“Are you sure you won’t reconsider?” Da’avid asked, watching Kain pace about the room, packing things meticulously in the luggage case. Kain glared at him and set things inside the case, carefully placing each thing. “You’re right. I have to get those pictures developed. You in your boxers were just too much,” he added with a grin.

“I hardily think this time calls for humor,” Kain said.

“I can’t see how you can be so grim. We came here to rebuild your life, not plot vengeance,” Da’avid said, folding his arms and returning the glare. “I don’t recall it being on the itinerary.”

“I do. I put it there. It is hardily my fault you didn’t bother to check it again,” Kain replied. “I want back what little is mine. I don’t care how I get it.”

“You’re becoming obsessed. I don’t want to see you hurt again,” Da’avid said.

Kain spread his arms and indicated himself. “As you can see, there is very little of me left to hurt. I have little to worry about.”

“And a god complex to top it off,” Da’avid said flatly. “For the fifth time I just helped you over a horrible spot in your life. You’ve had the so called pleasure of seeing your fifth on a stake and decorated with his viscera like a holiday tree, the sixth in pieces in a neatly wrapped box, and the other three shot to death right in front of you. I’m sorry to say this, and I’ve said it before to Vorador, you might as well as give up on the last one. You might as well declare him dead. It’s for your own good.”

“I don’t want what’s for my own good!!” Kain snapped. “I am not going to let him die in that hellhole away from me.” Kain’s expression turned from anger to that of pain, or his closest approximate there of. “I don’t want him to die alone knowing I never came for him.”

“I believe he resigned to his fate long before he stepped foot outside and do what he did do,” Da’avid said. “Raziel was very brave to do that. I don’t doubt you k now he is still alive, but how long? His lone, bold attempt to save us all peacefully is exactly what Janos had been trying to teach us.”

“We are dying! Can’t you see that? One by one they kill us like animals and display our dead like trophies. We at least give them a quiet disposal when we succeed in taking one of them. We have more honor than they ever will.” Kain stood, flustered, his face flushed some from his rage.

Da’avid sighed, his arms dropping to his sides. “I know why you fight. Vorador taught you that. He taught both of us that. What he didn’t teach us is to throw our lives away for nothing at all.”

“He is also the Messiah if you haven’t noticed. Janos told us that before that accident. I believe that ‘accident’ happened to silence him and to either kill or tame Vorador. If you haven’t noticed our agust father character is no longer himself.”

Da’avid’s eyes shifted to the floor. “I know. We all know. He’s loosing everything he’s ever truly valued one by one.” Da’avid’s gaze shifted back to Kain. “Don’t do that to him. He cares more than he ever states. In a way, that is how the bother of you are the same. You both never say and yet, it’s more than enough.”

“I don’t mean to hurt him more than he has already had to tolerate in his life. I want my son. That’s all I ask and I will be happy,” Kain replied, calmer than before, his rage settling away.

“Then please listen to me. You can’t do it alone. At least let me go with you.”

“I don’t want to risk another. I don’t want to loose everything that matters to me as well,” Kain replied, shaking his head. “I don’t want to loose you on top of everything else I’ve lost.”

“I’m glad you care, Kain, but I wouldn’t be offering to help if I didn’t care about you in return.”

Kain sighed, slowly blinking and looking back at the other, his adoptive brother. “All right. I can’t guarantee my own actions, so please...watch after yourself.”

“i know you well enough to know by now. I know your temper is likely to go AWOL. That’s why I worry about you. You’re temper is going to be your downfall someday.”

“It’s this way, I can sense him,” Kain said. He turned back at the other. “Please...”

“Don’t worry, Kain. I’ll be fine. You watch out for yourself. Just because you’re fully armored now doesn’t mean you can’t be killed either.”

Kain smiled lightly and dove down the tunnel. Da’avid sighed as he watched the other go. “I really do worry about you sometimes...”

Turning around he listened, head tilted to the side, listening for guards. Shaking his head he slowly followed up the other, backup incase Kain found himself in a bad spot. At least then one could burst in and break up the knot of guards that had habits of swarming like insects. He turned down another tunnel, wondering if the map they’d seen long ago was even accurate anymore for it seemed unfamiliar.

“Hello stranger.”

