Chapter Five -

I had emerged in an unknown hallway of the temple with absolutely no sense of direction to guide me. The last time I had traveled down this path, I had been unconscious, now I hadn't the slightest idea of how I would return to Kain's inner sanctum. I removed a torch from the wall and began carefully making my way down the left corridor. Here, there were many more detailed murals gracing the walls. Murals of the Ancient race at the height of their divinity - worshipped as gods by the lesser species of Nosgoth. As I rounded yet another corner, I had come across more murals - this time they were familiar to me. There was one of Vorador as he slaughtered the Circle of Nine in the Sarafan Stronghold. One of Kain during his legendary battle with William the Just, then Kain falling at the hands of the Sarafan Lord. I had begun to realize what significance these murals held. Kain had been compiling a pictorial history of his entire existence. From the birth of the vampire to the current state of ruin that Nosgoth had undergone. I marveled in Kain's hobby - perhaps even his obsession, at telling the story through the words of the murals. A picture tells a thousand tales and indeed, this was the proof.

"Kain requests your company." A calloused voice called out from behind.

As I turned to face my new companion, my eyes fell over a younger man. He was approximately my height, slender build with raven hair that was parted down the middle, and hung just below his pointy ears. A sudden pain in my head, which nearly caused me to lose my balance, interrupted my observation. As I had closed my eyes, I caught a faint vision into the unknown. I could see a being, similar to the one before me, yet somehow different - changed perhaps, striking me down in the great hall of what would appear to be a cathedral. The vampire caught me before I tumbled to the floor.

"Are you alright?" He inquired.

I shook off the pain, and the vision and used him to balance myself as I stood. "Y-yes. I believe I am alright." I replied. It was odd that I experienced such an occurrence with this vampire and not the others. I did not even wish to fathom what the future had in store for he and I.

"I am Raziel. First born of Kain's Lieutenants." The vampire greeted. "I have heard quite the many tales of Kain's conquest of Meridian, it's good to finally see some proof of his endeavors."

"He has spoken of me?"

Raziel smiled and began leading me to the exit of the lower temple hallways. "Not in detail, but he commented on you being amongst the Cabal, whom he helped."

"You are not like the rest of them." I said.

"Who, my brethren?" Raziel asked as a slight sarcastic chuckle escaped him. "I have been known to outdo them from time to time. That all changes when your master tells you to behave."

I did not find humor in his little insult, however decided to hold my tongue in order to avoid yet another hassle with these new vampires. We made our way through the corridors and up another set of stairs before coming again to the door of Kain's inner sanctum. Raziel pushed open the door and allowed me to enter first. He then passed me and approached the Pillar basin. I glanced over his shoulder, catching a glimpse of all of Kain's lieutenants positioned around the Balance Pillar throne, where Kain sat silently.

"My lord, I have brought the prisoner as you requested." Raziel declared as he knelt before Kain.

I was reluctant to approach the basin. As my eyes made direct contact with the vampires before me, I became fearful for my life. Each one of the vampires looked at me with utter hatred and disgust. Zephon, my prison attacker, managed to blow me a wicked kiss from across the room as Turel and Rahab merely laughed beside him. My eyes fell to the floor as I began to tremble.

"Leave us." Kain uttered. His words so cold and empty.

Raziel nodded and rose back to his feet. "Yes Kain." He replied.

He signaled for the rest of his brethren to follow him before brushing past me quickly. One by one they filed down the basin's stairs - their deathly gazes still looking over my flesh. My eyes closed as the sanctum's door was slammed behind them. The silence was nearly unbearable. I could not bring myself to look at Kain. I could hear in the distance, the sound of the vampire shifting in his throne. I began to feel a sense of relief. If he were to destroy me again, I am sure he would have done it by now. For this, I was thankful.

"Why did you come here, Umah?" Kain questioned. The words rolled off his tongue so solemnly.

My head remained down. "I wished to seek you out, Kain." I replied.

I heard Kain rise and begin to step towards me. His claws scratched at the Pillar basin, giving my skin more chills with every step.

