Earlier
There's no guide to getting to Hell without being damned to it. No one knows how any of the demons get here with portals. Maybe it's a breach in the dimension that demons crawl through. It's possible for a human to go to the underworld, just very difficult. All you need is access to a Hell Gate. It's easy to get in if it's open, if not you need the Yamato to open it up. With Vergil being alive now, good luck getting that from him. I, for one, don't have any way of opening a Hell Gate nor don't have to. I'm one-fourth demon who did have the Yamato in my arm at one point… until Vergil ripped it off. Maybe there's some way I can still summon that power from within.
Along the edges of Heppin and Vestos, a long back road runs behind several buildings divided by a wall. It blocked off the main freeway from the housing complexes around here. Some people put up grafitti on the wall, ranging from a squiggle to a drawing. If I had a spray can, I'd draw dicks all over the place. Maybe one of the dicks would be Dante… who knows. Most of the art are words or cartoony characters. Rarely it's something really detailed and if it is, it's been drawn over. Most people have said that many Hell Portals open around in this area, which makes it easier to get to Hell. At least by my logic. Checking my surroundings, there was not a person in sight. Nothing but the cracked road and the concerete walls surrounding me.
"Alright, lets get to work" I cracked my knuckles, satisfyingly crunching right on que. My first instinct is to just channel it out. Concentrating on my power, I tried to open a portal through brain power Getting into position, I attempted to summon a portal through my hands. Come on, stupid Sparda blood, will you activate?! After many hand positions and awkward ways of excreting a portal, holographic blue and red wings sprouted from my back, with talon-like hands resting on my shoulders. Of course that happens.
"Maybe they can make the portal?" I thought aloud, scratching the back of my head. Taking one of the wings, I tried to draw an "X" mark into thin air. Didn't work. Tried the other wing. Nope. Maybe if I repeat the awkward positions of summoning but with wings? Zilch. What if it's in the sword? Like it depends on how much power I put into it? Pulling out Red Queen, I charged up the blade then repeatedly made "x"s in the air. Nada. Not even the slightest hint of something working.
"Dammit!" I punched into the wall with my Devil Bringer. "Why isn't this working?!" I grumbled, shaking off the rubble. The impact made a decent crack in the wall, not going all the way through. It almost made the art piece better in a way. I'm not weak, dammit. I know there's a way, I just don't know how to get there. I can show you how to get down there… "You again… since I'm running out of time how do you propose oh great voice" I sarcastically replied.
You need to free me, then I can show you how to find Vergil… Free you? What do you mean by that? Sounds like something in horror movies where the demon possesses you in the end. In other words, you can have the power to protect your family. All you need to do is let me out, just like before when you first awakened. You mean… Recalling the feeling, a faded memory of overwhelming power surged through me, wishing for more. When it was over, I was hollow again. It wasn't a huge loss since I used the energy to find Kyrie from the Order. Don't you want to protect them? Do you even love them? The voice sneered at me.
"Don't patronize me" I snarled back at it, clenching my fists to be white. The voice snickered, then asked again. Will you free me and save your family? Or be trapped and let everyone die? "Shut up!" I yelled, hearing my voice echo throughout the alleyway. At the end of an alley, a few kids who were playing ball peered over to me. Quickly, I diminished my wings, but they ran away before I could. I couldn't tell if they didn't care or were terrified of me… I hope they aren't because of the wings. Don't fear what you are, there's nothing to hide anymore…
"Ha, aren't you a know it all" I sighed, rolling my eyes. Thinking more about my situation, there's not much else that I can try. Something like the Yamato or a portal weapon to get me to Hell. Despite all of the brain power I've mustered, it's not going to do work. With a roll of my eyes, I muttered "How do I do the letting out thing?"
Think. What do you usually do when you get angry or sleep? The hell how did you know I transformed in the night?! Oh. After my realization, I pulled my Devil Trigger and transformed. It's quite nice to be taller than normal, especially more than Dante or Vergil. "Alright now what?" I asked in a distorted voice. Leave it to me. The voice said in a louder voice, sounding like it came from me. Immediately, an overwhelming surge of power flooded through my body. It was stronger than the first time I awakened the Devil Trigger. My hand began to move on its own, forming the "x" mark in the air. Like seams ripping on fabric, the mark split open into a dark swirling vortex that barely retained its original shape. Without hesitation, I stepped in.
—
My love to party crash has diminished over the years, mostly because my body not being up to it anymore. In my youth, my energetic personality plus demon powers made me the living definition of energy. Fueled by the power of $20 pizza, I was the essence of party crashing. From birthday parties to stopping Vergil from opening the Hell Gates, it was fantastic. After wrecking my body over time and lack of pizza, I'm nearly pooped half of the time. I'll slink in, grab a slice, then trash the place later after I'm fueled up with booze. One thing I don't like about part crashing is when other people crash my parties. And there's only two people who do that: demons, and Nero. Witnessing Nero stopping me for a second time from gently killing Vergil is not a pleasant surprise.
