But little to his knowledge, a black bird far larger than any normal eagle, silently follows the clan leader, its dark green eyes opens a vision to its master.  [Soon it will be time,] he thought [for the time being I will follow them and report to the master.] 

               ****************************************************************************** 

            Meanwhile back in Raziel’s clan fortress, many vampires are now being decimated w/out mercy.  Over the southern walls, a figure in black coat chokes a female vampire to a point at extreme suffering.  The figure in black coat, skull raiments on his shoulders, and a sword on his back; this clearly identified him as a Swordsman.

            “Tell me VAMPIRE! Where have your master gone? Tell me! Or I’ll have you from crotch to gizzard and feed what’s left of your brines to that nearby dog!!!” looking at the  large black wolf. 
            “Who… are you? Wha… what is… that you… seek my father?” the vampire still struggling to get air out.

            W/ that, the young man lost his patience; chanting out some unknown words, instantly the vampire is but a wad of ash.  He then turns to the others who suspended in the air by his Psychic Grip. All vampire male and female shudder in fear.  [The clan was doing well after their father, Raziel, took off to search for that other winged female vampire by dusk. Then they came, 2 mysterious black figures w/ silver long hair, and eyes glowing bright purple.] Thought one.  As if he just blurted out the words, the Swordsman smiled and turned to a fledgling that gave thought.

            “So tell me where did they go?” he said smiling.
            “ I… don… don’t know…”. He Gurgled.

            True indeed, he read the fledgling’s weak mind; as he had read the others, all gave the same answer. W/ a sigh he waved his hands and all the vampires turned to dust, others exploded, others… well… imploded.
            He went to the East End of the fortress, he saw his companion sitting in the steps, his companion, a Swordsman, as well, only an inch taller, and older than he is. 
            “ Any luck my dear apprentice? No?  Well then we don’t need to waste time.”  His companion, nay His Master said in calm yet stern voice.
            “ Why master?” 
            “ Halo found your target w/ the clan’s “Father” heading towards Nilox City.”
            “The Sarafan capital? Why?”
             “Our first steps here, did you not wonder why no one gave out a good resistance, not counting their guards.”
              “I thought it might have been a trap. I however, found out that Lord Miles vampire hunters had been here.” He continued.
            “ And so the 2 left to the capitol? To get revenge? They must be crazier than we!!” saying in humor, he was slapped by his master, eyeing him in angry discipline.
            “My apologies, master.” He knew he deserved it; after all, he has been excited over his plans to take vengeance on “her”.
            “We’ve no time to chat, gather Gibbon and we will head to the capitol!” 
            As he finished, the Wolf came and bowed. [How convenient.] He thought, he motioned his hand to the exit, the sky. Soon they took off to the sky, including the wolf.
 
 

            Raziel saw land he waved his hand to Natalia motioning to land. Natalia in turn nodded, as she motioned her slim body at landing position. The earth feels good to the feet, after that 3-hour flight over the vast forest and mountains, Raziel stretched.
            “Tired?” Natalia asked 
            “My wings are newly sprouted, they are not used long such long trips.” Raziel admitted
            “Mine went through that long ago, you’ll get used to it.” Natalia smiled. “But we must move w/ haste, dawn approaches.” She continued.

            W/ that they went on foot to a nearby abandoned shack. Here Raziel rested himself covering himself in straw; Natalia slept beside him, giving him comfort. Natalia slept wishing that her “Brother” could join her.

            Natalia walked in an abandoned hallway, looking at the walls, she recognizes it, but from a distant past, she could not remember. She reaches the end, and there she saw herself. Holding her “Brother” and chopping off his head, blood squirted from the body covering her face. Natalia smiled at the thought, it was only right for her. Then, she heard footsteps; she turns and sees a young man of silver hair and black over all coat, pants, armor, boots, and guards; all of it black save for those skull raiment shoulder guards.  He seemed to be in his teens.  His face she familiarizes but could not remember. In a blink of an eye, she felt a force in her face, painful; for the first time in her after life, she felt actual physical pain. She lay on the floor, trying to get up, but no avail. Looking to her right shoulder, she sees the face of her younger brother. Then it hit her, Natalia felt something griping her neck, no hand grabbed her, but she was being lifted. Natalia spread her wings in pain.

