NationStates Jolt Archive

Cardinal Richelieu sat in his office, reading the report. "Kain Irenicus, resisting arrest... captured... trial. Good." He looked up. Someone had entered. "Ah, hello... Abott Sarth, no?"

The Abott nodded. He looked up. His eyes were red. "Hello, Your Eminence..."

Richelieu leapt back. "What? How did one such as you get in here?" He looked around. Surely the darkness hadn't grown that powerful.

"That is not important, Cardinal. What is important is this."Mephisto drew closer and locked eyes with Richelieu. "You will hand control of Kain's trial to me. You will have a heart attack in 5 seconds. You will forget this conversation."

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An hour later...

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"Cardinal Richelieu has fallen ill. Abott Sarth shall take over the trial." The High Inquisitors informed the lower orders.

A sound of shocked mutters met them. The High Inquisitors locked eyes and nodded. Where did Abott Sarth come from, any way?

(OOC What is Kain's prison like? If I know that, then I can begin)

OOC: Just was letting everyone know...

IC: Kain was removed from the dropship and put into a cage. As he was placed within, he felt his powers drain away. The Captain laughed. "Foolish vampire. Your powers are useless in this cage of silver."

He was paraded along one of the streets of Port Agua. Hundreds of people gathered to jeer him. "Ah, look at the ugly beast! Kill it!" A woman shouted as Kain was borne past her by the proud Inquisitors.

-------------

On a rooftop above, one man watched that wasn't happy. Simon shook his head. "That's wrong..."

OOC: Okay, if you have had any contact with Kain before and have *good* rp skills, or were in the thread To Fight the Darkness, you can participate in this.

OOC: Any particular role you would like me to play?

Kain awoke with a startle. he head pounded..his wounds where unattended, the silver bullets still lodged within him. He was terribly weak...he noticed horrifyingly he needed blood. (Without Brightblade you understand. Should I put this in?) His mind was clouded, a hazed maze which Kain was lost in, trying to find something rational to grip upon.

He looked up, and saw the silver all around him. Strangely...it did not seem to be painful to touch...Kain reasoned, that silver would simply remove some of his powers when held in large amounts around him, or was lodged inside. The silver bullets he realised, prevented him from regenerating around the wounds, and dirupted his mist ability.

He reached back with his cloven talon and probed his wounds for the bullets. He winced in pain, but got the bullets out, thier silver forms covered with his own blood. Kain tossed them wearily, feeling the alarmingly slow healing process take place.

With his body still shaking, he looked out to those crowds, who jeered and mocked him purely for what he was. Never had he heard or experianced this, he felt awful. Things where thown at him, stones and vegetables. Kain ignored most of it, remaining in the shadows of the cage, until a large tomato smashed into his head, the wet and moist matter sliding down his face, looking like a strange blood. Kain sneered and wiped the vegetable matter off his face.

What will they do to me? Kain thought to himself, not really realising by doing so he would speak to Cloak, who was drapped sadly over his left arm, a faint brown colour.

I have no idea Kain...We can only remain strong in our resolve, they must not see a broken vampire mocked and crippled, but a person who has been subjected to a great prejudice which is wrong. To fight fire with thier fire s to keep the blaze burning forever, a circle which would incinerate all. No...we must remain calm and collected. Be civil, even through thier worse treatment. Cloak counsiled to Kain.

Kain simply sighed and looked outside the birght sunshine showing thier mocking faces, thier jeers and insults towards him brought him much pain, far more than any silver bullet. How could they do this?

I..shall try Cloak. You are right...but I wonder of what has happened to these people to hate vampires so? Kain replied silently.

Cloak remained silent...it was a question it could not answer.

So this is how it ends....Not the way I was hoping to go..but in someway it seems fitting that Kain Irenicus, should be made an example of by the mocking and prejudice crowds of Roania. The bastards, they should all burn.

Do not think like that...You sound like them.You do not mean that.

Oh leave me be Cloak....I tire of these constant lesson of which you know nothing of. Leave my thoughs be so that I can at least die with a clear mind, away from these moral stories. What do you know of how I feel? You know nothing of this world, of what life has to offer...it's trials and challenges. You are just a wandering spirit who knows only of others lives, you have never lived truelly yourself! Kain bitterly said to Cloak, he was in a extremely synical and hopeless mood, and with good reason. He remained synical and seeds of hatred where planted into his mind. Everyone seemed to be against him, even in some cases the people who he was trying to help!

Cloak simply said nothing, and stayed silent. It knew that Kain did not truelly mean those things...but it was worrying to hear him say such things.

Above the victory parade crouched a lone, dark shape. Through a pair of military-grade binoculars it scanned the scene, slowly scanning for weakpoints in the Roanian defenses. It saw Kain trapped behind walls of silver, bleeding from numerous gunshot wounds. In front of the odd-looking creature sat an R93 collapsable sniper rifle, with a flash surpressor screwed onto the end. A trio of .308 rounds were strapped across the back of the creature's scaly right hand, and five more on the stock of the rifle. A pair of wooden stakes were strapped to the inside of its right forearm, carved from Argonian Blackwood. The black cloak outlined the pair of katanas strapped across its back, and a large handgun was thrust through its waist sash, opposite a small throwing knife. 'Telephathy will be useless, the silver nullifies his powers to the point of non-exsistance. Only the desperate and the foolish attack without first observing their opponents, as a wise man once said. I shall study these fanatics, and learn of their ways. Then I shall strike, if striking is nessecary...'

Above the victory parade crouched a lone, dark shape. Through a pair of military-grade binoculars it scanned the scene, slowly scanning for weakpoints in the Roanian defenses. It saw Kain trapped behind walls of silver, bleeding from numerous gunshot wounds. In front of the odd-looking creature sat an R93 collapsable sniper rifle, with a flash surpressor screwed onto the end. A trio of .308 rounds were strapped across the back of the creature's scaly right hand, and five more on the stock of the rifle. A pair of wooden stakes were strapped to the inside of its right forearm, carved from Argonian Blackwood. The black cloak outlined the pair of katanas strapped across its back, and a large handgun was thrust through its waist sash, opposite a small throwing knife. 'Telephathy will be useless, the silver nullifies his powers to the point of non-exsistance. Only the desperate and the foolish attack without first observing their opponents, as a wise man once said. I shall study these fanatics, and learn of their ways. Then I shall strike, if striking is nessecary...'

A team of Psykers scanning the area detected a presence above the mansion. They opened fire, not caring if they hit a civilian or a hostile target.

Kain was bought inside the Cathedral, and all of his powers disapeared.

A cloaked figure walked into the large Roanian city. He wasn't quite sure what city it was, but he knew a friend was here and in need of assistance.

He could not understand why the humans insisted on being so cruel to his friend, he must help him.

The figure continued to walk through the streets making no notice of himself.

Kain. Where are you?

High above, in a dark tower, Mephisto exalted over the bringing low of his enemy. "Soon, soon Kain, you will know fear, and death."

--------------

Below, Simon wandered the streets of Port Agua in a daze. "I don't understand this. We've never taken a vampire to trial before, just killed them. Something is wrong here."

Kain heard the jeering of the hateful crowds be drowned out by this strange sound. It was the sound of nothing, there where the only quiet noise of the wheels rolling on the floor, but other than that there was none existant noise. The silence was almost as bad as the noise, this noise promised something was coming...someone. Kain did not know what it was, but it was an intangable sense of fear.

Fear was a relatively new experiance. Kain did not feel fear often, but when he did there was great reason. last time he had truely been terrified when Qui and Daja came for him and exiled him and Daniella...that raw terrror and shame was greater than anything Kain had ever felt and he still had some nightmares about it. But still...it was better now.

It was the sense of envitability, that someone was watching and observing. Judging. It was a heavy atmosphere which drowned out any glimmer of hope, choking Kain, keeping his spirit low while his body was encased with this prison of silver.

He heard no communication...but others knew where he was until he entered the Cathedral. Then this small candle flame was snuffed out, blacked out, it's trace gone. But most saw that he had been taken into the Cathedral.

With a sense of curiousity Kain looked at this place, this place where God was supposidly cast judgement. What he saw was simply a building...how different it was from Velmora's temples! There was only one massive temple within Velmora, and that still had a sense of a humble nature. It held the Seer and the Eternal Prison, but other than that, it was simply a place of prayer like the other temples.

This in comparison was an extravagrance. The stained glass windows told thier ancient...and not so ancient stories with great panchech, thier heros glorifyed with the rays of light of God, and thier many unholy enemies demonised. Kain could not see into detail if these evil ebigns where vampires...the silver of the bars made his head hurt.

Silver usually did not have this effect...what was differenent about it? Kain brushed the silver with a taloned hand a faint flicker of blue went accross his flesh. Ah...that was it. It was magically aided. With magic...or prayer? Most likely the latter Kain thought...prayer could still work the same as magic without a God should the user be drawing upon some other source and calling it God....Interesting Kain thought and reclined to his old position, thinking.

My apologies Cloak. You know I did not mean that. I value your counsil.
It is understandable Kain.

Kain awaited what would happen next...

Several priests walked past the cage, not seeing him. Kain could pick out a few words "It appears the Cardinal is ill...; Yes, Sarth has taken over; No, I don't know where he comes from; Those eyes, like Merrech's, only with..."

They are gone, and Kain is left alone.

Seconds pass into minutes, minutes into hours. Finally, a voice can be heard. "Take him to the cells! This is what the Cardinal commands!" The voice is familiar. Mephisto is walking past the cage. Surrounding him are several Inquisitors, each of them looking as if something was wrong, something they couldn't quite place.

It was obviously Mephisto. Even though he had taken the form of a human, and was disguising his voice, he stuck out in this holy place like a pebble in a large shoe. Now that Kain thought about it, there was a peculiar feeling about the cathedral. As if there was oil floating about, clouding some sort of light.

Those long hours Kain remained within his cage thinking. Thinking about his life. What he had done. How he might get out. But this place seemed to promise his death, his damnation.

Finally, the silence ended with another voice, but Kain prefered the solitary silence when he heard the familer voice. It was a voice which was not of this world....one of which had hidden meanings, hidden metaphors and a constant plan to which he only knew. Here was an incalcualble intellegence....

"Take him to the cells! This is what the Cardinal commands!" the voice commanded.

Kain noticed something had changed. He had experiance of the inquisitors...and they seemed troubled...slightly unconfortable with thier siutation. The rules had changed....there was a far worse prospect for Kain. Previously Kain had expected the inquisitors casting blame upon him....damning him, and killing him. But now....there was something else here. A sense of uncertainty and lack of knowing what would happen which put seeds of fear into Kain even now. But he did not let it show.

As Kain relised who it was, he whispered hoarsely, "You...!" and slunk back into the shadows of the cage to think what to do next. He felt as though he was drunk...he needed blood. His entire body was fatigued....

The light which would normally beam chillingly through the stained glass windows seemed to dimmer and flicker away, as though even the sun would refuse to cast light upon this individual.

Mephisto turned and raised his cowl slightly. He winked. Then he turned to the Inquisitors. "GO!"

They all saluted, and grabbed the cage, moving it towards a blank wall... which slid open, revealing a hidden lift. "Come along, Kain. The Cardinal has given control of this trial to the abott back there."

The ride down was long and boring. The silence was suddenly cut by a loud scream, and the sound of burning torches. The scream dopplered out. "#34?" One of the Inquisitors asks the group.

They all nod. "He refuses to confesss, even now."

OOC: I think Rave might be interested in this...

Kain went along willingly, there was no real use stuggling here. He was too weak....

"What...maddness is this?" Kain whispered on the way down, his voice barely audiable, his arms swaying at his sides. He knew that wounds where almost healed, but the healing process had drained him somewhat.

He had no idea what to expect...

