Some OCs come into play here. Also, some fandom may be popping up here and there. It has already appeared in previous chapters and I forgot to make a note of it. Thanks goes to LadyTigerFuyuko for reminding me of that.
IX
Sparda Manor
Vergil travelled down to the caves Sparda had made under the mansion. There were a variety of different ones. There was one for the devil arms, one for the variety of human weapons, one for a natural spring, one that held a some devil ritual items, a human pantry, a devil pantry, and a large cave that held a statue of the God of Time. All of these could be accessed by a elegant hallway with doors. It all looked natural and rather fitting for an upper class citizen that Sparda made himself to be.
Vergil headed for the ritual room. He needed a vial of demon blood, a paint brush, as well as a couple pieces of luminite. With these in hand, he journeyed to the last room. The statue was the only thing to provide light in the room but it was enough for what Vergil needed.
He placed the items he needed on the table, leaning Yamato against it. He didn't really want to take any chances with this by not having a weapon nearby. He picked up the brush and blood. In front of the statue, he began to paint out an intricate design with the blood. He did it slowly and carefully. One mistake and the ritual wouldn't work. It took him nearly an hour to finish the design and go over it to make sure it was flawless. Once that was done, he took the chunks of luminite and placed them at key points of the diagram.
If this works, he thought, I should get some more information on Dante.
With the ritual set up, he smiled and went into the devil pantry. This was where Sparda kept his massive amount of orbs. Vergil knew he wouldn't need much for this ritual. It wasn't necessary for the end result so he only took a small amount of red orbs.
He placed them in front of the statue and looked at it for a moment. After some contemplation, he turned and grabbed Yamato. Part of him wondered if this was a good idea. He didn't know what kind of bad consequences this could bring. However, a greater part wanted to know the truth about that night nearly 14 years ago.
He took Jester's card from his pocket and set it down in the center of the design. He then walked to the edge farthest from the statue and faced it.
"Well...here goes nothing," He took a breath, God of Time. I offer the blood of mine enemies as a tribute in return for a request. Bring forth the demon that owns this item before me. So, that I may parley with it's being.
The red orbs disappeared into the statue and the design glowed red. The red light spread to the luminite and filled the room. A white light appeared in the center and a figure raised up from it. It laughed as it appeared, giving a bow.
"Hello there," Jester grinned.
Vergil hardened, hoping the wards he made earlier would keep Sparda from feeling the power needed for the ritual and the presence of this demon.
"Awww, no hello? Didn't you miss me? After all, we're buddies, aren't we?" He cackled.
He growled, "Enough!"
The laughing stopped abruptly but the sickly grin remained, "Did you think about what I said, kid?"
He glared at him for a moment. This moron had stabbed him through with his brother's sword and some punishment should be in order...however, he claimed to know important information, "What do you know about Dante?"
"Weeeeellllll, you see, little Dante never died as you believed." He giggled and waved his scepter. A dark circle appeared above him. Shadows circled it and the symbol from the card was on it's face. The circle appeared to be some magic of Jester's concoction and changed to show the night of the fire, "Just have a lookie-see."
He watched as the moment where the roof collapsed played out. Dante, pushed on Vergil's back with a mixed expression of determination and fear. At the same moment, a portal opened beneath him and three glowing orbs appeared in it.
"Mundus," Vergil whispered, recalling his father's teachings.
A great white hand surged through the portal and grabbed Dante, pulling him under a second before the beams fell on him. The portal had already closed by the time the five-year old Vergil had a chance to turn around.
"So, Mundus kidnapped Dante that night."
Jester grinned, twirling the septer between his thumb and forefinger, "Yes. Now you got it! Poor wittle Dante was held as Mundus' prisoner while you and the grrrrreat Sparda thought he was dead!" He cackled loudly, throwing his head back.
He struggled to take in what was said. He understood why he didn't feel Dante's presence all those years ago; he wasn't in the same world anymore. Twin bonds were severely weakened when traversing across two worlds and neither son of Sparda was old enough to strengthen the focus of it themselves.
He looked at the laughing clown, "Enough! If Dante is alive, then why is it I've only felt my connection with him this past week? Did he escape the Underworld recently?"
"No! Nononononono. Mundus may have captured your dear brother but he escaped a long, long, looooooonnnnnnggg time ago."
"He did?"
"Yes. He was set free by the Lady Freyja."
"Freyja? Who is Freyja?"
He ignored the question, "Her father was put in charge of the boy and she put him through a portal to the human world, sealing it off and covering his escape. He arrived at the same place he was taken but you were loooonnnnggg gone." He broke off laughing, "The little boy couldn't find his family and was passed from foster home to foster home ever since! Living off the streets and battling for survival to become the young man we see before us!"
