Disclaimer: This remake is following a draft that I've finished prior to the ending of Nier's first anime season. So if any characters seem to be off later on that's why.

'Thoughts'

"Dialogue"

…Unidentifiable Speaker…

The afterlife, the idea of where one goes after death. A concept enrapturing humanity since the very beginning. At a young age humans are start out small, innocent, and naive. Reaching senior years their growing size becomes crippled, influences morphing the innocence, and the world shattering their narrow views to life. In place is something only granted through perseverance; experience. Old teaches the young in order to prepare and break the boundaries set by the previous generations. The stages of life are well-documented. When it comes to death, you'll have a better chance at exploring the ocean floor. You cannot be brought back to land of the living and tell what's on the other side. Thus humans opted for a different approach. Around the world most have come to consider the afterlife as a continuation for the human soul. When a human expires their spiritual essence transcends the natural world to another plane of existence. This place is believed to be home of divine beings responsible for all of creation.

They labeled this realm as Heaven, the home of the father and mother figures responsible for the miracle of human life. In order to reach this alternate plane you must announce their undying loyalty by ceremony. Temples around the world are dedicated for this occasion so the heavenly beings can witness their allegiance. Success grants the soul ready upon death. From there on they would join alongside their creators for the rest of eternity. Many have followed these practices to the very end. Regularly attending these temples and having the young undergo it at the early ages so they too will be granted access to the Land of the Gods.

In a way humans weren't completely wrong for there did exist a plane beyond the human realm. However the preachings of golden clouds, angels, and caring gods were nothing but fanatical spewing. In reality the realm lacked heavenly grace, the fathers and mothers proudly carved in marble statues didn't exist. In contrast to a place of divinity settled a landscape oozing in darkness. Humanoid reptiles with claws capable of ripping open the strongest metal. Disgusting amalgamations of spirits harboring incantations to destroy atoms. Beasts thriving in flames hotter than the sun. These creatures came in various forms and sizes but they all shared a common trait. The hunger for power.

You see humans are proven to be a viable food source to get stronger. Be it organs, bones, even souls all parts of the human body is craved by their insatiable hunger. Unfortunately for the earth dwellers they lacked the strength even the weakest of the creatures possessed to put up a fight. An afterlife of agony and torment is what followed until the human soul shrivels out of existence or transforms into another rank of nightmares. This realm goes by many names but most have deemed this place as Hell, the Land of the Devils.

Unlike humanity the demons are selfish, operating on the natural principle of survival. So came the unwritten rule of the demon hierarchy. Most of hell's populates serve a minuscule existence where their deeds garner a little gain in the end. Some possess abilities where they can rule over the fodder and force them into servitude. Few are capable to rule over parts of the realm, where they can harness their power while dormant. They pale in comparison to a being so powerful their influence spreads over the entire realm. Ever since the defeating of the previous ruler this demon had stood the test of time as Emperor of Hell. A true devil incarnate.

According to ancient text over 2000 years ago the Dark Prince Mundus rose to power. Embodying the essence of Hell none could fathom against his sadistic cruelty. Once his presence could be sensed a demon had two choices. Kneel before him and submit or suffer a fate worse than death. He alone accomplished what many desired but not even this could satiate his undying gluttony for power. He set in motion a plan to take over the human realm. Seeing humans as nothing more than weaklings ripe for servitude. However when the Dark Prince begun the task of enslaving humanity stood an opposition.

A warrior that held the reputation of being the greatest swordsman in all of Hell. The Legendary Dark Knight Sparda who before that moment was Mundus' right hand man. It was unknown why he decided to fight for the humans but on that day a battle of great proportions shook the realms. Sparda had done the unthinkable. The Dark Prince fell defeated by the only thing in existence to worth of respect. Altering the fate of the human race and sealing off the gateways between realms. This transformed him into a figure of legend. People have come to view this devil worthy to be humanity's savior. The Dark Knight continued his days protecting mankind from any dangers lurking in the darkness. However nothing lasts forever and one day he disappeared without a trace. Time passed and the story of Sparda, Mundus, and Hell faded into obscurity. In modern day they hold the same weight as a fairy tale.

