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mostlysignssomeportents · 1 year

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Tiktok's enshittification

Here is how platforms die: first, they are good to their users; then they abuse their users to make things better for their business customers; finally, they abuse those business customers to claw back all the value for themselves. Then, they die.

If you’d like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here’s a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/21/potemkin-ai/#hey-guys

I call this enshittification, and it is a seemingly inevitable consequence arising from the combination of the ease of changing how a platform allocates value, combined with the nature of a “two sided market,” where a platform sits between buyers and sellers, hold each hostage to the other, raking off an ever-larger share of the value that passes between them.

When a platform starts, it needs users, so it makes itself valuable to users. Think of Amazon: for many years, it operated at a loss, using its access to the capital markets to subsidize everything you bought. It sold goods below cost and shipped them below cost. It operated a clean and useful search. If you searched for a product, Amazon tried its damndest to put it at the top of the search results.

This was a hell of a good deal for Amazon’s customers. Lots of us piled in, and lots of brick-and-mortar retailers withered and died, making it hard to go elsewhere. Amazon sold us ebooks and audiobooks that were permanently locked to its platform with DRM, so that every dollar we spent on media was a dollar we’d have to give up if we deleted Amazon and its apps. And Amazon sold us Prime, getting us to pre-pay for a year’s worth of shipping. Prime customers start their shopping on Amazon, and 90% of the time, they don’t search anywhere else.

That tempted in lots of business customers — Marketplace sellers who turned Amazon into the “everything store” it had promised from the beginning. As these sellers piled in, Amazon shifted to subsidizing suppliers. Kindle and Audible creators got generous packages. Marketplace sellers reached huge audiences and Amazon took low commissions from them.

This strategy meant that it became progressively harder for shoppers to find things anywhere except Amazon, which meant that they only searched on Amazon, which meant that sellers had to sell on Amazon.

That’s when Amazon started to harvest the surplus from its business customers and send it to Amazon’s shareholders. Today, Marketplace sellers are handing 45%+ of the sale price to Amazon in junk fees. The company’s $31b “advertising” program is really a payola scheme that pits sellers against each other, forcing them to bid on the chance to be at the top of your search.

Searching Amazon doesn’t produce a list of the products that most closely match your search, it brings up a list of products whose sellers have paid the most to be at the top of that search. Those fees are built into the cost you pay for the product, and Amazon’s “Most Favored Nation” requirement sellers means that they can’t sell more cheaply elsewhere, so Amazon has driven prices at every retailer.

Search Amazon for “cat beds” and the entire first screen is ads, including ads for products Amazon cloned from its own sellers, putting them out of business (third parties have to pay 45% in junk fees to Amazon, but Amazon doesn’t charge itself these fees). All told, the first five screens of results for “cat bed” are 50% ads.

https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/#relentless-payola

This is enshittification: surpluses are first directed to users; then, once they’re locked in, surpluses go to suppliers; then once they’re locked in, the surplus is handed to shareholders and the platform becomes a useless pile of shit. From mobile app stores to Steam, from Facebook to Twitter, this is the enshittification lifecycle.

This is why — as Cat Valente wrote in her magesterial pre-Christmas essay — platforms like Prodigy transformed themselves overnight, from a place where you went for social connection to a place where you were expected to “stop talking to each other and start buying things”:

https://catvalente.substack.com/p/stop-talking-to-each-other-and-start

This shell-game with surpluses is what happened to Facebook. First, Facebook was good to you: it showed you the things the people you loved and cared about had to say. This created a kind of mutual hostage-taking: once a critical mass of people you cared about were on Facebook, it became effectively impossible to leave, because you’d have to convince all of them to leave too, and agree on where to go. You may love your friends, but half the time you can’t agree on what movie to see and where to go for dinner. Forget it.

Then, it started to cram your feed full of posts from accounts you didn’t follow. At first, it was media companies, who Facebook preferentially crammed down its users’ throats so that they would click on articles and send traffic to newspapers, magazines and blogs.

Then, once those publications were dependent on Facebook for their traffic, it dialed down their traffic. First, it choked off traffic to publications that used Facebook to run excerpts with links to their own sites, as a way of driving publications into supplying fulltext feeds inside Facebook’s walled garden.

This made publications truly dependent on Facebook — their readers no longer visited the publications’ websites, they just tuned into them on Facebook. The publications were hostage to those readers, who were hostage to each other. Facebook stopped showing readers the articles publications ran, tuning The Algorithm to suppress posts from publications unless they paid to “boost” their articles to the readers who had explicitly subscribed to them and asked Facebook to put them in their feeds.

Now, Facebook started to cram more ads into the feed, mixing payola from people you wanted to hear from with payola from strangers who wanted to commandeer your eyeballs. It gave those advertisers a great deal, charging a pittance to target their ads based on the dossiers of nonconsensually harvested personal data they’d stolen from you.

Sellers became dependent on Facebook, too, unable to carry on business without access to those targeted pitches. That was Facebook’s cue to jack up ad prices, stop worrying so much about ad fraud, and to collude with Google to rig the ad market through an illegal program called Jedi Blue:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jedi_Blue

Today, Facebook is terminally enshittified, a terrible place to be whether you’re a user, a media company, or an advertiser. It’s a company that deliberately demolished a huge fraction of the publishers it relied on, defrauding them into a “pivot to video” based on false claims of the popularity of video among Facebook users. Companies threw billions into the pivot, but the viewers never materialized, and media outlets folded in droves:

https://slate.com/technology/2018/10/facebook-online-video-pivot-metrics-false.html

But Facebook has a new pitch. It claims to be called Meta, and it has demanded that we live out the rest of our days as legless, sexless, heavily surveilled low-poly cartoon characters.

It has promised companies that make apps for this metaverse that it won’t rug them the way it did the publishers on the old Facebook. It remains to be seen whether they’ll get any takers. As Mark Zuckerberg once candidly confessed to a peer, marvelling at all of his fellow Harvard students who sent their personal information to his new website “TheFacebook”:

> I don’t know why.

> They “trust me”

> Dumb fucks.

https://doctorow.medium.com/metaverse-means-pivot-to-video-adbe09319038

Once you understand the enshittification pattern, a lot of the platform mysteries solve themselves. Think of the SEO market, or the whole energetic world of online creators who spend endless hours engaged in useless platform Kremlinology, hoping to locate the algorithmic tripwires, which, if crossed, doom the creative works they pour their money, time and energy into:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/04/11/coercion-v-cooperation/#the-machine-is-listening

Working for the platform can be like working for a boss who takes money out of every paycheck for all the rules you broke, but who won’t tell you what those rules are because if he told you that, then you’d figure out how to break those rules without him noticing and docking your pay. Content moderation is the only domain where security through obscurity is considered a best practice:

https://doctorow.medium.com/como-is-infosec-307f87004563

The situation is so dire that organizations like Tracking Exposed have enlisted an human army of volunteers and a robot army of headless browsers to try to unwind the logic behind the arbitrary machine judgments of The Algorithm, both to give users the option to tune the recommendations they receive, and to help creators avoid the wage theft that comes from being shadow banned:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2022/05/tracking-exposed-demanding-gods-explain-themselves

But what if there is no underlying logic? Or, more to the point, what if the logic shifts based on the platform’s priorities? If you go down to the midway at your county fair, you’ll spot some poor sucker walking around all day with a giant teddy bear that they won by throwing three balls in a peach basket.

The peach-basket is a rigged game. The carny can use a hidden switch to force the balls to bounce out of the basket. No one wins a giant teddy bear unless the carny wants them to win it. Why did the carny let the sucker win the giant teddy bear? So that he’d carry it around all day, convincing other suckers to put down five bucks for their chance to win one:

https://boingboing.net/2006/08/27/rigged-carny-game.html

The carny allocated a giant teddy bear to that poor sucker the way that platforms allocate surpluses to key performers — as a convincer in a “Big Store” con, a way to rope in other suckers who’ll make content for the platform, anchoring themselves and their audiences to it.

Which brings me to Tiktok. Tiktok is many different things, including “a free Adobe Premiere for teenagers that live on their phones.”

https://www.garbageday.email/p/the-fragments-of-media-you-consume

But what made it such a success early on was the power of its recommendation system. From the start, Tiktok was really, really good at recommending things to its users. Eerily good:

https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1093882880

By making good-faith recommendations of things it thought its users would like, Tiktok built a mass audience, larger than many thought possible, given the death grip of its competitors, like Youtube and Instagram. Now that Tiktok has the audience, it is consolidating its gains and seeking to lure away the media companies and creators who are still stubbornly attached to Youtube and Insta.

Yesterday, Forbes’s Emily Baker-White broke a fantastic story about how that actually works inside of Bytedance, Tiktok’s parent company, citing multiple internal sources, revealing the existence of a “heating tool” that Tiktok employees use push videos from select accounts into millions of viewers’ feeds:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2023/01/20/tiktoks-secret-heating-button-can-make-anyone-go-viral/

These videos go into Tiktok users’ ForYou feeds, which Tiktok misleadingly describes as being populated by videos “ranked by an algorithm that predicts your interests based on your behavior in the app.” In reality, For You is only sometimes composed of videos that Tiktok thinks will add value to your experience — the rest of the time, it’s full of videos that Tiktok has inserted in order to make creators think that Tiktok is a great place to reach an audience.

“Sources told Forbes that TikTok has often used heating to court influencers and brands, enticing them into partnerships by inflating their videos’ view count. This suggests that heating has potentially benefitted some influencers and brands — those with whom TikTok has sought business relationships — at the expense of others with whom it has not.”

In other words, Tiktok is handing out giant teddy bears.

But Tiktok is not in the business of giving away giant teddy bears. Tiktok, for all that its origins are in the quasi-capitalist Chinese economy, is just another paperclip-maximizing artificial colony organism that treats human beings as inconvenient gut flora. Tiktok is only going to funnel free attention to the people it wants to entrap until they are entrapped, then it will withdraw that attention and begin to monetize it.

“Monetize” is a terrible word that tacitly admits that there is no such thing as an “Attention Economy.” You can’t use attention as a medium of exchange. You can’t use it as a store of value. You can’t use it as a unit of account. Attention is like cryptocurrency: a worthless token that is only valuable to the extent that you can trick or coerce someone into parting with “fiat” currency in exchange for it. You have to “monetize” it — that is, you have to exchange the fake money for real money.

In the case of cryptos, the main monetization strategy was deception-based. Exchanges and “projects” handed out a bunch of giant teddy-bears, creating an army of true-believer Judas goats who convinced their peers to hand the carny their money and try to get some balls into the peach-basket themselves.

But deception only produces so much “liquidity provision.” Eventually, you run out of suckers. To get lots of people to try the ball-toss, you need coercion, not persuasion. Think of how US companies ended the defined benefits pension that guaranteed you a dignified retirement, replacing it with market-based 401(k) pensions that forced you to gamble your savings in a rigged casino, making you the sucker at the table, ripe for the picking:

https://pluralistic.net/2020/07/25/derechos-humanos/#are-there-no-poorhouses

Early crypto liquidity came from ransomware. The existence of a pool of desperate, panicked companies and individuals whose data had been stolen by criminals created a baseline of crypto liquidity because they could only get their data back by trading real money for fake crypto money.

The next phase of crypto coercion was Web3: converting the web into a series of tollbooths that you could only pass through by trading real money for fake crypto money. The internet is a must-have, not a nice-to-have, a prerequisite for full participation in employment, education, family life, health, politics, civics, even romance. By holding all those things to ransom behind crypto tollbooths, the hodlers hoped to convert their tokens to real money:

https://locusmag.com/2022/09/cory-doctorow-moneylike/

For Tiktok, handing out free teddy-bears by “heating” the videos posted by skeptical performers and media companies is a way to convert them to true believers, getting them to push all their chips into the middle of the table, abandoning their efforts to build audiences on other platforms (it helps that Tiktok’s format is distinctive, making it hard to repurpose videos for Tiktok to circulate on rival platforms).

Once those performers and media companies are hooked, the next phase will begin: Tiktok will withdraw the “heating” that sticks their videos in front of people who never heard of them and haven’t asked to see their videos. Tiktok is performing a delicate dance here: there’s only so much enshittification they can visit upon their users’ feeds, and Tiktok has lots of other performers they want to give giant teddy-bears to.

Tiktok won’t just starve performers of the “free” attention by depreferencing them in the algorithm, it will actively punish them by failing to deliver their videos to the users who subscribed to them. After all, every time Tiktok shows you a video you asked to see, it loses a chance to show you a video it wants you to see, because your attention is a giant teddy-bear it can give away to a performer it is wooing.

This is just what Twitter has done as part of its march to enshittification: thanks to its “monetization” changes, the majority of people who follow you will never see the things you post. I have ~500k followers on Twitter and my threads used to routinely get hundreds of thousands or even millions of reads. Today, it’s hundreds, perhaps thousands.

I just handed Twitter $8 for Twitter Blue, because the company has strongly implied that it will only show the things I post to the people who asked to see them if I pay ransom money. This is the latest battle in one of the internet’s longest-simmering wars: the fight over end-to-end:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/12/10/e2e/#the-censors-pen

In the beginning, there were Bellheads and Netheads. The Bellheads worked for big telcos, and they believed that all the value of the network rightly belonged to the carrier. If someone invented a new feature — say, Caller ID — it should only be rolled out in a way that allows the carrier to charge you every month for its use. This is Software-As-a-Service, Ma Bell style.

The Netheads, by contrast, believed that value should move to the edges of the network — spread out, pluralized. In theory, Compuserve could have “monetized” its own version of Caller ID by making you pay $2.99 extra to see the “From:” line on email before you opened the message — charging you to know who was speaking before you started listening — but they didn’t.

The Netheads wanted to build diverse networks with lots of offers, lots of competition, and easy, low-cost switching between competitors (thanks to interoperability). Some wanted this because they believed that the net would someday be woven into the world, and they didn’t want to live in a world of rent-seeking landlords. Others were true believers in market competition as a source of innovation. Some believed both things. Either way, they saw the risk of network capture, the drive to monetization through trickery and coercion, and they wanted to head it off.

They conceived of the end-to-end principle: the idea that networks should be designed so that willing speakers’ messages would be delivered to willing listeners’ end-points as quickly and reliably as they could be. That is, irrespective of whether a network operator could make money by sending you the data it wanted to receive, its duty would be to provide you with the data you wanted to see.

The end-to-end principle is dead at the service level today. Useful idiots on the right were tricked into thinking that the risk of Twitter mismanagement was “woke shadowbanning,” whereby the things you said wouldn’t reach the people who asked to hear them because Twitter’s deep state didn’t like your opinions. The real risk, of course, is that the things you say won’t reach the people who asked to hear them because Twitter can make more money by enshittifying their feeds and charging you ransom for the privilege to be included in them.

As I said at the start of this essay, enshittification exerts a nearly irresistible gravity on platform capitalism. It’s just too easy to turn the enshittification dial up to eleven. Twitter was able to fire the majority of its skilled staff and still crank the dial all the way over, even with a skeleton crew of desperate, demoralized H1B workers who are shackled to Twitter’s sinking ship by the threat of deportation.

The temptation to enshittify is magnified by the blocks on interoperability: when Twitter bans interoperable clients, nerfs its APIs, and periodically terrorizes its users by suspending them for including their Mastodon handles in their bios, it makes it harder to leave Twitter, and thus increases the amount of enshittification users can be force-fed without risking their departure.

Twitter is not going to be a “protocol.” I’ll bet you a testicle¹ that projects like Bluesky will find no meaningful purchase on the platform, because if Bluesky were implemented and Twitter users could order their feeds for minimal enshittification and leave the service without sacrificing their social networks, it would kill the majority of Twitter’s “monetization” strategies.

¹Not one of mine.

An enshittification strategy only succeeds if it is pursued in measured amounts. Even the most locked-in user eventually reaches a breaking-point and walks away, or gets pushed. The villagers of Anatevka in Fiddler on the Roof tolerated the cossacks' violent raids and pogroms for years, until they were finally forced to flee to Krakow, New York and Chicago:

https://doctorow.medium.com/how-to-leave-dying-social-media-platforms-9fc550fe5abf

For enshittification-addled companies, that balance is hard to strike. Individual product managers, executives, and activist shareholders all give preference to quick returns at the cost of sustainability, and are in a race to see who can eat their seed-corn first. Enshittification has only lasted for as long as it has because the internet has devolved into “five giant websites, each filled with screenshots of the other four”:

https://twitter.com/tveastman/status/1069674780826071040

With the market sewn up by a group of cozy monopolists, better alternatives don’t pop up and lure us away, and if they do, the monopolists just buy them out and integrate them into your enshittification strategies, like when Mark Zuckerberg noticed a mass exodus of Facebook users who were switching to Instagram, and so he bought Instagram. As Zuck says, “It is better to buy than to compete.”

This is the hidden dynamic behind the rise and fall of Amazon Smile, the program whereby Amazon gave a small amount of money to charities of your choice when you shopped there, but only if you used Amazon’s own search tool to locate the products you purchased. This provided an incentive for Amazon customers to use its own increasingly enshittified search, which it could cram full of products from sellers who coughed up payola, as well as its own lookalike products. The alternative was to use Google, whose search tool would send you directly to the product you were looking for, and then charge Amazon a commission for sending you to it:

https://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/10ft5iv/comment/j4znb8y/

The demise of Amazon Smile coincides with the increasing enshittification of Google Search, the only successful product the company managed to build in-house. All its other successes were bought from other companies: video, docs, cloud, ads, mobile; while its own products are either flops like Google Video, clones (Gmail is a Hotmail clone), or adapted from other companies’ products, like Chrome.

Google Search was based on principles set out in founder Larry Page and Sergey Brin’s landmark 1998 paper, “Anatomy of a Large-Scale Hypertextual Web Search Engine,” in which they wrote, “Advertising funded search engines will be inherently biased towards the advertisers and away from the needs of consumers.”

http://ilpubs.stanford.edu:8090/361/

Even with that foundational understanding of enshittification, Google has been unable to resist its siren song. Today’s Google results are an increasingly useless morass of self-preferencing links to its own products, ads for products that aren’t good enough to float to the top of the list on its own, and parasitic SEO junk piggybacking on the former.

Enshittification kills. Google just laid off 12,000 employees, and the company is in a full-blown “panic” over the rise of “AI” chatbots, and is making a full-court press for an AI-driven search tool — that is, a tool that won’t show you what you ask for, but rather, what it thinks you should see:

https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/20/23563851/google-search-ai-chatbot-demo-chatgpt

Now, it’s possible to imagine that such a tool will produce good recommendations, like Tiktok’s pre-enshittified algorithm did. But it’s hard to see how Google will be able to design a non-enshittified chatbot front-end to search, given the strong incentives for product managers, executives, and shareholders to enshittify results to the precise threshold at which users are nearly pissed off enough to leave, but not quite.

Even if it manages the trick, this-almost-but-not-quite-unusuable equilibrium is fragile. Any exogenous shock — a new competitor like Tiktok that penetrates the anticompetitive “moats and walls” of Big Tech, a privacy scandal, a worker uprising — can send it into wild oscillations:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/08/watch-the-surpluses/#exogenous-shocks

Enshittification truly is how platforms die. That’s fine, actually. We don’t need eternal rulers of the internet. It’s okay for new ideas and new ways of working to emerge. The emphasis of lawmakers and policymakers shouldn’t be preserving the crepuscular senescence of dying platforms. Rather, our policy focus should be on minimizing the cost to users when these firms reach their expiry date: enshrining rights like end-to-end would mean that no matter how autocannibalistic a zombie platform became, willing speakers and willing listeners would still connect with each other:

https://doctorow.medium.com/end-to-end-d6046dca366f

And policymakers should focus on freedom of exit — the right to leave a sinking platform while continuing to stay connected to the communities that you left behind, enjoying the media and apps you bought, and preserving the data you created:

https://www.eff.org/interoperablefacebook

The Netheads were right: technological self-determination is at odds with the natural imperatives of tech businesses. They make more money when they take away our freedom — our freedom to speak, to leave, to connect.

For many years, even Tiktok’s critics grudgingly admitted that no matter how surveillant and creepy it was, it was really good at guessing what you wanted to see. But Tiktok couldn’t resist the temptation to show you the things it wants you to see, rather than what you want to see. The enshittification has begun, and now it is unlikely to stop.

It's too late to save Tiktok. Now that it has been infected by enshittifcation, the only thing left is to kill it with fire.

[Image ID: Hansel and Gretel in front of the witch's candy house. Hansel and Gretel have been replaced with line-drawings of influencers, taking selfies of themselves with the candy house. In front of the candy house stands a portly man in a business suit; his head is a sack of money with a dollar-sign on it. He wears a crooked witch's hat. The cottage has the Tiktok logo on it.]

