#post-dmc5

That did explain why his own familiars had been so willing to throw themselves in harm's way to protect him. Most demons were compelled to protect themselves at any cost. But Shadow in particular had always been there, manifesting in any way she could to ward off other demons. Vergil had assumed it was simply her nature. He hadn’t realized how close their bond actually was.

“Strong familiars have what Roxy and I call a ‘mindscape’”

Vergil blinked as his mind caught up to the change in conversation. “A mindscape?” 

“It’s a place that familiars like us can retreat to. Because our souls are much stronger, we require actual space around our summoner’s soul. Other familiars like Aki simply go to sleep when they disappear. It won’t be that simple for you.”

“So I’ll have my own home within her mind?”

Kuro nodded. “Should you spend an extended time with her, you’ll learn how to bend it to your will without affecting her own consciousness. It’s a delicate balance of power between both souls. The better you control your mindscape, the better you control the flow of energy between you.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“It will take time to undo the pact no matter what happens,” Kuro said. “Your presence alone will put extreme pressure on her soul, especially if you are sharing the space with myself.”

Vergil paused, carefully considering his next question. “Is there a chance the pact could kill her?”

Kuro was silent for so long that Vergil wondered if he’d even heard the question. But when the dragon did speak, it was the softest Vergil had ever heard him. “Your strength is remarkable, but the power of the Qliphoth fruit was never meant for a human. You tolerate it because of your lineage, but it could overwhelm her the moment your souls connect.”

Vergil’s heart fell as he glanced at the cottage. The thought of losing her… because of his foolish pursuit for power… 

“She is strong, Vergil,” Kuro said. “And you hold no ill-will toward her. As long as you genuinely wish to protect her, your soul will intervene.”  

“Can I heal her?”

Kuro paused again. This time, however, he looked genuinely perplexed, as if the question hadn’t even crossed his mind. Odd. Vergil assumed that would be one of the most important things for him to learn. “It will take time,” The dragon said slowly. “You will have to learn where to channel your energy, but with practice, I believe you can. However,  you shouldn’t have to.” 

“Prepare for the worst, right?”

“Indeed.”  He raised his head. “It’s time.”

Vergil glanced over to see a small, blue portal snap open. His eyes widened as Nero was the one to step out first, followed by a stunned Nico and annoyed Dia. “Roxanna!” The demoness yelled. Roxy appeared at the front door almost immediately, and Vergil wondered how long she’d been listening to their conversation. 

“Did you figure it out?”

Nico beamed as she held out a sheathed sword in Roxy’s direction. While it wouldn’t compare to Yamato (what would, honestly?), Vergil was rather impressed. The sheath was dark blue with swirls of a lighter blue that looked like ice wrapped around the blade. A ribbon hung near the hilt with two snowflakes dangling off the ends. The hilt itself was wrapped identically to Yamato, but with a mix of blues like the sheath itself. When Roxy gently drew the blade, Vergil could tell that the blade was as sharp as a human could make it. “It’s perfect,” Roxy said with a smile.

“I went with the ice theme since I figured you might want to use it after all of this is over.” Nico laughed as she glanced at Vergil. “Assuming V-man’s up to teach ya.”

Roxy blushed, and it only darkened when Vergil nodded. Dia snorted. “You can deal with that another time.”

“Right.” Roxy clicked the blade back into its place and moved to Vergil’s side. “Are you ready?” 

After a deep breath, Vergil stood and reached for the blade. “I am.”

“Are we sure about this?” Nero said. 

“We don’t have any other choice,” Vergil said. “Where’s Dante?”

“He stayed with Kyrie and the others,” Nero rubbed the back of his neck. “We weren’t letting Nico go alone,” he glanced at Dia. “No offense.” The demoness huffed, but didn’t say anything else. “I just… Are you sure about this?”

“Yes,” Vergil said. “I can do this, Nero.”

“I’m not concerned about that.”

“Then what…?”

“What if you have to stay with her?” Nero said. “Are you… okay with that?”

“I was staying with her anyway.”

Nero scowled. “You know what I mean.”

 “Yes, Nero,” Vergil said. “I know what I’m getting into, and I’m ready to accept the possibility.” After a moment of hesitation, he reached out and rested his hand on Nero’s shoulder. The younger devil-hunter froze, eyes wide, but didn’t pull away. “This will work, Nero. I promise.”

Finally, Nero nodded. “Alright. Just be careful.” 

Vergil nodded and moved back to Roxy’s side. Kuro moved toward them, his tail wrapping at Roxy’s feet. She looked up at him with a smile and patted his scales in encouragement. “Everything is going to be fine.”

He looked down at her with a reverence Vergil hadn’t seen before. “I know.” He leaned forward and breathed a soft breath of ice onto the sword. It glowed a bright blue, and the image of snowflakes remained on the blade as the dragon pulled away. “Take good care of it.”

Roxy grinned as she turned back to Vergil and held the sword out toward him. “Every pact begins with a promise,” She said “So, Vergil. What do you ask of me?”

