Review Responses:

Tom T. Thomson: Hee, Zephon getting slapped around is always funny. No offense to Zephon fans however. Thanks for keeping up with the story!

Mikoto Zoku: Some people think there's too much grief, but it's crucial to the plot. Kain's conversation with Marina should be sweeter though. Thanks for reviewing!

GothicMiku13: Ah, the wonderful school building. If they hand me one more project to do… Anyway, thanks for the review!

bahamut: Grounded? That's harsh, isn't it? :) Ah, here's the next chapter anyway. Hopefully, the next update will take a shorter amount of time.

Shiva: Thanks for reviewing, faithful reader! The updates have been slow, but I should have more writing time in the summer.

The door closed behind us in an inaudible click. As, I watched that crack of light spilling from the corridor outside disappear, I was left to wonder: had I entered the web of the spider?

"Now, Marina," that liquid voice began. "What exactly do you wish to discuss?"

I turned to see Kain glowering there, with his arms folded across his chest, but there was a resignation in his eyes that almost made him appear—vulnerable; like a long-suffering father or an aggrieved mentor with an unruly student. I decided to break it to him as gently as possible, lest he break my neck.

"Well, Kain, I just wanted to ask you…" I trailed off. Suddenly, there was a very distinct lump in my throat.

"Yes?" Kain practically hissed. "Go on. Don't let your courage fail you. Tell me."

"Why?" I blurted out. Foe what purpose? How could—"

"How could you?" Kain shot back. "You stood back along with all the others and watched him die. Even better, why didn't you try to stop me? You had plenty of chances in the many days before."

Kain looked genuinely curious about this. But how could I answer his question when I couldn't even figure out the answer myself? "I kept believing…you wouldn't. Not to Raziel. Never to him. I procrastinated, thinking I could tell him whenever I chose, but it just happened so…so fast…"

"Honesty is important to me, Marina," Kain interjected. "Tell me the real reason. I don't want to hear any more untruths, for I am no fool. You wouldn't want to know of the consequences."

"Because I love you." There. I said it. The words tumbled out of me like water from a bucket; further soaking Kain's sodden, tumultuous emotions. Would this information overwhelm him?

Kain was seemed taken aback. "So, you claim Raziel died for love. From your love for me. Is that right?"

I nearly broke into anguished sobs from the stupidity and absurdness of that statement, but I forced myself to continue. "It was purely for selfish motives. I feared for my own wellbeing and for our relationship. Everything was going so well, and I didn't want to shatter it. But I feel no love now, not even for myself. Only evil."

"Marina, you're not evil. You shouldn't label yourself as such."

"Because I'm incapable of it?" I whispered bitterly, blinking back tears. Oh, he was just like any vampire herein. Thinking me sweet and innocent. A little harmless stray brought back to Sanctuary of the Clans to amuse the master. Unable to commit any unscrupulous act.

"Not at all. It's because I would've done it anyway." Kain's confession had the same effect of an avalanche shaking the earth. Indeed, it was almost as if the floor shook with revelation. Kain, however, was unfazed.

"I did it because it was predestined. A sacrifice had to be made so Nosgoth could by some small chance have a future."

Kain's words were so like the words from my dream. Slowly, I closed my eyes and tried my best to remain rational and calm and not give in to hysterics. "The Chronoplast," I murmured. "You…"

"Yes, Marina. I was there. I too saw the portal. Amongst others. At first, I did not understand, but the more questions I asked, the more answers I found. Finally, I'd an epiphany of my part in all of this. Like any father, I would have to guide my son to his future."

"His future? Forgive me, Kain, but in the bowels of the Abyss, I think no being can have a future."

"He does. He shall be reborn. The savior of us all. I can only hope that you shall have the good fortune to witness this yourself, Marina." Slowly, Kain's countenance turned from full of good will to defensive and calculating. I decided to simply plop down on the familiar crimson bed. Whatever Kain was planning, I was too tired to care.

"You were the one thing I didn't plan on, you know," Kain whispered. "And above everything, you kept my secret. I am vaguely impressed by that."

I could feel the heat of anger rise through my system; making my very blood boil. I was his co-conspirator? Certainly not! Did he not value his son's life at all? Kain judged my reactions perfectly and raised his hand to halt my near meltdown. "Rest easy, Marina. I blame least of all you. You need not carry that crushing guilt with you. I would have committed the deed under any circumstance. There was nothing you could've done to convince me otherwise."

"And if I had told you before?" I ventured.

"Well, we'll never know, will we?" Kain replied smoothly.

I was frantically trying to piece it the picture together. "You mean to tell me that Raziel is not dead."

