Lessa in Peril

As the earthen entity melted back into his grounded home, dispelled by its vampiric summoner, Abel wrinkled his nose, regaining his full consciousness. The scent of rancid, rotten flesh and stale blood reached his heightened senses. From where it came he did not know, or even whose it was. That was, until Jessie answered his wonderings for him as he heard her approach. "Little One, are we all accounted for?" "Yes, but Lessa..." Yes, a female's blood it was, though the scent was heavily clouded by the rancid curse. "Take me to her."
As Jessie took the claw he gave her and led the kindred to where Lessa lay, Lessa shook her head lazily, using the strength that swiftly faded to speak. "This…is nothing you can reverse or cure..." "I know very well that it cannot be cured," he said softly, kneeling down beside her as he followed her voice and labored breaths, "it must be removed." Lessa parted her lips to speak again, but, whether it was a question or statement, it was lost as Abel spoke over her. "Relax, you might as well accept my services whilst you still can...Someone aid me and hold her, please," he selectively whispered to the group that had gathered, and he found Lent obligingly ready to keep his dear friend still.
Abel held down his grimace as he found the black leaking wound, his touch so light she could barely feel it until he began to summon his clerical magic. He swirled the tip of his claw in the cursed vitae that had gathered, getting as close as he could to the wound, coaxing the liquid to snake magically around the hardened finger. It was from there the kindred slowly began to pull and wind the solidified ailment around his spread, cloven fingers like a spindle.
The blackened blood, Lessa could feel, was separating from what was left of her own and was being pulled from her like a worm, sliding from the veins it had coursed though. Discomfort came first, but as Abel had the now rope-like black around his three cloven fingers, the curse struggled to stay with its host and caused the kindred to stop at the first sign of resistance.
He gave Lent a knowing glance before continuing. It was if it had claws, raking their nails along the walls of her veins as he proceeded to remove the rebellious blood, but it was either this or the final death...and Lessa wasn't too keen on dying again.

Izael picked up the Sword and walked to see if Lessa was okay, the paralyzing curse having lifted after Shadow Lord's death. He looked at what Abel was doing. "You could've just asked me to counter that curse. After all, I hold the exact opposite of the blade that did this." It was good to see his friends were ok, though Lent had been turned to vampire, if Izael was correct. If they'd survive this through, he would ask Lent what it is like to die and awake into a new existence. But now was not the time. Izael turned to Gadorian and Novanus. Novanus was still holding his head and was not looking too good. Izael said quickly, "The Shadow Lord told me of his plans. We must get moving. There are whole armies marching to eliminate us. The barriers between the worlds will crumble today." With that, Izael turned and started walking. Dark shapes were already forming in the distant horizon. "They are coming."

Novanus awoke from his sleep. The vampire stood up on his cloven feet and walked to the glowing embers of the fire and sat down. "Novanus." The vampire seer twisted his head quickly but found the others all asleep. Who had called his name? "I'm here, Novanus." He turned again but saw nothing. The voice had come from the nearby stream. He followed the quiet whispering until he was kneeling by the stream bank. He stared into the water.
His reflection smiled. Novanus didn't. "So kind of you to arrive," said the reflection. Novanus stared in wonder at the talking reflection. "What are you?" he asked in a strained voice. "You," came the reply. "What do you mean, me? You can't be." "None-the-less I am. I've come to give you some important information." Novanus' heart skipped a beat. Was this a crucial moment when he might discover a tool to unlock Dark Eden? "What is this news? Please tell me." "You know." "Know what?" "You're of no use to the others now." Novanus stiffened, asking, "And why is that?" "Because you're lost to them." Novanus looked puzzled and said, "Lost? I think not." "Oh no, you are truly lost," came the response with ominous finality.
The moonlight cast on the stream changed to a sickly green. The stream began to glow. Novanus grabbed his head in pain and then began to laugh. Not a laugh of amusement or even joy but one completely devoid of anything. He felt himself spiral out of control into the flowing stream in front of him and his still smiling reflection. Novanus awoke with a blood sweat on his brow. Where was he? More importantly, who was he?