Kain extended his hand to my chin, raising my head upward. "Look at me."

I hesitated and squeezed my eyes tightly closed.

"I said look at me."

Slowly I had done as he asked. My violet hues opened and fell upon his face. In a surprise gesture, Kain began caressing my cheek in his palm. I found myself savoring the touch of his flesh to mine. I was quick to place my hand over his to null his feeling of disbelief in my presence. "I am real, Kain.

And I live."

I watched as his lips upturned slightly. "Yes. I see that now." He replied. He removed his hand from my face, dropping it to his side as he turned back towards his throne. "Although I am curious as to how that was accomplished."

"Vorador would not give me the details." I replied.

Kain returned to his throne and sat down, crossing his legs as he gripped onto the armrests. "It figures that old goat would be responsible for such a feat." Kain commented. "You two were close."

I found myself chuckling at the irony of his last statement. "Were and are, are two different things I am afraid."

"Indeed they are." Kain replied. He found slight amusement in learning of my present situation with Vorador. I joined him beside his throne, taking a seat upon the floor.

"You should not have witnessed this." Kain said.

I looked up towards him, confused at what his statement had referred to. "Witnessed what, Kain?"

Kain stared blankly at the basin, his gaze never shifting to me. "Nosgoth. This Nosgoth - my Nosgoth."

"Your empire has flourished in the time since I have been dead." I explained. "I hardly understand where you believe this is not a glorious thing."

"Glorious?" Kain questioned. "My dear glory is for kings not puppets. Nosgoth is dying. They planned it this way." He said as he shifted in his throne, resting his arms upon his thighs and holding his face within his hands. "They knew I would choose the path I chose. And I exist, knowing that truth."

I was caught off guard by Kain's desire to converse about this issue. The least I could do was allow him to get it off of his chest. I looked him over, he appeared both exhausted and not as driven as he had been in my past. I suppose that for someone who had accomplished everything he had set out to do, that boredom and misery would only follow suit.

I slid across the basin and came before him, deciding to rest my head upon his armrest as my hand reached out to his leg. I found myself very comforted by his touch. I began reminiscing over the thoughts of Kain when I had last encountered him. Again he plagued me. Through his current state of pain, I could not bring myself to pity him. I knew only sketchy details surrounding the events that lead him to this point, and determined that the only help I could hope to offer him would be my own ear in which he could speak. I again took hold of his hand and began caressing it to my cheek. Surprisingly, he did not pull away from my bold gesture. I was drawn to him - captivated beyond a shadow of my own doubt. From my cheek I had moved his hand to my lips where I found myself softly kissing at his flesh. Still, he did not back away. My lips parted and slowly drew the tips of each of his claws between them. A gentle sigh escaped the vampire as he slowly withdrew his hand from my face. I watched Kain rise and begin to walk away from me - stopping just shy of the basin's stairs. I tilted my head to the side, watching him - awaiting his next move. His arms fell to his side and his head lowered. What was he thinking? What caused him to become so distant? I had not the answers.

I eased myself from the basin and began to step over to him - cautiously of course. I again took his hand into mine, kissing it once before allowing it to fall back to his side. "Kain, I am sorry. I didn't mean to offend you." I said.

Kain turned to face me - brushing his hair from his face and back over his shoulder. He remained silent.

"I will leave you be." I replied as I began to walk past him.

Before reaching the first stair of the basin, I was stopped by Kain grabbing my arm tightly and drawing me near to him. Yet another awestruck expression graced his face as he brushed my hair from my eyes and lifted my head up by my chin. Saying nothing, Kain drew my face closer to his, our lips pressing together tightly. How I had longed for this. From my days of caring for him in Meridian until now, Kain haunted me. I had, up until recently, lacked the ability to determine my feelings for the vampire. I merely thought of him to be my obsession. Now it would appear that he would assume the role of my undying love. As we kissed, I could sense an aura enveloping the both of us. Within the instant, Kain had teleported us from the basin. Our destination was unknown, but I was sure to find out soon enough.