Lazaruss : This is the climactic ending ! Hold on to your heats !
Who will retain beasts within a shield ?
When dreams wear flesh fear takes hold
Thunders in black the sorrow will build
At last we'll taste the peace we were told
They'll shred the green with rage and read
To them hellish fire is a puny dull knife
But our soul's pearl, the sweet death's bed
will sing to the world ;
Nightmares have come to life
Like the earth was made of tar and smoke with bursting flows of steaming lava, the corruption had started to increase its speed. Pillows of thick white steam were bursting trough orange cracks ower black soil every now and than. Everything was withering at accelerated rate. The ground now persistently quivered, moaning in Jasmine's ears and screaming in Kain's. He was constantly panting and bulging, spinning his eyes blindly around the ceiling, too week to move or shout, but despite it all, he still gripped the reaver's hilt with unyielding strength. They've placed him on a hospital bed in a medical section and one of Adella's numerous clones was nurturing him with transfusion supplies. There was another half an hour left to the pillars and the landscape would progressively deteriorate the closer they'd approach.
Mean while, Adella, Tarian and Jasmine were at the captain's private quarters. Adella's clones were in control of the ship. Now that she had more of Kain's blood coiling in her vanes, Adella was so powerful and potent, she felt like she could spawn an army of her self, and her hypnotic magic grew enough to be considered a telepathy. She could even hear some thoughts of Tarian and Jasmine if she would focus enough, and it would take them an effort to block her out. She couldn't help it. Her new amplified powers were too much to handle at once but she was determined to restrain her self.
As a side effect, she seemed to have absorbed some of Kain's less appealing attributes, like his dominant attitude, his arrogant, commanding tone of voice and his cold, dark, emotionless nature. These features started to give way a few minutes after they left the hangar in the chain of Ednahy mountains, far to the east between Willendorf and Ustenheim. She seemed not to notice, unlike Tarian and Jasmine who would have to be blind not to notice. She had grown constantly grumpy and angry, not taking it out on her siblings but like a grudged bulldog confident and strong, keeping it all within her self. Though it was unexpected, it was the least of their worries, but it was also an annoyance.
In the captain's quarters, Adella was probing Jasmine's memories concerning the act of cursing the pillar of balance. She even made a mental link with them all, bringing them within Jasmine's head at the place of the act. The scenery was at the pillars, with pure white columns, though cracked, reaching into the clouds, and Nosgoth around them boiling with young fresh life. Jordana and Jasmine were at the sight alone. The Kreeden monarch placed her palm on the pillar of balance :
" How magnificent… "; Jordana whispered :" …how foolish. The life force of this world, so obvious to those who would destroy it. "
" That is my sire's pillar, mistress. "; Jasmine spoke :" The pillar of balance… "
Jordana turned her head to her slightly :
" You say that he is one with these stones… No wonder that you depict him so powerful. The magic of this edifice overwhelms mine like a cloud would overshadow a bird. "
" This is not the source of his powers, mistress. "; Jasmine said
" But it is connected to him strongly... I can feel the connection… Every one of these nine, craves a bond so strong it transcends time and space… And yet… despite this whole extravagant display, these pillars are fragile… very fragile… "
" All who went against my sire have perished in flames of his gaze, mistress. "; Jasmine warned :" He is beyond doubt a god of blood and wrath. But if the pillars would collapse, he would be severely weakened… "
" No, my pet… "; Jordana whispered, smiling :" He would die. The bond of the pillar is too powerful. Doom of one is the doom of another. "; she petted the pillar of balance with her palm and her long red nails :" What more can you tell me ? I want to know everything !"
It was strange for them to see them selves before them. Jasmine was watching the twisted Jasmine like a reflection in a mirror she did not have, and it was viewed trough three different sets of eyes perplexing into a perfect picture. In a violent move, Adella shifted them to another relevant moment, this time it was the act of the curse it self. But before it unfolded, Jasmine froze the film and hissed in pain :
" Adella, take it easy !"; she growled :" I have a headache already, without your lumbering trough my mind !"
" Endure it. "; Adella said coldly
" Look, I agreed to this, but please… "
" No 'buts'. "; Adella spoke strongly :" Kain has no time. Unleash your memories, or I will do it for you. "
Tarian nodded at Jasmine as a sign that he agrees with Adella, but with a sympathetic look concerning Adella's attitude. This whole excursion trough Jasmine's memories was about them finding something they might have overlooked, a clue to Kain's cure. But Jasmine's mind was showing signs of her strain. The cry was tormenting her as well, and on top of that Adella was almost frantically switching between relevant moments. It knew to hurt, but Adella didn't know how to make it less painful and equally quick. Control was a developing issue for her right now.
