Author's note: This chapter is a long one...so get comfy! Also, words enclosed in ' ' indicate thought. (As opposed to " " meaning speech.)
Chapter Thirty-Seven
With the setting of the sun, Raziel, Kain, and Jenise departed the massive mansion in the slums of Meridian. Jenise had left Malia in the care of Aldreah. Upon Kain's insistence, the Heart of Darkness was to be left in Vorador's protection. Raziel had been wary of heeding such a decision. With the Heart out of his hands, he had no idea what would come of it, especially if it were to be used to restore Janos Audron. However, Kain convinced his first born to relinquish custody of the artifact.
Thanks to the master vampire's teleportation ability, travel became simply too easy, especially for Raziel and Jenise, whom previously had been hoofing their journeys on foot. The trio teleported to the nearest time chamber. Kain watched disdainfully as Jenise activated the device with near precision. The chamber hummed with life and each warrior placed a hand on the central switch. Instantly, they were transported fifty years forward in time. Upon their arrival, they set out to find the new pillar guardians.
A lone traveler walked the dimly lit streets of Nachtholm, on his way home for the evening. The man approached his doorstep, when he felt the presence of someone watching him. He turned about, to face three strangers standing in the center of the street.
"Who are you and why have you followed me?" the man demanded with authority. Obviously he was of high respect in this city. The three shadowed figures did not answer him at first. They silently scrutinized him. The man started to become agitated.
"Are you sure it is him?" one of the three asked of another, ignoring the subject's earlier question.
"I am certain," came another masculine voice.
"Tell me what this is about!" the man began to grow angry. The shortest figure approached him slowly, the shadows slipping away in the light to reveal a woman's face. The man seemed to calm a bit with the visual confirmation of at least one of his pursuers.
"Are you the one called Galen?" Jenise inquired, eyeing him suspiciously. The man was most definitely of a higher stature in this town. He had impeccable taste in clothing. His age, threw Jenise off. He only appeared to be in his mid thirties and in excellent health.
"What of it?" demanded the man.
"Tell me. Have you noticed any unique abilities you may happen to possess?"
Galen's mind wandered momentarily at the sudden question. As a child, he had been able to goad other children into quarreling with each other. He had found it amusing to watch them bicker over trinkets and such, until the one day it got out of hand.
When he was eight, he was swimming in a brook with his brothers. His siblings began to fight with each other, and Galen thought it funny to coax them further. The elder brother's rage grew to such a point, that Galen found he could not calm him. He ran to get help and when he returned, his younger brother had been found dead, drowned by the hands of his eldest brother.
As Galen grew older, so did his powers. He had noticed that he could manipulate the relationship between to forces, for better or for worse. As his abilities developed, he used his power for better, influencing compromises and treaties between individuals, and later in life, between villages. He had no desire to be the influence that resulted in ruining more innocent lives.
"And what if I have noticed such things?" Galen asked curiously as he came out of his stupor.
"Then you have been chosen."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you know of the Pillars of Nosgoth?"
"Who doesn't?" he snapped.
Jenise ignored his rudeness. "You have been chosen as the Guardian of Conflict."
"Do you think this one will be as difficult to convince?" Jenise asked her comrade.
Raziel did not answer. Instead, he continued to gaze downward from their rooftop view towards the street below. The streets were busy with merchants peddling their goods and customers were busy selecting the best of items.
Kain, disguised as a nobleman, stood in an alley, leaning patiently against a wall, watching passersby with disinterest. The market crowd made it difficult to pinpoint his target. Suddenly, a woman appearing to be in her late twenties approached the vampire. Her long, silky bright orange dress, stitched in a simple design seemed to stand out against the rest of the crowd.
"You seem to be looking for someone," she replied.
Kain rose to attention. "You are..."
"Sophia. But you should already know that."
The vampire flashed a toothy grin. "But of course. So, should I explain myself to you?"
"Why should you have to? You projected your thoughts so clearly, I could hear them from four blocks away, even over the bustle of the market crowds." Sophia replied. "I know you have been looking for me."
"Yes. You are indeed the Guardian of the Mind. And you are a strong one at that."
In the city of Meridian, a town official held conference with Sarafan knights.
"I don't care if those gates are meant to wield off vampires! They are destroying the health of the land in and around the city!" the official declared.
"They have been erected by the Sarafan Lord's order," rebutted a glyph knight. "And by his order, they shall remain."
On that final note, the knights departed. The town official slinked into his chair, exhausted from the debate. For a moment, he felt older than his age. In actuality, he appeared at least ten years younger than his true age. Many wondered how he could stay so fit.
He reached into his liquor cabinet and pulled out a glass and a bottle of bourbon, hoping to ease his nerves with a drink. Suddenly, the door to his office sprang open once again. Thinking it was the Sarafan knights, returned to harass him a second turn, he spun in his chair to the portal.
"What is it now?" But when he faced the trespassers, he was taken by surprise. "I'm sorry. Was there something I could do for you?"
"The glyph gates...you are displeased with their presence?" Raziel inquired from beneath his cloak.
The official rose to his feet. "Yes! The energy they emit not only deflects vampires, but somehow, it is destroying the state of the land! They must be torn down, or else Meridian will become an empty city in the midst of a barren wasteland!"
"Join us, and we shall see to it that the gates are destroyed," offered the vampire wraith.
The official studied the trio momentarily. "Though I haven't an idea who you three are, I feel I can trust you. My name is Cosmo, governor of Meridian."
