"Of course he just leaves like that. Like the fucking deadbeat he is… " I vent, storming through the fields of white grass-looking things. Several demons spawned in my way, further igniting my rage. As a Nobody crawled it's way up to my face, I broke out my Devil Bringer claws and punched a hole through it's mask. Staggering backwards, it became dazed before regaining consciousness and hobbled towards me. You won't give up won't ya? Pulling my Devil Trigger, I lunged toward it with everything I got. Everything that was bottled up until now exploded out of me. I tore into the demon, digging my sword deep into it. After ripping off a few of its arms, it disintegrated into acidic ashes. As it dissolved, the last remaining thing to dissolve was half of an arm. Seeing the arm, a burst of more rage came out of me. I combed the area for more prey until I found the next group of demons. A pack of Scudo Angelos spawned with shields protecting their leader, Proto Angelo. Latching onto the shield of one of the Scudo Angelos, I catapulted myself into the pack. I struck the shield of the Proto Angelo but was deflected by its blade. One of the Scudos threw me backwards with its long sword, leaving a big gash as I flew in the air and slide across the ground.

Digging my claws into the ground, I halted from sliding on the ground. Regaining composure, I launched another flurry of attacks at them. Latching onto their shields, I began clawing at their shields on all fours. Several of the other Angelos tried to pry me off but I clung on, eventually ripping their shields off. Once defenseless, I unleashed hell upon them by pummeling them down. One by one they began to dog pile on me in attempts to save their own. With all of my strength I was able to shred each one of them to pieces. Red Queen digging deep into the weak points of their armor, I pried them off of their defense and limbs. All fell into a bloody ash mess, until all that's left was me and the Proto Angelo. Despite the claw marks and deep wounds from Red Queen, it still stood tall and proud. Never losing composure during our fight. Without hesitation, it charged at me with full force. It's toothed blade ready to shred me into a new one. Gritting my teeth, I lunged at him with all of my might, thrusting my sword up through it. Puncturing through, Red Queen ripped through its tattered cape, shredding it into two. Finally, I got the upper hand. Until I realized that his blade went through me. Fuck. I can't lose now. I refuse to be defeated. By the look of the demon, he's about to go down. The vigor that he once had is fading from his eyes. This is my only chance to kill him before he can to me. Holding my breath I finished the job with a few more combos and the final shot with Blue Rose. The Proto Angelo collapsed to its knees before deteriorating completely.

My heart was nearing exploding after the fight. I collapsed to my knees and tried to catch my breath. Everything in my body, especially the gut, screamed at me. "You can't be a knight if you fall so easily…" Every muscle in my body ached as I attempted to stand up from defeat. I turned to Kyrie, who was standing on the sidelines watching us practice. Her brows furrowed in worry, holding on to her pendant that her mother gave her. "Come on," Credo stuck out his hand to me. Pulling me up off of the ground, he continued "Keep your back straight, never lose sight of the enemy and be on your guard. The three keys to a successful knight." "

I know that…" I replied, staring down at my feet.

Reassuringly, he put his hand on my shoulder and said "You will get there soon with diligence, practice, and something to fight for." Hmph… funny how that came to mind just now considering the Angelos. Still wish I could've saved Credo out of all of them… Maybe things wouldn't be this way—

"Gah!" I yelped, clutching my side. Blood seeped through my hands as I put more pressure onto it. "I gotta find shelter… but where?" Looking around, in the distance there was some ruins in the area but had hordes of demons. That isn't going to happen, at least right now it isn't. Another glance around had another ruins site but barely had any demons around it, if not at all. Either Dante and Vergil took them all out already, or there's some behemoth ahead. I'm going to hope for door number one. Mustering up the rest of my strength, I took off with my Devil Bringer wings supporting me in flight.

