Disclaimer: I do not own Legacy of Kain in any way.

Distant Memories

No one, not even you, will stand in my way. – Kain; Blood Omen 2

I'm jostled awake suddenly by the boat banging into something then coming to an abrupt stop. Do not tell me we have crashed. I leap out of bed and grab the Reaver. The helmsman's head will roll if we are stranded in the middle of the ocean. I get to the door and pull it open only to be greeted by the helmsman's face, his eyes wide and body shaking. I can practically smell the fear sweating out of his pours. A few seconds pass by. "What is it, human? Have you managed to crash this dilapidated vessel? Are you that incompetent?" He shakes his head while opening his mouth, yet not words come out. Just as I am about to berate him further I notice the buildings behind him. We are back at the docks in the Wharves. Hm. We are finally home. I focus my gaze back on the helmsman. "Use your words next time, it would be far more beneficial to your health. Wait." The helmsman had already starting backing away towards the ladder off the boat. I sheath the Reaver and rummage around in my pocket. "Here. My gratitude. You may go." I hand him a fistful of gold and he looks at me in disbelief. He stutters out a thank you as he bolts for the ladder, practically jumping off the ship and running along the docks then off amongst the factories in the Wharves, never to be seen again.

I walk towards the ladder myself and look in more detail at the buildings surrounding the Wharves. A riot has broken out. Wonderful. I see the flickering of flames coming from several buildings and smoke everywhere, even off out into the distance. I have my suspicions that the Slums and Smugglers Den are the worst affected areas in Meridian. The chaos that has come from the downfall of the Sarafan Order is very bitter sweet. On the one hand their militant rule is over, everyone is free to do as they wish. For now. On the other, there will be much cleaning up to do once I have re-established myself. That includes humans as well as the rubble. Not everyone is as pleased with the Sarafan's destruction as I and some others are. I reach the edge of the ship where the ladder is and float down onto the wooden docks, careful to land in the right place to ensure I don't slip into the murky water.

I begin my walk into the Wharves, taking in the sights and smells up close this time. The destruction is far more apparent from here than it was back on the boat. I pass by a building engulfed in flames and I feel the heat against my skin. I stop for a second to assess the damage when I notice a Sarafan flag hanging on by a thread in the corner on the outside of the burning building. Hm. It must've been an outpost. I rip the flag from where it is stuck and toss it into the fire. We have no need for those anymore. I continue through the city along the cobbled streets and start to think about where I should go to kick start the beginning of my rule. Wandering aimlessly throughout Meridian won't assist me with making my goals come to fruition. The Cabal is the most logical place to begin. I must speak with Vorador if he managed to return to Sanctuary after the collapse of the Hylden City. If he survived. I head towards the path that will take me the quickest way to the Lower City noticing the air around me becoming thicker and darker with smoke. The rioting has clearly gotten out of hand, especially now there is no one to police them. They can exercise their newfound freedom for now. This behaviour will not be tolerated when I return here. Although I do find it incredibly freeing to be able to walk through wherever I wish to now that there are no more guards warned of my presence with their Glyph magic, or ward gates creating an impasse for me. While I walk the occasional human runs by, some looking worse for wear sobbing, others with arms full of treasures they've looted from buildings. None of them give me a second glance. Excellent.

I reach the outskirts of the Wharves and start down the road that leads to the Upper and Lower Cities. I find myself looking forward to returning to Sanctuary. If he is still alive, I do not imagine Vorador will have forgiven me for how I dealt with Umah. I can only pray that he will stand with me regardless of his opinions. It would be to his detriment if he does not.

An hour or so later I finally arrive outside of the Blue Lady Curios, a shop used as cover for the Cabal's headquarters. The Lower city is in much less disarray then I thought it would be. There are signs of destruction, windows smashed, stalls destroyed and fires in the street, but not to the extent of the Wharves. Here I am no longer surrounded by smog and can breathe in fresh air. Well, as fresh as the Lower City offers. The streets are extremely quiet, there are no humans in sight. The only sign of civilisation is the faint sounds of music and shouting emanating from the pubs in close proximity. There seems to be a mixture of celebration, confusion and sorrow in the air. Everything will be made clear to them soon enough.

