Thanks for the welcome back, everyone 3 Love returning to this story! Can't wait to keep writing :) Hopefully gonna get a chapter or two out a week for a bit~
-Blink
1 February 3:41am
Hours of fighting lesser demons went by. It wasn't the challenge he needed, in fact, he welcomed the opposite. Striking down demons in a few hits helped settle his nerves, but still, after so long, without his energy regenerating, he was getting weaker; slower. Hits that normally wouldn't hit him started grazing him; Slower demons having no chance of getting near him ended up getting in a few hits. Vergil's body was beaten; clothes were dirtied with blood. Going into the demon portal to fight away his frustrations did a number on him, but it was a pain that was welcomed. Maybe even desired. Who knew he'd be such a daredevil? Seconds away from passing out never made him feel so alive before. There was a moment he thought that maybe he and Dante weren't so different after all, which he internally scoffed at. What mattered was that Vergil knew his limits, even in his current weakened state.
Once he returned to the human world, he let his legs give out and laid on his back, staring up at the dark sky. It was still night. He couldn't keep track of how long he was in there for, but it must have been long enough to feel as beaten down as he did. He was still out of breath, and his limbs felt numb, seriously hoping nothing else would come out of that portal. Maybe this was a bad idea, after all. At least for the time being, it was quiet.
The city next to the cliffside was too stressful; too busy. Not with people, although the constant crowds did make things insufferable. It was busy with noise, lights… everything felt claustrophobic. He was much too used to the demon world. Even his childhood was quiet. It was him and his family in a secluded home, far away from anyone else. Growing up, he didn't even go to many cities because he hated them. Fortuna was nice, aside from their ridiculous obsession with Sparda. Ugh, Fortuna… Better stop thinking about that place while he could.
He thought back to what made him so angry, and truthfully it was because he was overwhelmed. The problems with his abilities, the city, his feelings and frustration over Cyra, that Vendor… What was his name? Then there was the sorceress… He had to find her quick and deal with this then finally be able to move on… but move on from what? He shut his eyes tight, uselessly trying to purge all of his annoyances from his mind.
While steadying his breathing, he imagined what a normal life for him would be like. Dante lived his life as a demon hunter, Vergil could do the same. After a long day, he'd return to Cyra finishing up whatever medicine she was working on for the day, and they'd spend the rest of the day being together. Of course, they wouldn't be living in her bookstore anymore. They'd have a real house, far away from the city, much like his family's old home. He clenched his jaw, pushing away all the warm thoughts. He knew that could never happen. Not to him. Opening back up his eyes, he removed one hand from the back of his head and held it up to stare at it, the moonlight outlining every curve. These hands… He started thinking, What these hands have done isn't deserving of a normal life, he had to remind himself. But at what point would he stop paying his consequences? At what point can he move on from his past mistakes and not feel guilty?
The skin on his fingers started to harden and crack, slowly crumbling away into ash and flowing off into the wind. He quickly sat up to pull up a sleeve starting from his wrist, shoving it up to his elbow. Much to his horror, the cracking and and breaking was going up his entire arm. No…not again, this can't be happening! He was panicking.
Vergil sat up again quickly, unaware of his surroundings. He frantically pushed up his sleeve again to inspect his skin, showing as being completely normal. A nightmare… He sighed, letting his shoulder hunch forward. He hasn't had one of those in a while. They left a long time ago, and weren't welcomed back when he reunited Urizen and V. He looked around to confirm he was still outside, though the sky was slightly orange. The sun was rising.
Must have fallen asleep… Falling asleep while he was that exposed worried him. Hopefully if that were to happen again, he'd awake easily enough if there was a real threat around. He was going to have to be more careful about that.
1 February 7:41am
"You look like you've been through hell, literally," Trish's voice was heard.
Vergil groaned, slowly closing his eyes. Of course, he wasn't going to be allowed to be alone for too long. He hummed a response, hoping she'd just leave him alone.
"Or were you just hiking? Didn't picture you much of a nature guy," Trish said.
"I didn't picture you so meddlesome," He snapped back.
Trish crossed her arms, "I was just following a demon signature and it led to you."
"Was that signature mine?" Vergil asked, annoyed.
"Yes, but whatever energy you're tethered to extends over to the mountains back there," Trish said nodding her head in the far direction, despite Vergil not looking at her.
Tethered, still? He threw a quick glance to Trish, just to watch her point again with her fingers this time. Vergil followed her signaling to his other side, at the mountain about a mile off into the distance, "You can sense it all the way back there?" He asked.
"It fades before then, but perhaps we should follow the trail?" Trish suggested.
Vergil grimaced. The thought of working alone with Trish made him feel awkward. He hasn't come to terms with the fact that she was created to look like his mother. How did Dante learn to cope with it? This was more important than Trish's face. Finding information and killing Amelia was the priority. Not looking at Trish should be easy, "Lead the way."
