Lazaruss : Ok, boys and girls ; now we take a look at the master-mind of the plot... Prepare for the murder of hope...
We'll make her beg trough tears and cry
The blade of sorrow will stab at her heart
But if she should perish, all hope will die
except for the one from our legacy's start
Demons of chaos have rushed to their task
Halberd versus sword for the title of scythe
The face of true foe laughs behind a mask
Blood will flow. Nightmares have come to life
As they reached the royal palace, they landed in the shades and Adella veiled her illusions once more, creating a visage of her self, in chains. Tarian and Jasmine joined the shackled visage of Adella with their bonds too only as a decoration. A few more illusions came around, depicting an escort of Kreeden guards and Haidres surrounding Kain and his tide up progeny. Thus set, Kain and Haidres led them on straight to the front entrance.
The royal palace was a magnificent construction of purple stone, huge and lit by many red braziers. Banners of the Kreeden army were hanging on the walls and swayed on spikes of its high towers. Many marching machines on two legs were guarding around it, heavily armed and ready for anything… Well, almost anything. It was all quiet and still in the city as Kain and the small party neared the entrance. The people were removed from their homes when the Kreedens moved in and the entire Meridian now belonged to them. A few patrols were scouting the streets but the main force dominated the palace in the center of the town.
Reaching the palace was not difficult. But once there, it was a trick, deluding the resident guards into not seeing trough Adella's illusions. The Kreedens had many sensors and their minds were cunning. It was an effort to pass trough the ranks of such a force. Fortunately, Kain's magic aided Adella considerably, and Tarian also provided the heath for her puppets so they would be visible on the thermo.
Without hesitation, the guards brought them in and with great heist conducted them to the throne room, moving trough wealthy decorated corridors. Jordana's quarter was a big crimson-lit chamber with pink and purple walls. Two lines of smooth fat poles were welcoming them as they entered the room. Many priceless items and artifacts were decorating the walls and corners. An expensive thick carpet was laid over the stone flour. Yellow and gold curtains of silk stretched about the walls and between the poles, neatly painted with shads of the same color. And at the far end of the room was a big extravagant throne of white marble, engraved with diamonds and other precious stones. A large dining table was on the left covered in red silken cloth, and set for two, and an obvious passage was exposed on the right, leading into an extravagant silken bed chamber.
But Jordana was not alone there. Many guards also occupied the throne room, with their spears of crystal and other weapons. It was a problem. If only one of them would call for aid trough the crystal on a forehead, this whole visit would cut really short, and there were too many of them this time, for Kain to shield their crystal-telepathy.
" My dear Kain !"; Jordana spoke delightfully as they came in :" Come ! Come closer and let me have a look at you. "
She was now dressed in a tight black leather outfit that was more an underwear than cloths. Her legs were bare in gilded sandals as well as her tummy and the inside of her bosom. She also had a very large pale sateen cloak with three feet long clean white feathers sticking up out of the collar, surrounding her head. Besides that, she had a golden medallion with a ruby and a diamond-crafted tiara. Her long thin bride was now over her shoulders hanging on front and reaching her knees.
The Kreeden escort of Adella's illusions displaced them selves around the room the way they would usually do, only this time, they stood in more suitable places for a sudden attack. Adella's and Jasmine's knowledge of Jordana's customs was most relevant in their little game. Jordana stood up and came a few steps closer as Kain and Haidres came forth.
" We are here as you've commanded, mistress. "; Haidres spoke and kneeled
Kain just smiled and crossed his arms.
" It is good to see you again, lady Ashee. "; he spoke :" We were worried that you have succumbed to your injuries. "
" How sweet… "; she spoke and than addressed the room :" He was worried for me. "; she gazed back at him :" Why don't you bow before me, my darling ?"
It made the three vampires wince. Kain was not the kind that would bend their knees to any one, let alone a hated enemy. This was going to become ugly very soon.
