A little tingle went through his brain as he flapped over one of the buildings. He knew that feeling. He was near one of Janos' towers, constructed so that a vampire may always be able to return to such places. But why is one here? The towers only react to a vampire's approach when activated by that vampire. But I have never been here before. Someone must have moved a tower. Kain decided to go see. If someone here still knows the power of vampires, that person must be dealt with. Kain made a circle around the building, he saw the bright green and gold bat atop the tower. He glided in and resumed vampire form as he landed.

        "So you've arrived at last, I was starting to worry."

        Kain turned around at the voice behind him. A young human stood there no older than Kain himself had been. He wore a strange outfit. It seemed people wearing such outfits garnered respect from the commonfolk. Perhaps he was a young noble. 

        "You know of my kind then?" Kain said, his hand on the soul reaver's scabbard. He took a couple steps towards the man.

        "Of course, I've known of the vampire race for some time now. I'd always wondered if I'd really get the chance to meet you." He didn't look intimidated. 

        Kain took another few steps forward, so he was right in front of the man. "Then you will answer my questions. Where am I? What is this place? How did you know I was coming here?"

        "Learn some patience vampire," The man stated. "We have need for your services. We will answer your questions upon completion." 

        Kain grabbed the man by the neck. "No one speaks to me in such insulting words!" He tightened his grip, closing off the man's throat, blocking his air. "Shall I be 'patient' as I kill you young fool, or would you prefer a quick death?" The man vainly tried to claw his way out of Kain's iron grip. But to know avail. He struggled, twitched a few more times, and went limp in Kain's hand. 

        "That was most impressive!" a figure emerged from behind the tower. Clapping his hands, "You really are all that you were said to be!" 

        Kain stormed over to him, "I AM NOT IN A MOOD FOR GAMES!" The man wisely took a step backwards. 

        "You posed questions, I will give you your answers."

        Kain relaxed a bit, eager to consume some knowledge of his whereabouts. "Speak then, lest I rip your tongue from your throat." 

        "At once, my lord." 

        ‘My Lord’, Kain liked those words. 

        "You are in a city called Los Angeles. From our research, we believe you are about ten thousand years into your future. We really don't know for sure, it was so long ago. Our research foretold your arrival. We located ancient scrolls, from a time before when we believed civilized man existed. They described a place called Nosgoth, where a battle was fought for salvation of the world. The battle, however, was only partially of flesh and steel. The final act was for a young vampire to make a choice, kill himself, and save the world, or rule it, and damn it. What we didn't realize was that this place, Nosgoth, was actually L.A., that 's the abbreviation for Los Angeles. It seems that after your virtuous act, the inhabitants of Nosgoth scattered out. Reaching into the far corners of the world. Nosgoth itself fell apart, decayed by time and utterly destroyed, no remnant of it remains today." 

        Kain had to wonder that Nupraptor's retreat could be destroyed simply by time. 

        "Anyway, a dark age followed. Civilization and advancement came to a halt. Things started to go the other way. Much history was lost. Nosgoth was forgotten. But the scrolls told us one more thing. In the future, decay would again infect the world. It didn't tell when, but we figured it was probably soon seeing as the scrolls had once again been found. And that the noble vampire would again return and slay the evil, for the last time. Then he would rule the new Nosgoth for eternity, in justice, strength, and blessed darkness." 

        Kain had to admit it sounded appetizing, he had only just arrived and already he had supporters. And he didn't even need beguile around him. The visage of death instigates no fear in them. 

        "In the caverns where the scrolls were found, we also found this." He gestured towards the tower, "We erected it here in the hopes that it would gain your attention. And behold, it has"

        "Thank you, that was a wonderful story, assuming it's true. Who are you?"

        "My name is Lucien Dorn. I am the CEO of a law firm. Wolfram and Hart."

        Angel's mansion was truly elegant. Works of art placed in decorative areas. Artifacts were set on pedestals. It was spotlessly clean. Vampires leave little mess, and never have children to wreak havoc through the house. 

        Angel studied the papers before him with dedication. Before his eyes, on the wooden table were the photographs, the brick walls, with their cryptic symbols adorning them. Beside them were books, each containing ancient symbols and cryptic languages. Scrolls containing text on creatures no mortal dared dream of. Yet, he found nothing. His face cringed. Nothing, absolutely nothing. Dawn had broken, he was now confined to the indoors. So he couldn't go back to the walls for a second look. He'd been so sure that something in these texts would tell him what he needed to know. But nothing. Nothing even resembling the strange markings. Nothing about blood being burned into walls. Hardly anything about black blood, period. A few creatures, mostly docile and harmless. No way one of them could have massacred all those teens. And the method of the murder, drawing blood from the bodies without leaving wounds. And where is that blood? A vampire would have left marks, and blood leaving the body would have splattered everywhere. No, nothing presented itself. Wesley might know. But he banished that thought. My old friends are dead to me now. I will figure this out on my own. That is the way it should be. Angel had been reminding himself of that fact more and more often lately. He got up and stormed around his mansion. No leads, no trail to follow. Sherlock Holmes could not have noticed something Angel missed. A phantom murderer abducts people in the middle of day, in full view of the public, leaves marks on walls burned in with blood, can desiccate a human by will alone it seemed, wield power enough to destroy a car, yet vanish from the scene without a trace. Angel had nothing to go on, no trail to follow, only a target he couldn't see. In frustration he snatched up a nearby vase and hurled it across the room. It shattered beautifully against the wall, leaving shards on his carpet. I'll have to buy more of those. Angel thought, oblivious to the expense that vase cost. 

        "Uggghhhh….!" Angel cried out as something pierced his back. He reached around and found a small blade protruding from it. He wrenched it out, blood spilling onto his hands. He spun around to face his attacker. A young woman stood there, dressed in black, high-heeled leather boots, with a silver ankh around her neck. 

        "So, you are the Angelus?" the girl said.

        "Who are you?" Angel responded, the pain a distant memory.

        "No one you need to worry about, not really."

        The girl walked towards him. Angel noticed something, she wasn't looking at him, her eyes darting about, she walked awkwardly as well, like her mind wasn't on the task at hand. Angel watched her carefully, ready to defend himself if she moved against him. Of course, she already has. But something told him that all was not as it seemed here. The girl continued to amble towards him. Till her face was only a foot away from Angel's. Suddenly her head snapped to attention, looking Angel in the eyes. They say the eyes are the window to the soul. Very few people know how true that really is. Looking into her eyes, he could see nothing; this girl had no soul. The visage before him was like staring into the abyss, seeing the abyss stare right back at him. Angel lost his nerve, he struck the girl in the face, knocking her to the floor. He regretted the decision instantly. His strength was far greater than a normal human, he could have killed her instantly. But she stood up. She started walking back towards Angel. Angel held up his fists just in case. She stepped closer, and closer, until she was now a foot away from Angel. 

        "Did I scare you?" She said.

        Angel didn't say anything.

        "Watch this." 

        Angel backed up to avoid whatever she was planning to do. But she just stood there, a blank look on her face. Angel started to think she'd fallen asleep. Then she twitched, her head jerked to the side, her arms spasmed, she let out an ear-piercing scream, and collapsed to the ground. Angel walked up to her. Touched her with his shoe. Nothing. He bent down to check her pulse.

        "Don't bother, she's dead." A male voice spoke. 

        Angel turned up to see it's owner. A man stood there. A bit taller than Angel himself. Dressed in black leather from his neck to his boots. His skin was bleach white. A mean looking sword was sheathed at his side. 

        "Who are you!?" Angel demanded.

        "My name is Kain, Angelus."