Through Hell and Back
Mission 1
Wild Ride
Summary:
Dante and Vergil arrive back to Human World less than glamorously but alive. After a verbal disagreement with Dante, Vergil leaves once again to be on his own. He did, however, entrust Dante to act in his stead as Nero's father figure. While in Fortuna Vergil decides to investigate why Nero was abandoned and where his mother had disappeared to.
Author's Note
If I'm inconsistent with DMC lore, I'm sorry. I don't have every bit of history available to me. I'm trying to get as much straight as I can. In DMC 5 it seems to be set in a more real-world setting than previous versions. So, that being said and with Wiki telling that twins are in their 40s by then I'm going to use items that might seem a little out of place today but was common place just a few decades ago when Dante and Vergil were younger.
The air was foul to smell, damp, and heavy. There wasn't much light to be had ether with the only light coming from some strange hellish bugs that crawled long the walls and ceiling of the cave. A set of white boots with green high heels clicked on the ground with two more pairs of black boots thumping in behind. A woman with bright white hair fading into a minty green lead a couple of silvered men down to the very back of the cave. They really hadn't said much to each other on the last leg of the journey.
Finally, after a slight slope down they reached the end of the cave. The smell got worse once in the chamber. It was almost enough to gag at. The younger of the men did clamp a hand over his nose. Their guide did the same. The other tried to deal with the smell but eventually had no choice but to follow the others.
She took a few more strides to stand in front a fleshly opening that pulsed and oozed some sort of viscus liquid that was a reddish purple. It was disgusting to look at and the smell made things worse. She turned to look back at them. Her ghostly green wings that were draped over her shoulders fluttered like a cape.
"This is it. The Devil's Pipeline or the Glorious Puke Hole depending on who you talk to," her voice was muffled through her pale hand. "This should get you back home to the Human World. However, not in a 'glorious' manner."
"Glorious Puke Hole is a good name for it," the man in dark red said, looking away from it and cringed. "That is disgusting! Ugh!"
"I had heard tales of this place before when was I here previously," the man in the black coat stated. "I thought they had been exaggerated... I see now they were not… Vile."
"Vile doesn't even cut it. It's a backdoor out of the Demon World. There are a lot of them but they are scattered with great distance. As you know my sisters and I are to guard this place."
"And yet you showed us the way instead. I guess you did keep your word," the man in red said, walking up to the pipeline with his dark boots now almost ankle deep in the ooze. "Honestly, I thought you were just taking us for a couple of fools. I thought you were going to try and us set up."
"I'm not strong enough on my own to take even one of you on," she huffed. "I tried already and as you know…"
"You failed," the man in the black coat walking over to stand by the other. "Just what is this… Thing before us?"
"To be honest, no one really knows. There is some debate if it's living or not," she shrugged. "Like some strange collective of creature and demonic energies. That has been the best theory between us. It's not pleasant to travel and it takes 7-8 minutes to pass through before you get to the Human World."
"That's not encouraging," the man in red picked up his boot and the thick liquid came up with thick strings. "So, we have to jump through this shitty puke hole here to make it back to the Human World? This should be fun…"
"Where will we end up?" the man in blue asked, turning to look back at her.
"There is no set destination. It's a crapshoot or potluck or whatever you humans call it," she shrugged again. "We tried it once when we were younger. I ended up in some human landfill. One of my 6 sisters ended up in an ocean. We all ended up in places that were not as expected nor desired."
"So, there is no set place?" the man in blue asked, he tightened his grip on the large katana in his hand.
"From what I experienced and from what others have said it's not the best way to get up there," she said. "Mundus was the one to put us in charge of this place. We've been here so long that it's our home now. We guard this place not out of duty but as if a thief was breaking into our house. Hint, hint."
"Okay, I can see that. That makes some sense. A lot exatually," the man in red nodded lightly. "We totally just broken into your house and wrecked your shit."
"You wrecked it very hard. Very," she stressed.
"Is there anyway that the Yamato could be of use in there? To redirect our course?" the man in black asked, walking a little closer to the opening as the oozy slime started to seep over his ankles.
"There may be a small window just before you come out the end. The space might be thin enough to use it," she answered. "It's going to be a tight fit in places. I don't know if you'll have the room to swing."
"I'll manage," he answered bluntly.
"Hey, you're not going to get into trouble for helping us, will you?" the man in red asked.
"A scolding and maybe a few knocks to the head but nothing serious," she replied. "I'm just repaying my debt to both of you for saving me."
"You wouldn't have needed saving if you'd learn how to fly," the man black bit out and pointed a finger at her.
"I have a crippling fear of heights," she huffed out at him and quickly looked away from him. "And I don't recall asking any one of you to help me."
The man in black scoffed in reply.
"You fell off the cliff and in desperation grabbed me. You caused me to stumble and Dante had to catch both of us just as the cliff gave way completely," the man in black hissed at her arms crossed.
"And let us not forget the fact that you screamed, 'don't let me go! Please, don't let me go!' So, I'm pretty sure you asked us. And you damn near strangled Vergil trying to climb up over him to get to me," the man in red, Dante, said with a sassy grin under his hand. The other man looked none too happy. "So, uh, let's get back to this Glory Hole here. What else do we need to look out for aside from the slime and crapshoot landing?"
