"What?!" he yelled. "That scum is loose?!"

        "Yes..," Kain said with a solemn nod.

        Dumah leaned against a wall to steady himself. The other lieutenants looked at him oddly, finally, Rahab turned to Kain.

        "Sir..?"

        Kain turned his gaze to Rahab.

        "Yes..?" he asked, turning his body so that he was directly facing Rahab.

        "Why is Dumah so.....frightened.?" Rahab asked, keeping his gaze downcast.

        "Because-" Kain started.

        "Because Kristaufer and the Illuminations could easily take you guys out in two seconds flat!" Raziana’s voice rang out loud and clear.

        Everyone jerked around to see Raziana perched in a tree, staring at them with a lazy grin on her face.

        "Who are you?!" snapped Zephon.

        "And why did you interrupt Master Kain?!" Rahab added, eyeing Raziana angrily.

        "You bring the lieutenants back and what do you get? Insults!" Raziana growled, hopping to the ground. With an angry and exasperated sigh, Raziana stormed out of the courtyard, slamming the door behind her with all she had. The lieutenants stared at the door for awhile, but then they turned their attention back to Kain when he began to tell them of their current status. Raziel thought about staying and hearing what Kain had to say, but then decided what Kain said was irrelevant. Raziel would do what he wished with his life, or un-life, whichever it may be. Raziel turned and left the courtyard.

        Kristaufer grinned as the pained screams of the young woman pierced the night air. It had rained recently, so the smell of blood was thick due to the humidity. There was one final shriek of pain-filled agony and the night was silent. A soldier tromped into Kristaufer’s room, carrying a bloodied whip.

        "The experiment didn’t go too well, Master.... Should we try again..?"

        Kristaufer turned away from the fire he had been staring at.

        "Yes..," he answered. "As soon as possible..."

        "Well then...," the soldier answered, kicking aside a dustball. "There is a problem with that, sir... We’ve run out of test subjects..."

        Kristaufer crossed his arms, sat down in a cushioned chair, and set his muddy boots atop an oak table. A few bits of mud splattered across the table, but they were unnoticed.

        "Hmm..," Kristaufer said, staring thoughtfully at the soldier. "There’s no volunteers..?"

        The soldier shook his head.

        "No sir. The past experiments were," Here the man shuddered with fear and disgust. "failures... So, needless to say, nobody is exactly anxious to be a test experiment..."

        Kristaufer nodded, his golden hair glowing in the firelight.

        "Yes... I would expect that from them... Shows that they’re smart and paying attention to what happens to those idiots that oppose us..."

        The soldier straightened himself and tried to make his voice sound as stern as possible. But in truth, the man was so scared he could barely breathe. Kristaufer was always dangerous, but when his voice went to a calm, almost hypnotic tone, the chances of your head being chopped off rose very quickly.

        "What would you like us to do..?" the soldier asked.

        Kristaufer jerked his gaze to the soldier, a glare glowing fiercely. Kristaufer’s eyes flashed a bright red-orange, reflecting the rage building within him.

        "DO?!" roared Kristaufer, rising from the chair. "HISTORY IS HERE AND YOU ASK ME WHAT WE SHOULD DO?!?!?!"

        The soldier cowered back, his knees turning to gelatin.

        "Forgive me, Master! I was referring to test subjects!!"

        Kristaufer very slowly relaxed and sat back down in the chair, but his breathing was still forced between his teeth.

        "Very well," he hissed. "We will attack the town that Raziana and her new friends are in... Spread the word.. Tell everyone to prepare for a battle... It should be quick, but we must get some new test subjects.. Tell the troops that.."

        The soldier nodded and rushed out of the room, thanking the stars, lucky charms, and whatever god was watching over him in the midst of Kristaufer’s rage.

        Kristaufer chuckled darkly, getting out of the chair and walking through his room. The soft bed with gauzy curtains seemed inviting, but Kristaufer ignored the almost irresistible temptation. Kristaufer’s boots clomped on the stone floor as he walked over and hoisted up his sword. The sword itself looked oddly-made. The blade was straight and had a black tint to it in the light and at the end of the blade. There were three short extensions of the blade. One on each edge and one the middle. The hilt was made of marble and the handle was wrapped in leather straps. Kristaufer chuckled darkly to himself, even when the blade nicked his index finger, drawing blood. Kristaufer stared at the blood forming in the cut for a few moments. The small droplet grew until it began to drizzle down Kristaufer’s finger. Kristaufer chuckled again and licked the blood away, savoring the rich taste. The cut on Kristaufer’s finger melted away painlessly, leaving Kristaufer’s finger unmarred. Kristaufer threw his head back in a crazy laugh, revealing two long fangs glistening in the firelight.

        Miles away, Raziana jerked her head up with a sharp gasp.

        "Kristaufer.......," she murmured. "Are you......?"

        Raziana sighed and stared down at the ground. She was sitting atop the bell tower of the only church in the entire town. Flying up to the tower had not been hard, but the landing had been. Raziana had to bruises to prove it. The bell tower’s roof was in need of repair, but apparently humans had learned that "holy" churches didn’t exist because the roof still had large holes in it. But Raziana didn’t mind. If she could stay away from everybody, this place was fine the way it was. Raziana ran her right hand across her left wing in a trance, thinking of what she would do or what might happen.

        "Did you fly up here.?"

        Raziel’s voice startled Raziana so badly she nearly fell off the roof. Raziana whirled around and stared at Raziel for a few moments before nodding.

        "Yes... Why do you ask?"

        Raziel shrugged slightly.

        "No reason... I was merely asking.."

        "Oh...," Raziana said, staring back out at the sky. "Why aren’t you with Kain and your brothers?"

        Raziel narrowed his eyes.

        "I have no reason to be with them.... They view me as a soul reaver, not the lieutenant Raziel....and I share that view..."

        Raziana looked over her shoulder and studied Raziel. She didn’t say it aloud, but Raziel’s new form halfway sickened her. Raziana swallowed and looked away, not saying anything. But Raziel could sense his daughter’s revulsion. With a sigh, Raziel seated himself beside Raziana.

        "Perhaps it causes you disgust, but this new form is much more......evolved and powerful than my former body....," Raziel said solemnly.

        Raziana looked over and for a few moments, she wanted to punch Raziel in the face.

        "So.... You’re saying that my form is....weak? And that my wings are a detriment..?" she asked almost accusingly.

        Raziel suddenly realized how harsh his words could have been taken.

        "I didn’t mean it that way....," he said. "For me, this form is better....and for you..."

        Raziana waved her hand.

        "Forget it...."

        "No... Your wings are not a detriment and your form is not weak.... I have merely learned to adapt to my new form..."

        Raziana looked at Raziel, trying to decide whether or not he was being honest. She decided that Raziel was being truthful, so Raziana nodded.

        "Oh.... I see... Does it.....hurt?"

        Raziel looked at her quizzically.

        "What?" he asked, puzzled.

        "Does it hurt in that form?"

        Raziel shook his head slightly.

        "No.... Getting this form was by far the worst physical pain I’ve ever felt...but right now I’m not experiencing any pain..," Raziel answered, brushing a lock of hair back.

        Raziana nodded her acknowledgement and folded her wings back. Raziel eyed them almost admiringly.

        "Can you fly?" he asked.

        Raziana looked over to him.

        "Yes... Don’t you remember me crashing into you?"

        Raziel seemed halfway surprised.

        "You were flying then? It felt as though you had leaped off a cliff and landed on me..."

        "Yeah... I was flying then.... I can fly pretty good....but I can’t land that well..."

        "I see...," Raziel murmured. "Are you able to attack while in the air..?"

        "You mean with my claws?" Raziana asked. "Yeah... It’s tough, but once you get it down right, you never forget..."

        "Did my clan....fight back when Kain slaughtered them..?" Raziel asked warily.

        Raziana shrugged unhappily.

        "I don’t know.. Ailoryana, Ezack, Makora, Sarone, and I escaped left the territory before Kain killed the Razielim... Ezack had overheard of Kain’s plots to kill the clan from a Zephonim.. Ezack tried to warn everybody, but they thought he was crazy... He convinced my mother, though... And she was able to convince Makora and Sarone.."

        "What about you..?" Raziel asked.

        "Have you forgotten..?" Raziana inquired. "I was still very young.... I didn’t have a choice.. I was dragged along for the ride.."

        "Oh yes...," Raziel said with a nod. "I tried to tell Ailoryana that it was impossible to resurrect a child as young as you were, but she didn’t listen.. How it worked out is still a mystery to me..."

        "History needed a host..," Raziana replied sullenly.

        "Who is History?" Raziel demanded with an angry tone. "And why has he chosen you as his slave.?"

        "I’m not his slave, per say.. I’m a host... History is what his name implies, history..! Anything that has happened in the past, History knows about to the exact and precise detail... Think of all the past condensed together in one form, one being, and you have the idea...," Raziana explained. "His power is unmatched.....except for....," Raziana trailed off.

        "Go on..," Raziel urged. "Except for..?"

