Lazaruss : I got to warn you ; by the end of this chapter things will get a little gooey... But first a few verses :

They took our world and made it their own

All bravery is broken and our allies are outcasts.

The beginning we'll strike, the core of the bone

where a noble rose and where a beast nests.

Revenge is a throne which we'll build of their bones

and a song of despair will be their heart's wife.

With ice and truth we'll unleash their moans

for their nightmares have come to life…

After the slope they both went on trough the canyon until at last they came to a couple of humans that were trying to act like guards hidden behind some boulders of stone. It was almost at the base of the opposite slope. A small back shaft had a large chunk of rock on each side, and a human hiding behind each of those, that is, trying to hide. Their performance was not very impressive, but still Kain spoke to them :

" Humans ! We want to… "; a pulse shoot passed by his head. Kain took a moment to notice it and continued :" …speak with you. "

" It's all right !"; Sian yelled :" It's me, Sian ! We must speak with Commander Seilla !"

" How do we know it's really you ?"; the one on the left shouted.

The next moment they were both on the ground in front of Kain and Sian

" The fact that you are still alive. "; Kain said with a smile that death it self would be proud of.

Sian placed his palm on Kain's shoulder gesturing him to give them some room, and than turning to them he said :

" Go and announce that I have brought Lord Kain to your midst. "

The two bulged their eyes and tended to rise from the ground as professionally as possible but they only seemed clumsier. One of them ran into the cave and the other stayed with them, keeping distance as much as he could without seeming like a coward. Kain just crossed his arms and stood motionless, and Sian seemed to sniff the air a bit. Many different scents of humans were coming from the cavern and many sounds of heart beats as well. Some of them were ill, most were scared but the surprising fact was that it was such a large number of them inside. Finally the word came and the escort appeared to lead them with safety to resident lords. Kain nodded thankfully, though amused, and they went in.

Though the entrance and the leading tunnel were small, the interior was huge. The cave had bean crafted into a bunker. Many people wounded and ill lay on beds or naked floor moaning and twitching. Insufficient staff constantly ran around doing their best to aid them, but both reassures and supplies were poor. On the higher levels closer to the entrance tunnel were rooms for those healthy and fit for combat, ready to by more time with their lives in case of the worse. The path sloped down trough a huge room of hospital beds and those in need of one, and they all tried to back before the passing winged vampire, who they've all learned of in the past five minutes. Healthy men on the higher platforms, however few, monitored the two creatures suspiciously with their weapons at a ready. Kain took a notice that not only the soldiers and NUC officers were injured. There were also women and children, or other common folk trying to comfort each other and preserve their fractured nerves.

The two vampires were being led trough with everyone backing away before their passing. It wasn't hard to see that despair and weakness were the true rulers of this place. The word of their arrival has spread instantly, but still cheers were held back. Most of the humans had no idea that Vampires still existed before the war, and when they found out they weren't all too happy. The Leiman treaty was a big secret of the government and only the selected few knew of its existence. As far as anyone else was concerned the blood sucking monsters were extinct centuries ago, and now they've had a vampire overlord sharing their hospitality. They weren't exactly happy, seeing the butchering beast Kain walk so freely amongst their injured and their children, but at least they didn't prove hostile.

At last, they've reached the deeper levels and a woman in a high ranking uniform stepped forth. She had a curly black hair and a severe face for one so young. She was about 35 but still she seemed to be capable and confident. Signs of weariness circled her eyes, though she was still a strong statue. Her uniform was dark purple and tight, made of thick synthetic, completed with a dark cloak, and pinned with five medals beneath her right shoulder. She had tall black boots and armored metal gloves which all senior officers tended to bear. Such gloves were a symbol of an influential position. A young blond man with a crooked nose stood closer by her side, defiant and cross-armed. At the sight of the vampires his lower lip got out a bit in his disapproval but he said nothing. He also wore a purple uniform, but he seemed to be a lower position on the command ladder. A first protector of the woman or perhaps something more… At her first glance she ordered the men around :

" Disarm them !"

Kain just looked at her lackeys and replied :

" We wouldn't. "

And truly, they didn't. Sian stepped forth :

" Lady Seilla, I am pleased to introduce you to my sire. "

Kain smirked and begun a dark giggle :

" The great NUC… "; he said :" Now cave rats… Embarrassing. "

The woman's eyes caught fire, but the man replied instead :

" And how embarrassing is it to sleep trough the entire war ?"

Obviously, humans were told of his hibernation, but it didn't meter. Commander Seilla addressed the speaker :

" I don't recall asking for your words, Volo. "

" I apologize, Commander. It won't happen again. "; but his eyes were stuck on Kain like a glue and he didn't have to put a special effort to feel his disliking.

