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Raziel
I was worried sick about Vera, but it really was safer for her there with the women than it was to have to fight off all of these hideous monsters with me.
Still, my mind was swirling as I fought and killed several creatures, not paying much attention to any hits that they got in or any hits I gave them. I didn't know if I was in pain, angry or solemn. I just knew for a fact I wasn't happy.
My powerful intellect was no match for puzzles, figuring people out or virtually anything else. Yet with Vera I was completely in the dark. I didn't know how to prevent her seal from breaking, what Vorador had in store for us or why Rahab was so damn interested in her.
I suppose I owed my brother for keeping my love safe, yet the look in his eye showed me that he wasn't just doing it out of the goodness of his heart. He was head over heels infatuated with her… And that filled me with rage. If I was a vampire it would not affect me at all and yet as a wraith I was a disgusting thing. How could Vera not want to be with a vampire who romanced her and protected her from the confident being that was myself before the Abyss? No matter how hard I tried, I could not get my younger brother's mocking face out of my mind.
In my fuming rage I ripped out the heart of a monstrous fiend that thought it could sneak up from behind. It fell as I squeezed my claws into its squishy organ, blood oozing from the holes I had punctured into it.
I was going to have to suppress my rage for Vorador. He was quite the humbling creature, one that appeared to be impossible to intimidate by anyone or anything…I took that as a challenge.
But…when I did get Vera back, what was there to do? How could this work, her and I? All we did was argue, yet the passion inside the place where my heart should have been burned intensely for her…
I needed to keep my mind focused. Vorador. Of course, information was the whole reason I began this quest…it was the reason I lived and breathed. Then why did it feel as though love was my purpose? I shook my head, disgusted with myself. Yes, I cared about Vera but I'd allowed myself to get sidetracked for too long. I would not go with her back to her home as promised. She appeared to not need my safety if returning to her… New York, was it? But what if her seal returned and she could not make it back? What if she did not want to make it back when she saw how good she had it…if she met someone…a normal human man that she was so deserving of?
…No. I would not allow myself to be sentimental. I would have to tell her that I could not go with her and that my search was to be continued alone.
How do you tell that to a girl that will not take no for an answer?
Vera
"Her only flaw, my lord, is that she is human." Luminia stood me up before Vorador, who was seated on a throne. We were in the middle of a large stone room, hundreds of girls from his harem against the wall staring intently at me, some licking their lips.
Needless to say, I was uncomfortable.
But holy crap did I totally not expect him to be all green and icky looking! Janos was at least handsome in an exotic way but Vorador was disgusting! He was totally bald with huge pointed green ears like a rabbit and weird beard things on his chin. How he got all these chicks is what I wanted to know!
He waved his arm at me in disinterest, "Yes, yes, she is beautiful, but she bears a striking resemblance to you, Luminia. Now why would I want another one of you to feed and clothe when I already have one to satisfy me?"
"Well…I…uh…" Luminia's eyes widened in fear as she looked to me. I guess she hadn't seen this coming…she didn't have an argument. With one final glance at me, she bowed her head in resignation, at a loss for words. I decided it was my turn to talk.
With my hands on my hips and brow raised I began, "Listen, Vory, I really don't think you're in a position to judge. I mean, look at you! Your face looks like a bad Halloween mask!"
As soon as I finished, the room gasped. I looked around, hoping for at least one of the girls to be smiling at my joke…I mean, it was comedy gold…but no. I looked to Luminia, who had a single tear sliding down her cheek. Jeez, vampires and their lack of humor was really starting to get on my nerves.
With a look of shock and anger, Vorador stood from his chair, "I do not know what this Halloween is but an ignorant human such as you should at least have the intelligence to know not to speak to me in such a tone." He walked slowly in an attempt to make me more fearful and on edge, but I was so not buying it. What was the worst he could do? Since I looked like Luminia he was already gunna have me killed, so why not give him a piece of my mind before my life was over? Besides, if I was lucky, I could distract him long enough for Raz to get here.
