Vergil was currently walking alongside Dantalion, with the Duke of Hell having his arms crossed behind him. Vergil was actually intrigued for once, and more so then usual since he wasn't aware that there was a society such as this in the Demon World.
As they walked, the passed by many humanoid demons, which had the resemblance of humans more then demonic. Although they did have a few demonic features like red irises with black pupils and black scleras. Two short swooping horns on their foreheads, long pointy ears, pale skin, and a few even had tails which somehow didn't surprise Vergil at all.
The Son of Sparda continued to glance around. He wanted proof from Dantalion that not all demons can be malevolent and he sure got it. Although, he didn't expect it to be like this. I mean, he was in Hell, a realm of pure darkness and chaos, where there is no happiness or order, or any sort of hope. A realm where even demons themselves cannot stand it despite calling it home.
"I know what you're thinking. Why does this exist in the Demon World? It's simple really: because it's like I said before, some demons choose to live in the ways of the Legendary Dark Knight's. By living in peace." Dantalion said.
Vergil looked back at the Duke after a moment of examining his surroundings "And how do you expect yourselves to live in prosperity in the Demon World?" he asked since there is no such thing as peace in the Demon World, besides death that is when Dantalion answered, "It's difficult to be honest. We struggle constantly but that is actually beneficial for us."
"Is that so?" Vergil said, "Oh yes. It strengthens us. It may not seem like much but it strengthens us not just our physical attributes, but spiritual as well. Times were hard, and there were always odds against us but we always managed to be rid of them in the end." Dantalion responded as Vergil's eye brow perked up slightly in intrigue.
They walked along what appeared to be a side walk, as demons alongside other demonic creatures were passing by, minding their own business. Although much of the majority took brief glances at Vergil, and Dantalion knew that they were shocked internally by the fact that a Son of Sparda is here in the Demon World.
Vergil detected it, and his eyebrow twitched in annoyance slightly. Dantalion hoped that he would not begin a ruckus.
Although a brief stare from Vergil caused the onlookers to swiftly to glance away. Even for demons, they were no match for Vergil's intense and piercing gaze, "It's alright Vergil. They're harmless. They're only shocked that a Son of Sparda is walking among them. You could say that they're fans in a sense." he said with a chuckle but Vergil wasn't amused, "Fans?" he said with a hint of annoyance when Dantalion responded, "Rumors begun circulating that Mundus had captured and tortured one of Sparda's seeds. While it was in actuality true, they did not wish to believe it. Since of course, you know how the legend goes." he stated.
Vergil frowned with a glare at Dantalion's back, but the Duke wasn't really fazed. An hour later they entered what appeared to be a small diner. It wasn't really impressive, mainly being small possessing long rectangle tables with black leather couches in between and a lamp above and a bar at the end. While Vergil never visited a diner before, or much less ate in one, he imagined it looked like the ones back in the Human World.
Dantalion sat down upon a couch before gesturing for Vergil to sit. After a moment the Dark Slayer sat down slowly on the opposite end facing Dantalion, "Believe it or not this diner is actually an imitation of the ones back in the Human World." he said when Vergil let out a breath from his nose and glanced away, not really interested.
"How fascinating." he said.
Dantalion continued regardless, "It's not really a matter of copyright heh. You could say that we're trying to learn from the humans. While a majority of devils see them as inferior life forms, desperate to be conquered, manipulated, or even devoured, many others wish to learn from them. Think of them as human thesauruses." he elaborated as Vergil slowly closed his eyes then reopened them.
A waitress placed their respective teas in front of them, Dantalion thanked her but Vergil remained silent as ever. Dantalion noticed that Vergil had not been speaking much, sure he was the silent type, but he was never this largely silent. Although he could understand why.
Despite being a powerful Son of Sparda, he has endured much torment and loss. While he could somehow bear defeat, or even weakness, he was unable to bear the loss of his dear mother. In fact, Dantalion knew that her death shaped the very paths of Dante and Vergil. Unfortunately, Vergil acquired the dark path but in his mind it was the right path since he was obsessed with power in order not to prevent a death like his mother from ever occurring.
