To The Victor Go The Spoils. At Last Nosgoth Would Be Mine. – Kain; Blood Omen 2

Flashback

As I returned from the Wharves from the Hylden City, I noticed that the city of Meridian, the capital of Nosgoth, was in utter dismay and uproar. Fire protruding from the centre of the Wharves and in many other places around Meridian. The Slums and Smugglers Den seem to be the main suspects of this, but dealing with the delinquents around there will be for another time and place. Especially when they come under my rule, my law of Nosgoth.

As the ship I'm aboard graciously docks itself amongst the wreckages of all the other ships of the Wharves, I float down onto what remains of the wooden bridges around the docks, walking carefully so I won't fall into the murky waters below the jagged boards. I take careful and cautious steps, as I do not wish to find myself burning and writhing in agony before sinking to the seabed, where my watery grave would be sure to make all traces of me disappear. That would indeed be an extremely pathetic and diabolical way for me to go, especially after all I have accomplished thus far.

As I begin to grow impatient, I start to jump between each bit of board that looks sturdy, before finally reaching the cobbled floor that is dry land. I reach to my back, assuring myself that the Soul Reaver is still there, before walking over to one of the shattered shop windows and looking at what reflection I can of myself. Filthy. How could I, the future Lord of Nosgoth, even present myself in front of Vorador looking so disgusting and dirty. He would merely laugh in my face if I told him of my plans in this state. I begin to dust myself down vigorously, making sure to get every single speck of dust and dirt. I then look around, hoping to find something to use as a polishing cloth for my prized armour, when I spot a torn down Sarafan flag hanging from the shop window above me. I jump and bring the whole thing down upon me, feeling instantly dirty again as the flag falls and drapes itself on my figure. I quickly scramble to pull the retched thing off of me, hoping that maybe I will get the opportunity to burn the flag before the days end. I look at the damned red and black cloth in my hands, before spitting on it and rubbing vigorously at my armour, just enough so that it looses the dim look and starts to look much more shiny and bright.

I then pull the Reaver out from its harness on my back, grasping it in my left hand, then looking at the piece of ragged filth that is the Sarafan flag in my right. For a second I think of wiping it down with the flag, before realising that the Reaver is to deserve to be cleaned with something more worthy than the Sarafan flag. I look to my right and see what appears to be the start of another fire, and with that, I screw up the flag and discard it in the fire. I then quickly slide the blade back into its harness, eager to get to Sanctuary, to speak with Vorador and the rest of the Cabal, seen as I have wasted enough time already.

As I begin to walk through the Wharves, hoping that this journey will be much shorter than it was the first time, I take in all the sites around me. Fire seems to dance amongst most of the streets and houses, giving off the thick black smoke in the process, as if consuming Meridian in darkness. The sky barely visible through the black cloak of smoke, making it impossible for me to tell at least roughly what time of night it is. I return my gaze back to the streets of the Wharves, a strange sense of relief coming over me when I realise that nobody notices me. Nobody calls for the Sarafan or the guards. Nobody gives me a second glance. What bliss. But maybe this is because the majority of people are intoxicated with alcohol, too busy caught up in their songs and cries of happiness with their companions, while some cower in the corners of alleyways or in the doorways of none burning houses, now not knowing what they will do with themselves. All this because the reign of the Sarafan is over. And what a relief it brings to finally be able to have that thought cross my mind. I even let a small smirk escape before regaining my usual composure. I carry on my journey down the street, nearing the crossroads that lead to either the Lower City or the Upper City. Surprisingly, I am rather looking forward to going to Sanctuary, maybe because it'll be an opportunity to rest, or maybe because I get to reveal what I plan to do with Nosgoth. Either way, the Cabal will hear me out and bow down to their new master of darkness.

***

I finally find myself outside the Blue Lady shop, the cover used by the Cabal so that their headquarters will not be found so easily. I clever idea I must say, but one day, they will be dug out from this hole and forced to face the world. I look up at the sky, amazed that I can actually see the stars once again after the smokey cloak of the Wharves. Once again, I am taken by surprise, as I expected these parts of the city to at least have some windows smashed or a few fires. The only sign of destruction here is that the stalls have been demolished, food and other such things littering the ground, and that all the people of the Lower City are in pubs and such, either drowning their sorrows at the downfall of their Lord, or rejoicing in happiness with their fellow men. I never quite understood humans, even when I was one myself. I never understood certain policies they had or certain laws. Most of it was just ridiculous, only there to keep man in order so that the whole world won't decay into chaos. How feeble and foolish they are indeed.

