Chapter №1

A nervous voice carved its way to her unconscious mind.

"Cayla? Cayla? Are you okay?"

What did the demon tell her? To think before doing something? At least she could try it... The voice was most probably Gann's – nobody could mistake that smooth, feminine tone. If it really is Gann, she should probably push aside her instincts to strangle him with his perfect hair and try to get some information from him. Then she could strangle him. So her hand found her way to his blue locks of magnificent hair, grabbed one and used it to stand up. Or at least to fleece some of his amazingly shining tufts out.

"Ow! Watch the hair!" he shrieked as he tried to get her fingers away from it. "And such gratitude to the one that saved you! I expected at least a kiss of thankfulness!"

"Dream on, blue boy." Blue, so much blue around her...Gann had only a pair of pants on him, but she tried to look in his...blueberry colored eyes and not somewhere else. "Now shut up and tell me what happened or I'm telling Magda about the hair-care products you're using. And you know that she's going to rumor it to every woman in Mulsantir!"

"No need to be so...offensive! But what do you want me to do first – shut up or tell you what happened?" Gann didn't wait for an answer. "The Dove – and not me, thank you very much – was worried about you when you didn't return from your adventurous raids of the graveyard. So she made me go and check on you. And what did I see?"

"I don't know, what did you see?"

"If you just let me finish... I saw you unconscious and that undead construct was standing right next to you, now visible, trying to...well I don't know what was it trying to do, but it looked dangerous. No doubt it had attacked you, so I chased him away and brought you to the Veil theatre."

"You...chased my puppy away?" her fist was trying to find its way to his oh-so-charming face, but she suppressed the urge in order to find out more about what happened. "Where?"

"How am I supposed to know?"

"Great!" Cayla tugged on his sea-colored locks and pulled his face towards her. "Now listen to me carefully and don't say another word: I'm going to find where the Many are and after I return, depending on the results I'm either going to shave you or kill you. Got it!?"

The hagspawn nodded and she pushed him away, running towards the door.

"Eh...you might want to put some clothes on that gorgeous body of yours, oh great and powerful leader..."

"What did I say about talking?" she turned around to face him, but realized she was wearing nothing but a nightgown. "And if you've tried something while I was unconscious..."

"Ah, what gave you that idea?" He was making fun of her! "Our heavenly songbird insisted that we get you out of those ruined clothes of yours." After she had found the Many, she would find the spell that thayan wizards use to keep themselves bald. But first, she needed a change of clothing...

The graveyard had been empty. The sun had already risen so One of Many should be in some place dark, filled with death and evil...that leaved most of Mulsantir out and she couldn't open a portal to the Shadow Mulsantir during the day. Was there such thing as an Undercity here? Neverwinter had it – the endless sewers which were inhabited by thieves and smugglers were always dark except for the torchlight. Some said that there were even catacombs under Neverwinter itself – remnants of another city, part of an ancient empire that got destroyed a long time ago. Time to ask some questions! And Cayla knew exactly where she should ask them.

The temple of Kelemvor was in the northern part of Mulsantir, right next to the lodge of the berserkers. No wonder – incidents happened to the ones new in berserking every day and all of the barbarians needed minor or major healing, even sometimes someone to stand near them in their last seconds. When Safiya had been around she told her that the berserker lodge needed a "Kids, don't do this at home" sign above the main door and Cayla was beginning to think that the wizard had been right.

She jumped over that pesky badger, pushed the berserker guards away and tumbled over the stairs leading into the temple. Surprisingly, it seemed that the priest had been expecting her visit. It wasn't even Davorik, but another cleric of Kelemvor – fat and short, with a thick, long beard that covered almost all of his face.

"Speak, my child. What are you searching for?" But then again, maybe he used those words on all of those who entered the temple. In order to be here, you must be seeking something – nobody goes into Kelemvor's vault just to have a chat with those nice priests.

"I'm looking for a friend..." she mumbled.

"You should know that," chills went through her spine when he used that word - a long time ago she had developed a 'know that' phobia. "the temple no longer summons spirits on request, no matter the prize. If you wish to speak with the dead, find yourself a necromancer...child."

"No, don't get me wrong! I just want to ask a question or two! Wait...why were you forbidden to summon ghosts? Did your god deny you that?

