Note to Readers: For anyone who is confused, until I say otherwise, this story takes place between Kain raising his 6 lieutenants and that infamous day when Raziel was thrown into the abyss. There will be slightly more time granted so as to accommodate my story. That's a lot of in between time, so here goes some more.

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Chapter Note: This chapter will be a light hearted one, since I am in a good mood tonight.

Just a note: On any other site you might find this story posted, my name is Kiryra

Chapter 5: Party at Coorhagen Hall

She let her bow and arrows fly at inhuman speeds. Above the fight, she was able to aim better at the enemy. With deadly precision, they began dropping; freeing her people from the struggle and giving them time to recover, only to continue the fight. From her perch, she saw him hurling energy balls into a large tangled mass of Hylden and Ancients fighting for their survival. She returned her bow and arrow to her back and drew two curved swords throwing herself into the throng of fighting parties. She came out victorious, pulling her comrades out of the heap of dead Hylden bodies.

"Nolesh ma nolo mala desh doni!"

End Flashback

Helios awoke to the sounds of Chianh stacking books on the shelves and Tabalithia humming a human melody.

"Good evening Lady Helios. I hope your sleep has been a comfortable one" Chianh spoke and bowed. Tabalithia followed suit.

"Stand and good evening and yes, I have rested well Chianh. Is it not nightfall yet?" Helios inquired.

"Not ma'am. Indeed, its only just sunset." Tabalithia spoke and continued to hum her tune. Helios smirked proudly. She had had Nemaco make clothing for all of them. Chianh sauntered around wearing a very poofed dress with bubbled sleeves and a high neck. Helios' insignia was on her left sleeve. She was only 30 in human years, but seemed older than her years. Her dark blonde wavy hair fell to the middle of her back and gracefully swayed as she moved. She wasn't a beautiful woman, but she carried about her a sort of charm that made her very attractive. She looked to Tabalithia a laughed quietly at the young girl. She was trying her best to help Chianh, but was too eager and was being more of a nuisance than anything. She wore a simple pair of trousers with the ends tucked neatly in her worn boots. She wore a ruffled shirt that buttoned high to her neck. Her insignia was stitched into the back of the young girls shirt. Her slightly auburn hair rested in large natural curls on her shoulders. It was hard to forget she was 14 and not 12.

"Come on Tabalithia. We must find something for our lady to wear tonight." Tabalithia ran towards the closet and swung open the doors.

'Humans.' Helios shook her head. Always so anxious about nothing. While she sat on her bed and waited, Chianh asked.

"Not prying, but what will be your doings this night Lady? I must know so that I may prepare you with the right clothing."

"I am in quite the curious mood tonight. I suppose I will be walking about the empire, maybe visit some of the lieutenants in their homes."

"If I may speak freely Lady Helios?" Tabalithia had stepped forward and bowed.

"There is no need for such formality for something as simple as speaking freely as long as it is not in a disrespectful manner child. As long as it is in my private quarters, it is permitted." Helios was curious to see what the child had to say.

"Tonight marks 621st year since Kain began his empire. All the lieutenants and their clan will be in the Coorhagen Hall, where he gives lavish parties. This will be the first time the clan's see you. I think it is only fitting we dress you like royalty." Helios mused over this for some time and then smiled.

"As you wish. I shall place my appearance in your hands." Lymlia had been on the corner asleep, till Chianh nudged her.

"Wake up child. He have work to do and little time to achieve the look I'm going for." Lymlia rose and was informed of what was about to transpire. They grabbed their lady and ushered her into the bath room. She had informed them during her first nights stay that her body was able to handle water. Chianh drew a bath scented with lavender petals and vanilla beans. Lymlia began removing Helios' night clothing, while Tabalithia was left to find the perfect attire. Helios took note of this.

"You leave the decision of my attire to a 14 year old?" Helios questioned more than stated.

"For most of her life My Lady, Tabalithia has chosen attire for all the Overlords. She has what we would call an eye for fine clothing. She knows what to wear and when to wear it. What goes with your body type and what you should stay away from. She will do you much justice." Chianh helped Helios into the basin of water and began scrubbing her skin with a soft sponge soaked in lavender and vanilla oils. Lymlia undid her long hair and poured a large bucket of water over it. Helios looked up agitatedly at the young girl, as she shied away to grab the liquid soaps for Helios' hair. Chianh continued to oil Helios' body and she relaxed as the fragrances assaulted her nostrils, lulling her into a daze. Lymlia returned and began to massage Helios' hair, pouring more water over her head a few times. Soon after the water began to cool, so she was escorted out and back into her room. They dried her body and did their best to dry her hair, letting it hang loose. They noticed the small spiral curls that had formed due to the dampness. She sat down at a large vanity and surveyed herself in the mirror.

