Imagine me throwing my hands up in surrender. When I said this story took off, I wasn't joking. Talk about a flashflood deluge I couldn't stop. I've nitpicked and dithered long enough. This is only the beginning of what came through so definitely expect more. I needed to bring everyone back together so the showdown with the Demon Lord is still a few chapters away, but I hope you find something to enjoy in the meantime. This chapter may seem more like a "filler" I needed to bridge the gap to the action and get back on track. The next chapter, to me, is faster paced. If you don't particularly like this one, please bear with me as I am unsure what to cut or what not to. Please let me know what you think. It'd mean a lot! Thanks.
Calling Me, Calling You
Coming to attention, Lady abruptly straightened when she saw Vergil's eyes lighten to ice blue. Uncertain whether to prepare for an attack, Lady casually moved her hand to clutch Kalina Ann.
Checking which way the wind was blowing, she asked, "What? What is it Vergil?"
"Dante," he answered curtly.
Bypassing defense mode into battle mode, Lady made a rush for the door. Instantly Vergil was there, blocking her.
"Get out of the way. They may need me," she commanded. There was no way Vergil was allowing Lady into a room with an unstable, unpredictable Demon Lord - who may decide to take Dante's pure one if he couldn't have his chaste one.
"No Lady. I was 'speaking' with Dante. He merely wished my advice on the Devil inside who is proving to be difficult to reason with. That is all," Vergil assured her sedately while his blood boiled and he thirsted for some pedigree blood of his own.
Picking up conflicting signals, Lady said, perplexed, "Well I could have told you that. That Demon Lord may act all charming but reeks of brimstone. Why do you think I said the air was foul and wanted to blow him away?" Further disturbed, Vergil trusted Lady's instincts. From what he had learned, he deduced hers were as well honed as his. Cursing under his breath, Vergil realized the second he opened the door, Lady would be right behind him.
Then he heard Dante and held up a hand to let Lady know this. To his pleased relief, she relaxed as she waited patiently for Vergil to give her the lowdown. "Vergil, I've got a plan. I know a lot about demons, but I need to know how a demon thinks in cases like this."
Hiding his slight alarm at this bit of news, Vergil blandly told Lady, "Dante has a plan." Gratified, Vergil saw Lady's sensible wide-eyed expression of warning bells going off.
"Oh no. This can't be good. I mean, Dante does come up with a decent plan now and then but he does better when he improvises as he goes," Lady said to a Vergil who already knew this. Supposing this was one those times, he was almost afraid to ask about this "plan."
"Yes? I am listening," he tentatively informed Dante.
"See Vergil, this guy keeps calling me a hotheaded youngster like I don't know my ass from the ground. To royally make my day, he thinks this is another reason why Trish shouldn't be with me. Seems I'm not man enough for her and I'm her boy-toy."
Not being dumber than dirt, Vergil did understand Dante's insulted agitation and had to clamp down on his mirth as he responded, "You know the years within the Demon World are not measured as those within the Human World. Though you and I may be seen as youths by the older demons, as you mentioned earlier, we do have Father's memories and experience. Do not allow your feelings of being offended get the better of you."
Vergil's reasonable lecture didn't have the intended calming effective and Dante lashed out without thinking, "Nitwit. Yeah, Trish and I like to play together, but he's meaning me being her toy in the demonic way." Wanting to shoot himself, Dante bemoaned his too quick on the trigger mouth. Prudently taking a step back, Lady sensed Vergil go from slight amusement to downright killing frost as Dante carelessly sprung open the door on vivid recollections of him being seen as a "toy" for demons to "play" with.
With savage malicious satisfaction, Vergil also remembered how those demons eventually learned how toys, if not used properly, were hazardous to one's health. Those frosty blue eyes fell on a Lady at high alert. Feeling her practically shivering from the cold, Vergil managed to rein himself in - mostly. Forcing his eyes to a warmer blue to make Lady more at ease, he very mildly prompted, "Your plan?"
Knowing that tone, Dante jumped to say, "So I got to thinking maybe it'd REALLY get his goat if we brought in a real kid to show him just how rambunctious a kid can be. Wouldn't Mr. Respect Your Elders or You'll be Sorry LOVE to learn a lesson or two from a punk? Particularly one under my so called command?"
