The Devil of Zero
Disclaimer: Neither The Familiar of Zero nor Devil May Cry belong to me.
The Frost
– The Zero –
Air-Merchantman Windfall, En Route to Albion
Morning
The mood on the merchantman the group of Tristainians (And one half-devil) had hitched a ride on was unsettled. On the part of the Windfall's crew, they were running trade to a nation in the midst of civil war; something not entirely conducive to the health of merchant vessels for either side, and that was before one counted the undoubtedly up-to-no-good nobles hitching along for the ride. For Louise and the others, they were still trying to recover from Vergil's performance in the hotel.
The horror didn't quite strike the girls as much, in part because they had already witnessed Vergil's acts of butchery previously, although this one was especially notable, considering that some of the attackers had ended up with Vergil's Summoned Swords impaled through their limbs in a pose that Vergil called crucifixion. On the ceiling. The sounds the mercenaries had made had been horrible, and Louise had made the mistake of inspecting the macabre scene closer. She found that Vergil had altered the blade of his Summoned Swords, cutting the edge into teeth to make them into saw-toothed swords, all the while shifting slightly, going in and out of the horrid wounds and making them worse.
At Vergil's suggestion, they had left the hotel manager a large donation for the damages…and clean-up.
They had gotten onto the Windfall through a combination of good old noble influence ("Let us on, or we blow up your ship") and Vergil's glare that promised a painful demise. Needless to say, the captain and crew had been all too happy to oblige, letting them board and rest in a half-empty hold. Take-off had been fairly normal from what Louise understood. Apparently, whoever had hired the mercenaries didn't know where they were, or were scared off by the fate of their men. Louise could understand.
Most of the time when dealing with Vergil Louise felt that she was talking to an equal that was rather mysterious and prone to keeping secrets. Slowly, Louise felt that she was connecting with him, even if it was through a strange and involuntary method such as these 'contract-dreams' and the seemingly unwilling explanations Vergil allowed free. However, when he fought…he changed.
He ceased to be a cultured gentleman with as noble a demeanor as her father, and became something deadly. His manner during battle could be described using any kind of animalistic metaphor, stalking like a hunting cat and striking like a snake being the most fitting in this case. And he was brutal beyond anything Louise had even heard of, leaving his opponents in multiple pieces more often than not.
And aside from that brief moment before he'd massacred the mercenaries, he made no offers of mercy. And even those six seconds were offered more in cruel jest than a serious stay of his blade, Louise suspected. Her familiar was a being experienced with battle and murder, and all too willing to resort to it.
She wondered what made him this way.
– The Devil –
Vergil found he was distinctly unimpressed with the Halkeginians' method of air travel. Contemptible as he found humans, at least those of Earth had efficient, fast aircraft. These airships were slow, if steady, and highly inefficient in regards to these 'wind stones' they used as fuel.
Still, he supposed it was better than nothing. But, the sooner they reached port, the sooner he could deal with this 'Zima'. And finish this mission of Louise's, of course.
"Albion in sight!" The cry came from the crow's nest, stirring activity on the deck. Vergil gazed ahead, before catching sight of a dark mass slowly emerging from the cloudbanks. Mountains and plains crept out from their misty cloaks, revealing an enormous island or small continent, with rivers that fell off the edge and into the clouds.
"Impressive." Abaddon commented. "A worthy place for a Devil to rule…let's slaughter the Frosts and take it for ourselves!" Ignoring Abaddon's zealous pseudo-command, Vergil instead turned his attention to the side, where a mass much smaller than Albion but still quite larger than the Windfall burst from the thick clouds.
"Ship on the starboard side!" The look-out cried, rather late. The ship bared its broadside of rather large cannons at the air-merchantman, its port side covered liberally in cannon ports. The crew started scrambling for the Windfall's three mobile cannons, while others started signaling to try and ascertain the vessel's intentions.
