Okay, Into The Flames Chapter 4. I'm guessing nobody is really too excited about this considering it has everyone's non serious jester being serious and stuff. Ah well. I still think you might need it but I have no idea. Just sit tight and read this while I keep working on Dark Legion 2. Look on the bright side, at least Dark Legion 2 ill be updated quickly and frequently as soon as people return from their vacations and stuff.

Chapter 4

Dante was impressed. He hated to admit it, but he was. Arson had managed to get out of a tricky situation by using his head. He hadn't ever admitted defeat, even when the circumstances had looked hopeless. Instead, he had tried to work out a way in which he could find a way out. Dante bent to help him up but Arson smacked his hand away.

'Don't touch me! I'm fine!' Dante only shrugged and marched towards his motorbike without a second thought. Arson said nothing but watched him start up the engine.

'Come on! What're you waiting for?' Arson shook his head.

'I can't come with you.'

'If you're worried about your "friend", she's already back there at Devil May Cry.'

'I'm worried about my sister actually.' Dante looked at him questioningly.

'What? How many of you guys are there?' Arson looked sheepish.

'Just us three. My sister and I were staying at the "Central Hotel".' Dante shook his head in exasperation.

'I know that place. A shit-hole. Well…we'd better go there and get her then.' He paused. 'Is it me or does trouble seem to find you everywhere?' Arson didn't answer but had the grace to look sheepish. 'Anyway, pack what you can. I'm taking you to Devil May Cry.' Arson looked astonished. For two reasons. Devil May Cry? Dante was going to let them stay with him? And how the hell were they going to get all their stuff there?

'You can't get all our bags on your cycle!' He blurted out. Dante shrugged and motioned for him to sit down behind him. Arson sighed as he got on. He blinked and then tapped Dante on the shoulder. 'Um…Mr. Dante? Sir? Excuse me but what are those for?' Dante looked to see what it was he was pointing at. He frowned and looked up at Arson. His face showed only too plainly his innocence. Dante couldn't help smiling at him.

'Kid, those are wheels.'

'Why d'you need wheels?' Arson flinched as Dante spun around to stare at him. Arson lowered his eyes, embarrassed.

'Are you sure you come from the future? Are you sure you're not from the past? Like say, the Stone Age?' Arson smiled.

'We have hover bikes. We don't use wheels anymore. Technology improved a lot over the years. But that made pollution increase. So we decided to do away with cars and motorbikes and stuff. Instead, we built hover bikes that were powered by renewable sources. It helped out the pollution a lot.'

'What? So you guys don't have roads?'

'Sure we do! Just wheels we don't have.' Dante grinned as he revved up the engine again. Arson gave a start at the sudden noise. 'Are you sure this is safe?' he called above the noise. Dante didn't reply. If Arson had seen the mischievous grin that had crept on his face, he would have been a lot more wary. Without any warning, he drove out of the alley at top speed. Arson cried out in alarm as he nearly fell off.

As they drove through the city, Arson forgot his fear and gazed about wide-eyed. Dante threw him a helmet over his shoulder.

'I forgot, you better put this on.' Arson looked down at it doubtfully and then sighed, fixing it over his head. He blinked as they suddenly took a left.

'Where are we going? This isn't the way!'

'I know! I got a call out! And you're coming with me!' Arson said nothing but nodded in steely silence. This surprised Dante. He had thought that Arson would probably protest against it but he had been wrong. 'Bunch of Frosts somewhere around here.'

'…Right…' Dante frowned softly. Was it him or did Arson sound somewhat reluctant? Not because of fear…but…he had a feeling it was due to something else. He suddenly killed the engine and looked around. Arson pulled off his helmet and did the same, frowning at Dante when the Hunter chose to laugh at his hair. Helmets…an object Arson had always hated.

In the darkness, away from the light, they both stood, listening, watching. Arson suddenly began walking forwards, crouched low. Dante stayed where he was. He didn't search out the enemy. He waited for them to come to him. And when they came, he'd be ready. He looked up as a sudden silver light fell across him. The moon was out, glowing like a flat yellow disk. He leant against his motorbike, feeling his sword press down slightly into his back. They would come soon.