Vergil caught on quickly, "I do believe you may be correct. Demonstrating the extent of your strength would bring this Demon Lord, as you would say, down a peg or two. Summon the boy."
Dead air filled the radio channel.
Crossing his arms, Vergil tapped the heel of a boot on the floor, waiting. When Lady glanced at him curiously, he shrugged. Becoming a bit impatient, she was finding it difficult to stand still while Vergil mentally communicated with Dante. Lady had to try and piece together what was going by Vergil's expression (no easy task) and body language (same went).
"Well. Out with it. What is the matter now?" Vergil finally demanded.
"Uh, I don't know how to contact the kid," Dante grudgingly admitted.
Praying for patience, Vergil replied, "This is your plan? And yet you have no way of implementing it? Are you seriously explaining you have not placed a trace on Nero in order to track him? Honestly Dante, that is quite reckless - even for you. What of Lady? You keep track of her but not Nero? As a youthful warrior holding a combustible temperament, I would have thought you would be most careful in your vigilance over him."
Dante snarled, "And I thought I was paranoid. Listen you. This is the Human World - not the Demon World. I put a bracelet on Lady before coming here and as for Nero, he's a free agent. Why the hell would I keep a bead on him? There is something called a telephone in case you haven't noticed oh mighty one living in the feudal ages. If I need to track down someone, you can bet that's no problem."
"Oh really?" Vergil purred, "Then perhaps you can track down Nero from where you are, hummm?" Grinding his teeth while grumbling under his breath, Dante couldn't refute Vergil's point.
Dammit. It seemed like a good plan too. Now what was he gonna do?
Wishing to God he'd kept his trap shut until he thought things through without looking like the idiot Vergil called him, Dante snatched Trish around the waist and headed for a large, thickly padded chair. (No way was he going to give pompous pretty boy Demon Lord a chance to sit close.) Even his thoughts sounded strangled as he dragged out having to ask Vergil, "Alright. OK. So I didn't quite think things through. Got any ideas? 'Cause if you don't, the Devil's ass is mine."
Secretly hoping Vergil couldn't come up with something, Dante figured, hey, then it wouldn't be HIS fault if he had to permanently erase the blot of a high ranking Demon Lord to protect himself and his. Dante'd wait until he made the first move, then all bets were off. Maybe he could arrange it so the Demon World wouldn't go bonkers but would instead go after old Murky's "property."
Studying him, Trish didn't miss Dante taking a day cruise into outer space as he imagined all the different, fun, scenarios which could occur. Undecided if she should be amused or smack him, Trish settled on snuggling into his lap to rest her head on his shoulder.
As Mercurous eyed Dante warily, Vergil was busy mulling over everything he knew and suspected. Thoughtfully, he brought Dante down to earth with a thud by saying, "I believe I know a way to find Nero."
Shit, Dante silently thought before responding, "Yeah? How?"
"Yamato," Vergil replied curtly. Sitting up without jostling Trish, Dante got the message.
Ignoring the demon in the room, he asked, "You sure you can hone in him? It sounds like it'll work. That is if that sword of yours remains on target rather than aiming for female companionship."
"Ha. Ha. Your humor is as vapid as ever. Imbecile who did not think past his impulsive leap to the goal without considering the starting gate." Vergil had no problem rubbing Dante's half baked scheme in his face.
Burying his chin in Trish's hair, Dante scowled a retort, "Fine. Sorry. You're right. Feel better?"
"Not particularly, no. While I attempt to summon Nero, I suggest you focus on Kyrie."
"What? Kyrie? How in the world am I supposed to do that when I don't even have a tie in with Nero?" Dante asked, puzzled.
Unsheathing Yamato, Vergil had to concentrate on holding it steady as it sensed Lady. Held within Vergil's grasp, it eagerly burst forth a blinding light as it made to move toward her. Seeing a flaring brilliant blue headed in her direction, Lady absolutely wasn't going to put up with any nonsense from a sword with a mind of its own. (Though after what happened with Vergil, she was a wee nervous as she recalled what the damn thing had done to Kyrie.)
