Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Spring arrived quickly, the sun not yet at its full power still thawed the first vestiges of snow. It was a warm, cloudless day and Fina woke up slowly, staring at the canopy above her bed. 

Her phone buzzed with a notification that she ignored as she dragged herself out of bed and to the bathroom. She pretended not to see the glowing eyes just outside the property line of her home. They waited. Her kin if one could consider her that.

She would deal with them later.

She didn't think too much about her muddled origins– they weren't important to her as they might have been to someone else. She learned to simply not question anything regarding her birth and what she was– her mother always shut those questions down with an icy “stop asking.” Crucifixes sometimes shined too brightly in her eyes, holy water was spicy, that's all she knew.

Her legs were stiff from yesterday's workout and burned when she sat on the toilet. When you feel pain, you know that you are still alive– that's what Bruce Lee said, and the master was never wrong.

She washed her hands and washed her face quickly, omitting brushing her teeth because she knew she was about to go downstairs and absolutely demolish some orange juice.

Fina jogged down the marble staircase, steps light and entered the kitchen, the cool tiles shocking her into a state of wakeness that she loathed for such an early hour. Grandma sat with her glasses low on her tiny nose at the dinner table, books and rolled up parchment scattered across it.

“Half the day is gone, Serafina.” Grandma said, voice craggled and husky with age.

“Children should get eleven to twelve hours of sleep a night– that's what the doctor says.”

Grandma lowered the paper she was holding to meet her granddaughter's eyes. “You haven't been a child for many moons–”

“Eh,” she huffed, taking the orange juice from the fridge and chugging it. “I'm a child at heart.” she burped, locking eyes with her mother who appeared on the other side of the fridge. She looked at her disdainfully, mouth upturned in disgust at the smell of morning breath and orange juice regurgitated into gas.

“Excuse me.” Fina said softly, slowly putting the cap back on the orange juice and sitting down, lowering herself to her mother's gaze. Lucia was not amused.

“You're up early. Special occasion?” She asked, taking the orange juice from her hand and putting it back in the fridge.

“I'm meeting Oz for lunch at noon. Then errands after.” 

“Looks like you're going to be late, it's fifteen past.”

She winced, running upstairs.

She threw on a tank top, shoved her legs into shiny leather pants burning her thighs in the process, slid on her bracelets and rings, ruffled the top of her hair and clipped her twin swords Silencer and Bleeder to her back.

She flew down the stairs again and stepped into her boots, tying them hastily.

“Here.” Mom said, handing her the package. “Don't forget to go to the library, yes?” 

“I won't.” Fina said, holding the heavy box with one arm. 

She left the house under her mom's watch and started the walk off the grounds. She carefully stepped over the salt and brick dust barrier that marked the perimeter of the home.

Her hand was already on Silencer– she didn't have time for playing today plus her mom would throw a fit if she made a mess on the grass again.

“Bleeeoood of Spaaadah…”

She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, spinning the wrist of her other hand. She threw the package into the air,  Silencer vibrated through the air, felling the demon instantly with a flourish, just like its namesake- silent.

She caught the package, arms burning with exertion from the weight of it. 

She sheathed the blade with a tinny schwing! before the demon could turn to dust and float away on the breeze.

She arrived at the restaurant after a quick demonless bus ride. Oz was waiting outside, leaning against his car. He saw her immediately, eyes lifting to lock on hers. His gaze was as unsettling as it was beautiful.

“I'm so sorry! I woke up late!” She apologized, hugging him and giving him a quick kiss. He towered over her, honey blond hair, topaz eyes, a cute button nose. He was a huge individual standing at six foot five inches. Solidly built and crazy strong.

“I knew you would. We got here at the same time.” He said, smiling softly, voice jovial out of excitement to see her. “If you say meet me at noon– I know to show up at twelve forty-five.” He teased as they walked into the restaurant.

“You've got it all figured out. So there's no reason for me to change, huh?” She asked, grinning at him.

“Oh yeah,  I love it when you're rude and dismissive about other people's time.” He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. 

They were sat at a booth and given menus that had been wiped down with a rag that was too wet. The sunlight outside was drawn to him, his outline bright white making him a beacon of perfect goodness. She liked the way the air crackled when they were together, a child of Paradiso and a child of the Underworld. Neverminded his true respect and in turn unconditional love for her. 

And she loved him too–  there were some angels who were taught to love the flaws of lower beings and she was nothing if not flawed. He didn't care if she was still trying to figure out what to do with her life at twenty. He was sweet and considerate, an all around green flag, but damn, there was something about the way the heavens wept when her thighs were hugging his face or how he whimpered in worship when he fucked her.

“My guardians are hellbent on me going to Rome this summer.”

