I guess it's been a while since I updated this thing. Sorry for the delay. Wanted to start some other DMC fics before I got around to this.
Also I know the last chap was shit compared to the others, so hopefully this makes up for it.
Enjoy,
One
Raven was dressed and sitting on her bed when Dante walked into the room. "There you are," she said, getting up and meeting him at the door. "Let's get going."
"What?" Dante stepped back, "I thought you still needed to sleep."
"I did," Raven said, passing into the hall, "I do-it's just that I can't. So I'll worry about getting back to 100% later. Ok?"
Dante shrugged and followed Raven towards the staircase opposite the one he had just come up from. He was glad the dark-haired woman was not showing him the weird dark room, even if Zephyr wasn't in there anymore.
"I realized it probably wasn't the best idea for you to roam around this place by yourself," said Raven as they climbed the stairs, "Especially with Zephyr in such a pissed-off mood. I don't know what's up with him but I'm glad you came back instead of trying to get him to show you around. The last thing we need is a fight breaking out between you two." yet
Dante didn't say a word.
As the two hunters reached the top of the stairs, Raven suddenly swaggered and tilted backwards, nearly taking a dive down the stairs, but Dante was quick enough to grab her before she fell.
She was panting as she held Dante's jacket in a death grip. Dante kept his arm around her waist, holding her back against him as he rested against the wall.
"Whoa," she gasped, "Shit."
"Yeah," Dante said, his breath a little quick, "You nearly took a header down a flight of stairs."
Raven swallowed and let go of Dante's jacket. "I know. Don't remind me." She tried to pry herself out of Dante's grip but he only loosened it and wouldn't let go.
"You shouldn't be walking around," he said sternly, "You should go back to bed."
"Oh? And you suddenly became a doctor, Hero?" Raven said jokingly, but her smile faded as she turned and saw the look on Dante's face. She lowered her gaze. "I'm fine," she said, pulling away."
"Yeah," Dante snorted, "I can see that. I'm sure Flora would agree."
"Shut up, Dante."
"You know I'm right."
"Of course I do! I'm not an idiot. But I can't. I told you. I just can't."
"Why not?" Dante asked, offering his hand, "I'll carry you back down if that's the problem."
Raven sighed, "You know it isn't."
"Well what then?"
"I'm scared, Dante."
"Scared?" Dante furrowed his brow, "Nightmares?"
"...something like that," Raven said quietly, "I'm afraid that any time I waste sleeping is going to make the evil we're trying to stop that much stronger. I can't afford to waste time resting. We hardly have any time as it is. The shadow is too strong already."
"Hm," Dante breathed, "I guess that means the grand tour is over then."
Raven looked up, happy that she didn't have to say what Dante had already determined. "Do you mind?" she asked.
Dante shrugged. "Whatever. I wasn't planning on making a home here anyway. Let's just start this thing so we can end it."
The dark haired woman smiled, "Great. Follow me."
After taking the elevator up a few more levels, Raven led Dante down a hall and into a large room with a slick black floor and gray walls that looked like a school gymnasium, minus the basketball nets. The entire space was lit by bright recessed lights in the tall ceiling with small cages over them. Groups of people grappled against each other in areas around the room
Dante looked around. "P.E. class?" he asked.
"Our version of it," answered Raven, "These guys won't see demons for a while, so this is where we train them up a bit before sticking them in The Pit."
Dante looked at her questioningly.
Raven smiled, "A pitch black room a few floors down. You can't see anything in there so you really have to rely on your senses. It's where Zephyr spends most of his time when he's here. Maybe you'll get to see it later."
Dante fell silent and his eyes drifted around the room again. He wasn't going to tell Raven that he'd already been to The Pit. His eyes fell on a large reflective sheet of glass on the wall. "What's that?" he asked, pointing to it, "Two-way mirror?"
"Right," answered the dark-haired woman, turning back to watch the trainees on the floor, "Nobody likes people breathing down their necks so we have the glass. This way we can sit behind it and assess the hopefuls without them feeling self-conscious."
"Hm," Dante nodded, "They know it's there?"
"Probably," Raven shrugged, "I would expect them to be smart enough to figure it out, but who really knows?"
