Chapter Text
Every time Virgil awoke out of deep sleep, everything was supposed to be the same as any other day. He would be in his bed cocooned in piles of blankets and be met with his ceiling fan positioned right in the middle of his room and his dusty white popcorn ceiling staring right back at him while his black painted walls enclosed themselves in on him, almost making him want to suffocate.
He always felt miserable whenever he woke up, but that would soon lighten whenever he got a whiff of Patton making pancakes in the early mornings before they all had to go to school. It would lighten even more whenever he and Roman got into their quarreling fights. His mood continued to lighten as he was met with laughs from his friends and the smiles they gave him. It would make him feel so content with his life that on days like those he usually looked forward to the next day because he knew that nothing was going to change how everything was spread out.
Nothing was going to change how his beloved’s smile always lit up his day or his small huffs of laughter. Being near his love was what gave him the ability to continue walking. To continue to move forward no matter what got in his way because his love would be there with him to take the steps together. And Virgil was happy, knowing that the days would never change.
But they changed. Once Virgil opened his eyes, he wasn’t met with his dusty ceiling or his fan. He wasn’t even met with walls. What he was met with was his friend's faces. It shouldn’t be concerning to be met with your friends' faces but, this was concerning, to say the least.
The friends he was used to having smiles on their faces and amusement now held expressions of hurt and anguish. He didn’t know what was going on. This wasn’t normal, this wasn’t how he was supposed to wake up. He was supposed to be in his bed, not on some bridge in the middle of nowhere with his back painfully digging into the rusted railing behind him which could probably give at any moment.
He wasn’t supposed to be here with his friends looking at him like this. Their pained and saddened expressions of hurt were what he could make out at the moment. Though dully, he could hear someone speak, but he wasn’t sure who because his ears had yet to un-muffle themselves.
So he simply responded with, “What..?” It was all he could say. And the person, who he now realized was his best friend Janus, spoke to him angrily. The loud and angry voice of his friend made him subtly flinch because he had never heard his friend ever speak to him this way except at other people when they got on Janus's nerves.
"You heard me. You are dangerous."
Janus glared at him. His yellow-slitted eyes boring into him set him on edge. Virgil doesn't get it. How is he dangerous? What did he do? He had so many questions. He was so confused that it was almost nauseating. It took Virgil a few seconds to say anything.
"How am I-"
"DON'T YOU SEE!?" Janus yelled, cutting Virgil off and making him flinch. Janus didn't pay any attention to that but gestured to his friends behind him. Wanting Virgil to get a good look at what he did, "You hurt us. You hit, punched, scratched every single one of your friends. The friends you made and swore to always protect. Look at what you have done Virgil!"
Virgil stared wide-eyed. His horror-stricken face could be seen as he looked at every one of his friends. The cuts. The bruises. The scratches and scrapes. He looked at every detail he could make out and yet, he shook his head, whispering a word of disbelief under his breath.
"..n-no..I didn't-couldn't-"
"But you did. You did this. The evidence is right in front of you so how can you not believe that this is your doing? Virgil, stop playing innocent and show us your true colors."
Virgil looked back to Janus with a scoff and a disbelieving look on his face.
"How can you say that? 'True Colors' What the hell do you want me to show you? I am so confused by what is happening because I don't even know or remember how I got here, so how can you stand there and tell me this is my fault?"
Janus clicked their tongue and took a step closer to Virgil who moved back a bit, as much as he was able. Virgil furrowed his brows as he took in more of his surroundings. It looked to be an old construction site because of the piles of dirt and old beams and bricks, including those blue and white covers. And to make it obvious the half-constructed building stood tall not so far from them. Virgil took a glance behind them and half-way paid attention to Janus talking again.
"Just stop pretending! We know what you are! What you are capable of, there is no point in lying to us!"
Virgil gritted his teeth as he muttered and stared at the foggy lake below him, "I am not lying.."
Janus scoffed and gestured again to the people behind him. Virgil winced at their terrified and hurt expressions as Janus spoke, "Then explain to me what this is huh? How can you explain to us that what we saw you do and create was someone else and not you when you have been acting weird and not like you normally do last week? Tell us Virgil, how are we supposed to trust you?"
Virgil stared at them. His face was contemplative and frustrated.
"..."
Janus only frowned as he went to say something but was cut off by a small voice.
"Janus, stop. Stop saying 'We' when it's only you that is saying and agreeing to all of this."
