Chapter 5
The mansion was both hard and easy to recognise after all these years. Of course the fact that half of it was scorched timbers and rubble didn't help. Dante was left struck by the vividness of his own emotions as the arched roofs came into view beyond the tree-line. His childhood memories of this place were vivid, but blurred and distorted; dream-like. As he once again looked upon his old home – perhaps one of the only homes he had ever had, he realised that it was both recognisable and alien. Something about it had changed – perhaps in that night of destruction so many years ago. Now... now he could not help but feel uneasy as he stared at the mansion. It was like looking someone in the eye for too long and then finding yourself unable to look away. You couldn't ignore something like that, not when it was staring you in the face and he was pretty sure it would show cowardice to do so. He didn't want to seem weak in front of Vergil, but to be honest he couldn't be bothered to even glance at his brother. His own feelings were enough to keep him occupied.
As the car pulled to a halt before the main gate the bloody half-light of the setting sun flashed like fire through fractured glass and danced on glittering mirrors and chandeliers casting the mansion in a sudden fresco of flame. Dante shuddered. Oh he had been to hell and back, but suddenly he felt very young, very small again. Those memories, the ones he thought he had thrown away years ago they were still here waiting to crawl out of the woodwork and haunt him. How much of this could he take? He knew this shock was natural; he hadn't seen his child-hood home since that night, but he hated himself for it. Still in an instant the feelings were bottled below safely away and Lady was offering him a hand to help him out of the car.
"Did the ride put you to sleep?" Lady asked smiling and not unkindly; perhaps she knew how he felt.
"Something like that," Dante mumbled feeling that it would not be weak to take her hand and allow her to guide him from the red convertible. Besides if he could stake his claim on Lady over Vergil so much the better. Vergil tried to win everything even the things he didn't want and the last thing he wanted was both of them ganging up on him.
Dante looked across at Vergil wondering idly what they should do next, but his brother seemed oddly pensive staring up blankly at the burnt out shell of a house with one of his bloody books clutched in hand. Perhaps Vergil's mind was going through the same bizarre process Dante's own had. For some reason Dante didn't feel like interrupting him. Instead he turned back to the house attempting to look at it just as it was. A mansion, half-standing; the right wing mostly just a bare black skeleton. Rubble and timber had washed up in the coves of the corners and the forest had crept inside making its home amongst rotten floor-boards as ivy twisted slowly up the frayed walls.
Had they been lucky that the right wing had housed most of their belongings? Now that Dante thought about it it seemed to be a blessing. He had not mourned his old things once his family was gone. That life had somehow been much easier to leave when there were no longer material possessions to tie him down to it. Besides his twin had been his favourite plaything; he had never been able to play without his big brother...
"So what's the plan Verg?" Dante asked attempting to sound jovial as he broke the silence.
"We need to go to father's library," Vergil responded slowly fingering the leather bindings of the tome in his hands.
Dante's brows knitted in confusion. "Isn't there a minor problem there?"
"I really don't see how," Vergil answered with a cold tone. He wished that he had been allowed to come here by himself, to pick through the ruins and his memories at his leisure.
"Dad's library was in the right wing, did you forget that?" Dante asked folding his arms. His body was still stiff, but he was beginning to feel like he could stand on his own again... which was good considering they would have to pick their way through a decayed mansion.
Vergil smiled sourly at his brother leaning back into the convertible to grab Yamato and secure the blade to his belt. "Just leave it to me Dante."
"Verg-"
But Vergil had already started down the gravel track towards the house leaving Dante to fold his arms, huff in exasperation and then finally lean back into the car (with some difficulty) to retrieve his guns. Rebellion was, as much as he hated to admit it, far too heavy for him in his weakened state. He hoped that when he was fighting fit again he would be able to wield the blade. Dante wouldn't much fancy going into hell without his most trusted friend.
Lady remained silent throughout the whole affair not knowing what to say. This felt like trespassing into some memory of Dante's which she had never been allowed. She had, for some reason, always imagined Dante growing up in a ghetto – which she supposed he had for a while. Here though, in a mansion? Dante didn't strike her as the spoiled little brat who might have lived here with nothing to want for. She imagined polished silver, fine dining and pressed dress shirts. It made her want to laugh, but it also set a deep unease inside her. Did she know either of these men? Could you ever know anyone so completely when there would always be fractions of their lives you could not possibly share...?
Their footsteps along the path cut through the silent calm of the forest as the three silhouettes made their way to the crumbling front door. One of the double doors had been torn off its hinges – possibly by robbers – the other was rusted shut.
