Chapter eight ; Legacies
Adella, Tarian and Jasmine landed on a clearing outside of Wasserbunde, letting their children fly on to their sanctuaries without them. Just as they formed back, a gold blast of light and a loud explosion rose from the ruined castle. Surprisingly, the ruin endured it and remained standing even after the fiery cloud vaporized in the night.
" Kain… "; Jasmine whispered
" Kain where are you !"
" …Here… "
He appeared out of the woods, limping towards them, dragging the reaver behind him. Black burns were smocking all over his skin and before he reached them he collapsed on the ground. They ran to aid him, but he stood up by him self and angrily gestured them to keep their distance. He placed the reaver on his back and reclined on a nearby tree, not to collapse again :
" … this has gone more than long enough… "; he whispered and faced them :" Summon the houses ! We are going to pay a visit to the High Council !"
Their mouth came open, and once she recovered from the shock Adella yelled :
" Are you crazy ? Kain, if we don't accept them for what they are, they'll never accept us !"
" There's no more time !"; he hissed slowly trough his teeth
" That's interesting to hear from someone who's going to live forever !"; Jasmine joined
" Adella is right. "; Tarian said :" We can't afford war with them… "
" It is too late to back away !"; Kain cut him of :" Assemble the clan… the houses… here. Now !"
" The clans !"; Adella asked shocked :" What do you think we are ! We are not your army ! I won't let you use us as your invading force !"
Kain closed his eyes in exhaustion :
" There is no other choice. "
Adella took a deep breath and stood defiant :
" I won't do it. "
Tarian and Jasmine looked at each other and added :
" Nether will we. "
Kain's teeth glittered between his lips.
" I'm asking you as a friend. "; he said but they still stood un swayed :" Now I'm ordering you as your sire !"; they shivered a little but still didn't brake :" Don't make me force you. "
A spark of his will glittered in their souls making them remember his power over them. Being their maker, his will could be passed onto them and they would have no choice but to obey. Except that he never used that before. Jasmine whispered :
" You wouldn't dare… "
Kain limped closer to them all and his expression was clear enough. It wasn't a trait. He never said anything he didn't mean, but they still hoped in fear that he won't go that far.
" … I will never forgive you for this… "; Adella spoke
His jaw became exposed :
" So be it… "
His power instantly bloomed within them, gripping their desires and replacing them with a need to do his biding. The part of him which he gave them at their rebirth, their dark gift which was the core of their vampire selves now answered to him, and took complete control over them. Before they realized their words were being send in a whisper :
"… come to me Sumnaly… The mother calls… Our sire needs… Gather Zatara… Hear your father House of Tergetti… follow my words… our father bids… we must assemble… We must gather… "
And soon the others emerged out of the woods. At first they didn't understand what was happening but their sires called upon their will and took hold of their spirits. Like a chain reaction the link of obedience passed on from sire to child infecting the older and forcing him to pass it on to younger, until all were bond by one will alone. The Sumnaly tried to resist, Tergetti gave in willingly, and the Zatara were caught by surprise but in the end there was only Kain on that clearing and a 153 copies of his will.
Adella struggled as hard as she could, but this was practically no different than what Vorador did to her. Her mind and soul were overthrown and replaced with something else. The more she fought, the more Kain held her down, and the more her children fought the more she held them down too. She couldn't deny Kain's mighty anger, his iron will and the rage which made her eyes glow with red flames, but still she fought it and hated him for this as much as she hated Vorador. Kain ignored her and any other who objected. Instead he smiled and together with them all shifted in a bat-form once again. A giant black storm of flapping wings was off to the Council chambers in Meridian.
