Vorador pulled his shaky body from the splintered wood and ruined cloth. He could feel sticky wet blood that started to dry to his skin. Painfully, he reached around himself and yanked a large piece from his back, a fresh gout of blood coming and quickly fading as he healed. He pulled a number more of them from himself, not worried about the smaller splinters for now. He stood, tottering for a moment, letting his body adjust as best it could to the damage. He shook his head, clearing it. he heard soft sobbing in the next room, his fuzzy mind now recalling what had happened.

He walked into the next room, his gait faltering. He seen a very pale Kain on the floor near the door and Melchiah sitting next to him, sobbing quietly, trying to rouse his sire. Melchiah gave up, lying his head down on Kain’’s shoulder, sobbing quietly into it. Vorador stumbled over, waves of pity for the young vampire filling his mind. He sat clumsily down near then and checked on Kain. He could sense that Kain was very weak, close to final death, his life hanging by a thread. Vorador looked at Melchiah, the young one barely moved, his too thin shoulders shaking with each soft sob. Pity blinded Vorador for a minute, watching Melchiah, how he gave freely to his emotions. Effectively, this is how he felt about his own sire. He wanted so badly to just weep over Janos’ death, really weep with all his heart. And when he was done he could move on with his life like any child would have to do eventually in their life. This was not the case. He would never be able to weep the passing of his sire for the image he held of him was now forever tainted with the insanity that had taken over him, tainted from the pain and misery he had wrought upon him.

He also wasn’t going to let Melchiah, much less himself, face this hellish place alone. Blood loss made him feel very weak, but he had more still he could afford to loose unlike Melchiah. He cut his wrist with one claw and pressed it carefully to Kain’s parched lips. He had to re-cut it a couple times, the rivulets of blood trickling down Kain’s throat. Vorador hoped he could give him enough to hold him over until he could summon slaves to be brought here. He had to cut his wrist several more times and feed Kain before the younger vampire finally blinked weakly, unfocused eyes looking about the room slowly for a minute before they closed again.

Vorador stopped feeding him, pulling his wrist away. He tried to pull Melchiah away from Kain and carried him into the bedroom. It was in a disarray, but it was the better place for him for now. He laid the frail body down on the bed and pulled pillows up around him. He went back and gathered Kain and lie him down next to him, doing the same for him. He went back to Melchiah and did his best with some torn cloth and pieces of wood from the dresser and bound his broken bones. After he was done, he pulled the sheets up around them and left them to rest.

He sat down in the next room, and looked himself over. He scratched at a couple of the smaller splinters, and worked them out and cleaned himself up before he hunted down a change of clothes. He had to get sustenance, for all of them. He shuddered, knowing that he would have to leave his chambers to call servants to go further in the Sanctuary to get that needed substance. He hated to go outside. Hated it so. Out there, he could find yet more horrible reminders. He gritted his teeth, gathering his mental strength. He forced himself to stand and walk out to seek the nearest servant.

It felt like several years had passed while he waited for them to come with sustenance. He sat watching over them both, trying to calm Melchiah from his fears as gently as his unconscious sire would. He rushed the servants into the room, slaves in tow, and took them to feed the others and himself when he was done. It was never easy, much less clean to drain victims in such a way he had to so he could feed Kain. He slowly fed him, mouthful, by mouthful till he could do so on his own. When he was finished, Kain looked healthier, or as healthier as a undead being could. Kain was still weak though, and chose to rest after words.

Melchiah on the other hand, was a little easier to deal with. He was at least able to feed on his own. Vorador could swear after words he looked even healthier still. He also chose to rest soon after words. Vorador lovingly tucked them in and left them to rest, and cleaned the mess after him.

When he was done, he sat heavily in a chair in the next room, a hand coming up and massaging his temple, his eyes closed. What would he do now? He was the one who had to deal closest with Janos recently. That danger over, some of his old self came back. He smiled a little. Kain always did that for him; bring back his old self. Kain held onto the past well and always reminded him of better days.

He looked over at the antique clock in the corner, seeing the time. Between that and recent events, he should be thinking about resting. Right now, there were two weak vampires sleeping in his bed recovering. He looked around, and thought the couch as an option. It wasn’t nearly as comfortable as the bed, but there were good memories there. Though the one who had brought them about wouldn’t be there this time. He smiled lightly, and got up. He slipped a pillow from Kain, trading it with a fresher one, and a blanket from one of the storage closets.

He curled up on the couch, under the blanket, his face half buried in the pillow. The warm scent there, very distinctly of Kain. He gave another soft smile, his mind drifting to a couple happy memories before he finally fell asleep.
 

It was nearly mid day when any of them awoke. Melchiah was the first to wake, but he went back to sleep purely because he knew he couldn’t move with out assistance. Luckily, Vorador soon awoke, and went first thing to go and check on them. Melchiah gave him a contacted smile, and snuggled into the pillow some more. Kain responded to his gentle shaking, moving sluggishly, and muttering something unintelligible. Vorador gave a sigh of relief. That both of them were comfortable, and all right.

