(Aaron)
When I met Nina and she told me her proposal, I obtained this Quest.
-----
Quest
[Golden Demon]
Objective – Kill Abigail
Reward – Legendary Class Object, 1000000 IMA, Skill Upgrade Coupon x5
-----
Read closely, it reads, KILL. Not contain, not defeat, not reseal, but KILL. Meaning I had to someway or other find and kill Abigail. So, one way or another Abigail was supposed to be released.
That's why I let Sid continue to live. For him to release Abigail, is simpler knowing a character with a simple motivation than a new unknown one and more dangerous.
So everything was part of my calculations, but damn, I was bad at math. Nina got hurt, because I wanted a Legendary object and 5 Skill Upgrade Coupons.
I based my plan on the original plot of the anime, where Sid was trying to get Abigail's power.
I guess having high wisdom and intelligence doesn't exactly translate to having omnipresent powers.
I'll have to compensate Nina with something. Maybe making a family with her….
1 kid?
2?
Probably, let's see how that plays out. Besides, I was already planning to do that
For the moment, let's deal with the oversized Academy Award.
"Nina, I need you to run" I told the blond beside me, her wound already healed.
"W-What?! Why?!" She exclaimed.
"Nina, this thing will probably go after you, that's why you need to run. I can't let it get to you"
"B-But…"
"But nothing, go away, help as many civilians as you can" I sliced vertically to a demon that got too close to us. Ever since Abigail's emergence, these things have appeared one after another. Seemingly summoned by small portals that opened thanks to the Golden Demon's power.
"Go"
"A-Alright" She caressed my cheek, planting a kiss on my lips "Come back to me"
"I will"
She smiled before running away, spells ready on her hand.
I turned to the Golden Demon on top of the building.
"Abigail, I challenge you!"
The giant golden demon looked down, and jumped from the top of the building. It landed in front of me, generating a mountain of dust that covered it entire figure. But then it raised its wings and flapped them, cleaning the dust and showing its golden figure. It was about 15 feet tall, standing with bulging muscles covered in gold.
"You dare challenge me, mortal?" It them raised its arms, showing his figure wide and breaking the buildings that were around "Me, a Demon King?!"
"Yes, I do, Abigail" He did a chest pump with my right hand and stood firmly "I, Aaron Blackheart, challenge you"
"Hahahahaha, Very well mortal. I respect your courage, but only that can't save you" The Demon summoned a giant axe and swung it to my sides.
I raised my blade to defend myself. But to my surprise, the hit was strong enough to launch me towards a building and landing on the other side and falling into the street on the other side. I laid there on the ground.
-90000 HP
Okay, that actually hurt!
What in the name of the Eldritch Gods?!
"[Observe]"
Abigail, The Golden King
Level – 3938
Race – Demon
HP – 47250000
Huh….
I looked at my own stats
---
Aaron Blackheart
Level – 571
First Class –Cleric [71/100]
Second Class – Warlock [71/100]
Race – Human
HP – 2285437 [231750 per 20 seconds]
MP – 2242500 [224250 per 10 seconds]
DEM – 1345500 [134550 per 10 seconds]
SP – 2317500 [231750 per 10 seconds]
STR – 2000 [TRUE: 4525]
END – 2000 [TRUE: 4635]
DEX – 2000 [TRUE: 4685]
INT – 2000 [TRUE: 4485]
WIS – 2000 [TRUE: 4485]
CHR – 2000 [TRUE: 4665]
LCK – 2000 [TRUE: 4535]
POINTS – 1620
IMA – 1379474560
PP – 124242096
HP – END x 500
MP – INT x 500
DEM – INT x 300
SP – END x 500
HP Regen – END x 50
MP Regen – WIS x 50
DEM Regen – WIS x 30
SP Regen – END x 50
---
Huh….
I guess I can't allow myself to play this time
"Defeat, my Defeat, my deathless courage, ~
You and I shall laugh together with the storm, ~
And together we shall dig graves for all that die in us, ~
And we shall stand in the sun with a will, ~
And we shall be dangerous~
Unleash seals, Protocol Code Ο (Omicron)"
Skill Unlocked
Perks Unlocked
All stats raised to the maximum
A gale of wind rose from myself, moving around me like a tornado.
This is just the Beta version; I will create something better in the future. It needs to look cool you know
"Now this is a fight"
I stood up in a singular motion. I opened and closed my arm, feeling my full power after so long. Abigail just at that moment broke through the building and stood in front of me.
"Alive, that is quite a surprise" It then swung its axe downwards.
I raised my blade and stopped the axe, this time my body had endured the attack, resulting in zero damage
"What?!"
Holding my blade with two hands, I pushed upwards, launching Abigail axe away and jumping into it. I ran through the axe and jumped just as I got close to the demon's hand. With Shi no Yokan I sliced the demon's chest is a X. Blood spurting out of the wound.
Abigail, The Golden King
Level – 3938
Race – Demon
HP – 47113400
So only 50 thousand damage with per attacks. This will be fun.
I jumped backwards, avoiding being cleaved in half by its axe, and then rushed forward. The Demon with surprising speed managed to intercept me with its axe, making me block again.
From them, it became an exchange of slashes.
CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG*
I moved my blade to the same speed as it moved its axe. The two weapons clashing, releasing thunderous metal screeches that reverberated in the now empty street. The windows around us broke by the expansive force of the impact.
Let's accelerate things.
"[Ago]"
Thanks to my [Demonic Sorcerer] class, I can use a lot of spells and skill using demonic energy.
One of them, is [Ago] which can be translated to [Drive].
The same skill Dante uses when in [SwordMaster] style. Is a kind of reinforcement that increases the power of the weapon it is being used. With enough accumulated energy, it can be released in a powerful attack, [Re-Ago] or [OverDrive]
Ever seen Fate/Stay Night. Yeah, Shirou can eat his heart out.
My sword became imbued in a red/black aura that seemed unstable as it flicked upwards on the blade, releasing a constant sound of screeching.
Abigail swung its axe and I received the attack with my now reinforced sword. The two weapons colliding in a spark of gold and red. The weapons fight for dominance, not separating, trying to overpower one another.
The ground below us cracked as our powers clashed, forming cobwebs marks that covered the asphalt.
I poured more energy into the sword, the energy exuding from it increasing. At with a big push, I pushed the axe away, making Abigail tumble backwards. In that moment of advantage, I rotated my sword, holding it in a reverse grip. I swung my blade towards Abigail, releasing a Vermillion slice-shaped wave of energy and cut through its golden skin.
With more energy in my blade, I swung once again.
"Hahahaha, that hurt. Not so weak after all, mortal"
"You will come to realize in this fight, that humanity is not to be trifled with, demon"
"We shall see" Then the Demon buried the tip of his axe on the ground and crossed its arm on an X "RAAAAAAARRRGGGH"
A scream so powerful that rattled every building around was released.
Instantly, a golden aura started to surround the Demon, flicking with lightning.
Holy shit, he just went Super Saiyan
It clasped its axe once again, surrounding the weapon with the same golden aura it exudes.
Knowing what was coming, I placed my weapon on its sheath and started running. Just in time to evade a swing from the axe so powerful it caused a 5.0 earthquake all around us.
