Nero closed the door of the library as he walked out. The body of China Sorrows was still impaled onto the wall with the icicle that peirced her chest. Nero bowed his head in respect to his fallen comrade. He walked to Skulduggerys' car and noticed someone in the front seat cloaked in black with a hood covering their face and reading a book. Valkyrie and Shadow stood outside the black Bentley. Nero stared at Shadow with eyes of hatred. Valkyrie came up to Nero and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around Valkyrie yet still glared at Shadow. Skulduggery honked the horn giving the trio a fright and shouted for them to hurry up. Shadow climbed into the Bentley, followed by Valkyrie then Nero. Valkyrie gripped Neros' hand and he intertwined their fingers. She smiled as the car sped off from the library. Skulduggery turned to the person who was in the car and whispered something unaudible. The shrouded figure just nodded in agreement.
"Skul, where are we going?" Asked Valkyrie.
"A shrine to dragons, we'll find answers to questions we have," he replied bleakly.
The drive took about four hours in total as they drove in silence, apart from Valkyrie whispering into Neros' ear. Sometimes he would laugh which lightened the mood in the car. As they pulled up to the ruins the shrouded figure closed the book it was reading. It climbed out the car gracefully and looked around. A slight breeze wafted through the ruins. Nero climbed out the car and felt a familiar presence here. Valkyrie climbed out after Nero and smiled at the sun, which was shining the brightest it has been in quite some time. Skulduggery stepped out at the same time as Shadow and looked at Valkyrie, seeing her really happy for the firt time in a long time. Nero grinned as he seen Valkyries' smile. Shadow turned swiftly around as he heard a noise from behind him. Standing there was the tall, bulky, brown haired man that Skulduggery met while Nero and Valkyrie slept in the hotel.
"Chris, how are you?" Asked Skulduggery.
"I am good Skul," smiled Chris. His eyes drew towards Nero, who looked back to him. Suddenly it clicked in Neros' mind who this man was. He sprinted up to Chris and gave him a tight hug.
"Chris, it's been too long," laughed Nero to the man.
"Roxas, how is everyone?" Asked Chris.
"Jill's fine if you really want to know," replied Nero, smirking.
"Good, I'll get to see her soon, as will you get to see your mother and sister," smiled Chris. Shadow stepped over to Nero and leaned towards his ear.
"Who's the creep in black?" He asked.
"Not now Shadow," growled Neron anger raging in his veins.
"So why are we here?" Asked Valkyrie, confused.
"Right, I should explain, well here in this area is a certain seal that brings forth a portal that'll sort everything. The only problem is to open the seal we need three gods battling and for one of them to die. God blood breaks any seal and reveals the gateway to Neros' world."
"The only problem is to find three gods then," said Shadow.
"Not exactly," said Valkyrie, "right now we have two gods, three of the visions are true."
"Darquesse, Lord Vile and Nero," said Skulduggery.
"Nero is a god?" Asked Shadow, bewildered.
"It's my virus, isn't it? It gives me god-like power so we may be able to trick the seal."
"So, let's do this then," said Valkyrie, regretting her comment.
"But I don't know how to release Lord Vile and Valkyrie doesn't know how to summon Darquesse."
"Yes, well I am unsure how we are going to do this," said Chris, sadly.
"Well lucky you have me then," said the shrouded figure, it's voice sweet, gentle and very, very familiar. Shadow spun around and growled as he recognised the voice. The figure pulled it's hood down revealing itself to be China Sorrows.
"Fucking reflections," cursed Shadow, summoning his sword. Nero did the same and stood in front of China as she began furiously tapping the symbols on her body. Shadow sprinted towards Nero and began slashing at him. Nero blocked most of Shadows' attacks but a few slices cut his arm and leg. Nero fell to one knee and Shadow was about to deliver a fatal blow but Nero brought his sword straight up. Shadow fell the the ground, a massive cut from his crotch to his chin. A sudden golden aura covered Shadow and his cut healed. He stood up and his entire body turned gold. The red in his hair grew brighter and he clenched his fist. Nero stood up to look Shadow in the red eyes of his. Shadow stroked Neros' cheek and smiled. Nero smiled back at him then felt a pain like never before surge through his body. He looked down to see Shadows' wrist protruding through his stomach. Blood trickled from Neros' lips. Valkyrie looked on and tears fell from her eyes. Shadow pulled his hand from Nero and Nero fell to the ground, dead. A familiar darkness washed over Valkyrie, taking her mind from her body and in her place was Darquesse.
"I've been waiting for this, Darquesse," laughed Super Shadow.
"I hope you are fun," stated Darquesse.
"Darquesse, leave Valkyries' body," ordered Skulduggery.
