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What to make of these images that I have seen so far, I do not know. When I had left, the Empire was whole, its occupants beautiful and regal. Now, it was a taunting shadow of its former glory, the land pouring out its blood, soiling and infecting every inch of Nosgoth, consuming even its once proud occupants. Corrupted, degenerate, my once proud and high Kin are twisted reflections of that past. Mindless craving beasts that haunt the land, with no true purpose or allegiance.
As I rode the winds to The Sanctuary Of The Clans, my thoughts ran rampant. Would the fulcrum of this corrupted wasteland be nothing more but a decomposed carcass?
I shudder to think. Surely, the ramifications couldn't have been that drastic?
And yet, seeing what I have seen, I no longer feel I should be surprised by whatever damage I should behold in the hours that come.
Indeed, my one-minded vendetta has taken its own form. Could I simply avoid confrontation with Kain and conduct my own research into the core of this mess, I would, but nothing, it seems would justify my new passion.
I was indebted to my vengeance and my sorrow.
The Sanctuary Of The Clans stood, defiantly, amidst the destruction, derelict and yet, the lock that held all the secrets. Azrael stood atop one of the high towers, looking downwards, watching carefully what he identified as vampires, but clearly of a different clan scouring the area. He would have to be careful.
They were stout and their bodies had the distinct quality of stone. They moved about, their huge arms hanging by their sides as their powerful legs carried them forth with thunderous movement. Every now and then, Azrael would catch the glimpse of what he deduced was a long tongue, emerging from their red, elongated mouth.
They were grotesque and a mockery to all that he had held dear. Was he the last that held the divinity they had once consumed like blood itself?
He studied them intently. They did not seem like the kind who could burrow underground. No, they were of a different type and as such would have different abilities. Azrael pondered on what had transpired. The other type were decaying, their immortal blood weak, unable to sustain their frail flesh. Their movements were sluggish and therefore, another form of attack would have been needed.
These type, however, seem more competent in finding food. Their bodies were strong and by the two, this type moved without much difficulty. The hardened quality on their body only brought to mind one thing: that each attack had to be stronger and more precise.
He knew his prey and readied himself but before he could swoop down and catch the nearest one off-guard, something emerged from the cave to the right of him.
Moving closer to the granite, he concealed himself and peered at the new creature.
It was an odd thing, this creature. Its scent was clearly vampiric like the others but unlike them, it had no quality of a vampire. More of a ghoul, it seemed with its bluish skin and skeletal body. The flesh had all but been eaten away, leaving his exoskeleton barren.
But there was something mighty familiar about this creature.
As he leaned over for a closer look, the ground suddenly shakes violently. With reflexes as fast and lighting, Azrael gripped the sides of the support and steadied himself. An earthquake, though a minor one. Azrael couldn't say he had felt one here before. Yet, that was just the start of the surprise.
A voice fell out of the wavering sky, ominous and doused with regality. It spoke to this blue creature directly, though Azrael felt as if all eyes were on him. Though knowing that hiding was futile, still he sought out some sort of shelter from the menacing Voice.
"This world is wracked with cataclysms, the earth strains to shrug off the pestilence of Kain's parasitic empire," it spoke as the blue creature listened, its head looking upwards as if to acknowledge the Voice. "The fate of this world was preordained in an instant, by a solitary man. Unwilling to martyr himself to restore Nosgoth's balance, Kain condemned the world to the decay you see. In that moment, the unraveling began... now it is nearly played out. Nosgoth teeters on the brink of collapse - its fragile balance cannot hold," and then, the Voice went silent and the creature walked briskly towards the entrance of the keep. Coming out of his refuge, Azrael looked down and saw the creature was attempting to enter the Sanctuary, pulling at its bars. And yet, its efforts were pointless as the bars refused to give. Frustrated, the creature gave up and turned his attention to the two vampires that stood in the distance. As Azrael watched, the creature easily disposed of these two. With a staff he had seemingly pulled out of the catch attached to one of the pillars of the keep, he had rendered his opponent unconscious before impaling it with the pointed tip, sending it shriveling and screaming to the ground. But then, something miraculously different occurred. A globe of radiating light blue energy emerged from the fallen vampire's body, hovering above it indefinitely. The blue creature had then removed his cowl, and the energy globe flew directly into him, as if compelled to. The other vampire, which Azrael didn't care of, was beaten and thrown merciless into the bonfire that raged a few steps away. And in the same fashion, the blue creature drew into him the same blue energy. From his vantage point, Azrael could see clearly that the ghoul didn't have a lower jaw. Something twisted has had happened here. It would seem that all he had loved in his early years were now warped reminders of a darker truth. Picking up its fallen staff, the creature ran down the single path, attacking the un-noticing vampire with speed and guile, before going on. Spreading his wings once again, Azrael leapt off the tower and took to the skies. Kain can wait for now. What he had seen had troubled him and he knew no cure for it but the understanding of what had came to be. He would know that creature and if it chose to fight, then he will bury it.