"Ooh! Ooh! Use me! Use me!" Abaddon begged, sounding less like a millennia-old Devil-turned-weapon-of-great-destruction and more like a child with a cough and a sore throat. The option, of course, was quite simply not on the table, not with people who Vergil couldn't kill to keep the secret of Abaddon. And while with Yamato's dimension cut, the ship would have been little better than falling tinder, with just his own Infernal Energy and Derflinger, Vergil didn't have the range or power to cut it down.
A resounding boom filled the air, followed by the whistling of a cannonball. Apparently a warning shot, judging by how nothing on the ship had shattered or snapped previous to the sound reaching their ears.
"Captain! She flies no nation's colors!" The look-out shouted.
"By the Founder's blessed arse, a pirate ship!"
"What the hell's going on!" Louise shouted, bursting out from below deck.
"Pirate ship." Vergil replied, motioning towards the rapidly approaching vessel on the starboard side.
"What, really?"
"Yes. They appear to be signaling our ship." Vergil paused, glancing at the captain.
"It's a signal for us to slow and allow for us to be boarded."
"Hmm. A simple matter to be dealt with." Vergil drew Derflinger.
"No!"
"…Why not?"
"They might be working for the Albion Royalty!"
"…you mean privateers?"
"Yes! And you can't slaughter them if they are!"
"Pffh. Killjoy."
"Very well." Vergil sighed, sheathing a similarly saddened Derflinger. "I shall delay their deaths until we can discover their allegiance." Derflinger shifted itself out of its scabbard a little, clacking open its 'mouth' at the girl.
"Little noble, this is just Dull! What am I supposed to do if Partner can't use me to slaughter the pirates?"
"Shut up."
"Hey! Some respect for the six thousand year-old sword please!" The scene was given only a passing glance from the now-depressed crew, the captain merely eyeing Derflinger and Louise while sighting.
"Here goes my fortune. Wrap sails, stop the ship."
– The Zero –
Louise observed as the ship pulled up alongside theirs, planks clanking down onto the Windfall's deck and allowing a small horde of ill-dressed, dirty men to clamber onto the ship, making a horrid racket as they did so. The crew crowded around the Tristainian nobles, inadvertently hiding them from the initial search as the rogues ransacked the ship and gathered any of the stragglers onto the deck. One man, in a much cleaner shirt (which wasn't saying much, given the state of them) and with an eyepatch over his left eye approached the small crowd.
"Alrighty, where be the captain of this fine vessel!"
"H-here." The Windfall's captain raised his hand, shaking rather apparently. The apparent leader took exaggerated strides towards the captain, pulling a saber that was remarkably well-kept compared to the rest of the pirate crew's accoutrements and holding its keen edge to the captain's face.
"We'll be taking your cargo then. Hope ye don't mind." The man plucked the captain's hat, settling it onto his head as his followers laughed. Louise then noticed Vergil stepping forward, shoving aside the Windfall's crew to approach. Before any of the students or Wardes could stop him, the pirates had already taken notice of the tall white-haired man in expensive-looking clothes striding towards their leader, and the closest drew or brandished their weapons before moving towards Vergil. Louise only saw her familiar draw Derflinger, before the pirates' weapons shattered in their grasps and the men themselves were flung back with great force, some hitting the railing of the deck hard enough to crack it.
The rest of them froze, allowing Vergil to simply walk into their defensive circle and face their leader directly.
"I ask this only because my Master wishes me to: With which side are you affiliated?"
"…eh?"
"Are you affiliated with the royalty, the rebels or neither? Speak up!"
"What does it matter to you?"
"If you are one of the latter two, then I can kill you now and slaughter your fellows on your ship, and leave your corpses for the crew to toss overboard and your blood for them to scrub off the deck. If, however, you are affiliated with the Albion Royalty, then we may have a use for you that might convince me to allow you to live beyond this encounter." The pirates stood there and blinked for a second, before erupting into laughter again.
"Hah! And what makes you think you can kill all of us?"
