Fray

It is late, in the midst of devastation,

Full of hate, full of bloody lacerations,

Defying fate, I lunge in desperation.

Yet he evades, despite my frustration.

No delays, I can't last much longer.

In this fray, my adversary is stronger.

In this place, resilient in this struggle,

I see his face, the source of my troubles.

Setting pace, I rush at him with force.

With grace, like the speed of a horse,

I fight back, striking him with no remorse.

I press the attack, fighting with no recourse.

Blow after blow, I deliver him a beating.

My stamina's low, my hands are bleeding.

The air is cold, unrelenting and freezing.

But hope grows, as I am still breathing.

No delays, I will not yield or retreat.

In this fray, I accept victory or defeat.

Chapter 3: Fight

Devin's POV:

For the first time in the dungeon, Devin dreamt of Imoen.  Or so he thought.  He saw her face, beautiful but yet stained with tears.  He heard Imoen speak, but he could not discern the words.  Her voice however, was replete with sadness.  But she was also holding him, protecting and nurturing him within her arms.  For once in all the time he spent in his captivity, Devin felt at ease. 

Slowly, the image of Imoen faded as Devin gradually regained consciousness.  He awoke to hear sobs.  Still weary and weak, he attempted to move but could not.  Someone had pressed his or her body around him in an inescapable embrace.  He panicked momentarily but quickly relaxed into this familiar presence.  He knew this person all too well, her scent, her sobbing voice, her body. 

"Imoen?  Am I dreaming about you again?  Or did my dream finally come true?"

There was an initial gasp, followed by silence. 

"No silly… I'm right here."  Imoen said between sniffles.

Devin felt Imoen cuddle him even tighter.  So tight that he was struggling for breath.

"Ah... Immy.  I…I can't breathe."  Devin managed to murmur, but his muffled words only translated into jumbles of incoherence.  But Imoen realized what was going on.

"Oh!  Sorry…  I was so worried about you.  What did that bastard do to you?  You look awful.  He's gonna pay for this.  I brought everyone here to rescue you Dev."  Imoen said rapidly, her excitement over his wakeful state was evident. 

"I… I don't know.  It's been ages… It was horrible though." Devin lowered his head, his miserable face shrouded by the darkness.

"Dev… I'm sorry I came too late.  Everything will be okay now."  Imoen said as she ransacked her backpack. "Here, I have some potions of healing with me.  Drink."  She offered him the potions with one hand as she caressed his cheek with the other.

"Imoen, I missed you so."

"I missed you too.  We'll get you out of here.  But you need your rest.  And I need to…"  Imoen leaned over to whisper in Devin's ears.  "Take care of that abomination on your neck.  I'll hug you and neutralize that collar's enchantment in the process.  Just stay still while I'm at it, alright?  They'll never expect a thing."  Imoen winked.

They embraced each other, snuggling in each other arms.  Devin felt Imoen's fingers fiddling with his collar as she chanted a barely audible spell.  Devin felt a tingling sensation around his collar, but it quickly faded.

"Done."  She whispered to him.  "How do you feel now?"

"I… I feel a little better I guess."  In his fatigued state, Devin was unable to hold up a conversation.  He was glad to see Imoen, but he lacked the spirit right then to express it.  Imoen did not mind, however.  

"That's okay.  You'll meet the rest of the party tomorrow morning.  I got a plan.  You probably know already, but Rezeren plans to fight you in a death match.  With that collar around your neck he has the advantage and could manipulate us.  But now that you're rid of it…  When ya get your equipment back, we'll set up an ambush.  He won't know what hit him…!"

"Imoen.  I don't think I can do it.  I'm too weak right now.  I feel like I could barely stand…"

"Dev, don't be that way.  There's no other choice.  We have to fight.  Please Devin, we can win this together!"

Devin shook his head.  All the pain, all the torture, it had distorted his senses, his character, his hope.  At this moment, not even Imoen could lift his disconsolate state of mind.

