LEGACY OF KAIN: BLACK HEARTS

CHAPTER 2: ACCEPTANCE

"I believe I made myself perfectly clear when I said to spare no one." Kain said, enraged.

"Of course, Master," Raziel said, "But her skill was far beyond that of my warriors."

"If you wanted a recruit," Kain said, "You should have raised her from her corpse. That's how all of us were raised."

"I understand," Raziel refuted, "But then her mind could have been erased. She may have forgotten entirely of her skill."

Kain looked at Raziel with his angered expression, but said nothing.

"Master," Raziel continued, "She could be a valuable addition to her army. But I would prefer if she could reach a suitable age before I transform her."

"And how long do you expect for me to wait, Raziel?" Kain asked, "Our time may be very limited."

Raziel did not understand what he meant by that, but he was careful not to question him, "Fifteen years. That is all I ask."

Kain thought about this. He seemed to have a large plan for the future, and was calculating whether or not this would interfere with it.

"You will have ten. That is all I will give you," Kain said.

"Yes… My master," Raziel agreed reluctantly, knowing that there would not be a chance in negotiating any further.

Raziel bowed and left Kain's throne room. Outside of the Sanctuary, he was met by his brother, Turel, Dumah, Rahab and Melchiah. Zephon was still establishing his settlement, and my not return for several days.

"So," Turel began, "Kain's letting you keep the human."

"Yes," Raziel responded, "What of it?"

"What do you intend to use her for?" Rahab asked, "Perhaps as a slave?"

"My business is my own," Raziel said, "But knowing you, I should know better. I intend to transform her when she reaches an appropriate age."

"A recruit for Razielim?" Dumah said, "Your clan took the least casualties, Raziel. Perhaps she should fuel a lesser clan…"

"Such as mine," Melchiah interrupted.

"For someone of her skill," Raziel said, "I would prefer that she will be able to keep her flesh on her body. And as for the others, she deserves to remain with the strongest. She will easily outmatch the rest of you after my training."

"Don't get caught in your bravado, Raziel," Dumah said.

"You would know a lot about bravado, wouldn't you Dumah?" Turel smirked.

"All of you be silent!" Raziel demanded, "We all have our business to be completed. Tend to your clan, and recruit fledglings. Leave me to my own work."

Raziel left his brethren, and went to his territory. It was still early morning, and the fledglings had just moved into the building to hide from the sunlight. The adult Razielim bowed to greet him.

"I want all of you on high alert today," Raziel told them, "After the battle last night, we may receive a counterstrike."

"Yes master," The Razielim chanted.

Raziel proceeded into the building, and to Kali's room. He walked in to find her practicing the stances he had taught her. She was indeed a fast learner.

"You have learned well," Raziel said.

"Oh," Kali replied nervously, "I was just practicing."

"And you were doing so very well," Raziel said, "I must ask you about something."

Kali's icy eyes showed curiosity.

"The captain in the Silenced Cathedral was found dead," Raziel explained, "The only other human in the area was you. Do you know what killed the captain?"

"Oh, him…" Kali said reluctantly, "He was my father."

"Do you know what killed him?" Raziel repeated.

Kali hesitated, "I did."

Raziel looked into her eyes with shock. Even though she spoke nervously, she revealed no sign of remorse.

"You see," She continued, "When my mother gave birth to me, my father was very disappointed. He always wanted a son, and blamed her for not having one. He would always beat the two of us for standing in his way."

Raziel clutched his fist. Kali was surprised by this. She grew up being told that vampires had no emotion.

"Once I was seven," She continued, "My mother gave birth to another child. Despite her endless hoping and praying, it was another girl. My father was so angry. He killed her in front of me. I got away with my sister. Just barely. I gave her away to another family, and trained myself how to fight. Once I turned nine, I came back to my dad. That's when your army attacked the town."

"I see," Raziel said. They both fell silent.

Raziel decided to break the awkward silence, "Come along, we must begin your training."

Several years passed, and Kali was fighting like a true Razielim. She was the only human who was able to overpower Raziel's best warriors with little effort. Raziel found himself attracted to her. He would often become distracted… By her fighting style, of course.

As many times as he told himself that, he knew it wasn't true. As she grew older and matured, Raziel was attracted to something deeper than her style. He yearned to be with her. He despised the night whenever she had to sleep.

Kali began to grow similar feelings. Raziel, as brutal as he was towards his enemies, was always so gentle with her. She always tried to hide her emotions from everyone. But Raziel had this way of bringing everything out from her.

Over the years, Kali slowly adjusted to become nocturnal. She slept through the days, so she could experience the full vampirical action of the night. She made a few friends, mostly with the fledglings. But even then, Raziel was the only vampire she would open up to.

Once she was nineteen, Raziel asked her to come with him into another room.

Raziel remembered Kain's words, "You will have ten."

He brought Kali into the room where she would usually train. They sat together in the middle of the room, and Raziel looked into her mesmerizing eyes.

"Kali," Raziel said, "I've wanted to give you something."

"What sort of thing?" Kali asked.

"A gift," Raziel replied, "As a symbol of unity."

Raziel unsheathed a long vampiric sword, and held it by the blade, offering Kali the handle. She gripped the hilt tightly, almost touching the blood red ruby embedded into it.

"Raziel," Kali said catching her breath, "It's beautiful."

"It reminded me of you," Raziel said.

Kali looked away from the sword, and into his dark eyes. She felt like time had frozen there, and honestly wished it did.

"But that is not all," Raziel said, "There is one final gift I must give you."

Kali was speechless. Raziel leaned closer to her. She could feel his cold breath on her face. She closed her eyes.

She opened her eyes when she felt a sharp pain in her neck. Raziel's teeth had pierced her throat.

"Raziel… what have you…?" She was cut off when she choked on her blood.

"The Dark Gift," Raziel said.

Kali struggled to stand. Her chest felt heavy, and she collapsed to the ground. She could feel the vampirical venom like razor blades in her veins.

"Don't fight it," Raziel said, "Soon your pain will fade, and you will truly be mine."

"Raz…" Kali choked on her blood again. She no longer had the strength to move her limbs. Her vision blurred as her weak heartbeat thudded on last time.