Chapter 7:
On the way to the North Tower, they encountered surprisingly few demons. To Dante, it usually meant something bad was going to happen soon. The North Tower stood grandly on the edge of the stone castle close to the land. It was only slightly lower than the West Tower that resided on the edge close to the sea. The rain had stopped, though echoes of thunder could still be heard.
"I can see the words 'This is a trap' written all over that place," said Mia. "It is so obvious that someone wants us there even three year olds can work it out."
"Do you –" Vergil was just about to begin.
"No, I don't have a better suggestion. I don't have any objections either," said Mia dully. "I think I can get used to walking into traps after all." She wished her twin there to suggest another way around it. At the thought, she took a glance at her twin, whom was being carried on Dante's back. Rei didn't look alive or dead. When they last checked her, her heart wasn't beating and she had no warmth. Mia hoped what her half-human half-demon friends' said was true, that there was still a chance to save her twin.
Dante had been hearing a buzzing noise ever since they left the room of mannequins. He looked around him but found nothing.
"Dante, what are you looking for?" asked Mia, mildly interested in his strange behaviour. It was the third time she saw him do it. Vergil, too, gave him a questioning look.
Ever since they found out Rei had been cursed, Mia had been awfully quiet. She didn't talk and joke with him like she would normally. He didn't blame her about being upset. Dante was glad the opportunity came. "Direction signs," Dante answered. "I've been trying to hide it but I'm actually quite desperate for the bathroom right now. If you see one, don't forget to tell me." His effort was not wasted. Mia chuckled at his words.
"You too right Verg?" asked Dante.
"You want me to kick your ass that bad?" Vergil replied impatiently.
Dante shrugged and looked at Mia. "He gets a bit edgy when this happens," he said. It made Mia laugh but not for long. The happiness disappeared from her face very quickly. Mia gave him a small smiled for his attempt to lighten the atmosphere a little. She was unaware his looking around wasn't part of the joke.
The castle was so huge they were almost lost in the identical-looking corridors a few times. Every time when they were about to wander away, Vergil pointed out the correct path to steer them back on track. The item they were after was located on the top of the tower. Dante looked up towards the top of the tower when they arrived at an entrance. It was fairly high and warranted a long walk to the top. He estimated it was at least ten storeys high. Several Hell-sins ambushed them as soon as they entered. The demons were quickly taken cared by Vergil. Though the tower was tall, it was not very spacious inside. It was very plain with few features. In fact, all Dante could see was a continuous spiral staircase that presumably led to the top. Vergil, Dante and Mia were half expecting something will come about while they ascend. They stayed on their guards the entire time. It was almost a disappointment when nothing out of the ordinary happened.
Dante felt sweat forming on his face. He had been carrying Rei for a while and walking in the same pace as the others. The demon blood inside him unfortunately didn't keep him from being tired. He took a look at her, who he was carrying in a piggyback manner. Her face rested on one side of his shoulder. There were some small white flowers remained in her hair thanks to Raton that they had not the time to get rid of. She looked very pretty in her sleep. He wondered when he would see her smile again.
Mia must have seen him looking at her twin sister. "Let's switch, you've been carrying her for ages," she asked Dante. "She's pretty heavy isn't she?" She had nothing with her and even her sleeves were torn. She could only wipe away some of the sweat on his face with the back of her hand.
"She's not that bad," said Dante. "Anyway I think we're nearly there."
He wasn't wrong. They emerged at the top of the tower soon after. A large bell occupied most of the space, making it difficult for the three to stand together. There was a little attic that protected the bell from rain. Four narrow pillars supported the roof. On top of the bell was what they were looking for: Holy Water in its usual clear round bottle. The bottle was blue in colour and because the liquid inside was self-radiant. It was releasing a beautiful blue glow. Holy Water can destroy nearly all evil. Dante believed if that doesn't safe Rei, nothing would.
"Here they come," warned Vergil. Dante saw flocks of blood-goyles flying towards them from several directions. He placed Rei under the huge bell and drew out Ebony and Ivory. "Go get the Holy Water," said Dante to Mia. "We'll fan off these small fries." Mia nodded in response. As soon as the nearest Blood-Goyle came into range, Dante opened fire. The Blood-Goyles that were shot by Dante turned into stone and fell to the ground. Vergil cleared the ones that landed on the tower top. Dante tried to see how Mia was doing whenever he had free moments. She clearly wasn't a professional at climbing on big metal bells and slid back down a few times. Then again it wasn't easy to climb on the top of something which surface was so smooth. The next time he glanced back, she was reaching out the best she could. Her finger was almost touching the bottle.
Without warnings, the ground shook viciously. I knew it! Dante thought. He would have said it out aloud if he weren't busy regaining balance to prevent himself from falling off the edge of the tower. He had expected the Holy Water to be a lure. It was glaringly obvious. Someone was behind all this, enjoying toying with them. There just wasn't any choice. He put his guns back into the hoisters where they belong so he could free his hands. The ground where he was standing split into halves. One half broke off, falling to the ground below. The second half was cracking into smaller bits. The entire tower was collapsing. Dante didn't know the tower bell was also gone until a loud echoing sound hit his ears. His eyes scanned for Vergil and the twin girls.