            “So it is true, I do have a vampire sister.” He cried in triumph 
            “You? Ho… how ca… can It… It be? I k…k… killed you!!”  Natalia fought for her breath.
            “So you have!!!” he answered back in anger.

            Then the man pulled out a gleaming blade, it was straight, and w/ a skull’s face at its hilt, and guards are similar to that of Kain’s sword. Moreover, to her fear, the blade landed on her face. Natalia rose from her sleep, waking Raziel.

            “What is wrong, Natalia?” asked Raziel who hugged her, whispering to her ears.
            “He… he is alive?” she said in tears wondering what this dream meant.

          Meanwhile at the gates of Nilox City, two black figures, and a dog landed. The guards stood in awe, and greet them welcome. In return, they gave thanks and rewards to the guards. They entered the city, still sound asleep; they made there way to the capitol and knocked at the door, no one answered. Again they knocked, still no one answered. The shorter swordsman lost his patience and bashed the door open, immediately half-asleep, heavily armored guards surrounded them, spears, swords and crossbows at there necks. 
             The taller swords man landed his hand on his face as if to cover it. As he was about to speak, when an old man, well… not that sort of old, walked towards these early morning housebreakers. 

            “What Madness is this?!” he screamed.
            “Is everything to you still madness? Eh, Miles” the taller swordsman laughed in amusement.
            “Levant? Is that you? Oh No Its YOU!!” Miles Cunningham could hardly believe his eyes. It has been five long years since he saw the famous Lord, friend to the former circle member Nuptraptor. In addition, a representative of the mountain city of BrunstoneState, and usual troublemaker to every governor. Nonetheless, they all loved him anyway for his courage and generosity, and his humbleness. 
            “Yes its me, any way we have important matters to discuss.” In a Direct-to-the-point way.
            “Well, what is it? Taxes?” predicting what he thinks. 
            “No, it is rather more disastrous. Assemble your council immediately, and get those spirit staffs ready.”
            “A Vampire invasion?” he said shocked
            “More or less”. Levant answered w/ a questionable tone.

            Back in Raziel’s fortress, the clan leader was more devastated than before. Only nine of his clan was left, Natalia rested to a nearby wall.
            “What happened, did those bastards came back?”  He shouted to a fledgling.
             “No Father,.” Shrieked a young adult. ”They were not the vampire hunters; only 2 powerful black swordsmen.” She said in shame. “General Verlaine was killed in front of all of us.”
[2 powerful black swordsmen? It…it cannot be! It cannot be!] Natalia shuddered as she remembered her dream last night.
            “What should we do Father?” spoke another one
            “Leave that to me and Natalia, Rasona. Nasgar!” 
            “Yes father.” Appeared a bulky figured adult.
            “You are in charge till I return.” Raziel seemed more determined than before to get even. He turned to Natalia, who is now practicing her swordsmanship on an unseen foe. Swipe after graceful swipe. She sheathed her blade.
            “Raziel, the Sarafan capitol of Nilox is to the west from here. But I fear that they are now prepared.” Unassumingly said.
             “Then we must find a back way, or some sort of secret passage way to enter. For I will not rest till I will get vengeance!!” Raziel raised his sword to a nearby statue. In addition, plunged it to its stone chest he felt his blade undamaged by the movement.
            “ Perhaps there is a way in.,” said a young lieutenant
            “What did you discover, Liana?” Raziel turned to his greatest strategist, in fact she’s quite cute to be one. Humans always mistook her for a 12-year-old.
             “As I was saying, underneath Nilox City’s trash dump is a door that leads straight to its town square.” She coughed and caught her breath, “and most of all it’s not guarded!” 
              Raziel thought for a moment and turned to Natalia, “ I can risk smelling like a pig.”
            “Good”. Said Nasgar bringing w/ him some light battle armors and two canteens of fresh blood. “I Hope these may help you father.” 

            In the council chambers sits the elders of Nilox City. In the center stands the lone dark figure of Levant Arkamus.

            “It seems that your hunting’s went dramatic. You not only destroyed but crippled an important part in that Degenerate’s army!”  An elder praised Miles 
            “Listen to the Lord Levant! Any time now at dusk there will be an intruder that would get in the city.” Miles literally urged the council to Levant’s side.
            “In addition we must gather archers, seems that the clan leader, Raziel, has apparently grown wings.” Added Levant’s young apprentice.
            “And what proof do you have, Lord Kraius?” asked the elder
            “I myself read and saw what was in that fledgling’s mind. He and another winged vampire will somehow strike tonight.” Kraius answered desperately.
             “Well, why are we wasting our time talking here. Get the priests, evacuate the people, sharpen the weapons, and chant the magick!!!!” miles shouted in front of the elder.
            “Miles, Kraius will you, for the lord’s sake, BE CALM!!!” Levant corrected.
            “That I will”. Laughed the old Sarafan.

