"I don't like this," Serena said as they walked through the town. All the winged elves they saw were the same as the two that had greeted them, going about their business with oddly dazed expressions on their faces. "Something's wrong but I can't figure it out."
"If it's any help, Serena, I can feel the traces of powerful arcane magic," Nathyrra spoke up. "If that's the case, I can't even begin to fathom the power required to do what we're seeing."
"Wonderful," Serena muttered sourly. "That means we're dealing with a powerful artefact, or mage, or gods forbid, both." The priestess shuddered at the thought. "Guess we better find this queen Shaori and see what's going on. That's if she's even coherent."
After having another run in with Sabal just outside the cave where the queen was meant to be, Serena and her friends entered to find a winged elf wearing the clothes of a monarch, though to Serena's eye she was hardly carrying herself with a royal bearing.
Shaori studied Serena with a mistrusting gaze, then spat as she cleared her throat. "What do you want?" she asked.
"Queen Shaori, I presume?" the priestess asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Questions, questions, questions! I had enough of questions when I was Queen. 'Please, Shaori, tell me this.' and 'Please, Shaori, tell me that.' Why do you think I left the castle?" the former queen said. "I'm not Queen Shaori anymore. I just want to be left alone. But I can't get any peace and quiet even in this cave! First Sabal and her drow come to bother me, and now you!" The former Queen shook her head in dismay. "Fine. Go ahead. Ask your questions. I know it's the only way I'll get rid of you."
"There's something strange going on here," Serena said flatly.
Shaori snorted in contempt. "You just figuring that out now? My kingdom is cursed, a town of winged elves doomed to live beneath the earth. That's the price you pay for toying with the mirror."
"Mirror?" the priestess prompted.
The Queen's expression changed to one of deep sadness. "The mirror... that damn mirror." Then with a shake of her head she reverted to a bitter hermit. "I suppose it's my fault. Not that I really care anymore. I used the mirror to keep watch on our enemies. It allowed me to see things, to know things. It helped me rule my kingdom." Shaori sighed. "But the mirror betrayed us in the end. It brought us down to this sunless world. Now we are trapped here by its power, cursed to forever live this twisted existence."
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Serena asked
"There's nothing you can do. There's nothing anyone can do. The town can't escape its fate, my people can't be helped. Why bother? It's pointless. The mirror is broken. The spell that dragged us down into the Underdark shattered the glass and scattered the pieces. I found one of the pieces, but I gave it away."
"Let me guess, Sabal has it," Valen stated.
"Yes, and if you want to find the other pieces before she does, you better get going," the former queen replied.
"Have you noticed that every major building in the cursed town has a piece of this shattered mirror?" Serena asked as they made their way through the castle after clearing it of driders, and lots of them.
"Yes, the wizard's tower, the library and the open air market," Valen observed. "I do not think it is a coincidence."
"Nor do I," the priestess replied as she shoved open the large doors to the throne room and walked inside.
"That has to be the most serious jester I've ever seen," Valen said on seeing a single winged elf as he shuffled forward to greet them. His wings were stunted and his body shrunken and bent. He wore the colourful, and badly stained, outfit of a court jester. However, though dressed like a buffoon his face lacked the slack-jawed expression one would expect in a monarch's fool, and his eyes seemed to have an endless depth to them. The weapon master found it quite unnerving.
"I was wondering when you were going to arrive, Serena. No doubt you have found our town strange and confusing. Now that you are here I hope I can clear everything up for you," the winged jester said.
"Who are you? How do you know my name?" Serena demanded.
"My name is Elicid," the winged elf said with a bow. "I used to be a simple-minded man who danced to amuse Queen Shaori. But I have become all-knowing and all-wise ever since we were pulled through the mirror." Elicid spoke with sadness in his eyes.
"You mean the mirror we keep finding the pieces of?" Nathyrra asked.
"Yes, when our city was up in the Lost Peaks, Queen Shaori possessed a magical mirror. With it she could keep watch on those with great power, she could see what they were doing and planning," Elicid explained. "Shaori used the mirror to keep our kingdom safe, to make sure nobody could ever move against us without our knowledge. She never realized the dangers the mirror possessed."
"I don't like where this is going," Serena said.
"The mirror took hold of Shaori's mind; part of its curse. She wanted to spy on everyone... including the archmage Halaster." At the mention of the mad wizard's name Serena's face darkened, her anger at what he'd tried to do visible on her face. "Ah, you've had dealings with him I see," Elicid observed. "Halaster sensed her spell of scrying, and he attacked with powerful counter-magic. Everybody pulled through the mirror was twisted into an opposite of their true self. The Queen abandoned her throne, the fool became all-knowing. And as the final insult the mirror itself shattered, trapping us here."
