m: 'Join Me In Death' belongs to H.I.M. (His Infernal Majesty)

shadow0015: I'm pretty sure Nathyrra killed her because it was one of those 'Kill or be killed' things. I'll reveal the meaning of the dream…later. I'll give you a hint; it has something to do with poison.

Chapter Eight

Nathyrra walked back to her former training section. Now that she had graduated, Nathyrra had been assigned a small apartment in another part of the city. She would use it as her base of operations as soon as it was ready, which would be several days. The drow was now going back to collect her belongings.

As she stuffed items into a bag, Nathyrra noticed something strange. The door to Ilivarra's room was open. Nathyrra arched an eyebrow. That's strange… She took a step towards it then immediately stopped. Should I? Curiosity won, and Nathyrra stepped into the room.

The room was modestly furnished, and nothing in particular stood out. Something suddenly caught Nathyrra's eye, and she walked over to the desk. Nathyrra opened it. Several file folders, a few scrolls, and a small black box lay inside.

Nathyrra picked up the folders. They listed information about students Ilivarra had trained, Nathyrra herself included. Nathyrra's eyes widened when she saw the name 'Nackor Blackhammer'. She immediately opened the file. It listed basic things; date of employment to the Valsheress, date of birth, appearance, etc. Nathyrra scowled when she saw that there was no location listed.

She picked up the box and carefully opened it. It contained a drow house symbol, a locket, and an eyeball. Nathyrra blinked in surprise at the organ. I didn't think Ilivarra the type to save pieces of anatomy. She started to open the locket.

"What are you doing?" asked a voice from behind her.

Nathyrra jumped in surprise and spun around. Ilivarra stood in the doorway, pure rage painted across her features.

"I-"

"GET OUT!" Ili screamed. She hurled a fireball at Nathyrra.

Nathyrra dodged it and ran out of the room, closing the door behind her.

XXXXX

What was that all about? Why would Ili have a file on Nackor? Or a disembodied eyeball? Or a locket for that matter? Nathyrra was pondering her recent discovery as she soaked at the baths. There is more to her to her than she let's on. I will figure it out.

Nathyrra could see a hooded slave, walking down the hallway towards the cafeteria. Wait, the red sisters don't keep slaves. Nathyrra stepped out of the bath and wrapped a towel around herself. She used her hair tie to make sure that the knot wouldn't come undone and slipped into the hall.

Nathyrra whispered an invisibility spell and stealthily followed the slave. After awhile, he stopped and walked into the kitchen. Nathyrra watched as he opened a vial and poured it into one of the waiting bowls of soup.

Nathyrra recognized it as her own bowl. So he's trying to poison me, huh? I am not so easily eliminated. She dropped the invisibility spell. "I suppose you're the new cook?"

The dwarf whipped around to face her. He bowed low. "Beggin' yer pardon, mistress. I was merely adding somethin' to the soup."

"Really?" Nathyrra took a step towards him. "That doesn't look like seasoning."

Seeing no other option, the dwarf ran towards the door. Nathyrra shouted a hold spell and froze him. The drow then used her magic to lift him up into the air and place him on the table used for preparing food. Nathyrra used a web spell to bind his arms to the table.

The dwarf watched helplessly as Nathyrra approached him. "M-Mistress. I-"

"Save your excuses, fool. The red sisters do not keep slaves."

The dwarf sneered at her. "Nackor told me you were a sneaky one. He didn't say much about yer' modesty, though." The dwarf said, indicating the towel that Nathyrra wore.

Nathyrra smirked. "I was pressed for time." She took a step towards the bound dwarf. "You know Nackor, do you?"

"I might." He said evasively.

Nathyrra smiled humorlessly. "I see." She opened one of the cabinets and pulled out an apron. "I always liked kitchens." She said as she tied the apron around the towel. She pulled on a pair of large cooking gloves. "So many neat 'toys' to play with." Upon saying this, Nathyrra held up a large meat cleaver.

The dwarf's eyes bulged and he broke into a sweat. Nathyrra smiled and tied tit to her waist. She tied several more items to her waist before returning to the dwarf. She grinned at his terrified face. "Now then, where is Nackor?"

"I won't tell ye, lass."

She shook her head. "Alright then." Quick as a flash, Nathyrra broke the dwarf's wrist.

He yelped but still retained his defiance. "NO! I won't tell ye! I won't betray him!"

"Why not? What does it mean to betray a traitor?"

"What do ye mean?"

"Nackor is a traitor. Did you not know this?"

"Maybe to ye, drow. He's no traitor in my eyes."

Nathyrra laughed. "Not a traitor? If he were truly loyal then he would have told you of the TRUE danger of attempting to kill me." She broke his other wrist.

He cried out once more. "No!"

"Hmph. I always knew dwarves were stubborn." Nathyrra threw a bolt of lightening at him.

He gritted his teeth against the pain. "What's it to ye?"

