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The Sarafan Stronghold

Approaching the door through which Moebius exited, Kain discovers an emblem embedded in its surface.

Kain

This artifact seemed as though it was made for that unusual lock.  Now the door could be opened.


Approaching the statue of Malek in the courtyard:

Kain

snidely 
Malek, the great Sarafan warrior.  I had met him before.  His sword and shield seemed to have gone astray.

Kain approaches a portcullis -- on the other side, a Sarafan guard stands with his back to the gate.  Misting silently through the portcullis, Kain grabs the guard from behind -- his arm around the guard's throat, and his head over the guard's shoulder.  The soldier gasps and freezes as Kain questions him in hypnotic intimacy.

 

Kain

Tell me - where can I find your master?
The Sarafan guard struggles and whimpers in terror.

Kain

Quickly -- Moebius is -- ?

Sarafan Guard

...in the tower...

The guard raises a shaking hand to indicate the tower visible just beyond the battlements.

Kain

Good.

Kain breaks the guard's neck and lets the body fall.

Kain comes across two other statues of Malek, one holding a shield, the other a sword.

Kain

Malek’s missing sheild.  I hated to restore his dignity, but I would need to return this to his monument before I could progress. 

Kain

Malek’s sword belonged in his right hand.  However distasteful this errand was, I would return it to its proper place.

Kain

The way to the tower now lay open before me.  I looked forward to finding Moebius, and resumng our conversation.

Kain acquires another Reaver-enhancing artifact.

Kain

Curious.  This artifact, joined with the relic I discovered earlier, appeared to be but one fragment of a larger emblem.   This shard was endowed with elemental Fire, enhancing both the Reaver and my telekinetic powers.

Kain pauses at the tower door and leans in to it, as though listening -- or sensing -- to see if Moebius is inside.  Satisfied, he steps back and kicks the door in.  He's chosen not to have the Reaver drawn this time.

Moebius

Here you are at last.  I see you found a fragment of the Balance Emblem.  This will be of even further use to you - if you can find the other three.  Now, shall we - ?

Kain uses his telekinetic powers to rip the staff from Moebius' hand and send it flying harmlessly into a corner of the room.  Moebius doesn't look especially surprised.

Kain

Yes.  Let us continue our conversation --

With another gesture, he fluidly lifts Moebius telekinetically off his feet, "holding" him by the throat. 

Kain

-- but on a somewhat different footing.  Now, what do you have to tell me, Moebius?

Moebius

a little strangled
You cannot kill me.  We both know that this is not how - or when - I die. 

Kain

Death is not the only possible outcome. 

Kain flexes his hand slightly, and Moebius' body contorts in pain.

Moebius

Your delusions of fulfilling the Vampires' foolish prophecies have badly distorted your judgment.  And Raziel is not what you think.

Kain

You dare imagine what I think?

Still using telekinesis, Kain throws Moebius roughly against the wall.

Moebius

So you prevented Raziel's soul from entering the Reaver.  Do you believe for a moment that by this you have averted your fate?  Or his?  Or that of Nosgoth itself?  Your manipulations are pathetic.

Kain

Yet Raziel retains his free will.  And that's what frightens you, isn't it, Moebius.  You cannot see his path, and so you cannot control it.

Moebius

--And neither can you.  Yes, Raziel is shrouded from us, but we see the ripples of his potential actions.  And every path he might choose leads to the same outcome: He will kill you, Kain.  In sparing Raziel, you have written your own death sentence. 

Kain gives Moebius a final shove against the floor for good measure, and releases him. 

Kain

You still have not answered the question I came to ask: Where is Raziel?

Moebius regains his footing, and rubs his throat.

Moebius

He is not, in a true sense, here.  Not now.

Kain

Don't try my patience, Moebius.  What have you done with him?

Moebius

He is contained.  In time, it may be safe to release him.  His destiny must be completed - he will enter the sword.  But until that time he is dangerous -- far more dangerous than you could understand.

Kain

And your incontrovertible evidence?

Moebius

The answers are plain if you know where to look.  Go west of the Pillars - there you will find a testament written in stone.

Moebius vanishes. 

Kain

But stones, too, can lie.

Kain goes out onto the balcony.  The Pillar vista is before him.

Kain

The Pillars of Nosgoth stood pristine against the horizon.  To the west I would find the enlightenment Moebius felt I lacked.


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