Jasmine groaned half loud and allowed her memories to unfold. She was ill, migraine-tormented and angry. She hadn't have her claws on a Kreeden throat for a while now, and though she had to put all her time in trying to save Kain and the pillars, her old grief started to replace the lust for vengeance. Those few drops of the twisted Jasmine, now fused with her soul, were stinging her with their presence. She despised that creature more than anyone, dead or alive, and the only way she could get her mind off of it was to decrease the Kreeden population. But now it was lacking, and as a result, she was sinking back in her depression, in the horrible guilt for atrocities she has caused. And Adella was not helping the situation. Jasmine was an inch away from bursting over her siblings. Had it not bean for Kain's need she would be long overdue.
This time it was night at the great pillars and Jasmine was strapped to the pillar of nature by bonds of magic. Jordana was chanting on an unknown language with a choir of her priests to accompany her. She was in her ritual gown with a silver burning brazier in each hand, dancing and chanting over the white and black marble floor inscribed with runes of clean gold. The heavens responded in thunders and the earth resonated in trimmers. Jasmine screamed and roared, out lauding the rumble as the power of the nature pillar fused with her soul. Adella and Tarian felt what she felt. It was accelerating and tormenting, threatening to destroy her. Pillars were unwilling to accept her for a guardian but the blood within her was indeed that of Bane's line and the guardian was lacking. The agony was tearing her apart as she and Jordana's magic, struggled to fool the forces of Nosgoth.
" Let it be cursed… The pillar of balance and its scion… Let it descends to sand and rubble… and bring its guardian with it. The nature has spoken. "
Jasmine has passed out. Once she opened her eyes she was in Jordana's palace with the twisted Adella nurturing her back to health. She was at least three times as strong as before and far more powerful than she could imagine. The curse has taken root, chewing all the other pillars into black tubes of coal. She could clearly feel them now, especially her own pillar, somewhere in the back of her mind.
" You have done well, my pet. "; Jordana spoke to her :" A pity that we couldn't shield your pillar from the curse. "
" What happened… ?"; she asked
" You are a nature guardian. "; Jordana smiled :" But the curse that was meant for the pillar of balance has over flown. All the pillars are damned now, even yours. I am grieved to say that you will suffer Kain's faith. "
" I exist… to serve you… mistress… "; Jasmine whispered exhausted, but with a faithful smile on her face
" Jasmine… "; Tarian sighed horrified :" You too… are… dying ?"
" Oh, shut up. "; Jasmine popped :" What is death to me now than a cradle ? Can we please get out of my head ? I don't want to hear it any more !"
" If you knew how to place the curse, don't you know how to revoke it ?"; Adella asked
" I don't. It were Jordana's words… not mine… "; Jasmine almost sobbed :" Let us get out ! I want to get out !"
" We have nothing more to learn. "; Tarian spoke to Adella, being a little distraught with concern for both of his sisters
She nodded and uncoiled the bonds of the mental link. They were in the captain's quarters again, a smaller white cabin occupied with esthetic, curved modernistic table and chairs, and the black glass appliance built in the walls. Jasmine fell on the table, face down, sobbing silently. This whole thing was a horrific reminder, but she had to go trough this. Tarian hugged her comfortingly, and Adella started pacing back and forth over the room with her hands closed behind her back, ignoring them completely. She was scowled and considering, breathing quickly and angry trough her nose. Finally her fist broke trough a wall and she snarled in frustration :
" There must be something !"; she hissed
" There is… "
It was Kain. He whispered to them. Jasmine stopped crying and rose her sight :
" Kain… ?"
" …the pillars… Get us to the pillars… "
" Rest, Kain. "; Adella spoke :" We are on our way. "
" It begins… It ends… "
" What ?"; Tarian frowned " Which is doing what ?… Kain ?"
" He passed out again. "; Adella said, and gazed willfully at her siblings :" We get him to the pillars. "
She didn't ask for their opinion, rather than just taking charge like that. She became closed and stubborn, despite the fact that she was definitely making the right choices, and it was irritating. Like their own presence was completely irrelevant. They were just tools as far as she was concerned.
" In the mean time, "; Jasmine growled rising her tear-covered face towards Adella :" you just try to be more polite. You aren't the only one who's going trough this. "
" No, but at least I'm doing something about it. "; Adella hardly bothered to express it
" You selfish, little… "; Jasmine snarled jumping up :" So help me, if you don't stop… "
She suddenly plugged her ears and moaned. The land's cry exploded in her ears again. Tarian helped her not to fall.
" Tarian, get her down stairs and feed her. "; Adella spoke commandingly :" She has to hold on. "
" No. "; Tarian replied grudged :" Jasmine, go and get something to drink. "
She barely nodded and lumbered outside. As she was gone, he glared at Adella. This was getting out of hand. Considering everything, she had the right to blow off some steam, but she was never like this nor would she ever be, had she not tasted Kain's blood.
