The Pillars of Nosgoth were an inspiring sight upon first view, majestic and beautiful despite - or perhaps because of - their simplicity. Seras could see why even Kain was moved by the sight.
Upon closer inspection, though, it became obvious that something was wrong with these Pillars. All of them were grayed and cracked, and looked ready to fall to pieces at any moment.
Kain approached the Pillars, and held Nupraptor's head aloft. "Where are you, Ariel? I bear you a gift."
Even prepared for it, Seras was still surprised when Ariel's ghost faded into view. "You have returned, vampire. What gift could you bring, that a shade such as myself would be interested in?"
Kain presented Nupraptor's head with a mocking smile. Seras took the chance to examine the spirit that haunted the pillars. Ariel was beautiful, honestly, if one discounted that the left half of her face had been reduced to that of a skull. She floated in place in the center of the Pillars, gazing at the head of her one-time lover.
With a sad voice, Ariel lamented, "Nupraptor, my love... I can only pray that your death has given you the peace that my death took from you." Sadly, she motioned Kain toward the Pillar furthest to the left of the central one. "Present the token to the Pillar, and it will be restored."
Curious, Kain took Nupraptor's head, and touched it to the indicated pillar. The Pillar of the Mind absorbed the head, and before their eyes, healed. The cracks disappeared, and the stone changed from gray to white.
Ariel continued to explain. "Death in the Circle breathes new life. For every Pillar, there is a token. Only with these can they be restored."
Kain nodded at the explanation. "So I see. Tainted by your lover's madness, the old circle is beyond redemption, and must be destroyed."
"Great," Seras said, sarcastically. "I don't suppose that means the rest of them would happen to have a death wish, too?"
For the first time, Ariel noticed Seras' presence. "What is this, vampire? Have you already grown so complacent toward your unlife that you have taken a bride for yourself?"
Both the vampires snarled at the ghost's implication. "I would not curse anyone with this affliction, spirit," Kain warned. "She too, is searching for the means to escape this wretched vampiric condition. You promised me my release... can you do the same for her?"
Ariel turned her entire attention upon Seras, and the young midian felt overwhelmed by her scrutiny for a second.
"You... are not of Nosgoth."
Seras nodded, having resigned herself to that fact. "I suspected as much. Can you help me?"
Ariel shrugged. "When the Circle is restored, Kain's curse will be released. To you, I can make no such guarantee. You do not belong in this world, Stranger, and you never truly will. I can not assure you the end Kain works toward... but I do know that only when the Pillars are restored, and new Guardians come, can a way for you to go home be found."
Seras slumped at the ghost's admission. A cure was unlikely at best, but a way home was better than nothing, she guessed.
Kain took the opportunity to give a cruel smile. "Tell me, Ariel... what do you think of Seras' new dagger?"
Ariel was confused by the comment. "What care should I have regarding the Stranger's choice in weapons?"
"Really? I would have thought it would be important to you... after all, it is the very blade that killed you."
The remaining half of Ariel's face twisted into a frown. "With Nupraptor's death, the last of the cares I had for anything living are gone. My only concern now is the restoration of the Pillars, and the release that will bring to all of us. I care not for the weapon that ended my mortal existence... it is merely a sharp piece of metal to me."
Now Kain frowned at Ariel's indifference, while Seras chuckled softly at seeing Kain's morbid joke spoiled.
"This chatter is meaningless. Your mission is far from over. You must collect the tokens of the other Guardians, and restore the Pillars. Azimuth's Third Eye, Malek's Helmet, Bane's Headdress, DeJoule's Cloak, Moebius' Hourglass, Anacrothe's Scales, and Mortanius' Death Orb... you must kill all the Guardians and return all the tokens, to restore the Pillars." She drifted to the Pillar two to the right of the now restored Pillar of the Mind. "But to reach a warrior, you must first breach his ward. Find Malek, the Paladin, and destroy him. Only then, may the Circle fall."
Kain sneered at the Pillar. "So, the shepherd, Malek, Defender of the Circle... he makes his home in a keep, far to the north of Vasserbünde, does he not? I think it time to test the wrath of the Pillar of Conflict..."
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(Posted Sun, 20 Mar 2005 21:12)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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