This fic is based on the Legacy Of Kain series owned by Crystal Dynamics.
There he comes now. Kain pondered. He had both been anticipating and dreading this moment. Raziel walked with self-assurance towards the center of the former Pillars of Nosgoth. Raziel kneeled before Kain, and wings sprouted from his back. Kain then stood up and approached Raziel. Walking behind Raziel and admiring his wings, Kain felt a strange dread pass through him although he didn't let it show. No matter how many times he had foreseen this situation, it still made him nervous. As Kain's talon traced the edge of Raziel's wing, Kain felt a slight tingle pass through him. This was the moment when history could be altered. Although it wouldn't normally be possible without the presence of two Soul Reavers, but the presence of one and in some mysterious way, the presence of Pillars allowed a slight twist to happen. Even then it was only possible if the person was knowledgeable of the event and powerful enough to seize the opportunity, including being the Keeper of the Pillar of Balance. Fortunately, Kain is all of those.
Kain lifted both his hands to touch the wings, and when the crucial moment came, Kain touched the wings again slightly. Instead of tearing them, he forced his hands away with a sheer effort of will. Raziel had tensed slightly when Kain had touched his wings, but relaxed again when Kain's hands retreated. Then Kain walked back to his throne and sat. After a moment of silence, he addressed his Lieutenants.
"Another Gift has emerged from the state of Change. However, this is something different. A first new Gift which I have not received first. Normally I would take this as an act of treason, but I sense something else here." Kain was silent for a moment, observing the reactions on their faces. Despite how they tried hiding it, Kain saw nervousness on Raziel's face and minor puzzlement and excitement on rest of the Lieutenants.
"Consider yourself pardoned for the time being, Raziel. If Turel manifests with a different gift when his time comes, you are blameless and are forgiven. But should he manifest wings like you did, you will pay the penalty for treason. That includes Turel."
Raziel and Turel both relaxed and tensed. Others displayed a faint smug look, clearly enjoying their eldest brother's discomfort. Kain dismissed the meeting and everyone returned to their Clan territories.
Kain remained in the Sanctuary of the Clans, thinking. So it begins. I have allowed Raziel to continue his vampiric existence. It will be interesting to see if this development allows a chance to save us and our empire. I intend keep us united in this development cycle since I can already envision the diverse vampire clans they shall produce. My sons have started their own evolution path while mine seems to have ceased but I do not need to fear their evolution. They clearly will not develop the same powers I have. Despite their diverse evolution path, I will always be their lord and master. Whatever advantages their evolution provides, they still will be too weak to be a threat to me.
A decade passed and Turel entered into the state of Change. Just before that, Raziel's second in-command had also manifested wings. As was the custom after Changes, Kain called his Lieutenants to Sanctuary of the Clans. This time it was Turel who arrived last, flanked by two of his children, carrying a large block of stone between them. At Turel's order, they placed the stone on the ground in middle of the Circle. Then he and his children kneeled before Kain.
Kain acted like he knew nothing of what Turel was about to say and feigned studying him.
"I see no wings on your person, Turel. Have you hidden them somewhere or do you have something else to display?"
Turel stood up and motioned his children to step back. Then he began concentrating and moment later a blast of energy surged forth from his hand, which impacted with the stone in a blink of eye and shattered it to pieces.
Turel could see clearly that his brothers were impressed of the power display, only Kain wasn't impressed, merely seemed judgemental.
"You have developed a very handy ability, Turel. No doubt it will serve you and your children well in the future." Then Kain was silent for a breath.
"You and Raziel are pardoned, but my judgement remains until all the rest of you have demonstrated your future gifts, should any of you produce the same power as the previous one, they will suffer the consequences."
Of the remaining Lieutenants, Zephon seemed to squirm most under that sentence, even if it was obvious that Dumah would be next, being third born. But knowing Zephon's nature, it wasn't a surprise.
Then Kain announced the audience to be over and teleported away. His Lieutenants started leaving too, Raziel took to air with his wings and flew to his Clan Hold. Other Lieutenants were partially envious of the freedom his gift provided, no walls could prevent him from entering to human cities or going over mountains. But since he was the first born of Kain's children, it was not surprising he would receive the most beneficial gift, at least that's what others thought then.
They could envision the panic humans would feel when their city would be assaulted by flying vampires, their walls and moats would be useless against opponents from sky. But given the tenacity of the humans, they would soon adapt to it too and would prepare for aerial assaults as well.
What Turel had just manifested gave another kind of boost too, his children would have additional weapon against vampire hunters. Hunters would surely be baffled for a while when a single vampire could down several of them with a telekinetic burst. Humans would have even tougher times ahead, although they would probably increase their resistance once the vampire threat would become even deadlier.