“You like to travel.” Fina said, half paying attention as she read over the menu.

“I had other plans.” He said and she could hear the pout in his voice. “Maybe they think you shouldn't hang around me all summer long. I'm a bad influence.” 

“I was thinking we should move in together.”

Fina let the menu slap to the table. Then a nervous huff of laughter. “Huh?”

“Aren't you tired of having sex with an audience?” He joked. Her face was unchanged but his was earnest. She responded best when he was plainly truthful with her– especially when she was feeling unsure of herself. He knew it wasn't about him. It made sense because one of them was always at the others house–  they rarely spent a night alone. In her mind he really could do so much better. But to him she was the best he would ever have and he never doubted it for a second.

“I wanna wake up next to you and make egg sandwiches and stuff for breakfast. And we can stay up late watching 36 Chambers. We can work out together early in the morning and then shower together after. And we'll decorate–  you can do it whatever way you like but no band posters–”

“Ozerov– have you seen my room?”

“Ill help you clean up! No– you don't even have to clean! I'll do it all.” He replied quickly, his eyes bright and beaming.

The waitress arrived to take their order.

Steak and eggs for her and eggs benedict for him. Coffee all round.

Three years of dating and it wasn't something she had even thought of. It was about time for that next step right? What if he decided she was too much of a slob or too ambitionless? All the space between them–  the little left that existed would be gone. That meant farting in front of each other, learning the other's bathroom habits–  would he get mad when she left toothpaste on the sink? Or didn't rinse her dishes? Topaz met aquamarine as they looked at one another. Warmth bloomed in her chest at the love and adoration in his eyes. She shook her head with a smile. “You shouldn’t enable me.”

“Want me to beg?” He asked, smirking mischievously. “Yeah, you can beg a little.”

The coffee cups were sat down with cream and a dish of various sugars. She snorted, offering her cup to him to drink so she could fit the copious amount of cream and sugar she liked. 

“It’s a yes, but can I have some time to be super sure?” She asked.

“I like when you're super sure.” He said, sliding the coffee cup back, beaming at her. 

They ate and they went together to tackle the first errand of the day. 

1. Get new boots
2. Return package at post office
3. Pick up green stars from Pat
4. Grab The Demonic Codex: Redgrave Edition at the downtown Library
5. Get blades sharpened

Chapter Text

“I need new boots, let's get that out of the way.” Fina said, throwing her bag and package in the backseat. Silencer and Bleeder stayed up front with her.

Oz drove to Trash N Treasure– a consignment shop that she frequented for shoes. There were few other places that sold vintage boots that could withstand fire, demon blood and all the other bullshit demon hunters had to step in and on while working.

Fina went right to the shoes while the shop keepers flitted over Oz asking if he had shopped there before and if he was looking for anything in particular. The owner was sitting in the back on a stool, typing on his phone.

“Hey Fina.” He said, not looking up.

“Donnnnny-boy.” She drawled, greeting him, eyes flicking from shoe to shoe in her size section. She found two pairs and sat down on the bench, kicking her current shoes off and lacing up the first.

“Haven't seen pretty boy in a while.”

“I mean you guys don't sell many plus sizes so he's not here much, you know?”

“Eh, people are always buying up the bigger sizes. Damned processed foods. How do those feel?” He asked, setting his phone down and watching her walk back and forth, jump up and down.

“Well loved. You fix the sole on the left one and I'll take 'em.” she said unlacing them to try on the new pair.

“It's funny– we had a dude come in here for boots. Had to fix the soles for him too.”

She scoffed. “Maybe you shouldn't sell shitty beat up shoes then.” She said, kicking the air in the second pair. They were cute but were leaning inward a bit. “Gonna pass on these.”

“He sorta looked like you too--white hair. Someone you know?”

Fina shrugged and placed both pairs of boots on the counter. “Lots of people have white hair. It's called bleach and self expression.” she replied dismissively.

Donny started right away fixing the sole. “Hunh.” He huffed.

“What do you think of this shirt?” Oz came up from behind holding a shirt in front of him. It was a plain shirt, with some logo on the front in lilac– his favorite color, two sizes too small.

“I don't think that'll fit over your tits.”

“Yeah it'll be a little tight but that's okay? I'll wear some loose pants to balance it out. Cropped shirts are still socially acceptable on guys right?”

Fina nodded quickly, giving him a lecherous smile before turning back to Donny who was just about done with the shoes.

“I'll give ya ten percent off ‘cause of the sole long as you don't tell anyone I had to fix it. It should be good to go now.”

“Hell yeah. Donnnnny-boy, catch ya later.” She said taking the shoes and walking with Ozerov to the check out counter.

They paid and left the store, Fina threw the shoes in the back. “You're not gonna wear them?”

