Capítulo 32: The Last Promise
The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over Restaurant Fredi. Inside, Dante lounged at a table, savoring a slice of pizza, while Hadrian and Patty shared a strawberry sundae, laughter and light-hearted banter filling the air—a rare moment of peace for the Devil May Cry team.
"Honestly, Dante, this place could use a bit more… style," Patty remarked, eyeing the interior critically, her young face scrunching in thought.
Dante chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "And what exactly would you know about style, kid? You're still in the 'I think glitter is a food group' phase."
Hadrian leaned back with a smirk, joining in. "She's got a point, Dante. Maybe it's time to upgrade the decor. How about some real food on the menu instead of whatever mystery meat that is?"
Dante opened his mouth to retort, but before he could, Lady walked in, her expression unusually tense. The atmosphere shifted as she crossed her arms, her presence commanding immediate attention.
"Dante, we've got a situation," she announced, her voice steady but serious.
Dante set down his pizza, now fully focused on her. "What kind of situation?"
"A demon named Baul has surfaced. He was one of Sparda's old apprentices, and he's looking to settle a score," Lady explained, her tone grave.
Hadrian's eyes widened in surprise. "Sparda trained apprentices?"
Lady nodded, her gaze unwavering. "He and his twin brother were both taught by Sparda. Baul's the dangerous one, though—he's ambitious and reckless. He believes that defeating you will prove he's surpassed Sparda."
Before Dante could respond, the door swung open, slamming against the wall. Baul strode in, radiating raw, unchecked power. His white trench coat, adorned with gold accents, billowed slightly as he moved, matching the spiked silver of his hair and the ferocious intensity in his piercing green eyes.
"So," Baul sneered, locking his gaze on Dante. "The son of Sparda. You've got his blood, but do you have his strength?"
Dante rose from his seat, his posture relaxed yet ready, the casualness of the moment replaced by an electrifying tension. "I'd say we're about to find out," he replied, a sly grin creeping onto his face, eyes glinting with determination.
Patty instinctively leaned closer to Hadrian, her excitement mingling with concern. "Is this going to be one of those 'punch first, ask questions later' scenarios?"
Hadrian's expression hardened as he stood, ready for anything. "Looks like it," he said, shifting his weight as he prepared to support Dante if things turned violent. "Just stay back, Patty. Dante got this."
Baul's smirk widened, revealing sharp teeth. "You think you can stand against me? You're merely a shadow of Sparda. I will show you the true meaning of strength!"
With a swift motion, Baul summoned dark energy, forming a crackling sphere of raw power in his hand, ready to unleash chaos. The air thickened with anticipation as Dante cracked his knuckles, adrenaline pumping through him.
"Let's see if you can back up that big talk," Dante challenged, stepping forward, ready to engage in the battle that would determine not just their fates, but the legacy of Sparda itself.
Dante vs. Baul - The Duel Begins
They relocated to a secluded alleyway, away from prying eyes. He sent Harry with Patty away while Lady followed, watching from a safe distance.
Baul unsheathed his twin swords, their dark, jagged edges glinting ominously in the fading light. Without warning, he lunged at Dante, his blades slicing through the air with a speed that seemed almost impossible to follow. Dante barely had time to draw Rebellion and block the initial strike.
The impact sent a shockwave through the alley, rattling nearby windows. Baul's strength was monstrous, pressing down on Dante with a weight that felt like raw fury. Dante gritted his teeth, his muscles straining as he pushed back, their blades locked in a fierce power struggle.
"You've got Sparda's blood," Baul snarled his face inches from Dante's. "But you're nothing like him."
Dante smirked, his voice calm despite the strain. "Guess that's a compliment coming from you."
With a sudden surge of strength, Dante broke the deadlock, spinning to the side and countering with a swift Stinger that forced Baul back. But Baul recovered instantly, launching a relentless flurry of strikes that pushed Dante on the defensive. Each swing of Baul's swords was like a thunderclap, each strike aimed to overpower and break down Dante's defenses.