"Where is Lord Vile? He was such fun," laughed Darquesse.
Chris and China stood out the way of Darquesse and Shadow brawling. Chris dragged Neros' dead body from the battlefield. China finished of tapping her symbols and Skulduggerys' body became shrouded in darkness. Skulduggery fell on the ground, out cold. Where he once stood was now standing a suit of black armour.
"Oh hi, Lord Vile," giggled Darquesse. Shadow dashed towards Lord Vile and shot a barrage of golden arrows of energy towards him. The energy peirced the armour and sent him flying. Darquesse flew behind Shadow and blasted energyballs at Shadow. Each attack hit and caused major damage to the 'god'. Shadow landed beside Nero and the golden energy seeped into Nero. His wound closed up and his eyes opened. The once blue irises turned blood red and he leapt up and snapped Shadow's neck.
"There's four gods?" Asked Chris.
"Yes, I had to use a spell to make sure that if Darquesse and Vile die here they will never return," replied China.
Nero summoned his sword and impaled Darquesse. He began furiously slashing her into tiny pieces. Suddenly the pieces joined together and the darkness of Darquesse burst out of Valkyrie's body. Some of Darquesses' blood fell on the seal as well as Shadow's blood. Blood from Vile also dripped onto the seal. The darkness of Vile burst out of the armour and the pieces fell to the ground. Skulduggery rose to his feet and he looked around to see Valkyrie being held up by Nero. He brought his sword to his hand and cut into it. The blood seeped onto the seal and a bright light erupted from the seal. A portal emerged from the light and inside was Claire and Namine.
"So, Nero, what you gonna do?" Asked Valkyrie.
"I think I am going to go home, but I want you to come with me, Val," replied Nero, holding her hand. Tears began streaming down her face and she hugged onto him.
"Valkyrie, you could lead a normal life over in Neros' world," said Skulduggery.
"I really want to but I'm not sure, I can't leave my family behind," sobbed Valkyrie.
"We'll find a way to make a portal to send you back, remember a year in my world is a day here," smiled Nero. Skulduggery nodded at her and she hugged Nero.
"Do you think if my reflection would still work if I wasn't in this world?" Asked Valkyrie.
"We can make it a perfect replica of you and make sure it leads a normal life until you decide to return or not," smiled China.
"Let's go then," grinned Valkyrie. Chris ran to the portal and leapt through, closely followed by Valkyrie and Nero. As Nero passed through the portal his body began changing. His muscles became more lean and his face grew stubble. As they finished passing through the portal Valkyire turned to the portal and saw Skulduggery one final time.
"I love you Skul," smiled Valkyrie, a tear flowing down her cheek. Skulduggery simply waved his hand and smiled, or tried to smile.
About 3 hours later Nero and Valkyrie were sitting in a small room with a double bed, a cupboard and a sink.
"Feels like a prison cell, Nero," whispered Valkyrie.
"I know, but I'm sure we'll be fine," replied Nero. Suddenly the door opened up and standing there was Claire 'Lightning' Farron.
"Mum, why are we in here?" Asked Nero.
"Well it's a surprise," replied his mum, winking. She ushered the pair through to the main room and as they entered they noticed the room had been completely redone with banners which read 'welcome home' and alcoholic beverages.
"Thanks guys," smiled Nero. Valkyrie stood akwardly until Nero placed his hand on her waist. She placed her hand on his shoulded and kissed his cheek. Unbeknown to the pair a man with platinum hair and a bright blue coat watched the pair from the other side of the room. Vergil quitely fumed to himself with jealously. As the hours ticked by everyone was getting rather drunk. Claire went to her bed, Namine crashed out on the couch, Valkyrie crashed out on Neros' lap and Chris went looking for Jill Valentine. Nero took a sip of his vodka/cola and noticed a familiar face sitting beside him.
"Hello, Verg," slurred Nero.
"Hello, Roxas," smiled Vergil.
"Uh huh, it's Nero now," replied Nero, having a slightly angry look on his face but covered with a drunken constipated face.
"So, Nero, why did I ever let you go?" Questioned Vergil.
"I don't know, you stood up and left me with the bills," replied Nero, harshly.
"I'm sorry about that, my love," said Vergil, cupping Neros' face with one hand and stroking his chest with his other.
"No, stop," growled Nero, "I'm with Valkyrie."
"And what she doesn't know won't hurt her," smiled Vergil, devilishly.
Nero raised his head to reach Vergils' lips but at the last moment he kissed his cheek.
"Goodnight Verg," said Nero before cuddling into Valkyrie and allowing the darkness of sleep to overcome him.
And that's the end guys. Review please and look out for my next fic called Fantasy High coming in the next few weeks :D love you guys