Devil May Cry: Volume 2

Phase 1: Part 3

"Can't this thing go any faster?"

Enzo and Beryl were rushing back up the mountain in Enzo's car, which had been damaged by the helicopter's shockwave.

Not that it was in great shape to begin with.

"Calm down! This is about as fast as it goes." Enzo had agreed to take Beryl up the mountain once he'd realized he didn't actually have any information for her after all. It was either that or return her deposit, and Enzo would rather face up to another demon than issue a refund.

"Dante," he muttered. "No matter how far I get, you always drag me back. Poverty is a harsh mistress."

Dante was finding this particular life-or-death battle a little more trying than usual life-or-death battles through which he usually waltzed.

The she-devil standing before him was advanced well beyond the underlings he had dispatched before the helicopter blew up. Its eyes shone with intelligence, indeed it probably had the rare ability to speak in human tongues. The beast was able to generate a steady stream of fireballs and also appeared capable of twisting space to move short distances without warning.

Dante reckoned it could take on a small army without breaking sweat.

But then, so was Dante himself. "What's the matter? Scared already?"

The mercenary had already shredded the demon's wings and hacked off its hooked claws. The creature was cut off from its regenerative powers while in the human world, allowing Dante to inflict some incredible damage. Nevertheless, the she-devil was pushing him to his limit.

The devil howled mournfully. Following the death of the King of the Underworld, it had rallied a personal army amid the chaos and broken through to the human world in hopes of swift victory over easy prey. The silver and red blur that now attacked it had been completely unexpected. Despite destroying the temple and feeding on scores of weak humans, it was on the verge of despair.

Of course, Dante knew nothing of this background. All he knew was that he had once defeated the demon's king and would soon do the same to the creature itself. He stabbed at the beast with Rebellion.

The devil cried out, its back flush against the cliff face. It charged at Dante as it focused its little remaining magic into a broken claw, raising it high from a killing blow. The Devil Hunter was less than impressed.

"Good try, but pointless." He flashed Rebellion once more, cutting off the demon's howl at its source. The she-devil's head rolled onto the riverbed and the creature's body barreled forward under the momentum. Yellow bile gushed from its open wound. Dante watched the creature crash to the ground out of the corner of his eye.

"Got some exercise today after all." He wiped the blood off Rebellion and returned the sword to its sheath on his back. Then Dante picked up the remains of the devil and bellowed into its oozing neck. "Tell me. What are you after?"

But the demon couldn't respond; Dante had severed its vocal cords.

"It'd be easier if you just came out and told me like a good little demon," he said coldly. "I'm not fond of torture, but I won't hold back if it's necessary." The headless demon began to shudder in fear. It was about to learn why Dante was nicknamed Devil May Cry.

"There he is. There!"

Beryl peered into the darkness from the safety of the car. The road had exposed a stretch of the scarred ravine beside it, including a silver-topped figure standing on the edge of a crater.

Enzo pointed out Dante excitedly.

"Thanks. I'll get out here," Beryl said.

"Wait! You don't know what's out there..." Enzo moved to keep her in the car, but it was too late. Beryl had flung herself from the moving vehicle and landed delicately on her feet. She was already dashing through the thicket toward the ravine.