I walk up to the door of the Blue Lady and open the door as quickly and loudly as I possibly could, making sure the Cabal knew I was coming. I then start to descend the stairs, waiting to see the look on the group of vampires faces as they see me again, alive and well. As I reach the bottom of the stairs, my footsteps now a distant echoing sound around the massive stone room, which I'm pretty sure was once some form of mansion or a rich mans crypt overrun by the Cabal, I look forward, anticipating my peers faces, only to be met by the neutral gaze of the vampire Vorador. This, in some way, angers me, as it seems to be his fault that the Cabal are nowhere to be seen.

He knew of my arrival.

"Vorador." I say with more malice than was expected, but I do not apologise for it. I actually seem quite grateful for it. I look him over, seeing nothing different. The same dark green skin, bat like ears and piercing yellow eyes were no different, his red formal attire also seemed no different. I then look to his chest, expecting to see some form of scarring from the blast of the Reaver the Sarafan Lord fired at him unexpectedly. Nothing. You would think that this vampire had never had any form of injury laid upon him. This further angered me, as I wished to possess the power that he does, I wished to become as legendary as he was. And I shall make that a reality.

"I know of your intentions Kain. Do you really think your rule will be any different to that of the Sarafan Lord?" A sudden sense of déjà vu overcomes me, and I find myself thinking of Umah again, when the two of us were at the Wharves. I shake my head, coming back to my senses, thoughts of Umah pushed to the back of my mind once again. This was a time for business and authority, not that of reminiscing.

"And how do you, Vorador, have any idea of what my intentions are? And how would you know if they were any different to the Sarafan Lord or not? You know nothing of me vampire, so I would hold your tongue before it is removed permanently from your mouth, do I make myself clear, Vorador?"

Vorador's laugh is like a thousand knives scrapping at my brain. I find it difficult to control my anger at this moment, my fists and arms trembling with rage. How dare he laugh at me! Does he not know what will become of him if he carries on with his arrogant ways? The fool! I look down to my fists to see them trembling even more, but realising now that my nails have dug themselves into my hands, blood now pouring excessively through the cracks between my knuckles and dripping onto the floor. I find myself looking at the small crimson pool on the floor, now hungry for the blood of men. That hunger will shortly be snuffed out for a while. I look back to up to Vorador, expecting to have to fly at him to wipe a still lingering smirk off of his face, but once again, nothing. The neutral look in his eyes and face back once again. I watch as he unfolds his arms and strides towards me, no concern or fear apparent in his face or body language. Does he not know what I am capable of? Does he really wish to have his life ended so soon? He then stops a mere few metres away from me, and folds his arms across his chest once again.

"Kain, you know as well as I that you wouldn't raise a fist to me. But you are justified to be overcome with such rage, because you're right, I do not know if your rule will be the same as the Sarafan Lords was but, I do know of your intentions Kain. I know that you will stop at nothing to get what you want, and what you want is something many others wish to be theirs too. But we both know that you will extinguish their lives if they stand in your way, will you not?" He unfolds his arms again, and walks those extra few metres ever so delicately that you would be able to hear a pin drop. He stops in front of me; those piercing yellow eyes' glare burning into my flesh, as if seeing all that goes on in my mind, making me feel extremely vunerable. He raises his left hand and places it on my shoulder. "I am not here to lecture you Kain, but only to give you a piece of advice. Do not let the lust of power cloud your judgement, as that could be the cause of your downfall." He lets go of my shoulder, and turns, starting to stride away from me. "Heed this advice if you will Kain, but with how arrogant you are, I doubt that very much indeed." I stop shaking with rage, and release my nails from the crimson holes left in the palm of both hands, and look up just in time to see Vorador stride into a green light, then into nothingness.