        "The Plauge...," Raziana said with a shudder. "That....thing created History... Since then, the two have been at each other throats...."

        "Why don’t they attack each other right now..?" Raziel muttered.

        "Too hard on both of them..," Raziana replied. "The hosts need to be close together..."

        "Let me guess.. The host for the Plague is Kristaufer..?" Raziel guessed.

        "Yes...yes he is..," Raziana said with a nod.

        Kain paced back and forth, his hands behind his back. Kain was so deep in thought that he was slightly startled when Raziel silently walked in. Kain smirked and spoke to Raziel harshly.

        "Spending quality time with the last of your clan..?" Kain sneered.

        Raziel looked at Kain for a few minutes, and Kain could see the anger rising in Raziel. Raziel managed to keep calm though, and nodded.

        "Yes.. Since you took it upon yourself to destroy a clan that could possibly defeat you.."

        "I did what was necessary to keep a revolution from occurring in Nosgoth..," Kain retorted sharply.

        "I see, so why did you not destroy the other clans as they evolved, or should I say, mutated.?" Raziel growled.

        "I couldn’t destroy all of my children..," Kain replied.

        "So you destroyed one and then realized you made a mistake!" Raziana accused, flying down. She crashed into a chair and tumbled into Kain, knocking him down as well. Raziel stared at Raziana with slight disgust. So she could fly, but landing was apparently not as good.

        Kain grabbed Raziana by the back of the neck and hoisted her off of him. Kain started to throw Raziana away, but a sharp prod from Soul Reaver made Kain lower Raziana to the ground, who scurried away from angry vampire lord. Raziel lowered Soul Reaver and looked over to Raziana, who was crouched down and hugging her sides as though she were hurt.

        "Raziana?" Raziel asked.

        Raziana shook her head and tried to speak, but her throat felt like it was clenched by steel claws.

        Kain watched Raziel kneel down at Raziana’s side with disgust, but then he noticed Moebius in the shadows, watching with wide, apparently terrified, eyes.

        "Raziel..," Moebius said slowly.

        Raziel turned his head and glared at Moebius.
        "What..?" Raziel spat.

        Moebius pointed behind Raziel with a shaky finger. Raziel felt a cold cloud of something lay heavily on his shoulders. Raziel whirled around, Soul Reaver humming dangerously, only to see nothing. Raziel turned back to his daughter.

        A dark cloud seeped out of invisible wounds on Raziana and formed into the shape of a man. Features began to form and the room became silent, everyone waiting for the man to completely form.

        Raziana suddenly let out a feral, animal-like scream, and the black cloud deformed and rocketed back into her body.

        Moebius eyed Raziana suspiciously and then managed to speak.

        "Raziana?"

        "What?" she gurgled.

        Everyone paused at Raziana’s speech. It sounded as though her mouth was full of water.

        "What’s the matter with her voice?" Raziel asked.

        As if in reply, Moebius pointed to Raziana. Raziel looked over her shoulder and saw a pool of blood forming at her feet.

        "Raziana!" he cried.

        Raziana looked up at Raziel, blood covering her lips and trailing from her mouth. Raziel looked over to Moebius.

        "You seem to know more about this," he said. "What do I do?"

        Moebius shrugged.

        "I don’t know.. History tried to get free but Raziana revolted against it... The only thing I can suggest is to make sure she’s nourished... This severe loss of blood would weaken any vampire..," he answered.

        "Is that what you can suggest?" Kain snapped. "Or what you choose to suggest? You think you can fool me? I know what the Circle thinks of vampires! And helping one is not in your best interests!"

        Moebius turned to Kain, glaring angrily.

        "While that is the truth, Raziana is not a vampire! She is a hostess... Nothing more, nothing-"

        "SHE IS NOT A MERE HOST!!!" Raziel roared back, turning his fierce glare onto Moebius.

        Both Moebius and Kain paused for a few moments, staring at Raziel. Then a dark grin spread over Kain’s features.

        "Well, it seems that the invincible soul reaver has a weak point," Kain sneered.

        "Unlike you," Raziel growled. "I care about my clan.. You set your sons on their own, providing little more than authority over them!"

        "You do know that when you refer to my sons, you also are referring to yourself..," Kain pointed out sharply.

        "Not anymore..," Raziel retorted. "I-"

        "Shut up!" Raziana cried, covering her ears. "All of you!"

        Kain started to say something harsh, but then he paused and looked oddly at Raziana.
        "All of us?" he inquired sharply.

        "Yes!" Raziana screeched. "It’s hard to hear with all of you talking at the same time!"

        Moebius stifled a snigger.

        "I thinks she’s lost it..," he muttered.

        She may have.., a harsh voice emanated from Raziana. But I’m still as sane as ever..

        Moebius froze and his fear was quite apparent as he shrank back.

        "That’s the same voice that spoke when the lieutenants appeared..," Raziel said. "Who are you?!"

        A long, evil chuckle filled the air and the room became deathly cold.
        Why Raziel..., the voice said smoothly. I’m the one who has honored your daughter by making her my hostess... I’m the one who can answer every and any question you may have of the past events of Nosgoth...or the universe even... I’m History...

        Raziel tensed, Soul Reaver raised.

        You’ll kill your daughter to get to me..? History chuckled. I’m surprised, especially after how worked up you got over Moebius calling her a hostess.. But don’t worry, I won’t let your soul-reaving urges kill her... I have to protect myself, so I must protect my hostess as well.

        Raziel narrowed his eyes in a sick realization that he had raised Soul Reaver above his daughter. He stepped back, horror making him feel partly queasy.

        "I wouldn’t..," he started.

        Then why did you raise Soul Reaver against Raziana? Your daughter, the last of your clan.., History asked, arrogance tainting his voice.

        Raziel was quiet, and Kain took this opportunity to ask History a question.

        "Why did you not protect Raziana when I attacked her at the Sanctuary of the Clans?" Kain inquired. 

        There was a pause, then History spoke again, more slower.

        Had you have posed a threat, I would have attacked, but I did not wish to use energy against some ancient, decadent vampire.., History said, his arrogance rising.

        Kain started to attack, but he then realized that he couldn’t truly hurt History, only Raziana, who was curled up and still bleeding from her mouth. Kain glared a little above Raziana, where he guessed History would be.

        "Why are you making her bleed so much..? Is it truly necessary?" Kain asked accusingly.

        Only because she is fighting against me controlling over her and speaking.., History replied.

        Raziana jerked in a painful spasm.

        "S-stop it!" she cried. "Please!"

        "History! Leave her alone!" Raziel yelled.

        As you wish.., History said.

        Raziana snapped her head back and blinked quickly, staring at her father.

        "Raziel..," she whispered. "Ow... I feel terrible.."

        Raziana fell to her knees, trembling from blood loss. Raziel put his right hand gently on Raziana’s back.

        "Are you going to be okay..?" he asked.

        Raziana forced herself to stand, her knees feeling like jelly.

        "I’ll be fine!" she said confidently. "I’ve learned to take care of myself!"

        The words were worse than a physical strike to Raziel, but he stayed silent. Moebius snickered loudly, but he was silent as well. Kain, on the other hand, spoke.

        "It is midnight and I need to make sure that the lieutenants do not cause complete havoc throughout this mortal town..," Kain said solidly. "Whatever you wish to do is not my concern.."

        Kain then faded away, leaving Moebius, Raziel, and Raziana in the room. Moebius shrugged, sensing he wouldn’t get any more chances to insult or laugh at somebody else, and he disappeared from the room as well. Raziel looked at Raziana, who cocked her head slightly.

        "Yes?" she asked with wide eyes.

        "Nothing..," Raziel stated shortly.

        Raziana walked to the door.

        "I’m going to go take a nap and hopefully regain some of my strength, kay?" she told him. "Bye Raziel.."

        Raziana walked out of the door and shut it. She paused for a few moments, wondering if she should have called Raziel "father" or "dad", but as she thought of her father’s burned, blue skin, loss of internal organs, him abandoning her and his clan, rage over took Raziana and she stormed to another room in Kauvin’s house. The room that Raziana stayed in.

        Raziana lay down on the bed, pulling the covers over her weak body. She pushed her face deep into the cushiony pillow, trying to fall asleep. Sleep was a hard thing to come by for a young vampire, but Raziana’s weak body ached for sleep and she drifted off into a dream-wrought sleep.

        Raziana slowly opened her eyes to see nothing but a black abyss.

        "Hello?" she called out.

        Her voice echoed throughout the darkness, but nobody answered. Then, she heard the footsteps. Solid, confident-sounding footsteps that grew closer and closer until Raziana could see who it was.

        "Kain?" Raziana inquired once she saw who it was. "What are you-"

        Raziana’s voice was cut short as Kain plunged the physical form of Soul Reaver through her stomach. Raziana let out a soft gasp, blood trailing from her mouth. She slowly looked up at Kain with a hurt and questioning look. Kain looked down at her, his face completely expressionless.

