Arson had stayed in one place until his body returned to its original form. He felt surprisingly elated at his victory. A tingling sensation continued to run past his body and he enjoyed it. It was his strength, his power. He shivered and smiled slightly. This feeling…it was exhilarating. It made him feel oddly…dominant? Was that the word he was looking for? But yet there were some disadvantages. Utilising that power had left him feeling breathless, and now he was panting unsteadily. His legs began to shake under his own weight and he sank to his knees.
At last, he felt slightly more in command of his body. His breath became steadier and quiet, and his legs were now strong enough to bear him. He knew the reason for his sudden weakness. He wasn't used to it. Not just yet. He staggered to his feet and used the wall as a support as he moved further down the corridor. He had to find Trish. He had to find Dante. He had to find…
Arson staggered again and tripped. Almost immediately, he felt something like a huge weight pound down on his back. Arson arched his back in pain but then rolled out of the way as he felt the weight release him. Acting on a quick impulse, he raised his feet, smiling with satisfaction as he heard something whine with pain as his sneakers met up with flesh. He withdrew his feet again and then drove them back in, earning another cry of pain. His eyes were now able to take in the demon's appearance.
It was like something out of a normal supernatural movie. Black and red, yellow pale eyes, huge fangs and bad breath. Arson wrinkled his nose. Now was not the time to think about peppermints. It was odd the kind of stuff one thought about when one was facing an angry looking demon.
Green acidic like drool splashed from the demon's mouth and onto Arson's shoulder. Arson hissed with pain and glared at the demon.
'You just picked the wrong guy.' Arson drove in his feet again and kicked it up and over his head, rolling onto his stomach and getting to his feet as the demon crashed to the ground. Arson whipped out his swords, smiling as the old familiar flames whirled around his blades. He grinned as he advanced towards the demon. The demon snarled again and spat out more acid at him, catching him full on the chest. Arson fell to his feet, gasping and moaning in pain as it burnt through his shirt and then through some of his skin. Before he knew what was happening, the hot rage engulfed him again, causing flames to come into his vision, the anger blotting out his senses, altering his vision. Arson roared his battle cry out to the rafters and then charged straight at the demon that barred his path. It had no idea what hit him. It was dead before it even hit the ground again.
Arson continued his mad onslaught, crashing straight into another group of demons. He was like a tornado of flame and embers as he span like a whirlwind, slaying demons with every deadly stroke he made. At last they were all dead, and Arson sank down to his knees. He knew almost immediately that something was wrong. His legs were throbbing with pain and it was becoming hard to breathe. He staggered on through the corridor, feeling as though he was being dragged up against his will. His senses were deadening and he felt sick.
He paused as he felt the lance of pain shoot through his body. It was like lightning, ripping through his body, tearing him apart. He collapsed then, shaking and trembling. But something was still telling him that something important was here…something supernatural. But he still could not sense what, his senses were becoming number and number with each passing moment.
'Rayne?' he croaked. No answer. 'Dawn?' he whispered hopefully. Still nothing. Arson struggled to his feet but then fell again, his limbs shaking. He crawled slowly and then forced himself to stay standing. He heard the rattle of chains coming from a doorway and then paused. 'Trish? Dante?' He heard a voice from inside.
'Get away from me! I don't have anything to tell you! Leave me alone!' More rattling of chains. Arson blinked slowly. Was it really this dark in here? Everything was so hazy…so unreal…
'I'm not…with them…' Why was he so short of breath now? Why couldn't he breathe? And the pain…it was killing him. The voice sounded again, impatient this time.
'If you're not with them then could you get me out of here?'
'I'll…try…' Arson staggered to the door and gently placed his hand on the flat wood. He suddenly breathed out, his face relaxed as he released some of his volatile power onto the door, burning it down immediately.
Inside the cell, hung a girl around his age. She was manacled to the wall by restrictive chains. Arson took in the scene and moved towards her. The girl flinched and tried to pull away. Arson saw her fear.
'I'm not going to hurt you. I'm going…to get you…out of here…Just stay still…' He began to shiver again and he fell to his knees. He raised his hand, still shaking convulsively and sent out four small blasts of flame. They settled on each of her wrists and ankles, melting the metal and freeing her. The girl looked down at him in concern.
'Were you attacked?' Arson nodded shakily but then began to tremble more. 'What did they look like?' Arson closed his eyes, trying to remember, and then, in panting breaths told her. Her face became pale. 'Guienas,' she whispered. Arson looked at her uncomprehendingly. The girl knelt down in front of him and hugged him. Arson didn't seem to mind, or care. Instead, he closed his eyes and rested his head against her shoulder, still breathing shallowly.
'This might feel a little strange but it's going to cure you. They poisoned you and I'm going to stop it from spreading.' Arson said nothing but shuddered under her touch. The girl allowed him to shiver against her but then smiled after another five minutes had passed. Energy was being released into his body, cleansing him, purifying him. Arson's eyes snapped open with shock as the pain began to die down. He raised his head slightly.