And so she did. Vergil was thrilled to know that passing out for how many hours recovered him, up to a certain point that it is, but enough to walk without wanting to keel over. Trish spoke every now and then, which Vergil mostly ignored. He wasn't in a particular mood to talk, with Trish or anyone. Too bad Trish felt like talking, "How's Cyra?"
Vergil couldn't just ignore that… and Trish knew that was a topic that'd make him talk, "I don't know."
"Well you reek of her, so I think you do," Trish egged on with a smile. When Vergil ignored her, she continued, "I was just curious anyway. Haven't had a chance to see her in a bit myself. And you taking up all her time certainly doesn't help," Trish said trying to be playful. She wasn't intentionally trying to annoy him.
"Well, I ended things, so you won't have to worry about that," He said hoping that'd be the end of the conversation.
Trish stopped for a moment out of shock, but continued her pace when she noticed Vergil didn't stop, "You what?" She was caught off guard.
"You heard me," Vergil said.
"Just surprised after you've been pining for her," Trish said, "Can I ask why? You two made sense in a strange way."
Vergil wanted to glare at Trish, but still refused to look at her, "None of your-"
"Business, right," Trish interrupted him, making Vergil actually turn to glare at her. She smirked, "Hey, got you to look at me, at least." Vergil turned back to look straight ahead. He hasn't taken the time to get to know Trish for good reason, but she's much smarter than she lets on. Also much more annoying, "I told you before when you were V: I'm not your mommy. However long it takes for you to get used to that is your problem, but thought it might help to hear it again."
"Hm," Vergil acknowledged. He really wasn't ready to have another thing plaguing his mind. His weakened self, the sorceress, Cyra, Nero showing up… He wasn't in the right state of mind to have a fifth thing to worry about, let alone something loosely related to his mother.
Just like that, his body felt it was being absorbed. He stopped for a moment, but Trish noticed, "The reading is getting stronger so we're close. Is it draining you?"
Vergil looked up and saw weeds and various vegetation growing along the side of the mountain. Some were wilting away more than others, and where it was wilting the most, there was a dark green sac pulsating hidden in the weeds. Trish followed his eyes up to notice the same thing. Trish brought out a gun and shot at the sac. It burst out dark green and purple mist, slowly scattering in the air. Vergil felt a bit lighter. Could this be what was holding his energy? Trish mentioned he was tethered, "You said there are more of these?" Vergil asked.
"I can sense at least a dozen, but they seem to be scattered around this mountain," Trish said, "But I don't sense Amelia in the midst of it all."
"These must be where she's storing tethered energy since the one in the cathedral was destroyed," Vergil began, "But if you don't sense her here, then there's either many more around the city or she's using these to hide herself."
Trish nodded, "As dull as it is, I can handle these pods. Go get Dante and we can find Amelia and end this once and for all."
Vergil agreed with that idea. He'd be useless with her, and if these are really what's holding his energy, then by the time he and Dante came back, Trish could've destroyed enough sacs to regain a considerable amount of power. Even at half strength, he and Dante could actually take on that sorceress assuming she hasn't absorbed much since the cathedral was torn down. He was hoping. Now if only Dante doesn't berate him for going into the demon world alone, because one look at him would give it away.
1 February 9:50am
Cyyrrraaaa… A woman's voice echoed in her head.
"Huh? Who's there?" Cyra found herself saying to no one in particular.
Get up, Cyra!
"...Mom? Is that you?" Cyra asked.
Cyra, you're going to be late!
"Late for what?" Cyra asked.
Silly, you have to take your medical exam!
"But I already did that…" Cyra said.
Cyra opened her eyes slowly to a noise she couldn't quite pinpoint. The sunlight was peaking through the curtains, telling her it was early. She heard her mother in her dreams… That was strange for her. Sometimes she'd get nightmares of Gabriel's death or variations of it, but she couldn't remember the last time she had a dream with her mother. Over a medical exam, no less! Dreams like those signaled stress, which Cyra didn't have to tell herself twice that she was stressed. Even in a dim room, her eyes felt sensitive since she cried herself to sleep last night. The memories hit her all at once, reminding her once again why she was so sad. Vergil... She didn't even realize she fell asleep in the chair.
Just then she heard a knock on the door in front of her. That must have been the noise that woke her up. Was it Vergil? She thought enthusiastically. She quickly stood up out of the chair only for her back to start feeling sore. That chair really did need to get thrown out. She ordered replacement furniture, but it wouldn't arrive for another couple weeks. This worked in her favor, either way. If it was Vergil, she couldn't seem too eager. He had to know he broke her heart. The thought of it possibly being him, however, quickened her pace anyway. Cyra removed the baseball bat and opened the door. Maybe he came back over to talk through things again and-
"C-Cyra….?" That didn't sound like Vergil.