"I think I already said it's about a 7 to 8 minute trip. You just slide the whole way down but I'll tell you… It's not an easy trip, nor pleasant. It's horrifying and even violating. Sickening and filthy. Tight and jostling. When you come out…Oh, damn… You aren't going to be at all yourself for a little while," she warned. "I remember sitting in that putrid pile of garbage for at least a good hour before coming out of my stupor. I'm almost certain I was rendered unconscious as well upon exiting. I don't know how Isis didn't drown. Don't try to play macho because you won't be able to. Not by the end of that ride."
"I'm sure we've been through worse," Dante laughed at her but she was not amused.
She glared at him and shook her head. He had no idea what the Devil's Pipeline was like and it was no laughing matter. She heard many a demon say they were left in shock and she knew just how bad it was. If these stupid brothers wanted to believe that they could come out that pipeline with little to no trauma they were going to be in for a surprise. She didn't care if they were kin to Sparda not even someone like him could come out perfectly fine.
"Well, I warned you. You're not going to come out in the same state you are now," she said, taking a few steps away from the exit point. "When you start to see a bright light is when you get to the end of the line. Try to keep your wits about you until then. During the brief window try to use the Yamato before hitting the exit point. Make sure you got a set place in mind before just jumping in."
"A set place…? Hm…" the man in black, Vergil, looked back down at the blade in his left hand.
"Some place where you might be able to get help right away. A friend's house or maybe another family member," she suggested. "You don't want to just end up some place alone even if you know where it is others might not."
Dante pondered the idea as Vergil looked at the Yamato.
"Why not just go to my office? It's got a couple of beds and a shower," Dante suggested. "I'm sure that someone like Lady or Trish will be there. Hell, Morrison might be there, too. I told him to make sure those two don't get carried away with the place."
"I believe it has been 2 year since we departed," Vergil stated, looking at his brother.
"And? I know Morrison. He'll keep that place going one way or another," Dante seem rather sure of himself.
"Things can change greatly with time, Dante," Vergil said, moving to stand directly in front of the opening. "Do you really trust them to protect your business?"
"Well, if that place isn't an option, we'll think of something," Dante moved to stand beside him.
The slimy fluid was now just below their knees and it had an uncomfortable warmth about it. The kind of warmth one my find from a body. Like warm pee or fresh puke. Maybe even a warm toilet seat in a store. They looked down the long pulsating shoot and its slimy, viscus lining.
"So, who goes in first me or you?" Dante asked, feeling his stomach tighten a little as looked down.
The space looked like it was just a straight shot down and was dimly glowing an eerie green.
"If I'm to open the portal I need to be up front," Vergil answered, flight the thick slime to put his foot up on the small step up into the pipeline. "Just try to keep up."
"Oh, you'll have to try harder than this to lose me," Dante said, stepping up beside his brother before looking back at their guide. "Oh, wait… We never actually got your name, lady."
"It's Galless," she answered. "You might want to hurry now. I am certain my sisters know that you are not going through their traps and that I'm not reporting in. They could be here any minute."
"Galless? I kind of like that. It's different," Dante mused. "We'll, brother, let's get this shit over with."
"Thank you, Galless," Vergil never looked at her as he jumped.
"Yes, thank you and adios," he gave her a mock salute before following his brother.
"They're idiots…" she turned and walked towards the entrance. "Pure idiots."
She stopped at the mouth of the chamber and looked at the oozing fleshy tube at the far end. She shivered and gagged before she started back up the slight slope leading to the cave. Well, she warned them. That place was everything she said and worse. Eight minutes of what they were about to go through will seem far longer. She let out a sigh and scraped her boots off on the floor and wall of the cave. At least they were no longer her problem.
Dante slid down on his back with nothing to slow him down. As some point Vergil found himself on his stomach and couldn't get the leverage or grip to roll back over. The walls were so slick that they couldn't even attempt to slow their fall. They were tossed into the air and slammed back down the shoot again. They would slide through thick puddles of the slime. It went up their noses and bore into their ears. It completely saturated their clothes and matted their hair. A few areas were so restricted the best way to describe was being shat out into another location.
They slid down another long line and Dante saw something he didn't like seeing. A whirlpool of that ooze just below them. There was nothing he could do to stop. He looked at his brother just a few feet ahead of him. Vergil was still on his stomach and he couldn't see it.
"Close your eyes, hold your nose," Dante called out.
Vergil didn't even ask why, he just did it. Not a second later they fell off the sharp ledge and straight down into that warm viscus whirlpool that was quickly pulling them under. Vergil blindly reached out and caught one of Dante's pantlegs and made sure not to let go. With one hard push the fleshy, thin opening expanded and they landed in a river of the stuff before being washed "ashore" so to speak just before spiral down into a flesh floor. They managed to stand up just long enough for the floor to erupted, jetting both of them up and into another tube. Somewhere Dante got in the lead, which was not the plan. He struggled to at least get Vergil down even with him.
"Pull me forward," Vergil ordered.
"I'm trying," Dante forced through his teeth.
