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Though it was morning, the smoke stacks located at the poisonous land of Dark Eden belched out continuous fumes that kept the light from entering completely, making Nosgoth as it once had been, a vampire paradise.
From his aerial view, Azrael could make out the fast approaching towers that marked out Dark Eden. It has been centuries since he had seen it this close.
When he was a fledgling, Raziel had brought him to stand atop one of the outposts that lay scattered throughout Nosgoth. From there, the two of them had watched the sun set from behind Dark Eden, how the sky changed, bringing forth a noir atmosphere.
Seemed like it was a lifetime ago.
Azrael looked below him and he noted that with each mile he crossed, it seemed that the ground was deteriorating slowly. The grass seemed to be fused with a sort of red liquid that spanned for miles and miles.
What toxic depravity had come to haunt these lands, Azrael wondered to himself. Surely, Nosgoth couldn't have changed so much in the past centuries that it would have gone beyond recognition. And yet, with each mile the wind takes him, the decay became more visible.
Finally, he had crossed the barren wasteland and ventured into the skies of Nosgoth. The twin towers of Dark Eden stood, a milestone in this land's history. From his view, Azrael made out the complete assimilation of the surrounding area. Everywhere was flooded with thick flowing lava, leaving only islands of land. What could possibly inhabit Dark Eden now that it has become nothing more but a breathing spewing magma infested corruption?
Maybe further inspection might give him the answer he needed.no, Azrael shook his head. He had to concentrate. He was here for Kain and Kain alone. Nothing will get in his way, although he knew it was suicidal.
Still, nothing was going to deter him.
But first, Azrael had to answer the hunger building up inside of him and feed on the rich warm blood that he desired so.
Taking to the skies once more, Azrael flew out of Dark Eden and headed west, towards Nupraptor's once proud keep. He was told of the story of the crazed guardian of the mind and of how his insanity corrupted the circle but as a fledgling, such stories meant nothing to him, the history of Nosgoth did little to stir him.
But these stories served a different purpose now. It was said that Kain had hunted down Nupraptor and killed him, using his severed head as a sacrifice to the decayed pillar, instantly curing it of whatever taint that had come to infect it.
Azrael knew that in order for him to find any remote chance of defeating Kain, he should come to understand the Over-Father's past as he studies his future.
He allowed his mind to wander aimlessly. It seemed that this was a dying land and for a brief second he wandered if he was successful in killing Kain, would any difference come about?
Of course he will be ridding the world of the canker that lies rooted to its core, but would there be anything left to return the land to? The humans that were left alone were feral, far more bestial than the vampires they despise. They were few, scattered, mindless, delving into their own crusade of purifying the world though their actions were pathetic and weak. They wouldn't be able to re-create this land.
A land that wasn't meant for them. All they do is consume.
No, it belonged to them, the vampires. This was their world. They were the epicenter of this land. All that happens happens because of them. They were the ruling class, the Elites, the dominant species.
They were Gods.
And now, one God seeks the destruction of another.
Coming down gracefully upon the top of the hill that lay before the fallen keep, Azrael noticed, from his view, three life forms feeding fiercely upon a human knight. Poor wretched soul, Azrael thought, you should have known better than to venture alone into these lands.
But these three caught his interest fore they resembled a kind unlike any other.
Their scent was fading, old, dying and these creatures resembled zombies but their need for blood confirmed that they are indeed vampires.
Growling with disgust, Azrael extended his wings and jumped off the ledge, the wind catching him and slowing his descent. Landing slowly, he folded his wings and stood to look at his opponents.
They took no notice of him, indulging in their meal.
A sly smile crept upon his bronze face. Not noticing him would be their downfall.
His brows furrowed as he delved into concentration. Focusing on the hindmost of the three, Azrael lashed out with an unimaginable telekinetic force coupled with a savage implosion.
It exploded before him, bathing its pack with its blood; its body parts strewn all over, painting the surroundings red.
Azrael laughed to himself as the other two finally took notice of him. Unsheathing his sword, he prepared to fight.
