Chapter Two: The Ruins
The scenery disappears into the pale, emptiness of white once more. A bird's eye view of a large structure is shown, surrounded by an enormous body of water. To add to the protrait of a gothic painting, the sky's once admirable shade of cerulean blue is an eerie darkening gray. And there... sprawled unconsciously on pile of flattened boulders risen above the water, was Kain. The vampire's eyes slowly open as he relunctantly sits up. Alarmed with his surroundings, he leaps to his feet almost instantly.
Kain
"Anyone there?! Come about!"
"Auron!"
A bird flies away, towards the large structure. Remembering the condition of water back in the stadium of Zanarkand, Kain leaps into the water. The acidic burns known to his kind repels from his body... no pain is felt. Focused on his target, Kain swim for the structure. Strange how the water had no affect on him... how the burning of acid was replaced with the cool, relaxing freedom. It was a feeling Kain hadn't experienced in his years as a vampire... and it pleased him. Instantly, he dove down, under the still, gentleness of the water.
Darkness seemed to swallow the vampire... his form seem to vanish before him. But he felt weightless... his body felt free and light. He enjoyed every moment of it... the water rushing through his strands of silver hair, the surf gently rocking him, his most common weakness had become a relaxtion sensation. After an indefinate amount of time, Kain continued for the surface, finding himself before the ruined structure. It was a large tomb of some sort, as if once a grand palace or cathedral. A large, stone path leads into this ancient building. The vampire eyed his surroundings, noticing no other way onto dry land, then relunctantly pulled himself up and out of the water by a lowered ledge of the path.
Without speaking, Kain sprinted forward along the stone path. Peasant vampires were known to dwell within the ruins of fallen temples and such large buildings. It provided them with safety and security. Perhaps he could find one of his former soldiers... but that was a large perhaps. Almost instantly, the stone path broke. Kain staggered, yet kept his balance. Eyeing the water, there was a large flash of gold... and then a smashing noise against the hard stone. The path literally designated, sending Kain toppling into the water below him. Water engulfed his body as he descends into the deepness. Glaring, the vampire eyed his surroundings, turning his head in every direction, when the flashes of gold return. Turning his head to the right, Kain notices yet another flash of gold in the cornor of his eye. He turns, when another one flashes...
He is surrounded in a triangular style as a group of fish surround him. The fish were large creatures, more of a demon then an animal, and about the same size as the vampire himself. Gripping the sword in his hand, Kain glares as he readies himself. The first two fish behind him come at him instantly. Shifting to the side, Kain slices the first one in half, then quickly dodges the second one. The third fish swims at him, opening it's mouth, revealing a set of over a hundred large fangs preparing to bite at Kain. The vampire flips to the side, only to recieve mere scrapings of fangs against his back and nothing more. The second fish comes for him again... and now he is impatient. Kain flipped again, backwards this time, so the fish swims underneath him. With a powerful, quick swipe, the fish his sliced in two, leaving one more for Kain to deal with.
Before Kain could make a move at all, a massive fish-like creature approaches them, knocking over some stones along the way. Diving out of the way, Kain dodges the larger fish as it gulps down the little one. Blood, bone and tissue make a dark hue within the water... Kain sees this opertunity to escape. Turning away from the demon-like fish, Kain begins to swim away from the massive creature as it continues to dine on the smaller fish. Eyeing the area, Kain's vision fixes on an opening. Although the gap itself is quite small, it is large enough for the vampire to swim into. Nodding, the vampire kicks furiously...
Just as the larger fish notices his absence. In unbelievable speed, the fish takes off, coming right for the vampire. Gritting his teeth, Kain realises his current position, and continues to swim for the opening, the fish gaining on him. Ragefully, the fish opens it's mouth nearly swallowing Kain's legs when the vampire flips around. Holding back the sword, a red aura surrounds the blade as he crashes it against the fish's body... the Dark Gift of Fury....
The blow however is stronger in the water that it is on the land. Kain suprisingly finds himself flying through the water and into the opening, away from the fish's mouth. The vampire, flung through the opening, lands safely into a thin layer of water. Several stones from above collapse and block the passage. His eyes widening, Kain lifts a hand to his head, massaging his left temple as he rises to his feet...
"I had made it out of the furnace... and into the freezer."
"As arrogant as I was..."
