Not really much to put before chapters as I'm not getting questions or anything ;B
Things are going to shift from Nosgoth to Domino eventually, and then back again later. I'm kind of juggling things here and there so not everything is new.
Yu-Gi-Oh! characters and everything related is (c) Kazuki Takahashi
Legacy of Kain characters and everything related is (c) Crystal Dynamics and Silicon Knights.
A hiss and thump reminded Ryou where he was and who had been left behind. He turned around and gave a short yell when he saw who stood under him over the still form of the woman. Kain turned around and dropped the bloodied arrow to the ground before looking up to Ryou.
"What did you do to her!" the teen demanded as he raced down the stairs and to her side.
"I eased her pain, the arrow was removed and her wound treated. You learn a good deal of magic over the centuries when nothing of interest is happening," the vampire lord said as he walked off. He looked up at the stilled time gate then back to where Ryou was lifting Sarah to lean against him.
"I did not study the time streams as well as I should have. I wanted to be a bit surprised by the outcome of things, I knew the three of you were not of much trouble. But I made a mistake by not being as vigilant as I normally am. She was not the problem after all," he grumbled while motioning to Sarah. "Your magical counterpart was all along. Disappointing at most, I had so hoped to go against her in a battle of wits. I do not know how she knows what she does, but it matters not now. Despite your intentions towards my plans, I offer you sanctuary in my mountain retreat. I have no worries of your attempts to escape. It is on a mountain after all and the path is paved with more obstacles than you have encountered thus far."
"Why?" the woman croaked. "Why show us any glimmer of kindness?"
"Is it kindness or part of something else? With as much as you know of me you cannot know everything. I'll leave you with that little teaser." There was a bright flash that caused both humans to shield their eyes, when it subsided their surroundings had changed. They were in the middle of a grand hall, high ceilings were braced with ornate archways and enormous pillars. Brilliant red banners hung from the highest reaches. A white symmetrical pattern on each one. The room was expansive and well kept, much nicer than the dull and musty room they stayed in at the citadel.
"Um, doesn't this look like what we saw in one of those portals?" Ryou asked as he took in his surroundings. Their packs and weapons had been brought along as well.
"Yeah, now that you mention it. Come on, let's see if we can find a place that's less open. I'll feel safer there."
"Agreed," the teen nodded as he stood and offered a hand to the woman. She took it and frowned. "What?" He turned soft eyes to hers.
"I don't hurt anymore, anywhere," she said as she began to undo the brace she wore around her midsection, she pulled up the end of her shirt to find the long wound on her side was completely gone. Only the stitches from the citadel remained. Likewise there was no mark on her thigh from the arrow. "Well," she began pleasantly surprised. "At least I don't have some scars to explain when I finally get home..."
"Good point indeed," Ryou nodded as they moved out into an even grander room.
The storm I was in lasted for a good few minutes, just as my heart was about to sink I felt a firm foundation under my feet. The mists cleared and I found myself in a new room. It was large, but much smaller than the previous one. This room only had the one floor which strangely enough was glass. My feet made an almost musical sound as I walked across it. The steady tick and click of gears under my feet and on the walls was the only other sound in the room. I stopped at the door and turned around. I needed to figure out how to get back to where I came. In the center of the glass, not far from where I had landed was a strange pedestal. A blue orb sat atop it, cradled in handles that allowed it to swivel from side-to-side. I did not understand the meaning of this device, perhaps it was only a circuit in the system. On the wall behind it was a strange set up of cylinders and cones, it looked like a combination lock and key pad in one almost. It was even more confusing than the previous set up, though being that this looked to only need one operator I wasn't completely mad. I must admit now I am regretting my actions. While I can undoubtedly play with this device and eventually find my way back, I would have preferred to have some form of scapegoat with me. I would just have to be more careful of myself. That's when it hit me, far from the vampire lord my Ring began to glow slightly. I could feel it's power once again as it hungrily snaked through my being. It was intoxicating to say the least, and soothing at the same time. Perhaps I didn't need anyone, not anymore. They would only slow me. Whatever the ancient vampire had done to block my Ring was no longer working, if I returned with my power in full I could destroy him before he saw it coming. Perhaps now my search for the blue skinned demon would be easier. And with luck I could use the Ring to... persuade him to my cause.