" What is eating you ?"; Tarian asked
Adella was not facing to him :
" Nothing. "
He could feel the emptiness in her hearth. Her emotions were never closed to him, but this time she was hollow. He came behind her and placed his palm on her shoulder :
" Let him out. "; he said :" Your name is not Kain. "
" I can feel him… "; she whispered and took the hand that was on her shoulder :" He is in my… in my blood… "
" Don't let it do this to you. "
" It gives me strength. "
" But it consumes you. "
" I don't care. We need him and he is incapacitated. Let it consume me if it will give us his resolve. "; she turned to him and looked in to his brown eyes :" Would you say no to such a thing ?"
He couldn't say. Adella had very little to live for now. Like Jasmine, she would gladly perish, but Tarian wasn't about to let that happened. She was now just fading away quietly, drowning in Kain's omnipotence. Her face was a mask of stone. She was an image of resolve and willfulness, and her long scars of sorrow only intensified the effect :
" We must be strong, Tarian. "; she spoke amidst his thoughts :" Give it no further thought. "
He felt like she was almost trying to place him under her spell. She was more powerful now and it wouldn't be too hard for her this time. But she managed to restrain her self. She did only what she had to do, no more and no less, and besides, he doubted that she would have strength even now to hurt him or use him like that. He blinked. Her beauty was fading. All the features he adored about her were now leaking out of her. He couldn't take it. And than something bubbled up out of him, unexpectedly, as if on its own
" Kiss me. "; he said
He didn't know why he said it. It was an impulse. He wanted to feel her lips on his again. She suddenly became insecure, that mask of stone became that of a surprise :
" What ?"
" Kiss me. "; he spoke softly, gently taking hold of her shoulders
" But… I must… "
" Just one kiss… "
It was obvious that she wanted to, but Kain-within held her back. His blood was making her cold and heartless. But still, she wanted to kiss him. At once she widened her eyes and backed away, still bulging at him. To his surprise, Tarian felt fear in her. She was afraid of these feelings. Kain was afraid of these feelings. He never experienced them before. It was an unknown territory for him, something strong and powerful that was influencing his judgment, and he didn't like it.
" My Angel of the night. "; he whispered to her, stepping closer
She was still backing before him, but he cornered her. She was confused. This was her love, the Lord of her fire, but he was… He was distracting her. She had to stay strong and un swayed, for all of them. They needed her guidance.
" What will it hurt ?"; he smiled with sweet innocence :" A simple kiss ?"
" Tarian… "
His palms were on her cheeks. She wanted to tell him to stop, but she didn't. Her eyes were shivering over his face, and her hearth was beating stronger and stronger. His smile was singing to her with its brightness and sensing her emotions, he only smiled brighter. She realized that her palms were on his chest now, slowly gliding over his brown shirt, his wrinkled skin and his strong muscles.
" … Lord of my… "
Their lips joined. She felt the acceleration of passion and longing. She wanted to suck his lips, to squeeze the fire out of them, forever and ever and not to let it end. The ice melted. Winter had passed, and the spring has bloomed. His hearth beets were like bird-songs and the taste of his ardor was thrilling her desires, making them grow beyond her control.
He held her in his arms as she was sobbing on his chest, damping his black coat and his brown woolen shirt. She just sobbed there, week and tiny before the power of her feelings. They just over flooded her and she couldn't help her self any more. She couldn't be strong any more…
The dark metallic walls were closing in on her. The store room of fresh Kreeden bodies was like a lowest ring of hell. Icy air felt like silver needles poking her skin and the inside of her lungs. Jasmine was weeping, crouched on the dark metal floor of the fridge for their food. Piled next to her were many dead kreedens she had hunted down for supplies back in the hangar, and a lonely insufficient neon light dangling on the ceiling. She had no desire to move, or to feed, only to sob there without comfort. She wanted to jump in the ship's reactor core and be disintegrated. She wanted to stab her self on the reaver and be done with it. There was no death fast enough for her. Dead Kreedens were mocking her with their smiles, hounding her in her nightmares. They just stared at her with their glassy eyes sprinkled with frost and bare teeth that almost giggled at her misery.
" Stop it !"; she shouted at them :" Stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it ! STOP IT !"
She was snarling as she butchered them with her murderous claws, and their laughing bloody faces were flying all over the iron room. She will silence them ! She will have her peace ! They'll pay ! She'll destroy them all ! As she gazed around, she realized that the metal floor was flooding in blood and smaller peaces of indiscernible pinkish flesh. She was panting with rage and sorrow, and she just collapsed unable to stand. Her knees and palms splashed in the red stew and her tear drops stirred its surface.
" Poor lost soul… "; a strange voice echoed :"You're so alone in your need…"
She rose her weary sight at the greenish apparition that hovered before her
" We can take it away… "; it spoke :" We can give you peace… Let us help you !"
