Centuries later.
Unification failed anyway, despite my best efforts to preserve it. All the Clans are scattered throughout Nosgoth, leaders remaining in isolation. Ever since Raziel evolved, things seemed to settle down. But as time wore on, Dumah preferred to remain in his city because his bulk kept increasing. Although he became more powerful, he became less agile. So he felf being more protected in his City. Even later, Turel felt his sight was getting weaker and also isolated himself in his Clan Hold since he would not be able to defend properly if his sight would disappear.
And Raziel. For a while he accepted his transformation but as more of his features were twisting away from his human form, more uncomfortable he became, until finally announcing that he would not fly outside his new Hold anymore, the former Malek's Bastion. That effectively disbanded the meetings here on Sanctuary. Many years after that event, representatives of the Clans still attended but it was not the same. And when the evolution finally caught up with them, they too withdrew from their regular duty and kept mostly in their own territories.
I have not received a word from any of the Clans in the last three centuries or so. Nosgoth around me continues to die slowly, actually I feel it is almost in its death throes by now. How long until the final stroke?
Sometime back I learned that Dumah had been defeated by the vampire hunters and his Clan scattered, most of them dead. I visited Dumah's City and saw it to be true. He had been impaled on his throne like a stuck pig, apparently as a sign of humanitys victory over vampires, however small.
Was a high time humans displayed some resistance but at this point, it just does not really matter anymore. Tracking down his remaining brood was easy but turned out to be a waste of time. Remaining Dumahim had degenerated mentally, they could not carry meaningful conversation anymore and did not resemble vampires of old at all. They simply had become foul, scavenging beasts. Melchiahim had followed in same path.
Turel's brood seems to retain their intellect and reason, and like others, they stick to their own territory. Flocks of giant bats circle Raziel's Bastion, only few times they fly away in search of prey.
That only leaves me, sitting here at the crumbling foundation of our empire. Wasting away more like, if it is possible for a vampire. The point where everything is now, there is no satisfactory way out of this.
"Destiny seems to have a great sense of humor." Kaid said aloud.
"Fitting that you speak of humor, although this path you chose has little to do with it."
Kain didn't even need to turn towards the voice, for he knew it all too well. Ariel, the former Balance Guardian, his predecessor.
"I have not heard your lectures in centuries, what has occurred that breaks your silence now?"
"I know you feel it, the Nosgoth is teethering on the brink of collapse. The cataclysms have nearly played out. It is only a matter of weeks now. But it is not too late yet to prevent it from happening." Ariel said.
Kain didn't even need to guess what Ariel was hinting at.
"So we come to that particular matter again. It is amazing how you still have nerve to suggest that after all this."
"Your empire has practically collapsed already, your Lieutenants scattered and in isolation, twisted by the corruption of the land. All is finished, there is nothing left for you anymore. Do the one last selfish act and heal the land with the sacrifice you should have completed long ago, otherwise there is no future for this world."
"Do you really believe I care for the fate of this world, after all it has done to me? Let alone how 'helpful' you were in enlighting me of my true nature?" Kain didn't hide the sarcastic tone he addressed Ariel with.
"It would only have confused you. You had enough worries with becoming vampire, you didn't need that additional burden until it was necessary." Ariel said in innocent tone.
"You still take me for a simpleton, after such a long time? I am disappointed with you, Ariel. Being the former Balance Guardian, I would have expected more subtlety from you." Kain said in mocking tone.
Despite being more dead than Kain, Ariel was rather easily agitated.
"You have no right to judge me! If you had done your duty as was expected, we wouldn't have this conversation now!"
Kain could barely hide his smile, having succeeded in unnerving Ariel.
"But we are, thanks to your subtle maneuvers. Had I been informed on the spot of my true nature and destiny, things might have turned out differently. But you lost your chance then, there is no second try." Kain said, smugly.
Ariel would have turned red if it still had been possible. After a short and tense silence, she managed to bring herself under control again.
"Perhaps, but surely you see the futility of continuing this. There will be nothing left should Nosgoth die completely. Why not do the one good thing you have ever done in your existence. Sacrifice yourself so the Pillars will be restored and the world will start to recover. Surely even you can't be that selfish to doom all life into oblivion?"
Ariel was right, although Kain didn't admit it openly. Without life of any kind around, his empire was meaningless.
"Perhaps, Ariel, perhaps. But you are only fooling yourself if you believe I have that much sympathy towards the life you wish to preserve that I want to throw my life away for them. I would have done it the first time if it were so. Humanity has shown me its unworthiness to rule and dictate."
"But humanity has been humbled now. They have certainly learned their lesson, should they be given a new chance."
