It should have been just another typical crosspath when they first met. One thing that unites Nico and Nero as the foundation of their relationship.

Fortuna was the major event that took the globe by surprise. They were both aware of the events occurring in that charming ancient town. Nico found the story of the young man with all of his quirks fascinating, especially the white hair that caught everyone's attention. Furthermore, when Nico saw the devil's hand, she shivered within, providing proof that demons exist and are not just a work of fiction.

Nico and Nero are two individuals with unique characters.

They quarrel all the time. Swore till laughed together. They meant to complement one another. They both shared the same issue as a result of what they had gone through.

They perceive the world as harsh because God chose not to provide them with the one who ought to be by their side—someone who would embrace, protect, and love them. A family, a parent. The image is invariably a shadow, a desert oasis, or even a charming summertime fantasy. That might be the best option that God offers them. They occasionally chuckle at the circumstances. They're not mad though.

Only sadness remains.

Nico has been bothered by something lately. Something tickled her stomach until it consumed all of her attention. Occasionally, it struck out of nowhere like a freight train, stealing her attention as she worked on fixing her van. It came close to hitting her head or giving her a wrench-related nose bump. It occurred once more while she was by herself, meandering through life. She became nauseous thinking it.

However Nico always thought Dante was Nero's father. But now everything seems upside down when another white haired man appear. Vergil his name, Dante's twin, who it turned out was the father who had been absent from Nero's life.

Unexpectedly, "that" flashed into her mind. For a brief moment, the sight and sensation of struggle were accompanied with further melancholy.

She returned to her focus on her van again that afternoon.

During their'relax' time, as they sat on a bench on the back porch and watched the sunset, Kyrie noticed that Nero's frowning face looked more shimmering this day.

The three white-haired men were rehearsing in the afternoon under the pretext of spending time together for Sparda's family, while the red-haired women sat elegantly and watched. Nico grew tired of hearing the fabled Devil Hunter's thousand justifications, yet she still enjoyed the time because she 'needs time to relax' too.

Nico wished she could watch the setting sun and then just relax; savor pricey wine and decadent cuisine. Unfortunately, it was merely in her head. Reality seems to be in complete contrast to expectations. Nico couldn't help but groaned in dissapoint.

Looking past the Coca-Cola bottle, Nico cast her gaze. Nero with pride swings the Red Queen around. A second set of blades comes into view, and the flash of silver stops abruptly. Nero leaped and came to a standstill. Sheathing the Yamato was Vergil.

Well, everything is back to square one.

She doesn't know what they were doing, but Nico is better at judging everything by looking at Nero's body language. They are arguing again. Vergil stood staring at his son. Spit out a few words.

"They're fighting again." Nico sighs, fiddling with the half-empty Coca-Cola bottle in hand. She glanced over and found Kyrie not even bothering to make any movement, staring at the white-haired lover while playing with the steaming hot teacup.

"Should we stop them?" Nico asked, and Kyrie shook her head.

"Let them sort things out on their own." Finally, the thick liquid was swallowed by Kyrie with great pleasure. Nico snorted and looked back at them.

Not long after that, Dante approached, smacked Vergil on the back of his head, then made a face. Nero took a step back, allowing whatever Dante said on Vergil's behalf to dampen Nero's explosive anger.

Nero sighed, holding out his hand.

Vergil gave Yamato, then smiled. After that, he let out a laugh that, out of character, made Nero scratch his head, and Dante laughed too.

Nico eyes widened.

The feeling grew stronger.

She finally knows what that uneasy feeling is.

Envy.

Nico remembered that incident from approximately a week ago, and her brows knitted. The stronger the feeling, the more she recalled it. Eat her with unquenchable rage. Between clinched teeth, the cigarette curled excitedly. The realization that so many years would pass before that feeling vanished struck with a long, despairing sigh.

It turned out to be wrong.

Nico felt the sensation come back smoothly, causing her gut to knot. It is completely disliked by her.

"Hey, Nico, do you hear me?" Nero patted the seat impatiently. Receiving no response, his feet landed hard on the seat and Nico went back to the living world. With a solid bitch face, Nico turns to face her best buddy. "What's your problem? I'm listenin' here." Nico barked.

"Then did you hear what I just said?" Nero asked, folding his arms. Nico turned rigid.

"What's wrong with you, huh? You never spaced out like that before. And I mean, like, the whole thing went sideways."

"Nothing."

"Then why do you keep making that face? You're not even listening. I've been patient here."

Something inside Nico exploded and moved on cue, carried away by a rush of anger. She stood up from the seat. "Listen, I should be the one saying that. So don't just order me around. I'm older than you!" Her high-pitched tone provoked Nero.

"Hey, hold on, what's wrong with you?"

"I'm tired of hearin' that ramblin' of yours. Can you shut your mouth for a sec and act mature?" Nico pointed it out.

