The Final Stand Against Arius

The ancient village of Vie de Marli was cloaked in an eerie quiet, as though it was holding its breath, waiting for the coming storm. The sky overhead was beginning to darken, clouds swirling ominously as the barriers between the human and demon worlds weakened with each passing moment.

The Devil May Cry team gathered around Matier at the village's central shrine, their expressions grim. Dante leaned against the shrine's steps, arms crossed, while Lucia paced restlessly, her eyes sharp and focused. Hadrian was adjusting Kanshou and Bakuya at his sides, the twin blades humming with barely contained power, and Sirius stood nearby, his face tense, his wand in hand.

Matier held up the Arcana Bastone. "With three Arcanas in our possession, we still have a chance to thwart Arius's plans. But we need the fourth—the Arcana Spada—to complete the set and strengthen the seal on Argosax."

Lucia clenched her fists. "Then let's go get it. We can't let him complete the ritual."

Dante smirked, flipping his coin into the air. "Right, you are, kiddo. The only question is, who's gonna hit him first."

Matier spoke with urgency. "The final Arcana, Spada, is hidden deep within Arius's headquarters. He'll be expecting us, and he'll have his strongest forces guarding it."

Hadrian tightened his grip on his weapons, exchanging a determined look with Sirius. "Then we'll just have to break through."

Matier nodded, placing a hand on Lucia's shoulder. "Be strong, my daughter. I have faith in all of you."

Lucia nodded, her face set with resolve. "Let's end this."

Infiltration of Arius's Tower

The journey to the Uroboros Headquarters was tense. The air crackled with the promise of impending violence, and as they approached, the looming structure of Arius's tower seemed to pulse with a dark, malevolent energy.

Hadrian took a deep breath as they reached the main gates, feeling the surge of demonic energy that lay just beyond. "Ready, everyone?"

Sirius nodded, casting a protective spell over the group. "Let's go. Stay sharp, Hadrian."

They stormed the tower, battling through waves of Agonofinis and Fini demons that lunged at them with claws, chains, and shadowy blades. Hadrian swung Kanshou and Bakuya with precision, his movements a deadly dance as he sliced through their attackers. Sirius was a force of nature beside him, his silver-clawed Animagus hand shredding through demons, while his wand cast spells that ensnared and incinerated their foes.

Dante and Lucia led the charge, their combined skills leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Lucia moved with graceful agility, throwing her knives with deadly accuracy and delivering swift, powerful kicks that shattered demon skulls. Dante wielded Rebellion with brutal efficiency, his guns Ebony and Ivory singing as they fired round after round into the demonic hordes.

As they fought their way up the tower, the ground beneath them trembled, and a sense of dread permeated the air. The closer they got to Arius, the stronger the demonic energy became.

Arius's Last Stand

At the top of the tower, in a grand chamber adorned with twisted, demonic symbols, they found Arius waiting for them, the Arcana Spada in his grasp. His face twisted into a grin, his eyes gleaming with malevolent triumph.

"So, you've come all this way," he sneered, his voice echoing ominously. "But it's too late. The ritual is already in motion, and soon, Argosax's power will be mine!"

Dante leveled Rebellion at him, his face calm but deadly serious. "Hate to break it to you, but we're shutting this party down."

Lucia stepped forward, her eyes filled with fury. "You've twisted everything, Arius. You've made a mockery of my people and our traditions. It ends now."

Arius laughed, his form beginning to shift, his skin taking on a metallic sheen as dark energy poured from the Arcana Spada. His body expanded, mutating as he drew upon the power of Argosax. Wings sprouted from his back, jagged and grotesque, and his hands morphed into talons.

"I am beyond human now!" he roared, his voice distorted. "I am a god!"

Hadrian took a stance beside Dante, Kanshou, and Bakuya blazing with an ethereal light. "God or not, we're bringing you down."

Sirius moved to the other side of Dante, his Animagus claws gleaming and his wand ready. "Together."

The Battle with Arius

The fight was brutal and chaotic. Arius unleashed waves of dark energy, the power of Argosax twisting the air around him. He sent bolts of lightning and fire hurtling toward them, the ground cracking underfoot as he laughed, drunk on his newfound power.

Hadrian dodged a blast of fire, rolling to the side and coming up in a crouch. "Lucia, flank him!"

Lucia didn't hesitate, launching herself at Arius with her knives ready. She landed a hit, her blade biting into his armored skin, but Arius retaliated with a backhanded swipe that sent her sprawling across the floor.

