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Realms Converge	By : Candice Category: +G through L > Legacy of Kain Views: 3562 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Legacy of Kain, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.Don't get to Nosgoth itself til chap 5

Chapter List
- 62
- 63
- 64
Thank you to AssassinAngel92. Your reviews have always been appreciated and I am very glad that you enjoyed that last chapter. :-D
And onto the final bits of the story.
I'm not the sort to leave a 'and they lived happily ever after' kind of ending, so I hope you all enjoy this. :-)
-bows-
Chapter Sixty-two: Epilogue Part 1
The Seer and I spent the next three weeks together discussing her people and their current cultural norms. Oddly enough, their culture had not changed over much given that they had to live in a rather harsh environment. Maintaining their culture became a way of maintaining hope for a future outside of the Demon Realm. Understandable, truly it was, but it also meant that several traditions that they had adhered to for so long would no longer be viable, if only because being 'exiled' would no longer doom someone to becoming twisted beings once they were kicked out of the City proper.
I found out that, long-lived though the Hylden were due to the Curse, they were not nearly as long-lived as vampires. All told, there were about three thousand Hylden's residing in the Hylden City. As to the number of Exiles? That was an unknown factor that we would need to be wary of. Kain's war against the Hylden invaders when he was younger likely decimated the Exiles numbers, but we had no way of knowing how many had survived or how many had been exiled since then.
We spoke of potentially bringing her people over in groups focused first around those who had skills in agriculture and architecture. Nosgoth could not support so many coming over all at once and the Hylden City had enough stability to support such a staggered reintroduction. Nosgoth yet needed time for flora and fauna to recover and having individuals whose skills focused on such things? It would aid in her recovery. As for where to place them all once they were here?
It was likely going to be the lands North of the mountains. Kain had claimed the entire southern portion of the massive super-continent for the Clans and, even in the Empires dilapidated state, it was unlikely that he would yield much, if any, of that land to the Hylden. The lands to the North would be a prudent option for all involved and would help keep tempers in check early on. The lands were also wild, untamed and, for the most part, uninhabited. The Seer knew of only a few tiny human settlements in the North, those who had fled the Wildlings. As such there would, hopefully, be little in the way of potential forced relocation for either Human or Hylden settlers.
Later, when I had explained to her the Gift of Souls that I had brought with me, I'd nearly panicked. She had almost immediately collapsed into a heap mid-step. I could not be sure if it was the head injury or a vision. In all our conversations over the past three weeks, she had not once had a vision. She had even admitted to me early on that head wounds could affect a Seer's ability. I checked her eyes in concern and while there was not the earlier, bright glow of gold so similar to a Vampires power-whitened gaze, there was yet a faint golden shimmer. Thinking that her head injury could yet be affecting her or her ability, I moved her back to her room to monitor her condition carefully.
Just in case...
She woke up not even ten minutes after her collapse... and immediately started crying. Worried, I drew her into my arms and rubbed at her back. Her fingers dug into my shoulders almost painfully as she sobbed and I wrapped my wings around her.
"Seer?" I asked, tone concerned. "What is wrong? Did you See something? Can you answer me?"
"Y-yes... oh yes..." she sobbed as she leaned further into me. "I.. I..."
"Seer," I said firmly. "Take a breath, in and out! Now!"
She gasped in a ragged breath at my order and then let it out slowly. She shuddered again and pushed back from me enough so that her blind eyes were gazing un-seeing at my face. There was an expression of... awe on her face. I blinked in surprised at that. I had been expecting the worst given her reaction.
"What did you See?" I asked softly.
"I... I am cured of the Curse... There... I Saw a burst of energy at the Pillars while I was unconscious. It cured me," she breathed in a reverent tone. "The Hylden who are brought through will be cured too, but only if they are brought through the portal that will be opened for them in front of the Pillars. Any other route will leave those who try to return to Nosgoth in a Cursed state."
"Such as if the Exiled try to break through again," I said in realization. "Is it Kain who does this somehow or...?"
"No, it was Nosgoth..." she sobbed softly. "Nosgoth wants us to come home. I know it. I have Seen it... Oh My Lady, the future will by no means be an easy one, but my people can come Home!"
"Hn... what of the Wildlings?" I asked suddenly, happy for her but again concerned for those whom already lived upon Nosgoth's soil. "Could we boot them into the Demon Realm and bring them back across to cure them?"
