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"How did you get to the hells, Mother?" Her sweet, sad expression was flickering like a candle. |
"I found some cultists," she stuttered. "That doesn’t matter, really." She looked at Gale. "I went to find a way to kill...to do what you asked of me." |
Gale marveled at her. She had gone to Cania on her own and come back in one piece. The aura of fire and ice made more sense now that he could place where it was from. She had been within the city of Mephistar. He was more than a little envious. |
"And...what did you find?" His eyes were alight with wonder. He wanted to hear all about the grand hellfire city. But as he looked at her, he knew he would not get his wish. |
"I...made a deal with Mephistopheles. He freed the 7,000 souls Astarion had sacrificed for the ascension. That was the only way to make him vulnerable." Her eyes darted sideways, and Gale realized Caeral was quiet, deep in thought. |
"What did you give him?" Gale stared at her hard. "Tav. Did you give him your soul?" His eyes burned. She shook her head and relief rushed through him. |
"What else could a devil want from you?" Caeral’s voice was soft, and he did not look up from his plate. Gale placed a steadying hand on his knee, which he withdrew silently. His heart sank. |
"I owe him one, basically." Gale dropped his head into his hand with a |
He had asked her to do this, he reminded himself. If it was the only way to kill him, of course she would have agreed. They were all silent for a long time, until she spoke again. Her voice was so soft Gale had to strain his ears to hear. |
Too much time among the elves, |
he thought bitterly. |
"I have to go and kill him. I have to go now, before he has the chance to run." She eyed Gale sadly. "He will know as soon as he tries to step into the sun that he’s been changed." Gale looked into her eyes. There was something else, but he couldn’t discern what. |
"I’ll go with you." Gale turned to Caeral, his mouth flying open in protest. Caeral’s eyes cut to his, leaving no room for argument. "You’ll need help to bring him down." |
"Me too," Vivienne squeaked. "I’ve been practicing my moves!" She flourished her hand dramatically, a knife slipping into it from gods knew where and leveling toward Tav. She shook her head. |
"No, I can’t risk that. I love you both - I won’t put you in danger. You’ll stay here, where it’s safe." Gale did not speak. He knew whatever he had to say would not change the course of this conversation. Caeral was already rising from the table. |
"I’m not arguing," he said sternly. "You’re used to being in charge, but you can’t stop me. I’m coming with you." |
"He still has you under thrall, Caeral, you can’t touch him!" Tav was wild, fear straining her voice. |
"I can help with that," Gale whispered. Tav shot him a withering glare, but he pressed on. "I can give them the same blessing I gave you." Caeral turned to look at Gale, a soft smile on his lips. |
"This is madness," Tav whined, but the deal was done. They would leave, all three, to take on Astarion. |
"I have one stipulation," Gale hummed. "I will ensure the day does not end on the mortal plane, extend time here. Every one of you needs a good rest before you leave." He looked at Caeral, a truth hidden in his eyes. He wanted more time before he left. Caeral nodded softly, then turned to Tav. She considered a moment, ... |
"If you’re sure, then fine. Get some rest. We’ll need it." |
Caeral sat on the bed as Gale paced, frenetically, around the room. There had to be a way to get Caeral to stay. He couldn’t bear the thought of him putting himself in harm’s way. As he passed, Caeral reached out and grabbed his hand. Gale spun, shocked from his reverie. Caeral’s eyes were soft and warm, the creases ne... |
"Don’t go," he whispered. It was all he could muster. Caeral pulled him gently, nesting Gale between his knees. Gale bent and kissed him softly as a tear slipped from his eye. "Please." Caeral wiped the tear from his cheek, returning the kiss deeply. |
"I can’t let her go alone," he whispered against his lips. "She needs me, love." Gale sighed. Of all the loves to have, another hero. He pressed into Caeral’s body, fitting them together as the smaller man laid back on the bed. |
"I need you," he breathed. Gale felt him stiffen beneath him, a soft moan escaping his lips. "Can I convince you to stay?" His hand traced up his chest, beneath the comfortable cotton shirt. He felt Caeral’s skin prickling beneath his touch as he sent soft arcane electricity humming through him, eliciting another indec... |
