Disclaimer: With the exception of my own characters all names, terms and places in this storey belong to their respective owners which I am borrowing for fun and not profit, any OC resemblance to real people alive or dead is coincidence or sad.
Mission 1-2 – Cupid's rose and the Tear of Chronos
"Well this is a fine mess," Raven pushed herself up and brushed herself off as Vergil also picked himself up "are you alright?"
"I am fine," he replied looking up at where they had fallen "there is no going back the way we came,"
Raven looked around they seemed to be in a cave system and that purple energy was everywhere it seemed the air was thick with the stench of demons, she closed her eyes for a moment trying to focus herself and will herself not to be sick.
When she finally opened her eyes again she realised Vergil was looking at her "the air is so thick with a demonic presence I've never felt anything this strong before its nauseating..."
"The demon world is seeping into the human world"
"Wanna bet that whatever is happening at the castle is connected to this...um...I know we should meet up with Kazi but this...it can't be left alone and before you say anything this isn't about me wanting to get revenge against the demon who killed my father though he is here somewhere I'm sure of it.
"Physically we may look around the same age but I'm a good ten years older than Kazi and I have more experience and training in these things because of Dante and my mother and I don't mean to sound arrogant or anything but I'm much stronger than Kazi...I do not think she can handle something like this...greater demons perhaps but this...no."
Vergil was silent for a moment then nodded, "we are in agreement let us be about this quickly so we can meet up with Kazi,"
"Roger."
It wasn't difficult to start tracking down the source of the corruption the closer they got the more the corruption became apparent as the area gave way to the underworld, "bleh," muttered Raven shaking her head "why can't the demons just be content with their little piece of hell instead of messing up the human world...humans aren't exactly a threat."
"Its in their nature to conquer and dominate that's what demons do..."
"Not all demons though maybe most but there are those like your father and my mother."
Vergil frowned but remained silent Raven was something of an anomaly to him though she looked young she seemed to be a very experienced warrior certainly enough of a warrior that she had been entrusted with his fathers own weapons...she may have been experienced in combat but her attitude was immature...like Dante.
"A lion statue,"
"Hm?" Vergil was pulled out of his thoughts and his eyes fell upon what Raven was looking at it was a large statue of a woman that had a lion head holding an hourglass across her shoulders "do you know what this is?"
Raven nodded, "I remember going on a hunt with Dante and we saw one of these, he explained that this statues grants powers or something in exchanged for a sacrifice of demon blood."
"Yes though it doesn't grant power exactly it merely unlocks the potential that lies dormant within...statues like these are useless to normal humans"
"I've never wanted to use these I rely on my own strengths I have super strength and speed and I have lightning skills...I don't need more power."
Vergil looked at her "that is for the best...take it from one who knows it doesn't do well to want more and more power too much and it can destroy you, let us continue"
"Yeah."
They continued on fighting demons that got in the way until they came to a large chamber that contained a number of bookcases and shelves containing various artefacts clearly they had found the sanctuary of a powerful demon...perhaps the one Raven said had killed her father.
"This is a big room and given the amount of demonic corruption here I'd say we're close to the heart of it, Vergil there must be something here or someone right? If we destroy them we cleanse the demon corruption right?"
"That's the plan, look around but be careful we do not know who or what we are dealing with...and you don't have Dante watching your back"
"No but I hope you are watching my back your just as good as your brother right?"
"I'm stronger," muttered Vergil under his breath he wouldn't admit his younger brother was better.
Whoever made their home here wasn't present but the air was thick with demon corruption and the different artefacts "a crystal rose?" Raven was at a desk that was covered in tomes and old documents and as he got nearer he saw a large rose made from red crystal, he'd never seen anything like it before.
Quite suddenly the rose began to glow with a red aura and Raven seemed to be fighting against herself and a moment later he felt something come over him as if the will of another was trying to take control, "what is..." he began
"This," added Raven a look of worry in her green eyes
"Fight it."
Whatever influence came over them both was strong and suddenly without warning they were in each others arms and their lips were clashing, Vergil tried to fight to pull away but at the same time he wanted nothing more than to pull her closer, he was able to tell that it was the same for Raven she was trying to push away but she was also pulling him close, each knew this was wrong and yet it felt so right.
"R-Raven fight," came the voice of Agni
"Lets give a hand brother," added Rudra and suddenly there was a burst of energy that was both fire and wind which caused them to break apart, Vergil summoned Yamato and Raven took out the sparda and together they brought their weapons down on the artefact smashing it into pieces and instantly they were released from the spell.