"Humbled? From what I have observed during all these centuries, humans have been anything else but humble. They have become more defiant as the time goes on and the pressure builds on them. They would take back their world and kill all remaining vampires with unimagined glee!"
"True, but should you give life back to Nosgoth again, your status as a Balance Guardian enables you to affect few matters concerning the world as you perform the sacrifice. In this case, you will be able to secure the lives of remaining vampires properly." Ariel said, with genuie sounding compassion.
As little reason Kain had to trust Ariel, something in her words rang true. Empire was practically dead. His plans failed, there was no reasonable option left to escape from this situation. But Ariel's proposal seemed to offer something different to this stagnation. Boredom or curiosity, Kain felt intrigued.
"Let us suppose you are right. What should I have to do?"
"You can't restore the Pillars just like that even if you wanted. You must first kill your Lieutenants in order to return pieces of your essence back to you. Only then you are in proper state to achieve restoration. There is no other way. You must sacrifice your immediate children so the rest of the vampires and world can survive."
Out of all things she could suggest, she presented the option which didn't surprise Kain in slightest. Which also partially was true, Kain had raised his children with his Gift, his soul energy. He would have to balance himself by taking back what was his.
"Very well. I shall do as you suggest. I will reclaim my lost Essences as you put it. Then we see what comes next." With that, Kain teleported away.
Kain teleported to the entrance of Melchiah's Sanctum. He felt the entrance was the safest spot to appear since there was no telling if Melchiah had made any structural changes. All seemed to be as before, except the doorway was now closed with a portcullis. Kain simply turned to mist and phased through. The cage room was like before but the bloody matter on the floor of the cage had increased. If Kain's senses had still been as delicate while alive, he'd have fainted the moment he appeared.
Kain walked towards the same alcove where Melchiah had been last time. Kain didn't feel any kind of foreboding, just mild curiosity of what would Melchiah look now, after all these centuries. The room was silent as a tomb.
Once he got the ramp leading to alcove, Kain sensed rather than saw Melchiah hidden in the shadows. Since nothing happened for few breaths, Kain decided to speed up things.
"Come out, Melchiah."
For a few seconds, nothing happened, then a sound of something soft being dragged along the floor started. What finally came in sight, took lot of willpower from Kain not to gasp out loud.
"A pleasure to meet you again, master. As always. It is most comforting to see some things do not chance." Melchiah said.
Kain was momentarily at loss. Last time he'd seen Melchiah, he'd already been badly mutated but never he could believe it would go so far. Melchiah practically constituted of single rotting mass of flesh, excluding his head which had become almost one with the body and huge, grotesquely shaped arms. All covered with the skin of humans to keep it all together.
"Centuries have not been kind to you, Melchiah."
"And obviously you cannot say the same, Master." Melchiah said, sarcasm dripping from his tone.
"Had I known what caused this, I would have reversed or prevented it altogether, Melchiah. This does not please me at all."
For a moment it seemed Melchiah would reply but something made him pause, then remain silent.
"Yes, you are right, master. Forgive my outburst, my condition does not give me much reason to be sensible. You have never wished any of us harm, without a good reason at least."
Kain merely nodded.
"That is why I assume this is not a social visit, Master, to see how I am doing. Why have you come here now, after all this time?"
"It involves a one last chance to repair things. This requires certain balancing acts to be done before it is possible."
Melchiah figured immediately what Kain had in mind. Although Kain sometimes spoke in partial riddles or indirectly, he had never lied to them about anything.
"So it has come to this now, master. We are to pass from the world so it might live."
"Not fully, lesser vampires will remain, only we, the leaders, must pass."
"I should have guessed. That is something I would have done long ago if I had known it to be of help. Do not think that there has not been a moment I would have not wanted to discard this rotten abomination of a corpse. There just have not been any reason to do it, despite loathing it and my existence as it is now."
"You do not need to worry about it anymore, Melchiah. You have purpose now."
"Yes, I see it. Very well, master. Slay me. I offer no resistance. I welcome the release."
Kain nodded and pulled out the Soul Reaver, a weapon which meant you were dead if Kain used it against you. Wasting no time, Kain struck with a powerful blow which seared Melchiah in half. His rotting remains began disintegrating the moment his soul departed from it. Rather than allow Reaver to consume it, Kain extended his hand and pulled the small part of him back to himself.
Kain felt something in him change but wasn't sure what. At least it didn't feel harmful. After contemplating the act for a moment, Kain teleported away from Melchiah's sanctuary.
Teleporting to Zephon's Cathedral was risky since from what Kain had observed during the years, his offspring had began to resemble spiders and had accordingly made the interior of the Cathedral to resemble a insect hive. That meant alterations to the original structure was evident. Kain choose the most safest spot to appear was the portal chamber at the top of Cathedral, near Zephon's last known dwelling.