"Kinda creepy huh?" Dante commented as they reached the door and peered into the darkness beyond. The last faint rays of sunlight crept through the doorway catching fragments of dust as they danced through the sliver of light frozen in time for a second and then gone.
"Yeah," Lady breathed finally finding her voice. "This... was your home?"
"Once," Dante answered. "Not anymore." He moved forwards to hold the rotten door aside. "After you Verg."
"Really Dante I thought we were past nicknames?" Vergil asked disdainfully as he ducked beneath his brother's arm and entered the mansion.
"Well," said Dante as Lady followed his brother. "I just thought you might find it endearing."
"I didn't like that name when we were children," Vergil spat back. Lady flinched she didn't want another argument and Vergil's voice had suddenly filled with frost.
"Jeez and I thought we were being nice," Dante mumbled finally entering the building and allowing the door to crumble behind him with the sharp crack of splintering wood. The harsh sounds broke throughout the quiet of the house. Somewhere a room or so away there was the fluttering sound of disgruntled birds.
"Do you believe in being quiet?" Vergil asked exasperated. His brows were knitted in concentration as he studied the layout of the hallway conjuring up some ancient memory.
"No, do you believe in not being a dick-"
"All right for god's sake let's get through this without arguments shall we?" Lady hissed stepping between the two. "Where do we need to go?" She directed the question to Vergil hoping it would distract him from Dante's attack.
"Follow me," Vergil replied with a twitch of his mouth fighting to let his brother's comment slide. Lady nodded and hoisted Kalina-Ann on her back a common twitch when she was anxious. Vergil strode briskly across the hallway then ascended the stairs slowly but certainly undeterred by the groans of protest from the old wood. The whole house seemed as though it might turn into dust any second, but it had held this long, Vergil was certain it could last a little longer. Besides once he made his way to where he was going the house could dissipate for all he cared. In fact the sooner it was gone the better; he didn't need memories.
"Verg-"
"What Dante?" Vergil snapped wheeling on the stairs.
"Dad's library is on the ground floor in the west wing," he put emphasis on the words carefully wondering if his twin was really that forgetful as his arms waved idly in the direction of the now obliterated west wing.
"That was not father's library," Vergil replied matter-of-factly then turned on his heel and continued up the ancient staircase. It was grand and wide easily enough for the three of them to walk abreast though that was most unwise. Once upon a time a red velvet carpet had lined the middle of the dark wood now it was only blackened scraps and moth-eaten threads.
Dante paused then blinked in confusion, "What?"
"Just follow me Dante," Vergil said smugly.
"No just wait Verg-"
"Don't call me that," the elder twin cut in through clenched teeth finally reaching the first floor landing. The house suddenly seemed to go still as though Vergil were about to boil over again. Lady felt herself swallow heavily. This place, this half-eaten house was somewhat dream-like the danger of a battle between the twins seemed surreal, childish amongst this destruction.
"Whatever, just Vergil, what...?" The younger twin asked stupidly.
"Did you really think father would let us anywhere near his most valuable possessions? Things which could destroy worlds? Do you think anyone in their right mind would leave such things anywhere within your grasp?" Vergil hissed condescendingly.
"Okay okay jeez don't blow a fuse," Dante groaned rolling his eyes then shrugged. "Lead the way."
They moved through the mansion in a strange silence; Vergil barely pausing as he followed the winding corridors Lady carefully minding holes in the floor and Dante strangely distant for once lost in thought.
The East Wing was still in semi-good shape and increasingly so as they moved away from the centre of the house. Lady could see the grandeur the brothers had once lived in. The ornate panelling, the intricate carvings of golden doorknobs; every inch of this house spoke of a long-lost glamour – a life of nobility and honour. This was what the world had had in mind for the sons of Sparda... and yet they had ended up so far from the grace of this previous life.
Eventually Vergil came to a halt at a set of double heavy looking double doors cut out of a dark wood. He reached out a hand slowly as though the occasion was momentous in some way and tried the handle. The old metal rattled, but didn't budge.
"Locked Verg?" Dante grinned as his brother bent down to inspect the keyhole.
"You should be glad it is brother, we want this place in-tact," Vergil commented idly.
"Well yes, but now we want this door," Dante aimed a kick at the old wood and despite his injuries and human strength the wood splintered and came away. He smiled smugly and hid the pain which flared up his side. It didn't matter the cost to see his brother's horrified face as Dante's foot passed centimetres from his head. "Open."