"As powerful as I appeared..."
"As fearless as I was brought up to be..."
"A part of my soul had continued to lament and preach that I was going to die in this place..."
Kain raises to his feet, stretching out his arms and upper torso, allowing his spin to crack. The air was bitterly freezing as cold moisture seemed to erupt from the water, filling the area. Fallen pillars crashed onto the stairs that formed into a long, dark hall. He leaps over the first pillar, then charged down the hallway, entering a large room. It appears to be a chamber of some sort... yet the structures were not of vampiric architecture.
Suddenly, a loud, screeching sound is heard from above, allowing the vampire general to whip around, his head darting upwards. A large he sees the big bug on the wall. The large insect of some sort fixes it's large eyes upon Kain's figure. After another shrieking hiss, it sprints around the walls with impressive, and then leaps down face to face with Kain.
The vampire growled, pulling out his sword and hissing in return. The battle begins as Kain charges forward, flippign in midair, slicing at the creature, who evades the attack, retorting with a slice from it's talons. Kain is sent flying backwards, and with a roar of rage, flips up to his feet, then kicks off the ground, slicing his sword against the monster's chest. Before the creature can retort, one of the ruins' doors blasts open as chunks of stone and decoration fly in every direction. From the wreckage and a large cloud of ash-colored smoke, a team of oddly-dressed humans barge into the scene, armed with strange weapons unknown to Kain. The humans aim their guns for the insect, led by a strangely-dressed girl with goggles. He raises an eyebrow as she steps forward, tightening a pair of fighting gloves on her wrists as she steps beside him, motioning her hand for the creature to fight here.
Kain
"You side with me during this battle?"
"Wise choice, human..."
The girl flashes him a naive smirk, then slips out an item from a small fanny-pack strapped onto her hip... a grenade. She bites off the top, then throws it towards the insect. In one fatal explosion, the creature screams in agonizing torture, collasping to the stone ground lifelessly. A storm of strange, multi-colored beams of light emerge from the body, then vanish into the air. Kain's eyes widen, shocked at the mere knowledge that a human had killed the creature with the use of one item. Turning to the girl, she removes her goggles, revealing a youthful, and at the same time, attractive face of a girl no older than the age of 15. Green eyes, pale skin and pink-tinted lips depict her face as messy blonde hair pours from her scalp. Kain stares at her, his mouth open for a moment, before breathing a sigh of relief. She smiles at him innocently... just as one of the armed men walk forward, grasping the vampire by the hair.
Kain
(angered)"You DARE!"
Before Kain could react to the attack, the other humans circle him, their weapons aimmed at his chest and head. ALthough the vampire had no knowledge of the damage these weapons could deal, he didn't bother to find out. A low growl builds within his throat as he allows the human to grip his hair firmly, then speak. Only as the words arupt, they come out in an unknown language...
Warrior holding Kain
"Fryd ec drec?"
Warrior 2
"Y fiend! Eh risyh teckieca!"
Warrior 3
"Ed'c hud y risyh... luimt ed pa...?"
One of the warriors flings out a knife, holding it to Kain's chest.
Warrior 4
"Y vampire?"
"Fa gemm ed?"
Before Kain could reply, he notices the girl has not intended these actions to befall upon him. She runs towards them, raising her hands in the air, speaking in their tongue. Although he doesn't hear her words, he is certain she is defending him.
Girl
"Fyed!"
"Fryd ev ed ec risyh?"
Apparentally, the man with the knife is offended by her words. He aims the knife's tip in her direction and growl back in reply,
Warrior 4
"Drao yna dra cysa eh taydr."
Kain notices her eyes flaming with rage as her fists clench in anger. She stomps forward, glaring at the man.
Girl
"E vunpet ed! Fa pnehk ed fedr ic!"
Relunctantly, the men pull away. She walks up to Kain, and gazes up at his face, seeing that she only reaches up to his chest cavity. Her fingers twitch and tremble, then she looks down to her toes.
Girl
"Cunno."
Before the vampire could retort, the girl flipped out an odd item, throwing at his chest. Electricity erupts from this item and travels throughout Kain's body. Screaming in agony, burning with building flames of the bolts' heat and power, Kain falls to his knees as he is drifted into unconsciousness...
