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Varyssa: Your wish will soon be answered! I guarantee Marina and Kain will be reunited soon! :)

I was in a wonder when I entered the cathedral. It was the most beautiful architecture I had ever seen built; rivaling even that of the Sanctuary of the Clans and Vorador's mansion put together.

Glittering white stone had been sculpted to perfection. Two rows of columns supported the vaulted ceilings that lengthened into points. They were wholly constructed of stained glass of azure and gold. Light poured down in silvery cerulean pools upon the ornately designed floor that had a structural peculiarity. Mystical flames licked along the center aisle, leading to an elaborate altar. I wondered what had spawned this fire. What was its purpose? Deciding not to risk a burn, I left it alone. On the front of the painstakingly crafted altar in question were two innocent cherubs gesturing to a book. The opened book had rays of light emanating from its contents. These were illuminated pages for real. Behind both angelic beings, three hooded figures lurked. Vampires? Guardians? Other marble angels alighted on several pillars and alcoves. Rays of colored light issuing from the slim glass panes of many blended hues set high in the back wall fell upon the huge altar beneath it. Rising from the altar itself was an array of organ pipes amidst other religious decorum. Nosgothian saints were interred in wall niches with arms outstretched to welcome the weary people of Avernus. The walls themselves were pure latticework, teasingly revealing hidden precious panels and sacred relics. Above were lofts, but there was no way to reach them. Perhaps the monks and priests had quarters there.

It was utterly awe-inspiring. I was surprised the cathedral was devoid of parishioners. Not one soul was praying, and considering the situation outside, it was quite unusual. Wandering into the center of the cathedral, I stopped dead in my tracks when a sudden indigo flash lit up the entire area. A purple sparkling form slowly materialized into the gray-cloaked man that left the "present" I was wearing around my neck.

With one whisking motion, the man swept off his cloak and presented himself to me at last. He was wearing crushed purple velvet robes with a gold trim. His light-colored beard poked out from under of his hood. I knew his cheeks would be scarred, and that we shared the same nose.

I already recognized who this was. "Father?" I called out tentatively.

A dry laugh escaped his lips. "You know, Marina."

"For centuries now." My name sounded rather strange coming from him.

He stood there in silence a few moments before he gestured to my necklace. "You have it. It was meant for the human."

"It would've been stolen otherwise," I replied.

"That will do. As long as it protects one of my daughters."

Daughter. "What exactly does the necklace do?"

"It protects you from harm. Several unscrupulous individuals seek to assassinate your past self, child. But, there is something I need to tell you about it."

He was intentionally keeping his distance. So, I folded my arms across my chest and let him speak.

"I imbued that ruby with the elements; mostly fire and water. An unstable mix I know, yet very powerful. If you wish it, grip the jewel, and will yourself to the Water Temple, the place of our ancestors."

I nodded. "What will I find there?"

"The Vampire Citadel." I could almost see him smirk.

"What's in this citadel?"

"The answers will be revealed in due time."

Left staring at the Guardian of States whom was also incidentally my father, it struck me to inquire him about something. "What do you think of a daughter turned vampire?"

Anarcrothe paused to think a moment. "You're wearing blue," he said finally. "That's all that matters to me."

Blue. The color of the ocean…

"Please for give me for cutting this reunion short, but I'm sure you have some more pressing mission to complete. I myself have a meeting with Mortanius at the Pillars today. We have grave issues to discuss."

Just like that, he was gone. Teleported away. There had been so many subjects I wanted to touch on with my father, but he too had a destiny to fulfill. It was Anarcrothe's fate to die along with his brethren. Mortanius would slay him, I was sure. Ariel reported to me that Kain hadn't laid a hand on my father, though I'm certain he wanted to. It was for the best not to get involved with a dead man. And I thought I had been mysterious. Behind where Anarcrothe had been standing was an odd portal I hadn't noticed before. It was akin to a black hole, but with white and sapphire sparkles racing through it. It flickered and flared, reminiscent of a candle flame, except it was suspended in the air. The oddity was clearly a portal of some kind. A portal I was hesitant about entering. I scanned the cathedral again, checking for doors or staircases. Again, I came up empty-handed. The portal it was then. I had no other choice.