"It's a personal matter. Didn't Nackor tell you?"

"Gold speaks louder than curiosity."

"He paid an assassin to kill an assassin? How ironic." Nathyrra roughly grabbed his broken wrist. The dwarf winced as she clenched his broken bones.

Still smiling, Nathyrra pulled out a wicked little dagger thrust it through his palm.

He screamed but still resisted. "YOU CRAZY BITCH!"

"If I'm insane, it's in ways that don't concern you…or they won't, if you give me Nackor's location."

"I'm paid well for my silence."

"How much gold is worth your life?" Nathyrra pulled out the meat cleaver. The dwarf's horrified expression increased when she used her magic to set the blade aflame. She gripped his other wrist. "Tell me."

"…No."

Nathyrra brought down the cleaver on his wrist, severing it completely.

The dwarf let out a bloodcurdling scream of pain.

Nathyrra continued his torture for hours. He screamed and screamed but still did not reveal Nackor's location.

"You have nice eyes." Nathyrra commented. She leaned towards him, holding a long needle. "They would make a nice trophy."

"ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT!" Tears streamed down the dwarf's face. "I'll tell you! He's in the city! You can find him at the Spider Leg's tavern!" He took a deep, labored breath. "Mercy…" he pleaded.

"No." Nathyrra said softly and drove the needle into his right eye. He let out another scream and began writhing violently. Nathyrra leveled a knife at his chest.

The dwarf struggled to speak, "May your soul rot in the deepest levels of Hell…you…poisonous…bitch."

Nathyrra snarled and plunged the dagger into his chest. Out of sheer anger, she tore out his still-beating heart and flung it across the room.

A few minutes later, Ilivarra walked into the room. She stared at the scene before her. "Okay, first of all, what are you doing? Second of all, why is there a dwarf's heart stuck in the wall? Third of all, where are your clothes?" She sighed. "Oh gods, you're not into postmortem sex, are you?"

Nathyrra glared at her and walked towards the door. "I must go."

Ilivarra reached out and grabbed her wrist. "Hold on, Nathyrra. Where do you think you're going?"

"I know Nackor's location. I need to confront him." She shook free of Ili's grasp and walked into the hall

"Nathyrra…"

Nathyrra spun around. "I have been waiting six years for vengeance, Ilivarra. This is my opportunity, and I intend to take it."

"Listen to me, Nathyrra. You cannot win against him, you are not ready."

Nathyrra snorted. "He's a dwarf. I should have no trouble dispatching him."

Ilivarra sighed in exasperation. "Fine then. Go, you stubborn al'vur. I won't stop you."

XXXXX

Nathyrra raced across the rooftop and jumped towards the next building. Her feet made no noise as she ran, her black leather armor not hampering her movements at all. Normally, she would have wondered why she had chosen to wear the black leather suit she had received for tests during her fourth year. The suit consisted of a black vest that stretched to her navel, skintight leather pants, leather bands around her biceps, a leather band around her neck, calf-high black boots, and a pair of leather bracers. (A/N: She's pretty much wearing Elektra's outfit from 'Daredevil'. Couldn't resist. :D)

Her thoughts were only of vengeance and determination. She smiled as she reached the tavern.

XXXXX

Nathyrra walked into the tavern. The place was made up of rowdy patrons, all of them drinking, flirting with bargirls, or fighting in brawls.

Nathyrra's acute sense of hearing picked up a familiar voice. "So anyway, he was with this unbelievably attractive chick…"

Nathyrra walked towards the direction of the voice. Nackor was sitting at the bar, telling a story to the bartender. "…And have even managed to get her naked. But then, the worse thing happened."

The bartender looked at him intently.

"The rabbit wouldn't come out it's hole, the ship wouldn't sail, the soldier wouldn't march, the snake wouldn't come out of it's cage, there were a bunch of Amish people but they didn't raise a barn…HE COULDN'T-"

"Hello, Nackor." Nathyrra greeted casually.

Nackor spun around. He frowned. "I see that Jimmy failed."

"Your assassin did indeed fail." She pulled out a knife. "I come seeking the vengeance that I have been denied for so long." She hissed.

Nackor chuckled. "Ya wanna fight, eh lass? Okay then, I'll give ye a fight." He pulled out two daggers of his own.

Nathyrra took out another dagger and ran towards him. Nackor blocked her attack and swiped at Nathyrra's knees.

They're not poisonous, Nathyrra noted as she dodged his attacks. She continued to attack him. To her astonishment, Nackor blocked all of her attacks with ease. It was almost as though he was toying with her.

Nathyrra snarled and swung at Nackor. He grabbed her wrist and threw her over the bar counter. Nathyrra crashed into the shelf of drinks, causing it to fall over.

Nackor chuckled. "Didn't Ili teach you about letting your rage control you?"

"How do you know Ilivarra?" Nathyrra asked as she thrust at his head.

