Hey guys, Alito Here!
Well, look at that, I'm actually back earlier than I expected. I hope I can finally get into a proper grove of writing and motivating myself to write in general. I've been more focused on my original stuff that I've somehow lost a lot of gas to get the ball rolling on these works. But I'm slowly finding that will in bits.
Anywho, I won't bother with updates on the respective stories since it's been a bit quiet as of late but there are a couple things here and there.
In DOA, a new girl is introduced to Venus Vacation, Nanami, who is a former classmate of Misaki. But the bigger news is that veteran DOA director, Yohei Shimbori left Koei Tecmo. He's been with DOA since 2004's Dead or Alive Ultimate. Sad loss, but that's life it seems.
Nothing much in the Devil May Cry news except a new game called "Lost Soul Aside" being similar to it. Also Shin Megami Tensei 3's inclusion of Dante.
Anyway, let's get on to the story.
DISCLAIMER I OWN NOTHING. DmC: Devil May Cry and Dead or Alive 5 belong to their respected owners.
Chapter 53: Words from the Blind Demon
DOATEC PRIVATE BEACH
OFF THE COAST OF BRAZIL
6:07 am Friday
Misaki had arrived along with the rest of the massive crowd of people. She made sure to dress accordingly in a white sundress with a star at the center of the V-neck collar that showed off a bit of chest.
Their cruise ship had docked onto the warm sand of a bright, sunny morning. It definitely reminded the manager of Venus Island. With, however, one striking difference.
Standing high above were two massive stone statues that were as tall as sky scrapers. In their hands was a massive stadium and across their chest were rows upon rows of seats that could house over a million people. Below the statues were other smaller structures that were probably food courts, souvenirs, and many other places for retail purposes. Misaki was lost in awe at the amusement park-like set up.
"So cool…!" She uttered.
After a small break from the Venus island, Zack allowed her to have a front-row seat to the action as a thank you for her hard work.
But in reality, she really just wanted to see if Dante really was in the tournament. It would've certainly been cool to see him fight. She'd heard so many stories from her sister about him, that she had to see it for herself. That being said…
"…that being said…" She whipped her head around to the others. "…why the heck did you all decide to tag along with me?-!"
"Oh, now don't be like that, manager." Tamaki sneered, dressed in the most seductive dress that had all the men drooling. "I believe we were all entitled to a free vacation from the grueling job of a beach resort."
"Y-Yeah, sure, but—"
"But nothing! There's no way I'm letting my precious little sister go into a den of men alone!" Nagisa stated in a huffy tone.
She was simply dressed in jean shorts cut a tad too short, and a black T-shirt. Around her neck was still her signature scarf.
"Plus, I haven't seen Dante fight in a long while. Figured it'd be fun."
"Yeah, I can understand you two, but…why're you here?"
Misaki referred to Luna, who had gone through her fourth sweet potato that they packed along the way.
"I thought it would be most didactic to watch the displays of martial arts for my own eyes." Luna said in her monotone voice. "As well, I have received a call from Dante that there would be baked sweet potatoes for consumption. I could not miss such a gracious opportunity."
Misaki sighed. She actually wanted to come alone, but Kanna let it spill that Fiona received a special invitation to have a VIP seat of the tournament. It took much research and magic charms, but Kanna had been able to accompany Fiona in the form of…whatever Kana said she was. Ask for Sayuri, and Monika; they stayed behind to keep an eye on the Venus Island.
"And I was so looking forward to it just being me…" Misaki sighed.
Misaki and co. followed the crowed through the towering entrance that guided them through a brick tunnel of darkness. Once through, Misaki was practically blinded by the bright sun above. What she faced was a ton of machinery blocked off by a metal fence. She could only assume that was what powered the tournament ground above them.
They followed the large crowd of people, who were already cheering for the festivities to commence. They traveled up a long flight of stairs before they were finally above in the row of already seated people. The crowd circled the tournament like a football field, as those two stone statues held the main event in their palms.
"Hey, Misaki!"
Misaki's heart skipped a beat at the sound of a familiar male voice. She turned behind her just in time to see a head of white hair approach her through the crowd of people still trying to find their seats.
