LEGACY OF KAIN: BLACK HEARTS
CHAPTER 13: TIME STREAMING
"That was… horrifying," Kali said once Raziel moved his arms away from her.
"Kain's words?" Raziel asked.
"Well, that, and… you," Kali answered. "You are the only being I know that can pierce Kain's heart with fear… and also mine."
"None of my threats were ever directed towards you, Kali," Raziel said.
"I know," Kali agreed. "It's not your words, but your weapon that frightens me. That unearthly blade's presence has chilled me since we reunited against Kain."
Raziel looked at his arm, even though the blade had already faded away. "I must admit that it hasn't always been this way. It only became parasitic when it met its former self."
"Can't you just… let it go?" Kali asked.
"Believe me, I've tried," Raziel replied. "It is bound to me, whether I desire it or not. And that is what leaves me dumbfounded more than anything. Why is it bound to me?"
Kali looked into Raziel's eyes, so full of annoyance and confusion towards the sword. She hated seeing him so confused and lost. But she couldn't help him, considering that she know nothing of the mysterious weapon.
"Come on," Kali suggested. "This place is giving me the chills."
"Right," Raziel agreed. "Kain's words did open a door for me. I have a time streamer to meet."
"Wonderful," Kali said excitedly. "I'm looking forward to revenge."
"We're not going to kill him," Raziel said. "That is, if he cooperates."
Raziel and Kali walked to the time streaming room where they had emerged into this era. Raziel studied the doors, and walked towards the one with the bright crystal at the peak of its arch. As he approached, he summoned the Reaver, imbued with the power of Light, and the door opened in response.
"Raziel," Kali said, turning his attention to the hooded man behind them. Once again, he approached unarmed, with a rush of fear flooding over his face.
"Ah yes. I like that look on your face, Moebius," Raziel said, realizing he had the upper hand. "You really don't know what to do now, do you, old man? Here you are, caught without your damned staff. And, I suspect things aren't progressing quite as you'd hoped. You're not used to the fly turning to confront you in your web, are you?"
Kali chuckled, and eagerly awaited Moebius's response.
"Kain's devious influence has poisoned your mind, Raziel," Moebius said, trying to regain control of the conversation. "Now you see betrayal everywhere, even in your closest allies."
"We were never allies, Moebius," Raziel corrected. "Conspirators, perhaps… briefly."
Moebius saw that this discussion had gone in a direction that he didn't want. So, he tried to change the subject. "Why did you not kill Kain when you had the chance? He was at your mercy."
"Precisely," Raziel ironically agreed. "I had a choice, and I chose mercy. And now I know your sordid little secret; the significance of that displacement I felt when the two Reavers came together. Strangely enough, I was enlightened by the 'devious' Kain, not by you. In fact, I've learned much more than you counted on. I understand now how you've tried to manipulate all of history for your own personal gain. But now all your little schemes are whirling in ruin around you, aren't they? All because I decided to exert my will for once, rather than obey the demands of sorcerers and spirits and demons all singing the same tiresome refrain: 'kill Kain!' I am setting my own path from here, Moebius. I intend to discover the truth behind all of this."
"But you condemn us all with this impetuous act!" Moebius said.
"Impetuous?!" Kali snapped.
"It means he did it without thinking," Moebius explained.
"I know what it means, you snake!" Kali yelled, drawing her sword.
"Hardly impetuous," Raziel said. "It took all the will I could muster. Has my refusal to kill Kain reshuffled your carefully stacked deck of cards?"
"You really think you are exercising your free will, Raziel?" Moebius responded angrily. "You are simply Kain's servant…"
"I do not serve Kain," Raziel interrupted. "I merely did not kill him."
"Raziel, do not forget your purpose here," Moebius warned. "You are destined to be the savior of Nosgoth!"
"Oh, I'm sick of hearing that particular phrase," Raziel said, annoyed. "As for saving Nosgoth, so far I see precious little reason to bother. And I'll choose my own 'purpose' from here on out, Time-Streamer. Right now, I choose to manipulate you, for a change. Go… in there."
