Redgrave City – Sparda Manor – Twenty years prior
"Eeeyaah!" Dante screamed as he thrust Rebellion toward his brother. Too short to properly wield the gigantic broadsword, Dante struggled to maintain balance as he rushed forward. Vergil sighed as he caught the colossal blade with a snap of his book and set it aside, kicking Dante away in the same motion. Dante blocked the attack with a swipe of his hand, clumsily taking on a stance he once saw in a film.
"Foolishness." Vergil chided, attempting to suppress the laughter from seeing his brother's ridiculous pose, "Is rushing in blind all you can do?"
"C'mon Vergilio, I wanna play!" Dante huffed with a smile, "Father finally let us have his cool swords and all you wanna do is read?"
"Don't. Call. Me. That." Vergil bared his teeth.
"What's wrong, Mr. Uptight? Caught your panties in a wedge?" Dante stuck his tongue out, eliciting his older twin's reaction just as he expected.
"I see you've been watching more of those mind-numbing films." Vergil smoothed his hair with a swipe of his hand, trying to regain his composure.
"Better than spending all day every day reading." Dante retorted, "Don't you have other hobbies?"
Vergil crossed his arms, his irritation showing on the curve of his brow. "Reading isn't just a hobby, Dante. It's a way to-"
"Gain more knowledge, yeah, yeah." Dante interrupted while trying to sling the Rebellion over his shoulder, nearly toppling over again when he did so, "'Knowledge is power,' 'discipline is key,' 'don't eat pizza for breakfast…'"
"That last one was from mother." Vergil interrupted, his voice slightly softening.
Dante's playful demeanour subsided for a moment before he continued. "Yeah, well she also said to have fun and live a little. So, let's have fun with these swords!"
"Fine. If you want to embarrass yourself so badly, then I'll indulge you." Vergil sighed and set his book aside.
"You sound like such an old man, Verg."
"Is that such a bad thing?" Vergil raised his brow.
The two brothers raised their swords, each ready for a clash. Yamato was slender, simple, and elegant, reflecting the calm discipline required to properly wield it, while Rebellion, much like its name was wild and untamed. Its elaborate hilt was comprised of a skull and ribcage, giving it a sinister appearance, with a pair of closed bony "arms" that acted as its cross guard. Each side depicted a human skull and a demon skull, with both halves sealed shut as if to convey the hidden secrets it contained.
Vergil dashed forward, leaving a vortex of slashes in his wake. He was always so disciplined and precise, striving to achieve the perfect form with every action. While this could be considered intimidating, Dante felt Vergil's approach to be rather predictable. Swinging the Rebellion forward, Dante thrust the broadsword toward his rival, catching its blade by the tip. The sword's weight, combined with the momentum at which they struck, resulted in both swords being knocked out of their wielders' hands. The two refused to let this stop them and each assumed a hand-to-hand stance unique to their strengths. Where Vergil focused on the speed and precision of his kicks, Dante was more reactive and inventive with the ways he would weave around and counterattack. The two demon children let loose a ferocious display of attacks, each trying to get the best of the other and never letting up no matter what.
After a series of exchanges, the twins returned to their swords, each longer than their bodies. While the Yamato was lighter and less unwieldy, this hardly mattered since a single blow from Rebellion would be enough to knock it out of its wielder's grip. Vergil assumed a different stance when he retrieved the dark katana, instead leaving it inside its sheath.
"What, done already?" Dante teased, dragging the Rebellion's tip by the ground as he approached his brother.
Vergil shook his head but stood in place—his left hand tightly gripped on the Yamato's scabbard and his right hand hovered above its handle—waiting for the right time to strike. "Observe."
Dante had conditioned Vergil so much with his rushes, that when he pulled a feint and instead tossed the Rebellion, he expected to land a proper blow. Though Vergil was surprised by his brother's instant change of tactics, the fact remained that Dante was within range of his attack. And so, Vergil relied on pure instinct, finally let loose the Yamato from its sheath, and struck the spinning Rebellion, sending it flying back to a surprised Dante. Dante jumped over the spinning sword, managing to escape its bite, but bristled when he heard a loud crash. Vergil spun from the momentum of the swing and found himself hitting the ground and getting covered in dirt. The sound of broken glass alerted him to his mishap, but before he could even think to run, he noticed that Dante had already fled the scene. He didn't need to turn to feel his mother's looming presence behind him.
