Chapter 13: The Apprentices Return
Nero woke up with a grumbling stomach. He saw that Shadow woke up too and he pet the huge cat before going downstairs. He heard his parents laughing as they cooked. They made a fruit salad, some ham, eggs and potatoes and toast. Nero pouted. No Belgian waffles?! Oh no!
"Good morning Nero…." Mira began and stopped when she saw his pout. "You really think I forgot?" Nero blinked and Mira removed a covered platter that was still pleasantly warm and set it before Nero with warm syrup. Nero took off the cover and grinned. There, with some ham and potatoes were his Belgian Waffles with strawberries and blueberries! Mira grinned and winked. "You should know me better than that, kid."
"Thank you Mother." He said , grinning wider. "Good Morning Father."
"Good morning son." Vergil greeted with a nod as he went back to his fixing his and Mira's plates.
"You're welcome kiddo." She said as she placed a cup of coffee next to him. "After we all eat I believe we're going on a little trip."
"We'll be…." Vergil began but stopped when Griffon flew in, and Shadow roared. "Looks like we have work to do." He said with a sigh. Nero groaned and Mira sighed but both geared up. Vergil did as well and in less than a half an hour, the family triggered and made way to the trouble.
A pair of green eyes stared in disgust at the fleeing humans while demons ran after them. I don't understand why in the life of me would Master would want to protect these weakling lifeforms. I grow tired of waiting for his return. His white coat billowed behind him as he picked up his two swords. I will get my due….He walked on, slashing his way through.
The Spardas landed and started kicking ass, with Mira and Nero blazing with their guns and Vergil slashing. Nero evacuated the children and young families while Mira took the others. Vergil ordered the soldiers and officers on what to do for defenses. The ones they couldn't shoot down, He handled. Even The Order of The Sword arrived to the Lord's call. An older man in Captains uniform stood in front.
"Lord Sparda, how can we help?"
"Strengthen their ranks, do not give them any chance to break the line."
"Yes Sir!" The Captain said before running. Nero blinked.
"I know that man….I thought he was dead! Father, that man, is Credo and Kyrie's father. He and his wife took me in."
"Then I will be sure he doesn't fall." Vergil said as he placed a hand onto his son's shoulder. "Go help your Mother. I can handle things here."
"Yes Father." Nero said with a nod before rejoining his mother with the evacuation effort. Vergil followed where the Order went and oversaw to the Captain.
"Lord Sparda, what are you doing?" The Captain asked.
"At ease Captain, I'm just ensuring all goes well."
"Sir?"
"I will tell you later, now is NOT the time!" Vergil said as he felt a powerful presence. Its way weaker than mine, Mira and Nero but its that of a Demon Lord. Vergil gripped Yamato and took a stance. In a shower of blood, the Demon Lord appeared. Dressed in white, two swords, green eyes and white spiked hair. Vergil knew this was his fight.
"Captain, take out the demon legion but that one," He pointed to the Demon Lord, "Is my fight. Please don't interfere. I can't stress this enough."
"Lord Sparda, you're Nero's father aren't you?" The Captain asked. Vergil smirked and chuckled. "It was an honor my Lord."
"Thank you for taking him in. Now I must go." With that Vergil went out to face the Demon Lord. He took a stance.
"Out of my way." Baul said, "Or you will taste my blades."
"I will not, you will stand down." Vergil said not giving Baul an inch. The Demon Lord roared and while others covered their ears and moaned Vergil just quirked an eyebrow and examined Yamato tilting his head. "Are you done?" Bual blinked in shock.
"Who the HELL are you?!" Baul demanded. Vergil smirked and roared EVEN LOUDER! Bual took a knee and winced. Oh shit!
Mira and Nero heard Vergil's roar and triggered, flying over and landing fast. Mira gasped and immediately put Nero behind herself and she summoned up her Devil Arm, taking a stand next to her intended.
"Bual, your weak ass is back?" She asked, having the men next to her snickering and chuckling darkly. Baul's eyes widened and he growled.
"Who are you to speak to me you wench?!" He sneered and before he could continue, he got a hard punch to the gut! Angered Blue green eyes glared into his.
"You dare say that to her? I'm going to rip you apart!" Vergil growled as he partially triggered. He grabbed Bual by the neck and hoisted him up, fangs bared and eyes glowing red. Mira looked at the Demon Lord and smirked.
"How's the view Baul? You had it easy against me. Now, Vergil here, he is not so warm as I am. Kick his ass Babe."
"WITH PLEASURE!" The Demon King said as he went Full Sin. Bual struggled as the grip on his throat became tighter. Vergil took to the skies and threw the demon lord against a damaged building. Nero winced, felt a bit sorry but not so much. Serves him right for calling Mother a wench. Father is pissed!