        Raziana fell forward, her life ebbing away. With her fading vision, Raziana saw Kain walk back into the darkness, leaving her to die. Something flew up into the air, catching Raziana’s attention. She wondered why she was not dead yet, but saw the floating thing again. It was blacker than coal, and had an evil gleam to it. It looked like a ball of a black, gaseous substance, yet it glowed, to a certain degree.

        It’s my soul... Raziana realized.

        Then Raziel came into view, his eyes glowering at Raziana. After the incident with Kain, Raziana only lay there, her life dissipating at an amazingly slow rate. Raziel stared at Raziana for a few moments, then lowered his clan garment wrapped around his face, and devoured his own daughter’s soul.

        It was then that the pain of death struck Raziana. The pain and agony of time taking its toll upon her. The gut-wrenching hurt of life being torn away from her body. Raziana squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the agonizing pain. Then, realizing she was going to die, opened her eyes and saw Raziel, standing above her and looking-triumphant! Raziel was triumphant that he had devoured his daughter’s soul and murdered her. Raziana stared at her father, tears brimming in her eyes. Tears of question, pain, suffering, and fear.

        "Lose your soul, I gain all..," Raziel told her, "all" rhyming with "soul".

        Kristaufer, riding atop Relantia, glared at the glowing town. Torches glowed in the streets and large barrels full of flames were at the end of the walls protecting the human town. The town itself was set in a wide field, with Terrogment forest surrounding it. Kristaufer planned to take the town by surprise, but he guessed that if Raziana began to retaliate with History and the Circle members, his surprise attack might become a bloody battle.

        "Be careful, love..," Relantia said softly. "Those vampires are the most powerful out of the entire population of that scum.. As much as I hate to say it, they are quite lethal.."

        "Yes.," Kristaufer agreed. "But I have a plan in store for the clans, and, let’s just say, it will cripple the lieutenants, aside from Raziel, of course.. But he couldn’t even be considered a vampire.. He’s some gross monster that used to be a vampire.."

        Ather, a large, wolf-like monster with an eye patch over her right eye, stalked forward from the shadows, her giant claws adorning her paws scraped the ground slightly.

        "The troops are in place, sir..," she said smoothly.

        "Everything?" Kristaufer inquired without averting his gaze. "The crows, the Behomans, the wolves, the horses?"

        "Yes, sir.. Of course.. There are only two Behomans, but that is what you ordered..," Ather pointed out.

        "Yes.. That is what I said..," Kristaufer agreed. "Tell them that when I yell charge, I want them to take the middle-aged people, not children or elderly people! Got that?"

        Ather nodded, her teeth glittering as she gave a toothy grin.

        "Of course..," she crooned. "Those pathetic little mortals will never know what hit them.."

        "Now remember, Ather," Kristaufer said, his voice not really scolding. "We’re here to get subjects for our experiments, not make it a bloody massacre.."

        Ather stared at Kristaufer for a few moments, trying to see any hint of a lie in his stone face. Then the stone cracked and Kristaufer gave Ather a crazy grin.

        "But if a human or vampire happens to get in the way, it wouldn’t hurt to rid Nosgoth of the scum anyways, would it?" Kristaufer hissed.

        Ather’s eyes got wide and she matched Kristaufer’s psychotic grin.

        "Of course..," she said with a nod. "I’ll go tell the troops.."

        Ather bounded off into the darkness, cackling madly the entire way.

        A loud crackling and popping noise made Raziana barely open her eyes. A sharp smell was stinging her nose and the room temperature was a little warmer, but that was it. Raziana closed her eyes again, then she heard a loud shriek. The ear-splitting noise brought Raziana to attention promptly, and she sat up with a sharp jerk.

        Smoke rushed onto Raziana’s face, choking her when she gasped. It was then that Raziana realized that the house was on fire and she was up in the second floor!

        Jumping out of bed, Raziana slammed against the door, forgetting she had shut it. Fumbling with the doorknob, Raziana accidently ripped the door off its hinges, momentarily forgetting about her vampire strength. Raziana tossed the door aside and ran out into the hall. She was met by a fiery blaze which stung her skin and made her jump back screaming in pain.

        "RAZIANA!!" came a harsh, strangled voice.

        Raziana squinted her eyes to try and see through the smoke. She could make the dim outline of somebody, but not be sure who it was.

        Forgetting the flames, Raziana jumped through the blazing wall. She almost landed one the figure, but she was too busy making sure she herself wasn’t on fire. When she was sure, which took about a second, Raziana knelt down beside the figure.

        "Who are you?" she asked.

        "Rahab!" the person snapped. "Now if we’re through with our little introductory, I think it would be best if we got out of this burning hell.."

        Raziana rose up, her hands on her hips.

        "Well excu-use me! I-"

        Raziana stopped when she caught glance of Rahab’s blonde hair. Rahab didn’t have blonde hair! Raziana backed away from the person.

        "Who-who are you!?" she demanded, fear creeping into her voice.

        "Little Raziana..," the man crooned, rising up. "Just let me have your soul....History’s soul, and you’ll be free.. Free from History, free from your vampire life, free from everything.. In fact, you’ll be dead!"

        Raziana screamed out in horror as Kristaufer swung his sword at her. The blade grazed her hair, but nothing more.

        Raziana hit the railing with her back, her wings crushed slightly. Raziana wheeled around and leaped off to the floor below. Unfortunately, her left foot caught the railing and she plummeted downwards, her back breaking on the floor and paralyzing her from the waist down.

        Pain shot throughout her entire body, but Raziana muffled her cry. She could handle this minor pain! While her vampire blood worked on trying to get the injury healed, Raziana was dragging herself as far away from Kristaufer as she could, who was leisurely walking down the stairs, swinging and hacking his sword.

        History! Raziana thought madly.

        There were a few moments of silence, then History’s voice spoke inside Raziana’s head.

        Ohh... What is it this time? It had better be important..

        HELP!! Raziana cried with her mind.

        All right, all right.. I’ll heal you, would that work?

        It really wasn’t a question, because History never truly questioned his ideas, but either way, the instant Raziana’s back was healed, she jumped up and raced for the door. Once more ripping the door off its hinges, Raziana leaped to the ground, silently praising the cool morning air. Raziana looked around for anybody, but she saw not a one. 

        Are the others still inside?! she thought suddenly.

        But no, they couldn’t be. They would have surely gotten out when the house caught on fire.

        "Lose your soul, I gain all..," Kristaufer sang as he pranced from the burning house. He changed the pronunciation of the "all" to where it rhymed with "soul".

        The same words from her nightmare terrified Raziana and she ran away from him, forgetting that Kristaufer didn’t travel without Relantia. Relantia slammed into Raziana full-force, sending Raziana tumbling back.

        "Let’s see...," Kristaufer hissed. "How about we, raise the stakes!?"

        A loud tearing and cracking noise thundered throughout the air and the ground began to rumble wildly. Raziana fell to her knees to keep herself from hitting the ground and becoming vulnerable. It was then she heard the mortals’ screams and yells of terror. Raziana jerked her head up and stared at Kristaufer, who was standing perfectly beside Relantia, his sword pointing down.

        "What?" Raziana spat. "Run out of specimens for your experiments?!"

        Kristaufer nodded, chuckling madly.

        "Yes, we did in fact.. But since you had led me straight to a populated human town, I knew just where to look..," he crooned harshly.

        Raziana picked up the nearest weapon, a short sword, and charged forward. Kristaufer smirked and brought his sword down in an arc. The two swords clashed, then Kristaufer’s blade let out a burst of energy, shattering the short sword’s blade. Raziana blinked once in disbelief, then back-flipped to get out of the way as Kristaufer thrust his sword towards her gut.

        The rumbling had ceased now, and so had the mortal screams, but Raziana knew it was far from over. She hurled the hilt of her sword at Kristaufer, who ducked, but the hilt struck Relantia square between the eyes, causing her to whinny in pain and then collapse, unconscious. Raziana grinned in triumph, but when Kristaufer glared at her, his eyes glowing red-orange, Raziana’s triumph turned to terror.

        Kristaufer raised his hand and shot a fiery orb at Raziana, making her fall to the ground with a shriek. Kristaufer charged forward, his sword raised and glowing with malicious intent. Raziana knew she couldn’t win, so she just ran as fast as her legs would carry her. Blasts whizzed by her head and shoulders, but she knew better to look back.

        Raziana watched the wolf creatures tear throughout the houses, burning them and dragging middle-aged mortals from the burning wreckage. She turned to Kristaufer, and, baring her fangs, readied to attack. Kristaufer tensed and skipped forward a bit before fully charging the enraged, female vampire. Raziana crouched and lunged at Kristaufer’s chest, where his cold heart lay. Kristaufer was taken aback by Raziana’s bold and ignorant move, which gave Raziana the opportunity to slash at his flesh. The pain snapped Kristaufer out of his shock, and he brought the butt of his sword down on the back of Raziana’s head.

        Raziana let out scream of pain and fell back, her head reeling in pain. Kristaufer frowned angrily and tried to think of Raziana’s weak point.

        Her wings.. he thought fiercely.