" Would a king bow ?"; Kain asked
" We are not ready yet. We need more time. "; Adella whispered to him, praying that Jordana withdraws her request. But in vane.
" You aren't a king yet. "; Jordana smiled and came closer, looking up at him :" Bow to me. "
" As you wish. "; Kain bended his knees and bowed. At this display, the three 'shackled' vampires widened their eyes a bit, but no one noticed :" Now, when does the crown arrive ?"
Jordana razed him up to his feet and placed her arms around him :
" Soon my beloved… The entire Kreeden Empire wants to meet you. The nobles are on their way. "
" You don't really want to house them here, in this shell of a world ?"; Kain asked cunningly, while at the same time whispering to his children :" Tarian, take the seven on the right, Adella, you take care of those ten on the left, Jasmine you take the thirty over there. "
" No, of course not !"; Jordana laughed placing her head on his chest :" We will meet them in the upper atmosphere on one of the commandeered NUC cruisers. "
" Where will you strike ?"; Jasmine asked
" Good. Nosgoth isn't in the best state of things. "; he smiled :" But it will heal as soon as the pillars are restored. Speaking of which… "
Jordana laughed again and separated from him. Turning away, she paced off :
" Come now, my dear Kain ! Do you think I was born yesterday, and for the first generation ? I didn't get where I was without taking precautions. "
" That goes without saying. "; Kain smirked :" What's your point ?"
" I'm goanna put you to the test. "; she smirked, swaying her large white cloak
" We'll create a distraction while you strike. "; he whispered and spoke in a bored fashion :" Oh, happy day… Very well. What ?"
Jordana came to Tarian and razed his chin to see his eyes :
" Kill him. "; she said :" Kill him slowly, so Adella would watch. "; she gazed at Adella and giggled :" You used your spells on me to make me spare your life ; enjoy it now. Bathe in his screams and feel his pain. "
Kain came to the table in red tablecloth, set for two :
" Is that all ?"
" No. "; Jordana continued :" Once you are done, hunt down the remains of NUC and destroy them. "
" It will take a while. Is there time ?"
Jordana smiled and frowned, thinking :
" I don't think so, but… surprise me, the way you always do… "
But as she looked at him her smile was gone. Kain held a crystal goblet. It was a pretty thing, carved and sculpted. He was circling his finger over the edge, making a vibrating sound :
" To surprise you ?"; he asked :" How about… this ?"
His wings opened and he went for the ceiling. Instantly a bright flash consumed it, filled with sparkling colors. All eyes were pointed at that. Without a warning, death started to take the Kreedens away, silently and swiftly, like a black draft. Before they would lower their eyes from Kain's blast of light, their necks would brake, or a sudden strike would instantly bring darkness to their eyes. They wouldn't even realize what befell them. Kain's spectacle lasted only a second, and as he landed, the room was filled with corpses.
" Surprise. "; Kain spoke with his shrewd delight
Adella, Tarian and Jasmine were out of their shackles, bathed in blood and panting trough their angry jaws. Kain let them do the work on their own. They had more claim on vengeance than him. Jordana was alone now, surrounded by blood thirsty fiends. She took a few steps back, dropping her large white cloak and gazing at Kain with sadness. His magic was blocking her calls for aid, but not her own power.
" Have fun. "; Kain spoke to his children :" But bare in mind that she's fragile. "
He turned away, jumped at the center of the dining desk, and crossing his legs he sat there, placing his palms on his knees and closing his eyes.
" Fools !"; Jordana shouted angry :" You think you can match my powers ? You will never leave here alive !"
" We are already dead !"; Tarian hissed and attacked
To his surprise, she dodged quite gracefully, and took out a long golden chain, thin as a floss, but sharp like a scalpel. She begun using it like a noose and a whip, cutting trough everything with it. It made a few scars on Tarian's skin, slicing trough his coat, and though it healed instantly, the pain was blindingly sharp. He hissed and jumped away.
