(Of a) Dying Breed

Paradise

Lexi opened the fridge, passing Vergil a bottle before taking her own. They ran further that morning, Lexi having grown used to their previous distance and pace. Her lungs heaved as Vergil encouraged her to match his stride, he said that the exhaustion was all in her head, but she was just glad that it was almost over.

That day, they were taking Dante to Paradise Manor, the ruins of an old estate that had once been the twins' home. Vergil had found the answers he needed there and he was certain that Dante would find them as well, and once his brother remembered who he was, they could put The Order's plan into motion.

Lexi passed Kat on her way to the shower, raising her hand in a weak wave. She returned to the kitchen to receive her mug from Kat and took a long sip.

"Thanks, Kat." The medium smiled, taking a sip from her own piping mug.

Vergil reentered the kitchen with a disheveled Dante in tow. Kat passed each of them a thermos as they made their way to the car. Despite its back row, the coupe was not made for four people. Kat and Lexi had filed into the back, trying to make themselves comfortable while the much taller boys sat up front, hogging all of the legroom.

"Where are you taking me?"

Vergil started the car, "You'll find out soon enough."

Paradise.

The sign was overgrown with ivy, falling apart much like the wrought iron gate that had once guarded the long driveway. Lexi studied the old estate as they approached, doubting that Dante could find anything in the house – tetanus, maybe; but something useful, probably not. She kept her opinions to herself; Vergil had not steered her wrong yet.

"This was your home." Vergil stated, leading the group into his old home.

"I don't remember it."

"You will," Vergil assured before turning to Kat. "Kat, open the gateway."

Kat unfurled her template and broke out a spray can. Dante knelt beside her, running his finger through the spray on the floor as he asked Kat what she was doing. He sniffed at his fingers, revolted.

"Doesn't smell too good. What's in the can?"

"A compound I created based on an old Wiccan recipe. Sea salt, shark oil, iron shavings, desiccated squirrel semen, wolf hair..."

Dante wiped his fingers off on Lexi's back. She gagged.

"The house holds secrets," Vergil addressed his brother before nodding towards the gateway. "I've found mine, now it's your turn."

Dante confidently stepped onto the gateway. This would be the first time he entered Limbo of his own volition. "How will I get back."

"We'll take care of that. Just be careful, it can get rough down there."

"I like it rough." Dante quipped, eyes on Lexi as her ears grew hot.

Kat had never seen Vergil roll his eyes so hard.

Kat wondered aloud if this was going to work. She wasn't normally one to question Vergil, but Lexi silently admitted that she shared some of Kat's doubts. Vergil reminded Kat that she had been raw too when he found her which caused the medium to drop her gaze at the reminder of her tortured past.

Next, Vergil turned to Lexi, "Go with him. Make sure that he finds everything he needs to."

"He doesn't need a babysitter."

"Lexi."

"He'll be fine. How would I even know when he's found what he's looking for?"

"You'll know."