Roughly another decade passed and Dumah entered into the state of Change. Also few more Raziel's children had sprouted wings and Turel's second in command gained his master's power. All of the Lieutenants had agreed that these Changes were the most exciting and rewarding thing which had happened in a long time. They were practically betting what kinds of powers the remaining brothers would receive, despite Kain's threat of what would happen if receiving same powers. Raziel clearly believed each would get their own powers, based on what, he couldn't say. Turel would have sprouted wings if that had been the case, so everyone relaxed on the matter, and tossed guesses and theories on what would be coming.
When the meeting was called, all went to Sanctuary to wait Dumah's arrival. Everyone were little puzzled when Dumah didn't arrive on expected time. First thought in all of their minds was that Dumah had produced either Raziel's or Turel's gift and fled. Even Kain started to get anxious of this breach of protocol.
Just as Lieutenants felt Kain would order them after Dumah, they all heard minor sounds of scuffling from the hallway and heavy steps. What stepped into the Sanctuary froze them from shock for a second. Dumah's size had increased slightly and his body had become more muscular. In his left hand he carried a stone block roughly size the one which Turel had brought for a demonstration last time. In the other hand he held a struggling human warrior, who tried fighting against Dumah's iron grip.
"My apologies for being late but this human managed to escape from me just outside the Sanctuary, I managed to recapture him just at the edge of the Lake of the Dead. The reason it took so long to capture him is that he struck me in the eye with the dagger they use to cut out our brethren's heads and hearts, I would have slain him right there but he is needed for my demonstration. Besides, I can respect his fighting spirit enough that I am willing to give him a chance."
All of them approached Dumah for a better look at his eye, true enough, his left eye was missing. Although it didn't bleed anymore, the eye hadn't yet grown back. Then Dumah pushed past them and placed the stone in middle of the room and the human few steps away from Turel.
"Do not try to escape, or anything else. They will cut you down and drink your blood before you know it." Dumah said to the hunter, which for vampire's surprise, obeyed. Then Dumah went to stand in front the stone and kneeled before Kain.
"I can clearly see what kind of gift has been bestowed on you, Dumah. But how does it actually work?" Kain asked probingly.
Dumah rose and spoke. "It is clear that my physical prowess has increased during the state of Change more than usual, but it's not my actual Gift."
Kain narrowed his eyes. "Then you better explain it fast."
Dumah nodded and lifted his right hand, he brought it down quickly, smashing the stone with one blow. His brothers were clearly impressed of Dumah's newfound prowess.
Kain made a slight nod. "It is impressive, but nothing commendable. Demonstrate your true Gift then."
Dumah bowed and turned to face the human. Vampire Hunter tensed immediately.
"Prepare yourself, human! If you can best me, you are free to go, they will not stop you." Dumah said.
Hunter pulled out his sword and dagger, holding them in his right and left hand, respectively. Then he took a battle stance.
Dumah charged immediately, which the Hunter barely managed to dodge. Dumah spun around and charged again, this time he dodged and managed to slash Dumah's side as he passed. Dumah looked his wound which was already closing, then he smiled to the human. Even his eye was forming back, soon he would see completely.
The dodging, charging and occasional slashing continued for few minutes. Others realized that Dumah was playing with the human, giving him false hope that he would have a chance to survive. Then suddenly it became apparent that Dumah was getting bored, he stopped charging the human, instead he stepped little bit away from the human and began running around him in circle. Hunter kept following Dumah's movement, without noticing a blue energy line starting to trail from Dumah's legs. By the time he realised Dumah had made a full circle around him, it was too late, Hunter was struck by a jolt which immobilised him, unable to act in any way.
Dumah approached the immobilised Hunter and lifted him up from neck. Dumah observed momentarily the shocked look in the Hunter's eyes, then he struck his fangs to the human's neck and drank him dry. After draining him, Dumah tossed the body on the floor and went to kneel before Kain.
Kain seemed to smile in approval. "Impressive, Dumah. You and your children will be formidable warriors in the future. You are dismissed." Then Kain disappeared.
Everyone felt that things were getting interesting, three out of six lieutenants had now gained their own special gifts. The top three as Rahab, Zephon and Melchiah saw Raziel, Turel and Dumah. Attention now turned to the slightly more weaker of Kain's children, since Rahab had been a first one who had displayed a greater physical vulnerability than others, that being more vulnerable to sunlight than his other brothers were.
Most surprisingly Rahab didn't enter into the state of Change, he just continued doing his things like ever before. Speculations began that Rahab might not even receive his gift, maybe due his weakness to sunlight being the reason. Rahab wasn't deterred by these rumors one bit.
Then in one unexpected day, one of Rahab's children came to Sanctuary of the Clans to deliver a message to Kain. It said that Rahab had received his Gift but concerning the circumstances surrounding it, he requested Kain and all the Lieutenants to attend in the Rahab's own Clan hold. Kain sended out the summons to other Clan leaders and teleported in advance to Rahab's hold.