"He ready?" Zephyr came up suddenly, wearing his usual scowl on his lips. He didn't turn to acknowledge Dante's presence and kept his eyes fixed on Raven as if the devil hunter weren't there, even though he was referring to him. In his hand, he held Alastor and was barely gripping its handle as if it disgusted him.
Raven shrugged and looked at Dante, "Are you, Hero?"
"Ready for what?" asked Dante, his eyes narrowing at the sight of another of his weapons in Zephyr's hands.
The tall brunette stepped up, finally looking at Dante, "Ready to get your ass kicked by me."
Dante laughed, "Please, I'd love to see you try."
Zephyr took a menacing step forward, "I don't need to try in order to beat you, Sparda."
"Oh yeah," growled Dante, "Care to test that theory?"
"Boys, boys," said Raven, stepping between Zephyr and Dante, "Put a lid on it for a second, will ya?" She suddenly turned and whistled, the sound echoing in the spacious room. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her. "Zephyr and the Son of Sparda are going to fight now, so all of you clear out."
There were groans of protest from the trainees in the room but they all quickly obeyed Raven's order, of few of them lingering in the doorway to study Dante before leaving the hunters alone.
"Right," said Raven, turning to Zephyr, "Give Dante his sword and let's get on with this, shall we?"
Zephyr grunted and tossed the devil hunter his sword, walking away to the other side of the room. Dante hung back with Raven for a moment, waiting for her to tell him what the hell was going on.
"We're actually fighting?" he asked, glaring at the tall brunette across the room.
"Of course," said Raven, "I didn't bring you here and send Zephyr to get Alastor for nothing. You got one final test for the big guys."
Dante sighed loudly. Not a fuckin 'other one.
Raven smiled. "Cheer up Hero, it is the last one. And besides, you and Zephyr seemed all hot and ready to rip each other apart a moment ago, so now you've got you're chance. We're giving you free reign, apart from killing each other."
"Wow," mumbled Dante bitterly, "I feel so special." He looked at the mirror and frowned. "They'll be watching us then I guess...your guys."
Raven nodded. "Just pretend like it isn't there."
"Right," muttered Dante as Raven stepped back and headed towards a door beside the mirror.
"Good luck boys," the dark-haired woman called back. She turned in the doorway, "And remember, we're looking for a KO, not a killing so don't get carried away."
The stainless steel door closed with a soft thud and Dante and Zephyr were left to themselves. Both men wouldn't break eye contact with each other as they stood at opposite ends of the room. There was nothing but dead air and animosity between them. Dante held his sword lightly at his side while Zephyr kept his arms folded across his chest as if the fact that Dante was visibly armed did not concern him.
"Forget your weapons pretty boy? Or do you plan on scratching me to death?" asked Dante, noting little change in Zephyr's demeanor at the attempted insult. "What?" he continued, "You gonna just stand there and expect to intimidate me into backing out?"
Zephyr remained silent, but Dante saw a glimmer in his green eyes and a slightly dangerous smirk on his lips before the brunette suddenly leapt forward with surprising speed, pulling out his twin hooked swords from the straps on his back and leveling them down on Dante. The white-haired slayer had just enough time to lift Alastor before the blades cut into his face.
"You're fast." He growled, pushing Zephyr away.
"And you almost weren't fast enough, Son of Sparda." Zephyr sneered, "Perhaps all the talk surrounding you is just that. You certainly haven't impressed me." He swung his swords into a guarding stance. "I just don't know what everyone sees in you." And by everyone I mean Raven...
"Don't worry," snarled Dante, "I'll be happy to show you." He raised his sword, swinging it out in front, already expecting Zephyr to have moved. He dropped to a knee and kicked out, catching the retreating hunter in the knees, tripping him. Zephyr fell to the ground and rolled over, narrowly dodging the full brunt of Dante's sword. When he stood, he was gritting his teeth and holding his side. Blood ran lightly between his fingers.
"Nice reflexes buddy," observed Dante, noting the trickle of blood down the other man's hand, "They almost worked for you."
Zephyr winced in breath. "You got lucky, Sparda," he glared, wiping the blood on his jacket and returning his sword to his hand. "It won't happen again."
Dante smirked, "Whatever you say Zeph."