I ran to the building and started running horizontally through its surface.
Materializing my twin guns out of my inventory, I started shooting towards the demon. Each bullet being loaded with energy for about 1 second before being fired.
The demon followed me as I ran. Smashing the building I was running through with its axe, instantly demolishing it. I jumped in the nick of time to the building across the street and continued running, firing constantly to the demon.
"Stop running away pest!" The Demon shouted
Okay then.
Just as it destroyed another building, I jumped. But instead of jumping towards another building, I jumped to land behind the demon.
In mid-air upside down, just as I was above the demon. I pointed my guns towards Abigail, charging with energy.
"[Gemini Discordia (Double Discord)]"
2 bullets were fired. The double shot released a trail of black and red that circled each other in a dance that increased speed each millisecond.
The 2 bullets combined in mid-air, increasing in size and striking true to the demon's head.
The impact made a cloud of black smoke rise to the top of the sky, blocking any sight of the demon. Landing and quickly dismissed the twin guns, I moved my hands to grabs my sword's handle with one and the sword's sheath with another.
The demon was alive, that wasn't enough to kill it after all.
My speculation came true as the demon came out of the smoke, its axe gripped by its two golden hands and swung downwards. I flipped backwards, my body rotating in mid-air. My hands never unclasping the sheath and handle.
And then, I started concentrating.
Distance between the enemy and me. Buildings surrounding me. The weapon of the demon. The golden aura surrounding it. Everything became part of my awareness. I used all my WIS points to full throttle. Concentrating every part in the battle.
Just then, I was ready.
"[Judgement]"
At that moment in the span of less than a second, I unsheathed my sword and a circular dark red barrier surrounded Abigail's entire body, the next moment, dozens and dozens of vermillion arcs appeared inside the barrier.
HMMM HMMMM*
Like a hum, the sword the releasing a sound of metal moving at extreme velocity. And in the same span of time, my sword was once again sheathed, like never drew it. The only prove that I did something, was the dozens of sliced that covered Abigail's body, and the slice marks that appeared fresh on the asphalt below the demon.
After years of practice just by memory of a TV and cellphone screens. I managed to develop it
---
[Dark Slayer Style] (Sword Style)
A style created to slay the creatures born of the darkness. It consists of rapid and aggressive attacks with high mobility. It requires the user to concentrate on every aspect of the battle, developing a spatial awareness. The more concentration, the more powerful the attacks.
---
I got tired of waiting, so I started developing the [Dark Slayer Style] by myself, using all my knowledge from the games and media to achieve this.
Turns out, gameplay mechanics are something that can be translated to reality.
After figuring it out, the Concentration Gauge that appeared in the games is more than a game's gimmick, is something that actually has functionality in battle. To develop a spatial awareness of everything in battle, one must concentrate in every aspect of it.
Your breathing, the breathing of your enemies, the distance between enemies and you. The length of the sword, the pressure of the air.
Everything becomes part of that spatial awareness one can develop. And of course, receiving damage causes pain, and pain causes one to break the concentration. Although the games make an oversimplification of it by placing a Gauge to quantify the concentration.
Nonetheless, gameplay mechanics added to real life, who would have thought?
And now this.
I developed the first stage of [Judgement Cut] called [Judgement]. If we put it with the ones of the games, [Judgement] is the [Judgement Cut] from DMC 5, while [Judgement Cut] will look like [Judgement Cut End] from DMC 4. And finally, [Judgement Cut End] will be the same as the version of DMC 5, since is the most powerful.
There are the other techniques of the [Dark Slayer Style] that Vergil used, but no time to dwell into that.
"That…... that was something similar to Sparda's attacks" Abigail commented while panting over the pain caused
"Oh really, you know Sparda?"
"Of course, I was there when he betrayed us. I was there when he chose all of you, inferior beings, over his own brethren. I saw how he stood on top of thousands of bodies of his own kin. It sickens me, how he decided to save all of you pest. I guess he pitied all of your pathetic race for how weak you are"
"That's where you are wrong, Abigail" I stated while unsheathed my sword and pointing the demon with it "He didn't choose us for pity. The saw the potential of humanity. Of course, humanity can do many evil things. But Sparda, he saw the good in all of us, he saw the kindness, the mercy, the forgiveness, the happiness, and most importantly, the love humanity can give"
Sparda was without doubt, someone that could see the good in everyone. He saw humanity in all their good qualities, and he decided to protect us for that. He was demon, but in his heart, he was a man. A man that loved humanity.
"Then I shall trample upon all your kind, to spit on his grave, and to avenge all those of his brethren that he killed that day"
"You should do that, over my dead body, Abigail"
"That was the plan from the beginning"
And with that, we launched towards each other, our weapons drawn.
CLAAAAAAASH!*
-------------------------
(Nina Lowell)
"[Percutiens]! (Strike)" She shouted as a small barrage of energy emerged from her open hand. The damage struck a demon that was closing in and destroyed it instantly.
It was one of the spells Aaron taught her if she ever needed to defend herself. Of course, I wasn't necessary most of the time since he was always close to her. Always watching her, always being there to protect her….
The memories made her blush a little before she dismissed them. She will have time to fantasize later, especially now that Aaron and her are one. He accepted her feelings, and now they are together.
Concentrating her magic, she placed her hand forward and launched another spell to a demon that tried to get a luck hit on her.
She panted a little, feeling tired.
According to Aaron, her natural demonic energy reserves were greater that average, all thanks to being a direct descendant of a [Demonic Summoner]. But since she has never truly used the demonic energy inside of her, she doesn't have the amount of control necessary to use spells without wasting energy in the process.
She turned and saw a lot more of demon closing in. Taking a last breath and then turning her face serious. She readied her magic before something stopped her.
Or rather, someone…
"[Maxima Exitium] (Maximum Destruction)" A female voice recited.
The crimson flurry of energy landed upon the demons, exterminating each and every one of them. She looked for the sourced of the spell and found a woman.
A golden blonde woman, wearing a red/black dress with a thigh high slit, showing a long and pearly leg and over elbow black gloves. The woman had a red witch hat with a large plume on the crown.
"I never thought I would see another witch roaming around, but I can tell for the way you use your magic that you are a novice"
The blonde witch walked towards her, standing almost at the same height. At close proximity, she managed to see the witch's face. Having a red lipstick applied on a youthful and beautiful face.
"Nice to meet you, newbie. I am Eva"
"Nice to meet you, I am-" Their conversation was interrupted by a large demon falling close to them. On top of the demon, she saw a white-haired kid with a red hoodie carrying a big sword with a skull with horns on a guard-less handle.
"Oh yeah, score for Dante! Looks like I'm winning" The boy shouted, like he didn't just kill a demon the triple his size.
"What do you mean Dante, I'm still on the lead" Another voice appeared around them. She turned, and saw a boy similar to the one before, but wearing a dark/blue coat and his white hair slicked back. Behind the boy was a couple of demons slayed into pieces. In the boy's hand was a katana which he held with his two hands.
