Author's Note: After a certain part, you will find the difference here. From here on out, it's all from me and no one else. No co-writer nothing. I also want to apologize for the delay. About three weeks ago, the week of 9/11, that Tuesday I tested positive for COVID. Sore throat, and chills, my body felt like shit plus it was ready to shut down. I was also really tired. And burning up. My temperature was 101.8 that's not me. If you take my temperature, I'll be around 95 to 97. Anyway, I'm feeling better, trying to get caught up on bills now... so here is the next chapter of Price of Freedom!

Disclaimer: I don't own DMC. I just own copies of the games, soundtracks, and the DMC art book that's it. If I did own it, DMC 6 would be out already with either Nero or Sparda.

It made her wonder when the last time was that it had been touched, feeling another shiver run down her spine.

"Hurry up, Adrian," she whined, knowing full well he couldn't hear her.

Rubbing her arms, she pulled his jacket closer to her, she was really starting to have a bad feeling about staying there.

Somewhere over her shoulder, she heard a clicking sound of sorts, craning her head to the side. The flashlight followed, slowly turning in her seat.

"Adrian?" she called, thinking that he may have snuck back in.

Then again, he wasn't the most graceful person in the world.

She knew good and well how terrible he was at trying to sneak up on someone. Or at least trying to hide. He always gave out his location.

Frowning, she pulled herself to her feet. She winced as her toes bent but ignored it for the most part. The way she saw it, it was likely one of two things. Well, probably anyway. The first one was a clock. Although, with everything else laying around, it was highly unlikely. Clocks needed to be wounded and if they weren't wounded, they went dead.

Walking up to the clock, she could tell that it was wound up, and the pendulum was swinging back and forth. Which meant, that someone did still live there. But the question was, who and what?

Slowly, she took a step back. Maybe it was some random wanderer, someone like them that had gotten lost perhaps.

"Shit!"

Christine jumped, cursing under her breath as she heard wood clattering to the floor in another room along with her brother's voice.

"Adrian what have..."

She felt her throat run dry as she turned back around, lips parting. Her fingers went slack, and the flashlight fell, clattering to the floor as the bulb burnt out from the impact. A scream erupted from her throat on its own accord and her heart slammed against her rib cage. She could feel it as claws wrapped around her throat, inevitably blocking her windpipe as she was pressed against a wall and lifted nearly three feet off the ground.

She couldn't believe what she was seeing, did they die and go to hell? If so, then this must be the devil himself.

"Christine!"

All she could hear was the sound of his footsteps, the edges of her eyes watered as she gripped tightly at the creature's scaly hand. She choked, trying to pull in the slightest bit of air, a respite for her lungs. Its grip seemed to grow slightly tighter as Adrian stumbled in, eyes wide as he stopped in his tracks. He stood there as though frozen, mouth falling open. His eyes darted back and forth between his sister and the creature before he took a hesitant step back. Vaguely, she wondered if he would feel, the fear was clear on his face.

"You shouldn't be here," the creature finally rumbled, almost human in nature as it spoke.

"L-leave my sister, alone!" He stammered.

He wanted to appear brave in front of his sister, however with what he was seeing. He couldn't be that brave at all.

Turning, the creature snarled, lips flaring as it revealed its sharp teeth. Still, it was enough to loosen its grip, if only just. Drawing in a breath of air, Christine managed to choke out a single plea.

"P-please?"

Its eyes seemed to narrow for a few seconds, before darting to the side, a head of white appearing in the dim light.

"Put her down, Vergil."

"Dante, you know they're trespassing, they don't belong here,"

"Hey, it's not the kid's fault the truck died,"

Adrian couldn't figure out what was going on, but something was telling him that these two know each other.

"Come on, Verg, lighten up a little," the one known as Dante said.

Tilting his head to the side, he made his way closer, his hand reaching out to grab 'Vergil's' wrist.

"Now, be a good boy and put her down," he said, grabbing the creature's wrist and pulling it.

Feeling the creature's claws leave her neck, Christine dropped to the ground and slid down. Never in her life had she been so scared.

Gasping, she pressed herself against the wall. She couldn't stop when the tears fell, her hand covering her mouth, the other gripping the base of her throat lightly.

She was scared to look up, she thought for a second there, she was going to die. She curled up, bringing her knees up, she wanted to hide from the creature.

"It's alright, babe. He won't hurt you," Dante said, kneeling in front of her.

Adrian leaped forward when he reached out to touch her, shoving him back.

"Don't touch her!"