" Deeply. "; the ancient vampire answered to Volo's question :" But the war isn't over yet. "

She snorted :

" And you came down here to tell us that ? Look around ! This is all that remains of us. This and five other caves. Most of my men are in sick bay and what's left is armed with clubs and rocks. "; she turned :" What ever you wanted, you are too late. "

" We remember… "; Kain started with a brief pause :" … those before you. They were proud and tall, so mighty that we even had to make peace with them. We don't believe that one fall would hold their descendents down. "

She sighed sadly :

" Nosgoth is lost. The Kreedens took it. "

" We still haven't rolled our dice. "

Seilla looked at him over her shoulder wondering :

" What's with all the 'we' ?"; she asked

" Him and his sword. "; Sian explained

" Great. "; she rolled her eyes :" An insane vampire. "

Kain made a few slow steps forward ignoring the other soldiers who were pointing their guns at him. Volo tried to give him his most threatening look, but he too caused no alter of Kain's course. His claw gently descended on Seilla's shoulder. She instantly shivered to his touch, but still turned so he could see her face. With a gentle gesture he razed her chin up :

" If your men would be healed, "; he started :" and well armed, would you follow an insane vampire and his sword ?"

" Maybe… "; she said :" But how are you going to pool that off ?"

" My lady, "; Volo started, upset that Seilla had Kain's talon on her shoulder :" we should have these… creatures removed. "; at the sound of those words, Sian hissed at him silently, but Volo just narrowed his eyes in his direction and continued :" Their presence does no good to the moral of the men. "

" And what moral would that be ?"; Seilla asked him darkly stepping out of Kain's sharp touch :" What moral do you think our men have left ?"

" Red wounds might yet be healed, "; Volo said :" but those that have no color should not be deepened. "

" And those who represent our allies and offer aid should be… removed ? "; Volo uttered to say something, but she cut him off decisively :" I will hear no more. You are stepping over your limitations, Volo. "; she faced Kain again who seemed to be ignoring everyone except for her :" We are not going to let you turn us into vampires if that's what you mean !"

" Not quite. "; he smiled enigmatically

The sick bay was cleared of most commoners and unnecessary staff. Kain asked for a goblet of blood, a syringe, and a permission to use his method on someone who was beyond aid. They led him and Sian to the critical ward, as they called that part of the cave, and presented him with what he asked for. The man on the hospital bed was fading and his life support was about to be unplugged. His condition was caused by heavy burns of an explosion that occurred close to him, and he couldn't be helped. As Kain approached the patient twitched his weary eyes and whispered :

" Doctor… you look awful… "; before passing out again

" Make room. "; Kain asked. The goblet of blood and the syringe started to hover before him on their own :" This is the final secret of the vampires. "

" What secret ?"; Sian asked confused

" One we have not had the need to reveal before. "; Kain said as he cut his vane open :" Our bite is death… but our blood is life. "

Three drops of his blood got out hovering in mid air and circling before the sights of all present. The syringe got to each of them sucking them in and than to a goblet of blood and got filled with it to the top. Kain's claws tore the white sheet that covered the man's chest, exposing his burned skin. Before anyone could see it coming, the syringe got stabbed directly in the heart of the dying man and injected the cocktail of blood into it. The man twitched and started to shake. Immediately, doctors jumped to his aid, and Volo got reaching for his gun, but the man suddenly got calm. He was bulging his eyes around the room and hissing for air trough his wide opened mouth. At once the burns on him begun to heal and to fall off, as new clean skin got to the surface from underneath. In a couple of moments he got up to a sitting position, still gasping for air obviously experiencing a heavy blow by his immediate recovery. After an extensive examination the doctors concluded that he was once more in a fitting shape, though a little agitated since he was aware of how he was healed.

Commander Seilla glared at Kain :

" We could have used this earlier. "

" A secret is not, if one shares it. "; Kain smiled

She just growled something to her self and ordered her men to get a transfusion kit. Kain and Sian each gave them a liter of blood, and instructions of how to use it. Three drops for those seriously injured, and less for the others. Four drops would be too much and the dark gift would be inevitable. Without a bite, insanity would follow and a most unpleasant death. Naturally, they were thirsty after that donation, for the blood is precious for a vampire, and they got to replenish them selves on some blood stocks the humans had for medical purposes.

In the mean time, Commander Seilla was practically dancing on nails around them. After a long time of helplessness she was almost afraid to seize this opportunity. She was afraid to trust someone like Kain. Volo hardly left her side, constantly cross-armed glaring at Kain or Sian suspiciously. All four were in her quarters alone. The room was a simple extension of a cave with a desk, a chair and computer terminal that gathered all the reports. They also brought in one chair for Sian, but not for Kain because his wings made it almost impossible to use anything with back. Seilla was nervous and excited, both scared and pleased. Kain delivered one part of his promise but he still didn't get the weapons. When she brought that up he asked to bring him maps of Nosgoth. Rather on a paper, they led him to a big square glass tile that was a screen, depicting the landscape. He was unused to such things but once he adapted, he explained his plan :

" Weapons we intend to give you is those of the enemy. "; he said while gazing over the screen-map.

" The Kreedens have made the city of Coorhagen into their main ammunition bunker. "; Seilla explained :" They took most of ours and upgraded it with their technology. Who knows what these guns can do now. "

" You'll find out soon enough. "; Kain said

" Is that so ?"; Seilla frowned :" I have to hand it to you for the blood thing, but how on earth do you intend to steel enough guns for all of us ? Not only that they have occupied the city, they also have that Chron as its main defender. "

Kain frowned at the mention of the name. Sian told him that this creature almost single-handedly won the second battle of the war, delivering Nosgoth into Kreeden hands.