"And Guardian of the States."
The outskirts of Vasserbunde seemed to have been blessed with good fortune. The past several decades seemed to thrive with vegetation and wildlife. In the midst of the tranquil forests, a girl in her late teens sat amongst the squirrels and birds, humming peacefully to herself. She was lost in thought, and didn't at first notice the shadow that had suddenly cast over her.
The girl snapped out of her daze, and looked up to see someone looking down on her. She could not make out the owner's face, for the bright sun silhouetted the person's figure.
"Hello," the girl muttered, drawing a hand up to shield her eyes from the sun.
"Alma?"
"Yes. That's my name. Who are you?"
"You don't know me. My name is Jenise. My friends and I have been looking for you."
"Have I done something wrong?"
"Not at all. You are a very special person. I can see that from the forest around you."
"I...I didn't mean to make the forest grow like this. It just...sort of...happened..." Alma tried to explain timidly.
"Why are you afraid?" Jenise tried to calm her. "I'm not angry at you."
"You mean...you're not going to hurt me?"
"Why would I do that?"
"The villagers...they hate me. They try to hurt me...because of my curse."
"Your curse? Why, this is a gift! This forest is beautiful!" Jenise reasoned.
The girl blushed. "I'm glad somebody thinks so. Someone other than my cousin, that is. He seems to be the only one that understands me. Why are you looking for me anyway?"
"Because of your gift...your influence over wildlife. You're the Guardian of Nature."
Raziel and Kain approached Vasserbunde's sorcery guild. Kain had sensed the presence of a second guardian within the city. When the girl Alma declared that her cousin seemed to have a 'gift' as well, the vampire lord was deeply interested. Raziel reached for the guild door, but found it would not open. The duo rounded the edifice, in search of another entrance, but instead found two mages speaking to one another.
"Drogo? Drogo, are you okay?" one young man asked the other.
"Yes. I'm fine. I'm sorry to cut you off so soon, but I must be going. There is someone waiting for me."
"Okay. I understand. I'll be seeing you tomorrow then." When his friend departed, Drogo turned towards the strong presence he had been sensing.
"I feel a strong aura of death in the air," he announced aloud, seemingly to himself.
But his words were not spoken needlessly. Two figures revealed themselves from behind a group of trees. Kain and Raziel approached the mage of his early twenties. Drogo carefully studied the pair before speaking.
"The scent of death wreaks from both of your beings," Drogo spoke. "Death by your hands, and the smell of your own deaths. Yours," he turned towards Raziel, "was excruciating..."
"Are you not Drogo?" Raziel interrupted, intent on getting to the point.
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"We were curious...what abilities as a mage do you possess?"
"If you have come to me with ill intentions..." Drogo let the threat hang in the air.
"No. Our intentions are pure. We just need to know if you are one we seek," replied Raziel.
Drogo sighed. Many had come to him with requests. Requests that he would not fulfill. He knew his gifts were a blessing, and were to be used nobly. Not for selfish purposes.
"If I show you my abilities, will you not exploit me for my power?"
"We have come to you with a noble purpose," Kain reassured the mage.
"Fine then."
Drogo calmly walked over to a nearby tree and picked something up off the ground. He returned to Kain and Raziel. In his left palm was the body of a hatchling sparrow, having fallen to its death earlier in the day. Drogo took his right index finger, and gently placed on the hatchling, then withdrew his finger. Suddenly, the hatchling came to life, crying for its mother. Kain and Raziel watched this with amazement.
"This is my gift; to bestow life to the dead. But giving life to the dead is unnatural," Drogo proclaimed.
In that instant, the baby bird chirped on last time before death retook its hold. The bird's body withered and disintegrated into dust, the slight breeze carrying away the remains. They stood quiet for a moment; only the sound of Drogo's robes snapping in the wind filled the air.
"The two of you, are both living an unnatural existence. Because of that, I cannot help you. I'm sorry." Drogo turned to leave.
"Alma has decided to help us. Why can't you?" Raziel called out.
Drogo stopped and turned back. "My cousin, Alma? Why would she help you?"
"We are searching for the pillar guardians of Nosgoth. Alma is the Guardian of Nature. And we have discovered that you are the Guardian of Death."
Raziel and Jenise entered the town of Ziegsturhl as dusk approached. Kain had told them that one of the guardians resided in the quiet town. This guardian possessed one of the strongest auras of the circle, a good indication that his powers were more developed than the rest.
The master vampire had warned the duo of the dangers of this village. For Ziegsturhl was the village where a band of brigands had murdered Kain as a human. The streets here were filled with thieves and criminals.
The former vampire and priestess wandered the streets for any signs of the guardian. They rounded a corner, stumbling upon a robbery in action. A group of six crooks had cornered a man of his late forties, threatening him with swords and scabbards. Knowing the man hadn't a fighting chance against the odds, Jenise went to run to his aid. Raziel caught her wrist and pulled her back.
"Wait," he replied as the simple explanation for his actions.
Jenise turned her attention back to the man as the criminals closed in on him. However, the man was able to use his own spiritual energy to ward off the thieves. He assailed them with wave after wave of his power, sending them soaring through the air. After the third defensive strike, the criminals realized the futility of their botched burglary, and fled the scene.
The man took a moment to dust his sleeves of the dirt from the brigands. "Might the two of you also be interested in experiencing a demonstration of my power? Or is a third person perspective sufficient enough?" the man query was directed towards Jenise and Raziel, though he didn't look up in their direction.
