Chapter 21

(A/N: Here's the final chapter for the game story line, don't worry there's more to come. I wish to take a moment and thank everyone who has helped me. My parent's and my girlfriend for putting up with my endless banther on this story. Bioware for creating a great game (that for some reason they can't release a patch that'll put subraces into it), and all those who have read and reveiwed my story both on and through e-mail.)

Ryltar

Linu, Mayra, and I entered Castle Neverwinter, after informing Trancar about our success with the catapults and golems. We approached Lord Nasher and he welcomed us back. "These are strange times, Ryltar. My city is in ruins and all but overrun by Luskan forces, and yet Aribeth, the leader of our enemy, sits in our dungeons awaiting my judgment. Were things not so grim I might laugh at the absurdity of it all. (sigh) What is it you need of me, Ryltar?"

"What are you planning to do with Aribeth, dear?" Linu asked.

"While the war rages on, she will live. She can provide us valuable information about our enemy's tactics and numbers. As for her fate when this is all over... that is a matter I have not yet decided. Such matters are to be decided later." Nasher explained.

"Lord Nashser, I wish to make a reqest." I said.

"A request? What is it?" Lord Nasher said.

"When my companions and I save Neverwinter from the return of Morag, I wish for Aribeth to be shown mercy. She was tricked by Morag and Maugrim, in doing what she did." I said handing Lord Nasher Maugrim's journal. He took it from me and sighed.

"She still is a traitor in the eyes of the people... I will see what I can do." Lord Nasher said.

"That is all I ask my Lord." I said turning away from him.

"What do you plan on doing now?" Nasher asked me.

"Now? Simple, I'm going to talk to Haeldriline and find out how I can destroy Morag. Then when I find her I'm going to finish the job I started ten thousand years ago." I said turning away from him.

End Ryltar

Lord Nasher

As Ryltar left I was confused. I turned to Aarin Gend said. "Finish the job? Ten thousand years ago? I don't understand Aarin, can you explain?" I asked him.

"I don't fully understand it myself, my Lord. From what Ryltar told me, he and Linu traveled back in time ten thousand years, and encountered Morag before she entered the Source Stone. It seems Ryltar attacked her and caused a couple of wounds that still plague her to this day." Aarin explained to me.

I shook my head. "So its possible Ryltar set into motion everything that is occuring?" I said slightly angry.

"No my Lord. This probably would have occurred had Ryltar not done what he did. I believe that Morag is doing this to free her people. But I do know that she probably holds a personal grudge against him." Aarin said.

"I see." I said nodding. "Let us just hope that Ryltar and his companions succeed."

"With everything he has done. And the strength he has grown to I do not doubt it. Morag should be scared. I've seen first hand his ange and strength." Aarin said shuddering.

I nodded hoping that they would soon return.

End Lord Nasher

Ryltar

I entered the castle dungeons once more and headed to the first cell. I quickly spoke with Haedriline and she informed that I must enter the Source Stone. We quickly agreed to this and I left turning my attention to the second cell, which contained Aribeth. She stood up and after I convinced the guard, he allowed us entry into the cell. He however closed the door behind us. "It is good to see you all again. When I surrendered to Lord Nasher I was certain my execution would be swift. But it seems Lord Nasher has chosen to let me live... for now, at least. I am glad, if for no other reason than it gives me a chance to see you all again." Aribeth said.

"How are you feeling, dear?" Linu asked.

"I am a prisoner and a fallen paladin. The powers Tyr once granted me are gone, as are the abilities Morag bestowed upon me. More importantly though I am at peace, for the first time since Fenthick's death. And I have you all of you to thank. You all kept your promise and saved me." Aribeth said sadly.

"I'm glad you've found your peace, Lady Aribeth." I said.

"I no longer fear my fate, Ryltar. When Fenthick... when Fenthick was executed I thought I had lost everything. But now I see this is not true. I have all of you for support. You all were there when I was in my darkest hour, you all supported me when ever I need it... but I was too blind to see. But none of you ever gave up on me. I have found myself again, thanks to your efforts. And I finally see how... how special you are to. How despite everything that you've done, there was always a part of me that did not fully trust you." Aribeth said lowering her head. "But I see, now that I was a fool. My hatred of your race, clouded my judgment and perhaps had I not been so... foolish, I would have seen this."

