Chapter 7

Avernus Cathedral

Chapter Update: May 21, 2013.


Sometimes I find myself thinking of home…

It's been so long since I've seen my family and friends. A week, if not more. I can't tell for sure. I miss everybody so much. My friends, my sister…even my father, as much as he wounded me. It hurts me to think that my family back home, haven't been thinking of me. Time stands still for them. When I go back home, I can set the time machine to take me back before I even left. Making it like I haven't been gone.

It would be nice if someone was missing me…

We have been traveling for two hours, maybe more. Raziel hasn't even slowed down for me. He's at least 6 meters in front of me. I'm growing tired, my legs wobble as I walk. It's getting dark out and Raziel is getting farther and farther away.

"Wait for me!" I scream at him, out of breath. He turns around to face me.

"Go home!" then turns around and keeps walking.

"NO."

"Fine keep on walking! I'm camping here." I can't see him anymore. Loneliness creeps over me.

"I'll catch up to you! You'll!...see." anger bellows up inside me.

"STUPID JERK!" My voice echoes through the woods. Okay that felt good. I can't believe he just left me here…well, I can believe it, but still, jerk.

"Insensitive, ignorant, asshole." I kick the debris around to clear room for the fire.

"I'm cold, alone, and hungry. I'm glad he's so impervious! Arrogant, prick!"" When I turn around, I scream and fall on my butt.

"How long were you standing there?"

"Long enough." He glares at me.

"What was the last thing you heard?"

"Arrogant prick."

"Oh, well, I'm not apologizing." I get up and brush past him feeling slightly embarrassed. He appears to have found humor in this. I'm glad he finds my misery so funny.

I was hoping there would be a stream, lake, or something so I can clean up. Unfortunately there isn't. I have to stay dirty for another day. This spot will have to do. I set up my things and start looking for firewood. I bend down to pick up a nice, large, dry piece of wood. It was perfect for firewood. I stand up and Raziel is right in front of me, making me jump out of my skin.

"Please stop doing that...before you give me a heart attack!"

"Maybe that's my intension." He says coldly.

"…What do you want?" I badger him. I have to take a breath before I say it, to keep myself calm and poised.

"No fire."

"Why not?"

"Do you want to get attacked in the middle of the night again? You should know by now that it only attracts more demons and other creatures...you're not very observant are you?"

"I'm going to freeze."

"Figure something out." He walks away. Even though I'm slightly irritated, this is probably the most civilized conversation we ever had. I'm proud of myself for keeping my cool. I have a tendency to let my temper get the better of me. Or, perhaps I like the thrill of an argument.

I drop the lumber and walk back to the campsite. Raziel is nowhere I can see. It's getting darker and darker as time goes on. I can hardly see the trees around me anymore. No moon tonight, it's a cloudy evening. I get into my small sleeping bag, feeling slightly nervous. I wonder where Raziel is, maybe he left without me…

"Get up." I hear a voice say.

"Get up!" my eyes fly open and I see Raziel standing above me. I hadn't noticed I fell asleep. I got use to sleeping in these strange conditions.

"We're leaving now." he's so impatient. I scramble around my campsite gathering my things in a hurry, as he starts walking. After all, He is doing me a huge favour. I thought he for sure ditched me last night.

"Where were you last night?" He doesn't answer me. This irritates me. I hate it when people ignore me.

"Would it kill you to answer me?" he doesn't turn around.

"Hurry up."

"Why are you in such a hurry?"

"That's none of your business."

"I'm traveling with you, which makes it my business too."

"My business is my own. You're lucky I'm even letting you tag along." He says bitterly

"Maybe, but that doesn't exempt me from what's going on."

"Oh please."

"I heard you and Vor…" I stop in my tracks. Raziel wipes around, rage forming in his eyes.

"Wh, wh, what I meant to say -"

"You, no good, scheming…"

"Now, now, let's not do anything rash."

"Do you have any idea what you could have done?!" He comes at me.

"Ahh! Raziel stop, you're scaring me!" I run around a tree, putting it between the two of us.

"When I get my hands on you!" playing a game of cat and mouse, I keep him on the other side of the tree as much as possible. But he's too fast and grabs my arm. I trip over a root, dragging Raziel down on top of me. Our bodies touch and I feel the weight of his body on mine. My face turns bright red, damn my dirty mind. He lifts himself from me slightly to get a grip of himself. I need to do something fast, so I kiss him on his nose. His eyes widen in surprise.

"…You!" is all he can muster to say. I start giggling maniacally at his reaction.

"What's so funny?" He scowls.

"Hahaha, you should have seen your face!" My laughter echoes through the forest. He just sits there staring at me baffled as I enter a fit of laughter.

