Sorry bout the long wait guys, had some school and computer complications but nonetheless I'm sorry, and i tried to make this chapter the best one i could write up hopefully with just only a few grammatical and sentence errors :3

Chapter 9: Finale

There she was...

Drizzt knew that this might be the final battle between him and Catti-brie and he was not looking forward to that. He silently let a groan escape his lips, not letting the enemy know of his frustration.

Catti-brie smirk, but the drow knew that smirk belong to Errtu's. "Perhaps I'll maim you enough to be left alive and have your precious Catti-brie torture you to the end of time. Please don't disappoint me Drizzt Do'urden, I so want to savior your screams." She charges forth with tears flowing from her eyes.

"Catti! I know you're in there! FIGHT HIM!" Drizzt screams, hoping his words will give her the strength to break free. Their blades clash, again Icingdeth and Catti-brie's fiery blade created a spectacle of brilliant red and blue lights flashing everywhere as they fight. Catti-brie shuffles her feet and leaps over the drow trying to slash him from above but Drizzt swing his blades fast enough to counter the attack from above as the human woman landed behind Drizzt and thrust to his left side as Drizzt manages to dodge the blow. He quickly spun on his heels to face Catti-brie in her daring assault. The drow saw an opening in her defenses, he could've used the crossdown and leave herself vulnerable to his attacks, but he couldn't, he couldn't bring himself to harm his beloved Catti-brie.

Errtu was frustrated, the drow ranger was better than he recalled and the human woman was no expert swords-woman, not to mention the constant battle of wills the two played.

Damn ye Errtu, I don't care if I die, I'll drag ye down to hell with me!

Silence bitch!

Never!

The demon roar, he wanted to punish the insolent woman for her defiance, but knew he couldn't, if he did he would leave Catti-brie and himself vulnerable to Drizzt's attacks. Controlling the human woman was beginning to tax him, the drow's words were indeed giving her more strength than ever before. Errtu can't control the human woman and focus on the drow at the same time and Catti-brie knew it.

As they blades clash in a beautiful but deadly dance, Drizzt saw Catti-brie beginning to sweat with her eyes close in sheer pain and concentration, fighting a battle within herself. Her attacks was starting to slow down just a bit and Drizzt used the opportunity to disarm her left hand but accidentally made a deep slash against her forearm when she tried to block Twinkle but was a bit slow. She cried out, not only because she was in pain but also lost the concentration to battle Errtu, and to the demon's glee he used that opportunity to tighten his hold on the woman.

"Thank you," he said to Drizzt, "she was becoming quite a handful."

Drizzt's eyes widen in horror, he had just helped the demon's hold on his dear Catti-brie and curses himself. The auburn-haired woman was now attacking at full speed, her attacks were a flurry as Drizzt found himself on the defensive again. This is just like his encounter with Dantrag, he was speedy but couldn't handle his movements which led to his demise. Here however, Catti-brie could improvise with deadly speed. Drizzt decided now was the time to use the crossdown, pinning the human woman's swords to the ground.

However, Catti-brie used her head and headbutts it against Drizzt, knocking him off balance for he wasn't expecting that counter and found himself in deep trouble. Drizzt rolls to the left as she swings her blade across, she manages to make a deep cut on Drizzt's side since he didn't roll face enough. Despite the pain the drow was in, he was on his feet in a second and resumes his dance with Catti-brie who was grinning savagely.

Catti-brie cried out in mental anguish for she had harm her beloved Drizzt. She was searching frantically around Errtu's magic hold on her, to see if she can battle it out once more with him long enough for Drizzt to finish her. It pained her, but she will not add more to Drizzt's suffering, the drow ranger deserve to live out his life fully without her hindering it...even if it means Drizzt finding another woman to love; she just wanted Drizzt to be happy. Perhaps she can rouse up the demon by invoking the memories of his defeats at Drizzt's hands.

Do ye remember the time Drizzt defeated ye at that cave? Although she wasn't there to witness it herself, she recalls Drizzt telling her that story and hopefully could describe it in as much detail as possible. Oh how ye didn't expect Drizzt's sword to possess such magic that banished ye! It must be deliciously sweet fer him!

Oh damn it all, that battle played out clearly in Errtu's mind as if it happen just yesterday. Catti-brie felt his magic loosening on her just a bit. It was working much to her delight.

Tell me, did ye like the cold? Perhaps ye should've worn a coat. Catti-brie laughed at her foolishness, as if demons wear coats for it would be a very silly thing to do, she was nonetheless upsetting the demon.

Drizzt notice she was beginning to slow down again, Catti-brie's face looking for worn out. Then he knew Catti-brie had step onto the battlefield once more warring with the demon inside her. His hopes were rising, together with Catti-brie they can banish, maybe kill, the balor.


