Chapter theme: Deep blue- /ouaLTnJAUAw
Disclaimer: Certain aspects of this story are based on a loosely fictional and exaggerated version of reality, of what is possible, of what could be, to understand this is to understand that there is no agenda… Make your own conclusions, what you think is right.
Terminology:
SDT: SUBTERRANEAN DEMON TRIBE, often used to describe sentient and non-aggressive demons.
USF: UNITED SUBTERRANEAN FRONT, the recognized sovereign citizens of the Ebott. Valley demon association.
NNH: New New Home, the town's name. The only city located in the USF.
Central: Central Government, central city, main human settlement where the Grand Senate is instated.
WG: World Government, The coalition of governments, cities and island states, headed the Grand Senate.
WM: World Military, the standing widespread military for the entire world bar a few states and countries.
OTS: Order Of The Sword, a religious faction mainly situated in the city of fortuna, radical Sparda worshippers.
I own nothing.
Sin Trigger
It was difficult, living in the shadow of another… Napstablook knew the feeling well. It was impossible not to feel that way when compared to Mettaton, especially when the diva went off and did his own thing… Even after acquiring his own body and becoming corporeal just like his cousin, Napstablook even acquired a new name… Blooke.
But it never made it go away, that nagging feeling of inferiority… How easy it was to curl into a ball and ignore all your issues every time it came back up. Just like now, where he was helpless to stop anyone from messing with his family…
He could fight… He was capable, his talents were not lacking… But that drive. That drive his cousin had, was lacking in himself.
The TV in the bar revealed just what Blooke dreaded, "Welcome beauties!" His voice was so confident and charismatic, he could sway entire crowds of people with words alone… Of course, with their operations…
'He doesn't have the luxury of being seen with us, but still…' Blooke sighed into his hand, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes.
'He could at least call…'
All his attempts to reach Mettaton were met with failure, it was almost like back then… When Mettaton hid his identity and went on to become a superstar.
'And left me behind…'
He feared history repeating itself.
Mettaton gestured to a small screen inside a well lit room, "We have a special segment for you all today, a few of you beauties out in the field caught a wonderfully touching video!" Wherever he was in Fortuna, Blooke had never seen it. His fear to even see the rest of this city, the fear of not having anyone to rely on…
But he'd keep it tucked away, his fears, his doubts, his insecurities, his anger, anything… Just like he always has.
Because it really wasn't worth it, in the end.
Mettaton continues to talk in the way he always does, heads turn to listen. "Last night, an almost divine occurrence was caught by several people. A demon, no, a devil! My my, it seems friendly doesn't it?" The screen reveals the footage of Vergil sitting next to a homeless man In his devil form, attracting the attention and eyes of everyone in sight…
'Even he's an inspiration… But me? I'm just his support.' He's glad to be of use to him of course, Vergil saved them all…
"Many are speculating what this could possibly mean, some even say that this is a sign of a new Order! Others say this strange being is unsightly. However, in my perfectly humble and lavish opinion, this devil is here to help!" Footage of his other endeavors begin to play as well, in a single night… Saving people from a demon attack as he did so casually, without even hesitating…
'He's a hero… And I'm just his support…'
Mettaton placed a hand over his 'heart', "Sparda or not, he clearly has a soft spot… That handsome devil is welcome in Fortuna anytime, what do you think, my beauties?"
Mettaton had the luxury of this position after years of selling his brand, an inspiration to women and men everywhere. A confident phenomena that inspired people to truly be themselves, that was his brand… And whether it be dance concerts, cooking shows, or anything in between… the people would watch him, they would look at him.
They saw Mettaton, unlike how they overlooked him.
Blooke was broken from his musings as the door slammed open, revealing Vergil and… A woman? Vergil had a suitcase of some kind in his hand, the woman behind him peaked around his shoulder with a look of curiosity.
Just what did he do last night?
She was so… Talkative, "Hey there, I'm Ifalna, what's your name?"
Blooke is practically stunned into silence, "..." This woman only laughs at him, just like everyone has ever done… But he's used to it by now. Vergil had already left towards the back rooms to situate her living quarters, this woman was going to help them somehow…
Ifalna sat next to him, kicking her feet out like a child would. "I'm nervous too, I've never… Never been to this part of the city, or out of the slums… The smell is so much different." The robotic SDT blinks a few times as she babbles on next to him, talking endlessly.