"You are a deceitful creature…" He shakes his head as he gets up. My giggling slowly subsides and I get up off the ground.

"We better get going, we're in a hurry remember." I walk past him looking into his eyes playfully.

(Raziel)

Something's changed in her. She appears more self-assured and less afflicted. In fact her overall attitude towards me has changed drastically since we've traveled together. Much has changed since I first met her in the forest. Before I found her outlandish, awkward, and completely ridiculous. Now she intrigues me more than ever and I find myself unbelievably captivated by her. I even find myself enjoying her company…

I wouldn't normally allow such nonsense to continue. I have not yet discovered what it is about her I find so fascinating. Is it a nice distraction from my quest? Or perhaps it is her genuine nature? It is refreshing, compared to the many devious encounters I have had in the past. Although she was untruthful in the beginning and disobeyed my wishes when meeting Vorador, it is obvious she means me no harm. Whatever it is, I'm sure I will discover in time…

(Michelle)

"So…you never answered my question."

"…What?"

"Where were you last night?" He looks at me ambivalent.

"…scouting a safe route ahead." I giggle under my breath.

"What now?" He shakes his head in an eye rolling motion.

"Nothing, nothing."

"If there's one thing I know about you, it's never nothing."

"…worried about me were you." I smile at him teasingly.

"Oh please, I was merely looking for a concealed path so I can enter Avernus unseen. Avernus is inflames, so I'm sure the citizens will be fleeing into the woods to escape the inferno."

"That is quite an explanation…did you plan that one out before hand."

"You might want to show me kindness, I haven't forgotten about earlier."

"What? That I kissed you? I thought you would turn into a handsome prince." He glares at me bewildered.

"I can't believe some of the stuff that comes out of your mouth, and that's not what I meant."

"I know, I'm just playing with you." He looks at me grudgingly.

"Besides I didn't compromise your discussion with Vorador, so why does it matter?"

"I asked you to stay outside and you deliberately disobeyed me. You don't see the problem in that?"

"What am I your dog? Please get over yourself."

"Get over myself." He turns to me exasperated.

"You couldn't get over yourself once to do me one favour after I saved your life three times. Don't tell me to -"

"Okay, okay, okay, let's not do this."

"Oh. I'm sorry. Am I making you uncomfortable? Or have you realised how unbelievably senseless you are. "

"Senseless?! You're a male, chauvinistic, jerk!"

"And you're a pain in my ass!" my blood boils and I have to take three deep breaths to calm myself down. It's not worth arguing with an idiot, they'll only bring you down to their level and beat you with years of experience.

"Then why don't you carry on without me?"

"That's the thing with dogs, you get attached!"

"Oh you Arrogant, asshole!" blood starts pumping through my veins at an increased speed, fueling my anger.

"…where the hell are we going anyways?! Does it have something to do with The Heart of Darkness and your destiny?" I say tauntingly. He stops in his tracks and turns slowly towards me with a frightening look in his eyes.

"What did you say…?" Than my mouth runs off on me, so much for calming myself down…

"That's why you travel with me isn't it. You're scared to enter the sword, so you waste your time with me like a coward, because you know your days are numbered." I cover my mouth with my hand trying to stop myself. His feverish eyes pour into my soul like the devil. He's going to kill me. I don't think I can kiss my way out of this one. I slowly start stepping back, as he walks towards me with the look of death in his eyes. His eyes start glowing a strange green, much like the demons that we ran into.

All of a sudden I hear shouting and screaming in the distance. A some soldiers are escorting people through the distant trees, so much for Raziel's discreet path. He turns around to see what all the commotion is and I see my chance to escape. I slowly start backing up to distance myself farther from Raziel. A twig snaps and he turns around. We stare at each other, me in terror, and him in hatred. He turns around and stands there for a few seconds.

"Go home, we're done here. If I see you again I won't hesitate to kill you." then he heads for Avernus.

I sigh in relief. If it weren't for those people I fear what Raziel would have done to me. I watch him evade the group of citizens in the distance and contemplate what I should do from here. Perhaps I should head home? There's nothing for me in Avernus, especially after I compromised my relationship with Raziel. Besides, he made it ominously clear what he would do if he found me there. I should have a fair amount of research to share with my co-workers now anyways…

What am thinking, of course I'm going to Avernus. I shake my head. This is no longer about research. I need to know what's going on here. This is what I live for. Without Nosgoth, what would I have? Everything that drives me through life has to do with this place and my research. I'll be extra careful not be seen by Raziel. Otherwise I'll have nothing to show for my time here. I'll be dead...

