DMC4: The-Devil's Arm

The White Wing

Nero wasn't kidding when he said that fire was bad for his complexion. His entire face was flushed. He wasn't burnt, but his body was taking it's sweet time in compensating from the heat. It felt like he'd just stuck his head in an oven.

After thinking about turning back for a few minutes, Nero decided against it. Berial might return, but if he did, it wouldn't be anytime soon. Not after a beating like that. He could swing by headquarters and tell them about the Hell Gate. He still needed to bring in the assassin.

The mining tunnels were close to Ferrum Hills. Nero had cut through there several times, and although the tunnels changed every few months, he knew which ones would bring him out on the other side of the mountain.

He entered the tunnel entrance, following the mine cart track to the first cavern. The tunnel hit a t-junction. Nero followed the right tunnel, emerging into the wide hollowed out space. A small spring deep within the mountain gave birth to a waterfall that fell on the far side of it. Various scaffolds were built along the edges of the walls to reach higher as more earth was dug away. Nero heard the twittering laughter just in time over the roar of the waterfall.

He ducked as a serrated blade sang over his head, then had to hop and roll to dodge a second to avoid losing his legs. The result was his body twisting in a bizarre corkscrew. He managed to stick the landing, though he needed to plant his hand against the ground to steady himself.

Three scarecrows had jumped high from the scaffolding. Nero raked Red Queen off his back and slashed into them with a classic rapier streak.

"Begone!"

All three were flung back into the cavern wall. Two fell into separate halves, while the third tottered on it's legs, a giant rip in it's side. Nero extended Devil Bringer, striking it like a snake, then pulled it to him. He slammed it's faceless head into the ground. It writhed briefly and went still.

Well, I guess this is what happened to the crowd from Ferrum Hills. They must have ran into the mines to escape, but I don't think they got far.

Free of the distractions, Nero began to scout his next route. He spotted it immediately; with Devil Bringer, he could bypass a set of tunnels completely. The scaffolds were almost like a ladder. He probably didn't even need the demonic arm to climb them.

Taking firm hold of a wooden beam, Nero pulled himself up with his right arm. He cleared the first twelve feet, then grabbed onto another, yanking himself up again. He repeated the move again and again, tracing the falling water towards it's source.

One final time, Nero pulled himself onto the top of the scaffolding. He got his bearings, then took the tunnel that led to one of the dumping zones. Equipment was scattered everywhere: mining tools, carts, rope as well as a variety of debris. Nero took one of the outgoing tunnels leading north. He felt a small wisp of cold air against his face. He was getting close to the outside.

The air grew colder and colder, which surprised him. It was perfectly comfortable outside when he entered the mines, even though the sun had begun to dip below the horizon. He followed the current of air, tracing it to a boarded up tunnel.

Nero smirked and drew back Devil Bringer. The boards may as well have been paper compared to it's fist. He stepped through the debris, tensing as a wave of freezing air hit him. A look of surprise crossed his face when he saw the white powder bordering the edges of the cave entrance.

Snow? Impossible!

Nero scooped up a handful. It was snow alright. Fresh, crisp snow, fallen from a winter's night. The only problem was that it wasn't winter. It was the end of summer. He stepped through the snow to the cave entrance.