He had to watch over them for the next couple days, until Kain was fully recovered. It still looked like Melchiah wouldn’t be doing much of the duty of a servant with how his bones were still broken. Time and more care would see that he healed well. Until then, Vorador would watch him while Kain still tried to figure out what Rahab and Zephon were trying to tell him.

Kain didn’t want to risk being zapped again by Rahab’s bindings, so he chose to speak to Zephon instead. He quickly went down to the dungeon where his fifth son was kept. Nothing had changed here, except for a few more blood stains on the already heavily stained walls. He found his son where he had before, still chained to the wall. He sat down before him, hoping to have a small conversation with him.

“Zephon?”

Zephon looked up coming out of his blissful daze, looking at the being whom possessed the voice that called his name. He smiled, seeing Kain. “Dear lord, hath mine eyes deceive me? Dear savior hath returned. Come, kiss thy son welcome and listen to his words.”

Kain tilted his head, and moved closer to him. “Closer dear father.” Kain moved yet even closer, his face nearly touching Zephon. His mind calling out to be ready to jump incase his son would do something harmful.

“Listen well dear father, for I speak silenced words,” Zephon whispered. “Hast thou spoken with dear fourth brother?”

“I have,” Kain whispered back.

“Then thou knowst that thine salvation is at hand brought on raven’s wings. Jewels are the key. Jewels possessed by thy dearest sixth son. Twas a gift from his hateful, jealous brother who wished to hide his beautiful gist from thy father. A gift for all to be jealous of. Dear fifth son gave him a gift before hell wrought the land. With them, visit my beautiful caves. Such pretty decorations there. Thou wouldst enjoy them greatly.” Zephon started laughing, long and loud, pitched with insanity. Kain drew back, not wanting this noise directly in his ear.

Zephon kept laughing. He truly looked like a raving madman, but for his words belied sanity still hidden with in his shattered mind. Kain watched him for a couple minute, letting his words sink in, trying to find meaning to them. After a bit he finally left, stopping on his way and ordering a few things to be sent to Vorador’s chambers.

When he returned, Vorador let him in and he took a seat in the living area. Vorador sat as well, looking at him curiously. “Did you find what you wanted?”

Kain nodded slowly. “Yes, I believe I have. Another piece to this puzzle.” He looked at Vorador. “How is Melchiah?”

“He is looking better today. He is healing slowly. I suspect by the end of the month he maybe able to get up again.”

Kain nodded. “Is he awake now?”

“Yes. I just brought him a book not too long ago.”

Kain looked at the bedroom, and got up, a small smile crossing his face. He had bargained for his life and he had to give him a purpose lest he could loose him. “I have a purpose for you,” he said with a smile, walking into the room, shutting the door behind him so as Vorador won’t hear. Melchiah looked up form the book, a curious expression oh is face. “I want you to do something for me.”

Kain reached over and pulled one of the sketchbooks form Melchiah’s satchel. “I looked at these as you rested before I brought you back up here. I didn’t know you had this talent.”

Melchiah smiled, but was still cautious. “I was never able to show you. Zephon often criticized me for it, calling me weak. Raziel knew. He kept it a secret for me. I feared you would have thought me weaker than I already am.”

Kain shook his head. “No. No I wouldn’t have thought this. There is nothing weak about this talent. I have seen very few good artists in my time with any sort of good taste. You are easily amongst them in these sketches alone. Have you ever painted? Finished one of these sketches?”

“I have a few. I gave one to Rahab once. He put it up in his library. That was one of the largest ones I did. He enjoyed it there greatly.” Melchiah smiled, proud now of this.

“I want you to do one for me. I wish to give it as a gift. A couple of them actually. I will arrange everything you need to to do it.” Kain smiled as he spoke. He laid a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Don’t let them destroy this. You are not weak because of this. Each of you were strong in your own ways, this one is yours. You may have never been as strong as them, but you are not anything less. That is why when they, or anyone else, questioned why I let you, the weakest, live when other times I killed weaklings and fools. I knew you had a strength there that was worth saving.”

Tears welled up in Melchiah’s eyes. He had never heard such gentle words now, same for the past few days ever before from Kain. He always had a harsh, rough nature that was unapproachable. There was no hint of any sort of a gentle side of Kain before, nothing he could approach. He had always turned to Raziel or Rahab for comfort. They had always understood when he had a problem. Now was different, he was seeing the side he so long wished to see. Melchiah lurched forward, grabbing Kain and hugging him tightly. A couple tears fell as he held him. Kain patted and rubbed his youngest’s shoulder.

“Rest and relax for now,” Kain said. “You will need it.”

Melchiah let him go, laying back against the pillows that propped him. “Thank you, father.”

“No need to. As I said, rest and relax. When you are healed everything shall be ready for you so you may do as I ask.” Kain gently smiled to him, then got up and left the room.

Vorador gave him another curious look as he came back and sat down. “Planning something?”

“Something I think you would enjoy greatly. I didn’t want to spoil the surprise,” Kain said with a grin. “Will everything be all right here?”

“It should be. It is too early in the day for anything to go wrong. Not unless he is now going to become very unpredictable,” Vorador answered.