            Soon the city was in complete standard evacuation mode. The peasants were herded to the churches. The blacksmiths now making and sharpening weapons, priests and priestesses were chanting magick spells. The towers were now armed w/ 5 sharpshooters. Levant himself assisted in making weapons while his apprentice checked.

             In the night sky, Raziel and Natalia flew toward the back of the castle, even w/ the bright light of the full moon they still passed undetected.  They finally reached the trash heap. They hovered trying to find the secret entrance. In the darkness Natalia seemed nauseated w/ the smell, and then, Raziel found it.  The entrance, slightly reflecting light, was a gutter that led to the sewers underneath the city.  Taking of their long swords they entered the maze. 

            “Natalia, go first”. Raziel bowed.
            “Very gentle manly.” Natalia seemed amused, but she could not hide her desperation.
            They entered from hallway here and there.

            Kain walked back and forth over his throne, concentrating. His concentration was broken at the sound of a voice. It was one of his child’s clan. 

            “What is it?” Kain is stern.
             “Forgive my intrusion, my Lord; Raziel, our father, sends you this message.” 
            The message tells about every thing that had happened, save for Raziel’s evolution. After reading the message, Kain stormed out of the sanctuary of the clans and headed for Nilox City. 

            Luck was w/ them Raziel found the room of the refugees, temptation drove through him. Instantly he attacked a woman, draining all of her blood. Natalia too was of no exception, she reached for a child; needless to say instantly all of the refugees were drained. Suddenly a child screamed. 

            Outside Kraius and Levant heard the scream, instantly they dashed towards its origin; They didn’t need any source of light what so ever, for the lords can see even in the darkest night.  They soon reached the tavern.  As they neared; a child ran outside, being chased by a dark winged figure of a vampire.  Instantly, Kraius leaped forth and grabbed the child, then flew to the air into the night sky.  He landed in front of a squad of guards.

            “Take care of him.” He said. The guards nodded.
            Kraius ran back to the tavern.

            “YOU! YOU KILLED MOST MY CHILDREN! FOR THAT YOU WILL PAY!!” Raziel screamed as he darted forward towards Levant. Levant evaded the attack, as Raziel passed by harmlessly. Raziel flew to the sky; to his surprise, a voice behind him spoke.
            “Is that it?!” 
            At that moment, Raziel drew his sword, slashing at his unidentified target. The attack was blocked by another sword.  It was then Raziel saw Levant, Flying and in front of him. 
            “How? How is it that you fly human?” Raziel darted back.
            “By mastering the one thing you vampires had tainted, and that is… the force of the soul.”  Levant assumed a stance in mid air. Raziel charged towards him meeting Levant. As he swiped his blade side ways it was blocked by Levant's hand. [Impressive] Raziel thought. In a blink of an eye a kick laded on his jaw sent him retreating.

            Levant sheathed his sword, and assumed a hand-to-hand combat stance. Raziel wondered why, [is he boasting his strength that he can block my sword w/ merely his hand guard?] then he soon realized why, his sword had broken into 2 pieces. Raziel threw what was once his sword to nowhere. And as if it was a signal, Levant sent a flurry of lightning fast punches hitting Raziel by the head, stomach, and finally his neck. In his haste Raziel caught his leg before it went to his neck; he smiles as his claws resonated w/ red energy. Still holding Levant’s leg he hurled the glowing red ball to Levant; it hit, Levant’s blood floated to the air and into Raziel’s mouth.

            Though now weak and limping in the air, Levant smiled, “Foolish vampire don’t you know that I bear holy blood!”
            Raziel smiled back. “I drank the blood fount that gives resistance to all that is holy. That little threat of yours is of no use.” 
            “Oh Really?” he cast a vicious face towards Raziel.

            Suddenly, Raziel lost his control of vision and began to fall dazed, in a moment he coughed and finally, he vomited the blood he once drank. More over he saw his enemy has eaten some sort of seed and seemed to have rejuvenated his strength.