Jenise's jaw was agape at the display of power. Had Raziel not stopped her, she would have been an innocent victim of the attack. She hesitantly took a step towards the man.
"The observation alone was quite impressive, but no, I do not wish to share the same experience those criminals foolishly committed themselves to facing."
"What they experienced was only a fraction of my power. Be that a warning to them, or any who try to take advantage of me."
Raziel's eyes narrowed at the man's arrogance, but remained silent. He left the talking to Jenise. She would be able to gain his trust much easier.
"Yes. And I hope they learned their lesson well. As for my comrade and I, we are in search of someone in this village."
"Oh? And do you know whom it is you seek? I've lived here for most of my life, and have come to know most of the residents. Perhaps I can be of some assistance," the man offered.
"Actually, I believe we have found him already. You are Lord Roshan, correct?"
"Why yes! How did you know?"
"Your reputation precedes you," Jenise flattered him with a little fib. "You are a wizard with awesome power. So great is your strength that the highest regards on your behalf have reached as far as Uschtenhiem."
This claim really seemed to butter up Roshan. "Ah! So I am known that far, eh?"
"Yes. My associate and I have come searching for you. It seems that the power you possess could belong to no other..."
"None other than whom?"
"None other than the Guardian of Energy."
Kain stood on the cliffs overlooking Uschtenhiem. Somewhere within this city was the next guardian. Reaching out with his vampire senses, he could sense the general area where the guardian was. The master vampire teleported himself to the location and found himself standing outside a small temple.
The future lord of Nosgoth silently stepped inside the candlelit place of worship. At the far end of the chamber, a solitaire man sat cross-legged at the base of a shrine. The man, obviously a monk, seemed to be in a deep trance, and took no notice to Kain's arrival. The vampire lord casually strolled up to the monk. Just as Kain was about to reach out to touch the man's shoulder, the monk opened his eyes and looked up into Kain's golded irises.
"Have you come here to pray as well?" he inquired.
Kain released a deep-throated chuckle. "Hardly. I have no need for such trivial acts. Do you really believe the gods hear your banter anyway?"
"Whether they hear me or not, is not the point. The point is to have faith."
"And what good is faith if your prayers are not answered?"
"All I can hope is that they are. I have seen things. Disturbing things. Things that even your worst nightmares cannot conjure up..."
"I'm certain you haven't seen anything as wicked as I," replied Kain.
"I wouldn't be certain of that. I have seen creatures...demons of another world. I have watched them from my mind's eye over the past decade. I have not witnessed them firsthand, but I know they exist. The visions are too real. These creatures...they plan on attacking our world. I have seen them preparing. They will be here soon. I hope that someone will stop them before it is too late. That is why I pray."
"Then consider your prayers answered."
The monk stared at Kain in confusion. "What do you mean? Do you plan to stop them?"
The master vampire grinned an all-knowing smile.
"Yes, with your help, Nobu, Guardian of Dimension."
The reaver of souls wandered the dark streets of Steinchencroe. The vast city seemed deserted of its occupants at this time of night. He had been searching for over an hour. If only Kain had accompanied him, perhaps the search could be narrowed down a bit. Frustrated, the vampire wraith decided to turn back. Though he loathed the idea of asking for Kain's help, the length of his search was getting ridiculous.
"Raziel...Redeemer and destroyer...Pawn and messiah..."
To hear those words stung Raziel like a thousand hot needles piercing the tender flesh beneath one's foot. The former vampire spun on his heel to face the owner of the voice. However, he was not met with the face of the one who had last spoken those words to him. In Moebius's place, was a woman of about forty years of age. She seemed to be studying him, as if she knew who he was, but could not recognize him.
"Those were the words used by my predecessor to describe you, correct?" she asked of Raziel.
"Taliba? But how did you know I'd find you here?"
"Who's to say you found me? What if it is I who has found you? I have seen the past Raziel, as well as the future. And many years ago, I had foreseen this moment as well. I know of your quest to restore Nosgoth. I know that if not for you, I would not exist to this day. I know your acquaintances Kain and Jenise have traveled to this time with you as well. They are waiting for our arrival with the rest of the guardians."
Raziel stared at her with scrutiny. "Do not act as though you know me," he growled untrustingly. "Your predecessor claimed to have known me as well, and the most he cared for me was to use me as another pawn in his grand scheme."
"Yes. I am aware of this. And I am not proud of that fact. I can only hope that the actions of my life can regain the nobility and respect my pillar deserves."
"I shall hope for the same thing, Guardian of Time."
Raziel led Taliba to the Pillars of Nosgoth. There, Kain and Jenise had indeed been waiting for their arrival as Taliba had said. The other guardians; Drogo, Alma, Cosmo, Galen, Sophia, Nobu, and Roshan; were all gathered there as well.
"Finally they're here!" Jenise greeted the newcomers. The already present guardians turned their attention to the newest arrival.
Raziel strolled up to the group. "Yes, and with Kain as the ninth guardian, we can finally move on to the next step."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Raziel," Taliba interrupted, "but Kain cannot take part."
"Why not?"
"He is not of this time. Only the guardians of the current time period can fulfill the task."
"Then we shall find the Kain of this time," Jenise suggested.
"I'm afraid not," the future lord of Nosgoth proclaimed. "My past self is slashing his way through the eternal prison at this moment. He has his own quest to fulfill. Even if he could put it off for a moment, we are still unable to reach him at this time."
