The Temple of Midguard

The walk through this strange and cold place revealed much as Ewoden looked. Clearly they were in the ruins of a city, long since abandoned and left to the assault of the elements. The snow blanketed much, but silhouetted against the night sky were the outlines of peaks that may once have been mighty palaces for whatever race built them.

Eventually they left the ruins and marched through the forest of snow ridden trees for a brief while, before they came across the faint outline of another building. The seer lead them right to it. As they neared, they made out the shape of a temple; a large structure half blanketed in snow and surrounded by the pine forest.

"Your majesty…" Fitzroy began. "I fear…I fear I can not enter." The princess looked back to see her two knights frozen to the spot, unable to take even a single step forward. Obelisk was in the same situation, unable to move even a muscle forward; as if some irrational fear had gripped him from the inside.

"The temple had been forbidden to all but the elected nine." The seer explained without looking back. "Those who do not bear the honour may not advance further."

"Then I will go alone from here." Alicia stated trying to look brave. "Rest here sir knights, I will enter without you."

The temple was a strange construction. A tall arching oval shaped building. It was a single chamber within the walls; the tall ceiling above had caved in allowing the fall of the snow inside. Two statues half buried in snow stood on either side of the top of the steps by the entrance. One was of a winged ancient, a warrior standing aloft holding a spear in his hands with his wings spread out either side. As Kain walked by it, he could not help but notice that the statue had a face that bore an uncanny resemblance to his own

The other was of a wolf like creature, but clad in armour and standing upright on its hind legs. A long tail swept out behind it, busy and painstakingly engraved to reveal the fur. Its hands were human like and each of them were holding the hilt of a battle axe. Ewoden was the only one to notice that those axes seemed remarkable similar to Havoc and Malice, the weapons he had with him at this very instant.

The temples interior had walls and ceiling engraved with a rune like scripture that appeared to be nosgothic blood script but drawn in a very unusual way, like the mad ravings of a lunatic. But these were not what drew Kain's immediate attention.

Directly in the centre was a large circular platform and directly in the centre of this was a collection of nine identical waist high stone pedestals, the tops just large enough to place a hand. They stood in a half circle and drawing close, Kain could see that on the top each had an engraved stone symbol. He recognised each and every one of them.

These symbols were the rune representations of the pillars. There was the symbol here for death, conflict, the mind and of course directly in the centre was that of Balance. This was a miniature reconstruction of the Pillars of Nosgoth.

"What now Seer?" Vorador asked as the Hylden female almost waltzed passed him, gazing out as she drank up the atmosphere. A deliriously happy smile on her face.

"Read Vorador." The seer began swiftly. "Read from the Gospels." Vorador glanced from her to his coat and back then. Then he reached inside and withdrew the Lupine Gospels.

"One wielding blood and soul shall rise and be one and not of time." He began reading aloud even before he unrolled it, the words almost known by heart now. "Eight companions shall he have and they shall be one and not of time. Overcome deception of time and guise of death shall he, Scion of world's hope. Lies and treachery shall he slice through with blade of first born soul."

Before anyone could say anything more, the air almost seemed to ripple as a long howl echoed across the sky. The cry of a wolf seemed to shake the floor beneath them. Vorador and Janos cast a glance in Ewoden's direction.

"Its not a full moon so don't look at me." The former Sarafan protested looking as confused as they were. Kain, feeling a presence; turned to look back at the pedestals and sitting there, staring directly at him was the wolf.

Its large sea blue eyes set in an unblinking stare.

"Welcome." It said without moving its lips. Everyone turned to face it, some with loud exclamations. "None of you can appreciate just how significant your arrival here at this place, here at this time. You are all people whose decisions and trials have altered this world's destiny and how your final trials begin." The beast straightened up, wagging its large bushy tail behind it. "I am the keeper, the being who was charged with the guardianship of this place until nine came to accept their roles."

"Accept their roles?" Kain asked sounding aggravated. "I don't 'accept' anything unless of my own free will. I've been lead around by ancient prophecies for centuries." The wolf endured his ranting in silence.

"Lead there, lead there; always with no end in sight. I refuse to let it continue." The wolf appeared undaunted by the threat. "Why must I be lead around like some child?"

"What are we all if not children?" It replied without moving its lips.

Tasks lie ahead; Scion of Balance and they are unavoidable. If you wish to know what they are in advance I suggest you maintain some dignity."

Kain managed a profound and intense frown.

"Then perhaps you be as courteous as to answer a question." The wolf inclined its head.

"You wish to know about the Time of Election I take it?"

"Yes, what just is that?" William asked. "I heard about it from the man called Swift."