"Well, well, well" I smirked, lowering my blade. "Will ya look at that"
Nero transformed back to his human form, frowning at the both of us. Vergil lowered his blade as well but still kept it out. He looked exactly the same as we left him, scuffed up but ready to fight. Just like Vergil when he was younger.
"What are you doing here?" Vergil icily asked, beating me to the punch. I gave Vergil the look of "I wanted to be the bad cop" but he ignored my wish to be the bad cop.
Nero flinched at his question, then stammered out "It's a bit of a story but—"
"Speak." Vergil demanded. The way he spoke made me flinch even. Although I barely had a father, he definitely gave me those stern father feelings. It was for sure a first time I've ever seen him be fatherly. Not that he's been much of one towards Nero ever.
"I've had a feeling to follow you guys weeks after you left," Nero spat out, stiffening up more as he spoke. "There's something—"
"But you left to come after us, just like before when I told you to stay away" I frowned, crossing my arms.
"I know!" he exclaimed, clenching his teeth. "That's why I ignored it! But after a while, a nagging feeling of something like you guys dying—"
"Do you not know about anything about your heritage?" Vergil snapped, looming over Nero. "There's nothing that will kill us, I've torn Dante into a new one many times and that bastard isn't dead yet!"
I threw my hands up in the air, annoyed at Vergil. It's not like I'm out to kill you all the time. You are the one who tries to kill me! All I wanna do is defeat you in a duel. Nero's confidence shriveled as Vergil stared him down. "There's nothing to worry about therefore we don't need you here."
"Dante pushed me aside before but I still helped!" Nero barked back at him. In a way, he's like a young pup against an old wolf. There's no way Nero's going to get anywhere with Vergil. Once his mind is made, there's nothing stopping. Until blunt force is applied. "Family is family and I don't leave any behind!"
"I HAVE NO FAMILY!" Vergil screamed, silencing any mummer or howl in the distance. His words struck through me like the first time he stabbed me with a sword. Any feeling I had was shattered to pieces, leaving only a shell of what it once was. Looking over to Nero however, my feelings are nothing compared to him. All of the anger he had vanished from his face. Vergil was taken aback by his words a bit with his face reddening. Composing himself, he continued in a calmer voice, "My family died in that fire over 20 years ago. I have no family, and certainly no son who can be considered as my own."
Without another word, he turned his back on the both of us and stormed off. Nero showed no anger or sorrow, just a blank face. Biting his lip, he stormed off as well in the opposite direction. All that's left is me and Devil Sword Dante. While I never considered Sparda as my father, I still considered of Vergil as a brother. No matter how many Hell Gates he opens and people he kills. As for Nero, it's a head-scratcher to figure out how to treat him. Although he's my nephew, he's just another person to make sure is alright. As long as he's alive he's fine, like everyone I know. Once Vergil is set straight, I can just continue my days at the Devil May Cry shop and be fine. Looking up to the murky sky, I sighed. There's no easy way out of this, huh?
"Damn…" I uttered, scratching the back of my head. Plopping myself onto the ground, I began to think about father. Why the hell do this whole thing? Making not two but three hybrids in the end. Leaving mother to rot in a burning house, and me to find my brother.
What was father like? A distant memory from my past came to mind as I zoned out. Mother sat by the fireplace on a cushioned wooden chair, with a book in hand. I barely could make out what she was reading. Partly due to me refusing to learn how to read and it had no pictures Resting my arms on her lap, I ask her my question. She smiled, patting my white hair and put down the book on her lap. "A handsome devil who stole my heart" she answered lovingly. Not satisfied with her answer, I asked her again "Was he strong?"
"Very much so," she replied. "He's just like you and Vergil, rambunctious but enjoyed his time reading when he had the chance. Swept me off my feet when I met him. He would've loved to teach you two more how to duel"
"Then why doesn't he come home?" I muttered. Vergil glared at me from his book, and then to mother with a puzzled look.
Mother's smile faded for a moment, then replied warmly "He's working hard to keep us safe. While he may be gone, he's still with us right in your heart"
"Someday I hope to be as strong to protect us all!" I proclaimed, whipping out my wooden sword.
"Ha, you wish," Vergil snarked. Closing his book he continued, "you still can't beat me at dueling, then how are you going to protect us?"
"Why you!" I pounced onto him, but was held back by mother.
"You don't have to be the strongest to protect someone you love!" She laughed, wrapping her arms around me. Then she knelt down to our level, pulled in Vergil for a tight group hug. As she squeezed us together, she said "All you need is to be strong enough to protect them. As long as you have the will, there will be a way."
A way huh… If only it was that simple. Mother wouldn't have died if I was stronger, or if father came home. Though… maybe he did come home in a different way. The heirlooms of Rebellion and Yamato, sealing Mundus (until Vergil unsealed him). While it wasn't what I wish would happen, maybe it's the only way. Maybe… that's the reason he was trying to chase after. Hopping to my feet, I sling the sword back onto my back and chase after Vergil.
