Author's Note: Well well... honestly, I don't really know where the end of this chapter and the follow-up chapter came from. Never in the original plan, to tell the truth... they just kind of came up and I went with it. Hopefully they work for everyone. Let me know, 'kay?
Heart pounding. Palms slick with sweat and shaking... almost uncontrollably. The vision of the corridor ahead was tinted with smoke, dust and red. The sound of another large split crackling down the ceiling of the path resonated loudly, sending a shower of pebbles and dirt upon the six adventurers. Looking to the left... the paladin and the thief-mage were doing their best to keep up, the older man depending on his brute strength to shrug off any rocks that landed while the girl desperately zigzagged to keep from harm.
Over to the right- the mammoth ranger shielded his witch with his own body, staying right behind her and leaning over, using his back and plate armor to keep danger at bay. The druid took a more stylistic approach, using her spear to deflect any missiles that came too close while keeping her lithe body on the move without fail. All noble efforts, trying to survive just a few moments longer in this hellish maze under Brynnlaw. All to keep them safe. All for naught. The real threat... the real danger was no goblin or orc or even vampire that this pit had to offer... it was right there. Right in their midst. Hidden under a pale cloak of flesh, the power of murder... so close. So potent. So... perfect. Beautiful in its darkness. Wonderful in its murderous bliss.
His head turned a bit, regarding those to the left. There was a vague sense of concern it could feel, a blur of thoughts about the safety of the one it called 'sister'... she would be no threat. The paladin though... he would go first. Then the ranger. The druid afterwards... the rest would have fallen or run by then.
A jolt of pain ran through the side of his other half- or what could be construed as pain, such as it was. Best be careful. Can't risk the vessel... No, still moving. Exit coming up- there. Safe. Breathing heavily... almost exhausted. Almost ready for the change. But... not yet. Patient for so long- it could afford to be patient a while yet. Physically exhausted not enough... must be mentally drained too. Almost more important than the body's state-
Voices. Some sort of action in the room ahead? Out of the corridor, into another trap. It grinned- no time for rest. Rest gives him clarity. Gives him focus. Can't let up. Push him. Prod him. Gently now... gently... no trace of any seduction, just determination. Give the edge. Give him the drive. There it is...flashes of light, creatures spawning from the Hells... battle. Yes. Yes... blood. Murder. Fight now. Harder. Fight now. Faster. Kill them. And that one. And the others. Now the little elf-cleric, kill her too- no. It drew its essence back, tittering lightly. Almost got too caught up. Not yet.
Still fighting it. Sensing it, have to pull away further, further... there. No sign of me. Not to him. The paladin noticed... damned senses of his. Definitely kill him first. More foes, more little ones to fight... yes. Feed on them. Killthemkillthemkillthem...
Greywulf shook his head, trying to ward off the intensifying bloodlust as the magic bullets of energy he had just released from his hand tore through another orc, shrieking in pain as it dropped its sword. The world was tilting, spinning again as he tried to keep focus; so much anger, pain, rage... have to fight it off. Can't get sick again, can't lose it now. Not now. After Spellhold. After escape. Then we can rest. Then we can... we? Who is... who is we?
The sound of a warning shout from Imoen as she fired her newly scavenged bow hastily caught Greywulf's attention; the wall opposite them slid upward, more goblins and orcs pouring out of it as they swarmed towards the six defenders. He almost felt his stomach upturn as he swung out with his staff, catching a goblin's skull with a noisy crack- but it felt good. Felt real good. Wanted to hit it again and again-
Killkillkill... yes. Yes, feel what is offered. Take it for your own. The blood... feel the blood. Yes, and the anger. Now rage. Now fury. Blind yourself with it, let yourself be free for me- damn. Druid's at his side, bringing clarity? Still not enough. Still not enough to break him. Bending. Bending so far, but not breaking... it seethed and howled in silent fury, drawing back a second time. The little fodder, the tiny beasts were not enough to bring him to his knees. The darkness... my darkness, squeezing his very soul but it needs help. Something to release the anger. Something to unleash the fury
The waves of creatures pouring out of the walls and entrances ceased; they screeched in fear and moved out, abruptly leaving their prey alone; hardly unscathed, but alone. It spat and hissed... until it saw, through the eyes of his host, what came in their stead. Her. Several others like her. Only one besides the wizard who could do it, at least this first time... yesss... rage is building, anger is rising... my time has come. We will conquer, the mortal and I... we will be one. I will show him the real path of power, until he will embrace it. He will embrace me, come to love me and do anything for me... just as I will do anything for him. I have arrived... and pity the mortals who would stand in my way.