"Seen what, dear?" Linu said as Marya tried to comfort Aribeth.

"My most cherished friends, you have given me the light to return to this world, even in my darkest hour I knew deep down that you were only trying to help. But I was blinded by my own quest for revenge. I wish to apologize for the heartache that I have cause you and Linu. And if I am allowed to live... that I can find a way to thank all of you for what you have done." Aribeth said rubbing Mayra's ears.

"Your special to us too, dear." Linu said.

"They say it is better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all. I never used to believe that, Linu.. until now. You have a special man here. Keep him safe, I feel that his powers will only grow stronger. He will need someone to guide him, through these times. If you all succeed, Ryltar especially will be a hero, famed throuhg out the land. And with you and Mayra, by his side, there is nothing that I believe that could stop you." Aribeth said to Linu. "But Lord Nasher will probably put me to death, after this is all over." She said lowering her head. "I just want to say again... to all of you, that your all special to me, and that I only wish there was something I could do to help."

"Don't worry Aribeth. I have a request for Lord Nasher when we succeed. And it is because of you that we will. I have a few questions though if you wouldn't mind answering them. That is if your up to it?" I said placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I have already given most of my information to Aarin Gend and Lord Nasher - Luskan battle plans and the location of their troops. But I will try to help you however I can, perhaps there is something I can say that will speed your victory." Aribeth said.

"I wish to know about Morag and the Old Ones. Anything you could tell me might help." I said.

"The Old Ones are an ancient and evil race distantly related to the lizardmen of our own time. Morag was their queen during the height of their empire. But the world changed and the North became a frozen waste, and Morag placed her people in a magical stasis within the Source Stone to await the time of their awakening. More than this I cannot say. When I served Morag I cared little for the reasons behind the attack on Neverwinter. I only cared about revenge. But I am finally free of that burden, thanks to all of you." Aribeth explained.

"What can you tell us about the Source Stone?" I asked curious about its origins and power.

"The Source Stone is a great gem located in long forgotten chambers beneath Castle Never. Within this gem is an entire other world, a realm where Morag and her people await the time of the awakening. I know the Words of Power were somehow connected with raising Morag and her people from their slumber, but beyond this there is little I can tell you. " Aribeth said answering my question.

"Is there anything else you can tell us about the Words of Power, dear?" Linu asked.

"As you know, there were four Words of Power. At first, Maugrim seemed to believe we would need to possess all four Words to awaken Morag. However, as Morag's power grew she sent Maugrim a vision of a ritual that could begin the awakening with only one of the Words. But the ritual was only partially successful. Morag was awakened - but she was still trapped within the Source Stone. In time Morag's power will grow until she is able to release herself and her people from the Source Stone, but for now she is trapped inside. I wish I could tell you more, but that is all I know." Aribeth said sadly.

"Would you wish to join us, dear? I'm sure that is Ryltar spoke to Lord Nasher he might let you join us. It also might show the people of Neverwinter your sorry for your crime. They might show you mercy." Linu said.

"This I cannot do, Linu. Even if Lord Nasher chose to release me from this cell, I would have to refuse your request. I served too long under the Queen of the Old Ones. She has a... a hold over me. A power I fear I might not be able to resist. I will not put myself in the position where I might betray Neverwinter again. I have learned from my mistakes." Aribeth said. "I'm sorry."

"It's ok, Aribeth. Rest now. We'll return soon." I said comfortingly.

"Yes you should go, there is still much to be done to stop the Old Ones from returning." Aribeth said.

I nodded to the her and told the guard to open the door. He did but as I turned to leave, he turned to me and said. "Hey, drow. What do you plan on doing? Saving the world by yourself?"

"No, I plan on saving the world, with my friends." I explained.

"Well good luck were counting on all of you." the guard said. I nodded to him giving him a friendly salute and headed into the forgotten chamber of Castle Never.

After talking with a scholar, Linu, Mayra, and I were in front of the Source Stone. There were four pillars surrounding it three of the Words of Power had already been put in place, and I held the fourth in my hand readying myself for anything, as I placed the fourth word in place. A beam of light and energy hit all three of us and we were engulfed by the Stone.