Standing firm, she swiftly, instinctively, reached for Kalina Ann only to pause in midair. Putting two and two together, she thought of its previous manner toward her beloved security system. Would bringing Kalina Ann to bear incite Yamato's excitement? On the analysis it would, Lady took aim with two guns. Inflexibly, she warned Vergil, "You better watch that diabolical, I don't know what, sword of yours. If it comes any further my way, its going to be blasted in two again."
Catching the scene and hearing Lady through Vergil, Dante's scowl turned into a cough - withstanding a hardy laugh. Busting a gut wouldn't do a thing for keeping up appearances as a badass demon killer.
Trish felt his chest shaking as he fought not to break loose. When she glanced at him with an inscrutable question in her eyes, Dante shook his head. He didn't think if he shared this scene with Trish he'd be able to maintain.
"I'll tell you later after I get a grip, kay?" he mentally told her with rollicking hilarity. Lightly shrugging, she cuddled closer as Vergil felt Dante in return. Feeling Vergil right back, Dante didn't dare utter the tantalizingly gloating words begging to roll off his tongue, or rather, out of his head.
"If you wish my help, you will not think to say a word," Vergil hissed as if reading Dante's mind.
"What? I wasn't gonna say anything. Nope, not me. You've got your hands full without worrying about me saying I thought pretty boy demon here had it bad. Poor bastard. Unlike you, he's swordless," Dante couldn't resist throwing that pun in.
Biting his lip, he nuzzled Trish to hide his uncontrollable urge to howl. Man, he didn't know what was harder to control - his need to laugh or wring Merc's neck.
Mentally raising his eyes skyward as if searching for divine help, Vergil was in the uncomfortable position of knowing he should have known better than to provoke Dante, hoping Lady would remain calm and feeling ridiculous for his own sword disobeying him. Thoroughly irritated and annoyed, Vergil let Yamato feel his glacial rage. Lady wasn't above admitting she was relieved to see the sword stilling to an arrest.
Refusing to let out his held breath once he had Yamato focused, Vergil searched through the different imprints left on it until he found a predominating energy he sensed was Nero's.
Pleased Yamato instantly honed in on the boy, Vergil sent Dante an acid, "If you have finished acting the buffoon, I am ready. Are you?" adding surging ice to his question. Doused with freezing metaphysical energy, it was a good thing Trish was on top of him because Dante jumped at the shocking wake up call.
He hissed, "Next time you decide to throw a bucket of cold water over me, you best be prepared for a fire lit under your backside. Get me?"
Coolly smirking, Vergil silkily replied, "I merely wished to lend you a hand in helping you gain control over your mirth - along with your corked brain. You do wish to proceed with your plan, do you not?"
"Yes. Jerk. You enjoyed that way too much, didn't you?" Disgruntled, Dante didn't need Vergil to give him a positive for a question he knew the answer to. Settling into a comfortable position while arranging Trish (who'd been slightly tossed when Dante jolted) into him, he cast out his senses the same time Vergil called Nero, and Nero alone, through Yamato. Startled, Dante was surprised how easily he found Kyrie. Flummoxed, he joined a satisfied Vergil who had proven his theory.
Together they felt the young couple nearer than they should be. Evidently, they had found their way blocked a few times by either rubble or enemies Nero had to fight off or retreat from if he felt there were too many engage without endangering Kyrie needlessly. "How'd you know I'd be able to connect with Kyrie and not Nero?" Dante had to ask.
Vergil gave a nonchalant, "I thought it prudent if we both concentrated on one each," without revealing he had ascertained one of Kyrie's awakened burgeoning talents.
......
Taking the lead, Nero walked with one hand interlaced with Kyrie's and the other holding Red Queen in readiness as they progressed through the fort. When his arm and hand blazed, at first Nero thought he was about to come face to face with a horde of demons but then he was jerked toward a side hallway. "What the..." he started as Kyrie sharply looked in the same direction asking, "Nero, was that Dante?"
"Huh? Dante?" he replied, confused, because he sure wasn't picking up Dante - he was sensing and hearing Yamato.
