Nyx, Tav and Astarion PoVs

"I don't understand," Lae'zel was face-to-face with one of the immobile skeletons, her gaze fixed on its nose. Jabbing at it with a sharp finger. "Why isn't it bigger?"

Nyx snickered; poking someone in the nose should be considered rude even if they were only an animated skeleton.

Gale was more than willing to impart his knowledge. "The nose is made from cartilage, not bone. Like ears, they don't last long after death."

Lae'zel's eyes locked onto the side of the skull, looking between it and the nose. She huffed once, but a slow grin split her lips. She took a step back, announcing in a superior tone, "I see. Had it fallen from your ears and landed onto your nose?"

Several of the others, including Nyx barked a laugh, whereas Astarion quipped gesturing lazily to himself, "And what of me, darling?"

Lae'zel rolled her eyes and answered, "The fey-races are the most decadent of all."

Lae'zel ought to know by now that Astarion will take that as a compliment.

Astarion purred his delight and preened his hair around his ears.

Their attention was suddenly drawn to the wall closest to the group. Unfamiliar voices flited from beyond and their round of banter ceased.

A deep voice grumbled slowly and incoherently.

Another snapped in contempt, "Imbecile! Bring it down!"

The subsequent blows boomed. Brickwork distended from the wall after each blow until it crumbled away outlining the shape of a doorway. In it stood a huge figure larger and bulkier than Karlach. It was hunched over, leaning on weapons for arms - one massive, spiked cudgel and the other an adze-like axe. It surveyed the room as slowly as it spoke. Its whole body moving with the motion.

The other voice commanded, "Flesh stop being a wretched moron. Get out of my way!"

‘Flesh' half-stooped half-shuffled his tan coloured mass of muscle through the door.

A hooded figure followed. Illuminated by the candelabras it was clear that this was the necromancer they've been tasked to find. Balthazar snapped at Flesh again, "Why do I need to do everything? Is there something wrong with your brain capacity?" Then his expression became thoughtful, and he peered into the distance. His hands moving in front of him as though he could see something and he said definitively, "I'll need to make modifications." A violent shiver ran through Flesh.

Balthazar seemed to visibly collect himself and he turned to Tav's group.

--- --- ---

He didn't so much look them over as he was studying them. Eyes settling on their limbs rather than meeting their gaze, his mouth drawing down into a sneer at noticing Karlach's engine. Karlach's engine was a far cry better than whatever he had done to Flesh. The spiky metal bolts holding his weapons in place reminded Tav a little too much of Mallus. She stifled a shiver. Balthazar had not spared himself either, runes and the triangular symbols of Myrkul were carved into his face, chest and neck - pieces of skin entirely removed in sections. The exposed tissue glistening stark red against his dark skin.

Tav steeled herself. She mustered her civility and schooled her expression into a semblance of politeness. However, she wasn't planning on smiling.

"Balthazar," she greeted in a professional tone, "We've been sent by Z'rell to-"

"Bah", a disinterested wave cut her off, "As you can see everything is in hand here. I have no need for interloping fools blundering around where they are not wanted or needed."

Tav arched an eyebrow. "We're it not for our interloping, you'd be greeted by a horde of Dark Justiciars."

He pointedly looked her up and down, like he was assessing her value, "Garnered. Not an entirely unpromising specimen, for one naturally-born. I suppose that not just any True Soul would have succeeded in following my path. You should be pleased."

Tav cringed internally, keeping her voice and expression neutral.

He mused mostly to himself while he studied the rest of her crew, "Hmm, womb births are such imprecise things..." Turning to Flesh. "Take my twin brother for instance. Mother accused me of strangling him in the womb, if you could believe such nonsense. Thusly, I set out to dig him up and make him better than he would have ever been. Although, Mother didn't seem to agree."

Revolting, pretending to make 'improvements' where none are needed.

She wasn't impressed or interested in continuing this line of discussion, crossing her arms she prompted again, "We're here to help search for Ketheric's relic."

"General Thorm to you," he regarded her unblinking speaking slowly as though she were dim, "But yes, recovering the relic is the crux of it. He commands, and I, his humble servant, fulfil that command. While you, an infinitely more humble servant, fulfil my command."