" Stay… away… !"; she growled trough long breaths
" Accept it child ; you are a failure. They all hate you, and blame you. "
" No… "
" You have betrayed them all, but you have aided us. It is all your fault. "
" Shut up… "
" Don't you see ? You are our ally. You've never had a choice… "
" I… I… I,I,I,I,…. "
" Just like you don't have a choice now… Let us in !"
" No !"
" Let us into your soul, child. We'll take care of everything. "
" Stay away from me !"; she screamed and attacked, but she couldn't hurt a ghost
" Open your black heart and let us in… "; the hylden urged :" Relieve the pain that torments you… Open your heart daughter of Kain ! Feel our hatred ! Feel our might ! Submit to our will !"
Jasmine was drowning in the blood on the floor. She couldn't breathe. She had no more strength to fight them. She just wanted to end her life. She just wanted to end…
" Jasmine… "; another voice came to her
At once, she was in Adella's arms, gazing up at her.
" I'm so sorry, Jasmine. "; Adella whispered meekly :" …for everything… I promise… I will never… "
" Adella… "; Jasmine sighed and bulged
" Jasmine ?"
" …run… "
She sighed again as if something stabbed in her hearth. Adella dropped her, shocked, and backed away. Jasmine was shacking violently on the floor, splashing the blood everywhere around. She roared and snarled and than she started to howl. Thick black fur sprung out of her skin and her face extended, into a wolf head full of sharp teeth. Her clothes tore as her body grew, hanging in tattered rags over her. Her arms became huge paws with claws of black iron and her eyes were burning with green flames. The She-wolf rose and howled with rage that echoed in the metallic room and trough out the ship, and once she saw her shocked sister, she stretched a beastly grin and snarled.
Adella tried to defend, but in vane. With her new enhanced senses she felt Jasmine's swing, but it was too swift to make a difference. The black paw slammed her too fast and she broke trough the cold metal wall bursting in refrigerating steam and torn electric wires. An hour ago, she would die by such a blow, but now she was only injured, though painfully. The portion of Kain's blood has increased in her vanes, but she was still no match to the strength and speed of the She-wolf.
Adella came there to personally apologize for her chilling careless words. Tarian broke her out of it and she just wanted to be there for her suffering sister. She heard her cries and her grinding of Kreeden corpses in her blind rage, and she knew she had to come. Now it all seemed like a big mistake. She didn't know what has gotten into Jasmine, but it definitely wasn't benevolence. Her power to shape-shift into a She-wolf was dangerous. Jasmine would get lost within the savage animal mind. It was unstable and unpredictable, despite its supreme physical might. Distraught and imbalanced, Jasmine was frantic, like a rabid beast. She just had to destroy all in her path.
The She-wolf tore the metal wall to bits and followed Adella who was trying to rise from the ground. She got up and tried to strike her, but the She-wolf just grabbed her entire chest with her huge paw, lifted her above her head and slammed her in the ground like a toy she was mad at. Adella broke trough the metal once again and fell to the floor below. It was an efficient knock out. She only twitched before passing out amidst scraps of broken metal.
The She-wolf howled almost sadly, razing her cry of angst in the air, but before she followed Adella again to finish her, Tarian ran in. witnessing Jasmine in her demented nature, he hissed threateningly and pooled out the flamesword. The She-wolf snarled and her green eyes flashed. An instant later she leapt at him with wide opened paws and jaws steaming with white foam. He barely dodged ducking under her black paw. He tried to strike her with the flamesword, but her fur was too thick and too greasy, it may as well have bean mud.
Tarian saw he practically had no chance against her. He didn't want to hurt her, but he had to put some sense back into her. Anger and rage pillowed from her soul fouling his air. He felt her grief and pain, but his words couldn't pierce it. In an instant he dodged her swift murderous paw again and turned to run trough the ships corridors, tending to lead her away. She followed him quickly, snarling and roaring and he had to use all of his speed to elude her, but she would smell him where ever he would go. He could only run, but for how long ? It was impossible to see where he was going. He just had to press on.
" Adella, wake up !"; he violently whispered :" I can't stop her by my self !"
He was jumping over the pipes and pistons in the engineering, barely grabbing for them. They were slippery and a smallest slip would bring him within her reach. Their quarters became a huge chamber where the ship's systems originated. Numerous complex machinery all perplexed and entwined hummed and worked supplying power and maintaining the cruiser, but now Adella's illusions were gone due to her blackout. These constructions were precise and any fighting here could end catastrophically. He had to get her out of there.