X X X X X X X
"Here, mousey mousey." Bodhi slunk out of the darkness, her arms wrapped around her in a self-embrace of seduction, letting her eyes droop with a tiny cackle of playful wickedness. The other monsters, the goblins, gnolls, orcs... all of them had fled, leaving their master to her prey. Any who had yet remained were long gone, fled down the same paths they had used to arrive, through passages and tunnels dug through the seemingly solid stone walls and corridors. "The hunt draws to a close here and now... pity. I so enjoyed watching the six of you squirm. It was entertaining... you might've escaped, had I given you the time."
"You're early, Bodhi. You said twenty-four hours; time's not up just yet." Greywulf spat, trying desperately to maintain a clear head- can't afford to be fuzzy now, can't be blind to the dangers- vampires behind her... probably some flanking us as we speak-
As though listening to his inner thoughts, as jumbled as they were, the outlines of at least two dozen vampires drifted into view, all behind Bodhi, all with feral grins, expectant of the carnage... expectant of the blood. But for Greywulf... the only blood that mattered was the blood rushing through his head. Filling his vision so that everything was an outline tinted in red, warping and diffusing with each beat of his heart.
"I'm the so-called villain, remember?" the vampiress pouted, stretching her arms in preparation for the dark deeds she was set to accomplish. "I lied. Besides... Irenicus was rather displeased when he found I had granted you a reprieve. One last time, let our paths cross in blood!"
Normally, the time would be ripe for quick orders, fast plans and swift action. There were still a few precious seconds before the first of Bodhi's forces met theirs; two, maybe three if they were lucky. Enough for their leader to focus his energy on keeping them alive, on coming up with something- anything- to save them. Not this time. This time, his body was clenched tight, and the only focus in his mind was the survival of his soul. Pain... running through my whole body... not now! Not here...
Greywulf looked up from his doubled over position, throwing off the half-panicked glances from Aerie and Imoen, his mouth opening wide with a deafening howl, a cacophony of pain and anguish... his eyes shone bright, gleaming gold as the sound became less frightened, less pained... more angry. More raging. A snarl, a roar of hatred and absolute fury. The golden orbs in his head glowed fierce, bright... and dark. The gold vanished, replaced by a darkness, a swirling tar of black that dwarfed even the abyss in the eyes of Bodhi herself. She halted her advance, taking a step back with narrowed eyes; something crossed her face, an expression that had not been seen there for many years... fear. She hissed once, watching the transformation fully take hold... a light from the heaven above pierced the darkness, blinding all who dared look at it. It covered Greywulf, the sound of magic deafening as red mingled with the light, tinting everything with the bloody cocktail of light.
Had anybody been able to see what took place, they would have witnessed a transformation of epic proportions. Greywulf began to fade, his very body slowly disappearing while something else took its place. As the light faded, the creature beneath was revealed. Nine feet tall, covered in blood red scales, claws and spines, the creature roared in untold, hellistic fury. Its razor teeth seemed to stretch endlessly behind the creature's jaws, black sickly drool slathered all over the beast's mouth. Its ebony eyes were scanning all around, seemingly hating and burning all it gazed upon. It possessed four arms with incredible armor and claws, the spines upon them as sharp as its teeth and claws. The muscles upon the beast were bulging as though seeking to escape its skin, desiring to escape and grow even further. It stepped forth once, the ground shaking under its feet. Another roar left its mouth, and from the look in its eyes, there could be no question of what the beast intended.
Imoen's eyes blurred with tears; she stepped back, whispering to no one and at the same time everyone, "Greywulf... what have you done to yourself...?"
