Chapter 20

Lorelei looked up as Remy left Reiko's room. He looked shaken and upset, his picture was an utter face of misery. One tear-stained face looked into another. Then he unexpected curled his upper lip back into a snarl, baring his fangs, his eyes glinting malevolently.

'What the hell are you crying for?' He asked sharply. Lorelei stood up quickly, passing a hand quickly over her eyes before glaring at him.

'I could ask you the same thing, vamp,' she hissed scathingly. Remy averted his head to one side before walking past, as though she smelt like a dog that had rolled about in something.

'My master wishes to speak with you.'

'About what?'

'Go in there and find out,' he replied scornfully. Lorelei watched him go, a scowl on her face.

'Bitch…' she muttered before entering Reiko's room. He was sitting up in bed, propped up against the pillows looking melancholy. His face brightened momentarily upon seeing her before returning to its former miserable expression.

'Are you all right?' He asked.

'Yeah…could be better if it wasn't for Mr I've-got-my-thumb-up-my-ass.' Lorelei looked at him grinning, but this quickly vanished when she saw the serious and stern expression on his face.

'I know that you two have your differences but I will not tolerate any members of my clan being mocked in any manner. Not even by you. They are my responsibility.'

'You sound like what I expect a father to sound like. Twenty-two for the past three years and already you have more than a hundred kids. You sure got around, didn't you?' She had meant it to be a joke but Reiko didn't look impressed. In fact, he didn't even seem to acknowledge the remark, as though he considered it beneath him, as though it wasn't worth dignifying with an answer. She smiled with nervousness before sighing. 'I'm sorry.'

'There is no need to be.' The two were quiet, Lorelei picking at the bed cover absently, her eyes trained on the material, Reiko staring down at his hands, his hair dishevelled, his face pensive. Lorelei eventually looked up.

'So…what did you want to talk to me about?' she asked. Reiko looked startled momentarily before regaining his composure.

'Oh…well…Remy has alerted me to the fact that we're no longer safe here in my mansion. I wanted to consult your opinion, because I would hate to unsettle you by moving again when only now you seem to have become accustomed to my home.'

'I think we should move,' Lorelei answered immediately. 'To Devil May Cry. Dante wouldn't mind. Anyway, it's you they're after. At Devil May Cry you'll be safe, they probably have no clue that you know Dante.'

'Rose wouldn't have told them, of that I'm sure.'

'How do you know?'

'She has a good pure aura, she is also independent in her thinking, unlike those harpies that we encountered yesterday but she also has very little to gain if she betrayed me. She'd kill a single vampire, but there are many more that could take my place and lead just as well as I. On the other hand, if she sided with me, it would be more to her advantage. She'd have my help in slaying the dragon, she'd also have my support in gaining an alliance, and she would no longer have anything to fear from other vampires if this alliance does take place. If you were in her position, which side would you take? She also owes me her life, just as I owe her mine. That sort of bond doesn't break very easily.' Lorelei sighed, at this last statement before nodding.

'You sure put a lot of thought into this.'

'Yes. But only because I have to. I'm afraid to say that you're also going to be a target for the harpies from now on. You defied the Harpy Queen and they will not be prepared to take that lying down. Her pride is at stake here, and they're incredibly proud and ferocious creatures. They'll be back and they'll be wanting to see you suffer. You're in as much danger as I am.'

'I don't care. It's for a good cause, right?'

'I wouldn't see it as that.'

'But I couldn't just sit there and just let them kill you!' Reiko smiled mildly at the outraged expression on her face but this quickly vanished when Lorelei glared. 'Don't laugh, Reiko! Please! I don't know what would have happened had they managed! I can't even think about it properly. You're the only one who's ever seemed to want to listen to me! Me! You've never laughed at me, or teased me. You've always been so kind, even when I haven't been. You've always been supportive and you never even flinched when I told you my background. You mean so much to me!'

'Lore…'

'I love you…' Her voice died away to an angry sob. She seemed surprised at the sound and angrily stabbed her tears away before turning her head to one side, shaking. Reiko remained motionless, unsure as to what to do, having never been faced with a situation like this. He slowly, painfully slipped out of bed, dressed only in pyjama bottoms. He hugged her close and Lorelei automatically rested her head against her shoulder.

'It's okay,' he whispered, rocking her slightly, instinctively. 'It's okay…don't cry…it's all going to be okay…please don't cry…' He struggled with himself, having a faint idea as to what could sooth her as well as his inner turmoil, but lacking the courage to put it into action. He heard lore lei speak, her voice muffled against her shoulder.

