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Nico and Viola were playing pool in the foyer of Devil May Cry. Nico stuck her tongue out while she was lining up her shot. She closed one eye and just as she was about to shoot, Viola pinched her ass and made her jump. “What the hell!” Nico screeched. Viola laughed and kissed her on the cheek.
It was mid afternoon and jobs had been slow. Dante sat at his desk reading some magazine. Vergil was perched on the couch reading some hundred year old book. Lady sat on the floor in front of Dante’s desk polishing Kalina Ann.
Nico went back to lining up her shot. With a flick of her hand, the cue ball flew. The clapping of pool balls filled the room. The cue ball sunk into the corner pocket. “Scratch!” Viola teased.
The door to the shop opened and Morrison and Trish strolled in. Morrison was smoking a cigarette and took a drag before speaking. “Well seems you all hard at work here.” Dante looked up and smiled. “You got anything for us Morrison?”
The old broker made his way to the desk. “I got a minor job. I had tried to get ahold of Nero but he didn’t respond. You know where he is?” Dante looked at the old man puzzled. “I thought he was on a job for you? He left this morning and said he wouldn’t be back until tomorrow.” Morrison took another drag of his cigarette. “Not any job I gave him.”
Dante exchanged a look with Vergil who had looked up from his own reading. “That is weird.” Dante mused. Viola and Nico were trying to hide their giggling by the pool table. “Something funny girls?” Trish asked.
Nico snorted, “You guys really don’t have any clue where Nero’s been running off to? Guess he’s pretty good at covering his tracks. Hell he doesn’t even know we know.” That got everyone’s attention. Nico and Viola felt the multiple sets of eyes on them. Dante arched an eyebrow, “So he hasn’t been going on jobs? He comes back with money.”
Viola smiled, “Well he is earning money.”
“Cut the vague crap. What is the situation?” Lady asked impatiently. Nico and Viola exchanged a look. “I think you need to see it to believe it.” Viola stated. “Meet us at The Gates of Hell on Friday at seven. We promise you won’t be disappointed.” Nico challenged. The girls smiled and left the shop. “What the hell?” Dante asked puzzled.
Friday came quickly. Everyone decided they were curious about what Nero was up to. Vergil even tagged along. Jeanne was there as well. Nico and Viola were indeed standing by the door to the underground bar. There were others filing into the establishment was well. Dante held Lady’s hand as they walked.
“You all came! Even you Auntie!” Viola exclaimed. Jeanne smiled, “Well you’ve peaked my curiosity too.” The group went to the door and gave the password. They followed the deceasing staircase to the bar.
The Gates of Hell were full. More so than Dante had ever seen it. Not only that but the patrons were…unique. Dante could tell some of them were demons, half devils, half angelic beings, some humans. Everyone looked to be having a good time.
Rodin was behind his bar top serving drinks. The group made it over to the bar top. “Well look what the cat dragged in?” There were several other bar staff going behind the bar to make drinks. They moved like they were doing a synchronized dance. Dante sat on one of the stools, the others stood around him.
“Rodin, I’ve never seen this place so busy. Didn’t even know you had that back area.” Dante pointed to the archway behind the bar where people were filtering in. It opened up to a much larger room and a stage. Rodin smirked, “Well you usually come outside of business hours. You all come to see the show?” Dante shrugged, “I guess. The girls here drug us here. They said it has something to do with Nero.” Rodin laughed.
“Since you’re my favorite legendary devil hunter, I’ll give you folks keys to one of the boxes on the second floor. You’ll be able to enjoy the show without the crowd. You want any drinks? I can have them brought up?”
Jeanne clapped her hands together, “Oh darling thank you. You know me so well.” She could tell Vergil was relieved. This many people was a little much for him. The group ordered some drinks and followed Viola up a staircase to the box on the second floor. The balcony looked over the area in front of the stage. It was quickly filling with what have to be at least 200 bodies or more. There were several other boxes divided around the balcony that faced the stage in a U shape. Rodin had given them the one to the right closest to the stage.
“Talk about first class treatment.” Trish purred. She sat on one of the recliner like chairs like a cat lazing in the sun. “There is a shit ton of people? Devils? Somethings? Here.” Dante observed. Viola and Nico took a seat next to each other and leaned over the balcony. Lady stood next to Dante. Vergil and Jeanne stood behind the others observing quietly.
“So what’s the show?” Lady asked. The two girls looked at each other and smiled before answering. “Well there’s a band that’s been really growing in popularity in this area for the last six months or so. They’re playin here tonight. They’re called Ashes to Ashes.” Viola explained. Dante leaned forward and rested his elbows in the railing. “And what does this have to do with Nero?”