General Madalty reached for a large bump on his head, the efficient knockout he earned this night. It was still aching to touch though its bean more than four hovers since he got it. He stood in a big chamber of round shape. It was well lit with neon lights and filled with rounded desks of other generals and higher officers. Desks were placed on the flour to make concentric circles and viewed from above they appeared like a target. The table of Grand Marshal Daegan and the other regents was closest to the center where he stood retelling his report with great unease. It was selfish of him to hold all his discoveries for him self and the consequences might end catastrophically. Once he was debriefed, Grand Marshal Daegan looked at him with cold eyes, and banged the court-hammer to settle those around :
" Let me see if I understand this, General ; You found a way to utterly disable any vampire, anywhere, but you didn't wait for further orders and went on your own mission to capture and defeat them. Am I right ?"
" … Yes ser. "
" And than four of them, led by… "; he looked at the written report again :" … One for whom you assume was Kain him self, liberated the others, and decimated your men. "
" Yes, ser. "
" So, now they are all running wild again, the artifact was lost and what remains of your men is in the hospital. "; He stood up and shouted :" AND YOU GIVE US HIS MESSIGE THAT HE HAS HAD ENOUGH !"
" That's what he said… ser… "; General Madalty said with a tiny tone
" You are lucky if you are court marshaled for this, General Madalty !"; Grand Marshal Daegan yelled :" If we live to see any more wars you will be the lowest rank in front lines !"
Suddenly the neon lights above flickered and most of them went out. At the same moment all the dour shut with loud bangs and a strange chill overpowered them all.
" What's happening !"; Grand marshal spoke in his intercom
" Something's plugging the ventilation, Ser. All of it !"
But before more answers could be gathered, a demonic pale skin creature jumped in the center of the room. His face was monstrously deformed, prolonging into two huge ears that passed over his long white hair. The ears appeared like they were made out of a couple of long strips of skin molded together. His shoulders grew into short but broad spikes and on his back were two small wing imitations made of longer arch-like bones that bore stretched thin gray leather. His white hair was falling like a mist stream to his hips ending in a small band and a little tail, right next to a red half cloak with a white symbol he always bore. The soul reaver blazed even on his back, but its light didn't devour the fresh dark in the slightest.
Kain looked at General Madalty who fell on the flour when he jumped next to him.
" Always so eager to find a scapegoat… "; He turned to the Grand Marshal and his regents :" I assume you know who I am. "
They all drew weapons at him, but a thousand silent growls from the surrounding shadows froze them in fear. Vampires. The whole room was crawling with vampires. They were cowering walls doors and desks, completely eliminating any possibility of defense against them. Those closes to humans swiftly disarmed them giving them malignant smiles filled with sharp teeth, and than backed away, but no more than couple of paces.
" Surely you remember your former captain Adella, now a matriarch of the Sumnaly, "; he pointed her out :" the Tergetti, led by my son Tarian and last but not least the Zatara, led by my daughter Jasmine. "; Kain gestured towards them as well
Three vampires were closest to the desk of Regents and the Grand Marshal and all three violently hissed with their eyes glittering with blood-red anger. Adella barely contained the desire to tear these humans apart. She constantly tried to tell her self that it's Kain's desire and not her own, but it was still overwhelming her, and she knew she won't be able to stop her self when Kain commands the strike. She couldn't reach Tarian and Jasmine in her thoughts nor any other including Kain, but for some reason she knew that he could hear her and she could only curse him for doing this to her.
" Ser… are you there ?"; The intercom sounded, but Tarian used it instead
" Later !"; and smashed it with his fist
Kain was ignoring Adella and the others who must have bean in the same position. He stood strong and un-swayed without a trace of any wound he so recently had, but it must have bean an illusion again to hide injuries before human's sights.
" Let's make this as quick as possible ; "; Kain started :" You don't like me, and I don't like you, but for some sick twist of faith we are forced to share the same world. "; he turned and started pacing :" A small eternity echoes with screams of our futile efforts… The Sarafan, my Empire, Moebiusse's hunters, my conquests, dawn bringers, Desmond's trickery… So much pain. "
" What do you want ?"; Grand marshal Daegan asked most bravely, provoked by his hateful tone
Kain smiled :
" We were doomed from the start to bathe the earth with blood, constantly blind to the real truth ; Vampires and humans can't exist without each other !"