(OOC Yes Rave would be interested in this. But eitherway, her characters would not be able to do much right now)

The doors open. And reveal a scene from the blackest nightmare of the most deranged monk.

Throughout the room hundreds of machines stand, racks, Iron maidens, and other, darker machines. People lie on them, screaming in agony. Throughout, Inquisitors move about checking strain and calling upon them to repent.

On a far wall, stands the original Certifica Religi:

*The Roman Catholic Church
*Conservative Judaism
*Sunni Islam
*Greater Wheel Buddhism
*Eastern Orthodoz Church

All other religions and sects must be stamped out. This, is our holy duty.

The Inquisitors all cross themselves, and then move Kain towards a cell. "This is where we put our... special subjects."

At this point Kain began to struggle. His efforts where still strong and required some effort to keep him restrained, but he was weak due to the thirst. His Cloak grew distressed and and wrapped itself around Kain tighter, it's colour was a lightining blue as it and Kain where highly fearful and needed to escape.

The machines of torture where black swirls to Kain, which prmised great pain. This was a world that Kain did not know about....this torture he had only heard faint rumors of. The thought of being placed into one of these was terrifying.

"Put him in." The man said. Kain was forced into the cell. "Artificial blood will be provided. We won't harm another living thing to feed you." The Inquisitor drew himself up. "We exist to protect the living, not the dead."

At that dramatic moment, a man screamed.

(OOC This is just a normal prison cell right? If it is not...I shall change this.)

Kain was thrown into the cell, as he fell and rolled he hit the end wall softly, his Cloak wrapped around him like a blanket of some sort.

For long seconds....Kain simply lied there. He felt totally hopeless...he was used to being alone...but not this sense of forced isolation...this lack of freedom. Never in all of his life had Kain been trapped. The feeling was one of extreme disconfort.

Slowly getting up, his arms shaking...from the thirst, although Kain though they proberbly thought it was fear. He got up and went into a corner and closed his eyes and thought. And prayed to the earth for some assistance.

He tried vainly to cast a spell, but the magic escaped his mind! This sense of powerlessness was indeed horrifying. Again, this sense of being powerless was sickening. Trying again, he tried to form the complex words of magic, but the spidary words meant nothing to him, they rolled off his toungue aqwardly, the energies did not summon and boil like they should.

Dismayed and tierd...Kain closed his eyes and rested....he did not sleep. He could not sleep, nor did he want to. His mind played tricks upon him....

OOC: They are depending on the sanctity of the church, and the surroundings, to keep him down.

IC: A goblet of a red, thick liquid was bought to him.

Kain looked at the red liquid...alluring and delicous Kain knew. He stared at the blood, as he swirled it around. He considered throwing it against the door in anger, in defiance. But he sighed and saw no point. It would only bring himself pain and more hunger.

Drinking the blood like a fine wine, slowly and civillly, savouring the taste upon his lips. IT sustained him, he felt the hot liquid burning through his own blood, a new energy granted to him. But it did not fill him. Fitting..Kain thought. Only give the prisoner what he absolutely needs, keep his spirits down through hunger.

Kain stared at the cup for long minutes, the only point of concentration. He played with it in his cloven hands, staring in the dimness of the cell at this cup, how the tiny amount of light played on it.

Izual continued to pass casually through the streets, randomly scanning the minds of the crowd. Suddenly he came across a man pondering the fate of a vampire's trial.

Kain.

Izual reached out with his angelic/demonic senses just to sense Kain disappear. He couldn't quite work out what had cloaked his presence but there was something wrong with that place.

Izual continued through the streets, towards where he had last sensed Kain.

Kain continued to sit just outside of the light from the small opening within the door. He looked a the pale light as it trickled through the silver bars. Growing curious...Kain got up with infinate slowness, his brown Cloak draping over his arm.

He got up and reached towards the little cut in the door which the prison keepers could see him from. Kain put his face forward to see out of it.

To those who had seen him, Kain was unrecognisable. His once pure white streaming hair had dark red steaks of dried blood upon it. His green flesh of his face was slightly thinner, and was streached more taught against his strong bones, it had more tinges of brown within it. His eyes where segmented brown eyes just as before, but something else was held within him. Anger. Furstration. Hopelessness. The great vortexes of his emotions swirled within his eyes, seas of his emotions.

Kain had lost his confidant and calm aura. It was replaced by something darker....a wanting for revenge for this treatment. For retribution. Kain stared out grimly, he sneered at anyone who passed. He was close to smashing down the door. He knew he might be able to....but then. Then would come beatings or the like.

No...that would be foolish. Best to bide my time at let them judge me. I shall be strong so that when they make there mistake. Yes....that shall be it. That is what I shall do. Then....then vengence. Then I shall feed upon thier blood and tear there hearts out, then they shall feel death's icy death!

Cloak remained silent, slightly frightened by Kain's change. He was changing due to this place....

http://images.legacyofkain.net/sr1/captures/intro/kain_05.jpg

Above the victory parade crouched a lone, dark shape. Through a pair of military-grade binoculars it scanned the scene, slowly scanning for weakpoints in the Roanian defenses. It saw Kain trapped behind walls of silver, bleeding from numerous gunshot wounds. In front of the odd-looking creature sat an R93 collapsable sniper rifle, with a flash surpressor screwed onto the end. A trio of .308 rounds were strapped across the back of the creature's scaly right hand, and five more on the stock of the rifle. A pair of wooden stakes were strapped to the inside of its right forearm, carved from Argonian Blackwood. The black cloak outlined the pair of katanas strapped across its back, and a large handgun was thrust through its waist sash, opposite a small throwing knife. 'Telephathy will be useless, the silver nullifies his powers to the point of non-exsistance. Only the desperate and the foolish attack without first observing their opponents, as a wise man once said. I shall study these fanatics, and learn of their ways. Then I shall strike, if striking is nessecary...'

A team of Psykers scanning the area detected a presence above the mansion. They opened fire, not caring if they hit a civilian or a hostile target.

Kain was bought inside the Cathedral, and all of his powers disapeared.

Snatching the rifle quickly and dropping the binoculars, Whiptail launches himself into a backflip, landing silently in a nearby alley. 'Indeed, these fanatics are both desperate and foolish. They attack without honor.' Whiptail melts into the shadows, moving his hands in a complex motion, green energy tracing their movements. Whiptail simply seems to... disappear.

Message to Roania:

From: *A female, seemingly in a major uproar. The voice states no name, but it does not belong to the familiar voice of Rave*

You think that you could take him...and not have me know about it? I'm connected to him...I have always known where he's been. If you do not let him be...you may want to prepare for...company. *there was an eerie sense in the way she had used the term company*

Izual continued to pass casually through the streets, randomly scanning the minds of the crowd. Suddenly he came across a man pondering the fate of a vampire's trial.

Kain.

Izual reached out with his angelic/demonic senses just to sense Kain disappear. He couldn't quite work out what had cloaked his presence but there was something wrong with that place.

Izual continued through the streets, towards where he had last sensed Kain.

Simon followed, unknowing why, but feeling drawn to the man. "Sir, a word."

Kain continued to sit just outside of the light from the small opening within the door. He looked a the pale light as it trickled through the silver bars. Growing curious...Kain got up with infinate slowness, his brown Cloak draping over his arm.

He got up and reached towards the little cut in the door which the prison keepers could see him from. Kain put his face forward to see out of it.

To those who had seen him, Kain was unrecognisable. His once pure white streaming hair had dark red steaks of dried blood upon it. His green flesh of his face was slightly thinner, and was streached more taught against his strong bones, it had more tinges of brown within it. His eyes where segmented brown eyes just as before, but something else was held within him. Anger. Furstration. Hopelessness. The great vortexes of his emotions swirled within his eyes, seas of his emotions.

Kain had lost his confidant and calm aura. It was replaced by something darker....a wanting for revenge for this treatment. For retribution. Kain stared out grimly, he sneered at anyone who passed. He was close to smashing down the door. He knew he might be able to....but then. Then would come beatings or the like.

No...that would be foolish. Best to bide my time at let them judge me. I shall be strong so that when they make there mistake. Yes....that shall be it. That is what I shall do. Then....then vengence. Then I shall feed upon thier blood and tear there hearts out, then they shall feel death's icy death!

Cloak remained silent, slightly frightened by Kain's change. He was changing due to this place....

http://images.legacyofkain.net/sr1/captures/intro/kain_05.jpg

Several Inquisitors came to him. They pulled out blessed metal and scorched his skin. "The Abott ordered us to put you on a machine." They said, looking frightened at the orders.

Snatching the rifle quickly and dropping the binoculars, Whiptail launches himself into a backflip, landing silently in a nearby alley. 'Indeed, these fanatics are both desperate and foolish. They attack without honor.' Whiptail melts into the shadows, moving his hands in a complex motion, green energy tracing their movements. Whiptail simply seems to... disappear.

The psykers rush up the stairs, and find the binoculars. "A civilian has a weapon. This person must be hunted down and killed."

From: *A female, seemingly in a major uproar. The voice states no name, but it does not belong to the familiar voice of Rave*

You think that you could take him...and not have me know about it? I'm connected to him...I have always known where he's been. If you do not let him be...you may want to prepare for...company. *there was an eerie sense in the way she had used the term company*

Prince Alexander listened to the recording. "It... is not familiar to me. Nevertheless, we must be on guard. After Richelieu's heart attack, who knows what's going on."

Simon followed, unknowing why, but feeling drawn to the man. "Sir, a word."

Izual looked up at the man that had spoken. His face was still concealed under his cloak. Izual could tell immediately that this was the man who was pondering the fate of the vampire.

"Ok. But is must be quick. I have much to do."

"Pardon me if I am wrong..." Simon said, whispering. "But... you were a companion of Kain's, no?"

Several Inquisitors came to him. They pulled out blessed metal and scorched his skin. "The Abott ordered us to put you on a machine." They said, looking frightened at the orders.

Kain chuckled darkly and stepped away from the door. The opened to reveal thier silhouetted forms against the little light. The saw what to be a ghoulish Kain, the pale blue light dancing upon his complex features and he smirked at them, as though he knew something they did not. HE stared at them, his eyes seeming to penetrate them.

"Do you even know whom you serve? How many illusions has he woven? Can you not tell with all your souls that he doe snot serve good? Of course not...you never served good in the first place...you where brainwashed in thinking it. But consider your leader....he true intentions...." Kain uttered to them, his voice deep and rhaspy, it was chilling and synical.

He simply stood there, and waited for someone to take him. HE did not resist, but they would be slightly afraid of this new Kain, who leered so knowledgingly against them. It was his eyes mainly....those deep complex and all knowing eyes it seemed, brooded knowledge which would kill them.

In a way he did. He knew the truth.

"Pardon me if I am wrong..." Simon said, whispering. "But... you were a companion of Kain's, no?"

Izual was not quite sure how this man knew that, but he decided to admit part of the truth.

"I have travelled with a Kain in the past."

They looked at eachother, blankly. "The Cardinal's orders, given to us by the Abott Sarth, were to put him in a machine..." They all nodded, and grabbed him, bringing him over to a machine of evil...

"Pardon me if I am wrong..." Simon said, whispering. "But... you were a companion of Kain's, no?"

Izual was not quite sure how this man knew that, but he decided to admit part of the truth.

"I have travelled with a Kain in the past."

"Thought so." He stuck out his hand. "High Inquisitor Simon Darquis."

Izual did not trust the inquisitors. He thought it wise to keep most of his identity a secret.

"I am Izual. Why do you speak of Kain?"

Simon stretched. "It's just that I helped him save this entire planet from the legions of evil a few years back..."

Izual knew this man was telling the truth and could sense that he was different from the other inquisitors.

"And now you hold him prisoner. The forces of light do not look kindly upon that action."