Standing up, Dante held his hands up in defense, "Easy kid, I wasn't going to harm her," he reassured Adrian.

"I don't care what you were gonna do! Just keep that THING away from her!"

Upon hearing this, Vergil let out a snarl, taking a large menacing step back toward Adrian.

Swallowing hard, he tried to stand up straight protecting his sister. He was close to losing her before, but he wasn't about that to happen again.

"I'm not afraid of you," he stammered.

"Not afraid?" Vergil rumbled, ducking his head down so he could be just a bit more level. "I could rip you to shreds where you stand, boy."

"You'd be right back at square one," Dante practically sang.

The siblings watched as the creature seemed to stiffen, but only for a few short seconds. After there, his glare was sharp as ever.

"Leave. Both of you!" Vergil growled.

"There's no way we're going back out in the cold! My truck broke down and it's miles away to the next town!" Adrian started.

Vergil growled at the boy's defiance, his lips flaring again as he came face to face with the human male. He almost smirked as he watched the kid cringe, his back going ramrod straight, and Adam's apple bobbing within the thin flesh of his throat. For Vergil, it'd be all too easy to rip it out with his claws. Dante would never allow it, but the young man in front of him didn't know that.

Trying his best, Adrian kept his knees locked he was afraid, yes.

"You don't belong here," Vergil said evenly, carefully enunciating each word so that the boy wouldn't miss it. "This is no place for...humans."

With that Vergil stood taller, standing at his natural height. Neither sibling dared look directly at him, too afraid of the possible consequences.

Debating whether it was worth it, Christine managed to stand up. She wanted to at least try to convince this devil thing. Ignoring her brother's protest, she stood in front of him. And from there, she gained the courage to look up at the devil.

"Please...j-just for one night...?" She pleaded.

The beasts rippling muscles seemed to go taut suddenly, a vein pulsing visibly beneath the scales that ran his neck.

Biting her bottom lip to stop it from trembling she had to try to get permission from the devil to allow them to stay.

Slowly, he stepped forward, head lowering slightly as he looked her over. She could practically feel his breath on her face, the air ruffling her hair slightly as she tried to stand straighter, only to wince as she shifted to her other foot.

"Please?" She breathed out.

The creature let out an odd sound. One clawed hand reached forward. She stood still, breath caught in her throat. A feeling of ice trailed the side of her cheek, the action careful as she felt a cold chill run through her. Had she not already been freezing; she may have welcomed the feeling.

The feeling reminded her of a certain someone from her past. Someone whom she once cared for deeply.

Closing her eyes, she imagines something more pleasant.

"Give me a reason why I should bare your presence in my home?"

The words were not so rough as he spoke this time, the inquiry honest and straightforward as she felt his clawed finger skim the hair at the edge of her neck.

Standing there, she tried hard to think of an answer.

He seemed to have her pinned to the wall again, though not physically this time as he stepped closer.

"Verg..."

There was a tone of warning in the white-haired man's voice, but that didn't seem to deter this devil.

"Give me a reason," he continued as though not having heard the man's warning. "Just. One. Reason."

"I-I..."

Her entire mind was blank. What good of a reason could she give him?

And then suddenly she paused, her eyes slowly turning to meet his own. It was only now that she realized how truly bright, they were, an almost electrifying blue. Still, there was something almost human about them as she held eye contact.

"You would forever have my gratitude...Sir."

At her words, something seemed to change in his demeanor as he slowly stood back up, his eyes resting upon her for a few short moments more.

Her words seemed to strike a chord somewhere within his soul.

She had wondered if that would be a good enough reason. If that wasn't, she didn't have a second plan.

"That's all that I have to give, Sir," she continued.

He cleared his throat for a moment, a faint growl emitting from it.

"Very well," he agreed, before adding. "But for one night only. In the morning you shall depart, no matter the weather beyond those doors."

She nodded her head. She was thankful that he was allowing her and her brother to stay.

"The two of you are to remain here," he mentioned to the foyer.

With that, he left, his back disappearing into the shadows. After a few moments, Dante came forward, giving her a good once over this time.

"Are you sure your human kid?" he asked, picking at her hair, and turning her head this way and that as he appeared to be trying to figure something out.

"A-as far as I know of..." She mumbled.

"Would you stop touching her!?" Adrian snapped, moving forward to shove him away from her, only to end up face-planting on the floor as Dante sidestepped, pulling Christine into his arms with a grin.

She could feel her face growing red. She never had a guy playing around such as this guy.

