"Excuse me?" It was the first thing Lance had said at the table, nearly slamming his fist down in the process.

Strahd smirked, leaning back before continuing. "Careful Madam Blackfire...wouldn't want to lose what footing I've allowed you to procure here. Now, where was I...ah yes. Now, I don't mean the six people in front of me...no, of course not. No, I mean your mirror images."

Shavvir furrowed her brow, glaring daggers at Lance before responding. "I'm afraid I still don't follow, Count. We'll need any details you can provide if you wish us to accomplish this in a timely manner."

Strahd nodded. "Oh, but of course. I mean that I've been dealing with a bit of an insurrection problem as of late, coming from the north...coming from where your oh-so-secret cave is on your plane. You see, your actions seem to have reverberated as well...and they're the only thing even resembling a thorn in my side. Make no mistake, I am more than capable of expunging them from this plane, but...that's what you're here for. You see I won't be accompanying you on your grand march against tyranny, that's far, far beneath me. I'd like to verify that you aren't sending the soldiers of the Shadowfell to a certain death."

Shavvir nodded. "We understand, Count. Shall we return to you as soon as these rebels have been exterminated?"

Strahd nodded, gesturing vaguely towards the front door. "Oh, quite, In fact, I'll even save you some time...I'd hate for my new brave and loyal warriors to meet their untimely fate at the hands of my defenses. Once you've made your preparations, my entryway shall take you outside of my…"hazards", if you will. Do save some energy for the return trip, however...there's nothing I will be doing for you there."

Shavvir stood up, giving a slight bow. "Thank you for your generosity, Count, it is not misplaced. With that, we will leave you to your peace."

"And thank you, Madam Blackfire...always a pleasure to have guests in these changing times. I'll escort you out."

The front door wasn't far, the statement more Strahd's strategic posturing rather than a show of good faith. The Syndicate knew it for exactly what it was, but wasn't going to argue...they had their way in, and squandering it wasn't on their agenda. Maul hefted Wake onto his shoulder again as the group left, following through the massive double doors as they left. As promised, the Syndicate appeared just past the first ring of Strahd's defenses, the massive stone wall to their backs. Shavvir looked behind her as the others came through, the portal-like tunnel collapsing in on itself as soon as Strahd closed the door.

The shadar-kai looked around...it was certainly an interesting turn of events, to say the least. To think that their actions had reverberated through the planes, that a group such as them existed in not only the Shadowfell, but potentially the Feywild as well...it certainly had some implications. These were potentially like-minded individuals, resistance leaders that could potentially -

"Stop." Shavvir looked over, seeing Phyrra shaking her head. "I know what you're thinking about...I thought about it too. It's not worth it. It's too risky, and that's coming from me."

"Why not?"

"Because let's think about it for a moment." Phyrra held up three fingers, counting them off. "Three resistance leaders, and three Empyrias. That's three groups of individuals searching the planes for allies...except there's not an infinite amount of aid in the planes, is there?"

"But what if we can join those forces? Two resistances against one Empyria."

"Then I think you'd be bold to assume it'd only be one Empyria. Do you think Strahd would simply sit idly by and watch that happen? We made an agreement - a difficult one to uphold at that. Do you think the insurrectionists here would stay within that framework? We'd risk jeopardizing everything we've done up until this point and will do until we return to the Material plane...all while having a fully capable option at our disposal."

"You're...right."

Phyrra withheld her urge to beam, continuing. "Yes...and, beyond that, it eliminates our competition. Like you said, three resistances, three armies...with this, we cut it down to two. Any deals or pacts they may have made wouldn't matter any more. Again, aid is finite...so in helping Strahd with his problem, we're tackling two of ours at once."

Shavvir nodded...it was best to stick with the plan. They'd already made a few enemies in the Nine Hells...at least, they certainly never wanted to run into Tiamat again. Strahd was a powerful creature, made even stronger by Empyria's reign...if there was one entity in the entire Shadowfell to have a good relationship with, it would be him. "Alright. So we know where we need to go, assuming it's back where we came from. It should be…"

The shadar-kai looked around, trying to position herself. They'd walked south while in the Material plane to get to the pit, and turned around since then. It couldn't be too long of a journey to get into the mountains. "That way."

Shavvir's hand pointed high into the mountains, the tops of which nearly pierced the eternal blanket of clouds. Like everything else in the Shadowfell it was more ragged and dreadful than its Material counterpart, and this was no exception. The slopes were steeper, any semblance of plant life was either withered or nonexistent, and frequent rifts in the mountainside would make a treacherous climb just that much more dangerous.

