Chapter 10

The Consequences he Took

"And that's the last of them!" he cheered in victory. It was good to be Dante, the hot stylish devil hunter in brilliant red! What a sight!

"Hmph, try not to get too caught up with yourself," Lady said, disliking his narcissism. How she put up with it thought the years... One would never know.

"Yeah right, you know they don't stand a chance against me," Lady tipped her glasses down an inch, glaring at Dante, she didn't like his use of words there; her rocket launcher by her side, threatening him in her little subtle way... "AND of course, you too babe! You were awesome too he-ha!" He laughed out loud nervously, keeping his distance a good few meters away. The two ran into each other while fending of the lower demons in the area, that sort of threat was not difficult to handle, it was like a jog in the park for the two. Trish told him they were coming from a Hell Gate, but he didn't know just where the specific location of said Hell Gate was, yet. That would be the very next thing he planned to do, right after he checked up on a certain somebody first. "Gotta get going! I got things to do, thanks for the help," he said in a rush without further explanation. His mind now set on something else.

"Already rushing back to your lover huh," Bingo, Lady was not stupid, far from it actually. Dante chose ignored her at first, he held his sword on his shoulder and was ready to depart until, "I'm sure once he gets the power he needs he'll be out of your life faster than you know it. He's a selfish bastard you know." He stopped dead in his tracks. Her words hit him, he couldn't just let her get away with that. He just wouldn't.

"We have an understanding Lady, even if he doesn't realise it yet. But it's there, it always was. If nobody tries to help him, then he'll always be the selfish bastard." He spat her words right back at her.

"So what, you're just going to just leave us? Me – Trish. Nero. The ones that have always been there with you, for you, always, we would never try and hurt you like he does, and always will be here on your side Dante." Again, he didn't want to hear her opinion of the matter, he didn't! She was pissing him off, that's all she was accomplishing.

Dante clenched his teeth, biting back his swears, that wasn't the way to approach the situation. "Don't say it like I've abandoned you guys, I haven't. And I never will, unless you decide to turn on me one day," he smirked with his eyes closed, easing up the tension. He didn't want to start screaming and shouting now did he? Calm and cool was the way to go; collected and at ease. Yes, he could do this. "It all started with wanting an explanation, now..." He opened his eyes a tad bit, "And now I wonder, if devils were meant to love each other." Is what he wanted to say, but what he really said was. "I just can't let him be,"

But it was there. This fondness he held for him, ever present. He had proof. "So what, is it normal for brothers to fuck in the demon world, not that I care about that, but it's damn time you admit it. I can see it in your eyes when we talk about him." Just what kind of love was he feeling for Vergil? Something he used to ask himself. He knew what it was, of course he did! Was he in denial himself? He knew of it, he just didn't want to... Admit it just yet. Not yet.

It was those three words, he wouldn't say it out loud, and he wouldn't say it inside. He was not certain. Is what he told himself.

"It's that obvious huh," grinning to himself, ear to ear. Just how long can he stay in denial now? All he had to was go over the proof again, and then he'd be certain.

Then he thought of that. The contact they shared, he couldn't believe it at first. He kissed him. But it was all there, in his eyes like Lady said so. He remembers his dream, the first part anyway. I think, maybe I do... If I just... Dante stuck a hand in the air, waving goodbye to Lady in a flash. Lady only shakes her head, disapproving of his antics; the sneaky little devil evaded her. She tried, how hard she tried, but it just couldn't be done. His strong feelings for his brother were much stronger than her logical reasoning. If she had to guess, she'd say it was something between demons, or maybe it more 'human' than she realised. Maybe love was causing him to be inane in his important choices. Because it did that to people, even to demons as it seems.

Who knew, maybe it would all work out in the end, the very end. "Good luck Dante, you'll be needing it," she could tell. The rain hadn't even lifted yet and it was only getting heavier.

Dante should have never left him alone in the shop. There was no way in Hell he was going to rebuild it again. Not with the amount of money he earned...