“Good. Zephon did indeed give me a clue, though he was speaking in a manner neither of have done in a very long time. He lived in a subterranean system of cavern before he took over that cathedral. From what he has told me, I believe I have to go there. The thing is, I need to be able to leave this building to do so. It’s a less than a day’s travel from here.”

Vorador shook his head. “Janos has never allowed us that long a leash. If we left, it was under heavy guard. How would you convince him that you need to do some business
elsewhere?”

Kain narrowed his eyes, thinking. “If I wait just a couple days I think I can find a way. As for the guards, I can think of a way to get rid of them as well without too much suspicion.”

“Perhaps. I will have to borrow something from Melchiah and pray I still know my way around those caverns. Or hope he at least marked it somehow where I am supposed to go. There were a lot of hidden chambers there, some I suspect one wouldn’t want to find.”

“Zephon was a very clever being. Probably still is even in his insanity. I wouldn’t trust him loose, but perhaps he is giving you something important.”

“My sons must have thought this out well before Janos took over. They must have had a back up plan. Turel, Zephon and Rahab wouldn’t be with out one. What they pulled before was very likely a distraction from the real plan. It was very likely they left out Dumah,
for he, sorry to say, is quite loud and doesn’t know what he says half the time. They probably left out Melchiah as well for fear it would bring something worse upon him.”

Vorador nodded his head in agreement. “What do you plan to do in the meantime?”

“I plan to wait and act like I am up to nothing.” He looked at Vorador, a small smile crossing his face, one that Vorador recognized from before a few other times.

“You are up to something more than that. I know you too well to think that it was just a father/ son conversation in the bedroom.”

“You will like it, I promise you,” Kain said with a smile.

“That tells me little.”

“It is all you are going to get. I’m not ruining a surprise.”

Vorador sighed and gave up. He would try again later, having a disliking for surprised founded for a good reason. No matter where they came from. Kain nodded his head again, ideas collecting into complete thoughts and possibilities. “Yess.....that would work nicely....” He grinned toothily, a smile that would make a human defecate them self with fear.

However, Vorador was no mere human. He gave Kain a quizzing look. “What will do?”

Kain looked at him, still grinning. “You’ll see.” He stood and headed to the door.

“Where are you going? and what aren’t you telling me?” Vorador asked, half getting up from his seat.

“You’ll see. I have to speak with Turel. Do you need anything while I’m out?”

“Just answers to your puzzles,” Vorador answered.

Kain smiled, and shook his head. “You’ll see.”

Vorador threw up his hands in defeat as Kain walked out the door. He shook his head and got up to make himself a drink. He looked at the one he poured for himself, then considered one for Melchiah as well, still possessing much of his former courtesy. He decided against it, rather not muddling the young vampire’s healing with alcohol.

He sat down, and waited. Time passed, the bottle he had started slowly emptying, his mind going to chaos on old thoughts, regrets and things he had blamed himself for long a go and forgotten welling up fresh and raw. He rested his head against his hand, closing his eyes, wishing for sleep to help pass the time and ease his mind. He was nearly asleep when the door opened again finally.

Vorador sluggishly opened his eyes, seeing the newcomer. Kain had finally returned, holding a couple of new scrolls and a smile. Vorador gave him a tired, but confused look, still wanting to know what Kain was up to. Kain smiled to him, looking him over. A hint of sadness come from the empty bottle of alcohol and Vorador’s bleary state. In a way, he could not blame him at all based on their horrific lives. his s mile turned to a grin, something he hoped to become a step closer at remedying.

“Wake up a little more and I’ll tell you finally,” Kain said happily, sitting down next to Vorador.

Vorador shook his head, then stopped, a headache forming. “What?”

“In two days, I will take the fledglings out on a tour. An exercise tour. They will learn some tactics in subterranean situations. The particular place is Zephon’s old keep. Since they are young fledglings, they have to rest during the day, even if they are underground. Then, I can slip away and do some exploring. I have an okay. I paid for it harshly, but I have an okay form Janos to be gone for five days.”

Vorador’s eyes shot wide, alert now, alarmed. He quickly looked Kain over, trying to see how badly he paid. He seen the remains of cuts, as the pink marks were rapidly fading to his normal shade of pale greenish gold as they healed. “Are you...?”

“I’m fine now,” he said. His expression changed, to one of prideful arrogance, his younger years showing with it, the dark, single minded passion that had drawn Vorador’s attention to him long ago. “He will never conqueror me completely. He will never truly have /us/. Not so long as I still stand.”

Vorador looked at him, fear coming to his mind. “You could push him too far. You almost did before. You nearly died and....and....”

Kain moved, kneeling next to Vorador, pulling him to him, in a comforting embrace. “Shhhh....please. I know. I know how I suffered and I know how you suffered. This isn’t the case now. I’ve learned since then.” He closed his eyes, pulling Vorador’s head down to his shoulder. Yes, he had indeed almost drove Janos over the edge before and paid heavily for it. The endless sea of pain he had been in chilled his mind, but he restrained a shiver. Those thoughts needn't be there while Vorador needed his mind elsewhere.