Bodhi shrieked as the beast leapt forward, tearing one vampire apart in a blur of claws and spines, belching forth an unholy fire to burn another into the grave. Two vampires flanked him, each one ripping their own claws and fangs into the creature's flesh, trying to drain it with their dark magics... to no avail. It shrugged them off as if nothing more than annoyances, pinning them to the ground with massive fists. Its massive fists closed around their heads, squeezing and squeezing until... their bodies disintegrated, their essences retreating back to the coffins from whence they had came. Bodhi looked back at the rest of her coven, already retreating slowly, their expressions horrified at the power before them. She spat furiously, but her anger was replaced by fear as the demon looked up, its gaze fixing on her.
It made a leap at her, Bodhi's extreme agility and dexterity only just saving herself from being trapped in its crushing embrace. She landed further down the hall, shaking her head in disbelief. "A creature of pure death and darkest shadow... Child of Bhaal, what have you become?!"
The only answer was another blast of flame that poured from the maw of the black hearted demon; it filled the hall before them relentlessly, consuming everything within... when the flames died, Bodhi was gone. The only sound was the guttural growls of the beast, and the dying embers of fire that crackled in the burnt and blackened hall- it was broken by a small, petrified voice. "Greywulf? Are... are you still there?"
It turned to face them, and for a brief second there was still hope that whatever demon had taken possession of their friend had been suppressed, that Greywulf had heard Aerie's words... it launched itself at Aerie, howling with fury. A blue wall of magic raised itself from Imoen's hands a split second before Aerie would have been decapitated; Imoen was still taken by surprise at the raw power pounding on the wall- with three hits, her magics shattered and she found herself flying across the room, caught in midair by Minsc. The demon advanced further and further, the ground rumbling under its feet as it stomped toward the closest of his former companions, Keldorn-
"Greywulf! I know you can hear me!" Jaheira's form threw itself between the paladin and the demon, her spear at guard but not striking. "If even the slightest portion of you remains within, I implore you to hear me... do not make me hurt you, Greywulf. Do not make us do this..."
The beast threw its head back, a terrible laugh that would have made the listeners cover their ears under other circumstances. It raised one of its four arms, preparing to bring it down... the eyes of the beast suddenly seemed to clear, regain focus- no! Still too weak, now that the dead ones are gone he pushes me away- it howled again, this time in pain. The light of darkness shone again, raining power upon the earth as the beast twisted and changed, its form warping and diffusing until there was naught left of the demon. All that remained was their companion, lying in a ball on the ground curled up and smoking. His eyes were wide and bloodshot, his breaths coming in short uneven gasps as his terrified gaze met those of his five companions, slowly edging toward him. "G-Greywulf...? Is it you?" Imoen asked tentatively, reaching one hand out slowly to touch the trembling man.
"That... that was the earthly avatar of Bhaal." Keldorn murmured, his eyes never leaving the sorcerer even as his hand never left the hilt of his sword. "The Slayer walks the earth again... I had prayed I would never see the day of the prophecies' fulfillment."
"Imoen... Im..." Greywulf forced out, his voice a tortured whisper. "Kill... kill-"
"No... no, you didn't hurt anyone. You didn't kill anyone." Imoen smiled through tears, leaning forward and holding him tight. "It's gonna be okay, alright? It's... it's gonna be okay-"
"No." he whispered, pushing her away. "Kill... kill me. Kill me now."
"What?!" she recoiled, shaking her head in fear. "No, we won't! Why would you even say that?!"
"Minsc will not let any harm come to you." the ranger swore, taking Greywulf's hand. "You are stronger than this. You must fight, Greywulf. Fight hard-"
"Too powerful... too strong; kill me while you have the chan- aaaAAARRGHHH!!!!" Greywulf's desperate whisper became a scream, his body writhing in pain as he shook, convulsing on the ground. Jaheira leaned over with Minsc, the two desperately trying to hold him still- Keldorn leapt forward and pulled them back with a grunt, just before a bloody light exploded all around once more, leaving a smoldering crater on the ground where he had been lying... and the Slayer standing within it.