"You can’t," Caeral huffed, "but you’re welcome to try." He pressed his hips upward into Gale, who pressed back. He reached up, pushing back Gale’s robes. Gale allowed them to fall to the floor as he moved to undress his lover. He slipped the shirt over his head, peppering kisses along dark skin, then pulled off his pa... |
Gale took Caeral’s mouth with his, tongue sliding and searching. The kiss was deep and passionate, pleading and soft. He broke away to whisper in Caeral’s ear. "If you stay," he sighed, "we can do this forever." Caeral groaned, gripping Gale’s back. He smirked, traveling down to meet his hand. He took him in his mouth,... |
Gale worked Caeral slowly, fist rising and falling in time with his mouth, and Caeral rewarded him with delicious sounds: moans and groans and whimpers and sighs. Gale released his cock with a pop, trailing kisses down his inner thighs, eliciting tremors from him. Gripping his legs and hoisting them up onto his shoulde... |
Gale stood, Caeral’s legs falling to grip him around the waist as he positioned himself. He pressed the tip of his cock into his hole, groaning. Caeral’s primal whimpering set Gale’s blood boiling. He pushed into him slowly, tenderly, and began a steady rhythm. Caeral’s eyes flashed open, locking with Gale’s, his hands... |
Suddenly, Gale felt something behind him. He jumped as the mage hand found his own hole, rubbing gently. His surprise elicited a laugh from Caeral, who shrugged, playfully biting at Gale’s lip. Growling softly, Gale thrust harder, faster, and Caeral relaxed for him with another moan. His hands, which had been curling i... |
"If you don’t ease up," he panted, "I won’t last much longer." Caeral smiled against his mouth, pressing kisses along his cheek and breathing hot air onto his ear. Gale wobbled, his knees and elbows weak as shivers ran down his spine. The mage hand silently obliged Caeral’s command and slipped a second finger inside. G... |
"What’s wrong, love?" Caeral put his hand on Gale’s cheek. He kissed him softly. Gale shuddered. |
"I don’t want it to be over," he whined. Caeral smiled gently, wiping the tears from Gale’s face. |
"Just be with me," he whispered. "Don’t think about tomorrow. Be with me now." |
Gale took a shuddering breath in, then exhaled a deep sigh. He found Caeral’s mouth again, kissing deeply, and resumed the climb to his mounting pleasure. As he and the phantom hand thrusted, Caeral panted sweet nothings in his ear, against his lips. |
"I love you," he sighed finally. Gale spasmed, groaning, as he tumbled over the edge of pure ecstasy. He emptied himself fully into his lover, who moaned in response. As Gale slid out, Caeral gripped his cock gently, electric nerves causing Gale to jump and twitch. He dipped his fingers against his own body, then rubb... |
He was small, but he had a surprising amount of strength hidden in his sinewy arms. Caeral pinned Gale there and thrusted deeply, crashing into Gale and nibbling carefully at his chest and neck. He was always sure to avoid pricking him with his fangs, for which Gale was grateful. They rocked together, Gale already grow... |
Tav’s meditation was tumultuous and light, and she slipped in and out often. She was torn between memories fond and terrible, of Astarion |
Gale. The monster ascendant, the loving spawn, the insecure mortal wizard, the caring lesser god. She had been through so much with each of them. When the others woke she would go back to the material plane and try to finish the ascendant. But without a body, Astarion’s soul would still be gone from her. How many favor... |
Unease settled in her stomach, and Tav rose slowly. She crossed into the living room, opening the door to Vivienne’s space gently. She peeked inside; Vivienne was meditating peacefully in a hammock woven from twining green vines. It swayed softly, rocking her. Tav crept inside and shut the door without a sound, settlin... |
Another worry pressed at the back of her mind. When Gale got the power he sought, would he change, like Astarion had? Did gods have souls? She had promised to help him in exchange for her mortality, but if she was condemning him to become a soulless monster like the ascendant, could she justify the cost? He wasn’t her ... |
Tav was pulled from her thoughts by Vivienne’s hand brushing lightly along her shoulder. She startled only slightly, such was the peace this pace infused in every molecule, and she put her hand on Vivienne’s idly. The lithe girl sat next to her, pulling Tav into a comfortable position beside her, squeezing her arm. Tav... |
"I know I’m not usually who you seek for advice or comfort," she started softly, "but I’m here for you, Mother." Tav smiled sadly. She didn’t want to burden Vivienne with her indecision, but she did want to talk through her thoughts. She remembered a time when she had half a dozen close confidants, any and all of whom ... |