As he run over the path to the common rooms, Jasmine suddenly jumped in front of him and blew him back with her roar. He managed to make a back flip but he had no place left to go. She was pacing to him on her two back legs with her angry furry tail swaying left and right behind her. She was so huge she seemed like a shadow with white foot-long teeth and green eyes. Huge and terrifying, she was approaching closer and closer forcing him to slowly withdrawn before her, pointing his flamesword in her direction as long as he could extend it. Steaming breath was jumping out of her black nostrils and white foam was leaking down her chin, her lower jaw and throat.
There was barely any time to act. With a last strand of magic he opened a flame gate behind him. The She-wolf jumped at him and they both passed trough. It was all he could do to get her away from the sensitive engineering. But instead to outside, they found them selves in another section of the ship, a bit darker than the rest. Jasmine snarled in misunderstanding as she gazed around. She was not able to pool her thoughts together. Tarian used this as a chance to crawl from underneath her and make a run for it.
But than he saw where they were. It was a medical ward. Kain was unconscious at the table, gripping the soul reaver, wrapped in his wings, unconscious. Jasmine turned her attention on him now. The She-wolf seemed to remember her last enemy and she roared and barked at this new target. She was about to tear Kain to bits and he was helpless to defend. In the current situation, he wouldn't even know what hit him.
" No !"; Tarian jumped in the way and shut his eyes as Jasmine made her move
It was swift and full of force. Her large back paw rose and collapsed, banishing the air before it and the black nails now glittered like diamonds. Something exploded before him and he fell back with a scream before her strike. Her black furry arm never reached him. Instead, it banged at a pink sheet of energy that closed before it in the last second. A force field surrounded the She-wolf and she was trapped. Exhausted and weary, Adella removed her palm from the controls sighing with exhaustion. It was her clone, restored back once she awoke from her injuries. It still flickered and faded but it seemed to stabilize.
Tarian sighed wit relief and laughed nervously. It was in the nick of time. He thought he was done for. The visage of his wife helped him up, while Jasmine was snarling and banging on her prison, trying to brake free. Fortunately, the Kreedens made the ship's defenses powerful, and her cage held, though she refused to acknowledge any of it. Rage and despair were emanating from her, but she finally accepted her defeat and sat down, licking her right wrist like a dog.
The real Adella came in a few minutes, restored by the abundant blood on the floor of the freezer. She first ran to Tarian and inspected him for wounds. Some rations she brought along got him back on his feet.
" It was brave of you to attract her on your self like that. "; she spoke
" Well, I… "
She kissed him and wrapped her arms around him. For a moment he was enjoying her soft lips, but than she separated his head from her, yanking by his hair and slapped him as hard as she could leaving a pink imprint of her palm on his cheek:
" …but if you ever do that again, "; she said angry :" I'll… I'll… chain you to a wall and feed you on a straw, and I won't let you out for centuries ! So help me, I will !"
It was a painful slap but he was just bulging at her. Her eyes watered and she seemed to wipe her tears :
" I don't want to loose you. "; she whispered and fell in his arms
He held her like that, bearing a red right cheek and a bit confused expression.
" I'll just be 'blushing' for a while. "; he said making her snort
It was a few minutes before they separated. Jasmine was still a huge black-furred beast, sitting and menacingly snarling in her pink cage. Adella stepped forth and gazed at the She-wolf. She focused her magic to try and relax her enough to be changed back. The beast was angry, and it fought back, but Adella's charms were much more powerful. It was a meter of intelligence, and Jasmine was an animal. In a soft and gentle manner, Adella wiggled in her mind and begun to put the fire out. Jasmine responded in calmness and slow breaths, and she begun to decrease and shrink. Her jaw and face got back, her fur withdrawn, and she became her self again with torn clothing hanging in strips over her. Luckily, her gown was large, so there was enough torn rags to conceal her.
" Release me. "; she said :" Turn off this shield. "
Tarian went for the controls, but Adella interrupted him :
" No. Stop… something's… "; she resumed her hypnotic gaze on her sister
Jasmine seemed like she was fighting back. Her head was twitching, trying to separate from Adella's eyes, but Adella placed all her effort into it. Tarian frowned and approached them with misunderstanding.
" Who are you ?"; Adella asked trough her strain
" … Your master !"; Jasmine responded in an echoing voice
Her eyes ignited in green auras which consumed her pupils and she started to move like a zombie or something, swaying from leg to leg and her arms were gliding next to her chaotically.
" No. "; Tarian gasped
At once the green flames extinguished and she coughed, grabbing for her throat :
" Help… me… I can't… "
" Enough !"; he hylden returned :" This vessel is mine now ! Release me, and we will show you mercy !"
" Release Jasmine and we will show YOU mercy !"; Adella hissed
" Futile ! Nothing but our death may separate us !"; the hylden respond laughing
But Adella focused her magic again.
" Jasmine, "; she spoke :" go behind him ! Push him, to me !"
They went calm, but hylden only laughed :
" Foolish monster ! Your feeble powers can not affect me ! My mind is stronger than yours ! My wrath is stronger than your will !"