A few hours passed and the twins witnessed the rare sight of their father looking utterly defeated. His expression was a mix of pride and embarrassment, but he eventually regained his composure and spoke to the boys; the lecture they got was brief and to the point. After an unsurprisingly short argument, Eva and Sparda decided to keep the boys from playing with their heirlooms and had them go back to their training swords until they were older. This didn't stop them from getting grounded, however, and needing to weed the garden yet again. The two boys sighed but knew deep down that this was probably for the best.
Vergil resumed his quiet study when Dante approached him yet again.
"You don't have to be so uptight all the time, you know? You're always by yourself and I just wanna spend time."
Vergil's eyes widened. "You could've just started with that…" he smirked, "By the way...I believe I won our last match."
"In your dreams!" Dante folded his arms behind his head and chuckled.
Ruin-strewn Precipice – Magma Wyrm Site of Grace – Late Afternoon
Vergil groaned groggily and stretched his limbs. Looking around, he noticed the scorched yet damp ruins that were scattered throughout the cavern. A vague recollection of the previous night's events began to bloom in his mind when he noticed that a small encampment had been set up where he slept. Discarded "prawn" shells littered the ground in a small pile, while a small bonfire was set up a short distance away from a site of grace. Melina sparked to attention when she noticed that her companion had awakened.
"I'm glad to see that you are awake," Melina chimed, her golden eye filled with concern. "How do you feel?"
Vergil pushed himself up and felt the strain in his muscles despite his proximity to a site of grace. "I've been better," he admitted while rubbing his temples. "Where are we?"
"We are a short distance away from the Altus Plateau."
"So, then it worked…" Vergil smiled despite the soreness that still radiated throughout his body.
"Indeed, it did. But not without struggle." Melina replied, her look of concern never wavering.
"What do you mean?"
"You collapsed shortly after your fight with a magma wyrm."
"Did I turn into that thing again?" Vergil hissed as the memories from the previous night started to become clearer.
Melina nodded. "We felt it best if you stayed here to rest and recover, at least for the night."
Vergil grunted with irritation. Melina didn't need the ability to peer into thoughts to sense the animosity he felt at that moment.
"We? Who else is here with us?" Vergil raised his brow and crossed his arms, not expecting another companion.
"By chance, we came across some allies, one of which offered to stay behind and keep watch." Melina turned upon hearing the lift descend. "Here she is now."
Despite missing her good arm, Millicent found other ways to find sustenance. It was the least she could do for having her life saved several times over. With the Shamshir slung behind her, Millicent shouldered a freshly caught deer with some rabbits. Her golden eyes shone upon seeing that the pale swordsman had awoken from his slumber.
"I'm glad to see you're awake and well," she said while setting her catch near the fire.
"I have no idea who you are," Vergil stated bluntly, which mildly upset the young girl.
"I figured as much, but that's alright. For I must thank you all the same." Millicent returned to the task at hand and started to clean the meat from her catch. Although Melina was initially unfamiliar with the process of procuring and preparing food, Millicent's condition prompted her to quickly learn to better aid the girl. Melina thought of how her mother would likely disapprove of her using her Blade of Calling to cut meat, but drastic times demanded innovative solutions.
Thanks to the flowing streams present in the cave, Millicent was able to wash off most of the blood that had stained her attire. The scant traces of blood and rot that stalled her healing were finally taken care of in no small part to the kindling maiden's assistance, but the damage it had incurred through battle had left her looking woefully underdressed. In a serendipitous turn of events, the two maidens bonded over the similarities in their attire, which was further strengthened when Melina vanished in a blue mist, only to return shortly with a clean set of matching clothes. Millicent had no clue how the kindling maiden could dissipate and reappear at will, but it was the least surprising thing she had seen since she embarked on her journey.
Vergil huffed as he looked at his map. He was not expecting another straggler to join him and scoffed at the idea of needing assistance. The girl, though far from hostile, felt like a liability due to her missing limb. As he mulled over whether to storm Leyndell or investigate Volcano Manor, he realized that once again, his stomach had started to grumble. The smell of freshly cooked venison was too good to pass up, and though he was perfectly content with eating more of the prawns he had stashed up, he could not deny that perhaps he should indulge his mortal need for different types of sustenance. After all, he could only subsist on berries, prawns, and the existential provisions given by the light of grace for so long before he needed to try something new.