Kain's insight proved to be correct since the portal chamber was free of webbing and any other sort of calcified matter. It was in same condition as it had been the last time he saw it. Wasting no time, Kain opened the door and stepped outside. A passageway covered in total darkness greeted him but it didn't bother his vampire sight at all, he saw it as clearly as in full daylight. Walls were covered with web and some other sticky matter which had been hardened. Air was dry and dusty but it didn't bother Kain. Kain began following the passage and was pleased to notice it remained free from obstacles. Zephon seems to have seen it wise to keep this passage open but for what, Kain couldn't figure out and didn't even care.
Kain followed the path to the chamber where Zephon had said he would make his new quarters. An exceptional sight greeted him at the entrance. A torso of a human vampire hunter holding a flamethrower laid at the threshold and his legs almost next to it. Human's hand was squeezing the trigger, causing a small flame to dance around the edge of the weapon's mouth. The flame provided minor illumination to otherwise dark chamber.
Stepping further into the chamber, Kain observed the walls were covered with web and the same calcified substance which was now hard as rock. Some of the original features of the chamber were apparently under the substance. On the back wall was a shape which at first didn't resemble anything but as Kain took a closer look, he noticed it was a gigantic being of unknown type. Something told him it was Zephon, although at first he didn't believe it to be possible.
Then the creature began moving and a grotesque shape emerged. Only it's face had some human like features left, that alone identified it as Zephon to Kain. At the moment Kain wasn't sure who had gotten the worse deal in the end, Melchiah or Zephon.
"So, master has decided to grace my hive with his presence. It only took several centuries to accomplish so there is no need to feel forsaken." Zephon replied with more than obvious sarcastic tone.
"There is no need to be snide, Zephon. You know it well enough that I am not overly social unless there is need to be."
"So there is need now then? Considering how the past centuries have been more or less the same, I find no valid reason, master. You would not come here unless you wanted something from me specifically."
Touche. His mind remains as cunning as ever. Good, I would have been disappointed if otherwise.
Kain pretended to casually observe his surroundings.
"You seem to have adapted well to your surroundings. When did you lose your legs, if I may ask?"
Zephon held a brief pause before replying.
"I have not lost my legs in a way. They are just placed to serve other function." Then Zephon pointed with his taloned hand to the ceiling. Kain saw two pairs of insect legs stuck to the ceiling with webbing and substance. Although they were bigger than last time he saw them, they definitely were Zephons mutated legs.
"Fascinating, is it not? They fell of my torso about three and half centuries back but for some reason the nerve tendril remained attached to them and I could still control my legs like nothing had happened. Rather than to sever the connection completely, I stuck them to the ceiling since it was the only proper place where they are out of the way and serve some use. I have used them to toy with several pieces of living prey over the years. But still, my enhanced physique is not the subject you are here for, master."
"That is true. Balancing issues must be corrected in the world and it requires me taking back what I once gave away."
"So, my life it is. I would never have expected you to take it just because I exist. It is obvious that you, master, have devolved in your own way. Mentally in this case, I suspect."
"Devolved or not. Future of vampires is at stake and to secure it, few sacrifces have to be made."
"In that case, better ask others to donate more, since I have no intention to relinquish my gained divinity. Hmm, perhaps I should devour you too, master, since it would provide even greater power. Yes, it has been a long time since I have feasted on anything so delicious. Step forward, morsel!"
Then Zephon plunged one of his legs hanging from the ceiling towards Kain, intending to impale him. Kain dodged easily but second leg was striking where he had dodged. Kain knew he couldn't dodge quickly enough in time but as the leg struck, Kain transformed to mist just a breath before impact and calmly took few steps back away from the reach of legs.
"Impressive, Zephon. But I do not have time for games now."
Then Kain lifted the Soul Reaver and approached Zephon. Zephon struck down with all of his four legs simultaneously but Kain simply hacked the legs apart in one smooth move of the Reaver and continued towards Zephon. Zephon tried grabbing him, but Kain merely severed Zephons hands from wrist with the Reaver. Zephon screamed, revealed his true face and plunged his head down to grab a bite from Kain. Kain stopped Zephon's head with his left hand and held it there, talons digging into the skull. Zephon tried to squirm away but the master vampire's hold couldn't be broken.
After struggling for a moment, Kain felt he had enough. Holding Zephon's head firmly in place for a second, Kain severed the misshapen head from the grotesque body. The body spasmed for a moment after the head was removed. Tossing the head, Kain absorbed Zephon's essence. Taking a one final look around the room, he teleported away.