"... My name is Blooke."
She beams at him, "Oh! That's cute, what a unique name."
"... Not really…" His eyes widened in fear, "I-I mean not for my family… I mean, yeah…"
The former ghost facepalms inwardly, it was… It was hard talking to a girl like her, she seemed so pretty. Too nice and outgoing, it was overwhelming. At times like these the SDT just wished he was more like Vergil.
Ifalna stretched back suddenly, arching over the counter before glancing at him again. "You're an SDT right?" Curiosity in those green eyes of hers, Blooke felt panicked… People didn't usually react well when he told them he was a robot.
"Yeah… I'm a machine… Or a ghost… Or both… I guess."
"Wow, how does that work?"
"No clue… Dr. Alphys made my body, and I just… Inhabited it."
"Dr. Alphys? I think I've heard about him."
"Her." Blooke corrected a little more firmly than he wanted to.
"Oh, sorry." Ifalna averted her gaze, flushing red.
They sat in relative silence for a few moments alone in the bar besides one other occupant, Brandon was dozing off in the corner of the bar with a magazine over his face… Blooke wishes he could be so carefree.
The sound of incoherent feminine yelling causes Blooke and Ifalna both to leap out of their seats in fright while Brandon crashes into the ground with a large thump, trying to stand still half asleep.
A familiar voice, "A courtesan Vergil? What the hell were you thinking?"
"You judge too soon, she has a kind heart." Vergil defends her, a warm feeling inspired.
And yet… "I do NOT Want my bar to be associated with that crap, kind or not! It's a trap for horny pigs Vergil, I can't believe you-"
Bianca storms out of the back of the bar and comes into view, her intensely averse body language coming to a halt as she sees with her own two eyes, sees the woman sitting next to Blooke and places a hand over her mouth
"Ifalna…" She whispers, as if she's seen a ghost.
The woman in question stands to her full height, blinking a few times… "Wait… Bianca?!" Her innocent face lights up in joy, "I thought you… This is where you've been all this time?" Her joy warps into confusion, quickly transforming to one of sorrow.
"Why?" Her voice cracks just a little.
"Why did you leave us?"
It felt hypocritical to ask, considering that she'd just left as well… Bianca was frozen in place, a heavy weight placed on her shoulders. The bar owner breathed heavily at the sight of her. Of Ifalna.
Of her former sister.
Crono quickly followed into the room, "What the hell is going on!" His blazing yellow eyes whirl an inflamed gaze over the bar, standing next to Bianca protectively.
He instantly recognizes the woman standing next to the SDT, "Oh hell, what is that doing here?" He can feel Vergil's piercing gaze on the back of his skull, daring him to lose his cool.
Crono reigns on his anger, glaring back at Vergil. "When I said we'd let you and the frea-... Your buddies hang here, we didn't mean you could bring any random skank off the street." Bianca placed a hand on his shoulder, her doe eyed expression growing somber.
"Crono… It's alright."
"..." He holds his tongue, grumbling.
Vergil stares at him evenly. "Calm yourself, Wingbuster." An unspoken rule cemented itself just then, one Crono felt hard-pressed not to obey; he bites his tongue for a moment.
And then he made himself appear smaller, "I am calm. You folk just have a way of throwing my day into a damn loop don'tcha? Whatever, I'm going to see about Credo." Crono stormed towards the exit, a flaming yellow light in his eyes.
"Fool…"
Vergil deescalated the situation expertly, he suspected that Crono and Bianca were still on edge… It had only been a day since Credo had been taken, and their anger could only match it. A part of him felt compelled to chase after Crono to prevent him from getting in harm's way again, but he decided against it in the end.
'If he's foolish enough, then he's deserved what's coming to him.'
There were more pressing matters at hand, "Bianca, you know Ifalna then?" The revelation wasn't something he expected in an already surprising turn of events.
She sighed, "Know her? Everyone who grew up in the slums knows her… The flower girl they used to call her."
"Bianca…"
She turned to the former courtesan with a huff, "Listen, I don't know how Diana figured out where I was… But I'm not coming back, I gave up that life a long time ago y'know? Especially not now, oh my poor boy…" She began to shake suddenly, placing a hand over her mouth and falling to her knees.
