It was Christmas Eve now. The vampires were scattered all over the house, largely trying to avoid one another. Kain was in his room, alone, when suddenly Rahab burst in.

Rahab: Terrible news Dad - Christmas has been cancelled!

Kain: Yes!

Kain runs down the stairs with his arms in the air. Everyone but Janos and Vorador are in the main room.

Kain: Well, Christmas is cancelled, too bad, bye bye everyone, safe trip home, don't let me keep you.

Rahab walks in and starts laughing.

Rahab: Only joking! Ha ha ha ha ha!

Kain turns around to face Rahab with a scowl on his face.

Kain: Come over here, Rahab. I'd like a word.

Rahab walks over.

Rahab: Yes?

Kain punches Rahab in the face.

Rahab: Owww!

Kain walks over to a chair and sits down.

Kain: I'm not sure I can take much more of this.

Dumah: Maybe we should do something to cheer dad up.

Turel: I'm second in command! Just leave it up to me to cheer him up. I know: Kain, try to guess what's in my calendar today.

Kain: Piss off Turel.

Rahab: Dad?

Kain: What is it Dumah?

Rahab: Who's our mother? I've always wanted to know.

Kain: Piss off Rahab.

Raziel: We-

Kain: Piss off Raziel.

There is a knock on the door.

Kain: Oh great, now who? No doubt it's The Elder God, having just rode in on his sleigh, ready to wish me a merry Christmas.

Kain goes and opens the door. It's his champion, Magnus.

Kain: Magnus!

Magnus: Master!

The two hug each other and Kain happily brings Magnus into the house. He stands grinning at the other vampires and he has one hand on Magnus' shoulder.

Rahab (whispering): He never hugs us like that.

Melchiah (whispering): And he never looks happy to see us.

Kain takes Magnus and sits him down next to him.

Melchiah: Looks like there's some competition for your position as number two vampire, eh Turel?

Turel: Nonsense. I'm irreplaceable. Have I told you about the time I defeated the Sarafan Lord while blindfolded?

Zephon, Rahab, Dumah and Melchiah: YES!!!

Turel: The time I stood alone against the armies of the Nemesis and won?

Zephon, Rahab, Dumah and Melchiah: YES!!!

Kain: Ha ha ha ha ha! That's so funny Magnus! You're much funnier than that lot.

Turel looks nervous.

Turel: Ahem.

Kain: They're all total disappointments Magnus.

Turel: AHEM!!!

Kain: What do you want?

Turel: Em, just thought we could talk, you know, about stuff.

Kain: Well, you could tell me what you've got me for Christmas. Where are all my presents anyway? I didn't see them on you when you arrived. And where have you hidden them?

Kain's sons begin looking at each other nervously.

Zephon: Er...

Turel: Um...

Rahab: Gosh, I'm hungry. I think I'll go out and feed.

Turel: Yes. I will also go out. For feeding purposes.

Zephon: I think, um, I'll join you both.

Melchiah: Yes, we'll make it a joint feeding.

Kain: I will come also.

Turel: Oh, no, no, that's okay... you'd better stay here in case of... um

Melchiah: In case Mobius shows up again! We don't want him breaking in. You know what Janos and Vorador are like, they wouldn't even notice. And you can't leave Magnus to look after the place on his own.

Turel, Melchiah, Zephon and Rahab all leave quickly before Kain can object. Raziel stands still for a moment, before he suddenly realises something too, and runs out after them.





In The Lands of the Nemesis...

Nemesis: Stars! Stars!

Demon: Are you feeling alright, William?

Nemesis: I feel fine you petty demon. Now go and stand at the front door.

William hands the Demon a shovel.

Nemesis: Hit anyone who comes in over the head with this shovel. All the guests are here and I don't want anyone coming in who is uninvited.

The Demon walks over to the door and stands ready to strike. As Ariel walks in, he brings the shovel down but of course it passes right through her.

Nemesis: Damn! What the hell do you want, Ariel?