"I’ve made so many deals, I can’t even keep them straight," Tav confessed. Vivienne stroked her hair affectionately, calmingly. |
"Do you want to talk about it?" Her voice was coaxing, gentle, and sweet. |
"I don’t want to burden you " she sighed. Vivienne squeezed her gently. |
"I’m offering," she said plainly. Tav sighed. |
"I got some news while I was in the hells. The person we’ve been living with...it’s not really Astarion." Vivienne stiffened, but didn’t react. "The real Astarion, the one I loved and travelled with...his soul was taken by Mephistopheles when he performed the ascendant ritual. The person out there, he’s just the soulle... |
"No wonder he’s such a bastard," she murmured softly. "So...your love has been trapped in the hells while you’ve been trapped in another kind of hell." Tav nodded, tears pricking her eyes. |
"I made a deal," she whispered, "for his soul. Another deal." Vivienne turned her head to look at Tav, worry coloring her fine features. |
"What did you agree?" Tav exhaled, shaking her head unconsciously. "You can tell me, Mother. I’m with you." Tav searched her face, and saw only sincerity. |
"I agreed that I would kill a god." Vivienne’s eyes widened, shifting uneasily. They flicked to the door almost imperceptibly. "Well," she amended, "not |
, explicitly. "One less god in the pantheon" is what we agreed on." Vivienne seemed to relax a little, considering. |
"How would you even do that? You’re immortal, Mother, not invincible." Vivienne was looking up, swaying softly to the music, thinking. |
"Well, I made a deal with Gale that I would help him become a true god. So if I backed out, he wouldn’t become a god and I think that would count." She quirked the corner of her mouth down. "Though, now that I’ve done the hard work of making the ascendant killable, I suppose he could go and kill him without me and achi... |
"Well that’s out then," Vivienne stated. "You can’t just be making deals with devils for no reward." She smirked, and Tav found herself smiling back. It fell away just as quickly. |
"I could...kill Gale," she whispered, barely making any sound. "But I don’t want to," she added hastily. |
"Mother, you can’t kill him," Vivienne said. "He’s your friend. If you kill him he won’t grant you whatever boon he promised. And Caeral would likely never forgive you." She looked at Tav sideways. "I don’t think I would, either." Tav nodded solemnly. |
"So that’s out," she echoed. "But I’m not sure what’s left. I’m not strong enough to take on a god alone." |
"Maybe Gale can help you, when he’s a god." Vivienne shrugged. "A god can kill another god, surely?" Tav shrugged in return. |
"I’m not sure. He’ll be a lesser god, but maybe he could take on another lesser god. It’s a big ask, though." |
"Maybe you should...just ask him?" Vivienne hedged. Asking him would close off alternative options; Tav knew she realized that. But it also might open new ones she didn’t even know about. |
"I was thinking of saving it until after I kill the ascendant." |
"It could be easier to ask the man, rather than the god," Vivienne said softly. Tav nodded. He could be changed beyond recognition when they finished. If they made the deal now, he would have to honor it. |
"Alright," she sighed, rising. "I’ll tell him." |
"Better wait until he comes to you," Vivienne smirked. "I don’t think anyone involved would appreciate the interruption." Tav chuckled, waving her hand as she left Vivienne’s space. |
He isn’t moving. Why isn’t he moving? I think I broke him. Oh gods can I take it back now? Damn it Vivienne, why did you talk me into this? |
"...Gale?" Her tentative, questioning voice trailed up on the end, a little too much squeak, and he finally blinked. And then he exploded. |
"HOW could you do this?? You should have come to me |
and I would have told you that what you are asking is...too much, for one! I simply cannot believe that you would-would |
this upon me-but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised honestly- |
I-I-I don’t even know what to say! |
at a loss for words. Me!" |
"You sure are saying a lot of them to be at a loss," she mumbled, and Gale glared at her. She pressed her lips together, looking down as if scolded by a schoolmarm. Gale flopped dramatically in his chair, head in his hands. |
"You don’t know what you’re asking me," he sighed. "I didn’t want to |
the gods, I wanted to |
them..." Tav wrung her hands nervously, and looked at Caeral. He didn’t look at her; he was staring off in some other direction, his mouth pressed into a hard line. |
