Author's Warning: Character Death/Demonization
Chapter 21: An Angel's Rest
Nero and his parents returned to Fortuna and were greeted by the children who hugged Nero tightly. Nero comforted the children while Vergil and Mira looked around for clues. Mira glanced at how Nero tended to the children and smiled softly before tapping Vergil on the shoulder and pointed. The elder looked and smiled.
"He'll be a great father." Vergil said softly. "Come, let's focus at the task at hand." Mira nodded and searched more until she saw a familiar looking piece of fabric. It was white, had black trim and a red insignia. She picked it up and remembered….
"I beg you, as a last request," A dying Credo coughed and gasped as he made his way to Dante. "Save Kyrie and…Nero." Credo died, faded away.
"Babe, I know who took the Missy." Mira said as she handed him the fabric. "It was her brother, Credo."
"This is definitely from Credo's uniform." Nero said as he examined the fabric. "But how did he get here? We saw him die."
"The human part must've died. All that remained was the demon part." Vergil said.
"Father you were split, you didn't die."
"I almost did. Twice, well, three times if you count the day I almost killed you."
"Oh yea, you looked like shit." Nero said with a smirk. "And you were raspy and gasping…"
"After what I went through child, believe me, you wouldn't look like a model once you were freed."
"How did you…may I see?"
"My love, you don't want to see that…."
"Babe, you stabbed me through the heart, you tried to kill me more than once. Please let me see." Vergil sighed heavily and placed his hand into hers.
Nero was working in his garage when Vergil approached slowly, his breathing labored and raspy. His skin was a pale sickly pallor with blue black veins. His hooded cloak was tattered and his coat tails were tattered as well. "Are you hungry?" Nero asked. "You're in luck because it's almost dinner time and Kyrie makes too much…" He saw the man's gaze on his Devil Bringer. "You see something you like?" When his bringer glowed he tensed. "You're a demon…."
"Nero, where are you, dinners ready…"
"Kyrie, get upstairs now!" Nero ordered, turning his back on Vergil. That was all that was needed. He grabbed Nero's Devil Bringer and ripped it, flinging Nero into the shelf.
"I'm taking this back." Vergil gasped as he held a revealed Yamato, which had been in Nero's Devil Bringer. He doubled over in pain. "I'm running out of time." He slashed a portal and painfully walked through, ignoring Nero's pleas and begging as he collapsed from blood loss.
Vergil bowed his head in shame as Mira released his hand. Vergil walked to the balcony, and closed his eyes, heart heavy on the verge of breaking. He gasped when he felt Mira hug him in comfort.
"Babe, look at me," Mira said gently. Vergil felt his tears threatening to fall but he slowly met her gaze. "Oh, Vergil no, we're not going anywhere. We love you and forgive you. We are family. I am yours and Nero is our son. We will always be with you." Vergil cupped her face tenderly and kissed her with all he had. Mira kissed him back lovingly and held him. Nero came in and saw his parents kissing. He blinked then smiled, slowly going back into the house.
When they finally broke their kiss they touched foreheads and smiled softly.
"I love you, Mira." He whispered softly.
"I love you too Vergil." Mira whispered. "And I always will."
After a while and leaving Trish with the children, the Spardas followed the trail. It led them to the ruins of the true hell gate. Or what was supposed to be the ruins!
"How the fuck?! I sliced it myself!" Mira said with disbelief. "With Yamato." Vergil held up a hand and examined the newly rebuilt gate using his other sight.
"This was fixed with demonic magic."
"Can you destroy it Babe?" Mira asked. Vergil turned back toward the gate, held his hand out and clenched his fist. The gate crumbled into fine powder. Nero and Mira's eyes widened.
"Daaaammnnnn!" They both said. Vergil dusted his hands and walked on. The younger devils were shocked.
"Too bad you weren't around when we had to deal with these gates before Babe."
"Sorry my love."
"It's ok but how are we going to deal with Credo?" Mira asked. "Where is he?"
Nero looked up and pointed with Blue Rose. There was a demonized Credo but he held a limp figure in his arms.
"Kyrie!" Nero called, about to leap but his parents held him back. Credo smirked.
"So, you finally found your family Nero. You let me die…."
"No, I didn't…." Nero whimpered. Mira held her son and Vergil stared at the lying demon.
"I LOVED YOU! SHE DIDN'T DESERVE IT!" Credo shouted as he tightened his grip on his sister. "YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE MINE!" The older devils blinked then looked at Nero.
"I didn't know."
"Oh, you little heartbreaker!" Mira teased playfully. Vergil smirked and chuckled. Nero blushed.
"Guys come on this is not funny! He's hurting Kyrie!" Vergil nodded and looked to the demon again.
"I demand you release the girl."
"Who are you to demand?" Credo hissed. Mira walked over.
"Credo, this is not you. It's your demon talking. You love your sister don't you? You're feeling hurt because you wanted to win Nero's heart."
"You look familiar…." Credo said as he tilted his head. "Who are you?"
"Delmira but you can call me Mira." She pulled out Ebony and Ivory. "Now you heard my husband, let Kyrie go." Vergil gasped softly but smiled proudly. She called me 'husband'. Well, technically its true, I did claim her….He smirked a bit. Even now, after almost 25 years…she is gorgeous, and ALL MINE!
Credo tilted his head then held Kyrie tighter. "I don't think so. I will do as I should have done long ago. We will meet again!" With that, he flew away carrying his sister. Nero growled but his father held a hand up for silence. Mira grinned. She knew exactly what Vergil was doing! He was tracking by sound. Damn its good to be the King. You get a shitload of perks. Vergil stood up after a while and gestured for them to follow him but to keep silent. They were heading for Fortuna Castle.
