Chapter two : Burning in the blocks of ice
In five weeks, Kain managed to spread his clawed shadow over any relevant event on the planet, and due to his ingenuity, he hardly left any trace of his existence. His first step was the creation of his offspring, but the early vampires were short life abominations for his blood was too strong impact on the locals week flesh. He than mixed it with mortal blood, and it gave the desired effect. He made 30 vampires total, of which Rene, Leo and Mica were the most terrible. To them he entrusted only the hardest tasks, but nothing over their level of expertise. As far as he was concerned, they were all just children rather than adults, but with his mastery supervision, they became a cruel organized machine, that stopped at nothing to get all the components and resources for the machine and their own needs.
They played games with peoples lives, using even the most cunning men as their instruments. At one time a man named Wilbur Jefferson, who was carrying the profit report to the stock market, committed suicide five minutes after delivering it. He refused his pay check, and jumped of the roof, yelling now what, you monsters as he fell down twenty floors. The very same day, a man named Professor Fangandclaw ( fang and claw ) made an incredibly lucky investment of 20 dollars, that profited him to 1.5 million.
But Kain's presence has bean reviled the very night of his and Raziel's arrival. Wherever he'd conduct his business, some secret human organization would soon catch up with him, and he had to jump on. Fortunately for him, his businesses were so swift, he could complete most of them days before he would drawn attention. But the human nuisance had become too irritating, and he could feel them breathing down his neck. Finally, he decided to put an end to it…
Deep within the bowels of the Oversight, George, Operations and the heads of the other Sections gathered around the globe table. George stood up and placed a com-link before him where everyone could see it :
" A standard high profile communication pod, already attuned to the frequency, and ready to connect… The new player has left us his phone number. "
He connected the port to the slot. At once the hologram of the world in the center disappeared and than displayed Kain in all his glory. As he spoke, the others watched him with an unimpressed glare :
" Leaders of the Section union, members of the Oversight ; My name is Lord Kain. "
" You are a hard man to keep up with, Kain. "; Kianna said, operations of the Section 12
" That's Lord Kain to all of you ! "
" We know who and what you are. We've followed your tracks ever since your big arrival. Your progress trough our territory was intrusive yet impressive. "
" You know nothing about me, or you wouldn't speak to me in that tone. And you haven't bean able to affect any of my operations… yet. "
" I assume that you want something other than chatting ?"
" To give you a warning ; my time is too precious to waste on destroying you, but if you don't get off my back, I'll make time ! My work doesn't involve you in any way. "
" I'm sorry to disagree, "; George said :" but your work DOES involve us. We know what you are building, and the effects it will cause. It is the sacrifice we aren't willing to make. "
Kain smiled :
" Than I suppose our game shall have to get violent. As a token of my good will I'll let you make the first move. Your last move. Good night !"; his hologram disappeared.
Micca and Rene were in the room with their sire, from which he was transmitting his holo-image, deep within his sanctuary.
" What now, Sire ?"; Mica asked Kain who was sitting in his large black leather chair
" Now we burn up the stows of fear, and serve it to them on silver platters. "
Rene sniffed the air :
" Sire, the blue demon is approaching. "
Raziel was walking trough the dark corridors, carrying a severed head of a vampire in his claw. The last five weeks were extremely hard for him, and his anger grew inside his blue torso. All of Kain's children stood out of his path, beholding his gross trophy. By than they all feared and hated him, and they couldn't understand why their lord held him around. With their disliking, they've made him feel even more irritated, but the hardest thing he was enduring was not the presence of vampires, but the lack of a dialog. His supernatural mind was able to decipher the most complicated languages back home by listening and comparing the words to the surrounding objects, but here where every object was an unknown alien contraption such abilities were of little use. He could only understand the basic words, like blood or vampire, but it was not nearly enough.
At first he spend time in the fields and forests outside the underground bunker, hoping that he could still find some kind of a transport device that would untie his hands. After suffering failure, he mowed to the city, trying to focus on studying natives and the strange magic lights that danced around their habitats. Finally he decided to return back to the dark underground, only to keep an eye on Kain and his minions. He found them at the climax of their power, and more advanced than he would hope. It was bad enough to have to suffer this fate, he was also too late to stop them in causing damage to this world as well.
Angry as he ever was, he barged into Kain's room, and tossed his delivery on the floor before him. Kain was turned with his back, preoccupied with his work. He was draining a blood of a human trough a system of tubes and wails, into his goblet. As Rene and Mica saw what Raziel brought, they jumped at him and started struggling. For a time Kain ignored it, and than he turned and yelled :
" QUIEEET !"
His first two jumped scared, and backed away from Raziel, who was perfectly willing to run the reaver trough them. Kain resumed his " experiment " and drank deeply the goblet of blood :
" Better… Still a little sour … "; he took a look at the head on the floor and spoke to it :" It was a stupid thing to do, but you tried. "
" He and some others attacked me ! Why !"
" I've indulged their request to do so. They taught you weren't treating me with enough respect. "
" Where DID they get THAT idea !"
" I don't have time to argue with you, Raziel ! Unlike you, some of us actually have some work to do ! "
He walked trough the dour that led to the construction sight. Raziel followed him hoping to burn some more of his frustration on him. Kain entered the assembly room, and observed the progress his children made. The entire hanger was overfilled by the most complex machines and heavy constructions. They work night and day, putting together the portal machinery out of most advanced components man made by now. Their dark gifts and senses were superior replacement for tools and instruments, and Kain marveled in the achieved progress :
" Excellent ! We are ahead of the schedule !"
