Fragility

 

Disclaimer: Legacy of Kain belongs to Edios and Crystal Dynamics not me. I am making £0.00 out of this fic, it is written purely because I have a burning need to create. Although I would like to own Vorador . . . then he’d be mine.

 

Warning: this fic contains YAOI REFRENCES (GuyXGuy) if this offends or upsets you do not read this, it that simple.

 

Rating: PG-13 sexual references

 

Pairing: Kain/Raziel

 

Setting: Post Blood Omen Two, Pre Soul Reaver.  

 

Summery: Kain contemplates his children’s fates and whether or not he should act to interfere or let time be.

 

Authoress note: *wails* I don’t know why this happened it just did you HAVE to believe me!!

 

 

Chapter Two

 

 

 

{Ariel}

 

Ariel felt herself drifting; she was always drifting these days.

 

She had thought at the beginning of her imprisonment that she would be terrified, howling in anger and fear at her captor, but now all she ever seemed to feel was tired, frustrated and a strange sense of not doing what she was supposed to be doing. It was similar to the feeling she had gotten as a child when she was doing something she knew she would be scolded for. If only she had a guide, she missed having others around to aid and guide her. But then again she did have guides of a sort, cryptic and pointless guides but guides none the less.

 

She could subtly hear the voices of those who had come before her; at least she thought she could. Sometimes the voices were soft, gentle somewhat instructing, usually though they were simply there quietly supporting her through her imprisonment. But sometimes there were other voices, deeper voices that spoke of blame and of hatred and anger. She wasn’t sure where they came from but they were coming at her from somewhere, she had a distinct impression they were coming up to her, meaning the source was under the earth. Those voices were becoming louder now, louder than those of those who came before her, deeper, with a dark intent.

 

It drowned out the voices of those who had come before; the quiet pillar of support was being pulled away and replaced by something that inspired anger and hatred. It frightened her now how much it was affecting her. She would find herself drifting as she was now only to be swallowed by hatred so hot and pure that it made her want to scream. Then suddenly she would find herself with perfect clarity again. She had always relied upon her clarity as the only undefiled member of the circle left it was all she really had left to rely on, and now something was starting to rob her of it. Starting to fill her with anger and hatred that her own emotions then turned to her captor.

 

In her days of clarity she did not refer to Kain as her captor, but on the days of anger and hatred it was he who was the cause of all her misgivings. She knew on the pure days that her thoughts were irrational, yes Kain had damned the pillars but it had not been he to stick the knife in her breast. She sighed, today was a quiet day and she found herself longing for the sounds of the voices of those who had gone before. For anything, someone to talk with. Being bound for eternity was one thing but to do so and be alone was another.

 

A sound caught her attention, the heavy stone doors were being pushed open, Ariel twisted and hid herself behind a pillar, not wanting to disappear completely into the spectral realm. She had expected a fledgling of some kind maybe even on of the clan Lord; she had often spotted Kain’s eldest coming here despite his master’s absence. She did not expect Kain to half stumble through the doors and allow them to slam back closed. She frowned, Kain had been gone but a few nights when normally he was gone for months at a time, it was very strange; and to see him return in such a state.

 

He appeared worn, tired and somewhat frustrated and confused. Frustration was not unusual for Kain, however the tired and confusion were. It was rare, very rare for him to show anything other than mild amusement and anger. He knew she was here and would not allow her to see him struggle, although she knew he must at times. She watched as he walked further into the room, eyes downcast and all but collapsed into his throne. For a moment she merely watched him then suddenly smiled, maybe she wasn’t the only one yearning for company.

 

{Kain}

 

The room is cold and almost empty; I can sense Ariel’s presence as always. My mind is still wandering over the concept of my youngest and his fate. I have also summarized that if Melchiah falls to such a fate then it is only logical to assume that his brothers will also fall. It is a distressing thought, that all of my children should become so twisted and mutilated, filled with nothing but anger and regret. I did not want them to be like me.

 

My thoughts are interrupted when I notice her out of the corner of my eye as I usually do. She is after all always here and usually cowers somewhere above or behind me. It is rare for me to actually see her, normally I am only aware of her on a subconscious level but it seems that today she wishes to speak with me. Maybe she senses my own internal confusion, my own self questioning and wishes to use it as a way to harm me, it would not surprise me.

 

“Kain.” Her voice is quiet and has a strange echo to it, for a moment I consider ignoring her as I have done before, but then reconsider maybe the distraction would do me good, even if it is an annoying one.

 

“Ariel.” I answer, but I do not turn to look at her, she used to flinch when I would give her my full attention and it has become an old habit of mine not to turn my eyes to her.

 

“You are distressed.” She says, her voice has little emotion in it, and I find it impossible to tell if my distress makes her happy or sad or has any effect on her at all. I smile to myself and glance at her briefly,

 

“I am usually distressed.” I laugh, hoping I sound more amused than pathetic “why would my mental state bother you.”

 

“It does not bother me vampire.” She answered a little to quickly “it is simply . . .” she trails off for a moment and I hear her sigh before she speaks again quietly “must we do this?” she asks, I lift an eye brow and glance at her again, she has come lower now, hovering slightly above my height and she looks pained. I am a little confused, this is a new tactic normally she shows me anger and frustration rarely have I seen grief from her, I would be lying to say I was unaffected.