He approached the campfire warily, his hand tightly gripped around his weapon though he sensed no threat from either maiden. Noticing his presence, the two maidens looked up and offered some meat from a skewer, and were both surprised when Vergil directly grabbed one, completely unbothered by the fire. Vergil carefully scanned the meat, noticing the texture, juices, and bubbling fat that lined its surface. Noticing the absence of plates, he called upon Torrent and took some from one of the travel sacks he had fastened onto the spectral steed then handed a pair to the maidens. Though the lessons were from several lifetimes ago, Vergil still remembered the rules of etiquette that his mother had instilled in him, and the chivalric gestures he had learned from his father. This scenario called for him to be polite, as much as it bothered him to do so.
"They are no threat," he reminded himself as he attempted to reign in his instinctive distrust.
He discarded his gloves and just as before, meticulously picked the meat apart from the bones in a neat pile before beginning to partake on the roasted meat. "Needs salt," he uttered while neatly biting into another piece.
"I apologize. We used what we had available," Melina responded, "Perhaps we can find better provisions in the next camp we come across."
"Indeed, I shall keep an eye out the next time I go out on a hunt," Millicent added, "I apologize for not thinking of that when I first set out."
Melina shot Millicent a look, which she immediately understood upon noticing the seal that kept the kindling maiden's eye shut. A light blush formed on her cheeks from the careless expression, but the smile she got from Melina immediately reassured her. Vergil meanwhile kept to himself and focused on his meal. "Why do these maidens insist on following me?" He thought, wondering if his twin ever faced the same type of trouble.
Vergil's cantankerous temperament began to simmer the more he ate, and soon all three had had their fill. After setting aside some meat for later and washing his plate, Vergil turned his attention back to the map. The two maidens followed shortly after clearing the campsite.
"Our next destination will depend on what we can gain from it. To the west is Volcano Manor, the likely stronghold of Praetor Rykard while to the east is Leyndell, where the so-called veiled monarch is hiding. Each possesses a Great Rune that I intend to acquire, and each will likely have its share of threats and challenges."
"My goal is to reach the Erdtree, which lies within the walls of Leyndell," Melina spoke, "The city is heavily fortified, and not even the ancient dragons were able to pierce through for long. I expect much resistance from its armies, which were formidable enough to stave off attacks from all sides."
"The walls would be no issue now that I've regained my ability to cross vast distances," Vergil retorted, "but my last attempt turned me into that thing, and I would rather not have that happen while an army awaits inside."
"That is true," Melina replied, "As I stated, I only need to reach the Erdtree. So long as you are able to bring me there, I care not how or when you do so."
"I've heard whispers about Volcano Manor in my travels," added Millicent, "They say that it stands against the Erdtree and has been plotting for its downfall for some time. Perhaps we can find some allies there to help us storm the castle?"
"I have no need for more allies, but I shall take that into consideration." Vergil adjusted his coat and approached the lift. "And girl, make no mistake. Get in my way and I will end you where you stand."
Altus Plateau – Erdtree Gazing Hill – Early Evening
The Erdtree's brilliance shone even brighter on the Altus Plateau, which itself was home to the broken remains of army encampments and siege implements. Off to the far distance was the walled-off city of Leyndell, the royal capital of the Lands Between while a tall sulfurous mountain overlooked the entire field. Vergil sought to practice his ability to teleport by slowly using it to cross shorter distances, and so allowed Millicent to ride on Torrent. Melina as always, would reveal herself near a site of grace, only able to fully materialize near them. The three agreed to reconvene at a nearby ruin, with Vergil finding himself slightly winded from the effort it took to get there. Extending his arm, he restored another site of grace after clearing the ruin's inhabitants and was joined by the kindling maiden while waiting for Millicent and Torrent. Melina looked in confusion as Vergil readied his weapon.
"Show yourself," he cooly stated.
An unnaturally hunched girl stumbled from behind a pillar and fumbled her words.
"I-I've been waiting for you," she stammered while adjusting her dress. "I kn-knew you had the s-stuff…of champions."
"Get to the point, girl." Vergil kept his hand hovering over his weapon as he calmly approached.
"I h-hereby invite you to the V-volcano M-manor," She stated as she extended her hand. A familiar magic swirled around, the likes of which Vergil felt when Melina first transported him to the Roundtable Hold. "T-take m-my h-hand…and have au-au-audience…with my mistress."
"Very well." Vergil turned to a still-confused Melina. Torrent's hooves echoed nearby, signalling his and the young girl's proximity. "Watch over the girl." The two then vanished in a blue mist.
Mt. Gelmir – Volcano Manor Site of Grace – Early Evening
Vergil stepped out of the mist and found himself within the halls of the Volcano Manor. As expected, the ambient heat of the manor was the first thing Vergil noticed, followed by the large painting of the manor's proprietor. Rya giddily slithered toward the masked woman sitting in front of the painting, standing by her side, a heavily armoured knight towered statuesquely above her.
