General disclaimer: I own nothing, even Maiyn generally decides her own path.

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The Undercity

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"What's this?" asked the hooded figure standing before them. The group had been magically transported to their location by Duke Belt, and Coran had quickly whispered that it was the main hall of the thieves guild. A lot of hooded figures were watching them.

"It seems like everyone's crashing in on our guild today," the figure continued. "You better tell me what you're here about, and quick, or you're in a lot of trouble."

"We're following the other who appeared here," said Maiyn calmly.

"Ah. Well he went downstairs - into the thief warrens. It's quite dangerous down there, and he'll be lucky to survive it."

"Thank you." Maiyn went to the stairs, but paused when the man called out to her. "Look, before you go down, go and see that woman." He pointed to a cowled figure lurking in the shadows. "It's Black Lily - she might have some goods you'd find useful."

Maiyn nodded and smiled, and the group followed Lily into a small room, cluttered with items. Xan snatched up a few scrolls, while Kivan and Maiyn recognised some magical arrows. The others traded in their plain weapons for equivalents with small enchantments on them, and not once did anyone question where the merchandise came from; not even Xan. Maiyn thanked the woman, smiled again to the man who had spoke to them, and the group silently descended down the many stairs into the dark tunnels of the maze.

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Alora and Imoen were kept busy as they progressed with the traps that littered the passage. The fighters had faced and fought various slimes, results of experiments that had been put into the warren as pets, serving alongside the doom guards that were on patrol. Maiyn was thankful that they'd managed to pick up the enchanted weapons from the Lily - although it had used quite a bit of coin, they now were able to inflict damage on the heavily armoured guards, and their progress, although slow, was steady.

Everyone was quiet as they went, the only real discussion coming when they reached a junction. Maiyn would stop and ask the others what they thought, and they'd come to a consensus and move on. They reached several dead ends, patiently retracing their steps and trying a different way, soon noticing a trend for following the path which sloped down, further into the ground. Eventually they reached a large grey door, situated in the wall.

Maiyn stared at it hesitantly, then pulled it open, and wandered through into a large cavern. She gasped as she looked up to the ceiling above them, shrouded in darkness, and much higher than she expected it to possibly be. She could hear thee others following her in, all looking around at the ruined buildings that lay before them; once homes and businesses of a city from an age ago, their remains crumbling into dust slowly as time past.

Not all of them were in disrepair however; Maiyn could see the large building in the distance, an eerie red glow seeming to emanate from it.

"The temple," she whispered, pointing to it. Her companions gaze fell to it too, and she could feel their trepidation. Minutes passed as they stood looking at it, then Maiyn felt herself being gently pulled. She turned, and allowed herself to be brought into Coran's embrace, trying to hide her trembling from him.

"Maiyn..." he whispered hoarsely. "My love, love of my life..." Coran buried his face into her hair, whispering gently to her. "Mela en'coiamin, amin uuma merna te, sina dagor, ananta amin sinta thaliolle ar'soora lle. Ilyamenie. Tira ten'rashwe, wilwarinamin... amin anta lle. Amin mela lle, peta lle sinta."

The ranger felt her tears running down her face at his words. Love of my life, I do not want it, this battle, and yet I know your strength, and I follow you. Always. Be careful, my butterfly... I need you. I love you. But you know.

Coran chuckled slightly as he released her, and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. "O, Seldarine, I sound like a... like a paladin." He grinned crookedly at her, and took her hands in his. "Luck be with the romantics."

Maiyn nodded to him, words failing her completely. She could see Khalid holding Jaheira, Minsc holding Dynaheir's hand. Yeslick had an arm each around Alora and Imoen, gently telling them to be brave. Even Xan and Kivan stood side by side; the ranger's expression stoic, the enchanter's resigned.

Maiyn kissed Coran on the cheek, hoping it said what she couldn't say in words. Then she moved forward, leading the way silently to the building in the distance, too scared to look back to see who still followed her.

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Montaron was annoyed. He didn't like being mocked by anyone, let alone another thief, and the man facing him was coming dangerously close to being derisive. He opened his mouth, prepared to make one more attempt at making himself understood when a flash of light behind them caused Xzar to jump. Montaron grit his teeth in frustration, turning to see what it was, and his mouth dropped open in disbelief.

He grabbed Xzar before the necromancer could say anything, and bundled him into a nearby room, following quickly. Peering around the frame, he watched Maiyn and her companions converse with another member of the guild, before finally descending down the stairs in the centre of the room. Montaron frowned slightly, and pulled Xzar with him as he strode back out into the room.

"Where be they goin'?" he asked, addressing the man the group had spoken to.

"Into the maze," the man shrugged.

"Why?" snapped Montaron fiercely. He was answered by another shrug.

"They're going after the other one."

"Other one?"

"The one who appeared here a few hours ago, and ran off down there injuring several of my guildmates in the process. Look, why are you here, anyway?"

