Chapter six ; The beginning of the end
A human and a vampire walked trough dark caverns north of Meridian, and soon a large iron gate that opened before them led them to a sharp cliff above an unknown sea. It was an entire ocean stretching before them with its distant waves below passed trough sharp ridges unstirred making echoing crashes over the green stone and filling the air with the smell of salt. What was amazing was the presence of the ocean here. It was never displayed in any map and yet it stretched before them merging into the horizon. The cliff it self was made of dark green rock and it provided an ancient path filled with cracks and insecure spots that could result in a very painful drop if one wasn't careful. It almost seemed like another hidden world and not like a part of Nosgoth, as if it was another dimension or a dream.
Kain led them on slowly, considering the speed of his companion. General Leiman walked behind him minding his every step, but also distracted slightly by his new knowledge. Even now he could see or sense fade and barely noticeable strings of Saih that rippled around them while they walked. He had to pay special attention to notice it and it would loose it self whenever his focus would slip. That made it obvious why it remained hidden for so long. No one would ever found it without knowing how to look. Naryah fascinated him. It was a wonder of nature and he was strongly determined to share it with others but first he and Kain had to save Adella and her siblings.
After a short while they've reached what was obviously their quest object. A huge green fortress of stone rose from the ocean before them. Shrouded in monotonous fog it appeared like a creepy illusion from a forgotten nightmare but still its sight somehow pleased Kain. They stood at the other end of a broken bridge looking at almost unreachable gap before the fortress.
" Are you sure it's here ?"
" Everything inside me is saying that it is. "
" That sounds too obvious. "
" That's why it is. Besides, I can sense Adella, Tarian and Jasmine now. "
" Are they all right ?"
" I don't know. "; he said while trying to be more specific :" Vorador holds my thrall by powerful parasitic spirits of his dead progeny. Those brides emanate from three rings I bestowed upon them in my ignorance. Those rings must get off or their soles will be slain… "
A sound of cracking stone broke the monotony of waves and it seemed like a wall came to life on the other side. It was a huge statue in a spiked metal armor bearing a large dark saber gripped in its fist. It was as tall as four men. The golem slowly approached the edge and his every step made the earth tremble and shake.
" WHO GOES ?"; it asked with a slow and deep voice that sounded like pebbles crumbling in his throat
" This is knew… "; Kain observed
" WHO GOES ?"; it asked again
" We don't have time for this. "
Kain drew out the reaver and before General realized, he jumped over the gap at the stone creature. But the blade of the reaver just banged on the creature's armor and as Kain paused to observe it, the golem slammed him with its saber knocking him into the abyss below. General Leiman run to the edge looking down in a shock, but just Kain appeared behind him acting like he was in a bad headache.
" Impossible. "; he said :" Nothing can resist the reaver's bite. "
" Before you bang your head on that thing again… "
" I won't bang my head at it. I'll grind it to dust !"
" Wait !"; General yelled :" There's no time for you to fight this thing right now. "
" YOU SHALL NOT PASS. "; the golem responded from the other side
Kain calmed him self observing this guard.
" Vorador has always bean good with metals. That alloy just might be the same thing the reaver was forged of. "
General realized that Kain was talking about his sword, but he didn't take much heed to it.
" It is strong, armored and skilled, "; General observed :" but it doesn't seem all that agile or bright. "
" And also it is clumsy and standing on a ledge. "; Kain smiled before jumping over again.
This time he jumped over the swinging saber and rolled under golem's feet. Before the stone brut turned Kain stabbed the reaver into the ground and run dragging it trough the flour, cutting it. The saber rose and stroke once more but this time Kain dodged it. The ground trembled with the mighty blow and the ledge beneath golem's feet broke of, collapsing together with the stone creature into the murky depths below. A couple of jumps later and they were both approaching the entrance.
A huge gate of green iron was sealing the way into the fort, higher even than its former guard and twice as broad. Above it was mounted something that seemed like a round clock, but it was broken and useless. Kain tossed a swift glare at it and once more took the reaver in his hands. The blade passed trough the gate's steal like trough butter and he slowly started to cut a dour way of his own. As the blade came out, Kain simply pushed the metal and the cut lid fell into the inside.
" That is a mighty sword. "; General noticed
Kain looked at the reaver almost sadly and said as he was placing it on his back :
" I wish it wasn't… ugh ! "
" What's wrong !"
Kain grabbed for his chest and backed on the metal surface in pain :
" … n… nothing… grrrrr. "
" Are you capable for this ?"