One of his hands rubbed Vorador’s back slowly, his lips seeking one of Vorador’s ears, tracing it with his tongue. Vorador leans closer into him, his mind distant, his eyes closed. “Come now....don’t do this again. I will be fine. I always am. It is you I worry about, not me.” Vorador’s head moved slightly at that, into Kain’s touch. “You’re stronger than you know. You’ve survived for so long, survived terrible things I would never, in my own arrogance, dream of doing to anyone. You can’t give up yet. Not when we are so close.”

Vorador started to pull away, but Kain held him. he fell back against Kain limply. Sadness filled his voice as he spoke, “But you said you were close before.”

“Yes. And as I said before, I know more now than I did then. I was selfishly overlooking things I should have been investigating fully. I should have never abandoned, and definitely never overlooked what my sons were capable of,” Kain said gently.

Vorador willingly leaned against him now, his eyes closed. Such a beautiful voice, Vorador thought, Kain was so blessed with such a voice. He wondered if Kain could actually sing for a long time, but never bothered to ask him, knowing such a talent wouldn’t be possessed by a being like Kain. “I don’t want to see you hurt again. Not like that.”

“I won’t be hurt. Maybe a little by accident by the fledglings, but not by him. Like I said, it is you I worry about. I regret having to leave you for so long. I fear he may hurt you.” Kain stroked Vorador’s sides and back. He knew those words won’t comfort much, but they were the truth. Denial was so useless here in this place for it only lead to more pain.

A silent tear escaped, rolling down Vorador’s cheek. “No...no please...don’t do that,” Kain gave him a squeeze.,holding him tighter to himself. “Don’t...”

“I....I can’t bare it....please....,” Vorador’s voice grew strained. “End this soon or I will myself....before I go mad....”

“No...you’re not going mad. None of this form you now! It’s not your way anymore than it is mine. Please...don’t think of such horrable things.”

“I...I can’t help it. My life has been an utter hell the last millennia,” Vorador said, in-between strained breaths. “More so than ever before in my whole life. You weren’t there when it all started. I didn’t just loose my freedom as you had. He tortured you physically and you’ve recovered every time. I’ve had to endure such mental pain....so much pain....you’re so much stronger than me.....”

Kain pulled him closer. He could only imagine what Vorador had been thought. Vorador had never told him exactly all of what happened, it too painful for him to think of it.
He had guessed, picking up accidentally projected images from vorador’s mind before. images that enraged him. He was cruel, yes, heartless, definitely, when called for. But never...never would he disgrace someone so. Never was /that/ heartless...../ever/....

Kain held the elder vampire closely, letting him go thought this, knowing there was little he could do. More words of encouragement didn’t seem to help, nor did his gentle touch. He could only be there for him, wait out the waves of mental pain that came to the elder’s ravaged mind, intensified from the strong wine he had been drinking.

A while passed, Vorador’s mind finally calmed, silently slipping into a fitful sleep. Kain got up, then picked up Vorador and took him ot the bedroom, where Melchiah had long since fallen asleep, the book he was reading still open and lying on his chest. Kain lie Vorador down and pulled the sheets over him, giving him the same care he had received a couple days ago. He walked over and took the book from Melchiah’s slack hands, marking where he had stopped and setting it aside. He tucked him in as well, with all the love of a father. The last thine he did before he went to rest as well was blow out the candle and leave them to rest. He walked out into the other room and to the couch. The blanket from previous nights, used by Vorador, was still there. He used it for himself, curling up to rest for the night.
 

The next two days passed quickly. In between times of preparing, and comforting the elder, Kain though it passed quickly. It would go even faster for him once he was there and he k new he had little time to find everything he needed. Vorador on the other hand, wasn’t faring too well. Melchiah was still healing, faster now that he was well fed than he would have otherwise. He worried, wondering who would attend the two, but his quick mind found a way. He remembered a trusted servant and asked her to take care of them.

The afternoon which he was to leave, he gathered his things, packing them quickly, trying to remember everything. Notebook here, borrowed jewels there, he thought, grasping different things and putting them in a bag. From the bedroom, he heard movement. He knew Melchiah was resting, and so should have been Vorador. He turned and seen the elder vampire there, in the doorway, his loose nightclothes hanging about, their pale color contrasting against his green skin.

“You should rest,” Kain said quietly.

“I am tired of resting. It’s doing nothing for me,” Vorador answered, his voice rasping.
He clung to objects as he weakly walked over to sit on the couch under the windows, the one they had spent a lot of time on together and where Kain had rested the past couple days.

“Perhaps. But you have got to have a pleasant dream something while you do,” Kain said, hoping to lift the other’s spirits a little.

“No. I see the same two dreams over and over, neither of them good much less pleasant.” He leaned his head back, his posture sagging.

Kain knew better than to ask, not wanting to start another bout from the elder. Of course, for all he knew they could have been clues. “Then take a break and rest again. You can’t have nightmares all of the time.”

“But I do.”

Kain walked over ot him and sat next to him. He caressed Vorador’s cheek with the back of his hand softly. “Please....tell me you will make it though the next five days without me...”

