LEGACY OF KAIN: BLACK HEARTS

CHAPTER 10: THE ELDER GOD

Kali thought about Kain's words. She had known Kain as an evil tyrant, lusting for power and control. She had no reason to trust him ever since she cast Raziel into the Abyss. But his words intrigued her.

She could tell Raziel felt the same way. He did not seem to be concerned about the fact that Kain escaped so easily. Instead, he pondered deeply about what Kain said.

"What next, boss?" Kali said, breaking the unsettling silence.

"If Kain was truthful about unearthed secrets," Raziel thought out loud. "Then I am determined to expose them. But I have no idea where to look."

Kali thought for a little bit, "Let's just explore around. There must be something we can find around here."

Raziel nodded, and they walked down a path beyond the pillars. While walking, an eerie feeling crept up Kali's spine. She felt as though she was being watched.

"Raziel…" Kali said with a shaky voice.

"I know," Raziel answered, reading her expression. "Someone, or something, is very interested in our presence here."

Wary of their surroundings, they continued down the path. After a while of walking, the approached an ancient, sealed door. It depicted a figure similar to Raziel. The blue skinned, clawed, and winged being wielded a sword that Kali couldn't seem to escape. The Soul Reaver.

Raziel summoned his winding weapon. Kali studied it closely. Now, the Reaver appeared more subtle, almost gentle. But it still had its intimidating aura about it.

Raziel lifted it to the door, and inserted it into the lock, as if the sword was a key. The door, to both Kali and Raziel's surprise, crept open, revealing a long corridor.

Kali began to feel dizzy. Her knees buckled as fatigued took over her body. Raziel quickly moved to her limping form.

"Kali…" Raziel said.

"I…," Kali stuttered. "W…What's going…?"

Raziel softly shushed her. "Just relax; I'll get us through here."

Raziel lifted her as he did in the time streaming chamber, and stepped into the threshold. As he did this, Kali fell out of consciousness. Raziel shuddered with the sudden feeling of being alone. But he continued into the mysterious cavern.

Raziel found himself in a large, magnificent chamber. The Pillars descended into the room, into a platform floating on water that filled the room. Clutching Kali tightly, Raziel jumped to the center platform. Around the room, Raziel noticed murals, all depicting a winged race that apparently erected the Pillars. Raziel gently laid Kali in the middle of the chamber.

Raziel let his mind drift into thought as he studied the depictions. The murals showed the proud race raising the Pillars, defeating their adversaries, and then writhing in agony. It seemed they were cursed with the same blood-thirst that he had once suffered. But in every single mural, the Soul Reaver was shown as some kind of holy relic. Is this the secret that Kain wanted him to discover?

"Lies, Raziel," A familiar voice echoed through the room. "Do not be deceived."

Raziel stepped to the edge of the platform, and noticed the tentacles creeping up the lower walls of the chamber,

"Ah, my ancient 'benefactor'" Raziel snickered. "And I dared to hope we had parted ways forever. Your silence was refreshing, while it lasted. No doubt you have a conveniently inexpressible reason for your presence here?"

"Do not be insolent, Raziel," The Elder God warned. "I am eternally present, here and everywhere, now and always. I am the still center of the turning wheel, the hub of this world's destiny."

"But perhaps not so omnipotent as you'd have me believe." Raziel pointed out. "Your hold on me appears to be tenuous. I no longer seem to need you, yet I'm guessing you still need me."

"This impudence is unworthy of you, Raziel." The Elder God criticized. "Do not forget that you have a task to fulfill here. You are indebted to me."

"Indebted?" Raziel repeated. "You would have me show gratitude for a 'gift' I didn't ask to be bestowed? Do you forget that you forced me to inhabit this vile carcass…?"

"I restored you to yourself, Raziel. It was Kain who destroyed you. The very enemy you have just let slip through your grasp," The Elder God's tone became threatening. "Do not fail me, my servant."

"I serve no one," Raziel said. "No you, not Kain, and not your lackey, Moebius."

"Moebius is my good servant," The Elder God said ominously. "I have many."

"And if I tell Moebius that he's worshipping a giant squid, do you think his faith will falter?" Raziel asked.

"You have grown willful, Raziel." The Elder God said. "But beware: to embrace a serpent is to invite poison into your heart. Kain is a sinuous beast; he will seduce and deceive you. You pride yourself on your free will, yet you let that degenerate deter your resolve."

"I harbor no illusions about his integrity, nor anyone else's," Raziel said. "In fact, I am beset by manipulation on all sides. I merely seek the truth."

"These are the fathomless truths, Raziel" The Elder God vocally gestured to the murals of the winged race agonizing in their blood-thirsty bodies. "The agony of birth and death and rebirth - this is the Wheel of Fate, the purifying cycle which sustains all life. Vampires are an abomination, a plague which leeches this land of its spiritual strength. They obstruct the flow of life and death; their souls stagnate in their wretched corpses. But the wheel must turn; death is inexorable and cannot be denied. Your destiny is irresistible, Raziel - you are my Soul Reaver, the scourge of the vampires, reaper of their apostate souls. Remain steadfast. End the vampires' parasitic curse, and restore Nosgoth. Kain's blood belongs on your hands."

"Kain indeed deserves to die," Raziel agreed. "For condemning me to this repugnant form. But if and when I kill him, it will be for me, alone, to decide."

"Kain destroyed you without a flicker of remorse," The Elder God pointed out. "He tore the soul from your noble corpse, and after you had served him faithfully for a thousand years, he discarded you in the Abyss on a jealous whim. Remember your rage, Raziel. Let it guide your hand."

Raziel looked back at Kali's body.

"And what of her?" Raziel asked. "No doubt this was your doing."

"The vampire must not know of me, Raziel," The Elder God said. "In fact, you should find yourself compelled to abandon her. She is the very example of the vampire plague. Every vampire in Nosgoth must be freed."

"Enough," Raziel said. "Kali is not a full vampire, nor will she ever be."

"Let go of these useless feelings, Raziel." The Elder God said. "Half or not, her soul remains corrupted from the Wheel. She is your prey, Raziel."

Raziel tried to ignore the booming voice. He picked up Kali once again, and proceeded through a different corridor. He emerged from the chamber in a vast and dark swamp. Kali woke in Raziel's arms.

"What's that smell?" Kali said as she drew in her first conscious breath.

"The swamp," Raziel answered as he placed Kali gently on her feet.

"What are we doing here?" Kali asked.

"Exploring," Raziel said.

"What are we going to find in a swamp?" Kali looked around the area, and saw nothing but trees, overgrown shrubs, and putrid water.

"I'm not sure," Raziel admitted. "But it's a start."

Raziel took a quick glance of his surroundings. He noticed a sealed archway that had the unmistakable mark of Time engraved into it.

"Another time streaming chamber?" Kali asked.

"Yes," Raziel answered. "But it's been long ago abandoned and forgotten. I don't believe we can make use of this. At least not for now."

Raziel began to travel further away from the Elder God's chamber. Kali followed swiftly behind him. Neither of them could shake the feeling of being watched. Raziel eventually turned around to see a figure dissipating from his sight.

"Did you see that?" Raziel asked.

"See what?" Kali responded.

"I know what's been watching us," Raziel said. "I only caught a glimpse of him, but his features were distinctive. The vampire, Vorador."

"You mean the same Vorador who slaughtered the circle?" Kali asked.

"Yes," Raziel said. "Ironic that the creature who single handedly massacred the Guardians would fear confronting us. Very well, if he will not come to us, then we will go to him."

"Wait, what?" Kali said with a slight shock.