Devil May Cry

Dimensions to your world and the next

Chapter 62 (part 2)

Warnings: Language and Violence

*Author's Note: Last chapter, so I'll see you later, guys! Byeeee!

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The three of you walked the cool, late night streets, the lights of vehicles from passerbies the only thing illuminating the surrounding darkness. Your eyes adjusted quite well to the night as you walked. The temperature was still cold, but at a moment like this, you didn't need Dante's jacket. You stared off into the distance, immediately searching for a bus stop.

There was one not too far, and if the three of you quickened your pace, you could get there less than two minutes. But, just like you, no one was eager enough to walk faster. When you reached the stop, you faced forward the road, keeping your eyes firmly on the ground.

Dante watched you intently from the corner of his eyes. He didn't want it to turn out like this. He wanted his last hours with you spent in a good natured way, not in a moment of silence as if someone had passed away. It felt like an eternity until the bus arrived. Lucinda handed Dante the tickets, whom entered in first, handing the driver the three bus tickets.

He allowed both you and Lucinda to go ahead first to the seats at the very back before following behind. Dante narrowed his eyes as he noticed a few number of men ogling you as you walked by them. A dress that sexy was a treat for him, not anybody else, he thought. There were three seats unoccupied at the very back, Lucinda instantly taking one by feeling her way. You took the seat beside her, your arms still hugging yourself. Dante plopped beside you, his body slouched. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes as he felt the bus begin to move forward. Dante felt a light shudder come from your body and he slightly opened his eyes, looking over to you. You were looking away, shivering.

Lifting his head, Dante placed his arm around your shoulders, rubbing you right arm.

You tensed at the touch, but soon relaxed as you felt the warmth of his fingers. Your eyes lifted, only now taking notice at the few stares. A middle aged woman was observing Dante's attire, her attention always back on his sword, Rebellion. Another pair of eyes was leering, from a teenaged boy, maybe a year younger then you, whom gazed at you like some sort of eye candy. You crossed your legs at that instant, seeing another man gazing at you also. Your cheeks then began to burn a bright red as you brought your view back to the floor.

Dante glanced up, giving warning glares to all that watched. He looked back to you, rubbing your cold shoulders. The goose bumps on your skin were still evident, but they seemed to be smoothing out. He curled his hand to a fist, brushing his finger across your skin. Dante realized the leather of his gloves was not assisting towards his attempt of keeping you warm.

"How are you feeling?" he asked in a whisper.

"A little better, thank you," you replied.

You were still upset about the thought of leaving him, but it didn't take long for you to think that these were your last hours of staying together. It was only logical to make the best out of it. You leaned against him, closing your eyes as you sighed. Dante holding you like this wouldn't last forever, it was painful to say, but you wouldn't lie to yourself. You wondered if Dante leaving you again would be as painful as the last time. However, the circumstances would differ. This time, you knew Dante was alive and you were not being held captive, instead you were going back home to your parents who missed you dearly. Would it be so hard like the first time? You couldn't say for sure. Opening your eyes, you looked out of the window as you drove by many trees, and little amount of cars. Droplets were on the glass, and you could see that it had begun raining. It seemed appropriate.

Dante pressed his cheek against your hair and began replaying back the memories the two of you shared. There were so many of them and it hadn't been that long since the first time you met. He wondered what he would have been doing at this particular moment if he never decided to bring you back to Devil May Cry. Dante smirked, knowing very well he'd probably be at a bar, getting massively drunk like that time he got so bad, he proposed to a mop. It was one of the best choices he ever made, he thought, he would probably be doing the same thing, hanging out with women he didn't even care about. But he was here with you, a girl that was a big part of his life now. He found more then he bargained for when he brought you in his home.

The time on the bus exceeded, and Dante and you kept with the same position. Lucinda sat be your side, quiet and maybe in thought. But when you felt the bus stop for the second time, your heartbeat began to quicken. Lucinda stood, indicating that this was your time to go. Dante pulled away from you and stood also, graciously giving you his hand. You accepted and placed your hand in his. He helped you to your feet and brought you along to one of the exits. Lucinda exited out first, with a little difficulty but she didn't stagger. Dante and you exited to her side as you heard the buses doors closed behind you, and the bus drove away. A strange feeling came to the pit of your stomach and you felt chills run down your spine. You excused it for the cause of the temperature from the rain.

"This way," Lucinda said, walking ahead.