The family continued to fight their way through the monsters and armors to get to the top. They stopped short when a female demon with an all white reptilian body, feathered wings and black sleeves greeted them. She was standing on a stage and her eyes flared red. Nero choked back a sob. The older devils took a stance in front of their son.
"You will all die," She said. "Listen to my song, for it will be your last!" She took to the air and sang a few notes breaking a nearby statue. Nero felt tears of anger. For before them, was Kyrie!
"Kyrie, why?"
"I was tired of feeling helpless, having to wait for you. Now I don't have to." Mira bowed her head but summoned her Devil Arm.
"I'm sorry for this Missy." She said. "You didn't ask for this, but we will be quick." Vergil nodded in agreement and unsheathed Yamato.
"No," Nero said, halting them. "I'll do it."
"Kiddo, are you sure?" Mira asked. Nero looked at his mother and nodded.
"She would want it that way. Take out Credo. I got this." Mira looked to Vergil who nodded and led the way. Mira bowed her head for a moment and followed the elder. Nero looked at the demoness and revved up Red Queen.
"Kyrie, this is not you. You did not ask for this and I will make sure you don't suffer. I love you and I'll treasure your memory always." With a battle cry and tears falling free, Nero lunged, and Kyrie countered, beginning their fight.
Vergil and Mira found Credo on the balcony sparring field.
"Lord and Lady Sparda," He greeted with a bow. "Welcome to your funeral."
"Your own sister, how could you?" Mira asked, her voice thick with unshed tears. Vergil shot a venomous glare at the demon.
"She was weak. I gave her the same gift I was given. She's an angel now." Vergil blinked and was taken aback.
"I'm sorry, did you say an angel?" He chuckled. "Dear boy, you can't tell an angel from your ass it seems."
"I was chosen to become an Angel." Credo said proudly. Mira giggled. Vergil had to compose himself from laughing outright. Is this boy for real? Angels my ass! Mira laughed as she read her intended's thoughts. Vergil unsheathed Yamato and took a stance.
"Come at me, unless you feel you can't handle it with your angelic powers." He smirked. Mira laughed and sat down. This was too funny!
"Babe, I'm in the mood for 'angel' wings." She laughed. Vergil grinned wickedly.
"You'll have them my love, want them extra crispy?"
"You read my mind Babe!" The Huntress said as she took a seat. Vergil nodded and took a stance. Credo brandished his own sword and attacked the elder. Vergil countered. This one is too insane to walk free.
Nero was locked in battle. Kyrie had a sword like Credo, and she was holding her own. She wanted blood and knew that Nero was holding back.
"Stop being a wimp. Your father would have killed me by now. You lack his guts!" Something snapped in Nero and he triggered. Kyrie smirked and both demons clashed again. Snarls and hisses and slashes with claws and fang baring. Nero grabbed the demoness by the throat and yanked her close. She saw his tears.
"Rest in peace." He said, his voice sounding eerily like his sire. With that said, he crushed and tossed her up, punching her square in the heart, flinging her into a wall. She crashed through but both knew the battle was over. He ran over and saw her de triggered and gasping her last. Nero held her.
"Nero," She gasped. "thank you." She held his hand and smiled brightly. Nero sobbed and Kyrie cupped his face. "It's ok Nero. You saved me. Go in peace." With a last smile, she closed her eyes and did not wake up. Nero bowed his head and cried, holding her lifeless body in his arms.
Mira looked up and focused when she felt Nero's anguish. She got to her feet and after sharing a brief look with Vergil, she made her way to their son. She found him still holding Kyrie and crying. She knelt next to him and stroked his hair. Nero looked up and rested his head on his mother's shoulder. She hugged him and both just shed tears.
"Nero, she is at peace. Come on let us prepare her for her final rest. Your father can handle Credo…"
"Mother," Nero said steely. "Where are they?" Mira blinked but understood.
"Give her to me, I'll take you." Nero carefully handed Kyrie's body to his mother before picking up Red Queen and Blue Rose. Mira walked them to where Credo and Vergil were still fighting.
"Father, stand down!" Nero commanded. "This is my fight." Vergil looked at his son and after a few minutes, nodded.
"Very well child. Have at him, I'll assist your mother." Vergil and Nero easily switched places with the younger tagging the elder out. Vergil walked over to Mira who showed him Kyrie's lifeless body. Vergil walked her off the field to help prepare the body. Credo saw his sister's body and turned on Nero.
"You KILLED her?!"
"No, you killed her." Nero said as he triggered. "I brought her peace. Now, do not speak, just die." The two demons clashed. They fought fiercely but Nero had the upper hand and impaled Credo with Red Queen, jamming to the hilt. Credo's heart burst and he died instantly. Nero flung his body into the fireplace and watched him burn. Credo, Kyrie, you will be missed. Rest in peace.
The double funeral for both Kyrie and Credo were somber, and Nero comforted the three foster children he shared with Kyrie. He did not dare tell the children that their foster mother and uncle had become demons. Nero, with his father's assistance, found a decent caretaker for the orphanage. The she-devil turned out to be protective, maternal, and good hearted. She was thankful for the chance and promised that the children would be well cared for. Nero nodded and packed his things, deciding to remain at the villa with his parents. He could not bear to be in Fortuna right now. He hugged his foster children, promising to keep in touch with them. Mira and Vergil waited patiently and waved goodbye before they all left, heading for home. Goodbye Kyrie. Nero thought as he looked down at Kyrie's final resting place, a beautiful white angel singing as her tombstone, with flowers around, with tears in his eyes. You will be treasured always.
More to come.