Un Assassinio Molto Silenzioso

A/N: I admit it. I'm obsessed with Kamelot. And I had no IDEA that The Black Halo was the sequel to Epica! *Sighs* Ah well.... Thomas Cup fever is off... we had such a nice time in college cheering Malaysia over drinks, but we lost 2-3 to China. There goes our hopes to get into the finals...

And Vergil is so refined, don't you think? *giggles*
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UPDATES:
1) Uh... Pork chops, Vergil? O.O Whhaa.....?
2) Me and Dante ish pirates! XD
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C'era una volta un uomo
Con gli occhi verso la luna
E si chiedeva:
"Verra presto l'amore?"
E che altro esiste
In un cuore gelato?
Tranne il pensiero
Di un assassinio molto silenzioso

[Once upon a time there was a man
With his eyes towards the moon
And he wonder to himself:
"Will love come soon?"
And does something else exist
In a frozen heart?
Except the thought of a
Very silent murder]

~Un Assassinio Molto Silenzioso~
~Kamelot (The Black Halo)~

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Rebirthing
MazdaKitsune
Chapter 3- Un Assassinio Molto Silenzioso

Byakuya didn't know what these creatures were. Grey skeletons, with tattered skin and ragged cloaks, they emerged from the darkness, wielding curved scythes, a dismal glow in their empty eye sockets, gaping mouth wailing an unearthly cry that sent shivers up his spine. They appeared out of nowhere, swinging their scythes around as they searched for something, or someone.

Obviously, they were not Hollows, nor Arrancar.

Something condensed the air momentarily, Byakuya stiffening at the sudden heavy and powerful force, shocked to regconise it as rieatsu, and before he knew it, the creatures crumbled to dust, blowing away in the passing wind. The captain stood stunned. The burst of reiatsu was so sudden, and he had not seen any other Shinigami close, nor anyone kill the creatures.

Footsteps echoed down the street as a man holding a katana walked past leisurely, his silver hair spiked.
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Magic prickled at her skin and Jade hurriedly took a step back as Dante chalked runes into a pentagram, Force Edge stabbed into the center. She could sense that this wasn't going to be an odinary spell, judging by the amount of gold orbs he had lugged along and the way the air was charged with magic and electricity. "This is going to be a tough one, isn't it?"

"No shit, Sherlock." Dante straightened. "Man, I'm nervous. I should be the one in the middle, not Verge. What if he has a relaspe?"

"I don't think he will." Jade sighed and picked at one of the many scars on her arms that she had obtained during her latest fight. "Vergil seems fine now, you and Trish confirmed that."

"Still..." Dante was going to say more, but he stopped and turned slightly, sensing his twin approaching. Vergil soon emerged in the distance, taking long and slow strides, almost lazily walking towards them. As usual, he had Yamato in his hand, the other buried into his pocket. Dante broke out into a relieved grin and darted forwards to hug him. "Dude, I thought you'd chickened out or something! How have you been doing, bro?"

"Dante, you know me well enough to know that I won't.. chicken out... as you so delicately put it." Vergil had a disapproving look in his eyes. "Besides, this is for father. I'm willing to do anything to bring him back."

"Ah shit, bro. You're still the same as always." Dante smiled and thumped him on his shoulder. "Welcome back."

Vergil nodded and smirked. "So where do I go to start this ritual?"

"In there." Dante pointed to the Pentagram where Force Edge waited. Vergil's eyes travelled over to it, then swept over to Jade who had busied herself with the runes Dante had left when he appeared. Leaving his brother surprised, he went over to her instead, standing before her kneeling form. "Jade."

"Hey, Vergil." Jade didn't look up. "Sorry I didn't notice you just now, it's just that these runes-" She was cut off as Vergil reached down and pulled her roughly to her feet before hugging her tightly. His lips moved silently before he let her go and thrust Yamato into her hands, taking his place in the middle of the circle, before Force Edge. "Let's begin."

Dante frowned at the sudden display of split second affection before stepping forwards. "You know... you don't have to be so to her if you-"

"Begin the ritual now, Dante." Vergil's voice had a note of venom in it. "I won't tell you a third time."

"Alright, alright! Sheesh, you're cold..." Dante grumbled. Jade stood gripping Yamato tightly in her arms as she recovered from the shock of his hug, emerald eyes wide. He was deliberately not facing her now as he waited for Dante to begin, stubbornly refusing to meet her eyes.

Vergil... what is wrong?

"Alright, then... here's goes..." Dante began chanting in the demonic tounge, and Vergil shuddered slightly as shadows rose from the points of the pentagram, sliding about his ankles to hold him firmly in place. He was reminded unpleasantly of the shadows that bound him in Mundus's toture room, where he was forced to stand straight and helpless as other lesser demons enjoyed toturing him, taking their revenge and fulfilling themselves on a son of Sparda. Rage and embarassment flushed his pale cheeks red, but he still didn't move, forcing the memories out of his mind.