The snowy-haired teen took a moment to reacquaint himself with his powers before he confidently strode towards the door, it slid open for him without so much as a touch. He took a moment to regard the door with its infinity symbol before turning back out to look into the room it emptied into. The place was in ruins, the high ceiling had great sections missing and debris littered the area. Murals on the walls had faded beyond recognition, it wasn't until a second glace was given that they could been seen as old murals and not discolorations of a decaying building. Bakura's eyes settled on the center of the room. In the remains of a standing basin a figure sat cross-legged. He had taloned hands like Kain, his feet in much the same shape too. There was no skin left on his frame, only blue muscle shone dully in the poor light that filtered through the ruined ceiling. He had a worn section of cloth around the lower half of his face, it settled on his chest just above the void that was his midsection. Judging by his appearance, Bakura guessed he was missing part of his face. Tattered remains of something hung from his back and pooled in folds elegantly around his slim and ruined body.
"I do not trust anyone in Nosgoth, and those who hurtle through time I have found to be the least trustworthy of all," he said in a voice that seemed to be inside Bakura's mind yet still echoed inside the room they occupied.
"You have seen much and undoubtedly gone through even more. I'm not here on account of anything dealing with Nosgoth."
"No, I know you aren't. I know that much, enough has filtered through to me to give me that much information. But the fact that you seek me for your own means does not bode well. Everyone is out to rally me to their cause," the figure spoke as he brought a hand up to punctuate his statements. "I'm not fond of the attention that gives me. When each side learns the other has lead me somewhere they pop in to redirect me and anger me into taking another path. I grow tired of this game, and I don't want another player involved," he stated plainly as he shifted and rose to his feet. He towered over Bakura, even if he weren't atop anything he would still have done so. "While your plan has nothing to do with Nosgoth, it does not mean I will leap at the chance to be done with everything here. You are just part of another game exactly like this one, only difference is the key players. I want nothing to do with my current game, what makes you think I would become involved in another?"
"Because I know what you want. An end, oblivion. No game, no errands. No sides pulling you into their parody of life."
"Death is seductive, but why should I trust you? Oh you may give me good reasons but in the end will you stick to it? In all the twists and turns you will put me though that promise may fall away and be forgotten," Raziel snorted.
"No, no it won't. I have my reasons why it won't be forsaken."
"I find that hard to believe. Words of comfort tend to lead to deceit."
"And it keeps you on your toes, does it not? The distrust and underlying ripple of instinct? Sometimes it's better to take a chance if the end might be appealing to you."
"And risk becoming trapped in another world? Nosgoth has always been my home, despite it's dilapidated state it is still my home. I will stay here, even if it means I will never find my end," the creature growled. His white eyes flared up brightly, the glow evident in the dim building.
"I do not plan to be stuck here forever, I came into your world to call for your aid. Do you not think I possess the means to not only bring you to where I need your assistance but return you once the task is done?"
"And of my end, will it come here? While I wish for death, I do not want it to be anywhere but here in this land. After all I have gone through this is where I want to remain when all is said and done."
"It can be done," Bakura smiled slightly as his Ring's soft glow intensified. "If you help me return to the proper time the journey to where I need you will be easier. I'm certain that time travel here has put my world into a different era as well, and now is not when your unique talents are needed. In return for your work, you shall get what I owe you."
Raziel seemed displaced for a moment, he attributed it to what was being offered to him; never once suspecting the strange artifact the stranger wore might be the cause. He would be given a break from everything that currently plagued him, Kain and all else. What else could he ask for before death?
"If things are not to my liking, the deal is off and you must return me here and leave me be for the rest of time," Raziel stated.
"Very well then, you have my word." The Spirit lowered his head briefly.