" Let go of her, demon !"; Adella shouted trough her strain
Instead, the hylden responded only in a magic blast directed towards her, and Adella lost her focus. It made her jump back, but fortunately, the shield stopped it.
" This world is ours, puny ones !"; the hylden spoke angry :" We are already on the move ! In a meter of minutes… "
Suddenly their visitor went silent gazing behind them. They turned. Kain was up. His angry face was hissing with burning breaths and his small golden eyes were stuck on the creature within the ship's shields. At once those golden eyes turned crimson red and ignited. The soul reaver blazed in his claw and the wings on his back were half opened intensifying his size. Adella and Tarian were a bit surprised but he ignored them completely.
" You… "; Kain growled silently :" …picked a bad time… "
" Time ? This time you are at death's threshold, dark one ! This time vengeance is within our grasp ! This time is our time ! Victory is ours at this TIME !"
" How can we save her ?"; Tarian asked him
" With death. "; Kain responded and the soul reaver glittered in his hand
" No !"; Adella shouted
" Yes… "; Jasmine returned back :" Kill… kill him… He wants… "
" Don't you dare, Kain !"; Adella snarled blocking his path to Jasmine :" You'll have to kill me first !"
" Move !"; Kain hissed at her
Tarian stood by her side with the flamesword at the ready and they hissed back at their sire. Adella presented Havoc and Malice, ready to use them. Kain observed his defiant children sideways as the hylden laughed wickedly behind them :
" Oh, this is going to be interesting !"
" It won't… "; Kain growled :" It's going to be painful… "
With a sudden gesture, he ensnared Tarian and Adella in husks of his magic, making them hover out of his way, and than he blew up the controls for Jasmine's shield. She snarled and leapt at him, all burning with hylden-flames and demonized. Kain rose the reaver with its light shining trough the darkened room, and Tarian and Adella helplessly screamed within their cages.
But the reaver fell, non the less. It descended right in front of the flying Jasmine and a blast of light blew everything around. It was blinding, nailing the medical table and all else to the walls, but in an instant, it was over and silence prevailed again. Kain was placing the reaver on his back. He stood before the body of his youngest daughter, now lying motionless on the floor though still barely alive. Green auras were still blazing around her eyes. Kain took her by her throat lifting her before him and his free palm ignited with crimson flame of Blood-fire.
" Your exile, or this !"; Kain spoke
Jasmine tried to claw him, but the pain suddenly erupted within her and started to expand exponentially. Her screams withered as her flesh ignited and painted the room in crimson shades. Adella and Tarian banged and roared from within their husks, but all their efforts were in vane. They had to stop him ! This was unthinkable. Death is one thing, but Jasmine never deserved this ! Kain was displaying his teeth clenched in an angry grin and than he unleashed her body and she fell on the ground.
Husks of magic dispersed and Jasmine's siblings ran to aid her. She was on the floor and she wasn't breathing. Her hearth was still. Tarian snarled with grief as he took her in his arms. She was dead. Adella fell to her knees and sobbed. Her tears were dripping down on the cold green skin of Jasmine's face and she screamed in the air hugging her along with Tarian. And than they glared at their sire. It was a cold stare of malice and anger. He murdered their poor sister like she was the worse kind of enemy.
" I'll kill you for this !"; Adella hissed at him, jumping up :" I'll kill you !"
" Get in line !"; Kain snarled back as he turned, and than added quietly :" She'll recover. "
" She's dead, you fool !"; Tarian moaned :" She's dead ! You murdered… "
" …oh, hell… I'm still here… "
It was Jasmine. She coughed as she restarted her breathing and her meek heart beets were punching again. She blinked up at Tarian all weary and exhausted
" Jasmine !"; he sighed and squeezed her in his hug :" You are alive !"
" …unfortunately… "; she barely replied :" …let go of me before you brake my back… "
Adella squealed with joy and hugged her as well. One of her illusions swiftly brought her wanted blood to restore her. Fortunately, other than exhaustion, she was quite well. Kain's cruel torturing magic bypassed her. He managed to direct it only onto the hylden. In that instant Jasmine felt like a whish bone between her demon and her sire, and she was close to oblivion of the river's blast, but Kain held her hard, and the hylden was in agony of pain. He let her slip out of his claws and she grabbed hold for Kain with all her might, watching the wretch fade in a burning hell. It was a while before she got back in her flesh, wondering should she simply stay here, away from it all, but she did. She couldn't abandon her family.
They swiftly recovered her and got her all dressed up again, this time in an extra NUC uniform that the ship held. The Kreedens had an official wardrobe replaced by their advanced armors, but they've stored some of the original cloths in a certain museum to serve as a display of their victory. To serve the purpose, it was a high ranking uniform with a dark purple cape, golden badges beneath the right shoulder, high black boots and metal gauntlets, which she refused. She preferred her own claws.