"Are you saying we went through all this for nothing?" Raziel demanded irately of his sire.
"No. Not necessarily. There is one more I am sensing," Kain commented. "Ironically, this energy, so similar to my own, originates in Coorhagen."
Dawn broke over the city of nobles. The citizens began their daily routines. The lords of Coorhagen bartered with each other while their wives gathered to gossip. The servants went about their daily tasks serving the wealthy, while the children readied themselves for their lessons. All the children, that is, except for one.
The child of about thirteen years frolicked aimlessly about the town, headed towards her favorite spot: a grassy hill overlooking a quietly flowing stream. It was a tranquil place where she could be free of the stresses of life. She often liked to visit this spot before her rigorous day of chores. As she skipped by two Ladies of high stature, she caught their attention and she became the subject of their gossip.
"There she goes! The child I was telling you about!" the first told the second, whom had just moved to the city.
"Her? Why she looks perfectly normal to me..."
"Yes, but looks are deceiving. How old do you take her to be?"
"I'm not certain, but I'd say she was about twelve or thirteen..."
"Nope! She's older than the both of us put together!"
"What? How can that be?"
"It's true! She's nearly fifty years old!"
"Now that's a whopper of a story!" the Lady laughed heartily. "You certainly had me going there for a moment!"
The first woman did not share in the mirth of the second. For her word was the truth. The second realized her error as her laughter came to a halt.
"You...you really mean it? It's not a joke?" the second inquired.
"No it's not a joke! She hasn't aged a day since she reached adolescence. Or so my mother has told me. If it wasn't for the fact that she goes swimming in that creek everyday, I would swear that she was a vampire!"
The girl, her age well beyond her appearance, finally arrived at her private sanctum. She sat on the small ridge just above the stream. She removed her shoes and dipped her toes into the cool waters. With a relaxing sigh, she leaned back to lie upon the ground, placing her hands behind her head for support.
She kicked her feet in the water as she watched the puffy white clouds change form in the skies overhead. With a much stronger kick, the girl flung water in a wave of droplets, sending them arching across the air over the stream below. Simultaneous with this act, was an audible hiss of pain from the opposite bank.
"Foolish girl! Do you realize how much that stung?"
The girl rose to a sitting position, startled by the sudden voice. She looked across the brook, to see a man with long silver hair, clutching the left side of his face. As he pulled his hand away, the girl could discern what appeared to be burn marks, before they inexplicably vanished. The girl tipped her head sideways, blinking with confusion.
Kain leapt across the stream and looked down upon the girl. She rose to a standing position and stared inquisitively at the stranger. Kain narrowed his eyes at her disdainfully.
"What? Why are you staring at me?" the vampire demanded. The girl replied with a single blink. "Why do you not answer me? Has a cat got your tongue?"
At that comment, the girl finally broke eye contact with Kain. She gazed down towards the water, a solemn look on her face. Kain could not see her downcast face, but a quiet sniffle told him that she was trying to fight back tears.
"What is wrong with you? Why do you not speak?"
The girl looked back up at Kain, this time with tears brimming in her eyes. She looked almost pleading to him. He didn't know how to respond to this child. He thought this was the one he sought after, but she seemed so frail and weak. The adolescent suddenly grabbed Kain's right hand and tugged at it. He held it tight to his side.
"What are you doing?"
She pointed at her forehead with her left hand, and tugged again at his arm. Seeming to understand her intentions, Kain allowed her to move his hand. Upon doing so, she placed his palm on her forehead and concentrated. After a moment, he could hear a voice in his head.
'You are the vampire Kain, correct?'
"Yes."
'Then you are him...my other half...'
"Other half?"
'Yes. You and I...we share the same soul. Only, you seem different. You feel...out of place...'
"That is correct. I am the future version of the Kain from this era."
'Then you have been searching for me.'
"Indeed I have."
'Then let us depart.'
"You don't need to run any last errands before we leave?"
'No. I have been ready for this moment. The girl shall understand.'
"The girl?"
'Yes. The girl. I am trapped within her body. She has not yet realized her purpose in this life. Until she does, she will remain in her current form and her power will not be released.'
"You are this power within her then?"
'Correct. And when she learns her destiny, I shall be united with her rather than imprisoned within her.'
Kain removed his palm from the girl's forehead, severing the telepathic connection. "Okay, Rauha. I've made my decision. We need you to help us in our cause, but until your sleeping power awakens, we cannot continue. I must convince you that you are the Guardian of Balance."
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Author's notes: Whew! That was a doozy of a chapter! I hope the length was worth the wait! Speaking of which, I'm sorry it took so long! I had to do a wee bit of research. I wanted to get an idea of what each of the guardian's abilities are. I also did some research for the guardians' names. Here's a recap of who's who, and what their names mean:
Balance - Rauha (Finnish meaning peace)
Time - Taliba (Arabic meaning knowledge)
Death - Drogo (German meaning ghost)
Nature - Alma (Latin meaning nurturing)
States - Cosmo (Italian meaning order)
Conflict - Galen (English meaning calm)
Mind - Sophia (Greek meaning wisdom)
Dimension - Nobu (Japanese meaning expansion)
Energy - Roshan (Arabic meaning light)
Do you think their names suit them? And to clear one thing up: They are all the same age (about 50 year old), but their age appearances are all different. Depending on when they discovered their abilities and how developed their powers are determines the appearance of their ages.