"What the hell, Nico? I do what I want with my mouth that doesn't concern you."

"Then why don't you discuss it with your father and uncle, huh? They better with this."

"I need your insight about this, too. That's important. But why bring them into this conversation? I already have their opinion."

"Then you don't have mine, do you?"

"I don't understand what's the problem here."

"You would be better with them than me!"

Nico had never looked so enraged to Nero's eyes. With a gasp, he leaped a little and peered into Nico's brown eyes, hoping to find an answer there. Sadly, he saw only rage. Her remarks against Dante and his father, infuriated Nero.

"Now get out!"

"Fine, whatever." Nero turned around and gave the van door a forceful smash, causing the entire vehicle to shudder. Nico let out a sigh and took a seat on the couch beside the window, using both hands to shield her face. "Shit."

The van door opened again shortly after that. Still engrossed in her feelings, Nico was completely unaware when the sound of boots halted in front of her. After what seems like a million seconds of waiting for Nico to let herself became a damsel in distress. But alas, nothing happen. Did Nero change his mind and just playing silent treatment. For whatever reason, she get the courage to speak first.

"What do you want? Fuck off."

"I've never heard you raise your voice like that, Nicoletta."

Nico emitted a gasp. When she opened her eyes, Vergil was seated in front of her. Nico is lost in silence under that piercing gaze. Why in the world did Vergil enter the van by himself and put her in such an awkward situation? She wondered.

"What do you want?"

"Just looking at the situation, That's when I saw Nero get out of the car with a dejected face. Did something happen?"

Nico slumped onto the seat, looking away. "None of your business."

Vergil stared intensely at the artisan, trying to understand and analyzing the look on Nico's pissed off face.

"Nero is talking about you." Vergil said. Nico snorted.

"We will not have this conversation." She said it calmly. Nico tried hard to stop whatever they were about to talk about. Because for Nico, talking to Vergil wasn't a part where she would be patient enough to slam anything to his face.

"But with that gesture of yours, anyone would know you wanted to say something. You're not very good at hiding your feelings, Nicoletta."

"Stop with the Nicoletta thin' before I throw you with this doll." Nico threatened, holding a small doll. Vergil pretended not to hear Nico's threat and continued.

"I lived in the underworld longer than on earth. I tried to kill Dante repeatedly, and I didn't even know Nero existed in this world. You must think I'm an asshole. But I understand how someone feels, Nicoletta, because I learned through Nero. And I understand the situation you are in."

Nico listened. "What's that?"

"You're jealous of Nero about him having a family. Is that right?"

"You know nothing."

"Is that true, then?"

Nico kept her mouth shut because what Vergil said was right on topic. "I have no obligation to say anything' to you. Hell, you're not even my family."

"I am not, but Nero is."

She smacks the doll squarely in Vergil's face with all her strength. Nevertheless, the man maintained his composure and stone visage without even flinching. He takes up the doll instead, keeping it atop the desk. He glances at the doll for a moment.

"I know you won't listen to me. Nero, he cares about you, whatever bad thing you say to him."

Without even looking at Nico's reply, he remarked this while getting up from his seat. Vergil lets out an unintentional sigh and looks up, deep in contemplation. "Please forgive him if he hurts your feelings, because you fully understand that Nero is growing up without a father that teaches him how to talk properly to people."

With a soft thump that resembled a whisper, the van door closed. After hearing Vergil's confession, Nico was left speechless in her chair.

A father.

Vergil's tone hurt so much when he talked about it.

She was already uncomfortable from her altercation with Nero before, and Vergil's remarks made her feel much worse. It appears as though she poisons the father and the son while stabbing them both with an exquisite flower.

Maybe she should have to apologize to them about the way she acted.

"Nico?"

Nico darted her head, and Dante came in with a cat-like step. He stops midway because Nico glares, sending a dark aura toward him. "Is this a bad time, huh, kid?"

Trish may not fully get the concept of human response, but she is familiar with all those expressions. That expression following after a fight between two persons. Instead of fighting with hand and kick, fight use words is more impactful.

Vergil's facial expression during his fight with Dante may not be as subtle as it could be, but Nero—oh, that poor child. After the fight, Trish thought Nero would shatter into a million pieces. Trish can only assume. She think they banter like always, all forgiven and everything's fine. But right now, Nico must be hard on him and the boy took it real serious.

He had an awful expression with a hint of sadness.

She stand side by side with Lady but the hunter say nothing. Keep her cool like nothing happen. But inside she knows better.

"I will take the underground part of the city. Trish and Lady, can you make your way to the west?' Dante said, eyeing both hunter.

"We will." Lady said, clutching Kalina Ann on her shoulder. Trish gave a nod.

"I guess Nero and I venture to the east part of the city, right?" Vergil is looking at his brother. Dante gave a nod.

"You two are fine with this?" He asked, because he worried about them. Nero looks at Dante with an unreadable expression. "Sure."