"Then I will show you back to where you came from, or as close to the exact moment as possible." The figure hopped off the basin's remains and held his right arm out before the Tomb Raider. "I must warn you," he said before jerking his arm to the side, blue energy sparkled and wound down his arm. As it did so it turned white and formed a long pike like extension that went well past his fingers. "This item is of unique craftsmanship. The effects of our travel may have unexpected influences on it. I may need time to adjust. I cannot simply run in and do what it is I am so aptly qualified for. In this time you will relay any and all information to me that I may need."
Bakura barely heard what the creature said, his attention had been turned to the weapon it possessed. "I can feel its connection to you, it is you," the Spirit murmured.
"My curse, that is all you need know. Now come," Raziel commanded as he turned. He leveled his right arm with a pink crystal atop a door exactly like the one Bakura had exited from before firing a shot of kinetic energy at it. The crystal chimed and flared to life, both the door under it as well as the one behind them opened. "Go back through the one you came from, with luck it is still set to the time from whence you came. Providing your exploration of the chamber didn't disturb anything."
"I'm not simple enough to mess with something before I'm ready to," the Spirit of the Ring growled.
"Good," Raziel replied simply. "Take the two poles and twist the switch till it is horizontal with the ground," the blue fiend commanded as he placed a single hand on the shorter man's shoulder. "Tell me, how many tries did it take you to find the time and location I was hidden in?"
"Beginner's luck," Bakura chuckled.
"You may have been set up," Raziel snapped as the device hummed to life. Before he could separate himself from the traveler, both were pulled into the streams of time.
Curiosity had gotten the best out of the two humans as they wandered about the expansive hallways of Kain's retreat. Stairs, balconies and pits had all been checked out, nothing they found seemed to suit their tastes for comfort and safety. The ceilings were ridiculously high, but then again the higher floors were only located on the outside wall of the building, from the center of the bottom floor one could look up and see the balconies for the other four floors. Archways and pillars supported the building, Kain's banners hung everywhere.
"What's that?" Ryou asked as he pointed to a green glowing doorway. It wasn't just the edges glowing, but the whole thing, it looked as if green glass blocked it.
"Well that's weird," the woman said as she wrinkled her nose. She walked up to it and easily slid a hand through.
"And?" Ryou prompted.
"It's a Ward Gate. Ward gates were used centuries ago by the Sarafan to block vampires from passing certain points. I find it amusing Kain would have such a device in his retreat."
"I find it confusing myself. Isn't he a vampire?"
"Yeah, and these things aren't around anywhere else that I know of. I wonder what the point... is..." the woman trailed off before her posture stiffened and her jaw clenched.
"Huh?" Ryou questioned as he followed her line of sight. On the other side of the Ward was a massive creature. It stood around seven feet tall on two legs, it's upper body looked much too large to be fully supported by the slim waist and legs it possessed. The creature lowered itself to all fours and growled as it thrashed it's head. Massive wing-like ears flopped with the motion. It grunted then charged the humans. Both let out high pitched screams as they turned to run. The beast behind them crashed into the Ward and was flung back, it howled as it fought to right itself. Both humans peeked out from the pillar they had taken refuge behind.
"That supposed to happen?" Ryou asked.
"Yep, that's a Ward's job." Sarah slowly stepped out from behind the pillar, the vampire hissed at her and slashed the Ward. It zapped the creature and caused it to hop back again. "And that's a Turelim, ugly no?"
"Ugh, yes," Ryou cringed. "What's it doing?" he asked as the creature stood and looked as if it was inhaling. Sarah watched as it threw it's head back before snapping forward with it's maw open, a massive ball of kinetic energy rushed forth and headed for the gate. "Duck!" she cried once she realized it was an attack. Ryou instinctively dropped to the ground as the blast hit the Ward, it fizzled out harmlessly. The Turelim grunted and tried again, this time letting out a more powerful blast. The Ward flickered as it struggled with the blast. A sound akin to a chortle came from the beast as he tried once more.
"Shit, get up and run. He might be able to take it out," Sarah hissed as she scrambled to her feet. Ryou followed suit and dashed out alongside the older woman. The Turelim was still building up power for an attack when Sarah glanced back at it. "Get up on the balcony, we can get to other rooms from it," she commanded.