        Kristaufer charged Raziana again, blood seeping through his clothes. Raziana leaped forward, her claws outspread. Kristaufer quickly moved to the side, letting Raziana fall to the ground. Raziana was on the ground when the most terrible, agonizing, painful, nerve-ripping, sanity shattering, torturous pain shot through her body at an excruciatingly slow level, and at the same time, ripping through her body at light speed. Raziana screeched out in pain and agony and instinctively curled up, trying to quill the maddening pain. 

        Raziana, her vision blurring, looked up and saw Kristaufer holding the two, lower bones of her wings, shreds of skin hanging off of them. Kristaufer raised his sword above Raziana’s head, then smirked and walked off into the flames.

        Forcing herself to move, Raziana dragged her trembling body to the end of the "island" the town was on. Pain wracked her body beyond measurable degree, but Raziana used her rage to help her move. Raziana got to the edge and collapsed, shaking and trembling from nerve-shearing hurt and pain.

        "Raziana!" cried a voice.

        Raziana looked down and saw Raziel looking up at her, worried.

        Raziana swayed slightly and forced her mind to summon History.

        History.....please.....take...me....to...Raziel...

        For the first time, History answered immediately.

        How long will he remain Raziel..? When will he become your father? I’m saying this not to help you, but to help myself... The danger you put yourself in by not accepting is noticeable, and proved right now.. I run the risk of being killed...and all of history will be lost.. That thought actually worries me... You cannot take care of yourself alone... Kristaufer is more powerful than you and-

        Don’t patronize me! Raziana snapped. I don’t need your self-righteous speeches!

        Then why are you asking me to take you to Raziel?

        Raziana paused, unable to think of a good comeback.

        Think about that.., History told her fiercely.

        History transported Raziana to where she was standing in front of her father, swaying and hurt. Raziana forced her remaining strength into her legs, keeping her from falling.

        "Raziana! You’re hurt!" Raziel said, catching sight of Raziana’s torn wings.

        "Where are the others?" Raziana asked, her voice hoarse.

        "The others?" he asked after a moment of silence.

        "K-Kain..," Raziana stuttered. "And the lieutenants.."

        "They’re on the other side of this island... What happened?" Raziel asked.

        "Kristaufer...he...attacked me....and I.....couldn’t....fight...back...properly...," Raziana gasped out, her breath choked.

        Raziana thought back to what Kristaufer had said. Then she gasped, remembering her nightmare. Raziana quickly looked up into Raziel’s eyes, horrification spreading throughout her. Raziel returned her gaze, but his wasn’t full of malice or anger. For the first time, Raziana saw Raziel’s gaze was that of worry, and, to a small degree, compassion. Raziel stared at Raziana for a few moments before speaking.

        "What’s wrong..? Did you leave something up there?" he asked.

        "No..," Raziana whispered, staring at the burning town. "I didn’t...but....would you ever eat my soul?"

        Raziel was taken aback by the question, but managed to find his voice.

        "Never!" he replied quickly. "What made you think something like that..?"

        Raziana hesitated, not knowing whether or not to tell him of her nightmare.

        If you can’t tell your own father, then who can you tell? History asked her quietly.

        "Right before the town began burning," Raziana explained. "I was having this nightmare... And it started it out that Kain drove the physical manifestation of Soul Reaver straight through me.... Then my soul departed from my body and then you came in and.....and...," Raziana couldn’t push the words past her lips. The thought of somebody devouring her very soul sent waves of nauseating disgust through her. Snapping out of her state of disgust, Raziana sucked in a breath of air and tried to regain even a small bit of her pride, which was quickly slipping from her grasp. "And then you ate my soul... You seemed proud and.....triumphant that you had killed me.."

        Raziel didn’t know how to respond. He had never even slightly thought of harming Raziana, but apparently she, consciously or unconsciously, viewed him as her murderer. Raziel tried to think of something to say, but his mind was a blank. Raziana realized the sting of her words, and cursed herself mentally.

        You stupid, ignorant, blasphemous, undead bag of flesh and bones! He hasn’t shown a shred of malicious intent upon you, and all you can do is tell him about some nightmare where he devours your soul! Some daughter you are! You don’t even deserve to be in his presence! Raziana thought bitterly.

        "Dad, I’m sorry... I didn’t really mean that the way it sounded... It’s just...that nightmare shook me up, and I’ve been tense ever since...," Raziana said softly, tears burning at her eyes.

        "No..," Raziel replied with a short shake of his head. "I can see how this new form of mine would induce nightmares upon anybody.."

        "It’s not that!" Raziana cried, her tone almost desperate. "It’s Kristaufer! He’s pursued and threatened me to no end! That’s what is inducing the nightmares! Not you!"

        Raziel shrugged slightly, but a yell made him jerk his gaze up. Kristaufer floated down, chuckling madly.

        "How sweet.... The monster and monstrosity.. Too bad little Raziana’s soul is mine..," he said smoothly.

        Raziel put Raziana behind him, Soul Reaver raised and readied.

        "What do you want, you murderer?" Raziel hissed.

        "That little brat’s soul.. If I can rip it from her, my power would exceed any living or non-living creature!" Kristaufer proclaimed evilly.

        "Never!" Raziel spat back. "My daughter’s soul will stay right where it is!"

        "Your daughter?" Kristaufer laughed shortly. "Don’t fool yourself..! She isn’t fit to be your daughter, much less a Razielim vampire! History has poisoned her soul to where it’s a dry, shriveled little soul!"

        "Shut up!" Raziana screamed, covering her ears. "I don’t want to hear your lies!"

        "Are they lies?" Kristaufer asked. "Or are they the truth? They may be a terrible truth that you yourself don’t want to admit to.. Are-"

        "They are lies!" Raziel snapped fiercely. "You are mad!"

        "Am I? Or am I the only sane person in a world of crazy people? Have you ever tried to look through different perspectives? Or will you remain to have your damnable tunnel-vision?" Kristaufer inquired.

        Relantia floated down, a bloody streak on her forehead from where Raziana had struck her with the hilt of the sword.

        "Kristaufer.. The experiments are captured and the town has been ravaged of anything useful.. Shall we go?" Relantia asked.

        Kristaufer grinned insanely at Raziel and Raziana, then jumped upon Relantia. He gently kicked her in the flanks and she whinnied loudly, flying into the air. Raziel turned to Raziana, who was still covering her ears. Raziel gently touched Raziana’s hands, and she withdrew them from her ears. Raziana looked up, tears staining her cheeks. Throwing away her pride and arrogance, which was already washed away by her tears, Raziana stood up, staring at her father with a terrified and almost helpless gaze.

        "Dad..," she whispered, moving forward slightly.

        Raziel quickly hugged his daughter close, deciding his own pride could be put to the side. Raziana put her arms around her father, crystal-clear tears sliding down her pale cheeks. Raziana buried her face in her father’s clan garment, wiping away her tears angrily. Raziel gently rubbed Raziana’s back, hoping to soothe the nerve-wracking pain induced by her torn wings. Raziana felt the agony slowly subside and her wings began to get some feeling back into them. She looked up into Raziel’s gaze and, much to her surprise, realized how much she’d forgotten how different Raziel looked while she had buried her face in his clan garment. Raziel gazed at his daughter gently, still rubbing her back. He remembered the agonizing pain he had felt from his wings being torn, and he didn’t want that to happen to any member of his clan, especially his daughter. Raziana closed her eyes and leaned against Raziel, remembering how innocent it had been before History. Before History had poisoned her soul and killed her mother. Then, Raziana’s thoughts drifted to when Raziel had been a vampire. Then there was Kain. That bitter, heartless, old vampire who had destroyed Raziel and all of his clan, except five vampires who had escaped his bloody wrath. Then there was also Kristaufer’s parents, bloodthirsty and mad. They had-

        "Raziel.."

        The two turned to see Kain walking forward, his hair streaked with soot.

        "How touching..," Kain mocked. "Father and daughter.."

        Be quiet, you decadent fool.., History snarled.

        Kain jerked slightly at the sound of History, but he glared at Raziana, who widened her eyes and shrank back.

        "Where were you?" Raziel snapped.

        "With the lieutenants.. Have you seen the Circle members..?" Kain inquired harshly.

        "They’re probably still up on the island, helping those humans..," Raziana replied.

        Kain noticed Raziana’s torn and bleeding wings.

        "What happened to you?" he asked, voice not changing in tone.

        "Kristaufer ripped out the lower bones in my wings..," Raziana answered lowly.

        "Hmm.. So you can’t fly up onto that island..?" Kain interrogated.

        "Actually...," Raziana said slowly. "History!"

        NOW WHAT?!?! This is getting quite irritating! You’re calling on me more than you have in your entire, miserable, un-life! History roared.

        Raziana fell to her knees, clamping her hands over her ears. She rubbed her eyes quickly and muttered an obscene curse while getting up.

        "You want to keep your voice down?" she cried. "It’s my ears that take the beating.."

        Is that what you called me for..?! History growled.

        "Nope.. We need a ride up onto the island..," Raziana quickly told him.

        Who is we? You, Raziel, and Kain?

        "The lieutenants as well.," Kain interrupted before Raziana could say anything.