#pluralistic #Lauren Leffer #tiktok #surplus allocation #fauximation #potemkin ai #the algorithm #creative labor #algorithms exposed #enshittification #bytedance #giant teddy bears #convincers #big store con #pivot to video #scissor bucket #Emily Baker-White

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m0chaminx · 1 year

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Within Red

A few notes before we stat This fic follows the main plot of Devil May Cry 5 with addition from the accompany graphic novels (Visions of V and Before the Nightmare) This is a slow burn, I am apparently incapable of writing anything else Typical violence but far more foul language All chapters will be included but will be split by titles and headers

ROUGHLY 30,000 WORDS

OC x V

WITHIN RED; 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘤𝘳𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘯

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠:

𝑴𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝑪𝒂𝒔𝒕 Elizabeth Olsen 𝒂𝒔 Rory Renan Karlo Baker 𝒂𝒔 Nero Owen McGinnity 𝒂𝒔 V Adam Cowie 𝒂𝒔 Dante Emily Bador 𝒂𝒔 Nico

𝑺𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 Ariana Diamant 𝒂𝒔 Trish Andrea Tivadar 𝒂𝒔 Lady Maxim Nazarov 𝒂𝒔 Virgil/Urizen Laura Napoli 𝒂𝒔 Kyrie Brad Venable (Voice) 𝒂𝒔 Griffin Kim Soo-Ahn 𝒂𝒔 Kat Robbins Sarah Paulson 𝒂𝒔 Scarlett Renan

Rory Renan

( Tell me your secrets, tell me your lies, at the end of the day, it is you life )

CHAPTER ONE

WHERE THERE ARE DEMONS, WITCHES WEREN'T SO FAR BEHIND. It was stronger than any other energy she had felt before. The little girl with blond hair gripped the red haired woman's hand tighter. "Rory... My feet hurt."

"You'll be okay," Rory nodded, looking down at the young girl. "We're almost there." Rory ventured through the town, asking about a place to stay. A man in his early thirties had directed Rory and the young girl, Kat, to a man down the road.

Rory slowed to a light walk and pushed Kat slightly behind her. She looked up at the old house, the garage was open a large brown van inside. A young woman played around with three kids in a yard as another woman and a man with white hair messed around with the van.

Rory walked closer to the garage and took a breath. "Excuse me," Rory called and the boy with white hair looked up. "I'm looking for Nero." SIX MONTHS LATER

KYRIE RESTED A HAND ON HER HIP AND SHOOK HER HEAD SOFTLY. "Kat be careful please," Kyrie called as Kat started to climb on the table.

"She continues to stay the most erratic of the kids," Rory laughed, taking a spoon to stir the pot.

"And to think it was Carlo," Kyrie laughed softly, shaking her head. "Now, I'll plate up, can you go get Nico and Nero please?"

"Yeah," Rory nodded and whipped her hands before walking out to the garage. "Hey, dinners ready," Rory called as she leaned on the door frame.

"Few more minutes," Nero nodded looking up from the hood of the car, a muck stain on his cheek.

"Hey, don't lose a finger," Rory suggested with a teasing smile as she slipped back inside. Nico followed a minute later, stealing a bite from the plate Kyrie was serving. Kyrie waited a minute before calling out to Nero. "Nero, the food's getting cold. What's going-?"

"Kyrie! Get back inside, now!" Nero yelled, stopping Kyrie in her steps. A split second after, a massive crashing sound rang out from the garage.

"Demons?" Kat asked, looking up at the older girls. Rory knelt down and rested her hands on Kat's shoulders.

"Stay here," Rory ordered, "All of you." Nero screamed out in pain and Rory shot to her feet. "Stay."

Rory rushed out to the garage, watching a tall man in an overly large coat step up to a portal. Rory stood in shock for a moment at the blood rushing from Nero's arm. Rory threw her arm out, red smoke-like texture covering her fingers and Nero's toolbox and tossed it into the man's back. The man stumbled and the portal closed.

"Fuck me," Rory cursed sliding next to Nero as he tried to crawl toward where the man stood. "Nero," Rory called moving her fingers around and holding the blood against his arm. "You gotta stay awake."

"Nero!" Kyrie called, rushing to Nero's side.

"I leave you alone for two minutes, what the hell happened?!" Nico yelled, standing over them.

"Call an ambulance," Rory instructed as Nero's eyes fluttered shut. ✦

RORY'S LEG BOUNCED SLIGHTLY AS SHE WATCHED OVER NERO. Kyrie stayed in the house looking after the kids and Nico helped her at the house as well as fixing up the van. Rory had a phone in her hands, spinning it between her fingers; it was the only way Rory could get Kyrie to go home and watch the others. At any difference, even the slightest change with Nero, Rory would contact Kyrie immediately.

Rory had her spell book floating in front of her, looking for any type of healing spells or regeneration spells. The red-lit smoke flipped the pages as her eyes finished reading over each word. Nero suddenly gasped and his eyes shot open as he started to cough harshly. Rory jumped up, dropping her spells and helping Nero sit straight. "Holy shit, you okay?" Rory questioned holding his side.

"Rory..." Nero huffed, his hand moving to hers. "Where's Kyrie?"

"I told her to stay home," Rory informed.

"Took you long enough to wake up," A voice sounded from the window. Rory spun holding her hand out, a bright red orb materializing itself in her palm. The man in front of her lent against the window, swirling black tattoos running up his arms and torso to the top his neck. He looked over her hand and tilted his head in confusion. "Your body seems to be just fine. As far as I can see. The front door was closed so I came through the window."

"And you can stay by the window," Rory ordered.

"Trust me, if I wanted to hurt you I would have already," The man spoke, still eyeing Rory's hand. "Please, there's no need for... that," The man pointed the handle of the cane at Rory and Nero tapped her arm, signaling for her to relax. He walked past Rory and sat on the end of the bed, leaving half a meter between them. "Call me V. That's my name."

"Any more than a letter?" Rory questioned, tilting her head at him. V sighed and turned his gaze to Nero.

"I know the demon that took your arm," V spoke and Nero's eyes widened, looking up at Rory in shock. "That demon absorbed the Yamato, that was sleeping in your right arm, gaining his incredible power. Right now Dante is heading toward that demon."

"And why the hell do you know that?" Nero questioned, squinting his eyes slightly.

"... I'm a devil hunter," V admitted. "I've been chasing that demon for... a long time. Which is how I learned about your right arm too." V paused for a moment his eyes moving up to Rory. "I also made a request to Dante. As for me defeating him alone would be simply impossible. I intended to borrow Dante's power and take him down, but he far exceeded my expectations..." V trailed off as if he were calculating a new decision in his mind. "Dante alone... might be unable to win." V took his cane and thrust the handle in Nero's direction which made Nero jolt slightly. "So come with me, Nero."

Nero huffed and swiped the cane from V's grasp holding it beside him. "Unable to win? Dante?" Nero shouted before chuckling softly. "Are you for real right now?" With Nero distracted by his own words, he didn't notice V's tattoos lifting from his body in a goop-like substance. "You make a pretty crappy comedian."

The tattoo finally tore itself from V's skin and formed a bird-like creature that flew through the air. "Boy, you are slow in the head! The point is, he's real bad news so get preparing, you dumbass!"

When the bird finally stopped circling the room to dive down at Nero, Rory flicked her hand engulfing the animal in the red light and slammed him into the wall across the room. "A bird?!" Nero shouted in disbelief.

"No, a demon," Rory corrected.

V sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose and stood, leaning on the cane. "We have little time to spare. You should obediently come with me, considering what might happen if you don't. Unless..." V paused turning back to look at Nero. "You don't have the confidence to fight demons without that right arm of yours."

Nero's confused face twisted into one of annoyance ready to snap at him but Rory was quicker and flung the bird back at V, melding them back together. V stumbled and landed back on the bed with a grunt, not expecting such a sudden force so quickly.

"He's in, and so am I," Rory stated looking over at Nero. "If there's a demon threatening to tear down the world, I'm going to stop it." Nero sighed and nodded. "We need new clothes, so your gonna have to be patient, V."

CHAPTER TWO RORY STEPPED OUT OF THE HOUSE, FIXING THE CUFFS ON HER RED LEATHER JACKET. She walked to V and Nero who stood around the front fence. Nero fixed his coat properly and Rory nodded. "...My weapons are in the garage. Mind waiting?" Nero questioned looking over at V and the bird.

"I've already told you, we don't have much time-"

"Hurry up! And don't forget your hanky and toilet paper, kiddo!" The bird yelled interrupting V. Nero rolled his eyes and slipped into the shed.

V turned to look up at Rory, who was already looking down at him. He flicked out his leather coat and turned his head away. "This is a dangerous mission," V reminded, his hand resting on his cane.

Rory laughed softly and shook her head. "Your right, you should probably go home," Rory shot back, crossing her arms and leaning on the fence. Rory looked up at the helicopter, eyeing it as the loud sounds of the blades got closer.

"You're telling me that's our ride?" Nero questioned, stepping over the fence. "Talk about posh... Don't get too close, the others will wake up."

"Do I look like I can contact it right now? Try jumping and telling the piolet in person," V shrugged.

"Yeah, sure," Nero sighed, his eyes rolling in annoyance. "Rory, can you make it... less loud?" Nero questioned looking past V. Rory raised her hand to rest her elbow on her hip and wriggled her fingers, the loud whooshing sounds dying down to a soft hum

.V eyed Rory from the side of his eye, watching her hand drop back to her side. "You're welcome," Rory mumbled.

"Hey, I grabbed this as well," Nero spoke up pulling a crown-like headband from his jacket pocket. "Kat woke up, told me to give it to you." Rory took it from Nero, not giving V enough time to look at it.

✦

THE ENIRE PLACE STUNK OF BLOOD AND ROTTING PLANTS. Rory turned her nose up at the smell and eyed the path ahead. "What are we doin' wasting our time here?" Nero sighed walking beside Rory as they walked through the tree. "He's got this." Nero looked past all the big roots, out towards where the fighting and gunfire could be heard as Dante fought the demon.

"You should not underestimate this demon," V ordered as he walked in front of the two. "After all, it was he that took your right arm. And gained a great deal of power from it." V walked ahead, not letting Nero and Rory hear what they were saying.

"What?" Nero questioned, looking up at Rory's face. Rory hummed in confusion, her hands in her pockets. "You do that thing, where you squint when you're confused."

"... There's something off about him," Rory admitted, watching V converse with the bird.

"Is this your Witch talking or your paranoia?" Nero asked, watching V as well.

Rory shot a glance to Nero and shrugged, "I'm not sure yet." Rory reached into her inner pocket pulling out the red crown. Rory set it on her head and her regular clothes transformed into her witch's armor, her waist cape flowing against the wind.

"Nero, Rory... I'm leaving," V spoke up, loud enough for them to hear. He looked over Rory's crown and furrowed his eyebrows slightly. "Try to follow suit. I doubt you would get lost here, but still... I suggest you do not fall behind." Black smoke sludge covered the bottom of his feet and he sped away down the tree.

"Okay... He's an interesting guy, but he's right," Nero admitted. Nero sighed before running off, nowhere near as fast as V.

Rory sighed through her nose before running after Nero. "Let's settle the score," Rory suggested, using her crown to fly hover Nero. "I'll go ahead! Don't die!" Rory shot her power into the ground sending her into the air and landing in front of the large fleshy doors. Rory waved her fingers and the doors opened for her.

Taking a step in she was almost immediately knocked down when a body was thrown at her. Rory threw her hands out and caught the body and set him on his feet. He stood for a second before dropping to his knees too weak to stand. "Dante," Rory recognized, his white hair covered in dirt. Rory looked up and stared at the towering demon. Even as he sat on his throne he reached feet feet tall. His tentacles ran along its body and over the walls behind him and an orange ball of shard flew around him. The King, Urizen.

Rory rushed up throwing herself in the air and throwing a large blast at the orange floating shards. A few cracks covered the sharp floating thing and Rory was able to doge its retaliating attack. The large demon hummed at her power and when Rory went for a second attack a vine shot out and sent her flying backwards. Rory hit the walls with a thud and then dropped to the floor and she groaned when she hit the floor.

The crown fell off and her armor disappeared. Rory grabbed her crown and absorbed it into her hand. Rory pushed herself back up, holding her hand out. A shot of purple power surged out to shock her but Rory's shield held it back, the purple light rippling around her power and melding slightly with the smoke. Rory threw her other hand out and both surges of power shattered and sent Rory back at the wall again.

Nero walked through the gate, shooting at the two vines. One that went after Dante, one that went for Rory. "Well... Looks like this won't be a total waste of time after all," Nero called. "Hey Jackass! Didn't your mother ever teach you it's not nice to steal?" Nero pointed out, but it didn't phase the demon. "Sorry, Dante..." Nero unsheathed his sword, stabbing it into the ground and revving its engine. "I'm bagging this bitch!"

"Nero..." Rory called softly, but she just groaned in pain and rolled onto her back. Nero dodged some of Urizen's attacks, shooting him between each blast the demon sent, but he wasn't invincible. For each shot Nero dodged five more came his way, two or three hitting him each time. Nero ran in close to slice at the floating shards but Urizen sent a time orb at Nero, slowing his movements and he got hit with a large lava ball.

Rory had enough strength to cover Nero in a shield and absorb the hit of Nero slamming into the wall. Nero dropped to the floor, rolling to Rory; both battered and bloodied.

Nero huffed trying to stand, holding his side. "This is it, this is the end! It's all over!" Griffin yelled, making his and V's presence known. Rory stood up again, grabbing Blue Rose from Nero, and powering it up with an energy blast. Urizen held his hand out powering up a shot as well. Rory sucked in a breath through her teeth, moving her shot to the shards and pulling the trigger, simultaneously as Dante took his own shot at Urizen's face.

"Round two!" Dante shouted, back on his feet. Nero pushed himself up, taking the gun from Rory at the same time as Dante took his sword and activated his Devil trigger. Dante flew at Urizen slicing at the shield the demon made. The roof started to fall and Dante turned back to face the others.

"V, get Nero and the girl out of here!" Dante ordered, his voice graveled and demonic. "This was a bad move!"

"I can still fight!" Nero shouted, wobbling on his feet.

"Nero go! You're just dead weight!" Dante repeated turning his head back to the demon.

Nero went to move, pulling away from V's arm. "Back off!" Nero shouted. Rory grabbed Nero, bouncing the falling debris away with a blast, making the three stumble and fall against the floor.

"Come on!" V yelled, taking Nero by the shoulders.

"Let go!" Nero ordered.

"We must leave here! He is far stronger than we ever could imagined," V insisted. V pulled against Nero, as Rory pushed him back.

"Nero! Don't make me do this!" Rory pleaded, pushing against his strength.

"That bastard called me dead weight! I didn't come all this way for nothing!" Nero shouted pulling from the grip and rushing to climb on the rocks. Rory sighed and pulled the red light to her fingers, bring them to the side of Nero's head and clouding his mind with the red smoke; his eyes going red and his body going limp.

Rory threw Nero's arm over her shoulder and covered their body's in her powers. "You want a lift?!" Rory yelled looking at V. Griffin pulled itself into V's body and V nodded. Rory covered his body as well flying them away from the wreckage.

Rory blasted through the side of the tree, flying the three out, catching them all before they hit the floor. Once they were on the floor, Rory released her control from Nero. She helped him stand before he slapped her off. The three walked past a group of people, them stepping back once the three got too close.

"What happened to Dante?" Morrison questioned once the group was close enough to him. "Where's Dante?"

"He's buying time, but... It doesn't look good," V informed. Morrison spun back to look up at the tree. The others stopped to stare as well. Tentacle roots, with a long spike on the end, broke up through the road shooting down and stabbing through the sounding people.

"This can't be happening... Dante lost?" Morrison asked in astonishment.

Nero moved forward to fight but V held his cane out, holding the boy back. "Forget it, there's nothing we can do..." V stated. "We must go." Nero shrugged V's cane off pushing past Morrison and grabbing Rory by the arm.

"You got in my head?! I could've helped Dante!" Nero shouted.

Rory knocked his hand off, pushing against his chest. "We aren't strong enough to fight him right now Nero. Dante lost, we're up! But newsflash we couldn't fight him," Rory snapped pointing back at the tree. "We need to get stronger to stand a chance against Urizen!"

"Urizen?" Nero questioned.

"It's a god-like being," V explained, stepping up. "The demon King."

CHAPTER THREE

"WE HAVE ONE MONTH... UNTIL THE TREE MATURES. If nothing is done by then, this world will come to an end."

"Are you really leaving?" Kat questioned. She held a stuff toy of a bunny, one eye missing and its purple color had faded to grey.

Rory fixed her jacket and knelt in front of Kat. "For a bit, only a couple of days," Rory nodded and brushed Kat's hair back. "You'll barely notice I'm gone."

"Don't worry," Kyrie reassured, walking over to Kat and resting her hand's on her shoulders. "I'll look after her."

Rory nodded and stood up. "Thank you," Rory smiled.

"Don't worry," Kyrie said. "One more munchkin won't hurt."

Rory walked to the garage moving her hands out, runes covering the floor to re-open the portal in the same place the demon did. The portal rippled open, a red glow cast across the room. "Is this really a good idea?" Nero asked walking after her, the side of his face still lightly bruised. "You're gonna go take your covens power?"

"I'm taking a powerful spell book, whatever happens after that..." Rory shrugged and turned to the portal.

Nero reached out, gripping her wrist and spinning her back to face him. "What do you mean whatever happens?" Nero snapped.

Rory took a breath and Nero released her wrist. "My coven is more of a... cult," Rory explained with a shrug. "There's a reason I'm running around with a kid that isn't mine. It's not a good one." Rory stepped back and offered Nero a smile. "I'm a big girl Nero, I got this. I'll see you in a few days." Rory stepped back through the portal, spinning as she travelled to the corners of a cove miles away.

Rory made her way through the old house, taking out whatever witches came her way. It wasn't there fault, Rory thought as she set one to the ground, the wound in her side gushing blood. But they're still here. Rory turned and took a deep breath, facing her mother who pushed a mile of wreckage off her. "You think this will make it better?" Scarlett scoffed, pulling herself onto a table to stand. "Saving one child will not make up for the blood on your hands."

Rory took a long breath and tilted her head up. "Where's the book?" Rory questioned, taking a step forward.

"All the people you just killed, is that kid going to forgive you for this?" Her mother spat, raising her chin in the air. "Killing your kind, just to gain the power to fight a demon king? You think that will stop it."

Rory threw her hand up sending her mother flying across the room. "I want the book," Rory spoke again, walking over to Scarlett. "Give me the book now and you'll never see me again."

Scarlet laughed, her head rolling back. "You think I want to see you again?" Her mother ran her tongue across her broken lip and spat the blood away. "You are my blood, but not my successor."

Rory raised her hand, her mother floating as she moved her hand. "The. Book," Rory repeated. Her mother just continued to laugh.

"You don't have the guts," She spat. Rory closed her hand and her mother's body wilted, her power seeping from her skin as her bones and blood started to disintegrate. Rory let her hand release and her mother fell into disintegrating pieces of bones and ash. Rory walked to her mother, taking the necklace from her mother's neck and using the amulet as a compass to the book.

Once Rory reached the dead end of a hall, Rory tucked the amulet into her pocket pressing her hands against the wall. Rory pushed her way through the bricks, breaking the protection spells and breaking down the wall. The book stands were in the center of the room. One of the histories on witches, the other of handwritten notes on the weaknesses and best ways to kill demons, but it was the middle one she focused on. The book of the dammed.

Rory looked at the wall and grabbed one of the leather satchels, stuffing each book inside as well as a few other smaller spell books. Rory turned but stopped short when she came face to face with a group of Empusa's. "Really? Now?" Rory mumbled to herself. Rory threw her hand out, sending the closest one into the others.

Rory's power seeped through the wall and the bricks flung out to sash through a pair. Rory grabbed a chain from the side of the room, wrapping it around her fist. Rory whipped the chain around, smashing the heavy metal into the demons and making them fall to the floor, fading away as they die.

One Rory was done with the fight, the chain wrapped around her arm, the weapon ready to be summoned at a moment's notice. Rory opened another portal, taking a detour before heading back to meet Nero.

Rory walked through an abandoned garden house, the plants still growing around the broken pieces of architecture. She pushed open the glass doors and followed the loud shouting of V's bird Griffin. "Cat, just help me!" The bird screeched.

Rory paused and leaned against the entry way. She counted the Bird and the Panther and furrowed her eye brows at V's soaked clothes hanging on a statue. "So you either murdered V, or he's taking a wash in a garden fountain," Rory observed making the bird squawk in surprise. Her eyes drifted to water where the air bubbles had disappeared. "And to be honest I'm not sure what's worse... But it's both now, 'cause I think he's drowning."

The bird squawked and reached into the water, pulling him back up, V's knees and upper torso sticking out of the water. "Hey, hey, hey! The moment I look away you start drowning? Are you a fucking infant?" Griffin screeched.