Obviously his brother didn't find this amusing as he had rounded on him in a second. "If you do anything like that again-"
"Hey hey hey," Dante held up his hands defensively. "You wanted door open – door's open."
Vergil swallowed an insult and turned back to the room taking a breath before pushing the broken wood aside. "Thanks," he muttered dryly.
Dante grinned at Lady who rolled her eyes in exasperation. Sure his method's were effective, but subtle – not so much.
They entered the room in turn with Dante bringing up the rear still mindful of the ancient floor. Lady had been expecting shelves stacked high to the ceiling, glass cabinets filled with trinkets and long lost treasures. Instead the room was barren. There was an ancient mahogany desk sprawled beneath a grand picture window. Light bled in through the tattered curtains catching dust particles as they floated serenely through the room settling on the desk, the rug, little else – for there was little else in the room.
"Um Verg—il," Dante quickly finished off his brother's name before Yamato separated his neck from his shoulders. He swallowed as his brother turned to look at him. "You do know this room is um... empty right?"
Before Vergil could retort or think of decapitating his twin there was a bark of laughter from the darkness. Immediately they were on edge Lady swung Kalina Ann up onto her hip, Vergil loosened his sword and Dante raised his guns. There was silence, it wasn't so dark that it was impossible to see, but there was nothing there...
"I spy with my little eye..."
Dante twitched, span around, the sound had moved, but he recognised that voice. That same sardonic drawl...
"Quit with the parlour tricks and show yourself you fucker," the younger twin growled his blood boiling inside of him.
"I see you're both getting accustomed to your new... lifestyle... how's it going? You feeling a little weaker—" Dante keeled over as something smashed into the back of his legs; he heard them crack, felt his body buckle and bow under the sudden assault "– around the knees, a little slower—" this time Vergil stumbled, Yamato's hilt snatched from his right hand, pulled from its sheath. He caught himself just before he fell into the tip, now turned on him, pointed at his jugular "—on the uptake?"
"Sonuva-" Dante hissed hauling himself to his knees as the demon finally came into view materialising out of darkness and smoke as he took Vergil's sword.
"Nice to see you again too," the demon nodded casually to the slayer still with the sword pressed against Vergil's neck. Lady flinched, gritted her teeth and reached a hand behind her slowly for her gun.
"Uh uh uh," the demon wagged a finger disapprovingly his snake-like eyes gleaming the neatly combed hair fluttering about his face. Vergil tried to pull away, but the demon's arm – eyes never leaving Lady – merely followed him, cut into the smooth skin of his neck. "One wrong move and your guide goes bye bye." He shrugged, glanced to Dante. "Not that it matters really, you always wanted your brother dead didn't you? How would you like to see his insides?"
"Fuck you," Vergil snarled eyes gleaming bright in the darkness. He didn't like being caught off-guard. He didn't like this sudden feeling of helplessness.
"Yes yes," the demon nodded grinning too happy with a face too young for the eyes which spoke of slaughter and evil. "You who bested me so last time I'm sure you'll do an amazing job of failing again."
Vergil snarled, his eyes blazed, but he was still – he was trapped.
In the sudden silence there was the metallic click of Ivory's hammer being drawn back. Perhaps the demon had under-estimated his opponents after all. "You fucking touch him and I unload a clip in your face," Dante hissed his breathing ragged his mind working furiously.
"Hmm it appears we're at an impasse then," the demon drawled. His lips twitched into a smirk, then he span, round-housed Vergil in the chest and sent him careering into Lady. The two clattered to the floor with a crash. Dante fired, but his shots struck the wooden desk, the fireplace, anything but his target and within less than half a round the demon was on him pinning him into the rotten floor-boards with Yamato's blade against his throat.
"How does it feel to be so helpless?" The demonic smile was centimetres from Dante's face; he could smell the stench of his breath like rotting flesh.
"I'll kill you," Dante hissed.
The demon's smile grew ever more strained, ever more grotesque. "Oh I count on it." Then in one fluid impossible movement he righted himself just as Vergil hauled Lady up and she pointed a gun in Dante's direction. The demon darted away swung Yamato like a walking cane mocking them. He didn't need the sword to kill them all, Lady knew that, the twins were too stubborn to believe it – or too used to being immortal. Lady felt Vergil's grip on her arms tighten, he had obviously forgotten she was perfectly able to stand on her own two feet. Once she would have been afraid, now she was oddly thankful.
"Now it seems we have a... problem," the creature weighed up his words before continuing. "I am not allowed to kill you anymore. My master had other... uses for the pair of you, but as for this little lady," he commented pointing Yamato's tip to where Lady stood Vergil still holding her up by the shoulders. "Nothing was ever mentioned about you."