Raziel summoned the Reaver, and gestured to the opened time streaming chamber.
"What are you doing?" Moebius asked.
"Come now, Moebius," Raziel said in response. "You're a cunning serpent... you'll piece it together, I imagine."
With both Raziel and Kali's sword at Moebius's back, he was forced into the time streaming chamber.
"This era is of no further use to me" Raziel explained. "You will operate this device to provide me passage. I want to see the world in a simpler time; before the Sarafan began their crusade."
"And what about Kain?" Moebius asked as he operated the machine. "You're leaving your quarry behind!"
"You kill him if it's so damned important!" Raziel shouted.
"You need only touch the two poles of the switch, and the device will transport you," Moebius said. "But I urge you to reconsider…"
"You've lost your powers of persuasion, old man," Raziel said. "Rot here, and forget us."
Raziel offered his hand to Kali, and she took it without hesitation. Raziel gripped one switch of the machine and Kali gripped the other. A vortex appeared around them, and they were shifted into the time stream.
Moebius, alone in the room couldn't help but chuckling.
"You seem happy," A voice said.
"Oh, yes, my friend," Moebius replied.
"But Kain lives," the man said, stepping out of the shadows. He wore thin black clothing that hugged his skin. His belt was assorted with daggers of all different shapes and sizes. And, on his back was strapped a pure black blade.
"Do not worry, my assassin," Moebius assured him. "Time will take its toll. Your only focus is the half blood. Now come, I must send you to the appropriate time: to the age of the Sarafan."
"And if Kain interferes?" The assassin asked.
"Enough, Baltizor," Moebius snapped. "Time will take its toll. I do not want to repeat myself again."
"Yes, my lord," Baltizor obeyed.
"There," Moebius said as he finished adjusting the time streaming machine. "You are ready to transport. Show the soldiers my mark as you enter. They will take you straight to me."
Baltizor gripped the handles, and the time vortex appeared around him, and he was teleported through the time streams. He reappeared in the same chamber, only it looked less worn by time. He stepped out of the chamber to be greeted by two soldiers with swords.
"State your business here!" One of them shouted.
Baltizor examined them. They wore the armor of a Sarafan priest, and the hilt of the swords had the Sarafan emblem engraved into them. Without saying a word, Baltizor showed them a small piece of stone with an arcane hourglass engraved into it.
"He serves Moebius," The other priest said. "Lower your sword, Zephon."
"Yes Raziel," he said as he lowered his sword.
"Take me to Moebius," Baltizor ordered.
"Of course," Raziel said. "Zephon, stay here."
Zephon sighed with boredom. Apparently time streaming chamber duty wasn't the fun job here.
Raziel led Baltizor out of the room and into another room on the other side of the stronghold. A man in a purple cloak stood near a window, observing the snowy terrain.
"My lord," Baltizor kneeled. "I have arrived."
"Ah, I have been expecting you," Moebius said. "About an hour early, but it will do."
"What am I to do, lord Moebius?" Baltizor asked eagerly.
"Nothing, yet," Moebius explained. "Your target will be here soon. Leave the blue one, but kill the half blood."
"Yes sir," Baltizor said.
"Raziel," Moebius said.
"Yes, my lord?" Raziel stepped forward.
"The time has come," Moebius said. "Go to Janos Audron's retreat, and bring me his heart."
Raziel smiled with excitement. "Yes, my lord. I shall inform my brothers."
"Indeed," Moebius agreed. "With haste, Raziel."
The priest rushed out of the room like a child on Christmas. Baltizor and Moebius were left alone in the room.
"Ah, my assassin," Moebius said. "Our victory draws near. Let us finish what Mortanius and I started."
"The age of the vampire will end with a devastating crash, my lord," Baltizor said.
"All of my years lead to this moment," Moebius chuckled.
"And soon, you'll be able to live your life on peace," Baltizor said.
"Yes," Moebius said. "And the wheel will churn once more."