Kain was waiting in Rahab's audience chamber for his Lieutenants to arrive. He was puzzling why Rahab had installed a pool of water in the middle of the room. It hadn't been there the last time he had visited Rahab. Usually all of his children stayed firmly away from water in their Clan holds and elsewhere. Kain deduced it might have something to do with Rahab's Gift.
Kain was pleased when he saw all the Lieutenants arrive at the same time. There would be no need to reprimand one of them for neglecting his duty to come witness another Gift presentation. As soon as all of them had gathered in front of Kain and kneeled before him, Rahab entered into the room from a door on the other side of the pool, carrying a bucket full of blood with him.
Rahab walked to Kain, placed the bucket on the floor and kneeled before him. Then Rahab stood up and adressed his brethren.
"I thank you all for coming here, I know I should have come to Sanctuary but certain factors are limiting my mobility currently. Therefore I shall demonstrate my Gift here." Then Rahab walked near to a small window on the western wall of the room.
"As you all know, I am weaker to sunlight more than any of us, and my children are even more vulnerable than me. But now this has gone even further, watch." Then Rahab lifted his right hand towards the sunlight casting in from the window, no sooner had he placed his hand on the sunlight, it began to steam. He held it a little more and it almost started to burn, only then Rahab pulled his hand back. It didn't start to heal immediately, so burned it was. Rahab went to the bucket with blood and drained it. Only then his hand started slowly to heal.
Everyone, except Kain, looked Rahab with horrified puzzlement. This was the first time they had witnessed a weakness getting even stronger, Rahab could see from their expressions that they thought what reason would Rahab have anymore to exist?
"Yes, my weakness to sunlight has gotten worse, I do not have even the half of the endurance left I used to, and my children fare no better. Even a second's touch with the sunlight practically burns them beyond any healing to be of use. I can still heal from burns with help of fresh blood, but own healing process works very weakly these days against that."
"Did you ask us here to show that your existence has completely lost it purpose?" Zephon asked teasingly.
Rahab couldn't help but smirk to Zephon's comment.
"Yes, it may seem like I and my children can't operate anymore under sunlight at all, despite most areas being under thick cloud cover. But I have found other means to be of use."
Rahab began walking towards the pool, all gazes locked on him for his next action. Rahab kneeled on the edge of the pool and placed right hand, which had almost healed, under the water. Everyone expected his hand to start steam and melt away but nothing happened, Rahab didn't seem to be in any pain at all, unlike when his hand had touched sunlight.
Before anyone managed to voice any comment, Rahab jumped into the pool. Zephon nearly gasped since he couldn't believe what he was seeing. He never expected Rahab to appear on the surface again and start swimming merrily in the pool. After a moment, Rahab rose from the pool and walked before Kain.
"Very impressive, Rahab." Kain said. Showing genuie approval of Rahab's gift.
Rahab bowed to Kain in respect, displaying such a content expression which clearly told Rahab was very pleased of himself, since his total weakness to sunlight was not such a big deal anymore. This new gift would bring new benefits to him and his children.
Then Kain announced the meeting to be over and teleported away, others offered their congratulations to Rahab's new beginning, even Zephon, despite his slight annoyance. Then they too left one by one.
Years passed again and more of the already 'Gifted' Lieutenants children received their master's gift. Then the day came when Zephon's time finally came. He had been frustrated the moment when he'd realised the most powerful would receive the Gifts in descending order, with him being nearly at bottom. He could only take delight in Melchiach's lowest position to receive the Gift last.
He had accepted grudgingly that the top three had received the most beneficial powers. Rahab's Gift didn't bother too much since it only restricted him to be useful in only one area and was further weakened already with his major weakness. He only dearly hoped to receive an equally beneficial Gift like the first three had, he didn't relish the prospect of weakening in one attribute to become better in another.
In the Sanctuary, others were waiting for Zephon to arrive. They had already jokingly talked about Zephon receiving Gift so embarassing that he didn't dare show his face because of that, not for any fear of receiving same power they had got. Kain remained outside of their debate, not caring slightest of their internal bickering.
When Zephon finally did arrive, he seemed to look more smug than usual, like he'd received the greatest power of all time. On closer inspection, Zephon's feet and hand claws seemed to be slightly sharper than usual, either he had polished them for looks or there was something else about them.
Zephon kneeled before Kain and then stood up. Kain bidded him to show what he had received.
Zephon flexed his limbs and then leaped towards one of the columns of the Sanctuary.
Everybody thought for a fleeting second that Zephon had lost his mind totally and expected him to smack against the pillar unceremoniously. He did smack against it, but not impacting it fully and not even starting to slide down. Instead, Zephon was stuck right where he had landed, smiling mischievously to others.
