Chapter Text
Dante let out a heavy breath, grinning as Vergil fell to his knees from exhaust. “Score for Dante, I’m up one!” He laughed, letting himself settle onto the oddly fleshy ground of the underworld as he and his brother caught their breath.
“Where did you learn to count?” The older spoke, scoffing slightly. “We’re even.” Vergil pushed himself up, readying Yamato as Dante stood, relaxed as ever with Devil Sword Dante over his shoulder. Vergil considered offering another match but.. Dante looked tired, exhausted even. “Let’s find somewhere to rest, before we attract unwanted attention brother.” Yamato was easily slid back into her scabbard, and secured to his hip. Vergil knew his brother well, and he also knew if he actually wanted his words to mean something he would have to act upon them.
They’ve been here for months at this point, the roots of the Qliphoth tree all being cut back long ago. The twins could do as they wished, between waves of hordes of demons coming after them. For Dante, his pastime was sparring. Vergil could be persuaded to agree it was better than walking though the underworld on occasion. Unfortunately Dante had to do without pizza, and it had taken a full week before he relented and started eating the only source of food they had. Demon meat isn't the best, but it was tolerable when grilled, if a bit tangy. Vergil found himself relived when Dante finally started eating.
The relief, hidden and stored away at the time, was short lived. The occasional coughing wasn’t anything to worry over, but the exhaust Dante seemed to carry on his shoulders had Vergil concerned all over again. It was worse at night, when Dante thought Vergil was asleep. The sound of his brother coughing so hard he practically gagged was concerning. The older twin tries, now, to create opportunities for Dante to rest whenever he can. Usually, they find a cave, or a small clearing in a wooded area. Vergil takes watch, letting Dante rest most times, then they switch roles. It was a cycle, delicate but well balanced. One always looking after the other.
--
It was subtle, the symptoms. His chest gradually grew heavy, eyes always seeming dry. Dante could barely catch his breath sometimes, it slowed him down. He was sure, with time, it would pass. He kept telling himself that over and over even as he started coughing. Light at first, until he awoke one night with a hacking and wheezing that he was sure to alarm his brother. In fact, Dante was surprised when Vergil wasn’t nearby, likely on patrol or finding a source of water. He wheezed as he sighed, coughing lightly and laying flat on his back as he recovered. “Damn..” He coughed a couple more times before pausing, hearing Vergil walking nearby.
Dante drew in a breath, sitting up and putting on his five star act of being okay. “Hey Verge, what took ya so long? Thought you left me behind!” The younger pushed himself up, standing and stretching is aching muscles. He breathed in the sulfuric air, coughing slightly as he breathed out. “Rest, Dante, I have yet to gather food.” Vergil looked over at his brother, and the look alone told Dante he should sit back down. Surprisingly enough, Dante listened, if only to avoid Vergil’s wrath. “Your cough,” Dante felt himself tense as Vergil spoke. “It’s gotten worse, Dante. Are you sure you’re feeling well?”
Dante ignored the way he felt his lungs wheeze as he laughed, waving Vergil off. “Please, the only thing that isn't fine is my diet. Do you have any idea how long its been since I’ve had a good slice of pizza? Two months Vergil!” Looking at the older, Dante could see the annoyance behind that stone cold expression. “I will be back.” Was all Vergil said before walking back out, presumably to hunt down a batch of demons to fry up later. With his brother gone again, he finally let himself cough, hunching over as his lungs threatened to come out of his chest. He hacked and wheezed until finally he could catch his breath. It was then, that he realized he was actually quite exhausted. Letting out a soft, shaken breath Dante allowed himself to flop down onto his side, breathing, resting his eyes. He didn’t wake when Vergil returned, that much was apparent when he could hear the crackle of a fire and the scent of demonic meat slowly being roasted.
Dante didn’t feel like moving, curled up and comfortable as he was under the thick heavy blanket that eased the chill. The only thing that finally got him to open his eyes was the way his stomach growled, urging him to get up and eat. He noticed, finally, that the blanket had actually been Vergil's coat. He gave the older twin a look, puzzled as he sat up and let the blue fabric pool in his lap. “You were shivering when I returned. Keep it, for now” Vergil spoke without looking up, easily flipping a piece of meat as he spoke.
Dante hesitated, unsure, before lifting the coat up and pulling it over his shoulders. “Thanks…” He muttered, standing to walk over towards the fire where Vergil was. “How long was I out?” He brought a hand up, lightly pushing his hair back and out of his face. Vergil watched, closely, expecting Dante to mock him, but let out a breath. “A while, here” Vergil held out a piece of charred meat. While Dante us hungry, something in the back of his head was telling him not to eat it. Stubborn, Dante took it, gnawing into the tough texture without even thanking his brother. His body absorbed it almost instantly, and he let out a breath, feeling a small burst of energy finally fill his body. He muttered a small thank you as Vergil handed him another piece.