" I'm fine. "; Kain said decisively :" It passed. "
" What ?"
" Nothing. Let's go. "; he turned and went trough the gate.
They stepped in. The first impression General Leiman had once his eyes observed a huge chamber before them was dust. Layers and layers of greenish dust and spider webs coiled around every object like no one entered here for thousands of years. It all stood unstirred by draft or their steps, probably entwined to such measure to resist even stronger dashes of wind, sustaining the air inside clean and untainted. On left and right wall viewed from the entrance, stood balcony-like platforms broken at some places connected by also broken staircases. Something that used to be a statue stood in the center of the hall but now it was just a chunk of black rock with its debris piled around it. It was very tall once but now it seemed like it's only a half of its height. Long dangling chains decorated the high ceiling, also occupied by holes and cracks that scarcely cast pillars of ghastly moonlight illuminating the scene and making it more gruesome, which was quite strange since the moon was concealed by thick clouds when they last checked. But what was obviously most important to Kain was a presence of twelve braziers lit with green flame. They were placed by six on each side of the entrance hall and each of them was made of a burning bronze plate which was hanging from a scull stabbed on a stick. Green light merged with the color of the walls, tones of dust and old spider webs making a sickeningly grim decor which made Kain smile a bit :
" General Leiman ; Welcome to the Eternal Prison !"
Now that it was named, the place seemed even more revolting but its name was completing it perfectly. Kain felt quite comfortable about it, something that General didn't share.
" Be careful as you walk behind me. "; Kain warned him over his shoulder :" Every pebble here was boiled in poison. "
The old general walked close behind Kain with his hand on his pulse gun when ever they weren't jumping over large gaps and cracks. Kain led them fast trough the ancient halls while his escort was minding to step on his tracks with his feet. They passed by broken dungeons and many malignant looking devices and hooks but so far it all seemed more than deserted. At one point General glared at his wrist watch only to realize that its digits were decreasing.
" It's broken. "
" Your watch is perfectly fine. "; Kain tossed like he saw him glare at it
" Than why is it running backwards ?"
" Time warps into a strange loop within these walls. If its river would have a lagoon, it would be here. Aging has no meaning once you are inside. "
General took interest and Kain continued :
" Long ago it served as a refuge from burdens of destiny. Great leaders used to come here and wait until the taint of their wrongs washed away before they would surface again. It was quite a beautiful resort once… "; they turned around the corner :" That is until the Jailors came. "
A well preserved statue of a human like creature with a long pointy hood concealing its face, armed with a large scythe stood like a guard along their path. It seemed that this one won't come to life like that one outside.
" These things ?"
" Yes… "; Kain stopped to observe it :" A most toilsome creatures. It was a great pleasure to finally shut them up. "
" So you've bin here before. Do you remember where you are going or are you following your instinct ?"
" A bit of both. I must admit that I've forgotten a few turns. "; he led the way on resuming the tale :" Thinking that they were fulfilling some grater agenda, Jailors turned once a most desired halls into their insane experiment. They've placed bars on every passage, torture devices in every corner and populated this place with all those who were guilty of breaking higher laws, to forever contemplate their wrongs and atone for their crimes trough endless suffering. "
Before he finished the sentence, Kain came to a huge canal separating the ledge they were standing on and the distant wall on the other side. Hanging in mid air on long chains from the ceiling descended metal boxes that appeared to be cells as well, and between them they could see the passage practically unreachable in the upper left corner of the wall. Kain seemed puzzled.
" I don't remember it standing like this. "
" Can't you zap us over there ?"
" Not within this place. "
It was not possible to jump between hanging boxes for they were blocking the path too much, but Kain just grew serious.
" Wait here. "
He jumped on a nearest metal box and grabbing for its edge climbed on its roof with some difficulty for the metal was hard and slippery. He was jumping from box to box trying to reach the other side in that way. General Leiman stood like a forgotten baggage on the end of the corridor with nothing but hope that he won't be left behind. At least now that he had some spare time he could observe barely visible golden strings around him. Zan were flowing around even within the depths of such a place while their currents were curving over the walls rocks and stones. But than he noticed that they were curving and detouring far too much over the empty air above the channel. Something was there, some unseen object. The more he followed it, the more it seemed like a path and he realized that it was an invisible trail.
Kain finally reached the last box before the passage which led on to Vorador. With a sigh of relief he jumped over the canal and at last found him self ready to proceed. His plan was to bring General Leiman to this side using his telekinetic but than he realized to his noticeable surprise that he was already there.