 

“Must we.” I say simply, she blinks her eye at me and looks away

 

“No we must not.” She answers “I find myself craving something more these days, something other than bitter words and harsh glances.”

 

“What would you have?” I force myself to answer, her distraction is irritating with strange questions but it is still a damn sight better than the image of my children when they have fallen from grace and my own dark thoughts about what my actions should be. Should I allow this to happen or should I not. What can I possibly do to change this; I would need to know what caused it. A sudden image of simply destroying my entire brood now before the change takes them fills me and I find myself shaking my head. I look to Ariel again desperate for the distraction.

 

“You are troubled.” She says her voice accusing.

 

“I am merely tired.” I keep my answer short and guarded, still unsettled by her apparent concern.

 

“No you are worried.” She says her voice low, “do not treat me as a fool Kain, I have been here with you for far to long, I have seen you tired and I have seen you worried and I have seen you grieve. You are worried for something or someone.”

 

“Why are you pushing this?” I frown at her “what does it matter to you how my mind works?” she glared at me then, the old anger back, I felt stupidly relieved.

 

“I don’t care!” she snapped back at me “I simply wanted a conversation, idle chatter with someone other than myself.” She was shouting now “just for once I wanted a civilized conversation, obviously it was too much to ask.”  I blinked as she stopped and floated back somewhere behind me. That was odd.

 

“You are a strange creature.” I sigh; I can feel her eyes on me.

 

“This comes from you.” She sounded like she was smiling a little, “I find you are the last one of us to point fingers.”

 

“yes well . . .” I turned and began an extremely witty remark that would have left all amazed I’m sure, but found myself interrupted.

 

“Some one comes.” She said suddenly and turned from me, fading back from this realm of existence. I sighed partly relieved partly discomforted, she had seemed truly genuine and it unsettled me to say the least. Never before had Ariel shown any true interest in me or my affairs, her only actions thus far had always been to lead me towards my undoing. I frowned and felt myself becoming more frustrated; I did not want to think on this, it would not lead to any good.

 

My thoughts turned back to Melchiah and his fate but before I had a chance to really understand my own thoughts I was interrupted.

 

The scent of blood floated in on a breeze and there was a small movement down by the doors but it was his muffled muttering that gave him away and I felt myself smile slightly as Raziel entered the room, grumbling under his breath about heavy doors.

 

“It is customary to knock is it not?” I say drawing his attention from the door that had so frustrated him.

 

“Sire.” He breathed, turning to look at me and my amusement died, he looked stricken, small gashes littered his form and the smell of his blood was strong. Strange I had not sensed Raziel in the small battle at Melchiah’s territory. Briefly my mind wandered, wondering how one can have a small battle, somewhat like having a bit of a hole in ones cloth, an oxymoron. “Father.” Raziel drew my attention back to him and I silently cursed myself for being so preoccupied.

 

“Raziel,” I look to my eldest and frown “I was not aware of you in the battle.”

 

“You were there?” he suddenly looked shocked and somewhat angered, again I was confused. I pinched my nose feeling a headache coming on, I disliked this constant confusion. It was not like me to be so ignorant and I was now being reminded why I always made sure I was rarely caught in ignorance, it is most frustrating.

 

“briefly.” I answer, still frowning as the headache got worse very quickly.

 

“And you did nothing.” Raziel swallowed the anger was gone as instantly as it had come, now he merely appeared distressed. A rainbow of emotions my eldest.

 

“It was a skirmish Raziel I doubted my aid was needed.” The headache pulsed “and what of you, clearly you managed to get yourself involved by some miraculous twist of fate.” My words were short and sharp, I have always responded badly to pain. He tried to hide the sting I had dealt him but he cannot hide from me.

 

“His eldest came to me” he mumbled “told me of what had happened and called for my aid, I followed them to the bridge where I was held back until it was to late.”

 

“Too late?” I asked, cursing the pain in my temples wondering shortly how it had come so suddenly. Raziel said nothing and I sighed loudly my patience was not a record breaking achievement at the best of times, but today seemed to be one of those days where ones patience is put to the test. I already knew mine was failing. “To late for what Raziel?”

 

My eldest’s head snapped up frowning hard at me, a wound over his right eye was still open, bloody smears running down his cheek. His expression became confused now,

 

“They took Melchiah.” He breathed “the humans, it was fast and unexpected, he moved to defend one of his youngest and they took him by surprise.”

 

“I see.” I answered; Raziel looked worried, his eyes moving constantly around the room. “You are not hurt?” I asked, he shook his head “you are bleeding child.”

 

“It is nothing, they were only human.” He mumbled,

 

“Yet strong enough to take your brother.” I say without much thought. He flinches at my words, and I shake my head, it would be in Melchiah’s nature to defend those weaker than him. He has a good soul, the part that’s not mine.

 

“You are mad?” Raziel asks reaching out to me, I shake my head.

 

“No I am not mad, least not at him or you.” I sigh “I am frustrated with myself however.” Raziel frowns and watches as I stand.  

 

“You will help?” he asks his voice hopeful.

 

“Yes.” I nod to him, is features light up and I find myself pleased that I can make him smile with a simple word.

 

I am unsure if I will one day be able to aid my children but on this day I know I can aid my youngest.

 

End chapter

 

Authoress note: ugh I’m so tired! Why am I also so tired!

 

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