X X X X X X X
"You are sure? The Slayer… the avatar of the dead god himself?" Irenicus' voice contained equal amounts of curiosity and irritation, even as it reverberated through the hollow experimentation room. The glass tubes and prisons, still filled with the corpses of Shadow Thieves and Cowled Wizards that were used in his ritual to drain the soul of Greywulf, did nothing but keep the sound of his slightly bemused voice echoing through the room, though Bodhi's expression was nothing if not angry.
"He nearly killed me, brother! You should have seen him, the way his power slaughtered my cabal without difficulty-"
"And what, precisely, do you want me to say to you, sister? Was it not your fault that he survives this long? Had you disposed of him when I first asked, we would not be having this discussion. If there is fault here it lies with you. You disappoint me, Bodhi." Irenicus sneered, leaning over to place his face inches from the glowering visage of his vampire companion. "Still... this development could prove interesting, to say the least. Untapped power that if manipulated properly... could be mine to control. My former kin would stand no chance against me as it is, but if the power of the Slayer were at my command, we would have no need for the ones in the dark below."
"Do not overestimate the powers of the Slayer, brother." Bodhi snarled, still evidently angry with both herself and the wizard before her. "He was little more than an animal... I would be surprised to find out that his friends yet live."
"If that is the case, then we will have nothing to worry about." Irenicus turned to the sparking and thrumming machinery that stood before him, filled with the magic energies he had summoned for his experiments. "Do you think I have not considered the possibilities that arise from this development? Should he turn himself over to the Slayer completely, he will never escape the maze below. His friends will die, and the guilt will eat away at what remains of his mind, leaving him a mindless vessel for the taint within. If he resists it, he will waste his energy and strength suppressing the urges within and will be no match for me when he escapes. Either way he will die, and I will have everything I desire."
Bodhi considered his words; she narrowed her eyes as he went back to his work that she had interrupted. "You are confident... too confident. I have seen the eyes of the beast, brother... you have no idea what kind of fury lay within that one. All of it, directed at you... how much power can you command, Irenicus? Just how much do you think you can control?"
He gave her a withering glare, his cold gaze unwavering. "All of it, Bodhi. All of it."
X X X X X X X
"No… no…" Aerie whispered, almost crying as the Slayer screamed, looking about with the same hatred, the same darkness of soul and intent that had been seen before. Jaheira broke away from Keldorn's grip, whether her intention was to try and talk him down or to attack before the Slayer could do so, it was not sure... but the Slayer was not idle. One of the massive spines that guarded his flesh and scales was thrust out with a backhand, impaling her shoulder as it flung her into the wall beside him. She cried out with the impact, the spine sliding out of the wound easily as she clutched at it, her green eyes fluttering open with anger and pain.
The Hallowed Redeemer raced down, aiming for the back of the Slayer- Minsc grabbed Keldorn's wrists, stopping the paladin just short of slicing into the Slayer's flesh. "No!! You must not hurt him!"
The Slayer heard their altercation; it swung around, catching both Keldorn and Minsc locked together. The two whirled to see the grinning needle-toothed jaws of the Slayer; it punched out with all four arms, sending the pair hurtling. They came up in a roll, Keldorn glancing at Minsc angrily as the ranger rubbed his head. "Can you not see?! He will kill her!"
"There has to be another way!" Imoen pleaded, aiming her bow at the Slayer, though holding the arrow back. "There has to be!!"
The beast regarded her for a moment... it snorted, turning from her. Jaheira was slowly rising, clutching her wounded arm with the other, her spear far away and out of reach. She spat a curse as the beast bore down on her, dropping one hand to pull the dagger from her belt, but she screamed in pain as the demon picked her up with two arms, a third pulling the dagger from her hands and flinging it to the side while the others contracted her, squeezing the life out of her with each second.
"Greywulf… please… this is not you." Jaheira whispered, staring back into the Slayer's blank, monstrous eyes. "Please hear me... Greywulf…"
"If he harms her... if he kills her-" Keldorn growled, his sword at the demon's back, even as Minsc met his gaze.