"I… I'm so tired of fighting.  I just want to be left alone…"

"Devin no…Don't-" 

Devin heard Imoen's desperate pleas but he didn't want to face his troubles anymore. Ignoring her, he turned around and faced the corner of the cramped cell.  He wrapped his arms around his knees, sheltering his head between them.  I'm tired of everything.  I just want to be alone.  I just want to fade away…  Devin thought to himself.

"Dev… You told me once that you loved me.  So why are you giving up now…"  Imoen began to weep once more.  But this time, she did so as she ran out the door, carrying the only light source along with her.

Engulfed by total darkness, Devin did not respond for a long time.  When he finally spoke to himself, his voice was labored as he fought against tears.  "Imoen, I do love you..."

Devin felt a splash of cold water sting his face, startling him out of a dreamless and lonely sleep.  Several guards stood in his cell, including the infamous Toad.

"You come with us now.  Master waits."  Toad said grudgingly, as if he was being too kind for not torturing him at the moment.

"Sorry, I don't take orders from mongrels."  Devin retorted.

Toad immediately rushed forth, and brought one of his mighty hands down upon Devin's face in an attempt to crush it.  The other guards quickly intervened, pulling the berserk half-orc back, restraining him from further madness.

Devin rubbed his cheek.  Toad, when this is all over.  I'll make sure you suffer through all my agony.  He thought bitterly.   

The guards escorted Devin out solemnly.  Toad took the rearguard, his comrades making sure he stayed far away from Devin after the incident.

Sunlight greeted Devin when they finally reached outdoors.  He hadn't seen what it was like in the open for so long that the beams momentarily blinded him.  But the warmth of the sun's radiance was a welcoming respite to him.

A legion of Rezeren's men stood in two file formations for as far as the temple reached.  There must have been at least five hundred of them. 

Devin did not let their numbers or their loathsome glares intimidate him.  He walked past them as if they were statues.  All eyes are on me.  But I should at least try…

At the end of the contingents, he saw his old companions.  Their presence instantly enlivened his hope and confidence, at least to an extent.

"I can't believe you guys all made it this far to find me."  Devin grinned smugly.

"Yes, but if it weren't for Imoen, we would never have learned of your fate."   Jaheria replied.  "You don't look well at all Devin.  In fact, you look very frail."

"Well, let's see.  No access to sunlight, weeks of deprivation and torture.  Any normal and sane human being would've surely died from a day of such conditions.  You should be glad I'm still in one piece, Jaheria."

"And that I am.  We will take care of this.  Just make sure you stay alive for your part."

"Yes!  Minsc and Boo will write this injustice with swords and hamster fury!"

Devin quickly turned to the half-witted ranger and gave him a big hug.  "Minsc!  I'm so thrilled to see YOU that I could kiss you!"  Oops, perhaps that was an overstatement.  Devin thought as he saw the gawking faces of his companions. 

Even Minsc was perturbed by that statement.  "Minsc is not familiar with kissing men.  But Boo would like a peck on his cheek.  He missed you!"

"Err, Minsc.  It was a joke.  I didn't mean it literally."  Devin winked and nudged him playfully.

"Ha.  That must be yer dark secret, Dev."  Imoen teased.

Devin hadn't noticed Imoen until she spoke.  "Gods Immy, You jump on every opportunity to pick on me!"

"That's cause yer such an easy target, goofball."  Imoen stuck her tongue out.

"Grrr, come here you!"

The party shared a laugh as Devin attempted to chase Imoen, who prompted a cat and mouse game as she nimbly dashed between the party members, using them for cover.

Jaheira sighed.  The half-elf was the only person not sharing the laugh.  She was so accustomed to Devin and Imoen's daily charades that she grew tired of it.

"Alright, that is quite enough."  Keldorn said between chuckles.

"Aye, ye kids play yer bloody foreplays in bed, not in a battlefield."  Korgan snorted.