A chaotic babble of silent words emanated around humans until one Regent, Andreas spoke so everyone could hear him :
" That's a lie ! We don't need your kind at all !"
The humans went silent at the loud hissing of vampires around as their eyes flashed with flaming blood. Adella felt that Kain was insulted as if it was her self and now all she desired was to rip this fool's tongue out, but something still held her back. Kain continued seriously :
" I have no use for lies ! I'm disgusted by them. There's nothing duller in the whole world. But the truth ! There's a sharp thing ! It's painful, wicked and it draws blood. Only a fool has a need to lie. "
Grand Marshal was watching him with cold anger and a brave gaze that was saying something like "you won't see the last of us" :
" Even if you kill us now, the NUC won't fall apart. They will hunt you down until you are all extinct. "
" Precisely !"; Kain tossed :" And that is what I want ; One coin, two sides and your toss here and now ! Ether we will make war, ether we will make peace !"
An even louder chaos bubbled amongst humans so strong that the Grand Marshal Daegan had to start banging his hammer to settle it down, like this was still a regular meeting. Once they quieted, Kain added :
" Think carefully, my lords. An offer like this doesn't come every night. "
" You speak of war and peace when you have us cornered. "; Grand Marshal said :" Do you expect us to get scared and comply ? NUC outguns you in every way, even if something happens to us. Our ranks number hundreds of thousands, while you all can fit in this one room. We have weapons and technologies from a simple pulse blaster to a combat cruiser in the outer atmosphere. The way I see it, you are sweating !"
" I don't speak of war and peace !"; Kain answered in a strong tone :" I speak of choices. If its war you won't I'll give it to you, and you will be its first victims. Chaos in your over bragged NUC will give us time to multiply, and at this point you should remember that your ancestors called us the undead plague. And as for your big scary combat cruisers in the sky, sticks and stones will serve who ever wields them, be it a hand or a claw. "
" Still, we have the art of war on our side, "; Regent Helena cut in :" strategy, history,… "
" I am HISTORY !"; Kain shouted :" I was waging wars before the creator even conceived you all ! Do not insult me with your simplicity !"; and than he grew cold and darker :" It would be a war of all wars, my lords. With no rest, truce or end until one side is wiped out. Our screams shall be every child's lullaby while our pain scorches the sky, and only when one soul remains alone on dead naked ground, only than will there be peace and time to cry for missed chances. "
The humans looked at each other in wonder, confused and puzzled. Even the vampires, deep down under their spiritual shackles had to gaze in distrust and amazement. Finally, Grand marshal Daegan broke the silence :
" We'll need time to think about it. "
A sour smile and a mocking laughter mixed with grief passed over Kain's face. One couldn't tell if he was going to laugh or to cry :
" I have had enough !"; he said :" There's no more patience within me ! You want time ? Here ; and I'm being more than generous !"
He razed his three fingered claw where everyone could see it and clenched it in a fist. The red thumb separated from it and stood straight out, glittering on the scarce light :
"… One… "; Kain said.
An explosion of commotion and fear struck the humans but they remained sitting on their places. One other Regent Noctallion managed to speak :
" You can't ask us to make this kind of a decision when you feel like it !"
" I just did… "; Kain spoke calmly, and his middle finger got separated from the fist :"… Two… "
" Do… do you actually think you'll be able to leave when you're done with us !"; Regent Andreas asked at the edge of loosing control
" We were able to get in. "; the fist became an opened palm :" Last chance. "
Kain's grim voice echoed the silent chamber as all stilled waiting the next move. Adella cried within her self for she finally broke and mowed for the kill. Nothing stood between her and the massacre any more. Almost simultaneously, all vampires opened their huge jaws in a roar that shook the foundations of the entire building and many of them found them selves flying trough the air towards the helpless meet before them.
" ALL RIGHT !"