Kain appeared on the column in Rahab's sanctum. Room was in same condition as last time. Rahab was swimming in the water below and began surfacing the moment he saw Kain. Kain could see Rahab had adjusted well to his surroundings.
"Greetings, master."
"Greetings, Rahab. You are clearly doing well."
"Thank you, master. What brings you to visit my watery realm?"
"Nosgoth's and vampire's life hangs in the balance. To ensure any kind of future, you and your brothers must sacrifice your life. Same goes to me in the end."
Rahab was silent for a while, thinking the consequences of Kain's announcement. Finally, Rahab had made his mind.
"Very well, master. You can kill me. I offer myself gladly if it ensures the survival of my children. Just be quick."
"Of course, Rahab. I do not want to make this anymore unpleasant than it already is."
Kain lifted Reaver and cut off Rahab's head. Then he reached out and absorbed Rahab's essence. Kain watched the body sink to bottom, then he teleported away.
Kain appeared into Dumah's throne room. Everything was silent. Dumah laid right where Kain had last seen him, nailed on his throne like a stuck pig. He had been a mighty warrior, but not mighty enough to survive a surprise assault. He had always thought himself as near invincible warrior and apparently that thought had swelled as his evolution went further.
Kain studied Dumah's corpse on the throne for a moment, then began pulling the spikes away from it with telekinesis. Moment the last spike came loose, Dumah began stirring. Also his wrists and feets had been manacled to the throne, but he began pulling loose with little effort. Moments later, Dumah was free again.
When Dumah saw who had released him, he was both puzzled, relieved and frustrated.
"Thank you for releasing me, master. But why do it now, centuries later, instead of soon after when I was defeated?"
"You needed a lesson in humility and the fact that your continued presence would not have made any difference to the crumbling empire."
"So now my presence is needed? What has occurred that would require my services?"
"Nosgoth is coming to an end soon and it is not your services that are required, merely your very being is needed in order for world to live and vampires to continue existing."
"You require my life for Nosgoth's and vampire's survival? I do not think so. If you had not left be bound to my throne for centuries, I might have considered that more properly. But since you left me there, I see no reason to play along with that, survival or no. Besides, this could only be a ploy to remove me completely for some unknown purpose.
But there are some advantages in this too. My time in limbo increased my powers many times over what I was before. In fact, I feel I am equal in power with you Kain, or likely, even more. Maybe I shall sacrifice you instead of me and take my rightful place as ruler of Nosgoth."
"You have always been arrogant, Dumah, but this goes beyond even normal arrogance. In short, your time in limbo has also made you mad."
"Haha! Say what you like, Kain. You are just scared and jealous of my new power. Come and get it if you can!"
Then Dumah slammed his foot down on the floor, causing a small shockwave. It only mildly disoriented Kain, not stunning him as Dumah had hoped. He charged Kain, hoping to take him down quickly by brute force. Kain didn't stay to wait Dumah's charge, instead sidestepped at the last moment and Dumah passed him. That gave Kain time to wield Reaver.
Dumah turned around and prepared to pummel Kain to dust. Kain dodged all his blows, even the occasional shockwave Dumah made didn't slow down Kain enough. On few occasion, Kain made few scrapes with Reaver on Dumah's legs and abdomen, causing minor pain. Dumah was getting frustrated, why wasn't he able to beat Kain, despite having his powers grown enormously due the time spent in limbo. This just didn't feel right. Dumah felt he had to even the battleground.
"Very good, master. But you would not stand a chance without the Reaver." Dumah said smugly.
A brief smile passed on Kain's face. He had somehow expected that. That suited him fine. If Dumah felt he could gain an edge without Kain using the Reaver, no problem with that.
"Very well, Dumah, but I warn you in advance that I am very lethal even without the Reaver. You will come to regret for asking me to battle without it."
Dumah merely laughed, thinking it as an empty boast. He wasted no time in charging Kain, not fearing to get closer anymore. But Kain simply dodged his blows like before, using his claws to tear chunks of his flesh away. Although it didn't hurt as much as Reaver did, it was annnoying enough.
This process continued for few minutes, neither altering their battle style. Soon Kain felt this was getting tedious and after dodging one powerful blow, he pointed his right hand and a energy beam shot out from it, blasting Dumah in full. Dumah froze where he stood, he couldn't move and unbearable pain coursed through him. Dumah had never felt anything like it, he'd thought the human hunters impaling him to the throne was painful but it felt mild compared to this. Dumah began thinking he might've had better chances against Kain with Reaver, although it didn't seem likely.
Finally Kain stopped using the beam and the pain subsided, but Dumah remained groggy after that. He was unable to retaliate in any way. Through his foggy vision, he saw Kain lifting the Reaver again and stepping closer. Dumah tried lifting his hand or move away but neither seemed possible, it felt like he weighted several tons.