'Remy hates me…he wants you to hate me as well…He thinks I'm a freak…he keeps accusing me…' She started to cry again. Reiko sighed softly, pitying her before he renewed his rocking.

'Ssh…well, no matter what he says, I'll always be here. I'll always lo-…uh…' Lorelei looked at him quickly, searchingly, her startling green eyes hazy with tears. He gently stroked a tear away, in the same instant leaning forward and kissing her gently. A sound escaped from her lips before she placed a hand on the back of his head, urging him to continue. Sadly, he didn't, and he slowly pulled away, a light dusky pink tinge dashing his cheeks. He smiled at her sheepishly before fidgeting. Lorelei leaned in against him, showing her willingness, and he automatically wrapped his arms around her, relieved.

'No matter what anyone says…' he whispered, close to her ear. 'I will always love you.' He smiled at her before he suddenly gasped with pain, releasing her from his arms. Lorelei backed away from him, eyes wide before being blinded by the sun. The sun! She cursed under her breath before scrambling towards the window, her vision impaired. Her hand caught the cord and before she was fully aware of what she was doing, she had shut the blinds. She sat there for a little while, rubbing her eyes, trying to see. She peered towards Reiko's general direction.

'Reiko? Are you okay now?' she asked. She turned slowly, to see that Reiko had fallen unconscious, the sun leaving large burns upon his body.

---

Far away, close to the sea, another harpy died.

---

Hope also died in the mountains, and the fire that Reiko had fanned after the fight with those cat-demons had been extinguished by the harsh, cold and bitter touch of failure. Dante walked as though he were a robot, his eyes were open and yet unseeing. Even the freezing temperature no longer bothered him, because the flames of anger and fear consumed him entirely. He shuddered, imagining what the others were going to say. Trish would simply be herself, she'd be concerned but for all the wrong reasons. She wouldn't understand him, not really. His thoughts turned back to the death of that young boy. Trish hadn't understood his feelings then either, even though she had tried hard. Rose's expression would be the hardest to face. Her eyes would turn dull and she would probably lose hope, just as he had done so now. Reiko, the one who was still searching for revenge against the vampire that had turned him would frown, the way he always did, before throwing himself into his books, to search yet again. Dante felt another irrational surge of anger, but this time it was directed at the vampire and not himself. It was Reiko's fault. Because of him, all of them had their hopes raised only to be shot to pieces.

Then guilt invaded his feelings. The book had said that the phoenix would only appear to those who were pure of heart. Maybe it was his fault after all. But what had he done that was so unforgivable? Had the phoenix known that he was half-demon? Had that been it? He sighed heavily before sitting down on a smooth rock. He opened his canteen of water, sipping at it. He figured that he may as well take his time, it wasn't as though he had exciting or good news to deliver…

He sighed again and then shook his head, amazed and appalled at the extent of his failure. His throat felt sore, his mouth parched and he desperately took another swig of water. He paused in mid-swallow, choking on the water as it went down the wrong way. He coughed and spluttered, punching himself lightly on the chest until his condition returned to normal. He remained stock still, muscles tense, quivering, head cocked slightly, his hearing suddenly becoming sharp, his sight becoming more acute as he narrowed his eyes. There it was again; the baying of the wolves. Rage welled up inside him and overflowed in the form of the need to battle, to kill and slaughter demons, to send them back to where they belonged.

The morbid, eerie, wailing cries sounded again and Dante pin-pointed the direction from which they came and rushed off, snow spraying in a light powder behind him. Suddenly a new different sound drifted up to his sensitive ears, mingling incongruously with the dirge like cries of the demonic wolves. He paused before creeping forwards stealthily, planning to sneak up on the pack in order to better assess the situation.

Suddenly, a young boy with vivid red hair and mouse-brown eyes charged into him, almost knocking him flat. He steadied himself as well as the kid before frowning. The kid gave sobbing gasps and he automatically clung to him. Dante had a good idea of what had excited the wolves. The boy's clothing was ripped to shreds, and he shuddered violently with the cold, blood seeping out from several areas. Dante growled softly, causing the child to cry out with fear. Dante immediately held him close.