The three of you walked onto the mud as you entered the forest ahead. That feeling did not pass and you didn't know if there was anything to prevent the feeling. You were not hungry, nor did you eat anything to make it upset in the first place. You believed it could be something else that was affecting the strange pain you had developed. It could have been fear, nerves, or depression, but you couldn't choose whether any of those were the answer.

The rain continued to pour down, the droplets like cold needles on your skin. The heel of your shoe sank in the mud and you staggered forward. Dante held your balance.

"Damn these shoes," you muttered.

You lifted one leg and began unfastening the buckle that kept the shoe on your foot.

"You're not going to go bare foot, are you? You'll get sick," Dante said.

"Anything is better then falling on my face in the mud," you replied.

You unfastened the second shoe off and brought it to your right hand, the straps hanging from your fingers. You began walking again, your feet sinking sickly in the mud. It was cold, wet and uncomfortable, but you excused the feeling and focused on something more profound. All thoughts froze however when you felt cold leather be placed on your shoulders.

"You're getting drenched," Dante pointed out, as he began putting his weapons away in any convenient areas without his coat. He settled Rebellion in his left hand as he slid his grasp upon yours.

You smiled as you tightened the coat around your shoulders and laced your fingers with his. His warmth was again there, and very necessary at the state you were in.

Lucinda continued to lead the way. You caught a glimpse at her shut eyes as she turned to the right. Did she have more abilities or was this an extending version of one of them? It didn't matter to you whether or not she did, in any case you still found her a very remarkable young woman. Dante stepped over a branch, watching as you did the same, making sure you didn't slip on the mud. It was at that moment did you realize the glistening sight Dante reflected off his body as the rain slid over it. It both made you wonder and become mesmerized. How was he not at all cold? Wouldn't Dante get sick? Do demons get sick? As for the mesmerizing part, well as a confession, you found that all handsome men wet were beyond an incredible sight. But, this you would keep to yourself.

The forest seemed to become denser as you walked farther. It was enough that it was raining, but the twigs and branches scratching across your skin were just a nuisance. Although, Dante tried to be a gentleman by holding back or lifting a branch away from you so you could pass. That same pain in your stomach felt sharper the further you went, and you wondered if this had any connection towards the antique portal Dante spoke of. You tried to ignore it, although, now it was beginning to get difficult to do so.

The rain started to come down lightly, only a prickle on your face, though the trees were useful umbrellas. Your feet were becoming quite numb in the cold, wet mud that you hadn't noticed until now you were lagging behind because of it.

Dante realized this, waiting for you a few times so he wasn't dragging you. After you avoided a few rocks, Dante waited for you to reach his side. When you did, you yelped as he scooped you up in his arms.

"Dante!"

He smirked. "Calm down, darlin', I'm doing you a favor."

With that said, you did not protest. You leaned your head against his chest, your arms sliding around his neck. He placed a tender kiss to your forehead, and caught up behind Lucinda. She avoided every obstacle in the way, so concentrated on the destination she was looking for.

Who knew how long it had been since the three of you started walking. Dante held you closely towards him, your weight not at all an issue to him. The pain in your stomach felt deeper, and you were glad that Dante was holding you.

You closed your eyes, hoping that would suppress the pain. It did not. Opening your eyes, you watched as Lucinda disappeared through a tiny opening of leaves. Dante made his way through, ducking his head to avoid a branch. Lucinda stood at an opening in the forest, almost cropped in a perfect circle. She stood there like a statue, unmoving.

"I believe...this might be it," she informed in the slightest of whispers.

Dante gazed around, seeing nothing, but of course he wasn't a Dimentorium. His eyes couldn't see what you can. At a first glance, you too could not see anything, just an open space that distended far out. But as your eyes flickered across the area you saw a strange liquid shine in the air. You were bemused at the fact that there was no light to be able to reflect. The skies were clouded, hiding the stars in secrecy. You also saw the rain was hitting against the glistening shine.

Yet the area of nothingness was still wet, indicating that there was no object there. The rain droplets seem to lessen as it hit against your face.

Lucinda turned to you, her smile hopeful. "Do you see it, ______?"

You couldn't say for sure. If it were there it wasn't at all conspicuous. "I...I think I do...but it's very hard to see."

She looked thoughtful, unsure of what to do.

"Maybe she needs to get closer," Dante suggested.