            “You see my friend. I know of that blood fount just above the ocean. I myself went there as I followed Vorador.” He cracked his hands then continued. “And it was there I tainted the fount w/ my blood; and the effects of the fount has reversed. Meaning, Now that you drank it, you're even more prone to holy magick.”
            ” he pointed an accusing hand to Levant. “It cannot!… it can never be! you lie!!!”
             “So tell me why did your body rejected the blood you drank.”

            And then; Levant disappeared and reappeared on Raziel’s back and sent him a kick upward. Raziel felt his back broken, as this swordsman kept him in mid air, pounding him to a bloody pulp.  W/ a glimpse Raziel saw Levant’s hand together as if praying, and then curled; w/ it he sent a final blow towards Raziel’s stomach. The vampire rocketed downward at tremendous speed. Levant heard a sound of loud crash, he knew what landed he was satisfied.

            [no more nuisance to hinder his plans.] he thought. Suddenly a large black hawk flew towards him. 
            “Halo, what news?” he asked telepathically.
            “Kain is coming w/ 30 yard from that hill, Master.” Halo answered back. 
            “Very good, you have served me well.” Levant anticipated this, and he was going find Kain and end where there last battle went.

            Meanwhile back inside the hallways of the tavern Natalia walked calmly, the light of the full moon gave dark radiance to her long black hair.  She knew no one would expect her on the rooftops. She reached the end of the hallway when she heard a loud crash, she ran to the nearby window to look. She saw a crater of debris, in it was a figure of a man; the night sky cleared giving light towards the massive figure.  In her horror it was Raziel, lying in the crater, bathed w/ his own pool of vampiric blood w/ all of his bones broken, and his arms and legs dislocated. 
Natalia shrank back in dismay and anger. 
            She heard footsteps, [seems I’ll have my first stroke of vengeance.]  As She hides to the shadows, invisible to the naked eyes.  A black figure dashes for the corner, instinctively Natalia jumps for the figure at great force.
             “DIE MURDERER!!” she screamed.
            The figure turns, "Oh Mama Help Me!”

            To her surprise the black figure grabs her upon mid air and hurls her out of the window.  A loud crash of glass and wood followed, luckily for her she was 10 times more agile than any vampire as she landed on her feet to the ground.  Along her stood the man in black, his long silver hair covering most of his face, so Natalia couldn’t see how he looked like. 

            “Yes, I was right a Vampire!” the man in black had landed w/ her, and no bones broken on his feet?
            “After a 3 story fall you don’t have any broken bones?”  Natalia was amazed how this human could outdo her expectations.  “ So tell me what does it take to kill you?”  She teased, unsheathing her blue sword.
            “ Tell me vampire, what is your name?”  He asked generously.
            “Since you asked so kindly dear boy, I am Natalia.”
            The young man in black clenched his fists. 
            “Are you not the Natalia, the former daughter of a Sarafan, the one who slaughtered Erion Flebiles’s family?!” He said in bitter anger.
            Natalia then remembered her dream; fear and curiosity now battered her mind.
            “And you!?” Natalia answered back,” you are that Bastard’s son?”
            “So all these questions answers everything.  Natalia, daughter of a Sarafan, thrown out because she was not male!”
            “Oh I know” he continued on ” you who killed my former father and mother, you who dragged me from bed and lopped off my head!!! How does it feel!? Answer me!! How does it feel to see you Dead Younger Brother now!? Before you!!!” 

            At these words Natalia froze; her mind in question.  Finally she smiled, holding her sword towards her Dark Brother’s face.
            “You were once dead, don’t tell me you and your friend are vampires as well?” she challenged.
            “Do not compare me to your accursed race!! I am far more than human, only I am not a dark one, like you!! I am a Paladin, wielder of Holy powers; I am a Necromancer, wielder of the Demonic crafts; I am a of all sides in one!”
             Natalia now understood; he was resurrected not by the dark arts of necromancy; but by the light of resurrection.
            “ So what are you then, Step Brother?”  She could not hold it any longer, for some times she regretted why she killed him.  And now he stands there, in front of her; and amidst all that, she called him…BROTHER.
            “I am a LORD of SWORD!” he answered in triumph.  “And now, we shall see who is better in the Sword Arts.” Finally unsheathing his red bladed sword.
            “Shall we?” she answered happily.