—
The sun beams down onto my face, stirring me to wake up. It was early in the morning, about 6 am. While it would be nice to sleep in a little, I had a duty to do. I pulled out my devotions from my nightstand and began to read. In some way it was nice to not have a snoring Nero be across from me as I read; however at the same time I miss it. Afterwards, I began my daily routine of getting ready before the kids woke up. Brushing out the tangles in my brunette hair, I finally get it to be slick and easy to run my fingers through. As long as I don't go out anywhere, I can pull off wearing my pajamas all day. But if Nero comes back, then I'll get more ready than usual. Fixing my scrunched sleeves, I left the bathroom and headed into the kitchen. Carlos was wide awake, playing on his smart tablet on the couch. Sometimes I question if they get up because they know I'm up or they are becoming early birds. I hope it's the second one because I do not want them to get up for food just because I'm up this early.
"Good morning Carlos" I greeted him.
"G'morning Kyrie!" he happily greeted back, not looking up from his game. Going to the cupboards, I pulled out the pancake mix. "You makin' pancakes? I thought that's for special occasions only?" Carlos asked, tilting his head in confusion.
"Well since this is the last weekend before you guys go back to school, I thought I'd make it special for you guys," I replied with a smile. Carlos eagerly got up from the couch and to the counter in the kitchen. After getting out all of the ingredients, I turned the dial on the stove top and set the pan on the heated coiled plate.
"When is Nero coming back?" Carlos questioned, looking up from his tablet.
"I don't know," I answered, unsure of how to respond. "He'll call if he's coming home."
"Oh okay" he said, disheartened. Carlos returned to his game, focusing in on it more. I'll be back in the evening… I know he's said that before and hasn't, but at least he'd return in the morning. Or give a call if he's going back to Red Grave. Maybe he forgot to call. Whisking the batter together, the once dry and liquid ingredients blended into a thick creamy batter. "Would you like anything in your pancakes, Carlos?" I ask him.
"I'll take—"
"I'll have rasberries in mine!" Julio blurted, popping out from the backdoor.
"Where have you been?" I exclaimed, surprised by his appearance. He was fully dressed with a stick in hand. And his clothes were dirty of course. Was it him that I heard the thumping outside? Most likely since my window is right next to the backyard.
"Practicing my swordsmanship for when Nero comes back!" he eagerly explained, swinging his stick up onto his shoulders like a blade. "I'm ready to take him down when he comes—!"
"He isn't coming," Carlos muttered.
"What?!" Julio cried out, squeaking a little.
Witholding my laughter, I reassured the two orphans, "Nero hasn't called me yet, but I can call him after I make you three's pancakes."
"Yeah!" they say in unison. Julio hopped up onto a chair beside Carlos and watched him play his game. Kyle slinked into the room as I finished putting the rasberries in Julio's pancake batter. "Now what do Carlos and Kyle usually have…" I pondered to myself, trying to remember. It's been a long time since I made pancakes, mostly because it's been difficult finding the mix lately. "Hmmm… I think Kyle's is plain and Carlos is chocolate chips." I threw in the chocolate chips in another and left the rest plain. The boys occasionally made remarks on the smell, and hearing their stomachs; but mostly kept their attention on Carlos' tablet. Once the pancakes were ready, I put them onto plates and served the boys. Kyle and Carlos swapped plates before digging in. I guess I was wrong, hard to tell sometimes about Kyle cause I swear he'll take plain somedays and chocolate others. I set a tub of butter with a spreading knife nearby between the boys. I wondered if I should ask Julio how early he was up, but his mouth was full of pancake. With how fast they're going through their food, it makes me wonder if all of them were up earlier than me. Settled with their food, I slipped by the boys and dialed on the landline.
"Devil May Cry, this is Trish how can I help you?" A dead-sounding Trish picked up on the other line. I've wondered if she has ever sounded happy on the job…
"Hello, Trish!" I answered cheerfully.
"Ah is this… Nero's girl?" she lightened her tone, peaking interest.
"Girlfriend, haha." I corrected her, slightly annoyed. I hate being called that, makes me sound like I'm something else. "Is Nero there?"
"Huh… funny you ask that…" Trish replied, puzzled by my query. "I thought he's still home with you."
"Nero left last week to visit Nico," I clarified. I wrapped my fingers around the coiled cord of the phone. "He's not back at Red Grave?"
"No… Nico dropped by to pick up her paycheck but didn't say much." Even though I couldn't see it, I could tell she didn't know where Nero could be.
"Hmm, okay thanks for letting me know" I tried to sound cheerful, but still sounded worried. Hanging up the phone, a sinking feeling hit the pit of my stomach. Something was off with Nero. Although he's a bit of a dunce at times, he wouldn't do this. Especially since we're close to refurbishing the orphanage building.
"Is Nero coming back?" Carlos asked, putting his dish in the sink.
"No, but we're going to go visit his friend Nico" I said, determined to find him. The boys cocked their heads, then shrugged. She's the last person who's seen Nero, maybe she has some answers on where he went.