Jordana was dancing amidst their attacks, wielding her golden cord. In an instant, she hurled a bolt of magic at Addella blasting her away to the other end of the room, but Jasmine entangled her cord around her axe and came face to face with her :
" Do you realize what demons you've unleashed from me ?"; she growled silently
" You always were a monster !"; Jordana replied and bounced her away using her magic, but Jasmine was so evolved, it was only a slight push.
At her next attack, Adella got her arm caught in the golden chain which entangled around it sinking deep in her flesh. It almost cut her arm off, but than another Adella violently slugged Jordana sideways, giving her double, time to untangle. But Jordana unleashed a red wave of her magic, that blasted both of them away again and focused her attention on the other two. Tarian appeared next, tripping her and Jordana landed face down. He jumped at her back and grabbed her by the bride, yanking her head up :
" You took away all I've had, bitch !"; he slowly hissed in her ear :" Now it's my turn !"
He jumped off and kicked her in the chin, knocking the tiara off her head. She hurled her chain at him, but he cut it with his flamesword. Than Jordana screamed and summoned thunders to rain on her. She seemed like a lightning rod. The current stretched over the flour and onto the three and they had to jump on the walls. Her magic was formidable, but Adella jumped on her from behind and grabbed her by the throat, ignoring the current and lifting her before her self :
" You've made us hunt down and kill our own children. "; she hissed and snarled :" Blood for blood !"
She hurled her away, but she managed to ease her fall by making a spin. She landed on her feet and fell in her throne, and than she hurled her magic at them again. The three blocked her lightning and dodged her blasts. She was a powerful witch, but they too were powerful, especially Jasmine. They toyed with her, crawling over the walls and poles and hissing at her mockingly, and once they've had enough, Jasmine made flowers in the vase next to her spray acid on her. It was enough for Tarian to knock her down and Adella to kick her in her gut. Jordana flied and crashed in the wall, falling helplessly on her back.
Adella razed her and Jasmine bonded her in roots and vines. It was tight and Jordana could barely breathe. Her left eye was swollen, bruises and cuts were decorating her skin now, and blood was leaking over her face. She smiled in her sighs, as an ecstasy ensnared her mind. The sweet pain took everything away. She couldn't resist its pleasure and embrace. The rapture of hurt. An agony of fear. Her thoughts were almost consumed by these all powerful sensations, but it was gone the next moment. Jasmine somehow took the pain away, and she was with them again.
" She's all yours now, sis. "; Jasmine backed away
Adella came forth :
" We've decided your faith ; I will burry you deep under my powers. You will be aware of what you do, but helpless to make a difference. "; Jordana shivered :" You, mistress, will be responsible for the extermination of your kind. The same hell you wrought on us. "
Jordana floundered, but in vain. She couldn't get out, nor reach for her magic any more. They've placed the silver collar around her neck with magic runes engraved onto it. It worked just as well on her as it did on them. Frantic, Jordana turned to Kain :
" You won't succeed… "; she barely whispered petrified :" You… will perish… down this road… It's not too late… Kain… Please… "
Instead of answering, he jumped off the table. He paced slowly to her and his children backed away. He observed her there with loathing and than presented his palm. It was burning with crimson fire, consuming the room in a shroud of darkness.
" Before we were so rudely interrupted… "; he spoke :" We were about to show you our new Dark Gift… lady Ashee… "
He touched her chest and the red flame embraced her body. She bulged and screamed with all her lungs, shacking so strong it seemed her muscles would explode. The pain was horrible, and it grew swiftly, not stopping. It grew like a red flood, consuming everything, and once it did, it grew even more. It wasn't pleasure. It was horror. She wanted it to end in any way possible. A hundred deaths, only to make it stop. She screamed and shouted to make it end with all her might, but it just expanded and expanded for hours and hours. The world became blood fire and she was the fuel. The agony was unbearable, but her mind didn't fall apart. Kain was preserving it. Finally it ceased and she fell, dangling in her bonds like an old rag. She wanted to plea. She wanted to beg. Anything, to prevent him from doing that again. She was too exhausted to speak, rather than just releasing quick, squeaking breaths, and leaking blood out of her mouth.