"Before we go...perhaps we should make sure Wake is okay?" Lance looked at the others, blatantly gesturing at his unconscious brother. "Or are we going to ignore that, too? Are we still going to keep throwing each other around for the 'greater goal'?" The glare and snarl on his face was plain as day, Blink gripped tightly in his other hand.

"Lance he's - "

"He's my damned brother, Phyrra." The rogue stepped forward, Blink moving viciously fast towards the drow's neck. "You said you'd protect me, right? Well, in the event that you forgot, that includes him. You leave him behind, you put both of us at constant risk. Now let me make something clear...I'm not moving until he's on his feet. If he's still a...problem...then I'll deal with it. You can trust me on that."

Lance stalked backwards, anger immediately turning to concern as he knelt down next to Wake, trying to jostle his brother back to his senses. It didn't take long for the archer to come to, Wake looked around at the others, noting the lack of concern on everyone but his brother's face. In his head, he felt an alternative persona trying to break free...an angry, spiteful one. The entire past day played out in his mind in an instant...he saw how he let that persona break free, control him...how it turned everyone against him until they had no alternative.

"I...I see I've perhaps lost control. Rest assured, the one you're speaking to now is Wake...the Wake I'd like to believe everyone knows. I realize I've made some mistakes...and I'll be taking the necessary precautions to ensure that doesn't happen again."

Shavvir let out a sigh of relief. "Such as?"

"I...I think it might be a good idea to let someone else take the reins for a bit. I'm well travelled, make no mistake...but I don't think that gives me the right to direct everything. It's clear that you know this place, and there's no need for me to oppose that. Now, with that said, where are we going, leader?"

"Well...to take out ourselves. At least, our representations in this plane. Strahd didn't bother to give us much information on the matter, so I think we'll be improvising on many of the details."

Wake nodded. "Understood."

There was an awkward pause between the two, Shavvir turning towards the mountainside. "Well then, let's go."

The group departed off, most of the day already past them. Only a few short hours later, and they'd already begun preparing an area for the night. As usual, Shavvir and Phyrra opted for first watch...Shavvir was quite interested to have her first conversation with Lolth, or at least to overhear another.

After the others had settled down, Shavvir anxiously looked towards Phyrra. "Is...is it time?"

"I believe so, yes. I will speak with Her...and should she wish to speak with you, I will show you how."

Phyrra closed her eyes once more, focusing on the strand of energy that pointed her to Lolth, to her Queen. "Greatest and most fearsome Lolth, I come to you once again."

That all-powerful voice filled her consciousness once again, consuming her. "Ah, dearest Phyrra...pray tell, what news will you be sharing with me today?"

"The same as last time, my Queen. I believe...I believe that we do not have a choice in this matter. I believe she is in need of your power."

There was a long pause, Lolth's tone coming across skeptical when she finally spoke. "This is quite different from your last message, my devout. What has caused such change in your heart?"

"We march against powerful foes. Without the strength of her previous patron, Shavvir...she is only a liability to us. I know that, should you grant her your gifts as you have me, that will no longer be the case."

"Ah...so this is no longer about just your dear friend, is it? Very well...I stated last that I would not endanger your trust with me, but your new viewpoint gives me concern for if I do not grant this gift...however, I wish to speak with this 'Shavvir' first. One does not forge a contract of this nature with utter strangers."

Phyrra's eyes opened, responding to Lolth one last time. "Yes, my Queen. I will teach her how."

Phyrra looked towards the expectant shadar-kai, Shavvir only growing more anxious when Phyrra motioned for her to come closer. "Close your eyes, Shavvir. Envision Her...envision Lolth. See that image, and reach out to her. Say her name in your mind."

Shavvir did just that, closing her eyes and wrapping her hands around Phyrra's. She envisioned Lolth...it wasn't difficult, the magnificent Spider Queen's image still emblazoned in her mind from their time in the Underdark. The fear, the terror, the awe, the amazement, all of those feelings pushed through her once again, until Lolth's visage was plastered over the center of her mind's eye.

"Lo-". She tried to call out to that image, but it felt...difficult, like trying to talk to someone on the other side of a wall. She focused harder, the image growing more vibrant in her mind, Shavvir trying to recall every miniscule detail she could.