        Raziana turned and glared at Kain, who scowled darkly at her and looked back up to the floating island with the human town on it.

        All right.. The lieutenants, Raziana, Raziel, and Kain.., History said solidly.

        The next instant, Kain, Raziel, Raziana, and a group of very spellbound vampire lieutenants were up on the island. Turel looked around and then glared at Raziana.

        "You little fool! Why did you drag us up here?!" he yelled.

        "It was Kain’s idea..," Raziana said, pointing to the vampire lord.

        Turel looked at Kain, who was glaring at him, and then backed down, trying to seem as inconspicuous as possible.

        "Oh yeah, one more thing..," Raziana said, holding a claw up.

        WHA-AT?!!?!!! History howled, severely annoyed.

        "Change my little sash back to its original color..," Raziana said.

        What? The clan garment you wear? History asked.

        "No... I mean the turban I’m wearing on my head!" Raziana mocked. "Of course I mean the clan garment!"

        Who’s on the warpath today.? History hissed. Very well... If it will shut you up, I’ll turn your garment red, correct?

        "Yes..," Raziana said slowly, continuing to mock History. "You actually got the color right.. Did you hurt yourself?"

        Raziana’s sash turned the traditional Razielim red, and a bucket of water appeared over her head and sloshed onto her. Soaking wet, Raziana pushed back her black hair.

        "Jerk..," she muttered.

        "You-you’re not burning!" Melchiah exclaimed, amazed at Raziana’s strength against water.

        "Uh-huh..," Raziana said smartly. "Not only can I fly, but I can climb, swim, and uh...what was that other one..?" Raziana’s voice drifted off as she tried to think of her last ability.

        Transportation.., History snarled, his voice sounding almost defeated.

        "Yeah!" Raziana cried. "That’s it! Transportation!"

        And the ability to morph into creatures...and excelled speed...and intelligence in history... and the ability to pluck objects from the stream of time.., History listed off the other abilities Raziana was endowed with.

        "All right already!" Raziana screamed. "They get the message!"

        As ignorant as you are, I seriously doubt you could tell them anything clearly..

        Raziana made a face and muttered a curse to History, who merely ignored it.

        "Now we have a serious problem..," Nupraptor said, walking out of the shadows.

        "And what is that?" Kain snapped.

        "Kristaufer has left the humans at a point where their food and water supply is in danger of being depleted, since none can get more food from the ground below.. That and there are only elderly and young humans, so if we are attacked, the humans stand little chance of surviving..," Nupraptor said in a maddeningly calm voice.

        "Why should we care about those humans?!" Zephon yelled, appalled.

        "Because if Kristaufer does attack, we’ll need the humans to slow down the attacks, and possibly take out a few of the soldiers as well," Kain told Zephon.

        Zephon turned to Raziana and grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her wildly.

        "You’re powerful! Do something!" he ordered.

        Raziana couldn’t speak because her brain was being rattled around in her skull. Raziel narrowed his eyes angrily and shoved Zephon away from Raziana. Raziana staggered around, trying to see clearly and get rid of the dizziness plaguing her mind. Zephon fell back, glowering at his older brother, but he knew better than to attack. Kain shook his head and looked at Raziana.

        "You know as much about Kristaufer’s troops as anybody, how many soldiers does he average in an attack?" Kain asked her.

        "This was nothing more than something to scare the humans.. If he is going for a full-scaled assault, Kristaufer gets as many soldiers as possible.. He’ll have the faster soldiers attack first, then bring in the hard hitting monsters, such as Behomans and soldiers mounted on those horse creatures...," Raziana said solidly.

        "Behomans?" Rahab asked. "What are those?"

        "They’re these huge creatures, a bit bigger than Melchiah whenever he was fully mutate-er, transformed.. They’ve got thick hide that’s quite hard to penetrate and razor-sharp spikes all down their back, on their ears, and on their shoulders and hips...and jaws that could crush a brick wall.. But, naturally, they’re slower than any of the other creatures..," Raziana explained.

        Everyone had their own thought up image of the creature, but they kept their opinions to themselves. Dumah cleared his throat to get the group’s attention.

        "Are they the most lethal?" he asked.

        "Well... Not really.. As long as you’re faster than they are, you’re safe.. None of the creatures are somebody you want to meet up with, but if I had to name one the most lethal, I’d say it’s those horse creatures.. They’re fast, strong, poisonous, and intelligent.. Well, all of those things are! Each one used to be human!" Raziana said, disgust creeping into her voice.

        "What?!" cried everyone, revolted.

        "Kristaufer transformed vampire hunters into those monsters with the promise that they would be able to slaughter vampires left and right.. Most of them were such extremists that they agreed, but some didn’t like the idea of being mutated, so they were hired as human soldiers.. You know, to spy and ride those horse creatures..," Raziana explained.

        "But what will we do now?" Nupraptor asked. "Our military and geographical position is quite crippling!"

        "Yes..," a voice growled. "And now I know that for a fact.."

        The group whirled around and saw a large crow with three big feathers on the back of its head. It was exactly like the crow creature from the Sanctuary of the Clans.

        "What do you want, Myroone?!" Raziana snarled.

        "Nothing.. It’s just now I know that Kristaufer’s attack had its intended effect.," he cawed.

        "What? What was the intended effect?" Rahab snapped.

        Myroone glared angrily at Rahab, his feathers fluffing up in anger.

        "I have a specific bone to pick with you, Lieutenant Rahab..," Myroone growled. "Your kind killed all of my family.. I wonder if-"

        "Well," Raziana interrupted sharply. "When humans attack a vampire, it’s natural for the vampire to fight back.. You and your family were attacking Rahabim left and right!"

        "Shut up, you little bastard!" Myroone crowed. "This does not concern you!"

        "Oh but it doesn, sir..," Raziana snarled, beginning to circle Myroone. "When the sheep come out to play, the wolf will come to stay.."

        Myroone hesitated, watching Raziana with piercing eyes.

        "What are you talking about, History?" he hissed.

        "History?" Raziana asked, surprised. "History!? Pah! Since when has History been an objective? Or has he always been?"
        Myroone hesitated once again, not knowing whether or not to answer.

        "He has always been.. He-"

        "Did you hear that History?!" Raziana yelled towards the heavens, making her look stark raving mad. "You’re they’re objective! I’m nothing!! Did you on purposely pick me!? Or was it because I was the closest vampire!?"

        There was silence and Nupraptor snorted with disdain.

        "You believe that you can summon that demon any time you wish?" he interrogated fiercely. "You’re mad!"

        "Of course!!" Raziana replied. "I’m a raving lunatic! That’s why he chose me! Because I’m mad!"

        Perhaps that’s what you think.., History said calmly. But I chose you because you are young and naive.. Naive to the power that you have under your claws...

        "Naive!?" Raziana cried. "What are you talking about?! I know everything of history! Anything and everything!!! How could I possibly be naive!?"

        Raziana... Relax.. You’re scaring the others..., History stated just as calmly.

        Raziana looked around. Everyone present was staring at her with apprehension and confusement.

        "What?!" she asked, throwing her arms open.

        "Raziana... You brought this upon these humans... And you’re bringing it upon your fellow vampires..," Myroone snarled. "If you would only accept defeat gracefully, you may save a few vamipres or humans.."

        Raziana let out a maniacal giggle. It seemed to be a feminine mimicry if Raziel’s and Kain’s laughs were mixed together. Myroone’s eyes widened in fear. It was impossible to tell if Raziana or History were in control because History hid inside Raziana’s pale body perfectly.

        "Whom am I speaking to?" Myroone asked warily.

        "What are you talking about you insane fowl?" Turel growled.

        "IS THIS HISTORY OR RAZIANA?!?!" Mryoone crowed frantically.

        "Both..," Raziana said, swaying slightly now. "We live and speak as one being.. The only thing that seperates us is we have serperate souls.."

        Myroone let out a squawk of terror and flew off to tell Kristaufer of what he’d seen and heard. Kain narrowed his eyes instinctively. He walked towards Raziana/History slowly, ready for any attack.

        "Back down!" Raziana/History suddenly snarled, taking an offensive step towards Kain, her eyes glowing a red orange. "Leave me alone you decadent fool!"

        Kain stopped, his glare intensifying.

        "History?" Kain hissed.

        "Perhaps..," Raziana/History crooned. "Or perhaps not.. What does it matter? This world is crumbling to dust in the universe.. All because of a choice made by a youthful, arrogant, naive vampire who saw it fit to try and protect a race that was falling dead to humanity.."

        "Are you blaming me?" Kain inquired calmly, motioning to himself.

        "No..," Raziana/History replied solidly. "In fact, I respect your choice.. Realizing that a powerful, possibly god-like race was falling, you chose to damn the world to the Abyss, wanting vampires to live free of human’s clutches.. I see that as a noble choice, but a damned one, unfortunately.. Now..you’re pressed to kill yourself by not one, not two, not even three or four, but six beings! Five Circle Members and one soul-reaving, fallen lieutenant.. Raziel wishes to drive Soul Reaver through your still, unbeating heart out of revenge, while the Circle Members want you dead by any means possible.....even if it means creating an assasin from another vampire.."