"Dante!" Misaki said happily.
She practically ran through people just to jump right onto Dante with arms embraced around him. He certainly did nothing to try and stop her; as he was too busy relishing the familiar chest that he enjoyed the night before his departure from Venus Island.
"Misaki, if you keep huggin' on me like this, I just might skip the tournament and see where this goes." Dante flirted.
Realizing her actions, Misaki went red in the face and quickly let go of him.
In that moment, Dante gave a wave towards Nagisa, Tamaki, and Luna; who all returned the gesture.
"I-It's so good to see you again!" Misaki smiled.
"You too. C'mon, let's talk somewhere a lil quieter."
Dante led the four Venus girls through a long hallway just a ways away from where he found them. It was quite obvious that they were in a place that was restricted access from guest. It only made it that much more exciting to Misaki.
"So, it's just you four?" Dante asked.
"Yes. Sayuri and Monica decided to stay behind to watch the island." Tamaki explained. "Meanwhile, the two rugrats—Fiona and Kanna—are somewhere in a VIP section. Oh, to belong to royalty…"
"I'm guessin' you lost your invitation as a contestant in the mail?" Dante noted.
"I'm a busy, bikini model with prospects that require I share my body's perfect image with the world. The last thing I want is a scar to ruin it." Tamaki bragged.
"And what a body it was~" Dante reminisced. However, his thoughts were cut short by a light jab to the back of his head. He chuckled as he could easily recognize it as Nagisa.
"You still haven't told us where we're headed." She asked.
"Well, I figured since you guys know me, there should be some perks that come with it. Ah-ha, here we are."
Dante stopped in front of a pair of double doors just beside them. He opened up and inside was a massive waiting room with a bird's eye view of the gigantic crowd circling the tournament platform.
In the room itself were just some of the competitors of the tournament; including Kasumi, Hitomi, Kokoro, Lei-Fang, Marie, and Honoka on one side, while Tina, Mila, Eliot, and Brad Wong where on their own. In the corners of the room stood Ayane and Rig; minding their own business.
"W-Wow! T-This is a lot of fighters…" Misaki noted.
"I can already tell this tournament's gonna be nuts!" Nagisa noted.
The four girls all noticed one of the female fighters approach them and Dante from their group. They all noted just how beautiful she was with her copper long hair in the dazzling ponytail, and her body was both firm yet strong in her bodysuit.
"Dante, there you are." Kasumi said, noticing the other girls. "Are they the ones?"
"Yep." The white-haired Nephilim introduced. "Kasumi, this is Nagisa, Luna, Tamaki, and Misaki—the girls I met on Venus Island. Venus girls, this is Kasumi—a ninja."
Misaki was the first to rush up to Kasumi with stars in her eyes to match her theme.
"I-I can't believe it! A real ninja! I-It's such an honor to meet you!"
"Oh, no. I'm nothing extraordinary…" Kasumi said humbly.
"I never dreamed I'd get to meet a real-life ninja." Nagisa fawned over. "Oh! Can you make shadow clones and shoot fire from your mouth?"
"Eh? U-Um, well, not any of those things per say, but I can do much more." Kasumi said nervously. "You'll just have to wait and see in the tournament."
"Aw, man!" Nagisa huffed. "I really wanted to see you do a shadow clone and say stuff like dattebayo or 'Believe it.' Such a letdown."
"Yeeeah, we don't say that…" Kasumi sighed.
If she had a nickel for every time she had been asked if she could recreate a move or gesture from an anime, she'd be rich enough to afford a television to watch said anime.
"Anywho, the tournament should be startin' shortly. Better get ready." Dante told them.
"You're right about that, brother."
The four Venus girls looked over towards the voice that approached them. When they took their first glance at the stranger's face, they were immediately struck with awe. The eyes, the nose, the smile; even the white hair—it was all extremely similar to Dante. The only difference was the posture, clothing, and his hair being groomed back. In his hands were a pair of wooden swords.
"Holy twins!" Tamaki blurted out.
"Oh, shit! That's right, you guys are new to this." Dante recalled. "This is Vergil. He's my twin brother."
