This story takes place at least two months after the game. The narrative jumps between different characters, with a primary focus on Nero and his newfound family. I aim to stay as true as possible to their original characters to the best of my abilities. ;)
Chapter 1: Mission Start
The sun had barely risen in Fortuna as early morning set in. The air was filled with the echoing shouts of craftsmen and construction workers who tirelessly worked to rebuild the city's streets and buildings, even after all these years. Towering like ugly statues over the rooftops were giant, yellow cranes, a constant reminder of the ongoing reconstruction.
At this early hour, the roads were mostly deserted, with only a few residents venturing out. Ever since the catastrophic events of six years ago, many citizens had either fled or perished when the monstrous Savior wreaked havoc upon the city, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Nico, the weary mechanic and self-proclaimed artist, yawned and rubbed her eyes, sitting behind the wheel of the old RV. The vehicle served as a mobile office, workshop, and temporary home. With a coffee cup in one hand and the other on the steering wheel, she peered wearily at the street before her.
Less than an hour ago, Nero had burst into the garage like a madman, rudely interrupting her dreams. He was rambling about a phone call from Dante's agent, Morrison, and a job that promised decent pay. Nico hadn't paid much attention, too occupied with scolding him and tossing tools in his direction.
After all, Nero knew all too well that she had spent the entire night working on his gear... again.
Seated in the passenger seat, Nero, the young devil hunter, rested with his arms crossed behind his head and his dirty boots propped up on the dashboard. Oblivious to Nico's lingering anger, he tapped his foot along to the rhythm of the music playing. He particularly enjoyed this song and took pleasure in the fact that his typically sassy mechanic was too sleepy to talk.
He had barely enjoyed the peaceful moment when that wild woman found the biggest pothole Fortuna's old streets had to offer and drove right through it. The heavy car launched into the air, causing Nero's head to collide with the ceiling.
"Dammit, Nico!" he yelled, irritated by her nonchalance.
Sipping her coffee, she glanced at him over the rim of her mug, unimpressed, before retorting, "Calm down, kitty."
"You do shit like that on purpose! And stop with those lame pet names," Nero scolded, rubbing the back of his head as he leaned forward to retrieve the book that had flown off his lap during the impact.
He wiped the dirt and sand from the leathery cover. It was the book Vergil had left behind just before he and Dante dove into the underworld like two death-yearning idiots.
Nero mostly carried the book with him, flipping through the pages without ever reading a word. The events in Red Grave City still haunted him, leaving him with countless unanswered questions swirling in his mind.
Was V truly gone? How could a person simply vanish? Why were demons still rampant despite the seal on the underworld's door? And why had Dante never revealed the truth about his father until now? Why had he hesitated for so long? Did Vergil know about their connection when he severed Nero's arm, leaving him to die in a puddle of blood?
Since returning home two months ago, nightmares plagued Nero, keeping him awake at night. Each time he woke up drenched in sweat, he would clutch his right arm and ensure that Kyrie, lying beside him, was still breathing. It reminded him of the aftermath of his battle against the Order of the Sword and Credo's death. Back then, he had felt weak and powerless.
It had taken him almost a year to recover from that mess, and now he was thrown into another cycle of the same old shit. Filled with anger, Nero pushed these thoughts aside. The only ones who could answer his questions were trapped in the underworld, possibly fighting each other already.
Dante and Vergil, his damn family, had simply abandoned him to do the dirty work. The thought darkened Nero's expression, and he gripped Vergil's book so tightly that its binding began to bend. For a moment, he felt the urge to tear the stupid book apart and throw the remains out the window. But the impulse passed, and his shoulders relaxed slightly.
When Vergil had thrown the book at his feet, he had ordered Nero to take care of it until his return. That's exactly what he intended to do—he would take good care of this boring book he couldn't bear to read.
And if his so-called father ever returned, he would smash it right between his eyes!
"Better come back, so I can punch you in the face for everything you've done, asshole," Nero muttered, taking a deep breath to calm himself. He folded his arms behind his head, trying to refocus on the music.
Nico's voice sent shivers down his spine as she butchered one of his favorite songs with her dreadful singing. "Are you serious? Do you want to make me deaf?"
With a broad smile and a cigarette dangling from the corner of her mouth, she raised her voice even louder. All Nero could do was roll down the window, hoping that the thunderous noise of the RV's ancient engine would drown out Nico's screeching banshee calls.