"Lolt-".

"Calm, Shavvir...this is not something you achieve through strength, but peace."

Phyrra's words buzzed in her head, and Shavvir did just that...calm. Lolth's image grew fuzzier, but at the same time seemed to grow even more all-encompassing, expanding to fill the entire canvas of her mind's eye.

"Lolth." This time, it felt like she'd broken through...that she was face-to-face with this deity.

A voice responded back almost immediately. "Ha, ev'uoy deretsam siht raf retsaf naht I thguoht uoy dluow. Tsom evisserpmi."

Phyrra shook her head, responding back to the words...she hadn't the slightest clue what had just been said. "I'm sorry, great Lolth. I'm afraid I do not know the tongue of your people."

The voice that responded back was the same...but clearer. "Yes...Phyrra did indeed mention that. I can accommodate the Common tongue for the time being, lowly as it is. You are a fast learner, Shavvir. You show promise. Phyrra has explained your situation to me, and I must ask. There are thousands of deities at your disposal, and yet you've selected me. Make no mistake, your admiration is flattering...but I wish to know why a servant of the Raven Queen would next choose one so diametrically opposed from her methods of servitude."

"Because I have watched Phyrra...and I have watched her serve you willingly and faithfully from the day we met. She was the one I could trust when I needed it, she was the one to console me when I needed it, and she was the one to teach me when I needed it. Whether that is her person or your teachings that taught her to do things, it reflects positively on you all the same. She has taught me much about you...I know that you can be cruel and wrathful, but you give your followers the ability to choose for themselves, and Phyrra chose to love and comfort. That is not something I have had the benefit of knowing from the Raven Queen...but I wish to know it."

"And tell you...can you be cruel, can you be wrathful? While I do give you your freedom, there will be times you will do as I command...and those commands will not be to love and comfort. This is a pact, a contract, not a relationship. You may wish to serve me, but I wish to know if I want to be served."

Phyrra's mental tone grew more stern, anger and pain flooding through her mind as the memories ran by one by one. "I served the Raven Queen for over a century. I have seen more pain, suffering, and sadness and remained sane through it all whereas weaker individuals would have fallen to madness in mere decades. I have abandoned that contract, but I cannot abandon the memories, or what it did to me. I can hate...I can kill...and I can enjoy it."

There was a playful musing in Lolth's tone. "Excellent...you've been bred into a rather perfect follower, whether you knew it or not. Phyrra will be your mentor...you are fortunate to have my most devout so close to you, in our colony one of her ranking would be untouchable to you...but your circumstance is unique, and one must always adapt to the situation. We shall forge this contract, Shavvir Blackfire. I shall grant you my power and strength, and in return you shall serve me dutifully in all of your days until your life's essence is scattered. Do you accept these terms?"

There was no pause, no hesitation in her mind...she'd had plenty of time to think, and she knew she wanted...no, needed this. "I do."

"Then it is sealed. May my power and gifts serve you well."

"Gifts?"

"Ha...you are mine now, Shavvir. I must mark you as my servant, my property...but such a marking does not come without benefits. Open your eyes."

When Shavvir opened her eyes, the first thing she'd noticed was that Phyrra had moved away from her, Shavvir in prayer all on her own.

The second, was Everlife...a new Everlife. Phyrra had apparently unsheathed it and dug the tip into the rocky ground, the blade standing erect on its own. The blade seemed to shine like polished silver on a full moon, radiating an energy from it...a familiar energy. She watched, however, as the form of a spider carved in black onyx appeared at the center of the cross-guard, eight onyx legs beginning to shoot and stretch across the blade. Two coiled around the hilt, travelling towards the pommel where they melded into a small, red gemstone. Two more stretched across the cross-guard, another, smaller red gem appearing on each end. The final four stretched up the blade in a sinuous, dancing motion, the thin-black tendrils weaving and melding themselves into the metal of the blade. The tendrils disappeared under the ground at the point of the once-simple weapon, a spine of red metal travelling down the length of the blade along the central ridge milliseconds later. The process happened over the span of a few seconds, but to Shavvir it lasted an eternity...for Everlife was reborn.

Shavvir grasped both hands on the weapon, unsheathing it from the ground and holding it upright, the blade pointed towards the sky. It was the perfect image of Lolth...eloquent, beautiful...and yet, intimidating and deadly. Shavvir closed her eyes, forehead resting against the revitalized weapon. "What is my first order, my Queen?"