"Yes. I thought I heard him," she responded, "and your arm is ablaze so I thought you must have heard him also."
"No, I'm..." Nero was cut off as he jerked forward again.
"Nero! What's wrong?" Kyrie questioned over the faint call inside her mind.
"I'm not sure. I don't feel like something's wrong. It's more like Yamato's calling me and wants me to go a certain direction," Nero told her. Stilling, Kyrie closed her eyes and strained to "listen" to the familiar voice calling her.
Opening her eyes, she tightened her hold on Nero's left hand and urged him to follow the call of the blade, "I think both Dante and Vergil are calling us. We must go to them. I don't know why, but I have the feeling Dante needs you."
Skeptically, Nero wasn't as trusting of this "call" as Kyrie. He was concerned it was a trap of some kind.
Sensing his wariness, Kyrie reached out to merge with him so he could hear what she did. "See? What are the chances of a demon being able to call forth your power with Yamato and to silently mimic Dante at the same time?" she urgently explained.
Nero didn't like it, one bit. Yes, he could ignore the summons fairly easily, though it was distracting, but Kyrie had a point. Nero knew how Yamato felt and this was definitely Yamato calling him.
However, what if another demon or hybrid or whatever, had gotten a hold of it? Then again, the chances of someone other than Vergil having this kind of control over the willful, demonic sword were slim to none. He'd felt the sword's response to Vergil and, yeah, he'd been able to command Yamato, but not like Vergil. Crap. Nero sure as demons didn't want to see Vergil again. But if he was with Dante and Dante needed his help (though the idea was kinda hard to swallow) then how could he ignore his request?
Nero owed Dante, big time, and didn't want to let him down but what about Kyrie? He couldn't leave her and didn't want to take her into a potentially ugly situation.
Sensing his trepidation and uncertainty, Kyrie reasoned, "It'll be all right Nero. If it's a trap, and we're careful, we can always retreat, can't we? If it is Vergil and Dante, then we should see what they want, shouldn't we? I mean, for warriors such as them to call us, there must be a very good reason to do so. If we don't go, we would be showing disrespect and ingratitude for everything they've done for us."
Slamming shut his feelings toward Vergil from Kyrie, Nero could half agree with her there. While he absolutely appreciated and was grateful for Dante's help, he wasn't too sure about appreciating Vergil's "help."
Subtly, he eased into Kyrie trying to access her memories of her time spent with Vergil in order to get a clearer picture of this mysterious, lethal brother of Dante's. While he wasn't surprised to find Vergil a closed book, knowing Kyrie's firm belief in others' privacy, he was taken off guard by her adamant refusal to open up - even for a slightest glimpse. Heightening his suspicious perplexity, he "pushed" and discovered Vergil wasn't a closed book but a sealed vault.
Brows drawing together, Nero frowned, "What's up? You know what I want to know, so what gives? He didn't hurt you, did he? Is that why you're afraid to show me what went on when you were trapped with a Devil from Hell?" ready to tear Vergil limb to limb if this was reason she wouldn't let him in.
Sensing Nero's fury at the thought of her being harmed, Kyrie hastened to assure him, "No Nero. Vergil didn't hurt me - well, maybe a little." When Nero started to go into killing mode, she hurried on, "But he had to in order to keep me safe. In 'marking' me, he wanted to keep the vile men in charge away from me."
At her disclosure, Kyrie's experience at Vergil's hands erupted in Nero as he struggled to focus on what she was saying.
Golden eyes widening, Kyrie fought down the mortification as she caught on and exclaimed, aghast, "You knew? Oh, no. It wasn't like that. Really. You know he didn't..." Kyrie balked before clearing her throat and sought to reassure him, "You know... so don't worry. I promise he behaved as a gentleman should. If you remember correctly, didn't Vergil and Dante help you come to me when I most needed you? Whereas I fear I cannot let you 'see' everything that happened, you can 'feel' my trust in him, can't you?"
Rumbling in menace aimed toward Vergil, Nero muttered, "Then why won't you let me 'see' for myself?"