"I? I do not. And my brethren, in truth, want him away from Roania. We've never held a trial before. Something is up, and I think you know something."

"I know little of what has happened. But there is one of great evil among you. They have taken Kain somewhere, I cannot sense him."

*message to Roania*

Not going to heed my words then? How many men have you got stationed there? I can tell you right now:not enough... *It seemed as if she wanted more people to come.* ...You really don't know when to meet someones demands...Well then...next time we speak, it will not be through telepathy.

Kain went into the contraption, as they closed the lid. (I shall assume of something here)

The silver door was closed upon him. Kain felt extreme agitiation, the silver was too bright...it was like some kind of weak acid all around him....burning and agitiating. Yet...not. The dark blessed silver closed around him.

Kain was left within the darkness. He heard his own breathing...as he tried not to touch any of the walls. Then....unbearable pain. Five silver spear like objects peirced into Kain's body, his body buckles from the sheer shock of it. HE opened his mouth to scream...but nothing came out.

His blood flowed from the wounds...the silver prevented any healing. Twisitng for a few moments, Kain went limp, impaled within his arms and his legs, one going through his stomach. He saw his own blood dripping onto the floor slowly....as he felt the burning pain of the silver within him constantly. It felt like acid....

His entire body was limp...his Cloak soon became covered with his own blood. Slowly he was being drained of his blood...but he would not die due to the thirst for a long while yet....Kain just gave a quiet moan as he felt the silver burning within him once again....he remained limp....frozen in time it seemed with this agony in the darkness....alone....

The Inquisitors watched, silently, as the machine did its bloody work. "How long until he confesses?"

Suddenly it dawned on Izual.

"There is a demonic presence within this city. Apart from Kain."

*message to Roania*

Not going to heed my words then? How many men have you got stationed there? I can tell you right now:not enough... *It seemed as if she wanted more people to come.* ...You really don't know when to meet someones demands...Well then...next time we speak, it will not be through telepathy.

Prince Alexander sighs. "Whoever it is, is quite rude. Get me an entire legion."

Suddenly it dawned on Izual.

"There is a demonic presence within this city. Apart from Kain."

"Whatever do you mean? I haven't sensed anything."

Izual looked down at Simon.

"There are things in this world beyond the perception of humans. It is my duty to detect the presence of evil, wether it be demonic or otherwise. I can assure you there is a demonic presence within this city."

No shit Sherlock, Izual heard. An ominous laugh was heard. Come on boys, I think you would have figured it out by now. There is a wolf amongst all sheep...goes the same with families. For being the inquizition, you really keep a loose lock on this place. You were foolish to take him. While others would have just stood there because he was an exile, I won't. I was an exile. However, I did something much....much worse...Do you value you're lives boys? Well...look around you...let's see if you can find me...

The Inquisitors watched, silently, as the machine did its bloody work. "How long until he confesses?"

"Confess to what crime?" Kain croaked out, still staring blankly as his crimson blood dripped horribly down his arms...it was morbidly fascinating. Each drop made him a little weaker...they spashed onto the silver floor. The agnosing pain became part of the background, Kain tried to block it out by closing his eyes and thinking of other things...

No shit Sherlock, Izual heard. An ominous laugh was heard. Come on boys, I think you would have figured it out by now. There is a wolf amongst all sheep...goes the same with families. For being the inquizition, you really keep a loose lock on this place. You were foolish to take him. While others would have just stood there because he was an exile, I won't. I was an exile. However, I did something much....much worse...Do you value you're lives boys? Well...look around you...let's see if you can find me...

Izual stopped himself from speaking.

Who are you? I am aware of the presence and recognise the individual signature. But humans are not to be entrusted with such important information. Now what do you want?

Izual looked down at Simon.

"There are things in this world beyond the perception of humans. It is my duty to detect the presence of evil, wether it be demonic or otherwise. I can assure you there is a demonic presence within this city."

"I'll take your word for it." Simon said, doubtfully.

"Confess to what crime?" Kain croaked out, still staring blankly as his crimson blood dripped horribly down his arms...it was morbidly fascinating. Each drop made him a little weaker...they spashed onto the silver floor. The agnosing pain became part of the background, Kain tried to block it out by closing his eyes and thinking of other things...

"To being an evil vampire, of course." The Inquisitors, bored of the show, walked off to terrorise other criminals.

Izual looked down on the doubtful inquisitor.

"We must act. If I know you're kind, he is enduring great pain."

"Yes, but I can't let you into the cathedral!" Simon said, irritated. "They've kicked people out of the order for less!"

What do I want. She repeated, mocking him. I want Kain. She simply said. And I tend to get what I want, through negotiation...or force. I'm indifferent to either of the two... She smirked. And whom ever made the assumption that I was human was really, really, really stupid.

Izual grinned at the misinterpretation.

Oh, I know you are not human. I was refering to the inquisitor in my presence. My only concern is Kain's safety.

Izual seemed indifferent towards Simon's response.

"No matter. I shall let myself in."

Kain heard those words....and he, impaled upon five silver spikes whose touch caused Kain's flesh to burn like acid it seemed, isolated in darkness of the inquisiors making did something extremely unusual.

He began to laugh.

It was not one of any remote happyness. It was a horrifying and truely disturbing laugh, which slowly escalated into a cynical and deeply chilling mocking tones, Kain was consumed by it. He could not stop it, even though it caused him more pain as he moved against the silver spikes.

He knew why he was laughing. He found some deep and uncontrolable humor in all of this. That they, who would do this to him, would see themselves as pure and good? After he knew whom they served, no doubt unwittingly? Who's plan they where following so willingly, under the guise of some pure quest to rid the world of evil, when the greatest one hanged over them so that they could not see it. It was truely ironic. Kain could finally appreciate the delicious irony to which he had constructed for these poor faithful humans, of his blashemous sick private joke at their expense. They where serving the one being who was truelly the weaver of most evils within the world Kain had no doubt of that.

Kain had seen the human and compassionate side of vampires....and now he saw the beastlyness of man, in all of thier hatred and prejudice. And all the while, they where hypocrites unknowingly.

His laughter echoed throughout the place loudly, his shrill voice was one of a madman who knew what others did not. Kain knew he would have vengence against these humans.

And then he stopped as inquisitors gathered around to see what he was finding so funny.
"Who better to serve him that those passion transcends all notion of good and evil? Puppets, to which you are strung about, playing this sick drama as it unfolds! You think you are noble, altruistic? Don't be simple, you would serve your own ends regardless of whom pulled the strings! You are pawns to him. You know of whom I speak...that being whom you know with all your being, your soul that he would betray your *sarcasm*pure crusade" Kain shouted to anyone who would listen.

He spoke of Mepheostophies (sp I know!), the bastard who had orchestrated this entire thing.

Whiptail unscrews the barrel of the R93, slipping the two pieces of it into a hidden sling inside his cloak. He shifts his handgun around to the small of his back, along with his throwing knife. There was little he could do about the katanas, except hope they were mistaken for a mis-shapen back. Whiptail made his way silently through the crowds, following the trail of the twisted caravan, leading him to the home office of the Roanian Inquisition. 'The home of these honorless hunters. This will require great stealth, and perhaps outside help.' Whiptail crouched in the shadows a fair distance away from the building, watching through the scope from his rifle.

Your concern is only for Kain's safety? That's bullshit. As for inquizitors, I've had the lot of them. Mephistopheles is quite a guy...extremely appetizing. She said sedistically. She stepped out of the shadows to face them both. Her eyes bright red. There was a sword in each hand, weilded skillfully.
She looked deeply at them. "Now boys...I suggest you give Kain to me, or we can settle it my way. I like either choice..." She was certainly not Rave....but one of the renegades. Kain's sire.
http://www.lunaregina.com/orphen/artbook3.jpg

'External patrols, security checkpoints, standard stuff. Rave's birthplace had tighter security...' Whiptail thinks to himself as he continues to peer through the scope, keenly aware of his surroundings.

Izual grinned at the misinterpretation.

Oh, I know you are not human. I was refering to the inquisitor in my presence. My only concern is Kain's safety.

Izual seemed indifferent towards Simon's response.

"No matter. I shall let myself in."

Simon shook his head. "Then I shall have to stop you."

'External patrols, security checkpoints, standard stuff. Rave's birthplace had tighter security...' Whiptail thinks to himself as he continues to peer through the scope, keenly aware of his surroundings.

OOC: It's rarely advisable to be near the HRI building. They generally kill everyone who goes near there without a purpose.

IC: Several Inquisitors began to draw nearby, unseen. Someone was watching their Cathedral. And be it tourist or native, they would be destroyed.

Kain heard those words....and he, impaled upon five silver spikes whose touch caused Kain's flesh to burn like acid it seemed, isolated in darkness of the inquisiors making did something extremely unusual.

He began to laugh.

It was not one of any remote happyness. It was a horrifying and truely disturbing laugh, which slowly escalated into a cynical and deeply chilling mocking tones, Kain was consumed by it. He could not stop it, even though it caused him more pain as he moved against the silver spikes.

He knew why he was laughing. He found some deep and uncontrolable humor in all of this. That they, who would do this to him, would see themselves as pure and good? After he knew whom they served, no doubt unwittingly? Who's plan they where following so willingly, under the guise of some pure quest to rid the world of evil, when the greatest one hanged over them so that they could not see it. It was truely ironic. Kain could finally appreciate the delicious irony to which he had constructed for these poor faithful humans, of his blashemous sick private joke at their expense. They where serving the one being who was truelly the weaver of most evils within the world Kain had no doubt of that.

Kain had seen the human and compassionate side of vampires....and now he saw the beastlyness of man, in all of thier hatred and prejudice. And all the while, they where hypocrites unknowingly.

His laughter echoed throughout the place loudly, his shrill voice was one of a madman who knew what others did not. Kain knew he would have vengence against these humans.

And then he stopped as inquisitors gathered around to see what he was finding so funny.
"Who better to serve him that those passion transcends all notion of good and evil? Puppets, to which you are strung about, playing this sick drama as it unfolds! You think you are noble, altruistic? Don't be simple, you would serve your own ends regardless of whom pulled the strings! You are pawns to him. You know of whom I speak...that being whom you know with all your being, your soul that he would betray your *sarcasm*pure crusade" Kain shouted to anyone who would listen.

He spoke of Mepheostophies (sp I know!), the bastard who had orchestrated this entire thing.

The Inquisitors looked at eachother and nodded. They withdrew him and threw him back into the cell. As he fainted from pain, he heard one of them say, "What is that creature saying? Could the pain have driven him mad so quickly?"

Your concern is only for Kain's safety? That's bullshit. As for inquizitors, I've had the lot of them. Mephistopheles is quite a guy...extremely appetizing. She said sedistically. She stepped out of the shadows to face them both. Her eyes bright red. There was a sword in each hand, weilded skillfully.
She looked deeply at them. "Now boys...I suggest you give Kain to me, or we can settle it my way. I like either choice..." She was certainly not Rave....but one of the renegades. Kain's sire.

http://www.lunaregina.com/orphen/artbook3.jpg

Simon drew his blade. Holy power whirled around him. "Both of you, stay there. I don't know what is going on, I'm getting backup."

Izual was becoming frustrated.

"Enough"

Without another word he took off into the sky, towards the cathedral. He cared not for the issues of an inquisitor and he knew little of Kain's past. He decided it best, not to get involved with it.

Kain rolled into the cell, as darkness covered his eyes. His CLoak wrapped itself around him, it was almost invisable due to it's black hue. There where bloodstains all over Kain, the five wounds where he had been impaled where healing extremely slwoly and continued to weep thier red tears.

He continued to chuckle to himself darkly as he faded into unconciousness, laughing at Mephistopheles private joke at thier expense. He closed his eyes and continued to chuckle to himself for long minutes before slipping into his own dreamworld....his being covered within the shadows...his mind going into worse and darker ones.