I place my hand on the handle of the Blue Lady's door and take a few seconds to reaffirm the speech I have mentally prepared once I enter. Satisfied, I shove the door open as hard as I can ensuring my arrival is known which causes the metal handle of the door to become embedded in the brick behind it. I enter the building and the first thing I notice is no lights are on. The second thing is that no one is manning the shop. Strange. There is usually one of them behind the counter at least giving the illusion that this is a functioning establishment. I head to the back of the shop and through the entryway marked 'staff only'. Ha, staff indeed. I reach the top of the stairs that leads down into the basement where the Cabal holds all of their meetings, noticing that it is also eerily dark at the bottom of the stairs. Have they all abandoned this place? I begin my descent, the sound of my boots echoing from each step seem so deafening in the silence. I reach the bottom and step into the basement, surrounded by pure darkness, but sense a presence hiding somewhere within.

"Show yourself."

I hear the click of fingers and, as if by magic, the lights are suddenly reignited. I let out a sharp laugh. "Clever trick. How I wish it was a gift I could inherit." Glaring back at me is the vampire Vorador, his arms folded in front of his body. "I see you survived your wounds and escaped the Hylden City, yet you still have not acquired a sense of humour, my old friend."

"Do not refer to me as an old friend, Kain. You have gone too far. What you did at the Wharves is unforgivable."

I raise an eyebrow. "And what exactly are you referring to, Vorador? Are you still angry because of how I dealt with Umah's indiscretion? I told you, she was dealt with accordingly. She betrayed me. She received a traitor's punishment."

Suddenly Vorador is directly in front of me, his hand around my neck and fury in his eyes. "You did not have the right." Furious, I grab his hand and push him away from me. Who does he think he is?

"I have the right as the former and future king of this land. I only did as you would have done, Vorador, or do you overlook traitorous acts if it's committed by your favourite lieutenant?"

He snarls at me. "You do not understand, Kain. She was like a daughter to me. She never would have betrayed you, not without good reason. She would have been an invaluable asset to you."

"A traitor is anything but an invaluable asset. If it is a fight you want, Vorador, I have no issue with returning you to the grave old man." I reach for the handle of the Reaver prepared to fight him if I must. He glances at my hand for a second then takes a few steps back, folding his arms in front of his chest again.

Vorador sighs. "No, Kain. A fight I do not intend to have with you, as much as I think you would benefit from being knocked from your pedestal." He begins to pace. "I will, as much as it pains me, congratulate you on your defeat of the Sarafan Lord. You have done a great thing for all of us, humans and vampires alike."

I take my hand away from the Reaver's handle, listening intently. "If you remained here to congratulate me on my victory then where is the rest of the Cabal? Or have you sent them out for party supplies fit for their new commander?"

He scowls and unfolds his arms. "No. I told the rest of the Cabal to leave before you arrived. I will rendezvous with them at a location unknown to yourself." He takes a step toward me again. "I remained behind to inform you that the Cabal will not assist you in any capacity. This kingdom you so wish to rule will be full of nothing but corruption and decay. I will be no part of it. You have made your bed, Kain, now lie in it."

I bare my teeth at the old vampire, feeling anger brewing in the pit of my stomach. "You will regret this, Vorador. Mark my words."

He shrugs his shoulders. "Maybe so. Goodbye, Kain. I have no more words to waste on you. " A few seconds later Vorador was gone, teleporting himself away to areas unknown in a flash of green light.

As I collect my thoughts, quickly thinking of a backup plan, I walk over to the table in the middle of the room and rest my hands, palms down, on the wooden surface. I close my eyes and inhale deeply. How could they abandon me, their lord and saviour? This is a transgression I will not forget and one they will regret with every fibre of their beings. I let out a roar of fury and grab the table from underneath, flipping it whilst sending it flying across the room to smash into pieces against the stone wall. I stand there, looking at the mess I've made, panting. "The Pillars, I must go there at once. I will find the clarity I need when I reach them." I look around the empty room. "There is nothing left for me here. That has been made abundantly clear." I head towards the stairs and take one final look at Sanctuary before I leave. What a waste. This place could've been the beginning of something glorious. I take my leave of the Blue Lady Curios and head towards the Lower City's exit before starting my journey north towards the Pillars of Nosgoth.