" Isn't… Isn't it beautiful ?"; Kain asked in his rapture :" Blood-fire, that's what we'll call it… "; he lifted her chin and looked at her blue eyes with no pupils, now red and leaking with tears :" Are you ready to comply… ?"
She barely nodded. Anything… just not to go trough that again… But than as she lifted her weary broken sight, she at once gazed pass them and an even worse sense of fear forced her eyes to expend. It even gave her strength to utter :
" No… Not… you… Not… White-skin ! Gasp !"
A green blast of light hit her and murdered her on the spot. It was sudden and unexpected. The three bulged at the attacker, and Kain turned slowly :
" …of course… "; he muttered
The attacker was a female creature with white skin, shrouded in green glow. Her head held many spikes stretching like crown of tentacles from the upper half of her face holding her long brown hair. She had no lips which made her teeth constantly exposed, and her eyes were burning with green flames. The hylden warrior wore a dark armor, with a purple clock over her right shoulder bearing a symbol of the ancient Sarafan Lord and she was armed with a large golden two handed executioner's axe, long like a spear and with a blade like a bat's wing. It burned with small red fires.
" Looks like I've got here just in time. "; she spoke with her echoing voice and made a few steps forward on those bird-like feet :" We couldn't have her remove the pillar's curse, now could we ? He-he-he-he. "
" White-skins ?"; Jasmine frowned :" The Hylden are her infamous White-skins ?"
" Repugnant animals !"; she shouted delightfully :" It was all our doing ! He-he-he-he-he ! Would you like to understand ? We forced the poor pink Kreedens to become an avenging force. Like blind fools they made their way, eliminating other candidates we triggered as well. The other bitter races, we stimulated, proved to them they had no choice but to fight or be swept over. And when they turned our strongest pawns, there was no stopping them. We knew they will eventually find their way here, and now it has all come together just as we've planned it !"
" Not yet !"; Kain growled and jumped before her with the soul reaver at the ready :" Or do you forget our reputation, concerning your plots ?"
" Redeemer and destroyer, Kain and Raziel… "; she giggled :" How could we forget you ! The wings are a nice touch. "; she bowed before him :" As you die, know of my name ; Ral'ben'Zet-ra, the First Blood-slayer and the Demon-lady of Ignited ! And since today, Kain-dar, The reaver-barer, for your death is my honor !"
" You couldn't have known that Jordana will curse the pillars. "; Tarian spoke as the three stepped behind Kain with their weapons at the ready
" Actually we thought they will exterminate you. "; she spun her halberd around, circling around them ready for an attack :" But this is so much better. Now we can finish the job. He-he-he-he !"
" A most brilliant scheme. "; Kain spoke :" A pity it's for nothing. "
With a violent hiss, he stretched his wings and hurled him self at her. She dodged and tripped him with the handle of her axe forcing him to crash into a large purple pole and brake it. She was very agile. Tarian attacked next, but she blast him away with the halberd's magic and than Adella who charged at her an instant later. But than Jasmine crossed axes with her. A series of swift strikes filled the space between them as their weapons banged and clashed, but the handle of Ral's halberd struck Jasmine's teeth forcing her to stand down. She had only a moment to dodge its blade that instead went trough another pole.
Ral laughed as the onslaught resumed. But now Kain returned in the game and she had to pay most attention on him. The soul reaver and her halberd blazed as they would hug each other and loud sparks would emanate at contact. She finally kicked Kain in the gut, but he welcomed her foot-claw and tossed it up, spinning her away. Jasmine tried to hurl her vines at her, but Ral cut them all and landed on her feet. Kain collided with her again and they resumed slicing at each other, blindly mangling and destroying the priceless palace chambers. It was a colossal battle and Adella, Tarian and Jasmine had to stay back most of the time, not to be caught by their raging blades. Kain missed his next strike and Ral's halberd sliced trough his hip. He snarled in pain and slammed her with his arm hurling her to crash trough Jordana's throne and brake it to bits. But she only jumped up again and started to toss red bolts at them from the blade of her halberd.