"Fine. Let's get started. And don't die, please." Dante claps his hand with a slight grin.

Lady, just shrug it off with Trish on the bike. Both of them ride fast, almost like tornadoes, leaving the Sparda's kin into the darkness. Nero takes a deep breath before he follows Vergil. A grip on his shoulder stopped him, and he found Dante so close than he should be. A whisper in his ear almost made Nero tickle.

"Hey, can we talk?"

"About what?"

Dante handed a three-set mechanic arm. One of them is Ragtime. "What does this mean?"

Dante shrug. "You know. Nico may be in a bad mood right now, but she is still your friend. She gave me this; consider that she's worried about you."

"Is she?"

"She did."

Nero hesitated but still take the weapon. "Fine, I'll take this."

Nero gave a little nod and walked toward his father, who was already waiting for him under the light from the street lamp. The sun was already down, and the wind was getting cold. Dante watches when his brother and nephew disappear into the shadow.

The voice resumed. The sound grew more exquisite as he approached. Dante nearly went insane because of it. He have to calm. With that voice, Dante became increasingly uncomfortable. He froze, staring down at the ramshackle stairs that vanished into the darkness. A heavy, rumbling air felt like it was eating away at every square inch of his flesh, warning of impending disaster.

Dante wasn't afraid. He just worried.

He remained motionless, sensing the many winds swirling around him. From somewhere in the shadows, he could smell fire, sulfur, and decaying flesh. And another scorching fire, blazing through the cold.

Vergil and Nero.

Their fire always burns. So tempting, an incomparable warmth.

When Dante first encountered Nero in Fortuna, he came to comprehend one thing. A boy with blue eyes and white hair. Dante recognized Nero's resemblance to Vergil at first sight. A reflection of himself. Back then, Dante made a vow to keep Nero safe and embrace him like family.

Likewise, when he found out that Vergil was still alive, When he looked at V, he could see Vergil's stare in his eyes. Even though they differed from head to toe, Dante knew something in V's talk reminded him of his annoying late brother.

Dante made his second vow.

He will protect his family.

Dante's footsteps led him further into the darkness, where the light disappeared completely. Ruins from buildings blocked every path, making the legendary demon hunter jump around, dodging the rocks.

The roar of the rubble above Dante's head. Something up there made him spontaneously look up, listening to whatever was the source of the sound. Gravel and dust flew in the dark room, causing Dante to wave his hands so the dust wouldn't get on his jacket.

From behind, a growl made Dante turn around. Empusa's group emerged from the shadows of darkness. The shrieks echoed, causing Dante to take out Ebony and Ivory, shooting right at the target, knocking Empusa one by one to the floor. The hunter, without hesitation, continued to shoot, eliminating every enemy in front of him.

A flash of light hit Dante, and he quickly dodged. It clearly imprinted the burnt hole in the floor near his feet. Dante glanced over to find Baphomet standing proudly, staring at him with a satisfied face. An annoyed Dante shot straight into the forehead, and the creature fell to its knees, dead. "Don't be arrogant just yet."

Empusa gathered again, and this time their number increased. An impatient Dante holstered his two prided pistols. Dante's Devil Sword materialized in his hand. Because of endless vexation, Dante mounted a stance, the great sword giving off a red aura. He slashes at his enemies, sending them into misery.

The fight ended in victory at the hands of Dante.

"I didn't expect to meet you here, Dante."

Dante darted his body quickly and found a large portal appearing in front of him. The green light grew brighter, causing Dante to step back, away from the portal.

A long hand reached out from the portal, revealing bony fingers with black tips. A shabby robe covered his body. The cloth that covered half to half of the hand was slowly parted. The shape of the talking creature stomped his feet on the shattered floor. Dante looked up and down, coming to the conclusion that the creature that came out of the portal was a human. Or so that he sees.

But there is something wrong with him.

"Sorry, but I've never seen you before." Dante walked slowly, watching from a safe distance. The gaze never leaves the person or is more like a creature.

"You know nothing." The skinny arm grabbed the hoodie that covered his entire head and face.

Nothing can describe how Dante feels now when he sees the face behind the hood that covers his face. It's weird—destroyed, to be exact. Slashes after slashes split the face until the skin mingled into new veins. The corners of his face hardened, leaving a trail of burning, smoldering flames. I could say that his face was no longer shaped like a human face.

"You are a hindrance." With a slow but purposeful motion, the man raised his hand again, pointing at Dante.

The ground beneath Dante cracked, and a sharp black object struck with all his might. The demon sword parried the attack, throwing the hunter up. Something appeared in the darkness. The man smiled. His body was surrounded by squirming plants.

It's the devil's finger.

Dante's hands take out Ebony and shoot. It covered the man, blocking the hot lead he was aiming for.

The battle has just begun, and Dante is experiencing something very dangerous for the first time since he fought Urizen.

Something dark.