Tav chewed the inside of her cheek. "What do you purpose?"

"You will bring me the remainder of these." An unfurling hand summoned a glowing gem.

Shadowheart gasped, "How did you get that?", stepping next to Tav scowling at him.

"A minor inconvenience." He shrugged and gestured around them, "The Sharrans were so certain of the obedience of their minions, they didn't even consider protecting the keys to their temple's inner sanctum."

Shadowheart bristled, "You stole it!" Tav tried to intervene, but Shadowheart was already reaching for her weapon and Flesh took note.

"One of the Sharran minions?" Laughing in her face. He leaned forward menacingly, pointing at her mace, "Why don't you put that down before you hurt yourself?"

Tav touched Shadowheart's arm, "Please let's talk this though."

Shadowheart jerked her arm away and her fury bore into Balthazar. "You did nothing to deserve it. We should have let the Justiciars ruin you."

His demeanour changed again, and he grinned at her. "Ah, you have the others, don't you?" He demanded with a beckoning hand, "You will give them to me."

"No." Shadowheart pulled herself up, Tav adjusted her stance, and the others drew their weapons.

The grin dropped and he hissed sneering, "Traitors. Your remains will join my ranks and serve me for eternity. You will know no rest."

--- --- ---

They had slowly moved into more strategic positions during Shadowheart's standoff with Balthazar. Lightning cracked, its bright bolt intercepting a charging Flesh. He barrelled on through, regardless, his cudgel baring down on Shadowheart. Her shield blocked the swooping blow but shattered on impact throwing her across the room and she crashed into a wall. There she slumped to the floor.

Nyx had lined herself up to rend the heads off two skeletons in a burst of force magic, sending them scattering to the ground. Wyll and Karlach drew Flesh's attention away from Tav, who had dove out of the way during the initial attack and was seeing to Shadowheart after dragging her behind a stone bench. Lae'zel took up cover position over them, protecting them both while she dealt with skeletons foolish enough to approach.

Ranged assaults from Astarion and Gale kept Balthazar occupied behind a pillar. Bow in hand, Nyx focused on pooling her magic around the arrowhead, knocking more skulls off skeletons. Wyll and Karlach barely managed to avoid Flesh's far reaching swinging blows, which made Nyx's breath catch on several occasions.

The last skeleton lost its head, freeing up Lae'zel to join the onslaught against Flesh, harassing him from different directions. Balthazar recited a spell and Nyx's blood ran cold upon recognition.

Abyss take you!

She scrambled for a better position, still unable to shadow-step, calling up a combination of her own magic. Nyx extended her magic at the point where the yellow-green gas originated with outstretched hands and called to Gale, "Gale! Get it out the door!" It took a moment for him to respond, Astarion making up for it by nocking several arrows aimed at Balthazar. Nyx intercepted the deathly fog, her shield encapsulating it. Nyx sent a sliver of chaos into the sphere, but it couldn't latch onto the cloudkill gas. Gale had lined himself up with the trapped spell and the door, summoning a massive gust of wind sweeping the trapped spell right out of the room.

Flesh bellowed from behind and Wyll cried, "Look out!"

Nyx redirected her shield to intercept the blow, sending her and Gale flying. The landed together in a sprawl near the door. Nyx bounded to her feet and yanked Gale up. Her arms throbbed painfully after her magic reverberated back the force of the blow. Gale seemed to have sprained an ankle on meeting the floor. Nyx's brow knit; the angle of his foot suggested the injury more acute.

He heaved propping himself against the wall. "Don't mind me, go!"

Requiring no further instruction, Nyx and Astarion coordinated their movements driving Balthazar into a corner whilst remaining aware of Flesh's general position. Tav was desperately trying to keep a still unconscious Shadowheart out of the fray. Lae'zel had took a scything swipe across the face and her battle cry rang out, blood seeping down her face.

Balthazar recited a summoning spell next. Two ghasts joined the battle, forcing Nyx and Astarion to retreat. These were not mere ghasts either, they were healers, supporting both Balthazar and Flesh. However, Gale timed his spell to perfection; just as Flesh was in range of his companions Gale's rapid incantation cast grease on the floor

It should have been comical: Flesh tumbled down face first (or rather exposed skull first) into the grease and his momentum skid him right into his companions; Balthazar and ghasts alike. Viscous cussing ensued between the pile of flailing limbs.