Vergil was indeed pissed and he let Bual have it. He punched, kicked and sent the Demon Lord flying. Bual triggered and clashed swords. Vergil was ready and countered parry for parry, thrust for thrust.
"You fight well, I commend you, but I was my Master's apprentice, there are still things you must learn…" He pulled out a dagger and was about to get Vergil in a critical area when a black and gold hand stopped him.
"NO!" The demon yelled. "THIS IS NOT WHAT WE WERE TAUGHT AND YOU KNOW IT!"
"Modeus, move!"
"NO! YOU WANT TO GO ON, KILL ME!" The demon yelled. Baul growled and vanished. The black and gold demon looked at the family and took a knee before Vergil and de triggered. A handsome man with long ebony hair and golden eyes, elfin ears and clad in black and gold met gazes with the Demon King.
"Lord Vergil, my name is Asmodeus. I , as well as my rash older brother, served your father. I wish to pledge my sword and life to you and to your family."
"That decision will not solely be mine." Vergil said. "Mira, what say you, my love?" Asmodeus looked to the beautiful woman in scarlet red, garnet and black. He gasped as he recognized her power and her.
"Dante?" He asked. Mira crossed her arms but blew a bang away from her eyes.
"Was," She said. "It's mixed to see you again Modeus."
"Yes, since our last meeting wasn't on good terms."
"Modeus, you tried to kill me." Mira said. Vergil and Nero glared at the man.
"Because I wanted….revenge."
"No excuses," Vergil said sharply. "You may have served our Father but now, you will prove yourself. Not only to me, but to my intended and to our son. If we sense for even one instance of betrayal, you will die, by my hand, is that clear?"
"Yes, my Lord." Asmodeus said.
"Then rise and assist." Vergil commanded. Modeus got to his feet and bowed to them. Nero hid behind his mother. Why am I blushing? Yea, he's cute…wait what? He groaned and walked on. Mira blinked then smiled, walking after her son while Vergil kept watch on Asmodeus. I'll have to watch him and keep him away from Mira and Nero. I don't like this one bit.
When the evacuation was completed, Vergil commanded for Asmodeus to remain close by and wait for their decision. The other demon bowed and flew off. Vergil noticed that Mira was thinking. She was silent all the way home. When Nero wished his parents goodnight and retired for the night, Vergil sat next to her and held her close.
"My love?"
"I don't know, Verge. Things were fine between Asmodeus and I, but once I killed Baul, he went for me. I don't think it would be best for him to be around us, Nero especially." Vergil thought and understood. As Mira has, Vergil noticed his son's blushing at the sight of Asmodeus. Yes I'll definitely have to keep a close watch. We are unclear of his true intentions. I will not put my family at risk.
"I'll need to confront him…." Mira said.
"No, we need to confront him." Vergil corrected her gently as he hugged her. "We will decide his fate as a family." Mira smiled warmly and kissed him softly.
"Yes," She whispered softly, their lips barely apart. "We." Vergil kissed her again and pulled her to him, not daring to let her go. I never will again.
After dinner and with Nero, the older Spardas tracked down Asmodeus. They found him in the library, patiently reading. He closed the book and took a knee.
"Lord Sparda, Young One, Lady Sparda."
"Modeus, I'm skeptical." Mira began, "I don't think it's a good idea for you to be near us or to serve our family. Bual will need to be stopped, you know what that means. Ican't and won't risk our family by saying yes. Until you have proven yourself." Modeus nodded and looked to Nero.
"I stand by my parents' decision. Until you have gained and earned our trust you can stay the hell away from me." Modeus winced but nodded. He completely understood. His fate laid with Lord Sparda himself. He looked to the man who was actually weighing his answer carefully, tapping Yamato lightly in time.
"Believe me when I say, no one knows about gaining forgiveness and a chance for redemption more than I. I can't overlook the fact that you almost killed my future wife, the mother of my son, over revenge. As Mira pointed out, your brother will need to be stopped. How will we know you will not want it when I run him through ?" Vergil asked as a teacher would reminding Asmodeus of the other man's father. Modeus bowed his head deep in thought. "Your silence shows me that you are thinking. You said you served our father, allow me to ask you this, if it was our father, Nero's grandfather and your Master, was the one who killed your brother what would you have done? Naturally when our loved ones are harmed or killed yes, we want revenge. But we forget to ask, why? Why are you at this point? We will leave you to think on what was said. Think it through, properly, and with clarity. At a later time, I will ask you again." With that he walked away with his family in tow. Asmodeus remained in the library, thinking and was genuinely surprised at the new Lord Sparda. Master, your son is as you were….A Master worth serving. I swear to redeem myself, by your will. I will defend and protect them all.
Sorry another long chapter. More to come.