"They turned on us, Ifalna. Took us in and then spat us out…"
"The order?"
"Who else?" Was Vergil's calm reply, Ifalna ignored him.
Coming up to her former sister in the night, Ifalna clasped Bianca's hand… "I'm so, so sorry Bia I didn't know… But I did not come here to bring you back, I came here because we're going to help you… The girls back at Diana's are going to help you find your son." That declaration cleared the sorrow from her eyes, if only slightly.
Ifalna glanced at her savior, "Vergil… He saved my rear from a demon attack, without him I'd be a goner so… So I decided to say goodbye to the brothel and come help out here, I'm free now you see?" Bianca eyed Vergil as well, the silver haired son of Sparda slightly shuffled under the attention.
She then caught Ifalna's gaze. "You of all people… I never thought I'd see the day, but if you're telling the truth then…"
Vergil spoke up, his voice silencing any musing. "She's right Bianca, the courtesans have a way of acquiring information from men, the order knights that visit there will have their tongues loosened no doubt."
Bianca nodded, a small smile growing on her face as she reluctantly took Ifalna's hand and pulled her into a tight hug.
Vergil could only watch as the two women who'd once known each other as sisters finally came back together, he'd always suspected that Bianca had originated from the slums… Crono as well.
"Interesting… I did not know you lived there as well, once upon a time." Imagining sweet and independent Bianca as a courtesan…
Bianca nodded towards the exit, "How do you think I met him?" Was the answer she gave when Vergil asked, his lips curling into a small knowing smirk at the humor of the situation.
She frowned at the door, "It was my dream to own a bar, a hub where people come together. And Crono gave me that dream, he is a good man… Just needs to be shown the right path, that's what I'm here for."
Ifalna simply sighed in responss, happy to be back with her sister… Not in blood, but in everything else. "I'm glad." But still, something was missing from the picture, Bianca's secret lover was here, her bar… What else was missing, besides her son of course.
And then she suddenly recalled something, a memory… Her lips pursing, "Bianca… Where is Bianco? Did you ever forgive him for ditching you like that during your graduation?" Bianca grew cold suddenly, curling in on herself in a fetal position.
Ifalna placed a hand on her shoulder, "Bianca?"
Stunned at the sudden reminder, "Please… I cant… I can't right now, it hurts too bad after Credo."
Vergil watched on in confusion as to what or who they were referencing. He guessed that it was a relative of Bianca judging by their name's similarity… Perhaps a sibling? Her dejected reaction meant…
"Hey Verg, these doo hickies… They mean we'll always be together…" He dangled the golden amulet around in the air, giggling.
His wild red eyes met his brother's somber blue, "Right?" And yet the older of the two merely brushed him off, turning back towards his reading.
"Uh Uh." Was all he could say, as if the question hadn't even registered.
If only he knew.
Vergil recited a mantra in his head, and held something gold close to his heart, something he knew would always be there… An ode to the cherished ones, to the people he could not lose no matter what.
'As long as I hold them in my heart… They will never be too far apart…'
'As long as I hold them in my heart… They will never be too far apart…'
For the first time since that day… The day he cast out on this journey, Vergil felt the urge to shed a tear. He didn't want to acknowledge the reality of what Bianca just said, what she just implied…
But he felt a kinship at the idea, nevertheless.
It doesn't take long for Ifalna to get situated in the bar… Bianca let her have the back room where Crono recovered from his injuries all that time ago, she was more than content with that arrangement… Vergil suspected that she was used to living below her means, and he also suspected that she was eager to be a helping hand… The Green-eyed woman was dangerously effective at cleaning glasses and housework, determined to be helpful he supposed.
During the opening hours, Ifalna would stand outside and greet the attendees of the bar as they came in, offering flowers she'd brought with her from the miniature garden she had back in the slums… Vergil felt a small tinge of sympathy when her supply ran out, but Ifalna wasn't deterred. It seemed that her presence inspired joy in many, she practically glowed in the eyes of all the attendees.
It created a sort of comradery, even Vergil held a conversation or two with the locals, they seemed a bit brighter than before. Although they still didn't seem to enjoy the idea of demons hanging about. Still, that wasn't enough to stifle their joy upon hearing Ifalna's heavenly voice.