Nagisa looked at Dante, then back at Vergil, then back at Dante again. "Y-You never told me you had a twin!"
"Yeah, it's a new thing for me too." Dante realized.
"Wow…I guess me and Nagisa aren't the only twin sisters." Misaki said bashfully. "Pretty weird, right Luna…uh, Luna?"
Misaki looked over towards her white-haired companion, only to find that she had approached Vergil.
Luna looked up at Vergil with that blank, far-off stare of hers. For most, it would be a tad unsettling to be looked at with such strange eyes, but not for Vergil. He simply stared back at her with similar eyes as if to look into each other's soul. The girls and Dante were certainly put off by the unusual behavior of the two of them.
If that wasn't bad enough, Dante happened to see a certain twin-tailed blonde who had daggers in her eyes towards the new girl looking at her fiancée (in her head)
Finally, a small smile appeared on Luna's lips as she said; "Acceptable."
Vergil nodded. "Agreed."
Without another word, Luna stepped away from Vergil to rejoin the rest of the Venus girls.
"Uuuh, what the hell was all that?" Dante asked his twin.
"Oh, nothing to concern yourself about." Vergil said offhandedly. "Anyway, here."
Vergil offered his brother one of the wooden swords he had in hand. It resembled a longsword that was just as long as his Force Edge with black wrap around the handle.
"What's this for?" Dante asked, taking the practice sword.
"These are for the tournament. Courtesy of Seditio." Vergil explained, holding up his bokken; designed like his usual katana. "They're so that we'll be able to fight comfortably. They're as strong as ours, but non-lethal."
"They allow weapons?" Misaki asked.
"More or less." Kasumi answered, holding her own wooden wakizashi. "As long as it doesn't cut or shoot, anything is fair game this tournament."
"Sheesh, glad I didn't enter." Tamaki sighed in relief. "Wouldn't want any intense bruises on my body that could be noticeable."
Suddenly, the room echoed with loud bangs outside, followed by the crowd of people cheering hysterically like muffled waves.
"That's our cue." Dante said to the girls of Venus island. "You four can hang out in the VIP booths if you want. Princess and the redhead are there too."
"S-Seriously? Thank you!" Misaki beamed. "C'mon! Let's hurry and get some good seats! I hope Kanna and Fiona didn't eat all the snacks already!"
Misaki rushed off with Nagisa in tow, and Tamaki following behind. Dante and Kasumi hurried through the double doors with the rest of the competitors towards the section that would lead to the tournament stadium.
The room was silent with the final close of the double doors, leaving only the white-haired Nephilim, and the similarly white-haired girl to themselves. There was a moment of subtle quiet, save for the cheers from just beyond the walls, before Luna looked up at Vergil once again.
"Your brother is something special." She said in her monotone voice.
"As expected." Vergil agreed. "So…did you find him?"
Luna shook her head. "No. I'm afraid not."
That was not what Vergil wanted to hear. He averted his eyes to pinch the temple of his nose. Whatever had been building up inside was starting to reach its final nerve as he tried to calm himself.
"I searched through Hell's vail and found no source—"
"Then look deeper!"
Vergil's outburst did not startle Luna in the slightest. Not even his cold, harsh glare did a thing to avert her eyes from his. Seeing this, Vergil could see the twisted rage through the reflection of her eyes, and quickly got a hold of himself.
"My apologies…" He sighed. "…I know you can't possibly understand how I feel right now…"
"It's quite alright." Luna assured him. "I know the revelation was…startling to hear. Know that I am doing everything in my power to help uncover his location."
"I-I know…" Vergil sighed. "…I couldn't even believe it when I first heard it…"
Curious, Luna peered over to see Vergil's troubled expression. "May I ask what exactly did this Phineas person say?"
Vergil recalled every detail that was told to him. It was difficult to forget given what he had seen there. It was there, in that hellish prison ruled by Bob Barbas, that he discovered the startling realization.
LIMBO CITY (Limbofied)
CENTRAL PENITENTIARY
3:29pm Thursday (Yesterday)
Both Vergil and Hayate made their way through the treacherous maze of the upside-down prison. Their journey lead them into a train station of cruel, Limbofied miasma, and oozing, black muck that was infamous for Limbo's grotesque, saturated wonderland.