“No way. With all the shit I’ve gotta do today, I'll just end up hurting if I wear them now. Today is not the day for breaking in boots.”

1. Get new boots
2. Return package at post office.
3. Pick up green stars from Pat.
4. Grab The Demonic Codex: Redgrave Edition at the downtown Library
5. Get blades sharpened.

Chapter Text

Fina reached in the back for the package. “You can stay in the car, I'll be quick.”

She brought the opened box inside where just one person was being helped. Thank God for weekdays where people were working and otherwise not in line at the post office.

A clerk appeared from the back.

“Can I help you?”

Fina placed the box on the counter with a grunt. “Yeah, I need to return this to sender.”

“What is it?” The clerk asked, hands waiting on the counter. Fina pulled it out halfway, letting it drape over the counter. “It's a coat.” She said, trying to stuff it back into the box.

“Don't worry about that we'll get it.” She said, picking up the whole thing and placing it on the scale, the red leather catching the dull light of the room. Fifty pounds!

“Dang.”

“Must be the real stuff.”

“Yeah, there's also this big ass belt buckle on it. That's probably why it's so heavy.” Fina said as the woman typed away on the computer.

“Huh, that's funny.” She said, clicking and clicking. She looked at the label then back to the screen. “The address this was sent from won't pull up in the system.”

Fina raised an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”

“It's okay, I can manually put it in. This normally only happens when a building is like brand new or super old. There’s lots of that in this city.” 

Clack, clack, clack, spacebar.

“It's a cool jacket. Didn't fit?” 

Serafina scratched her head. “Yeah, I mean… I didn't order it. I think it was delivered to the wrong address.”

“Happens, right? Total is $78.34.”

“Dayum!” She hissed, pulling out her wallet to pay. “My mom told me not to open it. Should've listened.”

Fina swiped her card and the clerk continued to type away. She pulled out her phone to text Pat. 

Omw!

1. Get new boots
2. Return package at post office
3. Pick up green stars from Pat
4. Grab The Demonic Codex: Redgrave Edition at the downtown Library
5. Get blades sharpened

Chapter Text

Pat lived in an unassuming suburb. Large houses that sat too close to one another. An SUV in every driveway. Sprinklers keep the grass soft and green. 

Fina had never been to Hell personally but monotony like this surely existed there.

The brass cross on the front door shined annoyingly in Fina’s eyes. Pat’s family were clergy folk and not for the money– they were truly godly people. Despite the implications of Fina's origins– she was always welcome in the home and their trust in her was something she respected the hell out of. She wouldn't break it for anything. As they walked in,  her elder sister Chas was leaving. Long copper hair smelling like hair spray, tight jeans and heels– Fina never saw her looking not put together.

“Sup, Fina. Angelface.” She greeted, hustling past them to her motorcycle. 

As they entered, air conditioning wrapped them in stinging cold. Her older brothers Temp and Dil were playing some sports game in the living room. Irish twins who dabbled in mercenary work--mostly security for the denizens of Paradiso and their offspring.

Oz immediately separated himself and went to sit with the boys on the large sectional. “I’m next.” he said, eyes fixed on their match.

Fina knew her way, going up the  carpet lined stairs, past the younger siblings who were chasing each other up and down with play weapons, screeching and laughing like little children did. 

Pat's door was open,  the scent of sweet pea wafting from her room. “Hey,  Feen. Come in.” She was sitting at her vanity, plucking her eyebrows or drawing them on,  Fina couldn't tell which. 

Fina plopped down on her bed, all pillows and stuffed animals. “Oz wants to move in together.” She said, grabbing a nearby magazine and flipping through it idly. 

Pat whipped around. “Oh my goodness!” She said excitedly, full lips shiny with lip gloss, large brown eyes twinkling with mirth. “Are you gonna though?” She asked, turning back to the mirror to brush her hair into a ponytail.

“I'm taking time to be super sure.”

“What do his guardians think?”

“Dude,  I don't even think they know.”

“He probably told them, Feen.”

“Yeah. And he knows how much I like it when he pisses them off so I can't say no.” 

Pat stood and handed her a paper box with a tiny pink bow on the front. It was full of green stars of various sizes. 

“You’re going to the library next right? I've got nothing else going on today and Temp and Dil are just gonna get on my nerves if I stay.”

“Sure.”

What was the book you needed?

Her mother replied with a photo of the book– “The Demonic Codex: Redgrave Edition.” Fina showed Pat. She scoffed. “You can’t get that at the bookstore down the street?”

“Checked the website. They don’t even have it. There’s actually no info on the book besides the fact it was self published like five years ago.”

Patience joined Fina on the bed. “Who wrote it?” she said, looking at the phone.