Vorador leaned his head into the soft touch, closing his eyes. “....I don’t know.....if I can....”

“If it helps, look after Melchiah. You felt a better before, doing again something he hadn’t done in a long time,” Kain suggested.

“I can’t even look after myself right now....”

No, you can’t, Kain thought sadly. He ran his fingers along the length of Vorador’s ears, softly, almost tickling. He pulled Vorador to him, embracing him, resting his cheek against the other’s cheek. “Then do what you can for yourself. I’ve already arranged things for you. Loranne will see that you two are well taken care of.”

Vorador smiled slightly, remembering this particular human. To look at her was both painful and wonderful at the same time. She looked so much like one of many lost brides, and acted much like her too. This eased his mind a little, at least knowing that they wouldn’t be totally alone and well cared for. Despite this he asked, “Will you come back sooner if you accomplish it sooner than you planned?”

“If they are faring badly, yes. I don’t expect them to do too well. I’m counting on exhausting them so as I have more time to do what I want,” Kain said. “I fear leaving you here alone for more than a couple days, not only for your mental health right now, but your physical well being as well. ”Vorador gravely nodded a little, knowing what Kain ment. “Go back to bed and rest now if you can. Loranne will be here soon and I must go. Please...get better for me.”

Before Kain pulled himself away, he shifted, Vorador moving automatically, knowing, and pressed his lips to the elder’s. The gentle kiss lasted for a minute, before Kain slowly pulled himself away and helped Vorador back to bed. He quietly shut the door behind him, and finished gathering his things. He picked up the bag, slinging it over his shoulder, and walked towards the door. He turned, pausing, looking at the bedroom door. In his mind, he said a silent prayer to long lost gods to watch over them for him, and turned and left.
 

Luckily, from here Zephon’s caves weren’t far away. He had lived close to the Sanctuary until he took the Cathedral. This is one of the reasons Janos had let him go there with the fledglings. It was far enough away to allow free movement, and better training grounds, yet close enough to not to be on too long a leash from Janos’ watchful eye. He smiled at the thought of soon breaking that leash.

He gave the fledglings their last orders. This game would be simple enough. Try and catch the master vampire. Except the detail was, these were young fledglings who were still learning to hunt against someone who had been hunting for a couple millennia and was by far more powerful and skilled than they were. It would be a harsh first lesson for he knew he wouldn’t fail and they wouldn’t find him in the maze. Really won’t find him. He planned on slipping into a secret part of the underground maze and try to locate the room Zephon spoke of. By the time he found it, he guessed it would be nearly light out and then, the fledglings would have to rest.

He wasted no time. He had a few minutes head start before the fledglings would loose themselves upon him. The guards that were sent with them stayed at the entrance
as ordered so not to intrude any on the exercise, and yet allow no one to escape the caverns. Kain ran deep into the cavern system, moving over, around and under obstacles. The puddles of water here and there would hinder them more. He could take what little damage it did to him anymore easily. The fledglings, however, were not so lucky.

In a little over an hour he had come to the place Zephon had spoken of. He had spent patient hours listening to the ramblings of his fifth son to tell him all that he needed to know on how to find the place. The rocky walls here were dotted with strange black rocks. The pattern he was supposed to look out for took him a while to find as the description wasn’t that clear. He shoved the right rock, or so he hoped, and a stone slid aside. He frowned at it. Zephon had a smaller stature than himself, thus didn’t need to make anything to greatly sized, especially if he wanted to keep his elder brothers out.

He crouched on the ground and squeezed his way into a tunnel. Luckily, he knew it was short for it was a tight enough squeeze through it to make him feel claustrophobic. He gasped for air as he pulled himself though, trying ot calm his mind. He looked around him, his excellent night vision kicking in. The room smelled dusty, disused. He moved slowly, stepping over broken, rotted pieces of wood.

The oddest part of the room was the single sun crystal, imbedded in the ceiling, Here, deep underground, there was no light. Occasional sun crystals adorned the halls, but had long gone dark, this one was no exception. although he could see well enough but he couldn't pick up fine details. When he came back, he would have to bring a light source with him. He turned his mind inward, to that handy internal clock that was useful without bounds curing one’s fledgling years, and felt that he had taken up enough time. Time to give them a run for their lives and finally get them to rest.

On the final day, he worked though the puzzle again, having had problems all along. This exercise was not a total loss though. Some of them showed more potential as vampires, like they belonged to the unholy race, and others that would have been best left human. He had some difficulties as he tried to figure out Zephon’s puzzle. He was working under pressure; he had to solve this fast. Tonight he would have to solve this lest this trip would be a large personal waste and he did not know when he could return. All he knew is that he did not want to lives as he had for very much longer.

In anger he threw one of the borrowed gems. It bounced, and slid across the floor, coming or rest near one of the walls. He ignored it for the moment Instead, he looked the other two over, then looked over at the third. disgusted, he got up and went to pick it up.