"Look, Grinchy, I understand that you don't like the Who's down in Whoville, but the thing is, I'm not afraid of you. So give me your worst, cuze nothing could be as bad as looking like you!" As he came closer to me, I took a step toward him, curling my hands into fists.
"…You do not act like Luminia. You do not act in any way I've ever seen a woman behave before. Alright. I will keep you. Tonight, you will be changed and officially become part of my harem. I do recommend you find some respect for me, however. I'd imagine your constant disregard for everyone and everything could get infuriating. Luminia, take her to your quarters and get her out of those hideous garments. I will visit you by the night's end, young Vera. After that you will not be a human…or a girl…anymore." With an arrogant smile, Vorador returned back to his throne as Luminia led me away with a relieved expression.
Wait…what did he mean about the not being a girl any…?
EWWWWW!
Raziel
I approached Vorador's throne with caution, looking around the large stone room. I sensed that it had been previously occupied minutes before, but by whom? Was it possible that I had just missed Vera?
"Come forward, creature. State your name and tell me…What is it you need from me?" Vorador's booming voice echoed in the room, but I was not impressed.
"First things first, Vorador. I am Raziel. You have something that belongs to me. A girl. A human girl. Give her to me at once and then we can return to the real reason I'm here." I resisted the urge to threaten the vampire, knowing it would do no good, but glowered at him, preparing to draw the Reaver if necessary.
"Vera? Oh…what a shame. I planned on turning her tonight. She really is something else, you know. What does a fiend like you need her for anyway?" The vampire did not seem to be offset by me in the least…However his comment invoked yet another flood of rage.
Turn her? I had not even considered that he would do such a morbid thing! How naïve of me…And the fact that he was even going to keep her surprised me as well. I was never so ill prepared in my life…
"Vera belongs to me. It is not up for discussion. Now bring her here, you arrogant fool." I snapped, having to look away or I'd have killed him on the spot.
"It is not necessary to be so hostile. I'll have her brought out momentarily…but allow me to turn her, creature. Think about it – you would never have to worry of her dying…She could help you in your quest instead of trailing behind like a lost pet. And eventually, when she tires of your company, she could return to me again. How does that sound? It would be doing both of you a favor."
"It is simply out of the question, Vorador! She will never be one of you!" I shouted as anger flickered across the old vampire's face.
"Is it so terrible a fate? Would you rather her be dead or look like you?" He pounded his fist on his chair's arm rest and I knew if we both continued pushing our beliefs we would get nowhere. I swallowed my anger reluctantly.
"Please. Just…bring her out."
He studied me for a few moments in silence, then grinned, "Sure. But here is the catch. Choose, Raziel; The girl or information." He seemed as though this decision would be hard for me. Indeed it almost was. But this proved to me yet again that I could not continue on with Vera by my side. She was my only weak point; something others could use to extort things from me…
"You know my answer." I stood unwavering, not letting him see my agitation… that would only bring him pleasure.
"What a shame. Luminia?" The woman Vera and I had seen at our descent into this hellhole again showed herself the instant Vorador called for her. "Bring Vera here. Some…thing is here to see her."
The woman smiled hugely upon seeing me again…Vera must have told her about me coming back for her.
Though I despised vampires this one I did not mind. I could sense no evil from her...only kindness and motherly concern. She disappeared and returned quickly with Vera, but something was different about her.
I gasped in awe of the girl, now wearing a beautiful long and flowing red dress. I barely recognized her. In my vampire days, I would have been proud to have such a beautiful girl in my harem. I could see why Vorador had trouble giving her up. In fact, when she didn't open her mouth, she looked as though she fit perfectly in Nosgoth. I could not tear my eyes away from her, falling even deeper into the depths of love.