Drawing close to the ruins, it became less looking like a pile of rocks and more of a crumbling castle. Huge gaping holes in the ceiling, with only ivory bricks keeping the structure. Bottom of the structure had a small opening where light was pouring out of. I landed into the entrance of the tower-like building, stepping over the bricks that was in the entryway. Inside was illuminated by torches against the walls and a chandelier that's still in tact. Shelves filled with books leaned against the wall, cobwebs forming at the corners. A red velvet chair with a wood finish hugged a corner of one of the bookshelves; along with a table with a lantern beside it. Everything was coated in a thick layer of dust, including the ground. My boots are already coated with a light grey film after a couple of steps. Staggering over to the chair, I plopped down onto it and took a deep breath. My side gave a sharp sting, eventually slowing into a numbing pain. Glancing around, I spotted a scrap piece of paper on the table next to me and slapped it onto the open wound. It's not cloth, but it's better than nothing. Keeping pressure on it, I sunk into the chair more. "This sucks… why can't I be of help to anyone? I like working alone, but not being treated like I'm worthless."

A large torn up painting hung above the entrance, catching my eye. It depicted of a tall looming demon that looked similar to Dante, if he was even more frightening in his Sin Devil Trigger. "I bet he doesn't have to deal with crap that I'm dealing with..." With a click of my tongue, I turned my attention to something else. The pain began to fade out, but something kept irking me from fully relaxing. Shifting around, I pulled out V's book, the only thing Vergil gave me. I haven't bothered to read it yet. However I was always curious of what was inside. V constantly spouted poetry from it, maybe it'll do some good for me. Or make me into an odd ball like him. I opened the book and flipped through the pages. Every page had a drawing next to stanzas written in cursive. I wonder if V got his name from this book. Flipping to the front of the book, the name "Vergil" was scribbled on a blank page in cursive, akin to the cursive through out the book. He wasn't too shabby of a drawer if that was his, better than I could do. All I can do is draw dicks and stick figures. Slamming the book shut I vented to myself. "Why did I ever bother with that damn dream… all it did was scare me, then feel powerless…"

"Would you like to be more powerful?" A booming voice echoed through the tower. The chandelier's glass crystals shimmered in response to the voice. Glancing around, I couldn't find no one but myself in the area. I grabbed Red Queen without hesitation, ready to fight. There's something here, but I can't tell where it is. The voice continued "Strength is necessary to survive—"

"Wow aren't you a smart ass. Want a cookie?" I snipped back at it.

"Those who fall will perish beneath the strong." A red light began to seep through the cracks of the tower. It was a similar light that I've been seeing in my dreams recently, only more faint.

"What do you want?" I growled, getting ticked off.

"What you desire, is what I can grant." The voice remained in a collective tone, ignoring what I just said.

"How about you leaving me the hell alone" I grumbled under my breath. "I don't need anything, and I don't give a rat's ass what you're trying to get me to do."

The light in the room faded afterwards. Rolling my eyes, I averted my attention away from the weird lighting in the room. Flipping open the book, a picture of a tiger caught my eyes. Words decorated the page in an elegant cursive, complimenting the picture. Deciphering the words, it spoke of a wandering tiger that stalked the night. It reminded me of Vergil a bit with how fierce both can be. Looking at my blade, the middle was rusting from demon blood, the tip dulling, and the ignition getting low fuel. Should've refilled before I came down here. Compared to Vergil's sword and skills, I don't even come close. Hell I struggled to defeat Dante all those years back.

"I have come across many hunters such as yourself," the voice spoke once more. "All but one failed to see what I have to offer. He was one of my finest works of art, a fire that you certainly hold as well. I, myself, struggled to tend to his fire overtime. However, he became one of the most formidable foes to ever walk."

Up until Vergil or Dante kicked their ass.

"Unfortunately he fell from grace, deciding that the power was too much for him," he continued, dishearteningly. "However, from what I have seen, there's untapped power within you. I have seen it many times where you show what my prodigy had, if not more. If you let me help, let the beast within out, I can make you into the most powerful being known to Hell."

