I'm back once again dudes and dudettes and this time I have no intention of taking a long break. School is out blah blah blah, so I will do my best.

Disclaimer: You know the drill. Don't own 'em.

Note: This is not a really exciting chapter as much as it is an informative chapter, but I think it is still good. PLUS, my storyline is starting to unfold here. hehehe

Chapter 8: Cavern Mystery

It had been some time (around 76 years to be exact) since Kain had first been introduced to his children and some time since Helios was back and had taken her place as queen. Things were more or less back to normal; Lertin had once again taken his position as a messenger/spy, Namaco was now back and making clothing for Helios, Kain II, and Akuzty, Chianh and Tabalithia were now cleaning one big room where Kain and Helios resided, and Lymlia was more confident than ever and did not really fear Zephon any more.

"I'm glad things are back to normal Chianh." Lymlia said as she entered the servants quarters. She removed her shoes and placed them in the corner next to her small cot.

"Yes, being confined to the small room Kain had us and Lady Helios locked in was most uncomfortable.'

"We owe a lot to her you know." Lertin came from the small bathing quarters and quickly kissed Lymlia and then sat down. They all looked at each other and smiled. For those 150 years, she had no one but them and her children, so she had granted them all something for their loyalty; an unnaturally long life, or temporary immortality as she had put it. None of her servants had really aged during that long time and for her letting them live long and healthy, they all were eternally grateful and in her debt.

Tabalithia and Namaco arrived some time later, informing them that they had been busy making new clothing for the princess.

"She would make a good ruler, would she not?" Namaco inquired, while running his wrinkled hands through his slightly thin gray hair. He kicked off his boots and lay down in his bed, for the time being resting.

Tabalithia pulled her hair in a plait and spoke. "I think the prince would make a better ruler. He is a great deal fairer than the princess and he is not as abrasive as she. If nothing else, they would rule well together."

"Either way it goes, I am happy to be here with you all and under the care of Queen Helios." Chianh blew out the candles and laid in her bed, knowing that they were all smiling to themselves.

Elsewhere

Akuzty was now 80 (including the 4 yrs that she was when I introduced her into the story) winters old and she had matured as much as she was going to in her vampiric state. She now stood at an average 5'4 tall; her long purple hair was now short cropped against her head, forming small ringlet curls no more than 2 inches long. Her body was slender, but toned and her personality was already legendary for being as fierce as her fathers. She was renowned throughout the clans for her tomboyish beauty and skills with the twin daggers her father had given her nearly 12 years ago. She was, for the most part, always clad in a pair of burgundy leather pants with mid thigh high tan boots. A form-fitting tan tunic that stopped just below her medium sized breast and a belt around her slim waist that held her twin daggers. Her eyes were gold as the rays of the sun and round as it as well. Her skin had somewhat darkened in her maturing stage, going from pale blue to a more normal stage of blue. She always wore a pair of small amber earrings her mother had crafted for her at an early age along with a choker to match. Akuzty was quick witted and sharp tongued. She was her father's child and showed it often. This day was no different.

"If your excellent skills could keep up with your addle brain, then maybe you would pose some sort of a challenge Paceon." Akuzty had had enough of dealing with the dim witted Rahablim. She placed her daggers back at her sides and dismissed her sparring opponent. She sat tiredly down on a small stone bench looked around and smiled. Her mother had done wonders with the outside of the actual empire. She had picked a large plot of land a few miles away from her father's throne room (it was still inside the sanctuary of the clans) and managed to grow some lush trees, a few colorful flowers, put in a large fountain, and had strategically placed stone benches here and there. Her mother was so unlike the vampires now. Akuzty often wondered what it would have been like to have lived during the time of the Ancients. To see what they saw and how they perceived the world. Was the land so different than what it was now? Her mother told her often of the vast and mostly grotesque changes that Nosgoth had undergone. She expanded her wings and frowned slightly. She had never liked them. They were not like her mothers and from what she had heard; they were unlike any of the Ancients wings. Where her mothers were angelic, hers were demonic, where her mothers were feathered, hers were bat-like. She stood when she saw her brother walking through the thick line of bushes.