"Oh, not even a simple thank you? Such gifts of this quality are not given to ones so new into my servitude, but once again...unique times call for unique measures. Phyrra told me you will be encountering swift resistance in the coming days...and I would like to ensure that said resistance knows and trembles at my power."

"I apologize for my dismissal, great Lolth. I do not know the words to properly describe this weapon...it is terrifyingly exquisite, a beauty to lay eyes on. At the same time...I revel to think of the fear it will strike into m-your adversaries. It is everything that I could have hoped for, spoken and unspoken."

"No...it is more. In time you will find I have done more than simply breathe life back into your weapon, but that I have granted it even more than it once was...you will see."

"I...I am most grateful for this gift, my Queen. I am humbled by your ample generosity."

"There...that is better. Now, as for your command. It is my understanding that you intend to travel to the Abyss in the near future. Firstly, you are to ensure that that happens without delay. I am among the infinite residents of the Abyss, and with infinite inhabitants comes infinite enemies. I have left my home in the Abyss for the Underdark...I wish to ensure that any who wish to claim that home are put to a slow, torturous death, one where they have time to reflect over every misdeed in their worthless and insignificant life. You are capable of this, yes?"

A smile formed on Shavvir's face, the cool metal of the blade the only sensation she could feel. "With your power, my Queen...I am capable of anything."

"Excellent. I have high expectations for you, Shavvir. For your sake, I hope that you can live up to them. That will be all for now...my new servant."

Shavvir opened her eyes once more, snapping back to reality. Everlife was still in her hands, embraced by Lolth's gift. It wasn't a dream...everything she'd experienced had been real. She was whole once more...she was a servant.

In front of her, once again, was Phyrra. The drow seemed almost as surprised by Everlife's transformation as Shavvir had been, still gawking at the newly-minted blade. "She must trust you a great deal to create something so precious so early into your contract. It's...it's magnificent."

Shavvir nodded, taking the blade and laying it across her lap, letting her hands run over the blade. The onyx spiderlegs seamlessly melded into the metal, not even the tiniest of crease or groove from where it intersected with the silvered blade. "It is...and I have Lolth to thank for it. And, by extension...you."

"Yes, well…" Phyrra hid her face, looking back towards the others. "You might not realize it, but you were praying for over an hour...don't worry, it usually only seems like minutes to me as well. We should wake Lance and Maul, let them take watch...I think it's been an eventful enough evening."

"That it has...and at least for me, a tiring one. I could use some rest...though given how hard those two have been training, I doubt I'll get much of it."

"I think it's for the best, though...Lance is still figuring out who he is and what happened to him. He's...he's a better soul than the rest of us, something akin to a moral compass in this rush that we've been on. It's necessary for him to feel comfortable in his own body, and to grow confident. We're headed to darker places than this soon...I think a moral compass might be what we need to keep our sanity."

Shavvir nodded. "Agreed on every point, I think Lance's training is for the better, and I'm glad Maul has found at least one person here that's...not a polar opposite...it's just quite a racket."

Phyrra stifled a chuckle, standing up from her kneeling position and walking back towards the others. "Yes...on that, I wholeheartedly agree."

The changing of the guard occurred, Maul and Lance taking over where the women started. Several hours of training commenced, the two pushing themselves to their limits, Lance still learning what had happened to him...even more questions popping up after today's experiences. He'd...he'd nearly died again, but this time it was different. There were voices...and though he'd never seen them before, he knew who they were. The voices of all that had died. They'd...they'd responded to his questions...all except one. He still didn't know if Sariel was dead or not...that was the only question he didn't get an answer to. Perhaps it was because Phyrra had brought him back to life...or perhaps the spirits of the dead didn't know, or couldn't know.

Eventually, the two reached the end of their training, transitioning over to Wake and Zaelynir. The two sat in silence for the majority of their watch, the incubus eventually cutting the silence.

"So, dearie...still have that head of yours on straight?"

"Oh, speaking out in the open are we? Fair enough...suppose it's no different at night. Yes, I'm still me. I...I feel that person that I turned into. It's still in my head, like an itch that just wants to be scratched. It's growing uncomfortable to keep it at bay, but I'm doing what I can."

"Oh…" Zaelynir paused...that description wasn't like the Shadowfell's effect that he knew of. "Well, I suppose as long as it's in check, there's no pause for concern. Poor Lance said he'd be taking care of it should things go awry again...just a hot tip."