I can do more than just being on the sidelines like what Dante always insists me doing. Even though I had Devil Breakers and even my own Devil Trigger fully awakened, it's never enough. They are really strong though, maybe I need to take up on this so they can realize that I'm good too. And hopefully Kyrie wouldn't be so worried about me when I come back stronger than ever. While I'm not entirely trusting of the light emitting from beyond, I'm going to assume it's the sky. Hell is filled with red typically so it makes sense. Sighing, I made my response.

"Let's do it."

—

Driving down to Red Grave made me realize why Nero is terrified to drive. For a long time I've teased him about not driving. Now I understand after Nico's... interesting driving. How she can drive without the police blaring after her, makes them seem like they vanished from existence. From flying off of the roads to make a "detour", speeding through lights, making impossible turns that make my heart skip a beat, it makes me nauseous thinking about it. No wonder Nero walks to places when possible. Not to mention the filth that penetrates this vehicle. Nero tends to leave stuff around, but since living with children he cleans up more to set an example. Which, I thank the Lord for blessing upon us. After seeing Nico's mess at Rock's and Nero's typical mess in the garage, it's more messy than I feared it would be. Weaving through the sea of magazines and empty soda bottles, I reached the booth and sat down after shoving some screws and bullets aside. The kitchen, surprisingly, is the cleanest area of this vehicle. In between the driver and passenger seats was a pack of cigarettes wedged between. Once Nico stopped at the very few stoplights, she leaned back into her seat. Her hands meandered over to the box, fiddling with the first few ciggs. As her fingers began to curl around the cigarettes, the light flicked to green. Her hand jerked back to the wheel as traffic began to flow again. She quietly bit her lip, occasionally glancing to her hands.

"If you wanted, you can smoke…" I quietly told her. "I don't mind." I do mind. Though I know sometimes it can help ease nerves.

Nico glanced up to me through the rear view mirror and replied "Nah I'm alright. Plus it's a bad habit anyways"

"Oh, okay…" I withheld a sigh of relief. I hope she's not holding off because I'm around… I have had people who smoked around me before. My father used to smoke in the evenings. No matter the day, he'll always smell like ashes. I still have his pipe box as a memento in my closet, one of the few things I kept from them. Only once it was taken out by Carlos and he pretended to be a rich person. Nero freaked out, thinking that Carlos bought it when reality it was mine technically.

"Hey girlie, why don't you sit up front?" Nico asked, turning her head to me. "It's cleaner up here than back there. It's the only place Nero would clean."

I nodded then got up to walk over to the passenger's seat. It was cleanest part of the car surprisingly like what Nico said. After I sat down, I buckled up out of habit then fixed my burgundy skirt. For a long time we didn't speak, more so of unsure of what to say. I kept my attention to my window, watching the other cars swerve out of the way and sending vulgar messages. The same thoughts kept circling around in my head, constantly worrying over the same thing. I pray that the orphans are okay… I haven't been this long without them. And as for Nero… my stomach twisted in knots thinking about him. Doesn't help that the spiraling thoughts are making things worse.

"Sorry," Nico muttered in a quiet voice, keeping her gaze on the road. "I should'a said something to ya about Nero earlier…"

"It's okay," I quickly stated, waving it off. "You weren't sure so—"

"No, it's really not okay…" She grabbed a cigarette from the box, but kept it between her fingers. "I didn't think he'd be that determined to go after them."

"Neither did I…" I quietly spoke, thinking back to what he said before he left. Regardless, I still feel partly responsible for him going.

"But still," Nico continued. "I should've checked up on him instead of thinking that he went home. And being scared of telling you he might've ran off… "

"I've seen cowardice in knights worse than you," I reassured, chuckling a bit. "Trust me you're nothing like that!"