Rory laughed and pushed herself off the door. "How do you put up with him?" Rory questioned walking further into the room, V looking up in surprise at her presence.

"What are you doing here?" V questioned, setting his legs back in the water. "I thought you were gaining more power."

Rory hummed, moving to V's damp clothes and setting her bag down. "Well, while Urizen was distracted by trying to kill me, our power melded and I stole a little," Rory spoke, running her hand over V's clothes and pulling the water from the fibers. She flung her hand and sent them back to the water. "I went back to my coven and killed them all and stole a few things." Rory turned away from V. "Put your clothes on, I got you a gift," Rory ordered, crossing her arms.

Rory heard the water sloshing and V pulling his clothes from the fence. "It's safe to turn around now," Griffin yelled landing on the edge of the fountain.

Rory cautiously looked over her shoulder before turning around fully. Rory scooped up her bag and stood by the fireplace V set up earlier. "Here," Rory called, pulling an old book from her bag and tossing it to V. "I doubt it holds up to yours but, give it a shot."

"What is it?" V asked turning the book over, not recognizing anything on the cover.

"An old book of powerless spells," Rory shrugged, looking up at V. "When a spell gets upgraded or refined, the old spell becomes useless. Basically, it's a big book of old poems and sayings from different covens."

V flipped the book in his hand and turned. "Why are you giving me this?" V questioned sitting on the floor, his panther behind him as a chair-like rest.

"Do you want an honest answer or the true answer?" Rory questioned, finally reaching up and taking the crown off.

"What's the difference-?"

"True answer!" Griffin squawked drowning V's words out.

Rory smiled to herself. "It's easier for me to get in someone's head if there's a connection, or you own something I used to," Rory answered with a blank stare and steady voice. "I know there's something off about you, but you won't tell me what."

V sighed running his thumb up the spin of the book, thinking over his next words. "And the honest answer?" V asked looking up at Rory.

Rory sighed and her smiled faded, her eyes darting around. "The piece of you that I want to know about, that intrigues me. Something about you makes me question things I never used to even think about," Rory admitted and looked back at V. "You remind me of someone." Rory shook her head and started to walk off. "There are no demons around! Get some rest!" Rory ordered as she left V alone with his familiars.

CHAPTER FOUR

A few weeks later

RORY RAN HER HAIR THROUGH HER HAIR AND LOOKED OVER THE DAMAGED CITY. "Why didn't I just go with Nero and Nico," Rory mumbled to herself walking along to the cathedral in Red Grave city. Rory tilted her head, the cathedral in considerably more damage than she expected. "What did you boys do?" Rory jumped off the large broken wall, landing in front of a massive hole in the floor.

Rory looked back at where she came from before jumping down the hole and landing on giant blocks of concrete. "Cat!" An all too familiar voice screeched, and suddenly V's large panther was rushing for Rory.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Easy kitty," Rory shouted, holding her hands up. The cat circled her, nudging the back of her knee before running back to V. Rory shook her head and stepped out of the cathedral. "Well, seems I missed all the fun!" Rory called walking over to Nero and V.

Nero shook his head and slotted Blue Rose away. "Starting to think you weren't going to show," Nero spoke up, watching Rory walk towards him.

"Well, honestly... I got lost," Rory mumbled stopping beside Nero. "Red Grave is a massive city." The three turned their heads, watching as one of the larger tree roots changed to white color and fell apart, dropping to the floor in chunks. Rory threw her hand out and sent the chunks away from the group.

"So... you think Dante's still in there?" Nero questioned turning his attention to V.

"If Urizen defeated him, then I expect he's not much more than Qliphoth pollen by now," V thought aloud as he caught a small amount of pollen in his hands, crushing it between his fingers.

"A what?" Nero questioned, taking a step forward.

"Qliphoth. It's a tree that grows in the underworld," V explained, glancing back at the pair. "It thrives on human blood and those whose blood it sucks well..." V raised his cane to point at human-like figures covered in holes, flakes of dried flesh tearing off and floating in the wind. "... Let's just say they don't turn out too well."

"Wheather he's pollen or not, we better find out for ourselves," Rory spoke up stepping between the boys. "If Dante's alive, great. If not, he's not."

Nero nodded in agreement and the two went to step away but V caught Rory's shoulder with the head of his cane. "Wait," V called and Rory turned to him. "First we need to exterminate some Qliphoth roots." V tossed the cane back into his hand and Rory glanced at Nero. Rory shrugged slight but Nero remained silent but raised his eyebrows in agreement.

The panther circled around Nero before going back to V. Griffin did the same, landing on V's outstretched arm. "V... What the hell are you?" Nero questioned, looking up at V.

Before V got a chance to answer, music blared behind them and Nico sped toward them in the van, stopping just a few meters away. Nero and Rory stayed still as V jumped back slightly. "I know. I know. I'm late. Shut it!" Nico shouted, leaning on the door. "The roads were all clogged."

Nico's eyes drifted to the tattooed V and his bird and her eyebrows dropped. "Hey, you must be V, huh?" V barely got a moment to nod before Nico kept talking. "Hey, ding, ding, right by your feet!" Nico pointed to a piece of a demon just in front of Rory. V tapped his cane on the floor and flicked the piece up to Nico, who caught it and sniffed along its scales. "Whoowee! I'm gonna make something amazing out of this," Nico called.

"Did you just sniff that?" Nero snapped, walking up to the window. "Do you have any idea where that's been?"

"Up your butt," Nico shot back.

"Focus on the mission," Nero fired back.

✦

NERO AND V LOOKED OUT THE FRONT WINDOW OF NICO'S VAN AND OVER THE FORK IN THE ROAD. "I think we should split into two groups," V suggested, moving back to sit on the couch.

"And cover more ground," Nero agreed. "Good idea." Nero nodded kicking himself off the seat and walking over to Nico. Rory hummed quietly flipping the page of her book.

"Behold my genius!" Nico shouted holding another arm for Nero in the air. Nero reached for it but Nico ripped it out of his way. "Ah! Ah! Cash first."

"All the materials that I collected for your little pet projects don't count for anything?" Nero questioned.

"My brilliant, badass work is worth every dime and you know it," Nico insisted.

"Well, your quality control sucks ass, and you know it," Nero argued.

Rory let the book floating in the air and pulled out her bag from under the seat. "Both of you stop," Rory ordered taking out a ball of cash. She stood and motioned towards Nico. "Nico takes the cash, Nero takes the arm."

"Seriously Red?" Nero sighed, waving her down. Rory rolled her eyes and brought the book back to her hands and moved to sit beside V.

"I am truly gifted. It's a work of art," Nico went on, spinning the arm in her hands.

Griffin chuckled darkly at Nico, watching her show off the arm. "Oh, so you're an artist now?" Griffin taunted.

"Yes I am," Nico snapped, spinning to face Griffin making him jump in response. "Got any questions, little chicken?" Nico spun again, facing V and Rory. "My grandmother was called the '45 Calibre Virtuoso... Legendary gunsmith. I hope to be like her someday. An artist, and a lethal artisan. Everything I create is art, whether it's a gun... Or a steel pot... to cook birds in." Nico put the arm down and took a seat across from Rory. "Any more questions? Huh?... Little chickee."

Nico flicked her lighter a few times and lit one of the cigarettes' she took out. V's lips curled in disgust and he turned his face. "I'll take my leave now," V announced, waving the smoke from his face. "And if I don't see you along the way, I'll see you at the bottom of the Qliphoth." V stepped out of the van and Griffin flew out the door.

"Stay safe Nico," Rory ordered closing her book and waving it into a cloud of smoke that absorbed onto Rory's skin.

Nero said goodbye to Nico before he and Rory stepped out of the van as well. "Come on Witch!" Griffin screeched, flying down to land on her shoulder.

"Rory's coming with me," Nero insisted motioning her along.

"Go," Rory encouraged. "You got guns and Red Queen, V's got a cane." Rory dug into her pocket and tossed Nero her mother's necklace. "If it gets too bad, smash it, and I'll come to you."

Nero reluctantly nodded and pulled the necklace on. "Stay safe, Red," Nero ordered and ran off.

"Come on Witch," V encouraged, starting to walk ahead. "Were on a time limit."

CHAPTER FIVE

"DO YOU AND THE KID REALLY THINK YOU CAN KILL URIZEN?" GRIFFIN ASKED AS HE FLEW NEXT TO RORY.

"May hope show the way and desire fly you there," Rory recited.

Griffin rolled his eyes and landed on Rory's shoulder again. "Can you translate that?" Griffin requested. "I barely can keep up with V and now you're reciting it too, fucking hell."

"Hoping can only get you so far, you need to actually work for what you want," Rory explained, stretching out her arm more so Griffin wasn't as crowded on her shoulder.

Rumbles and booms sounded from the opening of the tunnel and they looked back, the tunnel breaking and blocking their path back. "Well, for now, we have a more... pressing engagement," V reminded turning back and continuing down the tunnel. Griffin nodded and jumped off Rory's shoulder, flying ahead of the two. "We have a minor errand before we reach Urizen."

"Wait," Rory called, grabbing V's wrist and pulling him to a stop. The panther rose from the ground, growling in a way that almost agreed with Rory.

Three Red Empusa's crawled out of the ground, growling to themselves. "Ohh, genius says 'be careful," Griffin translated as he circled over the pairs heads. "Yeah, no shit, Shirley. Ain't that right, V? I mean, you are fragile at the moment. Wouldn't take too much to wipe you out in a sticky situation." V laughed to himself, his face shifting to an amused smile. "I say, we let Rory take this. You could take these guys out in seconds, couldn't you Witch?"

"He who desires but acts not, breeds pestilence," V read aloud from his book. V chuckled and closed the book. "...So it is written."

"William Blake, nice," Rory hummed with a smile. "But still, sit this one out. They're weak demons anyway."

"And miss the fun? Nonsense," V ended.

"Okay, Shakespeare. Just remember this," Griffin ordered, floating down to rest on V's extended arm. "You and I like to exist. So get rid of those demons quick, 'cause killin' them ain't my shtick. I got your back, 'cause dying is whack!"

"A true poet in the making," Rory teased. Rory sent out bright lights, training the demon's gaze on her and lifted herself in the air.

"Oi, Witch," Griffin called flying next to her. "The cat and I can't kill the demons, that's up to you and V!" Rory shook her head and sent a flurry of red energy orbs at the floor, missing V and the panther and making small explosions. V stabbed at one that had turned into a sickly white color, it cracking into white shards.

Four more crawled from the ground, and Rory summoned large energy orbs to her hands. "V step back!" Rory ordered. The cat and V jumped back and Rory pulled herself back to the floor, cracking the concrete open in a large explosion, a large dust cloud floating into the air.

V coughed, waving his hand in front of his face to clear to dust. His eyes trained on Rory who had a smug look on her face, her hands crossed in front of her. "Fuck yes!" Griffin squawked. Rory held out her arm and Griffin flew down to land on her arm. "That was cool as shit! Told you this was a great idea!" Griffin flew away and the panther growled softly at her, circling her legs again.

"Good job cat," Rory smiled.

V walked over to her and the panther returned to V. "It was very impressive," V nodded and walked on, Rory following. "And so you don't have to keep calling her 'Cat', her name is Shadow." Rory nodded and looked down at the panther at her side.

V and Rory made their way up the large metal stairs, weaving their way through the Qliphoth roots that had taken over the metal. The stairs led back down to a second open area, this one lined with shipping containers and train tracks that ran over a bridge. "Descend it is..." V thought aloud, looking over the train tracks.

Rory squinted, looking over the empty space. "Yeah, I feel it too," Griffin spoke landing on the railing next to Rory.

V looked between the two, his eyes focusing on Rory. "Feel what?" V questioned.

"A fuck ton of demon energy. It isn't strong or anything, but..." Rory looked back up V. '"It's a lot." V chuckled and jumped down, landing on his feet. Rory's eyes widened and she pressed her hands to the railings. "V! Are you insane?!"

V smiled up at Rory as he threw his hand up, clicking his fingers. The remaining tattoos disappeared from his body, his hair turned white and an explosion shot from the sky and landed on the ground with a hard crash. A large monster that looked as though it was made of tar stunned all the demons immediately and V took them out within seconds. A few Hell Caina's crawled from the ground and Rory shot her blasts at them, killing them instantly.

Rory hopped off the stairs and walked up to V staring up at the large creature. V smiled and tapped his cane on her shoulder. "This is Nightmare," V introduced as the large monster looked down at Rory. "He won't harm you, but it would be best not to touch him. He causes people to witness the most horrific nightmares buried deep in their subconscious."

V clicked his fingers again and the monster dripped away dissipating in front of her eyes. "Dooley noted," Rory nodded, her eyes not moving from where the monster turned to black sludge and faded from view.

"Do not worry Little Witch," V insisted, making Rory look up at V. "He will not harm you."

"You said that," Rory reminded and moved on. "Not much use against humans then."

"He can harm humans, probably the most harm that could be done to a human is caused by Nightmare," V explained, tapping his cane against his palm.

Rory furrowed her eyebrows, tilting her head in confusion. "He means you specifically, Witch," Griffin clarified, flying around her head. V hummed in confirmation walking past Rory. Rory paused and watched him walk on, Shadow at his side. "Come on Witchy," Griffin squawked, nudging her forward. "There's roots on the bridge." Rory shook her head and ran after V, slowing to a stop when she reached the root.

"What? You waiting for me to break it?" Rory questioned.

V smirked and spun the cane once. "I feel that it would impose on Shadow to call her out for only a moment," V shot back, resting both hands on his cane. Rory rolled her eyes but summoned her chain anyway. Rory engulfed it in red light and slammed it down twice on the exposed soft spot of the root.

The roots started to turn opaque and wilted away but suddenly the bridge shook aggressively. "You didn't-?" Rory stopped her question to pinch her nose, the bridge's foundation breaking under their feet. "You didn't check to see if the root was holding up the bridge?!" Rory shouted throwing her arms out.

"I didn't realize-" V's sentence cut short when a part of the bridge fell inwards and a train rolled off. Rory grabbed V's hand and ran them up the bridge until the bridge gave out and she shot them in the air. Rory hovered for a moment, flying them over to the grass. Rory lowered them onto the grass holding her arm out and let V stand on his own. V hunched slightly, shock etched onto his features, his hands grasping his silver cane tightly.

V let out a shallow breath and looked up at Rory who stared down at him. "Thank you. And my apologies, I did not realize it was holding up the bridge," V breathed with a shaky voice, standing straighter.

"It's fine," Rory nodded, walking over to look over the edge of the broken bridge. "You're lucky. If I went with Nero, you'd be screwed." V laughed softly, but his breath still came out in uneven, shallow small pants. Rory paused. "You okay?" Rory asked, watching over V's figure.

V nodded and stood straight. "I'm fine," V nodded. "Let's go. I will not allow Urizen to gain more power." Rory nodded and followed after him to a doorway further ahead.

"Uh, V!" Griffin called flapping over a Nighogg hatchling, eating at one of the roots. "Do we need this?"

"Those are so gross," Rory mumbled shaking her head. V started to walk towards it, but Rory grabbed onto V's cane with her powers. "Good thing you have me." V looked back at Rory, furrowing his eyebrows. "I can break the roots they eat, with a simple flick of the wrist."

V nodded and smiled, stepping back to Rory. "Uh huh, just so I'm all caught up Witchy," Griffin called, flying to Rory and landing on her shoulder as they set off again. "What can you do?"

"Witchcraft, simple spells and things but they require casting," Rory explained as they stepped into a small warehouse-like building. "Then there are things that I specifically learnt like telepathy and telekinesis, which is what I use to fly."

"So the Hell Caina's you fought earlier, and the explosions you made were telekinesis?" V questioned, the tap of his cane echoing around the small space as they wandered down another staircase.

"That and it's mixed with an energy blast, that's what makes the actual explosion," Rory clarified. Rory hopped off a small ledge, V doing the same. Griffin disappeared back into V, getting tired of flapping around. The two jogged out the opened door, walking into a spray-painted alley. They barely got a few meters into the new clearing when more demons popped up. "Well, just our luck," Rory hummed shaking out her hand.

"I'll take the ones on the ground, you take the ones in the air," V instructed.

Rory nodded, starting to float up. "Sounds like a plan," Rory agreed and flew away throwing a blast at a bat spitting fire. Rory grabbed her chain and threw it down at a flying Empusa, slashing it in two. Rory grabbed a bat stunning it and throwing it at V's extended can. Two Hell Antenoras pulled themselves from the floor and Rory dropped back to the ground, shielding V; who they tried to swing at.

V stumbled slightly but Rory caught him. "You're welcome," Rory mumbled quickly and used the shield as a wall to throw the demons away. A Hell Cania swing down at V from the left and Rory caught its scythe, ripping it from its grasp and slicing the demon in half. Another bat flew down and V slid behind Rory as she threw up a shield. "Yeah, okay, stay behind me," Rory ordered bringing the scythe down like an axe and splitting an Empusa. Rory slammed her foot into the ground, splitting it and throwing the blocks at oncoming demons.

"Should I call Nightmare?" V asked, stabbing a Cania Griffin dropped at his feet.

"Wouldn't hurt," Rory mumbled, throwing V to the ground as Cania slashed along her arm. "Fuck!" Shadow knocked the Cania down and V pushed himself back up, summoning the large demon. V helped Rory to stand, wincing to himself at the large gash on her arm. Rory used broth hands to make a large orb of light and sent an explosion to kill a pair of Cania's.

Nightmare raised his fist and slammed it into the last reaming demon before it turned into sludge and disappeared. V let Rory stand and walked over to the stunned Hell Antenora, stabbing through its torso and driving it upwards in a long slash.

Rory sighed leaning against the shipping container. "How's your arm?" V questioned walking back to her. Rory grabbed a small bit of cloth that must have been torn from someone as the demons attacked and wrapped it tightly around her arm.

"Is that sanitary?" Griffin squawked, landing on the container next to her.

Rory winced as she tied it off. "Probably not, but neither is a demon," Rory mumbled. Rory looked up at Griffin, "No offence." Rory kicked herself off the container. "Let's keep going," Rory nodded at V. V nodded back and they set off again, Shadow and Griffin returning to his body.

CHAPTER SIX

"HUMAN BLOOD IS THE SOURCE OF HIS SUPPLY.... WE MUST CUT HIM OFF," V EXPLAINED. He led the way through an underpass, Rory as his side. Once they were out in the open again, two bats pulled themselves from a building.

"Do you think we can catch a break?" Rory mumbled to herself. Griffin tore himself from V's skin and started to shoot into the sky.

Rory shot at the one Griffin left unattended, stapling it to the side of a building. The second bat fell to the floor and V stepped up to it, stabbing through its head and tossing it away. Once the bats were down to more Cainia's crawled from the ground. "No, it appears we won't," V hummed.

As Griffin shot at them, Rory stole one of the shots from the sky, powering it up beneath her palms. Rory tossed it out, bowling over the demons. V smiled at her and walked to them, stabbing and slashing the creatures. "Come on, let's keep moving."

The two ran on until they came to a fork in the road. "Which way now genius?" Griffin squawked, landing on Rory's shoulder.

"Follow the demons," Rory suggested, walking towards a red Empusa. Rory flung the chain out and wrapped it around the demon's torso, tugging hard.

"And where do you know where the demons are?" V questioned walking up behind Rory.

"I know, trust me," Rory spoke dragging her chain along the ground as she rounded a corner. V sighed through his nose and reluctantly followed her. Rory stopped next to a lining of tables.

"Trust you?" V repeated walking Rory. An Empusa silently walked up next to V, and Rory stepped back tilting her head.

"Yeah, trust me," Rory agreed, nodding at the approaching demon. V gasped turning and catching its swing on his cane. V scoffed lightly at Rory as he summoned Griffin and Shadow.

"Listen Witch!" Griffin screeched in between his attacks. "I know V can be a douche bag, but help us!" Griffin flapped his wings, sending out a large electric shock. V slashed at one of the stunned demons and Rory pulled out her chain, stepping up to two Antenora's crawled from the ground. Rory raised the ground, knocking the demons off balance and swung the chain knocking them backwards. Rory flicked her fingers and spiked stabbed through the floor, impaling the demons.

"Rory! Bats!" V called, pointing above her head. Rory jumped backwards, dodging the fireball that the demon spat at her. Rory threw a shot of power at one and wrapped her chain around the other. Rory slammed the bat into the floor and V stabbed through its head. Shadow threw a Cania at Rory and she slammed her boot into its head.

Once the fight died down, Rory looked around the space panting slightly. Rory spotted a bright red phone box and headed towards it. "What are you doing?" V questioned, following behind her.

"There's a phone, I just want to see if I can reach Nico," Rory explained, taking a quarter from her pocket. "Y'know, the woman with the van. I just need to patch my arm, then we can head off again." Rory grabbed the phone and quickly clicked the numbers. "Hey Nics, I need a patch job."