"Because, I can slaughter all of you with just my teeth and he can kill me rather easily." A voice hissed, cutting through the air like winter's chill. The voice drew the gazes of all involved towards the bow of the Windfall, where several of the pirates laid, impaled to the deck by enormous spikes of ice, covered in frost and quite dead.
Among them stood a being unlike anything Louise had ever seen.
It was reptilian creature, standing a full head above Vergil on its hind legs, covered with gray-blue scales that in turn were armored with sheets of frost carved into imitations of plate armor, if designed for enormous lizard-people. A tail protruded from the middle of its back, lazily sweeping back and forth across the frost-rimmed deck.
The equipment of the being before them now was very elaborate. A shield it wore on its left arm looked like an actual kite shield, elegantly chiseled out of a block of clear, crystalline ice and with a five-headed dragon insignia carved into the front while twining serpents decorated the edge. The five elegant talons on its right hand were three-foot long curving blades that were they metal, could have been forged by a master blacksmith and weaponsmaster. A sort of cap on its skull had two horns that swept out from its temples for a few inches before curving down and forward to end with the tips alongside the Frost's mouth. Strangely, the center of the helm was cracked, and Louise could see a misshapen lump of metal stuck deep in it through the clear ice.
And its body…it was covered in scars, wounds frozen in hoarfrost so that they stood whitened and apparent against the creature's greyish hide, even under the ice armor. Vergil stepped forward, moving through the crowd of metaphorically frozen pirates before standing in the midst of the literally frozen, a few feet from the creature.
The two stared at on another, until the beast bowed its head.
"A pleasure to meet you, Son of Sparda." It greeted, with a strangely soft voice with a hiss like a serpent. "I am Gelus."
"An Original Frost." Vergil stated, to the creature's nod. "One of the first to be bred, almost eight thousand years ago if I'm not mistaken." The gasps from the Halkeginians were ignored.
"Indeed, my services to the Lords of Hell have been long. And here, I have found myself in a situation most strange." Gelus rasped. "I was sent by Zima to see what was keeping one of her Frost Wyverns from returning with his hunt. I found his corpse warming in the alleyways of the city below, and I tracked his slayer's scent and aura here, where I found more of this world's strange mortals…and a son of the Legendary Dark Knight, Sparda, one of the most powerful Devils of all time." Again, gasps were ignored. "I am also surprised to see you in the company of mortals once again, Vergil, considering how you dealt with them on Earth." And as with the gasps, both ignored the nervous looks.
"I was summoned here to this world by this mage here." Vergil gestured to Louise. "Given what normally happens to summoned Demons, I refrained from slaying her." Gelus nodded.
"I see."
"What are your intentions here, Old One?"
"Were Kaltem to have been slain by any of these 'mages', I would have slaughtered them in retribution and returned with their corpses to Mistress Zima to make up for Kaltem's lost hunt." Gelus explained. "However, I know well the power of Sparda, and have no desire to die after having outlived my brethren. Especially after escaping Mallet Island."
"I thought you looked familiar. I'm surprised that you survived Dante though." Louise glanced curiously at Vergil. Is this a memory I haven't seen yet?
"I very nearly didn't." The…Frost said, tapping a talon on the cracked cap. "Unlike the mongrels the Devil Lords breed these days though, I know how to recognize a lost cause, and how to play dead. I wonder however, Lord Sparda, where you were on the island?"
"Nelo Angelo."
"Ah. And now it is made clear why Mundus thought the Dark Angel could match a Son of Sparda."
"Quite. Now I must ask again as to your intentions here, Gelus." Vergil stepped forward, raising Derflinger.
"As I said before, I have no intention of dying here, not even for one of my old students." Gelus hissed, not quite crouching and backing up. "But I also have no intention of really betraying Zima. I think, instead, I shall retire to one of my lairs and observe the coming battle. No doubt you intend to slay her, and claim her soul for yourself."
"You intend to hide?" Vergil actually looked somewhat astonished. "And here I thought the loyalty of Frosts was iron-clad."