Raziel observed the big room filled with this technology, and for a moment hope flashed and shined inside him, but only briefly :
" Kain ; I have had enough of this ! Not only that I have to put up with you and your children, I also haven't spoken a word with anyone for 5 weeks ! Not even the Elder… "
Kain looked at him over his shoulder, and Raziel stilled him self realizing that he almost gave away too much :
" My point is that I'm sick of this !"
Kain swiftly turned and yelled at him :
" And what would you want me to do about it ! Huh ! You want me to open a school for you and teach you this tongue !"; and than he smiled :" Or perhaps it could be simpler than that… as simple as your choice. "
" No choice is a simple thing, Kain. "
" Maybe… bat is a swift thing… "; he came to one large cylindrical machine :" The problem with you, Raziel is that you don't have a conventional mind. Your thoughts simply drift in that blue noddle of a head of yours, in some kind of a spirit essence. Such mind my telepathy can't affect… but if I would do something like this… "
A green energy flashed in his claw, and the connections on the device started to reconnect themselves. At once Raziel was lifted by telekinetic grip, and closed in a big glass jar connected to the reformed machine. He razed to smash it, but Kain gestured him to stop :
" This part of my machine shall link my thoughts with it. And now it could possibly link them with you… I could give you the knowledge you seek, if you would at least try to be more tolerant in the future. "
" Perhaps I could, but perhaps you just want to play mind games with me. If this thing does work, what would prevent you from simply brainwashing me ?"
" Maybe nothing. Maybe your stubbornness. Perhaps it damages both of our minds… But as I said, it is your choice. "
" In any case, you have nothing to loose. Your mind is already damaged. "
" But we both have something to gain. I want your nagging to stop, and you want to understand this prison of ours. Choose now. Choose how much you trust me, and see if it is justified. "
Raziel considered for a time, and than nodded. Kain activated the machinery and focused on the transmission pod. Within the next few moments, Raziel felt his mind being forced and drilled by Kain's thoughts, as they pored something new into the mix. Finally it was over, and the jar opened. He stood up with a bad headache. Kain was in no better shape him self. Raziel started to question his feelings about him, and fortunately he was still revolted by his mere sight.
" That… ( huh )… should be it. "; Kain said :" I suggest that you go out and see if you can understand their talk. And don't be too hasty. It might take some time to settle down. "
Raziel shifted in the spirit realm, and Kain smiled viciously like a fox. One of his children asked :
" What have you done to him, Sire ?"
" I gave him what he wanted. Exactly what he wanted. Poor Raziel; always a puppet. "; he than glanced at the mind linking machine :" Take the parts we need and load them on the transports too. Destroy the rest. And make it fast ; we have some guests to prepare for. "
Hanging from a brick wall in a dark back ally, Raziel observed a couple of humans exchanging some small bag white powder, for green peaces of paper rolled together. He tried to understand what they were saying, but still in wane. He could understand all of the words, but the meaning of the entire sentence eluded him :
" Damn you Kain, and all of your trickery !"
He jumped down after they left, and started to look around for anything familiar. Suddenly a needle pinned his right arm beneath his shoulder. It injected some liquid inside. As he took it out something instantly connected in his head; it was a dart. He recognized the object. And than he realized; someone tried to shoot him with a sedative, no doubt some idiot human hunter who didn't know what the hunted was. The fluid simply leaked out his muscles and dripped from his claw tips on the ground. He looked up and saw the shooter on the top of one tall building far away ( at least for a human eye ).
" This one has a sharp eye when he managed to hit me from such distance. "; he taught :" Or maybe he used some machine to aim for him. These humans have entwined them selves with technology to such measure, they will have machines live their lives for them. Let's see how much instinct do they have left… "
He started swaying, and than fell with his face down. He knew what he was doing. The shooter on the roof must have bean just one member of much larger grope. The others were waiting for the drought to take effect. Considering his weight and appearance, they were planning to place him in a box, and take him away. So why disappoint them, at least so soon.
He didn't have to wait long. Men in white plastic suits, with a glass coffin, slowly started to approach. One of them was carrying a tube of some kind. But as they drew near, he came to a gratifying realization; He could understand what they were saying.
" … slowly… I've never seen anything like that. "
" It might be toxic. "
" What ever it is, the drought appeared to have worked. Grab his feet, and I'll… "
Suddenly, as one of them reached for him, Raziel grabbed and clenched his hand so strong, the man started to scream. They all jumped back, as Raziel slowly got up, still clenching and mashing man's bones and muscles until he had to kneel before him. With his other claw, he gutted him trough his hart, and than he looked at the others. Some started fleeing, but in a jump he unwrapped the reaver, and sliced them in half. Suddenly a man with the pipe started spraying thick white mist at him. It was freezing. A layer of ice started to form over Raziel's surface making it difficult to move. Others joined in this icy trap, and after a while they stopped. Mist cleared itself out, and a glassy block of ice remained. Inside was a hole in an exact shape of Raziel's figure.
A telekinetic bolt flied from above, and broke the hollow ice block to bits. It exploded, blasting the men around on the ground. The last thing they saw was Raziel jumping down from the wall at them.