Nico and Viola exchanged another look. “Well you’ll just have to see won’t ya?” Nico teased. A staff came and brought them all drinks. They chatted amongst themselves for a few more minutes until the lights dimmed and the crowd roared to life.
The stage was dark but the shapes of people and instruments could be seen. A figure ran on stage and climbed behind the drum kit. A spotlight lit them up and the crowd cheered. The drummer was an African American man with long silver dreads. His eyes glowed red and he gave the crowd a toothy smile.
As the drummer settled behind his kit, the next figure ran out on stage. A skinny goth looking guy very similar to V took his place behind what looked like some sort of DJ table and keyboard. The next figure was a women with red skin and pointed ears. She had red had pulled back into a pony tail and wore a black leather jacket, black pants and boots. He had bright green eyes and fangs. A guitar hung around her shoulders. She waved at the crowd as they cheered.
Next was the bass player. A heavy set man with a shaved head covered in tattoos and piercings. The bass looked small in his bear like hands. Finally, the last figure ran to the stage still hidden by the darkness. He took his place back to the crowd, center stage in front of a microphone. He too appeared to have a guitar hung across his shoulders.
The woman spoke into the microphone in front of her. “HOW ARE YOU CAPULET?!” The crowd screamed in response. “WE’RE HERE TO PARTY WITH YOU TONIGHT!” The crowd screamed again. Suddenly the roar of a guitar hit the room and the lights came up fully on the stage.
The man center stage turned to face the audience. Nero smiled a mile wide flashing his pearly fangs. His eyes had a tinge of yellow. He wore his sleeveless hoodie and was shirtless underneath. His black boots met dark green camo pants. He held a black electric guitar and swept his hands over the strings coaxing roaring squeals for the crowd.
Nero stepped close to the mic and began to sing while he played:
“I’ll endure the exile. The darkness of night falls around my soul. And the hunter within loses control.”
Nero and the women sang together:
“Gotta let it out, gotta let it out, gotta let it out, gotta let it out.”
The woman continued to sing while Nero flashed his smile and played the guitar. The other band members played their parts and pandered to the crowd.
“NO. FUCKING. WAY.” Lady said in disbelief. Nico and Viola hooted and yelled and held their hands up making the devil horns sign. “Hell ya!” Viola yelled. Dante laughed and clapped his hands, “Well what the fuck!” Jeanne smiled and glanced at Vergil. His expression unreadable.
Nero approached the mic again, “This demon inside has ahold of me. Clenching it’s power, trying to break free.”
He sang again with the woman, “Gotta let it out, gotta let it out, gotta let it out, gotta let it out!”
The women continued to sing the rest of the song. Nero flirted with the crowd and stroked his guitar. The crowd roared and sung alone at times. Some people were pushing each other, others were dancing, some were crowd surfing. Rodin had staff at the front of the crowd to help people as they made their way to the front.
Nero’s heart pounded. The bright lights wrapped him in a pleasant heat. The bite of the strings on his fingers sent waves of satisfaction through his body. He felt so fucking happy when he was playing with his band. Six months ago, he would have never thought in a million years he’d be in a situation like this.
It had been any other afternoon. Nero wanted to talk with Rodin about some weird stuff his new guns were doing. As he descended the stairs and caught sight of the Nephilim behind his bar top. “Young Nero! What brings you here?” Nero smiled and sat on stool in front of Rodin, “Hey! Just wondering if you can look at my guns? They’ve been acting up.” Nero set the queen of hearts and diamonds on the bar top. Rodin began to inspect them.
Nero started to hear some voices and sounds of instruments in the room behind Rodin. “What’s goin on in there?” He asked. Rodin looked up, “Why don’t you go take a look while I check these out?” Nero nodded and hopped off the stool to head to the other room.
He approached the stage in the large concert hall. There were various instruments set up and four people milling around and talking. As Nero got closer, he could sense that not all of them were human. A woman with cherry skin and emerald eyes noticed him first.
“Hello there.” She stated. Nero gave them a little wave. The three others noticed him. “And who are you mate?” The man with silver dreadlocks asked. “Oh hey I’m Nero.” He explained. The four smiled.
“Hello Nero. Not entirely human are you? Us either.” The woman stated. A man that looked an awful lot like V jumped down from the stage. “I’m Jay.” He extended his hand. Nero took it. “Artemis.” The dreadlock man said. “Tony.” the large tattooed man said. The woman walked up to him and extended her hand as well. “Sephora.” Nero nodded, “Nice to meet you all.”
