Ritual of Purification

Novanus stood up. He would have to perform the ritual soon. He had no idea how far the barrier had failed. The sooner he started, the better. Novanus walked over to his mantelpiece and opened the ornate box which sat on top of it. Inside lay a beautifully crafted knife. Its blade was inlaid with intricate runes written in gold. It was also split leaving a gap of around one centimeter between each of its two parts. The hilt sported a two-headed serpent which ran all the way up the handle to its tail. This was the ritual blade of the ancients. It held unknown power and would be the key to the barrier which would seal away the Nerayan. Novanus took it out of its case and placed it within the folds of his coat. With a look out of the window and the rocky peaks beyond it, Novanus left his inner sanctum and set off to the high altar.

Lessa had returned to Kain's chamber to check on him. She was amazed when she looked upon him, his face and hair had already regenerated. The rest of his body remained the same. It was then that she figured out that which had been crying for attention in the back of her mind. "Where was the Soul Reaver?" She decided she would ask Lent this. As she left the chamber, Lessa ran into Admar. He looked annoyed about something. "What's wrong Admar? You look as though you lost something." "In all this excitement my horse has bolted, I have to be back by morning to open up. How am I going to get home now?" replied Admar with a sigh. "Don't worry, my friend. I'll take you back." "You're sure, Lessa? I don't want to take up your time." "No, that's alright. I need some air and besides Seth needs feeding, he likes some wild boar and we go through a wood that is full of them. You go and tell Novanus what's going on, I need to speak with Lent a moment, I'll meet you in the main hall." With that, Lessa turned towards Lent's quarters.
Lessa walked into Lent's room to find Lent and Gadorian there. "I'm sorry Gad, I didn't mean to interrupt you two." Lessa turned to leave but was stopped by Lent's voice. What are you doing with that sword?" Lent demanded, rushing forward to take the Flame Sword. Lessa stopped him dead, locking his muscles. "Careful Lent," Lessa warned with a growl. Lent defiantly said, "That sword belongs to Kain, you must give it to me." "Kain discarded it in Avernus years ago. I claimed it after he had discarded it, and tell me, why would he need it? He has the Soul Reaver, doesn't he?" snarled Lessa, releasing Lent.

Novanus walked through the immense archway towards the high altar. Walking through the citadel he felt awash with memories, emotions and other sensations that awakened a reaction within his very soul. Instead of approaching the high alter, however, he stopped instead about fifteen feet from it directly beneath the dome of the Citadel.
He had changed into ceremonial robes which was law among his tribe when in a Holy place. Unlike the simple robes which sported the symbol of the Ancients, Novanus', as Seer of the tribe, had other diagrams and occult symbols on it. And thus he stood in the citadel a servant of the Ancients. Novanus took out the knife from his sash and placed it with its point to the altar, in front of him. He then placed two small bowls of blood at right angles from the blood about a meter away from him.
Novanus began to chant and after a few minutes he started to levitate. The knife began to take on a strange ethereal glow. Novanus' chant grew quicker in pace and seemed to be coming from more than one voice as if the many voices were all being spoken by the vampire.
The bowls of blood twitched as the blood within began to snake into the air towards the knife. As Novanus chanted faster and louder the snakes of blood shot into the blade, instantly absorbed. The dagger shot forward and floated two feet above the altar. A piercing light lanced through the citadel dome and struck the knife. As quickly as it had begun, so did it disappear and the blade flew into Novanus' out held hand. "The blade is imbued," said Novanus as he raised the dagger up. Novanus stood up and walked to the vestry where he telekinetically threw his robes on the wall. With that he rushed to his chamber, his right and left arms bleeding profusely, the blade still in hand.

Izael didn't know how long he had been in the chamber. He had read all the tomes he had stolen, slept, and ate. He thought he had been in that small, strange room for weeks. However, now that he had followed the instructions sent into his mind by Gadorian, and now that he had found his way back to the...inhabited areas of the temple, it seemed like he had been away for ten minutes. The party was still going on, though most of the mortals were missing. It was still night. Izael wondered if that chamber had been a dream. His only proof of the encounter was that he was now wearing the armor Gadorian had given him, his mind full of records that proved Gadorian's every word, whispers coursing through Izael's mind. The first book he read, which contained information regarding the Pillars and Rise and Fall of Kain had told him everything he needed. Kain was evil, yes, but so was Sarafan Lord. However, the Pillars were created to do good, and it had been humans, not vampires, who had started the events that started the long war. On the other book, Izael had found techniques on how to prevent his mind from being read by vampires, psionic abilities (such as how to sense a vampire) etc. Although Izael doubted if they'd work against these ancient and enormously powerful vampires here, now he at least stood a chance. Izael stopped. He was supposed to meet Gadorian here soon. He would learn all the secrets of the Sword he carried. And then, perhaps, he could put this eternal hatred to its end. Forever.

Lent looked at Lessa, silently asking if she had had enough fun with him. As if reading his mind, she let him down. "I meant no disrespect, cousin of mine," said Lent, "You can keep the sword. It won't be any use to Kain now." "And the Reaver?" Lessa asked. "Where else would it be but in the foul hands of the Sarafan Lord?" Lessa looked disgusted at the fact. Lent was hurt, nothing like physical pain, but his pride was. Lessa was the closest person he had to a living relative, even if she was a vampire. He disliked being pushed around like a doll, especially by her. These vampires treated him sometimes as if he would actually do them harm. Lent shook his head. "What is it?" Lessa asked. "It's a shame that we, in this temple, are forced by fate to be an unlikely set of allies. If we do not trust one another, then what hope do we have?" Lent sighed.