It took a few tries but Vergil was back in the lead and on his back this time. Was this 7 minutes up yet? Up, down, left, right or whatever direction this hellish pipeline wanted to take them. They were squeezed through tight spaces that were so constricting they didn't know if they could breath or not. They bumped into each other countless times. Dante could only think of being stuck in a pinball machine. The brothers had taken all manner of knocks and falls.
They washed through a water fall of slime and that's when Vergil finally saw it. The faint glimmer of the exit and it was coming up fast. It was just around the last bend. He needed to get a good grip on the Yamato's hilt and lay flat enough have the room for the strikes he needed to make.
He took hold of Dante's pantleg again to make sure his stupid brother wasn't going to land who knows where and screw up even more shit. He didn't have much time. He needed to make each slice count. In the blink of an eye he swung the Yamato in its famous cross pattern farther up head of them. They would just slide in and boom they would be where the needed to be.
"Can ya hand me that flashlight, right there?" a woman asked with her body stretched over the engine of a large van and her head ducked down inside it. "Damn steerin' fluid pump I think it needs to be replaced. Again."
"Here you go," a man answered as put the flashlight in her hand and she quickly pulled to where she was working.
"Cheap damn piece of shit," she cursed at it. "The seam on the damn tank is busted open. Didn't ya just get this new?"
"Yeah, like two weeks ago, and we've hardly even used this," he grumbled.
"Next time, Nero, let me buy the parts. That shop is nothin' but a damn rip off," he hissed, pulling her head out of the engine. "Oh, they ain't goin' to like me when I get back up there! They are payin' for this shit!"
"I bought it cheap because we don't have the money for a good one. You're lucky I didn't go to the junkyard, Nico," he snorted at her and crossed his arms. "I really couldn't even afford that one."
She scrunched up her face at him before standing back up straight and grunted. Unfortunately, that was true. They had hit a hard spot lately not getting the jump on new cases. Lady and Trish were usually the first on the scene for the big cases and they usually got piddly cases that the pair didn't want. More people were into the stationary office than a traveling one. That being said, most of the calls went there before being forwarded to them.
He needed to have a long talk with them about being cheated out of some of the good cases. They had told him that the cases were coming in slow right now. So they were all in a slump. Nero just didn't like that excuse. There might be a chance that was true but it was still eating at him, Nico, and even Kyrie. He could only hope that something good was going to come their way at some point. Lord knows they could use some good fortune.
"I'll mess with this piss bucket in the mornin'," Nico turned off the flashlight and dropped it on top of large toolbox. "I'm too damn angry at it right now."
"Ah, c'mon don't talk about her like that," Nero grinned and patted on the side panels. "She's holding up considering all the shit we've put her through."
"Yeah, I know. It's not like we can afford a new one anyway," she closed the hood and pulled out pack of cigarettes. "It's like what? Around 10 or somethin'?"
Nero looked at the clock on the wall.
"It's like ten minutes to 11," Nero told her and rubbed the back of his neck. "I need to get to bed. I promised Kyrie I'd take her shopping tomorrow for a wedding cake."
"I want Strawberry with chocolate butter cream," Nico said, lighting the cig and took in long drag.
"It's not your cake. It's mine and Kyrie's," Nero snorted.
"Shiiit… Okay, what do you want, Mr. Indecisive?" Nico asked, walking over to him.
"What does that mean?" he asked waving the smoke from his face.
"What do you think it means? You can't seem to figure out what you want. Its your weddin' too, dummy. You've been lettin' Kyrie pick out everythin' and it's not like she isn't givin' ya a chance to speak up," Nico said, blowing smoke in the other direction of him. "And don't ya dare say that it's just not your sort of thing! You can pick out your cake. You can do that much, can'tcha?"
"It's not going to be strawberry with chocolate frosting."
"Butter cream, not frostin'."
"There is a difference?"
"Duh… Maybe you should let Kyrie pick that out, too," Nico hung her head and shook it. "It's just too much for your little mind to handle. Boom! Your mind will be blown when you get there. Cakes are just so confusin' and convoluted."
Nero just stared at her and she took in another drag off her cig.
"And I'm done. I'm going to bed," Nero turned and started for the door. "Turn off everything when you're finished. And please put that out in the tray and not where you please."
"Good luck tomorrow," Nico smirked at him. "I'm sure Kyrie will pick out somethin' nice. OH! Maybe I can convince her to get my cake."
"Fat chance on that one," Nero grumbled.
He barely put a hand on the door when a flash of blue light lit up the space behind them.
"What the hell?!" Nico screamed out just as he turned around.
Out of the fleeting blue light came two figures that hit the garage floor and slammed with great force into the shelves on the far end. Everything on the shelves came crashing down to the floor and on top of the unwanted company. Nero quickly dashed over where the split-second portal had been and looked at the long, dark streak of ooze, slime that lead the to the mess on the floor.
"Nico get next to the door and get ready to leave and keep Kyrie inside,"
"Yep, on it," she quickly raced the for the door leading into the house.
Nero inched towards the pile of car parts, chemicals, tools, and other odds and ends. He was sure he counted 2 figures that jumped out of the hole. He reached under his coat for Blue Rose and pulled it out. He kicked a few things out of his way to get to the large, goopy lump in the middle of the pile. Someone or something was moving slightly under everything but he couldn't make out any defined shape.