"I see ya sugar, be right there," Nico confirmed immediately, clicking the phone off a second later. The line went dead and Rory hung up the phone and stepped from the phone box.

Rory turned to V, "Keep an eye out, Nico is a reckless driver." As soon as the words left her lips Nico's van drove over the edge of a broken bridge. Rory pushed V behind her and stopped the van in mid-air. "Reckless," Rory mumbled setting the van down.

"Sorry, Hun! It was the quickest way!" Nico called, smiling nervously from behind the glass of the windshield.

Rory shook her head and looked back at V. "I'll be two minutes," Rory nodded and stepped up to Van. Rory quickly stitched her arm and tossed her jacket at Nico. "When this shit is done, I'm teaching you to drive properly," Rory promised before jumping out of the van.

Once Rory stepped up to V, Rory shooed Nico off. '''"You took your time, Little Witch," V hummed walking on again.

"It was like three minutes," Rory shot back. Rory and V wandered over to the large thick root stuck in the middle of the road. "Well, this is... interesting." A long snake-like tendril, with a rose-shaped mouth, weaved out and shot out at the two. Rory flung herself into the air and Griffin grabbed V's hand, flinging him backwards. V landed on his knees his arm bent behind him as he glared up at the creature. Rory lowered herself next to V as a mutated orange human figure with a body that blended into a tendril shot out.

"You dodged me!" The gross voice spat. V pushed himself up, gripping the canes handle. "Did you dodge me?!" His body rippled with each word it spoke and we waved his spike hand around.

"Ah, Nidhogg," Griffin groaned landing on V's arm. "I never liked this guy."

"You pest! Do I know you?" Nidhogg growled, his eyes head staring down at them.

"Dumb as a box of rocks," Griffin went on. "Let's not even mess with this guy. He can't even leave the Qliphoth anyway. Just a Qliphoth parasite."

"Did you insult me?" Nidhogg questioned. "You insulted me!"

"Well, he doesn't look like he has ears, but he heard you," Rory hummed. The Nidhogg screeched and shot a tendril out. Rory threw her hands up, shielding herself and V and she singed the tentacle.

"A - A witch?!" The creature screamed. "I am going to kill you!"

"Not in this lifetime," V voiced, looking up at the critter as he stepped up beside Rory.

"Don't think he was talking to you," Rory spoke up, bringing her crown to her palm and setting it on her head, her clothes ripping into armor. "But not any less true."

"A witch!" The creature repeated. "And a human! With de- demons?!"

V summoned Griffin and Shadow and they lunged at the Nidhogg's body. One of the snake heads shot out at Rory and she hit it up to the roof and then slammed it back down into the floor. Rory covered the snake and tore its head off, flinging it behind her. The Nidhogg screamed, sending two more snakes at the two, the tendrils spiraling into a frenzy.

Rory stumbled slightly as she shielded the two and Shadow slashed at the tendrils. "Even the big bad kitty knows you got shit for brains!" Griffin taunted. Griffin flew around the Nidhogg shouting insults at the pest, allowing an opening for Rory to send a shot at its torso.

"Q-Q-Q-Quiet! You... You... You bird and cat!" The Nidhogg cried. While he was distracted, Rory sent a second shot. The orange opaque skin rippled as it took the force of the shot but the energy singed the flesh. "Ow! You Witch! Stop hurting m- me!" Shadow slashed down a snake and V flung over to it, slashing through its skin. The vermin screamed and flung V backwards. Rory caught him in the air, lowering him back on his feet.

"One more snake," Rory mumbled to herself, pulling up the concrete and sending it toward the base of the Nidhogg's infection. Griffin flapped his wings and shot out a large electric explosion. The tendril slapped griffin away, shattering his body and leaving a black and purple orb hovering above the floor.

V shot up and he dodged a snake. "Distract it," V ordered as Shadow limped over to Rory and fell next to her feet. Rory flung shots at the snake head, preoccupying it as V rushed to the orb. Rory caught the snake, holding it in place. Shadow shot back up and run up Rory's shoulder and jumped off her shoulders. Shadow landed on the snake, tearing at his skin until it went a ghost white.

Shadow jumped off and landed back next to Rory. Rory used her other hand as a conductor and tore the snake in two. The Nidhogg cried and fell to the floor, trying to hold himself up with his spiked hands. Rory walked up to the vermin, holding her hand out and sending shots of red energy all over it's body and it finally gave out and fell on its face.

Griffin flew to the Nidhogg, slashing and tearing at the back of its head. "Yeah, you slimy fuck! Not so tough now!" Griffin taunted as his slashes finally turned the creature sickly white. V walked to the Nidhogg and stabbed his torso and pulled it up to slash through its body.

The Qliphoth roots the Nidhogg was attached to cracked and shattered into green and white pollen, flying into the wind along with the snakes and Nidhogg himself. One of the larger tree roots broke and shattered, collapsing into a heap on the ground.

Once the dust had settled a massive demon wandered behind the roots, turning its head toward the broken roots. V's eyes widened in panic and Rory shuffled back slightly.

"Okay, um, all right that's not good at all. That's not good," Griffing pointed out as he flew around Rory and V's heads. "Witch, you got any ideas?" As Griffin spoke, V turned on his heel and started to walk back the way they had come. "Wait, where- where are you going? Are you running away? That, that's not a good sign," Griffin screeched.

"I'm afraid that..." V pointed with the end of his cane. "That's a little bit more than I can handle right now," V explained.

The demon raised one of it's antenna like tentacles toward the pair. "But the witch-"

"V look out!" Rory yelled throwing her hands up, bouncing a blast that demons sent into the ground. Griffin caught her as she stumbled and she pushed herself up, barely missing another shot by an inch as they started to run. More and more shots came and Rory caught up to V, trying to shield them until one finally broke the ground beneath their feet and they fell through the ground.

Rory grabbed V and threw her crown on the ground breaking their fall with a levitation spell. They hovered a few inches in the air for a moment before the crown's red power disappeared and they landed on the rubble floor. "Ow," Rory groaned, rolling V's body off her and to the side. V pushed himself onto his elbows and watched up through the large hole in the ground as the giant demon walked across.

"We're alive, we made it!" Griffin called in victory. "It's our lucky day, guys! Let's go find a game of cards."

"These Qliphoth roots... They're everywhere," V observed, looking around and the overgrown spiked roots.

"Well, we are underground," Griffin reminded.

V pushed himself up, using his cane to his advantage. "Then I guess we have some cleaning up to do," V sighed and he tossed his cane in his hand, gaining a better grip on the handle.

"And me without my garden shears," Griffin joked, flying down and tugging on Rory's sleeve. "Come on Witch." V looked back and picked up her crown with one hand and held the other out.

Rory took it and V pulled her to stand, brushing dust off her shoulder. "Here," V held out the crown between his two fingers, the others gripping the cane.

"Ah, thanks," Rory groaned grabbing the crown, it immediately turned to dust with the armor rippling away.

"Come on now Little Witch, we have a job to do," V reminded.

CHAPTER SEVEN

V AND RORY WALKED THROUGH THE UNDERGROUND TUNNELES. It was silent for the most part, however with Griffin, it never lasted long. "Can't you just fly us back up?" Griffin squawked, landing on Rory's shoulder.

"Theoretically," Rory mumbled, bruises already forming on her arms.

"Theoretically?" Griffin questioned.

"I need the crown to fly, but it needs to... recharge," Rory explained. "Because the crown caught us when we fell, I used up its magic battery. Also, what happens if I fly us straight up? Come face to face with the demon who absolutely wrecked us in three seconds flat. So it's best we find an exit."

"Well, you're going to have to hold that idea," V spoke up, tilting his head at the demons tearing themselves from the ground. Rory shot her hands up knocking the Hell Cania's off their feet. V summoned Shadow and the cat pounced on them immediately, slashing at them with quick swipes. Griffin sent electric shockwaves out at the approaching demons, the tight space making it difficult for Rory to attack without hitting one of the familiars or V.

Rory looked up and brought on the roots down from the roof, sending rubble and concrete at the demons and crushing them, but as she feared it crushed Shadow. "Fuck," Rory muttered dropping her hands at her sides. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Shadow's a tough girl," V assured, walking to the orb and pressing his hand against it. A few seconds later the orb cracked open and Shadow bounded out.

Rory reached her hand out and Shadow nuzzled against it. "Sorry girl," Rory mumbled, scratching behind her ears.

"Come on Little Witch, we still have a job to do," V called already walking on. "The quicker we get rid of the roots, the quicker we can get out of here." The two walked along the underground, following the spiked roots. "Can't move forward without breaking through these..." V concluded, poking the red soft spot with the end of his cane. "Can you-?"

"I got it," Rory nodded holding her hand over the roots and sending red shots at it until it burst into red chunks. "Gross." Rory followed the fading roots pointing over at the open tunnel. V hummed and they rushed toward it but once they entered the tunnel it shook violently. Rory looked up at V and she took the lead, holding her hand out in front of her as she led them into a large Wearhouse.

Griffin flew around their heads, looking up at where the echoing rumbles came from. "Ahhh, he's throwing a tantrum up there!" Griffin concluded, referring to the large demon that shot them down there in the first place. "Watch the ceiling guys!"

Small rubble and broken cracks of concrete fell from the roof, but nothing too dangerous. "Noted," Rory nodded, kicking one of the rocks away. V led them up to a higher level. But it had started to decay and the floor had given in in some places.

V stepped up to a root soft spot when one of the demon's claws burst through the ceiling. Rory shielded them from the support beam that fell in. V summoned Shadow and she and Griffin started to tear at the roots. Griffin went to swipe at the claw, but Rory caught him by his foot. "It can't see us, you'll just piss it off and it'll tear the roof down before we can get out," Rory explained, letting go of Griffin and letting him rest against her arm. "Just get rid of the root."

The demon pulled its arm up, banging against the side of the hole it made but left the group alone all the same. Rory dropped her hands and the shield went away. Shadow tore at the root and it cracked, withering like the others. Rory stepped up the edge dropping down with V following.

"Up and over," V instructed moving towards the large shipping containers that blocked their way. Rory threw her hands toward the ground, red power shooting out and boosting her over the containers. V smiled softly and shook his head. Griffin swooped down and grabbed his hand flying him up. As soon as V landed on the containers Hell Canias tore themselves from the ground.

Rory threw a shot out, making a gas can sitting by the demons explode. The shelving beside it gave out and fell to the floor making loud high pitch crashes. "Shit! I didn't know it would be that loud," Rory mumbled.

"You blew something up," V pointed out as Shadow and Griffin took the last of the demon's stamina. Rory looked back and the demon burst through the roof again. "We'll handle the demons, you distract that," V instructed, turning to the smaller demons.

Rory shook out her hand and pulled the broken shelf towards her and slammed it against the demon's arm. It spread open and swiped at Rory but she jumped to the side before it could hit her. Rory shot it again with quick and smaller shots. It reeled back up to swipe at her but she threw a larger one at the leg and it finally slipped back the way it came. With the remnants of her last shot, she threw it back at a bat that swung at V.

V slashed at it in mid-air, kicking off its body and flipping backwards. "Way to be a showoff," Rory teased walking up and dropping off the other side of the containers.

"Hilarious," V shot back dropping next to her. "There's another root," V nodded to the side, following the thick vine. Shadow rushed ahead, slashing down at the red soft spot. The root wilted away clearing the way for them to keep moving.

The ground broke above their heads and the group stumbled slightly. Rory and V looked up through the dust, Nero standing over the large hole in the ground. "What're you doing down there?" Nero asked, his sword slung over his shoulder.

"You didn't think you did that all by yourself, did ya?" Griffin chuckled.

Nero crouched resting his prosthetic hand on his knee. "You know, I bet you taste like chicken..." Nero teased.

"Oh, you ungrateful sonuva-"

V held his cane out, stopping Griffin from flying off. "We'll leave this beast to you," V called. "We must press on," V informed walking on again.

"Hey Red," Nero called holding out his prosthetic arm Nico made. "Powerup?" Rory twisted her powers in her palm and shot at Nero's hand, her powers rippling around the metal.

"Don't be a dumbass," Rory called before catching up to V and Griffin.

"This ship is awfully big..." Griffin recognized. The roof above rumbled as they walked through and Griffin landed on Rory's shoulder.

"Thank you captain obvious," Rory mumbled, shooting herself over some more containers. Rory looked up at the roof starting to bend under pressure. "Our friend is back," Rory spoke looking beside her at V.

The demon claw burst through in front of them, rubble bouncing on the floor. "This way," V spoke, knocking the head of the cane gently against Rory's shoulder then gesturing to the left. "We can go around." V looked over the edge, two Red Emuspa's feeding from the ground. "Follow the demons." Rory chuckled softly and they both jumped off the containers. Rory went to step out but V caught her shoulder with the cane handle. V nodded ahead and an Empusa three times the size of the other walked around the corner. An Empusa Queen.

It spotted the two Empusa's feeding from the red gurgling liquid on the floor and clicked at them. It reared back on its legs and jumped up, slamming itself back down on the small demons. V jumped back in surprise, using the handle to pull Rory back as well. The Queen shoved its face to where the others were feeding and tore a large part off, its body hide and skull changing color to bright ruby red. It straightened up and growled at V and Rory, slamming its claws against the ground.

The demon lunged at the two and Rory shot herself over it, sending a few shots at its ruby-colored back. It screeched and tried to hit her while she was in the air but Shadow slashed at the demon's stomach, allowing Rory to set herself on the ground. Griffin sent out shocks and Rory tried to keep the focus on her so Shadow could continue to land blows.

The Queen growled in the air before jumping up. Rory managed to shield herself but still took a massive blow and crashed into a shipping crate. The jump also crushed Shadow and Griffin, their orbs floating together in a corner. "Shit!" Rory cursed. The demon started to stalk towards V but Rory broke the ground under its feet making it stumble, giving an opening for V to run to his familiars.

Rory stood back up and bounced an attack off. She knocked it to the side and it smashed into the crates. Shadow rushed up and slashed at the demon letting Rory take a step back. V rushed to her as he dodged a slash. "Any ideas?" V questioned.

Rory looked around at the walls, spotting scaffolds that almost ran to the ceiling. "Get it as close to the scaffolds as possible, keep it there," Rory ordered moving back to climb up the shipping containers.

"You heard the Witch," V called directing Griffin and Shadow's attacks with his cane. It took a moment but Griffin and Shadow got the Empusa Queen in the corner. "You're up Little Witch!"

Rory held her hand out, covering the entire scaffolding with the bright red of her powers. "Get out the way!" Rory shouted. Shadow rushed back to V and Griffin grabbed his hand flinging him backwards. Rory brought the scaffolding down, impaling the demon on dozen of broken metal poles and slicing its limbs with sheets of metal. The demon struggled for a moment as the dust settled but with a final high pitch screech, its body gave out and started to wilt away.

Rory dropped back down but before she could her magic to catch herself, Griffin swooped in and gripped her hand setting her straight. "Good job Witch!" Griffin called, sitting on her arm properly.

"Yes, it was very..." V paused and brushed the dust from her shoulder again. "Impressive."

"So put compliments on a list of things you're not great at," Rory teased, turning and heading on, V close behind. "But thank you." They barely got halfway into the next room before the demon's arm broke through the roof. Rory sighed through her nose, stepping around it. "If it does it one more time I'm gonna tear its arm off, just out of sheer annoyance."

"I think you'll just enrage it," V countered with a chuckle, following her. "There must be an escape route... somewhere," V spoke as he looked around. He followed the roots again, another exposed spot growing off its side. Rory and Griffin shot at the root at the same time, destroying it in one double shot.

"Hey, what's in that hole? Should we take a look?" Griffin screeched flying around the open hole in the ground.

"Well, we can't get any more stuck," Rory shrugged, looking at V for confirmation. V nodded and they stepped off, falling down the dark chasm. Rory shot her hands down, catching herself and Griffin held V setting him down.

They looked out at more underground tunnels like the ones they wandered before getting stuck in the boat. "Great! More tunnels," Griffin whined, flapping along as V led the way.

"This way, I guess," V mumbled walking along the only clear or opened path. V slowed to a stop as they came upon a group of Hell Canias. Griffin shot at a gas can, flinging the demons in different directions. Rory turned to the two on the left and V took the three on the right.

Rory shot the closest one back against a wall and summoned her chain to slash at the other one. The first stood back up and Rory slashed at it. Both demons started to fade, breaking down into nothingness. Rory looked up at V slash through a Hell Antenora. Rory sighed looking past V's shoulder. "You got to be shitting me," Rory cursed watching a Queen Empusa crawl from the ground. Rory clenched her fist and the ground broke under its feet. Using the rubble, Rory crushed its front two legs. Shadow rolled in on herself creating a spiked wheel and tearing through the Queen's stomach. The Queen screeched and fell to the floor, its skin rippling into the pale white.

V rushed to it and stabbed the cane through the demon's head, pulling it outwards and killing it.

"How'd you kill this one so easily?" Griffin questioned landing on V's arm.

"It wasn't supercharged," Rory explained. "Y'know how the other turned that bright red, this one wasn't." Rory looked past the fading Empusa at the open tunnel. "Come on, let's get out of here." Rory continued on V close to her side. Griffin flew ahead scouting the way.

"There's a tunnel on the left, I can see the sun!" Griffin called flying back to them.

"Salvation," Rory joked as she and V started to run ahead. They made it to the top of the tunnel their surroundings lined with old architecture.

"Woohoo! Finally outside! And look at that, a phone," Griffin called, flapping his wings in excitement.

"It would be good for us to get a little rest while we wait for Nico," Rory spoke up as they walked to the phone. "And some food."

V stepped into the phone booth, flicking the phone off the hook with his cane and catching it in his other hand. V held it between his shoulder and ear as he pulled a coin from his inner pocket. V hit the number and he swapped the phone to his other hand as he waited for Nico to answer.

"Hey, I could use a hand," V requested.

"You got it. Wait right there," Nico ordered. V hung up the phone and walked to the side of the phone booth, sliding down against it to take a seat.

"Hey, if you wanna get some shut-eye, I'll keep a lookout," Rory suggested, materializing a spell book in her hands.

"You wouldn't mind?" V questioned as Shadow crawled to the top of the phone booth, already falling asleep.

Rory mumbled a spell to herself and hovered above the ground, casting a small levitation spell. "I've got some reading to catch up on so, you're all good," Rory confirmed, the book flipping open by itself.

CHAPTER EIGHT

20 minutes later

A LOUD RUMBLE ECHOED THEOUGH THE AIR AND THE GROUND SHOOK SLIGHTLY. Rory set herself down, her powers picking up on the rumble of an engine was Nico. Rory crouched in front of V and gently took the cane from under V's chin, tapping his other shoulder. "Hey, V," Rory called. V hummed opening his eyes enough to see her. "Nico's just about here." Rory stood back up letting V take his cane back.

V reached up, tapping it against the metal of the booth stirring Shadow awake. Rory held her hand out and V gripped it pulling himself up. "Nice nap?" Rory teased.

"For sleeping on the concrete floor, yes actually," V hummed, resting his back against the booth, Shadow hopping down next to her. The floor rumbled and V perked up.

"It's just Nico," Rory explained.

"What-?" The floor cracked and Nico's van burst through the floor, bouncing slightly when it landed on its tires. V looked at Rory, expecting an answer.

"The van has a protection spell on it," Rory explained waving at Nico. "I wasn't sending her out there completely defenseless." Rory rolled the van door open, hopping inside V following and standing behind her. "Hey, Nics."

"Hey Sugar, what do ya need?" Nico questioned looking over her shoulder.

"I'm raiding your fridge," Rory called, opening the small mini fridge on the counter. "Oh thank god," Rory mumbled pulling out the two bottles of iced coffee.

"Do you actually like that?" V questioned reaching over Rory's shoulder and taking the coffee from her grasp, spinning it between his fingers.

"There's a chocolate milk if you want that instead," Rory spoke, slightly teasingly, holding it up for V. V took the chocolate milk between his fingers and dropped the coffee in Rory's hands.

"Grab the chocolate bars as well," V instructed and stepped out of the van. Rory slid the coffee back into the fridge and Nico pushed herself to stand.

"What was that?" Nico questioned rushing up to Rory as V stepped away.

"What was what?" Rory questioned taking two small chocolate bars. Nico chuckled and rolled her eyes. Rory turned and spotted the girl on the couch. "Is that lady?" Rory questioned looking at the girl covered in blankets. Nico hummed softly. "Be safe," Rory called jumping from the van and slamming the door closed.

Rory furrowed her eyebrows slightly but turned to face V. "What's with the squinty face?" Griffin questioned landing on Rory's shoulder.

"Nothing," Rory mumbled. V tossed his empty drink into a nearby bin, Shadow circling around them her gaze trained on the opening archway. Rory dematerialized the food and drinks watching Shadow disappear back into V.