Virgil looked toward Patton. He was littered with wounds and bruises that made him feel guilty. Janus only glanced at Patton with an annoyed look before looking back at Virgil.
"but you saw it too right? he laughed at us! He hurt us! No reason at all! If that wasn't Virgil then it was a monster. A monster that needs to be locked up."
Virgil looked to Janus in surprise as Patton looked at Janus with disbelief written on his face.
"You can't be serious! Janus just listen to what Virgil is saying! We could help him! You know that!"
Janus only shook his head as he glanced at Roman who was wide-eyed and shakey. Roman met his eyes and flinched before hesitantly reaching into his bag and shuffling through it before he pulled out a thick book. Virgil raised a brow at what they were gonna do with a magic book.
"Janus! This madness! This is what we set out to do! We are supposed to help people not seal them away!" Patton yelled as he took a shakey step forward. Virgil froze. Seal? Him? Why? Because he was dangerous? Unbelievable.
"Wait, You're not actually going to..right Janus?" Virgil hesitantly asked as he placed a nervous smile on his face. His smile faded as Janus answered.
"I can and will Virgil. You are uncontrollable and need to be put away. I am following the regulations as a hero would. If I can't protect the victim from itself, then I must prioritize the citizens instead."
Virgil only scoffed in response to Janus's words. Patton gritted his teeth as he took a step forward but was held back by Logan. Patton could barely stand up let alone fight so all he could was give Janus a warning.
" Janus, I swear to fucking Irean, if you continue to do this, I will kill you. "
His words made everyone freeze. Patton has never swore, no matter how frustrated or angry he got. That just showed how much fucked up shit Janus is planning on unleashing if he goes through with this.
Janus only scoffed and looked at Patton. Logan flinched and Patton only narrowed his eyes dangerously. Whatever they saw in Janus's eyes made them very on edge. Remus continued to watch from the sidelines as a bystander, unable to contribute to whatever was happening because of the overwhelming concussion he had. Getting knocked into a building head-first is not fun, especially when it was done by one of your friends. Although he would like to say something, he was unable to because his attempts only seemed to worsen the throbbing and dizzying headache he had.
Roman didn't seem too good either. He was shaking and his eyes were blown wide in shock. He was the first one to find Virgil and the first one to get attacked. Whatever he saw was frightening enough that he wasn't much help in trying to apprehend Virgil. But luckily enough he is now at least able to listen to directions without completely being out of it. Though, he still looks awful.
But still, he is pretty sure if Roman was at least 'here' then he would completely disagree in sealing Virgil away. But, as Remus can see, he is not. However, he is there enough to follow directions, such as pulling the magic book out of the bag that was on his back. Remus would stop him, only if he could manage to take a step without almost passing out.
Logan didn't seem keen on helping either, not after that mean glare from Janus. It was also evident in the way Logan was holding Patton back but he could just be holding him just in case Janus were to get violent. But, Remus couldn't really know. He watched as Janus glanced again at Roman who flinched and began flipping through the book, looking for the page that held the concealment spell.
Remus turned to Patton who had growled and started struggling to get out of Logan's hold on his arms. despite being hurt and tired, Patton was kind of a struggle to hold onto, shown by the fact that Logan had to readjust his grip on Patton's arms and/or move him back into place before he got too far. It would have been laughable that 'The' Logan was having trouble holding Patton back from hurting someone but in this situation. It would have caused a few problems. Remus looked back at Janus who stood in front of Virgil. When had he gotten that close to Virgil? But that was short-lived as Janus instructed Roman to start the spell.
"HEY! DON'T DO THIS! JANUS!" Patton yelled as he struggled against Logan. No, he couldn't allow this to happen. Virgil was his family. His best friend and the only one that truly understands him. He can't let this kind of person be sealed away because of something they can't control. Immediately after saying that Virgil fell to his knees, painfully clutching his head as he sucked in air painfully. Virgil felt like he was dying. His whole body shook and trembled. his chest ached with every inhale. His head throbbed and pounded. He swears he could hear the blood in his body rushing and bubbling. It was overwhelming. Everything felt weird and uncomfortable but then again it hurt excruciatingly. He half wondered if being sealed was supposed to hurt like this.