Da’avid whirrled around. His eyes narrowed at the woman who was standing just a few feet behind him. “Can I help you miss...?”

She chuckled and walked closer to him, then around him as if to size him up. “You’re a handsome one...” Wary, he watched her still, as she moved, ignoring her comment.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m here ot see you, why else?”

“Really...”

This place is rather strange, Kain thought ot himself. This was deeper than he had been able to penetrate before. Far, far deeper into the fortress from underground. guards usually swarmed everywhere at the slightest sign of an intruder. Unless Vorador had something thrown in that he wasn’t informed about, he was certain he was no less detectable than before.

He kept walking, looking the place over and mapping it over as he went, sure to use this information later. Something strange was upon the wall, a odd carving. It showed various beings massed, looking towards a robe figured whom had something that resembled a heart above them, jagged lines coming from that. He frowned at it, then shook his head. There were several more upon the walls, similar scenes showing a twisted tale. ini fact, if it wasn’t below his dignity to do so, he would damage the insane things.

But that wasn’t something a noble did. No, not then, not ever. He cursed his harsh father once again for making him the unforgiving nightmare he became. He closed his eyes, stilling for a minute as a wave of intense emotion passed though him.

“Your brother was a handsome one too,” she said.

“I’m sorry?”

“Your brother. Don’t play dumb. I know all about you two. He’s walking into a surprise you know.”

“Riiiiiiiight. Then you would know that he hates surprises. The last few we’ve walked into ended badly.”

“I know. They were delicious you know. Each and every one of them.” She smiled, her hips swaying slightly as she stood, the edges of a rather unsettling smile upon her face.

“What?” Da’avid’s eyes narrowed again. He was trapped her, with a bizarre acting woman, who just had to be beautiful and rather closely resembled one of Janos’ race. He then wondered if there was a strange disease that had affected her brain.

“You know what I mean. You know how they were killed. One by one lured into a dark area. Killed. Brutally.”

“Yes...only parts of them left...the rest as if some creature had found them...”

“As I said. They were delicious.”

“What are you?” Da’avid demanded, his voice cooler than ice, all emotion draining from his voice, leveling his weapon at her.

She chuckled and walked closer, un-minding at the rather powerful energy weapon trained upon her. “I am everything you want, and will have.”

“I don’t believe you. Tell me what you are at this moment or else I’ll reduce you to a splatter on the wall over there...”

Kain was surprised at the grandeur of the chamber he was walking into. High vaulted ceiling, carved into more of those twisted designs. Before him was a dais, upon that a great stone slab, decorated all in marble and gold. Along the wall half disposed bodies hung from their shackles, one whom was not yet dead still struggling in vain against the inevitable. All around emanated dominance and power over everything weaker than that which possessed this place. And it left one with a hefty impression that they, too, were included in that category of weakness.

Kain narrowed his eyes, jealousy welling up. When he was emperor of this dying land, he didn’t have something this grand. None then were as powerful as he was then. his own even groveled at his feet. He had to take this place over and perhaps move in. Or at least steal the design and collapse the place period. Either way, he hated being out done.

A sound from the alter structure broke his revere and he walked towards it cautiously. As he drew closer he realized what was there. His slow gait broke to a run as he desperately wanted to get closer to the alter.

There, lie whom he had come for. His lone son. His Raziel. Kain slowly bent over him, his hands aching to lift him but he dared not to. “Raziel....” Kain’s voice was barely above a whisper.

His eldest had changed greatly over time. Transforming from the delicately beautiful childe, vaguely human where the rest had long since lost that form as they eventually all changed during their evolutions. Less and less human and more monstrous they had become. Raziel however, was the true angel amongst them. His skin tainted blue over time and
from his back had sprouted fledgling wings that had grown to the full, wondrous, black raven’s wings he once possessed. He was the true god amongst him. One of beauty and light. Their Messiah.

He looked a far cry form that now. Beaten, tortured, starved and surely put though everything they could. Kain prayed he hadn’t broken. His spirit was so strong. So strong willed and powerful of mind and body Kain couldn't help but be constantly proud of his high achieving childe.

He softly placed a hand on the younger one’s forehead. Raziel's eyes fluttered open, a light smile crossing his face. “Father...you’ve come. They said you wouldn't. I knew you would.”