"I..." she sniffled softly as she rubbed at her face. "I... do not know. I did not See such a thing. It... might be possible? Perhaps the Scion can use the Chronoplast to test such a thing?
"I will let him know of what you saw," I said. "How do you feel though?"
"Weak... tired..." she said honestly as I helped her lay back down. "My head hurts quite a bit..."
"I see," I reached into my pouch and pulled free a healing potion. I placed the rim to her lips. "Drink this and rest. I will talk to Kain."
"Yes..." she drank the healing fluid and blinked blindly at the ceiling, her earlier strength a faded thing. "Thank you, My Lady. For everything."
After ensuring that she fell into a natural slumber, I left the room and reached out through the Whisper for Kain. I shared with him the knowledge of what the Seer had witnessed in her vision and his response was... both hopeful and grim.
~That she saw such a thing is good,~ he said thoughtfully. ~Having creatures with such a Curse affecting them would, in the long run, be no different than the problem we face now with regards to the Wildlings. Though the Hylden are not nigh on immortal like Vampires, they would still devolve. But the Curse affecting them is not the same curse that affected I and my own Children. Hm.~
He remained silent for several moments before he continued.
~Raziel and I are done cleaning out the Sanctuary,~ he said. ~Once the Seer has recovered, the two of you can return here. I will visit the Chronoplast and see what I myself might be able to perceive regarding your findings. If it can be done, then we will help the youngest of my Children's respective broods as their minds would be the least badly damaged of the lot. If not... then we will merely continue on as we have discussed in previous conversations. I will not leave a stone un-turned when it comes to my Sons Clan...~
~I understand. Safe hunting Amare,~ I responded and I went back to tending the other female.
~My Katrina,~ he responded fondly, though his emotions came through as pensive.
From there, it took two days for the Hylden woman to recover from the state that her vision had left her in. Even she was uncertain as to if this would now be the norm for her if she received any future visions. I hoped not. It would be a liability for her to be affected so. Once she was up on her feet again, I flew us to the Sanctuary and found that the place, whilst not pristine, was at least clear of any roaming Wildlings. There were a handful of humans from the Human Citadel wandering about and clearing away debris. Raziel was waiting for us in the throne room, staring up at the Pillars with a look of contained wonder. I moved over to his side and brushed my fingers over his arm.
"You are well?" I asked.
"I am well Lady Katrina," he hummed softly as he glanced over his shoulder at the Seer. "And our ally?"
"Recovered," I said. "Though I fear for her health if her visions continue to affect her so."
"I understand," he said. "She has proved her worth as an ally. It would be a pity indeed to see her laid low in such a manner."
"Indeed," I sighed and looked up at the pristine Pillars. "I've discussed much with the Seer regarding the Hylden. I believe we have a plan that can be implemented."
Heavy footfalls filled the air and Raziel and I turned as one to watch Kain approach. The Seer had also heard his approach and had bowed her head in respect. I smiled gently at the sight. He only moved so when he wanted those around him to be aware of his presence, otherwise he was as silent as a stalking cat. Kain paused by the Seer and tilted her head up.
"You have served us well Seer," he said in a firm tone as second later as he let her chin go. She bowed her head once more. He glanced at Raziel and I, then indicated the doors to the right. "Come, we all have much to discuss."
We fell in step beside and behind him respectively and followed him into the large side room that was clearly his War Room. He took a seat at the table that held a massive raised-relief map that, even despite its' obvious age, was well taken care of and highly detailed. Kain's bat form had definitely come in handy in shaping this lovely thing with such an eye to detail. He then indicated where each of us could sit. I guided the Seer to the seat he indicated for her, a seat reserved for an Adviser, and then took my own seat next to him at his left whilst Raziel sat at his right. Kain picked up a small marker and then leaned back in a lazy sprawl in his throne-like chair. He let out a heavy, frustrated growl.
"To begin with," he started in a dark tone, "we have now exhausted all potential avenues available to us in order to attempt the restoration of the Broods of my other Sons. Even conversing with Nosgoth via the Pillar of Balance did not reveal any viable options. The twisted Curse that Mortanius used to make me, the same curse that was passed on to my Children, cannot be cured simply by transiting between the two Realms."
"You make it sound as if Nosgoth can only heal the Hylden as she can simply because the Hylden's Curse had a fail-safe built into it," I said.
