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Chapter Ten - Raziel - Avernus Cathedral

Avernus Cathedral

Raziel arrives at the Cathedral.

Raziel V.O.:
Somewhere in this great Cathedral, the Heart of Darkness lay concealed. The city outside was in chaos, and the Cathedral would not be immune for long. During such times, buried secrets were often suddenly revealed - or lost forever.

Dark Chronicle - Mural: The Wheel Of Fate

Upon entering the Earth Forge, Raziel finds a mural.

Raziel V.O.:
I had seen this symbol throughout these ruins... I should have realized what it was they worshipped. Now there was no question. For this scene depicted the ancient Vampires' torment and despair as their curse cast them from the Wheel of Fate. So this was the god whose abandonment had driven them to madness and suicide. Finally I understood - it was not the blood-thirst, but their immortality that was the true nature of their enemies' curse. The wisest, strongest, most noble race - gulled by the voice of that old parasite. But I had seen him - and whatever he was, he was no god.

Earth Forge

Raziel finds the specters of the original Time and Energy Guardians. It is unclear which is speaking when, so it could actually be the Energy Guardian who speaks first.

Time Guardian:
All upon the Wheel are blessed...

Energy Guardian:
Rejoice in the turning of the Wheel...

Time Guardian:
It does turn, though we cannot see it...

Raziel:
Your Wheel is a lie.

Time Guardian:
You will turn the Wheel...

Energy Guardian:
Come...

Time Guardian:
Die...

Raziel defeats the Guardians and approaches the spirit vessel.

Raziel V.O.:
This spirit vessel was shielded by layers of occult energy. There had to be some means to dispel this barrier.

Raziel removes the barrier and imbues the Reaver with elemental Earth.

Raziel V.O.:
As the Reaver absorbed the souls of the original Energy and Time Guardians, it was imbued with the elemental power of Earth with which their principles were aligned.

Avernus Cathedral (Continued)

Raziel places the Dark Scripture on the altar in the Cathedral.

Raziel V.O.:
As the handsome coffin hides the putrefying corpse within, the great Cathedral of Avernus seemed to hold its own secrets, hidden in the catacombs beneath its vaulted chambers. Was this the source of the corruption that infected Nosgoth? Vorador had hinted at something more.

Dark Chronicle - Mural: History Is Written By The Victors

In the catacombs, Raziel finds a mural.

Raziel V.O.:
History is written by the victors. Beneath the vaults of Avernus I discovered scenes that told a familiar story, but from a very different point of view. This was the work of the enemy race, and revealed what the Vampire histories had conveniently omitted - how the noble Vampires, god-ridden and righteous, had started the wars that would destroy both races, victor and vanquished alike. Their adversaries opposed the Vampires' god, and refused to submit to the Wheel of Fate - For this they were banished. I now understood the poetic irony of their curse. And my resemblance to the Vampires' enemy no longer seemed so accidental.

Dark Chronicle - Mural: The Hylden Messiah

Soon after, Raziel finds a second mural.

Raziel V.O.:
The banished race foretold a hero who would deliver them from their oppressors, and destroy the shackles of the Vampires' tyrannous god. The same hero that bore the flaming sword. What game was this, where every player on the board claimed the same pawn?

Avernus Catacombs

After Raziel has viewed the 'Hylden Messiah' image, the Elder God comments on it.

Elder God:
So, Raziel... your true nature is finally revealed. You were never the Vampires' savior - it is to the Hylden race you belong. And when Kain realizes this, what do you think he will do?...

Dark Chronicle - Dark Rites In The Avernus Catacombs

Raziel comes upon a crowd of chanting, masked humans. These Cenobites are taking part in a ritual ceremony of worship, led by Mortanius. The Necromancer is standing on a platform overhanging a pit.

Cenobites:
Hash'ak'gik! Hash'ak'gik! Hash'ak'gik!

Mortanius:
Great Hash'ak'gik, we hear you.

Cenobites:
We tremble and we obey.

