You lean on the metal railing, admiring the view of the calm sea. If you had taken the ship with Ace-Ops, you'd probably be there already, but Blake advised that you approach in a less dramatic way to avoid causing unnecessary tension. The people of Menagerie aren't too fond of Atlas military landing on their island.
You take a gander at Blake, who's just a short distance away from you. Since you got on this boat, Blake has seemed happier than you remember her being. She did mention she lived on Menagerie for quite a while. You remember learning about Menagerie in class when you were younger, along with the struggles of Faunus through history. She hasn't directly said it, but you figured out quite some time ago that Blake was a Faunus. The moving bow gave it away, for you.
Blake looks back at you, noticing that you're just staring at her. A small tint runs along her face as she smiles and waves at you. This unexpected response causes you to fumble, raising your hand to wave back but simply punch your jaw. The strength of the punch knocks you over the railing. Thankfully, you were already holding on, thus you dangle from the side of the boat.
"(Y/N)!" Blake swiftly approaches to assist you
She just manages to grab your arm with hers, then grips it tight with both while trying to pull you up. Meanwhile you spin yourself around, grab the railing with your other hand and pull yourself up. You roll over the railing and land on the ground, staring up at Blake and the sky, chuckling.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah," you reply with a happy tone. "I'm just… silly."
"You are, yeah," she walks around and offers her hand. "Try not to go overboard when we arrive."
You get on your feet and brush yourself off. "Was… was that a joke?"
"Was it bad?"
"No, no," you shake your head adamantly. "It was. I just… haven't heard you make a joke."
There's a moment where you're both laughing, then it dies down, and then there's silence. You both look back out to the sea.
"So… when was the last time you visited Menagerie?"
Blake's smile quickly disappears while a look of shame washes over. "I… Last time I was here was… strange."
"How so?" You shift a little closer, making sure the wind doesn't make your scarf hit Blake.
"I…" Blake stares into your eyes, her hesitation holding her back. She shakes her head to dismiss it. You confided in her about your family. She can do the same for you. "I… was a member of the White Fang. My parents didn't follow the new White Fang and I… I thought they were mere cowards."
"The White Fang, huh?" You look back to the sea, taking in the fresh air. "You aren't anymore, I assume?"
"No," she shakes her head. "I've long since left them. Even stopped them a few times with my team. One time, during the semester, I came back with my friends and confronted my family again. They were so… nice. They just let me back in and treated me like nothing happened."
You raise your brow in confusion. "That's… a good thing, right?"
"Yes, but… I just feel like I didn't deserve it. I was so terrible to them and…"
"Well, I would appreciate that. I had parental figures when I was a kid, but they don't talk to me anymore."
"Why?"
"Heh," you run your tongue along your teeth as the memory surfaces. "When I was first attacked by demons… their son, my best friend, was there. He was killed. They didn't want anything to do with me, despite raising me for as long as I could remember," you place your hand on Blake's shoulder. "So, try to think of it in a good way, huh? Your parents sound like great people. I'm excited to meet them."
Blake's face drop. "Right… you're meeting my parents."
"What?" You worriedly say. "Is that… bad? You just went pale."
"No, no, it's fine!" Blake turns around to hide her face. "We're only there to find this relic, anyway."
"So we can use your house as a sort of base until we find it. Menagerie is a decently sized island, right?"
"Yeah…" Blake huffs. "Yeah," the girl catches a glimpse of an island in the distance. "We're… almost there."
"Cool," you stretch your back and walk past Blake. "We should make sure to grab our stuff. I'm sure Kaimira wouldn't like me leaving him behind."
"I'm always here," Balrog says with his deep, booming voice.
"Yes you are," you pat your shoulder.
Blake watches you walk away for a moment before sighing. She undoes her bow, revealing her Faunus ears, and shoves the material into her pocket. She doesn't need to hide it here.
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The boat docks with Menagerie, letting all it's passengers, almost exclusively Faunus, depart. The port is filled with different huts with boxes below, stalls, and a plethora of people surrounding them. Food, appliances, even a few weapons stalls. You walk alongside Blake and are immediately being hit by a horrid smell. You cover your nose and cough.
"Oh, god… the smell…"
Blake, along with several other wandering Faunus, look at you with disgust.