"Hey! I wanted that chocolate!" Griffin screeched.

"You can have it after," Rory compromised stepping up to V. "Is something in there?" Rory questioned.

V called Griffin back and he started to move toward the archway. "I'm not sure," V admitted. Rory followed after him, as V lead the way. Once V reached the corner he gasped in surprise and hid behind the wall, using the cane to pull Rory close and hide her behind the wall as well.

Rory looked down at the cane that pressed her to the wall and looked up at V. "What-?" V held his finger to his lips, signaling for Rory to stay quiet, his breath coming out in shallow pants. He took the cane back silently.

Carefully they peeked around the corner. A giant demon bird stood upon a pile of rubble, a three-headed demon mounted on top. "Malphas," Rory mumbled sliding back behind the wall. V looked at Rory, waiting for her to keep talking. Rory leaned against the wall, feeling the strength start to leave her body. "She attacked a coven not far from mine, the markings on her body, the spirals, they're runes. They weaken a witch's power to the point their powers become unusable when around her. That's why I couldn't sense her. If I get to close, I'm weaker than a human."

V looked back out at Malphas his eyes moving to the demon on a horse she was speaking to. "Search for the devil sword Sparda. You know where it is... He told me to leave it be, but I'm afraid it still concerns me," Malpas ordered the other demon. "As long as there is a blood descendant of Sparda... I can not take any chances. Do you understand?! Find it, and destroy it! Only then will his reign be truly realized!" Malphas opened a portal stepping through and disappearing.

Rory gasped slightly, her strength returning. V eyed Rory as she stood properly and weaved a light around her fingers. "Put your crown on, this might get messy," V ordered stepping out of the archway. V harshly stabbed the cane against the floor, a sharp tinging sound ringing out and catching the demon's attention. The horse turned around, and demonic hisses and huffs echoed around.

Rory summoned the crown to her hand putting it on and her clothes changing to her armor. The knight that sat on the horse shot his demonic spear out, cracking purple lightning hitting the floor.

V tilted his head slightly, noticing something Rory didn't. "I see, I know what you are," V recognized. V tossed his cane up, gripping it lower on the body and tapping it against his hand. "I'll be gentle." V gripping the handle again, pointing the end at the knight.

Griffin and Shadow bounded at the demon horse, landing swipes and shots. "Try and draw the knight's attention, we'll handle the horse," V ordered.

Rory flew into the air sending out a flurry of shots at the knight's armor. The knight spun shooting an electric current at Rory. Rory shielded herself pushing back against the power. Rory shot it against the floor and sent the broken concrete at the horse and knight. The horse stumbled slightly but the knight was unaffected and swung out Griffin and Shadow. "Weak, powerless creatures," The knight growled.

Griffin chuckled deeply sending out lines of lighting at the horse. "So? You got a comeback for that?" Griffin taunted. The horse slammed its hooves into the floor and charge at V. V rolled out of the way and the horse slammed against the wall. Rory pulled one of the cars from the roots grasp and it slammed against the knight.

"One thought fills immensity..." V read from his book.

"This is not the time for poetry!" Griffin yelled. "Wait, what does that even mean!?"

"Where there's a will, there's a way... Now let's go!" V ordered. Electric shots flung out at V but Rory managed to derail them all. Rory landed next to V, sending them back at the horse. The horse wailed and sucked in a breath, shooting out an ice-blue power that slowed time around them.

Rory pushed back against the large blue light, letting V and her speed up once again. "The power to control time... That's quite a horse," V confessed. Rory broke the tiles on the floor and flung them into the horse's side.

"But that would mean it's Geryon! I thought Dante killed it already!" Griffin called back.

Rory shielded herself and V as an electric wave came their way. "Maybe it's a copy," Rory offered, slamming the shield down and sending a shock wave back at the horse.

"A rare species, but apparently not quite extinct," V countered stepping back slightly. "Until today, that is."

"Be careful, V! He's got horsepower!" Griffin shouted. Rory threw herself into the air sending another flurry of shots at the knight. The horse reeled back charging a large electric shot.

"I'll take that momentum... And send it right back," V planned. The horse charged and ran over Shadow, killing her and making the orb float. And a second later the sword slashed through Griffin and killed the bird. "Dammit. This isn't good."

Rory slammed into the ground, breaking the concrete and making the steed stumble. "V! Be quick!" Rory called looking over her shoulder. Rory threw a power punch at the horse making the horse skid along the floor. Rory brought the ground up and aimed for the horse's legs.

The horse screamed and stumbled slightly. The horse kicked the floor shaking it and making Rory fall backwards. The knight charged his sword and fired at Rory. Rory shouted as it hit her skin but her armor absorbed most of the shot. Shadow rushed over and bit into the horse's neck and the Knight lost his aim. Griffin flew over coving Rory as she pushed herself back. V ran to her and pulled her up by her arms, dragging her back a few steps.

"Shit," Rory cursed as her armor broke away. Rory ripped the crown off and absorbed it.

"Are you alright... to fight?" V questioned pausing slightly.

Rory shook her hands out. "I'm fine," Rory nodded breaking the ground again and running back to the horse. The Knight slammed his sword down at Rory and she caught it before it could hit her. Rory fought against the momentum and pushed the sword up enough to gather an energy shot in her palm and slammed it up against the horse's neck. The horse reeled back his neck bulging before his head blew open sending the knight flying away to hit a wall.

The horse fell against the floor with a thud, fading away. The Knight stood up and rushed through the gates. V stood to follow after him but fell to his knees. "V!" Griffin yelled in concern.

"I'm fine..." V mumbled trying to push himself up, but the cane slipped from his grasp.

V shuddered his breathing coming out in short pants again. Rory dropped in front of V setting her hand on his shoulder. "V..." Rory called but he couldn't look up at her, his eyes still shooting around. Rory brought her hand up to the side of his head the red of her powers flashing in his eyes and she winced slightly. V looked up at Rory and she dropped her hands. "I didn't mess with your mind or anything, just calmed you down a little," Rory explained. V gripped the cane and pushed himself up. "...Are you alright?" Rory asked tilting her head slightly.

"I'm fine," V repeated but his eyes focused on her face. "Your nose," V pointed out watching the blood drip down her face and over her lip.

"Told you it's hard to get hard in someone's head," Rory reminded wiping her nose and turning to the archway.

"We must chase him," V spoke up, watching the rubble block the path that the Knight went. "If the devil sword Sparda still exists, it may very well be our only hope."

"V, uhhh, think about this for a minute now. What will you do if you find it?" Griffin questioned. Rory held her arm out and Griffin landed on it. "You gotta be strong in mind and body to wield the Sparda, and you, sir, are neither. Hate to break it to you, but the Sparda will just be too much for ya."

"For me, yes. But what of the boy... Nero?" V suggested.

"But what happens when you find it, you're gonna drag it back to Nero?" Griffin questioned, tilting his head.

"Rory could wield it," V spoke up looking back at you. "Couldn't you?"

"Yeah, should be. Unless it's cursed or something," Rory confirmed. V looked to the side, noticing a large demon horn on the floor.

V crouched down and grabbed the demon piece before looking up at Nero's van. "Let's go. Once we are near the Sparda, even I should be able to sense its presence." V paused looking back at Rory who grunted and held her side. "You alright?"

"The adrenaline has worn off and I can feel that lightning now," Rory confessed. "And it fucking stings."

CHAPTER NINE

V OPENED THE VAN DOOR, HOLDING HIS HAND OUT FOR RORY TO PUSH HERSEF UP. Once she was inside V quickly followed. "You can't travel through here in a car," V spoke up, his cane in his hand.

"Yeah, we know, " Nero spoke quietly. "We're just watin' on you guys. There's only one way up that tree. Hang on, I'll get ready." V nodded softly before moving his attention to Rory who still held her side.

"Let me see your side," V requested, resting his cane next to the doorframe. Rory sighed and pulled her shirt off. V tilted his head and grabbed something cold from the mini freezer and pressed it to her side. Dark red and blue scattered lines ran up her side and back.

"What the hell did you do?" Nico shouted, rushing to Rory.

"He didn't do anything, I just wasn't quick enough," Rory sighed, taking the makeshift ice pack from V. "I need another shirt, got one?" Rory asked, looking up at Nico. V gave a final look at Rory, his fingers lingering for a second before moving to sit in the open doorway.

"I'm glad to see you look so well," V spoke up, looking at Lady from the side of his eye.

"You too I guess," Lady mumbled looking away.

V sighed and held the demon piece up. "I found these. If they're of any use to you, they're yours," V called and Nico tossed the shirt at Rory's face and snatched the demon horn from V's hand. Rory set the shirt on the counter and continued to cast a healing spell.

"Wow! I can make something truly awesome out of this," Nico exclaimed with a smile. V grabbed his cane and stood up, walking away.

"Shocker... Can we trust him?" Lady questioned as Nero grabbed his sword.

"Your guess is as good as mine. He might be useful though," Nero admitted. He paused and turned his head to look down at Lady. "Enough talking, get some rest. You need it. Come on Red."

Lady looked down, nodding softly. Rory tossed away the now warm ice pack on the counter and pulled on the black shirt Nico grabbed for her. "Hey, Rory," Nico called tossing Rory her jacket.

"Thanks," Rory smiled.

"Hey, Rory..." Lady called softly looking up at her. "Be safe around V."

"He saved my life, a few times actually..." Rory spoke up, thinking back. "I think we can trust him."

"You're just saying that cuz he's got the hots for ya," Nico called slamming something on her workshop counter.

Rory rolled her eyes and jumped from the van, slamming the door behind her. Rory jogged and caught up to the boys, pulling the jacket over her shoulders. "Splitting up again?" Rory questioned, looking between the two boys.

"Apparently," Nero mumbled moving to the tunnel on the right.

"I'll keep going with V then," Rory called moving to the left tunnel with V. Griffin flew V to the tunnel opening and Rory shot herself up.

V walked along the tracks headed for the root. Rory looked over her shoulder and V tapped her with his cane. "It's better to split up, we'll cover more ground," V insisted stopping at the root and summoning Shadow to tare at the root's soft spot. The root disappeared and opened up the tracks for the two to move through.

A lizard-like demon sat atop the broken red train, growing at them. It hopped off the train and hissed at the two before rushing through an open doorway. "A Riot," V hummed still walking forward. A few Hell Canias crawled from the floor, but Rory made quick work of them, stabbing them with the broken train tracks.

V led the way as they moved through the door that the Riot went through. "Ah, it's a fuckin' maze in here!" Griffin complained as they weaved through the tunnels. "We better search every corner."

"Indeed," V hummed in agreement.

"Careful V, something in here stinks," Griffin warned.

"No 'be careful Rory'?" Rory teased looking up at Griffin.

"You're the one looking after us Witch," Griffin screeched following after them. Just as Griffin finished talking the lizard dropped from the ceiling and Rory knocked it back, smashing it against the stairs. "See? What did I just say?!" Shadow jumped up tearing at the lizard. Rory shot at its face, stunning it and V stabbed through its stomach.

They walked through to a larger clearing, a mutated egg-like flesh blob in the center of the floor. It split into two, flesh tendrils connecting it as it spawned three more lizards. "Take care of the lizards," Rory instructed and she weaved through the lizards to reach the egg. Rory summoned the chain and slammed it against the flesh parts making a dent in its side.

A lizard turned towards her, slamming a claw down at her. Rory caught its claw and flung it away pulling the wall out to stab through its torso. Rory turned back to slam against the egg two more times. It turned the ghost white and Rory used her power to tear it from its stem tossing it away.

Rory shot at a lizard that was stalking toward V and it slammed into the railing. Rory clenched her fist and the poles stabbed through the lizard's body. V stabbed through the other one's head.

"Nice job," Rory nodded. V smiled and jumped up to the next set of stairs, Rory following. They dropped two another train track, a train and root blocking one path. "If we get rid of the root we can squeeze past the train," Rory observed. V nodded and motioned to root soft spot. Rory tore the root from the soft spot, each end shriveling and disappearing.

V pulled himself on top of the train, waiting for Rory. Once Rory looked over the space noticing another flesh egg. "There's a passage behind the egg," Rory spoke up, nodding towards it. V jumped off the train, summoning his familiars as a group of Riots crawled from the pulsating blob. Rory sent a shot at the egg, halting its process and half of a mutated lizard fell out and landed on the floor with a wet splat.

Griffin sent out a large shockwave and two oncoming lizards while Shadow tore at the egg. Rory stepped back catching a lizard that leapt at her and V. Rory stunned it and V stabbed through its stomach, its innards spilling onto the floor. Shadow growled as her final scratch turned the flesh egg blob. Rory shot at it, cracking it and turning it into flakes that floated into the air. Griffin swopped down barreling into an Antenora that snuck up behind Rory. Rory punched the demon with her powers and stole its mallet, slamming it into the Antenoras head.

Griffin flew back to Rory and she extended her arm for him to land. "Thanks, Griff," Rory smiled steadying her breathing as V walked to her. Griffin flew off her arm and they squeezed through the gap between the two train carts. Rory traced along a root blocking her way until she reached its soft spot. Rory shocked the red spot until it exploded, clearing the path ahead.

"This way," V ordered, motioning Rory along. V led the way as they reached a station with large lanes of escalators. A few dozen demons crawled from the floor and sky, growling at the two. Griffin and Rory shot at the bats and Shadow stunned them when they hit the floor giving V the opportunity to kill them. "Nice job," V hummed stabbing through the bat Rory tossed his way.

"Oh so you can give compliments," Rory teased, shooting at a Cania that crawled from the ground. V chuckled side stepping an attack. Shadow pulled herself into a spike ball and ran through the line of Canias, stunning them all. Rory took the cane from V's hand and powered it up, throwing it through the line of demons.

Rory brought the cane back to her hand and passed it back to V. V spun it in his hand once before walking to the escalators. "How do these things still work?" Rory mumbled stepping onto the dividers of the escalators and watching the automatic steps roll down. Rory shot down the mutated mushroom roots that shot out electric shots.

A shrill screech wailed off the walls and a Sin, clutching Death Scissors charged at Rory. Rory bounced the scissors off but rolled down the escalator. Shadow bounded towards her, using V's shoulders as a jumping point and landed on the Sin's shoulders tearing at its neck. Using her powers, Rory gripped the scissors and ripped them from the Sin's grasp and threw them back at the demon. The scissors lodged themselves in the demon's abdomen and Rory clenched her fist and the scissors closed, cutting the demon in half.

V walked back to Rory, holding his hand out. "You alright?" V questioned, pulling Rory up.

Rory dusted off her arms, fixing her jacket. "Yeah, yeah, I'm okay," Rory nodded and they walked back up the stairs. Once they got to the top of the stairs, Rory let out a deep huff staring at the two flesh eggs. Rory brought a shot to her hand and tossed it at the closest egg. "Is it too small to summon nightmare?" Rory questioned tossing a lizard away, losing her focus on the egg.

V dodged a lizard swipe nearly crashing into Rory. "Just be careful. Remember what I said?" V questioned. Rory knocked a lizard down, shielding V with her other hand.

"Don't touch him, unless you want nightmares," Rory remembered trying to hit the egg again. V nodded and clicked his fingers and Nightmare crashed up through the floor, stunning a nearby lizard. Nightmare swung his arms, hitting one of the eggs away.

V rushed to Nightmare, hopping onto his back and focusing his attacks on the second egg. Rory threw a lizard to the side, bringing the wall out to stab through its body. A lizard jumped onto Nightmare and he stumbled back, allowing two more lizards to crawl free. Griffin and Shadow focused on the new demons as Nightmare handle the last ones. Rory dodged under Nightmare's arm and tossed shots at the egg until it broke away. V jumped off on Nightmare, stabbing the demons Shadow and Griffin had stunned.

Silence filled their ears, and Rory huffed slightly. "Witch look out!" Griffin screeched. A Riot dropped from the ceiling tossing Rory against Nightmare. Shadow and V made quick of the lizard before V dropped in front of Rory.

"Witch?" V questioned, sending Nightmare away. Black sludge absorbed itself into Rory's skin and she blinked rapidly, her vision blurry. "Rory?"

✦

A SMALL BLOND GIRL WANDERED AROUND THE RUBBLE OF THE BROKEN CITY. "Momma?!" Kat called, gripping the blue bunny tight in her arms. "Mom?!" Quietly a Hell Antenora crept up behind her, chittering softly. Kat turned around burying her face in her toy. "Mom!" A bright red light shot out at the demon sending them away.

A taller woman walked closer, her hand lowering and the bright red light fading. "Hey hun, what are you doing out here?" Scarlett questioned stepping up to the little girl.

"I can't find my momma," Kat whimpered, looking up at the blonde woman.

"Well, this is my daughter Rory," Scarlett spoke looking back at Rory who stepped up to her mother. "Why don't we help you find your momma." The little girl nodded and gripped Scarlett's hand. Scarlett walked over to Rory, pausing momentarily. "Find her first," Scarlett ordered in a harsh whisper.

Rory nodded and walked to the abandoned house Kat wandered out of. Rory stepped up to the rubble, waving her hand clearing the broken door from her path. "Help me please," A weak voice called, trying to push a beam of their body.

"Are you Kat's mother?" Rory questioned as she tried to move the beam off of the woman.

"Yes, yes, oh my god, is my little girl safe?" She whimpered. Rory sat back looking at the mother before moving to rest her hand over her eyes. "What are you doing? Where is my daughter?!"

"Die knowing she loved you," Rory whispered, moving her hand up and blasting a hole through the woman's head.

"RORY!" V SHOOK HER SHULDER AND RORY'S EYES SNAPPED UP TO HIM. "Witch, are you okay?" Rory huffed and stood up pushing V away. "Hey-" Rory walked through to the next room before V caught her with his cane. "Slow down. You shouldn't be walking around after that."

"I thought you said Nightmare showed you nightmares, like things that are made up," Rory snapped pressing her hands to her temples. "Not shit that's happened."

"Is that not a nightmare?" V questioned. V paused, stepping closer to Rory. "Is there something-?"

"Let's just keep going," Rory insisted, pushing past V and walking up the next flight of stairs.

CHAPTER TEN

V AND RORY FOUND THEMSELVES ABOVE GROUND STILL WALING IN SILENCE. Roots protruded through the ground and Rory hopped onto an abandoned bus to look over the scape, the demonic tree in the center of it all. Rory hopped off the bus, following behind V as he walked down the broken concrete hill.

Rory waved her hands and the broken cars moved to the side, allowing her and V to pass through. The two walked down the broken stage that was exposed from the hall it was contained in. Nero jumped over a bus, landing a few feet away from them. Nero walked over to them, leading them onto the stage.

Nero sighed looking up as a large demon jumped from the roof. It landed on the floor with an intense bang, an oversized sword in its right hand. It stared down the devil hunters with a menacing glare as six smaller demons, with shields and spears, joined the lead demon; three on each side.

Nero chuckled, looking over the group of demons. "Nice, getting the band back together, huh?" Nero taunted.

V pinched the bridge of his nose, almost as if he was in immense pain. "What evil lurks... I must destroy," V spoke in a menacing tone.

"I thought that was the plan all along," Nero mumbled, reaching and unsheathing his sword.

Rory stayed silent as the crown appeared on her head. The framing of the theatre started to crumble, shaking the floor and the roof collapsed behind them. The theatre started to slide down the hill, kicking up dust. Rory shot at the demons, separating the demons into two groups. Nero rushed to the ones on the right and V, with his familiars focused on the ones on the right.

The lead demon stepped away from the others, stomping towards Rory. Rory shot at the demon but it simply swiped the shot away with its sword. The demon raised his sword, bringing it down to stab at Rory but she stepped to the side and shot at its armored chest. The demon stumbled backwards, catching itself on its blade.

"Witch!" Griffin screeched tossing one of the lesser demons toward Rory. Rory grabbed it from the air and slammed it into the ground, bringing a spike up to stab it at the same time. Nero's sword clashed with the led demons and Rory shot the demon down. Nero spun immediately slashing through one of the other demons.

Another demon growled and stepped up to Rory. It reeled its arm back and threw its shield at Rory. Rory stopped it before it reached her and she spun, flinging it back at the demon. The demon split in half, its insides spilling onto the floor.

A shot of purple lighting was shot at Rory sending her flying against one of the broken walls. Shadow leapt towards the main demon, stabbing at it with her tail. V rushed to Rory, helping her stand. "How many times will I have to save you from lightning?" V chuckled lightly, moving behind Rory slightly.

Rory broke the floor beneath one of the smaller demon's feet and sent spikes through it. "Just focus," Rory ordered, sending shots at the final demon, making them stumble and Nero slashed through it, just leaving the largest and strongest demon.

Shadow and Nero stayed the closest to the demon, drawing its attention as Rory and Griffin shot at it from afar. Every time the large sword struck down at Nero, Rory shielded him and it gave him an opening to slash its stomach.