“Rasiel...hold on, for me please, hold on.”

“Can I go home now?”

“Yes. Home. Where it is warm, where you will be taken care of. You will be well again. I’ll make sure of that.” Kain gently smoothed some of Raziel's mussed hair from his face as he spoke.

“Home...” That gentle smile did not fade from his face as his eyes went dull.

“No....” Kain shook his head, feeling the other’s life fleeting in the first place then slip away. “Please no...” Kain sunk to his knees, one hand not straying from the other’s arm.

“I suspect he’s collapsed by now,” she said as she swayed a little, very slowly stepping forward.

“I told you to stay back.”

“I won’t hurt you little one. I’m just telling you how your dear sibling would be right now.”

“Why would he have collapsed? I demand to know!”

“He found what he was looking for. And it was too late.”

“Raziel...”

“So that’s his name. He wouldn’t even give us that. We’ve called him everything but a person during his stay here.”

“Woman, you will stay right there. I have to go. He needs me,” Da’avid started away and suddenly, she was before him, pressed against him.

“You can’t get rid of me that easily, my pretty,” she said, her voice dropping, a finger teasingly tracing along his chest.

“Get out of my way. Kain needs me. I won’t let some wench stand in my way.”

“But I’m not just any wench, dear. I am the future. unlike you, I’m still in the future. Yours ends now.”

“What are you-”

At that instant, Da;’avid collapsed onto the ground, his weapon clattering away.

“Good boy,” she said with a hungary grin. “Dinner will be oh so sweet on this night.”

Kain eventually pulled himself upright, to stand next to the alter, next to his fallen childe. his head was bowed as he spoke softly. “You were the light of this world and above all mine. For all your brothers strengths and weaknesses, you were the one I favored the most. You were everything I couldn't be because I lacked the choices. You grew wings and gained the ultimate freedom, that of the birds. And now those choices are gone. Fly free...” He reached over, delicately closing the other’s eyes. “fly far, far form here and be free as no one here ever will be able to. The last light of Nosgoth...is gone.”

His other hand went to his face, gently working around the ridges of bone to massage his temple and side of his face as he fought to contain his grief. As always, with him, any emotion other than anger did not live long as it eventually turned to black rage so deep that demons would scatter at the sight of his enraged self. That very same type of rage mounted, seethed and grew to a boil.

Why? WHY?! Why did it have to be the last pure, gentle being in all of existence? Why not him? Why hadn’t it stopped at his brothers? They all sacrificed for him and yet that was not enough. Kain had lost most of his family, his children, given up parts of his own body, all in the sake of trying to save him and for what? They all were lost in vain. For nothing at all.

He heard sounds behind him and he whirled around. Guards were finally upon him. “Gooooood...” Kain hissed. “I need something to sate my rage. Come creatures,” He gestured, openly challenging them. “Come and die.”

“So you feel better now little one?”

Kain slowly opened his eyes, blinking several times to try and crack away the blood that had fallen into them. He slowly looked about and found a pair of bluish feet. The feet, surprisingly enough, were attached to legs, to a body and so on. The being that they belonged to a female. The female...he could care less a bout her looks at that moment. To hell with all of that. He struggled weakly, trying to upright himself. His attempt was thwarted
as her foot pushed him back down.

Shortly after words he was dragged up by two sets of metal hands, clamping tight, the pressure making his hands a bit numb somehow. He raised his head to get a better look at her as she stepped closer to them. She put a finger under his chin, adding some stability to his gaze. “I trust you’ve enjoyed yourself during your stay?” she asked, the corner of her dark lips tugged upwards.

Kain growled. “Who are you?” he demand, his voice rasping in his throat.

“You are in no position to demand anything from me. Just simply watch.”

“You whore! You were the one who killed my son weren’t you?”

“Tut, tut. Such accusations. I killed oh so much more than that little vampire.” He partial smile turned to a grin, long points of fangs gleaming from between her lips. “I wanted to show you a little something more before the real hell that you’ve been bemoaning and yet missing all this time begins.”

“I’ve seen enough...let me be and leave me.”

