Vergil rested soundlessly against the cold cell wall. His throat was raw; the tormented screams subsided long ago. Rage built inside him, it festered in his stomach and ate away at his mind. He stared straight ahead at nothing. It would do him no good to focus on anything as he remained blinded. His vision would improve so he could see shades and blurry shapes, even that was sporadic at best. His demon spoke in his head, threats of vengeance and retribution. It desperately craved to take over. And with every passing day, he embraced his inner demon more and more.

Sparda could feel the change in his son. He had not been able to get through to him as Vergil fell more and more into the abyss of hate and self-loathing. The Dark Knight sensed his demon gnashing its teeth and chomping at the bit; waiting for the opportunity when his son relinquished his control over it and allowed it the freedom to destroy everything in its path. The power in Vergil began to rise steadily.

"Son, you must not give in to your need for revenge. Control your devil, do not let it get the upper hand. It will do you no good. The hatred will only consume you." Sparda spoke firmly, trying to reason with him. However, he could sense that it was a losing battle. Vergil would succumb to his emotions of abhorrence and despair.

Vergil would not respond, nor show any outward reactions. He listened to the voice in his mind speaking its demonic tongue, spitting out destruction of his enemies and the salvation of his family, of his child, of her. His eyes flashed red as he began to embrace the power and let his devil take over.

"Vergil, listen to me son. This is not what you want. This will not save them. Control your anger boy! Do not let it best you." Sparda pleaded.

The blue devil brought his gaze towards his father. This was not a good sign and it alarmed Sparda. Vergil's eyes glowed a brilliant red; he was seeing through his devil's eyes. "Imprudent old man. Controlling my ire is neither helped nor hindered me. I can see clearly now, where I have been blinded for weeks. My half breed blood is what keeps me bound in these chains. Too weak to break their bonds. Too weak to save my family." He fumed.

"Vergil your humanity is what makes you who you are. It is what your mate fell in love with, not your devil, but a combination of the two." Sparda countered. "If you allow yourself to be controlled, it will change everything you are."

"And how is that helping me here?" Vergil bellowed. "They are in danger because of who/what I am. I cannot sit idly by while they are slaughtered!" Getting to his feet, he balled his fists. "I WON'T!"

There was a bright flash of light, raw power burst forth. Shackles fell to the ground as the cell door blew open. Vergil stood in his new devil form; one that mimicked that of his father. He crossed the room towards the Dark Knight. "Get up." His gravelly voice commanded. Seizing the chains that bound his father, he wrapped them around his arms and ripped them from the wall. The alarm had been sounded as the demons bore down on them. Calling Yamato to him, Vergil destroyed any and everything in his path. His devil begged for their death as he bathed them in his wrath. Sparda happened across Forced Edge and took up position from behind, catching the few stragglers Vergil left behind. As promised, he left nothing alive. If it was foolish enough to engage him, it quickly met its end.

Once they finally made it through the portal, Sparda sealed it. His step faltered, weakened by the exertion of the battle. He had not been this active in twenty plus years. His son hoisted him over his shoulder in a fireman hold and rushed through the trees in the mountainous area the emerged from. He knew his devil form was going to fade soon, the thirst for blood being sated. That also meant his sight would be gone as well.

Sparda could tell his son's devil was powering down. Vergil picked up speed, determined to gain more distance. "Vergil, put me down son. You are exhausted." Vergil ignored him, taking advantage of his sight a while longer. Suddenly, his devil form flashed in and out causing him to stumble; losing his footing, they tumbled down the slope coming to rest in a leafy area. Both men lay among the brush panting heavily.

The Dark Knight rolled to his side trying to catch his breath. The sweet clean air filled his lungs. He coughed violently, unused to the purity of the oxygen he breathed in. "Are you alright?" Sparda crawled over to where his eldest son lay sprawled out on the leafy floor bed.

Panting, realization hit him. "We made it out." Vergil turned towards his father's voice as the elder grabbed his face. "We made it." His father kissed his forehead and pulled him into a tight hug.

"My boy, my foolish, foolish, brilliant boy!" Sparda laughed.

Vergil patted him on the arm. "Father, I can't breathe."

"Right." Sparda pulled away kissing his forehead once more. He grabbed Vergil's face looking at his eyes and frowned. The milky white hazed still covered his cerulean blue orbs. "You still cannot see?"

"No, it comes and goes." Vergil said solemnly.

"Do you know where we are?" He helped the other to his feet.

The younger devil wobbled as he got his balance. "Vaguely. Give me a moment." Vergil closed his eyes getting his bearings. He breathed deep, casting out his senses. His devil lies dormant again. He took a gamble with telling it loose. It paid off, he hoped it didn't come back to haunt him in the long run. "We should head southwest. There is a creek nearby. If we follow it south we should eventually come to civilization."

"How long?" His father queried as he helped him down the incline.

"A while." Was the response.