End Ryltar

Linu

After appearing in the stone we were immeditaly attacked by several lizard type warriors, after a fierce fight they lay dead at our feet. From down the hall we heard the sound of battle and Ryltar readied his bow as I readied my crossbow. We headed down the hall and saw a woman being attacked by several lizard warriors after dealing with them we carefully approached her.

"I see by looking at you that you are not from my world of Azallah, but I thank you for your aid nonetheless." She said as we approached. "Had you not intervened I fear I would have succumbed to the scaled raiders. My name is Asheera of the Shining Order, from the city of Sahaladar.

"Except for your clothes, you look like Aribeth de Tylmarande." Ryltar said.

"My garments are those of my people, though perhaps they look as strange to you as your own garb does to me. As for the name Aribeth, I have no knowledge of her. Was she a companion of yours?" Asheera said.

"She was a hero of our people, once. Until she fell and betrayed us to Morag. But she has been redeemed now." I said.

"Morag? That name is known to me - the queen of the scaled raiders! Her face has haunted my dreams, her voice hissing whispered promises of power to tempt me to turn against my people. But I am of the Shining Order, sworn in service to Sahaladar, greatest of the floating cities on Azallah. I have sworn to destroy Morag and save my people." Asheera explained.

"How did you get here?" Ryltar asked.

"After much searching the magicians of Sahaladar discovered a portal in my world - a gate leading to this pseudo-plane where many universes converge. Six were chosen to come through the portal, though we knew we could not return. My companions have long since fallen. I alone am left of the champions of my people, but like my fallen companions I too have failed." Ashera said in despair.

"Failed? How have you failed, dear?" I asked.

"The Queen of the scaled raiders still lives, but the spell that brought me to this place grows weak. Soon it will fail and my spirit will be wrenched from this plane back to my homeworld of Azallah. I will never reach Morag's inner sanctum, and the magical artifact

forged by my people to the Queen will be wasted - unless I give the artifact to you." Ashera explained.

"Give us the artifact, we'll use it to destroy Morag. I've got a ten thousand year score to settle with her." Ryltar said.

"My time here grows short. Quickly - take this amulet! It will help protect you against Morag and her people. The fate of many worlds is in your hands. You must destroy the scaled Queen, or we are all doomed." Asheera said as she faded from view.

Ryltar looked at the necklace she gave him, he turned to me to have me wear it, but a feeling of him needing it grew in me. "You use it, dear. Sephaine will protect me." I said. Handing the neclace back to him and placing it around his neck before he could protest. A look of worry crossed his face, but I simply said. "It's nothing, I'm fine let's get going time grows short." Ryltar nodded and we moved forward again. After battling a score more lizard warriors, we all entered another portal and found oursleves fighting two dragons. After the last one had fallen dead, Ryltar found two keys that fit in the doors ahead of us.

End Linu

Ryltar

I was scared deep down, scared that I would fail, scared that Linu would die, and just plain scared. After going through the last portal Linu, Mayra, and I stopped after rounding a corner and took stock of ourselves after some healing, Linu looked at me, and said. "Not feeling very talkative today dear?"

"Sorry, guess I just got a lot on my mind. Was there something you wanted to talk about?" I asked.

"Dear Ryltar, my love. I would like to talk to you for a moment." Linu said.

"Yes, Linu? What is it you wanted to talk about?" I said pullnig her down to sit on the rock next to me.

"We are about to go into a desperate battle, where we might lose our lives Ryltar Kost'dora. I feel that I need to share something with you. This battle that we face with Morag frightens me desperately. I didn't think I would ever be able to face this day, though I have known it would come for some time now. Yet now that the time has come at last, I find that I have mastered my fear, and it is all because of you. I have drawn courage from following the greatest hero of our time – Ryltar Kost'dora." Linu said looking at me.

"We have been a team, Linu. You too are a hero, I could never have done what I have, without your help." I said.

"Thank you for the compliment, but I would still be trapped or dead in a plague-ridden NeverWinter if it weren't for you. That's if I hadn't managed to burn the entire city down around me. I can't tell you the number of nightmares I've had about this coming battle, where I would slip in some blood and knock you into a huge chasm. Or I would start to cast a healing spell and it would go wrong and you'd be turned inside out. Or you would be just about to kill Morag and I'd lean against a giant boulder that would fall over and crush you." Linu said.