Slowly, I stepped into the mystical warp space and felt myself being transformed into a pure essence, moved from the main cathedral that was full of light from the fires burning outside in the city to a darker place still. My body reemerged from the portal in an underground corridor. It took several seconds to assure myself it was not the Chronoplast. No, this hall had an earthen floor and there were rough stone walls instead of smooth marble. I sniffed at the air curiously. There was a familiar tang that I identified immediately. Blood. Old blood, such as the blood that surrounded the decaying dead. I'd wager that there was definitely a corpse up ahead. Of course, that was entirely plausible. This was after all the catacombs under the cathedral itself. I had been in catacombs before naturally, not to mention the cemeteries and gravesites in Melchiah's former lands. So why did I have such a sinking sensation? Actual fear oozed out of me.

Literally forcing myself to walk down the passage, I noticed many odd scenes painted on the walls. Monsters. War. Bloodshed. Magnificent winged beings being struck down into a boiling vermilion sea of death while a circular being with numerous arms watched gleefully at the bottom of the illustration. I knew what was depicted here. The race of the Winged Ancients falling from grace: cursed by their enemies, the Hylden. Then who was this numerous armed being that was shown orchestrating the entire event? A vengeful god the Hylden served mayhaps? Nevertheless, these murals were mere legends and myths. Or were they?

Thinking of Kain and Raziel's supposed intertwined destinies, I strode onward. Solemn white candles illuminated the area, throwing off enough radiance to see. Averting my gaze away from the disturbing frescoes strewn on the plain walls, I noticed the corridor growing steeper. At the end of the hallway, two double doors waited. I pushed them open, and continued my descent. However, the corridor fell away into a large open pit below. In the center of the pit was figure I'd dreaded to encounter. Raziel. Lying next to him was another figure I didn't anticipate to catch sight of again. Turel. Turel and Raziel. A scholar was not needed to understand what had transpired here.

Impulsively, I leapt into the pit and landed expertly on my feet. "Fancy meeting you," I drawled, unsure whether to label him a friend or foe.

"You're here," Raziel stated blandly, as if I were a common mouse. He obviously expected no less. In fact, the blue-skinned being appeared ready to believe anything.

"What happened?" I asked softly. My eyes flickered over to Turel's huge vampiric body.

"You mean how did he get in this pit in this era?"

I was in no mood for games, "Raziel, please tell me." I had to learn what had befallen my late best friend. Besides the Soul Reaver. Turel had been the lieutenant I drew closest too, even more so than Raziel himself.

He sighed. "Azimuth, the Guardian of Dimension, reached through the planes of existence and captured him. Azimuth is the same corrupt guardian that summoned all these demons to ravage the countryside. In this pit, they forced Turel to become their dark god."

I gasped. "They worship vampires? I thought the Guardians swore to destroy them."

"Yes, but they needed a strong vessel for their god to inhabit. Turel was chosen, for he was one step below Kain. After me of course." The resentful tone of his voice revealed to me his festering bitterness.

I stared around at the bleak surroundings. The floor and the walls were entirely constructed of dirt. Dead dirt that would be stiff to break through with a shovel. No vegetation would grow in this blood-spattered land. There were skulls and other bones tossed carelessly here and there. Obviously, they had to feed Turel. Imagine existing in such a state for nearly two centuries. There was a twinge of loss in my heart for Turel. If only I could have talked to him one last time…

But now was not the occasion for regrets. "Who are they?" I gazed upwards, expecting to see perhaps some Winged Ancient flying above.

"Azimuth, but Mortanius is leading the ceremonies of worship it seems."

