Astarion and Nyx PoV

The skin on Astarion's head crawled and a voice skirted along the surface of his thoughts. His tadpole echoed with a memory, tinged with loss, yet not a memory.

Do mindflayers even have memories?

He saw the discomfort on the other's faces, sure that those without tadpoles could sense the intrusion too. Several images flashed in rapid succession; scenes he had seen before but now in blooming vivid detail. A sense of pride washed over him as he looked down upon the village below, the lesser being scurried in the wake of the coming power.

"Order. OUR design. Destiny."

The Grand Design? Images of order, perfection and unity flash before him. People, civilization, whole planets brought together under one banner - being of one mind.

"Every plane. As ONE. Every being. In their place."

Anxiety clutched at his chest, No. I will not be a subjugated again! He wanted to flee, to hide where his master would not find him. Punish him. Force him to serve.

The entity's presence writhed in his mind, the burden of loss suddenly bellows into fury and its claws bury into his being. More images seer into his brain: blood, chaos, mindflayers slain, a long sleep, disturbance by dark figures, a weight on his head and shackles on his mind. It pressed against his skull, his fingers rake at his head. The voice wailed,

"Taken! Corrupted. GONE."

Astarion found himself on his knees, holding onto his head, his eyes pinched shut.

"Easy, breath through it.", a familiar voice soothed.

He opened his eyes, but spots floated in his vision, and he couldn't make out the figure standing over him. Dread gripped at his insides. The poisonous shadow crawled up his spine threatening to seep into his mind. But the gentle voice coached, "Focus like you would when you trance. Breathe through it."

A ragged breath filled his lungs; an overwhelming smell jogged his mind from its stupor. He coughed.

"Can you tell me where you are?"

"C-colony.", his voice croaked.

"Good. That's good. Now, take another breath. What is happening to your body?"

His mind reeled and he struggled to form words. The steady voice kept repeating the question until he answered, "Knees". After a few more rounds of questions, things started to clear. He managed a sentence, "I'm on the floor."

"Hmm. Welcome back," Nyx's voice carried a smile.

Astarion blinked his surroundings into focus and realized he wasn't the only one still kneeling - and judging by the scene, although Nyx was smiling down at him - the others had benefitted from her coaching as well.

He stood on shaking legs.

Gods. I never want to feel like that again. Not because of Cazador. Not because of some self-aggrandized 'Absolute'. Not from anyone.

Nyx gave him a concerned look and he chewed, "Let's get this over with."

--- --- ---

Unsure, Nyx extended her hand to his in a subtle gesture. A moment of confusion crossed his features, but before she could pull away he quickly reached out to snatch her hand. They exchanged a quick mutual hand squeeze, and sheepish grins while the others were preoccupied with recovering from the psionic vision.

Nyx's relief was short-lived after more unfamiliar voices flitted down the corridor. Fortunately, it sounded genuine and not from another vision. Their war band fell back into formation and silently inched toward the unseen conversation.

A man reprimanded in an educated manner. "You said it was under control."

Ketheric's reply made them pause for a moment, holding their breaths. "It isn't you I answer to, Gortash."

Karlach's flames flared, lighting up the corridor and she growled, "Motherfucker! Gortash!" Motioning to push past the others. Lae'zel and Dorran had to intercept and restrain Karlach while Tav talked her down in urgent, hushed whispers.

A condescending comment from Gortash mocked Ketheric, "Oh, the General voice. Is this where we salute?"

Karlach nodded reluctantly to whatever Tav said and her flames died down. They carried onward; they glimpse of a room coming into view.

A woman spoke, "Salute? Yes, with cleavers through his blood-starved flesh."

The corridor gave way to a wide ramp and a cavernous chamber yawned before them. Nyx could make out three silhouettes in the distance on a raised platform overlooking a massive brooding pool as large as a lake. Psionic lighting flickering in the mist above. Two more platforms sprouted from the chamber walls on either side, both higher in evaluation than the one in the middle.