" How did you… ?"
General just stepped on an invisible path he used to come here and displayed an amazing act of standing in mid air. Kain sighed trying to conceal his amusement :
" I told you to tread carefully. "; he said as General returned on solid ground :" Unseen trails can be more deadly than visible ones. "
" At least my boots didn't melt away. "; he smiled :" Next time we should try to find a way around. "
Kain shook his head and led on. A couple of times, while they walked trough the green ruins of corridors, Kain grabbed for his chest as if his heart begun to hurt, but the next moment he continued as if nothing happened. Finally they reached a stone courtyard with a big round pool of water surrounded by black statues of Jailors. It held a burning brazier on a pile of rocks rising from its center, and the sky above wasn't cloudy. It was a clear evening sky with few fade stars toned in colors of almost set sun. Kain looked towards the broken metal gate on the opposite side of the courtyard.
" Vorador is over there. "
General swallowed silently and finally felt some doubt about this whole thing.
" He knows we are here… "; Kain continued :" … and he is waiting for me. "
He looked at General Leiman as if he can see death it self sitting on his sholder
" It was nice knowing you, General. "
" I'm not dead just yet. "
" No… not yet. "; Kain smiled malignantly :" Stay here. You are close enough. "
He turned and walked on trough the ruined gate. It was a large coliseum where his ancient son met his death during the fall of the Sarafan Lord. Magnus… yes that was his name. Chunks and peaces of huge broken statue of Moebius were now decorations mounted high above like trophies or spoils of war. His big stone ear and his left eye stood at the entrance where Kain walked in, and the fact rather amused him. On the pedestal that once supported the colossal statue now stood a comfy golden chair with cozy red sateen seat and back completed with sculpted screaming sculls for arm holders. Vorador was casually sitting in it like a monarch, not paying attention to Kain's approach, though it was obvious to both of them that he was aware of his presence. Kain could sense Adella, Tarian and Jasmine very close, but they were hiding somewhere amidst the numerous broken rocks and out of his sight.
Kain leaped about twenty paces in front of Vorador and coldly spoke :
" I know why I am here. The beginning of the end. "
" Yes. "; Vorador replied :" It is time. "
Kain slowly started pacing towards him, but three young vampires glided down from above, blocking his path. Adela Tarian and Jasmine were hissing at him and preventing his progress.
" This has nothing to do with them, Vorador !"; Kain said :" You could have just asked for it. "
" Than you don't know why you are here. I want this day to be remembered. If you prevail now, you'll remember this day 'till the end. If I prevail, I will. "
He stood up and revealed his blade, the ancient bonesword with which he once killed six guardians of the circle. It seemed fitting to use it again for the same purpose. With some extra forging, that weapon could endure the reaver like the armor of the guardian golem at the front gate. Kain slowly razed his trusted soul reaver and it hummed in his hand as if sensing what lies ahead. But first Vorador presented his last surprise ; General Leiman appeared in his claw, with his feet dangling helplessly above ground.
" But first, let's deal with this dog. "; Vorador said, holding the human by his throat
Kain's face grew darker. He made a step forward, but Tarian, Adella and Jasmine only hissed harder, not letting him to pass. He couldn't get them out of the way in time to save General Leiman.
" You've taught him some ancient secrets, Kain. "; Vorador noticed :" What other tricks does he know ? Heal ? Fetch ?... Play dead !"
In a sudden strike, Vorador's green claw passed trough General's flesh, gutting him from neck to belly. Blood exploded out of him and he tried to scream in pain, but the green claw squeezed him too tight. Vorador tossed him to the far end of the chamber and turned his attention back on Kain whose cold malice was freezing the air around him. Adella, Tarian and Jasmine turned their gaze to barely moving body of General Leiman who was still barely alive. He was crawling to a shelter of stone, holding for his opened gut, struggling to retain his organs within with his bare hands. Though it seemed pointless, Kain slugged the three brides the other way with his telekinetic and in return received Vorador's first blow. It worked, giving the dying general enough time to crawl under a big pile of large chunks of stone before three hungry brides picked them selves up. They ran to it and begun to circle around his shelter trying to flush him out, while Kain and Vorador started their duel.