Dante's eyes widened, he jack-hammered onto his feet from his position on the floor feeling the stitches across his chest tighten in protest. He rounded on the demon raising a gun. "Leave her alone or I fucking swear you will be sorry."
"She's a big girl Dante I don't think she needs you to be talking for her," the demon jeered twirling Yamato's point into the wooden floor. "Besides what could you do to save her?"
Before the younger twin could answer the demon smacked the palm of his hand directly onto the flat of Yamato's hilt. There was a crack as the sword shot clean through the wooden boards, renting a hole in the floor, the boards around snapping and cracking like ice. For the third time that day Dante's feet went out from under him and with a cry of surprise he crashed down to the marble dining-room floor below landing with a grunt.
"Dante!" Lady cried as the dust settled and there was no movement from the hunter below. The fall had knocked him out cold; she could just see his prone form through the hole in the floor Ivory lax in his grasp. She broke free of Vergil's hold and fired her pistol. The bullets made contact, two in the chest, one in the leg, but the demon didn't flinch.
Instead he spat blood and turned slitted yellow eyes upon her. "You think your pathetic weapon could hurt me?" the creature drawled wiping the back of a pale hand across his mouth smearing a trail of crimson over porcelain flesh. "Oh how quaint."
He dashed across the room lightning fast snatched Lady's gun arm and squeezed. She cried out, her gun slipped from her fingers. "I'm not a half-blood like these scum my dear I'm the real thing. You really think you've stood up to demons before?"
"If you're a real demon," Lady snarled her eyes bright in the darkness. Her free hand slid down to hang at her hip, reaching for her holstered scorpion. He was wrong, she had stood up to demons – demons like her father, demons like Vergil and Dante; she knew how much they loved the sound of their own voice. "Give their powers back, fight fair – you're just a coward."
The demon cocked his head slightly, gave her a lopsided grin. "Touché, and yet you are the one who has stood up against me the most tonight. These two simpletons are getting their – what's the expression? – arses kicked."
"I've had experience," Lady replied matter-of-factly then flung her arm up and fired barely inches from the creature's chest. There was a roar of pain and he threw her away like a rag doll. She hit the wall with a thud and a cloud of dust, the world swimming. Moments, precious moments were wasted on staying conscious.
"Leave her out of this," that was Vergil, she heard the growl somewhere off somewhere faint. When she finally focused she could see that he was doing his best to drive an old fire poker through the creature's neck. And sadly – failing. The demon was mocking him with a quirked smile, but Lady could see the ice in the elder twin's eyes. Somewhere she was thankful for that. Still there was barely a moment when Vergil had the creature pinned with the soot-caked poker pressed against the demons neck.
The creature raised a quizzical eyebrow in mock concern. "And what exactly were you planning on doing with that."
"I will end you," Vergil hissed eyes flashing. His grip tightened his body tensed ready for a killing blow and then the demon grabbed the poker, wrenched it from the elder twin's hand and smacked him across the back of the head with it.
Vergil slumped forwards conscious but suddenly dazed and unable to keep control of himself. The demon kicked his prone from away and Vergil groaned as his ribs cracked. Out of the corner of his watering eyes he saw the thing running at Lady she shouted, fired and then they both collided with the fireplace – only there was no blood or broken bone. Just at the moment they made contact with the wall the pair vanished into thin air leaving Vergil to collect himself from the floor-boards.
For a moment he sat on his knees staring blankly at the ornate fireplace. Lady was gone. He had been supposed to protect her and now she was gone. He didn't care about the woman oh no, but he did care about his duty and honour. Right then and there he should have protected her. She should not have been involved in this. The younger twin sighed, rubbed his temples and then turned on his knees to inspect the hole in the floor. He peered over the edge tentatively wondering what had happened to his brother, but most importantly his sword.
"Verg," Dante groaned from the rubble below rubbing a shaking hand through his matted hair.
"Yes Dante," Vergil replied with a bored tone for once letting the nick-name slide.
"What—what?"
"Don't ask," Vergil knew what his brother was going to say, he didn't want to have to explain however. How on earth was he going to admit to Dante that he'd lost Lady? For once he almost felt guilt.
"But Verg-"
"Don't call me that," Vergil finally snapped rising to his feet. "Now get your ass up here Dante – and don't forget my sword."
A/N: You may get a chapter a year. I so want to finish this story I had so many ideas. We'll see if it's ever finished. In the mean time reviews are nice :)
-Luce