Cyra's sensitive eyes took longer than she wanted to adjust to the sunlight, but when it did, she saw the police officer she recognized from last night, Nathan. He was out of his police uniform, just sporting a gray jacket over a green hoodie. His dark blonde hair casually parted and swept off to the side. He was holding a coffee cup, "Nathan…" She said quietly. He still recognized her? What was he doing here? The murders last night… Shit. Her heart immediately sank, but she had to play it cool.
Nathan let out a quick laugh, "Oh man, I haven't seen you in years. You look... Well, like you just woke up, but you still look the same!" He said, acting genuinely happy to see her.
Cyra smiled softly, feeling warm at his reaction to seeing her. It was a nice contrast to the sad conversation she remembered having the night before. She deserved good moments, too, she thought, "You look the same, too. Too much. You can't still be a police officer!" She said jokingly.
Nathan shrugged, "Still a cop. May have taken years off my life mentally, but glad to know it hasn't shown up on the outside," He grinned, "Same can be said about you, though. Still a doctor?"
Cyra nodded, "Still doctoring," She corrected. Maybe not a licensed doctor anymore, but she was still a doctor.
"You own this store or something?" Nathan asked, trying to peek behind her to look inside.
Cyra didn't budge, "Yes," She kept it short, "What are you doing here anyway?" She asked and checked the clock on her wall to see it was almost 10am.
"Uhhh…." Nathan said looking around, "Just some work stuff, but never mind that! Let's catch up! Mind if I come in?" Nathan asked.
Cyra shifted awkwardly, but knew that denying him would add to her suspicion, "Sure!" She said, overly enthusiastic.
Nathan accepted the answer and walked up and looked around the dead store while Cyra reinforced the doors with the baseball bat. As she did, she noticed a folded piece of paper on the floor with nothing written on the outside. She didn't recall that being there before, but she quickly pocketed it before turning to look back at Nathan, "So you own a bookstore?" He asked.
Cyra cleared her throat, "Yup, bought it for really cheap since it went out of business. It may have been a bookstore, but I plan on turning it into a clinic," She was amazed at how easy it was to make up that lie on the spot, "Haven't started on the renovating too much, though. Busy actually making medicine."
Nathan scanned the place. It felt strange. Cyra was a doctor. She used to have a nice home life with her husband, and his friend, Gabriel. Few years later she bought a cheap bookstore to renovate? With the benefits she receives from Gabriel dying in the line of duty, she could afford to get a real clinic. Judging by her clothes and the random coffee mugs and blankets thrown around, she also lived at the bookstore. It did feel suspicious. Nathan saw the medical station in the back. He turned back to Cyra to see her watching him look around the store, noticing her red, tired eyes. She smiled, "What do you think?"
Nathan chuckled. Gabriel's death did hit her pretty hard, he reasoned. She could have been up to anything, "Pretty dingy. Not what I expect from you, but hey, things change in three years," Nathan said.
Cyra nodded, "You're telling me… Anything new with you?"
"Might get promoted to detective soon. Other than that, nah. No misses, no kids, just married to my job, I guess," Nathan explained, "What about you, new man?" He did find it a good segue to ask, but he'd be lying if he weren't personally curious. Even though she was married to his best friend, he was always slightly interested in her…
Cyra's face dropped, giving Nathan the only hint he needed, but Cyra answered anyway, "No."
Nathan cleared his throat and looked around to try to make it less awkward. His eyes did catch the photo of her and Gabriel on her desk. Maybe she was still hung up on him. It would explain her strange lifestyle at the moment. He suddenly felt awkward for potentially trying to pursue her. Dammit, Nathan, she's a widow! Your best friend's widow! Perhaps he has been more stressed with work than he let on.
"So… Detective?" Cyra asked, when Nathan wasn't going to say anything.
"Yeah! Actually, uh… I got like one or two more cases before it's official. That's why I'm here. Investigating something that happened last night. You, uh...Heard anything outside last night around 6:30pm?" He asked. He was convinced there was no way innocent Cyra could murder anyone. He's known her for years! Though he was at least hopeful she could give him some leads. After all, it happened right outside her store.
"I hear a lot of things in this city. Especially with the increase in demon activity…" Cyra said. She didn't want to lie anymore, so she tried not to answer.
Gabriel felt like he struck a nerve. Idiot! He scolded himself. Gabe was killed by demons, she wouldn't want to bring it up again, "Shit, Cyra, I'm sorry if it made you think of…" He trailed off.
Of? She wondered. Vergil? Because it definitely made her think of Vergil. It took a bit longer to register he meant Gabriel, "Oh!... Oh-hhh. Yeah….," She recovered, sounding sad, "It's hard not to think about him lately."