"That may be so for my foolish cousins, but I remember the Ways of Hell." Gelus replied. "Should you prove stronger than Zima, I shall offer my services, as I have to every Devil Lord that has slain the master previous to them. If you accept, I might be able to…convince the others of their foolishness. And perhaps this weak world may see the rise of a True Devil Lord worthy of the title." Without another word, Gelus shivered, bursting into snow, with the cloud of frost wafting away towards Albion. The ship was silent for a moment, before the pirate leader spoke up.
"You know what? This shit is just too weird for me. I'm getting the Boss, he can deal with this!" And with that proclamation, he strode back towards his ship across the gangplanks.
– The Devil –
Vergil was contemplating Gelus' little declaration when the pirates 'Boss' arrived on the Windfall's deck. He was a man of rather average height, black curly hair on head and face, and yet another of those rather ridiculous eye-patches, yet on his right eye. In his hand, he held a scepter of modest size with a large sapphire decorating the top.
A mage. Apparently.
"I have heard some strange things from my men." The 'Boss' spoke, glancing towards where Vergil stood. "And I see that there is some evidence to support his story…"
"That is of no concern to me at the moment." Vergil said, moving to face the 'Boss'. "I pose the same question to you that I asked your man: What is your affiliation?" The 'Boss' studied Vergil, before asking him:
"Before I answer any such question, I must ask your affiliation here."
"He is my familiar!" Louise declared, shoving her way through the crowd to stand between the two men. The 'Boss' was stunned for a moment, switching his gaze back and forth between Vergil and Louise before bursting out into laughter.
"Oh! I knew Tristanians were strange, but not so helplessly! Hah! Oh, my poor stomach…"
"Answer my question."
"Ah, soon my amusing friend, but not here. On my ship. No, don't worry, I have no hostile intentions to either of you, or your companions back there." He nodded towards Wardes and the others. "In fact, why don't you all join me in my cabin while we discuss matters?" Looks were exchanged amongst the Tristainian nobles, while Vergil merely stood aloof. It didn't matter whether he started on their ship or the Windfall, they would die all the same if he decided to kill them. After some deliberation with the others, Louise and Wardes agreed to follow the pirate 'Boss', the man leading them onto his ship and to his rather roomy cabin.
The benefits of leadership.
"Now, allow me to make up for my men's earlier rudeness by properly introducing myself." The man tugged away his hair and beard, taking off the eyepatch before sitting back in his chair. Now, he was a young man with blond hair, lighter than Guiche's. "I am the General of the Albion Royal Air Force, Commander of its one-ship fleet and Prince Wales Tudor of the Kingdom of Albion." Around him, all of the nobles gaped, only Vergil taking the revelation in stride. Really, it was quite logical. Disguising himself as a pirate, he could intercept the rebel's supplies and acquire his own before the rebellion's ships got their hands on it, all the while without revealing himself to be outside of the Royalty's stronghold.
They were silent for an entire minute, Louise's mouth opening and closing like a fish, before Wardes finally stepped forward for his fiancé.
"We come bearing a letter from her Highness, Princess Henrietta."
"Oh? From Henrietta? And you are?"
"Viscount Wardes, Captain of Her Highness' Griffin Knights. And this is my fiancé, Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière." He motioned to Louise.
"I see." Wales nodded, then turned his attention to Vergil, who stood behind the small group. "And you, Sir Familiar?"
"Vergil. Son of Sparda."
"Yes, my men mentioned as much…I must ask about a curious scene they described to me, before we move on to further business."
"I was greeted by a Frost, a creature from my world."
"Your world?"
"Yes. I am not from Halkeginia."
"Interesting…and this Frost, it spoke? It mentioned someone, a…Zima?"
"It seems a minor infestation has taken root in your country. I was intending to take care of it upon our arrival, seeing as none of your forces would be able to take care of Zima and her brood."
"And why not?"
"It is not a battle ordinary men can fight."