" The beast Chron is a most vicious and powerful creature. "; Sian started :" Kreedens have traveled to many worlds and conquered many species, but above all, the Danshar beasts. Chron is the strongest of them. He's blindly loyal to his masters and insanely territorial. An intrusion will surely stir his blood. "

A light smile danced on his sire's lip. Thoughts that were occupying his mind were like thousands of tiny red spiders running over a giant web.

" Once they are healed, "; Kain said to Seilla :" move your men close to the main city gates. "

" You don't expect us to aid you in some suicidal assault ?"; Volo said :" You might go in and out but we… "

" Only Sian will be coming along. "; Kain said without asking for his son's answer.

Sian didn't respond. He just gazed at his claws and for a moment they seemed like growing. Sailla observed them both and sighed :

" Look, vampire… "; she spoke :" I haven't told you everything. Not all of our ships were destroyed. We managed to send some battle cruisers into outer space to seek for a planet we can populate instead. You don't have to do this. They will return… "

" And in the mean time, you'll keep playing cave rats… "; Kain finished instead of her

Anger got a hold of her and she screamed in rage :

" Stop calling us cave rats !"

" Than stop acting like one !"; he gazed at her

" Shut up !"; she turned away, frustrated :" Do you think I like hiding under ground while these… these bastards destroy our homes ? I tried everything I could and it all blew up in my face… I'm… I'm not… like you, "; she came to him most bravely and poked him with her finger a couple of times :" So don't you dare judge me !"

" Kain merely suggests that you still haven't exhausted every option. "; Suan said and narrowed his eyes at his sire :" Though he might have used a more polite tone. "

Seilla snorted and paced away to the map-screen. For a while she stood silent with her eyes fixed on the city of Coorhagen :

" Their greatest beast against… "; she looked back at Kain :" … A fight I would pay big money to see… if I was suicidal. "

" Be there and wait for our signal. "; Kain turned to go and Sian went after him

" What signal should we expect ?"; she tossed. Kain stopped for a moment :

" Chron's head mounted above the gates. "

They left to stretch their wings.

The night was falling swiftly at this time of year, though the sky was not dark blue any more but dark green and the stars were obscured by thick clouds. Kain never knew how much that would miss him, but he had other things to focus on now. Sian flew in his batform following Kain who soared magnificently like a giant bird. The speed and grace he was displaying was hard to match and Sian's bats had to put an extra effort to keep up with him. Small creatures had to keep their distance for he was flapping his wings so strong and quick, it could even cause turbulence if he would go higher. It would also make a lot of noise but when they would pass above the populated areas he would just keep them stretched and would glide on the air currents until they would pass.

Finally the evening grew all dark and Coorhagen appeared before them. The city was now at least twice as large as the last time Kain saw it, and it had a large stone wall tightly surrounding it. Many red and purple banners of the enemy were pinned on it and even on some buildings within. Their crest was a snake circling around a sharp dark gem that seemed like an arrow head, pointing down. Before the wall on the outer side were marching machines on two mechanical legs, armed with heavy weaponry, and within the city numerous patrols of Kreedens cowered the streets in a curfew. Once tall buildings were now torn down to use their construction for the rising wall. It seemed like that barrier would serve like some kind of a shield generator once finished, cutting Coorhagen off completely. Fortunately, they were in no hurry to complete it, due to the current state of things. Commoners and humans were second grade citizens, all hiding within their homes before the oppressor. Sometimes just for the fun of it, a patrol would brake in an innocent home and start to bully the people even killing the entire family under an excuse of suspicions of treason.

Kain landed silently like a feather on the roof of one common house and Sian formed close by. Beneath them a patrol passed by unsuspecting. The individual Kreedens resembled humans, except for pink to purple skin, slightly bigger dark eyes with no pupils and each had a large crystal merged with the skin on the forehead. Their armor was a kind of mixture of ancient crafts and electronics, with iron plates merging to shield, and imbued with complex technical sensors and defenses. They were armed with a kind of energy blades made of hardened magic emanating from handles and hilts of crystal to act like spears and swords. Some had NUC pulse blasters, though slightly modified and upgraded. And all walked confidently and arrogant, something Kain was about to change.

" Speak about our enemy. "; Kain whispered to his son

" The Kreedens have a harsh culture. "; Sian said :" Weakness is determined at birth and those week are cast away so only the strong would progress in their society. That crystal on their heads is some kind of telepathy device which allows them to communicate the way we do with whispers. As soon as we make our move, every Kreeden in the city will know of it, and if we prove hard to find, they'll unleash their trackers in the air. "

" Trackers ?"

" Triangular prisms of colorful metal. They are hovering machines with numerous sensors. If one of those spots us… "

" Blind them. "; Kain said to him, observing the next passing patrol

" And you are going to take down the patrols until you make your way to Chron ?"