"Lady Helios I hope that this dress is to your liking." In her hands, Tabalithia held a beautiful royal blue and sliver dress worthy of a goddess. She stood and slipped the dress on. It hugged her body tightly, but she was awe struck by the craftsmanship of the dress. She would have to find a form of gift to repay Nemaco. The bottom of the dress was simple, hanging plainly to the floor with a medium length train behind her. Splits came all the way to her thighs on either side, showing off her shapely legs. The material at the back of the dress stopped just above the extreme small of her back, giving a total view of her back and the shape of her behind. To thin straps of the silk material came from the back of the dress (on the left and right side of her back) and came over her shoulder and connected to the part of the dress that rested on her waist. The material only covered her nipples and as she walked, she would have to be careful that one of her breast did not fall from behind the flimsy material. On the front part of the straps, sliver adorned them all the way to her hips with diamonds littering the dress from the bottom to the top. In the end, her back, sides, and all her upper body was out. She waved an elegant hand and two long stands of sapphires appeared in her ears. Some hair utensils appeared on the vanity before her with sapphires and diamonds littering them. She sat back down lazily.

"Now for your hair." Chianh beamed. She grabbed a small brush and set out to smooth the front of her hair. Once she had achieved this, she pulled it up in a large plait and grabbed to ivory sticks. She wrapped her hair until it was a neat ball atop her head and stuck the sticks through it to keep in place. When she let go, small curls fell this way and that, framing her face at the top and sides and falling down her back. Tabalithia had just returned with her shoes. A pair of royal blue and sliver boots that rose up to her knees were brought. The heel was slim and required balance to walk in them with perfection. Helios looked over at the dimly lit fire in her large marble fireplace and wondered if she would be accepted tonight or would she be the root of snide remarks, just for her being an unknown. When they all moved back and bowed, she walked over to a mirror and surveyed herself. She had never thought of herself as particularly attractive, or to put it better, she had never paid attention. Helios thought of the times when she was young and the ladies of the aristocracy had had to fight with her about proper attire. She smiled when she expanded her wings, the white contrasting greatly with the blue. She smiled sadly. She missed her people.

"Thenocthre. I give you the night off and I expect a bath to be at my disposal when I return." With that Helios walked elegantly out her double doors.

"Wait Lady!" Lymlia ran to her side.

"You will need this before you enter. I made it for this night and I hope you like it."

"It is quite beautiful Lymlia. Thenocthre." With that she continued her walk.

In Coorhagen Hall

Blood littered every table and filled every goblet. The blood of the young, the old, the innocent and the guilty all provided different tastes. High born and low born blood had been brought in. Thousands of humans had been plucked and brought in alive only to fall dead to the floor when a vampire chose it. Every nonliving soul present had a mask adorned on their faces, somewhat hiding their features. The blood of creatures and every other living thing in Nosgoth lined every fleece covered table. Kain sat in his throne on the second floor, overseeing every move in his hall. Three smaller thrones lined on each of his sides, sat his sons, or were suppose to sit them. They were empty, for his broad were below, drinking their fill or feasting off one of the thousands of humans who had been brought in, but Kain was bored. Various female vampires had tired to make themselves known to him, but he dismissed them with a disgusted glare. Only one little white haired vampire was one his mind and he wished to some unknown God that she wasn't. He had awoken 8 days ago to find the gift she had bestowed upon him. When he looked in the mirror, his old visage had been restored to him. He was once again the preternaturally white Kain he remembered from the old days. He had laughed when his own kin had not recognized him and after some time, he had opted to stay in this form. He did however retain his broad shoulders, longer thicker hair, and clawed feet, but his hands had reverted to the five elongated appendages he had had so long ago. Unfortunately, he had not seen Helios since the incident in the corridors to thank her for her gift. He continued to let his thoughts plague him until he heard the large cherry oak doors open and he saw someone of immense beauty walk in. He automatically knew who that walk and distinct coloring belonged to, as did his lieutenants, but to the clan members, she was a mystery.