"(Y/N)!" Blake scolds. "Don't be so rude!"
"Wait," you reach out for her. "That's not what I…" Blake, who's now ignoring you, keeps walking. You sigh. "That's not what I meant. Kaimira, do you-"
"I do, but it's odd. Not the normal smell."
"Okay, so I was right," you start fast walking after Blake. "I'll have to keep an eye out."
You follow Blake down a path that's fairly crowded with Faunus. There is space to maneuver, but it's not too much. The stone path you follow exits the port and goes to a more residential looking area. There's houses all over, some small and hut-like, others more like a bungalow. It's nowhere near as architecturally advanced as anywhere you've been before. This path takes you up some stairs and to a massive overview of buildings, trees, and even the mountains far beyond.
"Wow…" You crack a smile. "This is… really awesome." You soon realize Blake is going on without you and jog to her side. "So, where are we going?"
Blake stops and looks at you with sharp eyes, still upset.
"I'm sorry," you let your head fall. "I didn't mean it like that."
"What did you mean it like?" She snaps.
"I… uh…" You look away, spotting some of the Faunus staring back at you. "It's… hard to explain."
"Then don't say it again."
"Right," you nod.
"Well," Blake sighs. "We're going… there," she stops and points to the large building in the middle.
It almost reminds you of your home. Centered, larger than most, easily distinguishable. You cross your arms and squint.
"Are you important?" You look to her, quickly realizing how that could be taken. "I-I mean, like, is your family important on the island. You're important, but… uh…"
"It's fine," Blake waves you off, saving you from any more embarrassment. "My father is… not a leader, but a very important and influential person on the island."
"So… kinda like a Mayor but not?"
"Sort of," the girl nods. "I guess that's the easiest way to say it. Try not to be…" She scans you up and down. "Meh, you should be fine. But I would like to ask your weapons to not talk."
"I'd rather not anyway," Kaimira whispers.
"Agreed," Balrog adds.
Blake raises her brow. "That's… not what I'm used to."
"They're just shy," you wave off. "Don't worry about them."
Blake shrugs and keeps walking at her brisk pace. You slow down a bit, noting that a lot of the residents are staring at you as you pass.
"I can't get the scent out of my nose," you complain. "But I know it's not the same. I wish Dante was here… he'd know."
"Just be on your toes, boy," Kaimira advises. "There are Demons around, but they're hiding. Waiting."
"Yeah," you turn around, walking backwards as you get a lay of the land. "I just hope I can deal with the demons quietly. I don't want to freak out these people... " You spot a few more staring you down. "Unlike them," you turn around and shiver. "I'm super creeped. Is that racist?"
"Racist?" Kaimira and Balrog repeat.
"Eh, nevermind," you shake your head. "It's not cause they're Faunus… not cause of that. They just creep me out… not Faunus, but, like, the way they're looking at me…"
"Are you okay?" Blake shouts from down the road.
"YES! Yes, yeah," you quickly jog towards her. "Totally fine. Totally… fine," you look back over your shoulder at the staring residents. At this point, they could just be watching you because of your antics.
You stay with Blake for the rest of the trip down the main road to her house. There's plenty of smaller establishments around with some rock walls, tall trees, and even another small set of stairs before finally reaching the house. You and Blake stop at the door, yet don't enter right away. You place your hands on your hips and raise your brow, noting Blake's hesitation.
"You're… is this okay?"
"Yeah," Blake nods. "Yeah… I just still feel bad. Plus," she looks back at you, stares for a moment, then hides her smile. "I don't usually bring boys home."
"Oooh," you nod. "I get ya. You know, I knew quite a few guys who could woo the ladies," you remark, stepping closer to Blake.
"Did you now?" She turns and giggles.
"Yep," nod with confidence. "I wasn't one of them, though. Any of our plans for me tended to end in… embarrassment," you rub the back of your neck. "It's kind of like fighting," you perk up. "Just not… great at it."
"You know," Blake focuses on the door and grabs the knocker. "Some people are better when they don't try," she says before slamming it against the door, causing a loud echo.
"What's that supposed to mean?" You tilt your head.