Dante shifted into Royal Guard, blocking Baul's brutal assault with precise parries, absorbing the impact and storing it for a counter. When Baul swung both swords in a powerful downward arc, Dante deflected them with a well-timed block, using the stored energy to unleash a devastating counter-attack. His blade struck Baul's chest, causing the demon to stagger back.
But Baul's eyes burned brighter, unfazed. "You think that's enough to stop me?" He sneered, lunging forward with renewed fury. The two clashed again, their swords crossing in a dazzling display of skill and strength, each vying for dominance. Sparks flew with each strike, the alleyway echoing with the sound of metal on metal.
"You've got speed, I'll give you that," Dante quipped, dodging a powerful strike aimed at his head. "But you're all rage, no precision. Sparda taught you better than that."
Baul's face twisted in fury, his strikes becoming even more aggressive. "Don't speak of him! Sparda entrusted his strength to my brother, not me. But I'll prove I'm worthy—by killing you!"
The Park
After Dante sent them away, Harry took Patty to a quiet park nearby. The air was fresh, filled with the scents of grass and blooming flowers, while birds chirped softly in the distance. Patty skipped ahead, carefree as she relished the open space. Hadrian followed behind, smiling at her enthusiasm, when he noticed a lone figure seated on a bench, observing the children play.
The man's appearance was striking—long, dark hair, gold eyes that held gentle, melancholic wisdom, and a peaceful aura that stood out even among the serenity of the park. He was clad in a simple black coat, almost elegant, yet modest. Hadrian felt something off, a faint, unplaceable energy about him, though not threatening.
Patty, oblivious to any tension, ran up to the man with a bright smile. "Hi! Are you here alone?"
The man looked down at her, a soft smile touching his lips. "I suppose I am, but I don't mind." His voice was warm and calm, like a quiet lake at dawn. "It's… peaceful here."
Hadrian approached, studying the man with careful eyes. "I'm Hadrian," he introduced himself cautiously, "and this is Patty. Hope we're not intruding."
The man shook his head. "Not at all. I'm Modeus," he replied, his voice carrying an odd gentleness that was rare among most demons Hadrian had encountered. There was no malice, no hostility—only a quiet sadness hidden behind his smile.
"What brings you to a park on a day like this?" Hadrian asked, trying to assess him further without seeming intrusive.
Modeus gazed out across the park, watching as children played and families strolled by. "Sometimes it's nice to be… among humans. To see the way they live, the way they love, the way they play. It's something many like me don't understand… or perhaps, have forgotten."
Patty tilted her head, curiosity shining in her eyes. "Like you? What do you mean?"
Modeus chuckled softly, not answering directly. Instead, he looked at her with a gentle expression. "You remind me of someone I once knew—a friend who looked at the world with bright, hopeful eyes, just like yours."
Hadrian noticed the wistfulness in Modeus' gaze and felt a pang of empathy. "People like that… they leave a mark on us, don't they?"
Modeus nodded. "Yes. More than they'll ever know."
Patty, sensing the somber mood, tried to lighten the atmosphere. "Do you want to play with us, Modeus?" She reached out, grabbing his hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Modeus looked momentarily startled but softened as he allowed her to pull him along. Together, the three of them spent the next hour in peaceful moments—Patty leading the way with boundless energy as Hadrian and Modeus followed, exchanging stories of simpler times.
They laughed together, sharing small, quiet moments. Hadrian even found himself relaxing around Modeus, surprised at how natural it felt. Beneath the tranquility, though, he sensed an unspoken sorrow within Modeus, a sense of loss that was buried deep.
As they sat down for a rest, Patty asked, "Will you come to the park again tomorrow, Modeus?"
Modeus looked at her with an unreadable expression. "Perhaps… but sometimes people have to leave, Patty, even if they don't want to. And even if they don't return, they'll always be there in spirit."
Patty's smile faltered. "But… I don't want you to leave."
Modeus gave her a sad smile. "People come and go, but what matters is the time we spend together. Even if it's brief, it can be enough to change us."
Patty seemed to ponder his words, looking down at her hands before giving a slow nod. She didn't fully understand, but something about his tone made her heartache.