From the central platform, the seated woman crossed her arms and addressed Ketheric, "How it crawls with failure like flies on a lick-wet carrion."

Ketheric turned to her and stated, "You forget yourself, Orin. I have played my part."

Gortash's figure waved dismissively. "You've built an army for our masters, true enough. But what of the Astral Prism?"

Tav’s group froze for a moment. They watched and listened to Gortash's elaborations. "An insignificant band of rogue True Souls, flaunting it under your nose all this time. And you ran from them?"

Ketheric straightened and stated, "Sure that they would follow, and deliver it into my hands here. If you would cease these distractions -"

Gortash cut him off, "The distractions have been yours, Ketheric. Perhaps we never should have dug your daughter up."

Ketheric's composure dropped, and he lunged at Gortash. The seated silhouette blurred from her position.

Gortash chuckled and said, "So you haven't lost your edge. But you're still not as sharp as Orin is, I'd wager." Orin had a blade raised to Ketheric's throat, standing between him and Gortash, who tapped his chin. "The slayer against the undying one. That would be fun to see."

Orin took an exaggerated breath that carried across the empty cavern. "His crypt-breath sings to my sinews. Again, again. Again, again, again!"

Nyx shared a concerned glance with Astarion.

Orin's shoulders slumped and she reluctantly stepped back. "But he must lead the murder-march to Baldur's Grave."

From their hiding place, the tension grew between the onlookers.

Gortash gestured to Ketheric, "If the weapon is truly in your grasp, Ketheric, might I suggest closing your fist?" He turned his back on Ketheric and paced away. "Orin and I can wait for you no longer. The plan proceeds - we're going to the city, and we expect you to follow - army and the weapon in tow." Standing on the precipice of the platform overlooking the lake he raised his fist and declared, "The edict of Bane." A flash of red emanated from his gauntlet.

Orin strolled over and hoisted her curved blade in a similar fashion. Red flaring from a gem in its hilt. "The lash of Bhaal."

Ketheric fisted his hands and sidled between them, red rimming his silhouette, "The testament of Myrkul."

Tav gasped softly, "The Dead Three!?"

Before that revelation could sink in, the chamber shook, and lightning lanced through the mist hovering over the lake. The waters trembled and a deep wet gurgle echoed as something stirred beneath. A hump rose in the middle of the water; the viscous liquid parted to reveal a grotesque mass of throbbing flesh.

The audience's gasps were swallowed by the splash of mucus slipping into the lake from the rising brain. Glistening with the same pink flesh as its kin, the titan organ sported sharpened appendages growing from the side it's brain. An alien spinal cord extended down toward the pool, jutting nerves visible from its vertebrae. Tentacles flanked the spinal cord and slithered when the red light flared brightly again.

"Chk! The Kr’ath’ith still lives!" Unbridled hatred rolled off Lae'zel in waves.

Gale spoke quickly, awe in his voice, "Look at that crown! It radiates with power unlike anything I've ever seen. To have it... to hold..." He shook his head longingly and directed to Tav, "But I can't... This is it. I must do as Mystra commands."

There were whispered sputters from Tav's group. Astarion groused in the dark, "Really? You can't be serious!"

Tav was frowning as well. "Gale, you cannot do this."

Lae'zel added in annoyance, "Tsk'va! You'll condemn us all to death!"

The Elder Brain shuddered audibly, cutting the arguments short.

Gortash swivelled around and clasped his hands together. "There we are. It wouldn't do to fight in front of our guest. Behold, Duke Ravenguard: the Absolute!"

Wyll made a strangled noise, the 'chair' Orin had been sitting on was another person, kneeling with his hands bound behind his back.

The Duke gaped up at the monstrosity before him. "Helm preserve us..."

Orin glided over to him, and stroked his bald head. "You wag your word-flap in vain, Ulderling. Once the worm holds the whip, your shredded flesh will serve us."

Tav gripped Wyll's shoulder and he glanced at her briefly. His anguish visible in the caverns' gloom while. Not only did Wyll have to unwillingly watch as an Elder Brain tentacle neared his father, but he couldn't dare intervene when the tadpole was introduced into the Duke's eye.