"But mine is bigger!" The red themed boy remarked
"Yet still counts as one" The blue themed boy retorted
"Boys, behave" The blonde witch looked at the two boys with a motherly gaze "Stop trying to compete with each other and make sure to kill as much demons as you can. As if you get into trouble, remember to come to me as quick as possible"
"Fine" The red themed boy conceded while the blue themed one nodded silently "Not like one of these demons could do anything, they are too weak"
"Dante" The witch scolded
"Yes mom. I will be careful"
"Good. Vergil, take good care of your brother"
"I will make sure he doesn't hurt himself, mother" The blue boy nodded
"What's that supposed to mean?!" The red themed boy yelled
"Exactly what you heard"
"Please, I can take care of myself"
"Just a reminder Dante, I'm still on the lead"
"Oh, you are on"
The two boys moved, following the sounds of demons around, probably wanting to up each other on "Demonic Kill Count"
The blonde witch released an amused sigh before turning to Nina "Boys, am I right?"
Nina on the other hand, looked back at the two boys and then at the blonde witch. Her appearance and the appearance of the boys reminding her of the stories Aaron told her about his grandsons and daughter. Coming quick to a conclusion she looked at the blonde witch.
"You are the daughter of Aaron, Eva Blackheart" She affirmed
Eva for her part, looked surprised. All the information available to the public was that she was a Devil Hunter and a magic user, and that's it. Her relation with Aaron is something not many know.
"How do you know that?" She asked, her expression turning more serious.
"Well…..." Nina averted her eyes with a blush "I am dating your father…..."
"…. YOU WHAT?!"
------------------------
(Aaron)
For some reason, I feel like I should avoid Eva.
Meh, probably nothing.
"Hahahaha, this is the most fun battle I've had in ages" Abigail laugh roared around us.
I was sporting a couple of wounds around my body. But Abigail was more damaged than me.
I managed to reduce his HP to 1000000, using most of my abilities except [Hideki no Uta], since that is an insta-kill in most cases. I wanted this to be at least fun. And besides, I was testing the [Dark Slayer Style] against a true Demon. So, yeah. That's that.
I jumped back, avoiding a cleaving attack from Abigail. In mid-air, I stood in my drawing stance, ready to unsheathe my blade. "[Judgement]" The red colored circled barrier surrounded Abigail as dozens of slashes appeared on his body. Abigail shrug off the pain and swung its axe while I was in mid-air. In a blur of red, I disappeared and reappeared away from the attack, my body still in the drawing-sword posture "[Judgement]" Repeating the attack, dozens more slashed covered Abigail's body.
That's two.
I disappeared and reappeared once again. This time in a higher position.
"[Judgement]"
That's three.
Landing back to the ground. I evaded as Abigail tried to cleave me. My hand not leaving my sword. I started charging my blade, reading my next attack while Abigail stumbled. My back hunching downwards while my left hand vibrated with power.
"You shall die" I recited.
Moving at extreme velocity, I disappear from the blind eye, multiple after-images following my movement as I slashed, sliced and cut Abigail in multiple parts of its body before reappearing and few feet away, kneeling and showing my back to the now stunned Abigail.
My sword being sheathed slowly, as I recited the name of my technique.
"[Judgement…..." Fully sheathing my blade, the world remembered I attacked Abigail as hundreds of slices appeared on its body, fully covering every part in the red of its enormous body "…Cut]"
Abigail slumped forward, its body giving away as I stood firm turning to Abigail and walking with the gait of a noble.
"How could this be? Me, defeated by a human?" Abigail muttered, but it was loud enough for me to hear.
"That's the thing, Abigail. I am not like any other human" I sheathed my sword and extended forward my metallic left arm. I was planning this as a Grand Finisher for this battle, and now I am going to use it.
The metallic gears inside the arm started shifting at great speed, grinding against each other and releasing sparks. A vermillion aura surrounded my metallic limb as I extended it. The mechanism inside working overtime.
"Now, look closely Abigail, a human defeated you once, stealing your power, and a human shall defeat you once again!"
Extending my arm, I cocked it as far as I could, readying the final blow of this fight.
"Nooooo"
"I made a name for this attack, the Force of Humanity" And with that, I swung my fist forward "[Adam's Rage]"
The blow struck Abigail head on, exploding in the Demon's body and finally killing the son of a bitch.
[Gained 5000000 IMA]
[Gained 1 PP]
You Levelled up!
You Levelled up!
You Levelled up!
Quest Complete
[Golden Demon]
Objective – Kill Abigail
Reward – Legendary Class Object, 1000000 IMA, Skill Upgrade Coupon x5
[Gained 1000000 IMA]
[Gained [Skill Upgrade Coupon (x5)]
Legendary Class Object obtained
[Abigail (Devil Arm)] – Rank: Legendary
A set of golden metallic gauntlets and greaves created from the power, body and soul of Abigail. These weapons are capable of launching extremely powerful attack.
Deals ((STR x 3) (DEX*3) physical damage
Special Ability: [Golden Time]
The Abigail (Devil Arm) looked like Gilgamesh, except it was gold and didn't open in rotors. Instead, it had spikes on the knuckles and blades of the forearms, reminding me of Shredder from the TMNT.
Very good weapon indeed. I will be checking it out on the dungeons. But for now…...
I stood firmly in my drawing stance. My sword in the sheath, ready to be drawn.
"[Judgement]"
I released [Judgement]
On myself.
The vermillion sphere surrounds me as dozens of slashes appeared on my body.
-100000
GGGH!
Ha…
Okay, good. Now for the next part.
I grabbed my metallic left arm, and ripped it. Since it was a Legendary object, it can't be damaged except for an attack that can cause stronger damage than the weapon.
So using [OverDrive] on my right arm. I crushed the [Devil Breaker: Model 001] on my left
Why am I doing this?
Am I going crazy?
No, I'm not.
You see, it is the law of the Shonen that after an intense battle the characters must go to a resting and healing moment. Meaning a hospital scene. And I just fought a Demon King 1-on-1. I can't appear to be almost uninjured. So of course, the easiest option was to cause myself enough damage to look like I just went through a meat grinder.
I'm not going to use this to generate some kind of pity or "I almost lost you" moment. Nina already loves me, and Dante, Vergil and Eva know me good enough to classify me as "Too stubborn to die"
So yeah, no mind controls games from me.
With that said….
I threw myself back to the ground. My sensing skills already detecting Nina, Eva and the boys coming to me. They must've heard the explosion [Adam's Rage] caused.
"Grandpa!"
"Grandfather!"
"Dad!"
"Aaron!"
You can guess who is who
"Hey guys" I weakly replied, waving with my only functional arm.
--------------------------
Some Time Later
"Is anything hurting?"
"No, everything's fine"
"Are you sure"
"Yes Nina, very sure"
"Do you need me to change the bandages?"
"No Nina, I don't"
"Do you need me to turn your pillo-" "Alright, that's enough!"
Nina's pampering was stopped by my dear and loyal daughter's shout. I was resting on my bed, back in the Sparda's Manor. Also known as the Blackheart Household.
After the battle with Abigail, I was resting on bed, healing my wounds with the help of Nina and Eva. Both seemingly having something to say to me. Meanwhile, the demonic twins were bickering on a corner.