Nackor parried her blow and kicked at her legs. "Why don't you ask her sometime?"

"She won't tell me."

"Ili hasn't changed then." Nackor flipped backwards and ran towards the door.

"No you don't." Nathyrra spat and ran after him.

Once outside, Nackor ran towards the wall of a building and began to scale it by bouncing from one narrow wall to another.

He's using the same techniques I was taught as a red sister, Nathyrra thought as she followed him.

The roof was too far away from other buildings for anyone to attempt to jump. Nathyrra grinned and threw her dagger at Nackor's head.

With rapid speed, Nackor grabbed it out of the air. He laughed at Nathyrra's astounded face. "Play time's over, lass." he threw the dagger back at her.

Nathyrra attempted to catch it. She failed, and cried out as the dagger pierced the palm of her hand.

Nackor laughed as she pulled it out. Nathyrra let out a scream of rage and ran towards Nackor. This time, he fought with aggression and Nathyrra was soon covered with many shallow wounds. Nathyrra refused to break her concentration, determined not to fail.

Nackor sliced at her hand. Nathyrra was unable to move in time. She let out a horrible scream as three of her fingers fell to the ground.

Nackor grinned and knocked her down. He grabbed the drow's neck and dangled her in the air off the rooftop. "Say hi to Seel for me, lass." He let go.

Nathyrra fell, hitting several unknown objects which slowed down her fall before she hit the ground. Nackor's laugh was the last thing she heard before slipping into unconsciousness.

XXXXX

Nathyrra walked across the shadowy plane once more. She smiled and Seelamin approached. He grinned back at her and spoke with a voice that wasn't his own.

Baby join me in death
Baby join me in death
Baby join me in death

We are so young
our lives have just begun
but already we're considering
escape from this world

and we've waited for so long
for this moment to come
was so anxious to be together
together in death

Would you die tonight for love
Baby join me in death
Would you die
Baby join me in death
Would you die tonight for love
Baby join me in death

This world is a cruel place
and we're here only to lose
so before life tears us apart let
death bless me with you

Would you die tonight for love
Baby join me in death
Would you die
Baby join me in death
Would you die tonight for love
Baby join me in death

this life ain't worth living
this life ain't worth living
this life ain't worth living
this life ain't worth living

Would you die tonight for love
Baby join me in death
Would you die
Baby join me in death
Would you die tonight for love
Baby join me in death

Baby join me in death

Nathyrra gave him a sad smile. "There is still much for me to do."

XXXXX

When Nathyrra woke, indescribable pain filling her veins. She lay in a pool of her own blood, still in the alley. Her muscles screamed in protest as she started to stand. She shook her head to clear it of dizziness and picked up her fingers. I will not die, she promised herself as she staggered away.

XXXXX

Ilivarra looked up as the door opened. Nathyrra stumbled into the room, collapsing on the floor, her fingers falling out of her other hand.

Ilivarra frowned and grabbed a med kit before walking over to her. She began to stitch Nathyrra's fingers back onto her hand. "Now will you listen to me when I tell you not to underestimate your enemies?" She shook her head. "It's a good thing he didn't cut off your head rather than your fingers, child. I doubt I would have been able to sew that back on."

"I don't understand," Nathyrra said, breathing heavily.

"Drink this." Ili commanded, giving her a potion of superior healing.

Nathyrra took a long drink. Most of the shallow wounds on her arms, stomach, and lower back healed. The hole in her palm healed as well, but her other hand was being worked on by Ili.

"You should have seen him fight." Nathyrra stated. "Nackor blocked all of my attacks with ease. It was as though he knew all of my moves. He fought like a red sister!"

"He should. I trained him after all."

Nathyrra gaped at Ilivarra. "WHAT?"

"Quiet, al'vur. Yes, I trained him."

"But…how…?"

"When he enlisted as a spy for the valsheress, she wanted to make sure that he would be able to defeat any obstacles he came across. So, she sent him to me."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"You never asked."

Nathyrra glared at Ilivarra. "What else haven't you told me? I saw the eyeball. And the locket, for that matter. What's their significance?"

"Do you honestly think I'm going to tell you anything about my past after you pulled an idiotic stunt like this? Ha! Maybe later, Nathyrra. For now, let's just get your hand fixed." She peered at Nathyrra's hand. "Almost done with the stitching. You won't be able to use your fingers for a few days."

"What? Nackor could be gone by then!"

"Do you really think you can beat him? You just graduated from this academy. Have some sense, Nathyrra!"

"When will I be ready?"

"When the Valsheress gives you his location."

"That could take ages!"

"Just long enough time for you to prepare."

"Well, I can wait. I suppose."

"Vengeance can take its time."

Nathyrra raised an eyebrow. "You sound as though you speak from experience."

"I do. I have no wish to discuss it however."

"Fair enough."

Ilivarra went back to stitching.