Fallen Raziel: Why did you let Kain into this story? It was supposed to be about me.
Smoke: Stop resisting me, Raziel. I'm having enough trouble controlling this story.
Uber Kain: You're slipping badly.
Smoke: Stop it, Kain.
Raziel: You're the author, you're supposed to be making everything happen.
Smoke: I'm not making so much as steering, but if you don't cooperate I'll go into the scenario where you remember what it was like inside the sword.
Kain: That sounds like a fun plan.
Smoke: You wouldn't like it, Kain.
Raziel returned to Jennifer's apartment. He was glad that he had remembered to grab the key on his way out. He let himself in quietly and crept into the bedroom to check on Jennifer.
"She finally fell asleep an hour ago," Brightflame said.
Raziel nodded to the dragon, indicating that he would not wake her.
He wandered back into the living room. Raziel remembered Jennifer mentioning Blood Omen 2. He lifted the box off the shelf and peered at it. Yes, the picture on the front bore more of a resemblance to the Kain he had seen last night.
Raziel could not think of any better ideas for the moment, perhaps the game would provide some clues to Kain's current state of mind. Raziel hesitated. He had not tried to play his own games, the idea just felt too weird. He shrugged. Kain didn't remember him, so obviously he wasn't in this one.
Raziel flinched at the opening movie showing Kain prominently bearing the Reaver. "Of course," he muttered. Raziel sighed as he turned off the PS2.
"Do you want to know the story?" Jennifer asked him.
"I didn't find him," Raziel said.
"I've been thinking about it all night. Whoever brought Kain out of the game probably did it the same way that I did with you." Jennifer said. "With any luck, he won't feel the need to feed off of everybody he can reach."
"I know I never bothered to ask, but how did you manage to pull me out of the game?" Raziel asked.
"I don't quite remember. It sounds strange, I know," Jennifer said, sitting down next to Raziel. "I could do it again if I needed to, but I can't describe how it happened."
"I find that difficult to believe," Raziel said.
"Do you understand how you talk?" Jennifer asked.
Raziel quickly changed the subject. "Tell me why Kain is looking for the Cabal," he said, indicating the box for Blood Omen 2.
Jennifer took a moment to gather her thoughts. "Some time after the collapse of the pillars, Kain was defeated in battle. Everyone thought he was dead, but he was unconscious for two hundred years. He woke up weak and weaponless. A vampire named Uma was leading him to the Cabal when they got separated."
"He didn't seem weak to me," Raziel said, referring to his unexpected bath.
"It's probably because neither of you knew that you were supposed to be much stronger than him," Jennifer said, grasping at straws.
"That doesn't make sense," Raziel said.
"You were holding back without realizing it," Jennifer said. "Know that you are much stronger than he is, and you'll probably be able to pin him with one arm."
"Then what will we do with him?" Raziel asked.
"That decision lies with Kain," Jennifer said. "Whatever happens here will have no effect on the games. Are you willing to destroy him if need be?"
"There's only one weapon that can kill him," Raziel reminded her angrily.
"If he refuses to cooperate, I can get it," Jennifer said tersely. She sighed and said in a calmer voice. "I'm hoping that it doesn't come to that."
"I'll look for him again tonight," Raziel said.
"Don't leave without me Raziel," Jennifer threatened.
"What makes you think that you can stop me?" Raziel asked angrily.
"This." Jennifer forced Raziel to turn into the plushy. He strained his will, but found that he couldn't change himself back. "I'm sorry, Raziel, but I need to come with you." Jennifer went back to bed. She knew she would need her rest.
Raziel sulked in the living room. He fumed at the indignity, the lack of trust, everything. He admitted that his last comment had earned him this. He let his mind slip into plushy hibernation. There was nothing to do now but wait.