Title: Cantata Noctis

Author: Razielim Vampiress

Rating: PG - 13

Warnings: None

Disclaimer: The Legacy of Kain series in its entirety belongs to Eidos and Crystal Dynamics. I own nothing but the plot of this story and any original characters herein. I am making no profit whatsoever in this.

Beta: The lovely HealerAriel. Thanks so much for causing this to (hopefully) NOT make people want to gouge their eyes out lol. Wonderful woman, folks. GO READ HER STORIES! ^_^

Summary: I am Raina, last daughter of the Lord Raziel. I was raised into a world that many mortals may not, nor want, to understand. In this quintessential Kingdom of Death in which our Dark Gods reign, I was chosen to serve the Emperor's first though the time of the Great War and beyond into eternity. This is not the chronicle of some vampire princess, nor of a great lady-in-waiting. It is simply a story, like so many others, of a soldier amongst the Legion of the Undead.

A Dying God Coming Into Human Flesh

All is cold… and frozen...

Frozen, the sea.

Frozen, the sky.

Frozen is death… but I cannot die…

Frozen is Heaven,

And frozen is Hell,

And I am dying in this living human shell.

Celtic Frost - Monotheist

Cold.

Darkness.

Silence.

And a profound sense of... nothing.

Who am I? What am I? It seems that I am as immaterial as the empty void in which I find myself floating. Thoughts swirl around me like an ethereal breeze, coming and going, all meaningless as they whirl past in endless succession before quickly becoming forgotten and lost… and then suddenly appearing again. Is this how it is to despair? Do I even know what it means to feel? I don't know... Anything…

I've been wandering for what seems like an eternity but… has it really been forever, or has it only been a short moment? What is time in a place like this…? I want to force myself to move, to wade through the gloom, but something holds me in place… Why can't I push myself backward or forward? A sudden feeling of… fear…? …panic…? It washes over me and I struggle against the smothering blanket of nothingness until suddenly, the inky blackness seems to... Shift… and an odd sort of warmth seeps into my diminutive awareness, seducing me… trying to spirit me away from this abyss. Is this foreign thing a sense of hope…? It seems to promise me nothing but safe harbor from this emptiness, so with a kind of eagerness, I desperately embrace this alien warmth. And in doing so, I opened myself to an engulfing, nerve-searing pain! All at once, I'm aware of a convulsing body, its limbs alight with flames of anguish. Was I betrayed by that alluring presence? Gods, words cannot describe this fire in my soul! I can't stand it! Please... make it...STOP!

The overwhelming quiet is broken by a harsh gasp, a deep, rasping intake of air into deflated lungs. Without warning, so much darkness is shattered. The shards fall away and reveal a menagerie of colors, horrifically distorted to my half-formed eyes. What air I had taken in is released in a rising banshee's shriek as the pain intensifies, twisting within the core of my being and fulminating throughout like some wild caged beast. What is this… this torture, this hunger…?! I can't stand it!

As the ragged scream fell from my dry mouth, a faintly metallic smell registered into my consciousness, a sweet odor that made my head spin sickeningly. The pain seemed to recognize the scent as if it were self-aware, for it raged that much more in response to it, only to be shadowed by something even more primal, something gnawing at my gut. It was as if I had a wolf caged in a container too small, but that cage just so happened to be my stomach! I felt something hot and wet drip tantalizingly onto my cracked lips and I automatically lunged forward to grasp whatever it was that leaked this honeyed elixir. It burned like fire as it coursed down my throat, but I refused to release my hold. Closing my eyes in the smoldering bliss of it all, I drank deep from that life-giving spring, drinking until the substance's flow gradually thinned to a trickle before ceasing completely. I felt the pain, the hunger, finally subside. I felt my head fall back, and I smiled gratefully. Hesitantly, I dared to open my eyes once more. My vision was no longer warped, but impeccably clear!