But eventually, the bar closed as it always did. And Ifalna collapsed over the counter with a sigh of relief. The last attendee was gone, and she couldn't have been more glad.
"Shieza, I haven't felt that rundown since-"
Bianca didn't even glance up, still cleaning her glasses. "I don't even want to hear you finish that sentence."
Groaning, "I wasn't going to say anything dirty!" She rebelled.
"... You never were the one too, I'd expect that from Fae, not you."
"You're being too mean Bia, Fae is a sweet girl." She pouted, crossing her arms.
Bianca snorted, "Yeah, everyone is sweet to you, sugarqueen."
"Sugarqueen?" Ifalna merely laughed and playfully hit her on the shoulder, "I like that, it's funny." Bianca merely rolled her eyes and continued to clean the glasses, Ifalna groaned and stretched herself out over the counter.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be laughing at a time like this should I?"
Bianca waved her off, "No, no… It's just… It's hard Ifalna, it's so hard to even do anything… I can't even focus on scrubbing these glasses because I'm so worried about Credo, I can't pay attention… I'm not being a good host right now either… I can't hold a conversation without-" She breathed in heavily before laboring to exhale, she set down the glass and began to rub her head.
'Why… Why us?'
Ifalna hugged Bianca from behind suddenly after leaping over the counter, shocking her former sister into a silence. "I'm sorry I wasn't here for you Bia, I'm sorry I wasn't here to support you after…"
She couldn't hold back her tears now, "He's gone Ifalna, I've come… I've come to terms with it, but I can't… I can't lose my son too…"
She wanted to tell Bianca that the son of Sparda would be able to find him, that the exalted son could do anything… But it wasn't a secret for her to tell, at least that's what Mother Diana said before she left… But didn't the world, didn't the people deserve to know?
Ifalna squeezed her shoulders, "Just let me handle these glasses alright?"
"No no, you've done enough… But you can give our guest his last meal of the day, if you want." She gestured to a container filled with bread, just bread that sat behind the counter…
"Guest?"
Bianca directed her towards the hallway, "Last door on the left, don't untie him." Ifalna gulped suddenly, what the hell was going on here?
Ifalna suspected that what awaited her on the other side of this door would not be pleasant, the smell of repugnance filled her nostrils instantly as she opened the door…
It was dark with a tiny window the only source of light, she could barely make out the figure at the back of the room with his purple eyes glowing in the dark… The man was stripped naked, his vision empty as he hung against the wall, both his arms and legs were tied. In the corner next to him was a lone bucket, she felt like puking at the realization.
Shaking her head and breathing rapidly to keep the stench out of her mouth, Ifalna reached into the package and took out a loaf of bread for the man.
"Hello there, I've got some food for you."
He didn't even blink or show any reaction, merely staring dead ahead straight through her… Almost as if she wasn't even there.
Ifalna shifted a little closer to the man, trying to get him to react in any way. "I'm not going to hurt you, promise okay?"
"Just take this bread okay? I'll help you eat." The man didn't respond.
As she came closer, the light reflected off his face just enough for her to see just how young he was… Not much older than her, Ifalna felt the strings of her heart tug at the view… He seemed empty, dejected. And without knowing what he'd done, Ifalna felt for him of course…
Ifalna held the piece of bread up to the inmate's mouth, frowning when he refused to eat. "I'm sorry, I don't know why you're being kept here or why your eyes seem so lost… But I promise I won't hurt you." She affirmed, attempting to coax the man into eating… The flower girl's voice seemed to be the only soft thing he'd heard for some time.
The inmate blinked once, his pupils dilating as he finally leaned over and sniffed the offered bread much like an animal… He egregiously takes a bite once he's discerned its safety.
Ifalna smiles warmly, squatting right ahead of the inmate and letting the man practically eat out of her palm. "See? Not so bad."
The flower girl began to hum a gentle melody, continually holding out pieces of bread for the prisoner to eat ravenously until there was none left.
The flower girl sat criss cross, her warm green eyes at the same level to the inmates… As the man finally finished chewing and swallowed, he caught her eyes for just a moment before looking away… Ifalna suspected that he was ashamed of something.
"W… W-water, please." He sounded young Ifalna noticed, barely breathing the cusp of adulthood… Parched.
