Dante: The human element Part 2
Dante very carefully stood up and put his weight on his feet. There was a second "boom!", and the ground under him seemed to shake slightly. Many shouts were heard somewhere below him. Time to go. I need to find Vergil now. Dante yanked the IV from his arm and walked towards the door. That hurt more than I thought it would. He opened the door and leaned outside. The light he had seen from his bed was now flickering. Dante looked down the hall in the other direction and saw a receptionist desk. He slowly made his way to the desk, and heard crying as he approached it. "Hello? Can you help me? I need to find my brother. He is in the intensive care unit."
A young woman looked up from under the desk. It was the same nurse that had checked up on Dante earlier that day. "We h-have t-to get out of here. P-please help me" the nurse stammered, with tears flowing down her face. "Alright, if you come with me, I'll get you out. But first, we need to find my brother Vergil."
"Okay. The ICU is on the t-top floor." The nurse stood up shakily. "Alright then. Lead the way." As the two started walking towards the elevators, a man in scrubs came running down the hall towards them. "Amy! We need to go now!" said the frightened middle aged man. "What do you think we're doing?" said the nurse beside Dante. "Whoa, take a breath buddy. You can come with us if you stop yelling" said Dante. "Alright I'm sorry." The three of them started walking again. "My name is Kenneth. Sorry I yelled."
"It's okay. This is Dante, the one I've been telling you about" said Amy. "Great to meet you, now let's stay focused" Dante said in a sarcastic tone as he approached the elevator door. He pressed the button to call the elevator up, and then looked at his two new found companions. "Wait. You guys talked about me?" He asked them. "Well, Amy just informed me about how rapidly your body had deteriorated. I'm surprised they didn't put you in the ICU" Kenneth said as he looked behind them, towards were he had come from. "That's b-because it was full. Speaking of the ICU, we are going to find Dante's brother, Vergil wasn't it? He took the last available room" said Amy. Dante hit the elevator door "What the hell is wrong with this thing, it's taking forev-" There was a loud crash that seemed to come from way down below the other side of the elevator door. Amy and Kenneth both jumped, and Dante immediately started for the stairs "I just want to find my brother, is that so much to ask?" said Dante. "Kenneth what the hell is happening down there?" asked the frightened nurse.
"These guys, there was a bunch of 'um, they just busted down the front door and started blowing up everything."
Dante looked at Kenneth "Did they have on black cloaks?"
"Yeah, one of them shouted something about demon twins, and that they wouldn't escape. It was all so strange" Kenneth paused a moment. He walked ahead of Dante and opened the door to the stairwell. "Dante, how did you know they were wearing cloaks?" Dante put his finger to his own mouth and shushed Kenneth. Someone was coming up the stairwell many floors below them. "I told you, the guy in the white coat said one of them was on the top floor" said a raspy voice. "Then you go on ahead! Leave me alone and let me do my job!" This voice sounded much deeper, and angry. "It's our job, and we shouldn't split up! All I'm saying is, we definitely know one is on the top floor, but we don't know the where bouts of the other one. So why not go get the one up top, ask him where the other is and then our job is that much easier!"
"And what if he doesn't know where the other is? And, what if the other escapes while we are interrogating that one?"
Dante and his companions had slowly and quietly been making their way upstairs, being sure to stay against the wall. "How would he escape when the entrance is guarded? The only way out will be through the roof, when the helicopter gets here." There was a pause. Kenneth tapped Dante on the shoulder and pointed to a door on the other side of the stairwell. Just two turns, and we can start looking for Vergil. Then we need to head for the roof… "Alright, have it your way, we'll go for the demon brat up top first" said the deep voice. "Good, now let's hurry. Frald said he would be here soon." Dante and company slipped through the door that led into the ICU floor. "What the hell man? Demon brat? They can't be serious!" said Kenneth. "Kenneth, please be quiet!" Amy whispered sharply.
The group walked onward to another receptionist desk. There, they found that a few people had locked themselves in a closet just behind the desk. A woman inside the closet was crying hysterically, and a man was on the ground in the fetal position. Amy tapped on the door trying to talk to the people inside, while Kenneth searched the desk for information on Vergil. Dante told Amy to stand back and kicked the door, but didn't manage to open it. "Oh yeah. Damn this is going to suck" said Dante, remembering that he was more human than demon now. Kenneth looked at Dante and said "Did you really think that was going to work?" Dante leaned against the wall opposite the counter."It would have a week ago" Dante mumbled to himself. He was starting to feel dizzy again. After a few seconds Kenneth found the paper he was looking for. "Alright, Vergil is in the third room on the right." Dante pushed himself off the wall "Okay, let's go. Nothin we can do for those sorry bastards." Kenneth started to go with Dante, and then looked back at Amy. She was still trying to talk to the people inside the closet.
"Amy, he's right. They are scared out of their minds. Maybe if they are quiet, no one will find 'um" Kenneth said. That's complete bull, but we do need to get out of here fast, thought Dante as he opened the door to his brother's room. Dante tried to flick on the lights, but nothing happened.