Gortash walked over to Orin and the Duke, announcing lightly as though he was late for a tea party, "Now. It's really time we were going. We will empty this place and begin the march. You may catch up with the army once you've retrieved the weapon." He turned around to appraise Myrkul's Chosen. "And Ketheric - do try not to sulk. You're supposed to be the fearsome General, come to conquer the city." Finishing with a final swooping motion towards himself, Gortash crooned, "And I am the hero who will save it."

The Elder Brain shuddered, it's folds pulsed, and another tentacle reached for Gortash, who was standing next to Orin and the Duke. They collectively disappeared at its touch - like Dame Aylin had. A psionic boom rippled through the air, and the Elder Brain was gone.

The Elder Brain's command faintly called to Nyx,

"It is time, faithful ones. March on Baldur's Gate. We go to prepare the way."

Thank the graces for the artefact.

Gale's voice implored next; as though they had not just witnessed the mobilization of an Elder Brain and its thrall army - at the behest of the Dead Three's Chosen no less! "What choice do I have? More than just a goddess counts on my courage: the whole world hangs in the balance."

All eyes were on Tav and Gale.

Tav shifted to level her gaze straight at him and she spoke definitively, "Not like this. Please Gale if ever you've placed your trust in me. We'll find another way."

Taken aback Gale's mouth moved several times, and he replied in a small voice. "I do trust you. More than myself right now. Perhaps even more than Mystra. I..." He looked away from her. "I have no desire to end your life, you have to know that. But... To struggle on..." She took his hands in hers and beckoned for him to look at her. He swallowed upon meeting her eyes and said, "It is a grave choice, but if it must be so." He nodded once. "Very well, I'll stand down to stand by you."

The relief was palatable.

---

Ketheric in the mean time had marched to another platform on the right.

By the Abyss!

Dame Aylin was chained to the floor, a glowing dome of magic shimmered around her.

Shadowheart observed, "It's similar to the one that held her in the Shadowfell." Her head whipped to Tav and she said, "We can dismantle it if we reach her."

Tav nodded and her fingers rose to her temple.

A combination of telepathic communication and thieves' cant signals relayed messages between the different parties involved.

Nyx confirmed her understanding with Astarion, and he flourished his daggers - a wicked smile on his lips. Nyx had to contain her nerves, wanting to draw him into a quick hug, not knowing whether this may be the last time she would be able to do so. Thinking back on the battle atop the towers - she felt so very small again. So very mortal. Instead, she swallowed the knot in her throat, corralled her anxiety into determination and joined the front line.

Nyx, Astarion, Nima and Bram held back, obscured by the deeper gloom. Tav, Gale, Lae'zel and Wyll continued to approach Ketheric - stepping into the dim light provided by braziers on the platform above.

Ketheric's back was facing them, he had been speaking to Aylin, but Nyx couldn't make out the conversation. Aylin stood defiant, her head and wings held high regardless of her bound limbs. A knowing smile quirked Aylin's lips when she set eyes upon Tav.

Ketheric turned slowly and projected down at the front line, "Here you are. As predicted."

Nyx monitored the other's progress in the peripheral shadows. Shadowheart and Korran, silently moving out of sight toward Aylin's prison keeping flush against the walls. The rest were closing the flank from the opposite side of the chamber.

Tav kept Ketheric's attention, "'One of Three'. Since when has the Dead Three been plotting together again?"

Ketheric shrugged and ignored her question. He mused instead, "What is it, I wonder, that draws one toward death like a moth to light?" He pointed at them, "You could have run away. Absconded with the Prism - the one thing that could prevent me from fulfilling my destiny. But the lure of one's destiny is irresistible, isn't it? Perhaps you hoped to learn your place in history before you are erased from it. A bright flash of clarity before the snuffing-out."

Tav crossed her arms and asked, "Why is the Prism so important to you?"