A large ship is floating on an ocean which spans as far as the eye can see. Kain is lying on the dock of this boat, his body ebbing and screaming with pain. His eyes open weakly, and he notices he is surrounded by the people from earlier. One of them turns around and sees he woke up. Instantly, he aims his weapon at Kain.
Warrior 2
"Ced, vampire!"
Annoyed, Kain growls.
Kain
"Don't try my patience, human."
"I've had enough of this world and the beings in it, and the last thing I need is your bickering!"
The guard glares, drawing back slowly. His weapon is still fixed on Kain.
Warrior 2
"Hu sujehk, rayn?"
A small smirk forms on Kain's face... he senses the man's fear. Still not wanting the weapon to be tested on him, he remains idle. The sound of sliding metal is heard, as he turns his head. A door on the ship has opened as two more people approach him: The girl from earlier, and a blonde male with a blonde mohawk, who is not much older than she is. Kain eyes the girl, a growl growing within his throat as he rises. The vampire's arms fold across his chest as he glares at the girl.
Kain
"That was quite a bold move you made back there, human."
"Be greatful my patience can be extended so long."
The girl winces at his words, and the male with the mohawk notices her offence. He grumbles, then moves towards Kain. His voice is bitter and threatening, seemingly trying to make his point.
Boy
"E tu hud ghuf fru oui yna un fryd oui bmyh du tu rana, pid oui yna hud du pa drnaydahehk so cecdan."
"Tu oui ihtancdyht sa, oui vuim paehk?!"
After speaking this, his arms motion actions signifying that of swimming, all the while grunting. Kain crosses his arms and rolls his eyes mockingly. Glaring again, the boy pulls out a small neckless of some sort, pointing at it and grunting once more. Seeing Kain's annoyed face, the boy halts, then raises his arms, confused.
Boy
"Tu oui hud cbayg?"
Kain
"I have had it with the nonesense! Who are you people!?"
Warrior 2
"Ehcumahla!"
In his rage, he raises his weapon at Kain's chest. The girl gasps, leaping besides Kain and raising one hand.
Girl
"Fyed!"
"He said you can stay if you make yourself useful."
Kain turns to face her, his mouth dangling open in shock.
Kain
"You speak my language?"
[He gets hit in the back by one of the warrior's weapons]
"Enough of that! I refuse to assist you if you carry on with this nonesense!" [he turns to the girl]
"You! Tell them that!"
The girl nods, then turns to face them.
Girl
"Ra cyet ra'c kaddehk yhkno fedr oui kioc vun reddehk res."
"Ed'c dnoehk rec bydeahla."
"Fa tuh'd fyhd res yhkanat, dra mycd drehk fa haat ec yh yhkno vampire uh uin ryhtc, nekrd?"
"Cu pa hela yht ra'mm ramb!"
She sighs, then turns to the vampire, a timid look on her face. Kain eyes her movements, her eyes falling on the ground, arms behind her, almost as if she's ashamed. But her attitude was more of a shy and embarassed ashamed, rather than that of disgrace. A note he took mentally, halting his urge to kill her.
Girl
"I'm sorry for doing that to you..."
"We have to be careful around vampires, you know?"
"And there was no other way they would've let you on the ship."
[she raises her head]
"But please don't be mad, the item was used just to stun vampires."
"We only kill them if they attack... but you were different..."
Kain places his hands on his hips, his eyes still fixed on the girl.
Kain
"Charmed, I'm sure..."
"So what is this task you wish for me to fulfill?"
The girl seemed to have awaited for him to ask that particular question. She clapped her hands together, then glanced over the railing of the ship.
Girl
"We found some ancient ruins right beneath us."
"It's not active now, but there should still be some power left."
"We're gonna go down there and activate it."
"And then we should be able to salvage the big prize!"
[Kain crosses his arms and nods in agreement]
"Okay! Let's get to work!"
Kain leaps onto the railing on the ship, steals one final glance at the girl, then dives into the water. The girl follows after him, swimming close to him, yet at a safe distance. His eyes gaze through the darkness of the cool water... until they fix on a large structure of some sort. He glances at the girl beside him, pointing at the structure. She nods, and then swims ahead as he follows her. The two continued to swim into the dephts of the dark water, nearing the structure with each kick, until it looked like a large tomb. As they drew closer, it appeared to be a temple. But as they drew towards the entrance, entering the ruins cautiously, a set of devices were set up, strangely still in power. To technical to be conscidered a tomb or temple... Kain pondered the thought, then brushed it away.