                 Kraius Flebiles and Natalia Flebiles, siblings; born of different mothers; separated by one cruel father.  Now they stand there, no longer a family but as bitter enemies.  In the town square they stood, this served as an arena.  To Natalia’s back lies Raziel, a clan leader previously sent to comma by a Lord of Sword.  Deserted houses, trees, and streets surrounded them.  In the light of night sky their long hair and faces glimmered. 

            Natalia drew her Blue Bladed Sword, formerly owned by the vampire Vorador; honed in her years of training in swordsmanship.  Skills of the dark arts now imbued to the sword.  Its hilt imbued is a skull of an ancient beast, from its mouth protruded Blue steel.
            Kraius drew his sword, a straight Red Bladed sword; forged by the skills he learned in his years of training in the ultimate arts.  On its both sides of its hilt lies the face of a skull, however on its transparent head lies a cross.  Its power shining down on the red steel. 

                They face each other, eye-to-eye; both assumed a stance.  A stray leaf drops at the center  of the 2; as if it gave the signal, both ran towards the other. Blue steel met red steel, locked in a struggle. Then both pulled back in a synchronized manner; Kraius sent his blade towards Natalia’s head; blocked w/ accuracy Natalia lunged forward.
She missed Kraius by an inch
            Kraius turned in a complete circle, he stoked flesh; he had hit Natalia in the left shoulder.
            Natalia’s wound wasn’t deep; in her haste she ran slash after slash towards her brother screaming out warcries.
He blocked w/ ease, however the last slash hit his cheeks.  He paused, then continued to attack, he stepped sideward, left then right; w/ instinct he landed his blade at Natalia’s stomach, blood sputtered.
            The pain seemed wonderful for the first time; Natalia, as well, plunged her blade to her brothers shoulder, blood gushed to her face.
            The battle paused as both sides stop to heal.

            “This battle is getting nowhere!”  Kraius ran his finger to his wounded shoulder, instantly it healed.
            “Have you tired?  I haven’t.”  Natalia Licking the blood of her fingers.
            “You want to see something impressive?”  Kraius assumed a stance.
            In a blink of an eye he disappeared; Natalia smelled the air to see where.  To her disappointment she didn’t catch any; then to her surprise, Kraius appeared in front of her, floating towards her.  She evaded a slash from the right meant for her head, however Kraius spun his blade back to the left; the blade went through her chest plate, cutting her left breast. Then w/ out warning, Kraius spun and kicked Natalia’s wounded area; Natalia screamed in agony, the pain incomparable.
            Natalia was both amazed and angry with her “Brother”; she chanted, then a purple glow enveloped her hand.
            “ Zadghas Hu’um!!!” 
            Bolts of lightning headed towards Kraius, Natalia smiled having the bolts penetrate through Kraius’s armor and tearing through his flesh. 
             Kraius fell, amazed by the powers of his “Sister” he hit the ground hard.  And Then…  Kraius jumped back to his feet, hand on his chest.  The energy healed him in no time, just as Natalia’s blood healed her wounded breast. 
            “Fine!  You used magick?  So can I!”  He curled his left hand and smashed the ground.
            “Pah To Pah!!!” 
            The ground shook and opened to swallow Natalia.  But to Kraius’s surprise, Natalia spread her wings and took to the air. 
            Kraius smiled, he energized his aura and flew towards his sister.
            “How?  How is it that you could fly?” Natalia amazed.