Following it for a time, he came to the Lake of the Dead. Its endless swirling vortex had served as a punishment for any who would dare to betray Kain. A place of damnation, where his beloved Raziel was banished. Sadness overcame him once again but he shrugged it off when the creature emerged from the cave. Slowly, it crossed the bridge, which creaked under each step. Azrael though that it might snap and bear the ghoul to the eternal abyss that lay waiting for it beneath. Looking around, it turned sharply to the west and running forward, leapt effortless across, taking hold of its makeshift wings which helped it to glide safely to the ledge. Once its feet touched the hard ground, it sprinted off. A chord was struck within him. That was the way to his clan territory. Grunting, Azrael swooped down and flew after the mysterious creature. In no time, he had reached his old clan territory. Landing on of the huge window ledges, he bent down to see that the ghoul was already attacking the vampires he had encountered at Nupraptor's keep. Azrael wandered what its game was. From his area, he watched it keenly as it ran up the flight of steps and activated the drawbridge. Funny how it seemed to know where to go and what to do. It was almost as if it had lived here before. That seemed improbable though, as Azrael would have at least glimpsed it in that 150 odd years he had lived in Nosgoth. The creature had gone deep into the keep and if Azrael followed, he would have been found out. No, he knew a quicker, more efficient way to spy and his wings will of course give him the assistance he needed. He flew overhead, following the twists and turns of the tunnel below until he came to a huge clearing. Water filled the center of the clearing and it goes deep. With his wings, Azrael could easily fly across without having to go to the immense trouble of jumping, using the dry tops of selected pillars that lay submerged in water as landing grounds. Water kills, simply. To his left, was the territory belonging to the other of Kain's 'sons'. The weakest, Melchiah. Though Raziel had never shown Melchiah any disrespect, he was quick to point out to Azrael that Melchiah had been given the weakest portion of Kain's gift. He was immortal, like all of them and suffered the same weakness and curse but unlike them, Melchiah's immortal frame could not sustain his frail flesh. And as such as it is with the sire, his clan suffered the same ailments. They were rotting degenerates, constantly having to steal the skin of their victims to hide their own ugliness. And as he was pondering upon these points, Azrael came suddenly to a sick realization. Those vampires he had first encountered bore the very same weakness that had plagued Melchiah since the beginning. They were of Melchiah's clan. They were the devolved descendents of his once proud kin. How could they have plummeted to such horrid depths, Azrael wandered to himself. Surely, the sanity of this place has been tested and waned. What has happened to Melchiah then? Has he devolved with his clan? Does he stalk the shadows like they do? But another thought came to him. If the Melchahim had fallen into the pit of degeneration, then surely, they are not alone in this corruption. Those other vampires they had seen, they must belong to another clan as well. But which one, he did not know. He was disgusted, plainly. Has the corruption that slowly consumed Nosgoth mutated its occupants as well? He shuddered to think of it. His attention was directed once again when the ghoul emerged from the opening. It walked slowly as if taking in its surroundings before stopping to stand in front of the water. Turning to its left and right, it moved finally towards the back wall and picked up the spear that lay resting against the wall. And that was when the hiding Melchahim ambushed him. Azrael's first instinct was to aid this creature but he held himself back. There was no need, he thought to himself. This creature proved to be very effective in battle, besides, Azrael still didn't know if it was friend or foe. Sure enough, it killed its enemies swiftly, making its way expertly across the chasm with relative ease, using its tattered wings to glide to each top before landing safely on the other side where another Melchahim lay in wait for him. Azrael smiled to himself as he saw the creature grab the vampire and flung it into the water. Where its shrill screams flooded the air as its frail body began to burn intensely. The ghoul walked up towards the gate and pushed it open, entering it. From where he was, he couldn't see anymore and Azrael knew that as much as he might have liked to follow it, he couldn't at this rate as the ghoul would be able to see him. No, he thought to himself, this area needed much more exploration and he would see that his needs be met. He would take care of the ghoul later on if need be.