Both Devin and Imoen halted after that statement, their faces now growing immensely crimson. 

"Ahem.  I believe we still have a mission to accomplish.  Isn't that right Imoen?"  Jaheira reminded her.

"Oh right!"  Imoen hesitated, but took out a ring from her pack.  "Then here's your stuff back, Jaheria.  Your druid's ring."  She took out the rest of the equipments and handed them out accordingly.  "And Korgan, here's the giant strength girdle.  Kel, your dexterity gauntlets.  And Minsc, umm...  Here's Boo…  Sorry guys… Heh heh, I couldn't resist when you had your backs turned..."

All the party members were stunned, except for Devin.

Damn she's still good.  Devin thought.  Good thing I don't have anything valuable with me right now.  But why is everyone staring at me...  And why do my legs feel so cold!?  Instinctively, Devin looked down, to see his pants were down on the ground, his waist belt stolen. 

"Hehehe."  Imoen giggled gleefully.  "How's the weather down there, Dev?"  Sticking her tongue out again, she waved the belt at Devin.

"OH GODS!  GIVE IT BACK RIGHT NOW!"  Devin shouted and the chase resumed.

"Nature preserve us..."  Jaheria sighed deeply.  "Here we go again."

When things finally settled down, Devin knew he had no more time to spare.  "Friends, I should get going."

Imoen could only nod.  "Dev, you know the plan."  She said softly, not giving away her secret to the nearby solders.

Devin smiled.  "Yeah.  Good luck."

"You too, and be careful."  Imoen leaned over and kissed Devin on the cheek. 

Taking Imoen by surprise, Devin captured her into a hug then, as tightly as she did the night before.  Devin felt Imoen succumb to her worries when she started to tremble in his arms.  "Please… be careful."  Imoen reminded him through broken whispers. 

As of now, Devin did not fear any afflictions, not even a painful death.  What he dreaded was spending the afterlife without Imoen by his side.  A desolate and cruel fate that would be.  He realized he did not want to be alone after all. 

Reluctantly, Devin parted ways with his companions.  But this time, he was determined to fight, and to win.

"All your belongings are here."  The guard who escorted Devin said.  They were in a small tent, with little maneuver space to spare.   

"That's great.  Now if you would excuse me, I'll have to change."  Devin glanced expectantly at the soldier who hesitantly obliged. 

With no one to spy upon him, the former Bhaalspawn brought out the ring for a closer look.  The reunion gift Imoen gave him just before their departure, it was intricately designed, with ornate golden scrollwork and a deeply scarlet ruby mounted in the center.  It was warm to the touch.  Imoen had one too, but she kept hers on.  The plan was for him to put his on when he confronted Rezeren.  The two rings will glow and bond the two owners' awareness.  Though the bonding effect will only last an instant, it will set the plan into motion.  Devin worried about the rings authenticity however, since they were not able to test them with all the soldiers around. 

Devin examined and appraised his equipment.  Much of it was still intact.  His two swords, Daystar and Celestial Fury, remained well polished.  He tested each one of them, offering the air a few slashes and thrusts.  Still steady.  Devin thought.  He looked down on the Girdle of Stone Giant strength he had already equipped.  It still worked.  The surge of new strength he felt confirmed that to him.  I could've just smashed that poor guard's face with my fist to prove it.  He mused. 

Devin had equipped most of his accessories when he spotted his most beloved and prized possession, the Aslyferund chain mail.  A testament to elven enchantments, it was an armor that allowed arcane spellcasting when worn.  A benefit Devin will no doubt make use of, in the inevitable confrontation.

"You must hurry, My lord has demanded you face him now."  The guard apparently had been ordered to escort Devin out without further delay.  He looked very nervous when he saw the new attire which graced Devin.

"Lead the way."  Was all Devin said.

