A/N: Very short chapter. Sorry, I was updating another chapter somewhere else.

Slight spoilers for those who didn't play DMC3


Chapter Three: The Scorpions Sting

"Some of us think holding on makes us strong; But sometimes it is letting go."
-Hermann Hesse


My father eyed me with great suspicion, "Anyone named Vergil perchance?"

So his name is Vergil. The stranger with white-silvery hair and the coldest eyes I've ever seen. My expression must have given something away as I lay there and he pulled the pins and wires out of my head so quickly, I flinched.

"Bad girl. Such a bad girl. You have met him. You're not a very good liar." He stood up and glared at me. "Bring a girl to do a job and she probably falls head over heels over the likes of someone like Vergil. I didn't think you, girl, could fall for anyone so similar to me in goals?"

That is the farthest thing from the truth and my anger rose but I stopped myself from exclaiming out loud. My father thought that by this accusation I would defend myself and nearly did. It might give it all away and how good was I to keep my secret silent. He may think I have met Vergil, but keeping the truth from him was my way of holding some of the cards. As for goals, what did my father mean? Was this Vergil so power hungry as my own hated sire?

"We will resume this tomorrow night. I think there might be a new moon." Arkhem then dismissed me and went to work at the wires; disconnecting, and switched off panels, allowing the gigantic machine to shut down.

I left his laboratory in a hurry, rushing upstairs to visit my mother. She may need me even if in her vacant eyes, she no longer recognizes me. Though, oftentimes, when I'm talking to her, holding her hand tightly, I can see a slight smile. Maybe it's my own imagination or the will to want to see something I wanted to see, but she would turn to me and wordlessly mouth out my name: Mary. My mother was the only reason why I remained here, whereas any other girl with the right mind would have taken flight. Just like all those runaways. Only difference is, I was more than independent and could take care of myself. I suppose I should thank my own father for that since he insisted a girl so young should start learning how to defend herself.

The abilities I have acquired, such as handling weapons were the fact that we owned a gun gallery and a place for target practice. Starting at an early age, I became what I am now. My father knew I was always a good girl. Why would I use it on him? Since my mother could not produce a boy, instead birthed a girl with no ability but be female. Go to college, finish school, date and finally marry, siring more children for the world. Mundane and boring as it sounds, that life sounded better than death or bad health. Like my mother in her sickness.

Sleep evaded me that night and cold eyes; glint blue watched me. The face of Vergil hovering over me, whispering, if you are to be my huntress, you need only to hurry and take me out of here. My eyes flew open and my sight welcomed darkness. The arrogance of this person. If revenge is what Vergil wants because my father imprisoned him there than it serves him right. He shouldn't have dealt with Arkhem in the first place.

The next morning I went to my training, jumped on my trampoline and somersaulted a few rounds, stretching my muscles for the day. Afterward, I ate some breakfast and visited my mother. I had to make sure she had her meal as one of our servants fed her. Reaching out to wipe off some of the dribble off the side of her mouth with a napkin, I stood up and kissed her forehead, caressing her hair, brushing out tangles, "I'll come by later, mother, I'm going off to do some archery."

As I made my way down the broad stairway, I heard voices at the end of hallway to the left. Fathers voice became louder and angrier, and though his words were imperceptible, they mingled with those of another male voice. The interior of his laboratory illuminated with the day light flooding in from above. The skylight created a brightly hued surface upon the dusty glass and jars, blurring the contents. I wasn't afraid to make my presence known and when I chanced upon his heated argument with the unknown visitor...