"I killed the one with the 3 horns, that adds another point"
"Yes, but I killed the trio of big bugs, with gives me 3 extra point"
"Oh yeah, I killed the one that had that big mouth and two tongues"
"Hah, I'm still 2 points forward"
"Is that so, how about the one I killed with-" "Alright boys, that's enough"
Eva stopped the bickering, standing upright with her hands on her hips.
"Now that your grandfather is healed, there is something I need to speak with him"
"Fine mom" "Understood, mother" Came the simultaneous response.
Of course, they continued bickering on their way out.
Now, time to face music.
"So, what is this about Eva?" I asked my adopted daughter.
She just stood there, arms crossed below her breast as she stares at both Nina and me. Nina stared back, unflinching. Except that she was holding my hand, and I could feel her squeezing it tightly.
"Nina Lowell, is that right?" Eva asked
"Yes, although I would like it to change into Nina Blackheart very soon" Nina replied without a bit of shame.
Goddamn, going full throttle from the start.
"You love my father?"
"I do"
"Do you wish to be with him?"
"I do"
"Would you ever betray him?"
"Never"
"Good" Eva smiled. All the tension in the room dissipating instantly.
Huh? Is that it?!
"Huh? Is that it?!" Nina asked. Yeah Nina, I'm right there with you.
"Of course, all my time as a mercenary and Devil Hunter gave me a lot of insight on how to discern someone's character. I can tell all the answer were sincere, so I don't have any problem. Although…." She slowly turned to me "I would've liked if someone just mentioned before the bombshell dropped right on top of me"
"To be fair, I sort of happened the same day you two met" I answered
"Yeah, it sorts of did. But it kind of felt like we've together for far too long" Nina interlocked her fingers with mine, how lewd "I guess, all the time we've been together sort of felt like a relationship, but that night, we just…... took the last step forward"
"Well, that's all I have to say. My father is a grown man, he can take care of himself" Eva walked to the door, opening it and stopped right before leaving "But, if you ever break his heart…." Eva's hand cracked with magic as a crimson aura coated it "You will realise the other reason why they call me "The Crimsons Witch" apart from my clothing"
"I would kill myself first before breaking his heart" Nina spoke with conviction. Goodness, I guess 200 affection is more serious than I thought
"…...I think you and me are going to get along juuuust fine" Eva trailed as she left.
Nina and me stayed silent for a moment before she took a deep breath.
"That was…...intense" Nina smiles as she held my remaining hand in between hers "But, if it is for you, I would do it a thousand times"
"Wow, I didn't think you liked me that much"
"Aaron…." She placed my hand on top of her chest, feeling her beating heart below my fingertips "Ever since I met you, you gave me emotions I never thought I could feel, you gave me happiness I forgot to feel, you gave me the safely I was missing after so long. You brighten my world. You are my light"
…
This is…...
Wow….
Either 200 affection is very important or that is just her personality.
Vic, a little explanation please
[Check the Relationship Database]
Alright then
---
[Nina Lowell: 200/200]
Relationship: Love Of Her Life
Being alone for a long time, scared by the legacy left to her by her ancestor. She grew a lonely life without love, but now that Aaron showed up, solved her problem and make her feel what love is. She will always love him for giving him the thing she was missing. Making him her all and promising herself to dedicate her body and soul to him.
Bonifications: [Member Of The Blackheart Family (Temporal)]
---
Okay, so it all depends on her backstory and personality. Seeing that Nina hasn't experienced love like the one I gave her, for her I'm her everything.
I'll have to watch out when I get high affection with someone else, I can create a Yandere in the future like that.
Would I stick my dick in crazy?
Yeah, I totally would.
Reminder to myself, go to Mirai Nikki world one day.
But for the moment, I'll just enjoy this wholesome relationship with Nina.
Guiding my hand to her shoulder, I brought her close to me. She didn't make any resistance and I let her rest on my chest, even if I was covered in bandages.
She closes her eyes and grabbed my arm into herself, resting with a pleased smile.
Life is nice
-----------------------
A Few Months Later
Christmas arrived for the Blackheart-Sparda family. Soon enough, we were enjoying our Christmas on a family outing in Redgrave park. Snow is falling slowly from the sky as people when about and celebrated openly around.
Demons were week during this period of time thanks to the Christian implications of this festivity, so most days were low on demons, or even had none at all. This allowed people to celebrate Christmas without fear or dread.
Just like us right now
Vergil and Dante were moving around in an ice-skating rink trying to one up each other doing stuns in front of other kids while Eva watched them carefully, ignoring most of the men that tried flirting with her.
I was skating alongside Nina, who held my hand like it was glued together to hers. She got a little bit jealous the moment other women started flirting with me, even cracking her hands with magic at one point. Of course, I stopped her before she could massacre the oblivious women. We were just enjoying the peaceful night that was illuminated by hundreds of Christmas lights that surrounded the rink.
After that debacle with Abigail (Basically, the very next day), Nina instantly decided to move to the Blackheart-Sparda household, bringing with her most of her possessions. Which were mostly clothes, books, and song partitures for her job.
She has been living with us for the past months, getting along with the twins and Eva.
The twins at first were a little bit wary, but she won them over easily. For Dante, Nina made a pizza party and got him VIP seats to a rock concert, he didn't stop talking about it for like a week. And for Vergil, she allowed him to read her family books, which contain information about Demon Summoning, incantations and even some of Demonology, Vergil appreciated the books in his silent and polite way.
Sometimes Dante even lets out a "Grandma" in front of Nina. She becomes both happy and upset. Happy because she is becoming part of the family, sad because she is being call grandma even though she is just in her 20s.
Nonetheless, it has been very happy days in the Blackheart-Sparda family.
"Mmmm~" Nina happily hummed. Her expression almost giddy.
"Something the matter?"
"Mm? Oh, nothing, just feeling a bit giddy" She giggles as she holds my hand tighter.
I know why she is like this. She found the ring I have hidden in one of my room's cabinets. Well, "Hid" is overexaggerating. I let it be there just for her to see it. If I wanted to hide it, I would have just put it in my inventory. But I didn't, so now she's been like this since yesterday.
"By the way, I want to talk to you about something" I grabbed her hand and guided her to the exit of the rink
"Sure, I need to talk to you about something as well"
We took off the skates and walked away. I gave a signal to Eva before leaving so that she will know where we are going.
Nina held my hand as we walked through the park, until we came around a gazebo. There were not that many people around so it was the perfect place for what I was about to do, what she is expecting me to do.
"Nina, I've been wanting to do this for a little while" I kneel in front of her. The passersby stopping to watch what was happening, some couples smiling while some older couples seemed nostalgic. I went into my pocket (Inventory, really) and pulled out the decorated box that carried what I wanted. I opened the box, showing the ornament ring with a sizable diamond in it "Nina, would you be my wife?"
She smiled, her eyes watering yet her expression being calm and expectant, she already knew what was going to happen but still doesn't take back the feelings she carried. "Yes…" She whispered. I grabbed her hand and placed the ring in it.
I stood up and held her close, just before giving her a heartwarming kiss.
"Aaron, I also have something to tell you"
Finally she will tell me what she was thinking about.
"What is it?"
"Well…" She grabs my hand and gives her to her stomach. I was confused for a moment before the realization come hitting me like a Hell on Earth.
She….
She was pregnant.