"You go," he said at last. "Finish what we started. I’ll...see what knowledge I can glean on the situation while you’re away. Maybe there is a...simple solution that none of us are equipped to see as of yet." Tav nodded solemnly, but a pang of guilt rose inside. Guilt for putting Gale in this situation in the first pla... |
"Gale," she started, but Caeral’s eyes sliced to hers warningly. She stuttered to a stop, pinching her mouth closed. "Thank you," she said finally. "For everything. Truly, you’ve been the best friend to me." Gale did not look at her. She turned to leave, Vivienne close behind her. |
Gale had adjusted the trajectory of his portal, allowing it to take them straight into the belly of the Crimson Palace. They stepped through, crouching low. Vivienne had traded her signature white gown for black skin-tight pants and dark leather armor. She was an excellent rogue, making such little sound that Tav had d... |
Luckily, Beirion was...distracted. The trio crept nearer to the room where the sound of tortured screams was ringing off the walls. Tav peeked around the corner, and to her dismay found the source of the noise: the chef, the one Angela had been in love with. She gaped in horror as Beirion drove his dagger into the man’... |
"What do we do?" Vivienne’s cool voice drifted to her ear, her breath barely swaying Tav’s hair. Tav notched an arrow, drawing her bow. Vivienne and Caeral followed suit, readying themselves to fight. |
"I know she helped her escape," Beirion said once the screams had died down. "I know you were involved. You have to know how she got out. Just tell me, and this can all be over." |
"I swear," the man panted desperately," she never told me nothin of the kind my Lord! Please sir, I don’t know nothin! Please..." |
Beirion backhanded him, effectively silencing his pleading, and brought the knife up to his face. He pressed it against the chef’s cheek, drawing blood and a whimper. Tav drew her arrow back, taking aim at his head, and loosed it. It whistled through the air and hit the man with a resounding |
, burying deep into his ear. He wailed and hissed, recoiling, as Caeral lobbed a bolt of lightning at him, striking his legs and causing him to fall down prone. Vivienne was nowhere to be seen. |
Beirion snapped the arrow shaft, leaving the head embedded in his ear. Blood oozed around it as he staggered to his feet. He locked eyes with Tav just as she loosed another arrow, and he dodged it easily. " |
he thundered, bared fangs gleaming in the torch light. He threw a shining dagger at her, which grazed her thigh painfully. She hissed as Caeral ran up on his fellow spawn, brandishing crackling electric hands. He grabbed Beirion around the neck, sending jolts of powerful electricity rocketing through his body. |
Tav grabbed a nearby bucket of water and tossed it at the pair, drenching them both. They separated like scalded cats, and Tav shot an arrow of lightning at Beirion’s feet. She watched as the blue energy surged through him, lighting him from inside. He groaned, panting, and tried to run away. |
Just then, Vivienne slipped from the shadows and thrust her gleaming silver knife into Beirion’s back, twisting viciously as blood spurted across her face. Beirion moaned, dropping onto his knees. He coughed blood out of his mouth as she sank the second knife into his heart. He gaped at Tav as the light faded from his ... |
"One down," she whispered gleefully. Tav grinned at her, then edged closer to the chef. |
"I’ll get you down," she whispered to him. He nodded, barely conscious. "Can you make your way out?" |
"My...sister," he groaned. Tav shook her head. |
"If you stay here, you’ll die. We’re going to kill the bastard now. If we succeed, you won’t need to worry about her anyway." She loosened the intricate knots with the point of an arrow, untying them as she spoke. |
"And if you...don’t succeed?" He coughed, eyeing her shakily. She pressed her lips together as Vivienne cut the last of the ropes swiftly. The man fell to the floor with a wet sound, hands in his own blood. He shook, and Tav slipped a healing potion from her pocket. |
"Here," she said, "drink this and get out of here. You don’t have a choice." She thrust the bottle into the man’s hand. He nodded, uncorking it as the trio moved on, climbing up into the palace proper. They couldn’t afford to linger long, not knowing who had heard the sounds of their battle. |
As Tav eased open the heavy wooden door, she was immediately struck by how |
it was in the palace. |
I thought it was still day, |
she wondered idly. Creeping up on a window, she peeled back the heavy curtain that had been hung there and saw that it was, indeed light outside. She waved her hand into the streaming light curiously, and found that she did not burn. |
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