“Dante.” the younger looked over, chewing on the tough meat as Vergil spoke. “We need to leave soon.” Dante paused at that, looking at the other and raising a brow “Are you asking if I feel fine to travel? Really? I’m okay Vergil, Seriously.” He huffed, then thought for a moment. “Why are you so up my ass anyways, this isn't like you Vergil.” Upon saying that Vergil seemed to calm, turning away and tending to what was left of the meat.
“We leave soon, be sure not to forget anything.”
--
Days passed, symptoms only getting worse. Dante felt his appetite wane, nausea hovering over him on days he wasn't careful. Today was one of those days, where he was nauseous and dizzy despite his best efforts. He knew he was slowing Vergil down, he could tell in the way his older brother slowed his pace. He paused, twitching his hand and easily summoning his blade. “Verge…” Dante looked and already saw his brother, hand hovering over the hilt of Yamato. Moments later, demons were surrounding them. “Why don’t you sit this one out, Dante? I can handle this.”
“Oh yeah?” Dante brought his sword back, readying his stance even as his vision blurred. “You just want to have all the fun Vergil.” He laughed, feeling a small jolt of adrenaline. It was supposed to be easy, light work, but this one fury was something else. It and a chaos were drawing all of his attention. He swung his sword, staggering slightly as he missed. The chaos slammed straight into his back, knocking him to the floor as the fury perched onto his back. He could feel the sharp talons, digging into flesh as his vision spotted, spun and blurred. “Vergil-!”
He barely managed that much before the sharp talon pierced into his back, his vision blacked out as he wheezed. Dante hardly knew, faintly felt the pain of that talon ripping out, the weight lifting off of his back. Vergil was going to kill him, getting blood all over his coat. He blinked, trying to come to as Vergil lifted him up, that much he was sure of. His vision still swam, only worsening as his body shook with coughs. He couldn’t tell what was happening then, too focused on trying to get a good breath in, wheezing before his consciousness finally slipped away.
--
“Dante, just what are you trying to do?” Vergil knelt beside Dante, fixing the now bloodstained blue coat to cover his brother. “You fool…” he let out a breath, pressing the back of his hand to Dante's forehead. There wasn't a fever, yet, but he was sure Dante was close to it. He needed food, and water, a good place to settle until Dante recovers. Vergil was sure Dante would refuse, he always does, but he would have to work with it regardless. He let his hand rest on Dante’s chest as he shifted, adjusting himself to sit rather than kneel.
Vergil waited, quietly, watching is brother as he rested. He could practically feel the way Dante’s lungs wheezed, struggling to take in air. He could feel the way Dante’s body trembled with exhaust and fatigue, he could almost smell the illness on his brother. Vergil wondered, briefly, if he should work on finding a way back to the human world. Something in the back of his mind was trying to warn him, nagging a him that something just wasn't quite right.
“Ugh..” Dante’s hand raised, coming to rest against his head as he sat up. “Damn.. my head.” The younger grumbled, as Vergil eased his brother up rather than allowing him to carelessly do so. “You lost consciousness, be careful.” The older twin could practically see the way Dante’s face was turning green, looking like he was about to be sick. “Easy…” Vergil muttered, softly rubbing Dante's back. He watched closely, the way Dante breathed so heavily, as the younger pushed Vergil's coat away and turned, hand over his stomach.
Vergil knew, by now, that Dante was about to be sick. A soft breath left him as he reached out, pulling Dante's hair from his face as his brothers body tensed, gagged, and purged the contents of his stomach. It was mostly stomach acid, the way Dante kept gagging and pushing up nearly nothing. A testament to just how bad Dante’s body was feeling. “Breathe..” Vergil said softly, hand softly resting on Dante’s back to ease him through it. When it was over, Dante drew in a shaken breath. He wiped his mouth off on his glove lazily, glancing briefly at his brother.
“I will find somewhere for us to rest, for now.” Vergil stood as he spoke, turning. “Stay here, Dante. Rest, we have some time.” He paused Turning back to Dante. He held a hand out, the gaze they held speaking as many words as needed before Dante reached back, lightly placing Ebony into his hand. “Should anything happen,” Vergil spoke as he looked over the gun, palm resting over the barrel as he let some energy pass through into it. “Use Ebony, I will know.” He placed Ebony back into Dante’s hand, and eased him back to lay down. “I will try not to be long” He spoke, mostly to himself as he placed his coat back over Dante.
