face, don't doubt yourself for one moment. Just go through with it. You may cry and regret having done it but don't, it was and always will be the right choice." A few tears slipped from her eyes but she had said what she needed to say, she was ready to die with no regrets, she closed her eyes prepared for the next course of action to take place.

Lady heard a heavy crashing noise hit the ground beside her and then felt a strong embrace, she opened her eyes surprised by the sudden embrace of her former self. She smoothed her younger versions hair back, "you've been strong too long, it's okay to cry."

"This wasn't supposed to happen; this is my realm!" Lady looked up and saw Tempus once again floating above her, his face was cloaked in darkness as usual but just guessing by his infuriated tone of voice Lady could guess what his expression might be.

"This might be your world," Lady said getting up and shielding her younger self from Tempus, "But it's nothing but a dream." Tempus growled loudly and vanished once again.

"Don't tell me I become crazy when I get older?" Younger Lady said rubbing her eyes.

Lady chuckled "No, shit just gets weirder though."

"What's happening to your hands!?" Younger Lady's eyes became wide with worry as her older version noticed her translucent hand.

Lady thought that maybe since she figured out the true meaning of this realm she was being sent back to reality, that or Tempus didn't want to risk her finding Angela and Dante and exposing the truth. Both reasons were plausible but one thing was for sure, she had to hurry. "I have to find Dante and Angela and warn them." The room began to shift as if obliging to Lady's request.

The shifting of the reality began to settle down and what lay in front of them were another pair of double doors. She could hear many voices on the inside.

"Ugh, mmm…" Angela hadn't completely opened her eyes and the little she could see was a blinding light that gleamed for a few seconds and then subsided. Soon after she could distinguish a person getting closer to her. She couldn't see exactly who it was but that this person was wearing a vibrant red garment. There could be no one else who could pull off that look, "huh? Dante?" She whispered.

He got closer to her and hadn't heard her previous comment, "well now, it seems we had a lovely lady in the audience." Young and with a bright smile, he offered his hand to her. "You alright babe?"

Her eyes were able to focus and she was able to take his hand. "Yes thank you." She dusted herself off and she couldn't help but remember that this was how Dante and her had met. She didn't want to jump to any conclusions and say it was Dante though, he seemed so juvenile.

He looked up at the ceiling where a large hole was visible, it gave the view of the murky sky. He let out a whistle, "first it was raining woman now it's beautiful angels, I can say I've seen everything. Definitely my kind of weather today." He looked back at her with a grin.

Angela looked back at him with a confused expression.

"Did you enjoy the show?" He asked taking a step closer to her.

"Show?" She took a good look at her surroundings and from the set up it looked like she was standing in a twisted version of the Roman Colosseum but Angela couldn't remember how she got here, let alone any moment prior to her landing.

"Don't tell me you didn't know there was a party here?" He continued to press on with his question and as he did he stepped closer.

"Party, what?" The way he spoke, with sarcasm and riddle only served to further confuse her.

"Are you playing dumb now or are you just part of the entertainment?" She saw him begin to reach for his guns.

She quickly took a couple of steps back and her wings draped over her in a protective fashion. "I'm not! I don't know where I am, I want to leave and I'm looking for Dante!"

The younger man bobbed his head to one side, "I'm Dante." He refrained from reaching for any of his weapons, wanting an explanation.

She relaxed slightly at seeing his gesture, "I guessed so but it's not you it's another Dante." Your older version but saying that would sound crazy.

He gave her a once over and then focused his gaze on her face, "Are you sure, I'm the only Dante who knows how to show the ladies a good time." He flashed her another smile.

Somehow this comment managed to make her relax fully. "I'm sure if they gave you the chance you could." She replied to his playful banter.

"Beauty, brains and charm and as an added bonus you haven't shot me in the head so, wanna go out with me?" He offered as he looked around for an exit.

"If by date you mean getting out of here and finding the other Dante, then yes." God only knew how much she really wanted to get out of here.

He turned to look at her, clicking his tongue, "you won't wanna leave me by the time we find this other Dante." He began to walk ahead of her as he found a door begin to materialize at the other end of the Colosseum. Angela couldn't help but stare at him after he said this, her feet glued to the spot. It wasn't so much the prospect of his daring words but what if she couldn't find the other Dante? This place and situation being so outlandish she doubted any hopeful outcome.

"C'mon beautiful, a date involves two people, remember?" Angela looked up and noticed the younger Dante was only a small distance away from her, he had come back for her.

She nodded quickly and kept her pace up with his as they headed for the exit. She smiled to herself knowing that things weren't as bad as they could be.

"So, I probably should have asked you this earlier, what's your name beautiful?" He asked.

"It's Angela." Somehow her name was a grim reminder of her condition.

"That's ironic, dontcha think?" Her draping, snow white wings were clearly an interesting sight but she was the prettiest outlandish thing he had seen in this place.

"I couldn't have said it better myself." She said with a chuckle.