As he stood, gem in hand, admidst giving the wall an angry glare, he noticed what he had been looking for. It was right in front of him all along. He smiled feraly, his anger once again serving him well. He stood, looking dead on at where the crystal should go. He placed it there, in its niche. He grinned, seeing a small beam of light, caught form the lantern, streak from it and to the larger one on the ceiling. He turned and looked for similar places on the walls for the other two and found them in a few minutes. The grin didn’t leave his face at all as he did so.

With the third gem in place, the room lit, by magically enhanced lamp light. The main crystal rotated, sending sparkles of light everywhere, the small beams forming the appearance of fireflies rather than a good light. It rotated to the point it was supposed to. He walked over to the center of a glyph on the floor. It was barely there, and covered in dust with disuse. He walked over to the glyph and held out an arm. With the tip of one claw he sliced his thick skin and rivulets of crimson blood fell, dripping slowly and hitting the glyph.

The glyph sparkled, coming to life out of it’s magical stasis. The room went dark and images flashed before him. The last couple images he recognized well. His clever sons, Zephon, Turel and Rahab...Rahab was the last image, appearing much as he did in the library, wearing those same clothes and everything. Kain took a step back, alert, twinges of fear hitting his mind.
 
 

In the Sanctuary....
 

Vorador lie curled up on the couch. He was having a hard time resting peacefully, too nervous to truly rest and he didn’t want to disturb Melchiah. Five days and nothing. Kain hadn’t returned early and Janos had not come to him, nor summoned him the whole time. This was a period of dangerous waiting. Waiting to see if he should have spent the past five days relaxing, or five days dreading more torture that would come. He shivered, hoping dearly that it wouldn’t happen. He closed his eyes, and pulled the blanket up a little higher, trying to force his nervous body still.

He felt a change. Coldness surrounded him, making him shiver. He slowly opened his eyes, and cringed, closing them again and curling into a tighter ball. He couldn’t help himself but to shiver now uncontrollably. He felt a hand placed on his shaking shoulder, stroking it softly. A tear fell, sliding across his face. Kain’s and his fears came true. Janos had finally summoned him and no one would be there to calm his chaotic mind after words.

“Shhhh dear child. I am not going to break you so as you think. Not this time. I wish to talk, dear son,” Janos said, sitting next to him, “at least for now.” Vorador didn’t move, still curled into a tight ball. Janos’ hand rubbed Vorador’s shoulder as he spoke, “Dear, dear child. You do know Kain will fail. That he has been making false promises to you. Neither of you are going to escape me. It’s by far too late for that.” His voice was patronizing, fatherly and yet so mockingly harsh. It made a couple more tears fall.

Kain couldn’t lie to him. He was too supportive, too caring when he needed it most. There was a time when a rift existed between the two of them, but that dissolved when they realized by mutual need for some level of comfort another they needed each other. On the other hand, the trusting child that still existed deep within him was crying. How and why would his father lie to him? Janos wasn’t capable of such a thing. Or was he? More tears fell, his mind screaming, confused. He wanted so badly to escape this hell that he would have believed a Hylden if it told him how to get free only to lead him to the depths of the Abyss.

He shook, more silent tears falling. Janos’ hand didn’t stop moving. He smiled, watching his child. “It hurts doesn’t it? Not knowing who at all to trust? Who’s lying and who isn’t. So much stress on your poor mind.” He looked at Vorador fondly. “I’ve taught you too well. Under that coating of strength and rough mannerisms lie such a kind heart. You make me hurt as much as I do you. How I still miss the days when I had such a heart. Instead I have this black thing that consumes me whole.”

His fingers played with the tip of one of Vorador’s ears, then be bent to kiss it. He whispered into that ear, “I’m starting to loose interest in you. I hope you realize that it’s not a good thing really. It may mean one day you just might be able to run from this stone fortress. If you live so long. I expect in a couple hundred years of poor feeding you would look like poor little Melchiah, all bone and little flash, slowly starving to death, your mind rotted away and nothing more than a bloodlusting animal.” He paused, smiling. “My dear child. i loose interest in you because you are nothing anymore. Just a pile of undead flesh that cannot bear the sight of me. If I wanted such a thing I would take a human slave. You’re little better anymore. You might run, but I will keep your dear Kain. he will keep me entertained for a good long time.”

Yet more tears fell, should that have been possible, soft sobbing sounds escaping from his throat. Those words though him cut like a dull knife. Rejected by one’s own maker, one’s own parent after so long of a close relationship. All destroyed on a whim. To soon be thrown out on his rear to try and survive in the dying land. The pain of it wracked though his mind like wild fire. More pain, more anguish than he had ever felt in his life.

Janos cruelly smiled, seeing his desired reaction. In truth, he was tired of his ask son, no longer seeing him useful for much of anything. He sought his own escape as well this would drive Kain against him. If Kain failed, which he couldn’t really decide if he really would, he would hope that somehow that Raziel would break free and finish it for him. His mind screamed to stop this madness and to push Vorador further at the same time. His twisted mind opted for the latter, making his grin a little broader.

“You have until morning to leave, if you so desire such, before I make your life so very much worse than it ever has been,” Janos said coldly, his voice cutting like ragged steel. He drew his hand away, and Teleporting Vorador back to his chambers to make his decision.
 