Lucinda nodded, gesturing Dante to move forward. He did so, walking fully into the rain without protection from the trees. The grass grew only to a limit, as the terrain turned into dirt, but from the circumstances of the rain, it became mud.

"Warn me when we get close enough, okay? I don't want to be walking into any walls."

You laughed lightly and nodded your head towards him. Dante's suggestion was knowledgeable; it appeared the strange things you saw were becoming a little more understanding. The strange glistened was glass. The closer he got, everything began to reveal in front of your eyes. The glass was part of an incredibly large sphere. The sphere reflected off a tint of blue in different shades. It literally looked like the sphere's contents were filled with bright blue water. The sphere was held together by three lengthy, thin pieces of stone that surrounded it. It sat against a base, held high atop a cylinder base that rested on the ground. The base had many columns of white stone stacked in a pattern all around. The base then had a flight of stairs, circling around the edifice.

"Wow..." you whispered, intrigued and blown away.

Dante stared at you with bewilderment and stared towards the direction your eyes were on. He still saw nothing.

"______ must step into the temple in order for it to be exposed in front our eyes," Lucinda reminded.

"Put me down, Dante," you whispered.

Dante laid you on your feet. You dropped your shoes in front of you and began sliding your foot in one. Dante helped with the other, as if you were Cinderella in that famous fairy tale. This was much like a fairy tale to you, but it seemed that--not like the rest--it wouldn't turn out to be a happy ending. With the straps securely fastened, you pulled off Dante's jacket and handed it back to him. You smiled when he gave you a look of concern, reassuring him that you would be fine without the warmth. You turned back towards the temple that only stood a few feet away, and began walking. The amount of droplets coming from above was now infinitesimal. Each step you took forward, your stomach began to churn, almost enough to be a scourged pain. But--you didn't know how--you ignored it, dismissed it as insignificance. This time you did not stumble over when your heels sank in the mud, you continued with admirable balance, your eyes transfixed on the temple. You hesitated when you were barely inches away to take the first step. Would you fall if you stepped atop the stairs? Or would they just she you lift above the ground as if floating? You took the first step. Your heel clicked as it touched the stone stair.

Dante's eyes widened in astonishment as the air beneath you materialized into what looked like to be white stone. As you took another step, the white stone extended, and slowly it began to grow further in different directions. He now could identify the white stone as a flight of stairs.

"Incredible..." Lucinda whispered, watching the amazing aura grow in front of her. "All she had to do was step onto it."

A whisper of a strange sound projected in the area, it sounded simply musical as the temple materialized in front of Lucinda's and Dante's eyes. The sphere glowed a bright blue and returned to normal as the last of the temple was exposed. You took the last step above the stairs and turned towards the two. By the look of stupefaction across their features, you realized that they could now see the temple as clearly as you could. Dante shook his head, becoming sober. He walked forward, reluctantly taking a step on the stairs before making his way all the way up to meet by your side. Lucinda, however, balked a few inches away.

"It's alright, Luci"--she grinned lightly at the nickname--"it's safe to stand on," you reassured.

She shook her head, her smile brightening. "It appears I cannot go on."

"Why not?" Dante scoffed at her strange thought.

Lucinda's smile didn't waver. "Unlike you, I am not connected; therefore I cannot enter the temple. The temple was created for Dimentoriums, you and ______ hold a connection which binds you, Dante, to have the ability to enter the temple also. I, however, do not hold the same connection the two of you share, so I cannot enter, it will only repel me."

"Really?" you asked. She nodded once. You frowned and jogged down the flight of stairs. You embraced her tightly. "I guess this is where we will have to say goodbye." Your sight began to blur with tears, so you shut your lids, letting the tears fall, cascaded over your cheeks.

Lucinda wrapped her arms around you, letting the book she was holding fall to the floor and began soothing her hand up and down your back. She leaned her cheek against your hair, sighing. "I will miss you, ______. It is too bad that you had to leave so soon, hon, but I will not let go the memories we shared, I will remember you."

"Me, too." Was all you could say. You sniffled, tightening your eyes closed. "I'll never forget you, I'll never forget how you helped me, I wouldn't be here on my way...home"--the word brought that nervous feeling to return to you--"if it weren't for you. I appreciate all that you have done for me."

Lucinda grinned. "It was my pleasure, hon." She pulled away from you, wiping your tears away with her thumb. "Such beauty shouldn't be washed away by tears." You saw the glisten of wear at the rims of her eyes, she was about to cry also.

"I could say the same to you," you replied.