Both the Nephilim and Mugen Tenshin leader found themselves traveling through the train station; traveling through the deepest, darkest crevices, until they found themselves standing at the final destination of the station.
They were right at the entrance of where all connecting trains coincide with one another. Below their feet was a glass dome that fell into green clouds of oblivion. Above was the train's lobby that was corroded with the souls of the deceased. At the center was a stump of black miasma, and someone chained to it by their wrist.
It was a strange looking fellow; balding, elderly with indigo skin. He wore a small mustache and beard with detailed robes. Upon further inspection, he wore a mechanical device with a lens on the right side of his head. His head was down as if he were unconscious within his own shackles.
"There he is." Vergil confirmed.
"That's Phineas?" Hayate questioned. "He doesn't look well."
"He'll have to do."
Vergil reached into his pocket and pulled out a strange-looking orb. It was made of copper and had something of a nob on top of it like what you would find on an egg timer.
"What is that?" Hayate asked.
"Just watch."
Vergil turned the knob with a loud click.
Without warning, the realm of the upside-down world had suddenly shifted before Hayate's very eyes. He immediately felt the ground escape from him as the world turned around like a spiral. Out of sheer instinct, Hayate landed his feet and was taken for a whirl at how the realm around him had suddenly become right-side up. The glass ceiling was above them, and they stood in the hard, crusted floors of the train station, with the entrances easier to walk through.
"W-What in the world…?" Hayate uttered.
"We've got ten minutes at best." Vergil said, holding the egg-timer in hand. "So, let's make this quick."
Vergil approached the old man, chained to his stump with shackles around his wrist. He groaned bitterly with each step Vergil took upon approaching him.
Finally, the elderly creature known as Phineas rose his head to see the two new guests approach him.
"You…" He croaked. "Who…are you…?"
"I'm sorry, but there isn't much time for introductions." Vergil said, standing just a few steps from the prisoner. "We're only here for one simple question and then we will leave you to your own devices."
"No!"
Phineas rose his head to face the startled guest who stepped back from the sudden outburst.
"No, I will not be left imprisoned here like some human!" Phineas yelled, before coughing out the rest of his anger.
"The way I see it, you don't have much of a choice." Vergil noted.
He approached the old demon and took a knee towards him so that their eyes could meet.
"In fact, I believe answering my question could very well insure your freedom."
Phineas stared into the blue eyes of the Nephilim for any indication of deceit. It was not the first time the old demon had been used and then left to rot. He focused his device on his eye to peer into the depths of the two stranger's souls for a single iota of deception.
Within the ninja, he could see a pure soul radiate from his core. However, there was a hint of uncertainty that resided, as well as a need to prove himself.
"Ah…you are one from the Mugen Tenshin…" Phineas recognized. "I would assume…Hayate?"
Hayate was taken aback. "Y-You know me?"
"No, but…I met your father once…" Phineas tried to recall. "…or was it…someone else? I can hardly remember…A burly man with a strange mustache of sort-"
"That wasn't my father." Hayate interrupted harshly. He could practically spit at the reminder of that monster, Raido, being any kin to him.
It was then that Phineas turned his gaze towards the white-haired man. He had something off within his soul—an unparalleled power that stemmed from the aura of both Angelic grace, and Demonic malice. They fused harmoniously into one singular soul that burned so bright that Phineas had to turn his eye away from the both of them.
When he looked back, he settled on Vergil, and Vergil alone.
"You…You are Nephilim…" Phineas uttered. "Yes…you are Sparda's son…one of two…"
Vergil was troubled by yet another demon who knew what he truly was. But what put him on edge was this particular demon knowing about his who he specifically was.
"Then you know why I'm here." Vergil stated.
"Yes, I do…" Phineas chuckled hoarsely. "…and it is a foolish pipe dream to even attempt it."
A vein appeared on Vergil's temple. "I'm pressed for time. I just need to know how to defeat Mundus. And I know you have the answer I need. Now talk."
Phineas continued to chuckle to himself. "And what do you think you and your brother will accomplish? Legends may deem true, but few carry whole truths..."
