Yes yes, I know it wasn't long between updates this time, but since I got back into writing, I'm going all out on this story. So, to the only person who had a chance to review Chap. 4-
Manus Dei- Yea, I had no idea what their intelligence level is supposed to be like, so I'm working it up till I find the right spot.
Alright, now that the short break has finished, feel free to read the writing of which I have written for you to read.
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As Kain followed Vorador and the grotesque fiend that was done up to look like Janos, he pondered where Vorador was taking them, and with what intent. He knew that the Hylden had become trapped in his own accomplishments, for he had gotten away from Kain, and would be in the knowledge of the Reavers forging. However, with Kain here, his chances at leaving the area were slim. The three trudged down hallway after hallway, each looking as bleak and uninteresting as the last. After a few minutes of this, they stepped into a stone walled chamber, which was extremely hot. To Kains right, a forge smoldered with red-hot coals. Next to it laid a hammer on an anvil, with a waist high workbench close by. Around the room hung various weapons, all of which seemed very old, but in relatively good condition. Kain was thankful, for he had left the Reaver hidden outside the mansion wall. It would be safe, he knew, for there were now only four who knew how to find this place. If the Hylden went off, or tried to escape, this room would serve Kain well for stopping him. Vorador searched throughout a leather bag lying under the bench until he found a book, or what looked like a book. He sat it on the bench and flipped it open, dust kicking off of it in a cloud.
"This is my grimoire, where I recorded the method I used to forge the Reaver. It has been ages since I have seen it, but it seems that it will do you well."
Janos walked around the bench to stand across from Vorador, looking intently down upon the book. He looked confused, but negated the look as quickly as it'd come. The words had been hand-written by Vorador, and would most likely be undecipherable to anyone else.
"Janos," spoke Kain, "It may take time to forge a new blade. I would speak with Vorador, privately for but a moment. Learn what you can from the book, for time is of the essence, is it not?"
Janos looked up at Kain slowly. His eyes knew that Kain had planned this all along, but he was mystified by the idea of Kain leaving him alone with the book. All he'd have to do is grab it and make a mad dash out of the mansion. He could get back to his world in no time, and give the book to his lord. The idea was sound.
"Of course. I will do my best to implement this, and quickly."
Kain motioned for Vorador to follow him, and stepped out of the room. Vorador stepped out a moment later, and crossed his arms in front of him.
"Kain, why have you let the beast come here?"
"Because I want him to stay here. As powerful as I am, I cannot contain him. I could kill him, but that would end Janos' life as well. Despite my hatred for the Hylden in him, I cannot kill a vampire like myself."
"You have slaughtered thousands, yet you spare Janos? How noble of you, Kain."
"Do not bring nobility into this. I have my reasons, as you have yours for even showing him that book. Now we must find a means to trap the creature."
"Easily done. You don't live alone this long and not learn a few tricks."
Vorador turned back toward the room Janos still occupied. He raised his hands, waved them in an archaic pattern, and mumbled some old vampiric words. A green glow emanated from the doorway to the room, and numerous glyphs popped up, barring anyone from entering or leaving. Kain had to smirk.
"I had not thought it that simple."
"Now Kain, tell me. Did he speak the truth? Has he bested Raziel, and the Reaver is lost?"
"No. I have the Reaver, as does Raziel. A strange turn of events, beyond anyone's control, has brought Raziel and I closer than we'd have hoped."
Vorador's face went blank as Kain summoned the wraith blade. He twisted it and showed Vorador, as though it were being inspected. As he dissipated it, Vorador spoke once again.
"So it seems that you both share the same traits now. Perhaps it is best that you learn the reason for this, and leave him to me."
Kain looked back into the room, the Hylden infested Janos still oblivious to the fact that he had been successfully imprisoned. His thoughts drifted back to Raziel, whom he'd left with the defeated squid. His best bet now was to meet back up with Raziel and come up with a new plan.
"What length of time will you be able to keep him caged?"
"It is indefinite. I do not know his power, so I cannot tell you. I can assure you of a week, but nothing beyond."
"More than enough time. I will return with Raziel, and hopefully extricate the demon from our prisoner."
Vorador nodded, and went back to the room. He stepped through the barrier as though it weren't there, and began conversation with Janos again. Kain headed the opposite direction, looking for the fastest route out of the mansion.