Raziel feasted on their souls, but it was not enough to satisfy his anger. The rage he piled up in the last five weeks was not to be extinguished so easily. He looked up and saw the shooter running away.
" Foolish human. You can't outrun the reaper of souls !"
He shifted in the spirit realm. The shooter ran for the dour of the stairs and was almost there but suddenly Raziel blocked his path appearing out of thin air. At the sight of those glowing eyes, fear exploded all over him, and he fell down. Raziel started to close in on his cornered pray, that was trying to reach for his gun. He grabbed it, and pointed the gun at him, but Raziel simply pooled its tube, and ripped it out of his hands. He was watching the black weapon in his claws, and than tossed it high above. The reaver flashed trough the air, and two identical halves of the gun fell down aside them. The man was paralyzed in terror, and the time came to extract some answers from him :
" Who are you working for ?"; Raziel asked to an even more shocked man who suddenly realized that the creature speaks. But despite his obvious fear, he remained silent. Raziel continued :
" I know that you can understand me. I'm in a bad mood and I'll only ask you one more time ; who sent you after me ?"; the man still stood silent with a defiant color in his eyes.
" We'll do it the hard way, than … "; with one hand, Raziel took him and threw him of a building top. The man screamed as he flew trough the air, and just as he was about to hit the ground, Raziel jumped out of nowhere, and caught him. He grabbed his foot, and squeezing so strong it cut his circulation, dragged him up the wall. They went half way vertically, with man's head upside down, and than Raziel jumped to the stairs, dragging him to the top and banging his head on each staircase. When they finally came to the roof, Raziel threw him on the floor :
" Have you come to your senses ? No ? Well let's see what else we can do AROUND here !"
He grabbed his legs and started spinning him around so fast, his organs were pressed in his head neck and shoulders. An old caretaker of the building came to roof to see what all the commotion is about, and than came back down telling him self he was getting too old for this job. After what must have bean an eternity, Raziel released his puppet, and it fell down shacking and shivering. Raziel came closer to him and looked at his tortured sweated face :
" I'm… not afraid… to die… "; the shooter said
" Death is only a passing. What comes after meters !"; Raziel removed the rag from his face, exposing his gross jawless features. The man's jaw began shivering, and his heart started to break trough his torso. Words in this text can't exactly describe the emotions he felt while Raziel's powers were sucking his very soul out of his tortured half living body. His very life essence, his feelings, memories, it was all drained into absolute nothingness and oblivion :
" AAAAIIII I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING !"
Raziel cowered his face :
" Start !"
" Asian Dawn !... I work… for the group called Asian Dawn ! It was them that sent us after you. "
" A secret human organization ! Where is your central ?"
" I don't know, I swear !"
" Do you think I'm stupid ? Once I was in that glass coffin, where were you going to take me !"
" To a truck… in Sesame street… to take you to our head laboratory… I don't know where ! I'm just an agent ! None of us knows were the headquarters is… We are scattered all over the globe… they just activate us when they have an assignment for us… "
" I should go there and crush you all, exterminate this Asian dawn from the face of this earth !"
" Don't ! Please ! They are my countrymen ! My comrades ! Please !"
" Bah ! So be it ! I'll let your Asian Dawn be. As for you, you'll live too, and you'll deliver a message from me ; There are fates far more worse than death, and if they continue their pestering they shall learn them all ! Understood !"
" Yes !"
" Good ! Don't make me come back for you. I hate loose ends !"; he shifted into spirit realm.
Raziel walked the spectral plane pleased with him self. A feeling he was denied for a long time… Ever since he… And than he realized; It was Raziel the vampire, Kain's lieutenant, that tortured that man, and this realization threw him back to his gloomy mood. It seemed that no meter what he would do or become, he would still bear the mark of that life, and it would haunt him forever.
Disturbed and grieved, he left the spectral realm in a faraway ally ( like he wanted to escape his recent actions ) and in its shrouding shadows he pondered his fate and the future to come. Suddenly his sharp eye caught a familiar figure. It was that woman he met five weeks ago in that underground complex he and Kain invaded the first night of their arrival. Only without the white coat. She was walking the street not 20 paces from him. Strange that of thousands of people that swarmed this place he would meet her twice. She walked by only a few seconds before mowing behind the corner, but it was enough for him to feel that strange sense of "knowing her from somewhere" again. So he decided to indulge him self. He jumped on the wall, scaled up, ran over the roof, and glided down to the next ally she was about to pass by. She walked unsuspecting and calm, writing something down. Suddenly someone whispered her name from the dark ally to her right. She turned, looking at the shadows, but couldn't see anyone. The call came again, lauder and inviting. She wanted to go, but in the end curiosity prevailed, and she carefully strayed to the blackness of the ally. As she went deeper in to shadows, she came across two bright holes in the wall before her. Suddenly they moved towards her, and Raziel stepped in front of her( the holes were his eyes ). She jumped back shocked, but somehow kept her coolness :
" Y… You again ! Are you following me !"
" I'd say it is a coincidence that we meet. Unless you are a member of that Asian Dawn thing too. "
" What !"
" Never mind. "; being able to look inside her soul, was enough to convince him that she wasn't.