" One by one. "; Kain smiled deliciously

" There's something else you must know ; They are mortal creatures of a few centuries lifespan, but they have a kind of a genetic memory makeup. When their child is born one of the parents passes memories onto it. The child knows everything his ancestors knew, ten, sometimes more generations back. Nobles have these forebear-lines long and that initiates them in the upper circles of the society. Lady Jordana for instance comes from a long line of witches, and magic flows strong in her. "

" Tasty… "; Kain smirked. But than he stopped like listening. Something drew a grudge on his face, some sound that seemed to reach his ear :" Do… you hear a baby crying ?"

" A baby ?"; Sian looked at him :" No. do you ?"

" Yes. "

Sian grudged :

" Are you feeling all right ?"

" Fine. "; Kain said uninterested, and turned his attention back down on the passing patrol :" They tried to receive the dark gift. "

Sian frowned and answered :

" It was a failure. They weren't fit for the curse. Those few that tried became abominations that died soon after. Now Jordana and her commanders use our curse as a punishment, and those punished depend on automatic life supports. "

" Giant robotic warriors. "; Kain said, remembering his so called canned meal.

" The point is that they aren't such easy pray, and their weapons are sharp. One person, even a vampire might have difficulties. "

The soul reaver appeared in Kain's hand and its energy jumped to life. Fortunately, the light was somehow dispersing in the night a few feet from the blade.

" Not a person. "; Kain whispered and disappeared :" … a shadow… "

The patrol of Kreedens appeared around the corner, marching on and laughing about their previous raid, when suddenly one furthest behind got eaten by the darkness. There simply wasn't a better explanation. The others turned, but only his scream from the night remained, and than nothing. Something passed by like a dash of black wind and another started to bleed. A huge hole appeared gapping on his chest. He gazed horrified on his comrades before collapsing on the ground and coughing his life out. Silent whispers were echoing everywhere around, uttered on a language none could understand, constantly shifting from loud to quiet. The third Kreeden flashed and vanished with a scream as the rest were putting some kind of special goggles on to try and see this attacker. The rate of their heart beets got considerably faster. Up on the roof, Sian could smell their horror. Kain was taking them one by one as easy as picking flowers and they were dropping like flies. Whispers muttered angry and hideous, rippling on the night's mist, making it quake and shiver. Finally the Kreedens saw the glimpse of the attacker but it was too late, for he descended from the night and hit them with the reaver before they could even yell. Those that picked them selves up tried to find him but all they could glance was a shadow vanishing above roof tops. Kain's ability of flight was most unexpected.

Instantly an alarm was razed and many trackers got lunched into the air. That was Sian's cue. He followed Kain and tended to destroy those tracker robots that were away from him, to lead the rest onto him self. This simple tactics seemed to have worked, giving Kain enough time to do his dance with the seeking patrols. His job was not all that easy and he had to use a lot of stealth to approach the trackers close enough to ether smash them from the shadows, or scorch them with his fires.

For many hovers since, they decreased the population of Kreedens and destroyed the trackers and other sensors. The general alert was razed and chaos took hold. Even the outside robotic sentinels were called in, and the speakers in the city were calling the intruders to come forth, threatening with everything from torture in agony to killing the hostages. But Kain and Sian were deaf and never more resolved. Like a plague, fear took hold of the Kreedens, who were helplessly trying to resume their duties, but every now and than there would be that dreaded echoing whisper followed by a scream coming from an unknown direction marking one less Kreeden in Coorhagen.

At few occasions, Kain got exposed surrounded by patrols, and a general slaughter would follow. The Kreedens could almost mach his skill but he wielded a weapon far sharper and stronger than any they had. Just when all the patrols would start to close in on him, he would fly and vanish again, usually taking a small 'snack' along with him. Sian was the only one who knew where he was all the time, since they were telepathically linked, and he quickly followed him and cleared the 'eyes' out of his path. It was a slow and difficult work for both of them, and sometimes they had to make a brief brake hiding within a certain house and replenishing on Kreeden corpses, or even the local habitants, but they were more than willing to keep on until every single one of them was dead. It was more than a duty, it was a pleasure, and Sian couldn't remove the smile off his face.

Three hovers till dawn, Kain went to the east and Sian mowed west to draw the trackers once again. One would think that these dumb machines would figure it out by now. He was jumping over rooftops when he spotted a potential candidate. Fortunately it didn't get near enough to see him and he had the advantage of the vampiric vision. But then, the machine went away to the east towards Kain. All of the machines started to go east. It puzzled him.

Suddenly an armored figure got to Sian's presence by jumping on the roof further behind him. He turned. In an instant another armored figure jumped opposite to the first and they both gazed at each other :

" I was here first, brother. "; the one on the left smiled

" So, what do you choose ?"; the other asked him amused

They were both in same armors, except that one on the left had a helmet with horns folded down and the one on the right had horns folded up. They were large with much muscle on them and almost completely alike. Kreeden twins decorated with dry body parts of their previous hunts, like necklaces of cut ears, or finger-bones for medals and pins. Their armors were of pinkish silver with expensive magical runes on them, and the left one was armed with a double blade sword and the other with a pair of razor sharp lobes, like half disks in his hands. Left one had a whip hanging wrapped on his belt and the other had a net folded on his back. Sian knew them well. They were Let-Galeb brothers, Conrad and Randok, the most renowned hunters in all the enemy ranks. It was them who led the hunting parties for the tree houses and were responsible for deaths of many of his children. They existed solely for hunts and trophies, and there were some rumors that they share everything to that measure, that they even share each others intimates. They certainly both sounded like they prefer to be intimate with men.