 

Zephon’s caverns.......
 

Before Kain, the illusion of Rahab, looking more solid than he did in his library now. This must have been made just before his sons had made their move that condemned them. Rahab bowed slightly before he spoke. “Greetings father. By the time you actually see this it will be too late for any of us, myself especially. The information I will now give you will most certainly cost me my life, but I give it in hope of everyone being freed from this.”

Rahab gestured, the image of the silvery necklace with the bloody red gem that Janos wore appearing in front of him. “In this gem is our eldest brother, Raziel. Janos locked him away there long ago. Raziel is still very aware of his surroundings and I fear his mind may decay into madness if he stays there too much longer.” he gestured again, the image disappearing. “Though my conversation with Raziel was short, I found out that Janos had not locked him away with out something else. Janos locked him there with the nessicary information and power to stop him. Why, none of us can figure out.” He bowed his head and faded from view.

The image changed, Turel appearing. “Sire, I give you my spell knowledge. You will need it to help you on your journey.” One of the gems, the one on the far wall dropped to the floor, still glowing with a life of its own. Turel pointed to it. “There is a stash of additional power you will need to fuel some of the spells within that, as they require more than most of the other spells. I bid you good luck.” He bowed his head as well, then disappeared.

Kain started over, and picked up the gem, a key had followed it, perhaps leading to the place Turel spoke of. His hand shook, strained. The power of knowledge surged into him, making him yell in pain, and bowl over grasping his midsection. Panting, he drew himself up again. He opened his eyes finally, and could feel the change. He smiled. His currently mindless second son had given him his last legacy, a upgrade of a great deal of power.

He heard a soft laugh, and turned, seeing Zephon was the last one to appear. “Dear father,” Zephon said with a smile. “I see you have finally figured out my riddle. Turel helped me program it in my mind for you and you alone. There is a teleporter pad close to here. The stash Turel spoke of is closer than you realize really. Take his key with you and you will see what I mean. The only thing I have to offer is a map. There is a hidden system in the Sanctuary. To all it’s nooks anc crannies, all it’s resources, strenths and weaknesses. You will need it as well so long as you try and fight Janos on his own ground.” He smiled, so much saner looking than the mad wretch locked away in the SAnctuary’s prisons, and bowed his head.

The other two gems dropped, and Kain gathered them up as well. Behind one came a slip of paper, with some odd words on it. He slipped it into a push on his belt, along with the three gems. What to do now....he had to get back to Sanctuary. Quickly, he htought of how. He would teleport back, leaving the guards so escourt them back and claim that Janos wished to see him before as quickly as possable. He nodded, thinking the story plausable, then turned to get out of the hidden tunnels as soon as he could, back o the fledglings.
 

When he appeared, he couldn’t believe, much less fathom the coldness of the room. He had appeadred just inside the room, in front of the door. The smell of freshly spilled blood filled the air. Painc and worry raged through his mind. He glanced around, tracking it’s source. When he found it, the scene made his blood run icy cold. He ran over to Vorador, whom was lying on the couch. The one the two of them had spent much time on together, he was still, his green skin pale, his clothes, the blanket and the couch were all soaked in blood. Melchiah was sitting next to him, on the blood soaked carpet, looking very sullen.

“What happened?” Kain asked, looking Vorador over for the source of the injuries that would have loosed so much blood and found none.

“I...I don’t know,” Melchiah slowly answered. “I awoke to the smell of blood and came to see. I...don’t know if this is Janos’ fault or...”

The other thing that could have happened Melchiah did not say, but it was clear what he had meant. Where blood had dried on Vorador’s pale skin was evidence enough to almost scream it. Why? his mind asked over and over. Vorador was surely not this bad. If he were, he would have said so, or showed as much. He would have gladly delayed his trip to ensure that the elder vampire was alright enough to be without him for a few days.

Kain shrugged off the panick, the chaotic emotions and thoughts running screaming through his mind with all the expert ease of centuries of practice. He stood, thinking of the best next course of action. It was about four hours until daylight out, and he would have to use that time well, for in his weakened state, the touch of the sun may hurt the elder in his poor condition. “Stay here. If he wakes, don’t let him move.” Kain teleported himself away, to find some slaves.

He waisted no time in returning. He gripped one slave in a clawed hand and quickly as he could, fed Vorador. By the time he finished, a good deal fo the color had returned to the elder’s skin, but not as much as he would have liked. There was a /lot/ of blood on the floor and only time and more food would see him though now.

Kain stood up, still very worried, but he had to do soemthing to distract himself for a while. He looked about the room and decided to clean it, use his sorcery to try and save various things. He started with that couch for it had too much sentimental value to let go. He picked up Vorador and set him back down on the bed, using his sorcery there first, to clean him up and expel the half dried blood. He carefully tucked the elder in and left him to rest. He then did the same for Melchiah, and asked him to watch over Vorador for the moment while he finished.

He wasn’t able to get all the stains out, what was left a griesly reminder of what had happened. Perhaps later he would have it replaced with something that looked similar. A couple hours passed and Vorador finally wakened. Melchiah’s shout alerted him of such and he ran into the room his mind filling with questions. But first....

