When we reached the Pillars, Kain greeted us and congratulated us of our triumph. This was indeed the first time we went into battle on our own. Melchiah told him of the casualties, but like myself, Kain only nodded at the shame of losing soldiers, but not sympathetic about our men. He dismissed us, but I stayed behind.
"You wish to discuss with me?" Kain asked.
I took out the wolf creature's head and showed it to him.
"Now you have something to mount on your wall."
"Before he died, he told me something interesting."
"Oh?" He cocked an eyebrow.
"He told me that you raided his ancestor's cave and took the lupine magic."
"Go on."
"Do you still know the secret of their transformation?"
He laughed. "Is that what you wish to know?" He got up and paced around. "No, I was in torpor for two hundred years, much was lost during that time. Why did you ask?"
"This beast was once a portly old man, but it took both Turel and I to kill him. Imagine how strong a vampire would be in lupine form."
He laughed some more. "You are ambitious, Raziel. But we do not need any guises other than our own. Vampires are the superior beings on Nosgoth. Do not forget what you are." He turned and left the pillars.
Shortly afterward, Kain entered a dormant state for nearly three months. Nathaniel guided us on restructuring Steinchencroe and Vasserbunde. One day while exploring the upper mountain region of the Vasserbunde Mountain, Turel and Melchiah discovered an ancient structure, build in the shape of a giant skull. We learned later that this was once the retreat of Mentalist Nupraptor. Although the place was now overgrown with vegetations, much of the secrets remained. Ezra, now an old woman, knew of the existence of the spell of longevity. She somehow convinced Turel to journeyed to Nupraptor's Retreat and retrieve it for her. Now, Ezra lived in eternal youth to serve Kain.
During Kain's slumber, I had a chance to talk to Nathaniel. He has been absent in our strategy meetings lately, and I was eager to found out why. In the past, he scarcely joined our battles, although his fighting skills were second only to Kain. He hides himself under his sage like guise, like his appearance, his life was a mystery.
For the last seventy years since I've know him, his appearance never changed. He had always worn a white robe, lined with strange writings down the middle. Never once had he seen other members of the clan without wearing a robe that would conceal him totally.
"Nathaniel, may I ask you a personal question?" I approached the strategist.
"That depends on the level of privacy, Raziel."
"Kain have spoken of a vampire Vorador in the past."
"He was my maker. Interested in a little history, are we?" He asked me, brushing his silvery hair with his hand.
"I am."
"Vorador was the most powerful vampire in the time when Kain was but a fledgling. But unlike Kain, he resided in the heart of the Termogent Forest, and hid himself from humanity." Nathaniel's expression never shifts, he maintained his sage like face as if he was but a narrator to a story. "Are you aware of the Time Streamer Moebius?"
"He was the guardian of Time." I knew of Moebius when Kain told me of the Pillar guardians.
"He was more then just that, my boy. He launched a genocidal war against all vampires. And eventually, his armies found Vorador and beheaded him. But, sometime later, Kain used necromancy to revive the soul of Vorador into his body, and once again, he lived. Two centuries pasted by, Nosgoth was under the iron rule of the Sarafan, and this time, Vorador didn't stand idle as the vampire purge began once more. At last Kain destroyed our enemy, but Vorador, now reformed from the hedonist he once was, no longer stood by Kain and declared war on your master. I was his last son, but Kain has given me a chance to see the world in his view, and it was tempting." As he said that, he held his head high with dignity.
"He killed Vorador?"
"Yes."
"You do not hate Kain?"
"Why should I? Vorador have grown soft in his last few centuries. It takes ambition to rule the world Raziel, not mercy." He strolled onward down the halls that circled the pillars chamber. "Now, if you must excuse me, there are some things I need to attend to." He disappeared into his private quarters and bolted the door behind him.
In my mind, the things he said to me slowly sinks in. I didn't find out about his life, but instead the life of his creator. But knowing Nathaniel, I would expect him to avoid me if I asked him a straight question. Still, I wish I had broach up the reason of his mysterious habit. Perhaps I could still find Vorador's Mansion in the Termogent Forest, and there, I could shed some light on our mysterious strategist. The next night, I gathered up my own expedition, and left the Sanctuary to Turel to guard.
As we go deeper into the woods, I found out that the Termogent Forest was not only composed of dense vegetations, but also, a great swamp. I mistakenly stumbled onto a patch of floating grass, and my foot burned by the acidic touch of the water. I howled in pain, and almost fell in if it weren't for Nicholas, who faithfully pulled me out within seconds. I was starting to think maybe Vorador wasn't keeping others from finding him; he was keeping himself from going out. We followed a tight patch of solid ground, lined with bowls hung by a human skull mounted on a pole. In their times, this was a lighted path through the swamp, and this path was once called the Ignis Fatuus.