Jessie watched Abel remove the black blood from Lessa's wound. Jessie cringed as the curse tore up Lessa's insides in an attempt to remain within her. Jessie hated to see this happen to Lessa, but it was necessary. Izael's blade must not be tainted by the Vukodlak. Jessie was tense, suspicious of this curse inflicted on Lessa. The Vukodlak should not have broken that easily. The flame sword was strong, but it was not that strong. It was almost as if the Shadow Lord had willed the Vukodlak to break. Yes, it had been a sacrifice. Let them think that they had won, then destroy them from within.
It happened very quickly. The cursed blood suddenly released Lessa completely and launched itself towards Abel's face. Abel didn't see it coming. Jessie had been expecting it, though, and she lunged over and caught the black slime before it reached Abel's face. Abel understood what was happening and shouted for Lent to take Lessa and get back. Lent helped her to stand and the two walked a considerable distance away. Already, Lessa's blood was bringing her back to full health.
Jessie and Abel struggled with the slime, trying to hold it and keep it from infecting Abel. Abel was still holding it, and it took advantage of this by trying to sink into his skin. Jessie released a shock of energy from her hand into the vile blood. The blood went slack long enough for Abel to withdraw his hand. Jessie watched the cursed blood writhe and squirm in her hands as if it was alive. It probably WAS alive. When the Vukodlak had been destroyed, all of its power and energy went into its final curse. Jessie mulled over the Shadow Lord's last words to her, comprehension just on the edge of consciousness. Suddenly, the cursed blood lost viscosity and streamed through Jessie's fingers like water. It began to absorb energy from the place where it landed. Jessie felt the ground grow cold beneath her feet. The Shadow Lord's last words were now painfully clear.
He had said, "Do you remember how the Vukodlak was forged?" She did remember. The Hylden had commissioned Lamediel to make it like the Reaver and had given it to one who they thought was their champion. In truth, this "champion" was an extension of the Nerayan that had managed to cross the barrier between worlds and enter Nosgoth. When this warrior turned on the Hylden, the Vukodlak devoured the warrior completely. Shortly after, the Hylden had been banished and the Pillars erected to bind them in the other dimension. Unknown to the vampires, the Pillars also served to block out the Nerayan. Now, the only Nerayan left in Nosgoth was on the ground before Jessie, attempting to create a full material form. Jessie knew that it must be prevented from opening the way for its brethren or all was lost.

Izael turned back to see what was taking the others so long. Didn't they understand that by staying here they were doing exactly as the Shadow Lord had meant for them to do? Could they not see the growing stain in the horizon? What he saw was a beaten and tired group on the brink of collapsing. Desperation filled Izael's heart. How could they ever win against such an overwhelming foe if only the smallest battle to be fought took such an amount of strength?

Jessie stared at the puddle of matter on the ground in front of her. It was the essence of the Nerayan and it was desperately draining energy out of the environment in order to obtain enough to create a true material form. Jessie had to contain it somehow. She cast a spherical shield around it, hoping to trap it. Instantly she felt it probing her shield from the inside and in reflex she shattered the shield so that the Nerayan wouldn't be able to probe it for weaknesses. She intended to make it out of this and it just wouldn't do to have the Nerayan capable of piercing her shielding.
Abel cast a spell to try to banish the Nerayan slime back to its own dimension, but the black blood could not be expelled without opening a pathway between the two worlds, so Abel stopped to think. Without warning, the slime oozed into the dirt and disappeared. A few seconds later, a scream drew Jessie's and Abel's attention. The scream was from Lessa. In her weakened state, she was still vulnerable and the slime had sprung out of the ground. It encased Lessa in a bubble, growing as it fed off of her life's energy. Jessie told Abel to stay back. She went forward and grabbed Lent, pulling him away as well. He was standing there, paralyzed with shock over what was happening. Time was running out and Jessie still didn't know how to contain this enemy. Perhaps it was time for Izael and his Sword to meet the Nerayan after all.