HOOOLY SHITE
She was pregnant.
My newly named fiancé is pregnant.
That is…
"That is…." I look at her in the eyes "How far are you?"
"1 Month"
So, I'm going to be a father now…
Nice?
-----------------------
A Few Months Later
Turns out, becoming a father was not something I expected in when I became a Gamer. But still, it makes it so much more interesting.
Canon is completely fuck right now. Dante and Vergil never separated. Eva is still alive. They have a home, a family. Everything is alright for the Sparda family.
And right now the family will have a new member.
"Just push okay" I tell my wife
"I'M TRYING!"
"Come on, just a little more" Eva tells Nina "WHERE ARE THE TOWELS?!"
"Coming!" Vergil and Dante enter the room running with towels
"Alright, almost there" Eva tells her "Just a little bit more..."
Meanwhile I am here holding her arm, and….
-10 HP
-10 HP
-10 HP
She's been crushing my arm for about an hour, and has caused me a lot of damage. Luckily, my passive regeneration makes it negligible. But still….
Ouch!
"YOU DID THIS TO ME!" She screams towards me.
"…. Quick questions, did she forgot to use the numbing spells?" I ask Eva
The two turns towards me, seemingly everything else stopped.
"…. Those exist?!" Eva asks
"Oh, I never taught you. My bad"
I did know I was forgetting something
Tee hee
"Oh you….!" She tells me before turning to Nina "It's coming out!"
"AAAAAAHH" Nina screamed giving a last push.
"Waaah Waaaah" I heard the small wails of a newborn baby.
My…... son….
"Waaa…..Waaa" The baby cries
"Oh look, he has your eyes" Eva tells me. I look at the baby, he really does have my eyes. A bright vermillion stared back into me as I carried the baby…. My son…. In my arms
"Let….me see… him" Nina stretches her arms. Eva slowly wraps the baby in the towels the twins brought and passed the child to his mother. She looks at him, smiling deeply "He is beautiful" The baby seemingly calms after seeing being held by his mother.
"Now that I think about it, you haven't decided a name, right?"
"I was thinking of Vincent"
"Vincent..." My wife tries the name with her mouth "I like it. Vincent Blackheart, my little treasure"
Guess I am a father now…...
Congratulations! You are now a father!
For the commemoration of this event, you shall be granted a skill
Well, thanks Vic
Skill Gained [Baby Class Editor] (Active)
No cost
Allows one to allocate a class to the progeny upon birth.
Can only edit the skills once on one offspring
That's…. interesting
Makes me wonder, how powerful would my child be?
Would he have a gamer system?
The system is of exclusive use of Aaron Blackheart. No one else can use this system.
The progeny of the gamer of this system will have stats depending on the allocated class and world the progeny is born in. There is also the training the gamer can give to the offspring and other characters which can increase the power they held
So, it's up to me to see if he wants to be all-powerful
Let's test it out
Vincent Blackheart
Select a class: [Fighter] [Spellcaster] [Acolyte] [Hunter] [Production] [Wanderer]
Well, I already have practice with teaching magic, so, let's go with Spellcaster
Please select specialization
[Mage[Necromancer[Elementalist[Illusionist[Summoner[Devil Summoner[Warlock[Demon Contractor[Healer]
Huh, [Demon Contractor] and [Healer] are new, I already know what a [Healer] does, but the other one…...
What is that supposed to do?
By defeating demon, of encountering a defeated demon, the user can force the demon into a contract of obeyance.
Increases WIS and INT gains on non-player characters
So, basically like V was, but with any demon instead of just three
That sounds cool, let's select that for him
Vincent Blackheart
Class [Demon Contractor]
So, with this, what happens?
You son will be accustomed to demonic energy, and will be inclined into the class in the future, it merely works as a correction for his stats in the future. It will increase the growth of the target
I see. Wouldn't that, I don't know, limit his freedom in the future?
You can cancel it, or just not use it
Well, already used it, let's see how it works, besides, if it helps him get stronger, I don't see the problem with it.
"Our little prove of love" Nina lovingly whispers, her voice ragged but determined. "Mommy is here"
Oh boy, let see how this all plays out in the future
-----------------------
A Few of Years Later
Life in the Blackheart household had settled into a comfortable rhythm
If "comfortable" included daily sword training, magical mishaps, and the occasional demonic nuisance. Vincent, now a curious and energetic five-year-old, was still too young to manifest any supernatural abilities, though he'd taken a keen interest in the weapons lining the manor
As I lounged in the study with a book, Eva stormed in, her expression a mix of exasperation and amusement.
"Dad, we have a problem."
I didn't look up. "Let me guess. Dante tried to cook again?"
Yeah, there is a reason why Dante prefers to order pizza than make it himself…
That thing was moving…
And it gave me EXP when I killed it
Like…. A lot of EXP
"Worse. He and Vergil found this." She dropped a weathered, leather-bound book onto the desk with a thud. The cover was inscribed with strange, pulsating runes.
No it wasn't a limited-edition playboy magazine. Nina doesn't allow to have those anymore. She makes the poses herself though, which make some nights enticing
It was a book about summoning and contracts. It was from the Lowell Library, which Nina brought to our house after she started living with us. Some I haven't even checked to see if they can grant me a skill.
Let's just say, the Lowell family had a LOT of books about demons and spells.
I frowned. "Where did they get this?"
"The attic. It was in one of the old chests."
I flipped through the pages—ancient demonology texts, summoning rituals, and sketches of grotesque creatures. Definitely not something the twins should've been messing with.
Sometimes it happens, after all, they are twins, and twins that are as competitive as they are helpful to each other.
What changed from having their family still alive, was that Vergil and Dante didn't separate, and their twin-bond is still going strong.
One of the proofs that canon went to shit
And for a couple of days now, they have been working together on making trouble
I sighed. "And what did they do with it?"
Eva pinched the bridge of her nose. "They're in the backyard 'testing' it."
By the time I arrived, Dante and Vergil were standing in the centre of a crudely drawn summoning circle, arguing over pronunciation.
"No, it's 'Vex'alla-thun', not 'Vex'alla-thon'," Vergil snapped.
Dante rolled his eyes. "Same difference. Let's just light the candles and see what happens."
Nina, who had been watching from the porch with Vincent perched on her hip, shot me a panicked look. "Aaron, please tell me this isn't as bad as it looks."
Before I could answer, the circle flared to life, and a small, furry creature popped into existence.
It was… a rabbit.
A very angry rabbit.
With horns. And Red Eyes
Vincent gasped. "A bunny!"
The creature snarled, its beady red eyes locking onto Dante. Then it lunged.
Dante yelped as it latched onto his arm. "OW! WHAT THE HELL?!"
Vergil, ever the pragmatist, unsheathed Yamato—only for Eva to smack the back of his head.
"NO. We are not killing a rabbit in front of the baby."
I sighed, stepping forward. With a quick flick of my wrist, I dispelled the summoning circle before another one came out. Dante threw the rabbit off of him, the furry demon holding a piece of his jacket in its mouth.
Dante clutched his arm. "That thing bit me!"
Vergil sniffed. "Perhaps next time, you'll listen when I say the incantation correctly."
Nina groaned. "I'm putting child locks on the attic."