His eyebrows rose and he gestured with an open hand. "The very fact of your being attests to its power - despite your infection, you resisted the brain, here in the heart of its domain. What good is an army of thralls if they do not obey their master?"

Nyx, Astarion, Nima and Bram moved to spread out, taking better positions. It was not lost on Ketheric.

Good. Keep your eyes solely focused on us.

Ketheric seemed disinterested in their display and chided as though their situation were hopeless. "My Lord Myrkul gave me the one thing I desired - the one thing that no other god could grant me. My daughter's life returned. Her heart beating once more." Dame Aylin's stoic expression faltered at his confession, and he continued, "For that, he asked that I serve as his Chosen, join Orin and Gortash to grow the cult of the Absolute, and then... take control of it."

"An impressive plan.", Tav conceded which only fuelled his need for grandstanding.

"He's never had a more devoted follower. I have fought great wars before, in the service of other gods, and other powers. But for Myrkul, I would condemn all of Faerûn to death."

Tav shifted her weight and probed, "You are planning on betraying your allies?"

"Yes. You are all that stands between me and my destiny - and you have brought the Prism here. I will kill you now. And then I will raise you as my servant. In the name of Lord Myrkul's glory!"

Several necromites and mindflayers appeared, surrounding their group.

Bugger.

--- --- ---

Astarion swore under his breath. They were prepared for opposition, but not so many.

Nyx and Nima managed an astoundingly coordinated blast of force magic sending the nearby necromites sprawling. Bram set upon the closest, mace and shield smashing those to pieces who did not recover quickly enough. Nima fell in behind Bram, covering his advance while Nyx and Astarion engaged in their own familiar dance of dealing coordinated death.

Combat quickly became an overwhelming cacophony of noise. Metal rung, bones shattered, psionic blasts echoed, magic crackled, and battle cries pierced over the din. Astarion focused on tracking the handful of people and opponents around him instead.

Chain lightning whipped through several necromites, leaving scorched earth, bones and the smell of charred organic matter in its wake. He and Nyx took advantage of the paralyzed skeletons, either bludgeoning them to splinters or severing their skulls from their spines. Although, the skeleton ranks were thinning and their bones clattered on the ground, a swirling green energy pulled the necromites back together.

Nyx and Astarion had taken to stomping any intact skulls after a successful blow, but this too did not stop the onslaught. Given the reconstituted necromites were disorientated and flailed at them rather than attacking with precision - it remained a nuisance when several would swarm him or Nima, trying to hold them in place for another whole necromite to finished them off decisively.

Nyx's magic-laced quarterstaff threw back a cluster of beheaded necromites, ripping their arms from their sockets. Their long bony hands clinging to Astarion's limbs. He ripped them off and crushed their digits beneath his boots, scowling at the dust. His head snapped up when Tav's desperate plea rang through his thoughts, "Help Shadowheart!" Tav and the others were otherwise engaged with Ketheric.

Astarion's gaze caught Shadowheart being driven into a corner away from Aylin's prison by a mindflayer, another was wrestling with Korran over his weapons. Aylin's was thrashing against her chains, snarled shouts directed at the creatures from within the still intact dome.

Astarion called to Nyx and pointed at the platform. Then exchanged his daggers for his bow. Nyx moved closer, her staff and magic keeping the necromites off him. Assessing their companion's dire straits, he realized he won't be fast enough. "Nyx, help!"

Nyx shot a glance at the platform between blows, and she projected into the moving crowd of bodies, "Bram, Karlach! Cover us!"

Within an instant Karlach's swooping war hammer scooped up several necromites into Bram's oncoming shield charge. Nyx's bow was in hand. Astarion had planted three arrows into the mindflayer who had Shadowheart pinned down.

"Uro." Nyx's arrow set the other's head on fire.

The mindflayers were unable to shield themselves from both the ranged and melee assaults. Korran managed to rip one hand free and cut away the tentacle restraining his other arm. Shadowheart's blow connected with the mindflayer's face while Astarion's arrows found purchase in its back. Korran sidestepped the screeching mindflayer's wild attempts to snatch at him after it had been completely engulfed in fire from another one of Nyx's arrows. The flaming mindflayer toppled to the ground and Korran rushed to help Shadowheart finish off hers. Astarion and Nyx returned their efforts to the tide of incoming necromites along with Bram, Karlach and Nima.