            Kraius didn’t answer, as he dated towards her.  Natalia poised herself to block an anticipated stab; then to her surprise, Kraius threw his sword up ward. 
            [Why?  Oh you want to go hand to hand?  Fine!]  She thought just as she sheathed her blade, but to Natalia’s surprise Kraius bulled out a pair of short sticks bounded together by a small chain.  Natalia cried in pain as lightning fast blows landed all through out her body.  Natalia countered back by slashing Kraius w/ her wings, she cut him by the legs.  Kraius howled in torment as he bled in great force.
            Natalia smiled and dashed towards her brother bring her wings towards his head; Kraius didn’t waste any time he poised in an offense-defense-stance. 
            Timing was on Kraius side, grabbing the sword that he had thrown earlier; he concentrated.
            A blinding light filled Kraius sword; wasting no time, he made his favorite move.  Instantly blurry slashes went forth towards Natalia, hitting her at close range, cutting all vital structures. At blinding speed he grabbed Natalia’s still sheathed sword, w/ it he slashed both blades towards her throat.  Disappointed why the head didn’t come off as Natalia’s red cold blood ran down to her chest. 
            Natalia could no longer bare it, pain filled her entire flesh, as well as her heart; this was far more worse than having a stake driven through her.  She gave one final look at her brother, she smiled as she plummeted to the dark cold ground. 
            Hitting hard, she actually made a small crater, she looked up towards her still bleeding brother.
            [I am ashamed to have mistakenly killed you before, now I am even more shamed to admit that you defeated me.  W/ this I am proud of you.  Dear Step Brother.] 
            Natalia closed her eyes; above her Kraius held both their swords. 
            This was it, the chance he had been waiting for all these years of enduring; the time has come to avenge his death, his mother’s death, but not his father’s death.  He did not know if Natalia loved their father, but he was not going to do this for the bastard who brought him to this world.  Now was the time.
            W/ one final act, he threw the swords towards his sister.  The sword’s speed incomparable, finally they found their target.  Natalia felt the pain excruciating, both swords had landed on both her breasts. 
            [You pervert!!! If I survive this ordeal I’ll rip yours from between your legs and fry them for dinner!!! ] 

            However, it was not yet over; Kraius hands glowed light blue, symbols of power glowed in each fingertip, the final strike that would complete his vengeance.  Putting his hands together, he aims.
            A blinding light shot from his hands running towards the target.
            A hush of silence falls before him as he lands softly towards the ground. 

            Kain ran at his best speed that his body could allow.  Though it was still dark he could see the city not far.  He stopped dead on his tracks when he saw the blinding light; at this he cursed.  Hoping His close ally, Natalia, would still be alive. 

            “CURSE YOU SWORDSMAN!!!” Kain shouted to the air.
            “How ironic I did not know that an Arrogant Solitary Bastard, such as you cared for you allies.” A voice came from behind.  Kain drew the Soul Reaver as the voice’s owner came into view. 

            He was there, standing calmly; dressed in his signature black coat w/ his skull raiments on both shoulders.  He walked slowly, dragging w/ him a body of a Half Dead Vampire.  Kain’s eyes widened as he recognized the body of his favorite son.  Levant, amidst the blurry battle of Kraius and Natalia, managed to swoop downward and take the fallen clan leader, Raziel. 

            “Your son didn’t put up such a challenge.”  As he threw Raziel at Kain’s feet.
            He turned his back, leaving Kain to drag the body back to where he came from.
            “Where are you going?!” Kain growled 
            “Till we meet again Degenerate!”  As He disappeared into thin air
            “And one more thing, Natalia has found the ultimate solitude she has wished all these years.” The voice rang out.

            Kain looked at his son lying like a rag; he looked at the Soul Reaver as it glimmered w/ dark energy.
            [Soon you will once again clash w/ the Soul Divider, your rival sword; till then be patient my friend.]  He thought as he continued to marvel at the Soul Reaver’s dark glory.
            He looked at the sky, it will be morning soon; he lifted Raziel’s crippled body and disappeared into the darkness.

            Back in the city, the bodies of the drained citizens were burned and blessed.  In the bowls of the capitol’s rooms sat the lone figure, the Lord of Sword, Kraius Mona Flebiles.  He sat praying to the almighty that he might forgive his stepsister; amidst his hatred, he still remembered the lessons Levant taught him.
            Natalia woke, her head still hurting, her wounds had somehow healed; then she realized, she was lying in bed in a beautifully decorated room. She got up and saw her sword, Natalia calmly walked towards her sword. 

            “You're awake.” A voice rang
            Natalia unsheathed her sword and assumed a battle stance.
            “You have been beaten by my student, how much more the master?” 

            Then Levant stepped into view, still garbed in black.  He calmly unsheathed his sword; it was curved, and was evidently foreign made. Natalia saw the skull guard and skull raiment on the lower portion of its blade, and on its hilt end. Her eyes widened in fear; in her deep studies at Vorador’s mansion  she knew that this foreign blade could only mean… the Soul Divider. Unlike the Soul Reaver which drinks your soul. The Soul Divider, erases your soul, which in plane verse would mean; You don’t exist anymore, here and the world beyond. Natalia lowered her sword.