I start walking towards Avernus. I can smell the smoke from here and as I get closer, I can see the smoke blowing through the trees. As I continue to walk I break the tree line. In the center of a valley is an immense cathedral surrounded by a blazing town. Avernus Cathedral is similar in style to Burgos Cathedral in Spain, but much larger. It still stands in my time and it will be interesting to see it in a younger form.

As I walk towards the burning town I wonder what Raziel's plans were for The Heart of Darkness. I read about resurrection in Vampire folklore. When I was a little girl, Every time my dad went overseas to Nosgoth for business, he would bring me home a new book. One of them I still use to this day. My favorite being an homage to Vampire folklore. The chapter on resurrection comes to mind at this moment. It said that a vampire's body would not decay if its heart were still beating.

This made me wonder about Janos. If Raziel was going to try to resurrect him, he will probably have to kill someone for it. I can hear people screaming as I get closer and closer to the town. People run past me when I get to the towns edge. They stare at me like I'm insane and I start to question my insanity. I bring my bag up over my head as I enter the city. Fragments fall from the buildings as I hurry through the maze of homes and flames. I try to stay in line with the Cathedral as I race through…

(Raziel)

I make my way to the gargantuan building that towers above me by leaping from building to building, surrounding the Cathedral. The flames are swallowing the city at a rapid pace, so I have to move swiftly. I have no time to make sure she isn't following me, as I have no doubt that's what she is doing and had planned all along. Reflecting on what she had said to me, I wonder if there's a bit of truth to it. In fact I'm almost curtain.

I reach Avernus Cathedral and enter the buildings vaulted doorway. A cloak of darkness blankets this place, it almost feels forbidden. It's vacant. The only sound being the constant howling of the wind escaping through the bottom of the doorway. I make my way to the far side of the cathedral. An attractive coffin with two angelic statues on either side is at the end of the hall. It appears to have once held a scripture of sorts. The sarcophagus gives off a strange energy. I believe I will first need to find the scripture missing before I can progress.

I begin my search through the vacant halls of the cathedral. Stain glass windows line the halls. Light from the raging fire beyond these walls lights up the walkway as I make my way through Avernus. Taking a staircase to the upper level, I enter a balcony above the cathedrals main entrance hall. There on an altar is a dark scripture resonating with a strange magic. I take the scripture and its mystic energy rings in my mind, it's almost maddening.

I leap over the edge of the balcony to the entrance hall below, and as my feet touch the ground, two priests run out from the halls to challenge me. They cast magic, summoning large brutish demons; I have seen them before. There large bulky bodies tower before me. Hooves scraping the ground in anticipation. One joins its hands together in a powerful grip and smashes the ground in front of me. I leap back to dodge the maneuver. A grin sweeps across its large, monstrous face. With twisted horns and flaming eyes. Using its giant horns it rams into me, sending me into a pillar that supports the balcony…

(Michelle)

I race through the town as wooden cross beams fall down in front of me blocking my path. As I choose a new route more seem to fall from every direction. The heat from the flames burns my skin and the smoke burns my eyes as I try to keep Avernus Cathedral in my sight. I round a corner and there is a clear path to the cathedral ahead of me. As I race for the arched doors, a building collapses in front of me.

"Damn it!" I look for another path, but I'm surrounded by flames. There's a small opening through the wreckage, but the flames are stopping me from crossing through. I take ten steps back and run towards the opening, leaping through the fire. I stumble to the ground. My skin slightly charred, I pat the fire from my legs and arms. More pieces fall from the building almost falling on top of me. I race for the doors to the cathedral.

I heave on the door and It slowly creeks open. I fall to the floor in exhaustion. The cool surface is a relief from the flames I had just endured, but my bliss is short, as I hear a commotion in front of me. I look up and I see Raziel fighting these horrible monsters. Their appearance is similar to the Minotaur, but their faces are less like a bull and more human like. Their eyes burn a bright orange and they have teeth like a lion. Two curved horns decorate their head and four large spikes protrude from their backs.

One hammers into Raziel sending him flying in my direction. I scramble for a hiding place, and race for one of the pillars that line the hall. He hasn't seen me yet, as he's much too distracted with the giant beasts that challenge him. I watch him leap from one of the pillars and land on the back of one of the creatures with impressive acrobatics. He uses that ghostly blade and spears it through the skull. The beast's eyes go dead and it falls to the ground and disappears, but just as it fades away, another summons before him.

The fiend breathes in deep and lets out a fire breathe at Raziel. He uses the power from the sword to blow the fire from him long enough to escape. It looks hopeless, until I notice two priests that seem to cast a spell of some kind. Perhaps I can help him without being seen, somehow? I sneak from pillar to pillar while Raziel keeps those things busy. I reach the end of the hall where one of the priests is standing casting his magic. I watch as Raziel kills another demon.