After Vorador knocked him away, Kain rose from the rubble and the two slowly begun pacing on distance around each other. For a while they've just observed each other and than they've both charged at the same time. Their crash was replaced by transparent arches of blades passing swiftly trough the air, banging on metal and whistling trough the air in their violent swaying. They fought so fast it seemed like there were at least ten swords moving between them. Though Kain had grater skill, Vorador was faster and perhaps even stronger and most of the time he was leading attacks forcing Kain to defend him self. Because Vorador's moves were faster he had to use all of his experience to anticipate them before he would strike and also to have time enough to block it. Fortunately the soul reaver was long and its serpent blade could defend two, sometimes even three attacks in a single move.
While the flames between two ancients blazed, three young ones were clawing and scratching stones under which a deadly wounded human was hiding. He still had his gun and they would taste some of it every time they would reach trough the cracks. But they were persistent, and though the pulse blasts would sting them, they wouldn't give up. He could here them outside whispering in wicked tones, taunting him with their words :
" …come out little mouse… "
" … Kittens are hungry. "
" I won't bite… I'm just goanna drain you dry !"
" We want to play, little mouse… "
" I just want a taste… "
Adella managed to break a peace of one of the upper stones and her face joyfully smiled at him trough the hole. Her sharp fangs fell out of the mouth and she sunk in the whole trying to reach him with her claws screaming like a wild animal. He was just deep enough to avoid them for an inch and she seemed to be stuck in a tight passage above. A black ring fell downwards, dangling on a silver chain around her neck, but General couldn't reach for it. She would grab him as soon as he would dare to stretch his arm. Instead he pointed his pulse gun. A second later a shot was fired and the ring was fried. Adella screamed but she didn't seem to show much improvement. But she did pool out of there and begun to slowly back away like a wounded beast.
" I'm… coming… for you… Adella. "; General muttered and focused on certain points along his spine.
The world faded in coils and webs of golden silk and he was free of his mortal bonds once again. It was just like Kain shown him but this time he did it alone without guidance. Stone panels that made his shelter were no barrier to him any more, and he drifted trough them towards Adella's form. Forms of Tarian and Jasmine were paying no heed to him and they resumed their banging and scratching, but he didn't care. He could see it. He saw the bride within her. It was a green ghost squeezing Adella's poor soul like a hangman's rope and it became aware of him :
" What do you think you're doing, little mouse ? You have no power against me !"
" I have all the power I need !"; he replied
Energy began flowing into him with great haste. All the energy around fled into him bending and coiling inside his spirit, feeding it above all expectations. The bride could do little else but quake in fear before this sight :
" Fool ! You'll be destroyed by your own anger !"
" I have no anger… Only a desire to help a friend !"
He directed all his mustered energy into an orb before him and in it he placed his goal lunching it like a missile at the bride. She screamed in agony as it hit her. Desire to help and free Adella, desire for its destruction fed and infused beyond all bounds, fulfilled the bride and it faded and uncoiled before its scream expired. It dissolved back in the strings of Zan that were now flowing on their endless path as if they never were anything. General Leiman came and diverted Saih to flow in Adella's soul to restore her and soon she razed her wondering gaze at him. He could see her joy, her misunderstanding and even a piece of Kain inside her which bonded with her when she became a vampire.
" …is… is it really you ?"; she asked unable to believe it's finally over
Suddenly the flows of energy that made General's life begun to fade and golden strings that coiled nods within his form started to untwist.
" General !"
" Free them… "; he faded out of her sight as she rose from pebbles on the ground
Vorador missed his next stroke and the blade of bonesword passed by Kain's hip. It was a fatal mistake for the reaver finally broke his defenses and made a deep slice over his chest. He jumped away blinded by sudden explosion of pain, but before Kain could reach him, he spread his mighty wings and raised high into the sky. Kain couldn't jump that high and for a moment a brief break retained. Kain looked at the bonesword on the ground beside him. Vorador dropped it when he took the hit. With a loud yell of rage, Kain razed the reaver high in the air and descended its blade on Vorador's sword splitting it in two. Vorador hissed in anger and like a giant shadow that fell over the land the sky above him grew black. He raised his magic into darkness above making it flicker with red flashes and a huge burning bolder flied out, slamming into the place Kain stood a moment ago. Another one lunched and another and another forcing Kain to run over the naked ground, followed by Vorador's echoing laughter.
Jasmine was trying to crawl trough a crack between two stone blocks and reach General's body with her claw. But suddenly she was pooled back. Adella dragged her out and pressed her on the wall in front of her :
" Look into my eyes, Jasmine !"
" Traitor !"; Jasmine hissed :" Master shall have your hide !"