        "Raziana?" Kain inquired.

        "Yes..," Raziana/History answered. "The Circle Members took Raziana from the Abyss and trained her to be your assasin... She worked hard only because she hated you.. She hated you for throwing her father into the Lake of the Dead....for causing her, her mother, and her friends to go into hiding..."

        "It was for a more important cause..," Kain replied savagely. "What I did was for a greater good.. To try and save myself, the vampire race, and the entire land of Nosgoth.."

        "How?!" Raziel interrupted. "How were you planning to save Nosgoth?! There was nothing you could do! Killing yourself in the past would only kill yourself in the present as well.."

        "What if he were to use you as a means of escaping the Spectral Realm of souls?" Raziana/History asked.

        "How did you know that?!" Kain demanded without realizing he’d given away his entire plan.

        "As History...," Raziana/History explained. "I have the power to use, absorb, and magnify any power used or not used by any figure from the past.. I took every last iota and speck of life force, energy, kinesics, power that ever existed for the one and only purpose of preserving myself.. I will not let history, myself, dissipate and dissolve into nothingness and be forgotten forever.. I won’t stand for that.. That’s why I will use any means at my disposal to preserve myself.. Self preservation is a strong thing, and for me it’s the only notion and idea I will worship and grovel to.. Anything else is irrelevant.. If this damnable world must go up in Hellfire for me to survive then so be it! I do not care! With my power, I‘ve seen every possible branch of every last beings life, including your‘s, Kain.. I’ve seen every branch except one.....which of us, Plague or I, will survive..and that is the most important.. Without that one branch everything I’ve seen and foretold could be rendered fiction...and yet, at the same time, an omen of what’s to come.. I’ve seen what will happen if I am defeated, or what will happen if the Plague is defeated... One side must be fiction, but which is it? Now, with my hostess, I must protect her from anyone and everyone.. For if she dies, I will be destroyed, along with this planet.. I won‘t let the beings on this planet go on with their lives forgetting all of history! Self-preservation plays in and I will destroy this entire universe if I must to keep me from being forgotten!"

        What History spoke of horrified and frightened everyone who heard him. Kain backed down, his eyes wide with disbelief.

        "Never! You speak of something that cannot be!" he said, fear creeping into his voice.

        "Why do you fear me, Lord of All Vampires.?" Raziana/History asked. "I am only acting in the body of a young, innocent vampire who wanted nothing more than to live her life undisturbed.. Instead, she is now one of the key figures in an ongoing play that will never end until I or the Plague dies.."

        "What’s the end?" Ariel asked, floating forward along with the other Circle Members. She hadn’t been restored when History brought forth the lieutenants, unlike the other Members.

        "Nosgoth will be restored and both vampires and humans will live in a peace of some sort..," Raziana/History replied shortly.

        "How?" Melchiah asked. "Humans view us as a menace, and they are only fodder for our hunger.. How could we possibly live as equals..?"

        "The play is still going on....and time goes on as well...never ending or slowing down.. Defeat Kristaufer and you will win the game that has been going on ever since this planet was created... Yet he will not go down without a vicious, bloody, and possibly apocolyptic battle...for he is host for the Plague, who is just as bent on self-preservation as I am.... We hate each other more than Kain and Raziel....beyond that of which can be measured.. I will use every chance that occurs to destroy the Plague, and I would advise that you stay out of my way when the Plague comes..," Raziana/History stated.

        Then Raziana fell to her knees, screaming into pain and agony. Clutching her head tightly, Raziana pitched forward to Kain, who caught her just to keep her from falling onto him. Raziana fell limp and Kain slowly lowered her to the ground, staring at her.

        "So....that was History speaking?" Dumah asked, turning to Ariel.

        "Yes..," Ariel whispered, her voice echoing thoughout the town. "And this game he speaks of.. We have no choice but to play in it..."

        "But we are not powerful enough to stand up to such an entity!" Malek snapped. "History and the Plague will crush us between their claws!"

        "It is not our power..," Ariel told the Sarafan. "But our ability to influence History’s hostess.."

        "Raziana?" Raziel asked. "How could we possibly influence her enough to alter History’s plans?"
"You, Raziel..," Kain said, catching onto the plan being unfolded. "You are the key figure in Raziana’s life.. She will obey your every whim and command if she sees it for your benefit.. You, as her father, have the most authority over her.. If Raziana is a direct hostess for History as she says, then she can use History’s powers for our benefit.. To help defeat Kristaufer....but she also fears this man as well.. You must be her aid. When she falls, you must be there... I am not one who knows much of compassion, but that is what you must show to her to keep her from falling victim to her own idea of her self-inadequecy.."

        Raziel nodded slightly and looked at Raziana, who was lying on the ground, her torn wings slowly healing.

        "Will she ever be able to fly again?" he asked Ariel.

        "Yes... Her wings are an advantage for her...and History will mend them as quickly as possible..," she said softly.

        As if in answer, the bones began to reform in Raziana’s wings at an amazingly fast rate, faster than a vampire’s healing. Some unseen force lifted Raziana up and set her on her feet. She swayed slightly and slowly opened her eyes, blinking quickly.

        "Whoo.... Wha-what happened..?" she murmured, staggering around.

        "History was using you to speak..," Moebius said solemnly.

        Raziana shook her head wildly.

        "God... I’ve got to stop calling on him," she muttered, walking over to a piece of fallen debris. She sat down and rocked back and forth, her hands clutching her head.

        "Are you hurt?" Raziel asked.

        "No..," Raziana moaned. "I’m just drained from energy and feel miserable.."

        "Do you remember any of what History said?" Zephon asked.

        "Not much.. It’s fuzzy... I remember him saying that the world would be destroyed if he died... Er, all I can remember is single words or phrases, three words at the most..," Raziana said, covering her ears. "Just please leave me alone... I don’t feel good..."

        The group watched Raziana crawl up the debris into a part of a motel that was now only smoldering. Raziel watched his daughter disappear into the darkness and then turned to Ariel.

        "What do we do now..?" he asked.

        "Nothing we can do but wait..," Ariel said softly. "Raziana is the only one who truly knows what to do... You vampires are now the most strongest warriors on our side..the good side.."

        What makes you good? History inquired suddenly. And what makes Kristaufer and his troops bad? Is this truly a fight between good and evil...? Or is it just another battle between two groups that hate each other? Who are you to make one side good and the other evil? You Circle Members slaughtered thousands upon thousands of vampires, they’re only crime being alive.. Vampires are undead creatures who live upon the body fluids of other creatures.. Does either of those make you think that you’re good?

        "Do you have anything optimistic to say?!" Dumah asked.

        History paused, then decided to answer, but not to Dumah’s question.

        Let my little hostess sleep.. I’ve drained her viciously of her energy and she deserves her rest.. Falling through the Abyss and being embued with every power imagineable... ..feeling every pain that has ever occured.. That is hard upon a young vampire..

        "Can you not ease the pain?" Nupraptor asked.

        I could.....but I will not.. I-

        "Why not!?" Raziel roared. "What is the purpose of harming her!?"

        Do not interrupt me, little soul reaver.., History snarled. Hurting her keeps her fearful of me... As long as she hurts, she fears me... When the pain stops, the rebellion begins..

        "I was able to keep the lieutenants under control without physically harming them..," Kain hissed, hating this persecution of a vampire.

        But you showed off your power wildly, Kain.. If I were to show off my power as much as you did, there would be burning buildings and decimated lands everywhere.. Besides, causing another pain gives me more pleasure than just electrifying trees and burning fields., History said.

        There was silence, an uncomfortable silence of knowing a deadly foe was on the loose. Raziel looked up to where Raziana had crawled off to to try regain some of her lost strength. He turned to Ariel, who nodded her head slightly and urged him on with her hands. Raziel, ignoring the snickers from his younger brothers walked towards the staircase-like debris. Kain stood in the way, watching Raziel walk forward. Raziel stopped and starting to snap out something, but paused when Kain moved out of the way without a word. Watching Kain out of the corner of his eye, Raziel leaped from wood to rock up to the motel room.

        Kain then turned to the lieutenants, who were whispering cruel teasings of their eldest brother excitedly .

        "All of you, silence..," he growled. "There is no need to insult a reflection of yourself.. You would protect a member of your clan to the farthest extent of your power, just as Raziel is.."

        The lieutenants stared in confusion, but Rahab moved forward.

        "What do we do..?" he asked Kain.

        Kain studied the burning wreckage of the town.

        "Stay out of the sight of the humans....we do not need a full-scale revolution against us..," Kain stated. "You Circle Members, help whatever humans need it.. Humans will most likely trust you more than they would us vampires.."

        Raziel listened and then turned to the darkness, which was as clear as day to his eyes. He found Raziana curled up in a corner, a ragged blanket pulled over her shivering body.

        "Raziana..," he whispered.

        Raziana moaned softly and moved a little. She upheld the upper portion of her body with her elbows.

        "Dad..?" she asked. "What is it?"