Part way through my journey in the streets of the Lower City someone out of nowhere collides into me then falls to the floor. I notice it is a man, and a drunk one at that. Already in a foul mood after my encounter with Vorador, I snap at the man. "I would advise you look where you're going in the future, peasant." The man just rolls around on the floor, groaning something intelligible. Growing more frustrated, I grab the man by the collar of his shirt and lift him into the air. "Did you fail to hear me, human, or do your ears stop working once you've had too much ale?"

Another human comes skidding around the corner, seemingly more sober than his companion. "Roger, I told you to not… Oh, shit." I lock eyes with the sober man whilst still suspending his friend, Roger, in the air by his shirt.

"Does this belong to you, sir?" I shake Roger at him. In response, the drunkard begins to groan and his eyes roll into the back of his head whilst his friend vigorously nods his head.

"Y-Yes, sir. I apologise for his behaviour. I-I hope he hasn't spoilt any of your fancy clothes, sir. Or caused you an inconvenience."

"My clothes? No. Inconvenienced me? Yes." For a second I think of killing them both where they stand. I haven't fed since the Hylden City and I'm starting to feel the pangs of hunger in the pit of my stomach. But then an idea comes to me. I look the terrified man in the eyes who is now sweating profusely. "I would be willing to forget this 'incident' if you do something for me, my good man." He nods quickly. I toss his drunk friend at his feet. "I want you to deliver a message. You will pass it on to everyone you know, and it is imperative that you tell them to do the same."

The man, helping Roger back to his feet, meets my gaze. "W-What is this message, my lord?"

My lord. Hm. I grin at the man. "Tell them Kain is coming."

Present day

"Sire?"

My eyes snap open as I'm suddenly jostled awake. Confusion clouds my mind momentarily as I look at my surroundings. I was just in Meridian, was I not? I rub my eyes with my clawed hand and the feeling of exhaustion hits me like wave. No, no I was dreaming. But it felt so real, like I was there…

I have been pushing myself exceptionally hard lately, trying to piece things together. Obviously I have pushed too hard this time. I feel disoriented. I instinctively squeeze my right hand and realise I am clutching the hilt of the Reaver. The only constant in my life, the one thing I know my destiny is entwined with somehow. A clawed hand suddenly grabs my arm and a set of aquamarine eyes come into my field of vision. "Is everything alright, Sire?" It takes a couple of seconds until I realise it is my fourth son, Rahab, who those piercing eyes belong to. I would deny it to the others, but he is one of my favourite sons. Loyal, intelligent and passionate. If only I had sired him before some of the others…

"I am fine, Rahab." He nods his head, removes his hand from my arm and takes a step back. I look past him and around my throne room. We built the Sanctuary of the Clans around the remains of the Pillars of Nosgoth, placing my throne at the base of the Pillar of Balance. At the time it seemed like such a grand idea, but now, I'm not so sure. Vorador was right. I rule a kingdom of corruption and decay just like he said. I let my own arrogance and stubbornness cloud my judgement. The Pillars, that used to extend to the heavens above gleaming the purest of whites in the sun, are nothing more than stumps fit for no purpose other than to be a constant reminder of my mistakes. All these late nights, the constant trials to try and fix the corruption are starting to take a toll on my mental state. I have the answer somewhere in my head. There is an alternative to sacrificing myself, the edge of the coin is within my grasp…

I notice Rahab, stood straight with his arms behind his back shifting uncomfortably, still hovering next to my throne. I raise an eyebrow. "What is it, Rahab?"

"I'm sorry, my lord. I did not wish to disturb you." He clears his throat still clearly uncomfortable. "Raziel has exited his state of change and has requested an immediate meeting of the council."

Suspicious, I furrow my brow at Rahab. "An unusual request. Normally once one has exited the state of change a few days is required to recuperate and become accustomed to any new gifts acquired."

"I am aware, Sire. However Raziel has strongly insisted we convene imminently."

I sigh. "Very well. Inform your brothers, including Raziel. We shall meet here in approximately one hour." Rahab bows his head and turns to leave. "I expect all of them to be here on time. Make sure you emphasise that."

He stops, his back still facing me. "It shall be done, my lord."

I watch Rahab reach the end of the hall and walk through the giant ebony doors, swinging them shut behind him. I am alone once again. I shut my eyes and in an instant I am drawn back into the extremely vivid past.