Inferno took off into the air, crying out harshly. Arson watched as he winged away, until he was covered by the trees where his eyes couldn't see. Arson swallowed hard and pulled away from Trish. Val snuggled closer to her, hiding her tears. Trish looked over her shoulder, her eyes blazing with anger. Rayne had already shifted his stance, ready for action.
Trish stood up, pushing Val away from her.
'I told you that you would be the next to die, demon!' hissed Ophelia. Trish gave Arson a quick look. Arson nodded, giving his consent.
'Run.' Arson obeyed and dashed off into the shadows, Val and Rayne following behind. Trish switched her gaze back onto Ophelia, who stood tall and proud in the clearing. A confident smile played on her features. Trish readied her sword.
'I wouldn't waste my time using that old meat cleaver,' sneered Ophelia derisively. She clicked once, and Alastor jerked in Trish's hands, gave a faint crackle and then faded. Instead of feeling light in her hands, it became heavy and unwieldy. Ophelia giggled impishly and then charged towards her, her laugh turning into a piercing war cry. Trish threw down Alastor and cart-wheeled to one side. Ophelia's fist sailed past her head. Trish dodged behind her and then held her in a painful chokehold. Ophelia snapped and snarled but then grew still, sinking to the ground. Trish went with her. She was shocked to see a smile on her face.
'Fool! Did you really think I had come alone?' she hissed. 'Can't you sense it, Demon? Can't you sense your own downfall?' Trish slowly stood up, her senses reeling. Ophelia spoke the truth. She was surrounded. But still, if she was going to go down, then she might as well take one with her.
At that point, she felt a solid weight hit against the back of her head. She turned around, the world swimming past her eyes. She could faintly see through a dark mist that had folded across her vision, grey shapes looming out of the shadows of the forest. She gave vent to a last agonized moan before she felt something slam down on her skull. She collapsed, a crumpled heap, and knew no more.
Ophelia stared down at her and then bowed as she felt a shadow fall across her.
'Rise, Ophelia, and deliver the children from evil. All of them. Make their deaths quick, but yet painful. For they are sinners, the blood that runs through their bodies, fuelling them is sinful, and they deserve pain before they reach eternity.' Ophelia nodded and slowly took a small brown pouch from the speaker. She curiously peered inside and then quickly shut it again. She looked up at her master.
'But…they're just children…are you sure…that this is really necessary?' She almost fearfully looked upon her Master's face. The One's eyes were a clear but cold blue. His hair was one of many different hues, depending on how the light struck Him, it would change. He was clad in a simple brown robe, the hood of it covering His head, so that a few tendrils of His amazing shoulder length hair protruded out from under it. They were half golden, half blue at this moment. His eyes fixed upon Ophelia's face and He slowly smiled. Ophelia shuddered slightly, though not with fright of her Master, but with shock and revulsion of what she was to set upon her own children. Something deep inside her still told her that they were her children, and that she should try harder and give them a second chance, thus giving herself a second chance. But then the other half would argue that she was being a fool, and that she would most likely be killed during her sleep by either the girl or the boy. Her eyes hardened and she nodded.
'I will go now, and do as you instruct, Master.' He said nothing but nodded silently and then turned away, to look upon Trish's face. Ophelia scuttled away, into the gathering gloom of the forest, leaving Him quite alone. At length, He bent down and stroked Trish's cheek almost sadly.
'So beautiful…but yet so deadly…' He murmured. Trish stirred slightly under his touch but did not wake. The movement caught something in the Fallen One's heart and he slowly slid His hands underneath her body and rose. Trish's head fell gently against his chest. The One looked down at her and then sighed. 'I shall not kill you yet. One as fair as you deserves not to be so hideously deformed. I shall wait. I shall bide my time until the need arises to slay.' The brown cloaked figure then walked into the darkness, Trish cradled against him.
---
Kryder and Dante ran side by side through the wood, Inferno winging low in front of them. Dante kept his eyes fixed on the phoenix, who continued to sing as he flew. Kryder however, looked admiringly at his father, unable to believe that they had finally met. He could almost see himself in his face; the resemblance was obvious. Even the style of clothes they wore were identical; Kryder was clad in a long blue coat, but wore black trousers instead of ones in the same colour. His hair had grown the same way as his father's but tended to be slightly unruly, constantly flopping down into his green eyes. It was doing so now; he quickly tried to brush it out of his eyes but to no avail. He stole another look at his father again and noted the huge sword that was strapped to his back. Unlike Dante, he carried a light spear. It was fast but strong, and it allowed for some incredible range attacks.