            “What do you want with me?” she asked 
            “For you to kneel down and ask forgiveness to your brother.” He calmly spoke
            “What!?” she screamed and reached for her sword. “Soul Divider or not, I will never bow to him!”
            She swiped at Levant; in a flash her sword flew from her hands and struck the wall.
             Levant then sheathed the Soul Divider , w/ a quick wave of his hand, Natalia's sword flew from where it was pinned and into Levant’s hand. “I wasn’t called Lord of Sword for nothing you know.”
            “Humph, but tell me how was he resurrected?” she sat.
            “Why should I?” 
            Natalia, for the second time in her long life, kneeled and begged. “Please I must know.”
            Levant pointed Natalia's sword to her throat. “It is your brother you must do that!” 
            Natalia was silent for a long time, finally she rose “show me to my brother.”
 
             Levant smiled; they walked out of the room and entered into a larger more elaborate room. There, she saw her stepbrother for the second time, facing a large window looking down. He turned, in his eyes Natalia saw deep anger and sadness. As He turned, Levant left the room, leaving Natalia w/ Kraius. W/out further hesitation she kneeled.

            “Please brother, I beg forgiveness.”
            Kraius’s eye filled w/ anger, he cast an accusive hand towards her, ”You Lie, Remember I am a Lord of Sword, and I can read the heart of any one, therefore I know lies from truth!”
            Natalia’s eyes ran tears of blood, sadness filled her. “You are right, I was not truthful to you. before I ask forgiveness, tell me how you lived; I most certainly had killed you.”
            “If you so wish, dear sister…”
            “After you left the house, the Sarafan forces of Malek came. They took me and laid me w/ my family to be buried. However, before they could cover the coffin he came. He came, it was he who resurrected me. 
I woke up and I saw him, my master, Lord Levant Arkamus. He told me what had happened and offered me another life and a choice, Join him and he will teach me and help me take revenge or I could just walk away. Of course I was grateful to him, and therefore I accepted his offer. He then looked at me as a family, together w/ the other Lords.”
At this Natalia laughed, “You and I made the same choices, as you know, I was given a choice too. Save the fact that it was a dark choice Vorador gave me.” She kneeled again. “Once again I bow and beg forgiveness and so hope you will forgive me too.”
            “I thought you vampires no longer bore sympathy or emotions rather than hate.”
            “I wasn’t bitten, I merely drank Vorador’s blood.” She unfolded her wings, “Tell me why did you heal me, is it because you wanted this?”
            “No, as I hovered there looking at you. I saw my mother before me in tears. It seems as if my mother knew all. And for her I did not finish you.”

            Natalia could not believe what she had just heard, before she entered this room she planned to murder him while he was still recovering from his wound. She cried not in shame but for that sympathy she bore to her brother. Levant entered the room and gave Natalia her sword. She knew she could not stay for long; her mind was set. In an instant she dashed for the big window and burst through. While in the air she swooped up and looked at her captors. She gave her brother one last look.

            “At least I know that my hatred for my father is shared. This at least makes me happy, farewell my brother and you Bearer of the Soul Divider. I give you my promise, I will not stand in your way ever.” She then turned and disappeared to the night sky.
            “Will she be back?” Kraius looked at his master.
            “Think that no longer, instead think of your victory. For at long times I remember, you had craved for dire vengeance. Now you had it, you will soon be posted to the barracks as a soldier.”
            “Victory.” Kraius said it unsure. “If it is victory, it is a hollow one.”
            “Rest, we will go tomorrow. And where is that wolf of yours anyway?”

            Kraius didn’t answer; instead he glared at the night sky. Levant put a hand on his shoulder, and then the elder Lord of Sword went out. Kraius sat there, alone he thought, and then he smiled. 
 

            Levant walked to a stairway then left the capital by lying. He reached a fairly high mountain; he landed and faced north. 
            [Soon Kain… very soon] he smiled at the thought, as if he anticipated it.

            In his fortress lies Raziel, healing and regenerating. 
            On the rooftops of his citadel stood Lord Kain.  And the top of a mountain peek, stood Lord Levant Arkamis.
Both know that they will meet again.  Together, unknown to the other, they cried their former warcry.

                                                                      Vay Victus!!!!!! 
 

(Note: The sword Soul Divider, Levant Arkamus, and Kraius is the property and ideas of Mr. Paul Reynes, my friend, member to a local Philippine comic book group, Sukol Mo! he currently the artist of his story Omega Crisis.  Any usage of the names go directly to him and me.)