Dance With the Devil
Placing a light but firm hand on the small of Kyrie's back, Vergil led her to a comfortable couch with a lovely view of a courtyard garden and indicated she was to sit. Vergil appreciated her grace and poise. She sat demurely upright and knees pressed together with her dainty hands folded over each other on her lap. Vergil never took proper decorum for granted and was pleased by her obviously gracious, uncontrived manners.
Projecting a peaceful aura, Kyrie didn't have the usual, (in Vergil's opinion) female need to fill up perfectly good silence with idle chatter. He also had the feeling, and his feelings were rarely wrong, Kyrie was studiously studying the tiniest detail around her, including him - telling Vergil she was used to hiding her intelligence behind those guileless, soft brown golden eyes.
Because he couldn't detect any deception within her, Vergil surmised perhaps her heart was as sweet as her expression - but her gentle nature did not mean she was weak.
He once thought kindness equaled weakness, but he had aged and now understood a kind person could be stronger internally than the most physically fit. He had personally witnessed more than a few sacrifice themselves rather than give up those they loved (he had thought them foolish indeed). He then discovered to his astonishment he held ruthless beings who had broken down fairly quickly in deeper contempt.
While self-preservation was one thing, cowardice was not to be borne.
His mother had shown courage when she sacrificed herself attempting to save her sons' lives - but hadn't her life been as important as theirs? How could she have known her choice had been the correct one? Did she even think maybe her sons wouldn't survive without her? A chancy gamble to be sure. Vergil supposed she had protected them as best she could, but couldn't she have found some type of middle road? Was there a middle road?
Vergil mentally shook his head - love was a complicated thing and he hated complications. He'd take straightforward, clean logic, over messy emotions any day.
He hadn't thought of his mother in a long, long time. What was it about this girl which brought her to mind now? Vergil got the feeling Kyrie was the self-sacrificing type, which meant, like his mother, she would give up herself for another's sake.
Not good.
Meaning, at a strong guess, physically threatening her was an ineffective tactic.
Damn.
He was going to have to try to become "friends" with her, and being friendly was not Vergil's forte. He thought he had a chance though. Already emotionally attached to this mysterious relative of his, Kyrie felt something (he wasn't sure what, but it appeared positive) toward Dante. If Vergil could gain her trust, she could be useful aiding in his escape.
There was something wrong though - he could feel it. After her initial warmth, Kyrie closed into herself, becoming distant. Vergil had to find away around this change if he was going implement his plan.
"So, how well do you know Dante?" he asked politely, trying to find a safe subject, his instincts warning him away from mentioning Nero. When Kyrie spoke she faced Vergil directly without the usual blushing, stammering or coyness he was used to - a refreshing change.
"I really don't know Dante at all," she stated bluntly.
"But you thought I was him, so you must have had contact with him in some manner," Virgil asked, perplexed.
"Well, I have met him, in a way. He came to Fortuna when the Order was trying... Sir Virgil, forgive me, but do you know about the Order and of the events which happened around eight months ago?" Kyrie trailed off to inquire.
"Why do you ask?" Vergil responded warily.
"Because I don't want to go into a more lengthy discussion than necessary. This way I'll know how much I have to explain, such as terms, names etc."
"That certainly seems expedient, and logical," he replied, crossing his legs and arms in thought. "Let me see. I am aware of truly asinine experiments combining humans and demons in an attempt to create a delusional world of peace and harmony. I also know a cult, or religion if you prefer, was built around my father making him into some god who would, supposedly, return to save the Human World once again."
Kyrie flushed lightly. When Vergil put it in those terms, especially in that tone, she felt even more foolishly naive for ever believing in the Church of Sparda and the Order. Thankfully, Vergil went on without noticing her embarrassment.
"The Order of the Sword, a trained military force created to fight and destroy demons," he sneered, "Helped cover up those chosen to become part demon with the idea they would obtain their lofty ambitions by using their humanity to control the power of a demon, thereby becoming 'angels.' How dreadfully hypercritical of them." Vergil rose to pour himself a snifter of expensive cognac.
Sitting next to her when she refused his offer to join him in a drink, Vergil continued, "Truly, the process of the human mind never ceases to amaze me. How absurd can one be?" Flushing again, Kyrie remembered Nero telling her how her brother, Credo, had succumb to this temptation and became one of the hybrid "angels" Vergil was currently slandering.