Jasmine was much better than before. This experience has shown her the price of despair. It was only due to that careless emotion that the hylden spirit was able to poses her like that, and almost killed everyone she held dear with her own hands. Only with good fortune were they all well now. She has willfully improved making a firm decision not to pay the price for her weakness again. Tarian glared back at Kain :
" Could you stop waiting until the last minute to share your plan ! We thought you were going to kill her !"
" That was the original design. "; Kain replied cross-armed :" We would have, had the hylden refused to relies her. There was not much chance for it so we got you out of the way non the less. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have to destroy this ship. "
He took some plasma bags and swiftly walked out of the room, leaving them to bulge after him. It took them a few moments to process what he said and than they got up and ran out. They caught up with him on the bridge, taking hold of the navigation :
" Why do you want to destroy Galacta ?"; Adella asked shocked
This was her ship and she wouldn't prefer it to be simply destroyed like that. Kain should better have a good reason for such a thing.
" Quiet… "; Kain whispered :" We must concentrate… "
He was straining and wondering around the big screen which displayed the green sky around them from various angles. The three behind him, got silent and anticipating. It was still a few miles to the pillars, but they would get there a lot faster in Galacta 4 than in batform. Kain's silence was very irritating. In that moment Adella whispered to Tarian :
" Was I like this ?"
He just nodded. Adella was silent for a moment and than she asked again :
" Have I said I'm sorry ?"
Jasmine joined in :
" Let's just try and do our best to… "
But the cry got louder and she had to plug her ears and snarl. It got to Kain too, and he barely held his ground. He was shacking and hissing trough his pain clenched jaw, but he didn't separate from the controls. Tarian helped him stand and Adella took care of Jasmine.
" …where are you… ?"; Kain was growling :" …where… ?"
With a great effort he activated a self destruction system of the ship.
" Kain !"; Adella shouted :" If you overload the reactor, the explosion will be immense… "
" I think he is counting on it. "; Tarian spoke back
" … There !"; Kain pointed on the screen almost falling in his splitting headache
At first they could see nothing but the pillowing green clouds, but than something red seemed to have torn across the sky. Like someone would tear an old stretched rag on its middle, the green sky opened in a red crack trough which the crimson steams would pore in and mingle with the green clouds of the Nosgoth sky. Its interior was like shimmering water of red and its shadows. Many shrieking sounds were arriving trough like children of demons were crying unsatisfied on the other side of the gorge.
Kain finally collapsed. His eyes went above his upper eyelids. Tarian grabbed him and gazed at the red crack. It was growing. Soon it would grow large enough to swallow the entire cruiser. That was Kain's plan. The crack was a torn portal to the realm of the Hilden exile, and he wanted to send them a welcome gift.
Without a thought, Tarian and Adella took the lead. He blew the hole in the wall with a massive wave of fire and he and Adella grabbed Jasmine who was crying in agony and jumped trough, gliding down to the ground. Tarian locked the course and grabbing Kain, he followed them as well. It was a long fall but all four managed to land just at the moment when Galacta 4 flied right trough the gap. A few seconds later a horizontal pole of bright fire surged trough the gap, scorching the sky and stretching for miles in its progress. An explosion like that of a thousand thunders followed the flame and the sun above the earth was golden again, only for a moment. The force of the exploding reactors was so powerful it closed the red crack, but that was not to be the end of this.
A tear for Galacta's faith rolled down Adella's cheek. She loved that old tin-can. She was kneeling on her right knee on the black earth. Tarian took her by the hand and they separated a precious moment to watch the fireworks with Kain and Jasmine on the ground in their arms.
A moment was too much. They had to get to the pillars. Helping Kain and Jasmine walk, they marched as fast as they could towards the tall black monument that now absorbed the thunders from the surrounding clouds. The pillars glittered with white cracks of the thunder's charge, looming sinister and trembling. As fast as they could, the small band of four was charging towards them without taking heed to the boiling lava and the raining ash that only intensified the closer they would approach.
And just when it seemed that they will make it, a shocked expression passed over Adella's face. Tarian felt it too. An army. Kreedens were emerging from the sky in their light crafts. An entire population seemed to have gathered here. A mob of angry bitter and grieved creatures, seeking revenge for the death of their ruler.
Kain separated from Tarian and razed the reaver. As always, there was nothing but determination on his face. Adella laughed and spawned an army of her self and Jasmine summoned hundreds of treemons to rise from the ground and lakes of molten lava. Tarian roared and ignited, becoming an infernal, a creature made of flame and fire and Kain hissed stretching his mighty wings. They definitely couldn't reach the pillars now, but still the end won't be denied to them.