"Like that would stop them"
Vincent on the other hand, saw the furry thing with glee "Wittle Wabbit"
And that's how Vincent got his first demonic contract
Vincent, still in his pyjamas, marched into the kitchen like a tiny general surveying a battlefield. His first demonic servant, Flufflefang, standing right beside him.
It was a cute little thing, except for the fact that it seemed to like to bite Dante every chance it got. That was actually hilarious.
It never tried to bite Vergil, because it wasn't that stupid
"I want pancakes," he announced.
Nina, flipping eggs at the stove, sighed. "We have oatmeal."
Vincent's eyes narrowed. "Pancakes."
Eva, sipping her own coffee, smirked. "He gets that stubbornness from you, Dad"
I shrugged. "Or from the Lowell side, hard to say."
Vincent climbed onto the counter, grabbed the syrup bottle, and held it like a weapon. "Pancakes. Or I declare war."
"*Witt Witt*" Flufflefang declared from beside him
Nina raised an eyebrow. "Are you threatening me?"
Vincent nodded solemnly
Five minutes later, we were all eating pancakes.
-----------------------
(The Twins)
After breakfast, the twins usually trained in the courtyard. Today, however, Dante had other plans.
"I'm skipping," he declared, flopping onto the couch.
Vergil's eye twitched. "You skipped yesterday. And the day before."
"Yeah, but today's my weekend."
"It's Tuesday."
Dante grinned. "Exactly. My mental weekend."
Vincent, now wielding a wooden spoon like a sword, tugged on Vergil's coat.
"I'll train with you, Uncle Virgy!"
Vergil's expression softened slightly. "…Very well."
Dante gasped. "Traitor!"
The smell of burning batter was the first sign that today would be eventful.
Nina stood frozen in the kitchen, staring at the charred remains of what was supposed to be breakfast. Vincent, perched on a stool beside her, poked the blackened pancake with a fork.
"It's… crunchy?" he offered.
Eva, sipping her coffee with the grace of a woman who had long accepted chaos, sighed. "Aaron, why did you let him near the stove?"
Aaron, lounging at the table with his feet up, grinned. "He said he wanted to 'help.' Who was I to crush his culinary dreams?"
Dante, who had been scavenging for leftovers, sniffed the air. "Smells like my cooking."
Vergil, without looking up from his book, deadpanned, "That explains the fire hazard."
Just as Nina was about to suggest ordering takeout, Vincent gasped. "Wait! I have an idea!" He scrambled down, rummaged through a drawer, and pulled out a dusty, rune-covered cookbook.
Eva's eyes narrowed. "Vincent. Where did you get that?"
"Uh… the safe part of the attic?"
Aaron snatched the book before Vincent could open it. "Nope. No demonic recipes. Last time we tried 'Hellfire Flambé,' the dining table gained sentience."
Dante perked up. "That was a great week."
Vergil pinched the bridge of his nose.
In the end, they settled for cereal.
The backyard had become a warzone.
Vincent, wielding a stick twice his size, charged at Dante with a battle cry. Dante dramatically fell to his knees, clutching his chest. "Ah! You got me! Tell... my pizza... I loved her..."
Vergil, observing from the porch, sighed. "Your form is atrocious."
"Aw, come on Vergil," Dante grinned, popping back up. "Let the kid have fun!"
A blur of motion later, Vergil had Vincent properly positioned, guiding his tiny hands through a basic Iaido stance. "This is how you cut with purpose."
Aaron watched from the kitchen window, shaking his head as Nina wrapped her arms around his waist. "Think we should stop them before Vergil turns him into a tiny samurai?"
Nina rested her chin on his shoulder. "And miss the show?"
Eva stood before the assembled family with her arms crossed. "We need to discuss the incident with the neighbour's mailbox."
Four pairs of eyes immediately turned to Dante.
"Hey! Why is everyone looking at me?!"
Vergil didn't even glance up from polishing Yamato. "Because it's always you."
"It was this time," Dante admitted. "But in my defense, it looked at me funny."
Aaron pinched the bridge of his nose. "We're paying for a new one. And you're installing it."
Dante groaned as Vincent whispered, "Can I help?"
--------------------------
A Few Years Later
"Grandfather, what is power?"
"Eh?"
I stared back to the 17-year-old Vergil as he asks a loaded question
Is this teenager's angst?
Is he just getting into puberty?
I have so many questions…
I was laying on a field chair, watching my son play around with a new contracted demon, a simple Vetala. A demon that usually roams around cemeteries. It had the form of a humanoid elephant. And could use fire to attack.
Right now, he was using it to roast marshmallow. Alongside his mother, and his sister Eva…. Who is older than his mother,
Yeah, this family is kind of messed up.
Meanwhile, both Vergil and Dante have grown into teen adults by now. Watching them grow into their videogame characters was actually very interesting. Hearing Vergil's voice morph into the known voice he had in DMC3 made me shed a little tear, same as Dante.
Speaking of, Dante left the house about 3 months ago, while Vergil decided to stay for some reason.
Maybe this was it.
"That depends Vergil" I gave a nonchalant answer
"Depends on what?"
"Depends on what you use the power for"
"What I use the power?"
"Yeah" I sipped my drink and left it on the table "It all depends on how you use that power. Those with a lot of power, but use it for their selfish means, will never know what true strength feels like"
Of course, Certified Charisma Bullshit works wonders when someone ask something like this.
"But what I want power to not feel powerless, what if I just don't want to be weak?" Vergil looks to his Yamato
I could see the grip on the sheath tightening
"Then Vergil, you would have gained power, but meaningless power. Power with no purpose only that the sake of power. And that, makes it weak. Since you are not using that power. But using that power for something other than yourself, it makes it have a meaning, and makes it even significant. That power, is worth something"
"…...Thanks, Grandfather" He stands, a resolute stare on his face "I will be going now"
"Where?"
"To look for something"
He leaves, not before talking to his mother, and the just walks away.
Eva comes to me, looking back to me. Nina holding Vincent in her arms, sits right next to me.
"What was that about?" Eva asks
"Nothing, just Vergil making his decision to leave the house"
"…...They grow up so fast"
"Indeed"
"I hope you don't grow as fast, Vincent" Nina holds Vincent in her arms, hugging the little boy in her lap
"Okay mama" He happily replies
"Atta boy" I stand and grab ruffle Vincent's head "Let's work on your swordsmanship, see if you can learn something new before dinner"
"Alright papa" He stand from his mother's lap and grabs one of the wooden swords laying around "I'm ready"
"Okay, let's see what you've got"
---------------------
(?)
Demonology….
He has been studying the topic every single day for the last decade. Trying to discover the secrets demons have, the secrets the power they yield.
He wants that, for himself. He wants the power like the one the almighty Dark Knight Sparda, used.
That's the reason he is willing to sacrifice everything, even his wife, Kalina. All for the sake of power
The amount of power he obtained wasn't what he wanted, but still, he managed to shed his mortal shell once and for all and become something more
Yet, he wants more…...
More power…...
He needs more…
"Well, well…. It seems we have a common goal then…." He heard a voice around him.