They chatted and got to know each other. They explained they all had worked for Rodin off and on and enjoyed playing music together. “Can you play or sing?” Tony asked. Nero laughed, “Aaa yeah I don’t know.” “You never tried?” Sephora asked. Nero shook his head.
They eventually convinced him to try singing with them and he was surprisingly good. The only other time he had sung in his life was when he was forced into the church choir in Fortuna.
Nero found himself hanging out with them more and more. It was the first time he felt like he had a group of friends his own age that understood him. Jay was human but Sephora and Artemis were half devils. Tony’s mother was actually a higher order angelic being that fell from grace.
Tony started getting Nero to try playing the guitar. The strangest thing happened when he tried the first time. He could play. He never had played in his life but he played like a pro. Tony was shocked and teased Nero about hiding that he could shred. Nero realized he was borrowing the ability from one of his blood memories. Who, he didn’t know, but he went with it.
He also found he could play the violin which he guessed that he had borrowed that ability from his father. The group started writing songs and music. They played for some very small crowds and it continued to grow. Artemis came up with the name Ashes to Ashes.
Nero was having a blast but was too embarrassed to tell his family and friends about what he was doing. He didn’t know why but it felt too vulnerable to tell them. So he told Dante and his father that he was leaving for jobs. They were getting paid from their gigs so he’d come back with money and no one knew any different. Of course he still took jobs when he could and trained but much of his free time was spent with his new friends playing music. The only person who knew was Rodin and he assured Nero his secret was safe with him.
The song ended and the crowd exploded in cheers. Nero grabbed his mic, “HOW’S EVERYONE DOING?!” He yelled. The crowd screamed. He heard someone yell, “I fucking love you! You’re so hot!” That made him blush. Nero laughed, “How many people here have ever felt subhuman?” Again the crowd roared. “Well this next song is for you then.” He teased.
Sephora took Nero’s guitar and began to play it herself. Nero launched into his most metal singing voice he could and the crowd went wild.
“Hey this is a good one!” Dante yelled. Vergil narrowed his eyes. Jeanne noticed but just smiled. “Yes rather intimidating.” She agreed.
Nero and his band played song after song and the crowd went nuts. Dante and the others were on their feet cheering. As the song finished, Nero took a drink from a water bottle and poured it on his head.
“We are so happy you came out to party with us tonight.” He declared. Roars from the crowd agreed. Sephora handed him a violin and bow. “This is our last song tonight.” The crowd booed. “I know I know but it’s a good one. How many people in his room have been through hell and survived it? And I mean metaphorically and literally!” Nero asked.
The crowd cheered and laughed in response. “This song is about surviving and what you have to do sometimes to find redemption. I wrote this song for my father.”
Everyone turned to looked at Vergil wide eyed. His face continued to remain unreadable but he stared at Nero.
Nero started the song slow, playing an eerie melody on the violin. After a few bars, the drums kicked in. Then pounding beats from Artemis set up. Sephora took the violin from Nero and handed him back his guitar. He approached the mic and started to sing.
“Immortal temptation takes over my mind
Condemned
Fallen weak on my knees, summon the strength of mayhem.”
A few more beats and Nero launched into the chorus. He sung with a fire that made the veins on his neck protrude.
“I am the storm that is approaching
Provoking black clouds in isolation
I am reclaimer of my name
Born in flames, I have been blessed
My family crest is a demon of death
Forsakened, I am awakened
A phoenix’s ash in dark divine
Descending misery
Destiny takes its time!”
Nero’s six translucent blue wings spread from behind his back and his eyes shifted to full gold. The crowd roared and sung the words. He continued to pour his heart into it and the music moved through the crowd in unstoppable waves.
Nero called to the crowd, “Let’s bring this home Capulet! If you’ve seen us before you know this part. Sing with me!”
Nero squared himself and clutched his guitar. He closed his eyes and sang the last verse,
“Bury the light deep within! Cast aside there’s no coming home. We’re burning chaos in the wind! Drifting in the ocean all alone!!!”
Nero moved from the mic and played an epic guitar solo. Sweat poured from his forehead but he smiled a mile wide. The crowd began to chant, “ASHES TO ASHES!” Over and over again. Nero played the last note with an exaggerated motion and threw his guitar pick to the crowd. The volume of cheers was deafening. The band waved at the crowd and bowed. After a moment they left the stage.
Dante and the others made their way back to Rodin as people filtered out of the bar. “What ya think?” Rodin asked. “FUCKING EPIC!” Viola shouted. “Who knew the nerd had it in him.” Nico agreed. Dante just smiled and sipped his beer. Vergil and Jeanne sat on the barstools quietly; Jeanne smiled softly to herself.