Zephyr gave Dante a split second to prepare himself before he charged at him again, madly swinging his blades at the devil hunter's upper and lower body, trying to draw blood wherever he could. Dante blocked every attack, but found that he was being pushed back across the room as Zephyr moved forward with his assault. The brown-haired man was almost a blur before Dante's eyes. He couldn't believe Zephyr's speed.
What the fuck is this guy?
Zephyr grinned, noticing Dante's struggle, "Too much for you Sparda?" He made another pass with his swords and Alastor caught the attack with a sharp clang.
"Please," Dante growled, panting slightly as he held his sword rigid in front of him, "I could get a better work out trying to take candy from a three-year-old."
Zephyr shook his head and pulled back. "Then perhaps it is lucky for you there aren't any around here or you might really be in trouble."
"Yeah," Dante muttered, finally fed up with the defensive. He tightened his grip on his sword and whipped it at Zephyr; it spinning like boomerang as it headed back to his hand, missing its target. Before Alastor could return to his hand, Dante rushed up to Zephyr and slammed a fist into his face. The man flew back and Dante leapt into the air after him, catching Alastor in mid jump and ramming the blade through his abdomen.
Zephyr's body jerked and he spit up blood as Alastor cut into him. Dante loomed above, unbelieving of how far he had taken his attack.
"Shit..." He retracted his sword; Zephyr coughing up more blood, and sifted through his jacket in search of a Vital Star. He found one and knelt beside the brown-haired slayer, silently kicking himself for not having remembered about the Vital Stars in his previous battle with the gangrenes.
The healing item worked its magic and Zephyr groaned, eyes darkening as Dante helped him.
"Nice trick," he growled viciously, hawking out the blood lodged in his throat as he sat up. "I have a few of my own if you'd care to see."
Dante moved to stand, but he wasn't fast enough. Before he had made it halfway, he gasped and froze in place, feeling one of Zephyr's hooked blades plunge into his stomach. Zephyr frowned and twisted his blade, making Dante scream in pain. He stood and screwed the blade deeper, enjoying the look of agony on the white-haired hunter's face.
"So what do you think, Sparda?" he said darkly, "Any good?"
Dante gritted his teeth and spat blood at Zephyr's feet. Why the fuck aren't they stopping this?
The tall brunette frowned, "Is that a no? Or you can't decide?"
Dante scowled and reached for Zephyr's sword, hoping to pull it out of himself but Zephyr only wrenched it inside him again. He howled in pain and fell to his knees, his hands dropping to his sides limply.
Dante breathed deeply and swallowed against the pain, wondering how the men behind the window were enjoying his and Zephyr's little spat.
"Why don't you use one of those star things on yourself Sparda?" said Zephyr, almost unemotionally, "You don't look so good."
The silver devil glared up, eyes half-lidded. "I don't have anymore," he breathed sharply.
Zephyr huffed, "Too bad." He ripped back his sword and sliced both his weapons across Dante's chest, spattering the hunter's blood on his face and jacket. "Looks like I win then."
Dante fell onto his side, groaning at Zephyr's feet. His head was light from pain and loss of blood. "B...bastard...I'..m...gonna"
"What was that, Sparda?" Zephyr asked moodily, "I didn't quite catch that. You'll have to speak UP!" He kicked Dante hard in the ribs, smiling as the white-haired hunter shrieked and rolled away from him.
Dante curled up on himself, writhing on the floor. He waited for the pain to ebb a little and then weakly began to move. He could feel Zephyr's eyes on him-He could feel everyone's eyes on him and he wondered what Raven thought about what was going on outside the glass.
The half-devil pushed off the floor with his fists and gradually got to his feet, pulling his sword up with him. He moved his eyes to Zephyr's and the man froze as he met Dante's pale gaze.
"I said," Dante worded hauntingly as a blue aura surrounded him, "That you're a bastard...And I'm gonna end this."
Fully charged up, Dante transformed into his devil half and took to the air. Zephyr froze in place, watching in both awe and horror as the demon rose above him. His knuckles became white from gripping his swords and his face paled.
Dante hung above for seconds, feeling the anger built up inside him. He grinned inwardly at the frightened brunette and contemplated putting him out of his misery, but quickly changed course. He suddenly turned and swept towards the glass, throwing bolts of light, shattering it. Raven burst through the door just as Dante was coming down with his sword drawn.