"Is something the matter?" Vergil asked, this time noting her heightened color.
"No, I was simply wishing more people had been as astute as you," Kyrie responded uneasily.
Cynical and intelligent by nature, Nero had always been obvious in his reservations and disdain for the Order and Church's belief system - which was why Credo left him in the dark, literally and figuratively. Basically a solo agent for the Order, Nero had followed Credo out of loyalty and, of course, for the chance to slay demons.
"Humm, I have a feeling there is more, but no matter," Vergil waved her discomfort away as he took a sip from his glass.
"A monstrous statue of a poorly romanticized image of my father, created almost exclusively by demonic power, was ultimately activated and raised havoc, until utterly destroyed. Beforehand, three active hell gates had been created to capture and control demons - these were also destroyed. The real Gate was opened and later shut during this time period. And that is basically all I know," Vergil ended on a bored note.
Blinking at the abrupt ending, Kyrie scrolled back to remember the original question concerning Dante. "It seems you are well informed. This will make my answer much easier. You see, Dante came to stop the Order and put an end to the Church of Sparda."
Vergil sighed, swirling the amber liquid inside his glass, "Knowing my brother as well as I do, I would think there was another ulterior motive behind his actions."
He kept steel blue eyes on a barely squirming Kyrie as she responded, "Yes. Um, you see, in order complete the Savior, bring it to life, and implement the rest of the plan, they needed certain powerful... objects."
Now this was getting interesting. As Vergil straightened to lean closer, a knock sounded on the door announcing dinner. Mentally growling at the bad timing, Vergil called for them to enter.
Servants holding steaming platters, utensils and different beverages appeared and immediately went to the dining table as they subtly scrutinized Kyrie. Vergil knew they were curious, and interested, to see Kyrie still breathing and in good health.
Once the servants finished setting the table, Vergil guided Kyrie over and pulled out a chair for her. While she smiled her thanks, Vergil was unsurprised by the infernal optimism humans clung to when he saw enough food for two. No matter how many bodies they dragged out, there was always more than enough food for one person brought.
The immaculate table exquisitely presented a variety of expertly prepared artistic, aromatic dishes. Kyrie's plate was filled with delicious types of food but she insisted on only a sparkling juice to drink - refusing anything alcoholic. This dashed a small plan Vergil had of getting her inebriated enough to talk without restraint.
They both held their tongues until the door closed and they were once again alone. For awhile, they ate in compatible silence. Vergil watched Kyrie dine with the same manners she had previously displayed. That she held the key to something very important was growing in urgency within him.
"Before we were so rudely interrupted, you were saying the Order needed several special objects to carry out their plans?" Vergil finally prompted.
"Yes," Kyrie sighed, laying down her silver fork. She was so clearly reluctant to talk about these objects, Vergil knew they somehow pertained to him.
"Do not worry," he assured her, "I promise to contain myself if you are concerned I may become angered by what these objects were."
Contemplating his serious expression, Kyrie smiled sadly, "You are very perceptive, Sir Vergil."
"And you are evasive, Miss Kyrie," he replied lightly.
"Alright then, the Order first found the sword, Yamato, though I do not know how," was the first thing she said - well aware who the sword belonged to, and who had the sword now. Kyrie knew she was going to have to be very, very careful in what she revealed. Nero had drilled into her, in his exact words, since she couldn't lie worth a damn, she should keep her mouth shut or keep as much pertinent information to herself as possible.
"Yamato," Vergil whispered almost longingly, clenching his fist on the table as if he could still feel its hilt. Initially, he could not believe his senses when he had felt the real Hell Gate open. He knew only Yamato, fully restored, could open the Gate. Since escaping through it, he often felt the sword, at full strength, in battle throughout various parts of the city.
Presently held prisoner without the freedom to wield it against his captors, Vergil had consciously blocked his presence from Yamato - knowing the sword would be drawn to him. Unwilling for the sword to be captured and possibly used by his enemies, he would bide his time until he was free to reacquire it.
Kyrie moved quickly along to divert Vergil from asking any questions. In a matter of fact tone, knowing the next revelation wasn't going to go over too well either, Kyrie said, "Then a woman who became part of the Order, Gloria, brought them the Sword of Sparda."