She closed her lids over her sightless eyes and laughed lightly. She hugged you again then let you go. "Take care with your future, since I won't be able to watch over you any longer as soon as you leave."

"I promise." You beamed.

Lucinda's expression then became serious. "When you enter the temple, there you will find a platform. This platform is the antique portal; it will send you to your dimension. All you have to do is step onto it, and let a part of you fall onto the glass. It should work then." She smiled slightly again. "Enjoy life back home...goodbye."

She took a step away and bowed her head. Now that the rain had stopped, you were able to see the tears fall from her eyes to the ground. You wiped at your own tears and turned, walking back up the flight of stairs. It was easier not to look back. Dante understood this, taking your hand in his as the two of you stepped towards the nearest doorway leading inside. Both of your footsteps were slow, you noticed. The two of you wanted to drag these last few moments as much as you could. As you entered the temple, your eyes rested on a large circular platform that centered in the temple, three stone statues surrounding it. The platform itself looked like plated glass over water; the water was bright and flickered rays of light. Your grip on Dante's hand tightened then. Your strides were now hesitant as you neared the platform.

All memories flashed over your eyesight, from the first time you met, when you thought you were dreaming. Your relationship with Dante grew favorably then on, it was a shame you had to now leave it all behind. That pain in your stomach--probably caused by the temples aura--was replaced with an empty hole. You replayed the memories over and over again, especially the ones where the two of you expressed your affection toward one another. Another memory came passing through your mind, the memory when you were upset with what Dante's lust had induced him to do that night he gave you the backrub you earned. That was all but a fleeting memory that could easily be forgotten. You wished it was just as easy as forgetting that image in your head, the image of Dante's lifeless body after Orein stabbed him. But you believed it would take more of an effort.

Dante's hand tightened on yours as he took a long stride over the platform. Nothing happened, and he expected himself to be safe on it, although, reluctance stopped you from stepping on it also. Lucinda mentioned that a part of you needed to fall onto the glass in order for it to start up. What if your foot would be all that was needed to trigger it? You were afraid to walk further. Dante turned, staring as you stood there, indecisive whether you would continue further or not. Dante took both your hands as he faced you, taking steps back, pulling you atop the platform.

"No!" you gasped.

But nothing happened.

"It's all right," he said convincingly.

You took another step on the platform, and still nothing seemed to affect anything. You became calm again--your notion of calm anyway--and walked further after Dante. He then stopped at the very center, his hands still holding yours. He grinned down to you as you stopped in front of him. Your eyes welled up with fresh new tears as you stared up at him, your bottom lip trembling.

"I don't want to go," you confessed.

"You need to," he whispered. He brought his fingers towards your lips, brushing across them. "You'll be safer back home."

"I'll be safer with you."

"Not in this dimension."

You lowered your head, looking away from him. The tears hadn't fallen yet. Dante brought his hand to your chin, tilting your head so your sight was back on his.

"I love you, ______. Please, don't make this harder then it already is."

A sad smile curved upon your lips. "I love you, too. Don't forget about me, please." Hearing those three words from his lips sounded so much more beautiful in person rather then in a dream, it made your heart lift a bit from the hole it was falling into.

Dante brought you into a tight embrace, his hand stroking your hair. You laid your head against the crook of his neck, your high heels giving you added height, as you held him tightly also.

"I wouldn't be able to forget you, even if I tried; you're already a part of my life."

You let out a breath, your hold on him tightening. You closed your eyes, the tears that hung finally falling free. They glistened from the rays of the platform underneath you. They spilled over your already tear stained cheeks, stopping at your chin. Slowly, the first one dropped, and then the other. They landed on the glass platform, their impact causing the water underneath the glass to ripple. The platform glowed vibrantly. As soon as you opened your eyes, the ground began to shake. You gasped as you heard screeches, growls and many other strange calls. Dante and you shot your gaze towards the doorways where throngs of demons approached.

"They were attracted by the aura," you heard him whisper.

Worried, you brought your eyes back on him. A sad smile stood upon his lips. He pulled his arms away from you, grabbing the amulet he wore around his neck and lifting it over his head.

"I want you to hold this for me," he began.

"Dante--"

He immediately interrupted your protest. "Keep it safe, until I come back for it, okay?"

