Okay…I didn't get as many reviews as I hoped but I'm still carrying on with this. Why? Simply because I want to. Okay, if you can really be bothered, review this.

 Chapter 2

            The first thing Dante thought when he woke up was that he was deaf.  Silence reigned supreme. There was nothing. Not even the wind howled. Dante felt his muscles tense up slightly as he heard light footsteps coming towards the room he was in. His pale blue eyes narrowed as he braced himself for any attack that may come his way. Instead, Orissa came in and laid a bowl of soup at his side. Dante tried to sit up but found that he couldn't. His body still hadn't healed.

            'Bitch!' he snarled. Orissa's piercing eyes switched onto him, regarded him silently and then moved away to look out of the window.

            'That's one way of thanking the person who saved your life,' she said softly. Her voice bore no malice. Dante breathed out deeply.

            'You were the one who attacked me.'

            'Not I. I came to warn you. Not attack you.' She laughed. It was a mirthless sound. 'Besides, I thought you could handle it. The demon who attacked you was one of Mundus' lowest soldiers. They are known as Massadas. They have the ability to control an element, depending on what colour they are. The red ones tend to be the most dangerous however.'

            'What the hell happened to the marionettes?' Orissa took the bowl into her hands, her eyes distant.

            'They failed him the first time. He was not about to depend on them again.'

            'Why haven't I healed yet?' Orissa shook her head, her eyes worried.

            'I don't know. Here, eat a little of this. It might make you feel a little better.' Dante smacked her hand away, tipping the bowl over. He glared at her and then turned his head. Orissa looked shocked by this and silently, slowly began to clean up the mess.

            'I suppose you wouldn't want to know the rest of my tale then, would you?' No answer. Orissa waited but then continued, her voice rising in pitch, trembling with rage. 'Or I suppose you don't wish to know how you're involved.'

            'I know why I'm involved. You want me to stop Mundus, right? That's all there is to it.'

            'With you in this present state, unable to heal yourself, I don't think you'll be able to fight him.' Dante looked up at her at that point.

            'What?'

            'You don't just need to defeat Mundus though…unfortunately, as fate would have it, Virgil, your brother is being held captive, along with your mother.' Dante looked at her in disbelief.

            'But…they're dead!'

            'No…they aren't. You don't ever remember seeing any bodies. They were never killed. They were abducted. If we don't act soon, then your family will be taken and converted into his slaves.' Dante frowned.

            'Bullshit! Last year, I fought this dark knight who went by the name of Nelo Angelo. I found out later that he was my brother.'

            'Think Dante. Just think for a minute. You remember Trish don't you?' Dante's eyes suddenly went distant. Yeah…he remembered her all right. Orissa noted the look on his face and then carried on. 'Trish was a clone of your mother. Nelo was a clone of your brother. The two still live. And you, or someone else, has to save them before it's too late.' Dante eventually returned to the present.

            'You said I couldn't.'

            'Maybe if we found someone who'd help…' Dante cut her off, laughing.

            'What do you expect we should do? Post an advert saying "Kid needed for going into the underworld! Please call this number! We are not responsible for any injuries you receive and can not be held liable if you die. Yeah good idea, Kid!' Orissa frowned as Dante continued to pour scorn upon her head.

            'For your information, I have already found someone who can help.' Dante stopped laughing and looked at her seriously for the first time.

            'Why are you so bothered about this anyway?' Orissa lowered her eyes. Dante watched as a tear silently splattered onto the wooden floor.

            'My sister was taken by Mundus and was later corrupted by evil. If I could somehow make her see the light, and save her from what will eventually come, then my quest will also be fulfilled. But I can't do this alone. I needed your help.' Dante became aware of the soft white bandage that was wrapped tightly around his body.

            'Some help I'll be. That demon did something to me…and I can't heal. So who's this guy that you've employed then?' Orissa looked puzzled.

            'I didn't employ him. He volunteered of his own accord.'

            'Is he crazy or something?' There was a sudden knock upon the door. Orissa finished clearing up the spilt soup and went to open the door. Dante strained his ears and listened.

            'Thanks again for coming. I would like you to meet someone. Follow me.' Dante heard her footsteps returning and struggled to sit up again, gritting his teeth together in pain. The door creaked open to reveal Orissa. His eyes widened as they fell upon the newcomer who stood behind her.

            'You!?'

So what do you think? How's that for a cliff hanger? R and R please! ^_^