"Ngh, -Heh," Devil Bringer flickering, sweat dribbling. Nero was done, finished with the battle. He did his best but it wasn't enough. Not against Vergil, the restored Vergil. Yamato was practically his right hand now, that sword belonged to him. He could never use it like Vergil did, and that demon of his; now with its rightful owner, it must be feeling so joyous. He could see that, he wouldn't complain. But by God he didn't need to be beaten up like this, foolish of him to believe he could take him on. But he didn't know, it wasn't his fault. Nero was just another victim to Vergil's plans. Like all his plans, there were always innocent victims. A price to pay for evil.

The demon before him stood, both swords in hand, he was the splitting image of Nero's devil trigger. The Yamato devil, in all it's glory; he was, magnificent; stunning. He was in his true form nos. One with the body and not just the sword.

Vergil held both Yamato and Force edge, one in each hand. His back facing Nero, believing him useless to deal with any longer. There was no point to finish him off for good, he had much bigger things to deal with, much bigger dilemmas. Vergil was in a way acquainting himself with his demon side again. Inside he was healing physically, all his bruises, scratches and scraps; vanishing. Like they never existed in the first place, like they never were. He'd never ever been in his perfect condition for years. This was a blessing for him, a kiss from an angel, if you'd call that a blessing.

They were both outdoors, the rain fired down on them like bullets; it was coming down hard, merciless. Heaven wasn't going easy on them, Nero, soaked to the bone; drenched in both rain and his own blood. He was most certainly healing, but the effect of the Force Edge and Yamato combined, it would take him a full twenty-four hours to heal completely. He struggled to stare at Vergil with both anger and fascination. This was the son of Sparda, the one that didn't like to play. Serious he was, nothing was ever a joke. The more sophisticated twin.

And where was the other son exactly... Dante ran, his speed like lightning. Hair damp his boots drenched, it didn't matter, all that mattered was him. And when he did find him, Vergil I mean. He wasn't all that delighted. He was furious to be frank, his anger levels rising. How could this of happened? How. He barely recognised Vergil when he turned the corner; at first he thought it was Nero gone berserk. But Nero was on the ground... Half dead for all he knew. And it was all Vergil's doing, he glared daggers; red flashed for a half second there. "VERGIL!" 'Spash,-Spash,-Spash!' he was getting closer, he was ready to attack him down, kill him on sight! He was so mad at him. "So the violin wasn't good enough for ya huh!" He yelled, catching his attention on purpose. He demanded it.

Vergil reverted the instant he saw his brother, he wasn't going to fight Dante, and he would never... At least not now. He was wet to the bone, without a jacket and only in a sleeveless shirt with his amulet loose around his neck. He watched Dante move with blank eyes; he was still in shock from regaining his powers. So shocked, he didn't even see Dante leap. But inside, he let this happen. He felt that; somehow he deserved it.

'SLAM!' his back hit the ground hard; he arched in; moaning in pain beneath his body. That was a hard fall, Dante straddled him above, his face giving off a feral snarl. Vergil dazed out, seeing stars and black spots dancing before him. That was one positively hard hit to the head. Dante heaved him up by the front of his shirt, forcing him to come to, meeting his gaze; dazed or not he wasn't giving him any excuses. He had his demon did he not? Brining his face to his own real close, he began to speak. "How could you do this Vergil!" He cried, hot with anger. Vergil said nothing; he was lost in a trance. He wasn't sure on what to do. "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME!" He screamed for all to hear, Dante couldn't believe it. He was aghast.

Lady was right.

"Whatever it is! You do! I WILL STOP YOU! I WON'T LET YOU HURT INNOCENT PEOPLE! I WON'T! I'LL JUST STOP YOU AGAIN AND AGAIN! YOU'LL NEVER GET POWER AGAIN! I'LL JUST MAKE SURE OF IT!" Nero mutely watched the violent scene before him, not breathing a single word. He'd never seen Dante like this before. Not at anyone, ever. Him and his brother must have had a great past, must have. Part of it maybe even made the way Dante was today. It must have taken him a lot, to let him have that sword. Now that he knew who the rightful owner was... he was surprised Dante didn't keep it.
Dante snatched Force Edge away from Vergil's hand, he knew he took this, he really thought he wouldn't, he really did.