“Our oh so great enemy Kain? The powerful ex-emperor of Nosgoth? Who hath fallen so easily, his cities and estates destroyed so easily while he slumbered from some grand depression that hit him for some reason?” She chuckled. “I make it sound so simple, don’t I?”

“Murderer...”

“But aren’t we the same? How many died when you ruled? How many humans did you and your chider slaughter like insects? How many of your own have you killed and called a traitor?” she taunted, wagging a finger at him like a scolding parent. “To me you’re nothing but another traitor.”

“You’re the traitor...you betray your own. For what? Power? Greed? I’m beyond those things,” Kain’s voice cleared some, though it stayed low, threatening. “All I ever really wanted I had and you took it away. Your betrayal run deeper. Your kind were gentle. You are another story I care not to even begin to analyze.”

She laughed again. “Believe what you will. I am the truth now and my time is now. With you disposed there is nothing left for the true messiah to rule. I will see that he comes.”

“You killed him....you killed my last son. You destroyed our hope...”

“That maybe true but he is not the messiah my masters want to be seen. No weakling who would bring the great peace foretold thousands of years ago. No. Someone stronger who will rule this dying land and conquer others for the glory of both out masters.” She poised, looking proud, nearly mad in her power derived euphoria.

“You’re insane...”

She laughed this time. Right at him. “Bring the other! I want to begin breaking him now.” Her orangish eyes lit with an unholy fire, one that possessed an unhallowed hunger. “I will enjoy breaking him.”

Vorador sighed, sliding out of bed again, standing and slowly walking towards the ‘fresher unit. Another day in service of the people. Another day alone. Alone...something he had never truly been. Well, before his lucked turned upwards when he was a child, then he had always had someone. First came his dear Sire, the one who turned him. He dwelled amongst the Ancients and seen then pass on from Nosgoth. Then he had his own. A long time later, he turned to his own and turned humans to his kind and eventually established a home for everyone. His hut eventually grew to the mansion it became until the day it collapsed. Bombarded and set aflame. He had moved on, as he had learned to do over time. Found a new homes, moved from place to place but nothing beheld the safety he felt in his former mansion, or his sire’s home. Even here did not feel the same. It looked nice certainly enough, but it missed something enough that he would never call it home.

He stripped, neatly setting aside his nightclothes before walking into the ‘fresher unit. There, he turned on the water and let it warm while he fetched some towels. He was never given to poor hygiene and thsutly odd rumors meant to slander him about his skin cololur being from some mutant mold was far from true. Chlorophyl was another tragically misguided guess as well. That one always made him wonder what the being whom had started it was thinking that day.

He paused, turning to the shower, and caught a glance at himself in the mirror. It always had odd effects upon him. His sire had no reflection and nor did any of his own children. Kain, possessed somewhat of an reflection though it was twisted and he avoided such things, again with him his children lacked reflections. Vorador always wondered why it showed back what it did, but then, life was always a bit strange so he accepted it.

The image looking back at him was indeed himself, however, it was his human self. A tall young man staring back with vivid green eyes and long dirty blonde hair. He had been a rarity in his tribe then for his pale hair color. Where everyone else possessed a deep brown or black his was so much paler. This had brought attention to him. Most was desired, meaning he would have been easily matched with a female when the time came as many were curious to see if this trait could be spread. At least until one...eventful day...

“Here, for you,” the girl said, handing him a brilliant yellow flower.

Vorador blinked and took it. “Thank you,” he murmured. Both their parents were watching. There was another girl to his side, another girl there. He was a unique case. Born with such pale hair he drew the attention of the tribe. Seeing this as something desired, to see of it could be expanded upon. Their parents had argued, bartered and in the end, two won out. Two instead of one. He hated the attention it brought him. He prefered to do his own thing most of the time and wanted to be treated like every other child instead of some prodigy.

The other girl handed him another one, this one an orange, the shade a color he would never forget for other reasons later. He looked at each, then to the one who presented them. He had no choice but to accept then. None. If he chose otherwise it would have been a grave insult to the two other families. That much his father had told him very clearly.

He looked around him, from parent to parent to seek something that would give him direction. Instead, the elders of the tribe came forward, the ceremony completed in a few hours. He was now bound with them. In a few years they would finally live together and their life as such would begin. The whole incident left him confused and drained. He then sought time by himself.