He turned around, and saw a man, tall, pale skinned, with a black Van Dyke-style moustache and beard. His eyes are brown and his black hair is swept back, with a prominent widow's peak. He was wearing an all-white suit with a ruffled front and sleeves, with the ruffles uniquely styled as skulls, offset with a dark-blue cravat. He wears white gloves, and shin-high boots.
"It is great to see a greater mind like mine here" Spoke the man, a tone with a slight accent, twirling his moustache between his index and middle finger, a grin carrying arrogance but eyes glinting with power.
"Who are…..."
"No, no, no" He waved his finger "No need for introductions at the moment, my dear librarian. We can release the seals of the Temen-Ni-Gru, all with a power I carry, but we will need the sons of Sparda to fully release the Gate to the Underworld"
"I see…... Then what would you like to do?"
"It is easy really, you will bring the sons of Sparda to the tower, and you will make them fight to each other, then, we will take the power of Sparda from their corpses"
"…. How would I do that?"
"Tell me librarian, how good are you with jokes"
"Excuse me?"
"You see, I was looking for a Jester for the court of the Demon King Argosax"
------------------------
Some Time Later
(Dante)
~Steal a soul for a second chance~
Oh, yeah, nothing like drinking beer, eating pizza, and listening to hardcore rock. All while resting his feet on the desk.
The white-haired cambion rested shirtless on an elegant desk, with feet of it as he let a string of cheese stretch over his mouth. He had a comic book on his lap, all while humming to the song playing on the stereo.
RING RING*
He kicked the desk and the phone flew right into his hand. With ease a superhuman dexterity he catches it and places it right beside his ear.
"Devil May Cry… sorry, we aren't open yet" He calmy replied
"NOT OPEN?! How long has it been since you opened that joint of yours Dante?!"
Wait, he recognizes that voice
"MOM?! Hey…. What's up?"
"Don't you "What's up?" me Dante" He hears his mother's voice, as angry as only a mother could pronounce "I asked Morrison how well you were doing, and you know what he said?"
"Eh…..."
"He said, you haven't received one job, in over ONE MONTH" She shouts that last part "Do you have anything to say Dante?"
"I plead the fifth?"
"I knew you would be irresponsible as always, so I decided to send someone to take care of you"
"Someone…..." He raised his eyebrow and then a shocked expression of realization appeared on his face "Wait, you don't mean?"
DING*
The door of his lounge opened, and entered his worst nightmare.
Dressed with a blue coat, a dark blue vest on his chest, with dark blue trousers and brown gloves, carrying his katana by his side.
It was his brother…...
"Well, it seems like my estimates about your administrative capabilities wasn't that far off from the truth, Dante"
"…...Vergil"
"Oh, I guess he already arrived" His mother told him from the phone. "Then I am sure he will take care of you, behave Dante"
"Yes mom…" He grumbled "Bye, see you later" He ended the call and turned his full attention to his brother"
"Well?" Vergil raised an eyebrow
"Uggh" He grumbled "Out of all people, he had to send you! I would've preferred anyone. Anyone at all, even Vincent"
"Hm, you will have to make due with me" Vergil stated, he then moved and put his coat on the coat-hanger and then sat on the sofa, when he sat, he saw how dust was lifted from the couch
"Ugh" He instantly got up and then, grabbed the hilt of his katana.
FWOOSH*
It seemed like he didn't even unsheathe his sword, but he knew that he just swung it about a hundred times in the blink of an eye.
The result was, his couch getting sliced into oblivion
"Filthy" He turned to his brother, a disappointed expression on his face "I expected you to life in a filthy place, but didn't expect you to life in a pigsty. I guess I expected too much from you"
"Hey! You just destroyed my couch. Do you know how much that cost?"
"Seeing that it seemed to carry the dust of our forefathers in it. I would guess pretty cheap" He turned at looked around "I will not stay in such a filthy like this, even on mother's orders. That's why, we shall clean this place at once"
"Uh oh"
If he knew something about his brother, it was that he was a cleaning freak
"I will admit, when I came through that door and saw the place like this, I didn't expect to see it in this state, I though I mistook the address"
"It is what a change of management does to an establishment" His brother replied, while drinking a cup of wine and sitting on a NEWLY bought couch, it was a lighter colour than the one before, and was more elegant.
"I'll say, I didn't even know the wood was supposed to be light oak, I thought it was natural dark"
"Oh, it was. But I decided that that the dark colour made the place look darker, that's why I changed the wood to a lighter colour, other than that, the rest of the place was cleaned by hand"
"You mean my hand" The younger twin grumbled as he rested his head on the main desk.
His brother made him clean every inch of the place,
EVERY
INCH
Including the bathrooms.
Doesn't he know how long ago he cleaned them?
There was a reason why he didn't enter there!
But well, the place looked shinier, and cleaner.
"Ha, good one Dante" Morrison got a hand on his jacket and produced an envelope. "But I didn't come here for just that. There is a job for you. Well, for your establishment, seeing that there is two of you now"
He placed the envelope in the table, in front of Vergil. And then sat in front of him on the other side. Vergil grabbed the envelope and read the sender. Or more importantly, the place it was send from
"Fortuna…." Vergil muttered "Curious…"
"You know about it?" He stood and asked his brother. Giving a curious glance to the envelope.
"It is supposed to be related to our late father, the Legacy of Sparda" Vergil's eyes narrowed "I've only heard rumours, but it seems they developed a cult around our father"
"Hah, it seems pops got a bunch of groupies" He then turned to Morrison "So, they try to summon his or something, sacrificing the virgins and all that song and dance?"
"Not quite" Morrison released a cloud of smoke from his mouth, his cigar shinning red "But there is someone that wants to know what they are up to. It seems some people have gone missing, and they believe that they are in Fortuna"
"Seems like an easy job" He muttered
"Quite" Vergil stood up, and grabbed his coat and wore it instantly. "I will be dealing with this. This seems to be something…... stealthier than what you are accustomed to"
He then moved to the door, and grabbed the handle
"Please brother. Do make sure to not burn the place while I am away"
"Oh Fuck off" He flipped his off
"Hm" Vergil left the place, his gait as elegant as always, and his coat-tails moving with the wind like a cape.
"Show off"
"I'm glad to see your family dynamics, they are always fun to see"
"Yeah, yeah" He sat back in the main desk "Bastard just likes to show off every now and then"
"Now, now. No need to grumble, I have another job that might be of your expertise"
"Oh really, that's more like it. What is it?"
"It is about a girl named Alice, the job is to find her and rescue her"
(?)
"It seems, the Sparda twins took the bait..."
"Indeed..."
------------------
(Aaron)
You know what, I kind of gave up after a while.
You see, I keep trying and trying to go up levels.
But…...
Aaron Blackheart
Level – 575
First Class – Cleric [75/100]
Second Class – Warlock [75/100]
Race – Human
HP – 2,506,250 [251,750 per 20 seconds]
MP – 2,465,000 [244,250 per 10 seconds]
DEM – 1,479,000 [146,550 per 10 seconds]
SP – 2,540,000 [251,750 per 10 seconds]
STR – 2000 [TRUE: 4565]
END – 2000 [TRUE: 4675]
DEX – 2000 [TRUE: 4725]
INT – 2000 [TRUE: 4525]
WIS – 2000 [TRUE: 4525]
CHR – 2000 [TRUE: 4705]
LCK – 2000 [TRUE: 4575]
POINTS – 1700
IMA – 1,482,369,120
PP – 136,666,306
HP – END x 500
MP – INT x 500
DEM – INT x 300
SP – END x 500
HP Regen – END x 50
MP Regen – WIS x 50
DEM Regen – WIS x 30
SP Regen – END x 50
One level…...
