It was midnight when we walked the streets of Upper Meridian City. The streets were mostly deserted. Late night strollers weren't very common here. The only people we saw that still wanders the night were either drunk or homeless. And neither of these peasants looked appealing. Kain led us to a horse drawn carriage, a carriage that bears a sigma that I learned later to be Kain's symbol. And to the driver, he told him our destination.
The carriage left Meridian City and found its way onto a long dirt road that snakes its way into the wilderness. We were heading north, away from the Southern Sea Coast. Kain took the time to tell us of the once slightly advanced Nosgoth some centuries ago. How there was once an enemy called the Sarafan Lord, who introduced the glyphs energy to the people. With this new energy source, they were able to provide warmth to cities, power machineries of all sorts, and the most important purpose of all, kept vampires at bay. But this discovery was short lived, when Kain regained control of Nosgoth, uncovered the Sarafan Lord for the fraud that he was, and dispose of the glyph energy. He found out that the glyph energy was but the life force of the world itself. And it would do him no good if he were to rule a dying world.
As for what happens after his conquest, I listened the story half minded. I had questions of my own. Ever since I awoke several hours before, I wasn't too sure of the purpose of my resurrection. If Kain has the power to raise anyone as his generals, then why did he choose us? But as he said before, living is rewarding enough, and I wouldn't be so foolish as to bite the hand that feeds me.
Out of the carriage window, I observed the forest we were trekking through. And I wondered if there were anything out there that might attack us, but that was another foolish thought. No one would dare attack Kain, the ruling monarch of Nosgoth. But, disguised in the layers of foliage, I can see swift moving shadows, and occasionally, red glowing eyes.
"What are those?" I asked Kain.
"Lowly beasts. They are of no concern to you." Kain replied. "Those scavengers would not dare attack us."
With that sign of reassurance, I paid them no heed as the carriage moved along.
After an hour of transit, we stopped in a town called Ziegsturhl.
"Nearly seven centuries ago, my murder took place here." Kain began. "And it was here, that my destiny unfolds. But throughout the centuries, I regarded this place as my second birthplace, and as such, I settled my base of operation here." He pointed at a large mansion at the northern part of town.
On the streets, we saw many guards standing shifts in the night. They were all humans, but they all bore Kain's en sigma, and bowed to him as we walks by.
As we entered the mansion, I realized that it was once an ancient tavern. But after hundreds of years in the elements, it had worn down, before Kain fashioned it into his own liking. The floor was decorated with a dark red carpet. The interior was fairly lit with standing chandeliers lining against the wall. As we walked up the spiral staircases, I saw more decorations, age-old armors stood like guards in the hallway, sculptures of vampires, once again beautified as angels etched on the walls. Kain led us into the back of the mansion, and opened the doors to what looked like a conference room. On the far side of the room sat a high counsel chair, covered with Kain's banner and both arm rests decorated by wooden carvings of a vampire's skull. I had no doubt this is where Kain seats in his meetings. Across from the chair was a round table, the centerpiece of the room. On the table laid maps of Nosgoth, war plans, and designs of buildings. So, the fate of every city in Nosgoth was decided here.
We stopped in front of the table, and Kain looked around, observing the room to see if it was truly empty.
"You may come out." Kain declared.
And out of the darkness, two shadows withdrew themselves from the rest of the shades. Each materializes on both sides of the throne. They were hooded figures. As they pull down their hoods, I can see them more clearly. The one stood on the left was another vampire, with combed back silvery hair, high cheekbones, and green eyes. The one on the right, however, was a human, a woman.
"My generals, these two are my most trusted associates. Nathaniel, my war strategist, and Ezra, my priestess." They each nodded politely. "These are my new lieutenants. Together, we will rule Nosgoth and shape it in our own image."
"How nice to see more of our kind." Nathaniel greeted us.
"My congratulations for your success in raising more vampires, my lord." Ezra bowed to Kain.
"We may toast my success later. I want you to bring them to their quarters, and let them sleep for the night. I will be back for them shortly." Kain looked distracted, as if there were something else on his mind.
"Come children, I will show you your quarters." Nathaniel led us out of the room.
He led us through the library, and showed us the cellar, along with a handful of places that humans would have used, but only mere house decorations for vampires. The shower room was one of these examples. We began to grow weary of our bore some tour. At one point, Dumah asked Nathaniel to show us our quarters immediately. Melchiah and Zephon were grateful when they finally get to rest.
In the cellar, we each have our own room, and although they were quite empty, I'm sure we will fill it with things we will acquire in the future. In my own quarters, I found a large mirror and a casket. For the first time in one thousand years, I get to see my own visage. I died a young man, strong and probably proud. I looked down at my own armor, once fiery red, now brown and pealing with decay. I took off my left wrist dagger, observed the cruel looking blade, and still see some blood stain at the very edge. What kind of person was I? Should I even be concern of this? No matter, there is only the now. And with that answer in mind, I climbed into the coffin, and once again, become dead to the world.