'Listen kid. These wolves aren't ordinary animals. They're demons, got it?' The kid stared up at him, eyes wide. He nodded silently, mute with terror. 'I'm half-demon too, but I'm a good guy. I'm going to protect you,' Dante said, keeping his voice firm and gruff, even though he could hear the wolves coming closer and closer with every passing second. The child gave vent to another terrified whimper. Dante could pick out the amber eyes, the moist black snouts, could see their breaths forming clouds in the wintry air. 'Do everything I tell you to do, and we'll get out of here alive. If you don't…well…then only one of us will get out of here alive and I can tell you, it won't be me.' The boy stared up at him, his strange eyes widening. Dante remained focussed on the demons, and tightened his grip carefully on the boy's hand. He was confident that the boy would get away safely. He had failed once, he would not do it again. He knew that he would rather kill ever last demon out there and die in the process than let the child be ripped to shreds. He would be proud to die in such a way. But that was only if the worst came to the worst. He was not going to die if he could help it.

He raised one of his handguns, narrowed his eyes against the crying winds and took careful aim. A loud bang rent the air, a howling scream pierced the sky as a wolf fell. Dante had chosen his victim well, picking off the foremost wolf. The rest of the pack ground to a halt, sniffing the body of their dead leader.

'Run! Now!' Dante fled, kicking up snow. The boy's breath sobbed raggedly in his chest as he was half carried and half dragged through the snow. Dante cursed inwardly, unsure as to what to do. The wolves would not stay down for long; they would be quick to choose a new leader. Already he could hear a renewed baying chorus as the wolves worked themselves into a frenzy, could feel their demonic aura pulsate as they became more and more excited. He knew they would find it easy to follow him, the scent of the boy's blood was horrendously strong, and their footprints were as clear as water.

He said nothing to the boy, noting instead how the boy's eyes were already wide with fright, how he looked ready to collapse. He was gasping for air, his head bowed, forcing his legs to work. Dante was no fool, he could see that the child could not keep this up for much longer. Dante looked around quickly before noting a small entrance to what looked like a cave. He sped towards it, picking up the boy bodily before scooting into the cave. It was surprisingly warm and big enough for a boy and a man, but not for any demonic animals. Dante quickly placed the boy onto the ground and smiled at him, trying to reassure him.

'It's safe here. No matter what happens, I want you stay here. Only when I tell you it's okay, or when everything goes quiet outside do I want you to move. Got it?' A mute frightened nod, a shiver. Dante took off his coat and wrapped it around the boy before diving outside.

The cold invaded his senses almost immediately but was soon forgotten as the wolves launched themselves at him. He dodged to one side only to be met by another set of fierce jaws. He cried out in pain as they ripped at his back before breaking away, delivering a killing blow with his sword before whirling around. A red mist began to rise in his eyes and he roared out his hatred for them all, for the race that gave birth and death to his father, for the race that had corrupted his once pure brother. He screamed out his hatred, felt wings unfurl from his back, felt raw power escape and cascade over all those who were around him.

The wolves yapped in response to feeling such power, confused and baffled because they could still smell his human blood. Dante roared before grabbing his sword and bowling into them and scattering them like nine-pins. He was like a falcon amongst sparrows, he knew no other power and knowledge other than how to fight.

Suddenly, the mist disappeared and he was left feeling drained, exhausted. Had he…really lost so much blood? As a demon he had taken no notice of the fact that some of the bolder wolves had attacked him even while in his demonic form. The wounds had seemed like little, barely a scratch. But now they were telling. Pain washed over him and he felt himself sinking to his knees. The wolves hemmed in around him from all sides, sensing victory was near yet mindful that only seconds before, he had been a monster, like them.

One rushed at him suddenly and Dante reached for his coat pocket only to remember that he had left it with the child. And all his healing items with it. He screamed in agony as a wolf's teeth found his neck, searching for his throat, hoping to rip it out.

At that point, an eerie shriek ran through the air. The wolves paused before whining and trying to flee. Light struck them down, killing them on the spot. Pillars of light continued to rain down from the heaven's above, and before long, they were all either dead or gone.

Dante heard as though from far away the sound of boots crunching upon snow. He saw a face bend down over him and then watched the face smile mildly.

'You are a brave warrior, son of Sparda. Now tell me, where is the boy?'

Dante looked up slowly and smiled giddily, watching as the world swam past his eyes in slow sickening circles. He felt his eyes closing almost against their will. He could feel his body slowly shutting down, wanting nothing more to do with the living world. He heard as though from a great distance as soft footsteps crunched the snow underneath. He listened to words being spoken.