Lessa had been leaning on a tree when the black slime had gone into the ground. Had it gone? She did not know. She looked to Novanus, who was still clutching his head. What was wrong with him? No doubt the Nerayan were up to something. She took a step forward towards him when something coiled around her leg. She looked down and saw that the black slime was crawling up her; it burned like fire. Lessa screamed as the slime enveloped her.
Blackness consumed her but the pain remained. She could see outside as if looking through. She could see Izael run towards her, she saw his blade strike but it just got sucked in. Lessa saw the blade hover in front of her, then she could see Izael's shocked face. She had to get it back to him somehow. She could hear the creature laughing. It was so sure it had won. The only way Izael could kill this thing was if it was constrained somehow, but HOW? Then Lessa knew what she had to do. The reason why no one was cured from the blade was because when the curse was extracted, it let the Nerayan gain form. They only way they could hope to win was if Lessa took it back into herself.
Grasping the sword, Lessa cut her palm and let the blood flow into the darkness. She must hurry, the thing was nearly upon Izael. Suddenly her wrist began to burn like before, her plan was working. "Noooo. You can not defeat me, you will all die," screamed the slime. "Yes I can," said Lessa in a strained, pain-filled voice. The creature tried to reason with her, "But if you do this, you will die. You can not live with me in your blood." "And you can do nothing but go to the abyss while joined to me. I am ready to die, foul thing. Are you?" "NOOOOOOOO!" it screamed, but it could do nothing.
Lessa felt her legs touch the ground as the black entity was sucked back into her. She collapsed to her knees holding the sword. "Izael, I think this belongs to you," said Lessa, managing a weak smile. "Lessa," said Izael, taking the blade. Abel walked over to heal her again. "No, my friend, you must let me go, this thing must die with me," she said, falling back, but she did not fall far. Lent was there to catch her. "Lessa, we can't just let you die!" said Lent, his blood tears starting to flow. "It's okay, you have to." Lessa turned to Abel. "I know you search for Kain and I trust you so I will tell you how to find him. Go to Meridian and find the Blue Lady Inn. Knock and a vampire will ask you what you want. Ask to speak to Vorador, tell them Lessa sent you. That will gain you entry. I can not be sure you will see Kain, you will have to convince my father before he will let you, but he will hear you out." Lessa could sense, even in this state, that Lent did not approve. "Lent, if he truly is a threat to Kain, Vorador will know."

She gasped in pain before going on, "Gad...Take care, you are not a failure and I will not have you think otherwise, even if I have to come back from the abyss and hit you one to remind you." Lessa was still smiling, even through all of the pain. Gadorian bent down and held her hand. Lessa squeezed it in thanks. "Gad, if I ask you to do something, will you promise me to do it?" Lessa asked, looking into his eyes. "Of course, child, anything." "Look after Novanus, he will need you. If there is any way I can return and help I will, but I need you to promise to look after him." Lessa gripped his hands tighter, searching his face. "I promise, Lessa," Gadorian replied as he stroked her face. Lessa smiled and, looking at Lent, she had one more thing to ask before she could let go. When she spoke, it was barely a whisper, so Lent had to lean down. "Lent, when you return to Vorador, tell him I'm sorry, and that I love him."
Tears came to Lessa's eyes, but the red blood now flowed black. She looked up to the stars and smiled. Finally she convulsed in pain as the being made one final attempt to escape...and then...Lessa...simply...Let go...The others saw the life leave Lessa as her body sagged to the ground...she had gone.
Izael looked how life left Lessa, tears blinding his eyes. He never thought something like this could ever happen. Vampires were supposed to be immortal, not weak and fragile like humans. Suddenly something caught his attention. The black...entity was still trying to leave Lessa's already dead body. Izael knew what must be done but was afraid to do it. He took up the Sword and concentrated for a moment, making the blade burn in white, cleansing fire. He then touched Lessa's body gently with the blade, and watched as it caught fire and started to burn. He could swear he heard the slime scream as it desperately squirmed to leave the inferno. They all just stood there for a while, until cruel wind had scattered the ashes and they were sure the black slime was no more. Then they all turned away, tears running down their faces that showed grim determination. The time of revenge was at hand.
Jessie was very sad about what had just happened. She felt extremely frustrated that she had not been able to prevent Lessa's death. Strangely, though, she did not sense the Elder God's laughter that he usually taunted her with when he claimed one of her friends. What could that mean? Maybe the threat from the Nerayan was great enough that he wanted her full attention focused on saving Nosgoth and, by extension, saving himself.
Jessie and her remaining friends stood in the cruel wind, facing the oncoming battle. The anger over Lessa's death gave them strength and the desire for vengeance. Jessie was about to suggest that they continue moving when something registered in her mind. With all of their attention focused on Lessa, they had not noticed Novanus' absence. Where was he? "Has anyone seen Novanus?" she asked.