Soon, we found a massive land formation, covered by vines and slime, at a closer look, it was really a mansion, overgrown with greenery, as if the swamp has been trying to swallow it all these years. Brushing aside the vines, we found the front door, but it was rusted shut. I ordered two of my men to pick up a nearby tree stump and rammed it down. The door crashed open, and emanated an aroma of earthly fungus mixed with moisture. Once we were in, it was pitch black. I held up a torch and slowly surveyed the interior, skeletons and broken armors scattered the floor. This structure was once an elegant place, given its velvet carpets and fancy wall paintings. I told my men to stay close together, and walked cautiously up the worn, creaking stairs. Under out combined weigh, we collapsed, and fell down to the subterranean level. Rodents and lizards scattered from the site of our impact. I got up and saw that we have found the sleeping chamber for Vorador and his vampires. But no one no longer resides here. All over the floor were half rotten corpses of vampires. Some were beheaded, others were impaled, and no doubt this must've been Kain's doing. On the floor, I found a dusty book, it was leathered bound, I was hoping this relic could shed some light on Vorador's last spawn. I searched some more, looking for Vorador's body, anticipated to see him with my own eyes, when I heard a voice far away called out to me.
"Raziel! It is Turel." My second in command whispered to me.
"What is it?"
"Rahab just returned from Steinchencroe, and saw a war camp near the sanctuary. I suggest you come back now, brother."
"Who are these men?"
"The Blood Hunters. They might plan to attack at dawn!"
Without hesitance, I rushed out of the swamp with my men, and headed for the Sanctuary.
Our paced quickened as we ran through the swamp, I tried to avoid as much water traps as I can, but even if I stepped on some water, I didn't slow down. Kain was still dormant, and I do not trust Nathaniel to come out and defend the sanctuary. My other brethrens may have a chance to ward off the enemies at night, but if they attack at dawn, we were as good as dead. As dawn approaches, I couldn't help but feel the shame of letting my brethren down. But I will not give up, I commanded Nicholas to hide my body in a concealed cavern, and ordered him to return to Sanctuary for reinforcements.
At dusk, I awoke, worried. Hastily, I ran out of the cavern and headed towards my home, all the while having images of my brethren and my master dead in my mind. As I head southward, I found the campsite of our intruders, and I saw that it was almost empty, save for a few wounded soldiers and those attending to the injured. Without thinking, I took out my blade and slaughtered them all. I knew the battle had begun, and the shame of me not standing at the battlefront tormented me so. I ran on, blade in hand, and ambushed any vampire hunters on the way, one by one; I left a trail of the dead. As I approached the sanctuary, I was worried to see it in ruins. But I was soon relieved to see my brethren holding off the invaders on their own. Our soldiers were trained well; they have withstood the assault during the day. The invaders gathered in a huge mass behind their barracks, I couldn't assault them on my own. So I circled around the front line, and joined my brothers in arm at the front.
"Raziel! Where have you been?" Dumah asked me.
"We were under attack, while you were strolling out in the moonlight." Zephon pointed an accusing finger at me.
"I will pretend I didn't hear that. Zephon. But forgive me for not watching your back if one of the vampire hunters get to you." I turned to Turel. "What is the situation?" I asked him, standing behind the barracks.
"We managed to hold them off, our archers are keeping them from advancing. But we might be out of ammunitions soon."
"Which one is their leader?"
"That one there." He pointed him out at me. Behind the shields of his army, I saw the commander, a tall muscular man, with a broad sword in one hand, and a shield in another. His leather armor resembles the leader we killed in the cathedral's dungeons seventy year ago.
"Vampire scum! You cannot hide forever! We will be rid of your kind!" He cursed.
"Where is Nathaniel?" I asked.
"We couldn't find him." Melchiah answered.
'I knew it!' I thought to myself. "That snake." I said under my breath, and I sudden realized his whole tale about Vorador's mansion was just a way to lore me out of the sanctuary, but why?
At this point, we were in a stale mate. If they advance towards us, our archers at the balcony will shoot them down. But, if we rush in now, they will outnumber us, and our archers can't provide cover, afraid that they might attack our own men. But the Blood Hunters had one advantage over us, time.