What to make of these images that I have seen so far, I do not know. When I had left, the Empire was whole, its occupants beautiful and regal. Now, it was a taunting shadow of its former glory, the land pouring out its blood, soiling and infecting every inch of Nosgoth, consuming even its once proud occupants. Corrupted, degenerate, my once proud and high Kin are twisted reflections of that past. Mindless craving beasts that haunt the land, with no true purpose or allegiance.
As I rode the winds to The Sanctuary Of The Clans, my thoughts ran rampant. Would the fulcrum of this corrupted wasteland be nothing more but a decomposed carcass?
I shudder to think. Surely, the ramifications couldn't have been that drastic?
And yet, seeing what I have seen, I no longer feel I should be surprised by whatever damage I should behold in the hours that come.
Indeed, my one-minded vendetta has taken its own form. Could I simply avoid confrontation with Kain and conduct my own research into the core of this mess, I would, but nothing, it seems would justify my new passion.
I was indebted to my vengeance and my sorrow.
The Sanctuary Of The Clans stood, defiantly, amidst the destruction, derelict and yet, the lock that held all the secrets. Azrael stood atop one of the high towers, looking downwards, watching carefully what he identified as vampires, but clearly of a different clan scouring the area. He would have to be careful.
They were stout and their bodies had the distinct quality of stone. They moved about, their huge arms hanging by their sides as their powerful legs carried them forth with thunderous movement. Every now and then, Azrael would catch the glimpse of what he deduced was a long tongue, emerging from their red, elongated mouth.
They were grotesque and a mockery to all that he had held dear. Was he the last that held the divinity they had once consumed like blood itself?
He studied them intently. They did not seem like the kind who could burrow underground. No, they were of a different type and as such would have different abilities. Azrael pondered on what had transpired. The other type were decaying, their immortal blood weak, unable to sustain their frail flesh. Their movements were sluggish and therefore, another form of attack would have been needed.
These type, however, seem more competent in finding food. Their bodies were strong and by the two, this type moved without much difficulty. The hardened quality on their body only brought to mind one thing: that each attack had to be stronger and more precise.
He knew his prey and readied himself but before he could swoop down and catch the nearest one off-guard, something emerged from the cave to the right of him.
Moving closer to the granite, he concealed himself and peered at the new creature.
It was an odd thing, this creature. Its scent was clearly vampiric like the others but unlike them, it had no quality of a vampire. More of a ghoul, it seemed with its bluish skin and skeletal body. The flesh had all but been eaten away, leaving his exoskeleton barren.
But there was something mighty familiar about this creature.
As he leaned over for a closer look, the ground suddenly shakes violently. With reflexes as fast and lighting, Azrael gripped the sides of the support and steadied himself. An earthquake, though a minor one. Azrael couldn't say he had felt one here before. Yet, that was just the start of the surprise.
A voice fell out of the wavering sky, ominous and doused with regality. It spoke to this blue creature directly, though Azrael felt as if all eyes were on him. Though knowing that hiding was futile, still he sought out some sort of shelter from the menacing Voice.
"This world is wracked with cataclysms, the earth strains to shrug off the pestilence of Kain's parasitic empire," it spoke as the blue creature listened, its head looking upwards as if to acknowledge the Voice. "The fate of this world was preordained in an instant, by a solitary man. Unwilling to martyr himself to restore Nosgoth's balance, Kain condemned the world to the decay you see. In that moment, the unraveling began... now it is nearly played out. Nosgoth teeters on the brink of collapse - its fragile balance cannot hold," and then, the Voice went silent and the creature walked briskly towards the entrance of the keep. Coming out of his refuge, Azrael looked down and saw the creature was attempting to enter the Sanctuary, pulling at its bars. And yet, its efforts were pointless as the bars refused to give. Frustrated, the creature gave up and turned his attention to the two vampires that stood in the distance. As Azrael watched, the creature easily disposed of these two. With a staff he had seemingly pulled out of the catch attached to one of the pillars of the keep, he had rendered his opponent unconscious before impaling it with the pointed tip, sending it shriveling and screaming to the ground. But then, something miraculously different occurred. A globe of radiating light blue energy emerged from the fallen vampire's body, hovering above it indefinitely. The blue creature had then removed his cowl, and the energy globe flew directly into him, as if compelled to. The other vampire, which Azrael didn't care of, was beaten and thrown merciless into the bonfire that raged a few steps away. And in the same fashion, the blue creature drew into him the same blue energy. From his vantage point, Azrael could see clearly that the ghoul didn't have a lower jaw. Something twisted has had happened here. It would seem that all he had loved in his early years were now warped reminders of a darker truth. Picking up its fallen staff, the creature ran down the single path, attacking the un-noticing vampire with speed and guile, before going on. Spreading his wings once again, Azrael leapt off the tower and took to the skies. Kain can wait for now. What he had seen had troubled him and he knew no cure for it but the understanding of what had came to be. He would know that creature and if it chose to fight, then he will bury it.