"How are you Akuzty?" Kain II had always had a caring air about him that was uncommon for a vampire. Helios had told him that he was like his uncle Janos. Akuzty walked to him slowly and then leapt into his arms. She had always had a close relationship with her brother, even though they did not always see things in the same light.

"Fine brother, just completed a little sparring with Paceon. I see you made it back from your journey safely. What did you discover and for sake please tell me why was it you left?" Kain frowned a bit. Akuzty took note of this. It was not everyday she saw her brother frown as he was doing now. His somewhat cheerful disposition was almost never riddled with frowning, scolding, or anything else of that nature, unless it was of grave importance. Kain took a deep breath and turned toward his beloved Akuzty.

"As you know, mother had been sending Lertin to various towns across Nosgoth, hoping to find clues as to what it was that possessed father so long ago. Traces had been found, whispers here and there, but almost nothing was unearthed. Nothing we could use to help us anyway, so I decided to find out for myself. My travels took me to a town far north, the same one that Lertin had once told mother and father was leading one of the human towns here into a rebellion. When I arrived, I found nothing out the ordinary. For days I spied and listened for anything that may help us unravel this great mystery, but I found nothing. Nothing until I tried to venture into the woods a few miles from the town. There were at least 50 sorcerers guarding it from almost every angle. When I inquired about it, they said that strangers could not enter, but that was not their reason for so many guards. One human told me that they are always on guard for vampires trying to enter "sacred ground." That did not sit well with me, so that night, I entered through where they had not guards; the air. Akuzty, I ventured till almost morning in that vast forest. Things lurked behind me constantly. Unearthly vile creatures, but I dared not turn around for risk of being discovered. When I came to what seemed to be the end, I found a mural. It was slightly deteriorated, but from it, I made out mothers people, the Ancients and their great foe, the Hylden. There was a small opening in the ground that held an underwater cavern. I could not go on any farther, so I returned as fast as I could. They are hiding something great, but I feel only mother will know what it is." He finished in a flush of his white skin and had yet to smile.

"Come, we must inform everyone at once. This cannot wait brother." Akuzty stood along with Kain and they made haste back to the throne room.

In the throne room

Helios glanced around the room and let her eyes drift to Raziel. All at once, their eyes locked and he looked at her admiringly, but he soon turned. She knew well that Raziel was in love with her, but to keep the peace, he had never shown it. He had vowed to Kain to be her chief caretaker, so Kain never once thought it odd that they were so close and he so protective of her, in fact, he often reinforced it. He would often walk with her, when Kain was away, or stay up till wee hours talking with her about everything and nothing at all. He was close to the prince and princess and often showed his fondness for them both. He brushed by her and for a millisecond, his undead heart stopped. Kain looked at her and though he did not smile when he looked at her, it was plain to see that he harbored strong feelings for her and despite her best efforts at first, she had fallen in love with him. Things were relatively quite, until their two children burst through the door with looks of utter seriousness. The generals all bowed before them, while they bowed before their mother and father.

"My Lord, it is imperative that I speak to you and mother as well as all the generals." He swept his hand behind him, signifying he wanted to speak to everyone present. Both Kain and Helios stood from their thrones. Helios smiled at Kain II and grabbed him in a slight embrace speaking of her happiness for his safe return. Kain merely nodded at his son, this being his way of showing affection towards him. Akuzty had long since, grabbed her father in a tight embrace, while he simply kissed her cheek. Everyone had long since known that Lord Kain favored his daughter and showed her more affection that Kain II could ever expect to receive. She then exchanged kisses with her mother and stood back.

Helios walked to the corner of the throne room filled with lavish chairs and a small fireplace. "Come then, let us all sit and hear of this grave news you wish to tell us." They were all quite as they sat down and all faced towards the prince with anticipation. He proceeded to replay everything he had told Akuzty and once done; everyone was waiting to see who spoke first.

"It is not possible." They all looked at Helios, whose face was slightly paler than usual; her eyes staring into nothingness. Kain pulled her to his side and looked down at her.

"What is it Helios. Do you know this place?"

"No I do not, but I do know that mural my son speaks of, but it was supposed to be lost long ago. Withered in time and far in some decrepit mountain, not underwater in some dank cavern."

