Vergil

Vergil had never felt entirely at ease in the underworld. It was a truth he would admit to no one. Still how was one suppose to feel when returning "home" to the place where the ruler wanted him dead? Vergil supposed he felt relief, but it was muted by the price on his head. Not to mention he carried Lauren's scent, the annoying woman. The last thing he needed was to draw the queen's attention any more than he already had.

Vergil looked to the mirror before him. He could see the warped visage of the underworld, seemingly beckoning him. The only thing convenient about this portal was it's location; with in his more favored earth bound home. Sword drawn Vergil slowly stepped into the mirror and into hell; his demon form coming out of it's own accord. Here, he was Nero Angelo, he didn't need to let small matters of humans and their safety annoy him. Here, he could and would find and kill all who threatened what was his, where he could reign supreme if he chose to make it so. It was an appealing idea to say the least.

Still in the back of his mind, he could remember the last time he'd ever felt comfort in the halls of hell. Damn Lauren and her scent, damn her fool cigarettes, the smell of them was all over him. Vali and her idiot pawnswould be laughing till…come to think of it...perhaps Lauren wasn't quite as useless as he'd previously assumed...

Shadows

She tipped her head back, watching the swarming demons in the oracle's globe. They were killing humans, shedding blood of dhampire and vampire alike, crushing fey into glittering dust. The agony, the pain, the rage….it was all so perfect. And look, there was Lauren, her little pet, the naughty run away and wild seed all rolled into one. Ah it was time to send another invitation. Lauren was the only human she had never tamed and the only black guard the deviants of her court listened to. Or so it would seem.

"My Lady," the being bowed before her. "Excuse my interruption, but I was bidden to contact you at the behest of my…Lord." Through the exhilarating thrill of the magic white dust currently sucking her viens dry, the dark princess of the inner-city fey court regarded it. It smelled hideous beneath it's dark cloak that covered it from head to toe. Angels, their stench was distinct as rotting garbage.

"What need have I for you or your master?" she asked. By her side, her life mate stirred. He was impatient with her. He thought it beneath them to indulge in the magic white powder the human's called 'cocaine'. Her majesty begged to disagree. Cocaine was very profitable if one only knew how to harness it's magic for their own use. The premonitions the white powder afforded her majesty were priceless.

"Your alliances have failed. Shortly the dhampire and demons alike will over run your territory. My lord has a proposal for you to consider," the being spoke quickly. "Were you to hand over the heart to the girl in yonder globe, my Lord has a generous offer of power. An alliance if you will."

"Speak being, our patience wears thin," her life mate snapped.

"Very well, promise the heart to the girl of whom I speak and we will ensure her death."

"Why would I do that? You've failed to mention why it is in my interest to relinquish the heart," her majesty of the fey court replied.

"Because it will no longer be useful to you now that the reincarnation of it's master will soon be born. Keep the heart princess, and the demons will swarm you for sure. The queen of hell desires the it. Give it to us, and we will deal with your enemies for you." It was a most generous proposal, the queen of hell was know for her ruthlessness. Her majesty could tell however, that her life mate was untrusting of such a bargain. Or perhaps he was impatient for the maiden in the other room. A virgin if Her majesty knew her life mate quiet as well as she thought she did. The curiosity was enough to pique her own interest in the matter.

"You may have the heart," the princess replied. "Only if I may be the one who kills the girl. I've wanted her eyes for some time now."

"We are in accord, your majesty," the being replied. "The key for the heart. My lord has no qualms of the manner of the key's death. You have our alliance for the future war my lady"

"And with whom would I be in alliance with?" her majesty raised an eyebrow. It was not often the angels sent a courier to their lesser cousins courts. She wanted to know for certain what her word was binding to. Impatiently, her lifemate shifted from foot to foot beside her.

"I am but a humble servant, my lady," the being bowed deeply.

"And what is this humble servant's name?" her majesty demanded annoyed. Her majesty was use to getting her way and the members of her newly formed court were coming to understand and even accept the fact that what her majesty wanted, her majesty was sure to get. By fair means or foul. She was after all, a dark princess. Her life mate growled lowly in warning to the angel.

"Raziel, my lady," the being replied after a moment's hesitation. "I am called Raziel."

Vergil

Vergil pulled his blade out. The demon before him wheezed, it wouldn't beg for it's life, it knew that was pointless. However, it's glazed eye was staring up at him, the one seeing eye wild with pain, fear, and despair. It wanted a quick death, he would grant that, as soon as he knew what he desired. It had been foolish to think it could kill him in the first place. He was general, not a useless underling footman.

"Now, where is she?" he asked the demon, leaning on Yamato's hilt casually. The demon's breath came in rattled gasps. It opened it mouth to speak, blood traveling down it's reptilian chin as it spoke.

"My Lord, the queen holds court in the main hall," the demon paused to chough up more blood.

"I see, you have been most helpful Crod," Vergil pulled his sword out of the ground. The crocodile demon eyed him.

"Please my honorable Lord, spare me and I will forever be your loyal servant," it wheezed. "I would do all you would ask to live my lord."

"What need do I have of a servant?" Vergil asked, annoyed. He buried his foot into the demon's belly. It grunted in pain.

"I can be your eyes and ears my Lord Nero Angelo," the demon gasped. "Please consider, my service is of great value, I would do all you asked of me." Vergil narrowed his eyes at the demon before him. The Citadel was mere moments away, why waste more time on this useless being? A slave servant for indifference, it was a trade his pride could permit.

"As you wish. Risk my anger with your life, demon, those are my only orders for now," Vergil lowered yamoto's edge. "Now go weakling." Whimpering the demon bowed it's head and started to slowly crawl back to it's home. Vergil turned to face the looming Citadel…no doubt Vali was waiting.