"STOP HERO," she yelled, putting up her hands in a fruitless attempt to hold back the coming attack.
Dante dropped to the ground, seeing her, and became human again. He glared in the direction of the men behind the broken window and took a step towards them.
Raven stepped in front. "That's enough...you made your point, Dante."
"No," Dante said menacingly, "I don't think I have-Agh." He dropped his sword as pain sparked through his chest. When he raised his head, his eyes were vacant and he reached for Alastor again.
"Dante...."
Raven's words were lost in the air as the white-haired slayer pushed her aside and walked towards the three men seated calmly behind the shattered mirror. They did not budge as they watched the devil hunter stalk towards them, all wearing satisfied smirks on their lips.
Dante growled at the sight of them, "Something amuse you gentlemen?"
The smile on the man directly ahead of Dante broadened. "Yes," he said, "We found your display highly entertaining. You are quite a warrior, son of the Legendary Dark Knight Sparda." The other men nodded. "You will do just fine."
"Great," said Dante through clenched teeth, "Glad I have your approval."
The men stood and walked into the room and up to Raven and Dante. Zephyr came up beside them. The man who was speaking earlier turned to the brunette.
"You did well, son," he said, clapping him on the shoulder and smiling, "You almost gave the son of Sparda a run for his money."
Zephyr frowned and stared at the floor; hoping Dante hadn't heard the comment. Dante smirked slightly and shifted an inquiring look at Raven, but the dark-haired woman shook her head as if to say 'leave it alone.'
The tall man, who suddenly looked strikingly like Zephyr now that Dante knew he was his father, held out his hand. Dante glanced at it, but didn't take it. The man dropped his hand, his smile partially fading.
"I am Carter," he said to Dante, at the same time motioning to his associates, "And these two are-"
"I really couldn't give less of a shit who you are," said Dante flatly, still gripping his sword as if he wanted to behead them all.
"Hm," Carter coughed. "Well," he turned to Raven, "You have the go-ahead. Do as you need. And good luck."
"Thank you Sir," nodded Raven as the other men waited in the background.
Carter turned to Dante, "We-the world is counting on you son of Sparda. Do not let us down."
Dante remained silent as the men quietly left the room and then he turned to Raven. "So what now?"
"Now," Raven sighed, Ombris suddenly appearing in her hand, "I strike you at your weakest point with this."
"What?" Dante eyed the sword, "Why? Didn't we already do that in my apartment?"
Zephyr's ears perked up at the mention of Raven in the devil hunter's apartment. "Don't be stupid, Sparda," he growled, "Raven wouldn't still have Ombris if she'd hit you in your weakest spot and you survived."
"Not necessarily Zephyr," Raven breathed, "You're still alive, aren't you?"
Zephyr lowered his eyes at that and fell silent.
Dante frowned at him and then at Raven, "What the hell are you guys talking about?"
Raven returned her attention to the devil hunter. "It's not good enough just to be strong enough to wield Ombris," she said, "In order to control its power you must become a part of it. Otherwise it'll drain you, whether you use it or not."
Dante nodded, trying to understand what the dark-haired woman was saying. "Ok....so how do I become one?" he asked slowly.
"Like I said," Raven moved closer, holding the tip of her sword at the floor. "I stab you in your weakest place, the part of you that you can never protect and if the sword accepts you, it'll transfer itself into you."
Dante narrowed his eyes, thinking hard. What I can't protect?
"Don't hurt yourself now, Sparda," said Zephyr, watching him with disdain.
Dante shot him a cold look, "Fuck off."
"Are you ready?" Raven stepped in, drawing Dante's attention back to her. "Because you could die if you don't turn out to be the one. I know you managed to summon Ombris before but that could've been a fluke, I don't know." Her face was very grave and she gave a quick glance to the brown-haired hunter before turning back. "Zephyr survived but only just barely. He was in a coma for a year and a half." She heard Zephyr grunt behind her but ignored him. "You don't have to take the risk, Dante. Nobody's forcing you into this."
Dante sighed, "I think I've come too far into this to leave you guys hanging now."
Somehow with those words, Raven's face brightened, an unsure smile hanging on her lips, "You sure?" she asked.
