Chapter 2: Death and Rebirth

Eva wiped her tears as she woke up crying. It seemed like yesterday rather than two years that Sparda had been taken from them. The boys did their routine as if their father had never left but Eva saw that Dante had become more somber, his playfulness had diminished and Vergil, her sweet Vergil, had become colder. As Sparda instructed, it fell to Vergil to helm the house on matters with Eva's and Dante's help. The new Lord Sparda, although now close to being 8 years old, looked more like their father, even slicked his hair back. Even his demeanor changed, refusing when Dante tried to help on a few things, pulling away and scoffing that he could 'do it himself'. Eva couldn't help but see the sadness in Dante's eyes, but he remained silent and distant.

"Vergil," Eva began gently as she found her oldest in their late father's study. "You don't have to grow up so fast. It's a special day tomorrow."

"Is it?" Vergil asked as he didn't even look up from his reading.

"Yes, yours and Dante's birthday."

"Oh," Vergil looked at the calendar planner and saw in his father's handwriting that it was indeed their 8th birthday tomorrow. "So it is….." Vergil sat back and looked up at his mother. Eva wanted to cry as she looked at her son. He was slowly becoming a pillar of ice….

"Vergil, I am imploring you to at least give yourself some time to be a child. You will have years and even decades to be an adult ."

"Very well Mother, will that be all?" Vergil said in a bored tone. Eva nodded and bit back a sob as she left the study. Dante blinked and walked in.

"What the fuck is going on?" He asked. Vergil sighed and rolled his eyes as replaced the book back on the shelf.

"Mother was just asking for me to just enjoy my childhood." Vergil said. Dante crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway.

"So, what's the matter? It's not a big request. You look like she asked you to give blood…"

"Father is not here…."

"Yea I know that," Dante said with a clenched fist. Vergil raised an eyebrow. He knew he struck a nerve.

"For you, I'll allow just a slight break." Vergil said. "What would you like to do?"

"How about a spar?" Dante asked with a grin. This intrigued the elder as he perked up and picked up Yamato.

"I accept your challenge." Vergil said and the smile Dante gave him, bewitched him. He knew that whatever Dante asked for he would relent. It seemed so right. So Vergil allowed Dante to escort him to their training grounds, both facing each other, taking stances then lunging, their swords gleaming in the setting sun…

The next day Eva watched as her sons finished their morning spar and she bowed her head. She remembered when Sparda would take them then the three would sometimes compete on who would come home first while the losers were stuck with the dishes. She knew her husband let them win almost every time. Now, surprisingly, it was Dante who won! But this time, Eva blinked when Vergil crossed the threshold with Dante laughing behind him. Eva smiled and held the boxes out: blue for Vergil and red for Dante.

"Vergil, Dante, Happy Birthday!" She said. They thanked her and opened them. Inside were their Father's and Mother's amulets!

"We kept these safe for you both." Eva said softly, her voice thick with tears. Keep them safe always, for they are special and when together, they unlock something special." The boys nodded and slipped their presents around their necks and under their shirts. "Now, who's ready to have fun for their birthday?" The twins smiled and after washing and changing up, they followed their mother out of the house.

Mundus was watching from a tall mirror in his throne room and smirked. He turned to a restrained Sparda, who still standing straight despite his body being racked with pain from the torture and lashings that broke his skin and drew blood.

"Well, this is sweet, the boys are now 8 years old…such a tender age…." Sparda glared and growled. Mundus was amused.

"Oh don't worry my sweet," He purred. "I'll kill the mother fast but I will go slow with the spawn. Children are such delights…."

"Spare them……" Sparda begged hoarsely. "Do what you will to me, but not them…."

"You are so delicious when you beg….but no, if I can not turn them, they will follow their mother's example. Your line will fall … as the sun dies in the sky, so will your family…" He nodded to the demon horde and they left with hisses and snarls. Sparda fought his bounds but he couldn't break free.

"It is a blessing that you are not in full power." Mundus said. "Now I will leave you here to watch your family's last day alive " As Sparda growled Mundus laughed.

The twins and their mother walked back home, enjoying themselves. Their mother surprised them with a fair and amusement park and they enjoyed themselves. Even Vergil had a smile on his face as he shared a cotton candy with his twin. When they neared the playground Vergil stopped.

"May I play for a while?" He asked. Eva blinked then smiled.

"Yes Dear, go ahead. Dante, come on you can help me inside."

"Okay." Dante said with a grin. Vergil looked at him.

"No premature sampling of our birthday cake Dante." The elder warned. Dante smirked before looking innocent.

"Who, me?" He said amusingly. Vergil glared at him.

"Dante, so far I've found evidence on that. Father and Mother found it amusing. In fact, I also remember Father helping you"

"Ok Verge, ok," Dante laughed. "No sneaks." Vergil nodded and headed for the playground. Dante went inside with their mother to help her with the groceries.

Vergil was happily playing until he heard rustling and a snarl. He tensed and quickly grabbed Yamato, taking a stance. The demons didn't disappoint, they burst out of the trees and attacked. Vergil blew a stray bang out of his face before lunging and meeting their attack with one of his own.

Dante started growling and Eva gasped. She quickly took Dante's hand and ran to the nearest wardrobe. She opened it and helped him inside.

"Dante, my brave little man, if I don't return you have to run, forget your past and start anew. I have to find Vergil! I love you." Dante's eyes welled up and he tried to beg that she don't leave but his voice got caught in his throat. Eva closed the doors and ran calling for her eldest. She didn't get far. Dante's heart broke when he heard her death screams.

Vergil shakily held his ground but he wasn't unscathed. He managed to take out a few waves, leading them to the cemetery. He battled but he was just a child, a huge demon cuffed him and threw him onto the altar that was at the heart of the cemetery. Another demon grabbed Yamato and handed it over. The demon that towered over Vergil had bright legs and claws and one eye.

"The treacherous Sparda's line will end with the death of his spawn!!!!" The demons cheered as he raised the blade and rammed it through Vergil's heart! He coughed up blood and died on the altar. The demons crowed and cheered but as a reaper leaned over it gasped when a blue and black clawed hand crushed its throat! The other demons looked up and were blown away at the angered surge of power. The last thing they saw, was a newly awakened and triggered Devil and he was hungry…..

"Power…..GIVE ME MORE POWER!!"