The revenge Chapter 21, a baldur's gate fanfic

Disclaimer:

I don't own Baldur's Gate, the great masterpiece of role-playing.

The story on hand, ‚The revenge' is fan-fiction. I wrote it, because I love to write, but I will not use ‚The revenge' in any commercial way.

Rating: 'M'. Some scenes may be a 'T', but I had the feeling that a few scenes should be rated as 'MA'. I think, in general it's OK, to give 'M'. If you don't like that or if you are too young, don't read!

Chapter21 – 1

Alturiak7th, 1370

Athkatla, Amn

They slept to the morning of the next day.

Shelara wasn't willing to fight against an unknown enemy with a tired party and they needed the rest, no matter what the others said. She sighed and thought to her companions. Nalia had told her that she wanted to end this nightmare as fast as possible… that she wanted to kill the bastard who was responsible for this situation.

The priestess knew that Nalia was always there to help… perhaps she was an aloof noble, perhaps she was naïve and perhaps she was a touchy princess sometimes, but when it was necessary Nalia was willing to help.

And now, even Nalia was exhausted.

The sewers were dark, stinky, dirty… and the atmosphere here was depressing. Even Ust Natha was a better place to be.

They had entered the sewers together with a Cowled Wizard. Keldorn and Anomen had been one floor over them and controlled the gates to the sewers, as their other allies and the Shadow Thieves did. Shelara really hated it that she was forced to take help from the council and from Aran Linveil, but there wasn't a chance to do it on another way.

The group had headed deeper into the darkness.

Their enemy was anywhere there and Shelara was sure that Gaal was in his old hideout, below the sewers and she was sure that Gaal was with it… whatever it was.

Suddenly she stopped and looked at her friends.

"Perhaps it's Gaal's beholder," she whispered.

Jaheira grinned, "After everything we had done in this adventure, I would be disappointed when there's a beholder at the end."

"Hm?"

"Even Keto could kill a beholder!"
The bard looked to the drow, "Hey!"

Shelara rolled her eyes, "Shut up and concentrate! This thing is anywhere here."

Keto grumbled, but did as Shelara said. Then they followed Shelara to the next room…

Nothing has changed.

The hideout of the beholder sect was in the same condition as it was month ago after they had destroyed the sect. It was scary.

"Nalia?"

The archmage shook her head, "I don't see anything."

"All right, but let's be cautious."

Suddenly Saerileth stood still and pointed downstairs…

Shelara looked at her, "What's up?"

"I feel an evil aura down there. It's overwhelming."

Shelara swallowed, but ignored the thought of Demogorgon, "All of you! Are you ready?"

The women of her party nodded and even the noble was ready.

Then they stormed in the next room…

…and stopped abruptly. Darkness everywhere… and the room stank. Caverns of beholders never were lovely or smelt well, but this cavern stank.

Whatever.

Here they met a beholder for the first time and at that time she'd thought that a beholder was a frightening opponent. Things had changed and Shelara had to admit that Jaheira was right: If their last enemy would be the beholder, it would be completely disappointingly.

"Nalia…?"

"Light's on the way," the mage whispered and one moment later the room was filled with a pleasant white light. Shelara didn't know from where it was coming… but in the moment that wasn't that important.

She turned to Imoen, "What does the farsight spell says?"

The archmage whispered the spell and then she answered, "My spell doesn't work in the middle of the cavern, but the rest's save."

"All right… We move to the middle. Try to be silent. I'm sure they know that we're here, but I don't see necessity to be loud."
Her companions nodded and when she saw in their faces, Shelara could see pure tension.

Then the passage opened and they stopped. There was a lonely man sitting on the ground, and Shelara managed a cold smile, "We've come to say you greetings from Isaea and Corneil. You will join them soon, Gaal."

The dark priest grinned, "Thanks. But I don't think I will join them. But I have to tell you that your way ends here."

"So?"

"Yes. After we've led you here… you will see your real enemy! Master, they're here!"

Anything glided into the room.

Shelara's eyes widened immediately.

Kangaxx.

"Retreat!" the priestess shouted, but it was too late.

The demi-lich focused his eyes on Saerileth and a lightning bolt hit the paladin… It wasn't a normal lightning bolt: The electric detonation engulfed her and suddenly it exploded. The bolt lightened the room and Shelara staggered back.