The arena was titanic.  It was, in actuality, the dome area of the temple.  It had seated most of Rezeren's warriors with his prestigious commanders in the lower stands.  The less capable soldiers were only allowed to stand.  Devin glanced about the crowds but found no signs of his companions.  He had a fleeting doubt that they had abandoned him, but quickly disregarded it.

The warrior bard walked forth, a cascade of boos greeted him in loud cacophonies.  Devin ignored their taunts and insults, though the foods thrown at his direction were harder to shrug off. 

"So, you are finally prepared.  You do look splendid, for a man ready to die."  Rezeren declared.  He stood with his hammer and shield ready in the center of the arena.  His blue dragon scale armor a sight to behold.

"I could say the same for you."  Devin replied.

"Oho.  Confident, aren't we.  A shame you lack humility."

"Likewise."

"Are we to exchange insults for all eternity or are we to settle it with blood?"  Rezeren complained impatiently.

"We will.  As soon as we witness some spectacular fireworks."  Devin said in a matter of fact tone.

"Fireworks?"

Rezeren's puzzled expression produced a wicked smile on Devin's face.  He took out the ring, and lazily put it on his finger.  It began to glow as seconds passed by.

Then, the complex grew red as an enormous comet bore down on the contestants. With terrifying speed, it smashed into the earth in a coruscation of sparks and fire.  The explosion sent incinerated bodies and parts of bodies flying, scattering them all across the arena stands.  Scores of Rezeren's men were utterly reduced to ashes after the fiery impact, many more were left in a state of paroxysm. 

The magnitude of the blast caused a hurricane as waves of violent currents swept past the arena, ruffling Devin's hair but otherwise, he remained motionless.

Rezeren lay on the ground, his face caked with blood and ashes.  Nevertheless, he stood up and dusted himself off.

"Spectacular indeed.  But now, you die a quick death."  He promptly began to chant a spell.

The time clicked by.  Devin started to whistle a melody as he stood tapping his foot.  "I'm waiting…"

"Talos' Wrath!  The spell is not working!?   Who has interfered with my enchantment!?"

"You may thank Imoen for that, priest." 

"That sniveling whore!  I should not have permitted her visit!!  Damn her to the Nine bloody Hells!"

"Your anger is wasted, Rezeren.  And here I thought you were going to direct all that negative energy on me."  Devin grinned as he removed his collar and threw it down on the ground, crushing it with one of his feet.

"You mock me?"  Rezeren snarled.  "For Talos!"  He stormed toward Devin, his warhammer smashing down, directly at Devin's face.

Devin evaded the blow just in time to deliver his own swing, a vicious whirling slash with his twin swords.  The slicing blades met steel however as Rezeren parried, fending off the attack.

"You must know that I seek revenge not because I bore any love for my brother.  He is  irrelevant.  I do it solely because it is a principle belief of Talos.  For vengeance pleases my Lord."  Rezeren spoke hastily as he knocked away the swords, disengaging himself from the melee.

"I've told you, your God means nothing to me.  You are merely a pawn for a greater being."  Devin replied as he jumped toward Rezeren, pivoting Daystar as he thrust with it.

Just as the sword might have skewered him, Rezeren whirled aside, bringing his warhammer down at the end of his circular turn, bearing down on an unbalanced Devin.  Once again, their weapons collided as Devin raised his swords in the nick of time.

 "Pawn or not, I shall prove to you that Talos reigns as destruction incarnate.  Your petty dead father was weak.  Not fit to rule.  A mere mortal bested him!"  Rezeren shouted as he bashed the swords aside with his shield.

"I care not for my father, he was a thorn in my side."  Devin replied as he exchanged flurries of sword strokes directed at various parts of Rezeren's body, all parried or blocked by the priest.  But as Devin delivered blow after crushing blow, his opponent seemed to tire.  For a moment, Devin's fervent technique seemed to pay off.   Rezeren shield was raised too low as Daystar landed a solid hit that caught Rezeren's helmet.  The sword skimmed off the upper edges, staggering the cleric and causing strings of blood to gush out from the helmet.  Rezeren fell to one knee, an arm raised high to protect his face.  Devin waded in.