“How do you feel?” Kain asked, softly, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Vorador’s head lolls about weakly, taking in his surrounds slowly. “K...kain...?”

“I am here now. Everything went well. What happened to you? What made you...” once again, Kain didn’t speak those dreaded words, but his thumb claw ran over the tender area where the slash had healed.

Vorador closed his eyes again, shivering, fresh tears streaked down his face. Kain laid a hand on his chest, sliding over then using both hands to pull him up, trying to calm him and support him. “J...janos.....he...”

“Shhhh,” Kain sushed soothingly, fresh gouts of anger replacing worry.

“Y..ou don’t...undertsan.d...” Vorador said slowy.

“It’s alright. What don’t I understand?”

“.....I must leave.......what time is it.....?”

“Leave?” This confused Kain greatly. Vorador never left his chambers unless he was ordered to do so. He very rarely even bothered to come out to get needed sustinance much less for anything else. Why would he want to leave even if he could?

“Must leave soon....or else my life will become worse....”

“I know this. All our lives have no place to go but down. I am trying to find a way to free us.” He smiled. “Thanks to my sons again, I am one step closer. The nezt would not be easy, but I will not fail.”

“...don’t understand,” Vorador said, frusteration creeping into his weak voice.

“What don’t I understand....”

“I have to leave....Janos...” Another bout, stronger this time, tears soaking into the leather woven shirt Kain wore.

Kain started to become frusterated. Vorador was obviously wanting to tell him what was wrong, what had happened, but like many of his experiences, was too traumatic for him to say with any sort of ease. “Why do you have to leave? What has Janos done to you this time...?”

Vorador finally pulled away, looking into Kain’s eyes, greenish gold meeting yellow. The look in those eyes were a world of pain, pain and yet more pain, topped with great anguish. It made Kain’s heart ache deeply for him. Somewhere, he could almost sense what Vorador was trying to say now, but he had to actually hear the cause of this.

“He...has thrown me out. I am no longer his son...” Vorador’s head dove back for Kain’s shoulder, the pain in his words unfathomable. Melchiah looked at Kain, his father, distressed clear on his face. His gentle nature showed once again, empathizing with the elder. He laid a hand on Vorador’s shoulder, hoping that his meek influence would help in some, small way.

Kain held Vorador tight, letting him freely express his anguish. His own mind coudn’t comprehend what had happened. Such a close bond, even in this madness, and it was apparently severed like a bad friendship. He never known his own parents too well and thus would never be able to grasp what how badly this hurt. He sswallowed hard, his throat feeling like it was going dry. The fragments of sentances and words Vorador had spoken drew together in his mind. If his life was hellish now, and Janos, outcasting hs own child, was going to make it worse if he stayed, he had to leave and fast. He had no idea on how he was going to support Vorador from afar. He would have to test his leash behing Janos’ back. A thought crossed his mind.....

“How long do you have?”

Vorador wept still, calming some, too weak to hold onto his grief for a long period of time. “S-sunrise....”

Kain frowned. That would be soon. His thought would have to be an option. He looked over at Melchiah. “How easy is it to hide int he lower levels?”

“Very easy, if you know your way around. It took me a while, but I got rather good at not being seen unless I wanted to.” He tileted his head curiously. “Do you mean to....?”

“Hide him, yes. He would be out of Janos’ sight, safe from his ways, and close enough where I can still watch over him,” Kain said, sadly. “I am going to take him below, to where I found you. In the morning, I want you to draw him some maps so he can find his way around.”

He picked up Vorador, the elder very weak, mentally and physically, nothing more than a wreck of a child in his arms. Kain shifted him some, and teleported again, recalling the dank passageway he had found Melchiah in, very little time left to get him to safety. He carefully moved into the small shack, setting Vorador down on the makeshift bed. This place would have to change some if he was to stay here for a lenth of time for Vorador was taller and more built than his dear youngest son. “Rest,” Kain said, pulling the dirty patched sheet over him. “It’s not the best, which you deserve, but it will do. Just rest and dream of better times for me. I will not fail you. I will not fail any of us. I don’t care what he had told you about me, if anything. I keep my word.”

Vorador smiled softly. He indeed would. Kain had done a better job keeping what he vowed in the past milenia than Janos had. Or anyone for that matter. He closed his eyes, nodding slightly, then fell into s deep, restful sleep. Kain stayed with him for a few minutes, gently stroking his shoulder. He eventually got up and left, to wanting to use anymore of his power again for the night.

On the way back, he noticed a wall that he hadn’t before. It had a glyph like the one he had found in Zephon’s cave. He pulled out the key, and opened it. He crawled inside, half cursing Zephon’s liking for tight spaces. His eyes went wide at what he found. Several relics, large ones at that. Each would up his power rgeatly, as Turel said it would. He reached out, grasping each in turn and accepting their gift. First the knowledge, then the power to fuel it. He smiled, panting, holding the wall for a minute, then going on. He had to get back upstairs quickly, fearful that Janos would take advantage of his absence.

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