"Here he is, mother!" The girl exclaimed.
"Settle down, Rya." The masked woman beckoned, "I wish to speak with him alone."
"As you wish, mother!" Rya curtsied and went on her way. Vergil had not expected to be brought to the Volcano Manor so easily but stayed no guard as always. The woman sat with the grace of a ruler, her hands folded neatly above her lap.
"Brave warrior, welcome to the Volcano Manor," She stated, her voice calm and without reservation, "I am Tanith, the proprietress of this house."
Vergil felt the knight's gaze fixed upon him as his hand continued to hover above his sword handle. To kill them would be a simple matter, but he needed answers, particularly regarding the manor's master. He allowed the woman to continue while maintaining his guard.
"Rya spoke well of you. 'A warrior of promise,' I believe she said."
Vergil's eyes remain fixed on Tanith as he thought about his next steps. He had no interest in allying himself with any more outside forces, believing it to be a waste of time. The two maidens he traveled with at least served some purpose…and for the moment did nothing to impede his travels, but to associate himself with a bigger faction would entail a certain loss of freedom.
Tanith continued, her voice unwavering. "Perhaps you are prepared to make a commitment. Will you join us here at the Volcano Manor, and resist the tide?"
"Save your breath, woman. I know of the Volcano Manor. How you lead a small faction of recusants in an attempt to destabilize the Golden Order's forces. Your assassinations have been well documented."
"You know that much of us? Fascinating. So then, what is your response? Will you fight with us, or continue to follow the burden of so-called grace?" Vergil chuckled, sensing the restored site of grace so close to the matriarch's throne, but deciding to keep the knowledge to himself.
"I find the Golden Order's conquest to be repulsive, and I can't say that your crusade is misguided…" Vergil trailed.
"So then you agree—"
"But why should I join your cause? What could you possibly offer to gain my allegiance?"
"Rya was right in calling you to us. Your strength and resolve are clear, and we could use someone of your caliber. In return, we offer you knowledge and a place to pursue your own goals without interference from the Greater Will."
"I'm not entirely convinced that this Greater Will even exists, but you may possess certain resources that have caught my interest," Vergil continued, considering her words carefully. "What exactly do you need from me?"
Tanith's smile was palpable even beneath her mask. "We have several tasks that need to be completed…certain targets that need to be eliminated."
Vergil understood the implication and kept himself from barking back, "I may be curious but let me be clear. I have not accepted your offer. I am not a hound to be sent out and commanded at your leisure."
"I understand, but the fact that you are not allied with the Erdtree is cause enough to consider you aligned with our cause. I won't twist your arm, but should you reconsider, we will be more than happy to have you." Tanith lightly bowed and extended an arm, key in hand. "Take this key. It will grant you access to our study and its resources. Speak to our members, learn what you can, and decide for yourself if your cause aligns with our own."
"Very well." Vergil gave a curt nod, taking the key and using it to access the study. Waiting inside was another armoured figure wielding the Devourer's Sceptre, another legendary armament Vergil had learned of through his research in Raya Lucaria.
"Who are you?" the man immediately questioned, "And what in heaven's name are you doing here? The Volcano Manor—"
"Is a pit of snakes tasked with killing your own kind for the sake of resisting the Golden Order." Vergil interrupted.
"You know of us?" The man replied, shocked.
Vergil nodded. "In exchange for your supposed blasphemy, you wish to overthrow the current order and bring about a new era."
"Well said. Are you here to join us then?"
"That remains to be seen," the pale swordsman retorted.
"I see. Then I shall introduce myself. Bernahl, a recusant and defier of the Greater Will."
"Vergil," he introduced himself, "and I don't care to divulge my intentions."
"Very well. Your intentions are your own. May you find whatever it is you seek."
Altus Plateau – Erdtree Gazing Hill – Late Evening
"Where did he go?" Millicent inquired while she unloaded some firewood from Torrent's side.
"Volcano Manor, if I had to guess," Melina answered while setting the bonfire alight.
Millicent looked in the distance, saw the great height of Mt. Gelmir, which towered far above their location, and wondered how on earth the pale swordsman was able to take himself to the very peak in the time it took her and Torrent to reach the Lux Ruins. Melina caught the girl's quizzical look and prematurely answered.