"Careful," Nico said under her breath.
"Shhh," Nero breathed, bending down to picked up a large bottle of oil off something.
Even through the thick muck that clung to it he was sure it was human hand. He cautiously pulled off a few more items when something caught his eyes. The hilt of a drawn katana and not just any katana. He knew it like the literal back of his hand. He quickly tucked the gun back and started pulled everything he could from the large slimy heap on the floor.
"Shit! Nico, get over and help me," Nero said, just throwing what he could out the way.
Nico quickly hurried over just as Kyrie stepped out in a pale purple robe. She wasn't quite sure at what she was looking at. She heard a loud crash and what sounded like Nico scream. She hurried as fast as she could. Now she found Nero and Nico unburying something on the garage floor.
"What's going on?" she asked and hurried over. "Nero, what happened? Are you and Nico okay?"
Nero tossed out the Yamato to get an unconscious one person untangled from the other. Kyrie's eyes widened at the sight of the blade. Wasn't that Yamato? Nero rolled the first person over and found an unconscious Vergil. Nico was working on trying to get Dante untangle from a few cables.
"Move over," Nero said, dragged Vergil out of the mess while Nico got Dante to roll over.
"Who's that?" Kyrie asked before Nero hurried over to help Nico with Dante.
"Vergil," Nero said and dragged Dante over to lay next to his brother. "And Dante…"
"I'll say one thing… They know how to make on hell of an entrance," Nico said, looking at the trail of destruction they caused. "Ew! What are they covered in? Ugh! Phew! Smells like a pile of trash left outside in the summer sun for too long and then sprayed by a skunk. Oh, man that smell is not comin' out easy! Cough! Cough! Ooh, man! My eyes are burnin'. Ugh!"
"Oh, that's sick. Where did they come from?" Kyrie asked, holding her nose and looked down at Vergil and then Dante. "Are they hurt?"
"I guess the Demon World as far I know," Nero said, putting the Yamato back in its sheath. He then went over and picked up Dante's sword. "They went there to sever the Qliphoth roots and… That was the last anyone saw them."
"It's been two years, hasn't it?" she asked and Nero nodded.
"They must have had a hell of a time to get back up here. They look like shit," Nero said, crouching down to Dante's and Vergil's level.
"Smell like it, too. So, what are we going]' to do with the stink twins?" Nico asked.
"Tch… Hell if I know. I don't even know what this stuff is that they are soaked in," Nero clicked his tongue. "Ugh… We can't leave them out here but I don't want this stench in the house either."
"I can get the hose?" Nico suggested.
"Nico," Kyrie snapped.
"Actually… Yes, get the hose," Nero said, looking at Nico and then Kyrie. "Kyrie, get some soap and towels. I want to get some of this crap off them before bringing them inside."
"Alright, I'll be right back," Kyrie nodded and hurried back to the door.
"I'll get the hose for ya," Nico open the garage door and hurried around the side.
Nero looked down at them. They were so covered in this stuff that if it hadn't been for Yamato he might not have known who they were. Nico hurried back in a green house and a spray head.
"It's all good to go," Nico said as Nero looked at the adjustments.
"Shower and…" a few clicks later. "Jet."
"Jet? Still holding a bit of grudge, are we?" Nico looked a little quizzical
Nero looked her dead in the eyes and sprayed Dante nearly point blank in the face for a second. Even one spray to Vergil's for good measure.
"Yep. Uh-huh," Nico breathed as Kyrie hurried out with a large bucket of shampoo, washcloths, soap and towels.
"Here you go, Nero. I don't know if I should get them some of your clothes or not," Kyrie asked.
"Your best bet would be some of my sleep clothes. Better chance of fitting," he told her grabbing the shampoo and soap. "I'll get them somewhat washed off out here and we'll get them inside after that."
"I'll see what I can find," Kyrie hurried back inside. "Let me know if you need anything else. I'll be sure to get it."
"Thanks, Kyrie," Nero said, using the jet to start working on Dante's hair and get rinsed out some. "This is going to take a while."
"Want me to help ya?" Nico asked with a large grin.
"This is awkward enough and I don't need you to get anymore involved than this," Nero said, grabbing the shampoo and put a heaping amount in his uncle's hair.
"C'mon… I can get your daddy and get him cleaned up," Nico said, walking over to the other side of Vergil. "Besides, they look completely out of it. They might not wake up for a while yet."
"Please don't say that. Ugh, oh, God," Nero cringed and shuttered. "I mean the guy's my father and all but it's not right to say what you just said."
"You mean wash your daddy?" Nico gave Nero a rather mischievous grin.
"Stop! Don't… Just don't… Don't open your mouth. Don't talk at all, just do what you need to," Nero said, handing Nico the house. "I want this to be over with and pretend this never happened."
"Would ya feel better if Kyrie did this?"
"Nico!"
"I'm legit on this! Would ya feel more at easy if she did this instead of me?"
"I don't… Nothing is going to make this any easier!"