Arson continued to walk onwards. He paused and looked towards Dante for a split second before veering off to the left, into a deserted alley. He stopped to take in his surroundings. On either side, the back of hideous grey buildings loomed out over him. Trash cans lay in disarray. There was no light given of by a nearby lamp here. It was the perfect place for demons to lurk. Something was rustling directly in front of him. He walked towards it, confident after his fight with Razzia that he could take on anything. Nothing was as bad as that guy.

He suddenly realised that his swords weren't in his pocket. He stifled a groan as he remembered that Razzia had taken them with him when he had disappeared. If he did run into something he would have to rely on his other powers. He grimaced at this thought. Once he started using his powers, he was consumed by a desire to kill. He loved every minute of it. He loved the power, he loved watching destruction. He loved watching his enemies scream as they were devoured by his strength. He became a danger to himself. All because he couldn't control it.

He had reached a dead end. But they were around here somewhere. He knew it. He whirled around, as the sound grew louder. It seemed to surround him. His eyes swept the shadows, the walls, the ground. But there was nothing. He straightened up from his fighter's stance and frowned. Where were they?

Dante heard a sudden yelp from Arson's direction but did not move. He could hear them clearly now. And they were coming this way. Dante readied his sword and guns and strode forward easily, casually. Just as the demons came towards him, a searing heat filled his body. Dante tried to press on forward but it was impossible. The heat was too much. Sweat trickled down the sides of his face as he retreated. For some odd reason, the heat had drained him. He no longer had the strength he needed to fight. A voice sounded, causing pain to erupt quite suddenly in his head.

'Go…' Dante groaned, both of his hands flying to the sides of his head, his eyes screwed shut in pain. What the hell was happening to him? He had never felt anything like it. It was like a wave of burning, scalding water. It kept building and building. He sank down against the wall his bike was resting against, cradling his head in his hands. Slowly, the pain began to release him from its vice like grip. He slowly raised his head to see Arson standing directly in front of him.

'Shit!' Arson was morphing into his devil form. Coal black eyes stared into his as they turned from brown. There was no recognition in them. Dante slowly got up, understanding at once that the voice in his head had been Arson's. The demon stared at him fixedly as flames began to surround his body, transforming him into a human torch. Arson slowly turned from him and walked purposefully towards the Frosts, who were screaming with the delirious joy of battle, their blood-thirst banishing all fear. Dante could almost see the reckless smile on Arson's face as he raised one arm and extended his hand towards them.

Something like an explosion shook the ground. Fire burst into Dante's vision but for some odd reason, which Dante couldn't understand, he felt no fear. Everything was silent, except for the crackle of flames. A cold wind started to blow. Dante looked up at the sky gratefully, noting the bruised colour of the clouds in the night sky. At that moment, a raindrop fell onto his face. Dante rested against the wall, closing his eyes, savouring the feel of the cold water upon his face. The flames died under the water. There was no sound now, just the sound of the rain splattering against the concrete and the hissing of flames as they were put to rest.

Arson had turned back to Dante, his fist raised. As soon as the rain had started, the power had left him in a sudden rush, leaving him feeling tired and cold. He guiltily lowered his fist, shocked that he had just been about to attack the Devil Hunter. He jumped as he heard Dante's voice, calm and collected as ever.

'You can't control it, can you?' Arson shook his head. 'That can be a problem. I guess I'm going to have to give you a few lessons.' Arson looked at him quickly, his eyes brightening with childish excitement. Dante was going to train him up! The Legendary Dante! He watched as Dante got up from the ground and stumbled towards his bike.

'I'm sorry about your head-ache, sir.'

'What head-ache? I ain't got no head-ache,' Dante lied through his teeth. Arson said nothing but got on behind him. 'So, Central Hotel, right?'

'Yep.' Dante noted the haggard expression on his face.

'Don't fall asleep back there.' Arson smiled wearily but said nothing. He gritted his teeth as the motorbike lunged forward at an alarming rate. Arson clung onto the seat miserably.

'I don't think I'll ever get used to this!' he yelled.