All was quiet for a long time. We each sat behind the barracks, unable to move, our archers' range were out of reach. Without warning, the leader gave out a war cry, with shields above their heads they rushed in towards us. Our archers shot as much arrows as they can, but they were futile. I looked behind the advancing armies and saw hordes and hordes of vampire hunters. While we waited so stubbornly, they were simply waiting for reinforcements! Once again, the six of us joined the battle, outnumbered, but not out-strength, and out-skilled. However, I couldn't say the same thing for our human troops, if only we were all vampires, then we might have an edge. At one point, even the priestess came out to assist us. She used mind control to manipulate vampire hunters to fight one another.
However, as long as the leader stands, the invaders will not recede. Like the time we fought the lupine gypsies, I decide to go for the source. Leaping from the backs and shields of one vampire hunter to another, I launched a first assaulted at the colossal leader. He saw me bearing down on him, cast aside Nicholas like a rag doll, and blocked my attack with his own broad sword. Standing up to him, I realized he was much bigger than I thought. I was up to his chest in height, and his shoulders were twice as broad as mine. A scar ran deep down his face, he smirked at me, with his sword held high above his head.
"So, come to challenge me, little vampire?" He swung at me. "Big mistake."
I dodge out of his way, ran around him and jabbed him at his thigh. But it barely stings him. I launched at his chest, and effortlessly he parried it aside. I swung at his side, and again, there was no result. He swung at me, and I blocked him with all my strength. He was as strong as the gypsy elder. With his free hand, he back handed me and send me flying. I got up, a vampire hunter stood in front of me. I cut him down, and again went for the leader. This time, he attacked me in fierce sword strokes. I barely kept up with my blocks. He kept his guard well, and his sword strokes were even better. And all the while we were fighting, it seems strange how his attacks looked vaguely familiar. I saw an opening for his stomach, but he swiped my attack before I had a chance. I couldn't believe this human was invincible, but it seemed to be true. Once again, he back handed me and send me flying. He was toying with me like a cat with a mouse.
Just when I thought all hopes were lost, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a figure standing high on the castle wall of the Sanctuary. I couldn't believe my eyes, but it was Kain! This couldn't have been a better timing. And from his slumber, he awoke with new changes. He now has three claws on each hand. He no longer wear boots, for his has developed hoofed feet. He drew out his curved blade, the Soul Reaver. In the night, in his war armor, he slowly and proudly floated down, like a descending dark god. All soldiers on the field, vampires and humans behold his entrance with unspoken admiration.
"You pesky insect. You dare attack my capital?" Angrily he shouted at the leader.
"I am not afraid of you, vampire! You killed my grandfather seventy years ago, now I will avenge his death!"
"Let this be your last mistake, you pathetic fool." He rushed towards the giant. All other vampire hunters got out of his way. Their weapons clanged as they strike each other. Once again, Kain couldn't find an opening to attack. Every time he struck a blow, the leader just blocked it away, and answered with a launch of his own. Kain took on a different approach; he allowed the leader to relentlessly strike at him, while he blocked off every offense. And finally, when he saw that the leader was showing signs of fatigue, he yelled out:
"Enough of this charade. I applaud your skills, but I am second to none in this world." He held his hands over his head, and spontaneously, the leader was lifted two feet off the ground and combusted into a burning heap. He screamed in pain as hell fire bit into his very flesh and bones, the stench of roast human meat now soaked the battlefield.
"Vae Vicitus!" Kain yelled, followed by sadistic laughter.
Finally, the incineration stopped, the leader fell onto the ground, lifeless, burnt blackened, and beyond recognition. With their leader dead, the vampire hunters retreated as quickly as they came. Some were captured by our own soldiers, and kneel to surrender. I was exhausted in battle, and my wounds have just begun to heal. Seeing this, Kain allowed me to feed on the burnt body of the dead leader.
"I saw your battle with him, Raziel. You took a brave stand." He placed a cloven hand on my shoulder. "But you must learn to approach your enemies differently, a strong warrior needs to know a few tactics."
"My lord." Turel and others, along with Ezra came up and kneeled before Kain, "we are glad to see you again sire."
"In my slumber, you have so recklessly allowed your guards down, enough to be attacked by humans?" he said in an angry tone.
"We did not expected the attack, sire." Said Zephon sheepishly.
"That is because this was an ambush, Zephon." Kain glared down on him. "You will need to improve your guards, or I will throw you out of my kingdom, and allow you to be slaughtered by our enemies. Am I clear?"
"Sire." We bowed to him respectfully, and entered the Sanctuary once again. It still looked like a war zone outside, but we allow the troops to do the clean up. For the first time, I was relieved at the sight of the Pillars, nearly half an hour ago; I thought I would never see them again.