When she opened her eyes again Saerileth lay at the ground – burnt to death.

The priestess of Sune wanted to cry… to fight… to do anything, but Kangaxx was faster. Something – Shelara wasn't sure what is was – flew to Nalia and captured her. The mage whirled to one of the walls and fell down to the ground motionlessly.

Then the demi-lich laughed out and when Shelara heard it… she lost her consciousness.

Chapter21 – 2

Alturiak7th, 1370

Athkatla, Amn

Shelara woke up with cruel headache.

She needed one or two moments to realize where she was: In one of the caverns and like her friends her hands were tied with a chain and she hang there in the middle of the room, which was bathed in the light of torches.

She moaned in pain… and saw that Kangaxx and Gaal stood before the group.

"What have you done?" she asked slowly, still paralyzed by the headache.

Kangaxx laughed… or did anything which sounded like laughing, "I want revenge! You killed me and I can tell you, to be killed isn't that nice."

"You haven't given us a chance. We freed you and your first action was to fight us! We had to do it."

"Hm, perhaps. But that's not enough for me. You and your group of… bitches will pay! The paladin and the mage were the first ones, but believe me that every one of you will see her gods, before the day is over… But actually I just want you. The rest of your group is unworthy being tortured by my hands. I will do it fast with them… But first I want to enjoy this moment… I've waited too long for this."

"En… enjoy?"

"Yes. You're alive because I wanted you to be alive. I wanted to see your stupid faces in this moment."

"Wha… what do you mean?"

The demi-lich grinned widely… Then he changed his form and shaped into a new body.

Keto told from the background, "I… I know this guy. He's the drunkard who told me what is going on with the group."

Kangaxx ignored the bard and looked to Shelara, "And tell me, do you remember to this person?"

He changed into the djinni from Sigil, who had forced them to riddle.

He morphed back, "I did also come to Keldorn and Anomen, then I came to Minsc, Cernd and Mazzy first as the high merchant of Trademeet and then as an informant in Imnesvale…"

Shelara stared at him, "Why…?"

He laughed, "Because it was amusing to see your fight against those mortal scoundrels. It had been less fun for me if anyone had died before this moment. I've wanted to study you for my own pleasure and I wanted to see your pathetic attempts to survive. It really was fun."

"Fun??"

"Yes. You were in my hands all the time."

Yasraena snarled angry and Kangaxx turned to her, "Oh, the drow wants to say anything? Tell me, drow, what do you want say? Do it fast, before I cut you into pieces. And remember that no one will sing your stories when you're dead."

She swallowed down her anger and was silent.

Kangaxx smiled, "Oh, you're so pathetic…"

Shelara tried to ignore him and turned to Gaal, "You! It isn't over for you. If you changes sides now, we can help you, I promise!"

Gaal smiled evilly, "You aren't in the position. You can't help yourself, so don't dare to say that you can help me… And, oh… I forgot to say that I just want to see you cry in pain, that's what I want… But, let me show something before it begins…"

He stopped and pointed at a dark edge. A person came out from there and Shelara froze: The Cowled Wizard.

Gaal laughed, "Don't misunderstand. He was quite bravely, but nobody can't stand a charming spell of the master. He will be a great help, when my master takes the control over Athkatla."

"NO! I won't allow this!"

Kangaxx grinned, "You don't understand, priestess. I've made this cavern to my headquarters and gave it magical energy. No one can beat me here. I'm a strong opponent here. Too strong for mortal mages. You're already dead and you can't give orders here…"

A mighty explosion tore the situation.

Kangaxx was thrown back.

Nalia made a step towards him, "Indeed, you're strong here. In a normal case, even a demi-lich can't stand one of my dragon breathes."

Gaal cried in pain… and died in the fire of the dragon breath immediately.

The demi-lich growled, "You're alive?"

"I'm an archmage, idiot. Never underestimate me."

"Hm, I see. And what do you want to do now? You know, I'm faster tha…"

Immediately Nalia lifted her hands and activated a spellstrike against Kangaxx. The demi-lich cried out, then he was thrown back and sent one of his deadly lightning bolts to Nalia. She jumped to the side, swerved his attacks and cast a new spell in the moment when she focused on Kangaxx again. The demi-lich did the same.

Nalia's second dragon's breath was faster than Kangaxx' wail of banshee.

The demi-lich cried in endless pain and disappeared in a red flame.