Anyway, this big long chapter is dedicated to all my reviewers! Thanks for all your support and advice!
Chapter Thirty-Seven
With the setting of the sun, Raziel, Kain, and Jenise departed the massive mansion in the slums of Meridian. Jenise had left Malia in the care of Aldreah. Upon Kain's insistence, the Heart of Darkness was to be left in Vorador's protection. Raziel had been wary of heeding such a decision. With the Heart out of his hands, he had no idea what would come of it, especially if it were to be used to restore Janos Audron. However, Kain convinced his first born to relinquish custody of the artifact.
Thanks to the master vampire's teleportation ability, travel became simply too easy, especially for Raziel and Jenise, whom previously had been hoofing their journeys on foot. The trio teleported to the nearest time chamber. Kain watched disdainfully as Jenise activated the device with near precision. The chamber hummed with life and each warrior placed a hand on the central switch. Instantly, they were transported fifty years forward in time. Upon their arrival, they set out to find the new pillar guardians.
A lone traveler walked the dimly lit streets of Nachtholm, on his way home for the evening. The man approached his doorstep, when he felt the presence of someone watching him. He turned about, to face three strangers standing in the center of the street.
"Who are you and why have you followed me?" the man demanded with authority. Obviously he was of high respect in this city. The three shadowed figures did not answer him at first. They silently scrutinized him. The man started to become agitated.
"Are you sure it is him?" one of the three asked of another, ignoring the subject's earlier question.
"I am certain," came another masculine voice.
"Tell me what this is about!" the man began to grow angry. The shortest figure approached him slowly, the shadows slipping away in the light to reveal a woman's face. The man seemed to calm a bit with the visual confirmation of at least one of his pursuers.
"Are you the one called Galen?" Jenise inquired, eyeing him suspiciously. The man was most definitely of a higher stature in this town. He had impeccable taste in clothing. His age, threw Jenise off. He only appeared to be in his mid thirties and in excellent health.
"What of it?" demanded the man.
"Tell me. Have you noticed any unique abilities you may happen to possess?"
Galen's mind wandered momentarily at the sudden question. As a child, he had been able to goad other children into quarreling with each other. He had found it amusing to watch them bicker over trinkets and such, until the one day it got out of hand.
When he was eight, he was swimming in a brook with his brothers. His siblings began to fight with each other, and Galen thought it funny to coax them further. The elder brother's rage grew to such a point, that Galen found he could not calm him. He ran to get help and when he returned, his younger brother had been found dead, drowned by the hands of his eldest brother.
As Galen grew older, so did his powers. He had noticed that he could manipulate the relationship between to forces, for better or for worse. As his abilities developed, he used his power for better, influencing compromises and treaties between individuals, and later in life, between villages. He had no desire to be the influence that resulted in ruining more innocent lives.
"And what if I have noticed such things?" Galen asked curiously as he came out of his stupor.
"Then you have been chosen."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you know of the Pillars of Nosgoth?"
"Who doesn't?" he snapped.
Jenise ignored his rudeness. "You have been chosen as the Guardian of Conflict."
"Do you think this one will be as difficult to convince?" Jenise asked her comrade.
Raziel did not answer. Instead, he continued to gaze downward from their rooftop view towards the street below. The streets were busy with merchants peddling their goods and customers were busy selecting the best of items.
Kain, disguised as a nobleman, stood in an alley, leaning patiently against a wall, watching passersby with disinterest. The market crowd made it difficult to pinpoint his target. Suddenly, a woman appearing to be in her late twenties approached the vampire. Her long, silky bright orange dress, stitched in a simple design seemed to stand out against the rest of the crowd.
"You seem to be looking for someone," she replied.
Kain rose to attention. "You are..."
"Sophia. But you should already know that."
The vampire flashed a toothy grin. "But of course. So, should I explain myself to you?"
"Why should you have to? You projected your thoughts so clearly, I could hear them from four blocks away, even over the bustle of the market crowds." Sophia replied. "I know you have been looking for me."
"Yes. You are indeed the Guardian of the Mind. And you are a strong one at that."
In the city of Meridian, a town official held conference with Sarafan knights.
"I don't care if those gates are meant to wield off vampires! They are destroying the health of the land in and around the city!" the official declared.
"They have been erected by the Sarafan Lord's order," rebutted a glyph knight. "And by his order, they shall remain."
On that final note, the knights departed. The town official slinked into his chair, exhausted from the debate. For a moment, he felt older than his age. In actuality, he appeared at least ten years younger than his true age. Many wondered how he could stay so fit.
He reached into his liquor cabinet and pulled out a glass and a bottle of bourbon, hoping to ease his nerves with a drink. Suddenly, the door to his office sprang open once again. Thinking it was the Sarafan knights, returned to harass him a second turn, he spun in his chair to the portal.
"What is it now?" But when he faced the trespassers, he was taken by surprise. "I'm sorry. Was there something I could do for you?"
"The glyph gates...you are displeased with their presence?" Raziel inquired from beneath his cloak.
The official rose to his feet. "Yes! The energy they emit not only deflects vampires, but somehow, it is destroying the state of the land! They must be torn down, or else Meridian will become an empty city in the midst of a barren wasteland!"
"Join us, and we shall see to it that the gates are destroyed," offered the vampire wraith.
The official studied the trio momentarily. "Though I haven't an idea who you three are, I feel I can trust you. My name is Cosmo, governor of Meridian."
"And Guardian of the States."