I stand there, confused and still angered by Vorador. But there is nothing left here for me, so I turn and start to ascend back up the stairs, and back onto the streets of the Lower City. I walk to the metal banister surrounding the metal walkway that is in front of the Blue Lady, and jump down onto the main street below. I walk slowly, taking in the sites of Meridian's Lower City one last time, as I feel I will never return to the capital of Nosgoth. Too many memories, too little interests. I glance down to see a man unconscious on the floor, obviously having drunk much more than he can handle, then to the mans left and right, two other men sit with their backs against the wall, both curled up with their legs up to their chins. How pathetic man is.

"You there." The man on the right looks up, frightened that me, a stranger and mere nobleman to him, is addressing him. He looks and points to himself, as if hoping I was calling to his companion, not him. "Yes, you. Your name." He begins to tremble, attempting to speak but nothing more than gibberish escapes his lips. Why must humans be so frustrating? "Come on, out with it boy, or do you wish for me to cut your throat open here and now for the entire world to see?" His friend, who seems even more cowardly than the man I am addressing, buries his head into his hands that are resting on his legs, acting as if he isn't even here at all.

The man whom I addressed has now stood up, trembling still like a little naughty schoolboy who's been caught out. He raises a hand, attempting to speak again. "I-I-Issac Herzeleid, sire." His hand lowers, before crawling into his pocket, the trembling ceasing for a moment.

I glare at him, the fear practically seeping off him, before giving him my message. "Issac, I want you to do something for me." He nods, eager to get rid of me. "If you do not send on this message, I will find you and hunt you down like the vulnerable vermin you are, I will make you suffer immensely if you disobey me, understood?" He nods his head even quicker than before, eager for his uncomfortable dilemma to be over. "You tell them all, your friends, your family, the entire of Nosgoth. Tell them, Kain is coming."

End flashback

***

"Sire."

I open my eyes and look around at my surroundings. Yes, I remember where I am now. Caught up in memories does me no good these days, as I am always forgetting which is present, and which is past. I look down at my hands clutching the Soul Reaver, how much I have changed over the past 2000 years. Once just a normal looking vampire, pale complexion, glazed grey eyes, normal hands with claws. Yes, those were the days when things seemed simple. I look around the room, remembering how I had my kingdom built around me, around the pillars of Nosgoth, now crumbled and in ruin. I glance back down, and adjust myself in my throne at the base of the Balance Pillar, the pillar I was supposed to sacrifice myself for to restore Nosgoth to its former glory. The glory that was before the assassination of Ariel, the former Balance guardian. Her murder caused her lover Nupraptor, the guardian of the pillar of Mind, to go insane, stitch his mouth and eyes shut, and cast his insanity onto all the other guardians, causing the pillars to decay and become corrupted. But, that story and its memories are for a different time and place.

"Sire? Are you okay?"

I turn my head and look at the vampire who called me. It was my fourth son, Rahab. I'm amazed that he actually looks concerned for me. If only the others were like that. Wishful thinking. Gets you nowhere in life. I simply wave a hand at Rahab to let him know I'm fine, before looking forward at the giant ebony doors at the far end of the hall.

I still feel Rahab's eyes upon me, now starting to irritate me. I turn my head and glare at him. "What is it that you want Rahab? Speak!" He suddenly jumps like a frightened rabbit, before regaining his composure and looking sternfully at me.

"Sire, it is Raziel. He has requested that he may speak with you about an extremely important issue that cannot wait." He stops speaking, thankfully, then I see a little bit of fear in his eyes, as if thinking I may strike him down for informing me of my first sons request. Coward.

I sigh and wave a hand at him, hoping by now that he knows what that signal means. I see him salute me before stalking away down the other end of the hall. I rest my head in my clawed hand, closing my eyes. How I wish this moment of bliss that everyone is promised would just come to me already. I open my eyes again and regain composure, not wanting to fall back into the world of past and memories. It would seem I currently have too much time on my hands if all I do is relive my memories.

But then again, time has a mysterious and bizarre way of working, wouldn't you agree?

***

Disclaimer: I do not own Legacy of Kain in anyway, all rights go to Crystal Dynamtics and Edios. I only own this fiction.