"Then we will do what must be done." Minsc finished gravely, finally drawing the Sword of Chaos and placing it beside the Hallowed Redeemer. The Slayer glanced behind him once, as though deciding whether or not they were worth his time, then turned back to Jaheira. Putrid steam rose from his jaws as the mist from its breath sprayed in her face with a roar, opening his jaws to bite down upon her unprotected head- she had been muttering an incantation as soon as his eyes had left her, and she finished with no time to spare. Vines sprung from the ground, blasting through the concrete and rock beneath their feet, wrapping themselves around all four arms of the Slayer, tangling between his feet as they fought the raw muscle of the demon.
It took the Slayer by surprise; his arms fell away at once, dropping Jaheira as Minsc flew in like lightning, picking her up and leaping out of the wildly swinging range of the entangled beast. It howled once, and within seconds it was apparent that the creature could not be bound. It snapped the vines like straw, breaking the spell and ripping the vines from the ground that tried to keep his legs unmoving. It fixed on Jaheira, maddened that its prey had escaped. The beast raised one arm, ready to smash the ranger that held her from him-
"Greywulf… you are stronger than this… please hear me. For what we share… please hear me…" Jaheira's weak voice was just barely enough to carry through the chamber; it was as if some insect or annoyance had begun circling the Slayer's head. It shook its head repeatedly, trying to shake off whatever had reached it; it finally stopped, dark eyes falling on Jaheira again, but this time... this time it was different.
This time his eyes were not a deathly black; they were those of a pained mortal, suffering emotionally and spiritually. It gazed down upon the battered and broken body of Jaheira, the blood oozing from her shoulder wound and the broken bones that his iron grip had caused... the blood that rested on those massive, demonic hands. The Slayer looked down at its hands, hunched over and gurgled... shame, anguish, and pain covering its face. It took a step back, holding one arm with another, as though suppressing every ounce of hatred and power that was trying to get out- it turned and bolted, disappearing through the doorway that Bodhi had arrived through.
"Greywulf!" Imoen raised one hand, darting to the doorway, but he was already gone. She whirled to the others, her eyes wide with concern. "C'mon! We have to find him; convince him to come back!"
Jaheira tried to suppress a moan but failed as she slid back down to the ground, clutching her arm tightly. Keldorn grimaced, glancing at Imoen for a moment. "Do you truly think that is wise, all things considered? He nearly killed us all!"
"But he didn't! You saw his eyes... he's in pain! He's suffering!" Imoen insisted desperately, her head whipping back and forth between her companions in search of support. "He's my brother... I won't just let him go like this! Now am I going alone or are ya coming with me?!"
"Child, I can barely move... don't you see that it might be best if we do not find him, for some time, at the least?" Jaheira managed, wheezing for breath as Minsc laid her down gently. Aerie knelt by her, letting the magics of her divine spellcraft seep into Jaheira's body, slowly shrinking the size of the hole in her shoulder, if not closing it completely. "We are all worried for him... but Keldorn's words hold merit. He could have... would have killed me, had we not intervened. Whatever battle rages within him now... it is strong enough for him to seek solace for a time. We should not be hasty in our actions-"
"Hasty?!" Imoen said in disbelief. "He risked everything to save me... all of you did! We owe him that much... please."
Minsc looked down at Jaheira, Keldorn still holding her up... Jaheira exhaled in pain, and then nodded, muttering her own magics to lessen the pain of the wound. Imoen didn't bother to say any more as the five of them pushed forward, following down the path that their friend had fled, abandoning all in his madness. A large presence sidled up next to the young thief-mage as they hurried as fast as Jaheira's wounds would allow them; she glanced up to see Minsc beside her, a somber smile on his face as he met her gaze. She clasped his hand tightly in return, a pleading look on her face.
"I understand how you feel, little Imoen." Minsc whispered, quiet enough that only the two of them could hear. "He is your brother... and your friend. He is Minsc's friend too... and no matter what he fights within, we will be there to help him."
"Thanks Minsc... it means a lot to me. I just... I don't think I can hurt him. Even if it comes down to it, I don't think I can." she said, trying to keep a smile on her face despite the tears beginning to run down her face as she slowly broke down. "He's my brother... an' I love him. I love him too much to hurt him, Minsc..."