The white-haired hunter nodded. "But there's just one thing I want to know first...Why do you have that sword if you can't use it?"
Raven hesitated for a moment and then sighed, deciding it was pointless to keep the story from the devil hunter any longer.
"It's a long story," she said, "My dad was an archaeologist who accidentally stumbled upon two dark weapons on one of his secret digs. Stuff happened and he ended up being killed for them but fortunately, and unfortunately, he'd already handed them over to my brother Tom and me. I became the guardian of Ombris and Tom, the guardian of the Core Amulet."
Core Amulet?
"The amulet is the reason we're in this mess," Raven continued, "It has the power to turn any mortal into a demon, but they're only as strong as the amount of souls they possess. Basically the amulet demonizes the human's shadow and gives it the power to control demons, and then it steals its victims' souls in order to control higher classes of demons. Eventually, if left to its own devices, 'the Stalker,' the demon shadow, which you've already had the pleasure of meeting, can grow strong enough to control even the likes of Mundus."
Dante shuddered and his eyes widened at the name, "Mundus?!?"
"Supposedly," Raven breathed, "That's why we have to stop The Stalker now."
"Shit...yeah," mumbled Dante. "But wasn't your brother guarding the Core Amulet, or whatever? What happened to him?
Raven fell silent and her eyes dropped to the floor, already the tears were welling in her eyes and her hands were trembling. "He...died..." she said weakly.
"Oh, nice job Sparda," said Zephyr, taking notice of Raven's state, "Way to be sensitive."
"Well how the fuck was I supposed to know, jackass? I can't read minds." Dante shot back.
"And you're too dumb to figure it out yourself that Tom was murdered?"
"Obviously," Dante growled.
"Shut up you two," said Raven as forcefully as she could while still fighting back tears, "Just lay off each other for a millisecond, okay?"
"Sorry," Dante and Zephyr muttered, sharing a quick glare before falling silent.
"My brother was a big gambler and an idiot, but he didn't deserve to die," Raven continued her story without any prodding. "He got mixed up with the wrong guys and ended up owing more money than he had." She took a breath. "Some guys came after him and he gave them the slip by changing into a cat, because both my brother and I are shifters....Anyway, to shorten this a bit, Tom got hit by the car of a guy called Louis Garou, a guy he owed a small fortune to. Garou found and took the amulet, figuring it was worth big bucks and ended up learning its secret and...Well I think you can make out the rest yourself," Raven finished.
"Wouldn't count on that," mumbled Zephyr.
Dante shot him a black look.
"So," Raven said quietly, "You still wanna do this?"
"To get revenge for Trish," Dante glowered, "I would do anything." He gently lifted Raven's chin so she was looking at him, "And I promise you I'll do whatever it takes to help you get that bastard back for your brother."
The dark-haired woman gazed at him appreciatively, a single tear rolling down her cheek. "Thank you," she said, surprising Dante by suddenly rushing up and hugging him. "Thank you, Hero."
Dante winced as she pressed against his torn chest but didn't try to pull away.
Zephyr snorted at the display, folding his arms and watching in envy of the devil hunter. Bastard...
Raven pulled back, blushing slightly, "...sorry."
Dante smiled, "No problem. I'm just glad you didn't stab me with that sword again." He brushed her cheek, wiping off blood she had gotten on her from his chest wound, "Sorry about the blood."
Raven shrugged, "It won't kill me." She looked down at Ombris in her hand and then back up at Dante, "You ready?"
"As much as I'll ever be, I guess," said Dante, wondering what part of his body was the weakest and that Raven would attack.
Raven raised her sword and Zephyr held his breath, silently hoping Dante wouldn't come out of it alive.
"The part of you that can never be protected," said the dark-haired woman, "Is..."
She brought the sword down, in front of her, straight through the floor and Dante's shadow. Dante swung his head back and roared in pain as a new hole opened in his chest where the sword had gone through his shadow. He fell to his knees and Raven let go of Ombris, its dark blade glowing faintly and slowly sinking into the hunter's shadow.
She smiled almost victoriously, "It's him."
Ok, think that's it for the plot having to be explained...i hope I didn't forget anything- and if I did, whatever. The rest of the chapters will mostly be action now.
Let me know what you thought of the chap
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