This is the first story I've uploaded since gaining some pertinent writing skills and switching accounts. See my page for more details on that. But, I hope to flesh this work out and incorporate as much factual Legacy of Kain information I can, keeping it as accurate as possible. This is but a start.
The image for the "story cover" is a commission of the character, Hazurah. Please see my profile for the link to the original artwork and the artist who rendered it for me. Thank you very much, Marfrey!
She was to be executed at dawn. Her sisters had already met their fate. A blazing fire stripped away their flesh as they burned at the stake. It was a gruesome death, befitting of the crime. And she was to be the object of a public beheading. Humiliated before her entire race. It was a suitable demise.
Should she had the motive, an escape would have been feasible, perhaps plausible. But she hadn't the intent. She was no coward. To face the eminent end was the noblest action of her kind. A damning characteristic of their righteous blood.
And she would be hunted. The memory of the Ancients was eternal and everlasting. The thousand year war with the Hylden was a monument to their ceaseless and immutable recollection. And they would surely recall the treachery of one of their own.
No, fleeing was not an option.
Her holding call was dark and decrepit, teetering on the precipice of collapse. The walls were damp with accumulated moisture, the dank ground unfeeling and hard. Countless years had passed since the dungeon had last accommodated a prisoner. Centuries of war had long abandoned the very notion of captives. Foes were killed on site and principle. It was an honor to be imprisoned, a luxury denied to normal Hylden foe.
This predicament, however, contoured the most basic aspect of normalcy.
The chain bindings around her wrists rattled as she adjusted her posture. Her black wings ached with disuse and inactivity, thick leather straps immobilizing any type of flight. Ancients believed their blood was of holy origins, life bestowed upon them by The Old One. Integrity and honor were the basic foundations of society. And to chain one's own kin was the strongest sign of betrayal and dishonesty. How fitting.
She had heard very little of her followers since their uncovering. It was to be assumed that the fate of her supporters was to be shared with those of her sisters. To be cleansed by fire. She had caught the faint whisperings of guards as they monitored her cell. A few had attempted to flee apprehension. They were eliminated immediately.
Since the old dungeon lacked even a modest window, she was uncertain of time's passage while incarcerated. Time warped interesting patterns in a cell. Her thoughts twisted and morphed into memories of days of old. They were never peaceful. Guilt for the pointless death she had rout, Ancient and Hylden alike, swept over her like a great sea. Though the assurance she felt over her righteous undertakings never cringed at the face of doubt. Regret was an absent emotion.
The metal door of the chamber swung open and three armed guards stepped through. The trio of men carried pikes and spears of cruel metal, deadly edges to keep the offender at bay. Their prisoner stood from her seat to meet them. She would be seen sulking in a cage. She would face the end with pride.
"We are to see you to your death, witch," one of the men said. He was tall and handsome, skin a light shade of blue, hair black and long. She knew him well. One's own brother is not easily mistaken.
"Very well," she replied. "Let us then go."
Her kin reached out and firmly grasped her arm, pulling her towards the doorway. Her escorts surrounded her, two leading as her brother kept his grip to give her no quarter. She held back a snarl for such insulting treatment. Did he know her so little to think she would abandon her dignity and escape?
Through the dirty and disheveled halls of the antique prison, the traitor was led passed forgotten catacombs of Ancient architecture. They had taken great strides to lock her away, fearing she would influence others with her poisonous tongue. Stories of her endeavors appeared to have been greatly exaggerated to be seen as such a monster. She felt almost glorified.
Her first glimpse of day was not a pleasant one. As they stepped through the aged gates and into sunlight, a massive crowd came into view. A great span of blue and black fanned out over a courtyard, citizens and warriors come to witness her slaying. Endless taunts, curses and obscenities were called out from the throng. Yet her emotion never wavered. To exhibit weakness before death was disgraceful. She would not be remembered as one with a faint heart.
As they reached the stage, she found herself before the executioner, an elderly man armed with a silver halberd. A wooden block lay at her feet. Her brother released her arm and presented her to the deliverer of her fate.
"Hazurah," the old one started. His voice was thick and heavy with years of age. "You are accused of insurrection against the Ancient race, conspiring with the Hylden enemy and luring your clan mates to their deaths. What say you?"
An outburst erupted at the list of charges and onlookers rushed the lectern. The three guards fought to keep the rioters from the platform. Hazurah watched, sober and calm.
"My guilt is apparent, Seer. Were it not, the crowd still demands blood be shed." The old man turned to witness the growing restlessness of the spectators. It was true, he knew. She must be put to death.
"As you wish. Kneel, and submit to the eternal Wheel of Life."
Hazurah felt a hand against her back, forcing her onto her knees. Her head and neck came to rest on the wooden pedestal, black hair fanning out toward the ground. She heard a grunt of exertion as the man lifted the infamous Sender of Souls.
"There is no rest for the wicked," the man mused. With ailing strength, he brought down his axe upon the one who had strived to save them all.
Hazurah let a solemn smile reach her lips. "Indeed."
And all went black.
Thank you for reading. Review if you'd like to assist me with grammar and other issues. It isn't my strong suit, that's for sure. I appreciate it!