"So what happens if the mirror is fixed?" Nathyrra asked.
"If the mirror is repaired, everything will revert back to normal. We will be transported back to the Lost Peaks, Shaori will reclaim her throne and all will be as it should be. I have the mirror frame, but I cannot leave this throne room to gather the pieces," Elicid said, holding up the frame. "Before, it was forbidden for me to be in here unless Shaori was with me. Now, I cannot leave unless she is here. Ironic wouldn't you agree?" Elicid paused. "I need someone to bring me the five missing pieces of the mirror so I can repair it. If you do this, Serena, I will give you the mirror. It could be a valuable tool against the Valsharess." The fool paused again. "That's if Sabal does not collect the pieces first, but I sense she is unwilling to face you, Serena. She fears you but she also knows that a final confrontation between the two of you is unavoidable, just as your confrontation with Sendai was."
Serena just glared at the winged elf for mentioning the drow Bhaalspawn's name. "We already have three of the pieces, and I know Sabal has one. That makes one more to find," she said coolly. "Come on, you three, we've got work to do." With that, the priestess turned on her heel and walked out of the throne room.
"That obviously touched a nerve," Nathyrra observed dryly as she, Deekin and Valen followed.
Sabal stood at the edge of her camp overlooking the town, wondering where her mission had gone so wrong. Though she knew the answer; it went wrong the moment she saw Serena Darkstar, last child of Bhaal, accompanied by that traitorous bitch Nathyrra, the tiefling and some kobold.
The drow cleric sighed as she looked over her shoulder at her camp. It was empty, for she was the only one left alive, the rest of her force had been slaughtered. Sabal knew she had to get some rest and think about what she was going to do.
"How do I defeat someone of divine heritage?" Sabal asked herself. She knew what Serena was capable of as, after all, she'd seen Serena tear through Sendai's army, elite guard and finally slay Sendai herself. To this day, Sabal didn't know how she'd lived through that, as by rights she should be dead as well.
"Why must you fight the godchild at all?" asked a soft feminine voice curiously. "Is it because your mistress, the one who commands the one who seeks to break his chains, wishes it or something else?"
Sabal whirled around to face the threat. What she saw was a being, softly glowing, seemingly floating a few inches above the ground. "What are you!?" the drow demanded.
"What I am is unimportant, dark child. You may call me Solar if a name be needed," the strange being replied. "But I ask again, why must you fight the godchild?"
"The Valsharess would have me turned into a drider if I fail," Sabal said, shuddering at the thought. "I would rather let Serena kill me."
Solar was silent for a time, but then she spoke. "A fate worse than death, or death itself. Know these are not the only paths open to you, dark child. Godchild by birth, human by nature, think on this," Solar said as she faded from view, leaving behind one very confused drow.
"I don't like this, my lady," Valen said as they entered the temple. "Something is amiss here."
"I feel it, too, and there's something about this temple that seems vaguely familiar," Serena said, frowning.
"If it's anything like the rest of this accursed town, then this temple will be a twisted version of what it once was," Nathyrra said, adding her thoughts as they neared the priest, the only other occupant of the room.
Serena suddenly felt weak and nauseous as her body was gripped by a raging fever. The priest studied her with a calculating eye, as if analyzing the strange affliction that had come over her. "You have been touched by Talona, my child. No doubt you can feel the fever raging inside you. The Goddess of Disease and Poison has laid her hands on you."
"What in the hells are you talking about?" Serena asked hoarsely.
"My name is Lomylithrar the Rotting. Once I served Aerdrie Faenya, the winged Lady. Now I bow to the Mistress of Poison. As you can see, I have converted this temple to honour my new patron." The priest smiled coldly. "Talona has chosen you for trial. She has infected you with her burning essence, and the only way to be free of this sickness is to prove yourself worthy."
Serena took an unsteady step toward the winged elf. "Talona chose the wrong person to test, for she knows not what she has unleashed." Her voice was calm. "If you value your life, elf, you will give me the antidote." Serena pointed to the man's robes.
The priest laughed. "You must be joking. You have to fight in the arena."
Serena's eyes began to darken. "I am not joking. I am far more than I appear. Even now I can feel the changes taking place." She took a breath. "You do not have much time before you face something that nightmares are made of." Now her eyes were completely black. She turned around enough to face the drow. "Nathyrra, take Valen and Deekin to the entrance. I don't want you near when I... change," Serena said almost in desperation, for she knew she couldn't hold on much longer.
The assassin took a step backwards, horrified at what she saw, for Serena's eyes were black voids, seeming to draw in what little light there was in this twisted reflection of a temple. "Come, Valen," Nathyrra urged. "We don't have much time."