He knew just the place as well. There was an area by the river, in between some large rocks. There was cavelett that he enjoyed sitting in and watching the stream. It was a nice place. It was all his for over the years no one had ever found him there. Little did he know the one time that truly proved useful would be his fate.

That day ended with a raid of some strange creatures had destroyed the village. No one know what they were or where they came from. They were quickly dubbed ‘demons’ and feared as such. The thin things with their raspy voices and constant wheezing proved far more proficient than anyone realized. He had returned to find his whole world destroyed. His first family. His *human* family was gone. The whole village burnt ruins. Searching though, nearly panicking, desperate to find one live person, he found none. He did find one of his brides, her body shattered under a great wooden pole, left for dead. He chased away the crows that were already gathering and picking at her.

Later, for the next few years he had somehow gained the respect of some wolves, living with them wildly. He had been one of them. At perhaps the age of eleven, two years later than the day his village died, he was discovered....

He recalled black wings, a dark shape in a dive, lifting him from the ground and taking him off afar.

Vorador looked down at himself. Long gone were those features. Time and evolution as a vampire had erased his humanity. He looked up into the mirror again. He hadn’t lost that much really. Gained more like it. Yet lost...

He felt the urge to destroy the mirror for reminding him of so much and yet, he did not. He stood contemplating it again. The differences between then and now. Thin skinned then, now more like fine leather, the vividly deep green color of it aside. One hand stroked his skin, along the flat plane of his stomach. Memories resurfaced. More of them and happier ones. That of the one that hadn’t treated him like a prodigy. Just an ordinary child with a normal loving parent.

He abruptly shook the thoughts from his head and stepped into the shower. There, he let the heated water wash away his troubles as no other could do anymore. Right up until he felt an intense sharp pain in his gut. Metaphorically speaking of course. It was an age old, familiar pain. He slowly closed his eyes and leaned against the wall of the shower unit. Another of his children gone.

He let the hot water course over him and prayed it washed away that deep a pain...

Kain awoke an unknown time later. He felt droplets of blood upon his lips, his dry tongue moving to lick them up and draw them into his mouth. The taste was strikingly familiar when he finally came to thinking about it. It was a welcome taste however. Something soothing after a horrible nightmare. He prayed his last few memories were nothing more than a bad dream but somehow he doubted it, having wakened enough times to find painful truths in his face.

At first, he tugged at his limbs, finding himself very bound. Very solidly to whatever he was lying upon. From the smell of things, it smelt like he was in a combination of a of a machine shop and an operating room. Truth was, he had a difficult time feeling parts of his body. Metal skin and wires were more difficult to cut of the circulation of, but that’s what he felt. He looked down, or as best as he could and seen things rising from his steel body. He knew enough of /him/ the organic parts were there to interfere with right along with the fair share of cyborg parts.

He slowly opened his eyes and came to see yet the pinnacle of his most recent ‘nightmare.’ Shiver ran though his body, then grief, then anger then a dull, constant pain. Above him hung the shredded and dismembered corpse of his adopted brother, Da’avid. Another of his undead family gone. It was his blood that ha fallen drop, by sweet drop onto his lips. Someone would pay. Someone /will/ pay.

A chuckle came from the side. “You will pay.” The woman from before was suddenly in his face. “You are next.”

“Fine. Butcher me. Feed me to whatever. Pigeons for all I care. They will find me bitter.”

“That’s too bad. They would have to be mutant pigeons to feast on the likes of you I’m afraid.”

“But I demand certain truths before you are through with me,” Kain said, interrupting. I demand to know what all of this is about.”

“You? Want to know everything? And why should I tell?” Her voice sounded closer, thus he assumed she was quietly walking closer to him. “What would you gain?” Her face was suddenly thrust into his view.

“Insight. Some sense of relief, if I am so fortunate, before you needless shred me or whatever gruesome moment you have planned for me,” Kain replied. He could hardily believe how calm he was at the moment. Of course, long ago, he didn’t remember panicking when he was basically skewered on the bastard sword that had ended his life either.

“Relief? Is that it?”

“If I can find it within your words, yes.”

“Bah. You don’t deserve it. However...I don’t see where it would hurt...”

Kain tried to lean closer, wanting to hear every word of it....
 

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