"Dante," he said once, both eyes on him. Vergil was expressionless, he was hollow... Then he woke up, and forcefully shoved Dante's weight off him, he wasn't weak anymore, he could do it. They both equally held tight fists on each other clothes, holding on like their lives depended on it, Dante still straddled above him, Vergil kept his hold tight. "I came here; I came here for my own purpose! My own reasons!" Where had he heard this before... "And this time, you won't stop me! You can't. This has nothing to do with you Dante, it doesn't." He told him, letting go with his final words. Dante saw it in his eyes, the revenge he lusted for now, if it wasn't power... If he tried to get revenge he would only die. Dante was sure of it, Vergil wasn't well yet! And he was going to prove it to him. Whether he liked it or not.

"Do you think you can beat Mundus!" He hissed through his teeth, "If you tried it once and failed! What makes you think you'll win this time! WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT!" He brutally shoved ebony into his shut mouth, slamming it hard into his teeth. Vergil panicked slightly, his mouth bled inside him. Dante didn't want to hear another word, his brother was impossible, he just didn't want to listen, and what hurt him the most was that he only wanted the best for Vergil, he just wanted him safe. No more pain; not more losses. "You can't even beat me Verge," tears inside him, calmed him down a little. "You haven't gotten any stronger since, you may have it all back but it hasn't improved," he forced his gun further in, deeper... Dante's head sunk, he kept his face obscured by his hair. He didn't want to see Vergil's face like this.

Vergil allowed him to disgrace him like that; he took it without a word. He didn't even choke.

"You can't even stand up for yourself Vergil. They'll jus' fuck you again." He was telling him truthfully, no other way around it. Though his voice was on the verge of breaking. He wanted to say all he could to make him stay; he just wanted his brother to stay. He pulled it out a bit then rammed it back in. Vergil submitted to him, as easy as that. Didn't he get it yet? Couldn't Vergil get it into his head! He was so... Messed up with in the mind... He-"Damnit Vergil!" He pulled out, and shot him in the chest, finished. He didn't want to look at him anymore; he was tired; so very tired. He tried everything, all he could. But it wasn't enough, it never was with Vergil. He was just impossible. This was the second time he shot Vergil in the chest, and to do it this time really tore himself up inside. Vergil, if only you listened.

But he just couldn't change him. Even if he really wanted to.

Dante dragged Force Edge down with him, leaving his brother in the wet streets. He removed himself from the presence of the two; only giving one look at Nero, apologising that he couldn't protect him. The kid will heal; he knew that. Vergil wouldn't dare hurt him... Nero was strong he'll be alive. Devil May Cry laid in ruins, the shop completely trashed the building in shambles. And the rain continued on.

Vergil felt deep regret grow inside him, he didn't want to have to do this to Dante, but he would have never let him go if he gave him the slightest piece of hope. In the past few days, Vergil couldn't help but change his opinions over his brother, he even grew to... He didn't want to say it. But he saw him as someone who he could trust, someone that kept him safe. Safe. In a world like this, no one could ever be safe, not entirely. And yet Dante made him feel just that when he was around.

Dante lived to slay demons, a protector of the innocent. He didn't indulge himself with his demon side and stuck to his human side 'the pure side' most of the time. Vergil embraced it; his demon within, he had the need to gain evermore power because of the loss of his mother. He wasn't strong enough, his might... His power. Weak. He couldn't protect anyone, not even his mother, and not even himself. Dante, how he didn't deserve him, that precious soul. Vergil looked over to Nero for a moment, catching his eyes; Nero kept his head down from that point onwards. He was staying out of this, he was no part of this and he knew that, Vergil wasn't going to approach him, no he couldn't. He had hurt him enough; he had done it on purpose. Dante must really hate him now, and he hurt again him for power. The things it made him do, he felt like laughing, Vergil laughing? He was going mad.

Now that Vergil had healed fully, he pushed himself up to his feet, and left the street. He was going to get his revenge, if it was the last thing he did. When he finally got it, let all the punishment he deserved be bestowed upon him. He would welcome it with full arms, embracing it like a lover.

Embracing his own personal Hell.