“Author anonymous.”

“Spooky.”

Oz joined them upstairs. “I just got smoked in 2K.” he said, standing in the doorway.

“Come here and look at this,” Pat invited him in and he walked over, peering at Fina’s phone.

“Thats the book you need?”

“Yeah, have you ever heard of Redgrave before?” Fina asked, scrolling through the different results that came up with no answers.

“It’s a city not too far from here. About ten years ago a demon summoned a calamity called the Qliphoth and almost wiped it off the face of the earth.”

Pat’s eyes lit up with recognition. “We heard about that! Some hunters came and took care of it. All the humans in the city had been killed already, though.”

“Thank goodness they showed up to help.” Fina said sarcastically. She stood, “We better get going. I wanna be home in time for dinner.”

1.  Get new boots 
2. Return package at post office
3. Pick up green stars from Pat
4. Grab The Demonic Codex: Redgrave Edition at the downtown Library
5. Get blades sharpened

Chapter Text

They entered the library– it sprawled into the sky gray and spiny. Ivy climbed up the walls, gargoyles sat sneering on guard at the highest points.  It was one of the oldest buildings in Fortuna. 

“Bleeeeoood of–”

The demonic voice sizzled out into a hiss before it appeared fully into view and exploded into dust. That was often the case when Oz was around– lesser demons couldn’t handle the Paradiso energy that surrounded him. They were eggs against a house being thrown by an angry teenager.

“What did it say?” He asked, pulling off his sunglasses as the three entered the library. 

“Ugh, I’ve been hearing them say that for the past few months now. Bleeod of Spadah– something.” she answered, going directly to the reception desk. She didn’t care for libraries and didn’t want to spend any more time in one than she needed to. They were always too cold, cavernous and her impulsiveness made it very hard to be in places where silence was sacrosanct.

She leaned on the desk, ringing the bell to get the librarian’s attention.

A middle aged woman turned around, dusty brown frizzy hair and large eyes that looked like they bulged out too far. She regarded Fina without a word. Fina frowned, she didn’t like this lady’s face. She looked like an old fairytale witch with her hooked nose and unkempt eyebrows. Her aura swirled with something either very judgmental or menacing and Fina didn’t like either.

“Um, hi. I’m looking for a book. I need ‘The Demonic Codex: Redgrave Edition’.”

The librarian snorted. “That’s not a book for little girls like you.”

Fina turned around, looking for the person this lady was talking to. True confusion colored her face. “Little girl?” she muttered under her breath, trying to make sense of what was just said to her. Oz took her by the shoulders and moved her aside. He knew the minute she figured out that she had just been insulted and acted on it they would be kicked out and likely banned.

“Ma’am– it’s actually for a research project. We’re students at the university.” he lied, golden eyes, piercing and sincere.

The woman, unmoved by Oz’s angelic charm, turned away and left the information desk. He blinked in surprise. “That always works…” 

Pat frowned. “She was rude.” 

Oz watched as the woman left, feeling his adrenaline spike. He thought nothing of it– it was just the cold touch of rejection. Still, the way his skin prickled made him wary. His human parts were telling him to be careful.

Pat looked at them both and rolled her eyes. “Come on, let's just find it ourselves. Fuck her.” She pulled them both by the arm to the rows and rows of multi-floor bookshelves.

They split up to cover more ground, texting to stay updated on the search. Yelling to one another wouldn’t do and the place was so big it was looking like it could take a while to find. The fact that there was no author name was going to make the search even more difficult.

New age spiritualism, history, textbooks, religion– it could not be found. They all congregated to the top floor to regroup.

“Maybe they don’t have a copy.” Pat said, hands on her hips. “Why would my mom send me to this library specifically?” Fina asked, mostly to herself.

“Someone probably checked it out already.”

“No. It's here.” Oz said, voice low. Pat looked at him with genuine amazement. “What? You sensed it?”

Oz pursed his lips. “We’re gonna have to work to get it.”

Fina groaned. “This is bullshit. But I just know my mom is going to give me a hard time if I don’t come back with it. She already looked at me like I’m a failure once this morning.”

Pat looked around. “The offices are up here– maybe they were doing some archiving and it's in there?”

Fina rubbed her hands together. “So we break in?” she asked, smiling menacingly. Finally– some crime. The day had been so uneventful.

“Pat, you keep watch. If anyone comes near, distract them.” Oz said, as he and Fina walked toward the back of the second floor to the offices. This part of the library looked different, probably a new edition or renovation to the millennia old building. That meant modern locks which was light work for Fina.

Unfortunately for her the door wasn’t locked and her face fell.

“Don’t look so disappointed.” Oz teased, touching her chin gently as he entered first.