Izael looked at the horizon, which now was clearly black. He could almost make out forms of shadows moving fast towards them in an unstoppable wave. "There is no time to search for him. We can only pray he will eventually show up." "What do you mean? We can't simply leave him." Izael turned to face Jessie, "There is a huge darkness coming for us as we speak. If we waste time searching for Novanus we can all end up dead." With that, Izael pointed to the direction of the darkness. Its growth could now be clearly seen.
Jessie looked to the pointed direction and seemed surprised, "I see nothing out of the ordinary. Now let's go find Novanus, we can't win the upcoming battle without him." Izael stared at her like she was mad. "Can you not see them? How they are coming for us? WE GOTTA GET MOVING!" "All seems normal to me," said Lent. Izael didn't know what to do. He turned to look at Gadorian for support. Gadorian merely said, "You see something we cannot. This is very troubling." Izael could now clearly make out the forms of individual shadows, how they all moved in perfect unison. They almost covered the sun with their horrible presence. Izael knew their time was up. He started running, his face a mask of sheer horror. The shadows blackened the sun. Izael could hear the strange voice they made as they floated on. He stumbled, stood up, and ran faster. He knew he wouldn't make it in time. All light dimmed, the Sword being the only source of light in the utter darkness. Izael turned to look back. He couldn't see his friends. He was caught alone in the overwhelming darkness that was alive in a horrible way. Dark hands reached for him everywhere, but avoided the light of the Sword. It was all over. He could fight, but eventually he would grow tired and the darkness would take him.

Novanus wandered through the forest searching, for what he didn't know, but there was something out there which would give him the answers he required. He was a vampire. That much he knew. It was perplexing how he could still remember what a vampire was, but not who he was. The pale moonlight lanced down through the canopy of trees, providing more than enough light for his vampiric sight to focus on the terrain. Novanus stopped walking and sat upon the broken trunk of an old tree. Things just didn't make any sense any more.
"There you are, silly." Novanus looked up into the large watery eyes of a young girl. She couldn't have been more than seven or eight years old. Her face was white like porcelain but it beamed with an inner warmth that for some reason made Novanus feel like he was home. "You know me?" he whispered. "Father, will you stop playing now? We have to go." The young girl held out her hand. "Father!" Novanus reeled from the word. "Honestly, father, I just wanted to play a simple game and you went and spoilt it. Mother will be so disappointed." "Mother?" Novanus allowed himself to be pulled into the woods by the girl, if only to have his questions answered.