Some remaining Blood-Goyles continued to assault Dante. He shot down a few but some managed to slam their blood-red bodies on him. The noise he was hearing grew louder. It was no longer a buzzing sound. It was as loud as someone talking directly to him. He could hear voices of people he didn't recognise. Some of them were crying, some were yelling, some were calling and some were hissing.
"Dante!" Dante heard Mia's voice from below. He saw Mia hanging onto a part of what was remained of the tower with one hand. She was holding the Holy Water in the other. She was about 3 arms' length away from him. "Have you seen Rei?" she asked anxiously. She winced as a couple of Blood-Goyles pecked her arms and back. She held the Holy Water tightly and drew it even closer to her. Ignoring the ones circling around him for the moment, Dante downed the ones near her.
It reminded Dante it was possible Rei had fallen off when he wasn't looking. His eyes scanned around desperately. He found her lying on the piece of floor where he put her. It appeared to be the last piece that remained intact with the tower. As it was breaking apart, Rei's was beginning to slide down. Dante looked back at Mia. He could tell she was trying not to show it but she was having a hard time holding on with only one arm available. She still didn't know where Rei was yet. Both girls were about the same distance away from him. They would fall and land as a mess of flesh if he didn't do something. Time was running out. He could only save one.
"Save Rei!" Dante heard Mia called out to him. She must have spotted her twin and realised his situation. Mia wasn't hesitating. He was. Just where the hell is Vergil? He thought in frustration. Logically, he should save Mia. She was definitely alive whereas he didn't know if they could really save Rei. Dante didn't want to give up on either of them.
Mia beautiful green eyes were pleading. Clenching his teeth, Dante carefully moved himself towards Rei like a rock climber. He caught her the moment she slid off the tower. Their combined weight was too great for Dante to manage. Like a large rock both of them plummeted towards the earth.
Mia watched Dante and her twin sister melt into the darkness. She couldn't tell where they landed, or whether they landed in two whole pieces. Please, be safe, she prayed silently, though she never believed in God. Come on Mia, she said to herself in the head. You've got more important matters to attend to right now. Never in her life had she felt so tired. Her right arm felt like it was dead. There was nothing she could step on to ease the strain on the one arm. Her palm slid off the small chuck of cement-like stone, which was what the entire structure was made of, she was holding; then her thumb; then her ring finger. "Damnit," Mia said to no one. She couldn't hold on any longer. Suddenly she wondered where Vergil was. Perhaps he fell off somewhere when she was too busy to notice. It made her feels weird to have him as the last thing she thinks about before she dies.
Unwillingly, her last finger let go. Funny that she wasn't plunging down like she expected. Someone caught by her wrist. To her amazement, above her, Vergil was clinging on like she was moments ago. Vergil was at the other side of the tower when it began to collapse. He saw Dante and Rei fell down but was too far to be able to help. It was pure luck that he made it to Mia in time. She was clearly stunned to see him there
"Most girls will cry for help when their life is threatened," Vergil remarked, "They don't usually say damnit."
"Well," Mia finally found her words." I guess I'm not an ordinary girl."
"I can't hold on for long, we'll have to jump sooner or later," Vergil said. He ruled out the possibility of convincing Mia to throw away the Holy Water. She could have freed out her left hand to save herself but she didn't. She didn't let go of it even if it meant costing her life.
"Watch out!" Mia yelled. "Behind you – Blood-Goyles!" Vergil turned around face the flying demons. He couldn't free up a hand to handle them unless he drops Mia. The surprise assault caused his grip on the tower to slip. They slid down a few meters before Vergil halted their fall by catching something else.
"Let go of me," Mia demanded. Her hand was growing numb from the lack of circulation of blood. His grip was tight. Though it wasn't the reason she wanted him to let go of her.
Vergil heard her. He didn't say anything. His decision was made.
"You brothers are so stubborn," Mia said with a small sigh. She wasn't mad at him. Actually she felt quite the opposite. Without warning, Vergil let go of the chunck of stone they weredepending on. "What..." Mia began. She didn't understand. Something was wrong. Vergil didn't let go on purpose. She saw his right arm suddenly went stiff, causing him to release the hold unwillingly. Before she could say more, they were diving into darkness.
Author's note: I amazed even myself to come back to this fanfic. For a long time I wasn't motivated or inspired at all. You know, you just can force yourself to write. So I took a good long break. I tried uploading this chapter for the entire night but just didn't like it for some reason. Wonderful isn't it? It has to happen on the night I try to upload. I really need a backup website.
Thanks for those who are patient enough to wait for new chapters (anyone?). Please do leave comments after reading. I tend to write faster when I get reviews.