The office was an office. Gray low pile carpet, a few file cabinets, it was dark, save the afternoon light that streamed in through the blinds. Luckily this was not a handicap for either of them.

Oz scanned through banker’s boxes, looked in a few desks but Fina’s eyes were trained on another door toward the back in between two bathrooms, shrouded in darkness. The door looked ancient like the rest of the library with chains criss-crossed in front of it and a large lock on the front. The look had a swirling design, looking liquid with tiny holes running up and down the front.

He joined, standing next to her.

“Its definitely in there, right?” she said softly, approaching the door. Something within her pulsed and she clenched her eyes shut against the feeling of hot ecstasy.

“There’s demonic energy behind this door.”

“I’ll say. I can feel it even from here.”

She plucked the lock and a hole lit up with cool white light. She blinked in surprise.

“Hey, I’ve seen these before. You have to keep hitting it and it will open.”

“You’ve seen this before?”

Oz shrugged. “In a book one time.”

Fina crouched, eye-level with it and plucked, plucked, plucked, plucked. The lock clattered open and Fina scrambled to catch it before it hit the floor. She looked at Oz as he removed the heavy chains and set them on the floor quietly.

“Want me to go in first?”

“No–” she answered quickly. She opened the door and was immediately assaulted by the musty smell of earth-rot and old paper. “Faaack.” she breathed, covering her nose, dust motes circling her head and sticking to her clothes.

Relics were piled on top of one another, haphazardly and seemingly without care. Scrolls and rotted books side by side on shelves and the dust was thick. 

“The Demonic Codex: Redgrave Edition” was sitting on a table, looking almost brand new at least compared to the other shit that was in the room. It was an unassuming book, paperback and heavy like a bible.

She heard footsteps running.

“It's Pat.” Fina said, looking at Oz.

Pat screamed, “Get out of–!!” and then a loud screech. 

Fina and Oz whipped around to find the librarian eyes wide and milky, mouth stretched impossibly wide at the door of the secret room.

Ozerov went to attack immediately, bumrushing the librarian out of the room. Fina snatched up the book and ran out past the both of them.

“What the fuck, Pat?!” she yelled, Pat was on the floor, clenching her side. She rushed to her quickly, picking her up. “Shit, you okay?” she asked, as Pat threw her arm around her shoulder. “That bitch punched the hell out of me!” she said, voice strained.

“Bleeeood of Spadah!”

Ozerov was running toward them, “Let’s go!”

Fina hoisted Pat across her shoulders in a fireman’s carry.

“Why didn’t you kill it?!” Fina asked, almost tripping over her feet as she ran in front of Oz, down the marble stairs.

“She’s possessed.”

“Ah fuck!”

They made it to the ground floor. “Take Patience. I’ll do it myse–”

“Not inside! Look!” he pointed to the ceiling, a protection sigil glowed red on the giant skylight above them. Fina huffed in frustration.

The librarian chased, screeching– more voices joined, overlapping, hissing. Pat covered her ears, Ozerov flew through the front door nearly breaking it off the hinges with Fina closely behind.

Fina threw Pat’s body in the general direction of the car. “Sorry babe!” she apologized as Patience hit the ground. She was already running to the car to grab a green star and stay out of their way.

“Bleeeoood, bleeeood, bleeood…”

Silencer and Bleeder were left in the car and Fina cursed at herself. This was supposed to be a simple errand, she didn’t think to bring swords into the fucking library. 

“Blood of Spaadah…”

Her pulse jumped, demonic energy hitting her from all sides, stilling her for a moment. Her head swam and she swayed as the energy assailed her. Ozerov looked over at her, stunning her out of the haze. “Fina!”

One came at her, materialized from the shadows, she threw out a fist and punched through its chest. Its bones scratched her knuckles and nearly degloved her hand when she yanked it out. 

“Fuck!” she screamed, accosted from all sides by lesser demons. She was tough, but fighting demons bare knuckled was difficult for her. There was a reason why all demon hunters used swords or guns. Ozerov fought a way to her, imbuing demon after demon with heavenly light while she healed.

“What did we learn?” he asked, grabbing and throwing demons, crushing skulls with practiced ease.

“Please shut up, Oz.”

A big nasty one began to break through the asphalt. The ground shook and fractured, car alarms blared in warning, the sound of concrete and steel snapping and crumbling all around them. She smelled it before it rose out of the concrete, like a swamp full of shit and sweet grass. Thousands of beady little eyes and sharp teeth, its toad-like body slimy and shiny with black ichor. It towered into the sky, impossibly wide, impossibly tall. Ozerov helped her stand as they watched it fully materialize, looking down on them.

A deep, earth shaking voice left its throat as it licked its lips, all those eyes staring pointedly at Fina.