She was taken aback. She didn't think the clans were so big. Well over three thousand vampires filled the hall and the smell of blood assaulted her nostrils. She had put on her mask before entering, so she knew only Kain and his son's recognized her. The hall had become quieter as she walked through the throngs of vampire males and females, earning appreciative stares from the opposite sex and hatred and jealous from the same. She heard the positive comments about her attire and then some of her physical beauty. Then came the questions about her wings that were tucked neatly to her back. She continued her walk until she found a fairly deserted table and sat down quietly. She wondered to herself who had implored the humans to play music. That was such a nonvampiric thing to do she had thought, until she heard someone say that this party was once a year and the theme of it was to surround themselves with human customs. The humans must have been scared for their lives; playing music for a hall full of vampires and watching humans die around them.

"Who is that creature?" a Turelim inquired; awed by her beauty.

"I have never seen her in the empire. Maybe she has been brought in as a pleasure slave?" A young Rahabim stated, while turning a large goblet up to his head. Blood trickled as he continued.

"If we want her, it is best we take her now, less we risk Lord Kain favoring her. She is quite a prize." A round of laughter from the others around him.

"You will engage in no such thing." They all turned to see the visage of Raziel dressed in his most stately robes along with a mask covering only his eyes and nose. They all bowed, while one asked.

"But Lord Raziel has she not been bought in as a pleasure slave?" Raziel almost gawked.

"Your ignorance shows your age Rahabim. She is one of the famed vampires of ancient day and sister to Janos Audron. You do know of him, do you not?"

"I have heard talk of him Lord, but how is it that she is here? Was that not eons ago he lived?" the Turelim asked quietly.

"It is no concern of yours how or why she is here, but she is a new residence now and you will do well to treat her with the same respect we all demand of you. She is no pleasure slave and if Lord Kain would ever find out that anyone has laid a hand on her, their death will be most excruciating." Raziel turned and began to make his way towards the stairs to Kain, anger across his face that such thoughts would cross their minds. Since her arrival in the empire, Raziel had watched from afar her beauty, her mysterious nature, and her strange way of putting a smile on his fathers face. He had never really engaged in conversation with her for fear of what would happen.

Kain had watched the entire scene play out. Why must she taunt him with her lithe, but curvaceous body and innocent expressions? When he saw Raziel ascending the stairs, he looked in his direction.

"My Lord it has been brought to my attention, personally, that some of the clans think Lady Helios is a pleasure slave. What would you have me do?" Raziel waited expectantly as he scanned Kains face. It appeared as though this did not faze him and he could care less, but what Raziel did not see was inside Kain was slightly agitated at the thought of the clans thinking one such as she would be a pleasure slave.

"Go and keep a close watch on her; I dare say entertain her. Go and show off her beauty to your brethren and introduce her to those who you deem worthy of her presence. I charge you Raziel with making her as pleased as possible tonight. Can you do this?" Kains chin was still resting in his palm, but he looked at Raziel with his present scowl.

"Yes father, I can do this. I will make her night a pleasing one and she will be sure to come and personally praise you for such a divine party." With that Raziel took his leave to find Helios. Kain smirked at his first born. He did so favor his first son. No insolence what so ever and so very dutiful in any task he was given. Though he was sometimes quiet spoken to a distasteful fault, he was his most powerful son and the smartest to say the least. Turel often showed that he was quite intelligent as well and as far as battle strategies, there was no better person but Turel, but he was not his first born, he was not Raziel. Kain leaned forward slightly, moving his face out of the dark, to witness Raziel and Helios' encounter.

She was sitting in a dark corner, well darker than the rest of the hall, observing the way these vampires interacted. She tilted a small golden grail to her mouth, savoring the evil taste of a human assassin's blood. She continued this way, until she heard her name being called.

"Lady Helios, I was pondering if you would come and dance with me?" she looked up into the face of the eldest lieutenant, Raziel.

"Do you all really bring yourselves to enjoy such human customs?" Raziel really didn't know the answer to that, so instead he countered.

"If you do not know how, I can simply introduce you to the multitudes of vampires anxious to know who you are." He smiled as she frowned indignantly.

"Come then lieutenant. Let us dance." She pulled him by his arm and glided through the crowd. When they were on the floor, she wrapped her hands loosely his neck, while he grabbed loosely at her hips. The close proximity of her body as well as the revealing dress made Raziel feel hot, but he had always had a fascination with the story of Janos Audron and now with his younger sister before him, he wanted to know more of their once great race and what exactly had befallen upon them. Their bodies swayed slowly to the music as Helios remembered this song as the melody Tabalithia had been humming.

"Still assume that I cannot dance lieutenant?"

