DEVIL MAY CRY

THE

BATTLEGROUND

CHAPTER XIII

Author's Note: Sorry I didn't make this Chapter sooner. I know it's been a couple of months since I updated The BattleGround. Anyway, Happy Holidays to everyone and like always, please R&R.

The first thing Dante noticed on the other side of the Portal once he walked through was a tall, red-haired woman with grayish-purple skin and a thin black bat garb standing off to the side of the bridge.

He, Kade and Sparda reached the bottom of the stairs. Before Dante could greet her, Nevan spoke.

"Dante Sparda. Nice to see you in one piece," she said as Dante took her hand and shook it. He half grinned, picking up on Nevan's odd tone. He said only one word as he nodded.

"Nevan."

Kade squinted slightly in Nevan's direction. He hadn't seen her for ages, and their last encounter couldn't exactly be described as pleasant.

No words were said between the two. Kade simply nodded to Nevan and she returned it.

Sparda stepped forward. "Nevan, we need your help. We need to know how…" Sparda was cut off.

Kade quickly dropped to the ground and clutched the sides of his head with his hands.

Dante knelt down beside him. "What is it Kade?"

Kade let out a low grunt and closed his eyes. Sparda was just as concerned as Dante, but chose not to show it. He squinted and looked down at his companion.

"Kade, are you all right?" Sparda asked.

Kade attempted to talk, but all that came out was another low grunt. All of a sudden, Kade was not standing on the bridge with Dante, Sparda and Nevan. His vision had changed. He was now overlooking a dense, shadowy region somewhere in the outer planes of Hell.

Within these shadowy regions was a forest similar to that of Nevan's, only this one was smaller. Near the center of the forest, there was a small, circular area where a roaring fire burned. Two warriors garbed in long, black robes with tribal markings on their exposed arms carried heavy amounts of firewood over to the fire and began to gently set them on. As they finished, they greeted the other twenty or so robed figures sitting on logs and seats huddled around the fire.

All of a sudden, like a wave of water, a band of spiked Demons flooded the camp and began to slay everyone in sight.

Different horrific images continued to flood Kade's mind. He blinked furiously to try to get rid of them. The last image escaped Kade's mind as Sparda put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Kade shook his head and returned to his standing position.

"What was that, Kade?" asked Dante as Kade continued to catch his breath.

Kade exhaled, then spoke. "It was a vision."

Sparda crossed his arms once again. "What kind of vision?"

Kade frowned. "An unpleasant one. One that revealed to me the outer regions of the Underworld. The vision showed me glimpses of one of the tribes that aided us long ago, Sparda."

Kade looked at Sparda. "They were being attacked, Sparda, by what looked like Guildenstern's Demons."

Kade had always held the power of foresight, but never had his visions hurt his mind like this. Grunting, Kade slowly stood to his feet and looked at Sparda.

"Are you going to be all right, my friend?" asked Sparda as he uncrossed his charcoal arms.

Kade nodded his head and exhaled. "That vision wouldn't have entered my mind unless someone was trying to tell me something. I think someone may need my help."

Sparda nodded, but argued with Kade. "It is true that the visions you see are not deceiving, Kade. It is true that more will enter your mind and show you more pieces of the puzzle. However, it is also true that there are greater tasks to settle at the moment."

Sparda began to walk along the bridge. "Like stopping Lord Mundus."

Kade nodded and followed. "You are right, old friend."

After a brief moment, Dante and Nevan followed.

The four companions carefully crossed the narrow bridge that would lead them to the portal into the Human World. Nevan was the first across since she knew the exact location of the portal itself.

As they finished crossing the narrow gray bridge, Kade looked down at the pillars holding the bridge in place.

"One must wonder how many ages ago those pillars were constructed."

Sparda glanced back at Kade as he continued to walk.

Kade then glanced up to the black, starry sky.

"It is rare that such a sky would be looking down on us this night."

Sparda nodded to himself. "Sometimes, Hell gives us signs, Kade. Signs that show us there is still hope in dark places."

Sparda stopped walking.

"Personally, I would rather treasure such a sky than question its presence before we leave to go battle the evil that plagues the Earth Realm."

By this time, Nevan had reached the other side of the bridge where the portal was located. Dante looked up at the sky as well.

Sparda continued to walk forward.

Soon he, Kade, and Dante all reached the end of the bridge where Nevan was waiting.

The giant portal was a mystical mix of fire and white light that swirled outward. Two small black marble poles stood evenly on either side of it.