"Another girl transported him there. I can feel the presence of a site of grace, so it would be a simple matter for me to go there, but I believe he wishes to be alone at the moment."
"I see. What should we do in the meantime?" Millicent pondered while she warmed herself by the fire. Melina gazed at the colossal grandeur of the Erdtree, whose radiance encapsulated the Lands Between even in the late hours of the night. She was now closer than ever to ascertaining her true purpose, and it filled her with a sense of dread that she could not explain.
"For now, we wait. Vergil's journey is his own and I have faith in his abilities." Melina softly expressed, taking care not to draw mention to how her companion would likely find Millicent's injury a liability in combat.
Millicent nodded, sharing Melina's confidence in the stoic swordsman she admired. "I suppose there's still much to explore around here. The Lux Ruins seemed interesting, though I didn't get the chance to delve too deeply into it."
"Perhaps this is your chance." Melina smiled, "The ruins aren't too far from the site of grace, so I may join you as well." Melina turned to Torrent, who immediately understood her intent. As a disembodied spirit, Melina had the ability to assume a physical form. However, unlike Torrent, her power was limited to being around sites of grace. She could project her presence, but it was far more limited and meant that she needed Torrent as an anchor to manifest herself when outside her boundaries.
Millicent smiled and nodded at the kindling maiden. "Shall we?"
The three approached the ruin, taking care not to disturb any sleeping creatures nearby. The dismembered remains of demi-humans and their chiefs littered the ruin—a slaughter that happened too quickly for their notice judging from the expressions they wore. The silence unsettled the young girl, who was accustomed to an environment teeming with life. As a denizen of Caelid, Millicent was constantly on watch for all manner of creatures that might try to make a meal out of her. From the irregular clicks of Servants of Rot to the incessant barking of scavenger dogs, the noise had become a source of comfort. The presence of noise meant that one could gauge the distance and intent of whatever was around; silence usually meant that something had gone awry. Millicent cautiously approached the ruin, a detail that Melina was quick to notice. They readied their blades in anticipation, their suspicions confirmed when finally, the silence gave way to reason.
At the centre of the ruin's top level was a crimson portal where a sinister figure emerged. Tall and covered in thorns, the figure arose and scanned the surroundings. He sensed that a traveler must have been nearby judging from the small encampment at the base of the ruin and decided to unlatch his shield from his back. Tasked with ridding the Lands Between of pesky merchants that might lend aid to witless Tarnished, the infamous Bell Bearing Hunter wandered around at night when unsuspecting travelers might let down their guard.
The crimson hunter skulked around the shattered ruin, noticing the remains of demi-humans scattered all around. Whatever caused this mayhem was no merchant—or at least, none that he had ever encountered. The Bell Bearing Hunter turned and immediately took notice of the spectral horse and the two maidens who had their weapons drawn.
Millicent froze. This hadn't been the first time she encountered the man, but unlike the other times, she didn't have the luxury of escaping his notice. Without her good arm, the crimson-haired swordswoman could not fight or defend as well as she needed to, so she always made a point to hide until he left on his own. She was lucky to escape him in the past, but it looked like it was only a matter of time until she had to confront him.
The Bell Bearing Hunter called upon his blade, an enchanted greatsword whose handle was covered in thorns much like his armour. The hunter advanced, each step a booming echo cast against the silence of the ruins. His thorn-covered armour, paired with his imposing height cast a terrifying shadow over the dim light emitted by his crimson frame.
Millicent's heart pounded. Unlike the beasts she had faced in the past, this monster filled her with a unique sense of dread. Though his face was encased in thick armour, she could see how his eyes looked at her with recognition and unexplainable fury. She clutched her Shamshir tightly, knowing that it was ill-suited for a fight in her current condition.
"How fortunate am I, for never would I have expected to see followers of Malenia the Severed!" The hulking man bellowed, his voice deep and guttural. "Whosoever defies the Golden Order shall be extinguished. Such was the task given to me."
Melina stepped forward with her blade extended; her voice calm yet determined. "Stand behind me, Millicent," she instructed, "we will face him together."
Millicent gripped herself and focused on regaining her composure. She nodded and drew her blade, ready to strike.
The Bell Bearing Hunter let out a hearty laugh, "You shall try." He pulled his arm back and threw his colossal blade which was immediately engulfed in a crimson aura. Guided by an invisible force, the sword swung in tandem with the hunter's movements. Melina pushed Millicent out of the way and took the brunt of the swing, being sent staggering back by the force of the blow. The kindling maiden braced herself, taking care not to drift too far else her physical form would falter. Meanwhile, Millicent drifted toward the now unarmed hunter and slashed at his ankles from a low stance.