"Okay, but just how much am I allowed to you know, uh…? Clean…? Hmm?" she popped her eyebrows up and down at couple of times.
Nero looked rather angry at her but seriously just how much was she allowed? At this point it might not even matter. It was just awkward now knowing that this was his family.
"I'll see when we get there," Nero breathed taking back the hose to rinse out Dante's hair.
Dante woke up feeling the whole room was flipping upside down. He tried to sit up but quickly decided to stay where he was. Where was he? This didn't look like the Demon World. This was a normal bed with windows showing a blue sky. How did he get out? He wasn't sure about anything. How did he get here? There was a woman, something about glorious puke, and dark slime for days. Also something dealing with flesh… Yeah, his brain was scrambled eggs at the moment.
He took a long breath. The air was even fresh and no longer reeked of Hell. He rolled over carefully to see a roll away bed on the other side of room. There was someone there. He blinked several times to get the room to settle down. Was that…?
"Vergil…?" Dante breathed just barely a whisper.
He tried again to sit up but no luck. He just stayed on his sided and stared at his twin on the other side of the room. Where were they? He had no memory of this place. He suddenly heard the door squeak open and someone walk in. A familiar form walked into his blurred vision.
"Well, one of you finally woke up," the man said, walking over to him. "Are you okay, Dante?"
"Nero?" Dante asked, trying to sit up.
"Don't just yet… That stuff you and Vergil were soaked in messed with us, too," Nero said, not looking so well either. "It feels like coming off some sort of binge with a nasty hangover. Nico's thrown up a few times."
"How did w-we get here?" Dante asked, looking up at Nero with only one eye open.
"Not sure. I was in the garage with Nico when both of you just came out of nowhere," he sat down the bed. "We got both of you cleaned up and put to bed. You've been out since 11 last night. It's now 1 in the afternoon."
"Lady and Trish?" Dante asked.
"We haven't called them yet. We didn't think you'd want them to see you like this. Those two would have something to say I'm sure," Nero sighed. "There is water here on the nightstand if you want some. Once both of you wake up we'll talk a bit more. You want something to eat?"
"Nooo," Dante moaned, putting a hand on his stomach. "I feel like shit… That's been hit by a truck…"
"I'm not feeling great either. The worse of it passed an hour after I woke up. Thankfully Kyrie didn't touch any of that slime you were in. If it wasn't for her we'd all be worse off," Nero got back to his feet. "I think you might need some more sleep."
"I do…" Dante nodded. "A lot…"
"I'll check again in a couple of hours."
"That… Would be great," Dante buried his face into the soft pillow.
Dante got settled back down as Nero walked out, closing the door. He glanced over at Vergil one last time before closing his eyes. They landed in Nero's garage? This wasn't even in the same city as his shop. Damn why here? Not that this was a bad choice or anything. He shrugged and get his answers later. It didn't take much before Dante drift off again.
A couple more hours ticked by and Nero knocked on the door to check on them. Dante was sitting up with his head deeply bowed, looking like he had the worst hangover of his life. This time Vergil was awake as well. He stayed on his back with his arm hooked over his eyes. The afternoon sun was coming into the room at full strength and one thing hangovers didn't need was a bright light.
Nero closed the dark curtains and made sure they stayed that way. There was only a faint glow coming off from the back of them. It wasn't much light but enough to see by. It was better for the men in the room.
"You feeling any better?" Nero asked.
"I haven't stood up yet. I don't know… Sitting is bad enough" Dante grumbled. "I don't think I've ever been this sick."
"Well, that shit you were covered in was no joke," Nero sighed and sat back down a Dante's bed. "You should start to feel better as long you can stay awake. I still have my headache from it."
"Your friend got into too, right?"
"She's okay just like the rest of us. Sick, headache, lack of energy. Thankfully, I think she was the only one to vomit," Nero said noticing Dante point at Vergil. "Him too?"
"Dry heaves…" Vergil grumbled out.
"Still gagged," Dante barely turned his head.
"Hmm…" was the other's response.
"Is there anything I can get you?"
"Showing me the toilet wouldn't be bad."
Nero got back to his feet and Dante swung his feet over the side of the bed to stand. The clothes he had on were clearly not his. They were just bit tight around waist and far too short. Clearly, they were Nero's and most likely out of desperation.
"Careful when you stand," Nero helped Dante up to his feet and they stumbled at first. "You got this?"
"Yeah, I'm good," Dante said, stumbling and shuffling his feet. "Let's just get going."
Nero walked Dante out the door and down two more doors. Dante used the sink counter for balance while Nero closed the door and waited outside. A few short minutes later Dante opened the door and he was assisted back to his bed. He just flopped back and stared at the ceiling. Nero turned to look at Vergil who hadn't moved.
"Hey… Need to use the toilet, too?" Nero asked as he walked over to the other bed.
Vergil barely lifted his arm off his eyes to look at the man. He had a rather scathing look at the question but truth be told he did have to go. He slowly took his arm off his face and eased his way up into a sitting position. He finally got a look at the t-shirt he was in. It wasn't the best fit but clothing was clothing and he wasn't going to be picky at this point in time. He was even in a pair of poor fitting shorts. Nero got him to his feet and guided him down two doors. Vergil did the same as Dante holding onto the counter all while Nero waited outside.