Mortanius:
We offer this sacrifice upon the altar of the world.

Cenobites:
The blood of our first born do we sacrifice to you.

Raziel V.O.:
In the depths of Avernus Cathedral I stumbled upon a bloody ritual. Was this the source of the corruption that had overtaken the city?

Mortanius:
May this blood nourish you for all eternity.

Cenobites:
Avert your wrath from us, great God.

Mortanius:
The wrath of Hash'ak'gik has once more been averted. Depart now, as ever, in his service.

Cenobites:
We tremble, and we obey. Praise to Hash'ak'gik, and ever praise! Hash'ak'gik! Hash'ak'gik! Hash'ak'gik!

Dark Chronicle - Reunion

With the ceremony over, Raziel approaches the edge of the pit.

Raziel V.O.:
What was it that these deluded humans worshipped with such fervor? Was this the dreaded 'Unspoken' that Vorador had warned me about?

Raziel crouches on the edge of the pit to peer into it. Suddenly he is struck by a powerful telekinetic attack, and falls in. He rises slowly as heavy footfalls approach.

Raziel V.O.:
Whatever so-called god inhabited this hideous pit - I was about to meet it.

The highly-evolved vampire Turel comes into view and stops, sniffing loudly. He is apparently blind. Raziel does not recognize his deformed vampire sibling.

Turel:
I smell no blood. Throat cut first, blood gouting, then it falls into the pit... The sacrifice is rejected. You will know my wrath -

Turel growls and moves forward, sniffing at Raziel.

Turel:
Not possible. No. It could not be -

Raziel summons the Reaver and menaces Turel with it.

Raziel:
Stand away, monster.

Turel: (agitated)
No. That voice - not possible. I know that voice... but he fell. The Abyss, he ended there.

Raziel:
I did not fall into the Abyss.

Turel: (sarcastically)
Oh, it remembers that, does it?

Raziel:
I was thrown in, by my own brethren.

Turel:
I heard what you did to them... And now, you have found me at last.

Raziel dispels the Reaver in shock.

Raziel:
...Turel.

Turel: (laughing)
Turel. Yes. That was my name then.

Raziel:
The others were grotesque, but -

Raziel backs away, circling. Turel follows.

Turel:
Yes - I am changed. I have become a god. Greater than you ever were, Raziel. You were never a god. Greater even than Kain!

Raziel:
It is to you that these humans offer their blood sacrifices?

Turel:
'Hash'ak'gik... Hash'ak'gik...' Yes.

Raziel:
But how did this happen?...

Turel:
I was summoned. There was darkness, and great hunger. And then I was... found.

Raziel:
Why do you stay in this terrible place?

Turel: (becoming angered)
Why stay? Would I stay if I could get out?

Turel lunges forward, then stops.

Turel:
While they hound me and tear at me and -

Turel is abruptly taken with some type of seizure. When he recovers, his eyes are glowing green and the cadence of his speech has changed completely. There seem to be several entities present, speaking through him.

Turel/Hylden:
The hour is at hand.
   and As it was foretold.

Raziel: (confused)
Turel?

Turel/Hylden:
We use his voice to command the disciples above.
   and We demand offerings to keep the host alive.
   and He has been a durable vessel, but he can take us no further.

Turel breaks free from his possession for a moment, but then succumbs once more.

Turel/Hylden:
You must prevail.
   and The champion of our enemy draws near...

With a momentous effort, Turel regains control of himself.

Turel:
No! I must have blood - Bring me blood, or feel the wrath of your god.

Turel turns on Raziel.

Turel:
You - yours - yes - it will strengthen me against them -

Raziel summons the Reaver again.

Raziel:
What are you doing?

Raziel backs away as Turel advances on him.

Turel:
No - no more questions. No more worship. Time to run - time to scream - time to die...

Dark Chronicle - The Death Of Turel

Raziel fights Turel. After a while, assaulted by sound and Raziel's attacks, Turel roars and collapses. Raziel approaches warily.

Turel:
Yes, now...