While the room I found myself in was scarcely illuminated, my newfound sight was able to penetrate the deepest of shadows. I was even able to make out the tiny motes of dust dancing through the air. Wide-eyed, I observed my surroundings. The chamber seemed to be more of an old crypt, spacious with a low arched ceiling. The walls were as grey and bereft as the stone floor, its even brickwork beginning to crumble. There was but one door, and that was far off on the other side of the room. Finally, my gaze rested on the only other being in the crypt with me. A man, with ghostly white skin and raven hair. His thin, dark lips were set in a small smile, a look of intensity burning in his golden eyes, slightly dulled by fatigue. I remained silent, simply cocking my head to the side as I took in the sight of him, kneeling on the floor beside the sarcophagus I lay atop of. I couldn't explain it, but I felt such a strong bond with this man… a sharp metaphysical pull between he and I…

"...Father?" I started weakly, momentarily awed at the unfamiliar sound of my own voice.

He nodded briefly, "I am Raziel," His words were soft-spoken and soothing, his voice melodious and aristocratic while mine was hoarse and broken. An appealing difference to the unending silence that I had previously endured, "Tell me, little one, do you remember your name?"

A tattered shred of memory flashed through my mind, and before I knew what I was saying, I replied, "Raina."

He smiled in approval. This pleased me and made me smile as well. Raziel stood slowly, shakily. The reason became somewhat clear to me as I caught a glimpse of his left wrist. The color I suddenly recognized as crimson contrasted wonderfully with his pale skin. 'Blood', my mind registered, 'His blood. Blood is what I had drank.' Oddly enough, the thought slightly disturbed me, and promptly sent a short-lived shiver down my spine. I became puzzled as I reflected upon the euphoria that I had experienced. My initial response seemed so natural. Its taste was so satisfying. Why was I subject to this feeling of dread? I then felt a comforting presence touch my mind. A strange sensation, but it was most certainly welcome. 'Calm yourself, little girl,' it whispered, 'Have no fear.'

Raziel raised his left hand and lightly caressed my cheek, showing surprising gentleness with powerful talons that could easily tear my face off in one swipe. I leaned into that hand, my eyes fluttering closed as I placed a small kiss upon his wrist, licking delicately at the coagulating blood that I'd missed earlier. I was intrigued to find that there was no wound, not even a scar. This minute interest was pushed to the back of my mind as my sire spoke once more, "You were mortal once, but no longer. Now you are vampire, and you will need regular blood sacrifices to thrive in this world. It is a small matter you will grow accustomed to in time."

I nodded my head as I took this in. This did not repulse me as I thought it might have. Instead, I found the thought quite appealing, and I felt a dull want for more.

Raziel pulled back and offered me his hand in a gesture that I should get up. While I gave a small appreciative smile, I did not take his hand and instead opted to rise on my own. I gingerly swung my legs over the edge of the cover stone - I discovered that I was rather short, as my toes barely grazed the floor! - and cautiously slid downwards off it. I used the stone casket as a counterbalance, resting most of my weight against it as I slowly gained my footing. It was a bit difficult. My muscles felt so stiff and weak. After what felt like ages, I finally stepped away from the sarcophagus and stood proudly on my own, grinning up at my sire.

An amused smirk graced his handsome features, "I can see you're going to be quite the independent one," Raziel turned and made his way across the chamber, speaking over his shoulder as he unbarred the door, "Come. You have much to see."

Close on his heels, I followed him out into the unknown, anxious to see the world that my master had allowed me in to.

Plushie Raziel: Hmm... so you deleted the whole story after having it up since 2007, only to edit your wordplay and add a few missing details...?

Raven: Yeahhh I know it was stupid, but I just couldn't help it. I'm about to upload the second chapter, and I want the wording in this one to flow better with the second one... if that makes sense...

Plushie Raziel: Not really, but it is YOU we're talking about here *smirk*. Another thing that confuses me, though: what's up with the lyrics at the top? I thought you said were done with songfics!

Raven: Well this isn't really a songfic persay-

Plushie Raziel: THEN WHY THE LYRICS!? DX

Raven: I JUST WANTED THE READERS TO KNOW SPECIFICALLY WHAT INSPIRED ME TO WRITE A PARTICULAR CHAPTER! X(

Plushie Raziel: ... :o ... :|

Raven: Jeebus... anyhoo :) I'm actually writing the second chapter literally at this very moment and am working my way to its end. I hope it lives up to expectations, especially after sitting here stagnant for about 5 years waiting for any sort of update. Please don't make me feel worse than I already do lol As always, thank you kindly for reading! I look forward to your review!