Once finished Nero helped Vergil back to his bed. Vergil sat on the side of bed keeping his head low and his eyes closed. The room was spinning and he didn't feel like dry heaving again. The room turned into an unsteady quiet. Nero looked between his father and uncle. Clearly Dante wasn't much for talking and Vergil was even less so. Perhaps it would be best to let them be for a while.
"I'll bring back some fresh water," Nero just said to make some sort of sound.
He picked up the pitcher off the nightstand and headed for the door.
"Nero," Dante said, slightly lifting his head. "You got anything at all for nausea?"
"I've got that pink liquid. Nico took a good bit of it," Nero answer and Dante mocked gagged and almost got Vergil to gag. "Look. It's that or nothing."
"Fine… Anything at this point," Dante groaned, grabbing his pillow and just set on his face. "Just give me something."
Nero looked at Vergil who remained just as silent as before. He took deep breath and let back out. He walked out the door and down to the kitchen. Nico was on the couch passed out with the TV turned down low. Kyrie was in the kitchen trying to figure out what to make for supper. Nero poured out the room temp water and filled it with fresh water.
"Are they both awake now?" Kyrie asked and Nero nodded. "Are they sick like you and Nico?"
"Yeah, they need to stay up to get over this crap," Nero said, adding some ice to the metal pitcher from the freezer. "Where is the nausea medicine?"
"I think Nico has it by the couch," Kyrie answered, picked up a bag of potatoes and set them on the counter. "Nero, if you need help with them you can always ask."
"It's fine if you help Dante, you know each other some. It's Vergil that I'm worried about. That's why I don't want you or Nico up there," Nero said, walking toward the living room. "I'm sure he can't do much now but I'm not taking that risk. I don't know him. The guy's my father and I know nothing about him."
"Well… Things take time. I'm sure you'll get to know each other a little bit if he stays here," Kyrie hummed.
"I don't think he's going to stay. Once he feels like can care for himself, he'll split," Nero picked the bottle in front of the couch. "I know enough of him to say he's not a people person. Another reason not to go up there."
"At least take what you can out of this even if he leaves soon. It ate you up when they left to destroy the Qliphoth," Kyrie said, pulling out a peeler from the drawer. "You had been with your family all that time and didn't know it. But this time… You do know, so make the most of what you have. I'm sure you know what to do."
"You'd think… I had thought I knew what I would do if they came back. I just wasn't expecting them to tear through the garage like torpedoes, covered in some sort of sickening goo," Nero cringed.
"I don't think anyone could predicted that," Kyrie light chuckled. "And I don't think they did either. Ask if they feel like eating later."
"I don't think they will but I'll ask all the same," he walked up to her kissed her cheek. "I'll be back down once I know they are settled for the time being."
"You don't have to rush. It will be a while still," she smiled. "Whatever plan you had, try to get it back on track and see where it goes."
He sighed and nodded. His plan was to knock the shit out of them. Currently, however, he couldn't do that given their sad state and his own lousy health. Nero walked back to the room and lightly knocked before walking in. Neither one of them moved an inch. Dante still had the pillow on his face while Vergil still had his head hanging and eyes closed.
Nero walked between the beds and set down the fresh pitcher of water. He looked at the small measuring cup sitting on the lid. He needed to clean that. He walked back out to the bathroom to rinse it out good. He came back and poured out a good amount for Dante.
"Hey, Dante," Nero said, tapping Dante's arm. "Here's the medicine."
Dante slowly picked up the pillow and sat up. The thick pink liquid was turning his stomach just looking at it. If he wanted his stomach to settle down he had to take something. He took the small cup while Nero quickly filled up a glass of water for the man. Dante downed it and he was none too happy about the taste or texture that coated his mouth. He quickly took the glass from Nero to wash it down. Nero turned to look at Vergil.
"You want some? It's not good going down but it works," Nero held up the nearly empty bottle.
"I'll pass…" Vergil muttered.
"You sure, brother? I'm not fond of it but it'll get the job done," Dante laid back down. "You gagged again after Nero left."
"Why do you feel the need to tattle on me?" Vergil glared at his younger brother.
"How about I just clean the cup and leave this here?" Nero said, setting the bottle down on Vergil's side of the table.
Nero walked out the door to clean the little cup one last time before setting next to the bottle.
"Kyrie asked me if any of you feel like eating later this evening."
He got a stiff "no" from both of them. Well, that was not a surprise. Okay, well… They had clean water, medicine, and he helped them to the bathroom. So, what else was there to do? He wanted to ask about what happened after they destroyed the Qliphoth but that might not be a good discussion just yet. Or how they got home in such sorry state. Nero felt like he should say something at least. They were his blood family after all. He should be able to have some kind of conversation with them. The only thing Nero wanted out of this was to talk to his father assuming he would listen. Come to think of Vergil was in no way fit to fight. Maybe he could get the man to talk and Dante, too, just to get some things on the same page.
"I have a question. Why did you decide my garage was to be your landing pad?" Nero regretted that question. He could have asked something else but no his brain went to that. He just decided to roll with it.
"Is that why we're here?" Dante asked with a rather strained and confused look.