Remus winced and stared at Virgil with wide eyes. He was screaming. It sounded painful and loud. Remus dully noted that Roman stopped chanting the spell to look and stare at Virgil just as Patton and Logan did. He was screaming and clutching his head so hard that Remus worried he was gonna break it. Patton watched as Virgil screamed and dug his nails into his scalp painfully. Janus didn't seem affected, more like he was intrigued or awed by what was happening. It made Paton want to vomit. So with the last bit of strength he had, Patton got out of Logan's hold and lunged at Janus only to be tackled from behind.
"Damnit! Patton stop!"
Patton only growled and started kicking and hitting. He will fulfill his threat. He will kill Janus and would rather die trying than not have tried at all.
"Get off of me! You have no right stopping me!" Patton yelled as he was dragged a few feet away from Janus by Logan who tried pinning him to the ground. Patton growled as he yanked Logan's arm off of him only to chomp right down onto his forearm hard making Logan yell out in pain. But Logan only held onto him tighter which made Patton angry. He steadied himself, clenched his jaw down hard, and yanked backward. Logan yelled out painfully as he jolted backward, clutching his bleeding forearm.
Patton stood up unsteadily and spat on the ground a chunk of Logan's forearm and blood. Patton turned around and started to wobbly and tiredly get closer to Janus, only to make it so far before he was tackled onto the ground again, unsurprisingly by Logan. Logan wrapped his legs and arms tightly around Patton who growled and yelled and screamed.
"NO! YOU LET ME GO RIGHT NOW! YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO STOP ME! LET ME GO!" Patton continued to yell and scream and struggle to get out of Logan's hold on his. Patton watched as Janus only glanced at him with dark eyes before motioning for Roman to continue the spell. Roman didn't. He couldn't. Roman could only drop the book onto the ground and fall to his knees, staring at Virgil with wide haunted eyes.
Janus clicked his tongue and quickly walked to Roman, picked up the book, and continued where Roman left off. Remus quickly, but as slowly as he could to prevent himself from passing out, approached his brother. He kneeled next to him gently wrapped an arm around him and pulled him to his chest. Roman made no noise or any indication of someone being next to him. He is completely out of it. Concerningly so.
Janus went back to standing in front of Virgil who continued to clutch his head but he was no longer screaming but breathing heavily and painfully. Janus only stared at Virgil emotionlessly as he continued where Roman left off. The words of magic had an immediate reaction as Virgil hissed and finally started screaming. His voice was cracked and hoarse from his previous screaming but none of that detered Janus as he only continued.
"DAMNIT JANUS! STOP! YOU'RE HURTING HIM! IS THIS THE ONLY OPTION!?" Patton yelled as he panted from straining himself at trying to get Logan off of him. Janus ignored him as he only continued. Patton gritted his teeth as he went back to hitting and trying to kick Logan off of him. He is completely depleted of mana so he can't use any of his magic at the moment. Patton felt very frustrated. His eyes burned with unshed tears as he whined and growled, trying to push Logan off of him.
"Get off of me!" Patton growled out through clenched teeth, but he was ignored as Logan only held on tighter. Patton groaned and started pinching, scratching, hitting any part of Logan he could. How could this bastard and selfish person prevent him from saving his friend? This god damned stuck-up human being who had nothing but loneliness in his life prevent Patton, someone who had befriended him and saved him from his lonely life, from saving a friend, a person who is family to him. he should have never befriended him. Patton made a mistake and now this is where it got him.
'Damnit...I'm so sorry Virgil..' Patton thought as he felt his arms give out under the strain of trying to move a heavier object off of himself. Patton breathed heavily as fear gripped him. He can't have his arms give out on him, he had to keep on trying. For Virgil. Always for Virgil. At a particular high-pitched scream, Patton's attention was brought to Virgil. He felt frustration grip his heart at seeing Virgil crying. Oh, how it hurt to see his family cry and scream in pain. Patton's heart shook and shattered. Patton felt white hot tears go down his cheeks as he shook and let out a sob.
Janus only continued the spell. He cared not for the tears. The screaming. The sobs. He cares for nothing but fulfilling the task at hand. Not even his friends. At some point, the screaming shut off completely which made Janus look up from the magic book in his hands. What he saw only made him smirk. Virgil stared at him with an uninterested look. His crimson eyes wandered around, looking at everything before finally landing on him.
"Well now, what's this?" Janus spoke, making the thing that is not Virgil narrow its eyes. Everyone stared at it with wide eyes. Roman stared unblinkingly as Virgil's expression changed from pain to uninterested. He watched as his eyes formed slits and changed from dark purple to crimson. It was frightening. But, this thing was different than the other one. This one wasn't shrouded in a dark mist with white eyes and no face. this one was different, but it made him just as fearful as the first one. This one is completely different. This is new.