He waved his scepter again and an illusion of some kind appeared in the center of the circle. A red coat, black shirt, dark-blue jeans, boots and a silver amulet. Dante seemed to have let his hair grow out to reach his shoulders for a somewhat shaggy appearance. He stood with a handgun in each hand and a look that revealed the truth behind Jester's words. His face and eyes were the same but he appeared rougher somehow. Not with any scars or weary appearances. Just the feel around him suggested he had fought for a long time.
The illusion vanished and Jester grinned, "So what are you going to do, kid? Are you going to go after your dear wittle brother? You should probably know that he's in danger."
"Danger?" He asked before he could stop himself.
He nodded, "He's in biiiigggg twouble and will get real hurt real bad reeeaaallll soon."
His eyes glowed, "What do you mean?"
"The big scary demons coming after him and will use him as a sacrifice!...But you know that, don't you? You've seen it."
He growled, reaching for Yamato.
"So, I think you'd better hurrryyyyy." He started waving over his head in an exaggerated manner. First, just his arm, then his whole upper body, before turning around and slapping his rear before disappearing in a puff of smoke, "Wholololololololololololo!"
The design was gone, as was the luminite and Jester's card.
He just stood there, wondering what to do. If the demon's words were true, then Dante was in serious trouble...and still alive. He didn't know how to tell his parents. Not that Sparda would trust the word of the demon that stabbed his nestling.
Plus, he wasn't sure how this news would affect him. He had always held himself a failure for losing one of his brood. To learn of the lost one's survival...
His eyes lowered to the ground. The possibility of Dante's survival had shown itself to be a doubled-edged sword. He blinked, wishing he had just been honest with his father at the start.
Suddenly, his vision changed. The grey rock that served as the structure of the room suddenly turned red. He looked around slowly. Even Yamato's sheath was dyed the colour red. He raised his hand as he felt something move inside him. It connected painfully, making him wince and let out a small cry. Then, it was gone and he felt complete. As if reunited with something long lost.
An image flashed before him of a dead body. Hands were putting the body down before they turned around slowly to see them covered in blood. Even the black, fingerless gloves and red coat sleeves were dyed with blood.
Dante?
The vision disappeared. A small sigh left him. He was sure his brother was alive now. That was the twin bond reconnecting. He had read before that the bond between nestlings could weaken over time if they were separated for a long period. It could also be reconnected if the twins were near to each other. It seemed as though that was what had just occurred.
He turned and left the room. Finding Dante would be a difficult task. Even if their link had reconnected...He walked upstairs and into the living room. Sparda was doing business and Eva was shopping so he was left to his own devices for a while. He turned on the TV.
The news was on.
"...Last night's attack is believed to have been spawned by the Red Devil. A new crime scene was discovered in the very center of the danger area and the prime suspect was seen leaving the scene."
A photo of the scene came on the screen. Blood was everywhere and painted into strange symbols. Demon symbols. Normally, he wouldn't pay a thought to markings made by humans but these were strange. More arcane and...he didn't recognize a single one of them. Sparda had taught his son almost all of the ritual symbols while he had read up on the rest.
"Thanks to a photo taken by a citizen, we can now give you a visual of the suspect. If seen, please notify police."
A picture came on the screen. It was of Dante, just as Jester had showed him. He was running down a street, looking as though he was trying to escape without being noticed. The picture was slightly blurred and his hair was covering his face. The thing was, he was holding a large sword in his right hand.
"Rebellion?" he frowned, "How did Dante get it?"
The reported went on with the next story while he thought.
Dante wouldn't be the one killing humans. He ran crying to mother when he accidentlly shot a rabbit...Perhaps this Red Devil is what Jester said is after Dante. I should ask father about this.
He got up and journeyed to his father's study. Sparda was filing his papers when he arrived.
"Vergil? Does something trouble you, son?"
"I saw a news report about a killer called the Red Devil," he said, avoiding any information on Dante for now, "Have you been looking into that?"
"I've heard rumours but haven't been able to do much about it. Too much attention would be a bad thing right now. I have been feeling the presence of a few foes I would rather not come in contact with."
"The symbols I saw father...they weren't ones that I recognized. I think something is happening...Something bad."
Sparda turned to look at him and noticed the serious expression, "You truly believe this human posses that much of a threat?"
"The symbols were arcanic. Older than what you have shown me and nothing has happened from them yet. What if this human is building a large spell?"
He nodded slowly and thoughtfully, "I had hoped this human was merely an amateur but the oldest runes are the hardest to achieve. If done right...I shall look into this with greater detail." He sighed, "I sometimes believe I have become too confident in my age. I have been focused on other things than the dark acts between humans and demons as of late."