" You… can talk… "
" I've only tonight learned this language in one extremely unpleasant lesson, and I can answer all of your questions, but not here. "; to her surprise, he jumped several meters to the air, and lowered the leader of the fire escape down to her :" I'll be at the roof waiting for you to climb. If you so decide. "
He scaled up. High at the roof top was the perfect, isolated, silent place with a great vantage point. Raziel stood leaned at the stone fence, watching over at the streets below. He waited patiently, listening for steps on the staircase, which was not very simple considering all the noise that filled the air in this crowdie place. Finally he heard her climbing. He turned to the stairs and saw her cautiously pacing the steps :
" So, you've overcome your fear. That's impressive… for a human. "
" I needed to know… am I imagining you ? Am I imagining this all ?"
" You would like me to be your delusion, than ?"
" Yes… no… if you were, than I'd be crazy, but at least I'd have a logical explanation for this. "
" A logical explanation ? I guess I could have expected such response from people who are so tucked in technology… You just can't except things for what they are, can you ?"
" Did… did you call me up here to insult me ?"
" No. I apologize. It's bean a bad… period of my life time. Let's try again; I'm Raziel, and if I understood right, you are Sharon.?"
" I am… "; she approached him slowly :" What manner of creature are you… your basic m… muscular structure, and bones appear to be human… But it can't be… you shouldn't be up and running like you do… "
" Perhaps you are right. But some things, like my reanimation, are inevitable. I am … your language has no term for it… The angel of death. "
She stood back wiling to believe just about anything now :
" You don't look like an angel of death to me… "
" And how many have you seen before ?"
" None… umm … It's just that we… we believe that something like that should have a black robe, and a scythe… You… are you here to take me to… to beyond ? Am I dead ?"
" No. I won't harm you. I'm on a brake tonight. "
" Than what do you want ?"
" Just a talk. A simple conversation. I've haven't had that kind of pleasure for a long time. Other always forced their words on me, and I had to listen. I was hoping that you could indulge me. "
" What about that mean other one… The one you saved me from ?"
" Please, don't mention him to me. Not tonight. Let the lights of this magical place take him away, at least for this night. "
" You aren't from around here, are you ?"
" You are perceptive. I am not. "
She came closer and touched his long blue wing. It was like a dry silky rubber. There didn't seem to be any muscles in it. She looked at his face. His eyes were glowing so bright in the clean darkness they were lightening her face. And in such clear gaze on her, the undefined feeling inside him grew. It became more formed, more shaped, but still elusive to him. He struggled to make it out. What was it about her that seemed so familiar ? But unable to struggle any more, he backed away from her, and turned his attention to the streets below :
" How does all this work ?"; he asked referring to the lights and machines
" It's hard to explain. "
" Take your time. "
Michael paced the underground corridors of Section. The rut he knew so well. The rut to Walter's supply lockers. Nikita was already there picking up her gear, and preparing for yet another mission. For the past weeks they were forced on a dozen different missions, and were exhausted both physically and mentally. Operations was sending all disposable Section forces all over the world, with no cause as though why. It seemed as if he was following some invisible pattern only he and Madeline could comprehend, but there was barely anything to find on any of those locations, other than remnants of various thefts of hi-tech equipment. The strangest thing was that there were no terrorist activities for quite some time now, and yet they were all forced as ever.
Nikita was exhausted. Michael was in a better shape than her, but he too couldn't keep it up for long. As she saw him approach, she asked :
" How long are they going to continue to exploit us like this ? This is almost sadistic. Do you have any idea why are they sending us to the edge of the world and back ?"
" Operations is going to make an announcement in ten minutes. "
" The high and mighty Operations. There wasn't a word form any terrorist group in two weeks, and he makes us exercise our endurance. "
" We go where they send us. "
" I'm getting the feeling that you like this kind of life, Michael. Don't you want something more than this ? Don't you want to be free ?"
Michael didn't answer. He took his gear, and went to his seat at the briefing table. Walter came and gave Nikita an information panel for the mission :
" You don't look very healthy, sugar. "
" Tell it to the Operations. "
" In all my years I have never seen him this edgy. Something's brewing. Something big. My advice; be on your guard. "
" Thanks, but if this keeps up, I'll loose my guard completely. "
" You better get going. Good luck sugar. "
She left and took her seat at the table. Operations came seconds after :
" As you already know, various electronic equipment is being stolen all over the world. From the most advanced experimental components, to the simple household appliance. It is all work of one man. "
Using his remote control, he activated the holoprojector and Kain's face appeared hovering above the table. Operations continued :
" This is Dmordovic Kain, but we aren't sure that it is his real name. "
" What is wrong with his face ?"; Nikita asked
" We believe that he had some hazard accident in the past, and therefore bares this mask. He will be easy to spot in the crowd. We would have missed him, but he somehow managed to steal the most advanced prototype processing unit from one of NASA's research facilities. Biercof. "
" The thing goes up to 1.3 terahertz, without diminishing flops or increasing heat. It uses the latest kind of a superconductors and the brilliant logic construction. Due to the nature of the security we have the coordinates of Kain's residence within the next two hovers. "
" Your mission; Infiltrate the facility, cancel Kain, and recover any and all equipment present at the sight. The details are in your panels. That is all. "
He went to the tower, and Michael and Nikita went to the lunch point. As they waited near the metal dour, Nikita said :
" Can you believe it ; now we are after the masked rider. "
" A scared enemy has less to loose, and is more dangerous. "; Michael replied
" I do take this seriously, Michael. I just hope that after this we could have some rest. ( huh ) I'll need an entire spa to get me back on my feet after this. "
The dour opened and the cold silvery lift shined before them invitingly.