Remus stared in surprise and confusion. Now what is going on? What the hell is Virgil? This entity that took over Virgil's body and changed it, looked like a Demon . The black horns. The long black nails or claws were proof enough. Even the tail that was twitching right behind him was evident enough. What the hell is going on!?
Patton stared in disbelief. Virgil changed. How? What is going on? What is Virgil? Ugh, that doesn't matter. Whatever happens next does. Janus watched as the entity rose on shaky feet. It never once broke eye contact with Janus, even if Janus took a step back in some untold emotion. Once the entity was standing, albeit trembling, it only broke eye contact because of the body's involuntary action. It lurched forward, throwing up a crimson liquid. Everyone's eyes widened at the large amounts of blood coming out of Virgil's body. It was concerning, to say the least.
After it was done, it rose back up, back straight, and legs no longer trembling. Janus took a step back, stumbling as he did so. He felt a bead of sweat roll down his cheek. The hair on his arms stood up. His heart raced and his breathing came out in heavy puffs of air. Janus knew he was in trouble. Patton stared, stunned at seeing the blood trickling down the entity's chin. He felt his heart break knowing that it was Virgil's blood. He looked so pale, so tired. Patton felt himself frown in frustration and annoyance. He really wants to beat someone's ass right now. Just then, before that feeling fully overcame Patton, a voice spoke, it was Virgil's voice, thought it was the entity speaking.
" Who do you think you are? "
Janus flinched at being addressed but he responded calmly, "What?" confusion laced his words. The entity responded with a tilt of its head before answering in a threatening tone.
" How dare a mere human touch what isn't theirs " Janus only put on a small smirk before answering, "So you are saying Virgil is yours then, correct?" the entity blinked before answering, " He is ours to protect and keep. The fact that you had touched a vessel for beings far beyond your existence tells me you don't care what happens to you. Right?" it questioned.
Janus sweat dropped and nervously took a step back, trying to put distance between himself and the entity as he answered, "Sorry but Virgil never put him being a vessel for gods on his resume, my mistake, I should have asked if he was human or not" it seemed that the being didn't like Janus's sarcastic response because its eyes glowed for a second before fading out.
" Seeing as you have the strength to be sarcastic with me must mean that you don't care for your life, right? " The entity asked making Janus hastily answer, "No No, I do care for my life-" Before Janus could finish he was interrupted, " Oh, but it doesn't seem that way. And, since you had the mind to be sarcastic, that means you knew what our vessel was. After all, you even tried using a magic book of sealing which can only be used on beings that aren't human. Right? "
Everyone paled and the being continued, " And the fact that during the whole fighting ordeal, you started to deliberately move Virgil into this secluded area. You just wanted it to be yourself and Virgil alone, right?" At the entity's words, everyone looked toward Janus who only chuckled nervously and shook his head, denieing its words.
Patton looked at Janus in disbelief as he muttered, "Unbelievable...Janus, was this all planned out? Did you plan on sealing Virgil away?" Janus didn't answer and at Janus's silence, Patton scoffed and started yelling at him, "You stupid bastard! You were planning all this for what reason!? What did Virgil ever do to you to deserve all of this!? Damnit Janus! Look at what you are doing!"
Janus clicked his tongue and didn't answer. The entity sighed drawing everyone's attention to it.
" Janus, you are too easy to read " Janus flinched and narrowed his eyes at the being. It only chuckled and smiled, " You're jealous aren't you?" Janus scoffed and went to deny that accusation but he was interrupted by the entity speaking once more, " Don't even try to deny it. The looks you would send Virgil every time he was around friends were obvious, especially if even I could spot them. A being who is mostly always in the mind of its vessel. "
Janus ground his teeth as he clenched his fists. He stared at the entity with vicious eyes. The entity only smirked and continued, "Y ou are jealous of Virgil. Not because of his popularity but because of how many friends he can make. You're jealous of him because he has friends around him that would always answer at his beck and call. You are jealous because he can have everything he wants if he just asks. But, that's not all. You're also angry at everything I just listed. You're also irritated and frustrated at having to listen to Virgil's complaints and sobs and hurt and having to take care of him after, every, single, breakdown. Right ?"