“Blood of Sparda!”

She squeezed Oz's hand, nervous, his bones creaking with her strength.

“Abite, in nomine Dei!”

A giant beam of radiant light shot through the demon's body and it dissipated in black smoke and ash crying out Sparda, Sparda, Sparda.

Patience stood, her hands in front of her showing the sign of the cross. 

They looked at the street around them, infrastructure ruined, cars half in the ground. Luckily it didn’t seem like anyone was hurt, except the librarian who was bleeding in a heap on the ground. 

Fina smiled thankfully at Pat. “Aw, you used divine intervention just for me?” she said, kissing her cheek. “I love you so much.”

They all looked down at the book.

“Were they after that book or you, Fina?” Pat asked, surveying the damage with a look of concern on her face, still holding her side where she was punched.

“Did you hear what it called me?”

Patience and Ozerov exchanged looks.

1. Get new boots
2. Return package at post office
3. Pick up green stars from Pat
4. Grab The Demonic Codex: Redgrave Edition at the downtown Library
5. Get blades sharpened

Chapter Text

They walked to The Smelt Belt– the blacksmith shop that Fina and her mother frequented often. Driving wasn’t an option and they had to get out of there before the cops came so they hustled on foot to the other side of town. Demon hunting or not, the Fortuna PD did not take kindly to property damage. Fina had priors so staying and trying to explain was out of the question.

CLOSED.

“Oh my Godddd!” Fina groaned loudly, hunching over in defeat.

Pat was already on her phone. “Ooh, there's a mobile blacksmith not far from here.”

“Hell nah, I don’t trust that. A mobile forge? Sounds sketchy.” Fina laughed at the absurdity.

“I think you should try it, Feen. Considering what just happened, it's probably a good idea to get this sorted today.” Oz offered, quickly glancing at her hand to ensure it was healing properly.

He was right of course. It would be dumb to take a chance and fight with a dull blade. Or worse--her bare fists again.

After a twenty minute walk they found it, outside a large brick house with kids running around playing in the front yard. There was a beat up van with a bright blue neon sign on its side, Devil May Cry.

She looked at Pat, confused, “Are you sure this is the right place?”

“It's pinned right here.”

“Pat and I will keep watch. I do sense demonic energy here but it’s… gentle. I think you’ll be safe.”

Fina’s face scrunched in concern. So there was demonic energy here? Were these people hunters? And what the hell was gentle about it?

Fina approached and knocked on the door of the van. “Hello!” she exclaimed, banging her fist against it.

The door flew open, cigarette smoke and hot metal. The woman looked down at Fina, pushing the welding helmet up her face, soot on her cheeks. She quirked an eyebrow, sweaty and breathing heavy. “Can I help you?”

“Is this Art Warks?”

“Yeah.” She peered around Fina, seeing the two blades strapped to her sides and further to Pat and Oz who stood a distance away. 

“Your sign says Devil May Cry.”

The woman was silent, blinking at her absently. 

Fina frowned.

“It's confusing.”

The woman looked past Fina at Pat and Oz in the distance.

“Got some body guards huh?”

“We were just jumped.” Fina answered simply, really not wanting to get into the details with a stranger. A stranger whose alignment she was unsure of. After a beat of silence, the woman smiled. 

“Nice knives. Where’d ya get ‘em?” she asked, stepping aside to invite her in. Fina stepped into the van which was more spacious inside than it looked.

“They were a gift from my mom.” Fina answered, looking at the interior of the van. Guns and prosthetics hung on the walls. A curtain toward the back hiding what Fina could only guess was the forge and maybe wet stone.

“They look familiar.” After another beat of silence, they stared at one another. Fina’s brow furrowed. She was staring. “Not branded?”

“No.” Fina answered cautiously. “There's initials on the bottom of one--A.W.N.G.”

The woman perked up and extended her hand suddenly. “I’m Nico.”

“Fina.” They shook hands.

She unlatched the swords and offered them to her. “I just need them sharpened.”

“Sharpened?”

“Yes?” Fina answered quizzically. “Can’t do it? I figured– I’ve never heard of a mobile blacksmith.” she challenged.

Nico chuckled. “I can sharpen these so good, you’ll never hafta sharpen ‘em again.”

Fina’s eyebrows raised, impressed. “How much?”

Nico shook her head, curls bouncing. “No charge, kiddo.”

Kiddo?

“Nah. I don't wanna have to owe you a favor.” Fina said.

“I won’t twist yer arm then. Ten bucks.” she said, taking the blades and disappearing in the back.

Ten bucks? Might as well be free. 