Conrad was the one who got to the 'pray' first. He had a double bladed sword and a net on his back. By arriving here before Randok he got the right to choose which body part of Sian he will take for his trophy once they kill him. It was a game they played with each other.

" I take his right ear !"; Conrad said

" Oh, you always take the best parts. "; Randok complained

Sian didn't care about their games. He had enough reason to hate them both. The chain that was still shackled to his right arm without a sleeve grew red hot and a boll of fire appeared on its other end like a flaming flail that illuminated him.

" Well, what do you know, brother !"; Randok pointed out :" It's the escaped tergetti lord, Tarian !"

" Sian. "; the vampire spoke annoyed

" He's going to be a glorious prize, my brother. "; Conrad marveled

Sian roared and charged at them both, flinging his mace of fire. Conrad instantly imbued his double blade with magic, and deflected Sian's attack. At the clash of their weapons a burst of sparks flashed on the rooftop. Randok span his lobes at him, and Sian had to dodge. The brothers were greatly skilled and very fast. Their weapons could easily get trough Sian's defense if he wasn't careful. But he didn't care. Their smiled faces were enough of a motivation and he attacked with beastly rage and anger. Sparks and flashes burst the roof like fireworks. Sian's screams of rage and their sadistic giggles filled with heavy breathing tore the silken dark. Flames were spilt and magic sparkled, but no one else appeared. Ether Kain was keeping them busy, ether the brothers asked for some privacy. Sian was loosing patience. He jumped over Randok and clashed with Conrad entwining the chain of his flail with his double blade. For an instant they got face to face and their arms got struggling :

" You fight well, vampire… "; Conrad said :" …but not well enough. "

He hit him with his head and knocked Sian away with the crystal on his forehead. The blow was strong and Sian lost balance. It was enough for Randok's whip to catch his leg and make him drop on the ground, and than Sian saw a net unfolding while flying at him. He tried to ignite it, but it was made of fireproof cords and the next moment he was entangled in it. The brothers marveled.

" What a hunt, brother !"; Conrad whipped the sweat of his face

" You did well. "

" No, you did well. "

" We both did. "; they laughed like children, and than Randok gazed at their prize :" You've caused quite the fuss, but no meter. At least we got to play a while. "

" And now, how would you like your ear… "; Conrad asked his brother, smirking

Sian hissed as he was trying to get free, but he only seemed to entangle more. Randok approached and presented his sharp lobe, ready for dissection. Sian hissed at them, trying to bite his way trough the net, but before the cut, Conrad razed his double bladed sword like a spear to finish him off. At once something flashed and Conrad was tossed away on the other wall. Randok gazed across the roof and he too suffered the same fate. Sian razed his sight and was relieved when Kain landed down beside him with the soul reaver at a ready. As his feet touched the tiled roof, dust and cracking sounds rose around him and he gazed at the pair with chill in his eyes sharper than a razor. But he didn't get Sian out of the net just yet, rather than standing between him and the brothers. They picked them selves up and gazed at him :

" Brother !"; Randok said astounded :" Do you not realize who we have before us ?"

" It must be Kain him self !"; Conrad whispered :" I pick his left wing ! It will make a fine cloak !"

Kain tossed a look back on his wings, saying :

" A dangerous hobby. "; it sounded like he was bored sick by the greatness of their stupidity

" A way of life, great pray !"; Randok answered

" Let's try him out, brother !"; Condrd was impatient

" I'll take his right side… "; Randok told him

At once Sian was forgotten. Kain calmly paced between the two Kreedens and the reaver's energy danced upon its blade. Randok attacked from behind, trying to surprise him. But the mighty wing slapped him and he flew away, while Kain blocked Conrad's attack and his other hand that went for the heart. His red talon caught Conrad's armored arm and twisted it, bending his entire body sideways. For an instant, Kain held him like that, and than kicked him to land next to his brother. Sian seemed to have managed to untwine the web enough to get his head free and now he smiled as he watched the despised twins get up, shaken and bruised.

" It seams that we are not up to this one yet, brother… "; Conrad sighed

" We should try to elude him and prepare better for the next time. "; Randok said to him

Kain gazed upon them with a thoughtful face. He seemed like he was thinking things trough. For a moment he turned his sight back to his fished son. But while he was gazing around, Randok took his whip and slashed over him. Kain twitched as the long peace of leather left a red mark over his chest. The pain was instantaneous and it lasted as much but still he hissed at them stretching his wings snarling trough his jaws. They prepared for his attack, but instead, he got calm. Angry wings closed behind him. He placed the reaver upon his back and spoke :

" Go. "

Sian was shocked :

" What are you doing ! Kill them both !"; he yelled

" Silence !"; Kain ordered him and than whispered to the twins :" Go… "

They looked at each other and Randok spoke :

" You've shamed us, vampire !"

" But it will be your last mistake !" ; Conrad added

" No one escapes the Let-Galeb twins !"