He was glad he had found a slightly hidden place after Dante passed out, so his brother would at least been hidden. Vergil let out a small breath, hand gripping onto Yamato as he watched Dante a moment more before finally turning and walking away. He needed to find a cave, somewhere that was easily defense-able or somewhere that had resources nearby. The whole time Vergil was tense, focusing on the way he could feel Dante's energy even from a distance. It was flickering, and has been ever since that horrible cough started.
Vergil brought a hand up, pushing his hair back and out of his face and he breathed out. He needed to focus on finding good shelter for Dante. He triggered, scales covering his body and wings spreading out. He flew up, looking around. He covered more ground like this, being able to look over potential spots. When he came back Dante was hunched over, forearm supporting is weight as the horrible cough shook his body. Vergil landed beside him, dropping his trigger and resting a hand on his brother’s back. “Breathe Dante”
Dante did try to draw in a breath, hand coming to cover his mouth, breath staggering as he tried to contain his coughs. It took a while, but he finally brought in a heavy breath, hand now gripping his brothers vest as he came back to his senses. Vergil saw the exhaust weigh heavy on Dante’s body already, the way his muscles shook with fatigue. He reached out, lightly grabbing the others hand to examine. He just wanted to make sure, but his suspicion was true. Dante was now coughing up blood, and it was worse than Vergil initially thought.
“We need to leave.” The blood would draw unwanted attention, Vergil knew this. He gathered his coat and his brother into his arms in an instant, beginning the walk to the shelter he had found. Dante was weakened in this state, and all the younger seemed able to to was rest his head against Vergil, blissfully ignoring the way the older had picked him up with one arm under his knees and the other around his back. Truthfully, Vergil may even say Dante was relived, if just to not have to walk himself.
Vergil didn’t fly, he refused to. He worried it would make Dante sick all over again, and that wasn't something his brother needed to be put through twice. However, he pondered his thoughts as he walked. Vergil was down here a very long time, hes encountered every demonic sickness one could think of. None were quite like this. There was often far less symptoms, demonic diseases being silent and deadly if one isn't careful. With this one having so many, who knew the damage that was going on inside Dante.
Vergil went over the symptoms, the coughing the way Dante cant catch his breath. Fatigue, nausea, dizziness, the blood, the constant tremble of his muscles regardless of if Dante was resting or not. Now, even as he walked, Dante grew warmer to the touch. For the first time in a long time, Vergil feared. He needed to find out what was wrong as soon as possible, before it was too late.
-
Days passed, and Dante showed no signs of recovering. It only got worse, Vergil noted, carefully easing Dante to sit up so the younger could drink some water. “Easy..” He supported Dante’s weight, combing his hair back to keep it out of his face. He wasn’t quite sire what to do, and Vergil could tell just how restless Dante was becoming, itching to do something other than rest all day. He knew he had to do something, but he had no idea what was even causing Dante’s symptoms. What could possibly cause his brother to weaken so much, for him to look as though he would die at any moment. At this point, he knew he had to take Dante somewhere, find information. There was only one place he knew of that had any form of viable literature that might be able to tell him what is wrong with his brother.
Mundus, he knew, he kept record of many things, often things that could be used to.. Vergil let out a breath, focusing back on Dante. Later, when his brother was asleep, he decided, he would fly them over to that old ruin of bad memories. He didn’t want to bring his brother to that cursed place, but he could not leave Dante alone to fend for himself. “I need to take you somewhere, we might be able to find something to help you” Vergil laid his brother back down as he spoke. He combed the long hair back, watching as his brother furrowed his brows. “Vergil,” Dante started, then let out a heavy breath. Vergil could tell a retort stopped in its tracks. “Whatever makes me stop feeling like shit” A weak laugh, lungs wheezing slightly. “It’s an old ruin, now. I will take you when you are asleep. It will be easier, to fly.”
Dante waved his hand, turning his head. “Don’t care, just don’t wake me up” Vergil let out a small breath, feeling a bit of relief when Dante acted like himself, rolling onto his side to go back to sleep. “Of course, brother. I won’t wake you” He lightly rubbed Dante’s shoulder, watching as the younger easily slipped into a decent sleep. He gave it a little more time, then carefully hooked his arms under Dante’s knees and around his back, carefully lifting his brother up. Dante stirred, but only adjusted to rest his head against Vergil. With that, he triggered and flew up. It was dangerous, any form of travel was in the underworld, but Vergil took special care to avoid any hellbats that may have been scouting.