        "I came to make sure you were well.. You seemed terribly ill.," Raziel said quietly.

        "I still feel sick.. I’m hungry, but too weak to hunt... History is so stubborn that he won’t give me hardly any nourishment...the only thing he does do is keep me alive.....or dead, whichever it may be..," Raziana whispered, sitting up and tightly clutching the rag around her.

        "I could bring you a human..," Raziel suggested. "None are dead, but I could arrange a death.."

        She’s beyond human blood..... The kind of nourishment she needs is vampire blood.. That blood is thick and rich enough to get her back on her feet.., History suddenly stated.

        Raziel turned to Raziana, who was still shaking weakly. He picked up a wooden cup that was nearby and had somehow survived from being burned. Raziel contemplated the thought of what he was going to do, then quickly slashed Soul Reaver across his lower arm. The blood that flowed from the wound was more like sparks and glowed a bright blue. The sparks gathered in the wooden cup until it was full, then the wound disappeared, healing quickly. Raziel handed the cup to Raziana, who stared at him with wide eyes and took the cup shakily. She stared at it for a few moments before the raging hunger took over her and she slurped up the liquified sparks. A gentle feeling of strength slowly began to grow within Raziana as her father’s "blood" helped her regain some of her lost strength.

        "Thank you..," she murmured.

        Raziel nodded his head in reply and then turned his gaze back to the outside.

        "Raziana... Can you walk?" he asked.

        Raziana rose and nodded her head.

        "Yes... I’m j-j-j-just so c-c-c-cold...," she chattered.

        Work away the cold.., History snarled commandingly.

        Raziana, upon hearing History’s voice, narrowed her eyes in a glare and forced herself to walk forward. Raziel followed his daughter out of the room and down into the still smoldering town. Kain turned to face the two, his body silouhetted by the smoke.

        "Is she better?" he asked tonelessly.

        "Yes..," Raziel answered sharply.

        "What are we going to do now?" Raziana asked Kain. "Kristaufer has got us between his fingers and if he attacks.."

        Raziana drew her middle, right claw across her throat, making a cutting noise.

        "Then we must make sure that we have a strong defense.. I doubt that our forces are enough to do an offensive attack," Kain replied. "If our defense can slow Kristaufer and his army down, we may have a chance to attack."

        Raziel thought about it, then looked around the destroyed town. He wondered if any of the humans were still alive. When he told Raziana there were none dead, he hadn’t known that for a fact.

        "That may be, Kain," he answered. "But how are we going to fight back without the humans seeing us..?"

        "I could help," a voice said softly from behind.

        Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Kauvin standing there, his face black and streaked with sweat drops.

        "How could one mortal help!?" Dumah snapped in disgust.

        Kauvin didn’t even bat an eye. He just continued to look at Kain and Raziel.

        Raziana looked the man over. He didn’t seem to be hurt too much, considering the ferocity of the attack. Blood had stopped coursing from a bite wound on his arm, but that was the only injury that Raziana could see. His clothes were tattered and torn, but apparently the claws and teeth of the beast attacking him hadn’t made it through his clothes.

        "I am the foremost authority in this town..," Kauvin sighed, looking around. "And considering how badly hurt this town is, I believe that the humans won’t object to more powerful help.."

        Samantha came rushing up breathlessly, tears brimming in her eyes.

        "Kauvin!" she cried, completely ignoring the vampires. "Have you seen my father?! I can’t find him anywhere! We were asleep and when I woke up, one of those wolf-creatures was attacking me! I lost sight of him after that..."

        Raziana slowly began to think it over. The thought frightened her and she wanted to crawl away and hide forever. Kristaufer had the advantage of both offense and defense.

        "Kauvin?" Raziana asked. "Is there anything that we have a strength in? Is there anything we could possibly defeat Kristaufer at?"

        Kauvin and Samantha stared at Raziana. Samantha was nearly hysterical with rage. Raziana was talking of battle strategies when her father was being held captive by some lunatic!

        "How could you!?" she shrieked. "My dad’s captive by some madman and all you can think about is battle plans!!!!!"

        Raziana backed away from the shrieking girl slightly, her eyes wide.

        "I was only asking that so that we may be able to find your father..," Raziana replied quietly.

        Samantha, breathing hard, sat down on a rock, hugging herself and blinking back tears. Kauvin gently chided her and then turned to Raziana.

        "Our defense and stealth?" he suggested with a shrug. "Apparently the Illuminations messed up and didn’t get every person here."

        Raziana laughed her trademark laugh, something she had picked up from Kain, unbeknownst to him.

        "Have you forgotten everything?!" she asked. "The Illuminations don’t make mistakes, you fool! This was all carefully planned and pulled off without a hitch!"

        Kauvin gave Raziana a look to watch what she said and motioned to Samantha. Raziana bit her tongue and looked away.

        Stupid, little mortal! History snarled. There’s no time for tears! The only thing you can do is infiltrate Kristaufer’s damnable fortress and rescue the humans!

        Raziana’s eyes widened and she slapped both hands over her mouth. Kauvin and Samantha stared at Raziana in confusion and horror. Raziana gave them a weak smile.

        "It’s a.......ventriloquist act.," she lied.

        "You need to learn how to lie better..," Samantha snorted disdainfully.

        Mortanius walked forward and looked at Kain.

        "Your sons are, ahem, bickering..," he said shortly.

        Kain growled a few curses and walked over to where the lieutenant’s shouts could be heard. Raziana and Raziel quickly followed Kain, mostly out of curiosity and the thirst for a bit of amusement.

        Kain walked forward and Melchiah crashed into him. Realizing who he had bumped into, Melchiah quickly moved away, a gash on his right arm bleeding profusely.

        "What is it now?" Kain snarled vehemently.

        There was silence and the lieutenants suddenly became fascinated with their clan garments.

        "Must I cause pain to get an answer?" Kain asked sharply.

        The lieutenants looked up and Rahab, ever loyal, moved forward.

        "We were picking on Melchiah, sir..," he answered quietly.

        "Who is ‘we’?" Raziel asked.

        "Zephon, Dumah, Turel, and myself..," Rahab mumbled.

        "What did he do to you!?" Raziana demanded. "You act as though he’s a disease of some sort!"
"He is..," Zephon growled, glaring at his younger brother.

        "Drop dead," Raziana snapped.

        Zephon jerked his glare to Raziana and she merely stood there, in all her prideful and arrogant glory.

        "You’ll regret that..," Zephon snarled.

        "Oh, a threat, I’m scared..," Raziana mocked.

        Kain started to say something when something caught his eye. A young woman was standing in the middle of the group, staring at Kain with unblinking, yellow-green eyes, Raziel‘s eyes. Kain noticed the thick, luxurious hair and cultured face and then remembered suddenly who this woman was. It was the same woman that he’d seen on the dusty window!

        "You!" Kain snapped.

        Silence fell over the crowd and they stared at Kain in confusion and looked between each other.

        "Kain?" Raziana asked. "Who are you talking to?"

        "Her!" Kain replied sharply, pointing to the woman in the middle of the group.

        Everybody looked over to a blank spot. The lieutenants looked between each other, eyes wide and whispering to each other. Raziana pranced over and waved her left hand through the air, and, much to Kain’s surprise, the woman disappeared. Kain blinked and shook his head.

        "Somebody was there..," he muttered.

        "Don’t worry, Kain..," Raziana said, patting the Lord of All Vampires on the back. "We know you’re crazy.."

        Kain shrugged Raziana off viciously, glaring at her. Raziana backed away, trying to look innocent. Kain looked to the group and left the area, leaving everyone confused.

        Kain stormed through the dark alley of the human town, wondering what he had seen. He knew he wasn’t crazy, but this ghost woman was!

        Kain..., whispered a soft voice. Kain, please help...

        Kain whirled around, looking around. He readied himself for any attack, physical or magical.

        "Who are you?!" he demanded fiercely.

        You wouldn’t believe me even if I told you.., the voice replied.

        "Are you that woman who keeps appearing!?" Kain snarled.

        Yes, but-

        "Leave me alone!!" Kain roared. "I have enough ghosts and ghouls haunting me to last an eternity!!!"

        I’m not here to haunt you, Lord of All Vampires.. I merely request your assistance.., the lady said softly.

        "Will it get rid of you!?" Kain hissed.

        Yes.., the woman replied.

        "All right..," Kain agreed. "I do not have much of a choice.. I would sooner help a ghost than have her haunting me for the rest of eternity.."

        The woman appeared in front of Kain once more. This time she seemed even more radiant in beauty than ever. Her onyx-black hair was naturally wavy and fell thickly to the bottom of her shoulder blades. The lady’s pale skin was contrasted by her bright eyes. Her body was lean and strong-looking, completed with wings adorning her back.

        "What are you and who are you?" Kain inquired, a bit calmer.

        I am one of the Razielim who escaped the genocide of my Kain.. I am Ailoryana, Raziel’s wife and Raziana’s mother..

        "Why have you chosen me to haunt?" Kain snapped, his anger flaring once more. "Why not Raziel or Raziana?"