After a moment, the giant door slowly opens to reveal a woman, fairly older than you two, but who somewhat reminds you of Blake. Though she does have shorter hair and significantly bigger ears than the young Faunus. She does have a similar colour scheme to Blake, her underlayer being all white while her overlayer is black.
The woman, at least to you, seems a little confused on why you two are at her door,
"Hey, mom," Blake tightly waves. "I'm home!"
"MY daughter!" The woman rushes to give her daughter a hug. "I wasn't expecting you for months!"
"Y-Yeah," Blake hugs her back. "I'm on a mission, actually."
"A mission? What would bring you here?" The woman releases Blake and takes a step back. She looks at you with an odd expression. It's not of curiosity or intrigue, but something you can't quite put your finger on. "Who's this, sweety?"
"Oh, this is (Y/N)," Blake gestures to you. "He's, uh… a classmate."
"Yeah," you quickly follow along. "Blake has really been helping me out."
"That's my Blake for you," the woman smiles. "It's so nice to meet you, (Y/N)," she gives you a hug as well, taking a deep breath to absorb your scent.
"Mom!" Blake sharply whispers, her ears falling flat.
"Hehe," you nervously chuckle. "Should… I smell back?" You raise a brow.
"No!" Blake pinches her nose. "Mom, please."
"Okay," she lets you go.
"So, uh," you stretch your shoulders. "What's your name?"
The woman looks at Blake, silently asking her to introduce herself.
"This is my mother, Kali," Blake says. "There's also my father. Where is he?"
"Oh, let me get him. Please, come in," Kali invites you into the entryway. "Honey!" Kali walks off.
"Your dad is..?"
"Ghira," Blake whispers.
"Right, Ghira and Kali," you look around the main room, checking to see if there's anything odd. "I wonder…"
"What?"
"Can I ask you something?" You face Blake. "Does your mom usually make you introduce her?"
"Hm?" Blake looks up while she thinks. "Not usually. Dad tends to introduce both of them."
"Hm…" You nod. "Okay, just curious.
"Didn't know he could be so observant."
"I admit, the wee Sparda has given me a few surprises."
"Perhaps he is not as inept as I was led to believe."
"Hohoho, don't mix it up, Balrog. He is!"
"I'm not sure, Kaimira…"
Around the corner comes a larger man with thick black hair and beard to match, he even has a large patch of black hair on his open chest. He has a large blue coat with white fur on the insides for warmth. Other than his metal belt, there's nothing out of the ordinary that he wears.
"Our daughter, Blake, is here!" Kali gestures towards you.
"Yes… Blake! It's good to see you," he says while approaching, though his eyes are on you. "And your friend, (Y/N)."
"Hm," you raise your brow. "Hey, Blake," you whisper. "Did you hear them mention me?"
"What?" Blake is taken aback. "Ah, uh, no," she thinks. "But we can hear really well. I'm not surprised he knows."
"Mm," you nod.
"It's good to see you," Ghira hugs his daughter. "You look great!"
"Same to you two," Blake smiles at her parents. "I hope we're not intruding on anything."
"Never! I always have time for my daughter! Why are you here, anyway?"
You raise a brow at that one, but you attempt to keep a casual, friendly demeanor to you.
"We're here on a mission. Actually, I was hoping you would know where we could find this woman," Blake takes out her scroll and shows a picture.
Ghira and Kali gaze at the picture and show a sign of uncomfortability.
"I remember her," Ghira becomes more cheery. "She was searching for something in the desert."
"The desert?" Blake places her scroll back in her pocket. "But it's extremely dangerous!"
"She said she was well equipped, and it was a few days ago. I'm sure she'll be back soon. You can stay here while you wait!" Kali claps her hands. "It'd be wonderful to have you and your friend for dinner."
"Is the desert that dangerous?" You shift your body towards Blake.
"It's extremely dangerous… but between the two of us…"
"No, you should stay here!" Kali pleads. "It's safer for you!"
"I'm sure you and your friend are very capable, Blake," Ghira places his hand on Blake's shoulder. "But let's wait for her to come back."
"Okay," Blake nods. "I'd like to relax at home. Is that okay?"
You shrug. "Sure. It'd be cool if you showed me around."
Blake's eyes light up with excitement. "Yeah, I'd love to! Better than sitting around."
