Chapter 1

Time can go by quickly when you’re happy. For a little over a decade I felt joy and privilege to serve in Kain’s army, especially since his rising empire promised a large stake in the ruling of Nosgoth. But then my emotions began to change. When I arrived at his immense tower I was still but a fledgling taught only how to survive. There was a lot more to learn. The other vampires taught me various things while I was there, but Kain himself was actually my mentor. Aside from the strength I was gifted by my nature, he showed me magical powers I never knew I possessed. Shortly before coming here, I had drank from the Blood of Ages fount, one of many springs flowing powerful blood endlessly for anyone who came upon it. It would turn black and poisonous when enough had been consumed, and then after awhile return to its natural colour. Then when I first met Kain, I drank from his very veins, gaining even more strength and magic. For instance, I discovered I could hurl a bolt of lightning across the room at will, or flood the immediate vicinity in magical light. But something was apparently wrong with me. All the other vampires here had the ability to take the famous Wolf form, and the Bat form (and that included fledglings younger than I), but I could not. Kain said to let my wild, vicious instincts flow, to unleash the beast from within me and the Wolf form should come. But as hard as tried, as much concentration as I put into it, I still could not change my form except into a cloud of mist. But the Dark Gifts gave each of us different abilities, so I was just unlucky. Oh, how jealous I was from this! All of them could take flight in Bat form and roam the skies; they could go wherever they pleased! Oh well. They were also jealous of me. As every vampire had their own Gifts, mine was the ability to read minds and hypnotise the weak-minded. Kain also had this Gift, I discovered, having taken it from a traitor vampire called Marcus by draining his blood, thus absorbing his power. Kain taught me other spells, such as the horrendous “flay” and the very sick “implode”. I could do other things already that had come naturally when I was first made, like speak with others of my kind through a telepathic communication called the “whisper”.

    Ten years I served Kain, travelling throughout the land of Nosgoth, killing the Sarafan Knights in every village and feeding on the humans. The odd mortal that we thought worthy to join us was made a vampire and further strengthened our army. But like a bee, I never stung unless provoked. The only humans I fed on were muggers and thugs in the backalleys. The others teased about my conscience, boasting I would never be as evil as they were. Of that, they were correct.

    Then one night, everything changed. The one who made me came directly into my chamber with a book in his hand. He said it once belonged to me. This was most strange, indeed! As soon as he left I opened it up and began reading its contents. It told tales of my forgotten life as a human! This shocked me more than you could imagine. At first I didn’t believe it, but then it began to make sense. I had seen the humans we kidnapped and then made vampires, and yet I never once wondered about myself! It also explained my nagging conscience. All the others had probably been cold, ruthless humans; the ones I’d seen made certainly were. And then as soon as they were drained and given some of the vampire’s blood to change them, their memory was gone! And so I knew when it was that I was made, because I recalled the period of amnesia, when the whole training had begun. They had all lied to me! I stormed into my maker’s chamber with the journal, demanding an explanation. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I hissed. He then replied, “If we had told you when you were made, you would have gone insane. You were supposed to be told six months after your ‘birth’; any later and you would refuse to believe us. But there you have proof in that journal. With our mind on other things at the time, we had lost track and forgot to tell you. There were so many other vampires we had to remember, it was getting difficult.”

    “This changes everything,” I said, and left. To think, I was made a vampire because I got into a drunken brawl with a couple of knights! And they happened to be sworn enemies of the blood drinkers. It nearly drove me mad with despair, but eventually I began to come around. However, from then on I was always different, and I viewed all of the others in a different perspective.

    It was rumoured that Kain remembered his mortal past when he was made, and that was because he was made differently to the rest of us. I often wondered how he felt in those first moments as a vampire, with the knowledge that he wasn’t supposed to be what he was, that this was nothing but a curse. How did he keep his sanity? Was he insane, after all?

    I began to cling to my mortal past, thinking of some silly hope for redemption. But I knew that would never be. So as the nights went by, I spent my time masquerading in the villages as a human, wandering through the shops and pubs without anyone suspecting. Kain had no inkling as to what I was doing; he simply thought I spent my time sulking in my chamber. The reason I kept this a secret from him was because I knew he would disapprove. It was forbidden for any of us to leave the tower without his permission; and if he found out, I would probably be destroyed for disobeying. But I didn’t care anymore. If he destroyed me – good. At least I’d be free of this.