Instantly as they started the vampires stopped, and slowly backed away where they stood before. Kain approached the desk of Grand Marshal and the shacking Regents awaiting their next act. Grand Marshal Daegan looked at the faces of Regents around him and gain nodding as an answer.
" We shall have peace… "; at the sound of those words Adella sighed with relief, but the rest frightened her again :" …when you deliver us the murderer of our Regent Sandra. "
Kain smiled, and tossed a large bundle of cloth on the desk before them. Something was wrapped in a big red cloak. After a moment, Grand Marshal Daegan opened it and took two parts of a large broken sword. It was the bonesword, now split in two by the reaver's might.
" A vampire named Vorador… "; Kain had to continue louder to be heard trough their amazement :" … killed your Regent. "
" That's not possible. "
Kain grudged :
" His cape and sword are the proof. "
" Let's say that it was Vorador…"; Regent Andreas started :" What did you do with him ?"
" I've dealt with him... and his fate is far more terrible than you can ever imagine, I promise you. "; The humans looked at each other in disbelief and Kain continued :" I apologize for stealing your vengeance along the way, but only I was able to handle him. Keep his artifacts as a token of my word. "
If it was truth, Kain was indeed the only one who could have dealt with him, and it seemed most illogical to pin the murder of a Regent on someone who was dead for the past three thousand years. Though it appeared insufficient these artifacts and Kain's word about "a fate more terrible than you can ever imagine" made Grand Marshal Daegan smile inside of him. The length Kain passed to achieve this was telling that it meant much to him, and such a thing could be used during negotiations.
" Very well. "; Grand Marshal said :" We'll settle with that. "
" We desire a contract, "; Kain said :" a peace treaty, signed and verified in at least two copies. "
" A standard peace contract should do. "
The vampires backed away on one side of the room while Kain and the Regents entered a discussion of the terms of this new peace. Also the doors became opened and the concerned soldiers barged in, only to be sent away while the negotiations are done. Confused and scared, they left but they raze a general alert and monitored the room with all they had. Kain and the human lords in turn would add a condition and discussed it amongst them until it was accepted by both sides, and finally after a hover of debating, they had fully assembled terms of the new peace. Kain requested that it should be named " The Leiman contract ", in the honor of the late General and Adella's friend. The full contract had 56 articles, 28 for humans and 28 for vampires. It allowed the vampires to hunt but restrictedly and seldom. They couldn't make new vampires without the approval of humans, and also since they gave them the freedom to feed, the vampires had to give their aid whenever it's asked for. One vampire was to enter the High Council as a member with limited access until such time when the humans would see fit to grant them more influence in their bureaucracy. The servants of the Sumnaly were also included, and became a necessity in all three houses and the humans were forbidden to form or support any movement against the vampires, like some new form of sarafan or any other. Also this contract was to be kept a secret in the human world and only those with level five or grater level of access would know about it. If one would brake the terms of this contract, be they human or a vampire, both were obligated to trial and prosecute together. Many more terms involved exposure, and other limitations, but in the end, both sides were satisfied.
An almost amusing thing happened during signing. The human lords signed first and than Kain and his three offspring. In fact Kain couldn't hold the smooth slippery pen damped with human's sweat. Instead he broke it spilling the ink on his palm and dipping his claw tip in it, he used it to place his signature, an image from his red half cape and " Kain lord of Coorhagen " in the extension. Adella, Tarian and than Jasmine signed on their own, partially released from Kain's hold to be able to do it by them selves, but they still couldn't brake the chain of command on the others. And finally, after thousands of long years, two parchments of fresh peace stood complete on a desk before them.
" At last, that settles it. "; Kain said relieved
" After all this time, we finally made this. "; Grand Marshal Daegan sighed :" Who would have thought ?"
" Do not mourn for the end of our battles, my lord. I don't. "; Kain spoke, and added in a loud tone :" I intend to see everything written here, honored. Those that don't shall have to deal with me. "
" That goes for me too. "; Grand Marshal added with his strong eyes fixed on vampires around.