"That sounds excellent! I'll get started on dinner right away!" Kali quickly runs off.
"I have some business I need to get back to. I'll see you at dinner, my daughter."
"Okay, dad," Blake nods. "I'll show you around the house, then maybe we can go around the island?"
"Sounds good."
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After showing where you're going to be staying and getting a general idea of the house, Blake took you out to look around Menagerie some more, which has lead you to a food stand…
"Why stay here?"
"Because I don't know what would happen if I left Blake," you mumble while watching Blake get some snacks. "I have a really bad feeling about this island, and there's no way Blake can survive Demons on her own."
"And her parents?"
"I don't know…" You shake your head. "Darn it… I feel so dumb," you clench your fist. "I want to help and protect my friend, but…" The tightness of your fist draws blood, something you don't notice. "Damnit… I really am the worst Sparda…"
"(Y/N)!" Blake approaches with two fish-kebabs. "Here! These are my favourite."
You grab the one offered to you and smile. "Thanks. These are snacks? Looks like dinner to me."
"Oh, no," Blake shakes her head after taking a bite. "I can eat so many of these! They're so delicious," her eyes become stars.
You chuckle, taking a bite yourself. It's definitely appetizing, but it's nothing that blows your mind. You can see her eagerly waiting for you to gush at the taste.
"My god!" You pull back and stare at the food. "This is the greatest thing I've ever tasted!" You shout with enthusiasm.
"I know!" Blake smiles at your reaction. "It's the greatest food on the planet!"
"Unparalleled in every regard!" You nod.
"Finally, someone who gets it!" Blake shouts to the heavens.
With food in your hands, you both walk along the shoreline of Menagerie, passing some parents watching their children play, or just those who want to relax on this sunny day.
"You know, this place really is beautiful," you say, smiling at the kids playing.
"Perhaps… but to us, it's a reminder that we're just second class… we were given this place and told to make do," Blake sighs before taking a bite of her comfort food.
"I suppose that's fair," you nod. "But, hey, I know what it's like to feel different," you look at her and smile. "Not many people are fond of a half demon dummy like me," you point at yourself. "So I guess we're both sorta outcasts."
"Hm… but people can't see that you're a demon," Blake points out.
"Yeah, maybe," you nod. "But it's costed me a lot… besides," you nudge her. "I don't get cute cat ears."
"Cute? They- it's not- w-well, you can regenerate!" Blake changes the topic.
"Yeah, but that's not very appealing. It's never been a great party trick to stab myself… actually," you pat Force Edge. "I've never actually stabbed myself with my own blade."
"I'm pretty sure that's normal," Blake half laughs.
"For other people, yeah!" You reply with enthusiasm, picking up a faster pace than intended. "But both Dante and Vergil have gotten stabbed by their own weapons before! Dante even got a big power boost from it!" You flail your arms. "Which isn't fair! I can't just stab myself with my sword. It's… scary."
"You have just said a lot of things I need to process," Blake shakes her head. "Mind if we stop?"
"Oh, sure," you turn around and move beside Blake, looking out at the crystal clear ocean before you.
You eat up the last of the kebab and twist the wooden stick in your hand.
"I never really get to appreciate this… calm," Blake starts speaking. "Being at Beacon is a lot, you know. Schooling, friends, missions…"
"Well, hopefully all your missions aren't like this one," you joke.
"No, that they aren't," Blake shakes her head. "But… look, I'm going to be honest for a second," she turns to you. "I… really appreciate you being with me."
"What do you mean? Of course I'll be with ya," you shake your head as if it's not a question. "This is my battle too… and I enjoy the company. You're a step up from my brothers, I'll tell you that. But… heh," you smile at her. "I just really enjoy being around you."
"I do too," Blake nods. "I… really like being around you. I mean, you're the first boy I've brought home to my parents."
"Well," you place a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you. Don't worry, we'll finish up this mission and then… hey, maybe I can meet your teammates!"
"Yeah," Blake nods then smiles. "I'd like that a lot."
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"And we managed to win the Vytal Festival!" Blake explains, her plate already wiped clean.
Kali and Ghira listen to their daughter go off on a tangent about her time at Beacon, while you remain quiet and attentive. It's not normal for you, but you have this knot in your chest that won't go away.