Straightening, Kyrie stepped away with a firm, "I understand why you wish to know, but I made a promise and you wouldn't want me to dishonor myself by breaking my word, would you? And if you cannot accept my judgment of Vergil's nature, then you must either not trust me or think I am naive to be taken in by lies." There was NO way Kyrie was going let Nero know about the pact she had made with Vergil.
Nero had heard THAT tone before and knew there was no budging her once she dug in her heels. Sighing heavily, he gathered her against him and waited until she relaxed into him before saying, "Kyrie, I know for a fact you aren't gullible and can sense a lie a mile away. I also know you're honorable and truthful. Of course I wouldn't want you to break your word (except for now - maybe) and you're right. If you say this guy's on the level, I believe you. It's just that...."
Feeling his agitation, Kyrie held on to him for all she was worth to let him know she was with him, believed in him and understood. Although upset and unsure, Nero would do the right thing - she was certain.
Smiling into her fragrant, silky hair, Nero wondered what he had done to deserve a woman as precious as Kyrie. Leaning back, he tucked a wayward strand behind her ear while saying, "Well, alright. Let's get a move on and see what's up."
As Kyrie returned his smile, Nero's gut told him something wicked lay ahead and steeled himself to dodge oncoming, speeding, congested traffic.
......
As Dante and Vergil felt the couple drawing near, Vergil filled Lady in while Dante negligently stroked a drowsy Trish. Thinking she made for a warm, scrumptious lap and armful, Dante was content as a purring cat - savoring Trish rubbing against him. He figured he had gotten the two for one special as he got to comfort Trish while keeping his enemy in his sights and he enjoyed the sight of his enemy's mounting rage and envy. Guess green's the color in season.
Without taking hooded eyes off the Demon Lord, he mentally crooned to Trish, "Busy day?"
Rousing, she thought back, "Yes. Oh Dante, it was terrible to see the things happening in this horrid place."
Feeling her sorrow, he sent a surge of loving reassurance, "I know sweetheart. It'll all be over soon. We'll be home in no time." As Trish nodded into his neck, Dante was troubled to feel pooling moisture. "Hey, hey. It'll be all right. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. If you want, we can pretend to play 'what are you wearing' over the phone."
Catching the deliberately suggestive, interesting visuals and creative activities Dante coyly sent her, Trish gave a silent choked half laugh. "My, you certainly know how to turn a girl's head. Honestly Dante, is that all you think about?"
"When you're around? You bet cha," he sent her a rakish wink accompanying a roguish grin. Heartened, he felt her returning spunk and husky laughter.
Sensing there was more going on than met the eye and displeased (VERY displeased) by the sight of Trish meekly submitting to Dante's tender administrations, Mercurous glided to sit on a couch facing them with slitted malice glowing in his eyes. Without changing his position, Dante smoothly draped an arm over Trish's hip - with Ivory in full display. His movement also purposely brought the demon's attention to Rebellion. Dante had placed the broadsword upright next to him before he sat down.
"What is it you do Dante?" the Demon Lord asked. Without reply, Dante steadily gazed him with shuddered, flat greenish blue eyes. Taken aback, Mercurous quailed beneath the uncompromisingly menace held within them despite himself. Sensing his fear, Dante allowed a matching curl of thinned lips to spread. Unnerved by the radiating threat, the demon raised his I.Q. level a notch by blustering, "Do not seek to frighten me. I know you would not dare slay one such as me. I know my value."
Eyes gleaming, Dante replied, "Not likely. Y'see, Merc, I've decided you aren't worth my while. I tend to bore easily and you're a boar to be bored alright."
Taking umbrage, the Demon Lord rebuked harshly, "I commanded you to address me properly. How dare you suggest I am unworthy of YOUR attention? You would not wish me as an adversary."
Yawning, Dante lazily drawled, "Yeah, yeah. Blah, blah. Been there, done that. Murky, you ain't got the juice but a lot of hot air. You think you're so great? We'll see."
Whatever I.Q. points the Demon Lord gained, he lost if he actually believed Dante didn't already know he was his adversary. Moreover, the dickhead didn't get Dante did wish (with zealous fervor) to make him as adversarial as he could.