" Let's get this over with. "
They've entered and the closing gate hid them from security cameras. Operations switched of that monitor in the tower :
" Are you sure that Michael and Nikita are the right people to put in teem alpha ? Success might cost their lives. "; Madeline noticed
" Our only hope is speed. If Kain succeeds, the world as we know it will perish. We must strike now, and we must strike him hard. "
An old Irish farmer walked his field that night. Suddenly he heard a rumbling noise drawing closer to him. But as he turned to see what that was, he saw nothing. Nothing but his own crop, and the sound still rumbled and grew louder. A convoy of trucks emerged out of nothingness so close to him he fell down on the ground. The trucks were carrying some strange devices under their black awnings, and the people started to unload them instantly. He collected him self and ran to the nearest truck :
" What do you think you're doing ! This is my field !"
The drivers face was hidden in shadows, but his eyes were glittering like flames, and he silently stared at the old farmer while the others started to help unload their cargo. But the farmer paid no heed. He was staring back at the driver for a few minutes and afterwards walked away saying :
" Yeas… I shall. "
After a short chopper flight, teems landed at the field near the supposedly abandoned missile hangar. A silent charge blew up the lid, and they've entered. But as the teems moved trough the maze, they've hardly encountered any resistance worth noting. The hostiles were almost like drunk or sedative, hardly a security for a high profile mission such as this.
" Something isn't right. "; Nikita said, but only the voice of Operations came trough the com link :
" Proceed with the profile. "
She went her way, and met up with Michael near a large double wooden dour in a gilded metal frame. They breached in the chamber, and engaged in a short fight with the resident security. It ended soon, with Nikita making an impressive heal punch to the chest of the last of them, slamming him to the ground.
In a large darkened room, with a thin red carpet, was a wooden desk kept in shades. The lights on the ceiling were lightening only a few inches of it, hiding the rest in darkness. A clapping of hands echoed trough the air, and a grisly figure of Kain slowly stepped out of the shadows :
" Bravo ! Bravo. You both are indeed all that I've expected !"
Michael regained his grip :
" Teem alpha; we have the target. "
" Cancel him on sight !"
" Confirmed. "
Rounds and rounds of bullets showered Kain's pale skin, and he collapsed on the light before the wooden desk. Michael spoke to the com link :
" Target is canceled. "
" Excellent, Michael ! The sweepers shhhhhh….."
" Base, respond !"
There was no answer
" All teems, respond !"; and than the call came from one of the other teems
" Michael, there's something moving… in the dark… No ! Stay back ! Ambussssshhhhhhhh… "
Nikita looked at him, and they both turned for the dour, but they found them closed and sealed. Suddenly, Nikita grabbed Michaels shoulder gesturing him to turn :
" He moved. "; she sad referring to Kain :" I saw it, Michael. "
They slowly approached. Kain was laying in a pool of blood with countless bullets wounds all over him. And yet that pool wasn't nearly as big as it was supposed to be. Nikita kneeled down :
" What kind of a sick puppy do you have to be, to wear this… this isn't a mask Michael !"
" He might be contagious. Infected with something. "
Kain opened his eyes and spoke in an answering tone :
" Cursed, in fact. "
The two jumped back pointing their guns at him, and watched as some invisible hands lifted him back on his feet, very much alive. His wounds started to spit the bullets out, and the blood on the floor begun to leek back into him. They watched shocked as the wounds healed within seconds. Kain caught the last bullet, and examined it in his claw :
" I must thank you for this new experience. They have stabbed me, seared, poisoned, and attempted to kill me in ways you can't even imagine, and this is my first time to get shot. "
He rolled over the small lead pearl between his sharp claw tips ( how his sharp claw tips could roll something so tiny, is due to the vampiric senses and thousands of years of existence ) :
" Interesting sensation… that something so small could cause so much pain. "; he tossed it to Michael :" Put those things away, they are less than useless to you. "
Michael observed the bullet. It was without a drop of blood on it, which made him doubt this whole scene, but he and Nikita lowered their guns silently, awaiting the next act. Kain smiled :
" Your teems are dead, as will the sweepers be once they arrive. Time is short and we do have a lot to talk about… I invite you to except my humble hospitality. "
" Do we have a choice ?"; Nikita asked
" There is always a choice Nikita ; You may die here and now, or you might yet bring some useful info back to Section. So… "; he gestured towards the dour that suddenly opened behind him.
They looked at each other, and than Michael nodded.
" Follow close behind me. You will regret, doing other. "
The two looked at each other again and than followed slowly. As they walked trough the purely lightened corridors, they herd and saw glimpse of some animals in the dark, or so it seemed. The main light was focused on the thin path on which they paced, while the rest of the room was shrouded by almost impenetrable darkness. Fortunately it would seem that the animals were repelled by the light, and though they wouldn't admit it, they tried to stay as much lightened as possible. Finally, Kain led them to rounded silver dour with a carved symbol from his red half cape. He than turned and said :
" My Living quarters. Be honored, for no mortal soul has lived to tell the tail… yet. "
" Are you trying to scare us ?"