The outskirts of Vasserbunde seemed to have been blessed with good fortune. The past several decades seemed to thrive with vegetation and wildlife. In the midst of the tranquil forests, a girl in her late teens sat amongst the squirrels and birds, humming peacefully to herself. She was lost in thought, and didn't at first notice the shadow that had suddenly cast over her.
The girl snapped out of her daze, and looked up to see someone looking down on her. She could not make out the owner's face, for the bright sun silhouetted the person's figure.
"Hello," the girl muttered, drawing a hand up to shield her eyes from the sun.
"Alma?"
"Yes. That's my name. Who are you?"
"You don't know me. My name is Jenise. My friends and I have been looking for you."
"Have I done something wrong?"
"Not at all. You are a very special person. I can see that from the forest around you."
"I...I didn't mean to make the forest grow like this. It just...sort of...happened..." Alma tried to explain timidly.
"Why are you afraid?" Jenise tried to calm her. "I'm not angry at you."
"You mean...you're not going to hurt me?"
"Why would I do that?"
"The villagers...they hate me. They try to hurt me...because of my curse."
"Your curse? Why, this is a gift! This forest is beautiful!" Jenise reasoned.
The girl blushed. "I'm glad somebody thinks so. Someone other than my cousin, that is. He seems to be the only one that understands me. Why are you looking for me anyway?"
"Because of your gift...your influence over wildlife. You're the Guardian of Nature."
Raziel and Kain approached Vasserbunde's sorcery guild. Kain had sensed the presence of a second guardian within the city. When the girl Alma declared that her cousin seemed to have a 'gift' as well, the vampire lord was deeply interested. Raziel reached for the guild door, but found it would not open. The duo rounded the edifice, in search of another entrance, but instead found two mages speaking to one another.
"Drogo? Drogo, are you okay?" one young man asked the other.
"Yes. I'm fine. I'm sorry to cut you off so soon, but I must be going. There is someone waiting for me."
"Okay. I understand. I'll be seeing you tomorrow then." When his friend departed, Drogo turned towards the strong presence he had been sensing.
"I feel a strong aura of death in the air," he announced aloud, seemingly to himself.
But his words were not spoken needlessly. Two figures revealed themselves from behind a group of trees. Kain and Raziel approached the mage of his early twenties. Drogo carefully studied the pair before speaking.
"The scent of death wreaks from both of your beings," Drogo spoke. "Death by your hands, and the smell of your own deaths. Yours," he turned towards Raziel, "was excruciating..."
"Are you not Drogo?" Raziel interrupted, intent on getting to the point.
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"We were curious...what abilities as a mage do you possess?"
"If you have come to me with ill intentions..." Drogo let the threat hang in the air.
"No. Our intentions are pure. We just need to know if you are one we seek," replied Raziel.
Drogo sighed. Many had come to him with requests. Requests that he would not fulfill. He knew his gifts were a blessing, and were to be used nobly. Not for selfish purposes.
"If I show you my abilities, will you not exploit me for my power?"
"We have come to you with a noble purpose," Kain reassured the mage.
"Fine then."
Drogo calmly walked over to a nearby tree and picked something up off the ground. He returned to Kain and Raziel. In his left palm was the body of a hatchling sparrow, having fallen to its death earlier in the day. Drogo took his right index finger, and gently placed on the hatchling, then withdrew his finger. Suddenly, the hatchling came to life, crying for its mother. Kain and Raziel watched this with amazement.
"This is my gift; to bestow life to the dead. But giving life to the dead is unnatural," Drogo proclaimed.
In that instant, the baby bird chirped on last time before death retook its hold. The bird's body withered and disintegrated into dust, the slight breeze carrying away the remains. They stood quiet for a moment; only the sound of Drogo's robes snapping in the wind filled the air.
"The two of you, are both living an unnatural existence. Because of that, I cannot help you. I'm sorry." Drogo turned to leave.
"Alma has decided to help us. Why can't you?" Raziel called out.
Drogo stopped and turned back. "My cousin, Alma? Why would she help you?"
"We are searching for the pillar guardians of Nosgoth. Alma is the Guardian of Nature. And we have discovered that you are the Guardian of Death."
Raziel and Jenise entered the town of Ziegsturhl as dusk approached. Kain had told them that one of the guardians resided in the quiet town. This guardian possessed one of the strongest auras of the circle, a good indication that his powers were more developed than the rest.
The master vampire had warned the duo of the dangers of this village. For Ziegsturhl was the village where a band of brigands had murdered Kain as a human. The streets here were filled with thieves and criminals.
The former vampire and priestess wandered the streets for any signs of the guardian. They rounded a corner, stumbling upon a robbery in action. A group of six crooks had cornered a man of his late forties, threatening him with swords and scabbards. Knowing the man hadn't a fighting chance against the odds, Jenise went to run to his aid. Raziel caught her wrist and pulled her back.
"Wait," he replied as the simple explanation for his actions.
Jenise turned her attention back to the man as the criminals closed in on him. However, the man was able to use his own spiritual energy to ward off the thieves. He assailed them with wave after wave of his power, sending them soaring through the air. After the third defensive strike, the criminals realized the futility of their botched burglary, and fled the scene.
The man took a moment to dust his sleeves of the dirt from the brigands. "Might the two of you also be interested in experiencing a demonstration of my power? Or is a third person perspective sufficient enough?" the man query was directed towards Jenise and Raziel, though he didn't look up in their direction.
