Devil May Cry

Dimensions to your world and the next

Chapter 62 (part 1)

Warnings: Language and Violence

*Author's Note: Okay, last chapter, and it's the first part of it. The next chapter, which is gonna apparently be chapter sixty three, is the last chapter, so enjoy these!

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Your skin finally getting some sunlight felt more than incredible. It was as if you have been locked up in a dungeon for months. You never realized how much you missed the bright light, and the cool wind brushing through your hair. You felt like a bird in flight, leaving the cage for the very first time. It just felt so surreal to you, so unimaginative. The feel of Dante's hand linked with yours was so welcoming and warm; you almost had forgotten how it felt like. It was unbelievable that he was here; pulling you away from incarceration from one of the most deadly people you had ever met. His courtesy was more than greatly appreciated. You laced your fingers in between his and gave a gentle squeeze.

He turned his head slightly, looking at you through the corner of his eye. His lips formed into a wide smirk before he looked forward again. The old car you had been in once before was parked just a few paces away, its front bender pointed straight towards the dirt trail. Dante brought you to the side of the vehicle, opening the door for you, and helping you step inside while you adjusted your dress. He opened the backseat door for Lucinda, whom smiled warmly before entering inside.

Sitting in the passenger seat, you winced as you felt the gash across your arm. The bleeding still had not ceased, and the stinging pain seemed to be numbing now. As Dante entered, closing the door behind him, he looked it over. His fingers brushed across the broken skin.

"We need to get the bleeding to stop," he informed.

You looked down your dress; a few blood stains tinged the snowy white. The bottom part was really unnecessary, but fortunately, would be of use. You began ripping off the ends where the dress bloomed outward. It was more then enough fabric for the wound. Successfully, you had ripped off the entire bottom half. Dante took the ripped fabric from your hands and folded it, before tying it around your arm, over the wound, where the blood began to already sink in.

Once he was finished, you began ripping apart the side of the dress, where it met your leg, into a slit.

Dante tilted his head with an impish smirk; staring for a moment at the exposed leg you had induced.

You blushed lightly and smirked back. "It was a little tight."

He chuckled lightly and turned to the wheel, turning the keys that were left in the ignition. The vehicle sprung to life, and with a jolt, the three of you left all troubles behind. It seemed strange to you with the thought that Orein and Aeon possibly would not follow you. At every given moment, it appeared your way of escape was clear, but some how, Aeon would find you even in the most complex of hiding places. You leaned your head back and took a deep breath. Bringing your hand to your wound, you stroked the bandages. Your eyes shut slowly and you wondered about many things.

What had happened with your power back there? A burning rage of inexplicit magic that was unknown and sacred throughout the world. There was so much you didn't know, and things you wanted to know. To travel dimensions was believable enough, but able to teleport from room to room? The power to transport your energy to another? Even the ability to injure greatly to those that contained demonic blood? You felt like Superman, the admired hero that some how had superpowers coming out of every orifice of his body. Superman was never an appealing character to you, the amount of abilities deluded those that were interested and gave less creativity to the storyline of the comic. You have become the very thing you mocked.

However, you did not create abilities out of thin air, they came to you strangely. And you couldn't depict whether you had more powers in dormant unless it was necessary to be used. A part of you wished there were no more surprises.

Your body and mind couldn't take anymore excitement. Unfortunately, there was still one thing you needed to know.

You opened your eyes, and leaned your head away from the headrest of your seat. Glancing at Dante, you began to question. "Will you tell me how you came back?"

Dante glimpsed at you for a second before absently licking his lips. "I think that's a conversation better discussed in a different place."

You sighed. "Okay, when and where?"

"We're going to get a room to relax and settle at any motel, or hotel we can find. I'll explain everything then. I promise."

You smiled slightly, and nodded your head. Dante grinned and took your hand, stroking it sweetly. You felt disappointed that he had to let go to change the vehicles gears, but you had no room to complain. The only thing that was important was that he was with you, alive and well. You trailed your eyes towards the side view mirror to glance at Lucinda. She was rubbing her wrists, as if soothing them.

"Are you okay, Lucinda?"

She seemed at first startled. "Oh, yes, I'm quite all right."

You weren't entirely convinced. "Are you sure?"