(OOC You could if you wanted to have Kain being talked to by Mephistopheles in his dream...or nightmare if you so wished...your choice.... :) )

Azari looked at Simon, her blades stopping in front of his neck. "Oh, no. You're not going anywhere honey." she said. She was one of a light beauty, but one vile of heart. "Kain is not the only reason I have come...Mephistop...show me to him....I've been dying to meet him."

Kain rolled into the cell, as darkness covered his eyes. His CLoak wrapped itself around him, it was almost invisable due to it's black hue. There where bloodstains all over Kain, the five wounds where he had been impaled where healing extremely slwoly and continued to weep thier red tears.

He continued to chuckle to himself darkly as he faded into unconciousness, laughing at Mephistopheles private joke at thier expense. He closed his eyes and continued to chuckle to himself for long minutes before slipping into his own dreamworld....his being covered within the shadows...his mind going into worse and darker ones.

(OOC You could if you wanted to have Kain being talked to by Mephistopheles in his dream...or nightmare if you so wished...your choice.... :) )

OOC: I have a better idea...

IC: Kain floated through the void, his body paralysed. Around him, Mephito's voice wafted. I shall show you... the end of days.

The void flickered. Before Kain, the earth appeared. And below the earth, was Mephisto's master. As Kain watched, the chains snapped off, one by one. Soon, the Nameless One was free, stood free. He reached up, and grasped the Earth in one immense hand. It burned.

The image zoomed in. Men fought against men. Sister and brother tried to kill each-other. Continents were absorbed in a massive firestorm.

And through it all, the darkness laughed.

HUMANITY WAS MINE, IS MINE, AND SHALL BE MINE. SO SAYETH I!

Azari looked at Simon, her blades stopping in front of his neck. "Oh, no. You're not going anywhere honey." she said. She was one of a light beauty, but one vile of heart. "Kain is not the only reason I have come...Mephistop...show me to him....I've been dying to meet him."

Simon stared at her blankly. "Take you to see who? I know not of this... Mephistop you speak of." He drew his sword. "Now... the only question is... do I kill you for being a spawn of evil? Or do I allow you to live in hope of redemption?"

Kain rolled into the cell, as darkness covered his eyes. His CLoak wrapped itself around him, it was almost invisable due to it's black hue. There where bloodstains all over Kain, the five wounds where he had been impaled where healing extremely slwoly and continued to weep thier red tears.

He continued to chuckle to himself darkly as he faded into unconciousness, laughing at Mephistopheles private joke at thier expense. He closed his eyes and continued to chuckle to himself for long minutes before slipping into his own dreamworld....his being covered within the shadows...his mind going into worse and darker ones.

(OOC You could if you wanted to have Kain being talked to by Mephistopheles in his dream...or nightmare if you so wished...your choice.... :) )

OOC: I have a better idea...

IC: Kain floated through the void, his body paralysed. Around him, Mephito's voice wafted. I shall show you... the end of days.

The void flickered. Before Kain, the earth appeared. And below the earth, was Mephisto's master. As Kain watched, the chains snapped off, one by one. Soon, the Nameless One was free, stood free. He reached up, and grasped the Earth in one immense hand. It burned.

The image zoomed in. Men fought against men. Sister and brother tried to kill each-other. Continents were absorbed in a massive firestorm.

And through it all, the darkness laughed.

HUMANITY WAS MINE, IS MINE, AND SHALL BE MINE. SO SAYETH I!

Azari looked at Simon, her blades stopping in front of his neck. "Oh, no. You're not going anywhere honey." she said. She was one of a light beauty, but one vile of heart. "Kain is not the only reason I have come...Mephistop...show me to him....I've been dying to meet him."

Simon stared at her blankly. "Take you to see who? I know not of this... Mephistop you speak of." He drew his sword. "Now... the only question is... do I kill you for being a spawn of evil? Or do I allow you to live in hope of redemption?"

Upon drawing closer to the cathedral, Izual could sense the immense evil that he was so familiar with. He knew Kain was under the building and needed his help. He landed outside the entrance of the massive building and began to enter.

Izual was not worried about the inquisitors, they could do little to harm an angel. Mephisto was the problem.

Almost immediately, a hail of bullets shot at him. High explosive rounds, they would be easy to dodge, but the inference would be clear.

Azari laughed. "Kill me?" Her eyes flickered red. "That's funny. One pathetic inquizitor..." She crossed around him. It was as if he could not move, he was frozen...but he could see what was happening. The sourceress kissed him on the lips gently, and he could do nothing to stop it. She smiled at this, and slowely walked away as his body regained it's motion, she looked back at him and whipped her sword at him. It cut through the air horizontally aimed with such speed and accuracy toward his neck.
Mephistopheles... she called out. I'm waiting for you... So much had he heard of this corrupted man...and the more she heard, the more she wanted. She was not used to not getting what she wanted.

Simon's powers rushed back to him. The sword stopped in mid-air, a glow surrounding it. He snarled wordlessly. "HOLY BLAST!"

Light power shot towards the woman.

Throughout the city, other Inquisitors began to feel themselves drawn towards the site.

Azari looked at him, and merely waved the sword aside. "tainted light has no effect on one of total darkness," she laughed and was absorbed into the shadows.

Mephistopheles...I know you can here me. I have something to give you. An offer you can't possibly refuse.

Mephisto looked around. What could you offer me?

Myself, she replied. And all of myself. She needed to find him, and needed to know where he was. She had never seen him before...but knew of his power. She knew of his darkness, and that drew her to him. And the angel you so desire to kill.

OOC: Sorry to hijack...but you've mentioned this Mephistopheles to me before...and I'm quite interested in who the man is. If you'd like not to clutter up your thread, you can simply telegram a description and bio to me. Thank you. :P

Almost immediately, a hail of bullets shot at him. High explosive rounds, they would be easy to dodge, but the inference would be clear.

Izual sighed. He erected a protective aura around his selfm deflecting the bullets.

He made his way up the steps of the cathedral and pushed open the door.

"Do not try me inquisitors."

Myself, she replied. And all of myself. She needed to find him, and needed to know where he was. She had never seen him before...but knew of his power. She knew of his darkness, and that drew her to him. And the angel you so desire to kill.

Come to the graveyard adjoining the Cathedral tonight.


OOC: Arithon, I actually wanted to hold a bit of the trial before Kain is rescued.

OOC: No problem.......

IC: As Izual entered the Cathedral he recieved a message.

I see. It seems I must go for now Kain. But I shall be back.

Izual left the cathedral and disappeared in a flash of heavenly energies.

The graveyard? she replied. Better than a cathedral. With that she drew into the shadows, travelling to the graveyard. She walked about the gravestones. In observing one of an angel, she kicked it, sending the head to the ground. She laughed to herself. She removed her black robes that had been about her, revealing a red silken dress. It had a V neck that ended at her hips. It was backless, and followed the curves of her body. She jumped atop a crypt and lay on the cold marble. Her upper body slightly up and resting on her elbows. Her demonic eyes looked out over the distance.

The graveyard? she replied. Better than a cathedral. With that she drew into the shadows, travelling to the graveyard. She walked about the gravestones. In observing one of an angel, she kicked it, sending the head to the ground. She laughed to herself. She removed her black robes that had been about her, revealing a red silken dress. It had a V neck that ended at her hips. It was backless, and followed the curves of her body. She jumped atop a crypt and lay on the cold marble. Her upper body slightly up and resting on her elbows. Her demonic eyes looked out over the distance.

A group of imps ran from a portal. "The master, he said to take you to the shop, yes-no."

"Yes," she replied and leapt from the crypt. "Lead the way." It was hard to take your eyes off of her. This was the reptutation she had aquired. Her darkness matched her beauty, and the darkness of the demonic sourceress was extremely strong.

In the shop, Mephisto stood. He had left an illusion back in Roania to hide the good abott's disapearance. "Can I... help you?"

"We shall see," she said, gazing at him. "The question is, can I help you?"

"You can tell me what you know of Azrael. Then you can convince me to let you live."

"What I know of Azrael," she said softly. "The angel has a strong attatchment to the one they call Vaughn...put either in danger, the other will come to rescue....she has a strong liking to chocolate chip cookies. Her favorite color is crimson...She has over fifty weapons perfected to fit her use. 38" 24" 34". Her eyes were naturally amber before she was turned. Saying that she hates me is quite an understatement. I know how to find her and I can take you to her.." She slipped towards him. "As for convincing you to let me live...what could possibly persuade you to let me live..."

Mephisto spun around, taking his normal, handsome human form. "Well... you tell me."

She slowely moved her hand around to his back and looked up to him. She kissed him roughly. Her kiss was enchanting, and softened the hardest of hearts. "Convinced?" She asked melodically.

Mephisto snapped his fingers. The imps vanished into the void. Mephisto shook his head. "You'll have to do better than that to convince me. I can always grab a Succubus should I desire... companionship."

Kain was lsot within this vision of all of this violence. He looked unto it and saw all the destruction....he simply fell into despair. his mind usually would have fought such things, such ideas. Kain watched on blankly as this corruption and destruction took place. He said nothing, his resignation took in. He simply did not care. He did not care about anything.

No...that was a lie. He did care for Daniella but he kept thinking that he had already damned her, that he was not worthy of her love as he had already damned her.

"Is that so," She said mischieviously. The girl was obviously thinking of something he knew nothing about. She chuckled to herself. "So you don't fancy skill nor quality...interesting. For a man of such power, I would have thought you would have only wanted the best."

Whiptail moves his hands in the same odd motion, again vanishing from sight. Slipping in through the gates(?), he makes his way into the building through a ventillation duct.

(OOC I....I think not somehow...Roania might have a few problems with that, the place might be heavily guarded. Still....whatever.)

OOC: If Roania had anything to say about it I'd never get in at all, and be stuck listening to how his uber warriors are going to shoot at me for the duration of the RP. Rave can teleport in, so why can't I Sam Fisher my way in?

(Fair point....Roanias call)

ooc: Azari went through one of his portals and was allowed in. We'll have to wait for Roania on that one. Kain, I really like how this is developing. You'll have no IC knkowledge of Azari's actions until the middle of "the end" thread. :-) This is soooo great how it worked out.

OOC: I'm just tired of being really f**king sneaky, and somehow, something of Roania's finds me. I'm not going to dodge bullets throughout this RP, while everyone else has fun, kicking ass. I wonder if its because I switched nations? Maybe I get no respect because this nation is small?

OOC: If Roania had anything to say about it I'd never get in at all, and be stuck listening to how his uber warriors are going to shoot at me for the duration of the RP. Rave can teleport in, so why can't I Sam Fisher my way in?

A) Rave didn't go anywhere near the Cathedral, and is in the Shop right now,

B) Azari at least looks human, nonhumanoids have a kill on sight order if they enter Roanian cities. Being sneaky is the only thing you can do.

C) Whiptail isn't magical, is he? Also, as you know from MS, Roanians don't have ventilation grates because Roanians like it when it's hot and dry. In a seaside city, they would be doing everything possible to keep the salty air out.

I'll let it pass, but... :?

OOC: You want me to do anything or shoud I just wait until it's time for Kain to leave.....

OOC: You want me to do anything or shoud I just wait until it's time for Kain to leave.....

Do what you want, Kain should wake up soon. Maybe you could get Whiptail into the Cathedral.

(*wakes up* Huh? Kain is still on the cell floor. Just wake him up whenever you want to. The Inquisitors are not going to wait for him to wake up are they? They should give him a litte blood though..being tortured does take it out of you. :) )

Izual appeared in a burst of heavenly light directly behind Whiptail.

He looked down at him, then he noticed the hostile Roanians.

"What are you doing here?"