It stumbled away, falling against the ground as Nero's slashes caused a massive wound across its stomach. Rory walked to it, seething through her teeth. Rory gripped it by the horn and with a tug and a mumbled spell, Rory tore the demon's head off and tossed it to the side. V and Nero watched from behind, waiting for Rory to relax slightly.

Rory looked over the opening as the last of the theatre's walls started to crumble. "Jump," Rory ordered, turning to face the boys. They listened and the three jumped at once, Rory catching them in the air. The theatre ran off the edge of the cliff and Rory set herself and the boys on the floor.

"Took us long enough to get down here," Nero complained, walking closer to the edge. Nero turned back looking at V who stared off into the distance. "What, tired already?"

"I've just remembered something... This town was attacked once before," V recalled taking a small step forward.

"Is that so?" Nero questioned, watching V with cautious eyes.

"I was here... I can still see it," V continued in a shallow voice, stepping forward to inspect an old playground horse. "In fact, I was playing right here." V moved his hand down to grip the cane and motioned to a house further up ahead. "That was the house." Nero stepped forward trying to see the house better but Rory kept her eyes on V. "This is where we part ways. You go ahead."

"You're gonna miss all the fun," Nero spoke, trying to convince V to join him.

"The devil sword Sparda is somewhere close," Rory informed, finally stepping closer to join the conversation. "We need to find it."

"What? Yeah, I don't think that's such a good idea, trust me," Nero warned, turning to face the two.

V hummed and pet Nero's shoulder as he walked around him. "You're not the only one who thinks so," V joked softly. "But to win this fight, we're going to need all the help we can get."

"That's suicide," Nero spoke up again stopping V from walking off. "But if you're so instant on going then Rory stays with me."

"Just go Nero," Rory urged, following after V. "We'll be fine."

The two walked for a few minutes before Rory spotted a phone. "Can we stop for a minute?" Rory questioned, nodding to the phone.

"Need to call Nico?" V asked leading them to the phone.

"I need to call Kat, I'll be quick, I swear," Rory promised, stepping up the broken phone box, with thankfully the important parts still intact. V nodded and stood to the side, passing Rory a coin. Rory pushed the coin in and held the phone to her ear as she pushed the numbers. It rang a few times and Kyrie answered with a sweet voice. "Hey, Kyrie, can I talk to Kat please?"

"Yeah, one second," The phone went silent for a moment before Kat's voice broke through the phone.

"Hey, Rory!" Kat squealed in happiness, and V looked over in surprise, hearing the voice through the phone. "Are you coming home?"

"Not yet sweetie," Rory sighed as she played with the phone cord. "I just wanted to make sure you were behaving."

"Yeah, yeah!" Kat squeaked. "I've been helping Kyrie cook and, and, and, I cleaned my room." Rory smiled to herself, shutting her eyes tight.

"I'm proud of you hun, and I know Kyrie is so happy to have a little helper," Rory spoke, moving her hand to brush through her hair. "I have to get back to work, but hopefully I'll be home soon."

"Can I say hi to the birdie when you come home?!" Kay yelled in happiness.

"Yeah, of course," Rory glanced up at Griffin who sat on V's arm. "I'm sure the birdie will love it." Rory laughed softly with Kat before saying a quick goodbye and clicking the phone off.

V walked toward her noticing her hands shaking. "Rory..." V called softly.

"I almost killed her mother," Rory confessed, looking down at the phone. "And I blew up her house." Rory looked up at V. V expected tears to fall or at least the start of her crying, but instead, Rory looked mad. "I refused to and my coven almost killed me for not killing her."

"That's what Nightmare made you see... The what if it wasn't an almost," V pieced together. Rory hummed and pushed herself away from the phone, starting to walk on again. "Go see if you can find the sword," V ordered to Griffin and the bird flew off. "The quicker we find that sword and defeat Urizen, the quicker you can go back to her."

V and Rory stopped on the edge of a cliff, looking over at the ground below. Griffin flew back to the two, stopping to fly around their heads. "Did you find it?" V questioned.

"Uh, well, I don't know what I found, but... I think I saw some demons dancing?" Griffin relayed, not entirely sure of his words.

"Well then, I guess we keep going then," V spoke up. "The devil sword Sparda is nearby." V turned to the left, leading them further into the broken landscape. V hummed to himself, walking forward. "It's coming from the Qliphoth root." Rory jumped onto a large rock, flipping one next to her on a group of Empusa. Rory waved her hands and moved the rocks to make a staircase for V to walk up.

"You're welcome," Rory hummed, stepping down the long steep hill. Two Hell Canias wandered around by a broken building. Rory built an orb in her hand but the ground shook making her look back. "Shit!" Rory grabbed V and pulled them from the track of a large demon.

It used its armored-covered head to knock the two demons to the side and smashed through the surrounding buildings. "Thank you," V mumbled, tossing his cane into his other hand. The demon Behemoth knocked the rubble to the side and stared down the two.

Rory brought the orb back to her palm and tossed it at the silver armor. It roared and rammed at her. Rory stepped to the side and it smashed into the mountain behind her. "It's dumb as bricks! Ha!" Griffin shouted, shooting at a nearby Cania. Rory waved her hand and the red lights weaved into the cracks of its armor. Rory threw her hand up and the Behemoth tipped over, the top half of its armor shattering.

The thing shouted and thrashed around knocking the broken bits of armor off and revealing two tentacles that grew in its mouth. "Well that's disgusting," Rory commented. It shrieked at Rory and charged at her again, its tongues waggling around. Rory summoned light and shot at its tongues and rolled to the side. Shadow rushed at the Behemoth, jumping onto its back and tearing at it. "It may be dumb, but it is strong as hell."

Rory summoned her chain and walked towards it as it fought against Shadow. Once Rory got close enough she slammed the chain down on one of its tongues, dismembering it. It shrieked and swung at Rory but Griffin gripped her arm and flung her backwards.

Rory brought her hands together, building up a large orb. The Behemoth shrieked again and Rory shot into its mouth. The Behemoth growled, thrashing as its skin turned white. V rushed towards it, stabbing its stomach and pulling it upwards.

V stepped back and turned towards Rory. "Nice job," Rory called with a smile as V walked towards her.

"You too, Little Witch," V nodded walking past Rory. Rory spun and followed after him. Rory cleared their path of the broken buildings and rocks. V led the way up the next part of the broken path and Griffin flew him onto the next broken platform. "Can you break it?" V questioned nodding at the fallen concrete that blocked their path.

Rory hummed and looked at the walls surrounding it. "Not without causing a landslide," Rory hummed. Rory looked back, spotting an archway lit with an orange glow a few meters back. "But that might work."

V nodded in agreement and followed Rory as she made her way to the stone archway. Rory jumped up the rocks, V getting flown by Griffin. Rory shot herself up to the next cliff above them. V followed, jumping off a flipped car with Griffin catching him in the air and dropping him next to Rory.

"Can I ask you something?" V questioned as the two walked on, only the faint growls of demons in the far distance. Rory nodded, looking over her shoulder as an Empusa fell off a cliff. "Who's Kat to you?"

"I found her," Rory answered after a moment of silence. "My mom took her, she was going to kill her. My old coven killed kids to take their power. I couldn't let that happen so I took Kat and ran. Her mother's still out there, I have to find her." They walked to the edge of the cliff and dropped down. Rory caught them before they hit the floor and set them both gently on their feet.

They jumped through another archway and landed further down the cliff. A demon with a shield like the ones before stood before them, one of the smaller ones. It's sword was bluer than the other's black swords and was smaller. It swung down at them and Rory pushed V to the side as bounced the sword off a shield.

"V, deal with that!" Rory ordered pointing to the grey demon flying around the air. V nodded and his familiars followed him. The demon swung at Rory and she shot at its torso as its sword smashed into the ground. Rory tore the sword from its grasp and pushed it backwards.

Rory gripped the sword with her powers and flung it towards the demon's chest piercing its body and slamming it against the wall. Rory huffed and turned to V, who was already watching her. "You all good?" Rory asked him, walking towards him.

"Yes, you are just, extremely talented," V hummed.

"Still not sure if that's a compliment or an observation," Rory mumbled, looking over the edge of the cliff.

"Take it as a compliment," V insisted.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

V AND RORY DROPPED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CLIFF. They walked further out and Rory hummed softly. "I'm surprised any of this architecture is still standing," Rory observed, dropping down a small ledge. V dropped next to her and Rory furrowed her eyebrows slightly. "You're unusually quiet... for a quiet guy. Those memories you were talking about... Are they still there?"

V walked in silence for a few more steps before sighing. "I'd be lying if I said they weren't. But the past is... a bitter place for me."

A spike broke through the ground and Rory flicked her wrist, a shot exploding it from the inside out. "Want my advice? Ignoring the past is just as bad as reliving it. Like trying to hide feelings by compensating with something else... like power."

"And you have experience in that?" V asked as they walked up the broken cobblestone steps.

"I told you, you remind me of someone," Rory recalled, walking under the archway and into the stone building. Bats flew around and they spat fire at the two. Rory shielded her and V before pushing them back and slamming them into the bricks.

"Do I get to know this mysterious person's name?" V questioned, following behind Rory.

"Not yet." Rory walked into a clearing, the daylight from above beaming down and illuminating the large hole in the floor.

"I've got a bad feeling about this place," Griffin called, flying around their heads. "But I think it might get us where we need to go."

"It's also the only place we can go," Rory countered, staring down into the space. "V?" He nodded and they jumped into the hole, the fall not high enough for either to be caught by Griffin.

A dozen Empusa's crawled from the ground and Shadow and Griffin dived for them. "You can't have done the one bad thing to get your entire coven to hate you," V thought aloud, dodging an Empusa's swipe. "What happened?"

"When I said past-" Rory slammed a chain down on a demon. "-Didn't exactly mean mine." Rory kicked another back and Griffin barreled into the remaining ones giving V and Rory the time to finish them off.

"Isn't that how these things work? I tell you something, you tell me something?" They dropped down another cliff, Rory catching them this time.

"Yeah, normally."

"Normally?"

Rory sighed slightly and turned to face V, making him stop walking as well. "What we do isn't normal. My past is fucked up but I'm guessing you can rival that, this isn't a teatime exchange," Rory explained. Rory sighed softly before walking on again. "We find Dante first."

"So you think he's alive?" V asked, following Rory as they scaled up another hill.

"Urizen has no reason to keep him alive. But he also has no reason to hunt him down and make sure he's dead," Rory added. "Toss of the coin really."

"Why don't you just fight Urizen? You have the skills to do so," V spoke up as they reached the top and made their way to a staircase.

"I think you forget I'm not supernatural. I'm super powerful. There's a difference," Rory clarified. "I can't heal like the others, I'm also not as fast or as physically strong. One hit and I'm down."

The two ran up the staircase where three grey Baphomets awaited them as well as three other Hell Antenoras crawled from the stone floor. "Focus on the Baphomets," V ordered Rory.

Rory slid past Shadow and shot at one of the Baphomets. Another dived for her and she used one of the torches to set it on fire as she dodged. It squealed as it hit the ground, wiggling as it tried to shake the fire off. V ran to it and stabbed through its torso and up through its head. Rory sent a shot past his head and struck down the Antenora that snuck behind him

V moved closer and Rory shielded them as a Baphomet swung down. Rory dropped the shield and kicked another Antenora away for Griffin to handle. "You know," Rory called, as she switched between firing at demons and moving to shield herself and V. "We always come up with a semblance of a plan, but it never seems to last."

V laughed softly and moved as a demon swung at him. "Why are they so focused on me?" V mumbled stepping aside and making an opening for Shadow to slash him down. Rory swung her chain out, killing the last demon and they moved into silence.

"Maybe it's because your chest is out," Rory offered. "Maybe demons are more like teenage girls. than I expected" Rory laughed to herself and moved to one of the open archways.

"What does that mean?" Griffin screeched, following behind Rory as she led the way. "Is that meant to mean- Oh!" Griffin laughed to himself.

"I don't understand," V spoke up. Griffin simply laughed harder and pulled himself back to V.

"Do you feel the sword yet?" Rory asked, skipping over V's questions.

"With every step, I feel its power growing," V confirmed.

They stepped into a large colosseum and distorted, high pitch laughter echoed around them. "Please don't tell me those are..." Rory trailed off as the masks on the brick walls were pulled into a pair of dark demons. "Sins." The Sin demons materialized scissors and flew around the air.

One swung down at the two and Rory pulled a rock from the floor and it slammed into the cement. Shadow rushed over V's shoulder and onto the Sins back and Griffin flew out to distract the other.

The Sin flung Shadow off and Rory wrapped her chain around it. Rory tugged hard and the Sin split into three different pieces. "I think you're all mixed up," Rory muttered. Griffin tossed the Sin at V and he jumped at stabbed through its mask.

V dropped to the ground and spun to face Rory. "Since when do you make quips?" V questioned tossing his cane up and walking closer to her. A Sin screeched as it pulled from the wall and they looked over. Rory took V's cane and tossed it through the Sin's head.

"I don't know," Rory waved her hand and the cane raced back to her. "Feel like if I embody Dante, we'll find him." Rory handed back to the cane and they turned down another clearer path.

"So you do think he's alive," V mumbled.

"He was always my favorite of the twins," Rory mumbled, a smile pulling at the edge of her lips.

"You know he's a twin?" V questioned as they walked into more of the stable architecture.

"Dante and Virgil, but Virgil was born first," Rory recalled. "They're in all the witch's scripture, half-demons aren't a regular thing." They walked up a long flight of stairs until they reached the stone clearing up top.

"And Dante was your favorite?" V called.

"No, too much of a goody two shoes, if you twist your definition of goody two shoes to a demon hunter," Rory looked around, looking for a place to scale the walls.

"So you liked... Virgil?"

Rory paused looking up at V before to cliffs once again. "That sounded like a personal question," Rory mumbled, turning back to look at V. Rory laughed softly. "Fucked up kid with a damaged brain, thirst for absolute power, it was my covens dream."

"You didn't answer the question."

"So it is personal." V stayed quiet as he eyed Rory. "Fucked up kid with a damaged brain, thirst for absolute power. Sounds familiar doesn't it?" Rory turned away, before moving to the phone box down the cleared path. "You think it still works?"

"You see yourself in Vergil?" V questioned, catching her shoulder with his cane. "Or Virgil in yourself?"

"Haven't met the dude, but I bet we'd have more in common than he'd think." V took a breath and let the cane fall from Rory's shoulder. "I don't need to call Nico, I was trying to defuse the conversation. So if you need anything..." Rory gestured to the phone.

V looked between her and the phone before walking on. "Come on little witch. I can feel the sword, it's just beyond the arch."

CHAPTER TWELVE

RORY LED THE WAY THROUGH AN ARCHED DOORWAY AND OUT TO A CLEARING. Three Nobody demons danced around as they looked up the cliff. Stuck into the side of a stone building was the Devil Sword Sparda. V smiled as he watched the stones on the handle reflect in the light.

"Whoa, is this some kind of ritual shindig, isn't it?" Griffin called flying overhead of the Nobody demons. "You got the dance fever for Sparda, don't you?" The demons turned to face the trio and Griffin flew back slightly. "Whoa, easy on the dance floor there, partner."

The demons hissed at them and V stepped up. "I'll be taking that back," V informed pointing his cane toward the sword. He spun the cane around and tapped it against his palm. "You know your endless worshipping isn't making the Sparda any happier."

"And your talking isn't making this fight move faster," Rory spoke up, shooting a teasing smile at V. The Nobody screeched at ran at the two but Rory shot it backwards. Griffin and Shadow rushed forwards, shooting and swiping at the other two demons. The Nobody ran back at her, swiping down its arm. Rory stopped it and sent red power over the Nobody's skin.

Griffin swooped down and barreled the demon over. "Watch out for their mask changes," Rory called to V's familiars. The Nobody shook off the red power and kicked Griffin away.

"It would be best we don't drag this out," V spoke up, still standing behind Rory.

Rory chuckled softly and summoned her chain. "Says the guy hiding behind the Witch." The Nobody ran at Rory and she flung the chain at it, splitting it down the center. The gross demon splattered blood everywhere and covered Rory's shoes. "Disgusting."

Rory weaved her fingers and the blood followed her movement as she flung it at the Nobody Shadow stunned, shooting spikes through its skin. "It's our turn to use the Sparda Sword," Rory said taking a step forward. Griffin barreled into the last Nobody, stunning it. V walked past Rory and stabbed its hand into the cement. He turned his back and took a few steps away before flinging his cane through the demon in a large explosion.

"Holy shit," Rory cursed. "You didn't feel like doing that before?" Rory walked back to V, who panted slightly. V held out the cane that glow with a slightly blue-tinted flame. "Demonic energy."

"Not a lot however, I have to be cautious," V explained.

"You didn't want to use on Geryon? Or the Night?"

"I was more focused on getting you to safety," V spoke up, his hands resting on the head of the cane. Rory hummed softly and she turned her back, looking up at the Sparda Sword. V followed her gaze and they both turned their heads to look at the pulsating roots attached to the side of the stone structure.

"Cane," Rory ordered. V held it out and Rory ran her hand over the handle, three witches' runes digging into the demonic metal. "Should bump up the power a bit." V tossed the cane in his hand before walking to the roots.

V sucked in a deep breath and jammed the sword end of the cane into one of the roots. Red and blue flames mixed together as they ran over the roots. Rory gripped the head of the cane and they pushed it all the way through the root before V tore it back.

Rory caught V as he stumbled slightly. They turned back to look at the roots as they rippled white. The root broke away in large chunks and smashed off the side of the stone building. V stepped closer to Rory as she threw a shield up. The sword fell from the building and landed a meter in front of the pair. V tossed his cane down and took a step forward. "V-"

"I have to try," V muttered. Rory sighed slightly and grabbed his cane. They walked closer to the sword and V crouched to pick it up. His hands wrapped around the handle and he tugged it up slowly, groaning as he strained against it. V held it in the air for a moment before it clattered to the ground.

Rory stepped forwards and V mumbled softly, "It seems this sword is still too strong for me."

Rory took his hands from the sword and handed back his cane. "We'll get it to Nero," Rory reminded. Rory gripped the sword handle and pulled it from the ground. Rory strained slightly and gritted her teeth as she held it over her shoulder, her power taking most of the weight.

"You can barely carry it," V observed.

"I told you, I'm not strong," Rory reminded me. Rory peered over her shoulder, strange energy pulling her toward the bottom of eh cliff. "Unlike someone else..." Rory let the sword drop slightly and she walked to peer over the edge of the cliff. "Holy fuck."

V walked to stand by her and he looked over the edge. "Dante..." V mumbled noting the white haired demon hunter tangled in the roots. Griffin flew down, tugging Dante's bloody body off of the roots.

Rory tossed the sword out, catching it in mid-air with her mind before floating herself and V down to the bottom of the cliff.

"How the hell is he alive?" Rory questioned as she set the sword down and wandered closer to the devil hunter.

"The Devil Sword Sparda was concealing Dante's presence," V pieced together, looking between the sword and Dante's unconscious body.

"How the hell did you get so much luck?" Rory mumbled.

"Can you wake him?" V questioned, his eyes not moving from the sword.

"Of course," Rory hummed. She looked up, watching V stare down the sword. Her eyes lit up red for a moment and she stepped closer to V. "V, get away from the sword." V looked up at her before reluctantly moving away from the sword and taking a seat on the floor.

Rory flicked her hands and a red fog appeared and swerved around her fingers. "Come on, you lump of muscle, we need a miracle," Rory mumbled before letting her hand move across Dante's head and consume his mind. "Wake up." Dante's eyes shot open and stared up at Rory. "Hi."

Dante groaned and sat up taking in his surroundings, mainly V and Griffin sitting by him. "You're the girl that fought Urizen. Nice catch," Dante said, recalling falling through the air and then Rory catching him.

"You're welcome," Rory spoke gently with a snippy tone.

"What day is it?"

"June fifteen, you've been out for about a month," Rory answered.

"A month?" Dante repeated, pushing himself to stand. He groaned and stretched his arms out. "No wonder I'm so stiff."

"Right, sunshine, now put a fire under it," Griffin called flying around Dante's head. "We gotta get goin', 'cause that annoying pimple Nero is making a beeline for Urizen. And if he gets there he's gonna get-" Dante grabbed Griffin by his neck, effectively cutting off Griffin's complaining. Dante tossed him away. "-Smashed like a bug!" Griffin yelled in conclusion, his voice echoing off.

"Hey, this is my gig. Leave Nero out of this," Dante ordered, walking over and looking down at V.

"If you could defeat Urizen..." V pushed himself to stand and glared at Dante. "Then I never would have dreamed of using that child."

"This isn't a gig Dante," Rory called, standing as well. "These roots, there threatening to spill out of Red Grave. Urizen is... unfathomably strong. And as much as I love the kid, Nero didn't stand a chance against him."