Ariel: I came to wish you a merry Christmas.

Nemesis: Well, that's very nice. Now don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.

Ariel: That's not going to be difficult.

Ariel leaves to make the journey to Kain's. A few minutes later, the sound of a shovel breaking over someone's head is heard, and William smiles at the prone body of Moebius.





Rahab: Oh no, how could we forget to buy Kain a present?

Dumah: We're in BIG trouble! It's Christmas eve - all the shops will be closed!

Turel: Ha ha ha ha. Maybe this is a problem to all of you, but you forget - I am Turel, the number two vampire in Nosgoth! There's no problem that I cannot overcome.

Raziel comes running over to them.

Raziel: Guys, I know you wanted to go feeding just now, but you're not going to believe this - I forgot to get Kain a present!

Melchiah: Join the club Raziel.

Raziel: Can this club provide me with a present for Kain?

Melchiah: I MEAN none of us have got him anything.

Turel: Well, we'll just get him one big present from all of us.

Zephon: Guys, I've found it! The perfect present for Dad! He's going to love this.

Zephon runs over with the present in his hands.

Melchiah: It's a stick.

Zephon: Yes!

Turel: Erm... let's keep that on the 'reserve' list, eh?

Zephon: Why? This is a GREAT present.





Moebius was thrown out into the snow. After awhile he regained consciousness and looked around in a daze. Suddenly he was hit in the back of the head with a snowball. The time-streamer turned around and looked at the children who were laughing at him.

Moebius: Look here you little shits, you don't know who you're dealing with here!

The children laugh at him and throw loads of snowballs at him.

Moebius: I'll get you all for this!

One child runs over and kicks Moebius in the knee and Moebius begins hopping about and yelling in pain. He slips on some ice and lands on his back as the children begin laughing again.

Moebius: Children, help, I'm in a lot of pain and I can't move. Stop laughing! I'm seriously hurt here!

Children: HA HA HA HA!

A giant pile of snow falls from the rooftops and lands on Moebius, burying him completely. The children laugh and then run away.







Magnus: Right hand green.

Kain: But that's impossible!

Vorador: Rules are rules Kain.

Kain tries desperately to move his right hand across the mat but fails and he, Magnus, Vorador and Janos all fall to the ground.

Janos: Would you please all get off of me? I'm in quite a lot of pain here.





Kain's sons continued their search, and eventually came across a stall that was being run by a small bald man who was wearing a crown.

King Ottmar: Welcome, welcome all to King Ottmar's fantastic stall! Gifts fit for a king and all at low, low prices! Special Christmas Eve discount.

Turel: Ottmar? What are you doing here? Aren't you a king? Why are you running a stall?

King Ottmar: Times are hard, what with that asshole Kain ruling the world and all.

Turel: He is an asshole, isn't he?

King Ottmar: And his pathetic sons, Raziel, Zephon, Rahab and Dumah!

Turel: They are pathetic aren't they?

Melchiah: Grrr...

King Ottmar: But the worst of all is Turel, the big fat donkey-lover.

Turel: He is a big fat do- HEY!!!

Melchiah: Ha!

King Ottmar: So now I'm only King of this stall.

Turel is trying to tear Ottmar's head off but Melchiah is preventing him from doing so.

King Ottmar: So how can I assist you gentleman?

Raziel: We seek a gift for our father.

King Ottmar: Every father loves receiving this gift.

King Ottmar holds it out for all the vampires to see.

Dumah: It's a stick.

Zephon: We'll take it!

Turel (having calmed down): No we won't. What else have you got?

King Ottmar: I have this. It's very rare in Nosgoth. It's called a 'tie'.

The vampires took a moment to try to imagine Kain's reaction at receiving such a present.

Kain: Oh my, how did you know that this is what I've always wanted? Promotions for all, I love you sons!

They all hug and Kain is so happy he begins to cry. Magnus is thrown out for not buying a present as good as theirs.

Back to reality...

Turel: We'll take it!

To be continued...