"Dante? That demon did worse to you than I had thought" Vergil was sitting upright in his bed, looking somehow more pale than usual.
"Good to see you too. Look Vergil we have to go and I have a plan for an escape" Dante slowly walked over to the side of his brother's bed. "I can't walk Dante. I don't have any strength; I think my demonic blood has been weakened."
"Yeah Trish stopped by earlier and we discussed that. Now, I overheard a couple of the guys that are here for us. They said a chopper was coming."
"Dante, you can't fly a helicopter. I can't fly a helicopter. Besides that, neither of us could handle the pilot, he is sure to have some trick up his sleeve" Vergil was breathing heavily. "Look, we can figure it out as we go" said Dante as he got a wheel chair from the corner of the room. "Um… Dante? We need to hurry" said Amy, who was standing just inside the doorway. "Yeah, help me get Vergil in this." The two had got Vergil situated in the wheelchair when Kenneth appeared and said "They are a couple flights down, and I think I can hear the chopper."
Dante nodded his head in acknowledgment, then turned to Amy.
"Push him; I don't have much left in me." The four made their way towards an elevator door. Kenneth had told them that this elevator was special, because it was only meant for patients being air lifted to and from the hospital. "That means it only goes from here to the helipad. So I doubt whoever that is down there managed to destroy this one." There was a large crash, and then shouts of horror from down the hall. Kenneth put his thumb on the elevator button and held it there. Amy stood straight and stayed looking forward. Dante looked back and saw a demon coming toward them.
"Bernurd! Don't worry about the ones in the closet! I found 'um!" shouted the raspy voiced demon. This demon didn't wear a cloak. He wore a ballistic vest with cargo pants, and combat boots. There were five small horns coming from the top of his head, forming a sort of mohawk. "Did you now?" said the deeper voiced demon, coming around the corner. He wore the same outfit as his partner, but instead of horns on his head, he had two bat wings sprouting from just above each of his ears. "Oo, I call the girl Reon. She looks like she could do with a good fucking" said the deep voiced demon, Bernurd. Everyone, except Vergil, was looking back at the demons now. They were halfway down the hall when the group heard a "ding", and the elevator doors opened. "Hurry!" shouted Kenneth as he waved his hand at Amy and Dante. The demons broke into a sprint. Kenneth was the last one in.
Reon lunged and grabbed his ankle right as the doors began to close. "Com're!" Reon shouted in a raspy voice. Dante drove his heel into the demon's wrist, and looked up to see Bernurd barreling towards them. Reon seemed to have been unfazed by Dante's blow, and was pulling Kenneth's foot. Amy was screaming while mashing the "close doors" button, and Vergil was faced against the back wall, seeming calm. Just as Bernurd was about five feet away from Reon, a loud shot was heard, and the deep voiced demon collapsed on his partner. Reon let out an "Oonf!" and reflexed his arm back. The elevator doors shut and Dante collapsed where he stood. "Dante! Sshhit" said Kenneth, drawing out the "sh" sound. Amy backed away from the door and leaned up against the back wall next to Vergil. Oh man. What just happened? Was it a cop? Maybe a S.W.A.T team made it up here Dante thought to himself. "Dante, collect yourself, we're almost at the top" said Vergil as the sounds of a helicopters beating propellers got louder. Kenneth turned to face the doors, and then a "ding" sounded in the confined space. The doors opened to the deafening sounds of a helicopter. "Screw it, we're going back down!" shouted Kenneth, reaching for the "Down" button.
"No! There may be more of them, we can't risk it!" shouted Dante as he began to rise. "Okay, then what do we do! You can bet the pilot is one of those… things!" Kenneth yelled in response. Vergil tried reaching back for his brother, but missed. Amy saw Vergil, and reached over to Dante to get his attention. Dante leaned down and put his ear to his brother's mouth.
He could barely hear him. "…is here… coming up…wait…" was all Dante could make out. He moved his head back and nodded to Vergil. Kenneth wore the question on his face. "He said someone is here and they are coming up! He wants us to wait for them!" Dante shouted. Kenneth nodded and peeked out the doorway. He darted his head back in "One of 'um is coming! We can't just sit here!" Dante started to panic. Never thought I would die stuck in an elevator. Then he saw her.
The entrance to the stairwell on the other side of the roof flew open. Lady ran out shooting her sub machine gun at the demon coming towards them. Then she quickly hopped inside the chopper, shot the pilot, and pulled his body out. "Let's go! She is with me!" shouted Dante as he started limping for the helicopter. Lady ran over, and put his arm around her shoulders. "Good to see you!" she shouted. Dante used his free hand to point at himself, then her, in a gesture that said "Like-wise." Dante's energy was almost entirely drained, and he was tired of yelling.
