Vergil walked alongside Viviane through the shadowy streets of Abaddon, the demon city he now had to consider part of his world.
The atmosphere around him seed like a reflection of the tornted souls that inhabited the place, though… they seed oddly at peace? Well, not *at peace*, but they weren't just insane, crazed beings. This was supposed to be Hell, but it didn't feel that way. It felt more like a corrupted Victorian version of the world, not the cradle of evil souls and those horror movie clichés.
Though he knew there was sothing fascinating about the city, with its streets filled with supernatural beings that seed like they ca straight out of nightmares, his curiosity wouldn't let him stay quiet. Every corner they turned revealed sothing new.
Viviane, however, was entirely at ease. Her elegant and confident deanor betrayed her high status in the demon world. As they walked, she spoke nonstop, giving him not just a tour of the physical structures, but also the invisible rules that governed this chaotic place.
"Demons are naturally chaotic, but that doesn't an we live in anarchy, Vergil," Viviane began, gesturing lightly as they passed through a bustling square. She sounded like a teacher. "There are rules and hierarchies. While many of us are proud and stubborn, the most powerful demons control their territories with a firm hand. Sapphire is one of those leaders... although she hates it and leaves most of it to others." She concluded.
"Well… I can't exactly see her controlling anything. Actually, it's easier to picture her destroying stuff... so yeah, that makes sense," Vergil said as he glanced up at the sky.
"And who manages it for her?" Vergil asked, intrigued. "Demons aren't known for following orders."
"I'm not sure who runs things for her. As you know, I was isolated in the forest. But it's true. What most humans don't understand is that power is everything to us. Those with power make the rules. Those without it... well, they either follow or get annihilated. But don't worry, Sapphire's no different. She kills whatever she wants, likes to flaunt her charisma and brutality. Especially when it's unnecessary." Viviane shrugged. "At least we can use Arican dollars. The economy here is pretty stable," she added suddenly.
"Arican dollars?" Vergil raised an eyebrow. "Didn't expect demons to rely on human currency."
Viviane let out a soft laugh.
"Humans, demons… we're not as different as you think. In the end, it all cos down to power and control. Human currency is stable, and with the kind of magic we have, moving between worlds is easy. Human money flows here like gold in the hands of kings. The truth is, humans have no idea how many diabolical transactions sustain their economies—especially since we're the largest source of entertainnt in the human world," she said, shrugging.
"You talk like you're a demon," Vergil comnted with a small laugh.
"But I *am* a demon," Viviane replied, confused. "I an, I was the spirit of the Lady of the Lake, but Sapphire killed and revived as a demon when I was close to death."
"Huh? You're a demon!?" Vergil questioned, eyes wide.
"What? Did you think soone who isn't a Demon or a Fallen Angel could co here? Of course not. Only the dead can enter the Lower Realm. I an, there are a few exceptions like spirits, but generally, that's how things work around here. The only race other than demons that can actually co here are witches, but they tend not to stay for long," she said, shrugging again.
"So, Selene…" he muttered.
"Oh, that spirit-obsessed girl? She's one of those exceptions. I don't know who she is, but she's definitely far from being a Demon," Viviane said as she continued walking with Vergil.
Further ahead, down a narrow street, he noticed a group of demons surrounding a young girl, probably around 15 years old. The demons taunted her, shoving her back and forth. The girl's face was dirty, her eyes wide with fear. Her expression was one of pure anguish as she tried to shield herself from the harassnt.
'How strange…' Vergil felt a knot tighten in his chest as he watched the scene.
"What's happening over there?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity and a hint of indignation.
Viviane looked in the direction he indicated, narrowing her eyes as she assessed the scene. Her bright gaze evaluated the girl for a brief mont before delivering a succinct answer.
"Well, she's the reason witches don't stick around here for long. That girl... she's a Corrupted Witch," Viviane said, "Convenient... especially this ti of year." She murmured.
At Viviane's words, Vergil furrowed his brow. "Corrupted Witch? What does that an?"
Viviane sighed, as if explaining the concept were a tireso yet necessary task.
"Witches are strange creatures overall; they gain power through pacts with mystical forces. So make deals with demons, others with ancient entities. However, a Corrupted Witch is one whose power has been distorted, either through excessive use of dark magic, a serious failure in their pact, or… from staying too long in the Lower World. They're no longer human, but they aren't demons either. They are... aberrations. Many demons despise them. To them, these creatures represent failure and weakness. And you know how demons deal with weakness," Viviane murmured the last part, implying what would happen to the girl indirectly.
Vergil looked at the girl again, this ti with a new understanding. She was clearly terrified, trying to back away from the demons surrounding her, but her movents were awkward, as if she were too weak to react. Her pale, sickly appearance didn't help at all.