Nyx, Astarion and Wyll kept them pinned down, finishing off the ghasts. Gale cast rain, shortly followed by Karlach and Lae'zel lopping off Flesh's weaponized arms, then his head. Balthazar met his fate in hellfire, steel and magic.

Nyx was splinting Gale's badly broken ankle, while Tav helped the others using a combination of her own limited healing magic and various potions. Shadowheart was stable, though drifting in and out of consciousness. She'll need time to recover. Nyx surveyed her own injuries and took stock of the others.

We all need time to recover.

They were unable to retrieve the umbral gem from Balthazar, Gale theorized the temple may have claimed it back. Thus, the situation couldn't be helped, and they decided to recuperate somewhere else. With Astarion and Tav supporting Shadowheart; Wyll and Nyx supporting Gale, they painstakingly backtracked to the kitchen area and set up camp once more leaving the foul stench of undead behind.

---

Nyx had taken to meditating. The demons were restless, and Nyx was checking on the barrier containing them. Water dripped a soothing rhythm reminiscent of rain from a multitude of stalactites from above. She sat cross-legged on the floor at the camp's periphery, listening to the ambient noises flitting up from the Underdark.

The barrier surrounding the black portal hummed, Nyx had managed to use the power from the portal itself to sustain the barrier. It was a bit risky, since it would fluctuate when Nyx had to pull on its power, but Shroud and Nyala had taken care of any escapees so far. Satisfied she consciously dropped her shoulders, adjusted her breathing and drifted into a deeper meditative state to calm her mind and being.

After some time, Nyx's magic prickled with a familiar sensation. She sighed, The reckoning, and she wasn't looking forward to it. The sooner Astarion had finished his dealings with Raphael the better, then they can focus on how to deal with Cazador instead. Her eyes opened in time to see the light of Raphael's arrival cast long shadows from the tents. His voice flitted form the campfire and Nyx made her way over to find expectant faces gathered.

Raphael approached Astarion, where Tav sidled next to him.

"Do you know what happens when a devil is struck down on this charming plane of existence?" Raphael gestured to their surroundings and continued with distaste. "It returns to the hells - to the very point where it last stood before venturing to whichever devilforsaken plane it died on. In case of our friend Yurgir, whom you so handily dispatched has manifested in my House of Hope." He smirked at each in turn and his performance commenced fully by projecting his voice across the camp for all to hear. "He returned to me chastened but intact, his wounds healed, his body restored. He thought I would dismember him, but he had uses - so instead I am reeducating him."

Nyx made a face at the last line and crossed her arms.

Astarion shifted his weight and declared lazily gesturing between them, "We delivered the devil. Now I want what I'm owed - we had a deal."

"Indeed, we did.", Raphael's features lit up. "I discovered all there is to know about those scars of yours - it's a rather grim tale, even for my tastes."

"Stop stalling." Tav put in, clearly not in the mood for his pomp and ceremony either.

"As you wish." He inclined his head. "Brace yourself, Astarion - we're about to unveil your destiny. Carved into that ivory skin of yours is one part of an infernal contract between the archdevil Mephistopheles and your former master, Cazador Szarr." He let that sink and waited for the murmurs to settled.

Nyx rolled her eyes, He is relishing this. The prick.

"In full, the contract states that Cazador will be granted knowledge of an infernal ritual so vile it has never been performed." Punctuating the next set of words, "The Rite of Profane Ascension. It promises to be a marvellous ceremony. Very elaborate, incredibly ancient, and entirely diabolical.”

He held up a finger and his brows knit. "If he completes the rite, he will become a new kind of being - the Vampire Ascendant. All the strengths of his vampiric form will be amplified, and alongside them he will enjoy the luxuries of the living. The arousals and appetites of man will return to him, and unlike Astarion, he will have no need of a parasite to protect him from the sun." Astarion's jaw moved, and he shifted his weight again.

"But the ritual has its price, as all worthwhile things do. Lord Cazador will need to sacrifice a number of souls, including all of his vampiric spawn, if he is to ascend." Another dramatic pause made Tav pinch the bridge of her nose.

