Fan Fiction ❯ The Soul Reaver and The Spirit Shield ❯ The Cabal ( Chapter 35 )

Chapter Thirty-Five

Vorador led his unexpected guests into the temporary headquarters of the Cabal. On such short notice, this abandoned mansion was the most suitable building his scouts could find. Though the Sarafan did not bother with the slums, Vorador felt this location was not very well fortified against attack. He had a feeling that it would not be long before he relocated within the city of Meridian.

As they entered the dimly lit, but vast foyer, most of the Cabal vampires dispersed within, returning to the tasks they had been busying themselves with before the disturbance. Vorador, Umah, and the four newcomers remained.

"Umah, please escort Jenise and her comrade to a private chamber where the girl's wounds can be tended. Summon Aldreah to aid you. She seems to be gifted with healing capabilities," the Cabal leader ordered. Umah nodded, and turned to Jenise.

"This way," she said indifferently to the priestess as she walked towards the west wing. Jenise silently complied. Once the women were out of sight, Vorador turned his attention towards Kain.

"I was unsure if I was ever to hear from you again. It has been over a year since you last contacted me," Vorador replied. "Were you able to discover what you were seeking?"

Raziel gave Kain a questioning glance. He was surprised that Kain had previously contacted Vorador. He wondered what, if any, information of the future Kain might have divulged to the historical vampire. The vampire wraith began to worry about Kain's seeming indifference towards maintaining stability within the time stream.

Only one thought kept Raziel from full-blown paranoia: Kain did not wish his identity revealed to Vorador. With that, lied the hope that Kain had said nothing at all to Vorador that may alter the latter vampire's future.

"The Sarafan Lord's sudden appearance into our world… Yes, I have discovered the treachery that wrought him from his destined demise. That scoundrel Moebius whisked him from the sands of time mere moments before the ancient vampires sealed him away with the rest of the Hilden race," Kain explained, snarling at the truth of his discoveries. "Now he wishes to open a gateway which will free the Hilden race, allowing them to invade Nosgoth. If he succeeds, he shall engage a full blown war against the vampire race, hoping to wipe Nosgoth clean of our people."

Vorador listened intently to Kain's words, but Raziel listened evermore so. The reaver's mist-filled eyes had narrowed to slits upon mention of Moebius's name. The conniving bastard was determined to eliminate all vampires from this world even centuries after his death. Having seen into the future, the time streamer had set the series of events in motion long before he was to have met his end at the hands of Kain.

"What plans might you have to prevent this from occurring?" Vorador spoke with a disturbing calmness to the dark news. "My Cabal is growing, but our numbers are not enough to combat an entire race of creatures. The human race is already proving difficult on their own accord. As my children grow stronger, so do the Sarafan priests. My hope resides on the shoulders of one vampire, yet he still has not risen since his defeat at the Sarafan Lord's hand."

Kain nodded at Vorador's last sentence. He slowly paced the floor, deep in thought. His newfound memories of his excursions with the Sarafan Lord were still hazy. He was still attempting to sort through the clouded visions.

"Do not give up on Kain," the future lord of Nosgoth replied, halting his pace. "He shall play a vital role in ridding Nosgoth of the Hilden. And I believe he shall wish to extract his revenge upon the Sarafan Lord."

Vorador slightly raised an eyebrow. The still unnamed vampire spoke as if he knew what motives Kain would have upon rising from his sleep.

"As of yet, I do not have a plan," continued Kain, "but I believe Raziel has formed an idea. Have you not?" he turned his attention to his former lieutenant.

Vorador's attention drew to Raziel. The reaver of souls had been taken off guard by the sudden spotlight. The vampires waited quietly for him to respond. Raziel looked between Kain and Vorador nervously. Still in his talons, was the wooden box containing Janos's heart. The former vampire unconsciously clenched the object in his grasp.

Raziel was unsure whether or not to enlighten the vampires with the plan. He was wary that neither vampire would take kindly to the steps required in order to reach the final goal. Actually, he was certain Kain would not be too happy about it.

Jenise carried Malia while following Umah down a long hallway. They passed several rooms, along the way. Occasionally, Jenise would see a vampire or two in a room, but most remained empty. As she passed by one room, she noticed a lone vampire, lying on an old bed, tossing in the throws of a vivid nightmare. Jenise stopped in front of this room, watching the vampire struggle in his sleep, as his long silver hair matted with sweat.

"He grows worse by the day," Umah quietly replied, having noticed the priestess's concern over the vampire. "Though he does not speak it, I can sense that Vorador worries if Kain shall ever rise from his slumber or not."

Jenise remained silent. Her thoughts wandered to the vampire of the future whom they had left behind moments ago. It was hard to imagine that the tormented creature before her was the same headstrong dictator of Nosgoth's future.

"Kain shall prevail," the priestess muttered solemnly. Though barely audible, Umah still heard Jenise's words. She wondered the meaning of the former Sarafan's words, but decided not to fret over it.

"Come. There is a vacant room this way," Umah continued the walk down the hallway.

The room Umah provided to Jenise was three doors down from Kain's. Jenise gently lowered Malia onto the bed. As she did, a young female vampire entered the room, carrying a few supplies. Jenise assumed her to be the `Aldreah' Vorador had mentioned beforehand.

The fledge began setting vials with strange liquids on a table. She then moved over to Malia, to inspect her of her wounds. Jenise felt a twinge of hesitation to the vampire's proximity to her friend, but did not openly protest. She knew this was for Malia's benefit, not her endangerment.

"Her wounds are severe," Aldreah spoke with conformity. "As unused to treating human wounds as I am, I am not sure I will be able to heal her completely."

"What does that mean?" Jenise suddenly worried, the thought that Malia would not survive echoed in the back of her mind.