Kain took one copy of the contract with him, amazed at the fact of how this simple peace of paper was an answer to all the long eons. He sighed and rolled it in a scroll :
" Now, if you'll excuse us, we should be going. You'll receive our ambassador tomorrow night. "
" I'll send word to clear the way for you. "
Kain and Daegan slowly shook hands and than the vampires paced out of the chamber. The building stood in the center of Meridian but considering it was four AM, there was no one to see them depart. Once outside, Kain disappeared and the others went their own way except three of them. Adella, Tarian and Jasmine were angry and hurt, despite the reasons Kain might have had, or his previous accomplishment. They dispatched their progeny home, and went to find him at the pillars to give him a peace of their mind. They sensed he was there waiting for them and in bat-form they swiftly found their way to his presence. They landed on a marble surface of the edifice close to some chests next to Kain who was reclining on a pillar of balance. Adella started in a furious tone :
" Who gives you the right to… "
As they saw him, their eyes extended and their mouth opened in a shock. He was almost completely cowered in some kind of liquid brown ooze that was coursing over his skin and radiated in his heart beets. He appeared exhausted and sick, taking heavy breaths, but he still stood in front of three wooden trunks placed on the marble flour.
" What's happening to you ?"; Adella asked almost forgetting why she came here
" I'll have to go away now. "; he said trough a sigh
" For how long ?"; Jasmine spoke
" It… grows longer as one grows older. "
" Years ?... Centuries !"
" I don't know. "; Kain said :" I won't justify my actions… I did what I had to do the… best way I could. What ever the future holds you'll… have to face it on your own. I know… you won't forgive for the defilement… I caused but at least you won't be alone… in the world of enemies. "
At the move of his claw, the chests clicked open and hovered before their feet. Inside their sateen padding was ancient weapons, that seemed as old as Kain him self.
" Made by the Serolly, the finest blacksmiths in all the history. "
Jasmine took out a pair of large axes
" Havoc and Malice… "; Kain named them :" In my youth it took me nothing but them to stand… against an entire army, and I foresee you'll do even grater deeds… "
Tarian reached in and presented a sword that caught flame at his will
" The flame-sword combined with your unique… powers shall make you undefeatable. "
And Adella razed a large mace that was surprisingly light considering its size.
" This spiked mace shall brake trough stone, metal and wood,… but it will only stun your enemies. A most humane weapon, for a most humane vampire. "
They looked at their new gifts with great satisfaction, but as they gazed back at their sire they all grew sad even though they still bore grudge against him. The brown mud shrouded his skin, making only his eyes and mouth free. It flew over him in many tiny currents, covering even his clothing, and it didn't drip on the ground, not even from his claw tips. Kain managed to pace closer to Tarian :
" Tarian, my last gift concerns you. "; he continued in a thought rather than word so the dialog remained private :" You are in love with Adella. "
The Tergetti lord grew surprised but spoke none the less :
" Is that wrong ?"
" It is one more weakness… But weakness is not necessarily a bad thing. I am proud that you managed to hide it so well. Even from me. "
Tarian bowed his head in sadness :
" Thank you… sire. "
" Do not cry for your fate, my child. There might be a way yet. An old friend revealed something new to me… "
The two continued their silent discussion hidden from Adella and Jasmine and finally Tarian smiled. He approached Adella and took her hands :
" There's something I have to tell you… When Vorador did… that to us, I didn't fight him as much as I could. "
Adella was at first confused, and than she bowed her head in a warm motherly smile :
" I tell my self the same thing. If only I could have fought stronger… But there was nothing… "
" No, it's not that. "; her eyes faced him again :" I didn't want to fight it, because… it gave me a chance to be near you the way I've always dreamed of. "
Adella grew confused trying to hide her shock. This must mean something else. Yes, she misunderstood him but than he continued :
" … and than when he kissed you, I… I was furious, because no one but me should kiss these lips. "
Adella couldn't believe it. It was too unreal. Kain must be making him say these things. Or he got a blow to the head, or something. But than she remembered how he got free of the bride practically on his own. For a moment she remembered all those times when he was there for her and aided her in a most kind and gentle manner, and it was than that she knew he spoke truth. She instantly felt mighty stupid for not realizing it sooner.