Fina sat in the front seat of the van. She sniffed. The scent here was so familiar. It was like she was smelling herself but she was sure she had never been here before. A silver cross hung from the rearview mirror, a beaded cushion was tied on the driver’s seat.

Not long after, Nico appeared from the back, Silencer and Bleeder in her hands. “Good as new. Wanna try them out?”

Fina stood, unsheathing Silencer carefully in the cramp of the van. She pressed her thumb to the shiny silver and almost sliced it off. She was shocked at the sharpness.

“Jesus.” she hissed, the wound itching as it knitted back together.

“Ouch. Do you have a dummy?”

“Right out here.” Nico said, leading her outside. Fina threw up a thumbs up to Pat and Oz who began to walk over.

“You’ve got my seal of approval.” Fina said appreciatively, standing before the training dummy that stood in the side yard of the house. “Glad to be of service.” She said, lighting a cigarette. Fina crinkled her nose. “Smoking kills, ya know.” she said, widening her stance. She spun, Silencer held in first position as she sliced the chest of the dummy. It cut so deep and with so little pressure from her, she was impressed. It seemed Nico had balanced the blade for her as well. “You’re not the only one who thinks so.” Nico replied. Oz and Pat greeted her watching Fina inspect her blade.

Then she pulled out Bleeder, spinning again and slicing the dummy’s head clean off, the serrated blade catching and slicing the fibers– fluff falling to the ground.

They’d never swung so well.

“Fuck. You’ve got a lifelong customer, Nico.”

“I sure hope so.”

Oz crossed his arms over his ample chest. “I think sharpening those improved your form.”

Fina smirked at him, blue eyes twinkling with wild delight. “Yeah? Wanna spar?”

Oz laughed. “Hell no. You’ve got that look in your eyes.”

She sheathed them both. “Pussy.” she chastised sweetly. “Thanks, Nico. I’m very happy with your work.”

“Want a drink? Your friends can join too.”

“Ooh yes!” Pat said, clapping her hands together. “Got Grand Marnier?”

They walked to the house, “Oh, an aristocrat,” Nico drawled, as they walked to the house.

1. Get new boots
2. Return package at post office
3. Pick up green stars from Pat
4. Grab The Demonic Codex: Redgrave Edition at the downtown Library
5. Get blades sharpened

Chapter Text

The house was warm and smelled like food. “Sorry, it's about dinner time for the kids.”

“Is this an orphanage?”

“Sort of. After the incident in Redgrave we took in a lot of little refugees.” Nico answered, stepping over toys and running kids.

“Where’s your bathroom?” Fina asked while Nico poured a drink for Pat. 

“The adult’s bathroom is upstairs and down the hall to the left.”

Fina climbed the stairs and used the bathroom. As she stepped out, she noticed the door across the hall was slightly ajar and curiosity got the better of her. She peered in, wincing when the door hinge squeaked.

The room was lived in, an unmade bed, family photos on the walls, lotions and random stuff on the dresser, a small TV. She opened the door further, stepping fully into the room.

She looked at the pictures on the wall, a man and a woman pressed together in a sweet embrace. She squinted at the picture– a red headed woman, pretty and smiling brightly next to what Fina guessed was her partner. The man, chiseled jaw, white haired and blue eyed. And the resemblance wasn’t just a passing one– their eyes were the same hue of sky blue, their hair white as the tops of mountains. “What the fu–”

“Hey! What are you doing in here?”

Fina whipped around, now facing the man who was in the picture. 

They stared at each other, Fina's hands flew to her weapons, his hand was already on his.

“Hey, I was invited here. Is this how you treat a guest?” Fina asked, clenching and unclenching her hand around Silencer. 

“Like hell! You weren’t invited into my room. You look suspicious.” He paused, gesturing to her hair. “What’s going on there?”

She flipped him off with her free hand– “Look who's talking! You're like thirty-eight still bleaching your hair.”

“Are you fucking dumb? Do I look like the type to bleach my hair?”

Fina frowned, shifting in place adrenaline rising. “You smell like me.” She said finally, not liking what that implied.

Blue to blue they stared at each other in silence.

“Take your hand off your gun.” Fina challenged, body coiled and ready to strike, a wild grin on her face. 

“No way. The last time someone who looked like me came here– I lost an arm.”

Ozerov entered, Paradiso energy filled the room, the smell of a too hot lightbulb and blood. “Whoa, who's this?” He said, stepping behind Fina, eyes glowing as he stared at the man.

Fina's hand dropped to her side. “I want to leave.” She said turning and walking past Oz. He stayed for a moment, eyes still locked with the man's. His face was even but his eyes were blazing with intensity. They said nothing to one another before he followed Fina back downstairs.

After Oz dropped Pat off, it was just him and Fina. The car was silent save for the soft hum of the radio as they drove on the freeway.