Dantalion cleared his throat before he spoke, "Vergil. I know this is all difficult for you. And while it's hard to bear, overtime it makes you ponder no?" Vergil looked at Dantalion questioningly, but his expression remained as stern as ever.
"It makes you think. While losing is a painful experience, it means not that your life is entirely over. It doesn't mean that you are pushed back down, your legs shatter, and you can't stand up again. No. And you should know that yourself. It makes you learn. To learn from your mistakes. It enhances your senses and strength. And only loss can teach us the value of things." Dantalion elaborated.
Vergil grunted slightly in response, "Hm. Perhaps so. Although this time Fate has not really been kind to me. I did not draw enough power. Losing is painful. But not as painful as knowing there's something else you could've done." he admitted, "True. And that's why you need to learn. Don't sulk in defeat. Stand back up, and fight again to gain what you wish." the Duke of Hell said.
"With power I could gain anything, except one thing. That which I will never regain no matter my efforts." he said with a hint of sorrow in his voice and which Dantalion caught. He knew it. That terrible loss that set Vergil on his current path, or perhaps former if he tried to change his mind, but that would be a challenge. He sighed, "I know what you lost Vergil. And I am truly sorry. But you need t-" he was interrupted when Vergil spoke again.
"You're sorry? Why would you be sorry? You're a demon. What could you have lost?" he spat angrily.
Dantalion was silent for a moment, "To be honest. I lost nothing. And while I have no family of my own, I do value friendship. So that counts as loss as well." he sighed before continuing, "I once had many companions, and were the victims of Mundus' manipulations. Turned to darkness to serve his own selfish needs. In fact, they were one of the very few friends who's lives have been taken by your father during the Demon Invasion." he revealed.
Vergil slowly looked at him now interested, "I was devastated when their destruction came to light. And I was also curious and moved by Sparda's actions. In fact, you could say that he was somehow my mentor. In destructive means of course. And it was from that moment that I did not wish for other demons to be easily manipulated by Mundus' deception and reverting to darkness, so that they would lose their lives for the sake of nothing."
Vergil's expression began to soften very slowly as Dantalion continued, "It's also the reason why I made this place. I once ventured to the human world several times to learn. I studied their social structures, their society, culture, and tradition. Of course that would somehow 'taint' the nature of the Demon World so we made our own in reminiscence to the humans slightly."
Vergil's eyes narrowed by a centimeter, "And the other devils didn't accept that I assume." he said, Dantalion nodded, "I created a spell to fool them into thinking that was merely another Kingdom of torture. Although while torture is not my forte, this location is only for philosophy and education."
"I see" was all Vergil could say. Dantalion took a sip of his tea through the mouth hole of his mask followed by a deep sigh then glanced at Vergil as his mask shifted to a normal expression, "Winning isn't everything to me, but it's a close second. Losing isn't something that I can just brush off and fake a smile to hide my frustration. It's that will and determination that I hope will get me where I want to go." he said.
Vergil leaned back and folds his arms slowly, processing on what Dantalion said. He really was a man of his word. He didn't bring Vergil here to torture him further or use him for his own purposes. And he wasn't really fond of education from another being, or a demon no less, he can't help but find valid points in Dantalion's words.
The Son of Sparda looked down at his tea in thought for several moments, "I never could tolerate losing. It's a sign of weakness. And weakness is a flaw of creation. Something that shouldn't exist. I despise it. Greatly. And I suppose that's one of the reasons I want power. To mask any weakness I have within me. To push it down into the abyss and never see the light of day. In order for it not to dominate me. Power and might are my only allies and strength." he said.
Dantalion tilted his head slightly, "That's interesting. I can see that you're one to always have the situation under control, even if losing." he said when Vergil nodded, "Perhaps I never betray an inward sense of defeat."