"What!" Vergil lost his equilibrium - effectively removing the subject of Yamato from the table (to Kyrie's immense relief). Vergil was renown for his emotionless logic and composure but, regrettably, dealings involving his family had a fatal effect on his control (he blamed Dante, of course).
"My father's sword? Who is this Gloria and how in the world did she get it from Dante?" Vergil snarled an implied suggestion this crime had been all Dante's fault. Knowing Dante's idea of security, Vergil thought in disgust, the woman probably strolled in and took it.
Ignoring the questions, Kyrie, though it wasn't easy, spoke in an informative manner, "And last, but not least, they needed an extremely powerful demon to 'merge' with the core of the Savior to bring it to life." Kyrie left off there, giving Vergil time to process the information she had sprung on him.
Vergil didn't disappoint and caught on swiftly. A gleefully evil grin slowly crossed his lips and eyes. For a moment, he looked like a boy who had come up with the best possible prank to play and get away with. Kyrie was stunned by how handsome and approachable he suddenly appeared.
"So... Who better to bring a grotesque statue of Dad to life than his own son? Dante? They wanted Dante? That is too rich," Vergil gave into an amused snort, "Am I correct?"
"Yes," Kyrie acknowledged. Vergil took a moment to savor the idea of Dante trapped and helpless with his powers being sucked dry by a demonic statue. It was the stuff of bad fiction to be sure, but still. Half appalled, half amused, Kyrie watched as Vergil took delight in imagining Dante's suffering.
Once he came back to himself, Vergil became serious again, "Tell me about the first time you met my brother. Was it when he came for Father's sword?"
"Not exactly," Kyrie answered delicately, making invisible tracings with her fingernail on the linen table cloth, "I have reason to think Dante is actually the one who gave the Sword of Sparda to the Order."
An ear splitting, "HE DID WHAT!" met her observation. "That imbecile. I am going to kill him... "
When it looked like Vergil was going to go on a tirade, Kyrie calmed him, explaining "I believe your brother's plan was to get a spy into the Order once he heard of their plans and sent Gloria, who turned out to be an accomplice of his, to infiltrate them." Dropping back in his chair while splaying his fingertips across his forehead, Vergil mulled this plan over.
"Dante has never been one to take the straightforward approach, but I suppose I should have some hope he is finally learning the necessity of gathering information before charging into things," he muttered.
Kyrie was having a difficulty keeping up with the different moods Vergil displayed toward his twin. Theirs seemed a complicated relationship.
But his moods gave Kyrie further insight into Vergil's nature.
He obviously had feelings, though conflicted, toward Dante and knew him well. This made her think he may carry some of Dante's honor. Vergil had also spoken true by restraining himself from lashing out at her for revealing information he felt intensely about. He may, therefore, be a man of his word.
Deciding Vergil was curious about his brother, Kyrie thought she may be safe in speaking in greater detail (at least about Dante) after Vergil's jab at Dante's audacious behavior. It seemed how one brother would react naturally to another. Perhaps Vergil would lower his guard more if she met a need within him to know more about his lost twin.
"If that was the case," Vergil asked in a bracing tone, as if dreading the answer, "when did Dante appear?"
"It was all quite dramatic," Kyrie started, then politely ignored Vergil's caustic, "Now that I can believe."
"We were in the middle of service in the main cathedral, full of worshipers, (Vergil had difficulty imaging a congregation of humans praying to his father) when suddenly, a man in a long, dark red coat crashed through the upper stained glass windows at top of the cathedral, which are at least twenty feet up, and landed on the podium directly in front of his Holiness. Before anyone could move, this man whipped out a huge gun and fired directly into Sanctus' face."
Kyrie looked up to see Vergil pressing his palm firmly over his twitching left eyebrow, grimacing. "Are you all right?" she asked concerned, "Should we finish this later? I mean, if I am causing you distress... "
Vergil shook his head saying, "No, no I'm fine. You are not causing me distress. I merely have a slight headache. Please, continue."