"It's just a little strain on my hands and wrists, nothing to worry about, though. It just shows my lack of practice in my own art."

"Yeah, I never knew you could create barriers," you mentioned.

"Ah, yes. I'm pretty rusty at it. I used to be able to make much larger and thicker barriers before. It seems my ability is no longer so keen."

"I beg to differ, that was the most impressive powers I've seen to date."

Lucinda grinned. "You should see more of Dante's moves then. They're something to be amazed about. I may not be able to see everything, but the sight of his aura is impressive enough."

Dante laughed lightly. It was nice to hear it again. "I like to be able to provide an amazing show for the audience."

After a long exhausting drive, Dante finally decided to settle at the closest motel he could find. There was one just around the corner and not vacant. It wasn't hard to get comfortable in the room once you stepped it. Anything was better than Aeon's home. After a few minutes of resting in the motel room, Lucinda stepped out without a word, but Dante and you did not question her.

"I found some first aid in the bathroom," Dante indicated. He took a seat beside you on the mattress, resting the aid kit beside his legs. "Let me see your arm."

You gave it to him willingly, glancing at the soaked fabric tinged with the color red. He took it in his hands, stroking his fingers over your skin before untying the fabric. He dropped it to the floor and observed the long cut. It was deep and it appeared it had not ceased its bleeding. Dante had no doubt that you would live with this for the rest of your life. The wound would become scar tissue in a matter of weeks.

"Does it hurt?" he asked.

You shook your head slightly. "It only mildly stings now. I can handle it."

Dante looked up at you and smiled before applying alcohol to the injury. You winced and tensed until Dante began stroking your arm, comforting you as he tied a new bandage over the wound. Dante brushed his thumb over it, observing the bandage as he was lost in thought.

"I tried to protect you, ______. I thought coming in as a surprise attack would have worked, that they wouldn't have realized that I had come back. I didn't think that they would find out and subject you to this...," Dante whispered.

You smiled slightly. "Dante, you don't always have to protect me. I know I tend to become a damsel in distress, even though I don't try to be, but your oath to protect me always puts you into danger." You averted your gaze downward.

"You died because of me..."

"And I came back because of you." You brought your eyes back towards his face. "Babe, you were the one that brought me back here. Yes, I did die. I was surrounded by darkness, I remember not being able to see anything, and then I heard your voice. I thought I was a real goner, but I felt your touch, and I couldn't feel the pain anymore. Do you remember that?" You slowly nodded, trying to remember. "To you, it was a dream, but it was very real to me. Your tears...they healed my wounds. And as soon as I vanished, I returned back home, back to where I was left. It was you, ______, your powers resurrected me. And all those dreams you had, with me in them, that is me contacting you. Those dreams were real."

"You mean...all of them?"

Dante nodded.

"But how?"

"I never told you this, but...during that time when you sent your energy to me in order to keep me alive during our captivity at Aeon's place, you did something. I began feeling emotions that weren't mine. And then I realized: it was you. I talked to Lucinda about it; she said somehow you created a connection between the two of us. The closer I am to you, the stronger the feeling becomes. The more distant we are, the weaker the feeling gets. And with this connection, I was able to contact you while you and I were sleeping."

"I thought those dreams were created from my imagination. I thought my mind was just showing what I really wanted to see...which was you being alive." You were silent for a moment, taking it all in. "So, what was all that talk? You said you might not be able to contact me any longer because you were going to Hell, that you were deceased."

"Sorry, babe, I had to keep me being alive a secret in order to save you undetected. I lied in order to protect you. I didnt want to, but I realized that your attitude would change while you were captive, and Aeon would suspect something."

You smiled for a second before it faded. "Was it all a lie? All the things you said?"

Dante smirked. "Don't be silly, ______. You knew what the truth was and what a lie was. This for sure"--Dante tucked a strand of hair behind your ear and held your face as he planted his lips against yours--"wasn't at all fake."

The simple soft touch of his lips was recognizable but almost forgotten. You missed the feeling. Although it seemed that Dante kissed you before the end of every dream you had, you didn't feel anything after that. Like every dream, it almost felt real, but as soon as you awoke from your slumber, you knew that everything you felt was controlled subconsciously.