"Linu, in all the time we have been together, you have never done any of these clumsy things. Maybe it's just a lack of confidence." I said tryig to comfort and reassure her.

"I was just about say that, dear. I have learned from your confidence and skill, and I truly believe that, no matter what happens next, I am a stronger, better person than I was when we first met. I know now that I can have all the grace and elegance of my elven ancestors. I just have to believe in myself. That is a lesson I don't think I would have learned without you, Ryltar. And no matter the outcome of this fight, know that I love you. No matter what my people may say about you and me. I will follow you wherever you go."

"Thank you, Linu. You've taught me much as well." I said kissing her lightly. For once Mayra didn't make a joke about our kiss. She evidently also felt the closeness of our love.

"Now let's go show them what legends are made of and kick some scaly-ass!" Linu said, with determination.

I laughed, the weight of our situation, easing away from my shoulders. "Yes, my love. They will cower in fear at our might!" I said pulling out my scimitars and twirling them.

I turned to Mayra. "Any last thoughts?" I asked.

"Just that I'm tired, hungry, and I want to take a long soak in a hot spring. Does that count?" Mayra said to Linu and I as we laughed.

"I'm sure you'll get that and more when we are done here, dear. Let's get going." Linu said.

We opened the door and quickly attacked those inside a projection of Morag faded hatred across her face when she saw me. She still had the gash in her shoulder, and scar on her left cheek, that I had placed there so long ago, just before she faded I pointed to her and said. "Your next!" I then dealt with the remaining warriors.

"Everyone all right?" I asked as the final warrior fell.

"I'm fine, dear." Linu said dusting herself off.

"As am I." Mayra said.

I found a key on a body of one of the warriors he seemed to be a cleric of somekind but not very well skilled in fighting. It had seemed. It didn't matter any more he was dead now. And Morag awaited. "Time to finish this." I said standing back up.

Linu and Mayra followd me around a corner and the key I had just found opened a door located there. Just inside was Morag her scarred face glared at me. "You are powerful - for a elven slave. You have slain Maugrim, the prophet who heralded my coming. You have defeated Aribeth, the champion I chose from among the slave races. You have slaughtered many of my warriors and priests. But now you face Morag, Queen of the Old Ones, High Priestess of the Creators! Kneel, slave, and I shall let you live, and forget the injuries you have caused me so long ago!" Morag said, in anger.

"I will never bow down before they Old Ones! This is a fight I have waited a thousand years for, and today you die!" I said charging her.

"I shall rip away your flesh and feast upon your soul!" She said as she teleported to the other side of the area we were now in. It was decently sized, and the area Morag now stood in, was blocked by several spikes. I could probably jump over them but I would then be on my own. "I wonder if that would not be the safest thing for Mayra and Linu?" I thought. I pulled out my bow and after a few shots from both Linu and I the stone crumbled. Causing the spikes to stop moving. Morag glared at me in defiance. "My priests shield me from harm! Your attacks are useless, slave! Surrender!" She cried as I charged her once more. I felt myself impact with her causing her to slam back against the stones. She was for a moment dazed and Linu, Mayra and I took this moment to quickly deal with her priests. As the last one fell, Morag recovered herself and pointed a finger at me. "Foolish slave! I am a Queen! Even without my priests you will die." She cried. Engergy sparkled and then shot from her hand. The powerful magical bolt shot towards me and I knew there was no way I could avoid it. Time seemed to slow around me, and I saw Linu charge in front me crying "NOOO! RYLTAR!" Taking the blast meant for me. Her body flew back into mine sending us both to the floor. Time once more was back to normal, and I craddled Linu's charred and bloodied body in my arms. I shot an angry hate filled stare at Morag, she laughed and shot another bolt at Mayra. Who was thrown back against the rock wall in a smoking limp. "HAHAHA! You see, not even your companions could stand against my power." She pointed at me once more. "And now slave you die." I gently laid Linu's now still form on the ground and stood up. I calmly walked towards her, my body flaring a bright blue. I glared into her eyes once more. "For all the death you have brought. For all the suffering you have caused. For killing the first friend I ever had in this world. FOR KILLING THE WOMAN I LOVED! YOU. WILL. DIE!" I cried.