Jenise's jaw was agape at the display of power. Had Raziel not stopped her, she would have been an innocent victim of the attack. She hesitantly took a step towards the man.
"The observation alone was quite impressive, but no, I do not wish to share the same experience those criminals foolishly committed themselves to facing."
"What they experienced was only a fraction of my power. Be that a warning to them, or any who try to take advantage of me."
Raziel's eyes narrowed at the man's arrogance, but remained silent. He left the talking to Jenise. She would be able to gain his trust much easier.
"Yes. And I hope they learned their lesson well. As for my comrade and I, we are in search of someone in this village."
"Oh? And do you know whom it is you seek? I've lived here for most of my life, and have come to know most of the residents. Perhaps I can be of some assistance," the man offered.
"Actually, I believe we have found him already. You are Lord Roshan, correct?"
"Why yes! How did you know?"
"Your reputation precedes you," Jenise flattered him with a little fib. "You are a wizard with awesome power. So great is your strength that the highest regards on your behalf have reached as far as Uschtenhiem."
This claim really seemed to butter up Roshan. "Ah! So I am known that far, eh?"
"Yes. My associate and I have come searching for you. It seems that the power you possess could belong to no other..."
"None other than whom?"
"None other than the Guardian of Energy."
Kain stood on the cliffs overlooking Uschtenhiem. Somewhere within this city was the next guardian. Reaching out with his vampire senses, he could sense the general area where the guardian was. The master vampire teleported himself to the location and found himself standing outside a small temple.
The future lord of Nosgoth silently stepped inside the candlelit place of worship. At the far end of the chamber, a solitaire man sat cross-legged at the base of a shrine. The man, obviously a monk, seemed to be in a deep trance, and took no notice to Kain's arrival. The vampire lord casually strolled up to the monk. Just as Kain was about to reach out to touch the man's shoulder, the monk opened his eyes and looked up into Kain's golded irises.
"Have you come here to pray as well?" he inquired.
Kain released a deep-throated chuckle. "Hardly. I have no need for such trivial acts. Do you really believe the gods hear your banter anyway?"
"Whether they hear me or not, is not the point. The point is to have faith."
"And what good is faith if your prayers are not answered?"
"All I can hope is that they are. I have seen things. Disturbing things. Things that even your worst nightmares cannot conjure up..."
"I'm certain you haven't seen anything as wicked as I," replied Kain.
"I wouldn't be certain of that. I have seen creatures...demons of another world. I have watched them from my mind's eye over the past decade. I have not witnessed them firsthand, but I know they exist. The visions are too real. These creatures...they plan on attacking our world. I have seen them preparing. They will be here soon. I hope that someone will stop them before it is too late. That is why I pray."
"Then consider your prayers answered."
The monk stared at Kain in confusion. "What do you mean? Do you plan to stop them?"
The master vampire grinned an all-knowing smile.
"Yes, with your help, Nobu, Guardian of Dimension."
The reaver of souls wandered the dark streets of Steinchencroe. The vast city seemed deserted of its occupants at this time of night. He had been searching for over an hour. If only Kain had accompanied him, perhaps the search could be narrowed down a bit. Frustrated, the vampire wraith decided to turn back. Though he loathed the idea of asking for Kain's help, the length of his search was getting ridiculous.
"Raziel...Redeemer and destroyer...Pawn and messiah..."
To hear those words stung Raziel like a thousand hot needles piercing the tender flesh beneath one's foot. The former vampire spun on his heel to face the owner of the voice. However, he was not met with the face of the one who had last spoken those words to him. In Moebius's place, was a woman of about forty years of age. She seemed to be studying him, as if she knew who he was, but could not recognize him.
"Those were the words used by my predecessor to describe you, correct?" she asked of Raziel.
"Taliba? But how did you know I'd find you here?"
"Who's to say you found me? What if it is I who has found you? I have seen the past Raziel, as well as the future. And many years ago, I had foreseen this moment as well. I know of your quest to restore Nosgoth. I know that if not for you, I would not exist to this day. I know your acquaintances Kain and Jenise have traveled to this time with you as well. They are waiting for our arrival with the rest of the guardians."
Raziel stared at her with scrutiny. "Do not act as though you know me," he growled untrustingly. "Your predecessor claimed to have known me as well, and the most he cared for me was to use me as another pawn in his grand scheme."
"Yes. I am aware of this. And I am not proud of that fact. I can only hope that the actions of my life can regain the nobility and respect my pillar deserves."
"I shall hope for the same thing, Guardian of Time."
Raziel led Taliba to the Pillars of Nosgoth. There, Kain and Jenise had indeed been waiting for their arrival as Taliba had said. The other guardians; Drogo, Alma, Cosmo, Galen, Sophia, Nobu, and Roshan; were all gathered there as well.
"Finally they're here!" Jenise greeted the newcomers. The already present guardians turned their attention to the newest arrival.
Raziel strolled up to the group. "Yes, and with Kain as the ninth guardian, we can finally move on to the next step."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Raziel," Taliba interrupted, "but Kain cannot take part."
"Why not?"
"He is not of this time. Only the guardians of the current time period can fulfill the task."
"Then we shall find the Kain of this time," Jenise suggested.
"I'm afraid not," the future lord of Nosgoth proclaimed. "My past self is slashing his way through the eternal prison at this moment. He has his own quest to fulfill. Even if he could put it off for a moment, we are still unable to reach him at this time."