"If you're sure?" Kyrie asked anxiously. At Vergil's urging, she continued with her story. "Everyone froze as the man straightened, and turned around with blood all over his face. As you can imagine, pandemonium broke out. Everyone started running for the exits, trampling each other in their panic to get out. There was a lot of screaming. I was close to the front so I had good view. The guards gave out a shout and rushed the man, who was, of course, Dante."
She paused for a moment as she recalled Dante's demeanor before continuing in astonished amazement, "He acted completely blase. It was... It was like he didn't care a dozen armed guards of the Order were rushing him with their swords out, or hundreds of people had witnessed him assassinating the most revered and powerful man in the whole town."
"He didn't," Vergil muttered, confident. Kyrie was unsure whether he meant Dante didn't care or if Vergil was voicing his own incredulity. But it did bolster her belief Vergil did know Dante well, deepening her hope Vergil was more fond of his brother than he let on.
They were interrupted again by a discreet knock at the door. "My Lord? Have you finished dining? Is it allowable to come in?" came a muffled voice. Annoyed, Vergil voiced a consent. He and Kyrie moved back to the sofa while servants milled about, cleaning up and preparing the rooms for the evening - all the while, two guards stood stoically at the door keeping a jaundiced eye on Vergil. Before the servants left, Vergil spoke up.
"I would like the girl's things moved to my rooms as she will be staying with me from now on," he said mildly. The guards started in surprise before they leered.
One smirked, "Of course, Lord Vergil, we are delighted to comply with your request." A chilling menace passed swiftly across Vergil's eyes before it was gone as if it had never been. Kyrie shivered and thought the guards were complete fools for toying with such a man.
Were they so blind they could not see how truly deadly and ruthless this son of Sparda was?
...
She'd been raised by Credo, the Supreme General of the Order, after their parents had died and had been Nero's closest companion since she had found and taken him in as a young boy, wandering the streets. Dazed, feral and confused, he'd obviously been a victim of some type of tragedy. Kyrie had been drawn to him instantly.
She recognized the broken pieces in him because they were in her as well.
At first, Credo had been reluctant to take in the brash, aggressive boy, but Kyrie had a calming effect on Nero and she was happier with him around. Credo had begun to despair for his beloved little sister as she became more and more withdrawn following the deaths of their parents.
Then she met Nero. Having a confident close to her age, and someone to care for more wounded than her, brought her back to life.
For Kyrie's sake, Credo agreed to raise the boy and had been surprised and impressed when the youngster began to display natural fighting abilities and survival instincts. He began to train him to become part of the Order. Nero hated demons with a passion and took to killing them with fervor. He soaked up any training Credo, or the others, gave him like a sponge.
When his right arm began to manifest its demonic form, both Credo and Kyrie let Nero believe they believed his story about his "injury" because it visibly repulsed and scared him. Nero kept the arm and hand in a sling and always wore long sleeved shirts or his coat. Knowing the cost he would pay if word about his arm got out, they went out of their way to discreetly help keep his secret.
Credo send the young man on solo missions to keep him away from the prying eyes of the Order. These type of dangerous missions given to one so young was unheard of but no one dared voice their doubts aloud since Credo was their leader and Nero was downright antisocial, not to mention, venomous.
As an added bonus, his assignments kept Nero away from the real motives of the Order and Church, Kyrie bitterly presumed.
...
While Kyrie had intimate knowledge of dangerous males, she could never understand the need for one male to challenge, or bait, an obviously dominate one. Yes, Vergil was confined, for now, but Kyrie didn't doubt for a second, it was a permanent situation. She knew stupidity when she saw it and she saw it now. Hearing Vergil insist on her staying with him did not comfort her - at all. She may have had a few comfortable moments with him, but there was little chance of him creating a bond with her.
This was a solitary, stone-cold predator who knew how to survive. She couldn't sense any feelings of true love toward his own twin and that said a lot. If Vergil couldn't feel steady affection toward his own brother, then how could he show her any mercy or real friendship?
Kyrie expected nothing from him and accepted this - it was Vergil's nature. Vergil couldn't be something he wasn't, any more than she could change herself. Accepting others as they were, allowed Kyrie to see their true nature without prejudice.
However, when Kyrie concentrated, she could sense, though he fought them, fierce emotions roiling inside Vergil. Didn't he feel them? Maybe Vergil didn't want to acknowledge he was fighting his true nature. Kyrie had an instinctive sense Vergil wasn't necessarily evil, only relentlessly logical with no reverence for life the way most people did.
