Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners (in this case, Capcom owns all of the characters and settings, I do not claim to own them at all). The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story (me). The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended. I do not, and never will, profit off of this. I'm just a genuine fan.

Chapter 1: How It Has To Be

It has been a couple of months since the whole Savior incident. Fortuna still bore the look of a city trashed not too long ago. Even though Nero has been living with Kyrie ever since, he couldn't quite forget that day. It was, after all, the day his life had changed. It was the day Credo died, the day he found out he has Sparda's blood running through his veins, the day Fortuna got raided and destroyed by countless demons and most importantly, it was the day he met him. The only other person he knew who was like him – Dante.
He thought about him sometimes. A lot, actually. He just felt like he finally found what he's been looking for, someone who made him feel like he fit in. But he refused to admit any of this. Still, he knew he could count on Dante in a time of crisis again. And a crisis was exactly what he was going through at that time.

Nero thought that, after all, he had done for the city and its people, he would be praised for what he did to save everyone's lives. Well, at least a little 'thank you' wouldn't hurt, or so he thought. The people knew Nero was a member of The Order. They also knew he was a jackass, a hothead and a punk who didn't particularly care about the one thing they all hold dear in that god damn city – their religion. As all the people except a few were evacuated during the entire 'apocalypse' thing, they didn't get to see who truly saved the city from becoming a hell hole. Most of them still called it a miracle, some claimed Sparda himself had returned to save all of their lives and the ones who knew The Order was behind it all still feared him, as he was one of them and must have been part of the destruction. And as a cherry on top, the word about Nero's right, demonic arm began to spread quickly. They called him a mutant, a hazard, a demon, an abomination. They didn't know of his good deeds or of his origin. If they did, they probably would have praised him. Instead, they feared him, hid from him, they wanted him gone. But the people weren't the only ones who wanted him out of their sight, or better yet, exiled.
There were still members of The Order who survived and were part of Sanctus' plan. In their eyes, Nero betrayed them. He killed their leader, their members and he prevented the rise of the Savior. He was to be used for the greater good, but he refused to cooperate. They wanted him gone, but they still wanted to keep him alive as he was too valuable, considering he could be their source of Sparda's blood in the future.

Nero and Kyrie both left The Order soon after the incident and Kyrie supported that decision. Nero told her what they did to Credo, to their family and what they still had planned for the future. She understood, as she couldn't possibly be working with people who sacrificed her parents, killed her brother and wanted to use both her and Nero to bring all sorts of destruction upon Fortuna and its people. While she would no longer be associated with The Order, she would still be doing what she was before – helping the children at the orphanage and the people in need. They resigned and Nero decided to accept Kyrie's request to come stay with her on the outskirts of Fortuna. Before all of this, he was given a place to stay and enough money to get through the month in exchange for his service at The Order. Kyrie's place was the only place he knew he could go to after it all happened. Kyrie was, after all, the only friend and family in Fortuna he had left.

But it still wasn't the same as before. They had just evolved their relationship to a new level, and it was already falling apart. Nero did love her. He loved her very much. He was taken in by her family. He grew up with her, learned from her, admired her. But at the back of both of their minds, they were family who just lost a member. She was his big sister and Credo was the brother he always looked up to, even though they weren't related by blood. It wasn't easy. It wasn't the time for them to be anything more than the family they needed to be. Fortuna was only just recovering and they couldn't start a new life together because Kyrie wasn't prepared to leave the city and he was no longer able to take the weight. She knew the people of Fortuna and the orphans at the orphanage she helped at were too dependent on her. She meant too much to Fortuna to abandon it. Everyone viewed her as the hand they could rely on in need, she was the hope they all needed. But at the same time, everyone viewed Nero as their enemy. That's why Nero knew what was coming.

On a rainy evening, they got a knock on the door. As Kyrie opened it, two men in familiar outfits stood there. They demanded to speak to Nero. As Nero got to the door, he immediately knew what would happen. He knew the men, they used to be his partners on several patrols around town. They understood each other well, that's why they were chosen to deliver the news. Nero told Kyrie to wait inside while they spoke. They didn't exactly have much to talk about, so their chat was short.
The men left and Nero walked back in again. He joined Kyrie by the window.

"I have to leave." He closed his eyes and pressed his human hand on his forehead. "I knew this was coming. It was a matter of time, wasn't it?"

Kyrie was looking at him with regret in her eyes. She took a deep breath and placed her hands on his shoulders.

"It's alright, Nero. We've talked about this… You staying here because you worried about me too much. But you don't have to anymore. I'm not as weak as I was before." She smiled, moved her hands on his back and gave him a soft embrace.
"I'll be alright. I've shown them I'm not a threat. They won't come after me. I'm too valuable to the people." She looked back up at him, trying to make him lighten up with a soft smile.
"This place is draining you, Nero. They won't understand. You need to go, you know where to go, I know you do. You've been prepared for weeks." She kissed his cheek and watched his expression. Nero gave her a long, strong embrace.

"If they touch a hair on you, I swear to god…" He said, letting go and looking her in the eye. "I'll come visit you. I'll get in, somehow. I don't know when, or how often, but I will. I promise." He gave her a soft smile and kissed her forehead.

She nodded in agreement, a look of sadness in her. "I know."

Nero walked over to the bag he had prepared weeks ago, knowing he would either leave on his own or wait to be exiled sooner or later. And it was finally happening. He started to wrap his hand in his usual bandage and glove as he didn't want his devil bringer to be showing outside the city, where people didn't see anything like this before. He put on his blue denim jacket, put Blue Rose into its holster, put the bag of his belongings over his shoulder and took Red Queen's case in his left hand.

Kyrie gave him one last hug at the door. "Call me when you can."

They shared a smile and Nero put his red hood on. "I will. Goodbye Kyrie. Take care of yourself, and… don't wait for me." He said and started making his way.
Kyrie nodded. She understood exactly what Nero meant. "Goodbye, Nero." She said, standing at the open door with sadness in her eyes. They knew they wouldn't see each other again for a long time, but they knew it was for the best. And just like that, it started to rain even harder.