"By the way! You look like hell!" Lady said as she helped him into the chopper. Kenneth signaled for Amy to get in as well, and helped Lady put the bed ridden demon in beside Dante. Dante grabbed one of the wheel chair handles when it was in the helicopter and pulled his brother closer to him. Lady shut the chopper door and got into the pilot's seat. Kenneth got in the co-pilots seat and leaned over to Lady. "Do you know how to fly this thing!?" he asked. "Well, I took a few classes a while back! Let's just hope for the best!" Amy was sitting in the seat behind were Lady was sitting, facing Vergil. Dante looked at his brother and saw the he had broken into a sweat. He must be having a fever or something. Shit. The chopper started to rise, and Dante fastened his seat belt.
Vergil leaned his head back and towards Dante. He was smiling and saying something too low for Dante to hear. "What!?" said Dante leaning in close. "I just thought of something. It's so inappropriate for this moment though" Vergil looked to be chuckling. Man he is seriously sick, thought Dante. "What is it Vergil?" The chopper was now fifty feet above the hospital roof, and started moving forward. Vergil moved his head away and started to laugh, almost uncontrollably. Then he stopped and leaned back, putting his mouth to Dante's ear.
"When you said 'Let's go!' I thought it might have been more fitting for you to say 'Get to the chopper!'" Vergil moved his head away and started to laugh again. Dante just stared at his brother, and then, suddenly, he felt a laugh burst forth from his mouth. He put his palm to his face and leaned back, still laughing. Vergil looked to his twin and saw that Dante was laughing; this caused him to laugh even harder. Amy just sat in her seat, dumbfounded by the two brothers. Dante and Vergil continued to laugh for the next minute before slowly coming to a stop. Then the two relaxed, and enjoyed a much needed rest.
Aftermath: Phineas' Mansion.
Lady took everyone to an old demon named Phineas, who lived in a mansion miles away from New Renaiss. Phineas was a longtime friend to everyone at the Devil May Cry. He served as the group's doctor and councilor. He had scolded Lady (and Trish later on) for not bringing the twins here after their fight with Amissio. Trish had to explain to him that it wouldn't have been possible without causing a huge scene.
Kenneth and Amy had decided to stay with the demon hunters at Phineas' house after a long talk with Lady. She had convinced them that if they went back to New Renaiss, they would be in constant danger. Kenneth said he didn't have any ties back in the city, and Amy decided that if she went back, she would be putting her family at risk. The two newcomers were provided with rooms and new clothes. After two months, when Dante and Vergil had healed from their wounds, Dante called a meeting in Phineas' massive dining room. Vergil, Trish, Lady, Kenneth, Amy, and Phineas were in attendance. Dante said that everyone should get ready to start hunting down Amissio and his band of demons. Vergil agreed that the contract on Amissio and his gang was long past due. "But there is a problem," said Vergil "Dante, you are obviously still more human than demon, and I am not exactly sure what is wrong with me."
Phineas piped up then. "While I was caring for you two, I discovered something. Dante, your father's blood within you has not diminished. Its power is only sleeping" said the wise old demon. "Vergil, your case is of a more serious nature. The majority of your demonic powers were stolen; however, you can regain them."
"How?" asked the spiky haired brother. "You can kill this, Amissio, and take your powers back…" Phineas started.
"Look, for once I believe we need to take it easy. We can't just rush in and kill the bastard." said Dante. Phineas swatted Dante's head with his staff. "Ow! What was that for!?"
"Don't interrupt me" said Phineas. He looked back to Vergil and continued "You also have the option of collecting purple orbs to regain your power."
"I understand. It would be difficult, yet it is my best option" Vergil said coolly.
"Alright, so what are my options?" asked Dante, with his hand where Phineas had hit him.
"Not 'options', just 'option'. I agree that it would be best if the group went ahead to Tenebris, but it should be without you. Dante, you need to stay with me until you and your inner demon are one again."
"What!? Can't I just go collect purple orbs too?"
"What good would it be to sharpen a sword when it is still in its sheath?" asked Phineas. "He is right Dante. You should stay here while the rest of us go" said Vergil. Dante looked defeated and said "Alright, alright. I guess hanging out with the old geezer can't be that bad." Phineas raised his staff and Dante flinched away, sending everyone into laughter.
"Okay, but Kenneth and Amy need to go through the test before we head out" said Trish.
"What do you mean?" asked Amy, "You already taught us how to handle a gun."
"I mean, Phineas has a massive room set up under the mansion. It is imbued with an ancient power, and tests any person who walks into that room" said Trish.
"It will not be easy, but it will strengthen your weaknesses. As the old saying goes 'You are only as strong as your weakest link'" said Phineas.
"Alright, when do we start?" asked Kenneth, who had been silent. "Tomorrow, it will take you at least three days to get through. You should all be ready to leave the day after they come out of the Test Room" replied Phineas.
"Then it is settled. Kenneth, Amy, it's getting late, you had best be off to rest. Dante, I would have a word with you." said Vergil rising from the massive dining table. Dante got up and walked after his brother, then looked back towards the group and said "Oh, uh, meeting adjourned!"
AN: I had planned on getting this chapter up on 15 Aug., but I just didn't feel that it was complete at that time. incidentally, this chapter turned out to be longer than I thought it would. This chapter, even though it was the most time consuming, is my personal favorite so far. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed typing it.