"I see I was mistaken Lady."

"Now, why have you picked me from my seclusion and asked me to dance?" Helios was truly curious as to why he had asked her. Raziel knew she would not like the answer, but he chose not to lie.

"Kain asked me to entertain you tonight and make your stay in the hall a happy one."

"Well you can carry yourself back to Kain and tell him that I need no help in enjoying myself." With that, she pulled herself from him and made her way to what she figured to be an entrance to a balcony. Instead of Raziel following her command, he rushed after her until he found her on the balcony.

"Please leave me Raziel. I do not wish to be entertained tonight." She turned and looked Raziel directly in the eyes. She had never noticed, but he was very handsome. Elegant pointed features, a proud look upon his person and much intelligence in his eyes. She noticed the way his attire hugged to him tightly and showed off his defined body. She turned back.

"Lady, if I leave now, I would be denying myself the company of a most radiant and mysterious woman. I wish to fulfill Lord Kain's wish of entertaining you, but I also wish to learn more about you and to get to know you better." Raziel wondered briefly if she thought him a lie. She found herself believing him even though she had not wanted to. She turned to him, back against the railing and smiled.

"What is it that you wish to know Lieutenant?"

"Please call me Raziel."

"Please call me Helios."

"As you wish."

"What is it that you want to know?" Raziel stepped towards her, curiosity in his eyes.

"I wish to know everything about your once great race. I wish to know how you lived and what exactly happened in the war. What was your position in your society?" He continued on, until she silenced him with a finger to his lips.

"One at a time please. It will take many nights for me to explain everything you wish to know, but I will answer one tonight. I was a princess so to speak, but that was not my most important role in society. I was the high priestess of my people and able to see the future and have visions. I could never, however, see my own future or predict my own destiny." Raziel let all this new information process. Finally he looked up and saw sadness in her eyes, so he spoke.

"Dance with me Helios."

"Is this still to please your Lord?" She said abruptly.

"No. However, it would please me immensely if you said yes."

"Yes Raziel. I will dance with you." He grabbed her elegant hand and led her back to the dance floor. When they reappeared, everyone made an opening so they could come through. Kain leaned forward, proud of Raziel for convincing her to come back and dance.

As they made their way to the floor, a slow sad song began to play and Helios took note of it.

"That is not human music." She stated as she wrapped her arms around Raziels neck, while he slid his hands down to the contour of her hips.

"No its not." Their bodies unconsciously moved closer to each other.

"It's a piece of music I found in a buried mine years ago. I suspect that it is of vampire origin. Do you feel the same?"

"Yes and it seems so familiar yet so distant in my memory. Sometimes I feel so alone. Like I have nothing in this world to go on for and ever so often I feel as though I am back in the other dimension." She hung her head low, curls hiding her eyes. Raziel didn't know about this other dimension, but what he did know was that seeing her sad tore what heart he had in two. He saw the bloody tears that fell from her eyes and soon he said the only thing that came to his mind and at that moment, it was the truest most purist thing he thought he had ever said.

"I will protect you." She looked up quickly. "I will keep you from harm Helios. I will be that faint but true light in the darkness when you feel you have no one else. I will be here to comfort you so that you may never cry again. So you may never feel unloved and cold, or that you have nothing in this world to live for. Live for me Helios. Live so that I may be graced with a beauty this world has never seen for the rest of my undead life. Live so that we may talk of the past, so that you may lull me into a daze with your angelic voice. I will be here so you won't ever have to cry again. Beautiful beautiful Helios. Live for me so I may begin to live." When he finished, she was awe struck by his words. Never had such things been said to her and she could tell by his voice that he had meant everything. She hugged him tightly and he spun her around, but abruptly stopped when she frowned.

"I must go Raziel. I am sorry, but please do not follow me." As she ran out of the hall, he was about to pursue her anyway, until Kain appeared next to him.

"What happened Raziel?"

"I do not know my Lord Kain. She was enjoying herself immensely and then she just frowned and left. I hope it was nothing I said to offend her." Raziel was truly worried.

"What precisely did you say to her?" Kain had not let it go unnoticed her close they had gotten on the dance floor.

"She was speaking of feeling alone and sometimes feeling she was back in another dimension, so I told her that I would protect her, that we would all protect her from her loneliness." Even though it was a lie, he would not dare tell her Lord the truth about what he had told her.

"I will go behind her if you wish it my Lord."

"No! You have done enough for tonight thank you." Kain sped out of the hall to find Helios.