"Thank you, I suppose. However, I've also got questions...but not for Zaelynir."

The incubus' expression immediately turned serious, wings folding defensively close. "Ah. Wishing for a chat with Thava, is it?"

"Not quite. Belgleth...why do you keep that hidden away?"

"Wake." Zaelynir looked directly at him, no playfulness left in the incubus. "Is this really a conversation you wish to have now?"

"Well...let's put the facts together. You're rather apprehensive about talking about it, clearly. The Abyss is the next place we're going to head to, and you've got strong ties there...as does Belgleth, but it sounds like for very different reasons. You heard Zariel...if they have suspicions as to your personas, the Abyss does too. All I want to know is what to expect, and to plan appropriately. Whether your name and faces are a liability or an asset."

"As I've said, I have dutifully served Orcus for - "

"And we have to get to Orcus. All of us. I'm sure once we're there all your honeyed words will do just nicely, but that's irrelevant until we're face to face with him. I'm...no stranger to the Abyss. You can get lost there easily, even if you've lived there for millenia. Do you dispute this?"

Zaelynir shook his head. "No, dear...no I do not. Now, let me make something rather clear. I...Belgleth will have this conversation, should you wish to have it. Consider it a separation of personalities, if you will...it makes it easier to keep my various personas distinct. That being said, I would much rather you simply trust me that this is not a conversation worth having."

"Belgleth. We deserve the truth."

Zaelynir rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Fine...have it your way, hun." With that, he began to change once again. Facial features softened as his body shifted like putty beneath his armor, feminine features overtaking masculine ones in mere seconds, eventually the visage of Belgleth staring back at the archer. "So...where do I start?"

"How about starting with why you don't get to see the light of day much anymore. Why there's only a few powerful people you can show your face to. I think that's as good a place as any."

"Well doll...for you, I suppose I can. Let's see...I'd been serving Orcus for quite some time, but always serving from the shadows. People like me, with my skill sets, like yours? We don't get the spotlight much. However Orcus, Orcus was pleased with what I'd done...all the people I'd killed and brought him, all the loyal and undying servants he'd made from them. He continued pushing me on more dangerous assignments."

"And?"

"And I grew cocky...and eventually, I was caught. I was sent to take out one of his more troublesome adversaries. Everything was going rather well until I ran into another assassin...hired for the same task."

"By Orcus?"

"I don't believe so hun, but I didn't ask. I got jumped...turns out when you put two assassins on the same target, we'll fight over who gets the credit. In the end neither of us did...the commotion drew enough attention that we were quickly overwhelmed. The...the scars took time to heal, but that did us in."

Wake nodded along as the tale was told. "So then, you were identified as an assassin...I'm sure that doesn't do well for one's reputation. Why, then, are you not universally shunned? If they know your face as a bringer of death, will they - "

"Because Orcus has allies...not many, mind you. Demon politics, if you can even call it that, is messy. Orcus' enemies are the enemies of many others. I've inadvertently aided others in my actions, solely because they have similar enemies to Orcus."

"That, I can understand. However, devils? I know Bel stepped on both sides of the War, but surely that's not widespread. Why would any of them perceive you as an ally?"

"That, my darling...will have to wait for another time." Belgleth smirked, blowing a playful kiss towards Wake, the archer simply rolling his eyes. Belgleth began to change form once again, stature growing and figure shifting as the familiar form of Zaelynir returned. "I think we can both agree you've heard more than enough, yes?"

"No...I don't think we can. We all have reason for our secrets, Belgleth. Make sure yours don't get the rest of us killed."

"My dear, Zaelynir is piloting at the - "

Wake stood up, walking closer to the incubus until he was practically standing overtop of him. "No...say what you want about your personalities, but we both know Belgleth is the one truly in control here. She dictates everything. She's the one I'm concerned with. You can continue to play these games, but at the end of the day you're just a shapeshifter. Your memories and knowledge don't change. Now come on… the others are about to rise, and I've the decency to make sure they don't catch wind of this."

There was a frustration burning behind Zaelynir's eyes - the incubus tried not to show it, but Wake could see it - he'd done his best to hide such frustrations many times in the past. "Very well then...for another time."

The two continued their watch in silence, less than a half-hour passing before the first of the others began to rise. They tore down their meager camp quickly, nearly ready to begin their journey up the mountain before Shavvir motioned for everyone to gather around.