"Are you done yet?" Jarlaxle was growing impatient with the ilithid.

He is a powerful demon, he has put up wards from where he is but I've almost broken through them, just give me a little more time! he shouted back at the elf, sweat was covering the octopus' head as magic swirl around the air mimicking his concentration.

"We may not have that much time! What if Drizzt is already defeated and that demon bastard torturing him as we speak?" the moon elf cried out, frustrated with their progress as he tosses the carcass of a demon dog into the bonfire behind them.

Patience is a virtue! the mind-flayer shouted.

"Not right now it isn't."

The ilithid ignore the pathetic pale elf and continue his magic of breaking through the dimension's wards.

Jarlaxle could do nothing but furrow his brows, praying, a thing he hardly ever do before, that Drizzt can hold on long enough for them to come to his aid.


Blades thrusting, slashing, parrying, dodging, plus the mental battle, began to wan them all. Drizzt's hands slowed down, weariness don on him, for Catti-brie's slow blades began to match him with the same speed. Catti-brie jumps back and lets loose a fireball upon Drizzt as he jumps out of the way of the deadly fire, leaving behind scorched earth. She continued to toss fireballs at Drizzt, the drow dashing from side to side avoid the missiles.

"Catti-brie! You were always the strong and the most level-headed person I've ever known and you still are! You CAN defeat him Catti-brie!" He encouraged her while avoiding the balls of fire.

The human woman smiled, Drizzt was still in love with her despite being apart from each other for nearly a century, she had expected him to move on and find someone else, but he didn't. He was still the good-hearted and honorable drow she had met on the first day on that blissful winter. She wonder why she hadn't choose him before. True Wulfgar was just as wonderful as Drizzt but he however didn't let her be the free-spirited woman she was meant to be whilst Drizzt loved her for that reason.

"Drizzt, please I'm beggin ye! Put me out of me misery!" she manage to blurt out for some odd reason.

The drow's heart wince, cut down his own beloved Catti-brie? He would never do something as atrocious as that. No, he will find a way to free Catti-brie. He must. "Never."

Her heart ached, it was just as she feared. It was only a matter of time before she would plunge her blade into his chest, something she will never forgive herself for even in heaven. That's if she does go back there. "It hurts Drizzt! I don't want tae be sufferin anymore! If I kill ye, know I'll die a thousand deaths!"

"Same here."

She lets out a harsh sob as they continue their routine.

This is getting them no where, both combatants knew, and Drizzt decided to settle the score now. He locks his scimitars with Catti-brie's and exerts his strength to push him far enough.

The drow ranger drops his blades to the ground, "Errtu! Here's your chance. Finish me now!"

"NO!" the human woman couldn't believe what her beloved drow was doing. "Drizzt! Don't do it!"

"Let us be together in heaven Catti-brie. Let us be together in that paradise that we both wanted, away from the world of troubles and strife." He smile to her.

No! He will not die! Drizzt deserve to live more than her. She had lived her life fully, abeit somewhat short, but fully nonetheless. Drizzt still has so much to live for and she will not see him throw that away for her sake.

This was the moment Errtu waited for. He began to laugh violently for his moment of triumph was upon him. He used all his force into the human woman and she charges forth towards the drow. Drizzt put a face of both determination and acceptance of his fate, for he will be with his Catti-brie again one way or another; He stretched out his arms as if to embrace the charging woman who would be his executioner.

NOOO Catti-brie cried out.

This is it! He will have his revenge!

But just then, as the flaming sword was mere inches away from cutting down Drizzt's shoulder to his heart, she stopped.

What? The demon couldn't believe it. Neither could Drizzt.

Her arm and then her body began to quake violently, she's desperately trying to suppress the demon's magic as he lashes out at her. Damn you pathetic bitch! You will finish the job!

Inside Catti-brie, she was laughing manically, even the demon was a bit scared of the human woman. Oh no Errtu. It is YOU who shall die!

Catti-brie drops the sword and fell down on her knees, screaming while grasping her auburn head. Drizzt was helpless, the three way battle has now become a two way battle, he could only watch and wait. He knew that Catti-brie is putting everything she got to defeat Errtu once and for all, using all her might to banish the demon from her body. The drow allow himself to smile a bit, the demon may have conquered her body but not her spirit, and that will be his undoing.

I will not be defeated again! I've come to far to lose everything now!

Hah! Ye really haven't learn a thing haven't ye? Ye can't beat Drizzt and ye never will. Not even wit puppets!

The demon couldn't believe it. She was pushing him out with a force of power he never knew could exist in mortals. Even his spells were being repel by her will, he was losing his hold on her and no doubt be banish again.

Errtu has no choice but to flee or else be erased from existence forever. I'll be back wench, for you and Drizzt, and no doubt your children as well. Enjoy your little victory bitch...and your time with Drizzt while it lasts.