"Sometimes... sometimes to show our love, we must do the things that are hardest." Minsc said gently, leaning beside her, to wrap one arm around her shoulder, comforting the sniffling girl. "Minsc knows this will be hard, no matter what. Be strong, little one. Minsc will be strong for both of us."
Imoen nodded, letting Minsc's large hands wipe away some of the tears from her face, the ranger tugging her close as they led the way in pursuit of their lost comrade-
A flurry of wings and motion blew in front of them, stopping the group short as the object in such frantic motion buzzed to a halt before them, spinning in tight circles before finally facing them completely. A small imp, just about as big as Keldorn's torso fluttered before them, his glittering yellow eyes blinking somewhat stupidly as it stared at the wary newcomers. "Hmm... new ones? Mortals? Yes, yes... Me sees you like the ones from before! Happy me is to sees you!"
"We have seen too much treachery and danger down here to brook any tricks or deception." Keldorn declared, drawing his blade and stepping forward. The imp gulped nervously at the sight of the gleaming holy blade, then turned back to the paladin who wielded it, his eyes hinting at suspicion. "Just what do you want with us, little demon?"
"Oh, mees here to help, that's all." the imp nodded vigorously. "You in last section of maze under asylum! Last part of maze. So... now you in real maze!"
"I think he's right." Aerie said nervously, peeking around the corner from where the imp was floating. The path split off in numerous directions, all up and down the hallway that was visible from there. The imp shrugged, or what could be passed as a shrug while floating before them, gesturing behind him. "Big maze. Lots of traps and monsters and stuff... but me helps? Me Riddle Imp. Asks riddles; you gets right, I show you part of way! You gets wrong... I spring traps. Easy, right? You wants to play now?"
"We don't care about your games!" Imoen glared, her eyes still red. "Did you see my brother come this way? You had to have, right?"
"Brother?" the imp frowned. "Brother? No humans I see through here. Just big scary demon. For a moment, me afraid there be new Riddle master for maze. But he just rush through halls of maze. I hear lots of crashing and screaming. Me not want to meet him in maze."
"That's him." Keldorn said grimly, glancing down at Jaheira as though assuring himself of her ability to continue. She suppressed a quivering of the legs, keeping herself up without wobble. She fixed the imp's eyes with her own and ground out, "Can you find him? Is it possible for you to track the demon you saw enter?"
"Oh yes!" the imp beamed, puffing his scrawny little chest out. "His aura of magic easy to follow! Like smell of human sacrifice to Balor! Can't miss!"
"Then you will take us to Greywulf." Minsc frowned, shifting the weight of the Sword of Chaos that he carried in his hands.
The imp nodded and then leaned back, reclining in the air. "Okeday. Times for first question. You answer and me brings you good. Hmm... what haven'ts been asked for a whiles-" Its voice was cut off by a strangled cry as Minsc's hand closed around its throat, a dark edge to the ranger's voice. "Minsc did not ask you a question. He said you will take us."
The imp nodded feverishly, wheezing as Minsc released the miniature demon. It rubbed its neck for a moment, fluttered a bit of a distance from the ranger in case of a repeat performance, then motioned for the group to follow him. Imoen continued on as a woman possessed, never wavering as she tried to stay strong... so hard, so worried about her brother- she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. She turned to see Keldorn standing beside her, his face grim but comforting. "I... I apologize for earlier, Imoen. I was caught in the moment... perhaps I did not consider how traumatic this must be for you."
"No, it's... its okay." she managed, pulling away from him. "I know you're a paladin an' all... gotta keep the Realms safe from evil, right? My brother probably ranks pretty high on that list right now..."
"His fate looks bleak, that is true enough... but there is still good inside him. I saw it in his eyes; you did too." Keldorn assured her as the imp swung left abruptly, the group hurrying to keep up with their guide. "So long as he can fight this beast within, we shall fight it too. I will not give up on him so easily. And... neither should you. Thank you for reminding me of that."
A squeal from the imp ahead caught both their attention; a ground-shaking roar from before them echoed through the stone hallways of the maze. Two large beasts stepped out from the path before them, wielding greataxes with ease. The bull-headed minotaurs snarled and spat, their eyes gleaming with hatred as they fixed upon the five mortals and the imp that backed away, Aerie glaring at the imp with desperation and anger. "I thought you were going to lead us around the traps and monsters?!"