"I'm so happy that you're having a good time, Blake," Kali claps her hands together. "And you're making so many friends!"
"Comrades are indeed important," Ghira nods. "You seem to have plenty of powerful ones. (Y/N)," he looks at you. "You attend Beacon too, no?"
"Yeah," you quickly answer.
"You must be quite the formidable Huntsman."
"I have my moments."
The two adults look between one another, smiling. "I believe you're just being modest," Kali places her hand on your jacket. "You seem so strong!"
"They are!" Balrog speaks.
"No question about it now!"
"He is," Blake nods. "He's beaten things I couldn't dream of."
"Heh," you eye the adults. "It's luck."
Kali and Ghira get uncomfortable for a moment. "Well, I have some business I need to attend to," the man stands up. "Could I ask for your assistance, Kali?"
"Of course. Blake, show (Y/N) to his room."
"I… well, okay," Blake nods. "Come on, (Y/N). Could you help put the dishes away?"
"Of course."
You and Blake collect all the dishes and bring them to the kitchen, now completely away from her parents.
"Do they seem off to you at all?"
"Not… really. I guess they just have a lot on their mind. We did show up out of the blue."
"I guess," you nod. "Hm…"
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The dark night casts over Menagerie, all of its people are sleeping soundly. That includes you, sleeping in the room beside Blake. A soft sound approaches from outside, soon followed by the door opening to reveal Ghira. He enters the room, looking over you while you sleep. Your face is turned towards him, hair messily laying over your face and the pillow. Ghira lifts his arm up-
BAM
THUD THUD
You and Ghira lie against opposite walls, the bed between you. You're holding Kaimira, staring intently across at the Faunus with a massive hole in his chest. You keep your weapon aimed at Ghira as you stand up and walk around the bed.
"Please… please be right," you say to yourself.
"Sparda…" Ghira slowly looks up at you, a twisted smile. "You've doomed… everything."
Ghira's appearance shifts into a smaller, grotesque demon. Like you thought, this wasn't a skin steal. It was morphing, it wasn't his true form bursting out of a layer, it was just some sort of external force masking him.
Blake soon runs in, wearing a black robe with white tints and her symbol on her chest. She runs in sees you and a demon.
"What happened?"
Kali runs in after her. "Is everyone al-"
BAM
You fire Kaimira right into her, sliding you back towards the bed while Kali flips and falls on her face. Blake is horrified at the sight, soon screaming out in agony at the sight of her dead mother.
"WHAT DID YOU DO? WHY? WHY?"
You quietly point at Kali, waiting for her body to shift into a demon. As you predicted, it does, and Blake still doesn't know how to react.
"Wha… what is…"
"Sparda boy, we shook the nest," Kaimira speaks. "I can feel all that demonic power surging."
"It's just what I thought," you place Kaimira into your sheath and head for the window. "When we got here I smelt them… it was overwhelming. Demons were everywhere," you notice a plethora of demons leaping out from buildings. "Damnit," you shake your head, turning around and heading for Force Edge.
"I…" Blake's unable to even form words. "What… hap-happened… to-"
"I don't think they're dead," you place Force Edge on your back. "This wasn't the same as other methods. But… I don't know where they are, I'm sorry. Blake," you approach her and place both hands on her shoulders. "Listen, I need you to stay here. The demons are coming and I…" You huff. "I have to stop them."
"B-But-"
"This isn't a discussion. You can't handle these demons… I don't even know if I can," you turn away and head for the balcony. "But… I have to try. I won't let them reach you," you stop at the sliding door and gaze at the girl. "We'll find the Faunus, Blake. You just need to stay here."
You open the door and get on the balcony, now seeing even more demons approaching. You're about to move when Blake's arms wrap around your body.
"Please… be safe."
"I'll try," you snicker before jumping off the balcony and landing in front of the house. You turn around and see Blake, on the balcony, staring at you with tears in her eyes. For a moment, your vision plays tricks on you. The house flickers to your old home in Red Grave, Blake is switched out for Dante, Vergil, and your mother. The two images keep flickering in your view until you shake your head and turn away.