They backed away slowly and jumping on the opposite rooftop, they vanished in the night.

" What have you done !"; Sian shouted :" Why didn't you kill them !":

Kain approached him slowly, glaring at him :

" Why didn't you ?"

Sian struggled to untie the web like a beast, rolling on the ground, but he was too angry at Kain for letting them escape to be efficient in anything.

" Do you know how many of us did they kill !"; Sian shouted

" It doesn't meter !"; Kain said

" You heartless monster ! They… "

" It-Doesn't-Meter. "; Kain hissed :" Why didn't you kill them ? Answer !"

" I tried ! And I would have… "

" You would have decorated their clothing with your remains !"

" I… I couldn't… But why didn't you… "; Sian uttered

" Listen and listen good… "; he kneeled on one knee and came over him :" You couldn't win, for you had three foes instead of two. You attacked for vengeance, and that kind of attack always draws rage. It might have bean different had you had the wit to see trough it, but instead your anger seduced you and blinded you like an insulted child. "

" But, they… they… "

" They, Nothing !"; Kain snarled :" The next time you fight them, they will kill you again. You'll never be able to win… unless you manage to defeat your self first, child. "

Sian's face fell on the floor :

" I… I just… hate them…"; he sobbed :" I hate them so much… so much I feel like my blood is poison… "

" I know. "; Kain whispered with a fatherly tone and all his anger seemed to fade. His hand got on Sian's shoulder :" Shush… It's going to be all right… it will be all right… You will learn… "

They fled into hiding for the next hover or so, until things would settle down. Darkness begun to fade before the light, and the rising sun shined trough layers of green mist. As the morning graced the habitants of Coorhagen, it revealed corpses of Kreedens piled on every street, and those of them that remained now gathered on the town square before the southern gates. It was a big space with a few wooden platforms and a few antique stone towers, rising tall, surrounding it. A dead and dry fountain in the center of the square was almost trying to brighten the area with its presence. Dawn wrought no relief from the whispering night, but the Kreedens weren't about to give up. One female Kreeden took a microphone and stood on a wooden platform :

" Vampires !"; her words sounded trough out the city :" Your cowardly games have lasted long enough ! Step forth and answer for your acts of treason !"

Only one other thing aside from an empty morning breeze answered her calling. Crows and scavengers started to gather drawn by the smell of corpses and their shrieking stirred the scene but other than that, hollow streets gave no token.

" Come forth !"; the Kreeden woman shouted :" If you surrender we might show you mercy !"

Again only silence prevailed. At once one of the tall stone towers gave a sound of cracking. Its base begun to crumble and clouds of dust pillowed from the rock. The Kreedens shouted and started to flee, but the stone construction fell apart and a rain of bricks and stone blocks showered them mercilessly. A rumble shook the entire city and a thick cloud of white dust and sand consumed the entire square. Some of the survivors tried to organize again but suddenly the dancing light of the soul reaver and a golden glowing flail-mace appeared trough the thick white veil. The Kreedens screamed trying to warn the others but it was pretty pointless. Kain and Sian made their way trough their ranks, hacking and slashing trough all the commotion, until at last their foe got more organized, placing sensor-goggles and powering their weapons. A dreaded battle took place and the two vampires had to use all of their powers against the mob of enemies. The reaver slashed and the flail's fire consumed, and blasts of guns and magical explosions stirred the silence. Crows and vultures on the roofs and walls restlessly danced on their feet waiting to treat on those fallen.

As the cloud of dust finally cleared away, it revealed Kain and Sian back to back surrounded by the last bunch of remaining Kreeden warriors. About a hundred of them were making a parameter, surrounding them, panting exhausted and nervous, and the two vampires though cowered in numerous wounds, stood defiant and frightening. Blood was dripping on their lips, smudging their jaws and cheeks and their sharp fangs dribbled and glittered in their wide opened mouth.

" How does it look, father ?"; Sian asked with his sharp eyes glaring at the enemy

" Like a beginning. "; Kain smirked

" Shall we ?"

" Vae Victus !"

Battle cries ended the silence and the carnage prevailed. An almighty chaos and massacre took hold of the town square, in which's center Kain and Sian wielding their weapons slaughtered and murdered. The Kreedens were tired and exhausted by this long night but they too gave their best to match the vampires, and the parameter of empty space between the two foes begun to shrink. In the last moment, Kain shouted the word, and Sian jumped directly above his head. Kain unlocked his defenses and razed the reaver high up in the air. Many weapons at once went for his flesh, but Sian poured a rain of fire in a ring of Kreedens around his father, deflecting their strikes. The next moment the reaver hit the ground and its blast exploded all around.

"For blood and souls !"

The awesome energy showered them like a storm, melting their flesh and burning their bones, and finally the Kreedens fell. Sian gently glided down next to Kain. They were greatly injured, but still they smiled. A few Kreedens was still alive and they tried to pick them selves up. Instead their blood served as a medical aid for the victors. The taste was beyond comparison. Not only that it was rich with their generations-long memories, but the sweet triumph and victory made it priceless. Blood of the enemy is the sweetest.