"So what are you doing here then?" Dante questioned. "You're not just walking around waking up unconscious men."

"We all got our reasons, don't we?" Rory stepped back but quickly spun back to Dante. "You're welcome by the way, for saving your ass. Twice." Rory turned away fully and sat on the ground again.

Dante shook his head slightly and pushed himself off the wall. "All right, enough's enough." Dante walked to the sword and slung it over his shoulder. "Can't let a boy... Do a man's job."

V turned around and chased Dante. "Hey, wait! I'm not done talking yet-" V huffed and fell to his knees, the cane slipping from his hand. Rory stood back up quickly and Dante turned to V.

"Okay, you get some rest," Dante ordered before turning back again. "By the way... I guess I owe you guys one."

Rory shook her head and knelt next to V. "You okay?" V lifted his hand and black cracks started to take over his skin, breaking off in small flakes. "What is that?"

"It's nothing." V shook his head and tried to reach for his cane but Rory tossed it away.

"Answer the question."

"It doesn't matter what it is, all that matters is I'm running out of time," V brushed aside, sitting on his knees properly.

Rory sighed slightly and brought the red light back to her palm. "Stay still," Rory ordered as she reached and took V's hand, her palm moving over his hand and the cracks retracted slightly. She moved her hands to brush his hair back and did the same to the cracks on his neck. V's pulse started to race and he reeled back slightly and Rory dropped her hands slightly.

Rory laughed slightly and stood up. "Come on V, don't tell me I make you nervous." Rory held her hand out and pulled V to stand and grabbed his cane. "I shouldn't have stopped you. You should've run the sword through his skull."

"How did you know... You were in my head," V realized.

"Your strongest emotions come through the strongest," Rory shrugged. "I told you I didn't like him very much. Are you alright to keep walking?"

V nodded before looking up at Rory. "Why do you keep asking that?" V questioned, flexing his hand. " 'Are you okay? Are you alright?'"

"You ask me the exact same questions," Rory reminded. Rory furrowed her eyebrows slightly and took a breath. "I don't know, feels right too. You ask the people you care about how they are."

V stopped suddenly, "Care about?"

Rory turned back and waved her hands, the path opening for them. "Yeah, care about."

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

V AND RORY FOLLOWED DANTE'S PATH THROUGH THE BROKEN RUBBLE RED GRAVE CITY. Rory and V would stop occasionally to let V rest. Finally, they reached a road where Dante laid a naked Trish on the road. "Dante!" V called running ahead, Rory jogging beside him.

Dante slid onto his bike, calling over his shoulder, "Take care of Trish for me!" Dante revved the engine and sped off.

"Dante wait-!" V called before falling to his knees. Rory looked between V and Dante, sighing softly.

"I'm going after him," Rory announced, her crown materializing on her head.

V's head snapped up and the cane slipped from his fingers. "Rory-"

"I'll come back, I promise, V," Rory said quickly before pushing herself into the air and chasing after Dante, Griffin close behind. V looked down at his crumbling hands before grabbing his cane and standing back up. I'll come back, I promise, V. ✦

DANTE SET THE BIKE DOWN, THE LAST OF THE DEMONS TORN TO DEATH BY THE TIRES. Rory flew to the ground, a red light hitting the floor as she did. "How's that for road rash?" Dante joked aloud.

"That's a terrible line," Rory spoke up and Dante spun, his sword extended in her direction, the blade stopping an inch from her face.

Once Dante recognized her, he let the sword drop. He took a deep breath and ran a hand along his face. "What are you doing here... Kid?"

"Rory, my name is Rory," Rory cut in. Rory looked behind him and shot out a large orb knocking the Canias down.

"I need to get to Urizen, so unless you feel like dying... go home," Dante advised, turning back to the path he was walking down. Rory sighed and caught up to Dante. "Jesus kid."

"Call me a kid again and I'll put you through the wall," Rory threatened.

Dante scoffed slightly and continued on. "Well you seem to be as stubborn as ever, so here's the deal, I'll handle the demons you stay out of the way."

"That's thick coming from the guy who got himself knocked out for a month," Rory snapped, slapping his shoulder. A grey Baphomet screeched as it saw them and each of them fired at the demon. Dante's bullet melded with Rory's shot and the demon exploded.

They looked at each other and carried on in silence until a pair of armored Riots dropped in front of them. One dived for Dante and the other balled itself into a spiral and rushed at Rory. Rory covered the Riot's shell in smoke and shot herself in the air as she clenched her fist and the armor pieces broke through the demon's skin.

Rory landed on the ground as the Riot fell into a tangled mess, wheezing screeches leaving its dying body. Dante turned to face her, his sword slung over his shoulder as the Riot he faced dropped to the ground in bloody pieces. "Listen, kid-"

Rory shot him back against the wall. Dante smashed against the side of the sickly green-colored walls and he fell to his knees. He groaned and held his shoulder. "I told you not to call me kid. And don't give me that whole 'I work alone alone' speech. You came out here with Trish and Lady and V."

Dante laughed softly and pushed himself to stand, shaking the muck off of his jacket. "Well you sure live up to your word," Dante mumbled, walking closer to Rory. "I was gonna say you got skills kid." Rory narrowed her eyes and Dante laughed. "If you're coming with me I'm calling you kid."

Rory rolled her eyes and the armor rippled away along with her crown. Dante started to speak but Rory beat him to it, "It's magic, before you ask."

The pair made their way through the rocky tunnels, Rory occasionally making quick work of an Empusa. They walked to an open area with a statue in the middle, four concrete holds surrounding it. One sunk further into the floor, dark red blood filling it to the brim. "Its blood," Rory examined, looking over her shoulder at Dante.

"Blood huh, sorry you won't like mine," Dante joked. He looked up at the demon spouts that would normally flow with blood. "So you want me to kick start this thing?"

Rory shrugged. "That, or you could wait five minutes for me to cast a spell," Rory suggested. She summoned the book to her hands and opened it to a stained page. "Unless you wanna get your hands bloody."

"Five minutes?" Dante questioned as he took a seat on a stone slab. "You wanna take any longer?"

"Pity to whoever you bring home, Sparda" Rory muttered and Dante laughed dryly. Rory let the book floating in front of her and pulled four red runes from the pages.

"What are you doing?" Dante asked, sliding the sword into the holster on his back.

"Making doorways," Rory spoke softly, her hands moving out, the runes following her movement and covering the demon spouts. "I can pull from every sacrifice my coven had made."

Rory cast the last rune and Dante moved to stand in front of her, peeking over the edge of the book. "So what, demons and shit?"

Rory shook her head and slammed the book closed. "No, it needs human blood." Rory stepped back slightly and muttered a spell under her breath. The runes lit up and blood gushed from the demon heads. Dante jumped back and hundreds of gallons of blood poured out and filled the concrete pressure plates.

Dante met Rory's glowing eyes and his hand drifted up to his sword. "You're a Renan," Dante realized.

"I left the coven," Rory stated and she lowed her hands, the blood flow stopping as the slabs lowered under pressed and the statue in the middle slid into position. "I can still use the spells."

"And now what? Did you get a heart of gold? Wake up one day and wanna save the world?" Dante scoffed.

"I found a lost kid," Rory snapped. "One's whose mom sacrificed themselves because some supernatural force attacked their house." Slowly Dante's hand dropped and Rory slid her hands into her pocket. "If the world is safe, so is she."

"And she gets a better childhood than any of us," Dante concluded and Rory nodded. Dante walked past her and through the open passage the statue revealed. They dropped down and made their way down the large stone steps.

They walked past crates and different doorways. "Man... this brings me back," Dante mumbled, his eyes scanning the walls and golden torches.

"You hung out in rocky tunnels regularly?" Rory joked.

Dante laughed softly, "You'll see." He quickly jumped up the large cliff and looked over the edge once he reached the top. "Need a lift Renan?"

Rory shook her head and her red lights carry her to the top. "I think I got it," Rory nodded.

They walked further ahead and the warm lighting from the golden torches was replaced by a bright blue as the sun reflected off a small waterfall that rushed over the broken stone.

"Are we going back up to the surface?" Rory asked, hovering beside Dante as he jumped over the rocks.

"It's the plan," Dante nodded and Rory groaned. "What?"

"V and I spent three hours getting down and through here just for you to drag me back," Rory complained. Dante led Rory through the open broken wall where rain had started to pour and paused as he looked over the house. "Oh," Rory muttered. "Was this your house?"

Dante nodded and his eyes scanned the garden. "I can't believe any of it's still standing," Dante observed. The house was torn in two and vines had overrun the foundation.

Dante walked through and stood in front of the fireplace, looking up at the old, burnt oil painting. It had a beautiful blonde woman, a man with his face scrawled out and two twin boys, both with white hair. "I'm guessing, that's you?" Rory spoke up.

Dante nodded, letting the rain drip from his hair and over his jacket. "Ah! Witch! There you are!" Griffin screeched. Rory held her arm out and Griffin collapsed onto her arm, panting heavily. Griffin turned his eyes to Dante and shook the rain from his head. "Hey, what's wrong with you? Hey!"

Dante walked closer to the center of the room and Rory followed, keeping her distance at his side. "Dante?" Rory called.

"The demonic power was activated in me once when Virgil lovingly jammed this through my chest," Dante revealed, holding the bottom half of his shattered Rebellion. Donate chuckled darkly and scanned the sword. "I always wondered... Why did my father give me the Rebellion?"

Griffin went to answer but Rory quickly silenced him. "What are you thinking Dante?" Rory questioned, lowering her arm so Griffin moved further up onto her shoulder.

Dante laughed again and turned to look at Rory. "Over the years, I've been stabbed and jabbed with a number of things," Dante relayed. "But who would've ever guessed..."

Dante spun the broken sword before stabbing it through his stomach. "What the fuck?!" Rory shouted and Griffin jumped up in surprise. "Have you lost your mind?!"

Dante grunted as he twisted the blade, blood running from the wound and over his gloved hand. Griffin started to fly around the hunter, shouting ridiculously. "There's a demon to destroy! Kill yourself later! I'll help!"

"If the Yamoato can separate man from Devil," Dante said with a strained voice. "Then what about the Rebellion?" Dante stabbed it further in and the metal Rebellion into orange demonic power and absorbed into his body with crackles of lightning.

"Holy shit," Rory muttered stepping back. Red energy started to pull itself from the air and the Sparda sword started to pull away and onto Dante's body.

"You are... Absorbing the Sparda," Griffin realized. The Sparda sword completely transformed into dark red and black demonic powers and all of Dante's wounds healed as the power spread through his veins. Dante started to groan as the power took over.

"Griffin!" Rory yelled. He flew down to her and Rory grabbed him.

"What the-"

Dante yelled and rings of power shot out smashing Rory into the side of the wall, a sharp crack sounded in her side but she kept her grip on the demon bird. Dante stood in the center, his demon appearance shifted to more demonic, with bright red spikes and orange skin. "Sin," Rory muttered. Dante spared her a glance before shooting into the air.

Rory dropped back against the floor and Griffin pulled away from her arms. "Holy shit! Holy shit!" Griffin cursed, flying around. "Witch did you see that?!" Rory hummed and moved to rest against the wall. "Thanks for the cover. Why did you cover me? I'm a demon," Griffin rambled.

"Don't mention it," Rory insisted. Griffin gripped her wrist and helped her stand properly. "Where's V?" Rory used one hand to support her self on the railing as Griffin's flaps grew frantic.

"Uh, I don't know," Griffin said and fell against the floor. "I can't think I'm exhausted."

"Well, we can't stay here," Rory sighed. "I'm bleeding, I think I broke my ribs and I can't cast any spells here. I need V or a phone."

"Why do you need V?"

"The book I gave him, it has a spell I need," Rory admitted. "Can you fly us at all?" Rory asked.

"Not far, I need V to heal, then I can fly," Griffin replied and Rory straightened.

"Do you need V or any host?"

Griffin turned and shook his head. "You want to become my host?" Griffin squeaked in surprise.

"Just until we find V," Rory continued. "You get to rest and heal then you can fly us back when we get to the bottom of the hill. A temporary host."

"Fine," Griffin groaned. "But you get to explain everything to V." Rory nodded and Griffin revealed the orb that floated when he dies. "Just be easy with me. I'm fragile."

"Noted," Rory nodded. Rory held her hand out and the orb broke under her palm and a black sludge ran up over her arm.

Black and red tattoos stained her right arm and she suddenly heard Griffin's voice in her head. "I'm about to get so much more annoying."

Rory took a deep breath and limped from the house, "Wonderful. Can you fly yet?

"Sure," Griffin groaned and pulled himself from Rory.

"You need to get Nero, he's chasing after Urizen," Rory ordered as Griffin flapped beside her.

"And you're just walk around?!"

Rory groaned and pressed her hand harder against her side. "Then be quick."

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

ONCE GRIFFIN HAD GOTTEN NERO BACK TO NICO'S VA, HE GRABBED THE BOOK FROM V AND RACED BACK TO RORY. "I'm gettin' tired," Griffin relayed while panting. Griffin's grip on Rory's hand tightened as the tree started to break through the ground. "The fruit," Griffin mumbled.

"Griffin let go," Rory ordered as she spotted the patch of grass. Griffin let her drop and she landed on the ground with a yelp of pain that shot through her side.

Griffin flew down and landed next to her. "Witch-"

"Go back to V," Rory ordered, pushing herself up and her hand held her side. "I can handle it from here. He needs you more than I do. I have the book I can heal." Griffin spared her a glance before melding into smoke and disappearing. The tattoo's left Rory's arm and she started to walk beside a thick root.

✦

Rory walked through one of the entries still clutching her side. "Red!" Nico called, waving out the window of her van. V sat on one of the rocks, Trish and Dante by him, Nero and Lady resting against the van.

"You took your time," Dante snarked.

Rory flicked her hand and an energy ball knocked him back. "You broke my ribs." Rory hissed as she lowered herself next to V, who reached out to steady her. "You try walking two miles with three broken ribs."

"You look horrible," Trish observed.

"Thank you," Rory muttered, opening the book and starting her spell.

Dante pushed himself up and made his way to V. "Hey. Where'd that garbage god go? What is Urizen after?" Dante questioned and Trish moved to stand by his side.

"He's at the top of the Qliphoth," V relayed in a weak voice.

"It's the other way around Dante," Trish added as Dante looked up. "This is the lowest level of the Qulipoth's upper echelon. Human blood is the source of Demons' power. The fruit born through the Qulipoth is even more dense than the blood that created it. Its power is unparalleled."

"Mundus used it to become King of the Underworld way back when," Rory added as she closed her book and stood up.

"And you know that how?" Trish questioned.

"Young Rory here's a Renan," Dante answered and Rory glared over her shoulder at him. Trish straightened and Lady reached out for her gun. "Which is all a lovely story but as long as we know where to find mister demon king." Dante flicked his jacket and walked past V.

"Whoa! You... are the infamous Dante!" Nico shouted, rushing out in front of him. She bounced around nervously as one hand waved around sporadically. "Um, I'm Nicoletta Goldstein. Sound familiar?" Nico grasped Dante's hand and shook it wildly. "My grandmother is- is Nell Goldstein... The gunsmith that made all your fancy weapons you got... strapped... back there."

Dante reached into his holsters and pulled out his signature handguns. "Yeah! There she is!" Nico shouted in excitement, pointing to the small portraits on the gun handle.

Nico cleared her throat and Dante looked up at her. She smiled softly and Dante hummed, "You don't much look like her." Dante slotted his guns away and Nico nodded.

"Yeah. I got my looks from my Daddy," Nico informed. "That's about all I got from him."

"Well Nicoletta," Dante hummed. "Next time you come up with something amazing. I'm at the top of your list." Nico nodded quickly, her smile growing impossibly wide.

Dante continued on but Nero called for him next. "Dante! I'm gonna go, too," Nero stated firmly and Dante slowed to a stop.

"Why don't you sit this one out?" Dante suggested.

"Oh, let you call me dead weight again? No thanks," Nero huffed, walking closer to Dante. "I've got all the power I need. Right here."

Nero displayed his prosthetic arm and Dante sighed. "You don't understand. That's not what I mean-"

"Let him go, Dante," V spoke up. He pushed himself up with his cane, groaning slightly. "Time is a luxury we can no longer afford. We must chase after him, post-haste."

"What, does that mean you're going to?" Dante questioned.

"It means most of us are going," Rory added, walking to Nero's side. "And you don't really have the time to stop us."

"Well then Renan, that's all you had to say," Dante huffed. "I'm gonna go my way and you guys can go yours." Dante started to walk backwards and he shrugged. "Let's just say it's what's best for the cause." Dante spun and jumped off the edge.

Nero took a breath and ran off to the left side. V gave Rory a nod and they made their way to the right. They jumped off the edge and Rory caught them before they hit the ground.

They landed on the edge of a downward tunnel and V took a deep breath. "Down we go," V muttered. They dropped down and landed on the dark green roots of the tree.

A low growl sounded behind the pair and Rory stepped out in front of V. A flying dark purple and black demon, its skin moving like tar floated toward the two. "Lusachia," Rory muttered. It growled again, bearing its teeth and throwing its arms down, purple sparks dancing between its palms.

Rory shot at it, knocking it backwards. "The shield blocks ranged attacks, we need Shadow!" Rory shouted. V nodded and slammed his cane into the floor. Shadow bounded out and jumped onto the demon, clawing at it.

Shadow tore its shield down and Rory shot at it. "Watch the sparkles!" Griffin shouted as the demon charged an electronic attack. Rory slid Shadow away and bounced the electric attacks back.

It squealed and Rory threw another shot, smashing it against the wall. It shrieked and fell to the floor its skin rippled white. V rushed up and stabbed it down through its head.

V took a breath and looked back at Rory. "You didn't tell me you were a Renan," V spoke softly.

"Would you be so willing to let me follow you if I did?" Rory countered and V straightened his posture. Rory walked past him and down a tunnel. Rory looked back over her shoulder, "There's a cave down here."

V nodded and tossed his cane up, gripping it in the middle and following after Rory. Rory and V dropped down. "Riot egg," V called. "There's a root underneath."

"Deal with that," Rory ordered and stepped around V and towards the trio of Angelos. "I'll deal with this." One slammed its sword down and Rory knocked it up. She slid past another and backhanded the thirds shield away. The second lined up a slash at Rory. She dodged past it and the demon sliced through the first.

Cracking and sloshing sounds broke through Rory's concentration as Griffin broke through the last of the egg and exposed the root. Rory dodged and Angelos slash and shot the other one back. Rory brought the ground up to stab through the Angelo and Rory kicked him back. V rushed toward it and stabbed up through its back. Rory grabbed its sword before it faded and she tossed it through the final Angelo.

Shadow tore through the exposed root before returning to V. "Down another level," V spoke up, walking to the edge of the drop. Rory stepped off, V following a second later.

Riots and Nobody's pulled from the eggs and Rory groaned. "I hate Nobody's," Rory complained as she shot one away. Its hand reached out for Shadow and Rory sliced it off with her chain. Griffin threw his wings out, knocking the Riot's black with a surge of lightning.

"Take out the eggs, we'll cover you," V ordered and Rory nodded. Rory shot herself over a Riot and slid next to the farthest egg. Her chain wrapped around it quickly and she tugged it back. Rory made quick work of the exposed flesh of the root before carrying the shot over to the Nobody swinging down at V.

Shadow tore the second egg off as Griffin knocked down the final Riots. Rory tore one in half and V sliced through the other. Shadow tore the root off and turned towards the pair. Shadow nodded down the hole that opened up before diving down. V and Rory followed suit, Griffin flying around them. Once they landed Griffin did a loop of the small space before flying back to V. "Hey, guys!" Griffin called. "I'm smellin' something down there. How bout you?"

"Let's figure it out," Rory nodded. They dropped down another time, four eggs surrounding the area. They sprouted a dozen armored Riots which hissed once they saw the pair. "We need Nightmare," Rory whispered.

V nodded and put a few meters between the pair before clicking his fingers. A Riot tried to lunge at Rory but Nightmare crashed down and stunned two.

Rory quickly took the two stunned ones out as V and his companions tore into the eggs. Nightmare shot out a line of explosions over the floor, stunning another Riot and destroying an egg. Rory took out the stunned Riot and slammed her chain through another. Rory shielded herself as one jumped at her again.

Nightmare swung his hands out and knocked the demon out. He disappeared into goo before reappearing under Rory's feet. She held onto his back as he lifted her into the air. "Okay... What the fuck?" Rory muttered.

Rory pressed her hands against Nightmare's back and his tar-like skin was covered in red power and bright runes. Nightmare stomped toward an egg and slammed his fist down, breaking the egg with a slam that released a large shot of red power. "Are you controlling him?" Griffin squeaked between shots at the pair of final riots.