---
Raziel sat atop a parapet, waiting. Oryx had come up with a plan to infiltrate the Hylden Lord Ird's castle. Raziel was to wait for his signal, then drop into the courtyard and dash into the stables. From there, he was to enter the castle dungeon via a sewer duct. That pleased Raziel none. Once inside the dungeon, he would have to find his way into the castle. Oryx, on the other hand, had sent word that he had urgent news of Nosgoth, and had been granted court with Ird. The wraith seemed to be getting the short end of the stick quite often as of late.
Only a few moments passed before a loud whistle caught Raziels ear. He dropped silently into the courtyard, keeping an eye, or glowing ball equivalent, out for guards. He saw none as he made a quick run the 20 yards to the stables. When he entered, he quietly shut the door behind him. Turning around, he came face to face with a small Hylden male. The blue creature looked at Raziel intently, but turned around and went to one of the horses and began grooming it. Raziel dismissed the ordeal and began searching for the sewer duct. After some thorough investigation, he found it under a hay pile in the corner. He wrapped his claws around the metal bars and pulled, springing the grated covering from its place. He sat it down behind him, and began climbing down in, grabbing the grate and replacing it as he did.
Fortunately for Raziel, the sewers hadn't been used much lately, which left him running through a smelly sewer instead of swimming. It took him the better part of an hour to find his way to the castle, for the sewer systems stretched from one end of the castle to the other. The exit, when he found it, led right into a back room for the kitchen. As he lifted the grate to come up through, he heard a gasp to his right. He quickly exited the sewer, lowering the grate into its place, and stood to see a kitchen maid shaking by the door. Her outfit was made up of semi-tight straps that covered her from chest to thigh, but not much else. Raziel pondered on it for a moment, walking towards her slowly. She closed her eyes as he stepped next to her. The wraith remembered himself and gave her a light jab to the side of the head, knocking her unconscious. With one less witness to scream his location, he could proceed a little quicker and stealthier.
---
Oryx had entered the castle moments after signaling Raziel. He worked his way through the formalities of being granted court with a Lord, and awaited his summons. The tunic he wore shifted slightly as he sat down, exposing a dagger he'd hidden in his sash. He quickly adjusted it, and leaned against the wall. His eyes took in the sight of the castle, its tapestries showing violent images of battles with the vampires, and great feasts in the main hall. The candelabra that decorated the hall were polished brightly, as if someone took great pride in cleaning them. Swords, axes, polearms, and all kinds of weaponry hung on the walls, each with a plaque stating whose weapon it was. Just when Oryx had gotten comfortable, the herald entered the room and told him Ird would see him.
The formalities involved with seeing a Lord were drastic among the Hylden race, and Oryx liked none of it. Had he the inclination, he would have waltzed into Lord Ird's room and beheaded him, but Raziel needed him alive. As did he, if he ever hoped to reach Nosgoth. The long, endless drifting of death awaited him there, and he would greet it with open arms. Five or so minutes went by as the herald escorted Oryx to the room he was to see Ird in, and each moment seemed to drag out longer than physics would allow. Then again, who knew what sorcery lie within these walls?
---
The soul reaver had found his way into the armory, which had indeed proven easier than he'd thought. The Hylden guard was mostly too busy with other menial tasks to do their duty, and Raziel used to his advantage. The room was filled from wall to wall with swords, axes, pikes, spears, armor, and even some lances. What use a Hylden would have for a lance, he could only imagine. Searching quickly, he found the other exit to the room, into a side hallway. He crept out, closing the door behind him silently, and began down the hall. Doors were sporadically placed, one seeming to appear where most would have paintings or décor. The hallway turned now, to the left, and Raziel knew better than to just continue walking. He pressed his back to the wall and slid as close to the end of the hallway as possible, leaning his head around just far enough to see. Two guards stood perfectly still in front of a door, the only one in this section of hall.
That would be a treasure room, or their Lord's room. Luck be with me for the latter.
Raziel summoned the wraith blade, holding it off to his right as to remain undetected. He took a step back from the edge and prepared to lunge at the guards. At the moment he sprang forward, he heard a door open down the hall behind him. He was once again being rushed, but this time, he knew not by whom.
The guards, wearing only light armor, and carrying simple axes, were startled at Raziels appearance. By the time one of them could react, the other had been run through, impaled upon the Reaver. A heavy swing towards the wraiths head caught air, Raziel rolling behind the standing guard. Another swing, a horizontal one, was deflected by the material Reaver this time. With a quick slash, a 'thump' was heard as the second guards head hit the floor. Raziel heard footsteps, and quickly stepped into the room he'd just been granted entrance to.
---
Oryx rounded a corner behind the herald, and stopped abruptly next to him. Two dead guards, one with only a hole in his chest, the other missing his head. The herald gasped and ran to the door, flinging it open with an urgency unknown to Oryx. He stepped over the bodies and into the room to another disturbing sight.