Once at the top she and Ryou watched as the Turelim fired it's most powerful blast yet. It seemed to fight with the Ward, suspended in a green hurricane. Suddenly it bounced off and hit the Turelim square in the chest. The beast screamed as it was flung back across the room. There was a clatter and a sort of wet slapping sound then all was quite.
"Do we dare...?" Ryou looked to Sarah.
"Yeah, just so we know what happened. We can still run away screaming, the gate's not dead," she shrugged as she turned to go back down.
The two slowly approached the Ward, on the other side the hall that lead to the outside was in shambles. A crate and old weapons lay crushed and battered. In the far corner was the Turelim, it's head was rolled to the side and thick tongue hang limply. Protruding from it's chest were shards of something. From the looks of it several staffs had impaled the beast.
"HA! He killed himself!" Ryou danced about happily.
"Celebrate later. Let's move away from the gate, shall we? There's got to be a room or something we can go cower in until later..."
"No one around, you worried over nothing Raziel," Bakura scowled once the blue fiend had finished searching the perimeter.
"You mentioned partners you left behind?" the fallen vampire asked as he looked up to where Bakura stood.
"They most likely wandered off, they can't get far. I'll find them," Bakura snorted as the Ring glowed softly.
"Kain took them," Raziel hissed as he narrowed his eyes. "I can feel his lingering presence here."
"The old vampire has become such a nuisance."
"Are they needed? If not we should leave them, going after them will take time and allow forces to rally against us."
"Believe me, I would leave them if I could. But I at least need the woman, the teen is of no use to me. Not anymore," Bakura smirked slightly as he flexed his fingers.
"Kain may have stowed her in any place, time included if she's that needed," Raziel said as he ascended the stairs, he walked across the second tier towards the door where Bakura stood.
"Where might these places be?" The Spirit asked once his temporary partner stood beside him.
"The cells near the Tomb of Sarafan are too obvious and easy to reach. She's most likely in the heart of a clan holding, or within one of Kain's retreats."
"Start there, lead me. I can pinpoint her life force without needing to be too close."
"Really now, I have told you that you are my guests. There is no need to hide," the old vampire chuckled as he strolled through the center of the room the humans had picked to stay in.
"A Turelim tried to break in, I value my life thank you very much," Sarah replied as she hopped off the stone ledge she was on. Ryou remained on it, simply watching the vampire and woman.
"Your companion has found Raziel and now requires your aid in order to return home. So long as Raziel stays behind I will allow him to find you as I want you all gone. Be warned, he plans to leave you behind." Kain looked up to where Ryou sat still. "And if you are not more careful with yourself you will be left behind, I have seen it happen. I will not assure your safety beyond that moment. Stay with the woman, she's your only hope," Kain said before he vanished.
"He knows how to leave a pit of doubt in your stomach, doesn't he?" Sarah asked as she turned to Ryou. The normally pale teen was as white as sheet, he was frozen in a blank stare. "You ok...?"
"Don't let him leave me!" Ryou yelped as he jumped off the ledge and tackled the woman. "You can't! I don't want to stay here!" He shook her gently then clung to her as if he was about to fall.
"Ryou!" she gasped as she tried to pull free. "I'd like to be able to breathe." The teen released her slightly but still held her close. "I won't let him leave you. Somehow I doubt the fact he really needs me. He can leave Nosgoth without me, what else am I needed for?"
"Something to do with Raziel and the rest of his plan?" Ryou asked. The woman only heard his voice muffled through his chest, the way he held her wouldn't allow her to comfortably move her head.
"Ryou?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you let me go, please. I'm not going to leave you and I'd like to sit down now."
"Oh, yeah, sure." Ryou let her go and stepped back, he still looked uneasy but was slowly calming down.
"Sit," the woman commanded. "You look like you're going to pass out."
"Feel like it," he grunted as he flopped down.
"I won't leave you, I swear," the woman said as she sat beside him.
"Thanks, that means a lot to me."
"No problem, now relax in the time we've been given to do so," she said as she put her head on his shoulder. "I'm going to lean on you so if one or both of us falls asleep, no one's going anywhere without the other knowing."