"If you must know, it was after an incident we had a long time ago. So we no longer accept summoning the powers of the unknown, and most importantly, those charming ghostly ladies in revealing nightgowns, pale skin, dark makeup and giant..." Cayla saw how flushed was his face now. "But that was not the answer you were seeking, correct?"

"No, it wasn't. I want to know if there are any catacombs below the city."

"Why would a girl like you need access to the catacombs?" So there actually was a city below the city! "Are you trying to make pacts with the ghost and spirits there? You must know that if you're searching for pleasures," he was starting to flush again "forbidden to the living, we must deny you access to the tombs below the temple!"

She was about to say 'no' when something inside her stirred. Not the huger, definitely – she had fed a few hours ago. What then?"

'Your conscience." – it would've been better if the voice inside her head was hers, but words usually have a specific tune only when they're being spoken.

'I have one? Wow, I never thought that I have such a thing.'First she got an ancient curse inflicted upon herself and now she was turning crazy!

'Well guess again. And think you answer that question: it's tricky. You're searching for the Many inside the catacombs. Ask yourself: what are the Many to you and why are you searching for them?'

'A big, cuddly puppy!' What kind of question was that? One of Many was her faithful servant and her friend ever since she created him. He was her pet whom she had to feed and take care of. And like every irresponsible child, she lost him.

'Oooh, you're starting to think of ' it' as a 'him'. Doesn't that give you clue?'

'A clue about what?' Here her 'conscience' sighed. Or maybe Cayla was imagining all of this and she didn't have such a thing at all – she hoped it was the second one.

'You're just clueless. I'm going to sit back and enjoy, then. Have fun with the Many!'

"Miss, why are you staring at the ceiling?" asked the priest with concern in his voice. "So are you searching for pleasures with the dead that are forbidden with the living or not?"

"Err...no?"

"How can I know that you are not lying?" Well it was time for that seductive smile. As a sorceress Cayla was extremely charming and she needed only a single smile to get what she wanted – what she lacked in brains she compensated with beauty and style.

"I'm not, trust me," she smiled and took a step closer to the cleric. "I'm just looking for my friend and I really need to get down there. So please, tell me how can I get there."

"I...uh...well..." the priest was blushing again and his forehead was getting damp with sweat. "Basement... first door to the right...here is the key..."

"Thanks, mister priest. I'll see you later!" She took the key in one swift movement and ran to the stairs leading below ground level.

And then...and then what? Get lost in the catacombs while she was searching for One of Many? How would she return if she finds him...it? And what's going to happen if she actually finds him? Unfortunately for her, she wasn't smart enough even to try thinking about the consequences of her actions. So he ventured forth into the darkness of the ancient tombs and never wondered if she's going to get out.

"Hello? Anybody there?" Cayla didn't hope for an answer - it would've been creepy. Getting deeper and deeper into the tombs definitely wasn't a good idea. She was roving inside for the last couple of hours and still no result except for getting lost, because there were always twists and turns, leading to rooms that all looked the same – sarcophaguses, skeletons, statues, spider webs, more sarcophaguses, skeletons and so on. She would've gotten out of the catacombs if she knew how. And now the only thing she could do was panic.

'Mistress?' The Many? So she'd found them after all? 'We truly admire your concern and lack of intelligent thoughts right now, but it would be best if you just cast a spell to teleport yourself out.'

'Where are you?'

'Currently behind you. We've been behind you for the last seven floors, Mistress.'

"But...why?"

'The Many wanted to see if you will give up on your chase and realize you can call us any time you want."

"I can? No, don't answer that. So...it seems that I've found you and its time to get out of here! But I why did you attack me and then return to me?"

'We...reconsidered. We want a reconcilement with you, Dark Mistress – we are your slave and even when we do not obey you, we are a part of you. Thus we cannot escape from wrath even if we try.'

"Okay then, One of Many - I forgive you." Who can be mad at a cute little undead puppy like the Many? "What were you saying about a teleportation spell?"

"Mistress, as far as the Many know, you know such a spell. But our advice is that you do not teleport yourself out right now. We sense a disturbance in the energy on the level below. Perhaps a portal."

"You want me to check on that?"

'No.'

"Really?"

'No.'

"Okay, I'm going to check it out. But first..." what was that name again? "I want you to give the control of the Many to the Other One."

'As the mistress wishes' the creature mumbled. For a second his...its stare got muddled and then...

'Oh, its you.' Yep, definitely the demon-spawn she met earlier.

