DMC4: The-Devil's Arm

The She-Viper

The series of dams above the Foris Falls slid down, lowering into the murky water. In a few seconds, the cascading water began to slow, until it only dribbled weakly over the rock face, then not at all. The might of the river was redirected towards a different path, the once deafening roar of the falls now gone. A small cave in the cliffs underneath the fall sat like an eye. Slowly, from the lip of the cave, a bridge extended to meet a balcony of Fortuna Castle, connecting the path to Mitis Forest.

Nero stepped back from the controls of the dam and bridge, waiting for the walkway to fully extend. The demonic cold had no affect on him anymore, now that he had Yamato's power. He couldn't explain it, but somehow, he felt the sword's presence, even though Devil Bringer had absorbed it.

He'd had a few minutes to tinker with his new abilities. Though Yamato didn't physically exist in his hands, he could feel its power. He could turn it on and off at will. One minute, he felt normal, the next, that incredible high he'd felt in the laboratory. When he felt its power coursing through him, the knight familiar returned, hulking over him, miming his every move. Where he struck, a spiritual projection of Yamato in its hands struck in the same place a nanosecond later.

Yamato's power wasn't quite what he expected. He was certain that giving into it would turn him into a rabid animal, attacking anything that moved. Instead, what he felt was a calm, confident force that backed his moves without hesitation.

But what of Yamato's physical form? The katana was already a good looking blade. It went deeper than that, though. The sword seemed to hold a deadliness about it, like a serpent, coiled to strike with its fangs. The very crescent shape of the blade made it look just like that: a fang. There was even a snake carved into the golden hilt of it. At the same time, it held a confident ambiance to it, and an otherworldly beauty; like a babe in a long flowing dress.

Nero shook his head, grinning at his thoughts, then strode boldly across the bridge spanning the abyss. Light was beginning to peak over the mountains; dawn was approaching. Even after no sleep, Nero didn't feel tired.

As soon as he passed through the other end of the cave, Nero confirmed the time. The sun was low in the sky, bathing the entire side of the cliff in light. He squinted after the darkness of the cave, raising a hand to shield his eyes. It was strangely warm out, compared to the frigid cold he'd just passed through.

Mitis forest lay spread below him like a lush green carpet. It spread like a jungle, covering every outcropping of rock with its leafy hands. Nero knew from experience that the entire forest was dotted with old structures long into decomposing. It was no wonder that it was also called the Forest of Ruin. In the distance, on the horizon, the Order's headquarters winked at him, glimmering white in the early sun.

"Hrmmm..."

Nero spun at the noise, his left hand plunging into his coat for Blue Rose. He knew that voice. No one.

"What the hell is this?" said the half amused, half irritated voice, once again from behind.

Nero drew his revolver. It was the assassin, standing on the cliff with his arms gesturing in confusion. The assassin...Dante...merely shrugged, paying no attention to Nero.

"Must be the effect of the gate," he muttered to himself.

He turned to Nero, giving him a casual wave. "Sorry kid, this is going to have to wait."

With that, Dante simply leaned back, dropping off the cliff. Nero bolted to the edge of the cliff, shocked, then extended Blue Rose. The assassin was waving with both hands, becoming smaller and smaller until he was just a red and black speck on the green canopy, then gone.