“Do you know who that guy was?”

She shook her head.

“Did he hurt you?”

She scoffed. “He fucking wishes.” she paused, chewing her cheek thoughtfully. “Actually I don't think he wanted to.”

Oz looked at her before turning his attention back to the road. “He smelled like you. Looked like you too.”

She gasped in faux shock, her hands holding her chest. “What could it mean?” 

Ozerov was unimpressed, brow furrowed. “Sorry.” She apologized. “I can’t make sense of my feelings so I’m being mean to you.”

He kissed her deeply after parking in the driveway of her house. “Want me to come up?”

“No– I’ll be alright.” she answered, pressing her forehead to his. “Call me after, we can watch a movie at my house.”

She smiled softly. “Okay.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

She entered the house– her face serious. 

Mom was already seated in the living room, curtains drawn, a lone lamp the only light in the room. 

“Serafina, sit down. We need to talk.”

“You’re damn ri–”

Her mom shot her a silencing look. “Sorry.” Fina apologized immediately for her language.

Lucia deflated then sighed. “No… I’m…” she fell silent, her face conflicted. “I heard about your trip to the library today.”

“Are you mad?”

Mom laughed humorlessly. “No. It's…”

She breathed out.

“...everything that happened to you today is my fault. I was irresponsible and kept secrets from you about who you are. I’ve put you in danger because I was afraid.”

It was the first time she heard her mother take the blame for something. Something she had wanted to hear for years. 

Now that it was happening she wasn’t sure she wanted it. “Mom, it's o–”

“No, please.” Mom said, holding her hands out for her to take. Fina placed hands on her moms. Warm and calloused, she couldn’t remember the last time she touched her so sweetly.

“I’m going to make up for it and tell you everything now.”

It was silent for a long moment. Mom was working up the nerve and let out a long breath. “The man you met today is called Nero. He’s your cousin.”

Fina's gaze was unfocused, glazed over as she took in the information. From that statement– she knew everything she needed to know and nothing else needed to be said.

“Your awakening is beginning. Your father was the same age when it happened to him. Of course there’s no way to know how that will look for you because you are so different from him.”

Another long beat of silence.

“You are the first of your kind, Serafina.”

She shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t– I’m–”

“I hope that one day you can forgive me.” She squeezed her hands tightly. “I should never have kept it from you.”

“My Dad… does he even know I–?”

“No.”

“Mom!”

“Now that you’ve met Nero, he’s sure to know now. He’s probably going to show up here soon demanding answers.” she said lowly, looking nauseous at the prospect of hosting Dante under her roof again. 

“But I thought– I always thought you found me in the trash or something. Does this mean I actually came from you?”

Lucia nodded, “When I was created it was not solely as a weapon but as a vessel as well.”

Fina didn't want to dwell on the implications of that.

Lucia touched her cheek softly. “You are the best parts of me and the best parts of him. Never forget that.”

Chapter Text

It was a week after everything was put on the table. 

She was in her room, taking a break from packing and reading The Demonic Codex. She ran her fingers over the family tree spread over two pages. Blood of Sparda.

She stared at both her name and Nero’s at the bottom of the last branches– the newest generation.

“If it makes you feel any better, I thought my guardians were my real parents until I was twelve. ‘Course my real parents died so I didn’t have to worry about confronting them about that.”

Fina shot him a withering look.

“Sorry.” he said, taping up a box and placing it with the others.

Her room was almost bare, all her wall decorations taken down, rugs rolled up, lamps unplugged and fairy lights taken down. Her closet was nearly empty, smaller furniture wrapped in plastic, windows opened to air out the last remains of her extended childhood.

The arguing downstairs that had been going on all morning crescendoed for the dozenth time.

Oz and Fina exchanged looks. “They’ve been at it for hours.”

“I think I liked having a single mom better than… whatever’s going on down there.”

Grandma appeared in the door way, holding a small box of talismans and empty bottles that used to hold holy water. “Come downstairs.”

Ozerov kissed the top of her head and took the box from Matier. “When you're done we can start packing up the truck.”

She descended the stone staircase, hands shaky on the railing– one she had never used in her twenty years of living in this house despite having fallen down them many times.

There he was. Standing with his arms at his side, turned toward her. He looked like a dad. Like the cool dads she had seen in movies. Opened jacket, fingerless gloves, jeans, sick-ass boots, blue eyes just like hers, piercing and wavering with something she was unsure of.

She stepped into the dining room, standing before him wordlessly.

She was the blood of the hero in all her bedtime stories. The savior of their world so many times over. 

His eyes were full of recognition as if he were seeing his reflection for the first time. She extended her hand, unsure of what else to do. 

“Hey, old man.”