A/N: First of all, I apologize to anyone who read chapter 11 before June 09 of 2004. I changed the conversation in the kitchen, it bothered me since the morning after I uploaded it. I also adjusted Raz's state from hungover to still slightly drunk.
Secondary Author's note: This section took so much effort to get right. (I tried the Dracula reference at least five times before I eliminated the events that brought it.) I try to keep every scrap of discarded story, the file looks like a proper author's floor around the garbage can. Still, despite the effort, I'm always accepting negative reviews along with the good.
Jennifer did not mention the incident when she awoke the next morning. She was not truly bothered by Raziel's harsh words, only by the underlying tones that he might never trust her.
Jennifer picked up the completed doll of Janos. "Are you absolutely sure that you want me to do this?" she asked.
Raziel thought for a long moment. "I want you to raise Janos Audron,"
Jennifer nodded and began her preparations; they took almost the entire day. Though there were few physical components left to arrange, but Jennifer needed to gather her mental forces. She considered two discs, finally deciding on the one containing Defiance. It was only a moment, as far as Janos was concerned.
There was no real ritual. Jennifer loaded the game and paused at the appropriate moment, setting the controller on the floor next to Janos. Then she knelt with her hands over the doll and started calling to him. Raziel watched closely. Brightflame also watched from her current perch on top of the television.
There was a perceptible transfer of energy, and suddenly the doll seemed to move. Jennifer gritted her teeth in pain. Raziel could not tell if this was supposed to happen. He fought the urge to yank Jennifer away from the doll, afraid that she would be harmed if her concentration broke. The doll of Janos became real flesh, and Jennifer collapsed on the floor. "It is done," Jennifer breathed. She sat up and motioned for Raziel to come closer. "He's waking up," she said.
Raziel shifted to his wraith form, the one that Janos would recognize. He placed one hand on the winged vampire's shoulder. Janos opened his eyes slowly. He gazed on his surroundings, and then settled on Raziel's face.
"Raziel? I remember. You came for the Reaver," he said, struggling to rise.
"It's over, Janos," Raziel said. "Our destinies are complete, and this world is our new home."
Janos stared at Raziel in confusion. "No, it is not possible."
"Please, for once I know what I'm talking about." Raziel stated.
"You must be confused, Raziel. Do not worry, I shall get to the bottom of this," Janos flung Raziel aside and flew out through the balcony window.
"I don't have complete control over him yet. I can't stop him," Jennifer said worriedly. "At least I'll be able to find him. We can't let Janos run lose until he understands this world."
The two started walking, following Jennifer's intuition of Janos' location.
"I did not realize that the process was painful to you," Raziel said to Jennifer.
"It wasn't when I pulled you through," Jennifer admitted. "For some reason, it was much harder this time."
They came upon a cemetery. "Why did I expect him to end up here?" Jennifer asked rhetorically.
"Are you frightened of graveyards at night?" Raziel asked.
Jennifer rolled her eyes at Raziel. "Don't be ridiculous, "she said.
The cemetery was surrounded by a high wall. Raziel easily leapt to the top of it while carrying Jennifer. The two wandered through the cemetery. It was an old one, full of statues and intricate headstones.
Jennifer almost mistook Janos for just another statue. He was resting on his knees in the darkness and staring at the ground. Jennifer hung back while Raziel went t to the ancient vampire.
"Raziel, what is this place?" Janos asked, fear tinting his voice.
"We're not in Nosgoth anymore. This is a completely different planet." Raziel said gently. "We've both done our part to save Nosgoth, but now we no longer have a place in that world."
Janos sighed softly. "Then what is my purpose now?"
"You're free to live however you want," Jennifer said as she stepped forward.
"You are human, but there is no fear in your eyes," Janos said as he stood. "Why are you not afraid?"
"Why should I be afraid of you?" Jennifer asked. "There is no bloodcurse anymore, and I don't believe you would attack me without reason."
Janos suddenly jerked his wings open in surprise. "No bloodcurse? How is this possible?"
"It's because of the way that I have pulled you into this world," Jennifer said.
Janos did not give Jennifer a chance to continue. "I sincerely doubt that a mere human could have the power to undo what our greatest sorcerers could not. If there is no bloodcurse, then what are those marks on your neck?"
"He was confused," Jennifer said, flinching. "If you would just let me explain..."
"Enough!" Janos cried as he launched himself into the air.
"He's too stubborn," Jennifer said as she watched Janos circle upwards. "I can't force him to do anything yet."
"If only I could reach him," Raziel said.
"You can, Raziel." Jennifer said with conviction.
"You know I can't fly with these ruined wings," Raziel said bitterly.
"You can transform yourself," Jennifer insisted. "There is no reason why you can't bring back your wings."
Raziel knew that Jennifer was right. He concentrated for a moment on the bones and sinew of his wings, how they felt on that fateful day... He screamed as he remembered the agony as they were ripped from his back. Raziel lay sobbing on the ground.
Jennifer grimaced as she realized that it would not be that easy. Raziel still had inner demons to fight. Jennifer knelt down beside him and said, "I'm sorry, Raziel."
Raziel shrugged off Jennifer's attentions as he noticed Janos gliding away. He bounded through the cemetery and vaulted over the wall. Raziel transformed back into his human form for a few minutes, but then he realized that he could not maintain his unnatural stamina. He would have to risk being seen. Fortunately this was a town where most people did not remain outdoors at night.
Janos swooped down and landed in the middle of the road. Raziel ran to catch up with him. Janos saw Raziel running towards him, but he did not notice the car that was coming at him from the opposite direction.
"Janos, behind you!" Raziel yelled, but it was too late. The car struck Janos. The car then reversed and sped off again. Raziel lifted the unconscious Janos carefully and carried him to the darkness at the side of the road. "Forgive me. Once again I have taken your life," Raziel sobbed.
Jennifer finally caught up with the pair. She took one look and guessed what had happened. "Raziel, he will recover," Jennifer said comfortingly. "He can't resist me now, it's for the best that I do this." She placed one hand on Janos' forehead and he transformed into his doll form.
"Do you think that he will ever submit to reason?" Raziel asked as he gently held the doll to his chest.
"If his attitudes weren't so rigid, I could just show him what he really is," Jennifer said sadly. "I'm afraid that if I do it too soon, his mind might snap."
Raziel did not say anything. He stayed lost in his own thoughts until they returned to Jennifer's apartment. Jennifer returned Janos to his vampire form, though he remained unconscious for several hours. Raziel did not leave his side.
Janos awoke with a soft groan. He sat up slowly and flexed his wings. Several feathers dislodged themselves and floated through the air.
Raziel laid a hand on Janos' shoulder and said, "I feared that you would never wake."
"Fortunately I am not that easy to kill," Janos said as he tried to stand. Raziel tightened his grip on Janos' shoulder, preventing him from rising. Janos met Raziel's narrow gaze with a questioning stare.
"You are going to stay here and you are going to listen to what I have to say," Raziel said with cold determination.
Janos sighed in defeat, "Very well."