Opening his wings, Kain went in the air and maneuvered his way around the room, while Adella, Tarian and Jasmine drew her fire. It was than that the reaver unleashed its own blasts and she was forced to dodge. She jumped on a broken pole and from it lunched her self up, and slashed her halberd, crossing it with the reaver again. She was jumping and Kain was flying, and their battle resumed with pauses for her jumps. Finally she managed to kick him and slam him into the ceiling. He fell down like a crashing bird and she instantly went to decapitate him, but the reaver stopped her blade and his foot slammed in her head knocking her back.
It was strange that there were no Kreeden guards yet. Their colossal battle should have stirred the entire city. Something was wrong in the meter, but there was no time to ponder that now.
The heat was rising as the battle resumed. Priceless artifacts in the chamber were reduced to a pile of rubble and scrap. Kain's children had to stand down before their injuries but their father and Ral were restless. Actually it was he who asked them to stay out of his way. They've had some of their vengeance, now it was his turn. But instead of sitting idle, they engaged in a fight with the Kreeden corpses that rose from the ground with eyes burning in green flames. Some of them fell apart leaving familiar Hylden features underneath, and they gave the three a world of wrath. Bangs of their weapons were singing with their rage. It was a symphony of horrific fighting and battle cries.
At last Ral got behind Kain and started to chock him with the long handle of her weapon. For a moment a brief pause retained :
" Shush, ancient one… "; her whisper echoed in his huge ear :" … It is over. No more fighting for you. No more battles. Only death. Only rest. Rest, Kain. Rest… "
" You'd… like… that… Huh ?"; he asked and her face intensified with effort
They were both screaming with rage through their teeth, but the handle separated from his throat. He flipped her from behind over his head to his front and she landed with her back on the cold marble floor, most painfully. She lunched his foot in his face, but he chough it and her halberd with the serpent blade of the reaver. It was he who kicked her instead catapulting her trough a pink marble wall. Before she got up again he stabbed his elbow in her spine, unleashing her squeal of pain. The halberd went for him again from behind, but he blocked it and his fist punched her gut. He punched her again and again. She was trying to pool her self together, but he was impossible to defend against. Finally the soul reaver struck, and her halberd split down the middle. Each half fell out of her hands and she found her self in Kain's grasp. The squeeze paralyzed her and he hurled her in the flour before them making the tiles brake and jump off the flour around them.
As the three vampires murdered the last revenant, they saw that Ral was done for and Kain was practically snarling trough his exposed clenched jaw with every breath. His eyes were small and burning with crimson infernos of his hearth. His chest were jumping back and forth in his beastly anger. He extended his wings and roared at her, triumphant, razing the reaver high above to finish her. There was no escape for her. Every bone in her was beaten and broken. She couldn't even crawl away, despite her healings and she only watched with fear, this deliverer of death. He was such a horror she'd forgotten about the Hylden's release she's insured by killing Jordana and now she only tried to pool anything off so she would survive.
The serpent blade fell. It was impossible to dodge. As it flew she shut her eyes and squeezed her whole being. A mighty blast rose around them both and a cloud of dust flushed Adella, Tarian and Jasmine. For a moment they couldn't see and than Kain stepped closer to them. He was holding for his head… No, for his ears. An earthquake struck. The room shook its foundations and Kain screamed in pain. He was delirious with agony, charging into poles and braking them and Adella and Tarian had to flee, but not Jasmine. She too suddenly grabbed for her ears and screamed in pain. This time the cry reached her too. The entire palace begun to fall apart, forced by the earth's moan and Kain's previous duel.
But there was no time. Kain collapsed on his knees, dropping the reaver and another shadow emerged trough a cloud of hurled dust ; Ral'ben'Zet-ra. She was practically burning with green flames, angry and conquering. Kain missed her as the cry plugged his ears.