Nathan sighed and put a hand on her shoulder, "You're hanging in there, though. I know you're a tough chick."
Cyra forced a smile even though she felt awkward.
Nathan read that face and knew he should back off, "Did you by any chance hear anybody outside fighting? Someone crying for help?" Nathan asked trying to keep it about humans, considering those were the two that died and they didn't die from anything suggesting demons.
Cyra shook her head, "I was at home all last night, working on medicine. I usually listen to music on my headphones when I do. But I also had company over at some point, and we ended up arguing," She said, still telling the partial truth.
Arguing. Nathan figured her red eyes meant she must have been crying, and that would explain why. Probably a guy, "Not to scare you, but there were two murders right outside your door."
Cyra's eyes widened, "Murders…?" She gasped.
"Yeah, two guys. They were always getting into trouble, so honestly I'm not surprised they got what was coming to them," Nathan chuckled, but quickly stopped, "I'm sorry… I shouldn't be admitting that."
Cyra shook her head, "Nah, we're friends here, speak your mind."
"I'd like to shake the person's hand before I arrest them," Nathan said drinking from his coffee. Just then his pager went off, "Ah, shit, duty calls… Guess I have to put this investigation on hold."
"What now?" Cyra asked.
"Been having reports of cults going on outside the city. I guess they found a new site," Nathan said.
Cyra nodded for a second but then realized this could be mistaken with something Amelia was up to, "Cult activity?" She asked.
"Yeah, you interested?" Nathan asked jokingly.
Cyra let out a laugh, "Not a chance. Just haven't heard of cults in a while," She had to get him talking, "We talking satanic or-?"
"No one knows, but I think it had something to do with the demon activity spiking," Nathan said.
Oh if only he knew the truth… But it still linked to Amelia, "How far you gotta go?" Cyra asked.
"This one is about 10 miles out, at the old elementary school. Weird place, but hey I guess having it at a school is unassuming, right?" Nathan said.
"Yeahhh, well good luck with that," Cyra said, walking him to the door.
"Thanks… Listen, it was really nice catching up! Hope we get to do this again sometime," Nathan said, smiling kindly at her.
Cyra nodded, "Yeah it was! And well, you know where to find me now," Cyra said, though she regretted it. She really didn't want Nathan just showing up whenever he wanted. Should she give him her phone number? "Actually probably better to call first, right?"
Nathan opened his jacket and pulled out a business card, "Here's my number," He offered with a smile.
Oh god, she really didn't want to be the one to call him, "Uhh, mind if i have another?"
Nathan lifted an eyebrow, but he still reached in to grab another. And just like that Cyra reached in to grab the pen that was clipped on his pocket on the inside of his jacket. She also took the second business card he was now holding and wrote down her bookstore's phone number on it, handing it back to him. She tried to analyze the look in his eyes and it dawned on her that it probably seemed like she was flirting. Cyra took a step back after he grabbed the card, "Uh, sometimes I disconnect my phone when I'm asleep. Not everyone knows this bookstore closed down, so, uh, keep trying, I guess."
Nathan didn't let that look drop. He assumed she was just nervous, "You got it," He said and walked off.
Cyra let out a long breath she didn't know she was having. For starters, there was no way that he was going to be a detective if he didn't suspect her at all. Come on, the murder happened right outside her door! Ask her some more questions! Though she was extremely grateful, not to mention lucky that he was the one that decided to investigate. Giving him her phone number felt wrong, for some reason. Thinking of Vergil made her feel guilty though she tried to shake that feeling away. Nathan was just a friend. That's all he saw her as, and that's all she wanted from him. Vergil made it clear he couldn't be in her life, anyway, so he wouldn't get the wrong idea, right? Right?
Cyra put the business card in her pocket, and felt the other piece of paper she forgot she picked up. Unfolding it, she read the note.
C,
I saw Amelia's assistant, that nurse in the white. She went to that cathedral that got destroyed the other day. Good luck.
-V
That girl! Cyra almost forgot about her. She almost tried stalking her just to get into the cathedral last week. Why would she still go there if it was destroyed? It's not Amelia's hideout anymore. Though she realized she never got a real chance to inspect the cathedral, herself. Dante and Lady looted it, but they could have missed something only Cyra could have recognized. Maybe even some clues! If that nurse was still there, she could get info out of her. Why didn't she realize it before!?
Her two decisions were to go to the cathedral now, which would have been dangerous, or go tell Dante about the cult, which would more than likely lead into asking Dante to check the cathedral again with her. Well, for once, it was an easy decision.
The elementary school that was ten miles away, huh? She knew the one; she delivered medicine nearby. It was on the other side of town. It may not amount to anything, but it was the closest thing to hearing about Amelia. Half her mind told her to call up Dante and tell him, so she could stay inside, but she knew talking to him face to face would be better. Perhaps she'd even see Vergil, though she wasn't going to let that thought surface too much. She quickly walked out the door and carefully marched on to Devil May Cry.
