After eating breakfast, the siblings strolled around the city for a while. Missio stared at the cathedrals specifically – his heart throbbing against his chest. He shook his head, reminiscing about his mother.
"I don't like this place…" He muttered under his breath.
He glanced inside the open gates of the churches as they passed. Seeing believers standing in white robes while clasping their hands – praying as the priest led them in their prayers. he sighed, shaking his head. He rotated his head forward, ignoring them. Suddenly, Dante's voice rang out.
"You feeling, okay?" Dante asked.
"Yeah…" Missio replied.
"If you feel uncomfortable, just tell me, alright?" Dante patted his brother's back.
Missio nodded, lifting his head. They turned the corner and the road stopped. His eyes widened and jaw dropped slightly. An enormous space filled with many tourists was visible. Encompassing that massive circle were several pillars made of stone. Atop those pillars were statues of men and women in various poses. Missio and Dante entered, stepping onto the brick floor of the square.
Missio looked around in awe at the mesmerizing architecture which reminded him of Piazza delle Erbe. Additionally, in the exact center of the square fenced off from outsiders was a singular, unwavering pillar with a cross at its peak. From that exact pillar, a circle was painted around it with hollow lines that touched the corner of the fence. Another bigger circle was painted outward with eight hollow lines that traveled in each direction, stopping at the pillars
Missio and Dante halted before the massive pillar at the center. Dante wrapped his arm around Missio.
"Do know what this is?" Dante titled his head to the side and back.
"No…?" Missio replied.
"St. Peter's square." Dante stated. "And that pillar is the Vatican Obelisk."
"Doesn't seem that special…" Missio scoffed. "Also, why is Egyptian architecture in the Vatican City?"
"Recreation and yes, the Egyptians made it originally in the original Vatican City." Dante explained. "Plus, it's the only obelisk in Vatican City without hieroglyphs."
"I see…" Missio nodded. "Then, what's that over there?"
He pointed at the massive structure at the end of the square. Dante glanced at it, drawing a long and deep breath.
"That is St. Peter's Basilica."
Missio froze. "I am not going in there."
"Come on. I just wanted to show you a few things." Dante complained.
"No." Missio stood his ground.
Dante exhaled heavily, activating his attribute. Electricity danced around him as he looked at Missio. Missio's eyes widened as he realized what his brother was doing. Before he could do anything though, he had already fallen into Dante's grasp. Dante hijacked the bio-electric signals in his brother's nervous system, forcing Missio's legs to step forward against his will. Dante trailed behind him, passing the obelisk.
After a minute, they stepped onto the marble floor of St. Peter's Basilica. Dante deactivated his attribute. Missio regained control over his body.
"See? Is it that bad? Plus, Chaos incarnates aren't allowed to use their attributes in here."
Missio blinked. He turned his head – his heart aching. He peered towards the flawless design of the walls, carved by the architects of ancient times. It gave him a sense of… tranquility. A vision of his blood-covered mother within the ruins of a cathedral flashed across his mind. He gritted his teeth, seizing his head. He pushed that thought out, shaking his head. He calmed down and inhaled deeply.
"Let's go."
Dante smirked, patting his brother on the back. "I knew you could do it."
Missio rolled his eyes. They continued down the halls of the Basilica. Dante led him into the first chapel. Missio halted before a great statue. He glanced, meeting the face of the Virgin Mary. She cradled the lifeless body of a man in her arms. Missio stared at the majestic sculpture. Dante approached from behind and lifted his head.
"Pietà… Do you know what it is?" Dante asked.
Missio didn't respond immediately. He glanced at the head of the man the Virgin Mary cradled. Atop that man's head, he could see a crown of thorns. Then, it clicked.
"…Is that Jesus?" Missio blurted.
"Yes." Dante stated. "Made by Michealangelo and the only work he ever signed himself... not this one though..."
Missio nodded. "Where's his signature?"
"Dunno." Dante shrugged.
Missio turned his head, furrowing his brows. "Then, why did you tell me that?"
"It's a fun fact." Dante raised his arm.
Missio blinked. He heaved a sigh and walked out of the chapel. Dante let him pass. He glanced at the statue one more time. He clasped his hand and whispered to the statue.
"I'm sorry…"
After, he trailed his little brother. He eventually caught up to Missio.
"Listen, I know it's rough for you to be here but please, just give it a chance." Dante asked.
"…Fine…" Missio groaned.
They continued walking down the aisle. Eventually, Missio glanced to side. He saw many people lining up in a queue. Curiosity took over him. He stopped and leaned to the right. Poking his head beside the crowd, he saw another great sculpture. An artwork made from bronze of a man with a Halo above him while holding a bible – the bronze statue of St. Peter. He blinked, watching believers line up to touch or kiss the right foot of the dead saint.
From all this, the bronze of the statue's right foot had eroded away after centuries. He stepped back – a bit disgusted by the gesture. Dante placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Why are they kissing his foot?" Missio questioned, wiping his mouth.
"Good luck and blessings." Dante replied.
"It always is." Missio stormed away.
Dante heaved a sigh, glancing at the bronze sculpture.
'He's taking it better than I expected… that's good…'
He felt happy due to his brother's improved mentality. Yet, he still felt there was room to grow. He trailed Missio once again as they reached the exact center of the entire Basilica. In the middle stood a massive four-story tall structure. A platform held by four spiraling bronze pillar, angels at each corner made of the same metal with wings gilded with gold and a cross at the highest point. Missio stopped in his tracks, gazing at the structure.
Dante stood beside him. "Now, look at this..."
Missio stared at the structure in a daze. His heart throbbed against his ribs, a heavy weight pressing on his entire body. He blinked, letting out a small breath. His mind ached with pain as his vision flashed to his mother. The image of her gentle smile made his heart ache even more. He clicked his tongue, shaking his head as he looked away from the structure. Then, he lifted his head, looking towards it once more with annoyance.