" You'll know when I do. "
At the move of his hand the dour opened and he paced in. Michael and Nikita followed. The smell of spilt blood was the first thing that greeted their senses. It seemed that the floor was saturated with it. A long red carpet led from the dour to the table with a large black leather chair behind it and two smaller in front. On each side of the carpet stood a line of four marble pillars with some symbols engraved into them, and Kain's seat held the ninth behind his chair. On these eight pillars were torches, that were lighting the room much better than the other rooms they've passed trough, and the smoke was being drained out trough the ventilation on the ceiling. On the walls were murals depicting man-like beasts slaughtering people, and Kain wielding a large spiral sword.
Kain sat at his chair and gestured them to do the same :
" I'm sure that you have a lot of questions, but introductions first. You are of course, Michael Samuel and Nikita, whose last name I shan't mention. Your codenames are Zack and Zoseffine, Section level 5 and 3, and, not as secret as you'd like to be, lovers. "
" How do you know so much ?"
" We'll get to that. My name is Kain, and you can forget the rest of the nonsense they told you including that "Dmordovic" last name. You could say I'm a traveler, who got stuck here because my pure traveling arrangements. And I hate it. This place is too filthy. Worse yet, I need to get back on my original course, for some meters require my delicate touch. "
They both realized that he wasn't talking about a cruise trip or an intercontinental air flight.
" Riiiiiight… So… you are building your self a space ship. "; Nikita said patronizingly. Kain smiled and placed his claw tips together
" Something like that, though I doubt that even the greatest of human minds could conceive something like that. The procedure will be difficult, giving me only one shot with it. And something as sensitive as that does not need pesky agencies to send their pawns into my layer. "
" Have you tried a family therapist ? There are some really good ones right here in New York. "
Kain grew serious :
" I see that you need a hint of who you are talking to… "
He placed his claws on the edges of the desk. They didn't know what he did, but the room suddenly started spinning. The pain passed trough their heads, and at once everything became yellow…
Michael opened his eyes. He was in a marble bath tub with Nikita by his side, in his wealthy room in his mansion. The romantic white candles were the only light there. It was all just a dream. Suddenly, Nikita drew trough the white foam closer to him. She started kissing his face and hugging him. He allowed her to continue. But as she came to his neck, he felt a sharp pain, and the white foam suddenly grew red with blood. She bit him, painfully and deep. He tried to pull her away, but she held too strong. Finally he ripped her of his skin, and lifted her up. Her face was monstrously deformed and red blood leaked from her pale fangs and mouth. She smiled, and bit him again only deeper. He struggled but she was draining his strength, his life… everything started spinning…
Nikita's voice came trough the darkness :
" Michael… stop… you're… choking me !"
They were on the floor of the dark room before a large wooden desk. He was squeezing her throat in a choke hold. As he realized it, he instantly released her, and they both fell down near their toppled chairs. Kain's silent laughter started echoing the room. He got up and approached the front side of the desk, looking at them from above :
" A small sample from my arsenal… Don't be embarrassed. I've entered minds of far greater creatures than you. "
" What do you want ?"; Michael asked visibly shaken
" As I was saying, Section one has become a nuisance to my schemes. They know what I am. Since I can't reason with them, I'll go for the remaining option available… "
" You want to destroy Section one. "
" Correct. It is a place of evil. You aren't capable for that kind of responsibility. I'll succeed where Adrian has failed, and destroy Section one !"
" You can't. It holds too many strings. Everything would fall apart. "
" There will be some riots at first, but you'll manage to survive… as you always do. "
" You have no idea who and what you are up against. "
" On the contrary ! I know exactly who and what I am up against !"
He reached for a button on the wall behind him, reviling why there wasn't any word from Section's enemies ; The heads of people decorated the entire wall impaled on pikes in a shelf-like freezer. The blood was still dripping down, poring over their faces making them barely recognizable, but they could find a lot of familiar faces from Syndicate, Complex, even Red Cell. As their stomachs twisted and turned, Kain stood up looking at his trophies, admiring his handy work :
" Some overblown humans hungry for my powers. Powers the likes of which they've never tasted before. They will never leave me alone, and though their harts are as cold as mine, burning fear explodes in their blocks of ice. "
" But what do you want from us ? Why don't you just kill us, instead of telling us all this ?"
" You need our help to destroy them. And when we are no longer useful you'll kill us too. "
" First of all, I don't NEED your help, but it would make things easier. Come now. Think ! All I need is three heads to complete my collection : Madeline, Operations, and George. When they stop breeding down your troth, you can have your desired freedom, or even take over and run the place… what's left of it. "
" If you want to offer a bribe you'll have to do better than that. "
" I'm just warming up… If I would have your help, things would be a lot les… bloody, and Biercof and Walter could be unharmed. And let's put Elena and Adam, in the combination… "
Michael suddenly had that hidden explosion of emotions :
" What do you know about my family ?"
" I know more than your week brain can hold in a lifetime ! I also know an interesting fact about Nikita's parentage. Would you like to know something about the subject ?"
They calmed down. After exchanging a few looks, Michael answered :
" We'll need some time to think about it. "
" I figured as much… So, to show my ( he-he ) good nature, I'll let you return to your masters. Please, feel free to tell them anything you want. Oh, and tell them that soon I'll offer a little demonstration... "
Suddenly he stopped in his tracks, as if he was listening to the wind. A wicked smile shined on his face, and he smelled the air with a deep breath :
" Your sweepers are dead, but one still lives. A black hared girl named Jennifer. And so our time draws to an end. I suggest you hurry if you want to save her. I'll contact you again with in 12 hours. "
" How ?"