"The Time of Election is an event that is soon to take place." The wolf explained. "The Pillars of Nosgoth sense two Guardians of Balance for them to choose from, one corrupt and one pure. Usually in such a situation the other guardians would simply decide on the better one for them, but as there aren't any other guardians this leaves the Pillars in a state of complete chaos. They are on the verge regenerating but lack the direction to accomplish it.

Instead, they are forced to elect a completely new circle; which takes time and energy which they do not have. They have been decaying for too long. Thus, they can not charge their tasks to mewling inexperienced newborns. So instead each pillar must elect a new guardian from the already living and are the most worthy."

"Is that why we are all here?" Kain asked. "We are the newly elected guardians?" Everyone glanced around at each other, as if unsure of what to make of all this." What looked like a smile spread over the wolf's black lips.

"Not yet." It replied. "You have competition for the roles. The Elder knows of this appointed time and seeks to cement his rule over humanity by assuring that they

become the race the pillars elect from.

To this end, he has trained his own nine which he intends to make his candidates against you. This will determine which race the Pillars summon for their guardians, humans, vampires, or all."

"So that is what that Druid meant." Kain whispered to himself looking thoughtful.

"If they succeed, this will spell the demise of your species." The wolf continued. "For the vampires to survive, you must prevent the humans from taking the positions as guardians at all costs."

"Lead me to their throats and I will end this tonight." The vampire lord replied baring his fangs.

"What I hear about you that always seems to be your answer to everything doesn't it vampire?" The wolf asked with an amused expression set in the furry features. "First however each of you have tasks that must be completed before the election. It is why I have called you here this day." Its head turned to gaze directly at Ewoden and the former knight looked a little uneasy under its gaze. Its eyes wandered across all those present as if counting them. Its blue eyes were almost piercing in their scrutiny of each and every one of them, Kain especially. "Come Nine elected, stand before the fountain of destiny." It began eventually. "Place your hand upon one of the icons and your tasks will be revealed to you."

A frown on his face Kain went first, striding up to the podium. Umah quickly followed despite her lack of stretch, Vorador following after her. Janos Audron went next. Ewoden paused to take a deep breath before he strode up with Sally in tow. William and Alicia were last and finally all nine of them were stood before the pedestals.

Each of them found themselves drawn unexplainably to one of the icons. Sally placed her hand on the Icon of the Mind and William did the same for that of Dimension. Vorador hesitated as if horribly unsure of himself, before he put his claws on the icon of Conflict. Unsure of what to expect, Ewoden tapped the icon of Nature with the end of his finger before placing his whole hand upon it when nothing happened.

Janos stared down at the icon representing Energy. This went against everything his own prophecies had told him and so he felt extremely uneasy. But what would he gain by refusing? He had misread signs before and completely missed what the true mission of the Scion of Balance was to be. The pull to the icon was almost irresistible and relenting, Janos placed his hand down upon it.

The Icon of Time beckoned and without hesitation the Seer gently laid her palm down. Being unused to this, Alicia looked extremely reluctant, then without a word she touched the Icon representing States.

Kain of course was left with the central icon, that of Balance. He still did not known if he could trust any of this but the pull to that icon was undeniable. If it was fate that drew him here and not the subtle manipulations of the Elder then so be it. Slowly at first he reached other and then with a sudden surge he almost grabbed the top of the pedestal.

The result was indescribable.

Outside the temple Obelisk, Fitzroy and Jessup watched in amazement as a pillar of light lanced from the roof of the temple and shot high into the air, vanishing into the gloom of the clouds but bathing the ground beneath it in light. The three of them were left standing there in mute awe.

Those in the temple were shown images, flashing through their heads as tremendous speed. They all saw Nosgoth, in the past and present. They saw the land nearly consumed during the Hylden and Vampire war, they saw the summoning of the Pillars themselves and they saw the curses befall both the Vampires and the Seroli; each becoming blood hungry monsters.

A twisting mass of tentacles, sprawling from the underworld continued to absorb souls from its engineered chaos; the wars it's played out like a puppeteer to provide it with sustenance.

Finally these images became unique to all of them as it then they were shown their tasks.

Janos and Vorador were shown the northern mountains of Nosgoth and raging in the bottle neck canyon between the plains and Dark Eden was a tremendous battle. Sarafan Knights and Vampire clans clashed together fighting for supremacy. The last stand of Kain's army against the Order. The message to the both of them was clear. The vampires must not loose.

Princess Alicia watched in horror as Willendorf was consumed by flames, spread by the hands of Sarafan inquisitors as they routed out those un-loyal to them, driving them out of their homes and forcing them out to into the streets. Anyone caught trying to resist were impaled and placed up for all to see to ensure their cooperation. The streets were a forest of these grotesque sights and the royal family's flag was burning atop the castle turrets.

"Not here." Alicia found herself muttered. No, she would fight to prevent that massacre. Her task was more than clear. She would free the Lion kingdom.