The priest in front of me starts moving his hands around to cast another creature for Raziel to fight. I look around to find something, anything to stop him, but I'm too late. Another demon rises in front of the priest and he steps back to give it room. He's so close to me, if I can find a way to stop him I would be doing Raziel a huge favour. A metal torch rests on the wall across from me. If I can get to it without being seen, perhaps I can use it.

I wait until Raziel faces away from me and I run to the torch hanging on the wall. When I try to pull it off it doesn't release. I try to push up on it to unhook it, but it doesn't budge. I hear one of the creatures smash the ground behind me, sending an earthquake through the Cathedral. I lose my balance falling on to my butt, and the torch lands on my lap. I turn around in time to see Raziel come flying towards me, sliding across the ground.

I scurry up against the wall and huddle into a ball, praying he doesn't turn around and see me. He gets up and sprints towards the demons without fear or hesitation. I can't help but admire his courage and I start to feel bad about insulting him and calling him a coward. I couldn't have been more wrong about him. I sit here watching Raziel in awe as he fends off the beasts with tremendous strength and agility. I shake my head to snap out of my daze and run back to the pillar I was hiding behind.

The priest is standing a few feet away from me now and I reach the torch out to light his robe one fire. It takes a minute or so but it finally catches. I watch as the flame slowly climbs up his gown until he finally realises he's on fire. He starts to panic, running around the room as the fire engulfs him. Haven't they heard of stop, drop, and roll? The priest falls to his knees and on his stomach as the flame consumes him. I just killed a man…

One of the demons goes to head-butt Raziel, who grabs on its horns and stabs it in the eye. It roars and tries to grab him, but he dodges its attempts. As the creature roars in detest Raziel uses the Reaver to stab the creature in the throat and through its skull. It falls to the ground and disappears in a burst of flames and smoke; like it was returning to another realm. This time it doesn't return. Just as I thought, the priests are the source. Raziel realises this too and goes after the other priest, who's no match for him. His magic only lasts so long and he kills him off.

Raziel turns his attention to the other beast, who steps towards him to accept his challenge. With one powerful fist the creature hammers down on top of Raziel, who catches the demon's fist before it can crush him. I stare on, mesmerize by his strength. He uses his prowess to throw the demon on the ground, cutting the creature's hand off with no remorse or elation. It cries out in agony and he jumps on its upper body and spears it through the chest. The demon burns and disappears into a realm beyond my comprehension. Before Raziel can spot me I hide behind one of the pillars once again awaiting his next move…

(Raziel)

Finally I can return that scrip to the sarcophagus and relieve myself from its maddening enchantment. When I returned the dark scripture to its rightful resting place a portal appears in front of the coffin. I don't know what secrets I am about to discover when I pass through the gateway. I enter the vortex eager yet hesitant to what lies ahead.

I make my way through the dark underground of this strange new place. Could this place truly be the source of all corruption within the circle? Painted on the walls of this under croft is a familiar story. This time it reveals the opponent's view. It appears that this race refused to submit to the wheel of fate and for their refusal they are to suffer banishment. The vampires were thus cursed with immortality, sterility, and blood lust. How ironic.

As I continue through the corridor I come across an image of the banished race hero. With flaming eyes and a fire sword. My resemblance to this hero does not seem accidental. It seems the more I discover the more questions I have. For the vampire clan also has a hero, of which I represent. As told by Janos. What game is this? Was each race claiming the same pawn?

"So Raziel, your true nature is revealed. It is to the Hylden race you belong. You were never the vampire saviour. What do you think Kain will do when he finally realises this." I have no way of knowing what Kain will do, but this new information would surly challenge his knowledge. And my affiliation with the Hylden race could be harmful to his cause.

One thing is for sure Kain cannot be trusted…

(Michelle)

I walk slowly, stepping quietly towards the strange swirling vortex. When I get within a few feet of it, I can feel it pulling me in. I decide quickly, and jumped into the portal as it transports me to another area. When I open my eyes I start to wish I never came here. It has a certain insanity about it. I follow the path through the dark under croft hearing strange chanting and talk of a blood sacrifice to some creature they're worshiping. What have I gotten myself into this time?

I take a few pictures of the mysterious murals that decorate the walls. I wonder what they mean and if Raziel would know anything about them. The chanting stops as I near an opening in the cavern. A large circular clearing with chains hang down into a large circular pit. Obviously carved out of the ground by man. Raziel is not visible. As I approach the pit I hear a group of worshipers coming my way. I hide behind one of the pillars that hold up the roof to the cavern.