And now that you felt the real thing, it really felt wonderful and different. Now you knew the result of the amount of time spent apart from one another. However, you began to appreciate Dante more then you already have, and wished the two of you could spend what ever time you had together. The very thought of being separated again was too overwhelming to think about. Maybe that was what was meant to be "in love".

You were eager to feel his lips on yours again. You smashed your mouth against his, catching him a little off guard. He matched your pressure, easily over powering it as he held your face with one hand. You felt his tongue lick your bottom lip and instinctively you granted him entrance. Bringing your hand towards his chest, your trailed it down, your fingers brushing against something cold. You ignored it regardless. The palm of your hand again flattened over his chest, feeling the warmth. Dante brought his other hand toward your exposed thigh, sliding his hand under the fabric of the dress. A shiver ran through you, and just as instantly, you no longer felt his longing touch anymore. You shot your eyes open, trying your best to hide the disappointment. It's been too long since the last time this had happened, you didn't want it to end just yet. The grin plastered on Dante's face only proved he thought differently.

"You can't be provoking me like that, it isn't fair," he said.

You laughed lightly, missing what it sounded like. "Is it my fault you are such a horn-dog?"

It appeared that your sense of humor was returning back to you, and you felt good because of it. Slowly, you were becoming normal...or rather what you thought of as normal. You knew now what the ingredients were for the remedy to keep your sanity and happiness intact. Away from Aeon, and being with Dante was all you needed, needless to say, you really didn't want anything else.

Dante chuckled at your comment and it brought a smile to your face. "You know, babe, in a way it is." Dante then stood. "But enough with the chatter, you look exhausted."

You shook your head. "I'm fine."

Tilting his head, he looked amused. "Naturally, you're a bad liar." Dante slid his arms from beneath you and scooped you up.

You did feel the fatigue get to you, but you wanted to stay awake with Dante, it was still a little light out. Dante held you to his chest as he pulled back the sheets of the bed and laid you down. He pulled the sheets over your body and placed a tender kiss to you forehead, and then another to your lips. Briefly, your gaze averted towards his chest, wondering about that cold object you had touched a few seconds ago. A bright smiled crossed your face as you gazed at the silver amulet, the red jewel glistening. It brought an admirable feeling to reflect that he still kept the gift from his mother. It seemed strange though that you would only see it now.

"Get some sleep," he whispered.

You didn't want to close your eyes, but you didn't have much self-control at the moment. Your eyelids drooped close.

The exhaustion was getting to you, even with your thorough decision to keep strong. But it took a lot of energy out of you that time at the cathedral. Fragility wasn't what you felt, but weakness was and before you knew it you were drifting off.

Dante stroked the hair away from your face, planting one final kiss against your cheek. He felt calmer now that you were in his arms, safe from all that threatened. Dante turned when he heard the door opened, and relaxed when he saw it was Lucinda.

"Thank you," she said towards the man that had helped her find her way.

Dante waited for the man to close the door behind her before he spoke. "Well?"

Lucinda frowned. "There will be a new moon tonight."

Dante frowned as well, and looked back at you for a second. "Let's talk outside."

He took his leisure towards the door, and held it for Lucinda as she stepped out. Dante closed the door slightly ajar. He stared towards Lucinda, patiently waiting.

"We have to go tonight, before the clock strikes past twelve."

"It's too sudden. We can wait until the next new moon, ______ is exhausted."

"Dante, I understand, but it takes a total of twenty-nine days until the next new moon. We cannot wait that long. Think about ______ and what she could be missing. I'm sure she has loved ones that are worried sick about her, another month is far too long to wait for." Lucinda waited for a response but she obtained nothing. "You cannot push this away, Dante. ______ is bound to go home sometime, she doesn't belong here."

Dante knew he was running away from it, but he really found it hard to let you go. He just got you back, how could he just leave you again? The hardest part, he knew, would be to explain this to you. Not on your part, but for his. You have been anticipating to go since day one. Dante couldn't say what you felt about it now at the moment, but he was sure you felt the same way. He was indecisive, but there really was no other choice. However, waiting another month didn't sound bad to him, but he realized he was being selfish with the matter. There was only one option, whether you agreed with it or not, he had to let you go.

"I'll let her sleep until we decide to leave. Where is it?"

Lucinda said nothing for what seemed to be an eternity. "Coincidently, it really is not far from here."

"That's convenient," he remarked. Dante crossed his arms.