"Are you saying we went through all this for nothing?" Raziel demanded irately of his sire.
"No. Not necessarily. There is one more I am sensing," Kain commented. "Ironically, this energy, so similar to my own, originates in Coorhagen."
Dawn broke over the city of nobles. The citizens began their daily routines. The lords of Coorhagen bartered with each other while their wives gathered to gossip. The servants went about their daily tasks serving the wealthy, while the children readied themselves for their lessons. All the children, that is, except for one.
The child of about thirteen years frolicked aimlessly about the town, headed towards her favorite spot: a grassy hill overlooking a quietly flowing stream. It was a tranquil place where she could be free of the stresses of life. She often liked to visit this spot before her rigorous day of chores. As she skipped by two Ladies of high stature, she caught their attention and she became the subject of their gossip.
"There she goes! The child I was telling you about!" the first told the second, whom had just moved to the city.
"Her? Why she looks perfectly normal to me..."
"Yes, but looks are deceiving. How old do you take her to be?"
"I'm not certain, but I'd say she was about twelve or thirteen..."
"Nope! She's older than the both of us put together!"
"What? How can that be?"
"It's true! She's nearly fifty years old!"
"Now that's a whopper of a story!" the Lady laughed heartily. "You certainly had me going there for a moment!"
The first woman did not share in the mirth of the second. For her word was the truth. The second realized her error as her laughter came to a halt.
"You...you really mean it? It's not a joke?" the second inquired.
"No it's not a joke! She hasn't aged a day since she reached adolescence. Or so my mother has told me. If it wasn't for the fact that she goes swimming in that creek everyday, I would swear that she was a vampire!"
The girl, her age well beyond her appearance, finally arrived at her private sanctum. She sat on the small ridge just above the stream. She removed her shoes and dipped her toes into the cool waters. With a relaxing sigh, she leaned back to lie upon the ground, placing her hands behind her head for support.
She kicked her feet in the water as she watched the puffy white clouds change form in the skies overhead. With a much stronger kick, the girl flung water in a wave of droplets, sending them arching across the air over the stream below. Simultaneous with this act, was an audible hiss of pain from the opposite bank.
"Foolish girl! Do you realize how much that stung?"
The girl rose to a sitting position, startled by the sudden voice. She looked across the brook, to see a man with long silver hair, clutching the left side of his face. As he pulled his hand away, the girl could discern what appeared to be burn marks, before they inexplicably vanished. The girl tipped her head sideways, blinking with confusion.
Kain leapt across the stream and looked down upon the girl. She rose to a standing position and stared inquisitively at the stranger. Kain narrowed his eyes at her disdainfully.
"What? Why are you staring at me?" the vampire demanded. The girl replied with a single blink. "Why do you not answer me? Has a cat got your tongue?"
At that comment, the girl finally broke eye contact with Kain. She gazed down towards the water, a solemn look on her face. Kain could not see her downcast face, but a quiet sniffle told him that she was trying to fight back tears.
"What is wrong with you? Why do you not speak?"
The girl looked back up at Kain, this time with tears brimming in her eyes. She looked almost pleading to him. He didn't know how to respond to this child. He thought this was the one he sought after, but she seemed so frail and weak. The adolescent suddenly grabbed Kain's right hand and tugged at it. He held it tight to his side.
"What are you doing?"
She pointed at her forehead with her left hand, and tugged again at his arm. Seeming to understand her intentions, Kain allowed her to move his hand. Upon doing so, she placed his palm on her forehead and concentrated. After a moment, he could hear a voice in his head.
'You are the vampire Kain, correct?'
"Yes."
'Then you are him...my other half...'
"Other half?"
'Yes. You and I...we share the same soul. Only, you seem different. You feel...out of place...'
"That is correct. I am the future version of the Kain from this era."
'Then you have been searching for me.'
"Indeed I have."
'Then let us depart.'
"You don't need to run any last errands before we leave?"
'No. I have been ready for this moment. The girl shall understand.'
"The girl?"
'Yes. The girl. I am trapped within her body. She has not yet realized her purpose in this life. Until she does, she will remain in her current form and her power will not be released.'
"You are this power within her then?"
'Correct. And when she learns her destiny, I shall be united with her rather than imprisoned within her.'
Kain removed his palm from the girl's forehead, severing the telepathic connection. "Okay, Rauha. I've made my decision. We need you to help us in our cause, but until your sleeping power awakens, we cannot continue. I must convince you that you are the Guardian of Balance."
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Author's notes: Whew! That was a doozy of a chapter! I hope the length was worth the wait! Speaking of which, I'm sorry it took so long! I had to do a wee bit of research. I wanted to get an idea of what each of the guardian's abilities are. I also did some research for the guardians' names. Here's a recap of who's who, and what their names mean:
Balance - Rauha (Finnish meaning peace)
Time - Taliba (Arabic meaning knowledge)
Death - Drogo (German meaning ghost)
Nature - Alma (Latin meaning nurturing)
States - Cosmo (Italian meaning order)
Conflict - Galen (English meaning calm)
Mind - Sophia (Greek meaning wisdom)
Dimension - Nobu (Japanese meaning expansion)
Energy - Roshan (Arabic meaning light)
Do you think their names suit them? And to clear one thing up: They are all the same age (about 50 year old), but their age appearances are all different. Depending on when they discovered their abilities and how developed their powers are determines the appearance of their ages.
Anyway, this big long chapter is dedicated to all my reviewers! Thanks for all your support and advice!