'I am correct in assuming that it was Sparda's son that called for our aid? I see…he protected you well, didn't he? Yes…well…I believe this means he passed the test. Courage, sacrifice, strength and heart. I believe it is time for me to return you to your proper form.' Even though his eyes were closed, Dante could still feel the golden flash of light through his eyelids. He flinched, his body reacting naturally but immediately groaned in pain, his body protesting to the violent movement. A high wailing song rang through the air but Dante knew immediately that this was no wolf's cry. The wolf sang of death, but this song spoke wordlessly of rolling waves, of pastures green, of heaven, of earth, of sea, of sky. It sang of life. It sang of peace.

To this, Dante smiled and closed his eyes for what he prayed was not the last time.

---

To his relief he did awaken but to find himself in a deliciously warm bed. He snuggled further into the covers and smiled to himself. This was the true pure meaning of bliss, surely?

'I'd hate to do this to you when I know that you would rather turn onto your side and go to sleep but I have to inform you that you have been asleep for two days,' came a soft voice. Dante's eyes widened and he sat up, immediately feeling dizzy as he did so. 'Take it easy. You took a few knocks to the head.' Dante looked around for the speaker, recognizing the voice as the one who had stood over him as he was losing consciousness on the mountains. He slowly, got out of bed, his whole body aching, despite the fact that his wounds had healed, and that someone had changed him into a pair of pyjamas. A rich, dark red robe had been placed neatly on a chair by his bedside and he took this gratefully, remembering the coldness of the mountains, wanting to be wrapped into the warmth. His eyes caught sight of a huge oaken table, and there, sitting at it writing on old yellowed paper was the one who had come to his aid at the last moment.

He looked up slowly and smiled mildly. Dante took in the golden brown hair, the turquoise eyes, the kind face and slowly sat opposite him.

'Two days?'

'Yes. Two days. You must have been exhausted. How long were you on the mountains for?' The man looked at him, his face expressing mild curiosity.

'Long enough to know I never want to do something like that again. Though I'm surprised; it's not everyday an angel decides to help out a demon, even if he is part human.'

'You know I'm an angel? How?' The angel looked at him again, his curiosity intensified. 'It's usually hard to tell angels apart.' Dante sighed at that statement.

'I know one. Or rather…I…I used to.'

'Oh yes, of course. I am sorry-'

'He might come back,' Dante cut in quickly. The angel hesitated and then nodded. 'What's your name, angel?'

'Jean. Now. I'm quite surprised that you, of all people, knew the words to call for aid.'

'It actually wasn't me. It was my friend, he knew. He gave me this book.' Dante handed it to him. Jean hesitated before taking it gingerly.

'It stinks of vampire.'

'That's because my friend is a vampire,' Dante muttered irritably. Jean raised an eyebrow.

'Who is he?'

'His name is Reiko Kaneshiro.'

'Ah yes, him. I knew his mother well.'

'WHAT?'

'Well, the Harpies and the Angels used to keep in touch regularly. But for twenty years, our communications have been much less than satisfactory.'

'Woah woah woah! Hoooooold on a second!' Dante waved his hands slightly, trying to get him to stop. Jean frowned and looked at him, his expression one of impatience. 'Reiko's mother was a harpy? Reiko's mother was one of THEM?' jean had the grace to look confused and slightly surprised.

'Yes. Didn't you know?' He asked politely. To Dante, his tone was infuriating. If he had known, he wouldn't have asked, would he?

'…does Reiko know?' He asked, deciding to get to what was really important here. To his dismay, Jean shook his head.

'No. Adele renounced the throne in order to marry his father, Saniiro Kaneshiro. I doubt she told either of them. She probably did not want them to get mixed up in anything to do with her race.' Jean said finally. Dante sat back in his seat, looking thunderstruck.

'B-but then…that means…that means that Reiko's…he's…of royal descent! To the harpies no less!' Jean looked at him impassively. Dante scowled, how could he not realise how important this was? 'And not only that, there's the fact that Reiko's been searching all this time for the vampire that turned him! He wants revenge! He's been searching for him all along…'

'His blood would have killed the vampire that turned him.'

'Oh god…oh God…He's been searching all this time for something he could never find! He doesn't even know! He thought he was a human before he got turned…'

'It doesn't count for anything now. He is a vampire, and he will remain as such for all eternity.' A silence fell between the two men. 'Now please, I wish to be told why you plea for my aid.'

'It's more the aid of the phoenix I need. One dragon has arisen.'

'This is indeed grave. Say no more, son of Sparda. You have my trust. I have sensed the pain of this earth. Spend the night here, then at dawn, hurry forth with my blessing, before any more damage is done!'