DMC4: The-Devil's Arm

Wrapped in Glory

Nero breathed deeply, then let out another scream of emotional pain, driving Devil Bringer up to the wrist into the ground.

I lost her...She was so close...and I lost her...

He desperately tried to blink back the tears. He wasn't going to cry. Crying was for sissies. He wasn't a damn sissy; he was going to save her. The old man took her, and he was going to get her back and crush his withered skull in the process, then he was going to kill that insect freak for even touching her in the first place.

A loud crash brought him back to reality. Devil Bringer came into contact with several of the tree's roots in the stone. Like a sickness, whatever caused the demonic wood to crumble spread to the main body, releasing its hold on the last bridge into headquarters. The stone path had fallen back into place with a thunderous smash.

Nero got up and wiped his face with his left hand, then turned and left Agnus's chamber. Back down the stairs, he entered the demon containment room. As he passed through the cages, the surroundings began to darken, as if a shroud was beginning to enclose the room. Two mephistos silently swooped in from the darkness, their talons raised, then extended their claws with a whine.

Stoically, Nero simply moved his head and stepped away from both spikes as they rocketed past him. What appeared to be a third one rose from the ground between them. From the darkness, an angry barrage of spikes flew towards him, five in total, moving way faster than the mephistos'.

Nero cartwheeled out of their way, only to tuck and roll as another volley of red death speared at him. One came right at him, and he just barely managed to catch it in the claws of Devil Bringer before it ran him through.

Several of the spikes retracted back into the darkness. The owner revealed itself. It was indeed another mephisto, only this one's skull was bone white, with a stringy clump of hair. It wore a wide brimmed hat that hung low over its eyes, made of the same material as its cloak.

It tipped the brim of its hat up with its claws, peering at Nero with hollow look from its blank sockets. He returned it with a snarl.

Just what I need. Something to work some stress out.

The battle was brief. The two mephistos fell quickly, crushed beneath Devil Bringer's fist. The third demon put up a little better fight. Nero slashed away the cloak, revealing the skeletal insect body beneath it. Cowardly, it tried to scuttle away, but he ran it down with Red Queen, then promptly blew its skull away with two thorns from Blue Rose.

Nero made his way back to the grand hall and to the now lowered bridge that connected the way. He pushed through the door, then stopped.

Crap, forgot about this.

He was in the security hallway. It was void of life, but Nero knew better. He sniffed, smelling the acrid scent, the scent of lightning. All along the walls and ceiling, small lasers were set, programmed to slice anything that wasn't authorized to be in the room. Right now, Nero was willing to bet that included him.

He let out a slow breath, trying to relax his thoughts. The last image of Kyrie was still in his head, helpless in the arms of the old man. He willed her deeper into his mind, clearing his conscience; he'd need all the focus he could get. After he cleared his head, he reached up, giving Red Queen a tug, making sure she was secure in her sling. He flipped his coat back, making sure it was smooth and loose, then crouched down, like a sprinter at the start line.

Now!

Nero launched himself forward, stepping onto the red carpet of the plush hallway. No sooner did he take 4 bounds, a bright red beam cut across his vision. He ducked low to avoid the laser, keeping his momentum. Another one activate, knee level. He cleared it with a hop. Another one turned on, then another, then another, and another. Soon, the hallway was a web of deadly light, intending to stop his progress. Nero darted left and right, coming within an inch of his life from the hot beams.