After a most gratifying meal, Kain came to the place where the antique tower fell. It was a human custom to store antique things, and now they had one less. Digging trough the rock he uncovered the microphone that the Kreeden girl used to taunt him. He tested it out and after he made sure it was still in order he spoke into it :

" Your guards are no more, Chron… You are all alone. Do you dare to accept a challenge or do we have to chase you ?"

" Chron accepts !"; The speakers sounded :" Wait for Chron's arrival… "

Kain tossed the microphone away and stepped closer to Sian. He was still feeding off the dead, even though birds and rats feasted along with him. He dropped the dry body and sighed with blood haze.

" Do… you need my help ?"; he asked Kain while his red bleeding eyes blinked with seated thirst.

" Help the humans. "; Kain answered

The people were still hiding in basements and under tables trying to live trough the horrible night. Now they needed to be taken somewhere away from this square, not to get injured in the forthcoming duel. Sian nodded and said :

" I'll be quick. Do not hesitate to call. "

He left. Once alone, Kain faced the reaver :

" Do you have anything to say ?"

" No. "

" Just checking. "; Kain smiled :"You know, if this Chron is what everyone claim, he might even kill me. "

" We can only hope. "

Kain lowered the blade and his gaze got trailed away somewhere on the northern streets shrouded in green fog.

" We can only hope… "; he whispered to him self

For a while he stood there with the reaver in his hand and its tip hanging towards the ground. They were motionless, carved from ice whose chill stole the entire morning's warmth. Kain's wings occasionally twitched but other than that he made no gesture. After a while, massive footsteps of a four legged beast reached his big ears. The ground vibrated with the creature's slow dragging towards him, but Kain still made no gesture. Trough the green veils of mist, a shadow of a monster emerged to his sight. It sniffed towards him and resumed its pacing with unchanged speed.

As Chron came to view, Kain had to grimace. The beast was twice as tall as him and as broad as his wingspan. Its skin was purple with flows of green painting it like tattoos. Front legs were large and developed, while the back legs were smaller but still sufficient. Like he was dragging him self on his arms. His tail was long and lizard-like and his head resembled that of a huge alligator, surrounded in a mane of short slithery tentacles like hair and beard. Insufficient metal plates were covering him, serving as some kind of armor, but he was largely exposed and revolting. Chron reeked of confidence and power, a creature worthy of any foe. But still Kain smelled trough his surface and sensed unease within him. They observed each other for the next few moments amidst the numerous dead Kreedens, and than Chron spoke with a beastly voice :

" I am Chron, mighty and strong ! The greatest of all Danshar beasts ! Who are you to challenge Chron ?"

" The resident beast. "; Kain replied

Chron sniffed again :

" Hrmmm… They tell tails about you. You are a fear of all local hearts. Chron was looking forward to meet you… To fight you… To kill you. "

" Chron got his chance. "

" Yes… But you are not a Danshar. Chron's customs are that only another Danshar may challenge him in a Vidocha, a duel for life and death. If we are to fight in Vidocha, Chron must first grant you the title of a Danshar warrior. "

" If Chron grants, we accept. "

Chron bowed his head in approval :

" Hrmmmm… Do you have a cause, warrior ?"

" Yes. "

" Do you have a code of honor for which you'll die and never brake ?"

" Yes. "

" Do you pledge on your strength and might that you'll never flee from battles and responsibilities ?"

" Yes. "

" Than Chron grants you the title of a Danshar ! Now you may live as a Danshar, fight as a Danshar and die as a Danshar !"

Chron razed his roar at the heavens and Kain joined him. Their growls shook the foundation of the city. Once they depleted their lungs, Chron snarled at Kain and shouted :

" VIDOCHA !"

They charged at each other, Chron on his four and Kain on his wings. The reaver got ready at his hand. But at the collision, the reaver passed trough empty air and Chron's massive claw hurled Kain away. He flew trough a building making a new doorway and a tunnel to the other side, making his imprint in the wall of the building behind. At once, he got up and gazed wondering. He aimed the reaver accurately, but it didn't catch Chron's skin. And than he saw his foe with a deep dent in his flesh, that opened up on its own to let the reaver pass trough, instead of cutting trough. It closed the next instant. Kain snorted to him self and Chron's claw mark on him healed the next instant.

Chron charged again and Kain held his ground. The two beasts blocked and dodged, and for a moment they danced like that equal. But than, a long green tongue got out of Chron's mouth, shooting at Kain and passing an inch by him. As it stroke the ground the spit on it fell on the rock and started to eat it away like acid. Kain took an instant to notice, before ducking beneath the passing claw, and this time his thorny wing, razed in an arch and cut off the purple arm up to its elbow. Kain misted away with the reaver at the ready. Chron growled but his arm crawled back to him on its own and once it got back to its place, it reconnected and healed, good as new.