Kain stepped closer, measured staggering Dumah for a moment. Then, he jumped into air and once level with Dumah's face, severed his head with one clean swipe. Kain landed and watched the head come off and drop down. The body collapsed moments later. Kain gathered the essence of Dumah back to himself again. Finally, giving a brief salute to the empty city, he teleported away.
Teleporting to the outskirts of Turel's fortress, Kain wondered what had made Turel to set his home, the Stack, in the same fiery area which used to contain the Dark Eden. The environment certainly wasn't hospitable to vampires, but neither to humans as well. But once Turel had volunteered to maintain the Stack, no one objected. Kain could have ported straight to Turel's chamber but for some reason he wanted to bask in the warm glow of the area, he couldn't say why, perhaps wanting to enjoy what little remained of nature in the world. After gazing the shimmering lava for a while, Kain teleported away and soon appeared in Turel's room. Kain knew the place, having helped Turel to settle in there.
The room was bereft of any decorations. That wasn't any surprise since Turel could hardly see, if at all, these days. His throne was against the biggest wall in the room, two pools of water were on the opposing sides of the room. There weren't any sources of light except a single chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Turel himself was nowhere in sight.
Kain didn't have to wait long, sound of taloned foot dragging along the floor emerged from the alcove on the left side of the throne. What emerged from the alcove hardly resembled the Turel of old, instead he was bigger than other vampire Lieutenants, excluding Dumah. Turelim vampires already were bigger than other vampires and Turel himself was slightly bigger than his children. His head didn't portray any traces of human form. But the most striking feature were his ears, they were bigger than Kain had seen on any vampire, their shape was unusual, along with their structure. They reminded more of bat wings than ears. Top of it all, he seemed to be totally blind.
"What brings our master and creator to pay a visit to his subject? Yes, I know it is you since no one else can enter my chambers unannouced. I would have heard them distances away." Turel stated.
"Nosgoth is almost ready to die fully. To prevent it and vampires ceasing to exist, few sacrifices must be made."
"I see. This means I must die. I assume you have visited my brothers with this revelation already?"
"Yes, only Raziel does not know yet."
"Ultimately, I believe this will require your life as well, master?"
"Very perceptive, Turel."
"Very well. I understand your dilemma perfectly. We, your Lieutenants, must die so our offspring shall survive in some small way in the new world. I do not need to think this any further to realise it is the only valid thing left to do. But before that, I request a last favor from you, master."
"Name it."
"I wish to die fighting. It has been too long since I have needed to engage in physical combat. Since my Gift emerged, no human ever got close enough to use my talons on them while they were alive. Humans clearly cannot stand my telekinetic blasts very well." Turel smiled slightly as he said it. "And once my sight faded completely, I have remained here in the Stack, guarded by my children."
"I grant it. It is the least I can do for you."
"Thank you, master."
Then Turel launched a telekinetic blast at Kain, it didn't harm him but shaked slightly because Kain wasn't prepared for it. Turel continued blasting and Kain resorted to dodging the blasts. Soon after Turel stopped and instead blasted one of the pools next to the walls, the angle which Turel shot it caused the water to splash towards Kain. Kain dodged that but almost simultaneously Turel shot the other pool, spraying water from it as well on Kain. Not having time to dodge properly without taking damage, he turned into mist, causing the water to harmlessly fly through him.
Turel stopped blasting and concentrated on listening. Kain remained in mist form and stood still. Apparently Turel had trouble detecting him in mist form. Kain began moving towards Turel and he didn't hear Kain's approach, mist form nullified all sounds Kain would've made while moving in solid form.
Kain stopped right in front of Turel. Only then Turel seemed to sense something near him but seemed to be uncertain. Kain became solid again and Turel's ears tensed. Kain didn't waste time to draw out the Reaver and skewered Turel on the wall behind him, next to his throne.
"It was… a good fight. Thank… you… master."
Kain said nothing, merely watched the life drain away from his second born son. Kain absorbed Turel's essence and then stood quietly for a moment to give his respect to Turel. Then he resolved himself and prepared to pay a visit to his last remaining son and second-in-command, Raziel.
Kain appeared on the courtyard of Malek's Bastion. Kain hadn't visited it after the one and only time in the past. He was certain the interior had changed drastically over the centuries, especially after Raziel and his brood had moved in there. Already he could see Razielim flying around the Bastion, in and out they went. Razielim remsembled giant bats with mix of humanoid features. Their facial features were a weird cross between bat and human. They had bat like snouts. Their limbs and skin was partially covered in thin fur. All sported big and nasty looking teeths, making obvious they were vampires but looked more savage.