The girl swam infront of him, her hair and loose pieces of clothing flowing in the tide. She pointed to a device, pounding her hand on her palm, and then pointing the device. Kain nodded, and knowing he could shatter the ancient artifact with even his lightest pound, he merely tapped it, and a wall behind the girl had fallen... an opening. The girl turns around, then motions her hand for Kain to follow her as she slips into another room. Glaring with confusion, Kain followed after the girl, entering a much larger room. The girl was awaiting him at the top of this chamber, pointing to another machine. Kain swims infront of her, positioning himself between the girl and the machine, then activating it as well.
It's not long before they see that they're not the only ones in the Underwater ruins. After returning to the previous room, another creature emerges... a Tros. This rare fishlike being was a creature to be reckoned with, more demon than fish. Kain slips out his sword, staying in one position and kicking his feet, staying in one spot. The girl swims beside him, her gloved fists ready for battle. The Tros zoomed in, slashing at the girl, only to have her swim to the side, retorting with a punch to the creature's ribs. Seeing this as an advantage, Kain swims in, slicing at the fish with his sword. The Tros's fangs lunged for Kain's head, only to recieve a stab through the roof of it's mouth. Kain pulled back, his sword impaled through the Tros as the girl slipped out a grenade. After pulling the pin, she threw it, then gripped Kain's shoulderpad tightly, swimming away as the fish exploded.
Kain turned to her, nodded thankfully as he retrieved his sword. She smiled, then kicked away from him. The twosome leave the Underwater ruins and return to the ship. Once on board, the girl informs one of the warriors by whispering in his ear. He turns to the next male.
Warrior 1
"Fa vuiht dra airship!"
"Dra naluntc fana nekrd."
The warriors move into the ship, continuing their conversation. Kain glares at them as they each eye him cautiously. The girl on the other hand stares at him with large, curious eyes, then walks towards him. The boy with the mohawk reaches for her. But before he can speak, she glares at him, giving a death glare. He, in reaction, returns the glare, eyes Kain once more, then relunctantly steps back into the ship. The girl skips over to Kain, her arms positioned behind her back, her body bent slightly as her head looks up at his blue eyes.
Girl
"Hey... thanks for helping us back there..."
In return, Kain smirks. His arms fold across his chest.
Kain
"So, little one... what is you name?"
Girl
[smiles sweetly]
"Rikku." Suspciously, yet amused at the girl's curosity, Kain leans forward, his face close to her's.
Kain
"So what kept you from telling me so, earlier?"
Rikku
"I didn't get a chance to!"
"Everyone thought oui were a fiend."
Kain
[lifts an eyebrow]
"We...?"
Rikku
"Oh, "oui" means "you"."
Kain nods, then shifts his position so his vision is set on the horizon, his claws fixed on the railing of the ship. Rikku blinks curiously, and imitates his position, only with her elbows on the rail and her head resting on her palms. kain eyes her, then speaks.
Kain
"Tell me child... who are you and these people?"
Rikku
"We're Al Bhed. Can't you tell?" [she pauses] "Wait..."
[looks up at him innocently]
"You're not an Al Bhed-hater, are you?"
Kain
[smirks] "The ones I have met so far aren't worthy of my favoring..."
[looks at the girl]
"But I suppose there's at least one acception."
With that remark, Rikku's face tints a shade of light pink. Her arms slip down, resting on the railing as she looks at Kain through the lashes of her eyes.
Rikku
"Sir.... I haven't recieved your name..."
"If you don't mind me asking... would you tell it to me?"
Kain
[nods solemnly]
"Kain..."
Rikku
"Kain... that's a nice name."
"So... where are you from?"
Kain
"Last I remember, I was in a city called..."
"What was it...?"
[he ponders for a moment, then nods]
"Zanarkand."
There was a sudden silence, one that seemed to stir some trouble. He wanted to tell the girl that he was the general of Nosgoth's army, but having the idea of being watched, he kept silent. However, Rikku's silence was disturbing. She seemed vibrant and cheerful, as if she enjoyed her time with a vampire. But as he looked at her now... her face was puzzled, painted a shade of confusion... and disappointment.