What may have looked like a perfect opportunity to strike, turned into a trap.  Rezeren threw a handful of dust at Devin face, hindering his vision momentarily and making him lose his footing.  This time, it was Rezeren who saw the opening.  Like a striking snake, he swung his warhammer at the disoriented Devin.   The blunt weapon landed a crippling blow that crushed deeply into the quadriceps, rattling Devin's armor with a mighty strike across the left leg. 

Devin winced and cried out in agony as electricity overwhelmed his body, sending him into shock and convulsion.  Like a stick, Devin fell over.  The impact caused a concussion of light to sweep over his sight, as if the sun had just dropped down and smashed on top of him.

"So, it is over already."  Rezeren muttered.  He began to cast a spell.  The ground grew dark as shadows rose up, the undead summoned by their nefarious master.

Shivering and panting, Devin squinted with one eye as the other remained closed in pain.  Sweat and blood glinted on his cheeks.  Devin saw Rezeren had taken off his helm, revealing a deep gash across his forehead.  But then his attention focused on the walking dead, who were moving toward him like maggots drawn by death and decay.  Please don't fail me now old friend.  Devin pleaded.  He chanted an arcane phrase and touched the pommel of Daystar.  The sword began to glow, and soon its radiance was so bright that the looming undead began to shy away.   But it was too late, for a beam of purest light descended down on Devin, causing an eruption of white fire to bathe the surroundings.  The holy energy was so powerful that the undead literally disintegrated at its touch. 

 "My eyes!!"  Rezeren screamed in agony as the light consumed him.

I blinded him, for now.  Devin realized.  But he knew it was not a smart idea to rush at Rezeren head on.  He was much like a wounded cornered animal at the moment, unpredictable and very dangerous.  Regardless, Devin could not move fast in his current, battered state.  Therefore, he proceeded toward Rezeren with caution instead.  I won't fall for the same trick twice.

Unpredictable as imagined, Rezeren struck.  A bolt of lightning flashed past Devin as he rolled away to safety.  The bolt struck a dead body nearby, blasting away chunks of flesh in a mingled display of blood and sparks. 

More bolts of lightning flashed out in random directions.  Each bolt sending rocks, bodies or other debris into motion.  Devin finally became aware of the chaos and death that surrounded him.  Corpses lay everywhere, though fortunately all belonged to the foe.  As he ducked, and avoided each of the lightning blasts, Imoen suddenly came into his thoughts.  He shuddered at the likelihood of her killed because of him.  Shrugging it off, he turned to locate Rezeren. 

"Come out where I can see you, Devin!  Or are you a craven?"  Rezeren had recovered his sight, and was now more furious than ever.

"I'm right here!"  Devin responded as he ran from his cover.  His discovery was followed by a blaze of lightning that trailed his silhouette.   The bolts barely missed him, but manage to leave a path of destruction behind.  Quickly, Devin chanted a spell.

"Now you die!!" Rezeren called out as his fingers gestured at Devin.

Three blasts of electricity streamed forth, emitting light as they blazed toward Devin.  Devin twisted around as he danced in midair, avoiding the arcs.  But one managed to graze his right arm, tearing through the outer ligaments like a knife through paper.  However, Devin was able to keep his balance this time.  With a signal of his hand, a Contingency spell initiated.  A dozen magic missiles flew past like angry will o' wisps, locked on their target, Rezeren's face.  They struck him right near the eyes, causing terrible damage to his field of vision as they liquefied the skin of his face.  Rezeren screamed in pain.  He dropped his weapon and shield to cover his face with his naked hands.