A smiling Raphael implored turning to Astarion, "Imagine how he felt, then, when one of those precious spawn simply disappeared into thin air. The only missing ingredient is Astarion. You are the final piece he requires to complete the ritual - your scars bind you to it. Your soul will set off a very wave of death, bringing Cazador his twisted life. And that, my tragic and toothsome friend, is that."

That sadistic bastard.

Raphael savoured their shocked expressions with unchecked glee and said, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have business elsewhere." A snap of his fingers whisked Raphael away in a blaze of fire.

Tav gave Astarion a side long expectant look. He ran a hand through his hair and hmmed to himself.

Tav prompted carefully, "You're... quiet. It's unsettling."

He met her gaze, "It's a lot to take it." Noticing the rest watching he asked quickly, "What do you think I should do?"

A heavy sigh escaped Tav, and her shoulder slumped. She shook her head as to admit to herself, "You'll never be free while Cazador lives."

"I hate know right you are." Scowling briefly at campfire. "I knew he wouldn't leave me alone even when I was just another wretched toy for him to play with." His sigh mirrored Tav's. "But if I'm the key to this power he craves, he'll hunt me to the ends of Faerûn. I need to take the fight to him." He paused for a moment, looking at Nyx then back at Tav. "And I need you to help me."

Tav gave a curt determined nod. "I wasn't planning on letting you do it alone."

He made a small bend at the waist and said genuinely, "Thank you."

Nyx blew out her breath while Astarion sauntered over to her. "What do you think, my sweet?", his voice low while he searched her face.

She smiled at him softly and he relaxed a little. Her stance on the matter was certain. "I don't condone needless wanton murder. But Cazador is utterly reprehensible. He is not only a threat to you, but to the rest of us as well. I do not wish to find out what he would be capable of as this 'Vampire Ascendant'. I will take great satisfaction in sending him straight to the hells where he belongs."

Astarion's expression had gradually changed from guarded uncertainty into his wicked grin. "I couldn't agree more."

She inclined her head, noticing small nods of approval out of the corner of her eye from those in earshot.

Good. That's good.

--- --- ---

Astarion reached for her fingers and took them gently. He kissed her hand while she watched him, amusement in her eyes. The soothing warmth in his chest expanding tenfold once more. Her convictions were a relief, and his whole being felt light at her unyielding support – unexpected and unbelievable even.

He lowered her hand and gave her a parting wink, deciding on taking a stroll. Clear his mind and consider all the opportunities this new information had brought.

He smiled to himself and mused, She was right, of course, Cazador does belong in the hells. And yet, what if..?

--- --- ---

Nyx felt as though she had swallowed a stone. It sat heavy in her stomach while they watched Shadowheart disappear into the final portal. She made as much distance between herself and the invasive visions at her periphery, Nyx had no intent of finding out what the next trial held in store for Shadowheart. Instead, she focused on walling herself off and willing it away using her arsenal of mental techniques. The queasiness wouldn't relent while the trial's magic gnawed at Nyx to obey, yield, and give in to the Dark Lady's embrace.

Reject. Light, love, everything you hold dear. Let nothing take root in your being, only Shar's eternal emptiness can soothe the pain and grief of living.

Through shuddering breaths Nyx drew gingerly on the power of the black pit, undoing the reverent beseeching at her peripheral attention. Something touched her arm, and she jerked out of her meditation to stare up into Tav's concerned expression.

"You're paler than Astarion."

Nyx's mouth quirked and she realized the shaking of her hands. She fisted them into her lap and replied, "The trial's pull is insistent. I'm struggling to hold it off."

"Do you need help?"

Reverent words tugged at her mind again and she replied before her hesitation and the shadow-laced rejection could throttle her throat, "In whatever way you can."

Tav nodded once and settled herself next to Nyx. She gave Nyx a knowing smirk and closed her eyes, patting out a slow beat with her one hand on her knee. Nyx closed her eyes and Tav started to hum a soft tune, her magic reaching out tentatively to Nyx. Her own magic responded, carefully taking the helping hand from Tav.

A surprised gasp came from Tav. Nyx realized the touch of her own magic must be both heavy and cold with Shar's influence. However, Tav adjusted admirably quickly, and Nyx felt herself settle into her friend's steady and warm presence like a welcoming hearth – a place of comfort and music. Nyx was immensely grateful for the support, Tav's magic resonated in recognition and companionship.

