The light in the chamber shimmered with low candlelight. Walls lined with arcane tomes and ancient scrolls, the smell of old parchment and ozone hung in the air.
Vergil stood across from the tall, striking woman seated on the table. Her silver hair framed piercing grey eyes, her posture regal even in stillness. Before her, a single polished apple glowed faintly gold.
Vergil's tone was clipped, sharp as his blade. "What is this… Illuminati? And why should I care?"
Jeanne smiled, unbothered. "A group of powerful individuals… with powerful intentions. That's all I'm willing to say, `1 for now."
Vergil's gaze narrowed. He walked forward, slowly, and then placed the apple in front of her. "You speak in riddles. I have no patience for riddles."
He turned, coat flaring dramatically as he walked away from her.
"I don't care about your organization," he stated coldly. "But if you have something worth my time… I'll entertain it. For now."
Vergil paused at the doorway, then looked over his shoulder.
"But if you're wasting my time… you and your little cabal will pay for it."
She leaned forward slightly, lips curling in a smirk.
"And one more thing," Vergil added, voice cold as iron. "Don't compare me to my father. I've long since surpassed him."
He stepped out of the room without another word.
A second later, the apple on the table split cleanly in two without being touched, one half rolling slightly before stopping near the woman's hand.
She chuckled softly, fingers steepling under her chin. "Good," she whispered. "He is exactly what we need."
Back inside the lower corridors of the Temen-ni-gru, the battle had just ended in a violent display of power.
The Gigapede, a grotesque demon centipede, collapsed into a heap of twitching segments and broken limbs. Its head was cleanly sliced, still twitching as black blood hissed against the floor.
Saiya, standing tall, sheathed her katana with a click.
Dante gave a mock clap, slow and dramatic. "Ten out of ten for style points. I give that a perfect slice."
Saiya rolled her eyes. "You're lucky I didn't cut through you by accident."
Dante grinned. "You say that like I'd mind."
Lady stood by, tense and scanning the surroundings. "We don't have time to play around. This place is shifting. We're close."
She motioned for them to follow, weapons ready. The ground beneath them rumbled, a familiar presence approaching.
From the next corridor, the air distorted. A swirling vortex of red and purple mist spiraled into being, and from it sprang a twisting figure in a ridiculous jester's outfit, his body contorting like a puppet with cut strings.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" the voice rang out, high-pitched and flamboyant. "Welcome to the grand show!"
Jester spun into view, juggling glowing orbs of demonic energy as if they were toys. His grin was too wide, eyes too empty.
Dante immediately tilted his head. "What the hell are you supposed to be? Ugh. I hope not the welcoming party, cause these guys were better entertainment."
Lady narrowed her eyes, slowly raising her dual pistols. "That's Arkham's demon form. Jester. Jasen warned us."
Jester froze for the smallest fraction of a second, just long enough to betray the truth in Lady's statement.
Saiya inhaled through her nose, eyes glowing faintly. "That stench… He's the one I smelled earlier. A mix of human and demon. You reek of death."
Jester laughed too hard. "Ohhh, you all wound me! I'm Just a humble entertainer trying to spice up your otherwise gloomy adventure!"
Dante leaned against a broken statue, clearly unimpressed. "Well, I'm allergic to clowns. And liars."
Lady stepped forward, guns locked. Her tone was cold, surgical.
"We're already heading to the Sanctuary. No need for your freakshow. So here's the deal, Jester either point us in the right direction, or I'll blow your head off right here."
Then, with venom in her voice:
"I know you want the power of Sparda, so were gonna help each other. Just don't ask what we are after."
Dante and Saiya stare at Lady with a small expression of concern. The two only knew half of what Lady did. Dante was there for Vergil, and Saiya was just fulfilling her end of the deal with Jasen.
Jester's mask of flamboyant cheer cracked, just for an instant. His juggling stopped. The orbs dissolved. His face twitched. Was it a smile? A threat? Or the urge to drop the act?
"…Sparda?" Jester repeated, voice now lower… colder.
Saiya's hand hovered near her blade.
Dante gave a low whistle. "Well, that's awkward. You were gonna try and trick us into unlocking the seal. But Jokes on you we were gonna do that anyway."
Lady didn't blink. "So save the clown routine. I know who you are. I know what you did to my mother in the name of power. I know why your here, so we will play along for now. But be ready I got several bullets with your name on them."
A long silence fell.
Then Jester, or rather Arkham, tilted his head to the side.
"…Very well," he said in a voice that lacked all cheer. The playfulness was gone. The mask dropped.
"The Sanctuary is above. Two floors guarded by two different devils. A sealed door awaits, marked in blood sigils. You'll need the boys sword to open it."
Dante clicked his tongue. "Rebellion huh? I Guess Vergil will have to wait a little bit longer."
Arkham smirked again, but this time it was hollow. "Oh… but beware. These two guardian are… different from that guard dog. You'll know it when it sees you."
Lady didn't lower her guns.
"Then stay out of our way," she warned. "Or next time, I shoot first."
Arkham bowed sarcastically and dissolved into a wisp of smoke, fading into the shadows.
As they ascended the next flight of stairs, the tower groaned and trembled with every step. The walls became more organic, pulsating with demonic veins and shifting glyphs.
Saiya glanced behind them. "He's watching. Every step we take."
Dante cracked his knuckles. "Good. I hope he's got popcorn."
Lady pulled a small communicator from her belt. "Jasen. We're headed to the Sanctuary. Two more guardian's left . Keep your eyes peeled. Arkham's mask is off."