Nalia stared at his dying 'body' and moaned exhaustedly. She stumbled back, fell to the ground and for a moment there was silence.

"Hey, Nali! Come on and set us free!"

The noble grinned to Imoen and cast a short spell. The chains around their hands opened and the six women fell to the ground…

Shelara was the first one who stood on her feet again and looked to Nalia, "All gods! We would be nothing without you!"

Nalia smiled constrainedly, "And I would be nothing without my rope of Vecna."

The priestess ignored her words and asked, "Are you hurt badly? I thought you would be dead. You were thrown hard against that wall."

"I just got a few bruises… and a broken rip, I think. Nothing, the time can't heal."

"Saerileth?"

Nalia lowered her head, but her voice shook in anger, "She's dead."

Shelara nodded, but turned to her dead body. Saerileth was completely burnt. Jaheira cleared her throat, "It's hard, Shelara, but even you can't bring her back. Her body is… stained. Her way is over here. But she will sit at Torm's side forever."

Shelara's voice was clear and hard, "No! I do NOT accept this!"

Without hesitation she knelt down at Saerileth and closed her eyes. After a moment they heard her voice, whispering words and conjurations… They heard words, the priestess sent to Sune.

Below the palms of her hands a white light appeared, connected with a deep humming.

Then nothing.

Silence.

Suddenly the priestess shouted out, "Sune! Listen to your loyal servant! Please send her back, please… I beg you for her life…"

The light engulfed Saerileth for a moment.

Then it disappeared and all was left was Saerileth. Without any injuries.

Shelara smiled, "Hey paladin. Are you well?"

Saerileth stared at her and nodded, "Yes… What happened? I just remember to that strange lightning bolt."

"You died," Shelara told weakly.

Saerileth smiled slightly, "Oh, I died again? That's a bad habit, I just show when I'm close to you… But, where's Kangaxx?"

"Nalia had killed him."

"You did?" the paladin asked the mage.

"Eh, yes," Nalia grinned. "He was my second demi-lich…"

Sudddenly they heard loud laughter.

A mad laughter.

And a shrill voice rose, "Do you really think you killed me?? Me?? Kangaxx?"

The body of the demi-lich appeared, but Nalia whirled around and threw a fireball to him. The demi-lich was stopped from casting a new spell for a short moment and the red haired mage shouted, "Immy!"

Nalia threw a second fireball on him and hit him, although it vanished in a mist of white light: Kangaxx had cast a protection spell against Nalia's fast, but pretty useless spells. In the background Yasraena, Chloe, Jaheira, Keto and Saerileth attacked him with their material weapons, while Nalia cast breaches and higher spells to destroy Kangaxx's protection shields…

Suddenly Shelara said a single word… Her priest spell, the Holy word hit Kangaxx hard and threw him back.

But the demi-lich was on his feet a few seconds later and yelled in endless fury, "You stupid witch! Do you really think, you can stop me?? I will kill every one of you!"

Kangaxx laughed madly and… cast a tremendous spell against Shelara.

The priestess made a step back, but when the black ball almost had reached her, she grinned widely.

Imoen's improved spell turning protected Shelara and threw Kangaxx imprisonment spell back. It engulfed the demi-lich, he stared at Shelara and shouted, "NO! You can't do it! Please stop! PLEASE!"

Then he vanished in a black sphere of magic with a loud cry of panic.

Shelara grinned again and flopped to the ground, "Jerk! We didn't want to stop you. Our intention was to slow you, until Immy is ready!"

Silence for a moment.

Then Keto looked at Imoen, "Damn, that was great!"

Imoen smiled, "Worth an epos?"

Keto laughed, "Yeah, for sure "

Suddenly Shelara cleared her throat, managed a short smile and after a moment she looked to the Cowled Wizard who had become unconsciousness when Kangaxx had been imprisoned. And then her smile disappeared, "Let's leave. These sewers are still awfully."

-tbc-

Author's note: In the first two versions of this chapter I've killed important main characters… When one of my friends heard about this he wanted to slay me… and so I've decided to let them survive.

But because I don't like Happy Ends I wasn't sure if all of them would survive this chapter. After a long day of thinking over the best end, I saw that every possible way to end this story has advantages and disadvantages… So I've decided to leave the decision to my dice. So if you hate me for writing a Happy End, don't curse me, curse my dice! ;-)