William saw over a million souls filled with anger, entrapped in a place that day by day ate away at what was left of their sanity. Their anger was more than justified, but if allowed to be unleashed it would not only destroy them but all before them. He watched as he reached forward and opened the door to that awful place and let them out.

Sally saw the same event and as those hate filled souls re-entered this world, she reached out and touched each of them in turn. As she did, their hate melted away and they gazed around in wonder as if they had just awoken from a nightmare.

The Seer came to her people as they awoke from madness and offered them her hand. They took it and no sooner had they done so then an army of men bent on their destruction marched out of the darkness banishing the banner of the Sarafan Order.

Umah, though still very weak and frail; was show the image of an old man, slumped on a throne. A mere puppet he did what he was told by his masters and through him great harm was done. To him she revealed the mistakes he had made in his life and the nature of the control he exercised on behalf of his masters.

The spirit of the wolf burned within the former knight as he saw the full moon in his vision. Ewoden could do nothing but watch as one by one the werewolves were ferreted out of the city of Willdendorf and then killed by Sarafan soldiers. Obelisk, the man who had taught him the nature of the werewolf curse fell with them, leaving a few strangling survivors fighting for their right to exist.

When they were on the verge of complete destruction Ewoden took up the mantle of leadership and lead the charge at their final stand. When all enemies were defeated, the Pillar of Nature stood there waiting for him.

For Kain, he found himself standing before the Balance Pillar. The world around him was lush and full of life, a cloudless aqua sky above him. The pillars were pure and uncorrupted stretching up into the unequalled heavens. The air was cold and crisp, but the feel of it against his skin was refreshing.

Waiting for him a blue skinned and raven winged ancient and for a brief moment Kain thought he was looking into a mirror when he looked into the ancients face, so much like himself. Even the eyes seemed to mirror his. Long white hair flowed out from the back of the ancients head, tied back into a ponytail by a golden ring. An almost exact copy of his own style.

"Who are you?" Kain demanded, reaching for the Soul Reaver but finding that the sword was missing from his back.

"I am one who made a terrible mistake." The ancient replied with a hint of emotion either on his face or in his voice. "For which you and the other eight currently bound here are paying the price. For that you have my dearest apologises and regrets." Kain said nothing but instead glanced up towards the pillars. Silhouetted the sun and the cloudless sky, the tops of the trees on the edge of the sight was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. But the fact it was only an illusion soured it to no end. "An inspiring sight without a doubt." The ancient carried on noticing where Kain's eyes were. "But their corruption now steams not from you but rather from their own conception. These pillars were created as a prison lock and a weapon, the maintaining of the land was simply a side benefit. How can a weapon and jailor be considered inspirational by anyone?"

"Enough riddles, just who are you?" Kain demanded taking a step forward violating the ancient's personal space.

"Like I said, a maker of mistakes. Many were made in the past, on both sides of the ridiculous conflict. This is why you were called; Scion of Balance. To correct those mistakes."

"Your mistakes? Why should I right your errors?" Kain asked contemptuously. A grim smile passed over the ancients face.

"Because if you do not, this will be the fate of Nosgoth." He gestured out either side with both his wings and arms and at once the world around them changed. The forests disappeared and dark clouds of pollution gathered overhead, pumped out from factories created by the humans. The pillars still stood white and pure, but all around Sarafan banners were placed in rows, the mutilated bodies of vampires, Seroli smiths and even Hylden were left hanging like lifeless puppets on pikes. A completely human guardian circle used this site to practise ritual sacrifice to their 'divine' master. The ground lay cracked with dried blood.

Soldiers marched over the face of Nosgoth and wherever they went they raped and pillaged the land, justifying murder and genocide as the will of god. Spurring them on, reaching up to fish the souls the Sarafan dispatched from their bodies were the long slimy tentacles of the Elder.

"The age that was once your empire has been re-written by the new events in the past and now it hangs in the balance. The template you created and then altered." The ancient continued as Kain stood there in horror. "Will it be the world of life and peace which you saw moments ago? Or will it become this abomination? The outcome will depend completely on who wins at the time of election. You will have to prove yourself more worthy than the Sarafan leader; the man called Sabre."

"Sabre?"

"He sees all this in his mind. He sees it with his waking eyes, and yearns for the day when it comes to pass. All of those under him do." The blue ancient lost his smile. "I was once just like them so I know how they think." It was then that Kain realized something.

"They don't think." He stated with widening eyes. "The Elder simply gives them orders and because they believe he's the divine source of all, they carry them out without even questioning it in their minds." His lips parted in a grin and he ended up chuckling to himself.

"Mindless puppets; that is what that 'god' demands; not worshippers." The ancient replied in agreement. "And our kind complied, even in death."