They were fast and sneaky, but otherwise clumsy and disorganized. They fought without a mind, only their hunger to guide them. The first swiped at him but Azrael was far faster and more fluid then they were and easily dodged that attack but were caught squarely at the back by the other one.
He cursed. He had not seen the other one appear behind him, but without a second glance, he spun round with his sword at neck level, catching the creature it his path, decapitating it immediately.
Jumping forward to gain distance, he spun round once more to face the last one.
But that creature was nowhere in sight.
Azrael held his sword in front of him, in a defensive stance as he slowly circled the area. With his preternatural sense of hearing, he tried to make up sounds of movement. If it could render itself invisible, Azrael would be able to hear it move, but all he heard was the rustling of leaves and a faint burrowing sound, which he dismissed.
His back touched the surface of the hill briefly, his concentration unbroken. He stood and waited, but the creature did not attack. His brow knitted. He wandered if the creature had fled.
Sheathing his sword, the Razielim walked towards the decapitated vampire. Hunger was building up in him and he will feed, even on a decrepit, pathetic life form such as this.
With his hands extended before him, Azrael pulled, with a strong force of telekinesis, an enormous cloud of blood from his victim's body. Hovering in the air, the body shriveled up and decomposed in front of his eyes. Unfazed, the vampire spread his arms and called forth the blood, which immediately streamed out of the cloud, seamless, into his awaiting body, feeding him.
His body devoured every drop and he felt his old strength returning.
Finally it was finished and Azrael turned to leave.
And the hiding vampire sprung up from the ground and pounced on him, catching him off guard, forcing him down.
So that was how it ambushed its prey. By burrowing through the ground. Azrael cursed himself for not taking that notion to consideration.
The vampire attempted to bite at Azrael, but the Razielim cleverly kept it at bay. He was stronger and far more resourceful than this beast. Pushing it off him without any effort, Azrael sprung up quickly and without looking at it, sent it hurling into flames.
As his enemy burnt away slowly, he took the time to check the surroundings. Once sure that there were no more of these vampire types, he took to the sky again, this time, closer to his destiny.
This time, he flew towards The Sanctuary Of The Clans.
Though it was morning, the smoke stacks located at the poisonous land of Dark Eden belched out continuous fumes that kept the light from entering completely, making Nosgoth as it once had been, a vampire paradise.
From his aerial view, Azrael could make out the fast approaching towers that marked out Dark Eden. It has been centuries since he had seen it this close.
When he was a fledgling, Raziel had brought him to stand atop one of the outposts that lay scattered throughout Nosgoth. From there, the two of them had watched the sun set from behind Dark Eden, how the sky changed, bringing forth a noir atmosphere.
Seemed like it was a lifetime ago.
Azrael looked below him and he noted that with each mile he crossed, it seemed that the ground was deteriorating slowly. The grass seemed to be fused with a sort of red liquid that spanned for miles and miles.
What toxic depravity had come to haunt these lands, Azrael wondered to himself. Surely, Nosgoth couldn't have changed so much in the past centuries that it would have gone beyond recognition. And yet, with each mile the wind takes him, the decay became more visible.
Finally, he had crossed the barren wasteland and ventured into the skies of Nosgoth. The twin towers of Dark Eden stood, a milestone in this land's history. From his view, Azrael made out the complete assimilation of the surrounding area. Everywhere was flooded with thick flowing lava, leaving only islands of land. What could possibly inhabit Dark Eden now that it has become nothing more but a breathing spewing magma infested corruption?
Maybe further inspection might give him the answer he needed.no, Azrael shook his head. He had to concentrate. He was here for Kain and Kain alone. Nothing will get in his way, although he knew it was suicidal.
Still, nothing was going to deter him.
But first, Azrael had to answer the hunger building up inside of him and feed on the rich warm blood that he desired so.
Taking to the skies once more, Azrael flew out of Dark Eden and headed west, towards Nupraptor's once proud keep. He was told of the story of the crazed guardian of the mind and of how his insanity corrupted the circle but as a fledgling, such stories meant nothing to him, the history of Nosgoth did little to stir him.