Then he started climbing the wall upwards, all the way up the balcony overseeing the throne room. There he started climbing the wall again until he reached the ceiling, climbing all the way to the middle of the ceiling. From there he dropped himself to the center of the Pillars, right in front of Kain and then bowed to him gracefully.
"No walls will bar your progress now, interesting."
Zephon was little annoyed that Kain hadn't praised his gift further but was wise enough not to let it show on his face. Other Lieutenants were amused of Zephon's displeasure.
"Only Melchiah is left now to receive is special Gift, once that happens, our future really begins." Said Kain.
Zephon took back some of his annoyance for that announcement, because Melchiah couldn't possibly receive a Gift better than he.
A roughly decade or so later, and the time of Change finally came for Melchiah, although it came slightly later than usual, which had led most to think that he wouldn't receive it at all. The waiting in the Sanctuary was tiresome, what was taking so long? What was holding back Melchiah?
Some hours passed and just as Kain's patience was about to wear out, a single member of Melchiah's clan staggered into the Sanctuary. Melchiah's descendants clearly stood apart from other vampires that their skin was in more sickly condition than their master, it looked like it could drop off at any time, why it hadn't so far was a mystery.
The vampire introduced himself as Melchiah's second in-command, and relayed his master's regret to be unable to attend, instead requesting all in the Sanctuary to attend him in his own clan hold.
Kain and the Lieutenants wasted no time in traveling to Melchiah's clan territory. Once there, Kain and the Lieutenants proceeded to the innermost sanctum as led by Melchiah's second in-command.
Melchiah was absent from his throne. Kain had the look of being thoroughly displeased of being made to wait again, Lieutenants almost echoed that look.
Just as it was feeling obvious that Kain would order to tear the place apart, door behind the throne opened, and Melchiah dragged himself out. But how he appeared and looked like was unlike anything no one in the room expected. He looked like his normal self except for his lower body, which merged together into a shapeless gray mass, he didn't have legs of any sort. Even Zephon, who had prepared to comment Melchiah's gift, was shocked into silence. Only Kain's visage didn't show any emotion. Raziel was the first to find his voice.
"What has happened to you Melchiah? Has your state of Change failed?"
Melchiah took a moment before replying. "No, it has not, Raziel, although it may appear like it. Instead this is only the latest manifestation of my already weakened state, I have gained my Gift, but lost something in exchange."
"Then proceed with the demonstration," Kain said.
Melchiah bowed to Kain and then pointed the doorway he had used to enter the room, an iron gate closed it. Melchiah stepped towards and seemed to melt right through it, and appeared same as ever on the other side.
"While not the most powerful ability, it has it's uses." Raziel noted.
"Unfortunately, it is not that simple, Raziel." Melchiah said.
"What do you mean?" Turel asked.
"This ability has not transferred to my offspring in the same way. Yes, my second-in command has already received the Gift."
Everyone, except Kain, started talking at same time, questions flowing in stream from their mouths. Kain allowed this to go for few breaths until he yelled, "Silence!" The room became quiet as grave.
Melchiah answered calmly."Like I said, the Gift has not transferred in the same way. Follow me outside and I show you."
All followed Melchiah to the main entrance, his second in-command was waiting them at the edge of the courtyard.
Melchiah nodded to him and he bowed in return, then he literally dived to the dirt in front of him. Instead of hitting the ground, he disappeared into it like it was water. After few second, he surfaced slightly further away from us.
"He seems to be able to pass through soft earth like swimming in water. He cannot penetrate solid stone nor any iron gates like I can, it has been tried already. But he also has gained a side effect, his skin seems to be deteriotating much faster now. Unless he wishes to be bare, he must find a replacement skin soon I fear."
After all what Melchiah told finally sinked in to Lieutenants, they all, except Kain, stepped in front of Melchiah and bowed to him, even Zephon, it clearly seemed all desire to mock their weakest brother had dissipated completely from him.
"The path of your individual evolution has now truly begun. How it will change our relations with each other and humans, I don't know, but it certainly will be unlike anything we currently know." Then Kain added wryly, "but humans certainly will have much tougher times ahead once more of your offspring will gain your abilities."
That drew a smile from all of his sons, they certainly saw interesting times ahead for their clans, this evolution gave them the needed change from the increasily uninspring events that had plagued the court for a long time.
Vampire clans will rise anew, they will become vampires unlike any Nosgoth has ever witnessed. What little human resistance remains, won't stand a chance against the combined powers of the diverse clans. Humans undoubtetly will boost their efforts once they realize their traditional defenses won't work. But that only makes things more interesting, eventually they will be crushed and then surving humans will become our livestock to be harvested at our whim. It would be foolish to exterminate them completely, our only source of fresh blood.
This process shows very good promise for our overall survival, without needing to sacrifice any of my children.