" I love you, Adella. "; He said :" I love you more than I can say. "
" Oh, Tarian… "; she touched his face :"… But… But we are vampires… We can't… I… oh, I'm so… "
There was something in the kiss that followed. Something spiritual and magical that made the night sweeter and the pillars whiter. Not even Kain knew what happened. Perhaps a few screws in the curse got loosened, but what ever it was, their blood was boiling with passion and desires, an aroma obvious even to the observers. It lasted for a long time before they separated and gazed with joy into each others eyes.
" Will you be my bride, Adella ? My angel of the night ?"
His words made her heart beet like it was alive again and than she knew that she fell for him. She fell in love with him up to her long pointy ears. It was simply impossible that Kain was deluding them with his charms. Nothing like that could ever be faked. Long fangs glittered on the moonlight nestled within her happy smile and she spoke :
" Yes, Tarian… Yes, I will !... But if you ever call me "Bride" again… "
" Come forth, my children. "; Kain invited them closer :" In this clear night, under Lord Moon and his sisters, Stars, you have bean drawn by joined beatings of your two hearts. Your hearts that were summoned to the shadow of great pillars and now I call upon you to say what has not yet bean said. Speak your soul's desire and flame, truth and miracle ;
My son Tarian, lord of Tergetti, will you gave up your last drop of blood for Adella, will you share with her burdens and joys, and take care of her from now on, in this life and the next ?"
He looked upon her and smiled :
" I shall. I promise. "
" My daughter Adella, mistress of Sumnaly, will you gave up your last drop of blood for Tarian, will you share with him burdens and joys, and take care of him from now on, in this life and the next ?"
She looked at him and smiled :
" I shall. I promise. "
Kain took their arms and cut their wrists giving them to each other :
" Drink. "
Adella placed her lips upon Tarian's opened veins and he upon hers and they drew deeply and drank the blood within while Kain completed the ceremony :
" Than from this moment on, you are joined. Two halves of a single whole and one can not dwell without the other. You have your sire's blessing. "
Two vampires kissed with great delight and Jasmine came and hugged them, smiling :
" Congratulations both of you… this is becoming quite a fairytale ! Where did you get that ritual… "
Kain was gone. As if the night swallowed him, he utterly disappeared, leaving them on their own. He was just a memory from now on, or perhaps a dream which they once had and remembered. It felt strange knowing that he will no longer be there to aid them, punish them and teach them… knowing that they no longer have their father. The three vampires turned and went away into the night.
High on the edge of the Abyss, the deepest blue tomb in Nosgoth, the figure of Vorador stood and gazed into its murky depths. The water above was poring into a giant dark hole that housed remains of all those unfortunate enough to end there. Steep sharp round cliff of a small palisade was linked to the shore by a rope bridge, which a dark figure cowered in brown slime was threading. The soul reaver was on Kain's back as he dragged him self to Vorador's presence. Vorador gazed at the night and sighed almost sadly :
" Holding back the transformation can be most unpleasant. "
Kain finally crossed the rope bridge and stepped closer to him :
" And that was why you chose to strike me now… You were right about Tarian and Adella… Just when I taught life had no surprises left to offer… "
" We are old, Kain… Too old to mix with the young any more. That's why gods and mortals keep their distance. "
Vorador looked at him and sighed again as Kain approached asking :
" Why didn't you ever used the ring on me ?"
" Come now, Kain. You don't expect me to show all of my cards ?"
The green vampire smiled, kneeling at the edge and stretching his wings high in the air. His eyes were fixed on distant stars as the deep water splashed beneath him. Kain slowly stood behind his back :
" Are you sure about this ?"