Kain
"What ales you?"
Rikku
"Did you... hit your head or something?"
Kain
[scowls for a brief moment]
"Your friends back there did, if you remember."
Rikku
"Oh, right..."
[she scratches her head, then looks up at him]
"Do you remember anything before that?"
"So I told her my view on Zanarkand."
"The vile, ridiculous disgrace of a city I have ever seen."
"She seemed offended to hear such words from my mouth, but maturely remained silent."
"Then I told her of Sin's attack..."
"And how Auron and I were engulfed in this light."
"I just said things as they came to mind. But then I started to wonder."
Rikku looks solemn. Her offense didn't seem so strong or serious, so Kain didn't question her on that. However, he found her gaze quite disturbing after gazing into those large, green eyes for the longest amount of time.
Kain
[sternly]
"Have I not interested you with my memories?"
Rikku
[shakes her head]
"It's nothing like that... but..."
"You were near Sin."
Kain eyes her mysteriously.
Kain
"What of it?"
Rikku
[claps her hands and turns to face Kain]
"Don't worry, you'll be better in no time."
"They say your head gets funny when Sin is near."
"Maybe you just had some kind of dream?"
Kain's eyes narrowed. She didn't believe him after his explainations? However, he couldn't completely blame her. A human trusting a vampire was unheard of. But his attention was turned onto Sin.
Kain
"Am I ill?"
Rikku
"Because of Sin's toxin, yeah."
"There is no Zanarkand anymore."
"Sin destroyed it a thousand years ago."
Kain literally jumps, leaving a few inches off the ground before turning to face the Al Bhed.
Kain
"What do you mean, a thousand years ago?"
"I saw Sin attack Zanarkand!"
"Are you telling me that this incident happened a thousand years ago?"
Rikku jumps back, startled by the vampire's sudden remark. However, she sees that he has a look of shock and disbelief etched on his pale face. Biting her lip lightly, she places her arms behind her back again, then looks at the ground.
Rikku
"Umm... do you play blitzball?"
Kain
"What are you speaking of, girl? This is serious."
Rikku
"I know but..."
"If you're a blitzball player, you should go to Luca."
"Then, someone might know who you are, or you might find someone you recognize."
Kain open his mouth to protest, but only a chuckle emerges. A human girl trying to assist a vampire such as himself. Remaining silent of his leadership between himself and the Sarafan Lord, Kain folds his arms across his chest and raises an eyebrow.
Kain
"Luca?"
Rikku
[smiles sweetly and taps his arm]
"Okay, leave it to me! I'll get you to Luca, promise!"
"I'll go tell the others. Wait here."
[She begins to leave, then turns around]
"Oh, and one thing."
"Don't tell anyone you're from Zanarkand, okay?"
"Yevon says it's a holy place. You might upset someone."
Kain
"That horrid place?"
"Zanarkand... some kind of holy place?"
"How in the world could one describe such a place as holy, I thought."
"Yevon...? Sin...? Luca...?"
"I thought Sin had carried me towards some far off location..."
"But a thousand years into the future?"
In his rage, Kain let out an angered growl as he kicked the crane area. In the moment of contact, a rumble was heard, causing the vampire to fall to the ground, and the ship to shake. In the distance, a large being blasts out from the ocean. The door on the ship opens, 'causing Kain to quickly leap to his feet. The Al Bhed run onto the deck and fall down.
The being in the water approaches the ship...
Al Bhed1
"Sin!"
"Sin ec lusa!"
Al Bhed2
"Ihtan ic! Ihtan ic!"
Rikku
Kain!
Kain turns his head, seeing the young girl run towards him. The ship rumbled again, causing her to topple onto the ground with a yelp. Reconizing her concern, Kain kicks off the ground, leaping over to the girl's side and placing his hands on her shoulders, assisting her to her knees. Another rumble of the ship occurs, this time knocking the vampire off balance. Releasing his hold on the young girl, he goes toppling towards the railing, lashing out with his arms and hands, clawing at the air. Rikku gasps in her fear, jumping to her feet and extanding a hand towards Kain, only to be restrained by one of the Al Bhed. The vampire falls overboard, just as a large whirlpool forms within the water.
The sight of Rikku's fearful face is etched in his mind as depicted in his sight...
And the roaring bellows of Sin fills his ears...