Hadrian, watching the exchange, felt a heaviness settle over him. 'There's more to him than meets the eye,' he thought, glancing at Modeus, who was now looking at the sky with a distant expression.
As the afternoon sun cast golden hues across the park, Modeus finally rose. "Thank you for the company, Patty. And you, Hadrian. I should go now."
"Will we see you again?" Patty asked, her eyes filled with hope.
Modeus knelt at Patty's height, looking into her bright eyes with warmth. "Perhaps… and if not, remember this day, Patty. Remember that sometimes, even short moments can be precious."
Patty nodded, though her face was clouded with sadness. "I'll remember."
Modeus gave one last, lingering look at them both before he turned and walked away, disappearing down the path, his dark figure fading into the evening light. Hadrian and Patty stood silently, watching him go.
As they began their walk back to Devil May Cry, Hadrian sensed that Patty was lost in thought. He offered her a comforting smile. "He seemed like a good man, didn't he?"
Patty looked up at him, her eyes brimming with quiet tears. "He did… I just wish he didn't have to leave."
Hadrian placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Sometimes, people come into our lives to teach us something, even if only for a moment. Modeus… he was one of those people."
Patty smiled through her tears, giving a small nod. "I'll remember him."
Dante vs. Baul - The Duel Continues
Baul's face twisted in fury, his strikes becoming even more aggressive. "Don't speak of him! Sparda entrusted his strength to my brother, not me. But I'll prove I'm worthy—by killing you!"
With a roar, Baul channeled his demonic energy, his body glowing with a fierce red aura. He launched himself at Dante with blinding speed, his twin swords becoming a blur of deadly steel. Dante switched to Trickster, weaving through the onslaught with fluid dodges, each move precise and calculated.
Seeing an opening, Dante dashed to the side and quickly shifted into Gunslinger, firing Ebony & Ivory in rapid succession. The bullets struck Baul, forcing him to halt his charge, but only seemed to anger him further. With a furious yell, Baul deflected the bullets mid-air, his speed and reflexes almost too fast to follow.
Dante grinned, switching to Swordmaster and lunging forward with Million Stab, his blade moving with blistering speed as he aimed a relentless series of thrusts at Baul's defenses. Baul blocked most of the attacks, but a few strikes landed, causing him to grimace in pain.
"You talk big for someone who's struggling to keep up," Dante taunted, circling Baul with his blade ready.
Baul's face contorted with rage, and he channeled even more energy, his aura flaring up as he unleashed a desperate, all-out attack. He swung his swords with wild abandon, each strike powerful enough to shatter stone. Dante met him blow for blow, their blades crossing in a deadly dance of skill and ferocity.
Baul's attacks were relentless, but Dante held his ground, waiting for the perfect moment. When Baul overextended in his rage-fueled assault, Dante seized the opportunity. With a swift sidestep, he dodged Baul's wild swing and brought Rebellion down in a powerful Drive attack, sending a shockwave of energy that tore through Baul's defenses.
The blast sent Baul staggering back, blood trickling from a cut on his cheek. Dante took a deep breath, his expression turning serious. "It's over, Baul. This isn't what Sparda wanted for you."
But Baul refused to yield. With a final, desperate scream, he lunged at Dante one last time, his blades raised for a killing blow. Dante met his charge head-on, their swords crossing in a powerful clash that sent shockwaves through the alley.
With a decisive twist, Dante broke Baul's guard and drove Rebellion through his chest. Baul's eyes widened in shock, his strength fading as he dropped his swords. He looked up at Dante, a mix of anger and regret in his gaze. "I… could have been more…"
As Baul's life faded, Dante gently lowered him to the ground, his expression unreadable. "Maybe in another life," he murmured, pulling Rebellion free.
The Aftermath - Modeus' Grief
Modeus arrived just as Baul took his final breath, his face filled with anguish as he knelt beside his fallen brother. He reached out, his hand trembling as he touched Baul's still form, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"You… didn't have to do this, Baul," he whispered, his voice breaking. He turned to Dante, his sorrow replaced by a quiet, simmering rage.