(*wakes up* Huh? Kain is still on the cell floor. Just wake him up whenever you want to. The Inquisitors are not going to wait for him to wake up are they? They should give him a litte blood though..being tortured does take it out of you. :) )

The Inquisitors started to poke Kain with sharp spears. "Wake up, fool!"

"Is that so," She said mischieviously. The girl was obviously thinking of something he knew nothing about. She chuckled to herself. "So you don't fancy skill nor quality...interesting. For a man of such power, I would have thought you would have only wanted the best."just in case you missed it :)

Kain awoke groggy and in somewhat resignation.

"What...can you leave this corpse be? Let me sleep." Kain almost whispered hoarsely to them as he lied there. He was physically and mentally tierd....he was totally drained.

OOC: Whiptail has a few spells he uses from time to time, as he needs them. If cast too often, Whiptail will tire out, and his bloodlust will rise.

Chameleon: Whiptail blends with his environment, invisible to cameras and visual sensors.

Fireball: Whiptail creates a small, molten ball of plasma, which he slings at his target.

Spark: Whiptail generates a small spark, which is used mostly to light fires and overload electrical equipment.

Unlock: This spell is used by Whiptail to silently open most conventional locks, without the noise and time required with lockpicks.

IC:

Whiptail makes his way through the matinence (happy?) duct, tumbling down a long shaft, and catching himself before he could hit the bottom with a loud crash. He pries his claws out of the metal, silently cursing for not looking down. Carefully prying the cover off of a matience access hatch, he peers out into the area, scanning for threats. It seems as though he has landed in some sort of basement.

OOC: What's the ceiling like in this area, Roania?

OOC: This is just to establish Kazar-Tiyon's knowledge of what's going on. It will have no direct effects at this time. Sorry for the interruption.
IC: In the shadows, a tiny point of red light watched the scene. It had been told to follow Kain Irenicus send a daily report to Dvek. It was only a simple construct of magic, and virtually mindless, but it knew one thing besides its orders, and what it had percieved. Kazar-Tiyon will be angry when he finds out about this....

"Is that so," She said mischieviously. The girl was obviously thinking of something he knew nothing about. She chuckled to herself. "So you don't fancy skill nor quality...interesting. For a man of such power, I would have thought you would have only wanted the best."just in case you missed it :)

"Convince me." Mephisto said, simply.

Kain awoke groggy and in somewhat resignation.

"What...can you leave this corpse be? Let me sleep." Kain almost whispered hoarsely to them as he lied there. He was physically and mentally tierd....he was totally drained.

The Inquisitors tossed some blood into the cell. "Lick it up, then."

Whiptail makes his way through the matinence (happy?) duct, tumbling down a long shaft, and catching himself before he could hit the bottom with a loud crash. He pries his claws out of the metal, silently cursing for not looking down. Carefully prying the cover off of a matience access hatch, he peers out into the area, scanning for threats. It seems as though he has landed in some sort of basement.

OOC: What's the ceiling like in this area, Roania?

OOC: Sharp, pointy, and to make him feel really stupid, a nearby door leads almost directly into the undercity.

OOC: ok then....

IC: Izual decides that he must find Kain. He takes to the air and within minutes his outside the cathedral once again.

Kain, I'm coming.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" she asked with a devlish smile. "As you wish." The inner demon awoke within her, her crimson eyes turning a deep scarlet. As Mephisto made contact with her eyes, his focus did not leave. The siren ran her hand along his chest to the back of his neck. She kissed his neck lightly, and whispered in his ear, "I made an offer to you before...and it still remains. Let me be yours forever."

"Hmm..." Mephisto began to respond to her touch. He smiled. "Very well. Let us see if... we can be of service to one another..."

The lights of the shop dimmed, and disapeared.

The Inquisitors tossed some blood into the cell. "Lick it up, then."

The blood bled onto the stone floor, the sparkling life blood, so tantalising to Kain. Yet nothing moved him. He felt the thirst alright...more than ever. There was no will to live anymore.

Kain stared at the red liquid morbidly and then rolled over, turning his back to it, the one thing which would make him survive he refused to take. He found no reason to go on. He had failed everyone.

"What is the point?" Kain uttered as he rolled over, his Cloak hugging him. He heard no message from Izual. The Cathedral was either blocking it....or Kain simply did not care.

Whiptail silently eases the door open, latching his claws into the walls and making his way up into the shadowy ceiling. He listened carefully for sounds of movement, and of pain. He hoped this route would lead him to Kain.

Coming upon no opposition, Izual pushed open the cathedral doors and entered. He could see no one but could sense that many were present within the building, especially under it.

Izual continued to walk through the building, his steps echoing around the silent hall.

Coming upon no opposition, Izual pushed open the cathedral doors and entered. He could see no one but could sense that many were present within the building, especially under it.

Izual continued to walk through the building, his steps echoing around the silent hall.


Eyes watched him, eyes that never closed nor stirred, eyes that watched and destroyed all who did not belong within.

---------

The Inquisitors entered the cage and forced Kain up. They forced the blood down his throat. "Drink, Kain. For today will be a big day..."

Izual became aware of something watching him. He was not concerned about this creature. His only goal was to help Kain. He could sense Kain's presence under the building. Izual began to look around for some way to enter this area. He was willing to use force, but prefered to use an already existing way.

The creatures began to draw closer, slowly inching towards him, the sound harsh in his ears. He involuntarily turned around, and saw a stone angel raise a blade and slash it down towards him.

{Cue: Indiana Jones theme}

Izual quickly leapt back with angelic speed.

"Stop. I am a force of light."

He revealed his angelic wings by sliding them out the top of his cloak. The heavenly light illuminated the hall.

OOC: Even though Izual is half demon/angel. He can change his form to look more like one particular side. His original supernatural form is the angel/demon though.

The stone angel continued its mindless assault.

Izual cursed.

"So be it."

Izual shed his cloak, revealing his muscled, angelic form. He quickly summoned his sword of light and summoned his power. In fluid motions he began to smash the stone angel into small peices with each blow from his sword.

The Angel began to flail at him with both blade and stone fists.

A silent alarm began.

Izual grew tired of fighting with stone. He was concerned with Kain and not trivial defences. The angel summoned his power and discharged it through his sword of light. The energy leapt forth from the blade and collided with the stone angel, smashing it into several pieces.

Izual continued his search for a way under the building.

The sound of dozens of boots could be heard heading towards the antechamber.

Izual did not want a large scale conflict. On the sound of many boots, he ascended to the roof where he waited. He was hoping the inquisitors would move on.

"Herr Captain! The invader is no where to be found!" The women snapped to attention as her superior passed.

"At ease. Secure the building, especially his eminence's sick quarters."

"And the Room of Redemption?"

"No one can find their way down there without an Inquisitor to guide them... speaking of which, where is brother Darquis?"

Izual grinned. Eventually one of them would go down there, and he would be there to see it.

"Here, Herr Commander!" Inquisitor Darquis entered in full battle armor.

"Good. Now, Simon, guard this room. Use full force on anyone who enters."

"Yes, Herr Commander!" As the remaining Inquisitors left, Simon sat against the wall, whistling tunelessly.

Once gone, Simon walked towards a hanging by the wall. He touched his hand to it, whispered something, and then stepped through it.

Izual lowered himself silently, but did not touch the ground. He completely cloaked his presence as he followed Simon through the passage.

"Convinced now?" She said in a melodic tone with a wry smile.

Kain resisted, then allowed the liquid to pass down his throat, resigned. They dropped Kain and he went back onto his knees, looking at the floor.

He knew what they meant, there was to be some trial. He got up very slowly and turned around with weary eyes, his passive face with the lack of expression. It seemed an old face, one which had endured much, yet should be young.

Kain simply said, "Your fate will be far worse. You seal your own damnation to whom you serve." the statement of absolute truth. These inquisitors where so blinded by thier own self-proclaimed light that they could not see the darkness behind it all.

He went with them....ready to die without a care for his own existance. He would have happily been snuffed out and granted liberation from this constant inner pain which ravaged him. Death would have been a release to this existance Kain thought....

The Inquisitors began to take Kain towards the elevator on the opposite side of the room. He was put inside, still within the moving cage. "The Prince himself has come to see your trial, Kain. You should be honored."

----------------

Alexander muttered to himself. That idiot let himself get caught... and who is this Sarth guy anyway? Some sort of monk. Anyway, I wonder if I can get Kain out of here...

--------------

Simon entered the dungeons. He smiled as he looked around and clapped his hands together. "Ah, god's work."

From one of the machines, a loud scream could be heard. Simon winced beneath his helmet. He walked to the cell with Kain inside. "What? Where did he... no... I'm too late!"

-------------

Mephisto shrugged, elegantly. "I'm sure, in time, you will learn. Now," he said, taking the form of Abott Sarth, "I have a trial to hold."

Izual hovered just under the ceilling of the torture room. He was shocked that supposedly men of god would do such a thing. He shuddered at the sight of tortured souls. He noticed Kain was gone and began to make his way toward the elevator. He could smell Kain's scent.

Simon stopped. "I know there is someone in this room," he said, humming idly. "I suggest you show yourself."

Izual was becoming anoyed with this inquisitor. He landed on the elevator platform, showing himself.

"I'm sorry Simon, I have no time to chat."

Izual hit the switch and the elevator made its way back up toward the ground level.

Simon sighed as the elevator remained rather steadfastly on the bottom level. "You'll never go up without the password."

Izual cursed.... then grinned.

"Ah... but that is where you are wrong."

Izual took to the air, travelling up the elevator shaft at a high speed.

Simon winced. "I wonder how he'll get past the titanium alloyed doors into the courtroom?" He asked as he stepped into the elevator.

Izual continued to fly until he reached the level where he could sense Kain's presence. He pried open the door and walked down a corridor leading to the room he was in.

Finally he came across a massive titanium door. Izual sighed. He floated in midair as he though about how he would get in. Whilst he thought, another cloak formed around him, covering his angelic body.

Simon whistled, calmly. Then he pressed a button within the elevator. "Commander, we have an intruder in section 52-beta. Subject is hostile."

He sighed. That will get him out of the way as I do what must be done.

Izual heard the sound of approaching inquisitors. He was becoming impatient, especially since he had witnessed the room of pain. He decided for a supernatural approach.

A golden light sprang to life around the angel, illuminating the immediate area. Izual uttered a few words before casually landing on his feet and walking straight through the door, then he moved to the side and stood within the wall, observing the room.

Kain went with them, noticing the word Prince used. He smiled a little, a smirk to which he knew of the cards his opponant held, and what cards he had used so expertly to achieve his goals.

He went along, his Cloak scraping the floor as he went, a grey colour, one of resignation. He held his arms near himself, they where no limp yet they where without purpose.

Izual heard the sound of approaching inquisitors. He was becoming impatient, especially since he had witnessed the room of pain. He decided for a supernatural approach.

A golden light sprang to life around the angel, illuminating the immediate area. Izual uttered a few words before casually landing on his feet and walking straight through the door, then he moved to the side and stood within the wall, observing the room.

The door slammed open. Prince Alexander and Mephisto entered the room. "Sarth, I want this trial halted."

"I'm sorry, m'lord. But that would be a bad idea..." Mephisto stared into Alexander's eyes. "Wouldn't it, my lord? Kain is a menace, after all. He must be killed."

Alexander blinked. "Yes... of course... this trial must go ahead... for the sake of the children."

For the moment, Izual decided to observe. He would intervene if Kain needed his help.

Azari looked at Mephistop with a wry smile. She looked to the ground. Learn eventually? I wrote the book... She thought to herself. She watched as he took his other form. As he turned around, a smile caught her face, her eyes flashed a bright red for a minute, and she was gone. Let's see where you'll bring me...

As Kain looked on at the trial that was about to begin, something tugged in his mind. He felt a familiar presence, and it wasn't Mephistop. A slight laugh could be heard in his mind.