Blinking a few times, Ifalna gasped. "Right! Oh dear you must be dehydrated!" She looked around the small room for what he needed, liquid life… But there was nothing.
Ifalna felt a warm indignation fill her gut at the idea that Bianca and the exalted son himself would stoop to this level… And speaking of the devil;
The door clicked open to reveal Vergil standing there menacingly, Ifalna saw the inmate recoil at the sight of him and frowned. He was carrying a bottle of water, unflinching at the state of the man ahead of him, almost as if his suffering hardly mattered.
"D-demon… Away… away…" Ifalna frowned, glancing back towards Vergil.
"What did you do to him?"
Squatting right next to the man, a small smile appeared over his face as the prisoner flinched away from his voice. "I ravaged an OTS hideout, he was the lucky knight I brought back for questioning. The bindings weren't my idea, but I'm hardly empathetic towards someone who supported child abduction."
Ifalna haughtily raised her voice. "You didn't kill them-"
Vergil stopped her, "No, I didn't."
Shaking her head, the flower girl swallowed deeply, "This… This isn't what Sparda would do, he wouldn't… Wouldn't punish someone this terribly who was only doing his job." Did he even know? He was just a lower knight, judging by his age.
Vergil narrowed his eyes, "And how do you know what Sparda would do? Sparda taught humans to be better through action."
"But he was kind." Ifalna rebukes.
Vergil crossed his arms, "To those who'd earned it."
Ifalna shrugged, waving her hand at him with a slight irritation. "Maybe all they need is a little kindness, it can go a long way can't it?"
Vergil frowned as he recalled the very same words spoken to him long ago, knowing he had been beaten… He tossed the water bottle to the floor and left, his cloak flourishing as he did so.
Ifalna watched him go, wondering just what was going on inside his head. In a flash of light she gasped, seeing Vergil channel his energies and soar into the distance with a single bound, inhumanely.
He was a complex person she came to realize… Kind yet unforgiving, someone who'd give you hell and more if you'd wrong him… She could tell he was just angry, the fact that this man was even alive was testament to that… If he was so furious, then everyone in that compound should've been dead… Possibly.
A sigh, what did she know? The man… The devil was an enigma, that's for sure. He didn't seem to hold empathy for his enemies, and yet he did not end their lives.
'Perhaps… He views violence as a method to teach?' But violence could only teach so many…
She only wished that things would boil over, that the hatred between all these men would cease one day… She prayed that Vergil would deliver this idea, deliver the people of Fortuna to a brighter day… He needed to let go of his anger to do so, he needed to see even the people he dislikes… He needs to see them as people too, show them something real.
'Mother always told me, they just needed something real to believe in, not just the ignorant and the passerby, but the cruel and the hateful too.'
She wasn't the only one whose mind was centered around a half-devil, however, a yellow eyed man stood by the fence outside and mulled over it as well… Mused over the very same man who could perform impossible, indescribable feats, who pacified him with his mere presence, who remained calm despite anger calling to them both the same…
Crono shook his head, curling into a ball against the wall and hugging his knees. He couldn't help but feel like nothing he did matters, he had no connections in the order besides Reno… And besides. Vergil was here, wasn't he? The big bad Vergil, the big tough macho Vergil.
He grumbled into his knees, "I wasn't strong enough to protect Credo, I wasn't strong enough to protect her, I wasn't strong enough… So… Next to him… I'm nothing…" And maybe he deserved that.
"Next to him, I'll never be strong enough…" Maybe he'd earned that, this state of use.
The state of being, the realization… He could never save anyone, he could never be the man he wished his father had been. The man he'd always wished to be in his stead…
But, he couldn't just stop trying, there was nothing left… His jobs were becoming less and less needed by the day as the bar became more and more popular, what use was he? What could he provide? And yet, Crono could only think of one absolute. In the face of all his failure, there was only one conclusion.
Crono sighed. He just wants his son back. And even in the face of this realization, a fire still… Burns.
Standing on the other side of the fence was Blooke, listening to the other man and resisting the urge to speak. His own eyes filled with something akin to kinship, and yet he did not speak, did not utter a word. For the realization that this man was no different from he did not soothe his nerves, making him realize one truth…
This world was awfully cruel, wasn't it.