"It won't happen again, I won't let it!" You look forward to all the demons. Smaller ones that mirror what Kali and Ghira were, half a dozen massive frogs with different coloured women as bait, a griffin flying high above, a massive demon, one you believe to be Goliath, is smashing his way through buildings, and at the back is a woman with a bird body.
"Destroy the Son of Sparda!" Malphas, the woman-bird, screams. "He works for the betrayer!"
You draw your sword and make a line in the dirt before Blake's house. "They will not cross this line…" You clench your fist, a short burst of demonic power flowing out of you. "I will destroy all of you!" You raise your sword up and take a deep breath, unconsciously following what you've seen Dante and Vergil do. "Balrog, Kaimira, are you ready?"
"I am prepared," Balrog speaks, appearing on your arms, legs, and shoulders.
"This is suicide, boy," Kaimira chuckles. "You're reminding me more of ye brothers."
"Well then," you squint as the demons get closer, nearly upon you. "I'll make sure this is a potluck battle!"
You burst forward, copying Dante's stinger to pierce through four enemies. You trip forward, stabbing the blade into the ground. You see all the enemies around you and jump, grabbing your hilt with both hands and spinning around, kicking all the demons away. You stop spinning, taking a moment to recover from your dizziness.
"How… does he do that?" You shake your head. "GAH!" Three demons land on you, their blades cutting through your body. You clench your fist, charging up.
"IGNITE THE FLAME!"
You slam your fist down, releasing a small tornado of fire that knocks any nearby demons away and burns them to ash. You quickly grab your sword and run down the street. You need to get them as far away from Blake's house as possible. You grab your blade with both hands and cut through a demon before you. You follow the momentum, unwillingly, and cut through two demons as you spin around. You slam your foot down and bring Force Edge down as if it was a hammer, slamming down… beside a smaller demon. You look up at it, pausing for a moment before you quickly draw Kaimira and blow it to pieces.
The shot forces you back a few feet while more and more demons come. You can hear the sound of the larger demons approaching, feel the vibrations on the ground. It's more than you've ever faced before. Almost overwhelming to think about.
"But I won't lose," you shake your head. "Not in a million years!" You grab Force Edge and focus for a moment before throwing it. The sword spins around and round, cutting through demons as it boomerangs down the path.
You chase after it with Balrog ready, slugging each demon you pass with little grace.
"One!" Your weapon shouts.
You slam one to the ground, crushing it's head. You spin around slam your fist through another demon. "Two!" You pull your hand back, raise your leg, and kick a demon - Balrog adding his own burst of fire to ensure it dies. "Three!" You stumble off balance for a moment, distracting you enough for four demons to lunge at you. "H-Hey!" You complain, taking the initiative to approach one and throw out three deadly punches, all lacking finesse. "Four! Five! Six!" You turn around, jump and heel kick another demon's head. "Seven!" You don't land smoothly, instead messing up the footing and falling on your face. The remaining two demons leap on you, driving their demonic metal through your back. You merely get up, forcing your opponents to release their weapons, then turn to face them. You shrug before grabbing their faces and slamming them together. "Eight! Nine!"
The ground shakes even more as Goliath barrels his way through the crowd of demons to get you. "I want your blood, SPARDA!" He screams, throwing all his weight into his fist.
"Sparda!" Balrog speaks.
"Right!"
You pull your own fist back, charging all the flames you just stored. You wait, wait, and wait for just the right moment.
"BURST!" Balrog howls while you throw your fist.
You connect with Goliath, your weapon releasing a massive amount of fire that knocks the giant demon far back, crashing through some of the buildings and even crushing one of the frog demons.
"Hey," you smile. "That… that was pretty cool. I did a cool thing!" You roll your shoulder, hopping a little in place. "Looks like when I'm determined I can be just as cool as-"
Force Edge comes swinging around and slams the side of your head with the pommel, knocking both you and it to the ground.
"O-Ow…"
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Blake slides her weapon into place, now dressed in her regular outfit and geared up. She has no plans on directly going against what you said and heading out there, but she needs to be ready to fight in case… the worst happens. The Faunus approaches a window, watching you standing up, rub the back of your head, pick up your sword then rush back into battle.
"I really can't tell… whether you know what you're doing or you're just lucky," she places her hand against the glass. "Please… be safe, (Y/N). I need help finding my family, and… I don't want you to get hurt."