"I said leave her be!"

Dante merely grinned, her back pressed to his chest as he rested his chin against the crook of her neck.

Not once has any man dared to play around with her as much as Dante was doing with her and to her brother.

"Looks like you're gettin' a little red there, babe."

"Stop flirting with my sister!" Christine stood there and watched as her brother lifted himself up.

"Whatcha gonna do about it?" Dante asked, brushing his nose against the back of her ear.

"She doesn't need a man or anyone other than me in her life!" the boy had stated.

Adrian had grown to protect his sister more so than he used to.

"Doesn't need a man?" Dante questioned. "Are you sure about that?"

Grinding His teeth, Adrian remembered what his sister said.

Feeling her breath hitch in the back of her throat, the way Dante was playing around made unwanted memories surface. She remembered there was a time when she was almost raped.

Men were tossing her around like a rag doll.

"Dante."

The voice seemed to echo, his hand growing still before carefully pulling away.

No one said a thing for a moment, but Christine's eyes slowly trailed to the railing above them. His eyes were so blue they seemed to still her heart for a moment.

Feeling his hands loosen around her, Christine felt another set of hands pulling her away. Hands she knew whom they belonged to and always felt safe.

"Stay in the room," Vergil, reminded, eyes still trained forward as they swept along the foyer. "Dante."

'Dante' turned, huffing like a child as he turned, hands in the as in a gesture of surrender. He's holding off on the jokes.

Feeling a little safer with the two gone, Christine relaxed against Adrian. Feeling him turn her around he examined her neck making sure the devil/demon didn't leave a mark or anything.

It was still red though, breath uneven. She drew in a breath, closing her eyes as her fingers curled around his shirt. In and out. She counted five times, tuning out the sound of Dante's retreating steps.

Pulling his sister close, Adrian wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. The last time he saw a mark around her neck was from a certain someone. Someone he wanted to keep her far away from.

"I-I'm okay," she murmured quietly. "I just...I need to sit back down."

She was still a bit dizzy from earlier, head pounding. Her ankle she realized was throbbing. She felt like everything was slowly starting to catch up to her.

"You sure?" He asked.

She meant everything to him. He wanted to protect her from anything and everyone that he knew would harm her. Seeing her nod, he slowly sat her down.

"You gonna be okay for a few?" He questioned.

"Yeah."

It was all she could seem to say as she leaned back, watching him walk back toward where he'd come from. She winced as she ran a hand through her hair, stilling her attempt. As she brought the hand back her eyes took in the burgundy color, brows cinched tight. She had a bit of blood caked on her forehead, carefully feeling around with her other hand. She felt the divot above her eyebrow and the uneven surface that seemed to have settled along the side of her scalp. Thumbing through her hair she closed her eyes, taking quiet measures. It was about the length of her thumb, a combination of wet and dry.

Opening her eyes, Christine carefully looked around the foyer for something, either a mirror or a plate perhaps something that would show her reflection. She didn't know how bad of a condition she was in, nor had she seen where she was injured at the most.

Not seeing anything nearby, she frowned. There wasn't anything that she could use to see herself. Nothing, but the clock and she wasn't even sure if that would be clear enough. Not feeling overly keen on moving again, she resolved to stay where she was, hands reaching forward to pull free her boots. Gingerly, she peeled away her sock, trying not to flinch. A spark-like fire shot through her skin and her teeth clamped down. A cry was now stuck in the of her throat and she could feel the heat of her face. It wasn't broken, at least she was pretty sure it wasn't, but it was sprained, and the area has begun to swell beneath mottled flesh.

And after taking off her boot and sock she could feel her ankle throbbing. She knew she didn't have anything to wrap it up with and remembered she had another set of boots only with a flat heel. However, she was very unsure if she wanted to switch to those or not.

Christine also remembered she had a compact in her bag. Sitting there, she quickly looked for the bags and crawled over to where hers was at.

Things had been tossed around a bit in the crash, her toothbrush jutting out against the fabric in failed escape.

"Bingo."

She'd found it at the bottom, clip bent as she popped it open. There was a crack in it now, but it was still usable, the image was only slightly distorted due to the shifting of the glass.

Moving the compact around, Christine tried to see where all she was hurt other than her neck.

True to what she had felt, she'd cut her eyebrow open, the blood already dried. She licked her thumb, wiping it along the crusted trail. It came off easily enough, tongue farting out and over the cut on her lip. She'd felt that one the moment she'd woken up but had pushed it from her mind immediately. In a way, she looked like she'd gone through the wringer. Still, she looked better than she thought. She could have been a walking pile of black and blue. Her temple seemed to be the only real thing with any discernible color though.