Just when Vergil was about to look away, sothing unusual happened. The girl looked directly at him, her brown eyes wide with sheer terror. For a brief mont, their gazes locked, and Vergil felt a strange connection. His heart raced, and then a soft, almost angelic voice echoed in his mind.
"Help ... please."
Vergil froze. The voice didn't seem to belong to the girl standing before him. It was gentle, almost celestial, contrasting starkly with the dark environnt around them. He blinked, confused, looking from Viviane to the girl and back at the demons attacking her. Sothing inside him awakened; sothing told him, *Help this girl, imdiately*. It was his instincts... the sa instincts that led him to use his cuts.
"Viviane…" Vergil started, still trying to process what he had just heard. "What happens if I kill them all and take her with ?"
Viviane looked at him cautiously.
"That's what happens to the weak in this world, Vergil. Life here isn't fair. You'll need to get used to that. There's no room for rcy," she comnted, sidestepping Vergil's question.
"You didn't answer my question…" Vergil murmured, his vibrant blue eyes flashing.
"Well... it's better to avoid it, but... given that you're Sapphire's son-in-law…" she murmured, "Though it's better to avoid it, of course…" she said.
Vergil gave a slight smile and glanced at the girl, now collapsed on the ground, looking at him once more with pleading eyes. That angelic voice echoed in his mind again, weaker this ti.
"Please…"
Vergil couldn't ignore the call. He looked at Viviane, his expression darker now. Viviane raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
"Are you going to get involved?" She tilted her head, crossing her arms. "I don't recomnd it, Vergil. That girl is dead weight. If you try to save her, you'll stain yourself with the contempt of other demons."
He continued to look at Viviane without saying a word.
Vergil took a deep breath, trying to control the rising impulse he felt. He looked back at the girl. There was sothing about her, beyond the fear, that stirred him. It wasn't just the despair in her eyes but a deep need for help—sothing he couldn't ignore.
"They already despise anyway," he murmured before advancing toward the group.
"Oh... why am I even trying... they don't despise you, idiot... more than half of them are scared shitless, hiding behind judgntal eyes... You're a Noble Pureblood..." Viviane muttered to herself, realizing that he wouldn't hear her.
The demons, preoccupied with their cruel fun, didn't notice Vergil's approach until he was very close. When they did, one of the aggressors, a red-skinned demon with short horns, turned to him with a sarcastic grin.
"Look who decided to join the party!" the demon said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Want to have so fun with the aberration too?"
Vergil smiled at him, feeling the energy pulsating within, ready to be unleashed. He placed his hand on the demon's shoulder while maintaining a nacing grin.
"Of course," he replied, and where his hand rested, the demon's entire arm fell away, severed by Vergil's cutting energy.
I need a na for this... dismbering like this... hmm... I need to think.
He pondered.
"Uughrtt! You've gone crazy!" The demon who lost his arm roared in pain, but Vergil's smile remained.
"Let her go," he said, looking at the group. "Or I'll turn you into sushi."
The demon laughed, followed by the others around him.
"And who are you to give us orders?" another demon sneered, taking a step toward Vergil. "We don't know who you are, but you don't look important. How about you let us finish here? Or maybe you want to be the next one to fall to the ground like this useless witch?"
Vergil kept his gaze fixed on the demon, feeling his fury rising. "Well, I warned you."
With a swift motion, he swung his hand, and the demon lost both legs in a single cut.
"Then, are you going to leave her alone, or do I have to dismber you one by one until I get her?" Vergil said, grinning, his gaze...
He's just like Sapphire... how scary.
Viviane murmured,
She's a bad influence...
In a quick movent, he grabbed the demon who had fallen to the ground without legs by the throat, lifting him off the ground with surprising strength. The demon, caught off guard, struggled to break free, but Vergil held him suspended in the air, his eyes blazing with a rage he could barely contain.
"Don't make repeat myself."
The other demons stood frozen, shocked by the unexpected strength Vergil displayed. They exchanged uncertain glances while the demon in Vergil's grasp writhed, gasping for air.
Viviane, watching the scene from a distance, crossed her arms and smiled slightly, as if testing Vergil. She didn't intervene; she simply remained at a safe distance, assessing every move.
Finally, the demons relented. One of them stepped back, raising his hands in a sign of surrender.
"Okay, okay," he said, trying to defuse the situation. "We don't want any trouble. We'll leave."
Vergil released the demon, who thudded to the ground, gasping. Without another word, the demons quickly retreated, casting hateful glances at Vergil as they disappeared into the darkness of Abaddon's streets.
The girl, still on the ground, looked at Vergil with wide eyes of surprise and relief. She seed to be in shock, unable to fully process what had just happened. When their gazes t again, the sa angelic voice echoed in Vergil's mind.
"Thank you..."
User Comments
0 comments from readers