Inferno suddenly gave vent to something like a shriek and shot forwards like a shaft that had just been released from a bow. Kryder started to shorten the distance that lay between him and the phoenix. Dante forced himself to go faster, silently marvelling at the speed of his son. It was almost as though he was moving easily, and with such grace. He wasn't forcing himself to move faster, it was something that was coming naturally. Kryder smiled back at Dante, but Dante said nothing back.
Kryder thought back to is father's explanation. It all made sense. Apparently, leaving women was something that ran in the family. He allowed himself a quiet chuckle, but at the same time hoping that he would be proved wrong. Besides, he could understand why his father had left. It was due to a sense of duty that he had gone. Just like how Kryder wanted to search for answers. But just as he was about to tell Dante that he understood him, Inferno had appeared. The two suddenly broke out of cover and into the clearing.
Kryder made as if to move forward but Dante pushed him back roughly. Kryder looked at him as though slightly hurt but then stood respectfully to one side as his father examined the ground, where blades of grass had been broken and bent. Dante narrowed his eyes with concentration. Trish was somewhere nearby, but so was something else. He did not like the feel of it; it constantly made him feel as though his skin was crawling. He looked up sharply as Kryder cleared his throat.
'Well? What is it?' Kryder lowered his eyes.
'There are four sets of prints just near me. Three belong to children and the other belong to an adult. I fear for the worst.' Dante continued to stare at him. Kryder continued, his voice soft. 'I realise that I had unwittingly put my children through a lot. But if Ophelia is hunting them down, then I have to put my own life at risk. I realise that she is unsafe, and that she may not even remember me. But I think that somewhere deep down, the same woman I grew to love still exists.' Dante still said nothing but then turned his head to the ground again. At last, he sighed, as though perplexed.
'Come on then.' Kryder nodded once, respectfully and then followed the older man as he followed the tracks.
---
Val and Rayne had long ago lost track of Arson. He had always been able to move fast, but now pure terror had driven him onwards, blinding his sight in the fire of fear. They had slowed down to a walk, unaware that they were being pursued. At last, they sat down on a fallen tree trunk, Val yawning. Her eyes grew suddenly wide as a grey shape drifted down. Orion.
'Do you know how worried I've been?' he scolded. He was about to continue when Val pressed her head against his chest, silent tears falling down her face. Rayne said nothing but looked up at him through half closed eyes. Val looked up at her uncle.
'Please…take us home…I've had enough. We both have. I always thought that once I was reunited with my brother, things would be all right again. But now I realise that I don't fit in. I'm too…different.' Rayne looked at Val at that point and was about to ask something when Orion cut in.
'Come on. I'll take you both home.' Rayne looked around.
'What about Arson?'
'Fate decrees that he will be needed here.' Val at last nodded, simply accepting this. Orion gently held them to him and took off, his white-grey wings beating steadily and strongly.
---
Arson collapsed as he tripped. He rolled over, gasping for breath. He swallowed hard and then tried to get up again. His legs felt like lead. How much longer would he have to run? How much longer would his past haunt him? His head fell back as he continued to pant, his narrow chest rising and falling rapidly as he breathed. His breath caught in his throat as he sensed another's presence. Ophelia. Her eyes were different though. She swallowed hard as she looked upon the boy. His eyes were no longer afraid. He stared at her almost with calm acceptance.
'I guess The One would have good reason to be proud of you,' he panted. Ophelia didn't answer. 'You might as well finish it off. Now.' Ophelia made no move. Suddenly, both hands flew to either side of her head.
'I'm not going to! But I must! I can't fail Him! But he's your son!' Arson scrambled backwards, as he witnessed his mother's debate between herself. His eyes widened. His Mom was still there somewhere. He began to understand what was going on. Ophelia was trying to fight with her other side, she was trying to decide what to do. He slowly got up, throwing caution to the winds.
'Mom?' Ophelia's head jerked up and she stared directly at him, her eyes filled with tears.