"Don't speak in riddles woman. What are you saying?" Kain was anxious to know.

"I do not exactly know myself, but what I am sure of is that the answer we seek lies somewhere in that cavern. We must make haste back to the exact spot that Kain II speaks of. We have no time to loose."

"My queen, why must we make such haste?" Turel asked.

"For some time now, something in this vast wasteland has been tugging at my senses, begging me to find it. I know not what it is, but I know that when my son mentioned this mural and this place, it began pulling at my mind once again. If no one wishes to venture with me, I shall journey alone." Everyone looked at her and in all seriousness were ready to leave then and there.

"Are you daft my queen? We shall all journey with you. Besides, this seems to be directly linked to you as well as Lord Kain, so we are obligated to come along." Malciah spoke quickly.

"Then we shall leave tomorrow at nightfall and because of Turels smokestack that belches smoke into the air, we won't really be slowed by the sunlight, but one group must come with us, while one group must stay and make sure my empire is not seized in my absence, so who will it be?" Kain looked around for a few moments and then decided.

"Raziel, Kain Jr., and Rahab, you are coming with me and Helios. Akuzty, Turel, Zephon, Dumah, and Melchiah, you shall stay and keep my empire from attack. While away, Akuzty and Turel are in command at all times. Turel you will be in charge of helping my daughter with any battle strategies that need to be made. Akuzty gawked.

"Father, I feel it is my right to come with you and mother. It is most certainly not fair I have to stay here."

"Akuzty someone of your high rank must stay in my absence."

"Then let Raziel stay, he is perfect. Your first made son. He is more experienced than I." She was desperate to go, plus, though she hid it well, she did not care for her 'brother' Raziel in the least. She had not since she found out his love for her mother.

"No, my strongest lieutenant must come with me, now no more arguing. You will do as I say and stay here and help them run my empire in my stead, is that understood?" Kain did not really care to speak to her in such a tone, but she was too hot headed to listen to any other way.

"Yes father, it is understood." She bowed stiffly and exited the room, not caring to here anything else for the night. Helios stood and began speaking.

"Well, now that that is out of the way, we leave first thing tomorrow at sunset. Kain II, you will lead the way, since you have already traversed the path. As for the rest of you here, it will be solely your duty to protect the empire at all cost." She went over to a large oak table that held a current map of Nosgoth. Everyone followed behind her.

"It is only precautions that we set up guards around the sanctuary." She looked around and saw they all agreed.

"Dumah and Melchiah, 25 of each of your clans will be posted around the sanctuary at all times. Turel 10 of your clan will be scattered strategically inside the sanctuary itself and another 7 will guard our important artifacts and various places of importance. Zephon, 40 of your clan will guard all of our secret passages and a fourth of that 40 will be posted around the sanctuary with Dumah and Melchiahs clan. Raziel please inform 56 of your clan that they will be guarding the innermost reaches of our sanctuary, including the throne room. Rahab post some of your best spies in and around the human territory so that everyone here can have somewhat of an advantage as to what is going on in the human towns. The rest of each of your clans will remain in their territory as usually, making sure everything stays in order. You may continue with night to night living as long as nothing happens to the empire. If a threat appears, fight with all that is in you." When she was finished, everyone was slightly taken aback. They were not aware that she had a battle strategic head on her person, but everyone agreed and set out to inform their clans of their newest missions. Kain II bowed and exited, telling his mother and father that he needed much sleep and was tired from the long sleepless journey back. Kain nodded and Helios kissed his forehead as he left promising to be prepared tomorrow. With that done, only Kain and Helios were left in the throne room; Kain spoke first.

"Our son has done well with this information and you have shown your worth yet again by taking the initiative of the lieutenants." He kissed her on the same hand he held.

"Yes he has done well. I don't believe your daughter is happy with your decision to have her lag behind. She has a fighter's spirit and she feels you are being unjust." Kain shook his head and smirked.

"She is too much like me, but she will learn to obey me and not talk out of turn. Besides, she will most likely see enough action here to sustain her. Now come, it is late and we must be well rested for the long journey ahead of us tomorrow." Kain helped her up and she walked along side him in silence towards their sleeping quarters, all the while thinking of the mural her son had told them about.