He had hated Izael for the wrong reasons and found himself wondering where the boy's loyalty was. Izael had no loyalty to the vampire race, and had no reason to trust them either. Lent also believed Izael had no loyalty to the Sarafan any more or he would have sacrificed himself before ever coming to this temple. Only time would tell if trust could be earned and given by all members of this odd party.
Lent had seen the mistrust Lessa showed him, Lent's mistrust for Izael, and Izael's mistrust of all. Such a circle of distrust could only lead to deceit and disaster. Still, he recalled the quarrel between Novanus and Gadorian. It seemed those two had a bitter past. But in this moment of crisis, they managed to set aside their differences for the greater good. Lent then knew he would have to set aside his pride, whatever he held against Izael would now have be put to rest.
"I will help you, for Nosgoth's sake, and for the honor of the vampire race." Lent kneeled before Gadorian and Lessa. Never before had he felt such purpose. "You realize that this is an extremely dangerous situation for vampires, and that you'll probably not live through it?" Gadorian asked. "Better to die at peace than an eternity of suffering," Lent replied.

Novanus sat staring into the flames in the fireplace in front of him. His arms were neatly bandaged for the short time they needed to heal. The imbuing had not only required the blood of a mortal but also Novanus' own, as a form of tribute to the Ancients. He needed to feed.
The ritual had taken a lot of Novanus' energy, leaving him feeling weak, frail even. The magic he had performed this evening had been very powerful. Even though he had only had a short amount of time in contact with the energy of the pillars, that small time had stretched the limits of his self control not to become too involved. To do so would have been dangerous to the extent that Novanus could have lost himself for good.
There was a knock on the door. "My Lord? My Lord, are you in there?" Novanus did not have the strength to get up and open the door. In fact it was a miracle that he had managed to return to his rooms. He had wrapped his arms tightly so that he had not left a trail of blood from the citadel to his rooms. Admar would only worry unnecessarily.
"My lord, are you inside?" Admar's voice came again. Novanus opened the door telekinetically. Admar stepped into the room. "Master, you look awful." Admar walked over and knelt beside Novanus. "What happened to your arms, sir?" "Nothing, Admar, don't worry about me. I just need to feed." "Well then we must get you down to the city as soon as possible. You look incredibly pale." Admar stood and walked over to the fire, warming his hands. "I came to see you about going down to the city actually, sir. You see, my horse somehow managed two wriggle free of its halter and has bolted. Mistress Lessa has offered to take me down to the city but if you are intending to go maybe she needn't." "Give me an hour, Admar, and I'll take you. I just need a little while to regain my composure." "Right you are sir." Admar turned and walked towards the door.
"Oh, and Admar, I won't be back anytime soon. I have to make a journey, to the Pillars." Admar stopped in his tracks. "My Lord, that's near to suicide, you know that there is that Sarafan outpost right by them. You'd be committing suicide." "Don't argue with me, Admar, just accept it. Should I not return, I have made provision enough for you to live like a king. There's plenty of gold for you in those chests in my chambers. I still don't know why you insist on running that little shop of yours. You're practically king of the thieves in Meridian thanks to my help." Admar knew better than to argue with Novanus once he had his mind set on something, so he didn't bother. Instead he said, "Ah, but it's more fun running the shop. If people don't know what I'm about, my Lord, it keeps them guessing." With that, Admar turned and left the room.
An hour passed and Novanus decided that it was time to leave. He stood up but almost instantly felt dizzy and was forced to focus his mind on stabilizing. Only the millennia of strengthening his mental gift allowed him to overcome the weakness of his body. Novanus needed blood.
He walked to the door, keeping his balance through telekinesis and hiding his weakness which, as far as he was concerned, should not be shown to the others. He pulled his sleeves down to cover his bandaged arms and strode off to the main Hall.

Izael saw Novanus walk into the hall. He could easily see that the vampire was weak. Now would be Izael's chance to kill it. But something stayed his hand. Actually, he felt he was somehow indebted to this mysterious vampire. He walked over to Novanus. "I see you are weak." Izael took off his armored gauntlet and offered his hand to Novanus. "Here. Drink deep. You have helped me much and now is my turn to help you." "Thank you for the offer but I won't if it's all the same to you." Novanus flashed a knowing smile at Izael. "And thank you for not attacking me. It would have been a real shame to harm you." Novanus winked and looked at Izael's armor. "And where did you get you Blood Spawn armor? Not that it really matters now. I hope it protects you from what is to come. You and I shall have to have a little chat when I return. I shall be back before dawn." With that, Novanus turned and continued on his way, doubling his mental efforts to appear fine.

Gadorian walked back out towards the main hall. He saw Izael bidding farewell to a frail Novanus. The vampire was doing all he could to hide his weakness with illusions, but Gadorian saw straight through it. He nearly took the chance to harass his rival, but realized the action would deal a terrible blow to Novanus' pride. He instead pretended not to see him at all and approached Izael.
"Good. You were able to follow my instructions and find your way out. I will tell you everything I know of the sword, and answer whatever questions you may have about it now, for the time when you may need to use it grows ever closer..."
Gadorian told Izael all that he had earlier told Lent of the sword and its history, plus a few other secrets to be entrusted only to the one chosen by the blade. He then instructed Izael a bit in unlocking some of the hidden power, but soon realized the novice would need some in depth..."training."