"You're entitled to some confidence. You've toppled an empire and kept the human world safe for centuries."
He smiled and patted his shoulder, "Confidence can come back to bite you, if you are not cautious."
He gave a half-smile, "Very true, father."
He felt an affectionate squeeze, "Are you feeling better?"
"Yes. The wound is fully healed now."
"That was not what I meant."
He lowered his gaze, "I feel better now that you and mother know...but a part of me still feels like I have failed."
"You did not." He pulled him into a hug, one hand digging slightly in his hair, "We all make choices Vergil. Remember that."
He nodded as much as he could with his father's fingers digging into his scalp. The flow of devil energy was soothing and relaxed him. Pain and comfort walked hand in hand in the demon world.
He pulled back after a moment. The question was on the tip of his tongue but he couldn't bring himself to ask it.
"Your mother and I are going to go out in a few nights. You will have the house to yourself for a while."
"All right."
"For the moment, however, let us continue with training."
He smiled and nodded.
Downtown, at the latest Red Devil Crimescene
The humans were shying from the area as if it was plagued. Even the law officials were hesitant to move into the scene. Not that there was much cause to do otherwise. The demon attack claimed many and it had been many years since an attack of that size hit the humans. Curiousity ruled however, and served to make some humans venture close. Police kept them at bay behind the yellow tape.
No one noticed as a woman entered the building. She walked up the deserted staircase and into the apartment that resided above the convience store. The stench of blood, rotting human flesh, and ritual magic was heavy in the air.
She walked to the middle of the room, observing the area. She was a beautiful woman; young appearance, long, white hair, deep-blue eyes, and a slim body. She wore a simple lavender turtle-neck sweater and black pants. The look gave off an air of regal nature and confidence, even though it was such simple attire. She wasn't someone to mess about with.
She had been to every Red Devil crime scene so far and observed details the law officials missed. Her senses told her this wasn't devil-made, but the human who did make it was not to be taken lightly.
"I'm surprised Sparda hasn't taken care of this yet," she said thoughtfully, inspecting one of the runes.
"My Lady."
She turned to look at the smiling man standing in the doorway. She returned the smile out of respect, "You've adapted to human advancements well, Mathius. You look good in sunglasses. Much better than the cloth you tied around your head in the past."
The blind man chuckled and took a couple steps in, his cane tapping the area in front of him, "You haven't changed, my Lady."
"I have felt no need." She went about inspecting the arcane runes, touching her fingers to some to feel the level of power, "Tell me, what brings one of your kind here? I thought you were mere observers."
"We intervene when it is necessary, my Lady."
"I see...Tell me, how is Sparda doing?"
"He is well. He is living safely with his mate and elder nestling."
She stopped and turned to him, "Just the elder?"
"Yes. The younger could not find his family when he returned to this world. He has lived on the streets and in foster homes since."
"Hmmm..."
"Does this news upset you?"
"Perhaps. Perhaps I am just protective...You would not be here unless it suited you Mathius. What is your business for seeking me out?"
"You have been versed in the Old Religion. You know what act is being unleashed. Are you willing to do what it takes to stop it?"
She remained silent. She hated conversing with these creatures - especially Mathius. They were devious and loved to toy with human and devil alike for their own amusement. One had to speak in riddles and hide emotions carefully.
"I have met him, you know. Young Dante Sparda."
She looked at him, eyes glowing red, "You better not have hurt him."
He chuckled, "My Lady, what could I do to a half-bred? I am blind and weak. Even with his reckless nature, I would not be able to touch him."
She snarled, "Your kind has it's ways of destruction. If I discover that any of you have so much as thought of harming him..."
"We are aware of what you could do."
"I bet you are."
"Fear not. None of us will harm him or any Sparda. Be assured of that."
She turned back to the runes on the walls before looking at the diagram in the center of the room. A large bloodstain was in the center but the body was long gone. She knelt down beside the design and studied it's layout. A very intricate and complex one. It served it's purpose well. The ritual was increased and allowed a rift to open. Many demons were sent out. Only a being with extreme concentration and devotion to this magic could accomplish such a task.
"He is gaining power, my Lady. Soon, even Sparda won't be able to stand against him."
"But his sons will."
"You have that much faith in them?"
"They are like their father." She stood, "When the time comes, they will be there to keep the human domain free of my kind."
"You are a rare demon, my Lady. Worrying about the safety of humans? Especially with a father such as yours."
She looked out of the nearby window, intending to ignore him. Dark clouds were on the horizon, Sparda...I hope your nestlings will truly be able to do what needs to be done. If not...both worlds will be ruled by demons.
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