One miserable level.
That was the effort of these years.
I only leveled up once.
ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!
Haaa…
Deep breaths Aaron
Deep breaths
At least I know for sure that there is nothing in this universe that can actually get me to sweat.
I will probably ignore my levels from now on, unless there is a big change.
Haaa…
I should probably go home by now
It has been three years in here
Going out of the dungeon, I came back home, to see Nina reading a book while Vincent played around with Flufflefang playing around him, Vincent was now carrying a sticker in form of a elephant and an eagle on his arms, prove of the demons he is capable of summoning.
Of course, the shape of the contract can be changed, so, to stop the little boy from wearing a tattoo like some cult that tattoos children, he can make do with sticker in his arms.
Nina saw me entering the living room and instantly smiled with glee "Hey handsome"
"Hey to you" I replied as I went to the couch and rested on her lap
Nina started stroking my head "It's lonely, now that the boys are gone"
"Yeah, good part is, no more broken porcelains"
"Or burning kitchens"
"Or summoning Eldritch beings"
"That last one was Vincent, you know?"
"Oh yeah" I turned to the boy as he was melting things with the rabbit's saliva "Good times…"
"Yes, they are" She smiled and leaned back into the couch, letting herself be caressed by the warmth of home
I was thinking, one of these days I will leave this dimension. Go to another place, meet new people. But that a another for another day. For now, I will enjoy this peace
While it last….
-------------------
(Dante)
He walked to the place cited in the direction
Quick enough, he managed to feel the air. Turns out, this wonderland isn't a wonderland at all. Just smells like demon all over the place. He jumped through the fence, entering through the windows and trying to feel around and find that girl as quick as possible.
"Classy," he muttered, stepping over a broken rocking horse. The client said his daughter Alice vanished here three nights ago.
A music box melody tinkled from above
Dante's fingers brushed Ebony's grip as he climbed the stairs. The higher he went, the stronger the stench of spoiled milk and wet cloth
He arrived to a door, the music and stench coming from it.
Then, the door swung open before he touched it.
Alice sat cross-legged in a circle of headless dolls, sketching intently in a leather book. Her blue dress was pristine. Too pristine.
"Showtime, kid." Dante kept his tone light, but his demon sense screamed wrongness. "Daddy's—"
"You're late."
Her voice had layers. The attic's shadows deepened as she looked up staring at white eyes glowing in the dark.
Dante's guns blazing as the dolls reassembled themselves. Bullets tore through porcelain, but the shards kept moving. A doll's arm scuttled like a spider up to his leg.
"Okay, new rule." Dante grabbed Rebellion's handle "No more Mr. Nice Guy—"
Alice's sketchbook flipped open. The pages showed Dante fighting himself in a hall of mirrors... and losing.
The music box's tempo doubled.
And he was surrounded by mirrors
-------------------
(?)
Today is Sunday
A day of rest
And also…
A day of prayer
Still…
Must they always go to church and pray to the almighty Sparda?
Nothing ever happens in this city. And they hardly ever get tourist due to the Order's strict polices for entry
She wishes she could meet a new face in our city. Someone from outside, and not just another hooded face. She is force to wear that dull hood all the time
Aren't they allowed to show their face?
They are a pilgrimage, not a cult.
For once, she wants to meet someone who is not from Fortuna. Someone not afraid to show their face
Just as she said that, she saw a different person from the normal that go to church.
A grey hood totally different from the one they are accustomed to. Standing taller than most of the people around them.
He walked with a gait different from the one she has seen
With purpose, elegance…...
She stopped and stared at him...
And followed him, her body moving unconsciously, following behind the stranger.
She followed him, until he went into an alley. Then, there was no one there. But she saw the hood he was wearing on the ground. She picked up and then
TAP*
Behind her, a soft step echoed in the alley.
"I could hear you breathing" It was a calm and elegant voice, carrying a degree of royalty "A footstep away"
She turned, and saw the full body of the stranger. He had white hair and wearing a a long, silver buttoned blue coat with three separated coattails.
She stared as his piercing blue eyes as they broke every defense she had.
"Why did you follow me?"
She moved back and dropped the hooded coat
"I am sorry" She clasped her hand on top of her chest "It's just… We don't get a lot of visitors…. And I" She walked forward, reaching just one step of distance between the two "I wanted to meet you…. get to learn more, about the outside world. Please mister, can you tell me what's like?"
He stared at her, his stare becoming gentle, but not losing its edge "You wouldn't be interested…"
DING DONG DING DONG*
He turned to the chime of the church bell "Why aren't you in church like the other?"
She looked down "Because…. I wanted to do something other with my life…. Something worth living…. Something other than praying to Sparda for our salvation"
"Sparda?" He turned to her, his eyes gaining an edge "You said Sparda?"
"Yes, why?"
"…...Tell me your name?"
"Charlotte! My name is Charlotte, but my friends call me Lottie"
"Well then…Charlotte" His lips quirked upwards just a little, almost imperceptible to the normal eye "In that case, my name is Vergil. And you will be my eyes and ears on the streets of Fortuna. And in exchange…." He grabbed her shoulder, a small gentle gesturing that surprised her "I'll tell you everything about the outside world. You have my word"
It was the beginning, of something
-------------------------
(Dante)
The attic creaked under his boots as Dante stepped forward, Ebony and Ivory trained on the floating girl. Alice's white eyes gleamed, her fingers twitching like a puppeteer's. Around them, the shattered porcelain dolls began to reform, their jagged edges knitting back together with eerie, golden threads.
"Alright, kid," Dante said, cracking his neck. "Enough with the spooky act. Where's the real Alice?"
Alice's lips stretched into a grin too wide for her face. "She's right here. And so much more."
The music box's melody twisted into a dissonant screech. The walls warped, the attic stretching impossibly long mirrors sprouted from the floorboards, each reflecting a different Dante. Some bloodied. Some laughing. One with Sparda's sword buried in his chest. One with black hair. Many, many versions of the Devil Hunter
Dante's reflection smirked back at him. "You really think you're the hero here?"
"Shut up," Dante muttered, firing a bullet straight into the glass. It didn't shatter. Instead, the reflection stepped out, Rebellion flashing in its hand.
*CLANG!*
Steel met steel. Dante gritted his teeth as his own face sneered at him. "Okay, that's new."
Alice giggled. Her voice layered with something ancient. "You can't kill what's already part of you."
The reflection pressed harder, its strength matching Dante's blow for blow. More mirrors cracked open, each spilling out another Dante
A kick sent him skidding back. He wiped his mouth. "Yeah, yeah. 'Face your inner demons.' Real original."
Alice tilted her head. "Not demons. Just you."
Dante exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Guess I'll have to break the whole damn set."
He holstered his guns.
And grinned.
"Jackpot!"