"This dress is totes bunching up near my butt…It's giving me major wedgies but there's no real way to subtly pick…Oh! Hey, Raz!" At the sight of me, Vera ran away from her superior harem member, something she would've been surely punished for had she remained in Vorador's grasp.
Her arms wrapped around my neck and suddenly I forgot everything; my worries, where I was, who I was…everything.
And then it came flooding back. I slowly pushed her away from me, unable to look into her shinning eyes because of the guilt I felt.
"Vera there's something I have to talk to you about…" I started softly but upon seeing Vorador's and his lover's gaze on us, I stopped, "but first we must get out of here. Vorador. Have her show us the alternate exit." I indicated to Luminia, refusing, out of habit, to call her by name. The two vampires exchanged glances and with a nod from her master, she led us back down the hall where she had appeared with Vera previously.
When we were vampires, we never saw our harem as individuals, only sexual pleasures or challenges; which one of us could find the prettiest girl and destroy her innocence?
I shuddered to myself as this woman bought back memories I would much rather have had hidden…
A sudden and rough jabbing to my arm brought me back to reality, "HEY. Guess who was wrong about Vorador wanting me." Quite inappropriately, Vera stuck her tongue out at me, continually jamming my body with her fingers. "I'm all sexy in this outfit, admit it!"
I turned my head away from her in embarrassment, not wanting to admit my true feelings…not wanting to tell her how very beautiful she was to me. "…You are very lucky Vorador decided to keep you. If I had come when I did and he hadn't wanted you it would have been too late…I would not have been able to save you from death as it appears I must do every half hour or so."
I realized I was being harsh with her, but I needed to make things easier for me…and for her when I told her to go back to New York. I cringed as soon as I said it, expecting her to raise her voice in outrage.
In fact, I saw her eyes narrow and mouth open, but Luminia interrupted her, "Creature, if you would allow me to speak out of turn, Vera is not just lucky to have been accepted by my master. He enjoyed her abrasive personality…He found it refreshing and new. And the others and I did wondrous things to an already beautiful girl with the dress. I believe it is you who is lucky."
"Owned." Vera said shortly, something I did not understand, nor did Luminia, who glanced to her with a confused expression, but then nodded as though they were on the same page. "Hear that, Raz? YOU'RE lucky to have ME!" A sly smile came across her perfect lips and I once again felt a pang of regret that she would not be accompanying me any longer. She was right. I was lucky. Instead of continuing the conversation, I looked away.
"That's it? No crappy comeback? Or apology? Man, you got boring while I was gone!" With an annoyed look on her face, Vera crossed her arms over her chest, finally silent for once in her life. I suppose when no one gave her a reaction she had no reason to continue on with her disruptive attitude…I wish I had known that earlier.
"Here is the exit." The vampire stopped in front of the very last door opening it for us and exposing the outside. From the corner of my eye, I saw her studying me, likely wondering what Vera saw in me. I was still trying to figure that out as well.
Vera's eyes widened as she stared at the door, "Wait a minute, so anyone that wants to leave can just…leave? It's not locked or anything?"
"No. Why would anyone want to leave? We all love Lord Vorador and he presents us with the finest of clothing and accessories. We are all close. We are all family. Of course, he asks that you do not leave within a month's time. No rash decisions should be made that you will definitely regret later."
Yes, the girls would regret it later…Vorador would hunt them down and make sure of that.
"Well…thanks for everything." Vera said with a smile as we both exited the fortress for hopefully the first and last time. "Let's get as far away from here as possible, 'K?" She muttered walking as fast as I've ever seen her move.
"Wait, Vera." She stopped and turned around, looking at me in confusion. I think for once in the girl's life she was slightly shaken up from her vampire experience. "We are safe here, don't worry. And we will leave the area soon. But first…We have to talk."
She groaned, now back to her old self as she rolled her eyes, "Can we do that after we go to New York? I'm starting to think we're never gunna get there!"
"…That is what this is about. Please…sit down for a moment."