Vorador smiled :
" It would be… more than honor. "
Kain's claws slowly came to Vorador's wrists and gently but strongly grabbed bones that stretched from them and supported his wings. His claw tips sank into the skin, making the blood flow over green leather and suddenly a crushing sound was heard. Kain ripped the bones out of Vorador's wings making him scream in pain. The lightning cracked trough the clear night and Vorador collapsed on the ground shacking. His blood cowered bones were hanging in Kain's claws and the skin of his wings, still connected to his arms now helplessly dragged on the ground before him.
" Thank you "; Vorador said to him :" for being my enemy. "
" Thank you for showing me my enemy. "
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Kain kicked him over the edge and Vorador's green body fled into the dark abyss. He laughed as he fell, that laughter he had in his few triumphs, and even when he stroke the surface of the water, he still laughed and burned like a green torch in the blue darkness. Kain watched as his flames sunk away into the depths and slowly faded to a spark beneath a ring of white foam. Finally it too burned out. He stood there until the last bubble broke the surface, and than he lifted the soul reaver closer to his face :
" Now it's just the two of us, Raziel… "
The reaver didn't respond. It just hummed with its powers and flashed with energies that didn't dent the darkness in the slightest. The only pyre thing in Nosgoth and it was death's blade it self. Kain smiled :
" Fine. Be that way. "
He placed it on his back and managed to planershift to high peeks of mountain Atekna the Rochheart, whose sharp tips tore clouds above like giant daggers. There he found a darkest cave already filled with Banshees, hunters and other malignant spirits, summoned by his magic to guard ; disgusting failed spirits with no mind and no purpose but the one for which he summoned them for. And upon the entrance he carved in stone the following words in several languages, including the blood script :
" Welcome stranger, to the house of three sleeping deaths. Two of those, slumber in shade and the third will claim you for its own. Welcome amongst the damned, guardian of my cradle. "
Within the depths of the cave, he climbed to a darkest corner of the ceiling and crouched with the reaver gripped in his palms, placing its blade between his legs and knees :
" Good night… Raziel… "
The brown crisp closed over him and formed a giant cocoon that stood there from then on…
Finalization :
In the years that followed, three vampire houses grew ever closer with humans. Since Adella and Tarian were preoccupied with each other, it was Jasmine who stepped forth as a member of the human High Council. The two sires seemed wildly in love, but they had their responsibilities too which they didn't ignore. They've discovered not only that the ritual could be performed on others as well, but also that it allowed them to experience love of the body the way mortals do. But it still held a minor problem, for every time they would make love, their dark gifts would chaotically switch owner, which was most annoying. The curse still retained their sterility, and except for their houses, they never had any children of their own…
Jasmine held a cardinal role in the relationship between the two species. In the beginning she was closely monitored, even placed under a force field protection and forced to leave Havoc and Malice on the entrance, but after a few years, she managed to gain enough trust to have these things removed. Her influence in the Council grew over time but she asked that they do not promote her beyond the status of an equal member with her right of voice. Her words and advices were well heard and she helped build a better future for all. Eventually she fell in love with a surprisingly young high ranking General Talebon, and he eventually fell in love with her ( once he was sure she wasn't going to eat him ). Together they've asked for permission that she takes him as a member of her house. It was denied at first but after a couple of mounts they've managed to gain the approval.
Eventually their sire awakened after 650 years of hibernation but they rarely saw him from then on. Those small things on his back grew into large bat wings, making him seem like a gargoyle. But as far as he was concerned, they were adults now, and didn't need his guidance any more. The last thing he did was to instruct Adella in the secrets of Naryah and than he mysteriously disappeared. Some said that he buried him self somewhere, the others thought he even jumped into the abyss him self, but he actually completely passed over into Naryah and dwelled amongst its flows and creators dreams as a ruler of the root of the world. Together with the mighty soul reaver they've became a power of the other side and made their home there from than on.
Lazaruss : That concludes my Path of redemption Trilogy. I doubt that I will make a sequel, and if I do it won't be any time soon because I have a really difficult school year ahead. Good night… until the next fruit of imagination.