This is why you never insult a succubus.

Kain heard that voice. Yet he found no meaning behind it. Everything was grey, everthing was purposeless. He simply stared at the floor from his own defence box. He held his hands loosely around him, his Cloak the same drery grey, emotionless and careless.

He waited for this sham of a trial to start.

Alexander sat back in his chair. "Kain Irenicus, you are hereby charged with the crimes against God of being a vampire, of attacking citizens of Roania, of resisting arrest, and striking an officer. The prosecution will be seeking?"

Mephisto smiled. "We will be seeking the penalty of Death by burning, Your Highness."

"How do you plead, Kain?"

Izual sat within the wall in shock. He couldn't understand how they thought vampires to be a crime against god. And all other charges were far from punishable by death. It was obvious that he would have to interfere, but he would wait for now.

"Define my crimes against God." Kain replied, still staring at the floor, his cloven hands gripping the cage.

Alexander blinked. He was certain that something was wrong. "Your crimes are..." he began, "Your crimes are..." he began to sweat, "You have... committed no..." He suddenly collapsed.

Mephisto smirked beneath his robe. "The Prince has been struck by foul black magic! Take this beast to the room of penitence!"

Kain found a synical joy in all of this. Perhaps now they would see....

"So Mephisto, you would have me die? To what end?" Kain asked, not a flicker of fear within his voice, mearly curiousity.

It wasn't him who made the inquizitor collapse Mephistop... a voice could be heard, though Kain could not make the connection that it belonged to Azari. The demon was no able to be seen, but her voice was heard in a wicked laugh.

Kain chuckled darkly to himself. What he had suspected was true.

"So you have been stringing them along for all this time. I can appreciate the intense irony that this sick joke has had Mephisto, such intellegent satire is so fitting of your post in desinty. I almost admire you for that...but these bastard "holy men" did not deserve this." Kain said to him, slowly and with passion.

Mephisto turned. "So, you would accuse me, the Abott Sarth, of being the Father of Lies?"

Shocked mutters rang out. "For all we can tell, the Prince is dead at your hands." He snapped his fingers. "Take the Prince to the healers. They may be able to do something for him. As for this monster, kill him."

Izual decided it was time to act. He casually strode out of the wall toward Kain. His angelic voice could be hear around the courtroom.

"You dare to kill an innocent creature in the name of god!? You have no such right. You are so blinded by your faith that you fail to see the evil amongst you."

Izual points to the Abbot.

OOC:
Hello all, it has been awhile. Miss me? (Don't answer that) I am here, but will try not to interefere too much, unless someone directly asks me to. Eve is here to spectate solely, for there is no real purpose for her to be here this time.

IC:
Eve leaned against the wall in a dark ally. Word of names she had associated with reached her and she decided to go and observe what was going on.

Unaware of the events behind this particular event, she stood there. She did not know where these people were, why they were there, or how she would get to them, but that they were somewhere within a vast perimeter and that she was curious as to why they were here.

http://www.reeny.org/SMpics/e88_7.jpg

OOC:
My picture fetish getting the best of me once again.

Izual decided it was time to act. He casually strode out of the wall toward Kain. His angelic voice could be hear around the courtroom.

"You dare to kill an innocent creature in the name of god!? You have no such right. You are so blinded by your faith that you fail to see the evil amongst you."

Izual points to the Abbot.

Mephisto snarled. So, the angel has come. "Behold, my brethren! A demon of hell comes!"

Before Izual shed his cloak, he shifted form slightly to hide his demonic attributes. The cloak fell to the ground as Izual extended his wings, displayed his angelic features. It was obvious to all that witnessed that Izual was an angel, the heavenly light illuminating the entire room.

For those that were observant, they would notice the light pouring forth from Izual was beginning to shed Mephisto's disguise.

"Demon? Hardly Mephisto. I think you have spread enough lies recently. It is time for you to cease misguiding the humans."

Alexander pulled himself up. "I feel that I haven't... been well, lately." He started and pointed at the Abott. "Men, arrest him! He's a witch! And take the other one!"

Izual looked at the inquisitors, his eyes glowing a calm blue.

"You shall not arrest me. I mean you no harm and am only here to prevent an injustice and to open your eyes to the evil within your ranks. Still, I doubt you realise who you are dealing with."

Izual walked towards Kain.

How are you friend?

Kain chuckled with in infinate sense of cynicism and irony. He found this whole thing extremely funny, he was laughing like a madman. He could not stop, his entire body was consumed by the dark amusement.

When asked the question he stopped abruptly, and went into a cold calculating mood.

"I am perfect, no thanks to those bastards." Kain said calmly and quietly, glaring at the Mephisto, his cloven talons clenching. His eyes held great waves of dark thoughts, this place had effected him somewhat. All of that pain and frustration was brewing into a dark kind of anger. He was angry at himself, and someone else might feel his wrath.

The faith of this place was breaking down a little....Kain felt as though there was an open window, something had been questioned. Something had fractured. Kain could have gotten the Brightblade...but that would make him seem like a demon himself. He had that sense. He might not have done if Izual was not here.

Kain slowly and with a deliberate coldness and a sense of power gave all of the inquisitors harrowing glares, his eyes one of undying hatred. He had simply had enough. Again, he might have lashed out against them had he not been with Izual. His Cloak brewed a deep blue colour, like an ocean which was begining to boil and prepare for a storm.

"So you come to your senses. Still there is much to learn. At least you see the evil before you." Kain uttered, audible to all. He began to walk away from Mephisto.

"Mephisto, I tire of these games. I am leaving the playing field." Kain annouced and began to walk away, to the exit of this place. The Inquisitors....and possibly Izual found something extremely frightening about Kain now. He had changed, there was an undoubted change within him, he seemed to have the power to make someone die just by looking at someone, people stayed away from him. He walked straight towards the Inquisitors...they would had to be extremely brave or stupid to get in Kain's way right now. He simply did not care about anything.

Alexander paused. Then he stood up. "Kain, turn and face me." He said, as Inquisitors rushed to sieze Mephisto. When Kain stood still, he continued. "I asked you, once, what you considered your purpose to be."

The Inquisitors muttered amongst themselves at that. Alexander raised a hand. They stopped. He continued. "Do you have an answer?"

Izual stood by, ready to spring into action if anything happened. He could sense a change in Kain, and he wasn't sure what he would do.

"Kain?" Alexander asked again.

Kain halted himself. Previously there might have been many answers. Many different thigns to exist for. But now.... now things where different.

"Yes. I do have an answer of sorts. I will tell you of precious hopes to which I clinged to." Kain said and turned slowly, his Cloak swathing behind him as he did so, the blue oceans within the magical material grew darker....

He spoke slowly, taking steps forward, his words filled with his false hope.

"During my time I have existed for many things. My home. To see it prosper and be happy. My family. My old ties and my vampiric ones. My people. To those people who suffer due to my forced leaving of my homeland to which I ruled. My morals. To see that evil would not harm those who do not deserve to be harmed, to be destroyed and changed. My debts. To who I owe my existance for, I still owe much. My love. To care for those who I love, to see that they are protected and well."

"SHATTERED." Kain cried loudly, his eyes showing his inner pain. He accusing eyes filled with that torment.

"To everything I care for has been shattered and broken, either by my own actions or others going against me. I have watched the things I gave my life to, broken, destroyed, utterly mocked and defiled. Everything! My home! It lies within civil war due to this kind of evil! My family! Most of my old family are dead, I am outcast by my vampiric one! My people! They either fight to survive or wallow in the lies of desperate and dead spirits which aim to destroy them! My morals! Everywhere I go my words are twisted, bent and beated into a mockery of what I said, what I believe. My debts! So much that I owe that I can never repay now due to my exiled status, to those who saved me I have betrayed in a paradox within a situation I could not win. To save my love and be exiled by those who I care most for, or allow her to die and see her accusing face everywhere I go! My love! Now I question that if I truely loved her that I would turn her! That I might have forced my one care in the world to an existance which would be most cruel to her! Do you know how that feels? To have EVERYTHING shattered and destroyed! I do not exist, I mearly am. I have no purpose anymore, anything I turn to crumbles to dust much to your delight! And STILL everyone sings the same tiresome tune, "Kain The Exiled we rely upon you yet we damn you for what you have done! We want more of your sacrices, more of your words, more of your broken being sacrificed for good!" Well no more. I am leaving this world to it's own devices, it is not worth all of this pain, I simply cause more it seems."

Kain turned around leaving the room silent, but for his cloven footsteps, his Cloak was the deepest of blacks, almost as dark as his mind. He walked out of the room, no-one stood in his way.

Izual looked around the room. He had feared that something like this may eventually happen. He followed Kain, silently. He knew Kain didn't want to speak and would rather be alone but Izual wanted to assure his safety out of here. And Kain was still weak.

Kain stormed out, he was faced with a massive iron door. He continued to walk onwards, anger filling him still. The iron door was sent crashing outwards, the iron door being ripped from it's bearings, it went with a deafening crash with only a thought from Kain, he did not even make a gesture to make the spell! Fury allowed him to do so, and Izual stayed behind him, he did not try and make eye contact.

Izual was slightly shocked at this action. He was not aware that Kain was able to do such. He continued to follow silently, hoping that Kain wouldn't do anything rash.

Kain was heading for the exit..but then a thought occoured to him. He went down a different passage. One which he had been brought from earlier. The torture room. Kain continued on silent, as they walked to this chamber full of those dark contraptions. His mind worked at lighting speed, he knew what he would do.

Izual was not sure what Kain intended but followed nonetheless. He would definately make mention of such a place to the higher powers once he returned.

Kain continued on and came to the dark metal to which was the door. He did the same as he did with the other door. It blew out with a satisfying crash with the same amount of effort.

None.

He went in, the contraptions surronding him, he looked around and lifted his cloven hands, his lips did not move with any kind of incantation. He did not need it. The metal contraptions began to shake....the sounds of fixtures of them on the walls and floor began to buckle and break.....

Izual smiled slightly. He was considering doing the very think Kain was doing now before they arrived here.

Izual was not sure wether Kain was doing this for hatred of the inquisitors or compassion for other beings but he decided not to enquire.

The metals began to shake and levitated upwards, and began to fly around into a tornado of bend metal, the sounds of it whooshing around hazardously was a loud and frighting one. If one of those hit someone, it would cause significant damage.

Kain continued on effortless, now all of the metal contraptions in the air spinning around above Kain. He looked on and send for only a second with a callous click of his cloven talons, a black silver bolt into the center. Cloak dissolved into the bolt and formed into a sphere of energy.

Immediately, the effect was dramatic. The metals where begining to melt into spheres of metal, which was begining to form into a figure.....

Eventually a massive form appeared which rumbled, like iron against iron, magic powering this hulking being. It had runes all over it, which pulsated blue accasionally. It took a step forward and the room shook at it's heavy iron foot. It had a massive sword which was made from the same matieral.

Kain closed his eyesd and chanted to enclose the golem within his magic. It was not a pernament spell, it was simply an animation and metamorphis spell on a grand scale. Kain was pleased at his creation, and went out, Cloak was within this being. Cloak had worked it's own magic silently, it worked tirelessly to keep this being animated, for the spirit which inhabited the Cloak now inhabited this Golem.

"Golem shall guard see to Mephisto for now." Kain said quielty and walked out, followed slowly by the thunderous clang of the golem. The door was too large for such a being, but Kain thought of that. The Golem simply melted again and flowed though door after the two and exited.

Kain headed to the left towards the exit, while Golem lumbered noisily to where they had come from, it's scraping noise chilling, and the impentable sense of power to this being was immense. Kain knew of what it was capable....