Things are going to shift from Nosgoth to Domino eventually, and then back again later. I'm kind of juggling things here and there so not everything is new.
Yu-Gi-Oh! characters and everything related is (c) Kazuki Takahashi
Legacy of Kain characters and everything related is (c) Crystal Dynamics and Silicon Knights.
A hiss and thump reminded Ryou where he was and who had been left behind. He turned around and gave a short yell when he saw who stood under him over the still form of the woman. Kain turned around and dropped the bloodied arrow to the ground before looking up to Ryou.
"What did you do to her!" the teen demanded as he raced down the stairs and to her side.
"I eased her pain, the arrow was removed and her wound treated. You learn a good deal of magic over the centuries when nothing of interest is happening," the vampire lord said as he walked off. He looked up at the stilled time gate then back to where Ryou was lifting Sarah to lean against him.
"I did not study the time streams as well as I should have. I wanted to be a bit surprised by the outcome of things, I knew the three of you were not of much trouble. But I made a mistake by not being as vigilant as I normally am. She was not the problem after all," he grumbled while motioning to Sarah. "Your magical counterpart was all along. Disappointing at most, I had so hoped to go against her in a battle of wits. I do not know how she knows what she does, but it matters not now. Despite your intentions towards my plans, I offer you sanctuary in my mountain retreat. I have no worries of your attempts to escape. It is on a mountain after all and the path is paved with more obstacles than you have encountered thus far."
"Why?" the woman croaked. "Why show us any glimmer of kindness?"
"Is it kindness or part of something else? With as much as you know of me you cannot know everything. I'll leave you with that little teaser." There was a bright flash that caused both humans to shield their eyes, when it subsided their surroundings had changed. They were in the middle of a grand hall, high ceilings were braced with ornate archways and enormous pillars. Brilliant red banners hung from the highest reaches. A white symmetrical pattern on each one. The room was expansive and well kept, much nicer than the dull and musty room they stayed in at the citadel.
"Um, doesn't this look like what we saw in one of those portals?" Ryou asked as he took in his surroundings. Their packs and weapons had been brought along as well.
"Yeah, now that you mention it. Come on, let's see if we can find a place that's less open. I'll feel safer there."
"Agreed," the teen nodded as he stood and offered a hand to the woman. She took it and frowned. "What?" He turned soft eyes to hers.
"I don't hurt anymore, anywhere," she said as she began to undo the brace she wore around her midsection, she pulled up the end of her shirt to find the long wound on her side was completely gone. Only the stitches from the citadel remained. Likewise there was no mark on her thigh from the arrow. "Well," she began pleasantly surprised. "At least I don't have some scars to explain when I finally get home..."
"Good point indeed," Ryou nodded as they moved out into an even grander room.
The storm I was in lasted for a good few minutes, just as my heart was about to sink I felt a firm foundation under my feet. The mists cleared and I found myself in a new room. It was large, but much smaller than the previous one. This room only had the one floor which strangely enough was glass. My feet made an almost musical sound as I walked across it. The steady tick and click of gears under my feet and on the walls was the only other sound in the room. I stopped at the door and turned around. I needed to figure out how to get back to where I came. In the center of the glass, not far from where I had landed was a strange pedestal. A blue orb sat atop it, cradled in handles that allowed it to swivel from side-to-side. I did not understand the meaning of this device, perhaps it was only a circuit in the system. On the wall behind it was a strange set up of cylinders and cones, it looked like a combination lock and key pad in one almost. It was even more confusing than the previous set up, though being that this looked to only need one operator I wasn't completely mad. I must admit now I am regretting my actions. While I can undoubtedly play with this device and eventually find my way back, I would have preferred to have some form of scapegoat with me. I would just have to be more careful of myself. That's when it hit me, far from the vampire lord my Ring began to glow slightly. I could feel it's power once again as it hungrily snaked through my being. It was intoxicating to say the least, and soothing at the same time. Perhaps I didn't need anyone, not anymore. They would only slow me. Whatever the ancient vampire had done to block my Ring was no longer working, if I returned with my power in full I could destroy him before he saw it coming. Perhaps now my search for the blue skinned demon would be easier. And with luck I could use the Ring to... persuade him to my cause.
