Chapter Two: The Den
"Creatures of the Night"
Upon entering the Den, Umah Whispers to Kain.
UMAH
(Whispers)
Greetings, Kain.
KAIN
You eluded the guards.
UMAH
They were only human. Welcome to one of the “glories” of our fair city, the Smuggler's Den. As squalid as you found the Slums, you will find this place even more offensive. Rogues and thieves rule the streets, and of course the Sarafan too have their own dealings here. You may expect small help from the inhabitants, and more trouble.
KAIN
I do not require their hospitality. You spoke of a Smuggler’s Tunnel I must find?
UMAH
Yes, it is hidden somewhere in this district, I know not where. I have sent word to a member of the Cabal to help you. You will find him at the tavern, deep within this district.
KAIN
How will I know this – person?
UMAH
He will know you. Find the tavern quickly. We will speak again later.
"Kain" passes by another mugging in progress.
THUG
Give it to me.
PEASANT 
I have no money
THUG
I’ll cut your ears off –
PEASANT
They took it from me already.
THUG
– slit your cheeks –
PEASANT
If I had anything –
THUG
– and then cut your throat.
PEASANT
(screams)
Two thugs talk amongst themselves in the street.
FIRST THUG
I wouldn’t do that.
 SECOND THUG
Aw, he’ll never know.
FIRST THUG
He has a way of knowing. He can smell it if he’s not getting his proper share.
SECOND THUG
I did the same yesterday.
FIRST THUG
Don’t tell him you know me, then.
SECOND THUG
Thirty percent for a bed for the night. It’s robbery, that’s what it is.
FIRST THUG
A safe bed where the Seraphan don’t look for us.
SECOND THUG
It isn’t fair, I tell ya. I took all the risk to steal the stuff in the first place.
FIRST THUG
Just don’t come bawling to me when he makes a crippled beggar of you, that’s all I ask.
As “Kain” reaches the bottom of a set of stairs at the tavern, a man standing at the top beckons to him.
 CABAL CONTACT
Ah, sir. A moment of your time.
KAIN
You know me?
CABAL CONTACT
I was instructed to look for you, yes, yes, sir. I am a friend to the Cabal, sir, one of many in this city. I am here to assist you.
KAIN
Then do so, by all means.
CABAL CONTACT
The Smuggler’s Tunnel you seek is hidden in a cavern underground. The thieves enter by way of the Church, outside. But there is no
entrance there for any but themselves. You, sir, must go beyond the Church and find a lift. This will take you underground.
KAIN
Where, precisely, is this lift?
CABAL CONTACT
In a collapsed section of the district beyond the Church. The Church, remember sir, is forbidden to all but the thieves. The guards there will attack you, should they but lay eyes on you.
KAIN
I will be most careful.
The barkeep suddenly notices “Kain”.
BARKEEP
Help! Somebody help me, please! Guards! Call the Seraphan!
Two industrial workers chat as “Kain” walks by.
Worker A
What have you done?
Worker B
The air down here is terrible.
Faustus
Having observed Dimitri's murderer speaking to a Glyph Wright from behind and some distance off, “Kain” deactivates a steam jet and drops down into a boiler room. The murderer circles him on the catwalk above, stepping into the light to reveal himself.
FAUSTUS
Well, well, our Lord was correct. You are alive. Do you remember me, Kain, who served you so well?
 KAIN (V/O)
It was Faustus. One of the legionnaires of my army of vampires. An indifferent soldier, but now, a traitor to our race.
KAIN
Faustus. It's true, then. I hardly believed it. Vampires have turned against their own kind.
FAUSTUS
What is our kind? In serving the Sarafan, I have protection, I have power. And who better to hunt down a vampire than a more powerful vampire? History is written by the winners, Kain. That is my kind.
KAIN
How many of us have been destroyed by the Sarafan? How many have been brought to their deaths by you?
FAUSTUS
I care not for those destined to die. I don't weep for them, and I won't weep for you.
KAIN
Look around you, Faustus. Does your victory seem so assured now?
FAUSTUS
A fleeting setback. Our Lord knows of your presence. He beat you before, and he will bury you now.
KAIN
But you will never know how it ends, Faustus, for I will bury you first of all.
After using Fury against Faustus three times, Faustus escapes into the adjacent room, and a door opens for “Kain” to follow.
FAUSTUS
I have a surprise for you, Kain.
Faustus laughs and taunts while attempting to throw burning coals at “Kain” as he leaps from furnace to furnace beyond “Kain’s” reach.
 FAUSTUS
Too slow, fool.
Catch!
Can’t catch me!
After successfully sneaking up in mist form to burn Faustus with a furnace, Faustus cries–
FAUSTUS
What’s this? Aaahh!
Come out where I can kill you!
“Kain” kills Faustus and takes the Jump ability from him.
|