"Thanks, Kyrie," she smiled sincerely, relaxing her grip on the wheel. Right on cue, a car honked at us several times before zipping by us. "HEY!" She honked aggressively back then flipped them off. She clicked her tongue, shaking her head as she slid back into her seat. "Motherfuckers need to learn respect…" After saying that, she turned to me with my mouth a gape. Instantly Nico bite her lip, worried that she offended me for swearing in front of me. Meanwhile I can't help cracking a smile. Soon enough, we all laughed it off.

"We're just about there," Nico said, trying to calm down. Right when we were about to pass the Devil May Cry office, Nico veered off to the right. Couple of cars honked at us as we screeched to a halt on the side of the road. Pulling up to the curb, the van perfectly landed between two other vehicles, including a red motorcycle that was tire to bumper to the van. It tilted to the right before swaying back to the ground. After landing, I started to feel a little bit of breakfast coming back up. "Here we are, Devil May Cry!" I looked out my window to see an unlit pink sign over the door. The building blended in with neighboring buildings, dark tan bricks with lighter ones making an arch around the entrance, double entry doors with stairs leading to them. It looked like an old police department or an apartment complex. Nico got out of the van, with me following after her.

First step into the building and I already accidentally kicked an empty alcohol bottle. I let out a little gasp, not expecting the bottle to be there. If my mother, who was a very clean person, were to see this place, she'd be drained of all color before going into a cleaning rage. Pizza boxes scattered across the floor, beer bottles can be seen all over the place, and piles of papers and files stacked on top of the desk. Behind the desk was a blond long haired woman with a black leather skin tight outfit, laying back on a velvety red chair. Her black heels pushed back some of the paperwork as she read a magazine. On the other side of the room was another woman, with short black hair and a white outfit, lounging on a busted up couch. Her eyes were glued to the newspaper, with one of the headlines saying "Red Grave still struggling after Qliphoth incident!".

"I'm back bitchessss!" Nico shrilled as she slammed open the door, waving to the two girls. Both looked up from their readings and brightened up at the sight of Nico. The blond girl swung her legs off of the table and grinned widely. With mischief in her eyes, she looks like she's been dying to do something.

"Nicooo!" she shouted back. "Are you here to trash the Woman's room again?"

"You are not going to trash my room again!" the girl with black hair argued, crossing her arms. "I've already told you two that if you're going to trash a room, trash Dante's room. It took him a couple of days to realize everything was stapled to the ceiling that one time."

"His room is cursed when he's not around…" The blond muttered. After a period of silence, Nico changed the subject to introduce me.

"Oh this is Kyrie, Nero's girlfriend and the gal who was in on the Fortuna incident couple years back." Nico pushed me towards the girls.

"Oh yeah, I remember you" the blond spoke up. "Name's Trish"

"Lady, nice to meet you." Lady, the black haired girl, walked over to me and shook my hand. I noticed her red and blue eyes until now, which threw me off. I have never seen anyone with eyes like that before, maybe blue and green but it's so rare in Fortuna. "Nero talks a lot about you."

"Oh really?" I nervously laughed. No one has ever told me that Nero talks about me. Typically, especially before the Fortuna incident, I keep getting asked about why I was with Nero. It wasn't pleasant after the third ask.

"What brings you two here?" Lady asked me and Nico.

I looked to Nico. She gave me a nod to say it, even though I was hoping she'd help me say it. Quietly rolling my eyes, I took a deep breath and said "Well, actually we came to tell you that Nero left."

Trish and Lady's eyes widened in shock. "As in… he dumped you?" Trish asked, showing concern. Lady webbed her gloved hands together and stretched them out, cracking all of the joints.

"No! No no no no!" I panicked, waving my hands. "He left to go find Dante and Vergil in the Underworld!"

"Oooohhh..." they say in unison. Trish sighed in relief.

"Thank god he didn't dump you," she exhaled.

"Trish!" Lady sternly said, lightly punching Trish. She gave a confused look, shrugging her shoulders. Rolling her eyes, Lady continued "What motivated him to go? And how did he get down there?"