"What's happening to Serena?" the weapon master asked, not willing to leave the priestess's side.
"I am unsure, but I do know it's something we should be well away from," the assassin replied as she gave a shudder.
Valen nodded as he let Nathyrra guide him away, with Deekin scrambling to keep up. Once they were near the temple's entrance, they turned to watch what would happen. As they did so, there was a blinding flash, and where Serena had been now stood a truly hideous monster standing easily twelve feet tall, its long arms ending in a set of vicious, claw-like fingers.
The monster spoke to the terrified priest in a deep baritone. "You had your chance, priest. Now face the Ravager." With that, the monster picked up the screaming winged elf and effortlessly tore him apart. It then looked through the remains of the priest's robes. Finding the phial with the antidote, it removed the cap and downed its contest in one gulp.
For a few moments the monster just stood there, and then there was another flash. Serena swayed on her feet before collapsing, unconscious, among the dismembered remains of the elf priest.
"By the flaming hells..." Valen cursed. "What was that thing? What did Serena become?"
Deekin shook his head. "Boss sometimes changes, Deekin not knows exactly, but it never good."
Nathyrra nodded. "Perhaps she will finally explain it to us, but one thing is sure. When she changes, she can't tell friend from foe. But it's safe to go to her now."
They hurried back to Serena's side, and Valen lifted her with surprising tenderness and carried her away from the remains of the elf priest. As Valen laid her down outside the temple, Serena's eyes opened.
"It's over," Serena said, her voice groggy for the transformation sapped all her strength, her eyes full of sadness. "For now, at least." The priestess sat up slowly, not even aware that Valen was assisting her. "How did I get outside the temple?" she asked, confused on seeing her surroundings.
"Goat-man carries you, boss," Deekin said, subdued.
Valen's expression was grim. "What happened in there? What was that thing that you became?"
Serena sighed. For better or for worse, her secret was out, and now she was left with the awkward explanations. "Have you heard the stories of the Bhaalspawn?"
Nathyrra and Valen both looked puzzled, but Deekin's eyes grew huge and he began to hop from foot to foot like he did whenever he became excited. "Deekin heard tales about them. Dead god Bhaal made lots of babies and they fought. All dead now, like Bhaal."
"Yes, all dead, except one," Serena said grimly as she stood up. "I am the last Bhaalspawn. That thing you saw was the Ravager, my father's," she spat the word as if it were a curse, for to Serena it was, "avatar."
The silence that greeted Serena's announcement was deafening, but at last Nathyrra spoke. "That's what you were going to change into when Halaster cast his geas on you," she said, terrified and awed at the same time.
"Yes," Serena admitted. "Fortunately I had some help from an old friend and it didn't come to that." She looked at the temple. "This time though, not so lucky."
"You could have told us, told me, my lady," Valen said at last.
Serena snorted. "How do you tell someone that? Just walk up and say, 'Oh by the way, I'm the last living child of the dead lord of murder and I can change into the Ravager?' I don't think so, Valen," the priestess said in a huff. "Believe when I say the less people know the better. It's served me well so far in life." Serena looked nowhere in particular. "Only the closest of my friends know the secret of my tainted blood."
"Solaufein and Viconia, they know, don't they?" Nathyrra asked softly.
"They do indeed," Serena replied. "As you may have guessed, both have travelled with me on the surface for a time."
"It is also how Sabal knows you," Valen stated flatly.
Serena nodded a little sadly. "Yes, Sabal was part of Sendai's elite guard. I only wanted Sendai dead, as she was one of the Five and as such, a threat to me for she was also a Bhaalspawn."
"You do realise that we're going to have to tell the Seer about this?" the weapon master asked pointedly.
"I know. I'm not looking forward to that much," Serena admitted. "Come on, we have all the mirror shards apart from the one Sabal holds. Let's return to the throne room in the castle and end this."
"Between you and Sabal, you have now collected all the missing pieces of the mirror from the town. With them, I can finally break the curse that has trapped the town here." Elicid seemed pleased. "And as a reward for helping me, I will give the mirror to either you or Sabal... though which one of you will get the mirror has yet to be decided."
"We will settle this with battle, Serena! The Red Sisters will taste your blood!" Sabal was defiant even if she knew she had no real hope of defeating the godchild.
"Make the first move, Sabal. You won't be the first Red Sister to fall beneath my blade!" Nathyrra hissed.
"When I deliver the mirror to my mistress I will be sure to tell her of your death, Nathyrra. She will take extra pleasure in knowing you are no more!" Sabal sneered.