As I wait for the priests to pass, I take time to check the pit I stand inches away from. I could hear noises below, but a dusty fog obstructs my view. Raziel is probably down there, as I can hear a commotion going on. I have no way to get down the pit though and frankly I don't want to know what was keeping Raziel company. I take a few pictures of the area I'm in. A red hue plagues this place. I sneak around the area trying to get a better look down the pit, but it's no use. Suddenly the commotion stops as I make my way back around the pit, I can hear a man talking to someone in the distance. His voice echoes through the corridor.

Then I hear a familiar, alluring voice. I sneak up towards the voices and I can see Raziel talking with a man. He's talking about the binding being fragile, what binding? He says Raziel is too late for something. The man becomes possessed by a demon and confirms what the man had said to Raziel. It talks about toppling the pillars and getting revenge. Is that what this is all about, the pillars? The demon claims its host is growing weak and departs. Raziel questions this man about The Heart of Darkness. He tells him he is too late once again and that the heart is serving its role. He tells him that he used the heart to create the champion foretold as Raziel's destroyer. He mentions that the Scion of Balance would save Nosgoth and return the pillars to Vampire guardianship, casting Raziel's race down forever. So this has to do with the ownership of the pillars? Yet they hint at something more.

They continue to talk about the pillars. He talks about how he and a man named Moebius over through the vampire race to seize control over the pillars. They viewed the vampire race as a plaque. He mentions that the pillars were holding something back and that Kain will restore balance to the land. Raziel questions him about the Heart again. The man laughs and tells him that he can't use the heart so long as Kain guards it with his life. Raziel realises that the heart wasn't just used to create Kain, it serves as his functioning heart. The man gets possessed once more and says the long-awaited hour approaches, they will soon be release. Just what is going to unleash on Nosgoth?

The force releases the man and he falls back into his chair, disappearing before my eyes. Raziel looks disappointed with this outcome, as if he felt responsible. He clenches his fists in anger. I decide to leave before him. I don't want him to find out I've been here this whole time. He's looking a little testy. Plus, I don't want the portal to close me in here for all eternity. I sneak through the door and run down the twisted hallways. The portal is still open and I leap through and to the other side. I hear somebody enter the cathedral and I hide behind the coffin at the end of the hall. Raziel must have come through the portal as well, since I hear him address the person.

"Kain, why is this no surprise." It's Kain, the person they were just speaking of and the vampire that ordered Raziel's destruction. I could feel the adrenalin pulsing through my veins as the tension ripples through the air. All I could do is listen now, only a bit excited to discover more secrets.

"Because Raziel, our destinies run together like to rivers that have met and can never be distinct again. At your every fatal turn, you will find me."

"And the free will you said I possessed, what has become of that!"

"You still have it, and that has everything to do with my presence here now."

"It was your machinations that have set my destiny in motion. The coin you tossed has struck the earth and now you have to abide by the outcome." Raziel sounds heated and deceived.

"The coin is still turning Raziel. But to reach the resolution we both can live with and will best serve our futures, Janos Audron must not be raised."

"Because you do not wish it. Is my free will only to be exercised when it accords to your whim?"

"There is much more at stake here then you know."

"Yes, and it is Janos who has the answers I desire!"

"You must trust me Raziel, for Nosgoth, for our futures, are not so diverse." I listen on mesmerized.

"I must trust you? Or?" I peak around the side of the coffin to see whats going on. I can feel Raziel's rage surging.

"I have not come here to make threats."

"And you say this while you hold in your hand the instrument of my doom." Kain sheaths his blade in trying to calm Raziel.

"I have saved you from the Reaver before. I have no intention of imprisoning you in the blade."

"At least not until it serves your plans to do so." I feel pity for Kain. Having argued with Raziel myself he can be unbelievably stubborn.

"You are not the only one at risk here. I may carry the instrument of your destruction, but I, too, have taken a chance in coming her. Or haven't you realised? You bear the only weapon that can kill me."

"So you know who I am? And who you are?"

"I believe I do."

"And you still think you can move me about like your pawn. Well, think again Kain." Raziel swipes at Kain with the Wraith blade, who steps back apprehensively. Kain tries to persuade Raziel to stop, but he won't listen. At first he refuses to fight him but sees no other way to talk sense into Raziel. I start to wish I hadn't come in here…

"Very well, if this will make you see reason." Kain unsheathed the blade and walks towards Raziel ready for battle.


I do not own Legacy of Kain or its characters. I only own Michelle.

Dialogue from legacy of Kain Defiance. Reference at nosgoth. net