Relieved that the door was open, she saw Dante laying back at his desk, feet kicked up, reading some magazine he's probably already read. Classic image of him, "Dante," She called out announcing herself, walking up to him.
Dante peeked over the magazine and quickly sat up straight, putting both feet back on the found, "Whoa, what are you doing here alone?" He asked.
Cyra shook her head, "And what are you doing here not doing anything?"
"Waiting on a secret phone call," Dante answered, "So back to my question?"
"Nevermind that. There's some weird cult stuff going on lately, according to the police. Can you go check a site and see if it's related to Amelia at all?" Cyra asked.
"A cult?" Dante asked with a bored tone.
"Well it's all we have so far, don't we?" Cyra asked.
"We got some leads. Trish and Lady are investigating. Vergil's MIA though," Dante said, "Have you seen him?"
He was missing? Not unusual since he liked to be away from everyone most of the time, but she was curious where he was if not investigating with the others. Probably trying to do stuff alone… It worried her since he still hasn't fully recovered, "Uh… not since last night," She said sadly.
"Ah damn, what'd he do? Do I have to kick his ass?" Dante asked.
Cyra wasn't sure what to say. Should she tell him or wait for Vergil to? Did it matter? Cyra struggled to figure out what to say, but good thing she didn't have to when the front door of Devil May Cry was violently kicked open.
"You think you can just come back and not tell me!?" A male voice was heard, accompanied by heavy, angry footsteps.
"Aw shit," Dante muttered under his breath. Cyra got out of his way and turned to look at the entrance. Dante cleared his throat, "Uh, hey, Nero!"
Nero marched up to Dante's desk, "That's all you have to say!?"
Cyra stared at him. So this was Nero, she thought. Funny, she expected him to be nicer, with what he's done. Dante mentioned he was a bit of a hothead, but she supposed with context, she could understand he was angry. She didn't know they didn't tell Nero they came back from the underworld.
"I was going to tell you, but-" Dante started.
"But you decided to let the news tell me?" Nero asked, still angry. Nero glanced at Cyra, but threw his attention back to Dante, "Did that bastard come with you?"
Bastard? Cyra thought to herself. Did he mean Vergil?
"I wanted to tell you!" Dante repeated, defending himself.
"What, picking up the phone was too hard for you?" Nero asked.
"It's a long story, Nero…" Dante started.
"Freed my schedule for this, so start talking!" Nero said.
Dante sighed, "It's not really my place to say, alright?"
"What's stopping you?" Nero asked.
The front door opened, causing everyone to look at Vergil who just walked in. From Vergil's point of view, he saw an angry Nero and confused Cyra staring at him, with Dante in the middle, leaning back in his chair, grinning from cheek to cheek as if to say 'I told you so'. Vergil grimaced, "Wrong door," He awkwardly said, walking out. Cyra didn't fail to notice how beaten down he looked. What was he up to?
Nero started to angrily storm to him, "Oh hell no, you're not going to walk away again!" He marched outside, following Vergil, readying his Red Queen.
Cyra heard the sword revving, "Wait, don't hurt him!" She called out, following Nero. Dante got up out of his seat to run after the others. He wasn't about to miss the three of them interacting.
Nero went up to Vergil, "Stop walking!" He yelled, grabbing his arm to turn him around to face him, yet Vergil quickly shoved his arm away.
Cyra still ran in between the two, holding her arms out in front of her towards Nero, "Don't hurt him!" She said again.
Nero looked at the woman curiously, wondering who she was defending him. He glared back up to Vergil, "Can't fight your own battles so you need people to stick up for you, huh?" He taunted.
"Go home, Nero," Vergil said, pulling Cyra aside so that she was next to him, away from Nero's wrath.
"Hell no, you don't get to tell me what to do!" Nero said angrily.
"You're only going to get in the way," Vergil said.
"In the way of what? The demon problem around here that only got worse!?" Nero asked.
Cyra stepped to the side, seeing the two argue with each other. She narrowed her eyes, questioning what their relationship was. Nero was supposed to be someone who helped Vergil's resurrection. Here she thought they had a decent relationship because of it, but there was instant anger and tension. The same could be said about Dante, but Cyra felt there was something different about Nero and Vergil.
"Look, Nero, we're sorry but -" Dante started.
"Don't give me your sorry. It's been almost eight months! I don't care what your reason for coming back is, but how could you not tell me?" Nero was angry and visibly offended. They were supposed to be his family!
"We ran into a problem in the demon world. Our return was only supposed to be temporary, but we got caught up in stuff and haven't had the chance," Dante answered.
"What kind of problem?" Nero asked.
Dante glanced over to Cyra hoping she might explain, "Uh, well-"
"It doesn't matter," Vergil interrupted, "Go home."