'Wha-'
'Shh…just stay quiet for a second longer.' Another 30 seconds passed and Arson was beginning to feel more and more like himself. At length, the girl pulled away and smiled at him as Arson looked down at his chest. The wound had completely disappeared. He looked up at the girl and beamed.
'Thanks!'
'I should be thanking you. I merely returned the favour.' Arson said nothing to this but shrugged shyly, as was his custom. 'What's your name?' Ah…that question again. The question he hated the most. He averted his eyes and then turned away.
'What's yours?' The girl frowned, but a smile stayed played on her features.
'Hey no fair! I asked you first!' Arson closed his eyes and sighed out deeply.
'It's…Arson.' The girl simply shrugged.
'Okay. Xyphos.' Arson nodded once in acknowledgement and then looked around the cell. The surroundings were terribly dank and the smell was awful. Arson found himself thinking of peppermint for the second time that day.
'It's awful isn't it?' said his companion. Arson nodded and them smiled.
'Come on…let's go.' Xyphos shook her head.
'I can't.'
'Why not?'
'My legs are numb from being chained up for so long.'
'We can't just stay here though.' Xyphos nodded.
'You can leave me and then I can catch up later when I can walk.' Arson abandoned her idea immediately. No way was he going to let someone die just after being freed. No way. Besides…the way she was looking at him made him feel something strange. Dawn had never had this effect on him. He silently slipped his hands under her body and lifted her. She was a demon alright, just like him. He could feel the strength in her body and the scent she gave off. He frowned suddenly.
'Is something wrong, Xyphos?' The girl looked up at him in blank surprise.
'It's just that I wasn't expecting this.' Arson blushed.
'Sorry.'
'It's not your fault.'
'Why are you in here anyway? I mean, you're a demon, I can tell.' Xyphos sighed.
'I didn't agree with Mundus…so he captured me for some entertainment. To torture people is his sick idea of fun.' Arson noted only then the various cuts on her face and the bruises on her arm.
'Not just him,' he whispered somewhat sadly. His thoughts wondered back onto his past. He sighed. 'Why didn't you heal yourself?'
'I can only heal others. Hey!' Xyphos looked up at Arson at that point. 'You're not pure blooded are you?' Arson shook his head. Xyphos grinned and wriggled in his arms so then she was more comfortable.
'I'm half angel.' Xyphos paled.
'Are you going to kill me?'
'Why would I do a thing like that?'
'You know what they say about angels, don't you?'
'No…what?'
'They hate demons and kill them all.'
'Not this one. And not Dawn.'
'Dawn?' Arson nodded again quietly. 'You're not much of a talker are you?' Arson smiled suddenly. It seemed to light up his whole face.
'Well…no. Not right now. I don't want anything else to hear us.'
'So why are you here?'
'To put an end to Mundus for all eternity.' Xyphos' eyes widened. 'But…I also have come to find my…' Arson paused. Trish wasn't his relative at all. 'My friend and my grandfather.' Xyphos shifted again in his arms.
'What do they look like?'
'My grandfather has silver hair and pale blue eyes. His name is Dante. Dante Sparda. Perhaps you've heard of him?' Xyphos nodded.
'I've seen him. He was here.'
'Which way did they take him?' Xyphos pointed down the corridor. Arson dashed down, ignoring the fact that he was still carrying her.
'Take the right!' Arson complied. 'Left! Left! Right and then straight!'
'How d'you know this when you were in your cell?'
'They took him to the torture chamber when I last heard of him. I've been there so many times…' Xyphos suddenly shuddered. Arson felt Dante's scent getting stronger.
'Do you know about Trish?'
'Yes.'
'Can you walk?'
'I don't know.' Arson set her down on the ground and smiled as she walked. He averted his head again as he realized that he was looking at her figure. He felt blood rise to his face.
'Find Trish. I'm gonna get Dante.'
'Wait let me come with you.' Arson looked at her from over his shoulder.
'Fine.' The two walked down into the hall. Arson looked around warily before his eyes settled on a silver haired figure in the centre.
'Gran'pa!' he yelled, forgetting himself. Dante turned to face him, his eyes glowing faintly red. Arson slowed down, frowning. 'G-grandfather?' Dante said nothing but slowly readied his blade, a demonic smirk on his face. Arson suddenly gasped in pain as he felt the sword slice through his shoulder. He stepped back a couple of paces, his eyes angry and hard. He looked at Xyphos.
'Go! Find Trish!'
'But-'
'Just do it! I'll be fine!' Arson pulled out his swords again and got into his fighting stance. It looked like the fun of fighting had just worn off.
I gave you a hint about what would happen in this chapter in the last chapter. So now…all the demons they fight, Orrisa, Cypher, Dawn and Rayne and of course Arson belong to me. Xyphos however doesn't. Xyphos was a trade in character that one of my friends lent me for this fanfic. Thankee kindly! ^_^