You stared at him with confusion but slowly nodded as he placed it around your neck. You didn't understand, but did this mean that someway, someday, the two of you would reunite again? The red stone brightly shined with the light of the glowing water. Dante then smashed his lips against yours. More tears fell from your eyes and onto the platform as you slid your arms around his neck. You understood now, your tears were what was part of you, and as it fell on the platform, your descent to your dimension had begun. This was probably the hardest kiss Dante had ever given you, emotionally and physically. When you felt your feet lift off the air, you felt a strange sensation envelope your body. You tried to hold onto Dante as tightly as you could, you weren't ready to leave yet, even with the crowd of demons itching forward. But your hold began to slip away, as did his lips slip from yours. Dante took your hand as you began to float above him, the blue light engulfing everything. You held on his hand tightly, realizing your fingers were sliding out of his grip.

The water then faded through the glass, spiraling around you as your skin shined in the light. You watched Dante as he became smaller the higher you went. He stared at you in desperation. The sensation became overwhelming and you closed your eyes. The throng of demons then began to step into the light, and instantly, one by one, they began to disperse into nothingness. You felt yourself leaning your hand back, your arms to your sides. The floating water circled, when suddenly, it was absorbed into your dress. The dress changed into a faint blue. Your senses began to lessen in ability, you no longer smelled the fresh air, no longer heard the agonizing screeches of demons.

Dante stared up, his eyebrows furrowing in sadness. He watched as your feet began to disintegrate, trailing towards your legs and then your waist. Your presence fell into glowing particles like snowflakes on a winter day. He brought out his had to catch one. Slowly, it faded. Dante looked back up, your head and your shoulders left. Your shoulders then to fell into particles. Suddenly, he heard your voice as he saw you completely disappear.

Dante...Dante...Dante...

It echoed throughout the temple, fading away just as the light was. And then, just as suddenly as it came, it was gone.

You, the light, the glowing snowflakes, the demons...everything, gone. Dante couldn't seem to breathe properly when he realized that you were gone away from him. Eventually, his breathing returned to normal as he took slow steps towards the exit.

Lucinda watched him exit; eagerly hoping that he was all right. She saw the demons auras charge into the temple but she had no way of preventing them.

"Dante..." she whispered as he reached the last step of the stairs.

That's all that he could take. Dante collapsed onto his knees. Lucinda's whisper was just like yours as you said it one final time. Lucinda moved forward, wondering if he was okay. But instead, watching Dante's aura, she saw a lighter tint of red fall from his eye. It was a tear.

Dante didn't think he would be in such a state, his egotistic, cool attitude washed away into nothingness. He just witnessed the very dearest thing leave him, possibly forever. When Lucinda approached his fragile body, getting down on her knees to his level, he embraced her. All he needed right now was comfort. Lucinda embraced him in returned, stroking his back.

"She's in a better place now, Dante. She's safe."

"Safe..." Dante repeated the word.

The word meant little to him at the moment as he closed his eyes, imagining your face with that beautiful smile, your voice lilting as he always remembered it.

I love you, too. Don't forget about me, please.

You didn't know how long it had been as you stayed in the black abyss, silent and alone. You couldn't hear, you couldn't feel, you couldn't see. Where were you? Did you really return home? It was too dark, as if you were locked up in a tight box with not so much as a little crack of light seeping through. Were you really blind, or was it just the darkness that clouded your vision? The answer to that question was given when a red light illuminated the darkness. You looked down, the red light coming from your chest. You reached to touch it. At first, your fingers were still numb, but eventually you could feel the smoothness of the stone under your fingers. Your sense of the smell began to return too. It smelled like something burnt, something rotting.

"Where am I?" you whispered.

That smell reminded you nothing of home. Suddenly, you felt something cold on your back, feeling gravity for the very first in a long time. The red light from the amulet faded, leaving in the darkness once again. But instead, this time you closed your eyes. When you opened them up again they felt heavy, almost glued shut. You coughed out as your lungs took in musty air. You tried sitting up, but your body felt limp. You decided to focus hard on one thing. With much exertion, your eyes opened groggily. The sight you saw was something strange, unexpected. The sky...it was dark, reddish. You focused on sitting up this time, and again it took a lot of effort.

Your eyes opened wide, flickering to every area you could see. Chaos and destruction was something your eyes couldn't see beyond. Buildings destroyed, fires growing in flame and left unattended, uncontrolled. The place looked bleak, all nature burnt into a crisp.

Was this home?

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*Author's Note: Epic ending! What happened, I wonder? I wish there was a sequel!