A Star to Guide Them By

Written by: Firefury Amahira

Standard disclaimer: All the stuff from Boktai I do not own. You can thank Konami for making the games and making them so damn fun to play and so addictive, too. All the non-canon material though is mine. Use it without my permission and be smited! I've had to put a lot of thought into the original material I use to fill out the plot!

Interlude One: Darkness Is Not a Morning Person

Brother, awaken from slumber! I have news both disturbing and interesting for you and those of us who remain.

Slowly, almost lazily, the lid of the coffin slid open, the occupant obviously groggy in the dark room. A pair of pale, lithe hands pushed down against the edges of the simple thing, lifting a tall, slender form from where it had been sleeping. Red eyes swept the dark crypt, irritation written all over the pale face. It has been some time since you last spoke with me, Duchess. What news have you that concerns those of us on the surface?

The response reverberated with a mental chuckle, a joke the tall man was not yet let in on. One of the Kindred has left the city. Her vessel I am told was destroyed, but I believe that she has survived the fall to Earth. I believe she may prove a useful addition to our number. Despite the waning of the Kindred's power, she shows great promise, especially now that she is returned to the land the Kindred left behind.

The man's face contorted into an angry scowl. How is this news interesting? The seals of my sister bind us yet. I cannot leave this place to add her to our number even if I desired to do so.

Another one of those light chuckles answered him in the gloom. The power of the Kindred wanes as we speak, Brother. The seals wane with them. Surely you have felt the recent shifts in power? One of our lesser kindred managed to raise some sort of fortress into the high Heavens before the last dregs of the Solar and Lunar Children destroyed her.

I am aware. The man snarled, contempt clear in his mindvoice. First that lunatic Hel and her pet experiment, and then that incompetent fool Dainn. They shame our House with their weakness.

So you see why this is an opportunity for us, do you not? There is a lapse in power within the dark House. Were we to replace the two who shamed us at the hands of the Fallen, we could easily seize control and expand our power further.

The man paced the cold floor of the crypt. Yes, I see the opportunity. Coming to a massive steel door set into one wall, he hesitantly reached a hand out to the cold surface, obviously expecting something unpleasant, given the way he approached the portal. Let us test the seals and see if they may yet break.

The man cringed when he felt the cool metal underneath his long fingers, but only a mild burning sensation scorched the tips. His red eyes widened slightly in pleased surprise as he firmly pressed both hands to the door and tried to shove the heavy thing open. The seals barely hold now. It will take some time, but soon I shall be released from this prison, that I may free our Kindred and take my rightful place at the head of the House, regardless of what displeasure our lesser Kindred may voice.

He could feel the glee in the Duchess's reply. I await your release, my Lord Brother. I tire of hiding in this city and look forward to ending its long flight. It will be a grand celebration to mark our return, will it not?

The man smiled then, showing the distinctive fangs of a vampire. Indeed it will.

Author's notes: And so we have more vague stuff to hint at Bad Things. Who is this Duchess? Where is she? For that matter, where the hell Mr. Tall, Dark, and Immortal locked up? Do Immortals drink coffee? Because he could probably go for some.

Comments appreciated, flamers will be stabbed in the eye with Otenko's nose.