"I told you that, I think earlier today," Nero answered and Dante just shrugged.
"Ha! I barely registered that you even existed," Dante groaned. "So, we're in Fortuna, huh? Well, don't look at me. That question isn't mine to answer. Ask your old man over there. He was the one with the Yamato."
"Well, okay, same question," Nero looked at Vergil who at least had his eyes open at that point. "Why here?"
"I told you to take us to my office," Dante breathed, rolling a stiff shoulder.
"I decided that the location was not sufficient for our return," Vergil answered, and Dante scrunched up his face.
"Why? I told you that Lady or Trish could be there."
"Could. It was not certain that they would. We also must remember that your building is in sight of the public and an open business. Arriving in such a manner could have caused more problems for us along with your comrades," Vergil answered coldly. "Also, I knew the stories of that portal better than you. Her words were not to be taken lightly. I knew what Galless meant and I wasn't risking a chance of your office being closed when we arrived."
"So, you felt it would have a better chance here where you could get help fast?" Nero asked and Vergil slightly nodded. "Somewhere more private?"
"And it proved to be a wise choice," Vergil continued to glare at Dante.
Dante waved the glare off and rubbed the bridge of is nose. His head felt like it was going to bust open. He didn't want to hear Vergil nitpick at a time like this.
"Okay, good plan on your part," Dante felt it easier to agree than start something. "You deserve a pat on the back."
"Hmm…" Vergil moaned.
This opened more questions than answered them. Nero sat down next to Dante and tried to figure what to ask next. He needed to say something. He was housing them after. He wouldn't be much of host if he didn't stick around.
"And Galless is?" Nero asked.
"A demoness. She and her 6 sisters guarded the portal that got us back here," Dante answered. "We broke in after learning we could use a portal on their property. We had a scuffled with them, yada, yada, yada, saved one of them and she repaid us by taking us to the portal."
"And this yuck you were soaked in?" Nero asked.
"Some gnarly residue secreted by the portal. Lots of it. It's called the Glorious Puke Hole," Dante answered as Nero gave a rather confused look.
"Its official name is the Devil's Pipeline," Vergil corrected.
"It all depends on the person you talk to," Dante grumbled. "So, yeah, because we saved her from her own trap she let us go. As for the trip…"
"The trip…" Vergil almost growled and fought back another gag. "Is best left unmentioned and undiscussed."
Dante paused and then nodded his head. Yeah, it didn't need to be remembered anytime soon.
"It's been two years though. What have you been doing since you destroyed the Qliphoth?" Nero asked.
"Little of this. A little of that," Dante answered. "Mostly fighting each other and when not doing that we fought other things down there. It's a big place filled with all manner of nasty things that wanted us dead. So, you know… Normal stuff."
Nero gave Dante a very slow and worried blink. He was acting like it was commonplace. Then again, they had been stuck down there for 2 years. It might have been commonplace to them by now.
"Right…" Nero breathed. "Soooo, that's been it?"
"All that we wish to divulge," Vergil answered, casting his eyes on his son. "Some things are best left silent."
Nero gave a nod getting the message. He knew better but he had hoped to segue into it somehow. He was going to have to wait for his answers.
"And you? You and Kyrie still together?" Dante asked.
"Uh? Of course," Nero answered briefly.
"What about Trish and Lady? Are they taking care of the place?" Dante continued, leaning into to the young man. "Is Morrison keeping them in check? I don't want them to think that place is all theirs because I'm not there."
"I think that slime is starting to wear off. You're getting more lucid," Nero grinned. "They've been doing good. They get the better jobs, I think. Have been for a while now. That's why things have been tight for us."
"We have done a lot of cleaning on our own, which might be the source of your job problems," Dante answered with a nasty look on his face. "It will be a little slow right now until the well fills back up. And it will soon enough."
"That's what Lady told me. That things had gotten slow even where she was," Nero grumbled. "We've been having a hard time with a lot of things. I've had to do other odd jobs just to keep this branch going. There's just barely enough coming in."
"Give it a few months. You won't be so down on your luck. I'm tellin' ya I've seen some of them breed like rabbits."
"I didn't need to know that. I really could do without that image," he turned to look back a Vergil. "What did you just say little bit earlier?"
"Some things are best left silent," Vergil repeated, before holding up something in his hand. "I believe this might be yours. It just crawled up here."
Nero saw a little moving blob of white fur tucked away in Vergil's right hand. Nero quickly got up and grabbed to it.
"Sorry, she sneaks into places when we're not looking. She doesn't know a stranger either," Nero tucked the small white kitten into the crook of his arm and took her back to the door. "Kyrie found Spook in a trashcan just a few weeks ago. She was only a few days old. Someone put her in there and shut the lid. She had 2 others with her but they were dead when Kyrie found them. The heat from the trashcan being in the sun killed them. Kyrie made it her mission to see that Spook would survive."
"People are cruel and that's a sad fact of life. In some ways humans are no better than the demons they fear," Dante said as Nero shut the door.
"I know that all too well," Nero whispered remembering Sanctus and that stupid Holy Order. Credo being killed and him nearly loosing Kyrie as well. "So, once you're both better, I'm going to assume you'll be headed in your separate directions?"
