Kalina Ann was humming quietly to herself mixing herbs in her kitchen. The priestess was making remedies for the patients under her care in the hospital. Because of her gift she chose nursing as a profession. She enjoyed her work immensely, giving those who otherwise would perish under their illness a second chance at life.
There was a loud banging at her back door that brought her out of her peaceful reverie. Rushing to the back she could see the top of Dante's head. "Dante what in the world-" As she comes closer she noted his precious cargo. Opening the door she ushered him in quickly. "Bring him in here." Kalina Ann took him to the bedroom in the back. "What happened?" The red devil quickly explained the situation as she looked over Vergil's injuries. "He's exhausted his powers, which explains why he is not healing. "She said to no one in particular. The priestess instructed Dante on things she would need and where to find them. She set to work on closing wounds. He returned a few minutes later with the items she requested. "Dante I need you to light the candles in this room starting with the one in the right corner and continue counter clock wise." The younger twin did as he was told. "Does Mary know." Kalina Ann place a blue crystal in the middle of Vergil's forehead. It emitted a low soft glow.
"No." Came the quiet reply.
She reached out to touch his hand. "Call her. She needs to be here."
Fifteen minutes later Lady's motorcycle roared up the driveway. Dante met her at the door. She screamed at him to move. He said he couldn't until he explained what had happened and what her mother was doing. Lady told him he had two minutes before she put a bullet in his head. Kalina Ann had given instructions that Mary needed to be calm otherwise it would disturb the healing process.
Once Dante was sure she was as calm as she was going to be, he stepped aside to let her in. Mary was trying to move slowly and think positive. She had been there as a child when her mother used her healing magic on her patients. She knew the routine. She needed to project calm and positive energy. Coming to the door she braced herself. She had been through this with Dante. She could go through this with Vergil. Steeling herself she opened it slowly as to not disturb the candles she knew were lit for the ritual her mother performed. Mary looked at Vergil and frowned. His skin was ghostly pale and his eyes were hollow. He looked so…human.
Her mother chanted softly as she sprinkled her remedy over Vergil's still form. Kalina Ann glanced at her and beckoned her to his bedside. Large tears silently rolled down her cheeks. She sat next to the bed, Kalina Ann took Mary's hand and placed it over his heart. Instantly, it began beating stronger. Mary gave her mother a hopeful smile.
"He'll be fine. His devil is weak, so healing will be slow. Stay with him, I will return shortly." She smiled.
Closing the door the priestess went in search of the youngest son of Sparda. She found him in the kitchen, sitting backwards in one of her chairs, beer in hand.
"Hope you don't mind." He said tipping the bottle towards her.
She shook her head, "Not at all." Coming to stand next to him she looked him over. A large stubborn gash on the back of his head refused to heal.
Grabbing a cloth, she soaked it in a bowl of herbs and dabbed it at the wound. He jerked his head away trying to avoid her help. "Dante be still." Kalina Ann said in a soft but stern voice.
"I'm fine. Shouldn't you be tending to Vergil?" He snapped.
"He is resting. I have done all I can for him now." She pressed the rag to his head again. This time he didn't try to resist. "Please remove your coat."
The stubborn devil did as he was told, wincing as he took off his jacket. With the help of the herbs, the gash on his head slowly stitched itself back together. "Tilt your head back." The priestess placed a red crystal on Dante's forehead and tended to the shoulder he had dislocated earlier. Dante could feel the warmth of her healing energy course through him.
"Sorry I snapped at you." Dante said wretchedly.
"It's alright. Emotions run high in times like these. You aren't the first to snap, I'm sure you wont be the last." Kalina Ann said softly. She removed the crystal from his forehead and smiled gently.
"Thanks." She brought him another beer and set it in front of him. "Mom's gonna freak."
"You would be surprised how strong your mother is."
"Guess she would have to be raising the Dark Knight's spawn." He snickered. "Guess I should go get her."
She studied his face for a moment and could tell he was holding back the emotional turmoil he was feeling right now. "Are you alright? I'm sure if you're anything like Vergil was when you went missing, you're a little shaken up." She said sitting across from him. "I never spoke to him during that time, but your mother said he was a mess, in his own way."
Dante sighed heavily. "I heard my father's voice when he was tying to save me. He said Vergil had to watch over me. It explains why he was always so over protective growing up." He took a swig of his beer. "I mean, who does that to a five year old?"
"I'm sure Sparda meant well Dante. That is quite the burden for a child to carry. I think it's possible that Vergil took it a step further. Maybe he was afraid of disappointing him if he ever came back." Kalina Ann reasoned.
"Maybe. Who knows what goes on in my brothers head sometimes." He sighed peeling the label off his beer bottle. "I just feel responsible for him being in this spot now."
"You think he wouldn't try to save you even if Sparda hadn't spoken those words? Dante you know him better than that. Besides, you would do the same thing if you were in his shoes." She placed her hand over his. "Why don't you get some rest and I'll go talk to Eva."
The red devil walked to the room where his brother was resting. Cracking the door, he peered in to see Vergil resting peacefully with Lady curled up by his side. Her hand still over his heart. She lifted her head when he entered. "Hey."
"Hey." Dante sat on the edge of the bed, looking worse for wear.
"Why don't you lay down. You look like crap." Lady gave him a tiny smile.
Dante smirked. "Thanks babe. You always knew how to make me feel better." He laid down on the other side of Vergil. His twin still looked deathly pale. The younger furrowed his brows together and sighed. The crystal on Vergil's forehead dimmed slightly.
"Dante, only positive thoughts. Negativity hinders the healing process." Lady said softly.
"Oh, sorry. I forgot." He decided maybe the best thing would be for him to take a nap.
Vergil was overly heated when he began to wake. There was a light snoring off to his right. Trying to shift slightly to get more comfortable he found that it was nearly impossible. He couldn't conceivably be that exhausted. Opening his eyes he saw why he wasn't able to move. Two arms were wrapped snuggly around him keeping him firmly in place. Lady to his left, Dante to his right.
"How are you feeling?" Came his mother's angelic voice. He could see her sitting in a rocking chair to his right. The glow from the candles illuminating her beautiful face.
"Tired. A bit warm." He rasped.
Eva got up to remove a layer of blanket from the bed. Unfortunately, the bodies on top of them prevented her from doing so.
"It's alright Mother. Let them sleep." Vergil struggled to keep his eyes open...he felt so drained.
She sat back down and continued her vigil. Eva heard her son speak in a hushed tone. "I dreamt about Father."
"You did?" She smiled sweetly. "I dream about him all the time."
Heavy eyes glanced over to his mother. The words he spoke before slipping back into unconsciousness rocked her to the core. "I know where he is."
Vergil's words echoed in her ears. Eva's breath hitched in her throat, her heart pounded in her chest. She gently touched the gold ring on her finger. Sparda.
AN: that's the end of this one folks. I know its kinda anticlimactic but, there's a second part to this story. First chapter is already underway.. As always, thank your reading, reviewing, faving, watching! Please let me know what you thought: good, bad, indifferent.. Take care ^_^ ~sbed