"Nosgoth 'advised' that it indeed did have such a thing," Kain acknowledged with a grim nod. "A fail-safe that had to be removed by Mortanius when he merged the two Curses in order to create me."
I closed my eyes, sadness flickering through me at his words.
"I had hoped. I had truly hoped... but," I said softly, pain lacing my tone,"we cannot win them all, can we?"
"No, we cannot," he responded in a low tone, one talon tapping at the small marker. "Still, we pursued every avenue possible even if the results, in the end, were unsatisfactory. Moving on. Mine Empress, you mentioned that you have a plan regarding the Hylden?"
"I do. There are roughly three thousand Hylden all told in the Hylden City from what the Seer has told me. Nosgoth wont be able to support so many all at once, not when we need to help the entire planetary ecosystem in its' recovery. What we can do however, is space out how many people are brought through at one time. They can be placed there," I indicated the northern part of the map, unclaimed and unmarked by any of the smaller markers that indicated territories or troops save for a handful of outposts on the mountain range itself. "The lands are mostly uninhabited and are as fertile as the other areas. We should also focus on allowing only those skilled in agriculture and architecture through first. Perhaps a few tradesmen as well."
"People with such training would be best suited to helping Nosgoth's various ecosystems recover in a safe manner," the Seer offered. "They would understand well the fragile nature of such things and would be able to introduce crops to the land slowly whilst also being mindful of the flora and fauna that has survived to this day."
"Valid points," Raziel said softly.
"Indeed," Kain's eyes narrowed on the map and he leaned forward to move a broken marker to a large, yet dangerous seeming pass in the mountains that had a number of structures attached to it. "The Hylden can move in here first before they spread out. We will need to disable and remove the constructs there at any rate."
"Constructs?" I asked in confusion.
"Great machines were built to create the smog that thinly covers the sky," Raziel said. "The smog was thicker once and we used it to help lengthen the nights and reduce the amount of sunlight that could harm us and our kin."
Kain chuckled faintly at the incredulous look that I shot his way.
"We did not have them active all of the time mine own," he said in a bemused tone. "The balance of Nosgoth was in my thoughts even with the creation of said constructs. I know what the lack of sunlight can do to the flora and fauna of the land. Regardless, the machines have fallen out of use at this point. Only a handful work and even then, only one is currently functioning as we speak. They are no longer needed, especially given the fact that we will need the sunlight to help keep the Wildlings in check during the day and the fact that any more Children Raziel and I make will be immune to the sun's rays."
"I... see," I frowned a bit. "The empty buildings will be a good place for the groups of Hylden to use as a base until such time that they can set up settlements to the North."
"I want it understood that the first settlement is to be built within a stones throw of the end of the pass as it leads to the Northern side of the mountains. Once we have expanded our ranks, the structure left behind will be manned by Vampire guards, with a smaller outpost manned by a handful of your own people near said settlement. None of them are to be trained beyond basic self defense," Kain said in a firm tone. "Until such time that your people have proven to be as trustworthy allies as yourself, I will not allow the Hylden to have a military foothold on either side of the mountains. Is that understood, Seer?"
"I do," she said with a bow of her head, her head tilted the direction of his voice. "There is no guarantee that there will be a lasting peace between our people. Conflict in and of itself is a natural thing and I can understand that you want to maintain sole control over the mountain pass. You wish for us to be close enough on hand to watch, yet far enough away from the heart of your Empire that we cannot be an immediate threat if things do go badly at any point."
"Indeed," Raziel started as he leaned forward, obviously examining the highly detailed map and taking in the changes that had likely been made since he had last looked at it, "we do not know how many malcontents there are amongst the bulk of your people, waiting silently for an opportunity to strike."
"And that is a fair enough concern," the Seer acknowledged softly. "How long will you wish to wait before opening the first portal? I imagine that you will want to increase your ranks somewhat before even the first group of Hylden are allowed to come home."
"Hn," Kain stood and looked over the map critically. He tilted his head abruptly. "Can your people wait another century?"
"Or longer if needed," she said. "I will not fault you your desire to reestablish a proper foot-hold, especially when one considers the threat that is the Wildlings."
"Good. See to it that they understand," Kain turned to look at me. His tone softened somewhat, though remained serious. "My Katrina... those within the Human Citadel have been protected, for the most part, from the Wildlings who have lost their minds. Youths that are still somewhat in control of themselves raid the human's numbers from time to time, despite my presence here. This usually results in my having to cull said creatures immediately so that the rest will know better than to attack again. For a time at least. At times there have been survivors found at the attack sites. Most survivors... are usually female."