Without a word, Modeus picked up one of Baul's fallen swords. His golden eyes, once so gentle, now held a fierce resolve. "For Baul… for my brother…"
Dante shook his head, his voice soft. "Modeus, this doesn't have to end like this."
But Modeus was beyond reason. He raised the sword, his movements precise and controlled as he attacked. Dante defended himself, each of Modeus' strikes filled with pain rather than fury. Their clash was brief, lacking the raw intensity of Dante's battle with Baul but no less poignant.
Dante knocked the sword from Modeus' hand, the blade clattering to the ground as Modeus sank to his knees, defeated both physically and emotionally. His face was a mask of heartbreak, the weight of his brother's death pressing down on him like an unbearable burden.
Dante looked at him, a rare sadness flickering in his eyes. "He made his choice, Modeus. I wish it could've been different."
Modeus looked up, his golden eyes brimming with sorrow. "He was always searching… always fighting. Sparda left us both with nothing but promises. And now… he's gone."
Dante's voice softened. "You wanted peace, didn't you? You chose a life without the sword… for him."
Modeus nodded slowly, looking away. "Yes. But even in peace, I could never fill the void Sparda left behind for him. And now, my brother is lost forever." He closed his eyes, a tear slipping down his cheek. "Perhaps… that was my failure."
Dante placed a hand on Modeus' shoulder. "You did what you could. We all have choices to make, and sometimes those choices break us. But I think you gave him something no one else did. You gave him someone to look up to, even if he never saw it that way."
Modeus gave a small, bitter smile, glancing down at Baul's body. "Maybe… in another time, another place…" His voice trailed off, the hopelessness clear.
Dante stood, giving him a respectful nod. "I'll make sure he's remembered. Both of you."
With a last, lingering look at his fallen brother, Modeus whispered, "Goodbye, Baul."
The Farewell - Dante's Promise
Later that evening, under the quiet, somber sky, Dante and Hadrian buried the brothers. They found a quiet spot by an old, crumbling stone, shaded by trees that whispered with the wind. Dante placed the two swords, one crossed over the other, marking the grave with a solemn tribute. The blades glinted in the faint moonlight, the final resting place of Sparda's apprentices.
Patty approached, her small hand clutching Dante's coat. "Will they… be okay now?" she asked softly.
Dante looked down, his face softening. "Yeah, kid. They're finally at peace."
Patty placed a small flower at the grave, whispering, "Goodbye, Modeus." She looked up at Dante with tear-filled eyes. "I didn't know him for long, but… he was kind."
Hadrian put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Sometimes, we meet people only briefly, but they leave an impact. Modeus was one of those people, Patty."
Dante sighed, looking at the graves. "Sparda's legacy was always complicated, but these two… they deserved better. They deserved a chance to live their own lives."
Lady joined them, her gaze lingering on Dante. "Do you regret it?"
Dante's voice was low, almost a whisper. "Regret doesn't bring people back, Lady. But I'll make sure their memory lives on. That's the least I can do."
Returning to Devil May Cry - The Aftermath
Back at Devil May Cry, the atmosphere was subdued. The usual banter was gone, replaced by a heavy silence. Dante poured himself a drink, staring into the glass as if looking for answers in its depths.
Patty sat quietly beside Hadrian, her mind drifting to the kind man she'd met in the park—the man who had wanted nothing more than peace. She felt a pang of sadness, knowing he wouldn't be there the next time she visited.
Hadrian broke the silence, looking at Dante. "It's never easy, is it?"
Dante shook his head, a rueful smile tugging at his lips. "No, it never is. But we keep going, because that's all we can do. We fight, we lose people, but we don't let them be forgotten."
Patty looked up at Dante, her eyes wide. "Will you tell me more about Sparda, Dante? And the people he left behind?"
Dante looked at her, his expression softening. "Yeah, kid. Someday, I'll tell you all about him. About who he really was—not just the legend, but the man behind it."
With that, they fell into silence, each lost in their own thoughts, remembering the brothers who had sought their place in a world shaped by a legacy they could never truly escape.
The moon hung high in the sky, casting its pale light over the streets, as Devil May Cry stood as a silent witness to the promises kept, and the ones left behind.
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