The hunter anticipated an attack and smashed his shield on the ground, deflecting the sword and catching Millicent with a line of thorns. Millicent hissed in pain, but carried on, managing to circle the hunter and strike him in the side but not deeply enough to deter him. The hunter charged his shield with the same crimson aura that covered his arm and his blade, ripping it out of the ground with an explosion that sent Millicent flying. Melina leaped toward the hunter, her Blade of Calling ignited with golden flame, and fired a salvo of light wave slashes that distracted the hulking behemoth while she aimed the blade at his neck. The hunter quickly recalled his blade with a wave of his arm, managing to deflect Melina's strike before she could land it. He spun the blade around him like a makeshift shield while rolling on the ground, his spiky body itself a living weapon.
In a split second, Melina jumped out of the way and fired another wave of light slashes, each projectile managing to land on the rolling hunter and causing him to pause and recover. He smashed his shield once again in anger, raised his arm—sword floating just above it—and infused his weapon with the crimson aura that propelled it. The sword spun violently like a corkscrew; its trajectory aimed squarely at the kindling maiden's heart. Millicent took notice of this and began hacking at the hunter's legs, aiming to destabilize him when he snarled in pain and backhanded her with a spiky gauntlet. This caused his aim to barely miss Melina, the devastating attack managing to shred her cloak and part of her side. The wound may not have been fatal, but it caused a tremendous amount of pain, nonetheless.
Millicent wiped the blood from her face and assumed a low stance while unleashing a set of wide slashes. The hunter started to swing his sword in wide arcs in an attempt to deter both combatants, but when one drew his attention, the other struck from where he could not reach. Melina's free hand glowed a golden hue; swiping it down, she called upon several pillars of light that struck the hunter from bottom to top, shredding through his defenses and tearing down the stone arches above him. Millicent saw the opportunity and thrust her Shamshir into the hunter's side, plunging it into a gap in his armour.
Together, the two maidens pressed their relentless attack and covered each other's blind spots, attacking in unison. The Bell Bearing Hunter roared in pain and fury, but his movements eventually slowed, his strength waning. Melina continued to fire off blades of holy light from her luminous blade while Millicent stayed glued to the hunter, unleashing a series of cuts on her own. Little by little they chipped through his armour until eventually, the hunter was overwhelmed by the assault. He tried to create some space when he stumbled near the spectral steed, who promptly headbutted him and sent him hurtling back toward the maidens. With a final roar, he tried to slash at Melina, who spun around the attack and aimed her blade at his neck. In the same instant, Millicent plunged her Shamshir into his back, ending the fight.
The hunter's spectre dissipated in a red mist and both maidens stood victorious, though battered and exhausted.
"Is it over?" Millicent huffed, her fingers still twitching from the adrenaline.
"I believe so." Melina heaved, her physical form struggling to maintain cohesion.
The two maidens clumsily limped their way back to the site of grace which allowed Melina to recover while she administered some healing magic to her companion. With a quizzical look, Millicent stretched the parts of her dress that had been torn and asked, "I don't suppose you know how to sew?" Melina raised her tattered cloak, noticed the rough state of her own attire, and chuckled, prompting young Millicent to do the same.
Mt. Gelmir – Volcano Manor – Midnight
After sifting through the manor's halls in search of a library, Vergil found himself dispatching a bothersome recusant wielding a familiar spinning blade. Given the manor's stance on striking down one's own, he saw no issue in killing the bandaged inquisitor. Besides, it wasn't as though he was aligned with the manor in the first place.
He returned to the guest room and came across Rya, who candidly spoke, "Have you ever...heard strange sounds here at the manor?"
"What do you mean?" Vergil asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Something beyond the walls, like breathing, or slithering scales…" Rya trailed off then interrupted herself with surprise. "Oh fie, what am I saying? It just isn't possible. I must be tired."
Vergil committed the detail to memory and opened another guest room. "Charming," he expressed after seeing a corpse lying face-down near a wall. Upon closer inspection, he noticed a shimmering field near one of the room's corners, like a displacement in space or some type of illusion. Just as Rya suggested, there was a subtle breathing sound behind the wall, and so Vergil plunged his blade into it, severing the head of the creature casting the illusion. The shimmering field collapsed, and an open entryway revealed itself to the pale swordsman.
"Interesting…" Vergil shook the blood from his blade, returned it to its sheath, and approached the hidden hallway.