The battle dragged on, Astarion caught glimpses of Shadowheart working to dismantle the prison while Korran picked off mindflayers in the crowd below at range.

"Damn this all to the hells!", he kicked at a skeleton, sending it to the ground. Another simply took its place, spawned by those damnable incubators.

Dame Aylin's challenging roar cleaved through the din, bright blinding light followed and the necromites hissed in unison. Jaws and bones clattering.

--- --- ---

Nyx's curse withered at the light, knocking her breath from her lungs and made her stumble to her knees. Her whiskers and shield snapped into position while she struggled to regain her faculties. Astarion's familiar movements brushed against her whiskers, and he heaved her to her feet. She clung to him briefly while her vision returned.

Dame Aylin took to the air, her comet trail aimed at Ketheric on the middle platform above. He was surrounded by allies from both Tav and Aedric's group. Although Ketheric was favouring his left side he skilfully managed to keep them all at bay. His massive sword intercepted Aylin's blow, the resulting clash throwing the others back. Nyx returned her attention to the swarming necromites. Aylin's moonlight blast had stunned them long enough for their group to gain the advantage.

Nyx delivered a final bone crunching blow to a necromite's skull and stomped it to pieces for good measure. She looked up just in time to see her allies push their advance on Ketheric - Nyx's heart swelling with awe and disbelief. For a brief moment, she considered assisting with ranged attack, but the platform was too densely populated. Ketheric's demise was a well-timed coordinated attack from the group. The melee fighters taking turns to feign mock attacks, others moving into the openings of Ketheric's guard to land harassing blows at crucial times for Aylin to carve into his flesh with one of her powerful strikes reaching beyond his enchanted heavy armour.

Bleeding from a multitude of wounds Ketheric's sword finally slipped from his hand onto the ground. Aylin straightened and watched him collapse onto one knee. She stood over him while the rest of the chamber held its breath.

Aylin snarled, "Your tyranny has finally come to an end, Death worshipper!"

Ketheric glanced at her and sneered through clenched teeth, "What a fool you are! You cannot kill me - I am eternal."

"Only death is eternal. I shall be blessed to deliver you to it!" Aylin shook out her wings and tightened the grip on her sword.

Ketheric chocked on a prayer, "Myrkul... Lord of Bones. I am here. I am ready." Nyx barely caught the whispered, "I am yours."

Aylin swung her blade, but it rebounded off a green swirl of energy that engulfed Ketheric.

A deep foreboding voice carried through the chamber, "You dare end one who belongs to me?"

A plume of hot breath puffed from Nyx's lips and her body shuddered at the drop in temperature. The ground trembled, making the waters in the lake ripple.

The disembodied voice continued, "I am the smile of the worm-cleansed skull. I am the regrets of those who remain, and the restlessness of those who are gone."

Ketheric's body was limply hoisted into the air, green energy whirring around it like a vortex. Tav and the others backed away. Aylin attempted another swing, but green tendrils ensnared her, wrapping around her body. Bones sprouted from the ground and encased Aylin in yet another prison.

"I am the haunt of mausoleums, the god of graves and ages, of dust and dusk."

The bones and dust around Nyx's feet stirred and their twirling trails were sucked toward Ketheric.

"I am Myrkul, Lord of Bones, and you have slain my Chosen."

Nyx had moved to one of the flanking platforms, bow in hand. Ketheric's body hovered over a hole in the middle of the central platform. Tav and the rest gaping at the scene.

"But it is no matter."

Ketheric's body dropped into the hole, drawing a collective murmur from them.

"For I am Death. And I am not the end. The words were punctuated by another tremor through the ground. Green mist poured from the hole in the platform, shrouding it entirely.

"I am but a beginning."

Starting the count down: Third last chapter

Published: 2 May 2025