Even though Kuro had prepared him for such a question, Vergil still took his time. If he did have to stay with her for an extended period, then this promise was the most important part. They needed this connection to work for as long as it took to erase Mundus’ hold on him. These promises had to mean something, and Vergil refused to waste it. “Don’t let me fall to him,” he said. “No matter what happens, I entrust my soul to you.”

She intertwined their fingers and nodded. “And what do you promise me?”

After another quiet and purposeful pause, Vergil lowered his voice and said, “I promise to protect you.” He brushed her cheek with his thumb, earning a soft blush as her gaze remained on his. “No matter what dangers we face or what demons we have to fight, I will remain by your side.” Her lips parted in something akin to surprise, but it quickly shifted into a gentle smile. 

“Thank you,” she said as she held Nico’s sword out between them. A flicker of blue light pulsed from the weapon. It slithered up her arm, reappearing as veins of blue along her cheeks. Her eyes turned a deep shade of blue for a brief moment, but it vanished when she blinked. The energy retreated, and Vergil wondered if he would get to see the marks their pact would give her. Would it be something unassuming to signify its temporary nature? Would it be as lavish as the ones his own familiars gave him? Something in between?

“With these promises,” She whispered. “Our pact is sealed.”

Vergil gasped in surprise as energy slammed against his chest. Electricity pulsed through every fiber of his being, seizing his muscles and locking him in place. The veins of blue light returned to Roxy’s skin as she closed her eyes. Vergil heard Nero’s voice somewhere over everything, but between whatever was happening and Dia’s loud ‘hush, child’, Vergil couldn’t guess what his son had said. Instead, his world was entirely focused on Roxy. 

At that moment, he finally understood what Kuro had been trying to tell him. She was his everything. As long as this pact existed, his life didn’t matter. Nothing mattered but her. 

That should have scared him. It would have terrified a much younger him. But Vergil was relieved. This was finally the purpose he had been looking for. Something much stronger than a simple caretaking job. It didn’t matter how long their pact lasted; Vergil would not forget this feeling. 

Then, everything snapped. 

Roxy gasped in shock. Her eyes snapped open, and Vergil was startled at how blue they were. Then, he realized that Kuro was howling; a horrible screech that vibrated the world itself. Beside them, the dragon collapsed on his side, head slamming at Roxy’s feet. Vergil barely caught her before she dropped with a scream. Nero was by their side in an instant, but cursed as a spark of energy shocked him when he reached for Vergil. “What happened?” Vergil said as his gaze moved to Kuro. Roxy crumbled in Vergil’s arms. 

No. 

There, buried deep in Kuro’s chest, was Yamato. 

Laughter erupted around them. Vergil’s eyes jerked to the trees where a man somewhere around his age stood, arms crossed as he stared down at them. Except Vergil knew immediately that this purple haired, dark skinned, and slightly scaled person was not a human at all. Archdemon.  “My master was curious, Son of Sparda,”

“You did this.”

The demon rolled his eyes. “My brother has been a nuisance for far too long. Split him from his host and he has nothing left.” A blast of ice struck the tree, but the demon didn’t move. “Pitiful as usual.”

“Do you have any  idea what you’ve done?” Kuro hissed, his breaths heavy as he struggled and failed to stand. 

“Of course,” He said. “I’ve forced Nelo here to make a choice.” He tilted his head with a wide, predatory grin. “Save the girl, or reclaim his power.”

What? 

“Better hurry…”

Then, Roxy’s heart stopped. 

Panic surged through Vergil as his gaze shot to hers. She wasn’t moving. Wasn’t breathing. Her eyes and mouth were wide open, but there was no life in them. Kuro’s head shifted beside them, but Vergil could see the pain in every move the dragon made. “Vergil,” He said. “Please,” His head flopped back to the side, shaking the ground. “Take my power… save her…” Blood pooled around them. Roxy’s face paled. Her heart was still silent. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.” When his claw raised, Vergil understood. 

Take his power and the sword, his own demon whispered. Abandon the girl… without her, you’ll be invincible. 

V’s voice scoffed. If you need me to tell you what to do, then you’ve already failed. 

Power is all you’ve ever wanted. 

But now you’ve found something so much more. 

“Her heart,” Vergil whispered. “You’re fueling her heart.”

“Her heart is my own,” Kuro said. “She needs a demon who can keep it beating… we’re running out of time.”

Without a second of hesitation, Vergil said, “Do it,” 

He knew what was coming. 

He knew it would hurt. 

But even he wasn’t prepared for the agony he felt when Kuro’s claw plunged through his chest. 

A terrible burning sensation ripped through his body and nearly overwhelmed him in an instant. After that was the agony from the stabbing itself. He felt his body tear. He felt it rush to try and heal even though there was no room to do so. He couldn't breathe. He could barely think. It felt like his body was disintegrating on the spot as its pieces were torn into another world entirely. 

It was the most excruciating pain he’d ever felt, yet all he could think about was her. 

“Hold on, Roxy,” He reached for her through the agony. “Hold on.”