" Interesting. "; Kain said before the next assault

Dust was smoking around their battle grounds, rocks turned into sand and the dead Kreedens into a red mush. Scavengers fled back to roofs and tunnels with their feast interrupted. Buildings begun to collapse and the front gate of the wall got blown away. But nether of them faltered. When Kain would give strikes, Chron would open his body to let him trough, and when Chron would give strikes, Kain would mist trough them. At one point Kain flapped his wings in the air and razed into the sky. Chron jumped up to an impressive height and spat his tongue out. But Kain caught it ignoring the acidic touch on his hand, and took a tight grip of it. Chron's weight pooled him down, but he had enough time to swing him into the protective wall and break trough it with his body. Chron got up, dizzy, but his tongue didn't let go of Kain's arm, rather than dragging him down and slamming him in the ground. Chron ran to him to stamp all over him, but when he jumped, Kain razed his feet, caught him by the chest and passed him over hurling him on. At the same expense he jumped up and ran after him. Chron landed on his feet, braking a wall as he turned and Kain jumped on his back. He got onto him like he would mount a horse and Chron roared. What followed seemed like a rodeo, with Chron jumping around, trying to shake him off, and Kain squeezing and balancing with his opened wings. But Chron jumped backwards on the wall and broke trough it with Kain's head. In an instant Kain let go and kicked him in the spine. Chron flew to the other side of the square and they both got up gazing upon each other. A short break took place with them catching their breath.

" You are a worthy opponent. "; Chron said :" Chron is proud to share this Vidocha with you. "

Bones in Kain's neck cracked a few times as he stretched it sideways :

" Chron speaks and fights with honor. "; he said :" We wonder how Chron ended up to serve the usurpers. "

" You have your honor and Chron has his. "; Chron replied :" Chron's honor demands his loyalty, though Chron would like otherwise. "

Kain smirked :

" We like you, Chron. It is a shame one of us won't outlive the day. "

" Hrmmmmm… If you think to offer Chron your side, know that Chron will refuse. We shall play this Vidocha to its end !"

" So be it !"

They both roared and went running across the square. Their collision was a blast of swift strikes. And than Chron grabbed the hilt of the reaver over Kain's palm, and the blade's tip with his other hand. Kain's bones on the hilt suffered under Chron's mighty grasp, but he grabbed Chron's claw on the reaver's tip instead, and squeezed over it, so that his palm got cut on the blade. The reaver finally got the taste of his flesh and Chron yelled in pain. He tried to rip him self of, but Kain dragged the reaver out of his grasp and the fingers on his huge right arm got flying trough the air. Before they hit the ground they vanished, and Chron backed away for a moment blinded by pain. A moment was all that took Kain to finish him and he razed the sword, but Chron spat a huge bunch of sticky green slime at him that at once started to sear him and got him stuck to the ground like acid glue. He couldn't mist or teleport away for the spit was burning his flesh and averted his casting focus. He was bound. He could rip his way out, but not soon enough. Chron took a look at his mangled palm and than at Kain :

" You took Chron's fingers… Chron will take your head !"

His large jaw went to bite his head off. Kain seemed to have no options left. The glue slime was bonding him efficiently, but than he realized that his right leg could move a bit. A balled up chunk of the green substance was at the tip of his toes. At the last moment he tried to aim and flung it. Chron was just about to reach him, when it struck his face and got into his eyes, blinding him completely. He started to scream as his own toxin begun to sear his eyeballs and was jumping around like mad. Finally he managed to cry it out and the first thing he saw was the serpent blade of the reaver falling on him. At once pain exploded trough his chest and he lost his stand. The ground welcomed his collapse and his mighty strength expired.

Kain pooled the blade out. He was cowered in acidic burns, but as he got the toxic spit off him self using his mist form they slowly started to decrease and heal. Chron was beaten. The monster coughed and spoke :

" … Chron… lost… This day Chron never taught… he'll witness… "

Kain approached, standing above him silently.

" … you fought… with… honor… Danshar vampire… My honor… "

" You've kept it, Danshar Chron. "; Kain said

" … No… listen… Chron… must give you… your tithe… Chron owes to tell you… "; Kain frowned a bit :" …Mistress Jordana… she did something… while you slept… some magic… It is killing you right now… You'll die within five days… "

Kain's eyes got a little bigger, but other than that he made no gesture of any emotional response.

" Do you know what ?"; he asked lightly as if asking what's for breakfast

" No… but she told… Chron about… about it… A cowardly way to kill… no… honor… "

Kain grudged and smiled. This was unexpected. He gazed back at his foe and spoke :

" We thank you. "

" The day… came for Chron… Watch your… pride… Dan… Danshar vampire… one day… one day will… be… yours… as… we-… well-… lll… "

Kain's was fully healed. His son appeared stepping behind them. Sian looked at a dead monster, and grudged a bit, feeling no pity for his faith. Not after all that he helped to create. If he had a grain respect less he would spit on his carcass. Kain razed the reaver and whispered :

" Sleep now, Danshar. "

A giant green head rolled over ground and a strange silence dominated the scene. Chron's body quietly started to melt and to degenerate. The liquid vaporized and white bones remained like a monument. For a while Kain and Sian just stood there listening to silence, nether of them breaking it with a word or a sound, and than they left to welcome the human forces. Wit a slight difficulty, they took the monster's head and mounted it above the entrance of now broken southern gate, and than they got back to enjoy black birds and rodents, fighting over the remains.

Lazaruss : So, that's it for now. Tune in next week when you'll find out how the city prepares to be defended from the invasion of angry Kreedens. Till than...