Vergil looked at the fragments of the shattered artefact and then looked at Raven her face was bright red and she was looking anywhere but at him "w-what was that?" Raven finally looked at him "what...just happened?"
"I'm...not sure..." he replied honestly "whatever that was its over now...are you alright?"
Raven nodded though her face was still a bright shade of red "I...didn't touch anything..."
"Forgive me...I had no control over myself"
"M-Me neither..."
"My lips are sealed if yours are"
"Yeah." Raven replaced the Sparda at her back and took out her duel blades Vergil vaguely remembered them "boys...you helped us break the spell"
"We couldn't let some stupid artefact mess with our Raven, also please use us...we're your demon hunting partners"
"I owe it to them I suppose," she placed them in there scabbards then took the devil sword from her back and handed it to Vergil "you should keep hold of this, we have to find whoever owns that stupid relic and give them hell...plus remove the demon taint and find Kazi."
Vergil shook his head "keep it with you...for me Yamato is enough..." in order for him to reclaim his sword he took Nero's arm...of course at the time he had no idea it was his son and he was almost broken but that didn't make it right...there was much he had to make up for...atonement was his battle alone.
Quite suddenly they heard the sound of someone slowly clapping "what a touching little moment and to think you were able to destroy the Rose of Cupid but then I wouldn't expect anything less from a son of Sparda...but Raven is too weak to overcome anything alone too weak to protect those she loves."
All the colour in Raven's face drained away as she turned to the owner of the voice it was a man with pale skin wearing a smart suit his short hair was black and he had emerald green eyes "what cruel trick is this...?"
Vergil took in the 'man's' appearance and realised there was a resemblance to Raven "demon you would appear looking like her father?"
"What better look? It suits my purpose...would you prefer the form I took when you were a child? You do remember don't you?" the demon chuckled "I don't have time to deal with you now girl I am needed elsewhere but we'll reunite soon when your stronger."
Before either of them could react a portal opened and the demon went through it Raven went to follow but it closed before she could get near it, "damn you! There has to be a way to follow he killed my father and now he's using his face!"
"Suppose you could follow, what then? You may be able to kill the demon but how would you leave?"
Raven turned to look at him "I don't care"
"I think Kazi would, she needs us to meet up with her, once the castle is dealt with and the corruption cleansed I will use Yamato to open a portal to the underworld."
Green eyes met blue "you promise?"
"You have my word."
Raven sighed and wiped her eyes she looked at the shattered fragments of the strange rose artefact and once again her face went a little red, "there must be something here connecting the human and demon worlds,"
"I'm sure we are close, It feels stronger down that passageway and lets avoid any more artefacts hm?"
"Y-Yeah," replied Raven blushing again and though he felt a little bad for admitting it even to himself...it was a cute blush "let's go."
They continued on through the caverns and soon came to what looked like a large red crystal formation that reached the ceiling upon a closer look Raven realised it was crystallised blood.
"This crystallised blood...isn't demon blood"
"No, its human," Vergil frowned a moment then without even unsheathing it he used Yamato to break the crystal and the area around it returned to normal "no doubt from sacrifices offered to the demon lords, it seems these are creating the corruption."
Raven looked around before looking back at the remains of the crystal "there must be more in these caves"
"And the castle, hopefully my niece will think to destroy any she sees...in the meantime we need to destroy the ones in these caverns, we will cover more ground if we split up, keep your guard up when the demons realise what we're doing they will try to stop us."
Vergil found two more crystals and when he met back up with Raven an hour or so later she had said she had also destroyed a couple and because of their efforts the caverns were back to normal, now they needed to find a way to the castle there was no doubting there would be a way from the caverns.
Raven's thoughts were all over the place as they made their way through the underground passages it felt a lot had happened in a short space of time, first that strange artefact that made her and Vergil suddenly start making out then the demon who killed her father showed up and left just as quick and then destroying crystals that had been guarded by demons.
What would her mother or Dante say if they found what the artefact had made them do...no they couldn't find out she'd never hear the end of it...why was she even thinking into it this much it was stupid and yet it still caused her to blush somewhat...that had been the first time a guy kissed her.
Raven couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if her swords hadn't caused them to break apart...would that making out have gone further "stop thinking!" she mumbled and then frowned she hadn't meant to say that out loud.
"Pardon?"
"Never mind I didn't mean to say that out loud...I'm sorry my thoughts are all over the place...that demon..."
"Understandable." Vergil stopped walking and motioned to one of the walls "a ladder that is probably our way out of here"
"About time I really want out of this place...after you."
Vergil began climbing the ladder and Raven followed behind eventually they came to a metal hatch that Vergil was able to push open and soon Raven smelt less musty air as Vergil offered an arm and helped her.