"You're such a-!" Nero started to shout.
As if on cue, Vergil heard a quick metallic noise in the distance, flying towards the group. Reflexively, Vergil pulled up the Yamato in front of Nero's face to deflect the attack. A dagger bounced off and hit the side of Devil May Cry. Vergil knew right away who the owner of that dagger was. Gabriel. He wasn't sure how far away he was, but Vergil quickly stood in front of Cyra and readied the Yamato, "Dante, get Cyra inside now," He commanded.
Nero caught a quick glimpse of how close Vergil was standing to her, completely protective. Before Nero could analyze the situation further, another projectile tried to attack the group. Nero pulled out his Blue Rose to shoot it down.
"You're not at full strength, you go!" Dante said.
"You don't even have weapons," Vergil retorted back.
Dante always had his guns with him, but he wasn't going to fight further. There must have been another reason he wouldn't take her himself. He walked up to Cyra, holding out his hand, "C'mon, let's go."
Cyra glanced up at Vergil, but opted to follow Dante's lead without resistance when he held his hand out. Dante made sure to cover Cyra on the way through the double doors to his shop. He went in to grab his sword, "Will you guys be okay?" She asked, concerned, "Vergil shouldn't be fighting!"
"Don't worry, we have Nero now, just in case," Dante confidently said on his way back out, armed with Devil Sword Dante. More demons started appearing, those reminiscent of Temen-ni-Gru… Hell Prides, six of them, "You guys, again? Doesn't she have any other tricks?" Dante taunted, seeing the familiar enemy.
Nero glared and whipped out the Blue Rose, shooting them all down, one by one, each disappearing by one bullet, "This is what you've been dealing with? Doesn't seem so bad," Nero said only for more to appear.
"They're only projections," Vergil said, "Don't let any of them touch you. They'll drain your energy and it's how that sorceress gets her power."
Sorceress? Nero looked back at Vergil, "Is that what happened to you?" He asked genuinely, without an attitude.
So he could tell, Vergil thought. Without further elaboration, he stepped forward and readied his own blade for when Gabriel would decide to show up.
A figure landed in the middle of the street. Gabriel. His hair was long enough to tie into a ponytail, but his bangs were still obscuring his face. Hopefully it was enough for him to remain a mystery. Vergil was sure Cyra was peaking through the door or windows.
Nero noticed this stranger's stance. He was stiff and his clothes were somewhat torn, but looked to be an average looking man, albeit a bit homeless. He was holding a gun in his right hand, it flush against his leg, "So, you know this guy?" Nero asked.
Dante glanced at Vergil, "This him?"
Vergil focused his gaze on Gabriel, "It's him."
Nero was starting to get agitated that no one was telling him what was going on.
Cyra couldn't help but push through the doors enough to peek through the doors. A man with long brown hair? Victor mentioned Amelia had someone else working for him with that description. Would explain why he showed up with the projections just now. Last time they showed up, Amelia interrupted her and Vergil. Her next clue!
Just then a tan and brown van stormed in, slamming on the breaks, but not quick enough to stop from ramming into Gabriel, launching him into a nearby building. Vergil and Dante both relaxed their shoulders a bit, and Nero walked up toward the van, "Nico, watch it!"
"I tried to slow him down, Dante!" Nico called out from the window, "and please tell me that was a demon I just hit!"
Gabriel stood up from his wreckage and stumbled around a bit before he regained his footing and ran off in the opposite direction of the Devil May Cry.
Vergil gritted his teeth. Gripping his Yamato tightly, he ran after Gabriel. This was it, he was hopefully going to be led to Amelia.
"Vergil, wait" Dante called out, "Nero, stay with Cyra!" Dante said and ran after Vergil. Dumbass was still weak, what did he think could accomplish by running off alone? Unless he knew Dante would come after him.
"Who the hell is-!?" Nero yelled back but stopped when they were out of earsight… "...Cyra?" He finished, anyway.
Nico opened the door to the van and jumped out, "What's their hurry?" She asked and looked back to Nero, who just crossed his arms and glared at Nico, "Nero, I said I'm sorry! Dante promised me not to tell you!" She was genuine, but visibly started getting annoyed that he was being so stubborn.
The doors to Devil May Cry opened, revealing Cyra, "Where'd they go? Where's Vergil?" She asked quickly, running out.
Nero narrowed his eyes at her, questioning everything about her, "You're Cyra?"
She nodded, "And you're Nero and Nico," Cyra said looking between the two, "I've heard about you both. It's nice to finally meet you, but I need to know where they went!"
"Uhhh, they went that way, but Dante told me to stay with you," Nero said.