I closed my eyes with a wince, knowing what he was quietly hinting at. The Human Citadel was quite large from what I had learned. The humans numbered least a thousand strong. Any raids by the Wildling youths would have likely been carried out during those times that Kain was at the Chronoplast and if most of the survivors of such raids were females...
"You want me to see if any of those surviving females gave birth to a half-blood?" I said in a questioning tone, wanting to be very certain of his request.
"I do," Kain said as he stood. I stood as well and he brushed his talons along the edge of one wing. "Though the humans there know me, they would react better to your own presence. They have had little in the way of hope to bolster their morale over the long years."
"That and it seems that you still need time to clear away a few bands of Wildlings milling about nearby," I quipped as I indicated the map.
Broken markers carrying Turiel's Symbol lay grouped in rather odd placings around the Sanctuary, along with one small group carrying Dumah's Symbol on the other side. It had taken me a few moments to realize that each broken marker might well indicate the broken state of the Wildling Clans and their respective positions. Given the fact that there were dozens upon dozens of such markers strewn out on the large map, it was a reasonable conclusion. His reaction would cinch things...
"Ah, you noticed," he chuckled, pride leaking through his otherwise upset tone. "Very good mine own. Yes, Raziel and I will be out clearing away the packs of Wildlings that are living so close to the Sanctuary. We must have the surrounding areas free of their threat for the humans, flora and fauna to have a chance to restore their numbers."
"They're hunting even the beasts of the wild for blood then?" I asked sadly.
"They are," Kain responded with a wince. "As you know, any blood can sustain us, but animal blood is like old porridge or gruel..."
"You need more to get full and it's not as fulfilling or healthy as broader meal options," I finished with a knowing nod of my head, though a frown curled my lips downwards at the thought of the meat gone to waste as well from what were likely very messy attacks. "I am very much aware of that..."
"I know that you are. Still," he combed his talons lightly, almost soothingly through my hair and then sighed gustily. "It will likely not be an easy thing to ask of those within, but at the least you can catch the scent without questioning those within unduly."
"There is that," I said with an equally heavy sigh. "I will go and search."
"Let me know if your search is fruitful mine own," he said.
"I will," I said. "Good hunting."
He chuckled faintly, a dark sound that revealed the edges of his displeasure with the situation. I moved around Kain and toward the door, idly reaching out my hand to brush my fingertips over Raziel's arm as I left. The dark-haired male started faintly, but turned to flash me a small smile and he gave me a small bow. I smiled back and winked at him teasingly, shooting Kain a look over my shoulder as I reached the door. The older male flashed me a fanged, hunter's smile before he turned to Raziel whilst he pointed at one of the markers. I left them to plan their hunt and swiftly winged my way toward the Human Citadel.
Calling the place the Human 'Citadel' was actually a bit of a misnomer. That implied that there was a singular, fortified core of a town or city. No. Every single portion of the Human City was surrounded and fortified by massive walls, with no outlaying, lesser-protected areas to account for. There were three massive structures all placed close enough together that they might as well have been the same building. The two largest structures were used as housing whilst the third had been set up like a massive bazaar where people could make or trade goods and supplies or otherwise entertain each other. To the north of the buildings was a a kind of shrine, dedicated more to Nosgoth and the Pillars than to Kain. To the south was a structure that was set up as a kind of primitive Hydroponics facility with which the Northern most branch of the river flowed through. What planets that could grow on water were cultivated and carefully tended, several sections were built to catch fish as they swam through the river and there was a rough kind of aqueduct designed to bring water to large fields in which crops could be grown and cattle and other animals fed.
Kain had done much to ensure the protection and health of the human lines that had remained both loyal to his cause and willing to yield to Vampiric rule. Yet I knew that he had ways to deal with any internal uprising within. Not that there had been many over the centuries from what I could tell. It was not as if vampires required a food tax like some human Lords did after all, leaving the humans within dealing with overly lean times and thus chomping at the bit to 'take back what was there's' from human Lords. It helped that those within the city lived longer than those outside the protection of those walls.
Especially once the number of Wildlings had begun to climb and climb and climb...