---

Elation filled Nyx’s entire being once the trial ended.

Tav practically swooned and she quipped fanning herself, "Tymora be praised - can we leave this place for good now?"

Nyx chuckled, "I second that request wholeheartedly."

Tav gave her a sympathetic smile and they rose to join the others.

Shadowheart stepped from the portal exuding triumphant righteousness and held out the last umbral gem for all to see. She gave Tav a smug look, lifted her chin and extended her hand to the side as though she were holding something. There were gasps when the umbral gem flared, and its violet magic swirled to Shadowheart's outstretched hand. It congealed into a staff, the magic shaping upwards into a wide starburst tip at the end. Shadowheart set the summon spear on the ground and regarded the others down her nose.

Tav crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow at the spear.

Shadowheart pulled herself up and declared, "I have not only completed the Gauntlet of Shar, but have also earned my Lady's most prized weapon for defeating those who perverted her sanctuary." She shot a blistering glare at the black smears in the corner of the room - what remained of Balthazar's entourage had seemingly disintegrated. She tapped the spear on the floor once, a chilling aura radiated from it, and she stared at it in awe. "The Spear of Night," she sobered and said, "I am to use it to claim the Nightsong."

Tav chewed her lip and beckoned for Shadowheart to lead the way.

---

They walked in silence, Nyx shared concerned glances with the others in passing. She fretted at her throwing knives while Shadowheart activated another elevator using the umbral gems. Nervous expressions joined on the platform, and it took a downward circular path from the platform passing the impossibly large statue of Shar - its stature and craftmanship on full display. Nyx couldn't help but feel that the elegant dancer's pose was meant to disguise a more sinister intent below. A lovely performance she knew too well, had seen to many times and the weight in her stomach grew as the platform dropped into the temple's depths.

Another looming door barred their way, the same as the others, and yet its presence was foreboding. Unperturbed Shadowheart reached for it, and it opened at her command. The room beyond was entirely unexpected. It wasn't any more lavishly decorated than the rest of the temple, rather plainer by comparison.

Several stairs truncated the room into a pool of translucent water in constant motion. Its waves caught the cold-violet light from the surrounding braziers and lanterns, but the source of the disturbance remained unseen.

Nyx took a step over a clearly demarcated line in gold on the floor and her magic jolted through her. An oppressive force clamped around her heart, and she froze in place, eyes wide for a moment then managed to step back with effort.

"Something the matter, my sweet?"

Her heart thundered in her ears, her feet were rooted in place and her eyes locked on the waters. She managed in a small voice. "I, I can't go any further."

His brows knit and he regarded the pool. The others noticed the exchange and Tav prompted something that Nyx didn't catch. Too focused on fighting every fibre of her being telling her to flee. She closed her eyes and was blissfully uninterrupted until she regained control of her faculties.

The sensation drained into the ground, and she sighed, finding the others waiting patiently. Nyx gestured to the line at her feet and provided, "I cannot cross. I must wait for you here." She turned to Astarion, "I'm sorry."

He tilted his head, unpleased he asked, "And why not?"

Nyx shot an accusing glance at the pool beyond and stammered hastily shaking her head, "I'm too close to the curse. I can't fight it there. As much as I want to help. I can't. It'll consume me." She searched his face and spoke softly, "Please."

Astarion seemed taken aback at her last word, "I merely wanted to understand." Nyx relaxed and he continued, concern tugging at the corner of his eyes. He took her hand and whispered, "Don't go disappearing on me again."

Her heart swelled with affection, she squeezed his hand and gave him a brilliant smile that seemingly caught him off guard once more. "I'm not going anywhere this time."

His wicked grin graced his features. The others called for him. He hesitated, his jaw moving several times, but he kissed her hand instead and hurried after the others.

Dread made her heart sink into her stomach as he disappeared into the unholy waters, and her parting smile fell with it.

Graces bring them back to me. Bring him back.

And here is a very serious analyses of an Adze axe: https://ancienttouch.com/1321BA_ancient-bronze-adze_axe.jpg

Published: 28 March 2025