But before the first strike, another sound emerged. It was a signal for an attack of another player. An army of humans emerged from behind the vampires and the clouds. Reformed NUC armed to their teeth and angry crashed against the Kreedens and the sky ignited once more. The army of Adella's illusions and Jasmine's treemons joined in this carnage and it only intensified the heat.
Amidst all the commotion, an armored hovercraft run by the vampires, pooling over. It opened up and a familiar face greeted them with a smile :
" Need a lift ?"; commander Seilla spoke
A moment later, they were all within. Volo and another officer were stirring the hovercraft as fast as the thing could go, to their destination, trough a rain of falling metal and battle fire. The humans quickly acknowledged Adella and Jasmine back. It was not the time to fight over past faults.
" …a big familiar combat cruiser led us here. "; Seilla explained :" It was a hard thing to miss. And we saw the Kreedans preparing an ambush at the pillars so we put two and two… "; an explosion shook their craft interrupting her briefly :" …together. You don't seem to be in the right state of things. "
Kain was barely conscious, flickering his half closed eyes over the ceiling and Jasmine was crying on the floor desperately trying to shield her self from the rumble of cries. Volo actually wasn't enjoying seeing Kain like this. He should have, but he didn't. The truth was that he had some time to think about things and he seemed to understand them a little better now. Besides, this moment was not nearly the appropriate one for bringing old grudges up when everything was about to go to hell.
" We've arrived !"; the copilot announced
The craft broke trough the scorched bushes and ash, opening before the marble pedestal from which the black columns, engraved with thunders rose and sparkled amidst angry black clouds. And as they came out, they saw many more red torn gaps trough which green spirits descended and started to inhabit the disposable vessels, mostly Kreedens. It started to turn the tide of the battle. Demons were set loose and they stormed against the treemons and Adellas. It would by them just enough time. Kain fell before the pillar of Balance gripping the reaver, and Jasmine was on her knees swaying her head in agony, and squeezing her ears with her palms. She was unreachable.
Tarian and Adella helped Kain, rising him to sit. He was almost gone, practically whispering to them :
" …there… will be… nine… nine of… them… Bourn… in this… hour… "
Adella was bulging and nodding. Tarian was grabbing Kain's every word like he was hungry for them.
" … find them !"; Kain hissed frantic :" … give them… the dark… gift !"
Behind them, Seilla and Volo were trying to help Jasmine but she was only screaming and hissing at them and they had to keep their distance.
" How will we find them ?"; Adella's voice was shivering with fear and despair
" …the pillars…"; Kain muttered :" … they'll… summon… them when… it's time… "
" But what about now ?"; Tarian sighed trough his teeth as the fire raged trough out the sky above him
" Now… good by… "; Kain smiled
At once an orb of energy expanded from his body, practically bursting and bouncing them all back. It consumed him and the entire marble pedestal along with the roots of the pillars. A force field of his magic. Adella jumped up. She and Tarian started to bang on it, but they couldn't pierce it. Trough its greenish walls, they saw Kain kneeling down and lifting the soul reaver up in a fashion he never did before. He was holding it above his head, but the serpent blade was now sticking towards his front, not towards his back. The realization exploded in their minds and Adella screamed :
" Don't you dare ! DON'T YOU DARE !"
But Kain ignored all the others, all except for Raziel :
" The Hylden will celebrate. "
" As long as it's not in Nosgoth… "
An army of demons got to them and those outside had to fight instead of trying to pierce the orb. A huge gray demon engaged in a duel with Tarian.
" I'll be seeing you, Kain. "
" You always were a death to me… "
Kain lunched the blade, and its tip emerged trough his back bursting with his blood that glittered on the light of the blade's magic. In a sudden rapture of pain, he coughed and laughed a few times as the white light started to emanated from his cracking skin. He tossed his wings up as the blast of his soul being devoured filled the sphere of magic with liquid red and white light and his echoing laughter made the land tremble. The orb started to burst and crack, like a glass pearl of unmixed milk and blood. Strips of light, thick like crimson blades, rushed trough growing fractures and pierced the sky. Demons froze in terror, the Hylden cried with rage and the pillars exploded with all the thunders they've harvested. Laughters were echoing throughout every pair of ears, no meter to whom they belonged to. The orb burst in this magic, joining the force and the vampires humans and kreedens shielded their eyes before this burning spectacle. It blew all the battles away and the red gaps across the land became clouds of falling red dust. It was over.
Trough scares yellow clouds of the clear blue sky, rays of the rising sun pored down on tormented earth, and the three child of Kain's rose on their feet before the act which made their hearts shrink.
The pillar of balance excepted its offering, and thus it was restored…
Lazaruss : Ding, dong, the witch is dead. Which old witch ? The wicked witch ! Ding, dong… I'm kidding. I promised a happy ending, didn't I ? Stick around for the last few chapters…