Montaron ignored him, and darted off to the stairs, still dragging Xzar with him. The necromancer obediently followed him as he started going down the stairs, and much to the halfling's relief, he stayed quiet too. They'd heard rumours of deaths and murders involving both members of the Iron Throne and the Dukes of the city; thieves had been implicated in it, and Montaron had decided they should see what they could find out for themselves. None of the guild members had been willing to share their thoughts with the halfling though. Xzar had tried casting an enchantment on him called 'friends', but even it had failed to render any positive reactions to the halfling's interrogations.

Montaron carefully ensured they stayed well back from the group, cursing under his breath whenever he saw them heading back towards them, and dragging Xzar back to safety before they were spotted. Eventually Maiyn had found a door, and the group had gone through and into the cavern where the Zhents now stood. He could see the large building in the distance, and nodded slightly to himself. Aye, tha's where they be headin'.

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The group met nothing and no one on the way to the building, except for a few bats fluttering around the desolate town. Maiyn looked through the gateway at the entrance to the temple. Intricate pictures of skulls adorned the door and the frame around it, both sable in colour. Pillars were carved into the stone wall, stretching up to the red tiled, slanting roof. The roof reached its peak above the doorway, and situated just under it and above the entrance, was a large symbol of Bhaal - a skull with flashing red eyes and a manic grin, encircled with drops of blood. Maiyn shuddered, and turned to face her companions. Before she could speak, a voice came to them.

"Maiyn."

The ranger watched Tamoko come up to them, fear and mistrust etched into her face. She ignored the others, walking straight to the ranger and stopping before her.

"I fear this time I have not come to speak," said the kensai quietly. "Instead, I must take arms against you. You have... you have done what you must, I suppose. Sarevok knows of my treachery. He has forsaken me, left me to die in your path. I must fight you to regain his trust. His... attention."

"No," said Maiyn gently. "We have no reason to fight."

"Oh we do," said Tamoko sadly. "I stand before you, knowing if I defeat you he will continue his plans elsewhere. If I am fortunate, he may, one day, allow me back into his life. If you defeat me, you will go on to kill him. He will not yield to either of us. I have... I have no choice."

"There is always a choice," said Maiyn desperately. "I will not fight you Tamoko - I have no wish to see you harmed at all."

"We shall fight," said Tamoko simply. "I wish to protect what little honour I have left, and I challenge you to a duel. You can refuse it, but I shall do everything I can to prevent you from entering the temple regardless. A duel allows me to regain what little respect I have left for myself."

"I cannot harm you - you are not my enemy."

"You must," said Tamoko. Her eyes were pleading. "You must free me - you must fight me."

Maiyn looked at her hopelessly. "There must be another way - to throw your life away like this-"

"I was there when Gorion died," said Tamoko, her tone becoming cold. "I watched Sarevok taunt him, absorb his petty magic..."

Maiyn stepped back. "No... stop!"

"I saw his sword become buried within the old man - so weak he couldn't even defend himself, let alone anyone else." Tamoko readied her weapon. "You will fight me. And your companions shall stay out of it."

Maiyn glared at her, but nodded. She drew her sword from its sheathe, and bowed to Tamoko in return. "Let us begin."

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Montaron crouched behind a crumbling wall, watching the exchange with interest. He had no idea who the strange woman was, but his eyes widened as she drew her sword, Maiyn following suit. The two women then went toe to toe, the elf's companions helplessly watching as their ranger leader took on a much more experienced and trained fighter.

"Ooooh, isn't it exciting!" squealed Xzar, earning himself a kick from the thief.

"Keep it quiet," muttered Montaron. "We don' want 'em spottin' us here."

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Maiyn ducked and dodged as the kensai rained accurate blows down on her. It was all she could do to keep her footing and stay parrying, and she feared she would also be the one to tire first. She tried to concentrate, remembering the advice given to her by Minsc and Coran when she sparred with them, and the tips she'd picked up from Jaheira and Khalid. Eventually she received a moment of breathing space, where she feinted to the left, drawing herself back almost instantly, and striking out with her sword at Tamoko's unprotected side. Her sword managed to slice into the fighter's flesh, causing her to cry out in pain, and Maiyn drew herself back sharply, distraught by her action.

Tamoko countered her attack furiously, not giving the ranger any time for self-pity. Maiyn desperately tried to fend off the vicious attack, being pushed back further and further away from her companions as she parried the strong blows. A particularly brutal swipe disarmed Maiyn skilfully, and the ranger watched her sword clatter to the ground a short distance away. Tamoko bore down on the elf, her sword raised high above her, and Maiyn ducked out of the way, trying to dodge past her assault. The kensai's sword ripped into her leg, causing her to stumble, but she managed to stay on her feet as she dashed to her sword, picking it up and calling to her God for aid.

"Fenmarel, give me the strength I seek!" she called, turning to prepare herself for another round of attacks. Suddenly she felt a glow envelop her, and she seemed to grow in stature. She felt the intensity and force of her lunges increase, and suddenly the tables were turned as Maiyn forced Tamoko to retreat with her renewed strength. Maiyn quickly paused in her assail, muttering a quick prayer to heal the wound on her leg, and to remove her limp. Tamoko took the opportunity to thrust her sword at the ranger, but Maiyn evaded it easily, immediately countering with her own attack which found its way through the kensai's defences, and struck home into her torso.