Lessa awoke to find herself in the woods. She looked down at herself to check the wound...and found it gone. "What the hell?" Lessa gasped. She stood up and looked at her hands. She could see through them. "What is going on?" her mind asked. She had died, she knew she had, so how could she be here? She walked up to a tree and leaned against it. She now took in her surroundings. The trees were warped and black and everything had a green blurry hue to it as if she was underwater looking out. There were muffled screams and moans coming to her ears now as if, again, she was hearing underwater.
"What are you doing here, child?" said a voice next to her ear. Lessa spun around but no-one was there. "Wh...who are you?" she asked in a timid voice. "It does not matter who I am," said the voice in a very deep tone, "but I come to tell you that a friend of yours needs your help." "Who? who needs my help, tell me!" Lessa shouted at the voice. "Novanus." "But how will I get to him? I'm dead," Lessa said in defeat. "Will yourself, child, and it will be done, but I warn you - making yourself visible and being able to do things in the physical world will drain you. Drain yourself too much and you will return to the wheel," said the voice, fading away. Lessa could have sworn that before it faded completely it had started to laugh. Lessa focused her mind on Novanus as Vorador had taught her to use her will. The world about her began to change to the way she knew it, and there in front of her was Novanus walking through the forest. He seemed to be following something. Lessa decided to follow him.

"Come on, father. You're being so slow. We have to hurry or dinner will be spoilt, and mother will be ever so cross." Dinner? The mere concept seemed strange to Novanus. He was clearly a vampire but this girl, she displayed no characteristics of having been afflicted with the dark gift. "Hold a second, child. Who are you?" The girl looked up at him perplexed. For some reason she reminded him of someone. "Are you sick, papa?" she asked quizzically. "Do you remember when I was sick? I got all of those blotches all over my face and mother and you took turns to sit and look after me." Even as the girl spoke, Novanus' worries fell away. He knew something was wrong but he simply didn't care. He did remember sitting by the child's bed. The realization that this child was, in fact, his came as no surprise at all.
"Kira," Novanus crouched down and pulled his daughter into a loving embrace.
"Father, what's wrong?" "Nothing now, child, lead on." Kira led her father through to a clearing filled with large ornate tents. Children played amongst them whilst adults cooked outside upon their carefully prepared fires. The smells of the food did not make Novanus hungry at all, but he paid no heed to this fact. Around the central fire a group of musicians were playing a tune that was hauntingly familiar. It was an old tune, one of his masters. He had heard it recently but he couldn't remember where. At the sight of Novanus they all cheered and struck up a new beat, one which was a lot more cheerful. Children ran to dance around the musicians whilst their parents brought out the evening meal. The tribe would eat out together tonight. Tonight was special. Tonight the Serioli celebrated the return of their seer.
Out of one of the tents stepped the most beautiful woman Novanus had ever seen. Her figure was shapely and when she smiled at him, her face glowed and his heart skipped a beat. She carefully placed her contribution to the evening meal by the fire to stay warm and then walked towards him. "Welcome home, my love," she said, and promptly embraced him. The moment their lips touched, Novanus knew he had come home.

Orugarde knelt before the Priestess, awaiting her next direction. She motioned for the young apprentice to follow as she walked toward the large stone doors marking the exit. "Orugarde, I have another task for you. Now that Kour is preoccupied with obtaining the Eye, we can proceed to plan. You must now return to the temple. A small group of warriors loyal to the 'New Order' awaits your return. Your task is to lead this group to find the location of the Divine One and bring Him here, unharmed." "Yes, My Lady." But before he left, the Priestess warned, "Orugarde, heed my words. He must not be awakened." "Yes, My Lady." And with that, Orugarde left the Grotto.
From a nearby alcove, a figure in the shadows watched as Orugarde ascended the cave, alone. "Patience is not for the young, is it Orugarde?" he thought, a hint of sarcasm in the tone. His eyes, once warm and sympathetic, were now cold and focused, as they followed Orugarde, watching his outline melt into the background and disappear from view. Turning back into the alcove, the silent figure walked into the shadows, a little older, a little wiser…