The snowy-haired teen took a moment to reacquaint himself with his powers before he confidently strode towards the door, it slid open for him without so much as a touch. He took a moment to regard the door with its infinity symbol before turning back out to look into the room it emptied into. The place was in ruins, the high ceiling had great sections missing and debris littered the area. Murals on the walls had faded beyond recognition, it wasn't until a second glace was given that they could been seen as old murals and not discolorations of a decaying building. Bakura's eyes settled on the center of the room. In the remains of a standing basin a figure sat cross-legged. He had taloned hands like Kain, his feet in much the same shape too. There was no skin left on his frame, only blue muscle shone dully in the poor light that filtered through the ruined ceiling. He had a worn section of cloth around the lower half of his face, it settled on his chest just above the void that was his midsection. Judging by his appearance, Bakura guessed he was missing part of his face. Tattered remains of something hung from his back and pooled in folds elegantly around his slim and ruined body.
"I do not trust anyone in Nosgoth, and those who hurtle through time I have found to be the least trustworthy of all," he said in a voice that seemed to be inside Bakura's mind yet still echoed inside the room they occupied.
"You have seen much and undoubtedly gone through even more. I'm not here on account of anything dealing with Nosgoth."
"No, I know you aren't. I know that much, enough has filtered through to me to give me that much information. But the fact that you seek me for your own means does not bode well. Everyone is out to rally me to their cause," the figure spoke as he brought a hand up to punctuate his statements. "I'm not fond of the attention that gives me. When each side learns the other has lead me somewhere they pop in to redirect me and anger me into taking another path. I grow tired of this game, and I don't want another player involved," he stated plainly as he shifted and rose to his feet. He towered over Bakura, even if he weren't atop anything he would still have done so. "While your plan has nothing to do with Nosgoth, it does not mean I will leap at the chance to be done with everything here. You are just part of another game exactly like this one, only difference is the key players. I want nothing to do with my current game, what makes you think I would become involved in another?"
"Because I know what you want. An end, oblivion. No game, no errands. No sides pulling you into their parody of life."
"Death is seductive, but why should I trust you? Oh you may give me good reasons but in the end will you stick to it? In all the twists and turns you will put me though that promise may fall away and be forgotten," Raziel snorted.
"No, no it won't. I have my reasons why it won't be forsaken."
"I find that hard to believe. Words of comfort tend to lead to deceit."
"And it keeps you on your toes, does it not? The distrust and underlying ripple of instinct? Sometimes it's better to take a chance if the end might be appealing to you."
"And risk becoming trapped in another world? Nosgoth has always been my home, despite it's dilapidated state it is still my home. I will stay here, even if it means I will never find my end," the creature growled. His white eyes flared up brightly, the glow evident in the dim building.
"I do not plan to be stuck here forever, I came into your world to call for your aid. Do you not think I possess the means to not only bring you to where I need your assistance but return you once the task is done?"
"And of my end, will it come here? While I wish for death, I do not want it to be anywhere but here in this land. After all I have gone through this is where I want to remain when all is said and done."
"It can be done," Bakura smiled slightly as his Ring's soft glow intensified. "If you help me return to the proper time the journey to where I need you will be easier. I'm certain that time travel here has put my world into a different era as well, and now is not when your unique talents are needed. In return for your work, you shall get what I owe you."
Raziel seemed displaced for a moment, he attributed it to what was being offered to him; never once suspecting the strange artifact the stranger wore might be the cause. He would be given a break from everything that currently plagued him, Kain and all else. What else could he ask for before death?
"If things are not to my liking, the deal is off and you must return me here and leave me be for the rest of time," Raziel stated.
"Very well then, you have my word." The Spirit lowered his head briefly.