" Yess… "; she hissed :" … Nosgoth loves you, vampire ! Cry in his embrace ! Cry for my pleasure !"
Adella screamed and multiplied and Tarian snarled with flamesword at the ready, but Ral was mightier than them both. As soon as they attacked she practically brushed them off with her long sharp claws, dispersing many of Adellas and slicing trough Tarian's chest. She almost got his hearth, but in the last moment Adella managed to throw her self at her and knock her down. Tarian fell and suddenly he realized that all Adella's illusions were gone. Ral was holding the real one by her throat.
" No !"; he screamed
But it was too late. Ral stabbed her claw in Adella's gut. Tarian screamed and ignited, poring fire out of him like a volcano, but as he charged for the hylden she slashed her claws over his cheek and he collapsed before her, instantly extinguished. Adella was sobbing by his side in her agony, and he hissed desperately trying to take her by the hand. She was dying. The room was quacking and collapsing, but no one cared.
" Why ?"; Tarian rose his cry at the hylden :" You could have gone elsewhere ! Nosgoth… "
" Nosgoth is worthless !"; Ral shrieked :" …But revenge is priceless !"
She laughed victorious and rose her claws to finish them. A black shadow fell over her. Only her green eyes and her blazing red claws, charged with lethal magic shined now. She screamed with hate and Tarian just shut his eyes, clenching Adella's hand. A massive rumble, bounced them both away. A giant bolder, a peace of the ceiling fell on the hylden squashing her and falling further down trough the floor. That was the black shadow that fell over her. Only a giant hole in the floor remained a few feet from them where the bolder struck her and washed her away.
Finding his last bit of strength, Tarian grabbed his wife and run to Jasmine who was paralyzed in her screams. The cry of the land was not impacting her so strong as it did to Kain, but she was efficiently immobilized.
" Use your magic !"; Tarian whispered as loud as he could :" Teleport us out !"
" I caaaaaan't !"; she screamed :" Make it stoooop ! Make it stooop !"
Tarian roared, defeated. He had no options left. Except to use his own transporting magic, his Flame-gate. But it was limited. He couldn't get far and now he was injured enough to disable his casting. Kain was already out, unconscious close by and wrapped in his wings. Jasmine was still screaming. He had to focus his last bit of strength and it forced the roar out of him. It was too late. The ceiling collapsed on them as a bright light of his flame swept them all like a wave.
Tarian gasped as he violently opened his eyes. He was bleeding badly and the thirst was tormenting him, but he didn't care. He had to find Adella and see whether she's safe. With a great effort, he rose to his feet and arms and as he observed he realized that he succeeded. All of them were safe in a huge untouched hangar. The chamber was ridiculously large and spacey, and it held nothing but a giant hovering ship, a commandeered NUC battle cruiser. He didn't know where exactly this place was, but it didn't meter. A flash of joy embraced him, but as he saw her, grief overpowered him instead. Adella was dying on her back, with tears in her eyes , holding for her opened gut. The sound of her heart beets was growing out.
Instantly, the weakness was gone, and the next moment he held her in his arms :
" No !"; he shouted :" Don't ! Don't leave me !"
" … at… least I… sa… saved… you… "; she whispered, fading :" … at least… you… if no… one else… "
" What good is my life without you ?"; he sobbed
He had a few drops of blood left but not enough to heal her. Thirst was burning his chest and heart as nothing but empty air was being pumped trough his vanes. But he swore… he swore an oath long ago :
" … I will give my last drop of blood for her… "; he whispered :" …I'll share with her burdens and joys… and take care of her from now on in this life… and the next… "
He instantly tore off his slew and violently plunged her fangs in his arm. She couldn't resist. He was stronger this time. But before the blood would flow, something ripped his arm out of her jaws casting him away. He snarled in grief but than went calm as he saw what happened.