(The golem on the right is what I am talking about, this thing is almost as big as the room. Kain would not be able to do this is the Cloak spirit had not inhabited the iron form. This is taxing upon the spirit which serves Kain willingly, which will be shown later. This is not an ordinary golem.)

http://www.wizards.com/leaving.asp?url=/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG135.jpg&origin=dnd_ag_20030712a

Izual was amazed. He had never seen a golem quite like this before. He witnessed in siletn awe as the creature headed towards the court room.

Izual continued to follow Kain.

(OOC Ok, I think we should wait for Roania. The inquisitors would have done something now....)

Kain, a voice said. Be careful, look for what's up ahead. Azari snickered to herself.

What do you mean? Kain asked her, his mind wondering what danger he might face yet. He was weak without the Brightblade...and he could not get it here....

You'll see.. She replied with a laugh. She turned back to veiw the chaos.

Silently as the grave, hundreds of Inquisitors began to move towards the dungeons.

Alex watched, passionlessly. Kain, now might be the time to flee for your life. Then he turned to 'Sarth'. "Reveal yourself, beast."

Mephisto turned and turned about. His disguise had been shredded by Izual. Feeling no reason to keep it, he tossed it aside. "It is I... Mephistopheles. And you were all my pawns." Drawing his blade, he leapt at Prince Alexander, who drew his own and met the charge.

Heavenly father... give me strength...

The iron construction lumbered through the passageways, it footsteps heavy and which rocked the foundations of the place. It went back to where Mephistopolies was....

It came to the blown out door and added it to itself. Golem reformed into liquid and slid through the door.

It's towering form stood there, massive and mighty, it's intellegent glowing red eyes beaming down at Mephistopheles. With a moment, it's bindings began to glow blue, and energies began to spiral around it.

Mephistopheles could recognise the spell. It was attempting to aid Alexander in blessings and charm spells, barriers and counter spells. There where multitudes of spells occouring within Golem, as it's sword was held by it's side.

(Feel free to destroy the Golem, but it would take a little effort. A complex dispel will destroy it, but that will take time. Dispels from Mephisto would easily dispel the golem's spells, but it would still make Mephisto tested to fight and dispel, you know what I mean.)

Mephisto cursed. The boy is strong in the faith, and the golem is preventing me from concentrating... I should take another shape...

He shifted form, turning to his standard, diabolic shape.

http://www.7thsign.com/~jynx/tycho/dragons/balrog.jpg

Alexander leapt back. "God preserve us..."

Izual was met with a hard decision. Follow Kain and makes sure he is alright or go prevent Mephisto from harming anyone. He decided to converse with Kain.

Kain, do you mind if I go to hinder the murderous efforts of Mephisto?

Azari looked at Izual, blocking his way back toward Mephisto. Her demonic eyes flashed red momentarily, and her fangs rested upon her lower lips. She glared at him, her black robes about her. She met his eyes. hinder the murderous efforts of Mephisto? Her voice hissed in a sultry tone. Is that what your going to do? Her entrancing eyes began to cast their deadly spell. If you can get through me first... She was unrecognizable for Kain, as if his mind had been clouded.

Izual had been warned about this one. His fellow angels has said do not look into her eyes. Izual broke eye contact.

"Do not get in my way woman."

Izual dispersed in a blue flash and reappeared within the courtroom, sword in hand.

"Mephisto. I suggest you surrender yourself."

"Do as you wish." Kain said.....but then he considered going himself. As mad as it seemed....he felt compelled to do so. For all their misguided morals, the Inquisitors deserved mercy. To leave them would be worse than then Kain thought. It was extremely tempting to leave them to thier fate....to what they did to him. Kain sighed and turned around. The things he did....he followed.

Kain saw Azari....yet she was not Azari to Kain. She was someone else. Kain, with only his cloven talons he readyed a spell....there was something so inviting about her...so compelling.

---

Golem gave out a warcry of metal clanging, one which was unatural yet disturbingly like a human warcry in the way it was done. The massive claymore crashed down from the hulking being, the left hand outstreached still with it's protective spells being cast.

Azari appeared in a flash of red light before Izual. "Nuh-uh." She said shaking her head. "I am not someone to be dismissed so quickly. And you see, I am in your way. There is a way to get by me, but that would entail leaving me dead on this floor, which I really don't find an option."

Kain teleported himself with a slighter logner spell, it took around ten seconds. He dissolved and reformed next to Izual. He was slightly behind him.

"Who are you?" Kain said ironically, he did not know who she was due to her enchantments around her.

"I am a siren," she replied with a laugh. "Greek mythology had some truth, though I'm not a sea nymph...."

"I find that hard to believe....you ally yourself with them yes?" Kain said, implying Mephistopheles.

"With whomever I wish," the demon replied, savoring every bit of this. She looked into his eyes. "Why don't you walk with me Kain."

"Stay your distance." Kain said. He cursed mentally that he did not bring a substitute weapon. All he had was his arcane abilties....and that might not be enough. Kain stood there, his cloven talons ready to form the mystical patterns within the air, a moment was all he needed to send great swathes of magic towards her. Kain was full of resolve and caution...and he felt weary, great waves of fatigue sweeping over him. It was visable, but Kain stayed upright.

"Come with me Kain," she said melodically, imitating Rave's voice. "I merely wish to talk with you." She never broke her eye contact from her.

Izual raised his sword.

"Do not listen to her Kain. She is tainted by evil and is attempting to misguide you."

Kain hesitated. But he kept his resolve. That was no freind...

"I said stay away! Leave us be! I have no time for this!" Kain said to her stepping forward, cloven talon pointed forward at her, his own hand like a sword.

He tryed to get past her, arming a spell around himself, the words where all ready to be used in a second.

Alexander dodged as Mephisto unleashed a whiplash. HELP!

Izual jumped over and landed in front of Alexander, shielding him from Mephisto. The angel raised his sword of light and pointed it at Mephisto's throat.

"You shall cause no more damage here Mephisto....."

She caught his arm strongly in her grip, and she brushed back the hood of her cloak. She had her normal appearance, as if nothing had ever happened. Though her eyes....her eyes were entrancing. "Kain...please."

Kain looked back at Izual....and out of character, looked to her without hostility.

Go. I will deal with her. Kain sent Izual.

"What do you wish of me?" Kain said to her, his tone slighty softer than it would be normally, he was stilla rmed, but his arm went down slightly.

"I need your help Kain," she said softly, in almost a choking whisper. He could feel her body growing weak, as her grip lessoned greatly. "Please....help me..." There was something extremely entrancing in her eyes and her beauty that had not been aparent before.

Izual jumped over and landed in front of Alexander, shielding him from Mephisto. The angel raised his sword of light and pointed it at Mephisto's throat.

"You shall cause no more damage here Mephisto....."

OOC: Sorry, on for 1 hour, today, less. Something... unexpected came up.

IC: Mephisto bats him aside. "Out of my way, traitor." Izual is sent flying, shocked. Mephisto's power had been witnessed, but never before had he personally experienced it. Alex rushed for Izual.

"Whoever you are, get out of here. I am the Defender of the Faith, and I aim to do so."

Izual calmly picked himself up and shed is cloak, displaying his angelic form.

"Have it your way demon."

Power surged around Izual as he summoned his angelic energies. His sword grew brighter, his wings extended and his eyes completely blue. The angel marched towards Mephisto and slashed across his back with his holy blade.

"Your presence in this world is not appreciated. You may be stronger than I, but you are in a house of god. This is not your turf. Now be gone!"

Mephisto snarled. "So holy, is it?" He spun around and grabbed Alexander by the neck. "I'll go, but I'll take the boy with me." Alexander cursed and tried to slice at the hand holding him.

All of a sudden, a mighty explosion of light occured. "Begone, demon! I exorcise thee from this holy place!" Mephisto began to shake, his body smoking.

"No! NO!" He writhed back and forth, shattering the altar and rounding on Izual. He drew back the whip of souls, but before he could take action, his form crumbled into dust.

Izual put his gaurd up and prepared to strike. His holy energies flowing around him, but it ended. Mephisto was gone. Izual began to discharge his power.

"I had forgotten what a simple exercision could do in this place."

Izual turned to find the instigator of the holy spell.

Alexander pulled himself up. If I never return to Port Agua ever again, it will be too soon. He looked at the door.

"Well, well, well. Prince Alexander, and... Izual, no?" Cardinal Richelieu leaned on a cane in the doorwell. "There are two more creatures of darkness loose in my Cathedral. I'll deal with them, or have my Inquisitors do so." He smiled. "Prince Alexander, the Inquisition shall require some new machines."

"Granted. Now, get me out of this city and back to Roan. Things like this don't happen in Roan." Alexander collapsed back down.

Izual rushed to the Prince and caught him before he struck the floor. He lay the prince on a nearby chair and approached Cardinal Richelieu.

"Well done Cardinal. I'm afraid I cannot let you harm Kain. Indeed there is another creature of darkness within here, and she must be stopped. Also, we do not approve of your 'methods' in converting others."

"I see. However, we live in the world of man, and such methods are needed to save the souls of the unbelievers and heretics. Should the Second Coming occur tomorrow, that would be what I would say to the Lord." He grinned, a manic, dangerous grin. "Everything I do is in the name of the Lord, and for the greater glory of the Lord."

He swept over to the altar. "Tsk, tsk. This will have to be repaired... hundreds of years of work, surviving the civil war, the bombing, only to be destroyed by a spawn of hell. So be it."

Simon Darquis entered, and kneeled before the Cardinal. "Your emminence, the one known as Kain has disapeared, and there seems to be a large demonic presence in the southern antechambers."

Izual nodded.

"Cardinal. Although we do not approve, we are not here to interfere with the issues of man. I believe the problem at present would be a certain she demon."

Izual raised his sword, power surging around him once again.

"I need your help Kain," she said softly, in almost a choking whisper. He could feel her body growing weak, as her grip lessoned greatly. "Please....help me..." There was something extremely entrancing in her eyes and her beauty that had not been aparent before.

"S..stay back." Kain said, without any true meaning behind them. Kain had encountered demons before...but he had not met a demon like this. With his lack of experiance to this kind of encounter he fell prey to it.

"What is it that you want..." Kain murmered.

Stay back...

"Oh Kain," She said, moving towards him. She slipped her hand upon his shoulder in a soft movement. "You don't mean that, do you?" She said in an innocent voice. She brushed her cheek upon his, her breath upon his neck. She slipped her other hand around his back. "Let me help you..." Her eyes looked up into his, however...they were a light crystal blue...

Stay back...

"Oh Kain," She said, moving towards him. She slipped her hand upon his shoulder in a soft movement. "You don't mean that, do you?" She said in an innocent voice. She brushed her cheek upon his, her breath upon his neck. She slipped her other hand around his back. "Let me help you..." Her eyes looked up into his, however...they were a light crystal blue...

Inquisitors began to move towards the site. The sound of hundreds of metal boots stamping the ground could be heard clearly.

"No...not...not like...this." Kain said to her, completely paralysised under her enchanting eye. His mind just wanted to let go, just to enjoy this. BUt something at the back of his mind refused. It constantly nagged that he should not...that this was wrong and false. A trick. Yet recent events had made him weak...

He allowed her to do such things....and slowly he returned responce. He was tierd of keeping his defences up. He was tierd of this constant agony. He let himself go.

Izual disappeared from the court room in a flash of holy brilliance. He headed toward Kain's location.

The Inquisitors began to run, determinedly, drawing blades. "We shall take both presences out as one."

She brought her lips up to meet his, and kissed him passionatly; more than he had ever known. She could tell, that she had gotten him. But he would get his time in the end to perish...in the end. Now was not the end however. The siren's speciality: seduction. Worked like a charm, even on a demon.

Izual appeared before Kain and the other, power flowing around his angelic form.

"Kain, we must leave. And you, I think it would be in your best interests to leave as well."