"Then I will show you back to where you came from, or as close to the exact moment as possible." The figure hopped off the basin's remains and held his right arm out before the Tomb Raider. "I must warn you," he said before jerking his arm to the side, blue energy sparkled and wound down his arm. As it did so it turned white and formed a long pike like extension that went well past his fingers. "This item is of unique craftsmanship. The effects of our travel may have unexpected influences on it. I may need time to adjust. I cannot simply run in and do what it is I am so aptly qualified for. In this time you will relay any and all information to me that I may need."
Bakura barely heard what the creature said, his attention had been turned to the weapon it possessed. "I can feel its connection to you, it is you," the Spirit murmured.
"My curse, that is all you need know. Now come," Raziel commanded as he turned. He leveled his right arm with a pink crystal atop a door exactly like the one Bakura had exited from before firing a shot of kinetic energy at it. The crystal chimed and flared to life, both the door under it as well as the one behind them opened. "Go back through the one you came from, with luck it is still set to the time from whence you came. Providing your exploration of the chamber didn't disturb anything."
"I'm not simple enough to mess with something before I'm ready to," the Spirit of the Ring growled.
"Good," Raziel replied simply. "Take the two poles and twist the switch till it is horizontal with the ground," the blue fiend commanded as he placed a single hand on the shorter man's shoulder. "Tell me, how many tries did it take you to find the time and location I was hidden in?"
"Beginner's luck," Bakura chuckled.
"You may have been set up," Raziel snapped as the device hummed to life. Before he could separate himself from the traveler, both were pulled into the streams of time.
Curiosity had gotten the best out of the two humans as they wandered about the expansive hallways of Kain's retreat. Stairs, balconies and pits had all been checked out, nothing they found seemed to suit their tastes for comfort and safety. The ceilings were ridiculously high, but then again the higher floors were only located on the outside wall of the building, from the center of the bottom floor one could look up and see the balconies for the other four floors. Archways and pillars supported the building, Kain's banners hung everywhere.
"What's that?" Ryou asked as he pointed to a green glowing doorway. It wasn't just the edges glowing, but the whole thing, it looked as if green glass blocked it.
"Well that's weird," the woman said as she wrinkled her nose. She walked up to it and easily slid a hand through.
"And?" Ryou prompted.
"It's a Ward Gate. Ward gates were used centuries ago by the Sarafan to block vampires from passing certain points. I find it amusing Kain would have such a device in his retreat."
"I find it confusing myself. Isn't he a vampire?"
"Yeah, and these things aren't around anywhere else that I know of. I wonder what the point... is..." the woman trailed off before her posture stiffened and her jaw clenched.
"Huh?" Ryou questioned as he followed her line of sight. On the other side of the Ward was a massive creature. It stood around seven feet tall on two legs, it's upper body looked much too large to be fully supported by the slim waist and legs it possessed. The creature lowered itself to all fours and growled as it thrashed it's head. Massive wing-like ears flopped with the motion. It grunted then charged the humans. Both let out high pitched screams as they turned to run. The beast behind them crashed into the Ward and was flung back, it howled as it fought to right itself. Both humans peeked out from the pillar they had taken refuge behind.
"That supposed to happen?" Ryou asked.
"Yep, that's a Ward's job." Sarah slowly stepped out from behind the pillar, the vampire hissed at her and slashed the Ward. It zapped the creature and caused it to hop back again. "And that's a Turelim, ugly no?"
"Ugh, yes," Ryou cringed. "What's it doing?" he asked as the creature stood and looked as if it was inhaling. Sarah watched as it threw it's head back before snapping forward with it's maw open, a massive ball of kinetic energy rushed forth and headed for the gate. "Duck!" she cried once she realized it was an attack. Ryou instinctively dropped to the ground as the blast hit the Ward, it fizzled out harmlessly. The Turelim grunted and tried again, this time letting out a more powerful blast. The Ward flickered as it struggled with the blast. A sound akin to a chortle came from the beast as he tried once more.
"Shit, get up and run. He might be able to take it out," Sarah hissed as she scrambled to her feet. Ryou followed suit and dashed out alongside the older woman. The Turelim was still building up power for an attack when Sarah glanced back at it. "Get up on the balcony, we can get to other rooms from it," she commanded.