"I don't know if everyone picked up on it earlier...but there is no Raven Queen anymore. I've abandoned my ties to her. We're not doing this by any divine mandate anymore...we're doing this because we've decided to. I figure everyone should know that before we go any further."

"So...your power is gone? Your magic came from the Raven Queen, right? So without it, you're…" Lance asked with genuine curiosity - had it come from others, Shavvir might have taken it as a prodding into her weaknesses, but it seemed Lance simply cared about her wellbeing.

Shavvir nodded. "For the past few days, yes...I've simply been me. However...I have a new patron now. One that I've grown to appreciate since beginning this journey with the rest of you...one that I know will not scorn me like the last." Shavvir unsheathed her sword, holding the glistening silvered blade in the air for a few seconds before turning it on end, planting the tip into the dirt. "Lolth guides my actions now...She has blessed me enough with this blade, and to grant me Phyrra as my teacher and mentor. I am not deserving of either, and yet I stand with both. I just wished to let the rest of you know, in hopes to explain any unexpected behaviors these past few days. I learned some...unsettling information when I returned to my village. That is the spark that lit the fire."

"Combat capabilities altered. Requesting reformatted explanations."

"And I'll give them to you in time, Maul...but unfortunately, I'm still learning much of this myself. I don't know how much changed, and to what severity it has. I believe Lolth's intent was to preserve as much as she could - Everlife's original power has been restored, though I've been told there are new secrets to find within this blade. As for my magic...time will tell. I know that's not the ideal circumstances given what we're about to carry out, but I felt it best to warn everyone rather than leave you in the dark." Maul didn't seem pleased with the response, but there was nothing he could do to alter it. This world of magic, deities, pacts...it was the one thing he had to rely on the others to understand.

"I believe I owe you an apology. Had I known something this serious was happening, I never would have - "

"Nonsense, Wake. That wasn't you. You don't have to do anything."

"I...okay. Thank you." Wake turned to the side, looking towards the ground. Back then, it still had been him...mostly, anyways. He'd just been so caught up in finding the rat in their group that he hadn't trusted her. He was fine to keep that silent for now...if Shavvir didn't care, he wouldn't either.

"Now, unless there is anything else to discuss, I think it's time we meet ourselves?"

"Lead on." Wake spoke for the rest of the Syndicate...he'd handed over the mantle of leadership, but, now that he seemed back to his senses, that didn't diminish the authority the others saw in him.

Shavvir nodded, sheathing Everlife in its scabbard, looking up towards the mountainside. There was a high chance they could reach it by nightfall, so long as they moved quickly. The shadar-kai'd never been to this portion of the Shadowfell before, so there was no tactical advantage to be had here. The razor-sharp peaks would be a new challenge for her as well.

The group set out, immediately working up the cliffs. Progress was expectedly slow, climbing gear not something they'd had the foresight to bring with them. Many times they were blockaded by sheer cliffs on the mountainside, Zaelynir having to fly up and scout for alternate ways around. Backtracking became the regular, massive chasms in the sheer rocks creating pits that seemingly descended down to the core of the Shadowfell littered across the mountainside. After several hours, it felt like they were no further than before, the clouds still impossibly high in the sky while their camp was still visible from this altitude.

"We need a different tactic." Shavvir took a break, leaning against a spire of rock in an attempt to find purchase.

"Such as?"

"It will help if we know where you're going. Zaelynir...come here."

"Oh? And what pleasures await me?" The incubi sauntered over to Shavvir, nearly falling amidst the loose rubble of the cliffs.

"I can give you more cover...for an hour or so. See if you can find any sort of cave structure around here...anything that might suggest inhabitants. If this group is anything like us, we've already made our presence known simply by journeying this far without direction. If we can locate them and find their blind spots, potentially even locate how they travel to and from here, then we've got a better chance of getting there in one piece. Remember, one hour...after that, the invisibility fades off." Shavvir placed her hand on the incubus, pulling from Lolth's gifts within herself and channeling outwards. Spots of Zaelynir's skin began to blink from existence, and within seconds all of him had vanished.

"Oh my...a whole hour? To think of the fun we cou - "

"Just go. For our sake." Wake motioned towards the sky, the sound of beating wings quickly following.

"Always playing hard to get...I'll break that shell soon enough…" The voice trailed off as Zaelynir flew away, the others remaining on the mountainside.

"Now, as for me...I'm going to try something as well. Wake, the Ethereal Plane exists here, right?"