Kain started heading towards the main door. The door was hanging from its hinges. It apparently had not been used in a long time. Kain pushed the door gently and it collapsed totally. Kain stepped inside, noting that the entrance chamber was like it had been in the past. Apparently Razielim didn't move in this area at all.
Kain was certain Raziel had made his lair in the very room Kain had first fought Malek. No other place in the Bastion, according to his memory, was fitting enough. Kain ignored the drained teleporter and proceeded through the open doorway into the heart of Bastion. In the antechamber Kain surprised to see that the replica of Malek's corpse was still sitting on the throne, flanked by the empty armour. Why had Raziel kept those around? Kain couldn't fathom the reason, not that he cared anyway. Kain's thoughts were interrupted as one of the Razielim stepped out from behind the large central pillar. Razielim seemed to want to inquire Kain's business but seemed to realize the foolishness of asking and instead headed out of the room. Kain paid no further heed to the Razielim. He walked to the door of the Bastion's heart, which was still in surprisingly good condition.
There was a big crack enough in the door to make mist form access possible. Once inside, Kain noted the room was the only place in the Bastion which had changed considerably. It definidently looked bigger, considering Malek's force wall had destroyed all the pillars in the room. Also, it was pitch black, unlike the first time, but it didn't hamper Kain, naturally.
Undoubtetly the air in the room was nauseating but fortunately Kain's senses weren't that sensitive anymore. Kain deducted that only a presence of some kind of beast could cause it, especially in a enclosed space like this. Kain had thought about it earlier but now it really dawned to him what Raziel might have turned into. Kain scanned the room, observing dried out skeletons littered on the floor. Of Raziel, there was no sign, Kain looked walls and corners carefully but nothing. At first Kain assumed Raziel wasn't present right now but then he realized he had forgotten the ceiling. Gazing upwards, Kain finally saw something perched against the northern wall.
A leathery mass was hanging from the ceiling. A pair of huge bat ears sticking from the bottom. The wings were folded around the huge body. Kain realized Raziel was hanging upside down, just like a regular bat. Enourmous, taloned feet grasped a stone support attached to the ceiling.
As Kain studied what little he could see of Raziel, the bat shape began stirring. The wings unfolded and stretched wide, each wing being as long as Raziel's body was. Raziel's claws were a twisted mix between vampire and bat. As Raziel flexed his wings and arms, Kain got a full look of Raziel's body. It was entirely covered with fur, from head to toe. The general shape being slightly between humanoid and bat, it was hard to say which form was dominant. It really looked like neither was. But the most prominent feature was Raziel's head. It didn't resemble him at all as a human vampire when Kain had last seen him. It was a fully developed head of bat, with vampiric elements mixed. Huge maw with a row of sharp teeth and vampiric fangs, Kain was able to state honestly that what he saw was a very twisted creation, and Kain had seen quite a lot of those. All things considered, the handsome Raziel was no more.
As Raziel stretched, his head suddenly focused down and spotted Kain. Malevolent, yellow eyes focused on him and in moments Raziel let loose from the support and spreaded his wings. Floating down gently, he turned around in the air and landed softly.
For first time in a long while, Kain was without words. He had seen how low his other sons had went but Raziel's evolved form beated even Zephon in this matter. He was roughly as big as Zephon, fully evolved into the form reflecting his Gift. And like Zephon, head resembled more a beast than any more or less convenient shape the others had displayed. Kain could only wonder had Raziel retained his will or had his mind already decayed senseless?
"Kain…" The giant bat said, voice hissing eerily. Kain wasn't sure if Raziel had tried to say something more or was that all he was capable of saying.
"Raziel?" Kain felt stupid to ask that but he wanted to verify Raziel's mental condition.
"Yesssh. It ish I, your favohite shon, Rhazhiel." Raziel was clearly willing to say more but felt reluctant to do so.
Kain winced mentally. Raziel obviously had difficulties to speak comprehensively these days, preferring to speak little, if at all. All that indicated Raziel would soon succumb fully to the mentality of his new form.
"Very well, Raziel. You do not need to speak unless you really must. I can see it troubles you, but you only need to listen."
Raziel merely nodded, seeming pleased his master had understood his condition.
"World as you know it, is coming to an end. To avert it, you and your brothers, myself included, will have pass from this world to ensure its survival along with our children. You are the last one. Your brothers have already passed their essences to me. That is needed to restore the Pillars of Nosgoth. My sacrifice will seal the restoration."
For several breaths Raziel didn't utter a word, merely stared Kain, deep in thought it seemed. Finally he flexded his wings and spoke as much he was capable, he seemed to concentrate all of his will power to it.
