Chapter Text
He hadn’t expected to return there so quickly.
Vergil has visited fortuna a week ago, examining the weird cult around his father that he had heard so much about. He eventually met a man named Arkham that told him the legend about Temen’nin’guru. Vergil was interested but he wanted to investigate the topic by himself first. He agreed on contacting Arkham two weeks after their conversation.
What was he doing here so early? Well, (because Vergil was stubborn) he overworked himself. He pushed himself days without sleep or food just to get to the place Arkham was talking about. Foolish of him. He didn’t expect the place to be surrounded by various demons. At least dozen of them threw themselves at him by the time he arrived.
He managed to fight them off and leave quickly, but they left a lot of wounds and bruises on him. Adding the fact that he did not eat anything for the past few days (nor sleep), his wounds weren’t healing as fast as they used to. Vergil could’ve sworn they weren’t healing at all. It was worrying him. He was tired, nauseous and bruised all over. He needed a place to rest and something to eat so he could regenerate.
Of course, as a half-demon he could technically eat raw meat from animals but he never dared to bring himself to such a level yet. Thankfully, Fortuna was close enough to not take a drastic actions like that. By the time he got there, it was a very late evening, darkness everywhere.
“Shit” Vergil thought to himself while looking around. No open markets, everything closed. Now he couldn’t even steal something to eat. He didn’t want to sleep like this, in the open, he would be too vulnerable. He thought about looking for an abandoned place but Knights of the order were cautious enough to notice a weird individual, roaming around the town at night.
He looked around, trying to think of something to do. Suddenly, he saw a woman, walking quickly down the street all alone. It was a weird view since it was so late. The woman looked small, isn’t she scared to walk out at night alone like that?
Before he could even think about it , she turned into an alley and he heard a strangled scream. He frowned and immediately ran after her.
She was laying on the ground with terrified look. A small demon, looking a bit like an insect was growling at her. It launched at her but she quickly rolled away. She didnt have to, Vergil sliced the creature in half, in the middle of it’s jump. Weird green liquid splashed onto the ground, staining his boots and the woman’s face.
She quickly stood up from the ground, staring at him with wide eyes and a bit anxious look, as if she wasn’t sure if she’s not going to get sliced next.
-Are you hurt?-he asked with bland voice as he turned to her.
-No…no, I’m fine, thank you…uh?-she looked at him uncertainly.
Vergil stared at her for a moment in silence not sure if to reveal his name.
-Vergil-he finally responded flatly.
-…Thank you Vergil…are you from the Knights Of The Order?-she asked, wiping the green fluid off her face with a wince.
He scoffed. To him, being compared to these amateurs was a disgrace.
- Tch. I have no association with those zealots. I simply hunt demons when they cross my path.- he said crossing his arms and looking her up and down
- Don’t you know it’s dangerous to walk outside alone at this hours? Especially with the little protection the so called knights provide to this town. -he added with raised brow.
-I’m aware…unfortunately I was held late at my work…but I won’t be doing this again…too much risk…-she said with shaky sigh and rubbed her nape nervously.
Vergil stared at her for a moment before glancing around them.
-I’ll escort you to your house if you wish.-he said suddenly.
Why? He wasn’t sure. His body was hurting and he was tired. But something about that woman reminded him of himself when he was younger and completely defenseless. The thought made him shiver and he just shook his head.
The woman looked at him surprised.
-You would? That’s kind of you thank you…if that’s not a problem then yes, it would be nice to have company this late…-she admitted bending down to pick up her belongings from the bag that she dropped when the demon jumped at her.
Vergil nodded and helped her pick up few books that were on the ground. He froze when he noticed the familiar autor. William Blake. He looked at her with curiosity.
-…You like William Blake?…-he asked uncertainly
The woman looked up at the book.
-Oh, no, I didn’t really read any of his work yet…I just had to take some books from the library that needed fixing.-she explained.
-I see.-he said flatly with a faint hint of disappointment and handed her the book back before gesturing for her to lead the way. They walked in silence for a moment but she kept glancing at him.
-…You’re not from there aren’t you?…your attire is very…unique-she spoke up suddenly
He glanced at her with raised brow.
-No, I do not come from there, i have arrived here just recently .-he responded looking back at the road.
-I see…well, what brings you to fortuna if I may ask?-she tilted her head curiously.
-Business…I am stopping here temporarily…but I arrived a bit earlier than I should…-he muttered, his jaw tightening at the sudden throb in his side. His wounds were giving him a painful reminder that he needs to rest immediately.
-How far is your house…?-he asked glancing at her with a slight frown.
-Not very far, just a minute. Sorry for wasting your time…I really appreciate the effort-she said with awkward look.
-Don’t mention it.-he replied trying not to focus on the pain in his side.
-Is your motel very far from there?-the woman asked with a hint of worry.
Vergil squeezed his lips in a tight line staying silent for a moment.
-…I have no permanent lodging here yet…-he admitted quietly.- do not worry about it, I’ll manage.-he quickly added seeing her surprised expression
-You don’t? But everything’s closed? Where are you going to sleep?-she asked with a frown.
They both stopped in front of her house. It was small, at the end of the alley. Secluded spot. If Vergil ever wanted to buy a house he would have probably chosen this one too.
-…I said do not worry about it. I’ll manage-he repeated shifting uncomfortably and wincing.
The woman looked as if she was considering something.
-How about you’ll spend a night at my place? You saved me after all, I owe you something no?… -she suggested tilting her head
Vergil looked at her with a frown. She would let him inside? Just because he sliced a weak demon? Humans are naive creatures.
-No, I’ll pass thank you. It wouldn’t be appropriate of me to parasite on you just because I did what I had to do.-he declined shaking his head.
You wouldn’t parasite on me! It’s just one night, I have a couch. I’m sure you must be tired after your journey here. You’ll just go tomorrow morning to find a motel.- she pushed gesturing towards her house.
Vergil glanced at the building unsure. It’s true, he was tired. And wounded. He really needed some place to rest or his wounds were going to take forever to heal. He sighed looking back at her.
-Fine,Just one night-he said firmly before adding- Thank you, i appreciate your kindness.
The woman simply nodded and walked to the door, before opening it and letting him inside.