"One day, we shall see him again. However, should anyone learn this, it could damage what remains of our fragile empire." Kain eyed me. "I'm sure you can keep another tidbit of information in confidence, yes?"

"Of course," I sighed. "No one would believe me anyway. I'm not even sure I believe in it myself."

Kain chuckled. "Don't worry, Marina. You'll just have to learn to trust my decisions and myself included. I hope someday you will."

"I pray so too," I mumbled. Another secret. At least the worst is over. Right?

"Not that it's any of my business, but what goes on with you and Dumah? I got the clear impression something was amiss."

I couldn't very well refuse Kain's inquiry, and besides, I wanted to tell him. "He asked me if I wished to reside in his fortress."

"And?"

"I resigned." I felt vaguely empowered after sharing this.

Kain gave a depressed sigh. "I have lost not one, but three sons thanks to Nosgoth's doomed destiny."

I had to sympathize with him despite his part in Raziel's, my dearest friend's, execution. Speaking of which, Kain had breezed through that topic quickly. I had taken notice to this. Everyone had. Zephon no longer feigned loyalty to Kain and retreated to his Cathedral, a place I would never visit, I knew, without a full army behind my back. The Zephonim leader was presumably plotting against us all. Zephon seemed intent not to become another Raziel. Dumah had left after I rejected his "kind" offer. Sadly, Dumah considered Kain more of a rival now than ever. This left only Melchiah, Rahab, and Turel. Without counting myself, of course.

"Ah, so you see the truth. My sons have abandoned me. I don't really blame them though."

"Not all." I could scarcely believe it. I was experiencing empathy for Kain's plight? Something he created himself? "You have three loyal sons."

"Melchiah fears me and he isn't strong enough to stand on his own. His brothers would annihilate him. Melchiah needs my protection. Eventually, he'll forget this and think of it only as a terrible dream. As for Rahab, he knows where his interests lie and who protects them. His intelligent mind will wrap it around in such a way so he can live with himself."

"As for Turel?" I was amazed at Kain's perceptions. His inklings were akin to my own.

"Turel's confused, but he'll continue to serve me. Turel appreciates power and he knows which side possesses more. But what of yourself, Marina? Like I've stated before, you're unpredictable. Something comparable to the ocean tide. I can't read you, but perhaps you could enlighten me. Why do you choose to stay?"

"For you," I admitted truthfully. "You need somebody. I intend to stay faithful."

Kain sniggered. "I haven't heard that line in centuries."

"It's true," I insisted. "I consider this place to be my home. Because you inhabit it."

Kain appeared to be dumbfounded yet on the verge on unfathomable emotion. Something I had recently found out Kain had. "Even though, I condemned my son to die? Do you not think me insane and repugnant?"

"No. Nor tyrannical," I replied thinking back to Dumah's tirade and those three carefully chosen words to describe Kain.

"Actually, the last term I agree with."

This struck me funny. I couldn't stifle a slight giggle. Kain attempted a weak smile towards me with those round, glowing, vigilant eyes…just watching. It was if Kain was searching for a hidden dagger that might stab him in the back. Yes, Kain had a guilty conscience. In that moment, my fluttery afeared heart sat tranquilly in my chest and I was overcome. He was so grief stricken. Others may not have been able to see it, but I did. In an instant.

To show I understood his pain, or at least tried to, I tentatively stretched out my hand and sought Kain's own. As I held his claw-like talons in my two palms, I noticed he was trembling. Logic didn't rule me now. Common sense had evaporated. I quietly rose to my feet and leaned against him. We stayed in this position for an undeterminable amount of time before we wordlessly sat back together on the bed.

With him more level to me, I dared to put my arm around his shoulders. I didn't particularly care if he pushed me away, or went as far to call me a traitor and throw me into the Abyss right after Raziel. We had both shared in this loss, and we had both been in love.

Yes, I loved him still. I knew at once that this gesture was overly familiar in a time of crisis and that it was analogous with petting an injured wolf. Still, I had to attempt. I might never forgive myself for Raziel's demise, but I could forgive Kain.

Kain sighed and took me in his arms; at last accepting my attentions. All we could do is to hold each other. To comfort each other as the bejeweled evening skies outside clouded and a slow steady rain began to fall.

Our faith was to be tested. In more ways than one. I could only hope against hope that we would be able to weather the storms ahead. As if on cue, a rumble of thunder punctuated my thought. Harsh lightening flashed, its blinding light streaking throughout the entire room. Was this a foreshadowing of things to come?

No matter. We would be ready. We needed to depend on each other in the turbulent days ahead, but I suspected that no one, not even Kain and I, knew the magnitude of how Nosgoth and the very framework of the Sanctuary of the Clans was to change…