OK they had definitely emerged somewhere within the castle by the looks of things it was an old armoury containing rusted armour and various weapons none of which were of particular note, they left the armoury and entered into a hallway that had stained glass windows depicting what appeared to be angels and demons one of the demons seemed to be sat on some kind of throne.
They needed to keep going Kazi was here somewhere and yet Raven found the silence worrying "shouldn't we be seeing more demons?"
"It could be the cult are keeping to only one part of the castle but we shouldn't be complacent-curious..." Vergil trailed off as he looked down the hallway Raven followed his line of sight and saw what looked to be the spirit of a little child which came towards them and was looking at them with some curiosity.
"Hey," said Raven crouching down to his level "isn't this the wrong place for a little kid?" the child which was a boy started to cry "what's with the tears?" asked Raven in a soft voice "what's making you sad?"
"T-They took us...the monsters...t-they brought us h-here...and...they...my sister and my friends...please ma'am I'm cold and tired...so so tired."
Raven inclined her head a little "what happened where are your friends?"
The boy cried some more
"Hey," said Raven softly again "you have to be a brave boy and tell us what happened so we can help you...,my name is Raven and I'm a monster hunter"
"You...hunt m-monsters?"
"That's right, I hunt the scary monsters and beat them up...and zap them with lightning"
"Can you beat up the monsters that hurt us?"
Raven looked at him sadly "hurt you?"
"The monsters brought us here...for horrible grown up's...they...they hurt us so much they cut us with their knives and it got cold and dark...but...but they kept my sister alive even though she shouldn't...they did something to her...they put something inside her chest a large gem...because of it she can't...come with us we can't go.
"P-Please lady...beat up the monsters and free my sister...I miss my mommy and want to go to her but they won't let us...I...I don't know how but...that thing stops her time...she was suppose to be...like us, please...I want to go home."
Raven's eyes glazed with tears she was beginning to understand what had happened, the demon minions of the cultists had taken children and sacrificed them but one of them was being kept alive by some kind of time magic probably the 'thing' that was put in the chest of the girl.
Raven nodded, "I promise I'm gonna find those monsters and the bad grown up's and I'll try to help your sister, where are they?"
"Down the hallway but lady you gotta be careful there is a big fiery spider monster the bad people control it..."
"Thank you for the warning, you should hide," as she said this the little boy faded and Raven stood "how cruel...using children..." she looked at Vergil "we have to help those spirits...those children won't be at rest."
"Then we should hurry, that spirit said they were down this hallway he also said they have a 'big fiery spider' it could be Phantom or something like him..."
"Let's go," Raven had a purpose at the moment and that was to help the spirits who were trapped she broke into a run in order to reach the end of the hallway and she practically burst through the door at the end.
Raven found herself in an outer cloister but almost all of it had been taken over by the underworld, the ground was soft underfoot squelching and the walls pulsated, at one end of the area was an altar on which led a young girl maybe about eleven years old and around the table was several robed figures.
"Well, well we meet again little Raven," snarled a familiar voice "you can't stop His return events are already in motion you presence here merely delays the inevitable, it was the demon from earlier the one who killed her father and used his appearance "go to the cathedral and help Al'droz this girl is mine.
"Not this time Raven but don't worry I'll have one of my friends keep you company as for the girl...her time will depend on you" once again he opened a portal "come forth Destroyer of Ardor," before Raven could stop him he had already disappeared through his portal.
"Stop running from me!"
"Raven," said Vergil as another portal opened and out of it came a large arachnid like demon that also had a scorpion tail, she could see liquid magma in its body "go help the girl...leave Phantom to me."
Raven tried to approach the girl on the altar but the nearer she got the more slow and sluggish her movements became and everything around her seemed to greatly slow down, "just...a little...more."
Vergil was not about to be defeated by this demon but whatever artefact was at work was affecting not just him but Phantom too, "I...will not fall...to another...son of Sparda,"
"Raven hurry," in what seemed like slow motion Phantom swung its tail but Vergil brought up Yamato to block it then pushed back before swinging his blade in a counter attack.
Pain starting winding through Raven's body as she got closer still to the altar some strong force was trying to keep her back and fighting it caused terrible pain that she actually cried out "almost..."
"Help...me...it hurts so much," said the girl "end...the pain..."
"I'm...trying...it hurts..." letting out another cry of pain Raven stretched out her arm and was finally able to grasp the object that was in the girls chest and there was a burst of energy that threw her across the cloister and time started back up, she barely acknowledged Vergil destroying the demon.
Raven pushed herself up her body was still hurting somewhat but not as much as it had been and she went over to the altar the young girl had a gaping hole in her chest and tears were falling down her face "please...make it stop...kill me."