'You see how he still calls me Mom? It's been so long since he's called me that…so long…But he's a curse! Don't let your guard down! He will only make your life a misery! But it was my own fault. I didn't listen. I didn't want to…Your husband made you miserable once, and now he will do the same! No! He won't! It isn't his fault…it isn't his fault…' Ophelia dissolved into tears, crouched down on all fours, her hair hanging over her face. Arson said nothing but stood there. He swallowed hard, unsure as to what to do, or say. Maybe it was a trap. Maybe if he went to her, he would be killed. But she didn't look dangerous anymore. She looked… piteous. He began to walk towards her, slowly but steadily.
He crouched down in front of her, so then his eyes were level with her face.
'Mom?' he whispered again. Ophelia looked up, her vision swimming as tears continued to fall. She hugged him close.
'Arson…' she sobbed. 'I'm sorry…I'm sorry…' Arson suddenly gave vent to a moan. His eyes widened. Ophelia stood up, her eyes flinty. Arson remained kneeling on the ground, his face shocked. He looked up at her.
'But…I…' His breath started coming in shallow gasps. Ophelia smiled.
'You are my son, Arson. But yet, I cannot turn my back on Him. He told me to give you a death worse than this. He wanted me to set these into the ground.' She opened up the bag. Inside, white maggot-like creatures wormed and wriggled. 'Once I did so, they would then grow rapidly. They would rise from the ground, right from underneath your feet and they would have swallowed you. You would have died in less than a minute. But the pain…it would be excruciating. I have saved you, Arson. I have saved you.'
'Crap way of doing so. Can you save yourself any better, I wonder?' Dante and Kryder both came out from where they had been waiting. Kryder looked at Ophelia in rage as he saw the blood welling from his son's back, where he had been stabbed. Ophelia's eyes widened in recognition.
'Kryder!' she gasped. Kryder nodded, his pale green eyes cold. Ophelia ran towards him, arms outstretched, but Kryder pushed her away.
'Bitch…' he said, his voice soft but deadly. 'I was ready for giving you a second chance. But now I see.' Kryder looked towards Arson. Dante was kneeling beside him, examining the wound as more blood oozed from his back. Kryder switched his piercing gaze onto his wife again. He shook his head in disgust, his lip curling in scorn.
'Second chance?' spluttered Ophelia. 'Second chance? You? Hah! Well it was you who left me alone, if I remembered rightly. You left me to raise two children by myself. And for what? So then my life could be destroyed!'
'You've repeated the same story so many times that you won't listen to anyone else. Your lies are now what you believe is reality…' Kryder sounded as though he was thinking instead of talking. Ophelia said nothing but readied a white blade that had been hanging loosely from a sheath in her belt. Kryder braced himself, spear at the ready.
Dante sized up the two. It seemed as though this was going to be a one sided fight. Kryder had strength and speed at his disposal. He had seen Ophelia trying to fight. She had not the strength for long or short battles. She had speed but her endurance was low. Dante wondered how she was even going to try and put up a decent fight. His attention turned back to Arson as he gave another low moan of pain.
'That's it…' he whispered. 'You're healing. Just keep concentrating.'
Ophelia suddenly charged at Kryder, who simply sidestepped and turned again to face her.
'None of your friends will be coming to help you,' he said, his voice like velvet. 'I had to…how should I say…get rid of all obstacles in my way. I see you no longer as my wife. You're just another obstacle. Another low hurdle in my path to victory.' Ophelia snarled as Kryder continued to goad her. She was getting angry, that would lower her defence. Kryder knew only too well what he was doing. Dante watched on with interest. Not only speed and strength, but cunning also was something that he possessed. Ophelia gave a thin smile.
'I have friends still. Dangerous allies.' She opened the contents of the bag and sprinkled them onto the ground. Kryder watched in alarm as they wriggled under the ground. All was silent. Kryder laughed. Arson suddenly sat up straight.
'Watch out, Dad!' The ground rumbled ominously. All signs of laughter were erased from Kryder's face. Arson looked at Dante desperately. 'It's not safe to stay here like this. We're in terrible danger.' Dante said nothing. The wound still hadn't healed properly. They couldn't possibly move now. Any movement might cause his back to become worse.