Having mulled things over, he had arrived at the conclusion old Merc thought to find loopholes in the demonic rule book of conduct. By dropping clues consisting of him being "tolerant," "uneducated" and "raised in the Human World," Dante got the hint this prick demon found him of "no account" because he was certain he was ignorant of demonic culture and law.
In trying to entice Lady and Trish to join his enclave voluntarily, the self-inflated Demon Lord figured Dante wouldn't know enough to understand how grievous a crime he was committing. To a demon, taking advantage of an unweaned pup wasn't being dishonorable, but a matter of course. With this sneak thief Devil walking a fine line, Dante was going to nudge him over a cliff by showing his fangs versus the milk teeth the dillweed was expecting.
The anticipatory bedevilment Dante projected raised the demon's disturbance until he wanted to squirm under the dark promise filling the room. "Decease with your mockery and explain yourself. What is it you wait for?" Mercurous demanded apprehensively.
"I don't wait for an 'it' but a 'who.' Are you gonna quit flapping that hole you call a mouth or am I going to have to shut it instead? 'Cause I gotta tell ya, I'm reaching my limit on chit chatting. Let's just say I got something you might want to see before you start getting all 'high and mighty I am going to destroy you' on me. Understand?" Dante warned grimly.
Not having seen this side of Dante, Mercurous paused. Detecting no weakness, he thought perhaps he would be wise in biding his time for, from what he could discern, the demon hunter would slay him without hesitation - no matter the outcome of his demise. Nodding slowly, Mercurous indicated he would follow Dante's advice, for now, and wait for the surprise Dante had in store for him.
......
Coming to an elaborate hallway, Nero slowed as he saw Lady and Vergil. Casting out his senses, he sensed they were the real deal but he also picked up an unseen demonic presence.
Approving Nero cautiously approaching with Kyrie in protective range behind him, Vergil swiftly sheathed Yamato before it could react to the nearing couple.
Feeling Lady at full alert, Nero slowed to almost a standstill. Seeing this, she relaxed and smiled at him reassuringly, "Don't worry, Nero. I'm just babysitting Vergil here to make sure he doesn't cause anymore trouble than he already has."
As Nero wondered what the hell? Lady cast smug eyes at an exasperated Vergil.
"Do not listen to her inane prattling Nero, Kyrie. Lady is merely vexed by certain... personal matters," he purred, making Lady's smug smile turn to a threatening glower. As Vergil's expression replaced Lady's smugness, Nero and Kyrie were puzzled by the exchange which didn't seem to include them.
Whatever, Nero mentally shrugged while Kyrie saw the conflicting, telling, energies bouncing between them and hid a laughing smile.
So that's what Vergil meant by 'personal' matters. Keeping Nero in the dark, as she thought this should stay between Lady and Vergil, Kyrie sent Nero a reassurance of her own to indicate she perceived nothing out of the ordinary except for, of course, the hidden demonic force. Taking Kyrie's advice under consideration, Nero lengthened his strides to come abreast of the two. Kyrie went to Vergil as Nero went to Lady to find out what was so urgent they needed them.
While Vergil sent out calming waves, Lady gripped Nero bracingly on the shoulder. "Nero, I need you to hold steady while I explain the situation to you, alright?" she told him. Mouth firming, Nero's eyes deepened as he nodded and tightened his grip on Red Queen. "You see, Dante and Trish are in that room behind me with a demon lord and he needs you and Kyrie to make an appearance."
As Kyrie's eyes widened, Vergil stepped closer to her while Nero shouted, "A demon lord?! No way am I taking Kyrie into a room with a demon lord, that's for damn sure. She can stay right here. I'll go in, but not her."
Heart beginning to pound, Kyrie clearly sensed the depravity radiating from the room and had no wish to go in either. Unconsciously, she backed into Vergil, grasping his sleeve to hold herself steady. Holding firm, Vergil didn't bring this to Kyrie's attention as he sensed the fear she hid well, which was what he expected. Knowing she would instantly move away out of courtesy, he wanted to sooth her.
Mildly, he commented to Nero, "You sound as though you are familiar with these creatures of high status."