"I agree, but it appears an unknown force had moved its coordinates. It would have taken us weeks, maybe months, in order to reach it."

"You don't think Aeon moved it, did you? It would have been really useful on his part."

Lucinda shrugged. "Always a possibility, but does it really matter? It's location is very helpful. If Aeon and his brother decide to follow us...well, we can agree that it is better if _____ leaves tonight. It would probably take a minimum of two days for the enemy to recover; we should not give them that chance."

"That's if they do follow us," Dante added logically. "Lucinda, you can see into the future, you should know the answer to all this."

"Believe me, I have tried, but it seems to be all a blur to me. All that is clear is your criminal background is catching up to us."

Dante's eyes widened before he returned back to his cool posture. "I was wondering when they'd come back. It's been a while since ______ and I ran from the cops."

"Dante, this isn't something to joke about. If they follow us into the antique portal, it could mean everything being exposed. The portal was to be concealed from everyone who knew nothing about Dimentoriums and demons. The Elders will destroy it, losing our chances for ever getting ______ home."

"The Elders?" Dante questioned, bewildered.

"They are an ancient cult. They studied and worshiped the Dimentoriums. They built the antique portal so many years ago and hid it with powerful magic. The only one that could see the temple was the latest Dimentorium. ______ will help us find it, no problem. Unfortunately, once she steps into the temple, everything that was once invisible becomes exposed until her spirit no longer resides in the building. A law was declared between the members of the cult that if any human were to know and see its whereabouts that they would destroy and burn down the temple, leaving all evidence into ashes."

"Which means..."

"No amateur Dimentorium would be able to enter or leave this dimension."

Dante didn't find this threat too intimidating; you were welcomed to stay with him at Devil May Cry. Unfortunately, Dante realized that his selfish thought wasn't the best plan for you. Teaching you how to transport into another dimension had come into thought, but still, he knew that was not an option.

"We should leave the car then." It was not a question.

Lucinda nodded. "It will be the best plan we have at the moment. In fact, I have the number and the time of the next bus coming here. It will drop us off at the next stop, and then we will need to hike through the forest."

"The antique portal is in the forest?"

"Yes, in a remote meadow, actually. It might be a long journey, but with leaving the car here, we will be able to throw off the police a few hours. ______ will be able to get home safely in time."

Safely, the word meant a lot to Dante. All he wanted was you to be safe...and happy, even if it meant he wouldn't feel the same way.

"All right, we will give ______ a few more hours of sleep, and then I'll wake her. I'll explain everything."

Lucinda smiled at Dante's realization of his responsibility. She knew he was trying hard to not be selfish and keep her here--he was looking into your best interest. She had to admit herself that she, too, would miss you dearly. You were a good friend, a loyal ally, and a stronger person than she could ever be. Her admiration towards you was great.

"I'll go buy us bus tickets then," she inquired.

Dante shoved his hand into his pocket, groping for what little money he had on him. "Here, that should be enough for three."

Lucinda nodded once and began walking away. Dante glanced at the door to the motel room, and thought for a long moment. How would he explain all this to you, without hurting himself? Dante only now apprehended his egotistic thoughts, why did he think so much about himself? He promised you, he wouldn't take back to his word, he promised to take you back home. Dante wasn't allowed to be stingy about this situation. He stared through the crevice into the darkness of the room. Night had begun to engulf the sky, and the sun was slowly setting away the light.

He sighed, and entered, closing the door behind him.

Home, you needed to be home, he told himself.

The few hours passed longer then he had expected. Lucinda had bought the tickets and now Dante sat there waiting, contemplating about the words he would use to explain. He sat beside your sleeping figure, his feet propped up on the mattress, his back leaning against the head board. It was soothing to watch you sleep, to see the worries wash off your face. Dante began stroking your hair, brushing through the softness he had forgotten. Lucinda was across from him, appearing to be reading more of that book he had given to her. Averting his eyes to the clock that lay by the bed, he sighed.

"______, babe, wake up," he said gently.

You muttered something he didn't quite catch and he began caressing your face.

"______, it's time to get up," he tried again.

You fluttered your eyes opened, watching him curiously. "We're leaving?"

"Yeah." Dante nodded.

"Back home?"

Dante was stunned that you would consider Devil May Cry home. He felt guilty, knowing that you would never go back there again.