    The nights were drawing close to the head-on battle with the Sarafan’s new leader, who had recently taken over from the last, whom Kain destroyed some time ago. Kain thought that by killing their leader, the army would crumble. Well, it wasn’t as easy as that. If you killed the leader, another would replace him – that’s how it worked. So it was therefor taking a lot longer to rule Nosgoth that expected. It was to be the second and last war with them, and I could feel Kain’s nervousness from the memory of his defeat hundreds of years ago. But there was nothing for him to worry about now: he had the Soul Reaver back, and the only artefact which had the power to stop him was destroyed. We would be unstoppable. Alas, while the others were busy training as much as they could, I was finding my only comfort in the company of mortals, still feeding only on the people who attacked me first. These days I only needed to hunt maybe once a week, before the hunger became too strong to endure. And one night I met an old woman in Stahlberg, crying into her wine in a pub full of crooks. I read her mind and discovered she was peasant whore who could no longer make money because men were simply not interested in her anymore. I also discovered that she had once given birth to a child, a boy, and abandoned him on the streets in a dirty little wicker basket. She thought – or hoped – someone rich would find him and care for him the way she could not. She barely had enough to keep herself alive, let alone a baby. And she still did not know what became of that tragic little baby. I did, though. That tragic little baby was discovered by a murderous thief and taken under his wing, brought up to be just like him, and then forced to survive on his own. He was thrown in jail for many years and then eventually escaped. Only to get drunk night after night until he found himself killing two Sarafan Knights before a vampire’s eyes. Now that tragic little baby was part of a vampire clan that would soon rule the land. That tragic little baby was I – Aleron Alcott. And this old lady sitting near to me was my mother.
 
 

I stared at her for a long time, studying the lines in her face in a deep fascination that only a vampire would feel, until she raised her head and looked directly into my eyes. “What you lookin’ at?” she snapped. At once I turned away. The pain in me was immense, like a hot knife churning in my bowels. I was on the verge of tears. “Well?” she persisted. “Weirdo!” Then suddenly a man behind turned his attention to her and struck her cheek. I could almost feel the sharp sting myself. But it was simply white-hot anger burning strong.

    “Who told you to speak!” the man spat. “You fat old cow! Gimme that wine and get back to work!” With that he snatched her glass away and swallowed it down, then pushed her off the chair and out the door. Oh, if only there weren’t so many people here! But I didn’t have time to linger here with him; I had to find where my mother had gone. Outside in the cold wind, where thick blankets of snow were packed tight against the drainpipes, and sharp icicles hung under the window ledges, I found her trudging furiously up the hill in spite of the weather. Of course, it didn’t affect me in the slightest, this cold; I felt it blowing against me as a diminutive force, but it in no way brought pain. Perhaps it was because I was used to the cold. That was another reason to feed: to quench the maddening thirst, to heat up our un-dead bodies, and to give a little colour to our flesh so we could pass for a human.

    I found it all too easy to follow this woman around, as it always is. Vampires are only really noticed when they want to be. With our speed, we can move so fast their eyes couldn’t follow; with our un-dead bodies we can remain so still we’re not noticed, and since we don’t really breath we make no noise. Only the Sarafan Knights can usually detect us with their sixth sense, bestowed to them by their Glyph Magic. That, also, is a very annoying thing when travelling through town. The Glyph Barriers wedged at numerous parts of town are totally unavoidable. We either have to find a way to shut them off temporarily, or find another way passed it completely. She came to a stop outside a doll shop, standing there against the wall like a sentry. I took the chance while hidden in the shadows to delve deeper into her mind. Her actual name was Tabitha. It appeared this man who hit her was in fact her keeper. So my mother was a slave as well as a whore! I can’t say I was proud, but she had a much clearer conscience than mine. Then I realised I was remembering things from my human past – my yearning to find her one day; the loneliness I felt then; the picture I had in my mind of our reunion.

    Eventually I found the courage to approach her. She smiled when she saw me – no doubt hoping for money – but then stiffened when she recognised me as the gentleman she had insulted a short while ago. I held up my hands in a peaceful gesture so as not to create a commotion. The last thing I ever want is to alarm people, unless I’m going to kill them, because it brings attention. “Calm yourself, madam,” I said. “I mean you no harm. I would just like to ask you some questions, if I may.” Tabitha crossed her arms slowly and gave a single nod. “I suppose so,” she said. “I could use the company.”

    “You know you shouldn’t be out here on your own,” I said. “It’s dangerous.”

