"You are one of…" Avernus trailed off, apparently because of the sight of the fangs that Kain displayed to him. "But there are only two that have been made. How is it possible?!"

"Keep in mind that I am not of this time. When I come from, there are nearly as many humans as vampires." His smile disappeared. "All thanks to you." The last word was dripping with venom. "If you had never started that War, I would not be here. We would not be here."

"In your time, there are more vampires than humans? How do you keep up the numbers? I mean, we only live slightly longer than a human…" Once again Kain's smile stopped his train of thought. "What do you know that I don't?"

"Far too much," Kain chuckled. "From what you say, it sounds like to live to one hundred is unheard of." There were nods of agreement from the three Ancients present. "Would you believe me if I told you that Raziel, here," he motioned to his first born, "is over one thousand years old?" The silence was so pronounced, that it mocked the silence that was present only seconds before. "No?" Kain laughed and the Ancients flinched. "With the Hylden's curse, also came immortality…" He let these words sink in. "Like I said, the Hylden don't lack a sense of humor."

"No… That would mean the War was pointless!" Ivan looked at Avernus for confirmation. "That would mean, we had done more harm than help."

"I don't believe you." Avernus looked at Kain with hatred. "If you could prove your claim, which you can't, I may believe you."

"Can't, can I?" Kain's speed rivaled a snakes as he lashed out his hand and snapped Magus' neck with a simple twist of his wrist. Avernus and Ivan recoiled. "If he is truly dead, he would not get back up." Magus moaned as he stretched his newly repaired neck from side to side. He stopped when he realized what this meant. "Believe me now?" He smiled for a second, clearly enjoying teaching the most intelligent beings a lesson on life, before turning to Avernus. "You said your name was Audron. That would mean your son was Janos."

"How do--?"

"I wish to speak to him." Avernus noted that this was the first time Kain showed any respect, and to his son?

"Fine. This way. Magus, Ivan, stay here."

_______________________

Neither Kain nor Raziel had met Janos Audron before. All they knew about the famed vampire was that he was the oldest and last Ancient. In their time, at lest.

Janos looked up when his father entered the room. He rose from his set by the window and said, "Father, who are these people?" Apparently, his all around politeness came later.

Avernus sighed and replied, "This is Kain. He wished to speak with you."

"And I still do," Kain said. "If it would be possible for some privacy?" he asked looking meaningfully at Avernus.

Not wishing to see if all who were cursed could bounce back, Avernus left, Raziel following with Jarle.

"One moment. Jarle, if you would stay."

Jarle looked from Raziel to Kain and back again. "Go on," Raziel said. Jarle nodded and re-entered the room.

Kain turned back to Janos and smiled. "I would like to ask you a few questions."

"And I you."

Kain nodded. "Of course. Have you heard of the Prophecy about the Scion of Balance?"

Jarle glanced around the room. He didn't know why Kain had wanted to have him hear what was going to be said, but it didn't matter to him. He was getting hungry.

"Of course. The Pillars and Nosgoth will be saved by one who will return the Pillars to vampiric rule," Janos stated. It sounded as if he had been made to memorize it in school. "Now, who are you and where did you come from?"

"My name is Kain. I am who the Prophecy speaks of. I came from the future. You need not believe me."

"And I don't."

__________________

Avernus looked at Raziel as they made their way back to where Magus and Ivan waited.

"When Kain says you are his first born, what does he mean?"

Raziel sighed. "It means I'm the first vampire he raised."

Avernus continued to look at Raziel. "You were once human?"

"Yes."

"Then how did you get those claws?"

"Evolution. After certain amount of time, a vampire will evolve. Why do you ask?" Raziel stopped, delaying their arrival at Avernus' study.

"The only other made vampire I know still has human hands."

"Vorador?"

"Yes. How did you know?"

"The same way Kain knows about your son. Myth and legends." He stopped to consider. "And Kain met Vorador once."

________________________

Kain wasn't giving up too much information as Janos would like. Or Jarle for that matter. He found all of what Kain said fascinating.

Janos was getting angry with Kain's lack of talking in whole. Not to mention the story he was being told.

"The Pillars can not be restored in that situation." Janos stopped to think about what he had just heard. "You are right. The Pillars can not remain standing. But if the Pillars are pulled down then the Hylden will come back into this world."

"From what I know of the Hylden, they care about this world as much if not more than your race. They may take away the curse." Kain sat back against the wall and glanced at Jarle. He was looking a bit pale. "Child?" Jarle looked up. "Do you need to eat?" He nodded. Kain turned back to Janos. "Would it be possible to get him something?"

"Of course." The Ancient stood and walked to a dresser were a glass and pitcher sat. "Magnus made you?" he asked Jarle.

"Yes."

Janos made his way to the fledgling with the glass and asked, "And then he went to Ivan. To hide you?"

"Yes." Jarle took the glass and drank deeply. He felt better already.

"It almost worked." Janos looked over to Kain as he said, "If Raziel had not found him, Jarle would most likely be dead. But the Fates seemed to smile on us. He was just the key to saving Nosgoth. Tell your father to take down the Pillars and let the Hylden back into this world."

"But…" Janos looked nevus. "My father was not the one who told us to raise them."

Kain leaned forward. "Then who did?"

"Our god."

"Then your god is an idiot who should not be listened too! If your god cared for this world, he would have done none of this!" Kain sighed. "Tell your father to take down the Pillars."

"I will."

___________________

Just as Avernus reached out to pull open the door to his study, a hand touched his shoulder.

"Wait. See who's coming."

He turned to see his son Janos, Kain, and Jarle coming down the hall.

Janos spoke as he neared his father. "You must take down the Pillars!" Avernus was in too much shock by this request, no demand, to say anything. "You must if there is to be any hope for the future!"

"We can not! They are locked--"

"Then unlock them." It was Kain who spoke. "Or can you?"

"No we can't. The Reaver must become a soul stealing blade before the key will work." Avernus winced as Kain smiled.

"When the Blood Reaver becomes the Soul Reaver?" He laughed softly. "I have that weapon…" And he pulled from his back the Reaver. "Shall we unlock the Pillars and let the Hylden back into this world?"

____________

As they made their way to the Pillars of Nosgoth, the core of the corruption, Kain couldn't help but laugh at how easy this was. He was only waiting for the catch.

And then, there they were. Nine beautiful pillars reaching into the sky.

"The Scion of Balance is the only one who may unlock the Pillars," Avernus said, a small note of fear. Fear from his god, no doubt.

Kain took the Soul Reaver, the key to the lock, and walked up to the Pillars. Janos kneeled down and opened a small panel in the platform of the Pillars. "Just place the Reaver in there."

And he did so.

There was a brilliant flash of bright light and as it clear, the Pillars were gone and the Hylden stood before Avernus, Janos, and Jarle.

Kain and Raziel were not there.

"Where did they go?" Jarle asked Janos.

"Most likely they have been wiped out of being."

A Hylden stepped forward. "Does this mean you have learned to share?"

"Yes."

The Hylden smiled. It was warm and caring. Nothing like the smile Kain had displayed. "Then we release you from the curse."

He raised his hand and everything faded into darkness.

The End

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Author's Note: Wow, I finished. I may do a epilog if someone wants. And no, SV, you did not leave any papers here. I don't think so, at least. Once again, thank you to all who have reviewed.