I made my way inside, literally landing in the middle of the grounds used as the bazaar. As it was late enough in the day, there were very few people milling about as most of the shops were closed. Only the blacksmithy and a few other stalls were yet open. Still, those who noticed my arrival either fled with shock and disbelief writ clear upon their faces, fell to their knees in supplication while babbling near unintelligible verses of... of some holy writ about myself or kept a safe and wary distance from me as if expecting a potential trap. It was toward one of those last individuals that I turned to, an older man who had been barking orders to the younger men within the smithy.
The male was fit and muscled even given his age. He was perhaps in his fifties when judging by Nosgoth's standards. His grip remained firm around the haft of his blacksmiths hammer as I approached, my wings spread out just able my shoulders so that no one might mistake them for a cloak like I might have done otherwise. I looked him over carefully, taking in his fearful scent and yet stubborn stance.
A brave man...
"Will you tell me your name?"I asked. I had no need to introduce myself, not with that kind of an entrance.
"Habrian, son of Soren," he said in a stiff and formal tone. His enunciation was clear compared to the humans I had spoken to before. "It is an honor to be in your presence My Lady."
"I can imagine," I said in a dry tone as I glanced toward the yet babbling individuals who had fallen to the ground where they'd been standing. I looked back to Habrian. "If you would be kind enough to spread the word of my return and advise the others within the Citadel that I am making rounds to ensure everyone's good health. I would be appreciative of such actions Habrian."
"If I may be so bold as to ask a question My Lady?" he said, voice low and rumbly. Several nearby gasped in fright and a few outright fainted at his seeming audacity to question my request.
"You may," I answered, bemused at the reactions of those around us.
"Why not ask one of that lot to perform such a task? I am a blacksmith," he hefted his hammer as if to punctuate his statement, "not a priest or scholar."
"I see," I said with a chuckle, suddenly reminded of a very old phrase from an equally old show that I had loved in my youth. "Honestly Habrian, it is because you are keeping your wits about you that I would like you to do this for me. I am sure you know of others who will be just as level-headed as yourself? Individuals who know the calm of the forge or at the least will not panic at the thought of my return?"
"Aye, that I do," he jerked his head faintly toward the work area where the others stood. "A number of my apprentices can hold their wits about them."
"Then tell them to pass the word, if you would be so kind?" I asked with a smile.
"Not a meeting out here?" he asked. Another rambling individual fainted at his continued questioning of my request. "Might be a tight squeeze, but we can all meet here. The Purlieu can fit most to all of us, being as large as it is."
"Ah, is that what you call this area?" I let out a hum of amusement as I glance around. I turned back to him with a small smile. "And no. I wish to explore the Citadel whilst everyone is tending to their duties. Too many people in one place will obstruct the scents I am looking for. In fact, could you and your men step away from the forge?"
"Needing feeders then?" he asked as he indicated for the others to step away, even as he himself followed me as I walked several paces from the hot, metal-scented air. "The Emperor comes by on occasion for such things."
"I imagine that he would," I hummed, ignoring the question. By his expression, he knew I was avoiding answering him directly. "There has been no trouble I hope?"
"Not with regards to that," he said. "A big honor to be chosen to serve him at his Retreat and with the communication crystals that he allows them access to, it is not as if we don't hear from our family if they are chosen by him."
"I'm glad to hear that," and I was.
I stopped and then circled the group of strong, strapping young men. There was something to be said about the harder jobs like blacksmithing, construction and farming... Carefully taking in their scents as I moved, I noted that most of them smelled like the forges that they worked at. One of the lads had cut his hand somehow and recently. Likely when I'd landed. The blood-scent told me that Raziel would likely want to speak with the lad about becoming a donor, but it was Hadrian who drew my attention once more. He froze, wary, as I stepped closer and his hand tightened about the haft of his hammer. I placed my hand over his as I leaned closer.
"Calm," I said in a soothing voice. "Let go of the fear. I will not hurt you and I need your scent to be clear."
"One would think themselves lost in a fever dream," he said with a strained laugh.
His eyes watched my movements, pupils blown wide with his fear and his breath somewhat rapid, but he remained still beneath my hand and refused to bolt. Again... brave man.
"Then is it not a pleasant dream?" I asked in a mildly teasing tone as I leaned in close to his neck in order to take in his scent as carefully as possible.
"One might call such a dream blasphemous before calling it pleasant, My Lady," he said, voice breathy with fear and a hint of desire at having a female so very close.
"Am I not known for my Merciful nature?" I hummed softly. My lips brushed against his skin and he shivered. "I would not fault you your pleasant dreams."