Janus didn't answer but only got angry. The entity's words fueled his anger. Everyone only watched in surprise and disbelief. Janus was supposed to be Virgil's best friend. He was supposed to protect and help and be there for Virgil just like Virgil is for him. Janus seems so different now, finally seeing him in a different light. Now they understood those looks and glances at Virgil's back. Now they understood the bad moods Janus was usually always having after every sleepover.
" Look at that. All your friends are realizing how awful of a person you are. After everything Virgil has helped you with, you couldn't once be happy for him. No, you wanted what he had. You wanted his friends. His confidence. The worries he gets from his friends. You wanted everything he had. You wanted to be him, right? You wanted to be cared for, right? But isn't that what you got? " The entity said, crossing its arms and staring at Janus with a raised brow.
"You're wrong! I never got any of that! He is the one that made me this way! He would constantly look for me to complain to, cry to! He would always talk about how good his day was or how bad it was when it wasn't even that bad! He is just being a baby with his problems! Always seeking comfort from others or getting praised or crying. Always to me! I don't have any of that. I barely have anyone to look out for me but he does! I don't have anything but he does! No one was there for me but for him! I was alone but not him!" Janus spouted out his feelings in anger.
The entity was not amused, it only responded, " Really? Huh, that's funny because I remember when you got cheated on, you were being comforted by Virgil. I also remember he would always be around you no matter what. He would also take care of you and get you anything you needed, be it food, comfort, water, or blankets. He would also be the person you would cry and complain to. He was always there for you but instead, you let your jealousy and anger cloud your mind and now look at where that brought us."
Janus scowled. His clenched fists threatened his nails piercing his skin. He is wrong. Janus is the one that is wronged not Virgil, not him. The entity only stared unamused by Janus's angry look and his clenched fists. He was gonna lunge soon.
"...Is what they are saying..true...Janus?" This voice caught everyone's attention as they looked toward Remus, the one who was currently Janus's boyfriend. Remus never knew he felt this way. He didn't even know he had someone else before him. Janus never confided his feelings to him. He could have helped. He could have asked and he would have been there for him, every step of the way. Now look at where it brought them. Janus only continued to stare at the entity in front of him. He paid no attention to Remus's words, even if he scoffed at Janus's silence. "So it is true..." Remus muttered, tired and annoyed.
"So, Janus. What are you gonna do now?" The entity asked as it moved. Taking small steps around Janus. Circling him like prey, "The intentions and feelings you tried so hard to hide are now out in the open. They have been read and viewed, so, what is your next move? You tried to get rid of Virgil because you were jealous and angry because of him. You also wanted to silence him for things he has seen you doing- Oh, I guess we never really talked about this part now did we~"
Janus froze. Eyes wide and mouth slightly open. It was gonna expose him, completely tare open that part of his life that he wanted to keep hidden. No, he couldn't let it. That other life was something he enjoyed and had been doing for many years it was completely normal for him to continue doing it because it was part of his life. he can't have himself be caught. No, he had to stop it. But, if he were to succeed, then what about the aftermath? What would happen then? No, he has to worry about now before then. With that last part, he turned around quickly, arm stretched out and claws elongating from his nails, seeking to shred whatever it was in his path, and that something was Virgil and the entity that was currently in control of his body.
"JANUS!"
Patton yelled as he watched Janus turn and lunge at the entity and the body of Virgil. No..Please... Everyone stared and yelled. Slow motion doing its thing before they stared wide-eyed and shocked at the claws coming out of Janus's hand stopped, in mid-air. They stared in confusion just as Janus tried pushing his claws farther and closer to the being but it didn't do anything. It continued to stop the claws from getting any closer. The entity then lifted its leg and softly connected it to Janus's stomach.
It was a second of silence before Janus was plunged back hard, making him hit the ground with a crack and start rolling. Janus felt like he couldn't breathe. His chest ached- no, everything ached. His stomach throbbed and pulsed. That unforeseen force for such a little tap was-.... he couldn't explain it. How could he have made that much power come out of that tap? That was not human.
Patton looked from Janus, who was writhing on the ground to the entity lowing its leg back down to the ground. It held a bored and unamused expression. Well, that ensures everything. Virgil was not human and neither was the entity or entities living inside his body. But, he didn't care about that, he only cared about what he was gonna yell next because he needed to see it. Patton took in a deep breath and yelled,
"BEAT HIS ASS!"
And the Entity smiled.
"Very well."