"No," Rory answered quickly, her hand moving away to shoot the small demon away from V. "Just powering him up." Nightmare jumped into the air and crushed the demons beneath his feet. Instead of stunning the demons like V's companions would, the burst of red power turned them to dust.

Griffin destroyed the last egg and Nightmare dissipated from under Rory. She landed on the floor with unsteady legs and V reached to steady her. "Holy shit," Rory panted, resting her hands on her knees. "How-? Why-? Why didn't I have Nightmares?"

"I'm not sure," V interpreted. "Maybe... I'm not sure." V held his weight on his cane and his hand slid from Rory's side.

Rory took a deep breath and stood up properly. "Unfortunately we don't have time to dwell on it," Rory spoke up. Rory nodded and V followed after her.

They dropped down the chasm, landing on the hard rocks. As soon as they straightened, Nero and Dante dropped moments after. "No one's dead, that's a plus," Rory muttered.

Dante turned and looked down the long hall that was lit at the end by a bright orange light. "Looks like we still got a long way to go," Dante spoke up and the others turned to follow his eyes.

As Dante and Nero moved forward the floor started to rumble, V stepped up as well but Rory paused. "Hey, guys-" Rory's sentence stopped as the rocky floor broke beneath their feet, rubble falling around them as the group dropped.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

RORY FELL THROUGH THE AIR FOR A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE COLLIDING WITH A ROCK AND SHATTERING HER RIBS AGAIN. She bounced to the side and lost sight of the boys. She slammed into the red ground, wheezing as the air left her lungs. Wordlessly she cast a spell and her body started to healed itself.

Rory used a rock to push herself to her knees and she looked around the bright red and orange space. "V!" Rory called, her throat tearing at her yells. "Griffin! Nero!"

Her voice echoed through the empty space with no answer. With a strained moan, Rory pushed herself to her feet. The rocks and roots glowed with bright red and dark oranges. Rory stumbled forward, a dull pain still nestled in her bones. Rory shook the pain out and continued through the open space and toward the open arch.

A whistling sound shot through the air and Rory jumped back. A large clawed grappling hook grabbed onto the rock side of the arch and pulled the entrance closed. Rory turned and looked up to where the shot came from.

A large Hunter demon, four times the size of Rory hung onto a rock pillar. Gangly limbs, dark grey skin and black fur down his back. "What is this?" Rory muttered. She spun around, looking for anyone standing above her. "What is this?! I've already killed this fucker!"

"Red Witch," The Hunter growled. The demon jumped down onto the stone floor, its long limbs sliding with him, too long for its own body. Rory mumbled a spell under her breath and a red wiccan flame sprouted in her palm.

The Hunter growled and ran at Rory. Rory threw the flame at its face and the long scar opened up. It yelled, whipping its head around as it shook off the flame. "I killed you when I was seventeen, you think I can't do it now?!" Rory charged a shot and threw it at the hunter's head. Its neck snapped back and its hands slammed to the floor.

It screeched and swung its long blade out. Rory stumbled back, barely dodging the slice. It slammed the blade down and Rory slid under its legs. She shot at its right leg and slammed her chain against its torso. It kicked its leg and knocked Rory back.

She caught herself, slightly winded and stood back up. The demon growled and jumped back onto the stone pillar, reaching for its grappling hook. It shot out and Rory bounced the claw of a shield, bounding herself against the wall.

Rory's hand shot out and the pillar it held onto cracked and rumbled under its hand. It fell to the floor with a harsh thud, growling again. It stood on its hind legs and ducked in a deep breath. It released it with a rumble. Black and purple spilled from its jaw and encased the room in darkness.

The blade spun towards her and she dropped back, bent at her knees. The blade spun over her head and the dagger spun upright. Rory summoned her chain and hit the blade back as hard as she could. The dagger ricochet up and slammed through the Hunters' head.

The Hunter was pinned to the wall, dripping dark black blood down into a puddle at its feet before wilting away.

Rory shook her hands out and weaved the rocks from her path. "Rory..." a woman's voice called. Rory walked further into the next room and came face to face with her mother.

"Okay, what game is this tree playing?" Rory hissed. Rory shot her chain out and stalked ahead and her foot hit a cursed rock, a red rune on the stone slab. Her mother's face distorted and the room around her shook.

The room expanded and expanded moving to an endless whirlpool of dark red walls lined with roots.

"Fuck me," Rory hissed. She stepped forward to the mirrored spell wall and looked around. Each pane of split glass reflected Rory's image.

"You've never been in the mimics Rory," Her mother's voice taunted. "Can you handle it?" The glass around Rory slammed down, broken shards reaching for her.

Rory ducked away and covered her head. Rory shot an orb out and it bounced around the glass. Each time it hit each surface another shard sprouted. Rory waved the orb away, hissing as a shard sliced her leg. "Mimics," Rory mumbled. "How do you make a mimic? How do you break it?" Rory turned her eyes scanning the broken reflections that looked back at her. Do something it can't. Rory took a deep breath and held her hands out, dark red smoke starting to flow from her palms and encasing the room.

Once the room was encased in dark smoke, blocking Rory's vision she raised her hands. She crossed the, over before throwing her arms out and shattering the glass. As the glass broke and the smoke fell out and onto the floor, Scarlett was thrown back against the wall. Rory weaved her hands and the glass followed her to slash through her mother. "Fucking mimics," Rory hissed before walking on.

✦

V RACED THROUGH THR ROOTED HALLS OF THE QULIPOTH. Shadow moved under his feet making him move quicker. "Still no sign of Rory?" V questioned as Griffin flew back to him.

"Nadda," Griffin groaned. V cursed to himself and Griffin flew to his other side. "I'm sure she's fine V, she's a witch for Christ's sake." V nodded and hopped off Shadow's mist.

He slowed to a stop and looked over his shoulder once more before down the purple-lit hall. "Runes," V muttered. "Rory can't be in there." V sighed and shook his head before stepping into the hall. "I must stay focused. My journey... is coming to an end..."

He stepped through the arch and onto a cliff hanging over an open area. V stepped closer to the edge, cautious of the demon Malphas wandering around. "If he reaches the fruit, it will all be over," Malphas spoke aloud, her voice distorted slightly. V dropped to his knees as he reached the edge. "Even Mundus failed to reign over the human world... Surely, we know he will not."

Griffin materialized himself on V's shoulder, shooting glances between the two. "Malphas! No way we can handle her, we don't have the strength!" Griffin hissed.

V raised his hand and looked down and his cracked skin. "I know," V whispered. "But we must get through this, somehow." V gripped his cane and tried to raise himself. A few rocks slipped beneath him and fell to the floor, the noise echoing around the space like a gunshot.

Malphas turned slowly and in a panic, V threw himself against the wall. Malphas turned with heavy stomps and V's breath increased in panic. "Ahh, an intruder perhaps?" Malphas taunted and V screwed his eyes shut. "I'm comi-"

A loud thunk made Malphas stop. She spun and watched one of the Rune pillars fall. She growled and turned. "Where are you?" A second pillar fell and Malphus's heads whipped towards it. A third fell and Malpas stepped away from V.

V's eyes cautiously opened and he watched Malphas stalk around. A hand covered his mouth as he gasped and he spun. Rory crouched next to him, her finger pressed to her lips with a quiet 'shush'. Rory dropped her hand and V smiled. Rory took a nervous breath and whispered, "You have to stay qui-"

"Witch!" Griffin shouted in excitement. V slammed him down and Malphas turned back.

"I don't like this game!" Malphas roared.

"Cane," Rory whispered, moving closer to V.

"What?"

"Give me your goddamn cane," Rory repeated. "I can give you enough time to get out, Nero's close."

"What? No, no."

Malpahs's steps grew closer and Rory rested her hand on V's shoulder and the other brushed his hair from his eyes. "Do as I say V, you'll be safe." V stammered as Rory tore the cane from V's hand and rushed as far right as she could.

She tapped it against the wall and Malphas turned a final time. "Quit it!" Malphas roared rushing forward.

"Rory don't!" Rory ignored V's words and ran out off the edge and landed on Malpahas's back. She stabbed the cane into the demon's hide. Malphas screeched and a purple power shot Rory back and she slammed against the wall.

"V! We have to go!" Griffin hissed, tugging on V's hand.

"Not without her," V tore his arm back and tried to move to the edge.

Malphas raised spikes and one tore through Rory's torso, she screamed in pain and for a few moments the dark purple of the chamber turned blood red. "Ohh, what a powerful witch you are," Malphas observed. "How fun..." Malphas stalked closer but stopped as two bullets collided with one of her heads.

Nero waved with his gun a challenging smirk on his face. "Id step away from the Witch," Nero advised.

Malphas turned and the spike retracted from Rory's body. "Sparda's kin... But you're nothing more than an empty shell with no power," Malphas spat. "You are as weak as your flesh, human."

"Hey, we're tougher than we look," Nero countered with a slight whine. "But... there's only one way to find out."

"I will enjoy this." Malphas weaved her hands and the bird screeched.

Griffin flew down and grabbed Rory by her arm. He flew her up and dropped her next to V. "I told you to go," Rory wheezed, her hands moving to press her torso.

The sounds of Nero and Malphas fighting echoed through the rocky space but V could only focus on Rory. "What do you need?" V questioned, his weak hands moving to press against Rory's.

"I need-" Rory hissed as she stripped her shirt off. "I need to stop the bleeding." V sat on his knees and helped Rory wrap the shirt tight around her torso.

Rory tugged at her hair as the stabbing in her side increased in pain. Her hand went to grab V's shoulder but she noticed the increase in cracks and reeled back. "Little Witch," V called and she looked down at him. "I need to get you out of here."

"You can't walk," Rory assessed, glancing down at his cracked hands, now stained with Rory's blood. Rory's head rolled back and her eyes fluttered shut.

"Witch," V called. "Rory..." V brought his hand up and held the side of Rory's face and her eyes opened. "You need to stay awake."

"I can't..." Rory whispered.

"Hey, I need you to stay awake," V ordered, his thumb running across her cheekbone. "Keep talking. Do that for me Red."

Rory laughed slightly, ignoring the burn. "Don't call me Red," Rory requested. "My friends call me Red. Call me something else." The rev of Nero's sword motor made Rory wince and shut her eyes again.

"Sparrow," V called and lifted Rory's head again. "Eyes open."

"Are you gonna die?" Griffin questioned.

V turned and glared at the bird. "Go get my cane," V ordered. Griffin squawked and flew down.

"I don't wanna die," Rory whispered, looking down at her bloody t-shirt.

"You're not going to die," V insisted, his hand raising her head again. "I won't let you. That's a promise."

"A promise?" Rory chuckled softly. "Last time you promised something was with Nightmare. That he wouldn't harm me."

V smiled softly, his face slowly moving closer. "Then I vow it Rory Renan," V said in a low voice. "The Red Witch, the devil hunter, my sparrow." V brushed her hair back, careful of the small cut above her brow. "No further harm will come to you and your life will not be threatened."

Rory took a shaky breath and reached up to hold V, before pulling him into a kiss.

V's hands were slightly rough against Rory's skin, and he spread a light touch of blood across her cheek but his lips were soft, gently. He moved softly, like dancing to a silent rhythm.

Rory's hands were soft against his face, lighter but warm. As one hand held his face the other traced down his neck, across his collarbones and down to trace the lines of his tattoos from memory.

The two tore apart when a loud thud of Malphas hitting the floor made them jump. V turned back to Rory and smiled softly. "My apologies, I was distracted," V chuckled and Griffin landed next to them.

"No apologies my poet," Rory insisted. Malphas screeched a final time and the strength returned to Rory's body as the demon died.

"You can come out now!" Nero called. Griffin took V's hand and flew him down. Rory jumped off the edge, letting herself float down. She landed on the ground with a yelp and both boys reached for her. "I'm okay, I've got a spell working," Rory muttered.

V gripped his cane tighter and turned to Nero. "I guess I owe you one," V said in a low voice. V took a few steps forward before his legs gave out. Rory rushed to him and held him straight.

"You should turn around," Nero suggested. "Your body's not gonna last much longer."

V slowly limped forward. "That, I cannot do. I must go!" V barely made it another step before collapsing.

Nero's human hand shot up, catching him. "Dammit, V," Nero cursed. "Don't push yourself. You need some rest!"

V strained as he gripped his cane and pushed himself up. "I must go... to where Urizen is," V said in pain.

Nero let go with a sigh and turned to look at Rory. "Maybe leave it V," Rory insisted. "We can-"

"I beg you!" V interrupted. V slowly looked up at Rory. "This is my last request."

Nero rolled his eyes and sighed. "Fine," Nero huffed and reached down, throwing V's arm over his shoulder. Nero paused and looked back at Rory. "I can't carry you both."

"I just need support for a bit," Rory muttered. V stabbed his cane against the floor and Shadow ran around. She settled under Rory's hand as her other worked away at her stab wound. Nero and V stumbled forward, V's feet dragging slightly. "Dante's gonna beat us there."

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

RORY FINALLY WALKED ON HER OWN. Shadow had returned to V a few moments ago but still, V struggled to walk without dragging his feet. "You can walk I see," V murmured, lifting his head slightly.

"Yeah, My side still hurts though," Rory admitted.

"Well that's a given," Nero huffed.

Rory looked back over her shoulder before letting out a breath. "I'm going ahead," Rory stated and Nero paused.

"What?!" Nero snapped, jerking V slightly.

"I'm not strong enough to carry V on my own," Rory explained and summoned her crow. "Just don't die before you catch up." Rory shot herself away before Nero could argue.

Nero let out a long sigh and pinched his nose. "Fucking stupid witch psycho," Nero cursed.

✦

THE BATTLEFEILD WAS BLOODY AND BROKEN. Urizen sent out a flurry of purple demonic energy but before it could reach Dante a bright red shield covered him. "What is this?" Urizen growled. A red orb slammed into Urizen's back and knocked him forward

"Well Renan, nice of you to join us," Dante taunted as Rory landed next to him.

"Yeah, yeah," Rory huffed, as they shot at Urizen in tandem. "What do you need? Shields? Shots? Power?"

Urizen yelled and slammed his fist down, cracking down and tearing the ground with red and purple power. Dante and Rory jumped back. Dante shook off the attack, his small cuts healing immediately. Rory's body shield absorbed the shot and sent it back.

"Shields and shots!" Dante shouted. He unsheathed his sword and rushed ahead, his summon swords following him. He jumped up, slicking through Urizen's torso. "Don't die!"

Rory flew up, shooting towards his head and sending the powered shots back at him. Urizen sent out a purpled power sot along the ground. Rory landed, turning the demonic power a wiccan red and turning it back on Urizen.

Dante threw his arms out, transforming into his Sin Devil and summoning his large demon sword. Rory weaved her hands and Urizen's arms covered in red power and pinned to his sides.

"Stay back Renan!" Dante raised his sword high and slammed it down in a heavy slash, his summon swords following and slicing him open. Dante flipped back, his demon form fading.

Urizen fell to his knees and Dante jumped up, slamming his sword through Urizen's centre eye. Dante drove it inwards until the fleshy eye hit the handles of his sword. Dante gritted his teeth and tore the sword out, tearing blood all over the battlefield.

Dante slid back, landing next to Rory. Urizen wheezed and fell back against the floor with an intense thud. Dante panted, his sword gripped tight in his hand.

"Dante! Rory!" Nero shouted, still lugging V beside him.

Dante chuckled softly and threw the sword onto his shoulder. "You're late..." Dante laughed. "Just finishing up."

Nero set V on his feet and the four looked at the demon king. "Is that really your brother?" Nero questioned.

Rory's head snapped towards him before looking back at Urizen. "That's Virgil?" Rory questioned.

"I'm afraid so," Dante nodded.

"So he was behind all this," Nero concluded. "Your own flesh and blood." V started to make his way forward, stumbling still with his cane.

"Right again," Dante nodded.

"How the hell did he get like this?" Rory muttered.

V stumbled forward still, growing closer to the demon. "V, get back!" Dante shouted starting to walk forward. "Things are about to get real messy."

"No! Please..." V begged, his voice soft as he held his hand out. "Let me. I want to end this battle... with my own hands." Dante begrudgingly nodded and let V walk on. V clumsily climbed onto Urizen, standing just beneath his center eye.

"I will not lose," Urizen growled after a moment of silence. "Not to Dante..." Dante chuckled softly, glancing back at Nero. "I need power... More power!"

V moved closer and knelt on Urizen's chest. The three stood back, watching V converse with Urizen closely. V raised his cane and something seemed to click with Dante.

Dante ran out, trying to reach V. Then.

V slammed his cane down, impaling the demon king and bursting a light through the dome of the Qlipoth. Dante was thrown back, skidding along the floor. The force pushed Nero pushed as well and Rory used her power to plant her to the ground. The bright blue light made the three cover their eyes and the glass started to fall and crash to the ground.

The blue beam cleared and there stood a singular man. White hair, a black and blue lined jacket and a slim Katana in his hand. He turned his head, the remaining glow of the blue light shaping his face.

"What is this?" Nero questioned.

Dante took a few harsh breaths before answering, "Vergil..!"

Vergil turned to face the three, his cold grey eyes scanning the three. They all stood in silence, waiting for someone to move first. Vergil looked away first, his eyes moving to the poetry book on the floor. Carefully he picked it up, his eyes looking over the old book.

"Ya got some pretty big cojones for comin' back," Dante hissed. Nero and Rory looked back as Dante flicked his sword. Dante rushed out, "Just don't know when to give up, do ya?!"

Vergil tilted his head to see Dante's sword headed for his face. Vergil spun, hitting his sword back with his covered Yamato. Vergil tossed the sword around and slammed the end into Dante's stomach. As Dante was tossed into the air, he tore the cover off of the Yamato and tossed it back at his older brother.

Vergil caught the cover on his sword and slid back at the force. Dante landed on the ground and slid back as well. Vergil looked up, his eyes meeting Dante's. Dante looked over at Nero and growled. "Get out of my way, Nero!"

Dante raced forward but in a flash, Vergil teleported to slam his sword against Dante's. Vergil stood tall as he pressed the katana with one hand against Dante's large demonic sword.

"Defeating you like this has no meaning," Vergil spat in a calm voice.

Dante gritted his teeth and shook his head. "C'mon, Vergil. Let's do this!" Dante hissed.

Vergil paused for a moment. "Heal your wounds, Dante. Get strong," Vergil advised. "After that, we'll settle the matter." In a split second, Vergil kicked Dante's leg out and slammed the sword into his chest, knocking him back.

Vergil turned and sliced twice through the air, creating a blue slash in the air. It expanded and pulled open, revealing a mix of the purple and black pool of endless ness. Rory's stomach twisted as she recognized the pull of reality.

Vergil sheathed his sword and looked back at Nero. "Thank you, Nero," Vergil said with a nod. Vergil stepped through and the slices disappeared. Dante slowed to a stop from the run he had started at some point.

"Dammit!" Dante cursed.

Rory walked forward, stepping up to where the portal closed. "Rory?" Nero called. Rory threw her hand out, knocking the boys back. Rory twisted her hands and her runes reopened the portal. "Rory don't!" Rory stepped through the portal, it closing behind her immediately.

Rory walked out over the top of the Qlipoth where Vergil stood in the center, his posture stright and his hands on his sword. "Did you know I'd follow you?" Rory questioned.

Vergil lifted his head slightly. "I had a feeling," Vergil admitted.

"Should I call you V? Urizen?" Rory snapped. "Or have you finally decided Vergil was enough?" Vergil's head dropped slightly again. "So it was personal?" Again Vergil stayed silent. "What you no answer? Just fucking use me then take over the world? Because nothing was real right?" Vergil stayed silent, his eyes barely moving from Rory's. "Answer me... Fucking answer!" Rory shot an orb out but Vergil sliced through it.

Rory scoffed and turned away, "You don't even fucking remember."

"I remember Sparrow," Vergil called and Rory stopped. "And it was real, I'm not foolish."

"Then why do it?" Rory questioned, turning back to him. "You... If V was always going to return to Urizen, why do it?"

"V was the human parts of me," Vergil relayed. Rory waited but Vergil never continued. Rory shook her head and turned again. "Don't leave. Don't."

"Why?" Again Vergil didn't have an answer. "Vergil, when you realize this is enough, when you can answer me... only then will I not leave." Rory walked closer to Vergil and the chain slipped from her arm and slammed it into Vergil's chest. "For now, whatever you're thinking, don't."

Rory turned and cast her runes to open the portal once again. "V's companions. Griffin, Shadow and Nightmare. They are not mine anymore, if you wish, they are yours to take."

Rory smiled, "Figure out who you are Vergil. Only then will you find me."

AAAAND THATS IT!

I hope there’s a DMC 6 because this was fun as fuck to write. I don’t write happy edgings, don’t ask for one (jokes, all jokes)

Thanks and all the loves, have a nice whatever time you read this.

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