Another breathless laugh, yet tinged with fear, escaped him, but our conversation had done its' work. Fueled by the growing desire that was starting to curl throughout his body, the scent I was looking for rose up past the harsh scent of the forge and his fear. The sweet scent of the Sakura laced in with the lust. I placed a light kiss on his neck and then stepped back in full.
"I will need to speak with you at some point," I said, keeping the 'why' held from him. I did not want to explain myself a dozen times.
If there were even that many Half-bloods to find... I would consider myself lucky to have found this one Sakura scent...
"I... as you wish My Lady," he said in a slightly dazed tone. "And... ahem... I will have my crew spread the word of your presence. If I can have them tend to the forge first?"
"Of course and thank you Hadrian," I said and I flashed him a gentle, fangless, smile.
He returned the smile weakly, still shaky from our encounter, and then turned to his men. He pulled himself together swiftly and started barking out orders. I chuckled to myself and stepped away from the group as they rushed to quench fires and carefully put away tools and supplies. I moved silently over to the individuals yet kneeling on the ground and I tilted my head. Whilst I still did not care for attitudes that could be considered zealous... if someone wished to believe such things and did not go about hurting people in my name, then they could live as they pleased. I might speak to them, carefully, about letting go of such... devout eagerness... on an individual basis, but I would not force the matter. They could believe what they wanted to, as long as they did not hurt people in the process. The centuries had left me believing that, if you wanted to do someone harm because you didn't like them, then just bloody well say so. I disliked it when fights broke out and the victors then spout off things about 'divine providence' justifying their actions in murdering a long time rival lord.
"Hush for a moment," I said and they immediately went silent. "You do not need to abase yourself so now or otherwise, not if you truly do not wish to. In fact, I see several here who are elders and I am sure that your knees do not appreciate being pressed so against cold stone."
I got several looks of outright consternation before the youngest amongst them could smooth their faces back into careful masks. At least two of the older individuals actually looked somewhat relieved by my words and they shifted their stances so that they were sitting down with their legs crossed, heads remaining bowed in supplication as they moved. None of them were brave enough to stand in my presence however. I nodded my head faintly, accepting their respective choices.
"Tell those that you come across of what I said to you," I said softly. "I am sure that you all have tasks to complete, family to see to or even meals to eat given that it is nearing supper time. Again, tell them that it is their choice if they decide to stop or if they wish to continue on to where they needs be. Do not get into any fights with anyone if they do not believe you. I will be making rounds throughout the entire Citadel and I want to see how things are without anyone bickering."
"As you command Merciful Mother," they said. I had to contain an eye-twitch as they had spoken as if they were one being.
By the Balance, but that was...
Creepy...
I did not let my unease with such worshipful reverence show and instead simply nodded my head. I moved over to help the three elderly men to their feet when they went to stand and then carefully took in each individuals scent and, upon finding a lack of Sakura, before I moved on. Awed expressions greeted me at my actions and I simply smiled and moved on once they were all on their feet.
My leisurely hunt through the entire Citadel took three hours all told. I kept my wings raised from my shoulders so that the humans could see them clearly. It was an outright display of them given my usual habits and the more comfortable placement where they could rest idle on my shoulders. Still, most of the humans within the Citadel were of good humor and temperament and in the end my search proved more fruitful than I had hoped. In fact, there were only two negative incidents as a result of my visit. I had to stop one scuffle between one of the blacksmith's workers and a younger priest. Said priest hadn't believed that a 'boorish blacksmith's apprentice' would have been suited to spreading word of my arrival. That got settled right quick when I arrived on scene.
Then there was the brave little five-year old girl...
"Are you really the Mother of Mercy?" she'd asked in a voice pitched in the way that many children her age were capable of.
That is to say, in the loudest voice that her tiny body was capable of producing...
Her mother had spluttered angrily, unable to form words in the face of her daughters question and had twisted the small girl about in order to slap her across her face. I rushed forward from where I had paused in shocked surprise and caught the woman's hand in a movement too fast for human eyes to track. The older woman gasped in fright and fell to her knees whilst the little girl just gaped up at me with an awed expression.
"The child asked a fair question," I said in a firm tone that, while I was not shouting, still managed to carry throughout the large hall that I was in. Everyone would hear my words. "She has never seen me before and has only heard of me in your stories and legends. The paintings and murals that you have are stylized things that, while beautiful, are not fully accurate when it comes to details. Understand me clearly. I do not fault someone for asking questions about me. Harming someone for daring to ask a question though? That I can take umbrage to depending on whom is asking what. Calm yourself and do not harm your daughter for her curiosity about me."