The archer furrowed his brow, but nodded. "Yes...why do you ask? I can't be there very long, not without further training."

Shavvir smiled, holding out her sword. "Not you...me. I've picked up some tricks along the way...and now, I finally have the power flowing through me to put them into practice." With that, Shavvir shunted herself into the Ethereal plane, the entire world turning silvery-white around her.

A few moments later, she saw another form enter, right where Wake had been talking to her previously. "I can't stay long. It's easy to get lost in here, Shavvir...dangerous if you get trapped inside something. Make sure to - " As quick as he appeared, he vanished...whatever it was Wake had to say, he hadn't the time to say it.

No matter...she could take care of herself. Shavvir looked around her, her vision nothing but a silver blanket not far out, only a brief set of defining features surrounding her. Perhaps this hadn't been the best idea...her hope had been to see underground, to try and spot where her adversaries were hiding from within, but it would be blind wandering in order to even come close to finding anything within this mountain. Still, she had a good portion of a day that she could spend here, plenty of time to give it a reasonably thorough search. She set off, descending straight into the mountain in this world where boundaries meant nothing.

Within minutes, any sense of direction was lost. The inside of a mountain had no defining features, no contours to give even a brief glimpse of vision. Shavvir tried ascending, rising high enough until eventually the top of the mountain was above her, enough that she could at least keep track of where she was...that was important. With that set she continued forward, riding just beneath the mountain's ridge as she floated along its peaks, flying through chasms and pitfalls, soaring over steep ledges and jagged spines. The terrain was nothing...and after a while, she stopped paying attention to it.

It was hard to tell just how long she'd spent in here...or how far she'd travelled. She'd felt herself climb higher and higher up the mountain, but there'd been no sign of any form of life anywhere. The shadar-kai considered turning back...she could still feel the invisibility spell active, meaning that Zaelynir could still be searching as well. Once that wore off, she'd return back...wouldn't want to keep the others waiting too long.

Shavvir continued onwards, now reaching one of the highest peaks in the entire mountain range. It was difficult to tell if she'd passed the cloud cover or not, but her gut told her that she had...she'd climbed high enough for it, anyways. Still, no sign of anything...but she had to be close. She'd searched almost the entire mountainside at this point, to her best judgement.

At that moment, she felt the invisibility wear off...Zaelynir would know how long it'd last, which meant he'd be back with the group. She needed to return as well. She'd been searching for nearly an hour at this point, and didn't have the slightest estimate how long it would take her to get back. Still...to go all this way, and not find what she was looking for. It felt like a waste...of her power, as well as Lolth's.

Such internal debates could wait, however...her duty at the moment was to her companions. She began descending the slope of the mountain, following it back down, past the presumable cloud cover. Everything looked...foreign. Her focus had been on anything anomalous, and the mountainside was anything but that. Quickly Shavvir realized that she didn't know where she was...or where anything was.

She couldn't afford to leave the Ethereal plane...if she was deep in enemy territory, that would be a death sentence. This was what Wake had been trying to warn her about...how easy it was to get lost in this place. She continued following the ridge for what felt like half an hour...nothing looked familiar at all.

She took a turn further downwards, towards the ground. Perhaps she could retrace her steps from the bottom of the mountain...she'd paid attention to the way up, after all. If she could find their starting position, she could follow it to the group. However, even that proved futile...with such low visibility, it was impossible to tell just where they'd started...without the bigger picture, it was impossible to do nigh anything.

With no other options left, Shavvir began aimlessly wandering...it was all she had. Up and down the mountainside, time growing ever-meaningless. She scoured each and every ridge, trying to find something, anything that looked familiar to no avail.

Eventually, she found the Syndicate...or at least, she hoped. Five figures resting at a break in the mountainside...it fit the description. Shavvir threw herself from the Ethereal plane, landing on her hands and knees in front of the others.

"You're back!" Phyrra reacted immediately, taking a quick step towards her and throwing her arms around the Shadar-kai. That gave Shavvir a moment of relief...perhaps not everyone would be angry at her.

"How long...have I been gone?"

Maul answered, not breaking his blank gaze towards the horizon. "Five hours, twenty-three minutes, forty-seven seconds."

Shavvir stared wide-eyed at the ground...five hours? No...it couldn't have been that long. It felt like two, maybe three at the worst. But five? She'd thrown away their entire plans for the day, and all for naught.