There was an unofficial claim that a human woman is personally knowledgable of Sparda yet her last known whereabouts went amiss years ago. Sightings of supernatural creatures have been reported throughout the world meanwhile a pair of brothers got separated in the wake of tragedy. They would embark on different paths molding them into their own person until eventually fate would have them reunite in the most terrible of ways.

[Unsacred Hellgate]

The sky was void of light. An all-seeing eye consumed the endless black abyss.

"BREAK!"

Statues surrounded the shallow current. Years of erosion morphed their angelic imagery into unrecognizable chunks of stone.

"CRASH!"

Blood ruined the water's purity.

"STAY WHERE YOU ARE!"

Two forces collided before breaking out and moving across the unconventional battlefield.

"C'MON! I'M RIGHT HERE!"

A figure in blue chased another in red. Each collision shook the platform under their wake.

"TRICKED YA!"

"GAH!"

The vibrations settled as the figures came into clear view. Skidding to a halt was a young man in a formal blue coat. Adorned in golden accents and white serpentine designs. Underneath he wore a black ascot and vest. For his lower half, dark pants, and brown knee-high boots and fingerless gloves. His most distinguishing traits is undoubtedly his swept-back white hair and sky blue eyes. Clutched in his grip was a longsword. Bearing a skull at the end of the pommel and a guard resembling devil horns. Straddled to his hip a pristine katana in a traditional sheathe. A bright, yellow sageo wrapped around it.

He would collapse to his knees, spitting out congealed blood.

The other combatant paced around never letting his gaze off. He had the same matching hair, eyes, and even face but that's where the resemblance ended. Instead of blue he wore a red leathery coat. Numerous zippers throughout and straps around the shoulder. Despite this he left his main fly open. Exposing a sculpted set of abs and well-toned pecs for the world to see. Aside from that a simple pair of khaki jeans, black boots, and fingerless gloves completed the look. He didn't bother with a hairstyle. The strands of hair freely rested over his head. Taking on a modern punk style compared to the other's more victorian taste. He wields a double-notched longsword with a skeletal guard.

During Sparda's pursuit to separate the realms the Dark Knight made the courageous decision to sacrifice his power to achieve humanity's salvation. This led to the creation of the Yamato, a powerful katana made to embody the god of death. The Rebellion, a longsword that represents Sparda's retaliation against evil. Lastly, his own legendary sword was put into a dormant form of an average blade, the Force Edge. Sparda left the Yamato and Rebellion to his own children, Dante and Vergil. His own sword was used to seal away the Temen-Ni-Gru, a tower that served as the main entryway to the demonic world. The sword that now rests in the older brother's possession.

Taking a slow breath Dante allowed his wounds to heal. Multiple slits of red sealing shut at an inhumane rate. The devil hunter stared down his twin. The same person who was responsible for wrecking not only his shop but also Redgrave City. Sealed away by Sparda with the intention of saving humanity the Temen-Ni-Gru rose again by his own son's doing. Vergil's on a mission to acquire his father's power through any means necessary. Storming through the tower Dante had faced many obstacles, ranging from annoying ass demonic gatekeepers to a sexy rocket launching babe. The only one worth his time was of course the guy who shared the same face. His twin obtained the lost Force Edge, in order to unlock its full power it requires two special keys. The amulets their mother gifted them on their eighth birthday. Dante wasn't giving his up anytime soon and Vergil wasn't gonna take no for an answer so they settled the matter like how they usually do. Which leaves them to where they are now, the power-hungry darkslayer struggling to gather his strength.

"Am I…being defeated?"

"C'mon is that all you got. Get up!" Clenching his teeth Vergil forced himself off the ground and his knee buckled.

"Looking a little weak there. What's wrong bro? Ran outta gas?"

Vergil seethed at his younger brother's torment. He's so close to achieving ultimate power. He just needs a final push. Getting up to his feet Vergil met Dante's eyes.

Hatred and anger exuding.

"I will not lose. Not to you of all people."

Reading the message loud and clear the devil hunter stopped with the games and readied the Rebellion. "I have to stop you Vergil. Even if it means killing you." Dante concluded, disappointed this was the only way to end things.

Vergil who had the same intent lifted the Force Edge before sprinting off as did his twin.