'You better had.' Arson only smiled mildly. Dante only became aware that he had gone when he turned to see whether he had fallen asleep at a red light. Instead, he was met with white smoke. He shook his head and chuckled softly to himself. That kid is something else! He's a devil who can't control his own powers, he doesn't know what wheels are and he's trying to save the world! Idiot. Dante's smile disappeared on his face as he had a second thought. He's no idiot…he's brave. Overly brave. He knows the odds are stacked against him but he's willing to try anyway.

Arson was waiting for him outside the hotel, his face pensive as always. Dante saw that he was by himself. Before he could ask any questions, Arson went inside. Dante followed after parking his motorcycle.

'Could you help me with some stuff? Val's asleep.' Dante looked at his watch.

'I should be too.' Arson smiled and nodded in agreement before he unlocked the door and went in. Dante followed and him and frowned almost immediately. Something was not right.

Val was asleep on the bed, dressed in a pair of jeans and a white blouse. Dante stared at her and then frowning, looked up at Arson. Arson didn't seem to notice as he lugged his single bag over to the door. He looked towards Val and sighed with frustration before he tried to wake her as gently as possible.

Val opened her eyes to see Arson hovering beside her. She yawned and turned onto her side.

'Now what? It's late! Go to bed!'

'Val, wake up. We're going.' Val sat bolt upright.

'Going? Where? Why? Not now?'

'We're going to Devil May Cry. It's not safe here and we can't afford to wait until tomorrow.' Val blinked up at him in disbelief. Her eyes slid past him and onto Dante. She took in his silver hair and pale blue eyes before smiling drowsily.

'You shouldn't bring strangers up to my room.' Arson said nothing on the subject.

'Grab your stuff and get going.' Val stuck her lip out petulantly.

'It's in the other room, dweeb!' Arson groaned as he felt for the spare keys. Val watched him and sighed. 'You've lost them, haven't you?'

'I'm really not in the mood to do this but…' He disappeared, leaving only a thin trace of white smoke drifting in the air. Dante's usually impassive face looked surprised for a split second before returning to its normal unemotional self. Val got up and smiled at him.

'So... How's business been?'

'...' Dante stepped away from her uneasily and paced about the room impatiently. At that precise moment, Arson came back in, landing on top of him. Arson scrambled off him, amid a jumble of cosmetics, clothes and combs. He scowled at Val who burst out giggling. Dante righted himself and glared at both of them.

'Hurry up and get packed!' he snapped irritably. Val bundled everything in messily, yawning. She tripped over Arson's bag and landed flat on her face.

'Shit!' Arson practically flew to her side and tried to help her up, only to find that she had fallen back into a deep sleep. Dante couldn't help but chuckle as Arson shook his head in despair.

'What the hell was she drinking?'

'She doesn't drink. Or smoke for that matter. I guess she was playing PS2 for too long or something.' He eyed the still flickering screen and sighed again. 'I should pack that too. She loves that thing!'

'You've already guessed that I can't hold three people on my cycle. And there isn't much room for bags either.'

'I know, I know.' Arson pause, undecided and then nodded. 'Right. I'm sorry to ask you this, but could you take Val with you? I'll take the bags and everything else. Please?' Dante's eyes flickered slightly. He couldn't really see an alternative. He cursed inwardly, thinking that he should have listened to Trish when she had said she wanted a car.

'All right,' he muttered. Val's eyes slowly flickered open and fixed on Arson. She smiled at him lovingly.

'You're the best brother ever,' she slurred. 'Are you taking the PS2 with you?' Arson nodded. 'Good…I need to go shopping…' Arson rolled his eyes and stifled another groan as he helped her up.

'You need to walk for a little while. Just outside.' Val yawned.

'Okay…' her voice sounded oddly small and childish. Dante eyed Inferno the phoenix curiously and then reached out to pet him without hesitating. Arson only became aware when Inferno sang with pleasure.

'That's odd…he doesn't let anybody touch him unless he's sure of them.' Dante shrugged, not really listening to him. He drew away from the phoenix and marched out of the room without another word. Arson supported Val as they made their way downstairs.

'Don't fall asleep behind him, okay?' said Arson, unconsciously repeating what Dante had told him. Val grinned as she yawned again.

'Can't promise you that, bro. I'm just ready to drop!'