From the bits and pieces she had learned, she deduced, if he thought it best, not because he took delight in pain, or death, but because it was the expedient thing to do, he would kill her without hesitation. (Kyrie didn't think, she was certain.) With these ideas in mind Kyrie knew she had to tread lightly if she wanted to live long enough for Nero to come for her.
Although, the thought of Nero fighting Vergil scared her to death.
...
Once the orders were given, Kyrie soon had a complete wardrobe placed in the closet of the bedroom and feminine toiletries installed in the bath. Grateful, she fled into the bathing chamber after everyone finally left. Vergil insisted it was quite all right for her to bathe and get into her nightwear without further interrogation - for now.
Vergil, having bathed previously in the day, dressed in comfortable clothing before laying full length on the plush sofa to think. While Kyrie took a long hot bath to steady her nerves, he pondered this new development and the information he was getting in tidbits. Studying Kyrie as closely as she had been studying him, he was coming to certain conclusions about her.
Kyrie, he thought, was a clever, intelligent and sensible female.
Knowing she hadn't told him everything she knew, Kyrie seemed to know how to throw him momentarily off track (an impressive feat in itself). She did not lie. He knew she was clever because she realized she was as transparent as glass, so didn't dare dissemble - especially to one such as him. Instead she told the bare facts without embellishment (unless the embellishment was harmless).
Being this cautious in her speech made Vergil ponder who she was protecting. Herself? Partly, because she naturally didn't want to be harmed. Who would? He'd seen how she stayed very quiet, and spoke only to say such trivialities as thank you, or please, when others were around. This made her almost invisible and appear hapless while absorbing everything happening around her.
When she had noticed his displeasure in regards to the guard's crude rudeness and no one else had, Vergil had marked this, along with her serenely amazed expression at the guard's temerity. Intelligence was never to be underestimated, disregarded or unappreciated. Based on her keen reactions, Kyrie knew he was extremely dangerous, (of this he was sure) but she didn't seem to view him in the same light as the guards.
He detected a hint of disgust in her manner toward them and their obtuse arrogance. Clearly, she did not see him as dense and understood he was the greater threat (Vergil took this as a compliment).
So, for now, he concluded Kyrie was clever, honest, intelligent and courageous, with very steady nerves to maintain such a gentle, quiet mien.
At first he'd been disgusted with himself for losing control over his emotions in front of her, but then he thought maybe this was wise. Did humans not place great store in feelings? The more human he could be in front of her, the more she may relax and open up. Besides, he didn't believe her so easily fooled as others of her kind.
Kyrie instinctively knew when to speak, when to be silent, when to display her serene manners, etc. Because of this, he deduced she was insightful as well. Therefore, if he attempted to lure her into his confidence by feigning emotions he did not feel, Kyrie would most likely close up instantly.
Dismayed, Vergil worried about scaring her off with the more deadly aspects of his personality, but she hadn't flinched from him yet. Nor the guards, he realized, who were brutish compared to him. That lead back to the question, who was she really protecting and waiting for? She didn't act as one preparing to die. Oh, he strongly suspected she had a very good idea she was in great, if not, mortal peril, and seemed to accept this, but didn't necessarily expect her death.
Wait.
Vergil's eyes flew open as a revelation hit him. In his mind's eye, Vergil pictured the expression in her eyes when she first saw him flowing toward her. At the time, he hadn't been paying close attention, but now, he suddenly realized she had known he was moving in for the kill and mentally preparing herself for the strike!
Kyrie had known precisely what he was about, and when she first saw his eyes, her expression had changed from brave resolve to one of relief and happiness. Nero was the name she said before Dante's came up. Vergil would bet money Nero knew Dante and Dante knew Nero.
If Nero was a warrior, this would explain her ease around aggressive males. Pleased with his reasoning, Vergil could only conclude this Nero was the one she was protecting, (why, he had no idea). Kyrie was willing to discuss Dante, but never spoke of Nero - not a word. Arriving at a decision, Vergil would be patient and speak only of Dante, without hiding himself from her, and see what came about.
For the first time, after many lengthy months, Vergil felt hope and an anticipation of a worthy challenge.
He had been bored far too long.