Following it for a time, he came to the Lake of the Dead. Its endless swirling vortex had served as a punishment for any who would dare to betray Kain. A place of damnation, where his beloved Raziel was banished. Sadness overcame him once again but he shrugged it off when the creature emerged from the cave. Slowly, it crossed the bridge, which creaked under each step. Azrael though that it might snap and bear the ghoul to the eternal abyss that lay waiting for it beneath. Looking around, it turned sharply to the west and running forward, leapt effortless across, taking hold of its makeshift wings which helped it to glide safely to the ledge. Once its feet touched the hard ground, it sprinted off. A chord was struck within him. That was the way to his clan territory. Grunting, Azrael swooped down and flew after the mysterious creature. In no time, he had reached his old clan territory. Landing on of the huge window ledges, he bent down to see that the ghoul was already attacking the vampires he had encountered at Nupraptor's keep. Azrael wandered what its game was. From his area, he watched it keenly as it ran up the flight of steps and activated the drawbridge. Funny how it seemed to know where to go and what to do. It was almost as if it had lived here before. That seemed improbable though, as Azrael would have at least glimpsed it in that 150 odd years he had lived in Nosgoth. The creature had gone deep into the keep and if Azrael followed, he would have been found out. No, he knew a quicker, more efficient way to spy and his wings will of course give him the assistance he needed. He flew overhead, following the twists and turns of the tunnel below until he came to a huge clearing. Water filled the center of the clearing and it goes deep. With his wings, Azrael could easily fly across without having to go to the immense trouble of jumping, using the dry tops of selected pillars that lay submerged in water as landing grounds. Water kills, simply. To his left, was the territory belonging to the other of Kain's 'sons'. The weakest, Melchiah. Though Raziel had never shown Melchiah any disrespect, he was quick to point out to Azrael that Melchiah had been given the weakest portion of Kain's gift. He was immortal, like all of them and suffered the same weakness and curse but unlike them, Melchiah's immortal frame could not sustain his frail flesh. And as such as it is with the sire, his clan suffered the same ailments. They were rotting degenerates, constantly having to steal the skin of their victims to hide their own ugliness. And as he was pondering upon these points, Azrael came suddenly to a sick realization. Those vampires he had first encountered bore the very same weakness that had plagued Melchiah since the beginning. They were of Melchiah's clan. They were the devolved descendents of his once proud kin. How could they have plummeted to such horrid depths, Azrael wandered to himself. Surely, the sanity of this place has been tested and waned. What has happened to Melchiah then? Has he devolved with his clan? Does he stalk the shadows like they do? But another thought came to him. If the Melchahim had fallen into the pit of degeneration, then surely, they are not alone in this corruption. Those other vampires they had seen, they must belong to another clan as well. But which one, he did not know. He was disgusted, plainly. Has the corruption that slowly consumed Nosgoth mutated its occupants as well? He shuddered to think of it. His attention was directed once again when the ghoul emerged from the opening. It walked slowly as if taking in its surroundings before stopping to stand in front of the water. Turning to its left and right, it moved finally towards the back wall and picked up the spear that lay resting against the wall. And that was when the hiding Melchahim ambushed him. Azrael's first instinct was to aid this creature but he held himself back. There was no need, he thought to himself. This creature proved to be very effective in battle, besides, Azrael still didn't know if it was friend or foe. Sure enough, it killed its enemies swiftly, making its way expertly across the chasm with relative ease, using its tattered wings to glide to each top before landing safely on the other side where another Melchahim lay in wait for him. Azrael smiled to himself as he saw the creature grab the vampire and flung it into the water. Where its shrill screams flooded the air as its frail body began to burn intensely. The ghoul walked up towards the gate and pushed it open, entering it. From where he was, he couldn't see anymore and Azrael knew that as much as he might have liked to follow it, he couldn't at this rate as the ghoul would be able to see him. No, he thought to himself, this area needed much more exploration and he would see that his needs be met. He would take care of the ghoul later on if need be.