After that had been settled to my satisfaction, I made my way back to the Sanctuary. I could not be out and out happy with my findings, given how these Half-Bloods had come into existence, but I was content with it overall...
I found Kain, Raziel and the Seer back in the War Room upon my return. Kain and Raziel were meticulously updating the map whilst the Seer sat silent, resting and only offering up her opinion or voicing suggestions where it might be appropriate. Kain's head turned in my direction as I entered.
"You've returned my own," he observed in a low rumble. "We've cleared away several more packs of Wildlings in the general area with little difficulty. How was your own search? Did you find any with the Sakura scent?"
"I've found fifteen all told," I said as I moved over to his side. "Far more than I expected to find in truth and all of various ages which makes sense given what you've told me about those attacks. There may well be others in the more isolated little hamlets and towns, but I... I expect the likelihood of such a thing to be low. Humans out there would not have access to the same medical treatments that those within the Citadel have."
"Indeed," he said darkly. "Survival of such attacks from a vampire would indeed be nigh on impossible without skilled healers on hand. Still, are any viable?"
It was a reasonable question. Not everyone was suited for such a long life-span as ours. Indeed, several of those that I had found had families. Families that they would outlive. That was a hard thing to face and could lead many to choose suicide if they regretted their choice later on. I tilted my head and let out a soft hum of breath as I thought.
"Three of those that I found were children," I said slowly. "Five, eight and eleven respectively. I'll keep an eye on them and offer them the opportunity to be Awakened once they are old enough. Seven of them have families and might not want to risk outliving said family. That leaves five of whom are the most likely candidates for being Awakened, the eldest of which is in his fifties. I can make the offer to all of the adults if you would like."
"That would be best, however... You may wish to stagger offering Awakenings to the adults and start with the five that have no outright familial responsibilities," Kain said with a thoughtful nod. I nodded in agreement.
"If I may be so bold as to ask," Raziel started and I nodded for him to continue. "How does the Awakening affect a child?"
"It would not affect a youngster the way it might if a child was Turned by you or Kain," I got duel expressions of disgust and chuckled bitterly, "but it would stunt the youth's growth by an exponential amount. If Awakened, a Half-blooded child's body would age at a rate of one year for every ten years passed. The youth's mind develops at the same rate."
"By the Pillars..." Raziel shook his head, disgust clear on his face. Kain's expression mirrored his own. "That means..."
"That a youth's mind and body is still stuck looking and thinking like that of a ten-year old even if they are actually twenty years old where as a Turned vampire's mind still develops normally even if their body does not," I said, my voice cold. "I am well aware of the connotations my Knight. There is a reason that the age limits were put into effect so strictly on Gaia and those same restrictions, that no one below the age of adulthood is Awakened, will be put into effect here."
I said the last firmly whilst looking at Kain and he nodded his head in agreement.
"We are agreed on that matter mine own, do not fear," Kain said in an equally firm tone. He tilted his head suddenly and hummed softly. "Human's reach adulthood at age fifteen in the wild-lands, sixteen in the Citadel... which would you prefer we use as a baseline for the Law that we will implement?"
I tapped my chin thoughtfully.
"Let us default it to seventeen actually," I said a few moments later. "For both Awakening and for offering to Turn someone and let that be known all over the Empire. This will give such youths out there either one to two years. That way they have the opportunity to experience normal adulthood. On Gaia, they refrained until a Half-blood was thirty before making an offering of Awakening them. It allowed them to experience a little more of human life before they charged into such a drastic change of their lives."
"Acceptable. And in the case of an emergency mine own?" Kain asked.
"Hn," I growled faintly. "Given the dangers of Nosgoth... I would allow a Half-blood to be Awakened at fourteen at the earliest and only if there is a true emergency. Half-bloods are rare enough as it is. There will need to be the clear understanding that they are not yet an adult with an adult's privileges until they are physically and mentally sixteen. This will given them more time to mentally adjust to their new life and also give us the time to ensure that whomever assists them in their Awakening did not Awaken them solely for nefarious reasons. I also think it best that we do not share the process for Awakening a Half-blood with the humans. Not at this point in time and for much the same reason."