Ye can count on it, we'll be waitin fer ye.

And with a savage roar of defeat, Errtu left Catti-brie and went to his plane in anger and humiliation.

Catti-brie loosen her grip on her head and fell to the ground but Drizzt caught her just in time. Drizzt scan her with worried eyes, he wasn't sure if this was Catti-brie or Errtu...or dying; he desperately hope it was the first.

He heard a moan as she slowly opens up her eyes and gazes into Drizzt's purple eyes with beautiful crystal-blue eyes that the drow so adores. "Drizzt..." she smiles at him.

She did it! She defeated Errtu! Drizzt snatches her lips with his own, the first passionate kiss they have shared in a century. The drow was reunited with his beloved Catti-brie again.

"I knew you were in there Catti-brie."

"Ye never doubted me did ye?"

"Not once."

They straighten themselves and stood up to only kiss each other again, pulling each other to one another so tight they wonder if their backs would snap from the strong embrace. Their lips parted as they press their foreheads against each other's gazing to the other's eyes.

Then the earth began to quake violently, rocks tumbling and the ground broke apart to reveal the lava deep below. They ran to what appears to be mountains until the ground before them broke apart and soon there was no way out.

"Oh Drizzt!" Catti-brie sob and the drow pull her towards him. Drizzt let out a curse, he was finally reunited with his beloved Catti-brie only to have everything shatter before them in mere minutes. They gaze into each other's eyes to find comfort and hug. At least this time they'll die together and go to that paradise.

"Are you two just going stand there and take a nice swim in the lava or are you going to come out?"

Their heads whirl behind them to see a portal revealing a bright blue sky, a lush meadow, and Jarlaxle holding out his hand towards them and grinning madly. Catti-brie and Drizzt didn't wait for another invitation and dashes forth to the portal that was only a few yards away and jumps through it.

They made it.

Both the human woman and drow ranger fell to the soft ground breathing heavily. After a few moments they regain their composure and stare at the mercenery, moon elf, and ilithid.

"Oh thank the gods you're both alive!" Hralien cried out and observes Catti-brie. "Is...the demon...?"

"He won't be comin back fer a long, long time."

Everybody, including the ilithid, let out a sigh of relief and elation.

Drizzt turns toward his comrades as he pulls Catti-brie to him, "I owe you three a debt I could never repay."

Well, Jarlaxle paid your debt for you, so don't you worry about that. They all heard the echo from their minds but couldn't know if the mind-flayer was being sarcastic or not.

"You got your love back Drizzt. That is more than enough to satisfy me, to know I won't see you whining like a little bitch anymore. I have to admit you were becoming a pain in the ass," Jarlaxle commented and everybody laugh, well the ilithid let out some gurgling sounds, but they all could guess that was a laugh.

"Ah ye still the same bastard I knew ye are," Catti-brie smirk.

"I always will be, dear and beautiful lady." Oh gods, that comment again made her feel more than uncomfortable as she watches him give her a sweeping and elegant bow.

"Thank you all. I truly mean it," Drizzt said.

"Your welcome Drizzt and yours too Catti-brie. May you both live happily again," Hralien places a firm grip on Drizzt's shoulder and nods as the drow return it.

Well, while you ladies say your goodbyes, I'll be heading back home. And with that, the illithid was gone. Hralien let out a sigh of relief.

The comrades turn their heads towards the skies above them, they have succeeded and earn their just rewards, especially Catti-brie and Drizzt.


"So...they're all gone?"

Drizzt let out a sad sigh and slowly nodded. Catti-brie was sadden, to know that Wulfgar and her father Bruenor have pass this world and into the afterlife as she lays her head on Drizzt's shoulder, he tightly wrap his arm around her. Not only them, but the world of Toril have change drastically. Nothing was the same as before.

"Know that they died peacefully Catti-brie."

"Thank ye Drizzt...fer everything."

"No, I have to thank you. From saving me from despair."

She looks up to him with her sympathizing blue eyes, "Drizzt...ye didn't have to be with me again...I want ye tae be happy."

"I am. Everyday I prayed that I would see you again, hoping to have another chance with you. Although it was through unfortanute circumstances, I got my wish nonetheless. Catti-brie, I'm not sure I wasn't going to meet another woman like you again. There could only be one Catti-brie..."

Her heart rejoice at his words, he was still very much in love with her as she with him as they kiss again. Then she felt a thump inside her stomach and quickly places Drizzt's ebon hands on them while he smiles.

"A feisty one aren't you little one?" Drizzt smile as did Catti-brie as they watch the sunrise together.

Drizzt had another chance with Catti-brie, another chance of true love and happiness. And he wasn't going to squander any second of it.