Cyra looked at the direction Nero pointed. It was straight ahead, which meant they would be far away from the cathedral, which was to the far right. This was her only chance not to be bothered by Amelia while she was being dealt with by Vergil and Dante. Cyra looked up at Nero, "I'll explain to Dante later, tell them I ran off on my own!" Cyra said and did just that, running off towards the direction of the cathedral.
"H-Hey wait!" Nero threw his hands down out of frustration, thinking no one would ever tell him what the hell was going on. Why was he always last?
1 February 10:35am
Vergil could feel his energy levels weakening as he was running after Gabriel. Gabriel wasn't even running, he was being flown back by whatever energy Amelia was controlling him with. A puppet to the very end.
Dante quickly caught up, not at all exhausted, "Stay back, Verge, I got this!"
"I'm not backing down!" Vergil argued back. He recognized they were going back to the mountains that he and Trish were at earlier.
Suddenly, an invisible force of energy pushed both Dante and Vergil back. They looked back up to see the light glimmer over the air before them. Another barrier? Vergil struggled to stand back up, but he did and found he pushed right through, meanwhile Dante tried, but was getting resistance. Gabriel had no problem slipping through, either. The sorceress was willingly letting Vergil through, but it'd only be a matter of time until he broke through, "Don't even think about going alone!" Dante called out.
Vergil had to make a decision fast. Gabriel was getting away. This could be his chance to actually find where Amelia was hiding, at the risk of something worse happening to him. No, Vergil's been through worse, he could handle what that weak sorceress could give. Vergil made his decision fast and turned to run back after Gabriel.
"Vergil!" Dante called out again, "Dammit," He kicked the barrier, stunning him and pushing him back, yet again.
Vergil pressed on without hesitation. He quickly caught up and was back on pace with Gabriel. Gabriel seemed to regain motive control and scaled up a tree, jumping right on top of the mountain where a cave entrance was open, quickly sliding in. Vergil jumped in, following him through.
They both landed with a thud, but Gabriel stumbled his way back down, like a ragdoll. He stopped moving. The sorceress was no longer controlling him. Vergil must be close. First, he inspected his surroundings. Looked like any other cave. The only source of light was from above, but he could see something in the distance. Vergil eyed Gabriel's corpse and he was past it and pressed on into the cave. Strange, Vergil thought. His energy wasn't being drained. It felt the same as it has for the past few days. He also didn't sense any other demon energy down there. His stride was careful, hand always on the Yamato, ready to draw it. Nothing would jump him, but he didn't know what to expect. Amelia was proficient in creating projections, which could zap his energy and kill him on the spot. Never in a million years would he die like that. His energy may be low, but he still had his other senses which haven't been affected. He can still hear, smell, and see just as well as any other day.
As he approached the second source of light, he noticed that they were candles, with the way they flickered, lighting bouncing off the part of the cave wall he could see. Candles and lots of them. He turned with the wall and was led down to a wider, open, room with even more candles, that dreaded sorceress standing in the middle of it.
Vergil's body froze. His hand twitched with anticipation. This could be his chance, but no, something felt off. She was too open, too unguarded. Either she ran out of resources, which he doubted, or she was that confident she'd make it out alive. One thing was for sure, he was glad Dante told Nero to stay back and protect Cyra. Amelia could very easily see this encounter as a distraction and attack her true target.
"You've found me," Amelia said. Vergil stayed silent. Amelia turned to Vergil, "And you came all alone. Are you really that desperate to die? Even after all the plans I had for you and that girl."
Vergil kept his composure, but he started taking small strides forward. He had to be careful. He wouldn't be provoked.
"I had so many memories about you to share! And don't get me started on her husband's corpse… I was going to make him stab her right in front of you!" Amelia cackled.
Vergil could have cut her head off right then, but he wasn't stupid. She was trying to instigate him, and he wouldn't fall for the bait. Still, her words and laugh weren't pleasant to hear.
"I know what you think is going to happen here. One of us will die. But no, demon. Neither of us will die because I really really really want to see through the rest of my plans!" Amelia said. She started walking up to Vergil, "Would you like to know more? I can spoil them all for you. It won't hurt my enjoyment at all. In fact, having you constantly wondering when or where it'll happen would be part of the fun for me!" Amelia's cackling was beginning to turn into a growl.
Vergil stayed silent, knowing it was driving her insane that he wasn't having the reaction she wanted, which ended up being his own game.
"I'll even find her mother's corpse and use that to lure her and i'll rip her fucking heart out!" Amelia yelled, yet again awaiting a response from him. She balled her fists and shot an energy blast into the sides of the cave, "Why aren't you reacting!?" She screamed.
Vergil dashed forward while she was gloating, cutting right through Amelia's side. It was too easy… She pushed back with an energy wave, stumbling as she was holding her stomach. She looked down to see blood seeping through her hand, "How did you….? You're supposed to be weak!"