As Raziel prepares to finish Turel, Turel once again comes under the Hyldens' influence.

Turel/Hylden:
Go - speed your endeavor -
   and Face him - and kill him -
   and Destroy the Binding at last...
   and We shall all be...

The green glow fades from Turel's eyes.

Turel: (dying)
Free...

As Raziel absorbs Turel's soul, a tendril of green mixes with it. When the process is complete and Raziel opens his eyes, their glow is stained green. His telekinetic ability is enhanced.

Dark Chronicle - Mortanius' Redemption

Raziel climbs out of Turel's pit, and approaches Mortanius. Although he is alone, the Necromancer is apparently speaking to the fledgling vampire Kain through some magic.

Mortanius:
Come to me, my undead son. Make haste to the Pillars - the stage is set for the grand finale. You will have your vengeance.

Raziel:
Mortanius.

Mortanius turns, and dismisses his Death's Head mask with a wave of his hand.

Mortanius:
So you have come out into the open, at last - the Binding must be fragile indeed. But you will find you are too late.

Raziel:
What am I too late for this time?

Mortanius is taken by a seizure similar to Turel's. A green glow ignites in his eyes for a moment, then fades.

Mortanius:
No. No - not now - You are too late for the victory you sought. I have beaten you after all.

Raziel:
You have mistaken my identity.

Mortanius:
Have I? You forget who schooled me on the Ancient prophecies -

Another seizure takes him, and this time he loses to the possessing Hylden Lord.

Mortanius/Hylden Lord:
This vessel speaks truly - you are indeed overdue. But it no longer matters in the least. With or without you - we will prevail.

Raziel:
So I finally meet the 'Unspoken' - And here it is nestled in the heart of the Circle itself. Ironic.

Mortanius/Hylden Lord: (chuckling)
Poetic justice, to topple the foundations of the Pillars from within. We shall have our revenge, in full measure, and for all time.

Mortanius is weakening. The green glow in his eyes fades then returns.

Mortanius:
Ah...

Mortanius/Hylden Lord:
This one has little strength left. One must not break him -

The Hylden Lord releases Mortanius who staggers and collapses onto a nearby stone seat.

Mortanius:
Your kind does not like to lose.

Raziel:
I seek the Heart of Darkness.

Mortanius:
Ah, now you think of that. But as I told you, you are too late. The Heart has served its function. I have used it to set prophecy in motion. I created the champion foretold by my masters, who is destined to be your destroyer. The Scion of Balance will save Nosgoth - the Pillars will return to Vampire guardianship as intended, and your race will be cast down forever.

Raziel:
Kain. You used the Heart of Darkness to create Kain.

Mortanius:
How else? I refused at first to believe the ancient myths. I thought the vampires were simply a plague upon mankind, a pestilence we had to control. But they were right, and we were wrong to overthrow them - Moebius and I. We didn't understand what it was the Pillars were holding back. I have made my atonement. I will continue to make it to the end, which will be soon, now. But I know - Kain will set it right, he will restore Balance -

The Hylden Lord tries to seize control again, but loses.

Mortanius:
And none too soon. My enemy is growing stronger.

Raziel:
Where is the Heart of Darkness now? Did you destroy it?

Mortanius: (laughing)
You still don't understand, do you. You cannot make use of it as long as Kain guards it with his life.

Raziel: (incredulous)
Kain - has it?

Realization dawns, and finally Raziel understands.

Raziel: (shocked)
It is in Kain!

Mortanius:
Check and mate. This deed will redeem first me and then all Nosgoth. It must, it - unh -

The Hylden Lord's presence asserts itself forcefully.

Mortanius/Hylden Lord:
This one grows weak. But we will soon have a stronger vessel.

Mortanius rises and advances on Raziel, who retreats.

Mortanius/Hylden Lord:
The long-awaited hour approaches - our release is at hand -

Mortanius falters, then regains himself.

Mortanius:
Ah... I must - finish it. Now -

Mortanius summons his Death's Head mask again, and vanishes.

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