Tamoko gasped slightly as her life drained from her, crumpling against Maiyn as she slid to the floor. The ranger fell with her, having pulled her sword free and dropped it to the side, her arms around the warrior, holding her tight as she took her dying breaths.

"I'm sorry," Maiyn sobbed, stroking Tamoko's hair with a sorrow she couldn't place.

"I am sorry too... forgive my cruel words," whispered Tamoko. "You have freed me now... for that, I am thankful."

Khalid and Jaheira quietly pulled Maiyn away from Tamoko's body, picking up her sword as they took her back to the group, weeping uncontrollably. Coran pulled the ranger into his arms, holding her as she cried, her companions standing in a reverend silence.

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Montaron wasn't sure what to make of the scene that he'd witnessed with Xzar. The necromancer had almost shouted in excitement at the battle, eventually passing out with the stress of being so delirious. The halfling was sitting beside him, waiting for him to waken up as he watched Maiyn sob in the arms of the fighter elf.

He knew right then that he didn't understand some people. Whenever he killed someone he felt happy and proud. Why bother killing them if you were just going to end up blubbing about it straight after? The thief snorted in disdain, perking up slightly as he saw the ranger stand up. A few words seemed to be exchanged, then slowly the group made their way to the door of the temple, pushing it open and venturing inside.

Montaron felt as though he was consumed with curiosity, but he knew he couldn't just leave the necromancer lying there. He gave Xzar an experimental kick, but the mage didn't even stir, and so Montaron sat back down with a resigned sigh.

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Maiyn finally managed to stop crying, confused with herself over her sudden outburst of emotion. She looked apologetically at her companions, but saw nothing but sympathy in their eyes. She stood up slowly, and opened her mouth, ready to speak. Before she managed a word, Jaheira raised her hand.

"Child, do not ask us to go. We have followed you this far for reasons personal to all of us, and we will follow you when you enter. You have given us all plenty of chances to abandon you, and none of us intend to."

The others voiced their agreement, touching Maiyn. She nodded. "Then we go in - be ready to cast and fight the moment we step inside."

The others nodded grimly, and watched as the ranger pushed open the large black door. With a deep breath, Maiyn crossed the threshold and wandered into the large hall, he companions following her closely. The floor was a rich red colour, glowing faintly in the unnatural light provided by several glowing orbs along the walls. Another symbol of Bhaal was in the centre of the floor, the skull seeming to watch Maiyn's slow advancement. At the far end was the altar; a raised stone platform, with a pale green lamp at each corner. Many depictions of skulls and death decorated the area making Maiyn feel sick to the core.

Then she noticed them. Four of them, standing on the altar. Three were regarding the group with disdain and hatred; the fourth had his back to them. Sarevok knew they were there though. Maiyn looked over to Kivan. The ranger had noticed Tazok, and his gaze was fixed firmly on the ogre, a fire burning in his eyes. Maiyn softly called his name, breaking the spell, and Kivan nodded to her. She could rely on him to not act rashly.

Sarevok turned slowly, and sneered at her. He strode between Angelo and Tazok, but stopped well away from the ranger and her companions. The fourth man was dressed in a green robe, and the group had already marked him out as a mage. Maiyn's own group had silently taken up their own positions, quietly waiting to see what happened.

"You are indeed family," said Sarevok mockingly. "No other could have lived to oppose me in person."

"I am not your family," said Maiyn coldly.

Sarevok just laughed. "Of course, it will not matter in the end. Ultimately I will prevail, and a new era will be born unto the Realms."

"Your evil ways end here tonight!" screamed Maiyn. "That God stays dead, and you will join him!"

"That God is our father!" taunted Sarevok.

"No!" shouted the ranger. "I will avenge my real father here tonight by bringing an end to your existence!"

"And I stand beside her," shouted Kivan. "I will avenge my wife!"

"We will fight with her against the evil that stands before us," shouted Jaheira.

"You will be made to face justice for your crimes," agreed Khalid, the emotionally charged moment wiping away his customary stammer.

"You'll not hurt my sister!"

"I'll hae revenge on ye, fer all the sins ye've had others commit against me an' my clan!"

"Your words mean nothing to me," snarled Sarevok. "It is your lives that will end today, not mine."

"You will pay for what you've done!" Maiyn felt her anger welling. "You will pay!"

"Yes, sister!" Sarevok's eyes gleamed as he smiled manically to her. "Bring your rage to the fore, and we shall end this in a manner befitting our heritage! Face me! Face the new LORD OF MURDER! Angelo, Tazok, Semaj - let's finish this now!"

Kivan was the first to move; spear in hands, he rushed forward to meet Tazok, engaging him in melee almost instantly. Yeslick called for assistance from the dead, animating some skeletons that charged alongside the ranger. The mages began murmuring almost in unison, while Alora slunk off to lurk in the shadows, her arrows raining down amongst their foes. Jaheira and Khalid moved as one, facing off against Angelo. Minsc met Sarevok head on, beginning an enormous battle of strength, Coran appearing by his side. Maiyn rushed off towards the mage, hacking wildly at the mirrors he projected.

The battle had begun.