"You missed a "mistress" there."

'If you expect me to "mistress" you, you can just summon the Child again. Unlike the others, I still have some pride left.'

"Sure thing, One."

'How did you call me?'

"One. You don't act as a part of the Many, so I find the name suiting for you."

'Whatever. Lets...just go.'

Cayla didn't realize they were walking. Before she knew it, they were on the last floor of the tombs – it was just a small room with a decorative archway in it. As far as she knew, that was most probably a portal of some sort. It reminded her of the ones she saw in the Arvahn ruins, but the glow those portals had was duller here – she could still see the wall behind the arch.

"Should we..."

'You do not even know where it leads to.'The One sighed and pointed a tentacle at the sign above the archway.

"It's too far away for me to read it. Wait... I think it says 'Limbo! We par-tay all night and rock'n'roll all day!' So it must be some sort of tavern or an inn. I could use some rest. But then again, I need some spirits to eat... What do you say?" Cayla swayed her body and smiled at him and she didn't even wonder why she was doing it.

'I see no reason to do it. And I don't see a reason why not to do it.'

"Well that was helpful."

'The decision is all yours, great and almighty Mistress.' One could cut the irony with a knife, but she still didn't get it.

"Alright... to the portal, puppy!" she smiled at him as she jumped inside.

'How did you...?' The undead just sighed and walked into the portal and even the way he was walking showed how dreadfully bored he was. After all, he didn't care about dying – he was already dead.

Dark, endless corridors and walking hours on end without knowing where was she going – this must've been her birthday. And One of Many...if she didn't know he was dead, she would've sworn that she felt his breath in her neck. He was painfully close and as they walked in the darkness, the silence was getting more awkward with each second. So...time to find out some more about him!

"So...uh...you're undead?"

'Yes.'

'What's your favorite color?'

'Red.'

"Why?"

'It reminds me of blood.'

"How are you feeling?"

'Dead. And I want to kill something.'

"How many tentacles do you have?"

'Lots.'

"Do you know where we are?"

'Yes.'

"Are you being honest?"

'No.'

"Do you..." she couldn't finish as he swirled a tentacle in her general direction.

'Don't your questions ever stop? And I'm going to give you something to think about – there is a light in the end of the corridor. It's just like the light in the end of the tunnel, so you might have died and now it's curtains for you. Think about it.'

"Very funny, puppy."

'You finally seem to have understood the sarcasm I'm using on you. You must be truly dead, for you couldn't do that in the world of the living.'

"Hey, I can see something in the light!" she decided to completely ignore his previous sentence, grabbed one of his claws and started dragging him towards the black spot in the light. The closer they were getting, the more she could see its features - a human-like body shape, greenish skin, a long cape, a veil and... oh no!

"Ya should like know that you must pay before entering Limbo!"

Shivers...they were chasing down her spine, making her hands tremble and her heart to beat faster than she thought to be possible. So they really were in Limbo, the chaotic plane of the githzerai – Cayla expected the portal to lead them to some sort of pub or tavern with a weird name, but it actually was filled with those weird green people...and there were so many buildings around... Everything around them was changing shape rapidly and they could barely pass around the place. The statues, houses and even the plants were changing their location for mere seconds and then in their place were new building and streets. What was worse was that so did the people... And why did the one that guided them though it looked like a githzerai she used to know?

"Err...miss githzerai...what is your name and why are you helping us find our way out? Where are we going?"

'Well that's blatantly obvious. You could've at least tried to make it sound more subtle.' She heard the voice of One of Many in her head. It was a welcomed distraction from the horror that the 'know that's brought her.

"Ya should like know that', the sorceress shivered again 'my name is Shave and all who enter this place must get to see its beauty. We are going to the spoon museum!"

"Shave, huh... can you tell me why was there a portal in the middle of an ancient catacomb?"

'What did I say about subtlety?' , roared a voice in her head.

"Ya should like know how much the kiddies love the souvenirs inside – we bring them there to get a bone or two as a toy, maybe like a few coins and so on." – the gith smiled at her general direction and Cayla could see her sharp teeth. Did Zhjaeve have teeth like that?

"Shave...I have a question that may seem weird, but... do you happen to know a person by the name of Zhjaeve?" The green woman gasped and suddenly turned around.