Twin brothers separated at a young age. Reunited again seeing each other not as family but as rivals. Resolving their issues by their strength and proving which ideal matters most.

Abandon your humanity…

…or embrace it?

In the end only one will be left standing.

A wave of blood erupted from Vergil's waist, spraying the walls and current in dark red. Grip on the Force Edge remained tight. The darkslayer kept a steel face but the injury ran completely through him. Body going into overdrive to repair the life-threatening wound. He fell to the ground in one piece but was utterly defeated.

The battle has concluded.

Vergil lost.

Dante panted with a lowered head. The job wasn't done yet. Turning around he stalked his fallen twin, mind growing conflicted on a decision that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

However, that wouldn't come to pass.

"HAHAHA!"

Dante froze.

Sinister laughter reverberating his ears.

"Sparda's kin…slaughtering each other like the worthless insects they are. A fitting image for his legacy."

A voice so deep no mere human or demon is able to match. Dante spotted something coming from the eye in the sky.

A trio of glowing orbs emerged from the darkness cracking in electricity. It was than Dante's senses felt the overwhelming power and stumbled back. This energy permeated the atmosphere making the air feel heavy. No ordinary demon could make him feel this cautious. His instincts told him who it was. The devil who desired to conquer the human world. A great evil who Sparda stopped in his revolution for the humans. The prince responsible for the death of his mother.

Something shifted in Dante's peripheral. Vergil in his weakened state rose again. Sending a glare at the approaching red orbs. The ground began to shake for the amulets that kept the gateway alive weren't together anymore.

"Mundus…"

Dante furrowed his brows. From his brother's tone he read his intentions. He reached out for his collar but the darkslayer made haste. Suddenly fueled by some unknown motive he broke off into a sprint, Force Edge hanging by his grip.

"Vergil you fucking idiot!"

The Sons of Sparda have spent themselves in their own duel. Dante was still panting from the ordeal and highly doubted the darkslayer had anything left in the tank. Facing the Devil King head on reached new levels of stupid even for the devil hunter. Hardening his jaw Dante would begrudgingly follow his brother, not to stop him but to join alongside their adversary. Despite his mixed feelings he won't let Vergil take on the Dark Prince alone.

For years he's been waiting for this day. The hatred he harbors for Sparda never dying. This eternal vitriol extended to his bloodline. To think Sparda would fornicate with a human, what a disgrace for demon kind. The Devil King will put these cretins in their place for their very existence alone. While the Sons of Sparda sprinted Mundus voiced his sadistic pleasure. They were serving themselves on a silver platter. The rotten cherry on top they were weak, nowhere near to what he expects for the Dark Knight's lineage.

"The Sparda bloodline ends today. I'll erase his legacy and take over the world he cherished so dearly. And than all I'll go back and resume my conquest. HAHAHAHA!"

The Devil King boasted, the three orbs glowing a menacing red. His power caused even more vibrations to the already quaking environment. The Sons of Sparda made a grand leap for the Dark Prince. However in this short time frame the Temen-Ni-Gru pulled away, destroying the hellgate. Powerful enough to surprise Mundus as released his spell prematurely. The potent sorcery made contact with the Sons of Sparda. All these factors came together in single flash of light.

Down below at the pits of hell demons lapped up the bloodied water pooling from a waterfall. Sensing a strong taste of Sparda's power the demons voraciously consumed the vague essence of the betrayer. However in their gluttonous venture a grand force echoed from above. The hellspawns stopped short on their instincts. A monstrous, terrifying growl of anger shook their very souls. Upon realizing the aura of the Devil King they scampered away to avoid his infamous wrath. Up above Mundus blasted huge rays of lightning into the sky. Frustrated by the fact the Sons of Sparda had vanished.

[?]

Rays of heat sizzled up in the atmosphere. Among the endless dunes of sand lied an unconscious man. Somewhere down the line said crater would be investigated by something that lacked characteristics to a human and demon. It's face hidden by a mask. Examining the body up close, it would immediately be attracted to a golden piece of jewelry. Intrigued by the sparkles it picked it off him and claim it for itself. Just in time for the rest of the group to arrive. They questioned the manner of him falling from the sun. The man grumbled in his unconscious state bringing the party to an agreement. They would carry him back to the lair for their leader's verdict.