"I hope you learned from your mistakes in the process, Vergil." Dantalion said, when Vergil looked at him with a frown. "Of course I have. I am no fool." he spat causing Dantalion to raise his hand up in assurance, "I didn't mean it like that." Vergil's eye brow perked up slightly before he placed his fingers in a tent and rested his intertwined hands against the table when he said, "There's one other thing that I must know." Dantalion looked up at him from drinking his tea.
"Yes?" Vergil then asked, "How do you plan to aid me in escaping the Demon World. That of course is a task no simple." Dantalion fell silent, when he slowly placed his cup down and gazed at Vergil with intensity behind his mask. He slowly stood up and spoke in a nearly quiet tone, "Follow me." he then walked for the exit causing Vergil to follow as instructed.
An hour later they approached what appears to be a large observatory and what Vergil guessed could be Dantalion's. As they entered, the Duke closed the two large doors behind him before ascending atop of spiral stairs, the halls lit with torches. They halted after walking up two floors, and entered what is revealed to be a vast library.
Unlike the one Vergil encountered before, this one was much wider, and it was a circular chamber, with the walls being replaced with shelves housing an endless array of books, with a tall ladder at the far end, and what seems to be an alter at the front end of the chamber where Dantalion must read. Vergil glanced around in interest. He soon turned to Dantalion's direction as the Duke was gazing up at this collection of novels, looking for something.
Vergil's eyes narrowed as he slowly approached Dantalion, "You didn't answer my question, Dantalion" the duke then slowly turned his head to glance at Vergul from behind, "Yes. I'm well aware. Which would imply on how difficult this task will be, Son of Sparda"
Vergil's eye brow rose slowly with question and intrigue as he slowly crossed his arms behind him, "Why am I not surprised" he said with a hint of sarcasm as the Duke of Hell began climbing the ladder slowly, "You shouldn't be really, escaping the Demon World and entering the Human World was once simple before Sparda's supposed betrayal" he said before continuing, "In the past, the most powerful demons held dominion over the human world. Shaping it into whatever horrendous image as they saw fit. A portal to the human world was the only means of transportation during the time, but soon, the Demon Lords resorted to using the Hell Gates."
Vergil's eyes narrowed, being familiar with the Hell Gates themselves since having raising one being the infamous Temen-ni-gru itself, but didn't realize that devils once ruled over the humans. "The Hell Gates then became the main source of transportation for the demons to enter Earth. And soon, they gained knowledge for themselves on how to enter without using means of the Hell Gates. After Sparda destroyed Mundus' army, and defeated the Devil King himself, he began his career by hunting down the devils who possess knowledge on how to easily access the human world." he elaborated.
"If that's the case. Then why is that demons remain to roam the Earth?" Vergil asked.
"Unfortunately, when Sparda destroyed the Hell Gate there was a certain flaw. The energy generated from his blade in contact with the spatial energy being generated by the Hell Gates created a backlash in every sense of the word. An explosion occurred, forming rifts in the dimensional barrier and allowing a majority of the demons to enter the human world unnoticed." he responded as he was removing several books to look for a specific one.
Vergil was not interested as he then realized something, "But the world were separated because of the amulets. That should have closed the rifts." Dantalion sighed and said, "True. But it did not prevent the demons that escaped to corrupt the humans, turning them into pawns, or even one of their own to release their brethren."
"Hmph" was Vergil's response when it was followed by another question, "Then tell me, how do you expect me to escape the Demon World now? I assume that it must be performed through some pathetic summoning?" he quipped, when Dantalion then appeared in front of him wielding a large book and saying, "If only it were that simple. But it's not. Let's just say that there were certain...precautions taken in the past."
"Meaning what exactly?" the Dark Slayer said questioningly. Dantalion sighed and grew silent for a long moment as Vergil waited patiently. The Duke of Hell looked up at Vergil and answered, "To escape the Demon World, you must confront and defeat the Seven Princes of Hell."
I don't own the characters in Devil May Cry or others in Abrhamaic mythology to come. Read and Review