"Then tell me." Kain began. "Tell me how I kill it." The ancient shook his head sadly.

"I am not simply being pious when I tell you that that is not so easy a task." Kain looked unimpressed. "While not invulnerable to the effect of wounds, you would never be able to do enough damage across its body before it heals itself. He stretches from one corner of Nosgoth to the other."

"So there is too much of it to kill, is that what you are saying?" The ancient hesitated before he turned to face the Pillar of Balance behind him.

"We were conceived as the successors of a dying race. They journeyed here so that they might give birth to new life before their race passed on." As if they were illustrations in a book, Kain saw images of many strange vessels crossing the sea; slicing through the waves like knifes before they moved towards the southern shores of ancient Nosgoth. "They created the Hylden first and taught them much, giving to them advanced knowledge of the world and science even we can not hope to acclaim.

Then they created us. To our race they gave the capacity for mental powers such as telepathy and telekinesis, along with a life span unequalled by any other race.

Finally, the made the humans. Small and rodent like compared to both ourselves and the Hylden, but they were the best builders out of the three. They could live in places we could not, could adapt far better to hostile environments and were great improvisers.

It was not long before our parent race died out and their history faded, much in the same way our own has to the humans. Eventually our races parted and we began living by ourselves in the various regions of Nosgoth.

Unfortunately, our creators had not foreseen that this land was already inhabited by a creature of immense size. A pupating aquatic form of life that survives by drawing its sustenance from the energy released by the soul. Once the soul is drained dry, it releases it back into the material world to acquire more energy during its new life before being drained again."

"The wheel of fate." Kain began. "The cycle of birth, death and rebirth. It's nothing more than dining table of the Elder." He glanced down at his hands. "Every person I've ever killed, everyone I've ever dispatched regardless of who they were…. I've simply been feeding my enemy with them." The ancient nodded. "That is why he swells to such a size. The more souls he devours the larger he becomes."

"Tell me Scion of Balance, why do you believe the Elder fears the vampires so much?" Kain looked up. "Is it because our immortally prevents us from being part of his regular meals? If that was the case then why not simply allow us to be cured as you quest to do? Surely if we become mortal once more we will be fair game to him?" Kain paused. He had not considered why at all, but now that he thought about it; the motivations of the Elder did not make sense. At least from his perspective.

"He fears us because we are destined to end his hold on life and can only do that when free of the curse." The ancient continued. "It has all been written, prophesied eons before we even set foot upon this land. The Elder knows this, recognises the signs of his coming defeat and works tirelessly to destroy us before we can destroy him. By uttering his name."

"His name?"

"The title to which he originally belonged, not the simple 'Elder' we know. You will know it, when the time comes to fulfil the destiny of our people and do away with him."

Kain stood there pondering this. If this as so, it would explain so much. The coming age was the age of vampires, the age of Kain's empire. The alterations in the past may have changed it into something quite different, perhaps the age Kain had been dreaming about since he first gazed into Moebius' time streaming chambers.

Was that the world devoid of the presence and strangulating hold of the Elder?

"You haven't much time." The winged ancient warned him. "The Elder's chosen elite, his own elected nine, must not be allowed to win at the time of election. You must cure our people of the Hylden's affliction and prove to the Pillar of Balance that you are more worthy than the Sarafan leader. You will have a very short period of time to do this in."

"Then I should not dawdle." Kain replied. "Fare thee well apparition. You will not see me again until I am victorious."

"For the sake of both your soul and my own Kain, I hope very much so." The ancient replied and instantly the vampire found himself back at that snow covered temple; his hand held above the icon of balance. He felt the cold air around him and the fall of snow through the hole in the temple roof and slowly he pulled his arm back to his side.

"How interesting." Vorador began glancing down at his hand, before at the pedestal before him.

Kain simply stood there silently in mute agreement. If nothing else, it was indeed interesting.

"Each of you has been given a task which much be completed before the time of election." The wolf was sat waiting for them nearby, staring at them with its large blue eyes. "These tasks will not be easy to accomplish and many will try to stop you. It is imperative for the future of our world that you succeed." It stood up on all fours and padded its way towards the centre of the temple's chamber. "To that end, I wish you the best of luck on your endeavours'." As it past by, the beast and the Seer exchanged glances, before it broke into a run and leapt up high into the air; almost flying out the top of the broken roof and disappearing into the gloom above with a long howl that echoed across the sky before fading to nothing.

"How does one go about defeating the entire Sarafan army?" Janos Audron asked; his eyes still on the pedestal in front of him. Kain drew the Soul Reaver with a loud hiss, clasping the hilt in both hands as he stared into the eyes of the ivory hilt.

"One head at a time." He replied running his thumb along the curved blade.