"Sachifice? You had centuhies to do something about it. Not let ush all dehkay into what we behkame. Look at ME! Do I look like an high blood now?" Then Raziel began breathing heavier, apparently talking had taken lot of his breath away or he was getting more agitated.
"Raziel, if I had known what caused all this, I would have done everything in my power to undo it. I still cannot restore your original form but at least this way we will be free from the decadence we are currently stuck in."
Raziel wheezed several times before his breathing calmed. It seemed to take even more effort this time. Kain felt Raziel was losing fast.
"Lies, you jusht want to jushtify youh own exishtenshe. No matteh, I will have bakh my own fohm even if I have to teah it fhom youh blood!"
Then Raziel uttered a screech so powerful even Kain had to grit his teeth together and cover his ears. Apparently Raziel's new form had granted him a new Gift. The screech lasted only few seconds but it felt like minutes. When it finally abated, Kain shook his head to reorient himself. Raziel had already taken flight and was diving towards Kain. Wasting no time, Kain lifted Reaver but at that moment Raziel screeched again, taking Kain by surprise even now. Although he was little better prepared for it, he still lost his grip on the Reaver. As the Reaver clattered on the floor, Raziel got close enough to grab Kain with his powerful legs and held him fast with his sharp talons which dug into Kain.
Kain grinned defiantly at Raziel and tried to pull the talons off him but Raziel seemed to be surprisingly strong because Kain couldn't even budge them. In response, Raziel dug his talons even deeper. Kain gasped as blood flew from his wounds. Seeing no other chance, Kain struck his claws into Raziel's legs and began tearing them as much as possible. Raziel couldn't take it very much which propted him to release Kain and toss him into a corner.
Kain tumbled into the debris of dried bones and fallen masonry. As he struggled to get up, fully expecting Raziel to dive on him but he didn't. He was still floating where was after releasing Kain, waiting his legs to heal. That was good since Kain needed this opportunity to heal his own wounds and prepare to strike back.
Once his legs were fully healed, Raziel screeched again to stun Kain but nothing happened. As Raziel seemed to be puzzled why his screech didn't affect Kain, Kain deduced the screech apparently had a very short range. Before Raziel managed to realize this, Kain went on offensive first.
Summoning the powers he hadn't used since his days as a fledling, Kain concentrated and fired an energy bolt at Raziel. Any human who was hit by it was blasted to pieces. Raziel didn't experience that but it stunned him enough to make him spasm in the air, slowly floating down as his wings beat erratically.
Seizing the opportunity, Kain pulled the Reaver to him with telekinesis. As he catched the blade, Raziel was already diving at him. Kain was certain Raziel would try to screech at him again once in range. Kain felt certain he had a response to that but unfortunately it required Raziel to come close enough which is the range he can screech at him.
Kain lifted his left as while holding Reaver with right hand. Nullifying the screech had to be timed right, there wouldn't be a second chance. Raziel was almost in range, Kain studied Raziel's mouth carefully to notice the subtle movement which would indicate the beginning of screech. Raziel looked more bestial than ever, his mouth was foaming. As Raziel opened his mouth a bit more to screech, Kain blasted with a telekinetic blast which hit Raziel straight into mouth. It didn't made any visible harm but canceled the emerging screech, having numbed his tongue. But it didn't slow him at all, Raziel was determined to crash right into Kain.
Kain thrust the Reaver forward. Raziel tried to stop his advance but merely managed to expose his torso which the Reaver contacted. As it did, Reaver was destroyed. Kain noticed one part of the formerly foreseen event coming true, although in a much different situation. Still, Reaver completed its task, Raziel lay dying on the floor. Kain looked down on his former second-in-command with faint sadness. Raziel made weak screeches, not producing understandable communication anymore. All things considered, real Raziel had died just moment before the battle had started. Kneeling down next to Raziel's head, Kain placed his hand on the bat's forehead.
"It is over now, Raziel. Rest, you have earned it." Kain said with traces of sorrow in his tone.
Raziel feebly lifted his hand to reach out to Kain. Kain wasn't sure what it implied but there was no need to continue this any further. Concentrating, he absorbed Raziel's essence, causing the light in his eyes finally dim. Moment later, all bodily functions ceased.
I hope all this has been worth the price paid. If this turns out to be another of Ariel's subtle plots, I make sure she does not enjoy whatever the result she expects out of this.
After gathering up all that what had been done the past hours, Kain teleported back to the ruins of the Pillars of Nosgoth.
Appearing in front of the Pillars, Kain saw Ariel was waiting in same place when he first left. Still, it seemed Ariel only detected Kain when he began approaching him.
"Back so soon? I would have imagined your sons would have provided more resistance."
"Spare me the pleasantaries, Ariel. Let us be done with this."