'Don't worry. Just keep focussed.' Arson swallowed hard again and closed his eyes. Dante suddenly whipped out his handguns and started shooting. The sound caused Arson to flinch but he still tried to force himself to concentrate only on healing himself. It was hard; he had never had to heal himself when he had a proper injury. Dante suddenly breathed out a sigh of relief. Even though this made Arson question what was going on, he made no sound and remained in deep meditation.
Kryder dodged and leapt out of the way as huge worm like creatures charged at him, mouths gaping wide open, waiting for him. It appeared as though he was a choice morsel on their list. Kryder felt teeth close upon his back and dodged to one side. Almost immediately, he began to heal. Another charged at him at the same time as one advanced from behind. Kryder dug his spear into the ground and pole vaulted. Jerking his spear free from the ground, he brought it above his head and came crashing down on one of the larva. It rolled over, limp. Kryder had no time to celebrate his victory. One came out from underneath him. Kryder had time for one last cry of anguish before he was swallowed.
'No!' Dante stood up, ready to continue the fight. He charged into the middle of the battle field and leapt into the air, wings unfolding from his back. Thunder streamed down from his body, felling several at once. There were only three left, one was heading straight for Arson. Dante glided towards him and plucked him from the ground. Arson's eyes snapped open. Flames began to rise in his eyes. His hair rose out of his eyes, reddening slightly. A deep blood red aura surrounded his body as he broke free from Dante, his skin becoming like armour; hard and tough. Arson alighted on the ground and allowed his rage to wash over him. Flames streaked out in every direction. Dante was forced to rise higher to avoid being burnt. Flames crackled merrily as trees were devoured by Arson's rage. Arson turned and glared at his mother, the coal black eyes hard and cold. Ophelia gazed into his eyes. They were like a void, filled with depth from which no one would ever reappear. She would be thrown into the endless pits that were his eyes, and she would never be seen again. The demon sensed her fear and grinned.
'Seeing something you don't like?' he said. His voice seemed to have changed, seemed to have become older. Ophelia screamed and dashed away. Arson gave vent to a hysterical laugh and followed her.
Dante stared after them, watching them go. He tensed as he heard a sudden sound behind him. The worm shrieked in pain and suddenly seemed to explode in a shower of light. Kryder emerged, looking absolutely exhausted. He collapsed at Dante's feet, panting.
'Where's…Arson?' he gasped. Dante pointed wordlessly as another scream rent the air. Kryder closed his eyes and laid his head on the ground.
'So her life will end…hey…listen…I've got to tell you something…' Kryder's voice was fading out. Dante crouched down low. 'I…forgive you. It wasn't your fault…you had lost your memory…everything. I don't blame you…' Kryder shakily tried to get up but then lay down again.
'You talk as if you're going to die.' Kryder grinned lopsidedly and looked up groggily at Dante's face. 'Just rest a little. You'll be fine.' Kryder nodded and then allowed his head to sink back down. Arson suddenly crashed back into the clearing, shivering with shock. He looked at Dante speechlessly and then shook his head.
'What did I do?' he wailed. 'What am I? Am I some kind of monster?' He sank to his knees and clenched at the sandy ground. 'I…killed. And I liked it…I'm wrong…I'm so wrong…'
'It had to be done,' said Dante gently. 'I know it's hard, but it had to be done.' Arson burrowed his head in Dante's shoulder.
'I'm a murderer…' he whispered. Dante looked at Arson's back. The wound had completely disappeared.
'She had done the same. But to countless people. All in the name of revenge. What you did doesn't make you as bad as her. Stop crying. Now.' Arson pulled away but brought his knees up to his chin and hid his eyes in his knees. Dante remembered the first time he had killed. Sure it had been shocking and he had been grieved that he had committed such an act but then he simply told himself that it was something that he had to do. And then he had carried on.
Kryder opened his eyes and slowly sat up, still feeling sore and stiff. His head was pounding and he felt sick with tiredness. But he couldn't wait any longer. The One was still alive, and He might construct a new group of Fallen Angels. Kryder slowly stood up.
'We have to go. Arson, you have to be strong. If you didn't kill her, she would have killed you.' Kryder slowly walked off, limping slightly. Dante nodded at Arson once, trying to imply that what Kryder had said was true. Arson stood up and followed both his grandfather and his father.