        I could not... You are the only one powerful enough to see me.. Raziel and Raziana are powerful enough, but Raziel’s much too bent on revenge and History prevents me from speaking to my daughter.., Ailoryana explained somberly.

        "I see..," Kain said softly. "What do you want me to do?"

        Protect my daughter.., Ailoryana replied shortly.

        "What!?" Kain demanded ferociously. "That child!? She is imbued with one of the most powerful beings in the universe! How would my protection help!?"

        Kain.. Who are you fooling? Ailoryana snapped, though not as sharply as Kain. You possess strength that surpasses any vampire alive now, and even Raziel, to an extent.. Raziana may be powerful, but she doesn’t know how to utilize them to her benefit.. All she can do is point her claws to the enemy and hope that History takes over.. I need you to teach her to control her powers, to put it plainly..

        "Why not Raziel..?" Kain asked.

        Not even Raziel understands how powerful History is, and neither do you...but you know how to control powers...possibly dangerous and very lethal powers..., Ailoryana answered. You could choose to not to help her......but you may, in a way, bring about your downfall.. History may have other plans that include you and the others being killed..

        Kain mulled it over in his mind. Both choices were ones that he hated, yet one he would bear humiliation and the other may be his death sentence. He looked up and Ailoryana, who stood there staring at him, not begging him to choose either answer. Kain chuckled slightly, shaking his head.

        "I’ve made the ‘wrong’ answer before, so why not make a choice that is supposedly right?" he asked Ailoryana.

        Ailoryana smiled and nodded her head in thanks.

        You don’t have to go out of your way to help her....but if you see her struggling to regain control.....help her., Ailoryana told him, her tone lighter.

        Kain nodded and then looked back.

        "Will you go to your eternal rest now that I have agreed to help your daughter?" Kain asked, still seething over the thought of helping that little, hyperactive vampire.

        I cannot.. Kristaufer Halastia has my dismembered head and body and History killed me... When History killed me, I was destined to haunt this world... Hitory does evil things to a person when he kills them.., Ailoryana said with a shake of her head.

        "I see..," Kain muttered. "The humans are most likely going to want a retaliation against the Illuminations, so you chose the right time.."

        Ailoryana nodded slowly.

        I know.. Be careful, Kain... You are powerful, but Kristaufer is just as powerful.....and with the Plague on his side..., Ailoryana trailed off, her face reflecting a sick hatred for the two.

        Relantia moved around slightly, shifting her weight from her left hoof to the other. The foggy mist was so thick that it was turning the dirt into thick mud. The sun was blocked by not only the smoke created by the vampires, but also by dark, blackish-gray clouds. Kristaufer slid off of Relantia and gently stroked her mane. Ather came walking up, her gray fur gleaming in what little light there was. Dew flecked her coat and nose, causing her to sneeze and shake violently to get off the water.

        "Damn this rain!" she barked.

        "It’s not rain, Ather," a giant cat with large, canine teeth and a spiked tail said, moving forward. "It’s mist.."

        "Well..," Ather snapped. "Aren’t we mister smart pants?"

        "Ryunor..," Kristaufer said to the large, tan cat. "Explain to me again how we got here.."

        Ryunor nodded, licking his fangs.

        "The humans are attacking in retaliation and you chose to massacre them out in the open, rather than let them come to us..," Ryunor replied.

        "So it’s my fault?" Kristaufer asked calmly.

        Ryunor tensed, as well as Ather. The two glanced between each other and backed down from Kristaufer, ears pinned back in fear. Kristaufer winked to them and got on Relantia, riding off into the mist.

        Kauvin wiped the nervous sweat and dew from his brow. He had never truly been a fighting man, but right now, he was so angry that he thought he could have taken on and beaten fifty Illuminations. He looked up to Geoffrey, riding a gray horse, who had replaced Robert temporarily as the spot of commander of the troops.

        Geoffrey was a tall, lean man in his early fourties. His thick black hair was now hidden by a helmet, but his dark brown eyes gleamed angrily towards the hill. Geoffrey’s thought’s moved to the old cathedral that was about a quarter of a mile from their town. The cathedral was where all of the women and children were hidden, for fear that if the Illuminations stormed the town, they might kill the women and children.

        "Are you sure it’s a good idea trusting those vampires?" Geoffrey asked Kauvin uneasily.

        "They may be the deciding factor in this battle..," Kauvin answered solemnly, glancing up to the group of vampires up on a nearby hill.

        Kain watched the humans align and ready themselves for battle. He thought it was hilarious. The stupid little mortals thinking they may have a chance against a near perfect army. Either way, Kain had seen this as an opportunity to get even with the Illuminations for attacking vampires.

        Raziel looked over to the cathedral, where Raziana was. He glanced over to Nupraptor, who was straightening his robe nervously.

        "Are you sure it’s a good idea to leave Raziana there with those humans?" he asked. "They may try to kill her.."

        Nupraptor laughed loudly, a little too loudly.

        "Those humans will be the ones needing protection if they try to kill her.. History will come after them like a demon from Hell..," Nupraptor laughed.

        Raziel didn’t believe him, but he didn’t ask any more questions.

        The vampire lieutenants had begrudgingly agreed to help as well, but only for the fun of slaughtering others. Kain couldn’t help but smirk at the vampire lieutenants arrogant zeal. They didn’t understand how powerful the Illuminations actually were.

        Raziana sat on a chair, staring back at all the humans. The mortal women and children stared at her in wariness with that glassy-eyed "baby cow" stare. Raziana widened her eyes and waved her hands.

        "Stop staring at me!" she shrieked. "You’re scaring me.."

        At the loudness of the vampire, the humans moved back in fear. Samantha shook her head in exasperation.

        Raziana sat on the chair, staring at a little beetle making its way across the floor. Something shifted within her, diverting her attention from the bug.

        He’s going to be there, isn’t he..? History asked her excitedly.

        Can anybody hear you? Raziana thought nervously.

        No., History snapped. I can’t wait.. Oh, how I long for his blood to loll over my tongue and in my mouth..

        Raziana shuddered and fell silent. She didn’t like it when History spoke in such wild and dangerous tones, but what could she do?

        Rahab hacked and hewed through the mass of Illuminations. The Illuminations had made the first move, charging down from the hill. The vampires had waited until the Illuminations were completely immersed in killing the humans before they attacked, catching the Illuminations off guard.

        An Illumination soldier dashed forward to try and stab Rahab in the back. Raziel looked over and drove Soul Reaver through the man, killing him instantly.

        Kristaufer, slicing off a human’s head, looked over and saw smoke rising from the cathedral. Smoke from the chimney...

        Kristaufer’s insane laughter broke through the air and caught everyone’s attention. Malek looked over and yelled out a curse. Kristaufer kicked Relantia gently in the flanks and the two headed for the cathedral.

        "He’s found them!" Malek howled.

        Raziana sat alone in the cathedral. She had evacuated the women and children back to the town, knowing that Kristaufer would come here.

        "Kill them, History..," Raziana whispered.

        What? History asked, sounding eager. What did you say?

        "KILL THEM!!! KILL THEM ALL!!!! SHATTER THEIR SOULS AND RIP THEIR FLESH!!!!!" Raziana shrieked at the top of her lungs.

        Yes! Yes! YES!!! History agreed wildly.

        Kristaufer..wait.., the Plague said suddenly in a rough voice. He’s coming....

        Kristaufer’s eyes widened and he began screaming for his armies to fall back, but it was too late.
       
        There was a loud scream and a thunderous clap emanated from the cathedral. The winds began to pick up fiercely and lightning began flaring madly. The cathedral’s windows burst out as two gigantic, black wings broke through the wood and glass. A loud, earth-shattering roar filled the air as a enormous, black monstrosity ripped from the cathedral. Its red-orange eyes glowed fiercely and long, Turelim-like ears adorned the monster’s head. The thing had a long snout and resembled a dragon to a certain degree. It let out one more roar, but this time, it was words.

        "I AM HERE, PLAGUE!!!! WE FINISH THIS!!!"

        Kain stared in horror. For the first time in a long time, Kain actually felt fear. This was History? It could have been Hell itself!

        Kristaufer’s head snapped back and he was lifted into the air, off of Relantia. Black wisps seeped from his body and whirled around into a little ball. Kristaufer was deposited gently on the ground and Relantia quickly took him away from the battlefield where all Hell was bound to break loose.

        The ball of black began to get bigger and bigger and form a monster and big as History and almost the same physique, but eight horns protruded from its head, four on each side. Even though it didn’t have the ears of History, it did bear the same black color and long snout. The giant monster let out a roar that shattered every window and forced people to cover their ears. The thing then spread its wings and charged towards History.

        Moebius watched the two collide and begin shearing at each other, black and red blood raining down from the two giant behemoths. The Plague and History were both big enough that the Lake of the Dead could have been a bathtub for one of them.

        "And now Hell arises as the two most powerful monsters battle for supremacy..," Moebius murmured, fear creeping into his voice.

        "Where’s Raziana!?" Raziel howled.

        All eyes turned to the smoldering cathedral.