It took time, still, Dante woke for a moment at some point, but only for a short while. Vergil barely noticed, only readjusting Dante’s head so it rested comfortably. “Nearly there, just rest”
It was miles off, but Vergil knew. He knew the moment they drew close, the way his body tensed as the old bricks came into view. It was now, when he thanked Dante for taking care of the whole Mundus situation. “We’re here..” He muttered, softly, stretching his wings out and letting them glide down easily and land in the courtyard. It was a rough landing, the shock going into his legs. He didn’t have time to linger on that, it was dangerous here. Vergil dropped his trigger, crouching down slightly and carefully making his way through the building. With all of the sudden movement, Dante was woken up, grumbling slightly. “Quiet, we aren’t safe here.”
Somehow, those words caused a sudden shift in Dante. He was more conscious than he had been in days, tense, a fire in his eyes. The scent of the weakness and injury that lingered on his brother was gone in an instant as he breathed out and stayed quiet. Vergil gave a small nod of acknowledgement as he quietly made is way around a group of demons. It was relatively easy, for Vergil. Quick, quiet, and precise movements were his specialty. Thanks to that, they made it to one of the only standing rooms, a room that kept an in depth documentation on demons, things that can hurt demons, and any other manner of that sort. Vergil quietly closed the door with his foot, walking further into the room.
“Easy..” He turned his head, taking a rough evaluation. It would be safe, but not for an extended stay. The place is crawling with demons, old followers of Mundus. Vergil carefully laid Dante down, shrugging off his coat to lay over his brother. “Rest, it’s safe for now.” He watched as his brighter drew out a heavy breath. “You scared me Verge,” Dante started, mumbling “Wouldn’t have been able to help… if something happened” Vergil understood, resting his hand on Dante’s arm. “You have such little faith, brother.” He smiled, ever so slight, then sighed. “Just rest, call for me if you need anything.”
-
He spent hours looking over old documents, books that were falling apart, and rolled up parchment that was barely legible. Vergil was at his wits end when he found it, two days later, tucked in a corner. A book documenting all form of demonic diseases, symptoms, and what may have caused it. He flipped through the book, ignoring the way his hair now hung in front of his eyes, sitting beside Dante as he read the contents. All he has to do is find whatever matches Dante’s symptoms, he may be able to find what would help after that. By now his brother could barely breathe, time was limited.
Sudden combustion, burning from the inside out. That wasn't it. Limbs falling off, sudden blazing fevers… “Why isn't it here?” His frustration grew as he turned the pages, flipping through them quickly, barely reading the information. Would it even be here? It looked more grim as each page turned. The last one, it was there. “Incompatibility to the underworld?” He looked over at Dante, who’s brows were furrowed. Vergil turned back to the book, reading every line like he was studying for an exam.
The symptoms all lines up perfectly. The drainage of power, fever, the coughing, the nausea, dizziness, and overall weakness that it brought. For one reason or another, an individual would simply be incompatible with the atmosphere and energies of the underworld. Most only feel the effects in the beginning, then adjust. In rare cases… “Fatal.. no known cure within the underworld..” Vergil gripped the book, hearing the binding of it whine as his senses dulled. A breath, quickly gathering himself back in. He forced his shoulders to relax, finally reading the bottom of the page, a written in note. It more or less looked like a pondering, a thought. “Perhaps, removal form the underworld would be the cure.”
Vergil closed the book, tucking it into his vest. “Verge, I can hear your stress” Dante turned his head, looking at his brother. “Your really think this silly fever is gonna take me down?” He pushed himself up, slowly, a small laugh coming from him. Vergil tensed, hearing the beginning of that horrible cough. He turned, a hand reaching out, hesitating with an emotion he wasn't quite sure of. “Dante..” Yet he could only watch, as his brother coughed, drawing in breaths in between, blood splattering into his hand. He needed to get Dante back to the human realm, and there were so few ways to do that now. Yamato, maybe, but under specific circumstances. Even she had her limits.
Vergil handed Dante a cloth once he finally stopped coughing. He watched, as Dante wiped his mouth off. “We need to find a way back” He grabbed Yamato, holding her tightly. “I am, not sure if Yamato can do it, but we can try.” Vergil looked at her, then at his Brother.
“Sounds to me, like its a shot in the dark.” Dante grinned, looking at his brother “And that, is my kinda action.” Vergil gave a small nod. “We should leave soon, then, I think I know of a good place to try.” He paused, looking at the way Dante’s muscles trembled supporting his weight just sitting up. Vergil sighed softly. “I apologize, I’m going to fast. Rest, for now. We can leave when it’s a bit safer” He lightly pushed Dante’s shoulder, encouraging the other to lay back down.