"I probably knocked it against the window..."

Hearing a clatter, she looked up to see her brother carrying some wood.

"He shouldn't mind," he said.

Hearing those words, Christine frowned. Shouldn't and does are two different things. He didn't ask for permission from anyone. She knew that both their parents taught him better than that.

Especially, now that they knew someone lived there.

xXx

"She's kinda hot, don't ya think?"

Vergil's eyes narrowed as he sat away from weary eyes, concealed by the blanket of darkness. Vergil had found himself watching on in quiet curiosity. She'd been terrified the moment she laid eyes on him, but somehow had managed to have the courage to speak and in such civility too.

"Kinda wonder, if she'll break the curse. What do you think Verg?" Dante asked, turning to face his brother.

"I think you're delusional," the devil rumbled.

He could hear the two talking below them, the older male having gathered wood from the back. Wood that they would normally use for meals or to heat the rooms on the upper floors. The man seemed a protective dolt if nothing else, but for the girl, there was something odd.

Despite the initial scare, she had nearly held her ground. Even from where they stood, they could see her assessing her injuries. Due to Dante's usual skulking about, the devil had found that they crashed their usual mode of transportation, something that his diluted brother had caught sight of atop the tower. The truck had leaked smoke for nearly an hour, gray wisps rising with the air only to lose shape within the storm of white. As the storm reached out, the vehicle would no doubt be buried.

If Vergil could give the boy a point, he'd give one to Dante as well. Both were idiots. Although he knew his brother too well. He knew that Dante was merely a flamboyant and a womanizer half the time. It was something he could remember long ago, every time the two would go into town. His brother would often try to attract women.

Things had been simpler back then. Merely two brothers pursuing the markets, women fawning over the split souls. At one point, so long ago, he'd been somewhat appreciative of the attention. Dante had always craved it though. That was one of the major differences between the two. Dante was just far too boisterous, while Vergil was still somewhat quiet and contemplative. He'd cared little for human life. Still, time had once been easier, but never again.

He had wondered if it was because he blamed his mother for not looking for him when half of the mansion had caught on fire. Although, he had forgiven her knowing the truth that she did go searching for him after making sure Dante was safe.

Vaguely, he could remember the heat of the flames as they danced, swaying hungrily as they lapped at the tapestries, orange burning way to blue. He'd never felt anything so hot in his young life and had prayed he never would again.

He wanted to forget his childhood and his past and he had done so. He pushed his emotions and everything that would make him human away and accepted his demonic side.

Not saying a word, Vergil stood and walked away. Leaving Dante standing there watching his figure.

Turning, he felt the rail press into his back, arms sliding outward as he rested them against the near ancient, finished top. Over time the color had changed, almost grimy in some areas. Absently, he trailed a finger over the top, nose scrunching up slightly as he worked a layer of dust between his thumb and forefinger.

Glancing over his shoulder he stared down at the siblings, the fire the young man had managed to make popping in the hearth. No doubt they hoped for the warmth it would no doubt bring, huddling together, arm wrapped around his sister's shoulders. From where he stood, it looked like he was wiping her face, cleaning what he could of the blood no doubt.

In the back of his mind, he could still hear his brother protesting, their mother when she would clean their faces after being out in the dirt.

It was fun, he'd always sucked it up while Vergil would pout, looking elsewhere while crossing his arms over his chest. This 'Christine' was doing no such thing, merely sitting still as she let her brother help. Then again, she was likely too tired to protest the matter, eyes closing every now and then as she started to doze off. By now, her shoes had been stripped off, blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Other than a flimsy jacket, she wasn't really dressed for the colder weather that had begun to take hold of the area, cheeks flushed pink.

And what he gathered was she was wearing a light long-sleeved sweater and blue jeans with holes in the legs. Probably today's fashion.

One thing was for sure, she was probably going to catch a cold. If not a cold, probably a fever.

It wasn't really his place to say anything though, letting his head hang back as he sighed. He hated being bored more than anything.

Not even the demons inside or outside the manor could entertain him anymore. But he had a feeling that those two would return or at least one of them would.

xXx

Darkness. It was the only thing that could be seen outside the nearly faded glow of the hearth, embers poking out on the rare occasion as it fought for the remnants of life.