"W-What?" asked Raven unsure if she'd heard right
"Please kill me...e-everything...will go...back to normal...I...shouldn't be a-alive,"
"No...there has to be something else I can do-"
The girl suddenly arched her back letting out a cry of pain "p-please...free me...make it all stop."
The girl was clearly suffering and in a lot of pain but essentially she was being asked to kill a child and that was something she couldn't bring herself to do "but...I..."
"Its...O-OK miss...I'll be w-with my friends and b-brother...please free me...and we can stop the bad...I'm not scared to d-die...please free me...free us all."
Vergil was just as uneasy about the scene playing before him as Raven was he watched silently as she placed her hand to her side and took out one of the handgun's that once belonged to his father...sometimes we had to do things we didn't want...and he of all people knew how you had to live with yourself knowing you had done wrong things.
"Please miss...please," again the child screamed out in pain
Raven was clearly shaking as she raised Luce "c-close your eyes,"
"Thank you,"
BANG.
As soon as the girl was put out of her misery everything reverted back to how it should have been in this area at least there was now no sign of demonic corruption, "Raven..." Raven had dropped the gun and had fallen to her knees where she began to cry hysterically and he found himself feeling uncomfortable unsure of how to react...Vergil had never been much of a people person.
Finally he walked over to her and crouched down placing a hand on her shoulder Raven looked at him "she was just a kid...how...can people be so cruel,"
"You freed her from her suffering..." Vergil still wasn't sure how to react eventually however he just held her and allowed her to cry...it didn't mean anything right? He was just comforting her...he didn't need to justify it to himself.
"Um..." began a voice "I wanted to say thank you," both Raven and Vergil stood and turned to see the young girl and the little boy along with the spirits of other children "you did it even though the ones responsible got away you were able to get the item that was causing us constant hurt.
"I..."
The girl came over to her "don't be sad you helped me...the other girl the one with the whitish hair was able to free grown ups one being our mother...and now you freed us, almost everyone has been saved."
"Yeah," added the little boy "the bad people are in a throne room with the high priest they want to give more power to a demon so he can wake his master...if they are stopped everyone in the castle will be free and it will be a nice place again."
"You will stop them right?"
Raven nodded, "we're gonna try..."
"Yay!" the little boy looked happier "um we can feel our mothers and fathers calling to us so we have to leave now but we can tell you this, that item you have is one of the things needed to get to the badl, that other girl has the special key and you have that I think they called it a Tear of Chronos."
The spirits of the children dissipated all except the girl who was smiling "your Raven right? The demon who was here knew you...he's one of the people who killed my mom and dad,"
Raven crouched down and nodded, "that demon also killed my father...and I'm gonna get him so bad he'll wish he was never brought into creation"
"You get him for us too Raven, when you fight him I'll try to help, I can feel you have a power inside you...but your scared to use it...but you might need to...I'm just saying cause he's really powerful, I have to go I hope we can see you again when all this is over...goodbye," and like the other children she was gone.
Raven turned to Vergil and handed him the artefact which was a white gem in the shape of a tear that had a gold hourglass on it, "you should hold onto this...um..." she was suddenly looking awkward which is how he felt.
"There is little more here we can do...let's meet up with Kazi and put an end to this once and for all and then continue our search for Bezieel...with any luck it won't take much longer."
Raven nodded and led the way out of the cloister and back into the hallway, eventually they found their way to the main hall the entrance had been protected by a blue criss crossing power but the Tear of Chronos was able to dispel it and once in the hall they met up with Kazi who looked to have been in a fight or two herself.
"Raven!" she hurried over and looked her over "what happened to you guys?"
"Meh the usual stuff demons and dick heads...what about you?"
"Same pretty much I managed to get this, we need this key and something called the Tear of Chronos to get past that barrier"
"Funny guess what we found?"
"You found it?"
"Yup now we can find the high priest."
Vergil watched the interaction between them it was obvious that the two of them were best friends along with the ice demon but it was also clear that both had endured a challenge Kazi was putting on a show much like her father and Raven was forcing herself to smile.
With the artefact Kazi acquired and the one he and Raven had found they would be able to meet the master of this circus and perhaps finally get the answers they came here for...he just hoped they weren't too late.
A/N: When I began writing this I had never played DMC5 but now I've completed it multiple times I'm incorporating it into my storey, the start of this takes place a few weeks after DMC5.
I'm also thinking of writing an AU storey for DMC4 and 5 AU because as I've already eluded too in this Nero has a twin sister and I thought it could be fun to give them their own little storey.