"You tells me to find your friend... you says nothing about monsters." the imp shrugged, quickly darting behind the five he led. "Yous take care of this and I keep leading you. Sounds good?"
"Sounds great." Keldorn growled, raising his sword.
X X X X X X X
Anguish...
Pain...
The sobs of his grief could be heard faintly ringing through the corridors of the hall as he stumbled along, but more so through the corridors of his mind. He lurched to one side as he kept one foot in front of the other, trying to put as much distance between his friends and himself- his tear filled eyes fell upon the sight of his bloodstained hands and his stomach lurched again. He stopped for a moment, feeling his stomach rise again... he would have vomited had he not done so twice already; there was nothing left for his stomach to expel.
He wiped his eyes again, pushing himself forward as he tried to keep his eyes up. Couldn't let them find him. Too much risk... too much risk that he could change again, could kill them- the sight of Jaheira, so wounded and hurt by him drove another shriek from his throat, only drowned by his boot tripping on a stone that sent him to the floor. It was all over... he had failed. Failed them all, failed Gorion, failed his sister... Irenicus could keep his soul, for all he cared now. All he could do was pray for it to end, for some monster to find him and end his life before those he loved found him. Even now, the blood was pounding in his head, demanding to be let loose again... but no. Not again. Never again. Too enticing... too potent. The sound of an earthshaking roar behind him caught his attention; he turned with a tear and blood-stained face, hoping to spy the means to his final end... but there was nothing.
The sounds of battle reached his ears, his eyes widening as he heard an all-too familiar battle cry.
"Minsc... damn you all..." he whispered, pushing himself back up as he kept moving forward. They would find him. He had to keep moving, or they would find him, they would love him, they would do everything in their power to help him... and he would kill them for it. He would rip their arms off, tear their bodies to shreds and feast on their remains- no! The Slayer talking again, whispering things to him, trying to take him again-
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!" he screamed, falling to his knees as he clutched his head, shaking in torment. The whispers subsided briefly; he pried his eyes open, spying a doorway before him. He could still hear his friends in the maze behind him, still fighting... and if he could hear them, they were still too close. He shot forward, hurtling through the doorway and tumbling into the room, hoping to find some kind of solitude, some kind of safety... a reddish light filled the room as he entered, glaring enough to draw his tortured attention.
Greywulf frowned as he gazed to the center of the room- there stood an altar of sorts in the middle, a pedestal in the middle of it. A golden hue covered every inch of the metal and stone, and at the pinnacle of the pedestal sat a gem the size of his head. It was flawless, cut in perfection and beauty unmatched. Almost immediately the whispers started again... but they were different this time. This time it wasn't the harsh, bloodthirsty voice of the Slayer that flowed through his head... it was smooth, silky, enticing. It's words were a blur, indistinguishable... but perfectly clear. It promised anything. Everything. Perfection. Like the gem itself, an entire world of perfection. Everything he had ever desired... all for a touch. Just one... Greywulf found himself on his feet again, slowly stumbling forward, slowly raising one arm as he moved to the gem-
The sound of crunching bone under his feet managed to draw his attention for a half-second; all around the room were bones, some bleached white and others with meat and rotting flesh still hanging off them. Swords and shields all sat unused and covered in cobwebs, all without sign of struggle or battle... just neglected and alone. The highest number lay around the gem itself; many skeletons were scattered by the altar, their positions such that they had fallen... and died, while kneeling at the gem's resting place, their hands raised to the sparkling example of perfection and bliss.
Somewhere, somehow, the bit of Greywulf's rational mind left spoke to him, warned him of the obvious danger... but it was too much. A chance to find happiness. A chance to have everything he had ever wanted. He wasn't sure how, but it would grant it. But most importantly... a chance to keep his friends safe from the taint he carried within. If this gem, so lovely and so desirable in its form... if it had done everything he saw around him- Greywulf reached out without hesitation.