Sparda turned to Nevan who had her head bowed down slightly. Sparda lifted her head with the touch of his finger.

She shed a single tear as she looked up at her somewhat of a mentor. "You must believe me when I tell you that whatever happened in the past was a grave mistake on my part, Sparda."

Sparda smiled a little as he sighed. "All is forgiven, Nevan."

"Demons can also see light in dark places, just as you did."

Sparda looked away from Nevan and gazed into the portal.

"Cherish the things you hold dear to you now, Nevan. Cherish this sky above your head."

Sparda looked back to Nevan. "Cherish your life in this place and be proud of the decisions you make because in the end, if you truly look hard enough, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Some just do not see it as clearly."

Nevan smiled. "It is never like you to leave without giving a speech, Sparda."

Sparda smiled. After a moment, he sighed and nodded to Nevan. She returned the nod.

Sparda slowly walked toward the center of the portal as it began to consume his figure. After a moment, he was gone.

Kade followed. He nodded to Nevan and spoke. "Know that Sparda and I are very proud of you my lady."

Nevan returned the nod as Kade slowly followed Sparda through the portal.

Dante was the last to enter. As he approached the portal, he glanced at Nevan from her feet up.

"All these years and you still look gorgeous," he said with a snicker.

Nevan frowned and laughed. She tilted her head toward the portal. "Go, before I throw you through."

Dante laughed also, then held out his arms. Nevan embraced him and sighed.

"Take care of yourself, Nevan. It could be a while until we see you again."

Nevan nodded. "I know."

Dante nodded, then ran at the portal and jumped in.

After the loud crackling noise finished, the portal decreased in size a little as Nevan stood by herself. She placed one of her hands on the small black marble poles by the portal.

She looked up to the black starry sky.

"I will cherish this sky, Sparda."

"Good luck, my friends."

The BattleGround where Mundus and Arkham stood was very dark and desolate. Mundus took a moment to take in his surroundings once again, they proceeded.

He walked past one of the walls where he and Sparda had battled. He shook his head and continued. Arkham followed.

Mundus quickly jumped down to a lower level of the Temple. The unsteady ground shook a little as he did.

Arkham jumped down as well. Mundus walked until he reached a small, stone entrance. Mundus and Arkham both entered.

Inside, there was a large altar where the sacred amulets that Mundus longed to get his hands on hovered. There was a thick, black haze of mist that blanketed the altar and the amulets like a wall.

Mundus reached out and swept the black magic with his fingertips. It zapped him slightly as he pulled his massive hand away.

"This, Arkham, is the magic that prevents me from reaching my destiny. Use the knowledge within your book. Break the spell."

Arkham nodded and slowly raised his hand. He closed his demonic eyes as he touched the wall of black magic. He propped open the book with his other massive hand and began to whisper ancient chants.

Mundus nodded in approval. His attention was quickly rerouted when he heard a thundering cackle coming from above. He turned his massive body and exited the stone entrance to the altar.

He did not return to the higher levels of the Temple. Instead, Mundus just gazed at the giant red and white portal that burned like fire. It took up quite a bit of space in the air and its fiery color reflected off of the Battleground's rocky surfaces.

Mundus looked up to his right as he heard footsteps near his head.

Bolverk slowly walked along the small stone bridge above Mundus' head.

Mundus was a little taken back. After a brief moment of silence, he spoke to his General.

"I see my Warrior has returned to his Master's side," he said as he crossed his massive stone arms.

Bolverk looked down to his Master and nodded. He slowly pulled his sword forward and pointed it at the ground. He dug it in a little and leaned on it.

"I will always remain loyal to you, my Lord," Bolverk said. He looked at Mundus.

"Always."

Mundus nodded in approval, then glanced back at the portal. It began to burn faster and hiss, as if someone else was traveling through it.

"Why does it remain?" he questioned.

Bolverk closed his eye and sighed. Would he truly slay the Legendary Sparda and his son just to prove his loyalty and gain the respect of his Master?

Bolverk opened his eye and looked at the Portal.

"We have…uninvited guests, my Lord."

Mundus uncrossed his arms and clenched his fists. He knew exactly whom Bolverk spoke of.

Mundus took a few more steps forward and stroked his long beard as the giant Portal before him grew larger and hissed louder.

"It ends tonight."

Author's Note: Again, sorry it took so long. I am working on the Final Chapter, which should be done either later today or early tomorrow. Thanks for all the support and thanks for waiting for me to update. Please R&R.