Kain returned the embrace with his own passion, he felt as though his very flesh tingled with electricity. all of his troubles and pains where washed away...

Kain did not hear Izual...

(OOC You would be pretty shocked to see this)

Azari pulled back for a second, blood showing upon her lips as fangs dug into both's flesh. She slowely felt him weakening. The passion between the two was intense. Her nails dug into his back, scars that were in the same position as the ones upon the angel's son, though Qui's were more intense. "Let me save you."

"From what?" Kain asked tenderly...completely drowned in the emotions and sensations.

"From all of this," she replied softly. "Let me give you everything I have." The taste of blood mixed into a delicacy. She was that of an elder, and the softness of hers countered the sharpness of his.

Izual barely stopped his jaw from dropping.

"Kain, she has you under her spell. Come back to your senses!"

The Inquisitors entered, and leveled their weapons at the three. "Give yourselves up."

Izual looked blankly at the inquisitors. His angelic, powerful form ready for battle and his holy blade resing across his shoulder.

"I don't think so. Perhaps you did not notice, but I am part of the forces that you claim to serve. Kain is coming with me. What you should be doing is locking away that woman."

"Stop this!" Kain said to her.

Izual's voice held a sense of clarification to Kain...of the truth. He began to doubt....his mind was in turmoil...he did not know what to think. He stepped back and held his head...trying to figure out what was good...what was wrong. It was not so clear...it was not black and white. So many choices....so many paths.

"Why must I always be tried to be manipulated?" Kain accused her, and turned to see the guards. He paused and looked at them. He spoke a word....the Golem collapsed...and the twisted metal was heard crashing down...it could not be used for making those machines again....

Kain looked to the left and right of him, on one side, Azari....on the other Izual. He looked at both and then stepped back from both of them.

"I...I do not know what to believe anymore! Everywhere I turn there are lies and deceit..." Kain almost whispered. He began to walk away, completely oblivous of the guards.

(OOC Feel free to take a jab at Kain, but the way I think it is, Azari and Izual are blocking your path...But I am sure there would be other passages which more guards could come from other directions?)

The Inquisitors surrounded Azari, and tried to put the anti-magic chains around her. "Come quietly, beast. We don't have any more machines, so we'll make your deaths quick."

--------------

Simon appeared out of nowhere next to Kain. "Kain! It's me, Simon. Prince Alexander asked me to get you out of here."

"Get away! I shall find my own path out of here!" Kain bellowed ingoring him. He felt that he could not trust anyone, he was completely disorientated. His mind was reeling from all of the moral questions he was feeling...

"That's what he's afraid of..." Simon sighed, and slammed his mailed fist into the back of Kain's neck. "This is for your own good, I'm going to get you out of here without you killing anyone."

Kain fell to the floor from the blow, it was unexpected. His head pounded...he was completely disorientated. He got up slowly...and turn to face Simon..he was rather angry with being hit on the back of the head. He said nothing, but he flexed his talon slightly.

Simon sighed. "Kain... please, just come with me." He pushed his hand against the wall, it slid aside. "Several hundred very angry people will be heading this way, soon."

Kain looked left and right...and slwoly began to see reason. He did not like this one bit...but slowly he relised that why should Simon lie to him? If he wanted to betray him, he would have let him wander around...Kain's mind was begining to clea from the paranoia....perhaps it was her effecting him....

"Alright...I do not see what other option I have...." Kain said rather synically and followed him, rather reluctatly.

They soon reached a small dock by the Cathedral. Coming out into the air, Simon looked shocked. "Your highness?"

Alexander strode forward. "Thank you, Inquisitor. Please, leave us."

After Simon stepped away, Alexander moved towards Kain. "So, Kain. You did accept my invitation to visit Roania." He scowled. "Pity it was under duress. Now, I *should* kill you. It's my duty as defender of the faith. However, I prefer to do this." He tossed Kain a set of keys. "Down that pier is a small hovercraft. This is the last time we'll meet, most likely, so I recall to you our first conversation, back at the Academy."

He turned to go. "Remember, Kain. Everything is a test. Life is a test. The winners are those who stand to their principles, no matter what happens."

Kain was simply astonished. He did not know what to think. This was all maddness....

"I am tierd of tests....and those who would test me so. Thank you for assistance...I do not know what to say...." Kain said quietly, he walked slwoly over to the hovercraft. He barely knew how to use one of these things. He felt a familer sensation...of confidance. Of certainty. Gone where those doubts....well, not all of them.

The Brightblade had appeared upon his back again, the power it granted to Kain was greatly appreciated. It eased his mind...but granted new problems. His Cloak formed upon his back again, but he did nto speak to it. He just wanted to think about a few things...he needed to straighten out a few things in his head...his morals and his beliefs. He thought he knew that woman...

<5 days later>

Mephisto walked down a long row of cells. Behind him, a dead guard stood, swaying on the spot. "So, woman, you got yourself caught. The question is, should I free you?"

<Rave?>

<5 days later>

Mephisto walked down a long row of cells. Behind him, a dead guard stood, swaying on the spot. "So, woman, you got yourself caught. The question is, should I free you?"

<Rave?>

(OOC Whooh, hang on. Let Izual and Azari react!)

(OOC Whooh, hang on. Let Izual and Azari react!)

OOC: Fine, if it makes you happy... of course, Azari doesn't have a choice, she can't fight 200 Inquisitors all at once...

(OOC True that, I would imagine the two of them would simply stand there while Kain runs away from them, the inquisitors attack them, but they both decide to leave. They both wonder where Kain is, possibly have a arguement/fight(I doubt that, Azari would not find that profitable) and leave, while Kain remains alone for a while. Possibly later, one of them (perhaps both each one at a time) could talk to Kain. I feel that Kain is tettering on the edge of either side, he is very confused and can be manipulated I feel if the right words are said)

Azari looked at Mephistop, a quickening in her eyes. She had Kain, she had him under her inbreakable trance, and yet had not izthul been there, she would have finished the deal by now. "You could either free me, so I can come out there, or at least unlock the door so you can come in here."

Izual sat upon the roof of the cathedral. He decided to give Kain time before he spoke with him. Until then, he pondered the recent events atop the building it had all occured in. Sometimes he wondered why humanity was tolerated, the room underneath the building had definately showed the angel that man can do evil things, even in the name of good.

It would soon be time to visit Kain.

Kain rode upon the waves upon the ocean waters, the bobbing and rocking of the hovercraft. He had gotten the hang of using the machine, his mind now drifted. He was in the middle of the ocean, he had turned off the engine and now all around him was the ocean, ebbing and flowing.

He sighed, as he was on the edge of the hovercraft thinking. His cloven feet where dipped slightly into the water, the sparkling water of the sun held no beauty for him. A small group of fish passed Kain, to him a group of corpses in the dead water. He closed his eyes and felt the wind accoross his green flesh.

"I just don't know what to believe anymore. This had gotten so complex...it is not like before, where everything was so clear cut. What now? And who was that woman...." Kain saked himself as he leaned back, feeling the sun warm his cold skin. His troubled mind continued to question, to ask things.

Izual extended him mind, far beyond his current location. After a few minutes of searching he located Kain.

Replacing his cloak and ridding himself of the angelic blade, Izual disappeared.

Kain noticed a light blue flash as Izual made his presence known upon the hovercraft.

Kain noted Izuals presance and sighed. He remained in the same position, lying backwards, feeling the lapping of the water on his feet. He did not say anything.

Izual slowly moved next to Kain. (He is back in his human form)

"How are you my friend?"

Kain remained silent for a time, the only sound was of the hovercraft bobbing about in the water. Eventually he spoke.

"I do not know. Everything is so confusing now. Everywhere I turn my words and beliefs are twisted and made into traps for me. Yet within those traps, there is an undeniable ounce of truth, to which I cannot deny. Everything is not black and white anymore. I simply do not know what to believe." Kain said quietly, and got up. He was leanwed over looking at the water, staring at his reflection.

Azari looked at Mephistop, a quickening in her eyes. She had Kain, she had him under her inbreakable trance, and yet had not izthul been there, she would have finished the deal by now. "You could either free me, so I can come out there, or at least unlock the door so you can come in here."

"Hmm..." He waved his hand. A dark portal to the hells appeared behind Azari. "Enter, quickly, my dear... there is much work to be done."

Izual nodded.

"I am sorry to see things become so difficult for you. But I must warn you. That woman is not trustworthy, she has a strong demonic aura and I do not want to see you harmed. She is most likely in league with Mephisto. Don't forget Arithon and Mephisto would take great joy in torturing you eternally, so I am sorry to say there a few that you can trust. Rest assured though, I shall be nearby if you do need help."

"But the question I ask, am I so much better than them? I have done so many evil things, hell I even keep the company of a demonic blade to which has become a freind! I damned the one I love to an existance such as this, if I truelly loved her...If I truelly loved her would I have turned her? Or let her die?" Kain said, slowly getting more passionate and frustrated until his banged his cloven talon onto the side of the hozercraft, making it rock a little bit more.

"So many things I have done, to which I do not know if they where good and evil. I even betrayed the Shentavos and Rave by that action of my own love for Daniella. What was I supposed to do? What was I supposed to do.....Either way I lose!" Kain looked harder into the water at the reflection. He splashed the water in frustration, not wantingto see his own reflection, his green face which proclaimed his change.

Izual sighed.

"You followed yours and Daniella's heart. She did not want to die, she wanted to be with you. Even if it meant becoming a vampire. Of course you are better than the demonic lords. They deliberately do evil, they have no guild of their deeds and they enjoy the suffering of others. You do none of these. You feel compassion and guilt. You may be confused about the alignment of your deeds, but that is understandable."

Hmm..." He waved his hand. A dark portal to the hells appeared behind Azari. "Enter, quickly, my dear... there is much work to be done."

A devilish smile crossed her face. "As you wish m'lord," she said, savoring the words. She stepped through the portal at his comand, resuming her normal form....had he seen her for what she really was? No... not even the inquizitors had. Only Kain and Izthul saw the siren she was.

OOC: So are we finished?

Izual sighed.

"You followed yours and Daniella's heart. She did not want to die, she wanted to be with you. Even if it meant becoming a vampire. Of course you are better than the demonic lords. They deliberately do evil, they have no guild of their deeds and they enjoy the suffering of others. You do none of these. You feel compassion and guilt. You may be confused about the alignment of your deeds, but that is understandable."

Kain sighed. "Just because...nevermind. I am tierd.....thanks for your words....but I just don't know...." he stared into the water again.

(OOC Been away for a little while, tech problems...)

"If it is any consolation. The forces of light do not view you as an evil being. Daniella and Balfar do not think of you as evil."

"Oh please! Who are the forces of light? Is it that easy for you to say who is good and who is evil? There are not two definate sides, which the combat will take place Izual! There are too many twists and turns in the riddle to be comprehended....we cannot label one as good another as evil...no being can cast judgement so! What is evil? What is good? Funny, I keep hearing these words being tossed about so freely when I do not even know what these words mean! If you would call others and myself these words at least let me know what they truelly mean!" Kain said passionately and rather angrily at Izual, he turned and stood up to look at him.

Izual matched his gaze.

"Indeed. The true meanings are lost upon many. And there is a large in between ground. Look at it this way. Say you are in a battle with someone and you end up killing them to prevent them from doing the same to you. If I know you well enough, I assume you would feel some sort of guilt for the life you have taken. An evil being would think nothing off it. But there are many degrees. You may not be considered a good creature by many, but you are not considered evil to many either. It is hard to define exactly."

"But you do not answer my question. What is good? What is evil? Surely, you align yourself with good from what I feel. Than logically, you should be able to tell me what good is? What evil is?" Kain asked, his questions demanding and would press many. It was a tough question.

(OOC That is a really hard question to answer....think about what your character has been in the past.)