"Mortanius?" The Death Guardian?" I was genuinely floored. And I thought it was truly his wish to help the vampires and me as well. What a fool I had been.

"Yes, Mortanius. Mortanius was close friends with Moebius in the past. They exterminated their former vampiric masters and claimed the Pillars for the humans. Originally, vampires held them. Hardly surprising, considering their lineage. You have heard of the Ancients, the vampires' ancestors, have you not?"

"I know more than you realize, Raziel," I told him gently. "I have heard the prophecy about the two heroes."

The glare that shot out of his glowing orbs was painful. "And the illustrious Marina's musings about this?"

With a bit of a frown, I tried to remain placid. "Which one do you think you are?"

"I don't know," he whispered, his gaze drifting towards the debris on the barren earth.

I wanted to comfort him, but feared his spectral sword in my side should I dare touch his shoulder. A spark of our friendship still remained however. I could sense it just below the surface of the shell Raziel had become. His soul remained. That's what's counted the most.

Yet, the moment was forever shattered when Raziel's lifted his head and fastened his accusing stare on my necklace. "A becoming piece of jewelry, Marina. Tell me, which mortal lady did you kill for it?"

"You dare!" I cried. "That's none of your business. I'm not a murderer!"

"Your past deeds contradict your current delusions," he smirked, in a voice that was not completely his own. A flash of green shone in his eye sockets. That sickly green light that had been haunting my dreams. Now, in a burst of revelation, I realized what it was, and more importantly, what it implied about Raziel's destiny.

Raziel had been a vampire, but became wholly another entity when he crawled out of the Abyss. Hylden. They were the ones whispering in my dreams while I slept in the late afternoon hours. They had been the ones discussing my fate while I lay unconscious in the Lake of the Dead. They were plotting my doom. My race was his enemy.

Instantaneously, I drew my sword, but it would do no good I was sure.

His eyes glowing a hateful olive, so like those green-tinged waters, he continued his speech. "I almost had you. But, you did not inform me you had an immunity to water. I too share this immunity. A kind gift from Rahab, I must admit. Also, I can scale walls like Zephon and pass through barriers like Melchiah even better than Kain can. Dumah's blood added to my strength and speed, but Turel's has increased my telekinetic abilities. I surpass Kain himself in power." Raziel leered at me.

I would not plead for my life. Instead, I would endeavor to talk some sense into him. "You're possessed by the enemy race, Raziel. Listen to yourself!"

"Enemy? I suppose I am your enemy, aren't I?" He sounded cheerful about this development. The disgusting radiance in his eyes never dimmed. Not once.

Trying again, I decided to ask my question. "Where's Kain?"

"Kain? Is that all you care about? Your lover? Never fear, Marina, you'll be joining him soon."

This was not a threat, but a promise. I watched as the fatal paradoxical sword uncurled itself. There was no way my own sword could stand up to it. Crafted from well made lustrous metal maybe, but it was overall a human's weapon. It wouldn't stand a sliver of a chance against the Soul Reaver.

With little chance to react, the spectral sword of jade light suddenly plunged through my chest. Raziel appeared shocked a second before his features reworked themselves into a sneer. Needless to say, this was not Raziel. The being inside his body was pulling the strings now.

Turel. Turel must have housed the essence. Presently, that very essence imbued the Soul Reaver. My fate was at an end. So many centuries rushed past me, and yet I couldn't conjure up one single memory.

Gasping on the ground, the blackness claimed me, although this time, I would not be able to escape.

Evil cliffhanger, mwa ha ha! I usually don't do these since I think cliffhangers are cruel, but since it's nearly the end of the story, I figured it was time. At the very most, there'll be three more chapters. I'm considering doing a sequel and want to know what you guys think. Should it be continued at the story's end? The sequel would be much shorter and much more original with no game plot to flow with. (And don't worry, Marina's not dead obviously.)