Dante chanted the last words of the spell, and suddenly, the gold orbs disappeared and Jade let out a startled cry. The shadows surrounding Vergil and Force Edge sharpened, then transformed into phantom swords, stabbing themselves deeply into Vergil, who let out a grunt of pain and stumbled. Dante and Jade started forwards.

"Vergil!"
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He tried to remain standing. He really tried. But the blood was flowing out of him at a fast rate, and his demonic powers were being drained into the air around him, stopping his ability to heal. All around him, demonic laughter and howls of glee echoed, his tormentors enjoying themselves at their little sport.

Up on his throne, Mundus smiled lazily and waved a hand. A demon broke away from the circle of spectators and threw itself on Vergil, knocking down to the ground. With one powerful thrust, it surged into him, again and again, till even his legs were now stained with his blood.

Vergil gave in and screamed. He knew Mundus loved to watch his minions rape him, and sometimes the demon lord even took him himself. The act always drained out any last shred of dignity left in him, leaving him a whimpering ball of shame as he was thrown back into his prison to heal for his next toture.

He couldn't take it, couldn't pass out if he wanted to. He could feel the pounding, shamefully hear himself moan in pain and pleasure as the demon struck his pleasure spot and ravaged it brutally. Vergil couldn't do anything, but scream his throat raw as he came...
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His eyes snapped open as arms encircled him, a cool hand pressing against the side of his face. Vergil didn't need to look up to know it was Jade. Her scent filled his senses, bringing him out of the horrible memory he had recalled the moment his powers and blood were drained out of him. "J-Jade..."

Dante and Jade had tried to cancel the ritual the moment Vergil collasped and started screaming, but a barrier made out of his powers prevented them from going in. Dante had been afraid to Devil Trigger in case his powers cancelled out that of Vergil's, killing his brother in the process. But Jade, by some sheer will, had unsheated Yamato and cut through the barrier forcefully to reach Vergil's side. The screaming had stopped the moment she held him.

Jade looked afraid, one arm around him, Yamato gripped tightly in her other hand. Tears made her eyes swim, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall as she felt his life drain out. "Vergil..."

"G-Get away.... get out of the circle.." Vergil said hoarsely as he pushed her to the side. "Go, now!"

More shadows formed, sensing another lifeform whithin the circle and moved to stab, plunging towards the couple. Vergil immedieately pushed Jade behind him and the girl gripped Yamato tighter, praying that they both wouldn't get killed...

And a loud roar of rage filled the air as Force Edge glowed with a sudden bright light, dispelling the shadows. Sparda roared with rage at the threat to his nestling, standing in his full glory, towering over their forms. Vergil's eyes widened in awe. "F-Father...?"

Sparda snarled, looking down at him. All was still for a while, then Jade found herself under attack, screaming as he lunged at her with razor sharp claws to tear her heart out. Vergil and Dante made a mad dash to protect her as he threw her to the side.

"Dad! Don't hurt her! She means us no harm!" Dante yelled, trying to get him off her.

She is covered in elder nestling's blood! Sparda snarled in return. Elder nestling is hurt because of her!

Not so! Vergil answered in the demon tounge, inserting himself between the terrified Jade and the enraged Sparda as Dante managed to haul him off. My blood is a sacrifice made to bring you back! She did not hurt me! Father, listen to me!

Sparda surveyed Vergil, his protective stance in front of Jade, and eventually calmed down. Nestling's friend?

Yes... Dante answered, still keeping a hold on him. Our friend.

The demon lord closed his eyes briefly, then nodded. I understand. Forgive me.

"Father, why don't you try becoming human?" Vergil asked cautiously, switching back to the human tounge as he kept Jade behind him.

Sparda shook his head. Not enough power yet. I must rest first. Forgive me, young nestling... if I have hurt your mate. I see now that she carries the mark of the two of you on her. He seemed to think for a while, then shrank to a small size, enough for Dante to carry him in his arms. I must conserve my energy.

"Then we'll go back and rest," Dante said with a smile. "C'mon dad, Verge. Let's go home."

Home.. yes, home. Sparda sounded eager. I will rest... and then you will tell me your tales, my nestlings.

Dante began to walk away, but Vergil stayed in his place for a while, turning to Jade. The girl was trying to get over her shock, the terrified look still in her eyes. "Jade."

"V-Vergil..."

"There's no need to be afraid." Now that his powers had been returned by Sparda's awakening, Vergil was healing rapidly. Bending close to her ear, he took Yamato from her hand and whispered, "Sleep. You have done much for me."

Jade barely had time to think before the hidden compulsion in his voice caused her to pass out. She went down easily, her body and mind already exhausted from the adrenaline rush and shock. Vergil picked her up in his arms, cradling her to his chest before making his way to Dante's car, where his brother waited. Again, his lips moved in the same sequence as it had when he had hugged her, but this time, the murmur was audible to the sleeping woman.

"I love you."

(tsuzuku)