m: Feel free to kick me if this sucks. I'm trying to get used to being back in school, so my brain cells have deserted me. Blah blah blah…

Inguz: Thank for your kind words. :D I'll try to take a look at your work. :)

Chapter Three

Saronax smiled at Viconia as she slept. He brushed several strands of silver hair off of her face and gently kissed her head. "Wake up." He murmured.

She rolled over and glared at him. "I suppose another's hour sleep is too much to ask for."

Saronax grinned. "But of course."

"Wakey wakey! Shiny eggs and bakey, baby!" cried Zake from Saronax's pack.

Viconia sighed and sat up.

XXXXX

"Mmm... what? What is it, jaluk? Why do you persist in glaring at me!" Viconia shouted several hours later.

What? I haven't been glaring at her at all! Her and her damn games. Saronax's face formed a snarl. "Knock it off! I don't have the time for this!" He shouted, returning to his moody habits.

"Fine. Wallow in silence, then, you moody bastard, since everything is always about you." Viconia snapped before walking away.

Saronax gritted his teeth. "Damn her."

"M-Maybe you should talk to her." Aerie timidly suggested.

"It may be a worthy effort." Jaheira added.

Saronax glared at both of the women before walking ahead, away from them.

Zake took that moment to speak, "They might be right, Sarr. Hey…might and right rhyme! COOL!"

Saronax frowned. "Why should I apologize?"

"Because you have warm, fuzzy feelings for her?"

"Not the way I would put it, but you're right." Saronax sighed. "I promised I would try and change if she would."

XXXXX

Saronax walked towards Viconia and sat down in front of her, pointedly ignoring her glares. "I'm sorry."

"Would you like to hear what I was going to say?"

"Yes."

"I have been... mulling over a question."

"Ask your question then, before you drive me up the wall."

Viconia chuckled. "Perhaps I should continue to procrastinate. Insanity may soften your temper."

Saronax scowled. "Just ask the damn question."

"Very well. You... have the blood of your sire, Bhaal, running in your veins. You told me once that he was the god of murder in your pantheon before he perished, correct?"

"Yeah…" Saronax said, a bit warily.

"It is equally obvious that the power of this Bhaal is becoming greater within you. I have one question that interests me, then. What is it you feel... when you kill? Does it feel good?"

Fear flashed through Saronax's eyes for a second, but it was quickly replaced by anger. "I'm not going to answer that damn question!"

"Why not? It is a fair enough question. I deserve an answer, jaluk!"

"Forget it! I'm not talking about it!"

"Then why don't you wallow in more of your silence? You moody bastard!" She started to stand up but Saronax grabbed her arm and forced her to sit down. His expression was a furious snarl. "Fine! The answer is yes, I love the killing! Is that what you wanted to hear?" The fighter roared.

"An honest enough answer, if a more unsettling one. You hear the siren call of your blood within your heart, yes? And the great Saronax does not hesitate to step up and answer it."

Saronax sneered at her. "Do you really believe that's how it is? You're wrong. I love the killing, I won't deny that, but I hate my attraction to it. I'd give anything to be able to hate it, but I can't."

Viconia was silent for several seconds. A thoughtful expression was slowly formed on her face. "So you hear the call within your heart, telling you that the kill is pleasing. But of course you would have the power to hate the fact that you love it, you being Saronax and all."

Saronax rolled his eyes.

The drow continued, "I think through all the beings that I have killed, and I do not think I have ever felt remorse for any of them. Why should I? They deserved what they received, were in my way, or were simply weak. Only once has the lure of my blood ever failed me, and it puzzles me still to this day. The... human child that I refused to sacrifice to Lolth's gluttony. The one I spared, losing me in the Spider Queen's sight forever." she frowned. "That one still confuses me, Saronax. Where was my drow ruthlessness, then? Was I simply weak, and that is why I am here now?"

Saronax sighed. "Evil for its own sake is not an accomplishment, Viconia. You shouldn't do anything for anyone's reasons besides your own." He gave her a rare smile. "Or the one you love, of course."

Viconia did not return his smile. "An...enlightened viewpoint, Saronax. One I am not sure I share. But... perhaps it is time I give the matter some thought. Let us just continue on, for now."

XXXXX

Saronax wiped the sweat away from his brow, a grim expression adorning his face as he did so. His expression did not change as he gazed upon the gigantic corpse of Yaga-Shura, nor did it alter when he looked into the distance at the ashes of what had once been the city of Saradush.