"You're nothing!" Arius sneered, focusing on her. "A failed experiment!"

Lucia staggered to her feet, blood dripping from her forehead, her expression fierce. "I may not be your creation, but I am far from a failure."

While Arius was distracted, Sirius took the opportunity to bind him with a spell, silver chains of energy wrapping around Arius's body and holding him in place.

"Hadrian, now!" Sirius shouted.

Hadrian charged forward, his swords slicing into Arius's torso. Arius howled in pain, his wings flaring as he struggled against the bindings. He managed to break free, lunging at Sirius with a clawed hand, but Dante intercepted him, blocking the attack with Rebellion.

"You're out of your league, Arius," Dante taunted, pushing him back.

The team attacked relentlessly, each taking turns wearing down Arius's defenses. Lucia delivered powerful kicks, Hadrian's dual blades carved through his flesh, and Sirius used a combination of magic and physical prowess to keep him bound.

Finally, Lucia landed a decisive blow, her dagger plunging into Arius's chest. He staggered, his eyes widening in disbelief as he felt his life slipping away.

"This… cannot… be…" he rasped, his body beginning to disintegrate into ash.

As his form crumbled, the Arcana Spada fell from his grasp, rolling to a stop at Lucia's feet. She picked it up, her expression resolute as she looked down at the remains of the man who had tried to control her fate.

"It's over," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.

The Portal Opens

But before they could breathe a sigh of relief, the ground shook violently. A crack of energy split the air, and a portal began to open in the center of the chamber, dark tendrils reaching out like hungry fingers.

"What's happening?" Hadrian shouted over the roar of the portal.

Dante cursed under his breath. "He must've triggered something when he started the ritual. The portal to the Demon World… it's opening."

Lucia looked at the portal, a flicker of fear in her eyes. "If that portal opens fully, Argosax will be released."

Dante tossed his coin in the air, catching it with a grin. "Guess that means it's my turn to jump in and finish the job."

Without another word, Dante turned toward the portal, his face set in a rare moment of solemnity. The swirling darkness emitted a low, ominous hum, pulsing as if alive. The gateway into the Demon World yawned open, a sight that would strike terror into most. But to Dante, it was simply another obstacle, another adversary to face.

Hadrian looked between the portal and Dante with a fierce resolve forming in his eyes. He took a steadying breath and stepped forward.

"Wait," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the noise of the portal. "I'm coming with you."

Dante raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise breaking his usually calm demeanor. "Kid, this isn't your typical demon-hunting gig. What's waiting in there is a whole different beast. Argosax… he's beyond anything you've faced."

Hadrian clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with determination. "I know. But this isn't just any fight, either. This is a family business. My grandfather, Sparda, fought to keep that monster locked away, and he couldn't finish it. My father… he sacrificed everything to protect this world. I won't just stand here and let you face it alone. I'm going with you."

Dante was silent for a moment, his gaze softening. He could see it in Hadrian's eyes—the same fire, the same drive, that had burned in Sparda. It was more than determination; it was a promise. A bond forged in blood, binding him to the legacy of his ancestors.

Finally, Dante smirked, shrugging as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Well, can't argue with that. Guess it's a family reunion, then."

He turned to Sirius, who stood close by, his wand still drawn, his face taut with concern.

"Take care of things here, Sirius," Dante said, his tone serious. "Keep an eye on the portal. Make sure nothing else tries to crawl through while we're gone."

Sirius met Hadrian's gaze, pride evident in his eyes, though worry lingered there as well. "You've got this, Hadrian. Show them what a Peverell—and a devil hunter—is made of."

Lucia stepped forward, pressing Dante's coin into Hadrian's hand. "Stay safe, both of you," she murmured, her voice betraying a rare moment of vulnerability. "We'll be here, waiting."

Hadrian gave her a reassuring nod, then turned back to the portal. Beside him, Dante took a step closer, the two of them standing side by side, ready to face the unknown.

As they stepped toward the darkness, Hadrian felt a strange sense of calm wash over him. This was it—the moment he had been training for, the legacy he had inherited. With Kanshou and Bakuya at his sides, his familiars, Hedwig and Oryou, pulsing with anticipation within him, he knew he was ready.

The last thing he heard before they entered was Dante's voice, laced with that familiar, cocky confidence.

"Let's go raise some hell, kid."

And together, they plunged into the swirling void, prepared to end what Sparda had started.