Whether agreeing with Kain or detecting the subtle menace in his tone, Ariel complied.
"Offer your restored essence to the Pillar of Balance."
Kain stepped in front of the Pillar and placed his hands on it. At first, nothing happened. But soon Kain felt a tug inside him and he began feeling weaker. The Pillar was taking back his very being. Expecting to see the Pillar of Balance start growing again along with the others, Kain was disappointed. It should have been an instantaneous process. Even Ariel seemed puzzled why Kain wasn't dead already and she free from this existence she was trapped in and Pillars restored.
Suddenly a low rumble emanated. It soon stalled but returned back even stronger. The pace of quakes began increasing until it became evident a full scale earthquake had begun. Kain noticed he couldn't release his hold from the Pillar.
"Is this what you planned, Ariel?"
"I swear Kain, this is not what should happen. Nosgoth should have started to restore right now, not show signs of total destruction."
Kain believed Ariel, even in her ghostly form, looked frightened enough to be genuie emotion. As he was wondering what was happening, a vision came to his mind. He saw Ariel standing at the still intact Pillars of Nosgoth, balancing the scales. Suddenly Mortanius the Necromancer appeared behind her and before she managed to do anything, he stabbed her with a vicious blade in the chest, then disappeared. Soon after Mentalist Nupraptor appeared at the Pillars, to see what had caused the link he had with Ariel to die. Seeing her beloved on the ground, bleeding, scared him more than any living or dead thing could. Rushing to stem the bleeding but unable to do anything since the killer had known where to strike, straight to the heart.
Realizing only one of the Circle of Nine could have done it, he screamed in anger and fueled by the rage of Ariel's death, unleashed a powerful physic tsunami which affected all the living members of the Circle, shattering their sanity. Kain saw himself blown by the mental blast too, having just been born. He realized the Pillar of Balance had just chosen him as the next Pillar. It seemed only Kain's still born status protected his mind being affected in same way as the Guardians were, but his soul was corrupted nevertheless. As the Guardian's minds were shattered, their respective Pillars cracked too as a reflection of their condition. Only Ariel's spirit remained trapped at the Pillars.
Now Kain saw the biggest revelation of all. Ariel shone with the purity of an uncorrupted Guardian. Since she was dead when the mental attack came, she was spared from it. If her soul had been channeled into a weapon of purity, she could have restored the Balance Pillar and therefore all of Nosgoth. Kain could have been able to take his proper place as the new uncorrupted Guardian of Balance. Then Kain realized the Pillar of Balance was showing him this vision, it had revealed the truth why the restoration had failed. Kain's soul was still corrupt and when he raised the six Sarafan warriors from the grave, he gifted them with the portion of his corrupted soul to grant them vampiric existence.
As the decay of the world kept increasing, the corruption in Kain's Lieutenants did the same. Only Kain was spared from the corrupted mutation due his status as a Guardian of Balance. He also saw if he had made the sacrifice the first time, it would have restored the Pillars but it would only had created a patch work solution to the bigger problem which wouldn't have lasted very long. Doing it now when the Pillars had been collapsed and he was still corrupted, only speeded the destruction of the world. Then the Pillar displayed one last vision, the Soul Reaver and Raziel, in his humanoid vampire form.
Vision was gone and Kain returned to the crumbling Nosgoth. Sanctuary of the Clans had nearly collapsed and cracks had begun to form on the floor.
"What was that vision?" Ariel yelled over the rumbling noise. The Pillar was trying to say why the restoration failed.
For a moment Kain didn't reply. Then he began laughing from the bottom of his heart, which he hadn't done in a long time.
"Do you not realize it by now? Because my soul is still corrupted from the mental attack your lover caused in his grief when he found you dead. Your soul could have been used to restore the Pillar but you cannot do it yourself, only through a physical vessel specially made for that purpose. That vessel would have been the Soul Reaver but it was destroyed when I slayed Raziel, my first born.
"No, it cannot be."
"But it is. You sought to restore Nosgoth, believing it only required me to complete the sacrifice I should have done originally. It would not have helped back then anyway, only offered a short term solution and would have caused even worse to happen later. Doing it now with Pillars collapsed just hammered the final nail to the coffin."
"Noooo!" Ariel screamed, knowing she had failed Nosgoth.
Kain merely continued to laugh, since once again, Ariel had only looked for the quick and easy solution, not bothering to see beyond the Pillars. That lack of foresight had finally doomed Nosgoth.
The strongest quakes erupted, tearing the remains of Sanctuary and Pillars apart. Finally the last vestiges of the planet were torn to pieces until only a smoldering ball of fire was left which soon started to dim. Only minor remnants of the Pillars of Nosgoth floated in the emptiness. Finally there was nothing at all.