"You know where I'll be. It's not like I'll be going much of anywhere," Dante fought back a yawn. "What about you, Vergil, still going to keep sightseeing? If you want settle for a bit, you can stay with me if nothing else."
"I have spent 2 years with you. I believe that's long enough," Vergil responded bluntly. "Where I go from here is not your concern."
"You sure? We made a pretty damn good team, you and I," Dante hummed. "Why break the band up now?"
"The need no longer exists and therefor our partnership is over, Dante. We are now free to do as we please," Vergil was more than blunt that time. "We are oil and vinegar."
"Yeah, yeah… We work well together but don't mix. You've said that before like a hundred times," Dante groaned with a small pout. "I was hoping you would have changed your mind when we got back."
"You seem a little heartbroken by this. You knew it was coming and yet…"
"I know… I suppose getting back to this world together is good enough. We had a few good times. It was nice while it lasted."
"So, you're going to leave again?" Nero butted in.
"You asked us for our plans. What I do is no business of yours, Nero," Vergil replied. "You maybe my son but I'm not one for family."
"And why not?" Nero snapped at him. "You really that obsessed with gaining more power that you just ignore everything else around you?"
"We're not friends and barely acquaintances. You have Dante at the very least and leave it there," Vergil was none too happy with Nero's outburst. "I do appreciate your help and care at this time but that's all. Coming here was out of necessity. You shouldn't have thought anything more of it."
"Out of necessity…? Necessity. Tch. I'm leaving before something starts and it will," Nero opened the door to see Spook still standing there. He picked her back up. "C'mon, girl, let's go see what Kyrie is making for dinner."
Nero almost slammed the door on his way out. Dante let out a flustered sigh and looked back at his big brother. It looked like both he and Nero wanted a bit more from Vergil but that wasn't going to happen. Dante shook his head but kept quiet.
"You want to say something, so say it."
"You're an asshole. A damn stupid asshole."
"I told you I am not one for family whether it be you or him."
"Why not? You seemed to lighten up while we were down there. Just the two of us like when we were kids. But when we came back you harden right back up. I don't get that. Is getting attached to someone is a bad thing? Because it's not. Having someone even at arm's length isn't going to hurt you. He grew up an orphan. Just like us."
"I'm well-aware of that. He will be better off not getting involved with me."
"Or is it you with him? You still haven't told me the full story of what happened that night when they attacked the mansion. If we had known where you were…"
"But you didn't. Mother managed to get to you first."
"She was trying to find you! That seems to go over your head every time. She cried out for you one last time just before she was killed! You don't think that didn't bother me?! That didn't hurt me?! I thought you were dead and when I found out you were alive… We ended up starting a fight. We're fighting right now. Maybe you are right. You're not worth it. Not worth a damn! I spent 2 years with you and it wasn't always out of necessity. Not to me. I thought I had my brother back but… Shit on it. Do whatever the hell you want, Vergil."
Dante put his head back down on his pillow and turned his back on his brother. Vergil's lips parted as if he wanted to say something but they quickly closed. That conversion was no longer open. Not always out of necessity? Vergil turned his head down to look at his hands that rested in his lap. Once again he was the bad guy. He was always the bad guy. Whenever he spoke his mind he never seemed to please anyone. Not that he was looking for approval from the start. Well, he managed to piss of every blood relation he had like a snap of the fingers. On good terms, snap, on bad terms. He felt his mouth silently repeat, "not worth a damn."
No one cared in the first place but hearing it in such manner, in such a tone hit hard. Had Dante thought that highly of him and now so little because of a few statements? He balled his hands into fists. He felt the need to punch the bastard in the mouth but where would that get them? He wasn't fit to fight and neither was Dante. As it was right now Nero would have an extreme upper hand over both of them. He still felt weak and he hated this feeling most of all. Temporary or not it ate at his soul. He was literally worthless and weak.
He turned to look at the door as footstep thundered down the hall. It was enough for even Dante to roll over half-way just as the door opened. All Dante saw a half drank water bottle chucked at his brother;s head with a considerable amount of force. Vergil just missed being beamed in the face. The bottle hit the wall before falling to the floor and rolled under the bed.
"Asshat!" that was Nico and clearly not happy.
The door slammed back as she stomped off again. Vergil clambered to his feet only to stumble to his knees as his head started to spin violently. He was going after her for that but there was no way he was going to catch up to her. Not like he was now.
"I'm sorry she missed," Dante rolled back over.
"This is funny to you?" Vergil snapped making his way back into bed.
"Do I sound like I'm laughing? Because I'm not. Asshat is a good name for you. Now just shut up."
Once again Vergil's lips open but then closed them. He was half expecting to see this Kyrie girl to stomp in next and do the same. If he could leave now he would but he highly doubted he could even make it down the hall on his own.
There he was a victim of his own making. He put his head down and put his back to Dante. He stared blankly at the equally blank wall. The sooner he left the better. The moment he was well enough he would be long gone. Hopefully it would be in the following morning.
Author's Note
So? Any good so far? Yes, no? Maybe? Let know what you think in the comments below like I'm some Youtuber!