'Well don't.'

Dante drummed his fingers on the handlebars impatiently. There was something about Val he was uneasy about. She wasn't like the others. Siren, she was a devil all right. The scent that hung about her was something devilish, unreal. As a devil hunter, he had had to train his senses to pick up his prey. Then it was all down to waiting. Arson too, he was a devil. But there was something slightly different about him, something that Dante could not place. It was what Dante had noticed the first time when he had seen him. That strange innocent look about him, one of purity. Val, she reeked of something that was even more ethereal then a devil. But what?

He scowled at her as she sat down behind him. Val only smiled at him in a weak attempt to make friends. She gritted her teeth as the motorbike suddenly sped off but she made no sound. At length, she began to relax and began to find herself nodding off to sleep again. Dante stiffened as her head fell against his back. He nudged her gently.

'Hey!' Val jerked back into wakefulness and blinked blearily. Her eyes widened slightly.

'I'm sorry…I'm just so tired.' As if to prove her point, she yawned again. Dante suddenly sped up. Val closed her eyes as the wind lashed at her face, whipping her dark brown hair back, robbing her of breath. Dante began to slow down, smiling thinly.

'Still tired?' Val shook her head silently, eyes wide with what was only describable as a mixture of fear and excitement.

'I didn't know that motorbikes could go that fast!' Val smiled as the lights of the city sped past. A huge building caught her eyes. 'I really need to go shopping. I haven't been able to buy anything since Razzia took over. When he took over, he captured the people and used them as slaves for his empire. Without people there can't be business. Without business there's no jobs and without jobs there's no money. The future is poor.' Val paused. 'We don't have anything now. It's so hard to get around without being killed by Razzia or his army. Arson is so protective. He's always keeping an eye on me, as if I can't look after myself.'

'You're waffling.' Val shrugged.

'I always do. It's a bad habit.'

'You can go shopping with Trish sometime. And Siren too, I guess.' Val was glad it was dark. No one could see the expression of disgust on her face. But evidently, it didn't have to be light for Dante to know what she was thinking. 'What? You got something against her?' Val said nothing for a while. Dante's tone had sounded friendly enough. And he didn't look like the type who would say much either.

'Well…it's just that…she's not as nice as everyone thinks. She throws herself over Arson and he's powerless to resist. He could do a lot better. When she's around him he acts all stupid. She uses him.' Val sighed quite suddenly. 'I shouldn't be saying this. Just forget I said anything, okay?' Dante didn't answer. Val wondered whether he had even been listening.

She jumped as the roar of the motorcycle was suddenly silenced. She blinked and looked around. Dante cursed as he got off his motorcycle.

'Shit! I can't believe this! She forgot to switch off the light again!' Val read the neon sign of Devil May Cry. She said nothing but looked at Dante questioningly. 'What're you waiting for? Go in.' Val nodded with dumb obedience and entered.

Siren gave her a cursory glance, rolled her eyes and returned to pacing the room. Her piercing violet eyes bored into Dante.

'Well? Where is he, then?' Dante shrugged and sauntered into the kitchen for coffee. Siren shook her head with irritation and sneered at Val.

'So…what the hell are you doing here?'

'I should be asking you that. Besides, I'm concerned in this mess. You're not.' Siren smiled indulgently.

'I think I am. Wherever Arson goes, I go.'

'He could be doing a lot better you know. It's not as if he wanted to be with you. I know what you did. He doesn't.' Val's brown eyes had turned hard and serious.

'If you're thinking what I think you are, why don't you ask your brother? I didn't cast a spell on him.'

'So you say.' Dante emerged again, his face a picture of boredom.

'Go to sleep. You both need it. Upstairs.' He indicated the stairs by nodding his head towards it. Val watched Siren go, eyes narrowed. 'You shouldn't be hating her. Especially considering what you are.' Val looked at him in surprise before her eyes grew hard again.

'I don't hate her. I just hate the fact that she's messing about with my bro!' She stormed upstairs, after Siren. Dante sat down at the kitchen table, nursing his hot drink. He moaned with despair. Three girls living under the same roof. Two of them hated each other. All hell was sure to break loose.