"Ya should like know that Zhjaeve is my older half-sister. An ya should like know that if you want to see her, I can bring you to the discotheque." Zhjaeve was here...? But Cayla saw how the rocks fell on her and how they sealed the gith out of the others...

"Half-sister?"

"Ya should like know that my pa' was a gothzerai and they are waaay cooler that the normal githzerai."

"I...see. Yes, I want to see her. Show me the way to her."

Then suddenly the shapes around her blurred and all Cayla could do was shield her chest with her hands before falling down...to the solid ground below her. The music around her was loud, psychotic and most of all, it made her want to move her body around. She could feel the presence of the Many near her – they seemed to be protecting her form the crowd around her.

"Ya should like know that here in Limbo we can change our location on thought. Ya should like know that I wanted to spare you that when you arrived 'cause the side effects on those who aren't used to that could be like dreadful."

'And then she just decides to use it just like that, without even giving it a thought. Stupid creature... she reminds me of you.'

'Thank you very much, One. I like you too.', the sorceress thought – she knew that he could hear what she was thinking. Suddenly a shape darker than the ones around her founds its way to her and gave her shivers...again...

"Kalach-cha! Know that you have found me!"

Nonononono! When she thought about visiting the githzerai, she didn't think about what will happen when they meet. Happy place, go to your happy place!

"Know that now we have united here and you are armed with your fury and your silver sword, we can save the world from its horrors and party till we drop unconscious!"

"Huh? Did you just say..."

"Know that I said that we should party and celebrate our victory over the King of Shadows! Know that you probably think the name of this place has no meaning! But is has been named after our favorite dance, because we githzerai love dancing. Know that you should rock your body and sing with us – tomorrow is a new day of bright sunshine and the threat of the shadow is no longer here!"

"So you just stayed here and expected me to find you?"

"Know that you are correct. Know that you should smile and sing with me! Know that the Kalach-cha's in the the cradle and the silver swooord, little boy blue and the man on the Waaall, na-na-na-naah!' Zhjaeve started humming with her deep, manly voice. "Know that you should sing with me, Kalach-cha!"

"Zhjaeve, I'm just going to back away from you slowly and then run, screaming for my mommy..."

"Know that I do not know what scares you. Know that I have just realized that you've forgotten my manners! Let me introduce you to my friends! Know that this one is Zahjeve, and this one is Zhjave and this is Zhjae and this one is Zijaheve and this is Zhjaivy. They are my closest of family!"

"Know that we greet you, Kalach-cha", said the green people in unison.

'This is HELL!' Cayla thought.

'Or heaven'.

'What do you mean?"

'I'm just saying that you need to unleash that anger in you. You haven't fed in hours, you must be starving for spirits, if you know what I'm trying to say.'

"Are you trying to tell me that I should kill them?!" She didn't realize she spoke this out loud. Suddenly, all of the githzerai were staring in her, backing away...

"Kalach-cha, know that I have no idea who are you talking to."

"Oh, I forgot. Zhjaeve, this is my puppy – One of Many." Zhjaeve stared into the nothingness where the Many were – Cayla often forgot that only she could see him.

"Know that I greet you, Kalach-cha's imaginary friend." The green woman waved a hand.

'Kill her!'

'But she's my...my...well I don't know what is she, but I can't kill her just like that!'

'Why? You've killed all of those other people who had their own lives and family just like her. What makes her different?'

'Well...she has a name...and...'

'So did they.'

"I see your point. I must confess... you're probably right – there's nothing I would enjoy right now than ripping her spine though her nose."

'Then do it!'

She obeyed.

Half an hour later, with a bloodied sword and having little to no spells left, Cayla walked outside the portal with a satisfied grin on her face.

'Than was fun! There is nothing better than killing Zhjaeve in the morning!"

'Aside from killing her, then resurrecting her and then killing her again?'

'Oh man, why didn't I take the Dove with me?' Cayla frowned. 'Don't answer that, you're just going to make it worse. So, is it time to get out of here and return to the Veil?'

'I don't care – it's your choice.'

While she was casting her teleportation spell, Cayla didn't even think about what she had done earlier – killing dozens of innocents now didn't seem to bother her at all. It actually felt refreshing – letting go of the anger and satiating the hunger once more on those pitiful giths. But where was that way of thinking going to get her? Was she proud of what she did?

Then the place where the sorceress and her friend had been standing was empty and streaks of blood flowed though the portal where her feet had been. Best. Portal. Ever!