Adella gasped. Her eyes bulged and at once turned red with bursting blood. All the pain was replaced by an explosion of rapture and unimaginable sensations. She saw the distant past of the land. She saw Raziel and five others. She saw Raziel's wings and she knew it was him. Many unknown vampires were rising and falling. A beautiful blue one with black feathery wings had his hearth ripped out. His name was… Janoss. Golden throne in the sanctuary of the clans, burning towns and cities all across the land, Ruin of swamps that Nosgoth once was, and many more chaotic pictures she couldn't decipher. She felt the rapture of power turning her vanes into thunders. The red haze was ensnaring her entire being in a web of pleasure and sensations. Her hearth was beating with such drums it seemed like it would burst, but the blood was making her so strong she felt she could house an explosion within her flesh. Strength, will and magic were poring into her soul. An unimaginable ecstasy of both joy and grief, power and weakness. It had to stop. Like a chain, it gripped her in a ring of flowers that was growing from a crimson river. She was like a begging dog, fighting for the least drop. It had to go on. She had to hold on. Just a little more… a little… more… More ! More !
But he ripped it out of her jaws. She tried to hold on to it with her whole being, but it was still denied to her and she roared loud in her grief and raging power that at once infused her. And as it expired she collapsed on the ground, delirious and drunk, bulging and barely twitching, slowly floundering over the floor. She wasn't responding.
" Adella ?"; Tarian tried to reach her awareness :" Adella ?... Wh… what is wrong with her ?"
" The blood… "; Kain whispered exhausted, trying to put his black glove back on :" … She'll fuel it… in her dark gift… "
Tarian couldn't guess what an impact the blood in Kain's vanes must be, but Adella now knew. When Kain made them into vampires, the act it self was such a blow to their mortal minds, they couldn't remember the taste, but he guessed it must be stunning.
The blood… Kain's blood… Just the thought of it turned him into a starving beast, even worse than before. He was drawling with thirst, and he had to have some, or he felt like he would dry out and turn into ash. Kain was too week from the cry and Adella's pull, but Tarian practically had no choice.
The fact was that the ancient's blood was flooding with power, and it could be very dangerous. Mortal's blood was pure, clean and calming, like icy water to the fires of thirst, while vampire's blood although not as tasty, was like the fire it self. The power of the dark gift was wild and unpredictable. It would rush trough one's flesh like a race of runaway shocks, and if one couldn't stop him self, and would draw too much, it would slay him. Kain's blood was too ancient, and Tarian was too thirsty. He had no control and Kain wasn't in the condition to stop him or make him let go. Tarian will definitely take too much… far too much.
Fortunately, in the last moment, Jasmine planted her wrist instead of Kain's and Tarian stabbed his fangs in her skin. She shut her eyes as he started to drink from her, and he was bulging like an animal, silently growling along the way. As she decided that he had enough, she ripped his head off and cast him on the floor. It was exhausting for her too, and Tarian joined Adella in her red delirium.
A long time passed as Adella came too. She felt like she had experienced liquid bliss and she couldn't do else but to give in. It was such a sensation she wanted only to lie there and submit to its flows like a faithful slave to her beloved master. She could still taste it and it was singing in her mouth. But as the song started to fade, the waking world surfaced again trough crimson clouds of her pleasure.
She rose slowly, panting in her amazement. Tarian helped her up with both joy and concern in his eyes. She felt him like never before. She felt like never before. It was so intense and detailed she could only stare around. She felt her new powers and the bitterness of the world. It was both wonderful and horrible. Kain's blood was so strong, loaded with supremacy and eons of memories, even an Elder such as her could be washed away in the red haze. But she endured and the fact made her smile. Like insane, Tarian kissed her, pressing his lips hard at hers and they embraced like that in their passion.
In the mean time, Jasmine was stockpiling Kreedens she caught, and once she had her fill of them, she started to use their blood to restore Kain as well. Kain was unconscious, wrapped in his wings and the reaver was this time placed in his claws by his children.