    “Yes, I know,” she replied. “But the vampires don’t come around this part of town. It’s safe here.” But suddenly I felt a presence drawing near. It was her keeper; I recognised the scent. He clasped his hand on my shoulder with a firm grip and nodded as if he knew me. “So you’ve come,” he said. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Let’s go somewhere private, shall we?” He led me into his rat-infested house just up the street, where we sat in a filthy living room by the frosted window. “I won’t put the fire on. I know you lot don’t like the light.”

    “I don’t mind it,” I said. “Why would you presume this? And what do you mean by, ‘you lot’?” He gave out a sigh as if I should already know the answer. The truth was, I did already know from reading his mind; I just wanted to hear him say it. “Let’s get something out of the way,” he said. “I know you’re a vampire, and I know you were made on Mordan Street ten years ago by a vampire named Raul.” To say the least, this shocked me. I expected him to know what I was, but not who made me and where it happened. “How do you know this?” I asked quickly.

    “Because I was supposed to be made there, and by Raul. Don’t you understand? It’s a case of mistaken identity. They got the wrong man.” At first I didn’t believe him. But then I said to go on. “Well,” he said, “ten years ago I found Kain in a pub on the East Side of Meridian. I knew what he was because I spotted him feeding one night in the past. And I told him I loathed the Sarafan and was willing to help him in any way I could, with the Dark Gift in return. He knew I was serious and didn’t waste any time. He said I had to prove myself worthy by doing something for him first. I had to go to Mordan Street the following night and kill the two Sarafan Knights on guard there. A vampire called Raul would be watching. If I did the deed, he would give the Dark Gift there and then. I was overjoyed with this proposition. Immortality! Who wouldn’t want it? But on the night that I was supposed to go, I was cornered en route by two thugs whom I was in debt to. I couldn’t pay up and hadn’t planned to – after I was made a vampire I planned to kill them with great satisfaction. But there they were. They broke my legs and left me there. It had to be on that night, didn’t it? So when you went to Mordan Street and killed both Sarafan Knights, Raul obviously thought you were the one for the Dark Gift. After all, I don’t think he was given a name to go by. But Kain must have known they had the wrong man. He must have! So now I ask you, no I beg you: please, make me a vampire! I’ll do anything you want me to. I need it. The debts I’m in are overflowing; the plague is drawing close to town; and old age is coming. Immortality is the only thing that can save me from everything. You owe it to me, remember. The powers you have were meant for me, not you. You have the power to turn me. Do it.”

    It took a while for this all to register. This man had to be telling the truth, and yet it seemed too ironic for such a mistake to occur. I had some serious questions for Kain. “I’ll have to verify this all with Kain. After all, it’s forbidden to make another without his permission.” But then I was already breaking his rules by simply being here.

    “No, don’t bother with him, he’ll never know. Just do it now, and I’ll go away. You’ll never have to hear from me again.” I shook my head. This just would not do. I needed time alone now. So I left him so fast he didn’t see and found a horse a short distance away. Arriving back at the tower an hour before dawn, I moved with the usual act of stealth and speed to get into my chamber without anyone noticing my entrance. I decided to leave the questions for Kain until tomorrow night. He was probably in his coffin by now anyway. Into mine I retreated, feeling the weariness of day approaching. The last thought in my head before sleep was, This was a mistake. My being here, was a mistake.
 
 

    “No, not yet,” I said, drawing closer to him. The vein in his neck was throbbing continuously, driving me mad. “But don’t worry about that now. I want to make you a deal: that slave you have, the old woman. Let her go and I’ll give you the Dark Gift right now.”

    He agreed at once. I knew he would – anything was worth the Dark Gift to him. “By the way,” he said, “my name is Jacob.” I grabbed him by the throat and lifted him off his feet. Now, how was this done again? I moved him close to me and sank my fangs deep into his neck, revelling in the warmth of the blood that flowed out. It was delicious! After the long fast, his blood took me away from all reality and briefly to heaven. Then, after a while, I stopped sucking and let him fall to the floor. Using one of the two bloody fangs, I bit across the vein in my wrist and allowed the gash to bleed freely over Jacob’s mouth. This was black blood, a vampire’s blood. It poured and poured like it would never stop, until the wound magically closed. The draught that Jacob had taken wasn’t enough, though. So I slashed my wrist again and pressed it to his lips. This time, just before the wound closed, he opened his eyes and stared up at me. Those two orbs were no longer human – they had taken on a yellow luminous glow – and two short fangs now protruded over his bottom lip. “It’s done,” I said, helping him up onto his feet. His forehead creased into a frown. “What is?” he asked innocently. Oh god! I’d completely forgotten. His memory was now wiped out, and he had no idea where or who he was. “Don’t worry,” I said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s go outside.” I told him everything Raul had told me the night I was made, and we both hunted together. I was actually enjoying this, teaching him the ways of the un-dead. Eventually, I told him to wait at the house while I took care of something. In the cold streets I found Tabitha, my mother, standing in the snow like a lost child. She recognised me but said nothing. I told her she was free to go, that Jacob was now dead but he’d left her a small fortune in his will. A large purse of gold that I stole from one of my victims was in my pocket, heavy and full. I gave it to her and signalled a coach over. “Get as far away from this town as you can,” I said. “The plague will be spreading its disease here.” But before I could leave she grabbed me by the hand and asked, “Who are you?”