" Let's just say, you'll know it's me. "; he looked at them gesturing to the dour :" God by !"
They stood up and swiftly paced away. This dialog wasn't the most pleasant experience, and they just wanted to leave. But just as they taught that this night couldn't be more filled with horrors, a blue skeleton with glowing eyes opened the dour. Raziel was surprised to see living humans in Kain's presence but one could say that they were more surprised to se him.
" What is this thing you are stewing Kain ?"; he asked in Nosgothic
They started arguing on some unknown language that sounded somehow German or Austrian. It lasted for a short time and ended with Kain yelling :
" Damn you Raziel, I don't need your permission to terrorize mortals ! Since you care about them so much, escort them out. If they aren't to be served as a meal. "
Raziel looked inside them, and what he saw in their souls gave him cause to pity them both. Their qualities and skills were many… a perfect toy for someone like Kain. Kain than spoke in Nosgothic again :
" If you want them to live, you won't spoil the surprise. "; and vanished in a white flash.
Raziel glanced briefly at them again, and than turned and gestured them to follow. As he led them trough purely lightened corridors, they kept distance examining him from behind. The "creature" wasn't a robot or a hologram, but still it moved, and appeared to be intelligent. Finally, IT spoke to them in a sudden startling manner :
" Staring won't give you your answers. "
" What are you suppose to be ?"
" Your way out. "
" One monster to deliver us from the other. "; Nikita said
Raziel grumbled something to him self and continued. Shortly after, Michael asked :
" What is your connection to Kain ?"
" None of your busyness. "
" What can you tell us about him. "
Raziel stopped and turned slowly. He seemed somehow more frightening now in the neon light from above. His claw swung like lightning and pressed Michael against the wall. He tried to brake free but it was in vain. The grip was too strong. Like he was being squeezed by an iron wrench. Raziel's empty glowing eyes shined before his face :
" You are very brave, mortal… but also very ignorant. Even the bravest of you shouldn't dare ask about him, not even in their worst moments of madness. "
" Relies him !"; Nikita ordered pointing her gun at him
He looked at her in such way, she realized how stupid such act would be, but Raziel had no intention of expanding their fears. Instead, he humored their folly, and released Michael from his grip :
" He cares about nothing and no one but his selfish agenda. To achieve it, he will stop at nothing and won't look back at the waist land that will follow. All of Nosgoth is in his claws and all humans, slaves and cattle. You are nothing more than amusing sheep to him. A peace of dancing meet on his plate. "
" So what do we do than ?"
" Nothing. You were ensnared in his web the moment you set foot in this place. Now you bread when he gives you air. "
" And if we don't ?"
" I didn't. "
He turned and walked forward. They followed. This creature was somehow more appealing than Kain, despite his gross visage, and it made them both trust him a little more than they were wiling. Raziel felt that and said :
" For what it's worth, you have my pity. I… feel sorry for you. "
From than on, they were silent. But quiet passages were filled with the same mowing shadows that lurked and watched them from a distance. It seemed like these shades were keeping away from their guide, and the distance the two were keeping behind Raziel slowly reduced. Finally they reached a blood stained room filled with familiar bodies of their teems and sweepers, both. Like all that was left of them was dragged here down their path. Amidst the carnage and mutilated flesh, one was still moving. Jennifer. Michael took her in his arms, and she spoke, delirious :
" …Michael… they've come,… and… we couldn't… "
But just as he lifted her up, Raziel noticed two familiar tiny red holes on her neck, amidst the other injuries. This was the demonstration Kain mentioned. It was his bite mark on her troth. But he knew he couldn't save them not even if he'd tell them. As far as he was concerned, they were already dead. And besides, he didn't really care. Only thing he wanted from them, was to kill them after Kain turns them into vampires. Michael asked :
" Why is he letting us go ?"
" For amusement, curiosity, game… You can never figure him out, so don't bother. "
" And what about you ? Why are you helping us ?"
" Because I've caused enough damage. "
Shortly after, they've come to a ladder that led up to the hatch for the outside. Raziel hurled a TK blast that opened it. He than faced them, and said :
" Take my advice and burn to ashes everyone you care for, and than your self. It's much better than the alternative. "; He shifted into spirit realm.
Michael and Nikita climbed as fast as they could. Despite their strong, brave faces, this place was creeping them out, and all they wanted was some fresh air. A chopper in which the sweepers came, was waiting just outside, with its pilot dead and bleeding next to it. Nikita sat at the pilot seat, and Michael placed Jennifer inside. Soon after, they were air born.
Raziel shifted out in the room where Kain had his reception. Kain was also there, admiring his trophy shelf, turned with his back towards Raziel. As Raziel entered, Kain's face gained a grumpy look.
" You bit the girl !"; Raziel yelled :" Is there no end to your defiling !"
" I don't have to justify any of my actions to you, Raziel, since it is your anger, rather that concern for their well being that makes you attack me ! Why haven't you burned some of it on the Asian Dawn ? I've expected you'd wipe them out 'till sunrise. "
" How do you know that I've had any contact with them ? You send me out to test my lore,… but you knew that they were lurking for me, didn't you. You wanted me out of the way until you deal with these two. "
" And you would also dump some of your frustration on them rather on me. Not to mention getting them out of my picture. It was brilliant, except I didn't expected mercy on your part. You've changed, Raziel. "
" Take a good look at me, Kain, and tell me how could I've remained the same. "
Kain was still not turning.