"Any that Raziel and I Turn will be carefully screened," Kain growled knowingly. "But that does not mean that we will not have such monsters joining our ranks later on due to the actions of an inattentive Sire or Dame. If this knowledge was shared in mass with the humans however..."
"Of course. If such information is spread, then the vilest of beings amongst the humans may take advantage of such to feed their own sick desires," Raziel finished with a grimace. He turned to me with a frown. "I take it that we will want to heavily monitor those who carry the Sakura scent?"
"Very much so," I said firmly. "I will not allow what happened to me and those who were taken by Auron happen to others. Not if I can help it. And if anyone actually does do as such? They. Will. Die."
My voice ended in a vicious growl.
"Understandable mine own," Kain reached out to brush his talons along the edge of one of my wings and he let out a soothing rumble of noise. "So you have said, so shall it be. Speak with those five whom are without family ties and make the offer. Whilst they will not be able to Turn others, their own children might yet be Awakened and I will be glad to have at least something of my Son's Broods counted amongst our restored Empire..."
"If I may... will the Clans scent linger upon the Half-bloods as it might for those Turned? Those Turned by even the youngest will carry an echo of, let us say Turel's, scent," Raziel asked curiously. I shook my head in response to his question.
"My own scent carries the faintest echos of my human Mother, but mostly it carries the echo of my Father's scent," I said in explanation. "Of my Grand-Sire? There is nothing. Not even the hint of an echoing scent. A Half-blood's scent follows the natural genetics, not the changed genetics as it does with those Turned. At the most, we will be able to determine who the Biological Father is, or was if said individual is already dead and Kain recalls what Clan scent they had. From there we can try to determine what Clan that their Biological Father was a part of."
"That will have to be enough," Kain said with a note of mourning to his tone. "They will be respected regardless of if we are or are not able to figure out their Sire's Clan. You will tend to them and what they will need upon Awakening mine own."
"Of course," I smiled faintly and lay a comforting hand upon his shoulder. "Half-bloods are rare enough that the numbers of those like me will never be as high as those whom are Full-blooded. Attempts to Quicken a Half-blood are not as guaranteed a thing as what Auron tried to make it seem like and male's whom are either with human females or Half-blooded females are not guaranteed to Father a child either. Still, those Half-bloods that were born on Gaia were usually of a particular family line of Half-bloods, generation to generation. The same is likely to end up happening here."
Kain chuckled faintly, the tone of his laughter both bemused and bitter.
"Should we perhaps employ the habit of last names for the Half-bloods as was common-place on Gaia for the humans?" he quipped.
"Hmm," I tilted my head, a small flash of bemusement and empathetic pain crossing my face. "That would likely be a good way to go about things since family names are uncommon amongst humans yet vampires are acknowledged by their Clan, their Family."
"All were known as Kainites in the beginning," Raziel offered.
"Oh?" I chuckled as I crossed my arms. "Better then 'Kainim' I suppose."
"Woman," Kain growled playfully, swatting at my rear.
"I'm just saying," I said with a laugh as I dodged the playful blow, "that given how the other Clans were named, 'Kainite' sounds better than 'Kainim'. Sounds like one is saying 'canine' instead of referring to a respectable vampire lineage."
"It sounds as if you are once again insulting my pedigree woman," Kain growled in mock anger.
"Oh, my dear Emperor," I started playfully as I backed toward the door. "That is a poor choice of words to use around me."
"Oh?" he growled as he turned toward me, slowly tracking my movements. Raziel remained bemused but silent next to the table whilst the Seer herself remained thoughtfully silent. "Why do you say that mine own?"
"On Gaia, one only mentions 'pedigrees' when speaking of horses," another step was taken toward the door, "and canines..."
I turned and bolted, not waiting for my words to register. A humor filled roar escaped Kain and I could sense it as he immediately gave chase. Raziel and the Seer both burst into faint laughter, though the Seer's was politely subdued. Their combined laughter chased us out of the room and I had to laugh myself even if my thoughts were somewhat dark. I would not allow Kain dwell upon melancholic thoughts. Especially after such a Pyrrhic victory. We had lost much, but we had so much more to gain and we now had the freedom in which to obtain it. So if that entailed me tickling a sleeping dragon in order to cheer him up some? Especially when we had earned such levity-filled times? Well...
Our hunts always did end on a pleasing note...
End part one of the Epilogue. Hope everyone enjoys. Reviews are always welcome!
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