Elicid held up a hand to quell Sabal's attack. "The spell of immunity in this room will make killing each other impossible. Though if you are both set on battle, I can lift its effects."
"Isn't there some other way to settle this?" Serena asked, sounding tired.
Sabal snarled at her. "You're nothing but a coward. There is only one way you'll ever get any of the mirror shards from me: over my dead body!"
"Damn it, Sabal, you know what I am, what I could to do you," Serena snapped. "Just give me the piece you hold and you get to live."
"I wish it were as easy as that, Serena, but you know what the Valsharess would to do me," Sabal replied. "I would rather die by your hand than be turned into one of those abominations."
Serena took a step towards Sabal, extending her hand to the drow. "You don't have to die Sabal, you know that. Come back with us to Lith My'athar and the Seer. Just give me the shard, and we can break the curse on this place and go."
"You cannot seriously be thinking of letting Sabal come with us?" Nathyrra asked, horrified.
"Why not?" Serena replied. "I for one have had enough of fighting and death. All I want to do is set this town to rights and get the hells out of here."
"Thank you, Serena," Sabal said softly as she handed over the mirror shard. "I think I understand what Solar meant when she said, Godchild by birth, human by nature."
At the mention of Solar's name, Serena started to laugh. "Why am I not surprised to learn that she's had a hand in all this? Just what are you up to, old friend?" the priestess wondered.
Elicid smiled at the way things had turned out. "That was an unexpected turn of events, but it pleases me greatly. However, once I restore the mirror, I will again be nothing more than a dancing fool."
"Are you sure this is what you want?" Serena asked, concerned.
Elicid sighed. "What I want doesn't matter. Things must be put right. Order must be restored, even if that means I will once again be a fool." Though his voice was steady, there was a hint of fear in his eyes.
"You are brave, little man. I hope your sacrifice is not forgotten when the kingdom is restored," Valen said.
"A noble sacrifice indeed," Sabal observed softly.
"Now that the shards have all been collected here in the throne room, I can begin the incantation to repair the mirror," Elicid said as he took the shards from the human priestess. "Thank you, Serena. The Avariel are forever in debt to you." The winged elf began to prepare to cast his spell.
There was a blinding flash and the two drow, one human, one tiefling and one kobold found themselves in the cave that Queen Shaori had called home. This time, however, she stood before them in all her royal glory, the Avariel queen restored to her former grandeur. At her side was the fool, a vacant smile on his face.
Shaori gave Serena a warm smile. "I must thank you for what you have done. You've restored the mirror and broken the spell that bound us here. My city has been returned to its rightful place among the mountains of the Lost Peaks."
"The change in your manner is remarkable, your Highness. I must admit, it was hard to imagine you as a queen before," Serena admitted.
"Hey, now you is all nice! Before you was so mean. Deekin likes you better this way," the kobold bard added, to everyone's amusement.
The Queen nodded. "The power of the mirror is not to be taken lightly. You have seen the changes it wrought in me and my kingdom. Soon I must go there to join my people, as well. It isn't safe for me here anymore. The spell that protected me from harm once again only functions in the throne room of my castle. But first I wanted to see that you were safe, and to speak with you one last time so that you might know the foul hermit you met before was not my true nature."
"It was a pleasure to help you, my lady," Valen said with a slight bow.
Serena grinned at the weapon master. "Knew you were one for damsels in distress," she teased.
The queen gave a soft, lilting laugh on seeing Valen's scowl. "You are too kind. My people consider you earth-bound races to be rather uncouth. I must tell them of these fine manners."
"What about the fool?" Nathyrra asked. "What happens to him now?"
Shaori looked over at the fool, giggling and drooling on the floor. Her eyes were filled with pity. "The fool is as he once was: a simple mind, incapable of all but the basest of thoughts. He will never understand the gratitude we all feel towards him. Good food, a comfortable bed, these are the only things he will appreciate now. I will make sure he has only the best," she said sadly. "Farewell, Serena. We Avariel are not usually trusting of outsiders, but you and your friends will always be welcome should you ever come to our home in the Lost Peaks."
"Boss, if we visits, maybe the wing-elves throws us a big party! Deekin likes parties; they be fun. You think they bake us a cake, Boss? Deekin likes cake," the reptilian bard said. Serena just smiled and patted him affectionately on the head.
"I have heard tales of the Lost Peaks; they say it is a place of great wonders... and great danger. Though I suppose we would be safe enough in your halls, your Highness," Valen stated.
Nathyrra got a far off look in her eyes. "Perhaps when this is all over we will accept your offer. I would love to see the mountains."
"You would not be disappointed, cousin," Shaori said. "As soon as you leave this cave, I will return to my people. Once again, you have my thanks."