Amelia sent a blast of energy out in front of her, pushing Vergil back against the wall. He wasn't weak! He thought angrily, recovering from the blow and straightening himself out. If it surprised even Amelia, that means Trish must have broken enough sacs to stop the tethers from stealing a considerate amount of energy from him, even if he couldn't feel it. He conjured up summoned swords and shot them at Amelia, only for her to hold up a wall of energy, deflecting them, "This isn't fair!" Amelia growled, throwing energy projectiles at Vergil, "You're supposed to suffer! I'm supposed to bring justice to all those you've killed!"
Vergil got in close with his blade to strike, but Amelia defended herself with a barrier wall again, struggling under his strength. He needed to suffer? He has suffered, "You've no idea what I've been through!" No one could tell him his time enslaved to Mundus wasn't pure torture. He purged his nightmares from constantly tormenting him, but the memories of his past were still there.
"With Mundus? You had that coming! It's not enough!" Amelia said and pushed him off with a blast of energy, "Not until you watch the one you love most be ripped apart!" She shrieked, balling her fists, shooting more projectiles.
Ah, so direct revenge is what she seeked. She would get messy, Vergil thought. Revenge was often blind, but he couldn't get careless. Cyra being a target felt so much more real when Amelia admitted it herself. Again, it was all his fault. Guilt didn't have time to set in before Amelia started attacking again.
Vergil was able to dodge most of her attacks, but the room wasn't big enough, so the shockwaves would still make him stumble. Vergil dashed forward and jumped up in order to strike from above, but Amelia teleported out of it. Vergil's energy was running low, he couldn't keep this up. He still wasn't at full strength, and he was going through what he had rather quickly. He knew he had to come up with a new strategy, and for once, talking seemed to be it, "You wouldn't be able to last one day under what I've had to endure. I can never bring back your husband, but I've suffered for that and much more."
"Shut UP!" Amelia yelled, "Don't you DARE act like that's enough! The only thing that'll make it fair is if you were enslaved for eternity! Knowing you're being tortured and beaten everyday of your life would've brought me joy!" She was borderline growling, her aura was visibly surrounding her body, "Now that I don't get that luxury, I get to make you suffer exactly how I did…."
Vergil had to keep her stalling, keep her using energy. Amelia was only this strong because she's been absorbing dormant energy for over two decades. If she could use it all, and they were at their bare minimum, Vergil could overpower her, "You seem to think I have some relation with that doctor. Ecstatic to be the one to break it to you, but she was just that. My doctor. And her job is done.."
"Quit LYING!" Amelia shouted, rushing forward to Vergil, using her energy to physically attack him, sending him several meters through the cave wall. The impact caused his breathing to shorten.
That's right… Keep wasting it, Vergil taunted in his head, "She's of no use to me anymore."
Amelia was shaking, but she controlled it and let the aura simmer down until she was back to normal, eyes no longer glowing white. Though moments later, she held out her hand and suddenly Vergil couldn't breath. She was using her energy to choke him, making him fall down to one knee, "I'd kill anyone to save you."
What? Vergil was confused.
"I've lost enough, I don't want to add you to that list!"
No… he recognized these words.
"You can be angry with me all you want, just tell me you understand."
Those were his words that he's said to Cyra last night. Amelia knows the entire conversation. He wasn't even going to bother figuring out how, but this was bad. Vergil tried to conjure a single sword to hit her but he couldn't muster the energy. Thankfully for Amelia's lust for torturing Vergil, she let go of the choke hold entirely, having him drop forward. He caught himself with his hands, "Can't have you dying just yet…" She said in a low voice.
Vergil didn't even waste time grabbing the Yamato and dashing forward, stabbing right through Amelia's chest. She shrieked in pain as Vergil pulled the sword up, making sure she would die from this, "I've had enough of you," He growled through his teeth, shaking and out of breath.
Amelia's hand glowed in a purple aura and she shoved it right into the side of Vergil's stomach, causing him to flinch and loosen his hold on the Yamato. Amelia pushed herself back, Yamato still inside her chest. They were both out of breath, beaten, "I'll see you soon… This isn't over," Amelia strained to say before she shot one more blast and Vergil, though it missed. She then teleported away, leaving Vergil alone in the cave, the echoes of his breath being the only company at the time.
The Yamato fell, thankfully not teleporting with her. It was suddenly quiet after that ordeal. The sorceress was weak. Her only advantage is harboring all that stolen energy, which she can do anything with, including healing. Her wounds would be temporary, must like his, but she will probably take longer to recover, at least he hoped. Who knew if she'd prioritized healing herself over her schemed she said she had planned. There was nothing Amelia could do if she were weak, Vergil reasoned. They had some time until Amelia would intervene again. And now they know where they can find her. The sacs surrounding this cave was hopefully a common sign that she was around.
But for now, Vergil had to pass out.