AN: I'm in the process of simplifying the dating system for my LoK stories. Some people have been confused because Kain would appear in eras "before the birth of Kain." So now, instead of going by Kain's birth, I'm using the corruption of the Pillars as a standard. It's the same date as Kain's birth with a less confusing label. So for example, 500 BPC = 500 years before the Pillars' corruption; 2000 APC = 2,000 years after the Pillars' corruption. Any stories that take place post-Defiance, after the Pillars are restored, will be labeled NE or "new era." Ex: Time Streamer takes place in the year 1 NE, the first year of Nosgoth's new era. It's going to take me a while to update all my stories so for now you'll only be seeing these dates in Drabbles of the Damned. Remember, the years haven't changed, just their label. :)

Title: Our Brother, Raziel

Era: Soul Reaver: 1500 APC

Character(s): Dumah & Turel

Genre: Challenge

Rating: K+

Summary: A few weeks after Raziel's execution, Dumah goes to Turel to talk about their fallen brother and the hand they had in his death. For a better understanding of what's going on here, you can read "The Council" on my profile.

Challenge: Have you ever read a story that has absolutely no dialogue in it whatsoever? Well, this time, I want a story that has nothing but dialogue in it!

Here's the rules

1) It must be in present time. No flashbacks can be used!

2) It must be at least 727 words! Why 727? Because I like 27.

3) There must be two people in this story as a minimum. Dialogue, not monologue!

Good luck, my friends! - issued by MessangerOfDreams

"Turel, we need to talk about what happened."

"You know it is forbidden."

"Yes. That's why I wanted to speak with you alone. You must feel the same weight as I."

"The law is clear. We were following orders."

"I am not questioning the law. That's a dangerous accusation."

"Then you understand my reluctance. We should never speak of this, brother. Leave the dead in the ground where they belong."

"It haunts me..."

"Serving Kain should be our highest calling. Should I remind you why he was executed? Or would you question that, too?"

"I have questioned nothing! If Kain ordered me thrown into the abyss, would you not feel an once of remorse?"

"Dumah, I would keep it to myself."

"I did not ask you to share. I know you do not care for these sort of talks... Normally I would do as you say, but this is something I need to get off my chest. I won't take up too much of your time. Since that day, I feel as though I am walking around with one leg shorter than the other. I keep thinking he is still here and I have to remind myself constantly that I am wrong. I have never before felt my hands dirtied by blood."

"-Do not say that it was wrong."

"No. No... But... Turel... you must feel something. He was our brother for a thousand years."

"It was disappointing to end him that way, without settling the score. I would have preferred to kill him with my bare hands, if Kain allowed it."

"Perhaps he would, if you had said something. He did not want to die that way."

"It matters not. I hate him now more than I ever did."

"I too feel bitter, brother. He should have presented his new gift with more tact so as not to cause offense. I agree that he brought this on himself with his pride. You could see how he was looking down on all of us when he walked into the Sanctuary with those wings. Now it's as if he has abandoned us."

"He was always more arrogant than the rest of us. I tell you, brother, it made me happy to see him suffer. You try to trick me into sentimentality, but you too enjoyed the fear in his eyes when Kain tore those pompous wings from his back."

"We all did. But now he is gone."

"Good riddance."

"How could he not know what he was doing? Did he truly believe Kain would allow his insult to pass? Others have been killed for lesser transgressions."

"He was spoiled."

"Yes, but he was intelligent, too. It was not like him to behave so rashly. You remember how he saved my life at the Battle of Meridian when I recklessly charged into a garrison of vampire hunters. And when we took back Freeport, he was the one who came up with the idea to attack from the east while the Cabal distracted the guards at the western gate. We lost some Cabal vampires in the charge but not half as many as we would have lost had Kain not heeded his advice. When you, Melchiah, and Rahab were captured at the Battle of Willendorf, he was the one who convinced Kain to send a rescue party. And he led that party, too."

"So what? We've all been there for one another. Or did you forget about the Battle for the Pillars?"

"No, heh, no. Let's not bring that up."

"Even a war hero is not immune from the law, Dumah."

"I did not mean that. I merely meant to say… If we had a choice, Turel… If Kain gave us a choice…"

"We had no choice. Kain's word is law."

"I know. But if I could go back, I would have given up my burden to someone else. Let Zephon drag him to the Lake of the Dead. Would you?"

"It would shame me to do so… We would be called weak."

"That's true. Now that I reconsider it, it would have shamed him to be carried to his death by the likes of Zephon. Few vampires have been borne into the abyss by our hands."

"If I was in his place, I would curse to hell whoever threw me to my death, even Kain. I am not saying I disagree with Master's ruling. But…"

"I know, Turel."

"This will pass in time. We should not dwell on it. Go home, Dumah."

"Thank you, brother. It is good to relieve one's burdens with a friend."

"…"