They both went silent with their wills dueling, trying to overthrow each other. The grip of the bride and Adella's magic collided between them in a silent conflict. But the bride was stronger. Its grip on Jasmine was too powerful and she was focused on Vorador's will inside her. Adella begun to loose her stand and the effort she was poring into this was draining every resort of her strength. Eventually Jasmine's claws slowly sank into Adella's arms releasing drops of blood and she smiled at her :
" You weaken, Adella… We can not deny the master's will… "
Suddenly, Adella smiled and directed her hypnotic gaze at a different part of Jasmine's awareness. Her sigh begun to blear and it seemed like her imagination turned against her. In a moment it wasn't Adella that stood before her. Now it was Vorador. Jasmine was confused beyond all conflicts. She couldn't tell whether this was still Adella or her master. To strengthen the effect Adella's charms drowned and chocked every doubt that she wasn't Vorador but she couldn't keep this up much longer. Finally, Jasmine whispered :
" … master… "
" Take off the ring, Jasmine. "; Adella said and even her voice sounded like Vorador's
" … the ring… "
" Take it off, now !"
Jasmine couldn't make out her mind, but finally the desire to do Vorador's biding prevailed and the ring slipped off. Loosing its focus of power, the bride released its grip on Jasmine and she and Adella together lunched at her from different sides. It tried to defend, but in vane and soon it reduced only to a memory. Jasmine took a breath of free air before smiling at Adella thankfully, but than they both fell aside before a giant flaming meteor slammed into a place close to them.
Kain was bruised and burned. He couldn't dodge the entire bleeding meteor shower, not even with the reaver destroying many rocks before they would land. Vorador laughed above, constantly sending more and more, and finally he summoned a really big one. It passed above his head and lunched at him with all its cosmic speed. Kain just stood there like he was waiting for it. While the rock flied he took a few large breaths and with his last one he focused his telekinetic. It took all his strength but he managed to grab the meteor and hold it in the air. Before Vorador realized it, Kain span the giant bolder around him self and catapulted it back up at him. His green fist stabbed into the hot rock before the hit, but it exploded knocking him out of the sky. It was enough to loose his focus and the magic that darkened it dissolved back into dusk. Kain lunched with the reaver, but Vorador was far from over. The blade of the reaver passed by him as he came behind Kain slugging him forward so strongly his spine almost broke. Kain barely managed to continue holding his ground as the battle continued.
Before Tarian realized, Jasmine and Adella jumped at him and grabbed him by his arms and shoulders. Together they were stronger than him, but unlike them he was more than willing to hurt. They had problems holding him down and than Jasmine used her dark gift. Roots plunged its way out of the ground and bonds of vines came over his body bonding him for the wall. They've remover their arms from him with a sigh of relief, but as soon as they've dropped their guard down, the vines caught in flame, and he broke free. He knocked Jasmine on the ground and grabbing Adella by her throat, he pressed her hard on the rock wall razing his fist to smash her face.
" Tarian !"; she cried :" Don't !"
He hesitated. Small shivers ran trough him shacking his fist in mid air and every muscle he had was at once hard like steel. Vorador's ring was glowing with its flame on a finger in his fist before her waiting to dig into her flesh. Alas, the bride within him prevailed and his clenched fist lunched at her. The last thing she saw was the ring approaching. A braking of stone filled her left ear and his grip was gone. She opened her eyes and saw that he actually slammed the wall on the left side of her face and his ring was shattered. Instantly he fell down in struggle and she once more focused her magic to help him. To her grate surprise he didn't need much help and the parasitic spirit within him swiftly faded into the abyss.
All three picked them selves up and hugged each other with joy and longing, but a loud explosion next to them blew a nearby stone to smithereens reminding them where they were. Kain and Vorador still clashed like a raging storm. Much of the area was demolished in their battle and it would seem that no meter what Kain would do Vorador would always give him strikes. He couldn't even defend from him any more rather than swaying the reaver trough empty air, enduring pain and healing. At this moment Vorador lunched Kain on the wall making a hole in it. Kain fell and swung the reaver again but Vorador dodged it and at the same time knocked it out of his hands. The blade was catapulted upwards and it stabbed trough a huge supporting pillar at the half of its height. Their claws came together and they started pushing each other over the flour, until Kain managed to strike Vorador with his head and knock him away.
Tarian had to pool Adella by her arm to separate her from General's shelter. General Leiman was dying. His heart was slowing down dangerously and they couldn't get trough the rock to him.
" Let go of me !"; Adella yelled :" I can't leave him !"
" We must get out of here, Adella !"