Viconia, on the other hand, was grinning as she looked upon the scene. "Ahhh, I had forgotten such scenes of carnage! And to know that such destruction has been wrought by one who solely sought to seek you out is a glorious tribute to your power! of it, Saronax... a whole town of rivven destroyed simply to get to you! Ha ha ha! If anything spoke of your destiny as a being to be feared, this is it!"

Saronax looked rather irritated as Viconia strode up to him and smoothed back some of the messy bangs that had fallen onto his forehead. The drow removed her hand and smiled up at the fighter. "By Shar, you must seek an unholy vengeance for this! You must smite all your enemies so that your name will be shouted across the Realms, Saronax! Your destiny has arrived!"

"That's not my intention at all, Viconia" Saronax said flatly.

Viconia's expression became quizzical. "I fail to understand, Saronax. Why does this not please you?"

"Why would this please me? Has this ever pleased me?" Saronax snapped.

"Hm... perhaps I did misunderstand your godly heritage, then. I thought it would please you to celebrate this victory..."

"Look around you, Viconia." Saronax pointed at the destruction that surrounded them. His blue eyes were cold and steely as he spoke, "Does this look like a victory to you? It sure as hell doesn't look like one to me."

Viconia surveyed the land, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I do not see ugliness where you do, Saronax. But I will... try to, if that will make you happy. Let us go, then, and leave this place behind."

"Lets." Saronax growled as he began to walk.

"Someone's cranky." Zake commented.

Saronax glared at him.

XXXXX

Later that night, Saronax followed Viconia into her tent. She had expressed the desire to discuss something, and Saronax agreed to speak to her.

Viconia sat down on the bed roll as Saronax sat in front of her. He looked at her intently as she began to speak, "I asked you once, long ago, what you saw in your future. Now that is has come closer, have you changed your mind on it? Do you even see one for you, for us, hm?"

"I don't want this destiny. If I can go back to a normal life, I will." Saronax answered honestly.

"I see. I wonder if such a decision will be made for you, in time. Perhaps a time will arrive where there is such a difference between us that remaining together becomes an impossibility."

Saronax visibly tensed. "What are you saying, Viconia?"

"If you are something akin to a greater power, you will no doubt have enemies of an equal magnitude. I do not wish to be the woman you drag with you and are forced to protect."

Saronax snorted. "You're not exactly helpless, you know."

"I see you change each day, now, Saronax. Each day you become greater and greater, and move further beyond my reach. The repercussion of such is a bit... unsettling."

"I've been changing?"

"I see you change each day, in fact. I wonder... to keep up with you, I would have to be capable of such change, as well. Do you see me capable of such change, Saronax?"

"We've already discussed change, but I think you're speaking of something different. What kind of change?"

"I do not know. Perhaps change in the way of finally shaking off the things that made me drow. To respect life as most surfacers, to become... a better person."

Saronax smiled. "I think you would like that. Though you deny it, there is good in you, and I know you would like to show it to someone other than me. It's your choice though, and I'll love you either way." He took Viconia's hand and pressed a gentle kiss to it.

"Then... then I will try. I will try to be a better person, Saronax. For your sake."

Saronax shook his head. "It's not me you're doing this for. You weren't born an evil person, you were made one. And I know that you'd truly like to shake off the chains of your society. There is good and the ability to care for someone in you. I sure Valas knew that as well, why else would he save you?"

"So who am Iperforming this transition for?"

"That's for you to decide."

Viconia nodded. "An interesting thought. I will give it consideration." She frowned. "Though it would notkill you to make some changes yourself."

"What's wrong with me?" Saronax cried indignantly.

"Well, you approach everyone you meet with an attitude that suggests someone attempted to place a slug in your breakfast that morning. Your temper rivals that of a displeased deity."

Zake took that moment to speak. "Don't forget he makes an ass of himself for no reason at all."

"Thank you, Zake." Viconia began counting on her fingers. "You are entirely unpredictable at times."

"Hey-"

"Your table manners are atrocious."

"Now-"

"You need a haircut and a shave."

"Now wait just a minute!" Saronax shouted. "What is wrong with my hair? And why do you keep telling me I need to shave?"

"Because kissing you issimila tokissing a welcome matat times." Viconia said flatly.

Saronax was about to make an angry retort when Viconia pressed a finger to his lips. "But, I am willing to return the favor and love you despite your flaws." She pulled him closer and placed a kiss to his lips.