"Nero's been having weird ass dreams about V telling him that Dante and Vergil were going to go kick the bucket if he didn't come to save them," Nico explained.

"Didn't think that scrawny kid would be coming back in a dream..." Lady pondered, rubbing her shoulders. I couldn't think of anything else to say outside of feeling regret over everything. So I sat in awkward silence, unsure of what to add to the conversation. Trish frowned, rubbing her hands through her long blond hair.

"Still leaves the question of how he got there…" Trish muttered to herself. "The only way I can think of is that of the Yamato… but he doesn't have that anymore since took that with him…"

"Maybe he inherited its powers?" I suggested, throwing an idea out there. All eyes turned to me with puzzled look. "He told me after the Qliphoth incident, he could still feel some of its power. It was barely there. Also, because now that his arm is fully back and gained new abilities, maybe he also gained the ability to use portals like Vergil?"

All three of them looked at me with an even more confused look. My face reddened in embarrassment. Nico came over and patted me on the shoulder, saying "I think I get what you're tryna saying, but whenever I saw him fighting, he still fought like he still was missing an arm. Only difference is that he has a Devil Trigger that makes him go into a demon form."

"Wait he can do what now?" I exclaimed, surprised by her response. Nico looked back at me with similar surprise, then put her hand up to her face, shaking her head. Once he returns home— no once I find him I'm going to talk with him about keeping secrets. We agreed to be honest about things to each other after Fortuna. But I guess there's somethings he still likes to be secretive about.

"Well, thanks for telling us this..." Lady said, shoving her hands into her pockets. "I'm unsure of what to do outside of hoping all three will be back in one piece…"

"Actually, I had an idea of going down there," I spoke up. All three stared at me again with widened eyes.

"Are you out of your mind?!" Lady and Nico exclaimed in unison. Trish just giggled to herself, then realized other people's reactions then pretended to be equally surprised. Lady exclaimed "Do you realize that's where demons live and I don't know, the root of all evil is?!"

"Well yeah I've been taught that in Sunday school," I replied nonchalantly. I exhaled and explained, "Look. I don't want to sit on the sidelines again. I know Nero well enough to when he leaves like that, it's not a good sign. He's done that before and it costed his arm being turned into a monstrosity... The entire time, I felt helpless against the things he's going through. Sometimes feeling it was my own fault for things happening. And I don't want to be like that anymore. I learned how to use a sword, and I know that dangerous things lie ahead. That's why came to I ask you two to come with me along with Nico."

Turning their heads towards each other, they looked at one another with worry. Trish then went back to me and happily responded with "I know how to get down there. There's a weak spot where portals open up easier and demons tend to spawn there. I'm pretty sure Nero would know where that would be."

"Are you implying you're going to help her get down there?" Lady demanded, putting her hands on her hips.

"What if I am" she snarked, raising her eyebrows. "I mean if she's anything like Nero, she'll find a way regardless of what we say."

"Normally I try to let him do his own thing," I chirped, taking a step forward. "But in this case, I'm going to harass him no matter what he says."

"Atta girl!" Trish patted me on the back, like a proud teamplayer. A small sense of pride and joy coming from Trish's pats. "We need more gals like yea! Bold, young, and completely unaware of what Hell is."

Now I'm questioning what I just signed up for. Did I sign up to go to Hell or stay in Hell? I hope it's the first one. Regardless I just smiled, pretending to know what she was talking about.

"Well if she's going to say hi to Nero, might as well stock him up on Devil Breakers" Nico suggested.

Lady, rolling her eyes, sighed. "Why the hell not. Gotta keep you three in check."

I gathered all three of them and hugged them all. Trish and Lady weren't expecting it, standing stiffly as I pulled them closer together. Nico was used to my hugs, and hugged me back. Part of me feels relieved about everything. I'm finally on my way to Nero, and everything will be okay. But at the same time, I'm going to Hell.