"She will have to rest for some time. The wounds will eventually close, but she will sustain heavy scarring. I will be able to concoct an ointment that will prevent infection in her cuts, and I have a salve that will ease the pain on her face," the medic informed with an indifference that Jenise found slightly offensive. Aldreah gave Malia's face a second examination.

"Her face will most definitely retain much of the damage," she spoke, indicating the burns on the sorceress's face. "Her left eye will be permanently blind."

Jenise's heart sank at the news. She had feared the possible outcome. Now it spoke true. Her insurmountable guilt struck harder now than ever before. `If only I hadn't left her behind…' she thought.

Jenise had remained in the room while Aldreah dressed Malia's wounds. The medic did a wonderful job considering her lack of supplies and being unaccustomed to human frailties. Umah had remained during the procedures as well, overlooking the fledgling's work. Finally satisfied with her efforts, Aldreah rose from the bedside, picking up the remnants of her belongings.

"The girl requires rest. It is best if we leave her alone while she heals," instructed the young vampire.

"I will not leave her here alone in the midst of a vampire colony," Jenise glowered. "Her wounds may be clean, but she still faintly smells of blood. Should a vampire come by unable to control his thirst…"

"I will see to it that two elite guards are posted at her door," Umah reassured the priestess.

Jenise glanced at the elder vampire, as if to ensure her sincerity. Searching Umah's eyes, she saw no signs of treachery, and so she conceded. Knowing she could not remain by Malia's side forever, Jenise rose to her feet. She had to press onward to continue her plans with Raziel. He could not accomplish their goals alone.

"Promise me, she will be safe," pleaded the priestess.

"You have my sworn oath."

Vorador and Kain's patience was growing thin.

"You do have a plan, don't you, Raziel?" Kain's impatience was evident in his voice.

Raziel glanced down at the box within his hands. Should he tell them what he is to do with the Heart? Just as he was about to speak, the door to the west wing opened, attracting the attention of the foyer's three occupants. From the doorway emerged Umah and Jenise.

"Has the girl's injuries been cared for?" Vorador asked of Umah, not so much in concern for Malia's well being, but more so to ensure that his orders had been carried out.

"Yes Milord. She is now resting," Umah confirmed with a slight bow of her head.

Vorador turned his attention back to Raziel. "I trust you were able to contact Janos. Surely, my sire has indulged you with information that even I was not told of. I'm sure something he has told you has enabled you to devise a plan."

Jenise interrupted and spoke on Raziel's behalf. "Yes. We do have a plan. Janos told us how the Hilden were defeated centuries ago. Raziel and I plan on repeating this process."

Vorador was highly interested in this bit of information, as vague as it was. He attempted to get Jenise to elaborate. "Please. Enlighten me."

This time, Raziel interrupted. "We still have many steps to complete for our preparation. We would inform you of these tasks without hesitation, but we feel it is better if you continued concentrating on your front against the Sarafan. By doing so, Jenise and I will be able to accomplish our goals without notice from the Sarafan Lord."

"Are you certain you do not need assistance from myself or the Cabal?" Vorador inquired.

Raziel was about to speak the negation, but Jenise cut him off just before he was able to voice it. "I have only one request," the priestess spoke. "Raziel and I shall be streaming through time again very soon. We can't take Malia with us because of her injuries, but I cannot stay with her while she heals. I wish that you would please watch over her and protect her."

Jenise looked up to the Cabal leader with pleading eyes. The vampire's stony gaze was unreadable. Jenise was worried that he might decline her request.

"I know she was once Sarafan, as was I. But I assure you, that when she finally does arise, her loyalties will no longer be with her former allies. It was the Sarafan who caused her injuries. If she were captured by their forces again, they will not hesitate on killing her."

The room remained silent for several moments while Jenise waited Vorador's decision. The vampire lord knew long ago that the woman before him would be a great asset. And now she had a plan with which to rid Nosgoth of the Hilden, despite the fact that she refused to give him any details about it. However, he trusted her judgments and made his decision.

"I shall offer her protection until she can protect herself. After that, if she chooses to ally herself with our cause, it shall be welcome. If not, then I cannot protect her from my men. That is all I can offer," spoke Vorador.

"And that is all I ask," Jenise replied with relief.

Vorador had granted Raziel and Jenise permission to stay within the mansion to rest up before they headed out on their next mission. Vorador had summoned a meeting with a few of the Cabal. Kain had decided to partake in the meeting as well. During that time, Raziel and Jenise had wandered a few parts of the building, but eventually the priestess led the vampire wraith to the fledgling Kain.

The duo stood in the center of the room, staring quietly at the sleeping beauty. The vampire's stirring had calmed significantly since Jenise had last seen him. Not wanting to waste anymore time, Jenise reached her right hand over to her left side, and slowly drew her sword, careful not to alert any nearby vampires by the sound of an unsheathing weapon.

The priestess walked over to the dormant vampire's side. She turned the weapon upside down, so that the blade pointed towards the ground. Grasping the hilt in both hands, she hefted the sword in the air, her hands above her head, the tip of the blade directed over Kain's heart.

"Are you certain this will work?" Raziel asked her, before they fully committed themselves to the deed. Jenise glanced momentarily at her companion.

"It has to. What other choice do we have?"

With final resolution, the priestess threw her entire strength into the blade, and in one swift thrust the weapon was imbedded through the heart of Kain's being.

Author's Notes:

Oh, how terribly evil of me to leave a cliffhanger there, eh? Sorry to all those Kain lovers out there! I really have nothing against him! But after my cruelty at the end of this chapter, I wouldn't doubt it if I see some flames. (bust out flame retardant suit and fire extinguisher)