"And what of you?"
"I am not an ordinary man."
"Hmm…indeed." Apparently, Wales was satisfied with this for the moment, and turned back to Louise and Wardes. "Now, this letter?" Louise pulled forth the relevant article from inside her cloak, but paused before handing it over.
"Excuse me, but I must be sure you are the prince." She said, bringing forth Henrietta's Water Ruby.
"Ah, of course." Wales brought his hand forth, a similar ruby ring on his finger. When the two were close, a rainbow sprang into existence between them. "This Wind Ruby of Albion's family, with Tristain's Water Ruby, make a rainbow together, as with water and wind in nature." Louise nodded.
"I apologize for my abrupt manners."
"No need, no need." Louise handed Wales the letter and bowed. After looking at the letter lovingly, Wales kissed the signature. Then, the seal was carefully removed, the paper inside was taken out, and Wales began to read. For some time he kept on reading it with serious expression.
"Is the princess marrying? That beautiful Henrietta. My beloved..."
Wardes bowed silently, with an affirmative expression. Wales dropped the glance to the letter again and smiled when the last line was read.
"Understood. The princess is informing me with this that she wants you to return that letter. And more importantly, the princess also hopes that I return a letter from her. Seems like it."
Louise's face beamed with pleasure.
"However, it's not in my hands right now. It's in the castle in Newcastle. I didn't want to bring the princess' letter to this pirate ship." Wales said laughingly.
"So, even though it's troublesome, please come with me to Newcastle." Vergil stepped forward.
"About Zima. It is important that I deal with her." Wales looked at Vergil, before nodding.
"Of course. We can stop at the harbor-"
"No need. Just simply pass over the location I give you, and I shall take care of the rest."
"…But, what about-"
"Zima and her minions will be far more trouble than any of your rebels."
"…Very well."
– The Author –
Sorry for the delay again, but in addition to my rediscovered Devil May Cry 4 game, I recently acquired an RPG of great interest. I played it the day after I posted the last chapter…and haven't stopped sobbing since.
Truly, Demon's Souls is a game worthy of the Trope: Nintendo Hard. I've only killed the Dragon God and the Penetrator and I've already died seventy-three times. Not counting my encounters with the Mind Flayers…eurgh. I have been able to keep my sanity through cartoons though, particularly Jackie Chan Adventures. Ah, good times…
…
And now I have the thought of a DMC/Jackie Chan crossover.
Uncle: ONE MORE THING!
*Thwack!*
Dante: OW!
Uncle: You should stop getting stabbed! Not good for the digestion!
Review Replies:
pyromania101: Mwahahahahahaha!
Eh, it's still in the planning stages.
Orchamus: I had hopes when the idea of it being a prequel was still in the running…
Yes it was. In this case, I'm using the Dimension Slash from DMC4 rather than 3.
Takeshi Yamato: And now they're getting a little Frosty…I'm sorry, that was bad.
Victoriousvillain: Sounds cool, but I'm trying to get Vergil to have a single weapon in every given 'category', and he already has Derf for swords.
asredwer: Only one ma in Yamato.
It will be a good fight.
Lunatic Pandora1: You really like that line do you? Can't blame you though, it's good.
bakapervert: no problem.
scott pike: By my estimation, Vergil should be about as physically strong as Dante, so he's strong enough to swing around motorcycles. As for speed…the guy can teleport! I went with the Gandalfr runes providing a number rather than percentage bonus, so not all that much stronger or faster than Vergil's average.
drake202: The way I see it, his personality is already different from his DMC3 appearance, given both how DMC3 turned out and a decade of slavery under Mundus.
Altair: It was basically a toned down version of Yamato's dimension slash ability, specifically how it appeared in DMC4 with Dante's Dark Slayer Style.
Kojiro Kun: Thank you.
EVA-Saiyajin: Eh…I guess I kinda skimmed over that…well, it's not going to appear on-screen at this point…
Knightmare Gundam of Ni