Devin saw the perfect chance to strike.  Clutching his swords with trembling hands, he lunged at Rezeren, disregarding his wounds out of pure passion for bloodlust.  With a dead-centered blow, Celestial Fury pierced cleanly through Rezeren's chest and out the other side.  Runnels of blood poured from the wound, down Rezeren's body.  The initial strike stunned him, but his eyes bulged, giving an expression of sheer shock and disbelief.  When he regained his senses, his mouth, nose and eyes began to bleed profusely.

For the first time, Rezeren showed defeat and submission.  "Please Devin… spare me."  He whispered weakly.

"After all you've put me through?  Surely you jest.  No, you won't be spared.  Vengeance is MINE."  Devin slowly withdrew Celestial fury from Rezeren's chest.  Then he turned his back, lifted the katana and then brought it down again, in a swift sidearm slash, putting all his weight behind it.  The blow was so fierce that it sliced through Rezeren's neck and sent his head flying through the air.  It landed nearby with a hollow thud, soaking the earth in a widening pool of blood.

Devin spat coldly at the head's direction.  "Give my warmest regards to Talos."  He added as an afterthought. 

Devin was fully exhausted now, though his mind swam in circles.  He sat down on Rezeren's headless corpse.  So many thoughts plagued his consciousness that he felt his head might implode.  In a trance, he sat there and pondered for what might have been eons.

"Devin?  Devin!  Devin, snap out of it!"  A familiar voice shouted at him.  He didn't answer.

"Jaheria, come here!  Cast some healing spells on him!  His really out of it right now!" 

Devin chuckled to himself.  "Imoen...  Heh..."

"Don't talk right now, just stay still."  Imoen commanded.

Devin wobbled his head slightly as he adjusted to the surroundings.  He saw his friends, but also there were prisoners.  When they saw Rezeren's head laying in a puddle of blood, some fell to their knees and begged to Talos.  This annoyed Korgan so much that he hacked off one of the prisoner's heads, just to silence the pathetic captives.

Out the corner of his eyes, Devin did see someone significant among the prisoners.  Someone he had loathed for all the time he'd spent here, someone who now looked slow and haggard.  Toad was alive.  

Before even realizing that Imoen and Jaheria were tending to his wounds, he grabbed his swords and jumped up, charging at his former torturer with murderous intent.

Toad blinked and raised his eyes when he sensed the enraged Devin's approach.  No quarter was given when Devin slashed at Toad, easily amputating his left arm and a good deal of the shoulder with a brutal blow.  Toad howled in pain, seeing his arm separate from his body.   

"Mercy! Please no kill me!  I… I only did master says!  I beg mercy!"  Toad was weeping now but Devin would have none of it. 

"Did you give me any mercy when you tortured me?  HUH!?  DID YOU!?"  Devin screamed out with rage.  "I cut off your left arm.  You won't torture anyone with that arm anymore.  So now I'll cut off your other arm!  How do you like being tortured now?  I'll kill you… No, I'll butcher you in the most painful and slow process imaginable!!  Devin felt himself losing, losing to what his former father would have craved.  But he didn't care at this moment. 

He began to draw the sword down, ready to saw off Toad's other arm when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Please Dev, don't do it."

"Im- Imoen?"

"Please.  If you kill him, you'd be no different then Bhaal, or Talos.  He's a pitiful creature, Dev.  Please…  Leave it be.  It's all over now.  It's over."

Its over.  Its over.  Its over.  Those were the only words Devin heard ringing inside his head.  Suddenly, all the energy inside his body was depleted.  He felt like a frail petal about to be crushed to pieces.  The hands that still clutched the swords tightly began to loosen. 

"It's… really… over?"  Devin could barely speak now that his fury had left him.  His body sagged, as he nearly collapsed, face first.  Imoen caught him just in time.

"It's over."  Imoen was now hugging him, stroking his back with her delicate fingers.

"It's…"

"Shhhh.  Don't talk.  Just… Dream."  Imoen soothed him.

Slowly, Devin closed his eyes, falling into a deep coma, the last image of Imoen holding him intact in his mind.