"Meaning?" Hayate questioned.
"Meaning it is impossible to defeat Mundus…Even with your Nephilim strength, you have no hope of winning…"
Phineas paused as if to ponder something. Suddenly, his eye widened with a hoarse gasp.
"…but…there is one thing you both could do…"
Vergil and Hayate were piqued.
"What is it?" the White-haired swordsman asked.
A guttural choking that could only be described as cackles from the old demon erupted from his bearded lips.
"…before that…free me…"
And there it was. Of course, their answers would not come without equal value being transferred. Vergil knew this business all too well. Considering the demon did not have much power to pose a threat, Vergil had nothing to fear. Plus, with the ninja by his side, they'd be prepared for a possible betrayal if it arose.
Hayate, on the other hand, was not too confident in allowing the said demon to roam free so easily. There had to be a reason he was chained in the first place, and he wanted answers before they tried anything.
"Before we let you go, I must ask…" Hayate began. "…why were you chained here in the first—"
Slash.
That was the sound Hayate heard before he saw the glint of Vergil's Yamato slash across his eyes and snap the chains he was shackled to into pieces. Hayate was left speechless as the white-haired Nephilim sheathed Yamato.
"What're you doing?-!" Hayate exclaimed.
"Fulfilling my end." Vergil answered sternly.
With the chains destroyed, Phineas rose from the stump, and struggled to stand on his own two feet with difficulty keeping himself from wobbling. Finally, those legs of his regained what little strength they had to keep him relatively stable.
He sighed deeply, before he growled a "Thank you…Now, we must hurry away from—"
Once again, another poor soul was interrupted by the abrupt action from the Nephilim. This time it was in the form of an agonizing scream from the elderly demon, who had fallen to his knees while grasping at his face.
"Augh!" Phineas howled. "You! W-What did y-you do to my e-eye?-!"
Hayate looked in horror as Vergil held in his hand, a mechanical bronze eye that dripped with blood and circuits attached.
"as I previously stated; I'm Fulfilling my end…" Vergil said with a cold stare at the pathetic riving of Phineas. "…I never said I wasn't going to initiate my own incentive, however."
"P-Please! Give me back my eye!" Phineas begged, trying to reach out to Vergil, who only took a step back. "I-I can't see without it…!"
"Then I suggest you tell me what I need to know." Vergil demanded. "How do we kill Mundus?"
Hayate watched as Phineas writhed in pain, but still tried to keep himself from squirming on the floor. The Mugen Tenshin leader was familiar with such means to gain information; he had initiated a few methods himself. However, even he was never so cruel as to interrogate the disabled with such cruelty.
"That's enough, Vergil." Hayate said sternly. "You've made your point."
"Not until I receive what I came here for." Vergil answered, still staring down at Phineas. "Now talk."
Phineas could not bare the pain any longer. He finally stopped his howling in pain, and looked up at Vergil with a vicious, old gash where his eye was. It looked rather infected; as though it had not been properly attended to for years.
"Mundus…is unkillable…however, this is not power of his own…" Phineas explained. "…He requires the vast demonic spectrum of sheer Will to gain his strength…and that is…the Hell Gate."
"Hell gate?" Hayate repeated.
"I've heard of those." Vergil recalled in astonishment. "The Hell Gates use to belong to Lucifer, before Mundus came into power. They're said to hold the souls of millions. They gave minor demons the powers of gods with enough conviction to use them…"
A startled revelation had been revealed to Vergil as his eyes widened and his mouth was held agape.
"...Of course…that's how he's been alive all this time…that's how he rose to power…!"
"Yes…" Phineas muttered, still clutching his eye. "…with the Hell Gate, Mundus has unparalleled control over Limbo and all who inhabit it…except of course, for the Nephilim…destroy the Hell Gate, you leave Mundus powerless…"
"…and then he can be killed." Vergil finished.
"Yes…but heed the result of destroying the Hell Gate…!"
Both Vergil and Hayate tuned into Phineas as he struggled to stand back on his weakened two feet.
"If…if the Hell Gate is destroyed, so too will the construct of Limbo…the veil that withheld the demons from pouring into the real world will be gone, and the evils of the underworld will be revealed onto the mortal plane."