" What's the point. It won't cool your hot blood, so to speak. "
" But your death might. "
Kain laughed to him self :
" Everything dies. Death is unimportant. What is important is the lore. When the time comes, will you go for your quest blindly or with your eyes opened, I wonder ?"
" Quit speaking in riddles. What role have you imagined me in your vision of future !"
" Wait 'till we get back. "
" No tell me now, Kain !"
Kain finally turned :
" Or… what ?"
Raziel's claw made a fist, and his eyes became two tin glowing lines. Kain laughed :
" So you couldn't keep up your side of our deal after all ? Very well ! If this is what it takes for you to come to your senses, than I'll show you what you are up against. It is time to teach you some manners. "
" Come, Kain, and let us both be taught a lesson or two… "
Than came the greatest duel in the history of this world. The greatest of all duels, and no one ever knew about it. It is said that the ground on that sight still trembles and the caves below the earth still echo with angry screams of rage and combat. All of Kain's children gathered to witness this spectacle, observing from the distance with their senses.
Raziel jumped at Kain with the reaver, but he dogged, and found him self behind Raziel, snapping his neck. Raziel appeared out of the spirit realm, and lunched again. Kain grabbed him in TK grip, and hurled him in the air. He tossed and bounced him on the pillars and the walls. The next time Kain shifted into his bat-form and attacked from all directions at once. For half hover he wasted his dark gifts upon Raziel, and than he grew tired of it. A frontal confrontation followed, with Kain hurling just some of his magic on Raziel every time to strip him of the reaver. Claws swung trough the air, punches and kicks tore the silence, and only for an instant a brief pause started when Kain pressed Raziel on the copy of the nature pillar :
" Give up, Raziel ! I taught you all your moves !"
" Then I'll have to improvise !"
He placed his foot on the pillar, and kicked him self and Kain off, backwards. Kain dissolved into mist, and streamed away, but didn't get far. Raziel hurled a TK blast and knocked him on the table. From that moment on, Raziel was in the offensive, and Kain had to defend, slowly loosing strength and speed.
Finally he yelled :
" You are becoming VERY annoying !"
" You can't beet me Kain, I am indestructible !"
" Like a cockroach !"
Kain absorbed red energy from the air, and charged at him like a runaway train. But just as he was about to sweep him of the floor, Raziel shifted away, and Kain just passed trough air. Unable to stop him self, he broke the pillar of time-copy, and also passed trough the wall, and another one, and few more in other rooms. Raziel jumped trough these new doorways and continued the battle there. Finally, he knocked Kain down, and pressing his chest with a foot, he placed the reaver beneath his throat :
" ( huh, huh, huh ) You loose… Kain !"
" Do I ? What did I loose ( huh ) by this ?"
" Tell me of your plans, or I will kill you. "
" He, he, HE ! It's not over yet ! Not while I have cards up my sleeve !"
Kain grabbed his foot and leg, and tossed him on his back. He than jumped on him and held him pressed on the floor. Raziel struggled to free him self, but the more he struggled, the more Kain squeezed him. A rumbling sound echoed the room, and Kain's grip was finally gone. Raziel turned to see a cloud of mist, and a big large stone falling to his head from above. Kain collapsed the roof with his TK powers burying them both on the spot.
Raziel came to in a spirit realm. He was in a black box, made of rubble bended by the power of the spectral realm. He was standing in the portal for outside. As he shifted the box fused around him, and he found himself under a couple of tons of rock. Trough the hole in the ceiling of that room and the floors above, one could see the stars at the end of a long vertical shaft. All the upper flours came down on top of them.
Kain's children gathered around in silence. Mist suddenly started to emanate trough the cracks and rubble, and Kain formed outside, leaving Raziel trapped under it.
Raziel screamed and yelled, and the entire pile of stone shook before his efforts to free him self. Kain ignored it. He came to a blood storage, and took a large drink to restore him self. After a while he spoke :
" How does your indestructibility helps you now ?"
" Just you wait, Kain ! I'll be out of here soon enough !"
" Not "soon enough", Raziel, but "eventually". Your head is too hard even for the stone on top of it. Suppose I pore a little more gravel. By the time you get out, even I might get wings. "
Raziel stilled him self :
" It seems that I've underestimated you. "
" That was your first mistake. "; Kain said in an educating manner :" You aren't unbeatable, and you certainly aren't indestructible. The reaver can still destroy you. "
" What are you rambling ? It couldn't destroy me before ! And it is mine now, bound to me forever !"
" Take care, Raziel, for the reaver is a good instrument, but a terrible master to those who underestimate its powers. A mistake made before by the Sarafan Lord, and that idiot William. Don't make the same mistake your self. "
He than spoke to his children :
" Free him !"
" But sire… "; Leo said. Kain just looked at him with a dread gaze, and he immediately started removing the rubble. Others joined shortly after, and soon Raziel broke out. Kain gave him a hint on the map screen :
" This is where the device shall be assembled. You have ten minutes to get out before the detonation. "
" You leave nothing behind. "; Raziel said in a noticing manner.
" I hope you've learned enough tonight. Until the next lesson."
He shifted in his bat form, and flied away, followed by his lieutenants and the others.
Raziel got out and with a cold and steady walk he paced in his direction, while the red flames of the explosion in Kain's sanctuary lit the night sky. But his direction wasn't towards where Kain had shown him, but to the direction of that chopper.