"This place is a damn labyrinth but today hasn't been all bad luck." He was happy at having met someone with decency in this busted joint and seeing her smile was a nice change from the panicked state he had found her in. Although he didn't quite know why or who she really was, she wasn't lying to him.

Angela peered to look at him and he seemed to be distracted with something and as she was about to ask what he was contemplating a cold wind brushed by her, she saw the faintest glint of silver rushing toward Dante, instinctively she jumped in to protect him. Her wings coming into contact with the object sending them flying in the opposite direction. The knives landed on the wall opposite to them. Angela exhaled relieved at having blocked the attack, she looked over Dante noticing his exposed chest was unharmed.

"I'm guessing you like this spot then and you'd like to be the dominant one?" She had been so focused in shielding him that she failed to notice that she was pinning him to the ground and that their faces were only inches apart.

A hysterical laughter erupted from the room causing Angela to forget her embarrassment and focus on the current antagonist.

"Well lookie what we have here the devil boy and oooh yes a devil girl too!" He was hanging from the wall where the knives had been lodged into, laughing at them. He began to pull on the knives at first not being able to pull them out.

"I've had enough of this clowning around!" Dante pulled one of his guns out but simultaneously the clown was able to pull out the knives and throw them at the pair. Dante placed himself in front of Angela and fired three shots, each one hitting the knives, shattering them upon contact. Dante turned his guns to where the clown was but he was no longer anywhere.

"Ahh, children play nice if you want to reach the basement! AHAHAHA!" The echo of the clown's laugh was heard in the entirety of the room. Angela looked around but felt no other presence there with them.

"You alright?" Dante murmured as he continued to look around.

"Yeah, thanks to you." She took a deep breath, knowing things were about to get difficult.

"That's good." She could hear a smile playing on his lips but his tone quickly changed, "let's keep moving, we're almost there." His pace quickened and she followed closely at his side.

"Shit, this fall could have ruined my jacket." Debris was still floating around him as he stood up. His blue eyes scanned over the area and caught a glimpse of a familiar face.

"Good, you're not such a worthless opponent then, again, your fool's luck proceeds you. No matter I will kill you this time little brother." Absolute disdain crossed Vergil's features as he drew his sword.

"Yeah it's good to see you too." It had been so many years since he saw his brother's face, he even welcomed that look of hatred.

Vergil began to run in his direction but stopped midway as the door to the underground cavern opened and in came a familiar pair.

"What is the meaning of this?" Vergil saw that one of the companions was his brother but the man that was also before him was the same man of course slightly more aged.

"Good to see we made it in time." The younger Dante looked to where his older brother was standing and was surprised that Vergil wasn't speeding ahead to attack him but he also hesitated in his tracks upon looking at his doppelganger.

"Dante!" Both Dante's turned to look at the red head. She was so relieved to see someone familiar in this realm of disorder.

Dante was just as relieved to see her in unharmed state. "Good to see you're alright Angela. I'm glad to know I could get you back safely." His eyes lay on his younger form who seemed in a good state even after so many ordeals.

"So there are two of you?" There was no mistaking it, the same aura came from both of them. It didn't matter to Vergil he would slay both apparitions. First he would strike the Dante closest to him but before he could thrust his sword forward the basement door opened once again.

"Dante, Angela!" A familiar voice emerged through the door.

"Lady and…Lady?" The younger Dante scratched the back of his head, "wow this is getting really weird."

Suddenly the ground began to shake violently, the cavern's ground began to crack and then the ceiling began to cave in on them.

A familiar figure emerged into existence, angrily shouting at the trio, the only ones who could see this creator of chaos. "This has gone far enough a change of scenery should do the trick!" Tempus took out his watch and it began to pulse, waves that blew and separated the trio from this plain and brought them into a flowing darkness.

Angela and Dante tried to reach for Lady who was fading farther away from them.

Lady knew that Tempus didn't want her in this plane any longer as she had quickly uncovered the meaning of it but she had to give them a warning. They were both within her fading form's reach when she tried to voice, "It's just an illu-" but she didn't get to finish her warning.

"Dante!" Angela screamed horrified as Lady was no longer their with them. Instead her outreached hand was grabbed by Dante who pulled her towards him. But she didn't last very long when she was ripped from his grasp, sent spiraling down in the opposite direction.

"Angela!" He tried to reach for her but then a constricting force surrounded him. Tempus revealed himself to Dante, his watch still dangling in front of him.

"I doubt that you'll be able to save her Son of Sparda. Maybe this time you'll be her undoing." Tempus placed the watch before Dante, it was emanating slower pulses directed at Dante's being. They were consuming him. He gritted his teeth as a painful memory resurfaced.

A/N: So it's been a real long time since I updated this story but I thank everyone who has left reviews and also favorited and followed.

Updates may be sporadic due to my busy work schedule but thank you once again to everyone who has followed this story up to now.

Thanks everyone! Till next update

-roseimagine