"I told you to be careful, Shavvir. The Ethereal plane is safe from many dangers, but not yourself. What did you find?" Wake was crouched down against a spire of rock, tuning his bowstring.

"Nothing, unfortunately. It all...blended in."

Wake nodded. "Sounds about right. It takes practice in there. You'll never be able to see farther, but you can keep from getting lost. If I could stay in there longer myself, perhaps I could teach you...for now, best I can do is simple words. Keep track of everything. The moment you stop paying attention, the moment you're lost. I'm surprised you got back at all, honestly. My first time I wasn't so fortunate. Anyways...that's another story. Zaelynir, why don't you brief her."

Shavvir looked up, brushing herself off and getting off the ground to face Zaelynir. "You found something?"

The incubus nodded. "It's only ten minutes by air...probably means a couple hours on foot. I'm rather impressed, honestly...they did their best to hide it. Better than us, even. Hidden entrance with an illusory blockade. If I didn't know illusions so well, I don't think I'd have spotted it...but that's what I'm here for, isn't it?"

Shavvir let out a sigh of relief...it hadn't all been for naught, then. They had a lead, and they could follow it. "Okay. Let's go. We can still make it by nightfall if we - "

Wake shook his head. "No...right now, you need rest. You've been wandering for hours in there...I know how that feels. Take a breather, the rest of us have. We can get back to it in an hour and still be there at nightfall. I know you said that the Shadowfell is dangerous at night, and I don't disagree...but I think we have our fair share of advantages in the darkness as well."

Shavvir nodded. "Okay...I'll let you know when I'm ready to set out again." Shavvir fell back to the ground again, finding purchase against one of the rocky spires to lean back against. She closed her eyes, thrusting herself towards that far-flung place...a place she wished to return to.

"Lolth." She didn't struggle this time, immediately making the connection to her patron. She could visualize the Queen of Spiders, but didn't need to...there was a serenity to her thoughts now, one where Lolth fit better as a voice, rather than a being.

"My my...quite a talkative one, aren't you? What is it that you come to me with, my servant?"

"Nothing to report...I simply wish to apologize for misusing your gifts. I shall be more careful with them in the future."

"Nonsense." Shavvir was almost startled by the severity of the word, a hint of scolding coming across in Lolth's tone. "You have misused nothing. My gifts are yours to use to further my goals. Tell me. Did you learn something from this supposed misuse?"

"I did, my Queen."

"Then it is not misuse. It is adaptation and evolution. Should you make the same mistake again, then it will be a waste of my gifts. Do not misunderstand me...I am not disappointed. Yet."

That final word resonated in Shavvir's mind...yet. She'd spent her life in fear of disappointing the Raven Queen, for fear that disappointment could have permanent repercussions. She was sure Lolth meant that word as a warning, to strike fear...as a reminder of who was in charge. However, Shavvir found it comforting...comforting to know that one failure, or perhaps even a second, would not be her undoing.

"Thank you for your generosity, my Queen. I assure you that it is not misplaced."

"As well it should not be. I will continue watching you, Shavvir. Should you fail to meet my expectations, I will know. And should that time come, I expect you to use your judgement on how to handle it. I am your patron...I am not your teacher. That is Phyrra's duty. Use her well."

"Thank you for that gift, my Queen. I will not disturb you any longer." With that, Shavvir severed the mental connection, closing her eyes. The conversation brought a wave of peace through her...the mere fact that she could have such a conversation was relief enough, but that Lolth was...understanding? Perhaps 'accepting' was a better word for it. That Lolth was understanding almost seemed to humanize Her, something that was a completely foreign concept to Shavvir, but a welcome one.

After her prayer, the shadar-kai kept her eyes closed, simply continuing the rest. Stress rolled off of her, the short communion with her deity doing more to calm her than anything else. Eventually, she opened her eyes, the others in various states of rest as well.

"Alright...I appreciate your patience. Are we ready to depart?"

Wake nodded, as did the others. "I believe so. Are you ready?"

"Yes, thank you." Shavvir looked towards Zaelynir, the incubi almost smug standing in the corner. "Lead the way."

Work's absorbing more of my time and energy. I want to have more time for writing than I currently do. I don't know if its messing with quality too much, but there are days I wish I could write where I just don't have the energy to. That being said, I'm not backing down on my promise to finish this, so stay tuned for more. Next chapter will be wrapping up the Shadowfell portion of this, and onto...whatever's next!