X X X X X X X
"This ways! Come ons, before more of the bullmens come!" The imp screeched in alarm as the five he led did their best to follow, limping and stumbling away from the scene of carnage that lay behind them. The minotaurs had fallen, but not without a terrible price. Keldorn carried Jaheira in his arms, the druid unconscious at last, her wounds far too much for her to do anything but collapse and pray for healing. Aerie had summoned every bit of divine strength she could pray for to help Minsc onward, his every breath a strain after the gash on his chest.
The final leg of this Spellhold gauntlet was proving most costly... it had almost claimed three of their number now, and they had yet to face Bodhi and Irenicus. Imoen wiped the sweat from her brow as they kept moving; they couldn't let him leave. They had to find him... had to! He was their leader, their soul- he was everything to her. She couldn't just let him go like this. She glanced over at Keldorn, still hurrying onward, a sheen of sweat and blood covering both his armor and face. How could he understand?
How could the paladin realize what Greywulf meant to her? He couldn't... couldn't, no matter what he said or tried to express. If it came down to it... she'd do everything in her power to protect Greywulf. If that meant protecting him from Keldorn, she'd do that too. No matter what, she'd never give up on him. Never. The sight of the imp turning a corner changed her path as well, the group as a whole finally entering the room that they had been led too-
"By Torm... what kind of graveyard is this?" Keldorn whispered in shock.
Imoen stumbled back, looking at the dozens of dead men in the room, all the skeletons and former maze-walkers who lay dead in the room... all around the gem in the center. The gem that... that Greywulf was kneeling by-?
"Greywulf!!" Imoen darted forward, avoiding the corpses that littered the chamber. She slid to his side, shaking him, turning his limp body to look at him- his fingers never left the gem, seemingly stuck there by some force that would not be denied. "Greywulf, it's me! It's Imoen!!"
There was no response; she whirled to look at the imp angrily, the demon shaking his head with a sigh. "What happened?! What's been done to him??!"
"Eh... sorries. Me done all me can. Looks like your friends is gone for good. Shouldn't have touched the gem."
"You didn't answer me!" Imoen growled, climbing to her feet and scrambling to the imp, grabbing it with fury in her eyes. "What did this gem do?"
"Okays, okays! Don't be so pushy!" the imp protested, grumbling as it faced the adventurers with him, or at least the ones who yet remained conscious. "Very specials gem. Very specials. Whoever touches it gets vision of new world. Good world!"
"What do you mean, a 'New World'?" Aerie asked, slowly resting Minsc down beside a wall as she moved to treat him with the remaining healing supplies she carried.
"Like... like dream!" the imp brightened. "Think of best dream you ever had! Like one where you big tough Balor with dozens of succubus's... oh, that my dream. Probably not yours. Anyways, think of best dream you ever had. That what gem give you. Make your greatest wish come true... in your mind."
"So he's dreaming then?" Keldorn frowned, laying Jaheira beside Minsc as he uncorked a healing potion, bringing it to her lips. "How do we awaken him?"
"Oh, not really a dream... feels and looks like one though. And you can't's wake him up. Only he can wakes himself up. How gem works." the imp bobbed his head side to side. "But he never wake up, so it kind of moot point, yes?"
"What do you mean he'll never wake up?!" Imoen growled. "Why not?"
"What, you stupid?" the imp laughed. "He in perfect world! Perfect for him, right? Greatest wish comes true in there. Why he want come back here? No one ever comes out of gem. Look arounds!"
Imoen's blood froze as she took in the bodies and corpses of those who had come here, who had touched the gem... and never returned. Their minds had stayed in the gem while their bodies slowly decayed, wasted away... "No!"
Imoen tore herself away from the thought and glared at the gem. "Greywulf wouldn't do that to us! He'll come back!"
"Imoen... I don't know about that." Keldorn's voice was grim as he gazed at the body of Greywulf slumped by the gem. "Think about it... his whole world crumbling around him, brought to the depths of despair... and given a world where all of that is taken from him. All his pain, all his suffering gone. In its place is the perfect world he always wanted... if what the imp says is true, Greywulf is in the closest thing to heaven on earth. Can we truly expect him to come back to this hell so easily?"
The only answer to his question was the echo of the insane little laughs of the Riddle Imp.