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You stumble back, barely dodging Goliath's punch, when something slimy suddenly slithers around your stomach. You look down, confused. "What the- GAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" You're hauled off your feet, through a few houses, and then slammed before one of the demon toads.
"No Sparda will leave here today," he groggily taunts, lifting you in the air, in front of his mouth.
"Yeah?" You chuckle. "I'll bet the opposite," you tighten your grip on Force Edge and slice at his tongue.
You fall to the ground whilst the beast howls, pushing the tongue off you to keep fighting. Other smaller demons approach, along with Goliath, making everything just more complicated. While you haven't noticed it, Balrog and Kaimira have noted your increased demonic power while fighting, more than either have seen you release before. It makes them think winning this is possible.
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Along the beach, where little demons reside, a section of space is torn open. Out of that tear steps Vergil, no longer in his cloak. He immediately notes how many demons are around, and how they're focused on something.
"Interesting. What could garner this much attention?" He calmly walks forward, noting the larger demons. "Mm… Malphas," he spots the woman. "Are you searching for the artifacts too?"
Vergil hoists himself atop a building to get a better sight as to what's happening. To his surprise, he witnesses Goliath throw you into the air.
"Brother…" He says under his breath. "Why bother fighting this many demons? What even placed you in this situation? You have no-"
He holds his tongue when he sees you note Goliath turning towards a house near the center of town. The demon starts running towards it with all his might, which elicits an unprecedented response from you.
"NO!" Your voice echoes through the sky as you fire Kaimira behind you, increasing your speed towards the beast. You shift your blade to your side, ready to slash from whichever direction you appear from. Using Trickster, you shift in front of the beast, slashing right through his face. Before you have a moment to recover, the Griffin above rains down a fury of lightning strikes that all hit directly, bringing you down to topple across the ground and stop at Goliath's feet.
"You rancid child!" The Goliath picks you up and slams you against the ground again. "How dare you touch me!" He crushes you beneath his palm, twisting for good measure, then slides his hand along the ground to drag you closer to the building. He grabs pieces of fallen buildings and shoves them into a massive mouth where his stomach should be. "I'll destroy you!"
You shakily get to your feet, noting the potential projectile and the fact that Blake's house is right behind you. You get to your feet, eyes locked on Goliath with a determination your brother has never seen before. Goliath fires a molten ball at you, and it explodes on contact. You're pushed back a bit, but your stance is still strong. Your legs bent, left arm angled up while the other is close to your stomach.
"Heh… hehe…" You smirk. "Royal Guard… but not quite as perfect," you unholster your sword. "You. Can't. Beat me," you say with such conviction that surprises Vergil. "No matter what you do… no matter how strong you think you are," you start approaching. "You will never beat me," you flick the sword to a reverse grip and lower yourself. "I… am a Son of Sparda!" You throw the sword forward, sending a purple sonic wave towards the Goliath. It cuts right through the beasts arm, making it twist and fall. You are thrown off balance by the attack, but manage not to fall over.
"Interesting… (Y/N)... where did this motivation come from? What are you fighting for?" He watches as you try to cut through all the demons before you, sometimes messing up, but still moving and killing. The elder brother smiles. "Well, I cannot allow you to fight this alone," he looks towards the Griffon that's still flying over you, preparing for another attack. He extends his legs and grabs hold of Yamato, taking a deep breath before letting the blade leave it's sheath for merely an instant. A sudden burst of slashes surround the Griffon, cutting the demon to ribbons.
Vergil leaps far across the battlefield, landing behind one of the toads.
"Cut you down," he mumbles to himself before dashing through the demon - killing it.
With two of her larger demons now dead within seconds, Malphas turns her attention to the corpse and bears witness to the legendary existence of Vergil.
"N-No! Not that one!" She panics. "Kill him! EVERYONE KILL HIM!" She points.
Many of the demons closer to her change their trajectory to Vergil, while Goliath and all the ones around you remain focused. Vergil, as if the ground was ice, glides along it, cutting down demons with Yamato as if it was nothing. He spins and stops, stepping back and releasing a swift Judgement Cut that renders the entire horde of demons, including another frog demon, to ash. Vergil slowly sheaths his blade, exhaling as he does so, then calmly begins walking towards Malphas.