Once at the top she and Ryou watched as the Turelim fired it's most powerful blast yet. It seemed to fight with the Ward, suspended in a green hurricane. Suddenly it bounced off and hit the Turelim square in the chest. The beast screamed as it was flung back across the room. There was a clatter and a sort of wet slapping sound then all was quite.
"Do we dare...?" Ryou looked to Sarah.
"Yeah, just so we know what happened. We can still run away screaming, the gate's not dead," she shrugged as she turned to go back down.
The two slowly approached the Ward, on the other side the hall that lead to the outside was in shambles. A crate and old weapons lay crushed and battered. In the far corner was the Turelim, it's head was rolled to the side and thick tongue hang limply. Protruding from it's chest were shards of something. From the looks of it several staffs had impaled the beast.
"HA! He killed himself!" Ryou danced about happily.
"Celebrate later. Let's move away from the gate, shall we? There's got to be a room or something we can go cower in until later..."
"No one around, you worried over nothing Raziel," Bakura scowled once the blue fiend had finished searching the perimeter.
"You mentioned partners you left behind?" the fallen vampire asked as he looked up to where Bakura stood.
"They most likely wandered off, they can't get far. I'll find them," Bakura snorted as the Ring glowed softly.
"Kain took them," Raziel hissed as he narrowed his eyes. "I can feel his lingering presence here."
"The old vampire has become such a nuisance."
"Are they needed? If not we should leave them, going after them will take time and allow forces to rally against us."
"Believe me, I would leave them if I could. But I at least need the woman, the teen is of no use to me. Not anymore," Bakura smirked slightly as he flexed his fingers.
"Kain may have stowed her in any place, time included if she's that needed," Raziel said as he ascended the stairs, he walked across the second tier towards the door where Bakura stood.
"Where might these places be?" The Spirit asked once his temporary partner stood beside him.
"The cells near the Tomb of Sarafan are too obvious and easy to reach. She's most likely in the heart of a clan holding, or within one of Kain's retreats."
"Start there, lead me. I can pinpoint her life force without needing to be too close."
"Really now, I have told you that you are my guests. There is no need to hide," the old vampire chuckled as he strolled through the center of the room the humans had picked to stay in.
"A Turelim tried to break in, I value my life thank you very much," Sarah replied as she hopped off the stone ledge she was on. Ryou remained on it, simply watching the vampire and woman.
"Your companion has found Raziel and now requires your aid in order to return home. So long as Raziel stays behind I will allow him to find you as I want you all gone. Be warned, he plans to leave you behind." Kain looked up to where Ryou sat still. "And if you are not more careful with yourself you will be left behind, I have seen it happen. I will not assure your safety beyond that moment. Stay with the woman, she's your only hope," Kain said before he vanished.
"He knows how to leave a pit of doubt in your stomach, doesn't he?" Sarah asked as she turned to Ryou. The normally pale teen was as white as sheet, he was frozen in a blank stare. "You ok...?"
"Don't let him leave me!" Ryou yelped as he jumped off the ledge and tackled the woman. "You can't! I don't want to stay here!" He shook her gently then clung to her as if he was about to fall.
"Ryou!" she gasped as she tried to pull free. "I'd like to be able to breathe." The teen released her slightly but still held her close. "I won't let him leave you. Somehow I doubt the fact he really needs me. He can leave Nosgoth without me, what else am I needed for?"
"Something to do with Raziel and the rest of his plan?" Ryou asked. The woman only heard his voice muffled through his chest, the way he held her wouldn't allow her to comfortably move her head.
"Ryou?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you let me go, please. I'm not going to leave you and I'd like to sit down now."
"Oh, yeah, sure." Ryou let her go and stepped back, he still looked uneasy but was slowly calming down.
"Sit," the woman commanded. "You look like you're going to pass out."
"Feel like it," he grunted as he flopped down.
"I won't leave you, I swear," the woman said as she sat beside him.
"Thanks, that means a lot to me."
"No problem, now relax in the time we've been given to do so," she said as she put her head on his shoulder. "I'm going to lean on you so if one or both of us falls asleep, no one's going anywhere without the other knowing."