    “Just someone who cares. And one more thing – the infant you abandoned so long ago has grown into a fine strong man. He was brought up by a loving rich family and now lives in wealth and decadence. Farewell.” As I walked away with my back to her, I could sense her eyes on me. The coach was pulling her away to a better place than this. But I think I caught from her mind the knowledge that she knew – she knew that I was her son. I went back to the house and took Jacob with me on my horse to the tower. We went straight up past all the other curious vampires, uncaring as to who knew I’d been out, and stopped in the main hall where Kain sat at his throne as usual, with the Soul Reaver held in one hand. He stared coldly at the both of us before asking in that seldom-used voice of his, “Where have you been, Aleron? And who is this creature you bring before me?”

    “Don’t you recognise him?” I asked. “His name is Jacob. He claims he made an arrangement with you to be given the Dark Gift on the night I was made. He said Raul mistook me for him and gave the Dark Gift to the wrong man. Is this true?” In all these years, not once had I taken this tone with Kain. Raul stepped in behind me with a worried look on his face. “Yes,” Kain said. “I remember now. It would seem I made a mistake. But then so did you, Aleron. You disobeyed me. Sneaking off among the mortals behind my back, and making a fledgling of your own without my authority – one of the highest crimes here. The penalty is death. Do you know what we do with unwanted vampires, Aleron? I’ll show you.” I knew my time was over, and to tell the truth I was glad. At last I would be released from it all.

    Kain’s eyes shifted down to Jacob, who was perfectly confused. He raised his forefinger to him and said, “But you will stay” – suddenly a long streak of lightening shot out of his finger and struck Jacob with full force through the chest – “Aleron.” The lightening bolt had lifted him off his feet and threw him across the hall until he was slammed into a pillar. A sizzling wound of loose, ragged flesh was now embedded on his chest. But he still lived – barely. “Cast him into the Lake of Tears!” Kain ordered. A group of vampire generals, including Raul, lifted him up off the floor and carried him out of the hall. “Aleron, did you really think I would destroy you? My apprentice, my protégé? The only mistake I made was letting that imbecile live to begin with. I didn’t forget. I knew Raul had thought you were him, but when I saw you approach me on that first day here, I knew you were the true warrior that Jacob could never be. But mark my words, I don’t often give second chances. If you ever disobey me again” – an evil smile spread across his face – “I may not be so generous.”

    I stood at the edge of a mountain overlooking the Lake of Tears and the white, steaming abyss. One last look of disbelief crossed Jacob’s face as he glanced at me. “I’m sorry,” I said. He was then launched over the edge and into the current of death itself. I turned away in disgust, but Kain clasped my head in his clawed hand and forced me to watch the horror. Jacob was falling deep into it, screaming in agony as the acidic pit singed away his flesh and melted him into a flailing skeleton. His hair then burned off and disintegrated, and then his very bones began to dissolve. And he was no more.

    Such a hideous way to go. It sent a chill down my spine to think that that should have been me down there, and this should be him up here. Kain didn’t have to give him such a painful death. He could have finished him quickly and painlessly if he’d wanted to. Even immolation was a comfort compared to this. “That is what happens to traitors and outcasts,” Kain said to everyone present. “Obey me and it will never have to happen to you. Ignore my rules and it will be the same, no matter how long you have served me.”

    I was seeing Kain in a whole new light now. Before I had thought of him with respect and gratitude, but now I regarded him with fear. To think that he could do this to anyone, even the closest to him, was startling. The coldness in him was multiplied greatly on this mountain, and I would never trust him again. Anyone who had to suffer such torture had to be the most unfortunate person in Nosgoth.