Hayate had to step back and take in what Phineas was telling him. It took him moments before it all accumulated into rational thought. The thoughts of a world with the occasional demon for the Mugen Tenshin Clan or Ryu to take care of was bad enough. But to have to battle an entire world's worth of demons that could overrun the world was a nightmare brought into reality.
"So…the demons will roam among us?" Hayate uttered, before swallowing his fears.
"They will…unless you instead disable it…"
The sweat that ran down Hayate's temple quickly dried to the sound of an alternative.
Phineas breathed heavily as he explained. "If…the Hell Gate is disabled…then Limbo can have the chance to be sealed off from every interacting with the human realm…only then may it be destroyed."
Both Vergil and Hayate eyed each other as if to confirm what they both were thinking.
It was obvious now what was needed to be done; seal the Hell Gate first, then destroy it once and for all to weaken Mundus and kill him. They had gotten the answer they were looking for, and were ready to set the plan into motion. All they needed was the right fire power to burst through Mundus' defenses. Or better yet, get past Mundus himself.
That was when Vergil recalled the tournament. Mundus did say he would attend. Meaning he would be away from his tower, and therefore, away from his Hell Gate. It was the perfect chance to strike while the proverbial iron was hot.
"N-Now…please…!" Phineas begged.
With the revelation coming to light, Vergil almost forgot the bargaining chip he still had in his possession.
"Ah, yes. I almost forgot." Vergil noted.
Hayate watched as Vergil approached the disabled demon as he fell to his knees once again in agony. He whimpered and winced for relief that only the return of his mechanical eyes could provide. Though he did not like the method, it proved successful in gaining answers. Now that they had them, all that was left was to return what was taken from the demon.
However, what Vergil did instead was take that mechanical eye, and toss it high into the air. The sharp edge of the mechanism had stabbed into the oozing grovel of the now ceiling that him and Vergil once stood on.
Hayate stared up, appalled at what had just transpired. That was replaced with anger towards the white-haired Nephilim.
"What have you done?-!" He exclaimed.
"Insure our escape." Vergil said bluntly. "If he sees us, he'll give away where we've gone. His focus will be on finding his eye and not on telling Bob Barbas anything."
That was not good enough for Hayate to drop the matter.
"He has surrendered his knowledge to us." Hayate argued.
"And for that, I'm grateful. But a demon is a demon, and I won't risk us being discovered."
"Wh-What…? What have you done to my eye?-!" Phineas yelled hysterically as he blindly reached for anything within his grasp. "I've given you what you want! W-Where is my eye?-! I can't see without it!"
Phineas quickly rose to his feet and tried to reach for anything to help him. However, he missed his step and fell flat on his face. The pitiful groans of pain as he seemed to resign himself to that disgusting ground, made Hayate ill. To leave such a battered person—demon or otherwise, in such a state after cooperation was beyond vile to the Mugen Tenshin Leader.
"We can't leave him in this state." Hayate growled.
"Would you rather us being hunted down by Limbo itself?" Vergil proposed with a cold stare. "You forget; this isn't the world of smoke bombs and shuriken, Mr. Hayate. This is war—one between good and evil. And sometimes, the good must compromise."
Hayate and Vergil stared each other down; neither faltered in their convictions over the casualties of war. Though Hayate did not want to admit it, Vergil was correct about compromise. However, at least he would never go so far as to consider himself 'good' by any means. But Vergil, he was beyond any recognizable title that could be considered good.
"Besides, he won't be alone." Vergil noted. "I suspect this is a Harpy's nest. They will keep him company."
Hayate did not know if that was meant to be a serious note of ironic comfort, or some vain attempt at humor. Either way, it only annoyed the Mugen Tenshin leader further.
Vergil reached into his coat pocket for the egg timer. At least a minute remained until it dinged.
"Come. We'll begin to shift our positions back upside-down."
Vergil proceeded to stroll towards where he would stand once the world shifted back to its upside-down state. All the while, Hayate could not help but stand there, and watch the downed Phineas attempt to crawl back onto his knees, sobbing to himself at his eternal damnation, as well as blindness to see it coming. He could not imagine a more horrendous fate.