The last of the patrons walked out of the bar. The four other members of Nero’s band came walking by to head out the door. “Thanks Rodin! We’ll be back tomorrow to get the rest of the stuff. Nero is just finishing up.” Sephora called. Her eyes met Lady’s and she winked as she and her band mates left.
Nero grabbed his guitar and case and made his way to Rodin to collect the money from the night. He had showered and put on fresh clothes while the bar was emptying out. When he turned the corner to the front of the bar, he stopped dead in his tracks.
Sitting around the bar talking to themselves and Rodin, was his family and friends….all of them. Nero noticed Vergil and blushed bright red. He looked away afraid to make eye contact. Jeanne was the first to embrace him.
“Little prince! How wonderful that was! What a secret to keep all of yourself.” Nero hugged her back and tried to find the words. Dante began to slowly clap, “Bravo kid! What a show. That was amazing.” Nero looked over his mother’s shoulder at his uncle’s smiling face.
He pulled away and rubbed the back of his neck. “Why?? How did you guys know about this?” He asked. Nico jumped up, “Few weeks ago one of Viola’s business contacts showed her a video of some awesome new band he had discovered. The dude in the video looked really familiar. We put two and two together. We’ve know a few weeks but we surprised everyone else tonight!” She smiled satisfied with herself. Nero wanted to throttle her.
“Oh…I see.” He answered. Lady came over and clapped him on the back, “Why are you embarrassed Nero? It was so great!” Nero smiled weakly, “You think so? Well thanks.” Rodin chuckled to himself as he reached under the bar. “Got your pay.” He threw an envelope to Nero.
“So that’s where you’ve been pulling in the extra cash.” Dante observed. Nero blushed even redder. His friends continued to congratulate him and ask him questions. After awhile, the girls all went home. Jeanne went with Viola and Nico as she had some things left at Nico’s apartment. Lady kissed Dante on the cheek and left with Trish. Nero drove the twins back to Devil May Cry in the van.
Dante road upfront with Nero. Vergil sat quietly in the back. “I’m fuckin proud of you kid. You looked so happy up there.” Nero glanced at Dante and smiled. “Thanks…I’m sorry I hid it from you. I just didn’t know what you guys would think.” Dante glanced back at Vergil and then to Nero. “I understand.”
They got back and went their respective ways. Nero needed some space so he climbed out on the fire escape as usual and lit a cigarette. He inhaled and let the burn out slowly. It was a nasty habit he picked up from Jay. Nero focused on the city lights and the warm night air to calm his nerves.
He was pulled out of his mind by the sound of the window opening and someone stepping out. He didn’t need to turn to know who it was. Nero felt Vergil walk up and stand next to him. Nero took another drag of his cigarette before looking over at his father.
Vergil watched Nero curiously for a moment before gesturing for the cigarette. Nero handed to it him. Vergil took a drag of the cigarette and let the smoke out slowly. Then then sniffed it out on the railing before throwing it to the street.
“Hey wasn’t done with that.” Nero teased.
“Nasty habit.” Vergil answered.
“Yeah I know.” Nero resigned.
They were silent for a few moments before Nero couldn’t take it anymore. “Listen…I…I’m sorry I didn’t tell you and about the song. I hope it didn’t upset you.” Nero searched his father’s face for a reaction.
Vergil sighed and crossed his arms. “There is no need to apologize. While the style of music isn’t really my thing, you played and sang beautifully. I must admit that it surprises me and I don’t get surprised.” Nero felt his heat swell. His father liked it?
Vergil uncrossed his arms and leaned on the railing. “Bury the light huh?” He asked. Nero blushed and looked away but tried to explain himself.
“I….ummm…..well. I just started writing one day. I thought about things you told me about your life. I can see some of those memories you know. The feelings that go with them. Their woven in my blood memories. I just put words to those feelings.”
Vergil was quiet. Nero started to sweat. Man did he really fuck up? He was about to speak when Vergil put his hand on Nero’s shoulder. “It was very…..poetic. Did you borrow you violin skills from me too?”
Nero widened his eyes and laughed. “Yeah how’d I do?”
Vergil smirked, “You form needs work.”
Nero chuckled and wordlessly hugged Vergil; something he would not dare to do in front of others. Vergil stiffened for a moment before hugging Nero back.
“You smell like an ashtray.” Vergil stated as they parted. Nero laughed and shook his head.
“Sorry! I’ll try and kick the habit.” They followed each other back through the window into Devil May Cry.
Just as they made it in Nero’s room, Dante could be heard yelling from the bottom of the stairs, “Hey dumbasses, do you want pizza?”