As Adella and Tarian separated from each other with a considerable effort, they begun to aid their sister in her task, nurturing their sire. He was in a poor state indeed. The cry of the land was withering him and Jordana was now dead, taking his cure along with her.
" What hope is there now ?"; Adella bitterly dropped the dry kreeden corpse
" What is hope ?"; Jasmine razed her sight :" Damned like us, never have any. "
Tarian grudged at Adella :
" He taught me how to overcome my self, how to defeat my doubts. If we can do that now, there is hope. "
" He taught me how to fuel my rage into will to go on… "; Jasmine dropped her sight at her sire :" He gave me the purpose to endure trough this. "
Adella thinned her mouth and shivered :
" And me, he taught why we must fight. Why we must always fight… For what we believe in. "; she growled :" Damned be despair !"
" Yes. "; Tarian spoke :" I won't give it any thought. "
" We go on, together. "; Jasmine gazed at them and they nodded
They resumed filling Kain with fresh blood and trying to wake him up. They didn't bother with despair or eminent defeat, only at their task at hand. At least they will all go down together. At one point, Adella gazed around the room where they were and she saw a huge hovering ship on the distant corner of the chamber. It made her frown and than bulge her big blue eyes. Like in a trance, she dropped everything else and walked to it.
" …could it be… ?"
" What ?"; Tarian whispered to her. She was already out of the reach of his words, moving swiftly like a wraith towards the huge vessel.
" I don't believe it !"; Adella spoke to her self and passed her palm over the metal plaque, reading the inscription :" Galacta 4 ! … My ship !"
Almost seven centuries ago, Adella was an NUC officer, captain of a huge battle cruiser, Galacta. This one was a very advanced version. It passed trough five renovations so far, and this last time, it was upgraded by the Kreedens. No doubt, this was the vessel Jordana planned to use to meet up with the other nobles, and the fact stated a lot. It was the most advanced model yet. The Kreedens just had no time to change the name into Galacta 5, or what ever they would consider fit. Considering everything, that seemed like the last thing on their 'to do' list.
It was than that Kain opened his eyes, but only barely. He was very week, depleted of his might and strength.
" … Pillars… "; he whispered :" We… must get… to the pillars… "
" Everyone, bring him in !"; Adella shouted as she jumped up at the cruiser's docking entrance, punching a code in the control, but for some strange reason, her voice was not urging, but comanding. she was ordering them to bring him in.
Tarian and Jasmine gave a start, realizing it, but they didn't press it. They swiftly carried Kain up the lowered stairs into the huge vessel and Adella multiplied again and she and her clones begun to take hold of the ship's systems. As a few of them came to the bridge, they all paused for a moment. The captain's chair… Her chair. Naturally it was not the same chair, but it didn't meter. This was her place. Her seat from which she guided this hunk of junk across the stars and back.
But recollections were too expensive now. All of her illusions took places on the numerous controls and begun to power the systems. Tarian came to the one in the captain's seat as the ship started to shake. He couldn't tell, whether he was talking to the real one, but he knew she hears him :
" Do you still remember how this goes ?"
" Quiet !"; she cut him off :" I need to focuss... "
It was a strong cold tone. She's never used such tone before. Tarian was a bit confused by this, but in an instant she returned in her old nature :
" Bicycles, combat cruisers,… they are all the same. "; she grinned nervously and punched a few buttons.
At once the ship's weapons fired and blasted a hole in the hangar large enough to fly out.
" …They just need a little delicate touch. "; she smiled and steered them out in the green clouds.
But Tarian felt some strange dryness in her voice. Her previous outburst and the flicker back, didn't catch her notice at all. Something was not as it should be with her. The acts she would make, even when smiling or grinning, it was like someone else. He couldn't quite point his finger at it, but she seemed like a different person, and the efect was intensifying. And than he recognized the familiar gestures. He felt like an utter idiot for not noticing it sooner. She was behaving more and more, exactly like...
Lazaruss : The next chapter comming up is not the last, despite its climactic end. ButI guess you'll have to be patient.