But these stories served a different purpose now. It was said that Kain had hunted down Nupraptor and killed him, using his severed head as a sacrifice to the decayed pillar, instantly curing it of whatever taint that had come to infect it.
Azrael knew that in order for him to find any remote chance of defeating Kain, he should come to understand the Over-Father's past as he studies his future.
He allowed his mind to wander aimlessly. It seemed that this was a dying land and for a brief second he wandered if he was successful in killing Kain, would any difference come about?
Of course he will be ridding the world of the canker that lies rooted to its core, but would there be anything left to return the land to? The humans that were left alone were feral, far more bestial than the vampires they despise. They were few, scattered, mindless, delving into their own crusade of purifying the world though their actions were pathetic and weak. They wouldn't be able to re-create this land.
A land that wasn't meant for them. All they do is consume.
No, it belonged to them, the vampires. This was their world. They were the epicenter of this land. All that happens happens because of them. They were the ruling class, the Elites, the dominant species.
They were Gods.
And now, one God seeks the destruction of another.
Coming down gracefully upon the top of the hill that lay before the fallen keep, Azrael noticed, from his view, three life forms feeding fiercely upon a human knight. Poor wretched soul, Azrael thought, you should have known better than to venture alone into these lands.
But these three caught his interest fore they resembled a kind unlike any other.
Their scent was fading, old, dying and these creatures resembled zombies but their need for blood confirmed that they are indeed vampires.
Growling with disgust, Azrael extended his wings and jumped off the ledge, the wind catching him and slowing his descent. Landing slowly, he folded his wings and stood to look at his opponents.
They took no notice of him, indulging in their meal.
A sly smile crept upon his bronze face. Not noticing him would be their downfall.
His brows furrowed as he delved into concentration. Focusing on the hindmost of the three, Azrael lashed out with an unimaginable telekinetic force coupled with a savage implosion.
It exploded before him, bathing its pack with its blood; its body parts strewn all over, painting the surroundings red.
Azrael laughed to himself as the other two finally took notice of him. Unsheathing his sword, he prepared to fight.
They were fast and sneaky, but otherwise clumsy and disorganized. They fought without a mind, only their hunger to guide them. The first swiped at him but Azrael was far faster and more fluid then they were and easily dodged that attack but were caught squarely at the back by the other one.
He cursed. He had not seen the other one appear behind him, but without a second glance, he spun round with his sword at neck level, catching the creature it his path, decapitating it immediately.
Jumping forward to gain distance, he spun round once more to face the last one.
But that creature was nowhere in sight.
Azrael held his sword in front of him, in a defensive stance as he slowly circled the area. With his preternatural sense of hearing, he tried to make up sounds of movement. If it could render itself invisible, Azrael would be able to hear it move, but all he heard was the rustling of leaves and a faint burrowing sound, which he dismissed.
His back touched the surface of the hill briefly, his concentration unbroken. He stood and waited, but the creature did not attack. His brow knitted. He wandered if the creature had fled.
Sheathing his sword, the Razielim walked towards the decapitated vampire. Hunger was building up in him and he will feed, even on a decrepit, pathetic life form such as this.
With his hands extended before him, Azrael pulled, with a strong force of telekinesis, an enormous cloud of blood from his victim's body. Hovering in the air, the body shriveled up and decomposed in front of his eyes. Unfazed, the vampire spread his arms and called forth the blood, which immediately streamed out of the cloud, seamless, into his awaiting body, feeding him.
His body devoured every drop and he felt his old strength returning.
Finally it was finished and Azrael turned to leave.
And the hiding vampire sprung up from the ground and pounced on him, catching him off guard, forcing him down.
So that was how it ambushed its prey. By burrowing through the ground. Azrael cursed himself for not taking that notion to consideration.
The vampire attempted to bite at Azrael, but the Razielim cleverly kept it at bay. He was stronger and far more resourceful than this beast. Pushing it off him without any effort, Azrael sprung up quickly and without looking at it, sent it hurling into flames.
As his enemy burnt away slowly, he took the time to check the surroundings. Once sure that there were no more of these vampire types, he took to the sky again, this time, closer to his destiny.
This time, he flew towards The Sanctuary Of The Clans.