" No !"; Jasmine stopped them both :" We must help Kain !"
Vorador was laughing at Kain's pathetic efforts to resume the fight. His green claws grew red with Kain's blood and Kain now seemed like a drunken puppet. When ever he would try to strike at Vorador, he would receive a number of deep slices by his sharp claws, and finally it came to that point where Kain was barely standing on his feet with his eyes spinning on empty space. Vorador stopped and observed him with disgust :
" It seems you aren't worthy after all !"
The final strike lunched Kain into the ground and his body run trough it making a trench and grinding out the pebbles. He was defeated. Spreading his green wings, Vorador lunched himself in the air, and came to the reaver stabbed in the rock. Kain opened his eyes just in time to see him pool the blade out of the pillar. Suddenly a small fireball stroke Vorador from behind. It was Tarian and Adella and Jasmine were hurling rocks at him.
" Children !"; Vorador hissed in loathing :" Infants ! Worms in my shadow ! Bow down before your master !"
Suddenly a rock broke behind him and cracking sound echoed from the pillar in which the reaver was stabbed. As Vorador turned he saw exhausted visage of Kain razing his red talon towards him. Within it glittered green flame of his telekinetic energy. The spot where the reaver was stabbed degenerated in a much larger howl, breaking the pillar in two. Vorador tried to fly away, but the upper half crushed upon him like a giant club and the entire wall collapsed over him hiding him in a cloud of thick dust.
Kain rose from the ground and limped to the soul reaver on the flour. He slowly bended down picked it up and placed it on his back.
" Kain !"; Adella yelled :" General Leiman is dying !"
With the aid of Kain's telekinetic, they managed to drag him out and Adella grabbed him in her arms. He was barely breathing still holding for his opened chest, but despite it all he was still conscious.
" We… we have to get him to a hospital !"; Adella yelled, refusing to face the fact that it was too late for that
Kain just placed his claw on her shoulder and than limped away to the collapsed part of the place. Vorador's head and his right winged arm were sticking out from under the rubble that pressed his back. As Kain approached he laughed and coughed some blood out :
" Viae Victus, Kain !"; he looked up to him in almost begging manner :" Do it. "
Kain just stood there watching him from above. He didn't reach for the reaver and Vorador's mad laughter changed into silent sobbing :
" Please, finish me… I can't take it any more… this life, this existence. "
" Poor Vorador. "; Kain whispered :" All along you were chasing your death and held me for your deliverance. "
" You don't know how long my days have become… how tasteless the blood is… How it hurts to see the same hateful sun over and over again… End it !... "; Kain still hesitated :" End it, damn you !"
" But is it going to be that simple ?"; Kain sighed :" Because of you, humans are lunching a campaign against us again, my offspring are enslaved in their traps and cadges and tomorrow I might see another war to extinction. "
He kneeled before him and took his hand :
" Maybe we can make a deal ?"
" What kind of a deal ?"; Vorador asked
" Why don't we go hunting together ? What do you say ?"
Vorador almost smiled and they both managed to muster enough magic to transport them out of there.
Adella cried holding her old friend in her arms. As Kain disappeared she yelled after him :
" Kain ? Don't leave him like this !"
" … It's too late… "; General whispered
" No… sob… I won't let you die… "
Her fangs appeared in her half opened mouth but he just grabbed her by her shoulder gesturing her to stop :
" Don't you dare, captain… that's an order. "
" But you'll die… "
" … happy… knowing that you are safe…!"; He coughed violently, but week
" Stop it. Don't speak. "
" When will I speak… if not now… ugh… I asked Kain to bring me along… I had to help you… chough, chough… rah… Don't you dare blame your self… because I don't… "
" How can I… go on… sob… "
" You have to keep an eye on things… from now on… don't let Kain hold Naryah… secret…"; She didn't understand that, thinking that he was slipping and she just held him tighter
" …Your… oath… NUC… Do you remember it… ?"
" In this moment as I take my place, I give my word that… sob… I shall pour my last strength against all that threatens the land…sob… until not even a seed of will remains in my heart… sob… Let the knowledge of right and wrong preserves… sob… me and endures trough me even after I meet my… "
He couldn't hear her any more. Dead glassy eyes cast a gaze that trailed away over her head and the last spark of life leaked out of them.
" … end. "; she whispered and gently passed her palm over his eyes, closing them :" I shall meet you on the other side. "
Sickeningly unchangeable dusk burned silently above them as she wept over her dead friend and Tarian too shed tears for her pain was his pain.