Raziel stood in front of two more dead guards, facing the Hylden Lord Ird. Oryx stepped forward and tapped the herald on his shoulder. As the Hylden turned around, he started to gasp for air. A small line of blood began to emanate from his throat, and he clutched at it. A fatal slash to the jugular, and Oryx began wiping off his dagger.
"I see you had no trouble getting in."
Raziel glanced back quickly to acknowledge his partner's presence, then returned his gaze to Ird.
Ird, born a noble Hylden, stood slightly taller than Raziel, and had the build of a proud warrior. Scars marked his arms and chest, most likely the remnants of battles long since fought. His eyes shown a dull yellow, and his face gave no emotion. He wore only battle garb, a chest half-piece, along with leather leggings. A scabbard protruded over his left shoulder, the handle of a greatblade shining a bright silver. He crossed his arms and spoke in a calm, war-induced tone.
"You are intruders here, even if one of you was granted permission. I should take the both of your heads for killing my guards and my herald. What is it you want?"
Oryx stepped out from behind Raziel, over a dead guards body, and stuck his dagger back into his sash. He spoke first, sounding very bored.
"We have come for the body."
"What body? You have just left 5 dead, and you ask for another?"
"You know what I'm talking about Ird. Lord Granth's tomb. You know as well as I that it rests within this castle. Tell us the location, and you may leave here with your organs intact."
"I'll not take threats from the likes of you, half-breed. I know the location, but I'll be condemned before I tell you."
Raziel drew the Reaver from his back, and stepped forward. He looked fiercely into the Hylden's eyes, and uttered a simple message.
"I am not of this world, and you know what weapon this is. You will be condemned, not to hell, or endless suffering, but to nothingness. I will devour your soul, and think nothing of it. Tell me the place, and spare yourself."
As much a bluff as it was, it seemed to have an impact upon the scarred creature. He stood in thought for moments before closing his eyes and nodding.
"Fine. The hells be damned, and condemn me to them for this."
He turned around, looking through a pile of papers and books. Turning around, he dropped a leather-bound book at Oryx's feet. The wraiths companion picked it up, and nodded to Ird.
"Do not think I will let this go unnoticed. The moment you leave this castle I will inform every Lord and Lady of your presence here."
As the two started to leave, Raziel turned around and sheathed the Reaver.
"I trust you will also tell them of the weapon I carry. I would not want any more deaths than necessary due to your lack of competence."
With that remark, the unsightly pair made haste back to Oryx's home.
---
Kain had retrieved his Reaver and begun the journey back to the squid's chamber shortly after leaving the mansion. It took him less time than he'd thought it would, and for that he was a tad less irksome. He stepped into the room, scanning it for Raziel, and did not find him.
"Where has Raziel gone? It seems unlikely that you would have gathered the energy to defeat him, fiend."
The defeated 'god' rumbled a bit, and settled down. Kain knew he was getting to the creature. All the better for getting information from it.
"Raziel is in the Hylden world now, Kain, and I cannot locate him."
"Why, and how?"
"I sent him there. The Hylden are learning of my defeat there, and it will not be long before they storm into Nosgoth, or kill me. Raziel went to dispose of the problem."
Kain, who was now bewildered at Raziels actions, was also aggravated to a whole new level.
"Send me to their world, creature."
"I cannot. Raziels sending took the last of my strength, now that you have limited it. Even if I could, why would you go?"
Kain hadn't thought of it. He'd spoken before he thought through what he wanted. Raziel had survived a Hylden attack already, and more so, several encounters with Kain himself. His lieutenant would succeed in what he set out to do. It was best to avoid the question completely.
"Fine, beast. Tell me any news you have heard from the other side, or I may have to 'limit' your power even further."
Again the squid rumbled, only slightly, seeming to take offense to every word Kain spoke. The hatred for both Kain and Raziel was apparent, and the vampire reveled in it.
"Raziel has met with a Hylden Lord, with the help of some unknown. As of the moment I know not how this venture went, but it seems the Lord still lives."
It was always like Raziel to go after the big fish first. At least he obtained help in his endeavor. Since the information was scarce, he'd have to work with what he got.
"Inquire as much as you can about his whereabouts, and this 'unkown' he's working with. I will return again in a day or so."
With that, he turned on his heel and left. He headed for the Sarafan stronghold, with an idea, and a purpose.
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And the combat begins. It gets better as it goes, and I like the pace. Let me know whatcha think.