"No, we're going somewhere else."

You sat up suddenly. "Where? Aeon didn't follow us, did he?"

Dante shook his head. "No, but if we give him time, he might."

"Then...where are we going?"

"We're taking you back home, back to your dimension."

"What?" You were frozen; you didn't think this would even come into the conversation.

"Lucinda found an antique portal not too far from here; it will be able to take you home. We're leaving tonight."

You became frantic. "It's a little sudden don't you think? We just reunited."

Your reaction was different from what Dante had expected, rather then agreeing with the plan, you were fighting against it. It was comforting to him that you felt that way, but he knew he had to convince you to go back.

"The portal only works at the night of the new moon, when there is no light in the sky."

"New moons come every month, don't they? We can wait, I don't mind."

Your urgency hurt Dante more then he thought it would. "We can't do that, we can't wait that long. The cops are almost back on our tail."

"We can escape them like we did before, it wasn't that hard. Please, Dante, I--"

Dante interrupted without hearing what you had to say. "No, _____... going tonight is our only option, the only logical one to take. I wish we could wait, believe me, but it's too risky. Waiting will give Aeon and his brother an opportunity to do who knows what."

You stared at him for a long moment, frowning. In the past, the thought of going back home would have brought much anticipation to you. You felt you didn't belong, like you were irrelevant to the world, although that was highly ironic. You missed your parents, worried about what they could be thinking at the moment. However, with the days you spent here--especially with Dante--you felt more comfortable. And that long moment of separation the two of you had, you again felt uncomfortable and a rejection. But now that you were with Dante again, you didn't want to let him go. It had been far too long the two of you had been apart, you didn't dare think about being discrete with him once again. Dante was everything to you, more in part of your life then thought possible. Losing him again brought an ache to your chest.

Your parents could wait; you could wait...all you wanted was to spend more time with Dante. Unfortunately, it seemed Dante had already made up his mind.

Averting your eyes, you focused on your nails. "If it's for the best...all right, I'll go." You lifted your head, gazing at him with a forlorn stare.

You felt narrow-minded for feeling abandoned. If you didn't go, people would be hurt, this you knew. But why must you suffer for others? Why should you care about their wellbeing if you were the one being hurt? Still, you couldn't be mad at them, it was not their fault, nor yours for their being demons like Aeon and Orein that existed.

Dante watched you for a moment, unsure what to say next. Something deep inside him wished you would stubbornly refuse, but it wasn't for the best. The best? The best would be for you to come back to Devil May Cry with him, that would be for the best. A selfish thought? Maybe, but he was allowed to have them.

"We should go," Lucinda then spoke up. "Dante, what is the time?"

"Ten-fifteen," he replied absently.

Lucinda stood, holding the book at her side. She waited but all Dante could do was sit there. Closing his eyes, he sighed and threw his legs to the side of the bed, standing up as well. He turned to you, offering a hand. You took it without a word and were pulled off the bed. All you could feel was the leather of his gloves, until you felt the warmth radiating from his fingers. You let the touch slip away as you walked towards the door, head bowed. Stepping outside, you felt the cold draft brush past you. You hugged yourself, feeling your skin already becoming cold. Another good reason to hate Aeon, you thought. You heard the door shut behind you and felt the brush of Dante's leather jacket as he past you.

"I'll be back," he informed, twirling the keys for the motel room with his finger. He walked away, going to give back the key, you guessed.

Lucinda stepped to your side, looking away from you. "I'm sorry that this had to be so sudden."

You breathed in deeply. "Yeah...me, too."

Lucinda frowned but said nothing else as the two of you waited for Dante's return. After a few short minutes, he came strolling back, gesturing with his hand to follow him. Lucinda heard your footsteps and walked also, silently. Quiet as well, you began rubbing your arms, hoping the friction would help, because ignoring the temperature did not. Dante's attention drifted towards you, watching your attempts at warmth. He too felt the cool wind, but found it convenient with the warmth coming from his body. It was a nice way of cooling off.

"Do you want my jacket?" he inquired.

"I'm fine," you replied simply.

Dante frowned at the answer, and if it were any other time, he might have laughed and put it on you anyway. But this time, he decided not to.

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*Author's Note: One more chapter! One more chapter! Oh, no!