Turning to Vergil, Nero wasn't too happy to see Kyrie almost huddled against him and snapped, "Creatures of high status? If that's what you want to call them, yeah, I'm 'familiar' with them alright. They might think they're all that and tough to beat, once you get down to the nitty gritty, they're a bunch of lily livered cowards who blow a lot of hot air. They turn tail and run just when the going gets good."
Wanting to smirk at Nero's description of some of the most feared demons in the Demon World, Vergil thought the boy was quite correct in his assessment.
"I take that to mean you have engaged a demon lord and found it lacking in fortitude?" Vergil asked.
Nero responded in disgust, "Yeah. And not just one, but several. I don't get it. I've managed to kill off a few but how come most of them run from me yet meet Dante head on? Talk about stupid. I mean come ON. Just who do they think is really gonna take them out - quick? You'd think, from what I gather about Dante's rep., they'd be running from him, not me, for crimnie's sake." Now Vergil wanted to laugh at Nero's annoyance.
"I would imagine their actions come from their ego and, as you say, cowardly nature. You are quite on the mark Nero, only you do not know why. You are an unknown and therefore they can save face from fleeing your wrath if they feel they can do so without notice. Dante, on the other hand, is well known and watched most carefully when he goes into battle. Once engaged, a Demon Lord dares not retreat if it wishes to retain its status or be immediately assaulted by other demons detecting its weakness if it should flee Dante."
Hearing this, Nero didn't know if he'd ever get how demons thought, that is, if they did think. Stupid didn't come close to describing them. Loony was more like it. And as Vergil revealed the purpose for his and Kyrie's being in that room, the loonier they became.
In line with Lady's way of summing up the equation, he said, "So why doesn't Dante take this demon out anyway? What's he waiting for? Just get it done already."
Vergil responded, "He cannot."
Huh? What'd he mean? Cannot? Like in, Dante can't, or won't?
"What the hell's going on here?" Nero demanded as Vergil searched to explain himself without setting Nero off more than he already was.
Lady didn't help any by quietly crossing her arms and leaving Vergil to wander through this maze by himself. Flicking her a brief glance of ire, Vergil asked, "Are you aware of Dante's status in the Demon World?"
Wishing Vergil would get on with it, Nero said curtly, "He's supposed to be some big, badass Devil Master, right?"
"Yes. However, this Demon Lord will not recognize Dante's status and wishes to acquire Trish as one of his chosen ones." Gaping, both Nero and Kyrie stared at him in disbelief.
"You've got to kidding me!" Nero exclaimed, seconding Kyrie's unspoken agreement. "Now I really don't get it. This guy's still harnessed. I can tell. He's easy pickings. I can't wrap my head around Dante not instantly filling anyone with hot lead for threatening Trish." A growl began to emerge as Nero neared the end of his patience.
"Quite," Vergil agreed before explaining, "You are evidently somewhat knowledgeable of demonic culture. However, you may not be aware of the hierarchy and order within the Demon World. This Demon Lord, as surprising as this may be to you, is one who helps maintain the balance between the two worlds thereby keeping law breaking demons in check who would break through into the Human World. He is fond of his stature along with his comfort which would be disrupted by disorder."
Slightly grimacing, Vergil drily said, "Unfortunately, he has fixated on Trish as they used to be fellow companions before she left his sphere of influence. He is not acting rationally and risks much in his gamble to steal or bargain with Dante for her."
Nero saw red as he thought of Trish enslaved by a filthy, slimy bastard Demon Lord.
For her part, Kyrie became more and more frightened as she understood where Vergil was going. "But... But Vergil. How will showing us to this demon help Dante?" she inquired, dreading the answer.
Putting Nero's teeth on edge, Vergil gently told Kyrie while gazing upon her fondly, "Kyrie, I know this is difficult and I sincerely wish to spare you this experience, but it is important for this demon to recognize the extent of Dante's status. You may rest assured, if he will not be swayed, I will move to strike as he greatly fears me."
"Then why don't you go in there and kick his ass?" Nero snarled. "And I don't see the need to bring Kyrie into this. Can't you tell she's scared? If Lady's not going in, you can bet Kyrie doesn't need to either. I get that I'm supposedly one of Dante's... ugh, supplicants, but Kyrie got nothing to do with this. If you won't take care of business, then I can go show this demon Dante's got another... gack, servant under him."