At the same time, you manage to uppercut the final frog into the air, jump up, and kick him towards the disarmed Goliath. You don't have the center of gravity to remain stationary, so you're flung back towards Blake's house while Goliath is hit by his fellow demon. The frog disintegrates on impact, leaving Goliath to become even more enraged.
"I will not allow the usurper to win! I will become the second hand of Mundus!"
"Usurper?" You question while getting off your back, taking a moment to catch your breath. "I don't know what you're talking about… but… how about you tell me where the Faunus are?"
"Those pathetic creatures?" Goliath laughs. "Malphas left them trapped in the desert so we could use their forms. I'm sure they're dead by now!"
"Tsk," you get to your feet, take a breath, and roll your shoulders. "Yeah… you could never be second in command. You gave up that information really easily."
"I only say it because I'm going to repay you for my arm."
You chuckle. "No… no you're not," you sheath Force Edge and prepare Balrog.
That rock he threw at me powered up Royal Guard. If I can combine it with Balrog's attacks… Come on, (Y/N), don't mess up here. You can't afford to!
"You ready?"
"Of course," your weapon answers.
"Trickster!" You snap before teleporting right in front of Balrog, catching the beast off guard.
"Royal Guard!" You shout before funnelling the fire in your weapons and unleashing your stored power directly into Goliath's face. The power shakes its way through the demons body, causing a sudden explosion that blows you far back, practically to Blake's doorstep. You slowly try to get up but your strength fails you.
"Come on… I can't give up…"
"Come on, (Y/N)! Play with us!"
"Leave him be, Dante!"
"Children! Dinner's ready! Don't make me have daddy come get you!"
"Coming mom!"
"Don't forget your brother!"
You smile at the sudden memory. "I'm… protecting it all…" You shakily grab Force Edge off your back and use it as a cane to hoist yourself up.
"Sparda boy, we're almost done! Ye can do it!" Kaimira shouts.
"You have power, child. Show them!" Balrog encourages.
You barely manage to stay on your feet while you witness small demons rush at you, passing the line you made at the start. They surround you, attempt to tear you apart, attempt to enter Blake's home…
Your eyes shrink as your motivation grabs hold…
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"How pathetic," Vergil shakes his head. "Weakness, that's all I see."
"No!" Malphas attempts to attack, but Vergil jumps forward, his blade shining for just a moment as it cuts through the bird, and he lands right before the woman. Her counterpart falls, leaving her helpless and wailing.
"Die," he states with no mercy.
"You're helping him too! You'll regret this Spard-"
Vergil's blade cuts the demon in two, letting her turn to ash. With the demon gone, Vergil's boots meet the dirt once more, and he turns his attention to you. The big demon, Goliath, suddenly explodes, sending you twirling through the air.
"You killed so many demons…" He slowly paces towards you. "Why? You're weak, barely able to competently wield father's sword… yet here…"
To Vergil's surprise, a large burst of demonic energy erupts from you as you Stinger through all the remaining demons down the path. You stop a fair distance away from Vergil, but your eyes are glazed over so you don't even recognize his presence. The wind passes through you both as he waits for what will come… and it does. You fall forward, Balrog disappearing, Force Edge clattering beside you.
Your brother approaches and kneels down beside you, rolling you onto your back so he can bear witness to your face.
"Brother… was I incorrect? Have you found… a purpose? Motivation?" The blue brother stands. "I will have to see. Waking you here, defeating you now… it would have no meaning. When you heal, when you're strong once more, I want to see your power."
With that, Vergil saunters away and Blake sprints towards you, not seeing or hearing Vergil.
"(Y/N)! (Y/N)!" She howls through the tears. "Please! Please stand up!" Her slides to a stop and kneels over you. "Please…" She rests her hands on your chest… and she feels beating. Blake, despite it all, smiles. "(Y/N)..."
And there we go! Chapter 4 is out and, oh boy, you're becoming quite the demon slayer! Next chapter is already done so there won't be much of a wait! It's a super action packed chapter, much like DMC is normally, so it fits. It'll be super fun! I'm happy to finally get around to finishing this up. Then I can say I've made both a Blake story and Devil May Cry story. Well, see you guys soon!
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