"No, slave. You will." Morag said as she fired her magic at me once more. I raised my hand not fearing its power. I bashed it away with my scimitar. The blast knocked me back several feet but I recovered and continued forward. My power fed into my weapons enhancing there power, and might. Morag fired several more blasts at me. Everyone was deflected by my scimitar's or gautlet's around my wrists. "IMPOSSIBLE! You... you are a mere slave. How do you have such power!" She cried as I step in front of her. I could smell the fear radiating off of her as she backed up. I sheathed my left scimitar and shot my left hand out grabbing her. I glanced at Linu and Mayra's dead forms. I felt there strength feed into my own somehow. I turned back to Morag now struggling to free herself from my grasp. I felt myself grow in size and I looked into Morag's eyes. I could see my own glowing blue, hatred, anger, sorrow all were in mine. I put my scimitar up to her neck. "For everything all the pain, suffering, and death, you have caused. I, Ryltar Kost'dora. Chosen warrior of nature, to save this world. From your return. Avenge the death's of all those that you have killed." I said simply and plunged my scimitar through Morag's head. She dropped still soon after and I felt the world around me shudder. Rocks fell from the ceiling and I rushed to grab Linu's and Mayra's bodies. I saw a portal appear where we had entered and I leaped into it.

My body floated for several minutes in a dark realm before I landed in another rocky area. I saw what appeared to be Hadriline and walked over to her. I fell to my knees, despair, saddness, and exhaustion all grasphing my body. I fell apart crying endlessly. Hadriline, leaned down to me and said. "hiss I see you still live, warm-blood. hiss I feared you had perished with Morag and the rest of the Old Ones when the Source Stone collapsed. I ssssory for your loss of your companionssss."

"What is this place, Haedraline? How did I get here?" I said sadly. Not really caring either way.

"When you destroyed Morag you destroyed her magic as well. hiss The world she had created - the Source Stone - crumbled into nothingness, and all trapped within it were utterly consumed. hiss I used my magic to open a portal from the collapsing Source Stone into this astral pocket, a temporary place of refuge between that world and your own. hiss I am glad you found the portal and escaped with your life, warm-blood. Though I ssssseee your fight was not without it'sssss lossssse." She said. "hiss My time here grows short. The Words of Power are broken and my magic is fading. hiss Soon I will pass from this existence and this astral pocket will also collapse."

"So it's over, then? Neverwinter is safe once more?" I asked.

"You have faced Morag and the Old Ones and triumphed. hiss Even the foul and ancient magics of the dark Queen could not stand against your might. You are the savior of Neverwinter, warm-blood - but you are also much, much more. hiss You have altered the fate of not just your own world, but a thousand others that would have fallen to Morag's armies." She explained.

"I did what I had to do, nothing more." I said simply carrassing Linu's cheek.

"Few could have faced Morag's power and survived. hiss But even though you have ended the threat of the Creator Race your work is far from done, for I have seen glimpses of what fate awaits you. You are a champion of the North, a defender against all that is dark and evil. hiss Hold fast to what you believe to be true and your courage shall not fail when you face your greatest challenge." She explained.

"What do you mean?" I said looking into her face.

"The city of Neverwinter is still vulnerable, and there are other enemies who seek to destroy it - and you. hiss There are sinister forces that will ally against you, for you are a symbol of all that is righteous and good. More than this I cannot say, for my magic has grown weak with the destruction of the Words of Power, and the mists of time cloud my vision. Quickly now, warm-blood. I cannot sustain this astral pocket much longer. hiss The portal behind me will return you to your own world. I thank you for all you have done - never again will I be a Word Slave. hiss Go through the portal so that I may finally pass to my long awaited eternal rest." Haedraline said.

I nodded and once more recovered Linu and Mayra's bodies over my shoulder. I barely had the strength to walk over to the portal and step through. An hour later I was at Aribeth's cell. The guard saw me and nodded opening the door. I laid Mayra's and Linu's bodies up against the wall, and sat down and cried.

End Ryltar

(A/N: A sad ending I know. Was running through several different ideas on how to end it. But this seemed like the most heart touching way. To end the game. I'm going to keep going with this though so keep an eye out for Chapter 22, in the coming days.)