Author's Note: Yeah, it's been that long since I've been writing, and I forgot about the disclaimer, as if it's needed. Dante and Trish are Capcom's property, as is this other guy…but since I haven't said him by name, so far I'm safe. Doesn't mean I'm claiming him to myself altogether. Besides, one person has figured out who it is. Good work :)
Dante pulled the demon's trick by disappearing before his eyes, but reemerging close enough for consecutive punches to the demon's face and chest. Though the demon returned a few attacks of his own, it wasn't enough to stop the hunter from finishing off with one hand releasing a charged blast of fire throughout his entire upper body, an ignition that lasted five seconds strong. The transforming devil hunter stepped back in hopes to have gotten his point across, that he wanted the fight over with by any means, but he also knew better than to believe such a simple move could kill someone of this caliber. His theory proved correct, as the smoke cleared and revealed the demon's top half of his gi scorched away, yet his rosary and red hair seemed untouched. His entire shell, though, emanated steam from the blast, but whether or not he was in minor or excruciating pain would remain his knowledge alone.
The demon's face became fully animate now, as it formed an insidious smile before he dashed at the half-ling once more, with both fists at the ready. Dante hopped off the ground to spin into a forceful kick towards his face, only to have it blocked and countered by a strong hook to his stomach, and quickly followed by another jumping uppercut to his jaw, only now the demon's fist was engulfed in the same purple fire that lied at the hunter's doorsteps before. The demon was at an angle with Dante that easily gave him the next move, as he ax kicked him to the ground by targeting his ribs. Dante's body landed on the ground with enough might to cause the dirt to rise high, concealing his self to the watchful eyes of the falling demon, now swollen in an equal level of pain and impatience.
Another fireball was shot where the half-ling supposedly lied, as it cut through the smoke and dust, coming in contact with only the ground. More dust and smoke was born from the act, leaving the demon bewildered as to his opponent's location. Since he had already stolen an idea of his, the demon figured he would come from above like he attempted to him. Though not as potent as the other before it, he charged and fired a shot into the air, but only in vain. Grunting at his carelessness, he then noticed a faint presence in the clearing smoke, yet could not see any physical form towards it.
A flash of red eyes in the smoke teased the demon, just before twin blades of energy cut through the air and pierced his chest, which formed an X over his being. The second the attack ended, Dante had flown out of the smoke, fully transformed, with wings that swiftly carried him towards his target, causing a quick and vicious punch at the center of the X-shaped cut. The demon now revealed his threshold for pain was either finally broken, or was for some time, but he wasn't drained of his desire for endless combat. As he swung at Dante, the hunter blocked the assault with his jagged gauntlet for a forearm, breaking the assassin's skin, and pulled down his arm to tear at the demon's own. With an open palm, the hunter finally drove his hand towards the bottom of the demon's nose for a fatal shot to travel towards his brain.
From there, it was as if time itself had slowed down, as the demon's body fell to the earth yet again, though now on its back with a deafening thud. Dante stood over him, wishing it wasn't so easy to take down someone with such ancient benevolence driving him, but on the other hand, he was glad that he only had to resort to this demonic form, and not a phase that he had only experienced once so far.
"So much for fearing your name, huh," Dante gloated, "you didn't even live long enough to say it." He turned his back on the corpse and flew off, taking with him the memory of this night, and the discovery of how far he would've gone to defeat a man that had seemingly sold his soul for power, only to meet his end by a greater form of it. He had never met someone so dedicated to such a variable and unpredictable thing as power, unless he was truly the type dedicated to the fight, and nothing more. It was then, Dante smiled, realizing that he had promised Trish that he's bring her back something cool, but something inside told him that she'd be satisfied with his triumphant, yet bruised return.
Bad enough she looks like mom, thought Dante, sometimes she damn near acts like her. Just so long as she doesn't chase me out the office 'cause I left behind my lunchbox.
The very thought was enough for the hunter to laugh aloud, before he blacked out and fell to the ground, the demon crouched on his back, riding the unconscious half-ling to a deadly descent.
To be concluded…