It was silent until a jerking of movement sounded, feet scraping the floor. Sweat had pulled, fabric sticking to her skin as she took giant gulps of air. It was like a fish almost, gills contracting as it tried in vain to pull forth the needed water. She could still feel it, phantom hands wrapped around her throat. The twisted smile was there. Eyes gleamed. Hurriedly, she slapped her hand over her mouth, tears slipping passed her cheeks as they dripped from her chin. Her lips twitched as she glanced at her brother, the lovable idiot still dead to the world, before shuffling away from him.

Reaching up she quietly wiped away the tears that had fallen. Sitting there for a few moments, debating on whether she should put her boots on. She knew the fresh air would help clear her thoughts, but she also knew her ankle was still sore. Christine then remembers that she has some stylish sneakers in her bag. She could slip those on and leave one loose to where it's not being aggravated.

Crawling over to her bag, she started digging, pulling out items. Finding a couple of sneakers at the bottom, she pulled them out and looked at her ankle. It was swollen, and she was unsure if she wanted to slip any socks on but knew it would feel weird walking without them plus it would be her luck if she got an infection because she didn't wear any socks.

Pulling out a pair of socks, she quietly slipped them on and her sneakers, she'd told herself that she was going to have to look for a different pair of shoes ones that wouldn't have laces or heels at least for now on the heel part because she loves her heeled boots.

Grabbing the flashlight that was lying between her and Adrian she managed to stand and turned it on. Christine began limping towards the door they came in through earlier. Coming up to the door, she pushed against it to where it would open, seeing an opening, Christine slipped outside and quietly closed the door behind her.

Feeling the cold air hit her face, she gave a slight shiver. She should have brought a jacket with her. But she knew there'd be no point if she wasn't going to stay out long. Her eyes began to take things in, she noticed how the snow covered everything up. There was no sign of green grass at all. Her eyes lifted to a wooded area, which she barely remembers passing through earlier with Adrian.

"A-are those…eyes?" She asked herself.

She watched as the eyes would move very fast and quickly from one spot to another.

"Those are demons," She gasped.

"They don't leave the woods, even if they wanted to, they're too scared of me," She heard a voice behind her.

Turning her head, she saw it was none other than Dante.

She rolled her eyes upon hearing his words, there's no way those demons would fear someone like Dante. But then again, she barely knew him, so it really wasn't her place to say anything.

"Don't believe me, babe?" Dante asked.

"I didn't say anything," Christine said.

"So, what brings you outside?" He asked.

"Couldn't sleep," She answered.

Dante then flirts with Christine, "Can't sleep because you want to be with me?" He winked at her.

Christine scoffs, "In your dreams, playboy,"

"Besides, I don't need a man in my life, and I don't want one either," She added, "Other than Adrian, which does the job well enough,"

She knew he was an idiot, but her brother was the biggest loveable idiot. Only she can put up with him and the way he does things. She had already told him, that she doesn't want another person in her life not after what happened.

Besides, she was quite happy with just the two.

Before she could get a word in, Dante speaks up, "You'd better go back inside, otherwise the demons will get some courage and attack you, not like I can't handle them."

"Thought you said they were 'scared' of you," Christine said with quotation marks.

"And you also said that they won't leave the woods," She added.

"Oh, they're scared of me all right," Dante began, "but they're more scared of Vergil than me, but still scared,"

"And, they can leave the woods, but not many, they're actually bounded to the woods," He added.

Christine frowned; he didn't make any sense at all. Reminds her of Adrian all the time.

Limping to the door, she reached out and took it by the handles, and opened it as far as it could go with the chains still on. Lowering her head, Christine managed to squeeze back in. She managed to make her way back to where her brother was laying, sleeping not even obvious to the world around him.

Slowly sitting down, Christine reached down and slipped off both her sneakers and socks. Putting them to the side, she quickly reached down for her blanket as she began to shiver and pulled it up to her neck as she lay down.

xXx

Waking up in the morning, Adrian sat up and turned his head a couple of times hearing the neck pop he sighed in relief. Reaching in his bag, he began to dig around shuffling things and taking things out before finally finding the object he was searching for.

Making a silent, 'ah-ha,' Adrian pulled out his cell phone and pressed the power button only to groan when it showed the battery was dead. Letting out a groan that just meant, he'd have to make a quick stop at his wrecked truck to grab his phone charger, unless…

Digging through his bag some more, Adrian let out a groan when he realized that he was thinking right. His charger was in the truck. He hoped it was in better condition than this truck.

"Why the truck? I could have sworn I…" he didn't finish that sentence as he remembered why it wasn't in his bag.