Coolly, Vergil met his furious deep blue eyes with enigmatic ones matching in color, "If needed, I will step in. In this matter, the best course of action is for Dante to prove his worth since, if we are able, this Demon Lord must be returned to his rightful place. In doing so, his knowledge of Dante's might will go far in spreading the word, as they say, within the Demon World. For the sake of those he cares for, Dante cannot afford a single sign of weakness. Do you understand?"
As Lady put a supportive hand on his arm, Nero thought he was beginning to get the picture. Trusting Lady, he waited to hear what else Vergil was about to lay on him.
Seeing Nero did know his role and understandably disliking it, Vergil saw no need to further upset the young man by explaining Dante's role in regards to Kyrie, and said, "As for Lady, she has met this demon and there is no need for her to meet him again. You and Kyrie are unknown. You must know regarding yourself, by Kyrie being your chosen pure one, your status rises to a respectable degree, especially considering your youth. This would be seen as an amazement to the Demon Lord for Dante granting one such as you his protection. According to demonic law, he will seen as more fearsome than before."
Nero could give a glorious Goddamn about playing demon politics and raged, "No way. I'm not putting myself and Kyrie on display for a lowlife, filthy demon just because Dante needs a boost in the 'Master' department."
Lifting his eyes to Lady, Vergil hoped she'd get the message. Lady did and as much as she wanted to take out the demon as Nero, she understood the repercussions of a demonic revolt.
Sighing, she told Nero while sending a sympathetic look to Kyrie, who accepted it gratefully, "Listen, Nero. I totally get where you're coming from and I gotta say I'm with you. As much I hate to agree with Vergil, he's got a point. You see, what he means by keeping the balance, is that if we can't find a way to send this despicable demon home, then we could have a demon uprising on our hands. Demons would break through to our side to the extent of us having more than we can possibly handle."
Hearing her, Nero wanted to curse - viciously. Turning to Kyrie, he couldn't hide the sadness and anger as he wished to God they didn't need to go in there. She'd been through enough.
Picking him up and rapidly putting the pieces together, Kyrie blocked her terror from Nero while unknowingly pressing more into Vergil to feel his calm confidence and strength - wanting to take these traits into herself.
Vergil heartily wished he could release Kyrie from her ordeal. Easily feeling her, he had a fierce urge to bypass demonic politics himself. Sensing Nero's displeasure at Kyrie seeking comforting support from him, Vergil refrained from physically stroking her though it was difficult, especially when Lady began to open the door.
Broadsided by the stench and vile taint of demonic power, Kyrie forced herself to remain upright and composed - absolutely unsure if she could do this or not.
Yet how could she deny Dante when he was in need? And she would be with Nero and Dante along with Trish, who she knew also provided powerful protection. In addition, Lady, and Vergil in particular, would be ready and close by. Being this near to Vergil, she had a fleeting feeling Vergil had an undisclosed plan with Dante which helped bolster her.
With long strides, Nero pulled her into his arms as Vergil ignored his actions, saying, "Nero, you must listen to me carefully and follow my instructions. Under no circumstances allow this Demon Lord to come within reach of Kyrie." Scowling, Nero managed, somehow, to hold his tongue as Vergil stated the obvious.
"Hopefully, Kyrie will simply need to remain behind you." Nero wasn't too thrilled to hear that 'hopefully' as Vergil continued, "Kyrie, if you can, as Nero maintains his vigilance, try not to speak unless you feel you must. Do you understand?"
From within the safety of Nero's embrace, Kyrie nodded, "Yes Vergil. I will do as you say to the best of my abilities. I'll try not to let you all down."
Taking courage from Nero's pride in her, she felt comforted by Vergil's eyes warming in praise. Pulling in every ounce of willpower she had to maintain her poise, Kyrie let Nero walk her toward the dreaded doorway.
In a combination of sympathy and anxiety for the young couple, Lady and Vergil watched as Nero disappeared into the room holding Kyrie securely to him.