Vergil only paid attention to the egg timer ticking louder and louder to indicate the change in scenery was afoot. It would not have been long now before he would be back at base to inform Dante of what he—
"I…I neglected…to mention…"
Vergil only mildly tuned in to the squabbling of the downed demon prisoner behind him, while Hayate gave him his undivided attention.
"Disable or…destroy…the Hell Gate…you also kill the prisoners…held inside…"
"Prisoners?" Hayate asked.
Vergil rolled his eyes. "He's stalling us. We have 10 seconds."
"Yes…prisoners…scorned by Mundus…and awaiting the sweet release of death…by your hands..."
"5 seconds…" Vergil said impatiently.
"Yes…they wait…" Phineas muttered,
He then sits up to speak loud and clear for even Vergil to hear him out.
"…so too…does your father, Vergil."
And that was it. That was the one thing that finally snapped Vergil out of his trance to follow the egg timer, and had his mind go blank for a tender moment. Then, as if to snap him back to reality, his eyes went wide to the sound of the egg timer ring in his ear.
"Wait, what?-!" Vergil exclaimed.
Before he could even make a move towards him, the entire area had suddenly shifted with a loud woosh that morphed the perception of reality upside down once more. The ceiling was now their platform, while the roof was the impenetrable ceiling that produced no sound from both sides.
"We've returned…" Hayate noted. "At least we were able..to…"
Hayate's words trailed off. He had been far too disturbed by what Vergil was doing. He just…stood there. Almost motionlessly, save for his wide, bugged stare, and flapping lips while muttering something under his breath. He looked like he was in some kind of trance as he stared at nothing. Whatever shadow had been cast over him, became practically visible to Hayate.
Bits and pieces were audible of what this startled Nephilim was muttering to himself about, before his words grew more discernable, and louder.
"No…no…no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no…! No!" Vergil suddenly exclaimed.
He dropped Yamato to violently turn the egg timer while he looked up to expect the world to surrender to his gesture. Unfortunately, all had remained upside down. The more he realized it wouldn't, he grew sweatier, and his hair had begun to lose its slicked back nature.
"Take me back!" He yelled frantically. "Take me fucking back, goddammit!"
Hayate was about to ask what this outrage was about, until he heard the echoes of screeching in the distance. They sounded like hawks but with distorted cries that were hoarse. But what accompanied those battlecries were the sounds of wings flapping against the wind.
"Vergil, we must leave!"
Vergil, upon also picking up on the incoming hoard of demons, begrudgingly cut his losses and had no choice but to leave.
"Fuck…!" He hissed as he unsheathed Yamato.
He cut diagonally and opened a portal into a blue realm towards their escape.
"…and that was when we left Barbas' prison." Vergil finished.
Luna listened intently to Vergil's story. She was just relieved it was shortened to two minutes rather than the length it would have been.
"I know destroying the Hell Gate will destroy Limbo, but…my father will die too…"
His mind had been troubled. More so, than he could figure out a rational solution to. After so many years of fighting, discovery, and struggle, he now finds out that his own father—the same man who separated him and Dante while wiping their memories—was alive. He always suspected the possibility, but never truly humored it. Now, it was all that flooded his mind.
Vergil massaged the bridge of his nose. "God…what will Dante say? What'll he do?"
"You will have to find out once you tell him." Luna said. "If you sit on this information and Dante finds out you kept it from him, he will most definitely lash out in a very negative manner."
Luna strolled up to Vergil. He dared to turn and see those wide, blank eyes of hers stare up, directly into his.
"Are you prepared to whether that storm, Vergil?"
Vergil already had enough to worry about, he did not need Dante's anger to stifle their chances of trying to defeat Mundus. He knew he was already in hot water with the releasing of the Knights of Hell onto the mortal plain, but this would put an even larger wedge between them. Coupled with his plan to storm Mundus' tower and hoping that it goes without a hitch, It had begun to put a strain on the young Nephilim.
Finally, Vergil decompressed and tried to focus on one thing at a time.
"I'll…worry about all of that later." Vergil sighed. "For now, the tournament awaits…"