AN: BG3 has me in its clutches. That said, it also inspired me to go over other works as the mood strikes me. Especially the fact I can basically become a Mind Flayer. Time to make C'gorath proper!
It seemed like so much time had passed, and yet so little.
Quadling City had seen its fair share of combat, the Vulcan Defense Protocol coming in handy as every statue had come alive, my golems working alongside the Elementals to attack the Grimm that had descended from that thing that burst from the mountains. In addition, coming in clutch were the temples of Cuthbert of all things. Large enough to act as places of refuge, protected, strong... And for some reason, despite emotions running high, those who entered past their doors were all but invisible to the Grimm so long as they stayed out of sight.
The resonance stones I had turned to act as part of my therapy initially had an intriguing side-effect, one I would have to look into further... If I survived this next part.
I took a deep breath, staring out at the reconstruction of my city outside the window, running through my brain the number of problems I'd have to ensure went well, in the event I... Well, couldn't make it after this meeting. I think I did everything I could have.
I had written my final letters to Ruby, Yang and Tai. I had set aside a fund for which they could draw upon, as well as begun the process of safehouses throughout the world in which they'd all be safe, wherever they would be drawn. Pertinent information that I could recall would be set, overall... I think I had done everything I could.
My successor for the city would go to the council proper, with the caveat that a new headmaster or headmistress must always have their place on it.
I had done everything I could. Now? I would have to take the leap and on cue, the elevator behind me activated and then hissed, opening up to reveal the following.
Two beings. A gorgeous looking high elf, regal in her bearing and incredibly imperious. Her silver eyes flashed, as she looked at me and then paused in mild confusion as she sniffed once before a neutral expression crossed her features.
I had eyes only for the woman by her side, a younger half elf in full plate and armed.
... That wasn't comforting, and she stared at me with an intensity that seemed almost intimate. She was beautiful in turn, with hair near white with streaks of silver. Her armor was done in mimicry of dragons and a gold circlet with gems gleamed with magic, as her mind was closed off to me. They weren't taking any chances, not with her as we stared across at each other before she spoke quietly.
"Not like this. I want to see the real you."
I inclined my head. "As you wish, Queen Bellinda." I dropped the transformation. The veins around my eyes turned black as my skin began to slough off. Flesh turned putrid, dripping to the floor to reveal dark, purple skin beneath. My humanoid jaw shattered, teeth clattering as tentacles snaked their way out, as I began to float in midair. The woman with Bellinda looked repulsed, Bellinda continued to stare as rapidly, it looked like I had just gone through ceremorphosis in the span of six seconds.
Bellinda let in an unconscious hiss. "So, it is true." She looked at me, something flashing behind her eyes as she spoke. "Lord C'gorath did survive. One of the most twisted members of the cabal who desecrated my homeland, killed my people, murdered my father is alive and well. You have no idea how long I've dreamed of this moment."
I was silent. I made no arcane gesture, nor did I raise so much as a finger... They refused to stay off guard. Good.
They studied up on my kind it seems, and Bellinda hesitated before she finally spoke again. "The Lords Alliance had told me of your survival, but the more I heard, the more horrified I became. They told me you had wiped out an Eladrin scouting party and then proceeded to enthrall Elminster of all people. They said you were luring in monstrous races, the worst organizations of our world under your banner once more. They said you were acting to take over a new plane, in the same way you had done my own home. I came prepared to kill, to avenge my loved ones alongside my mother. And yet..."
Her voice trailed off, confusion played about her face before she finally spoke. "...When we emerged from the Gate, I thought my fears had been realized. Seeing Hell unleashed alongside those creatures made me believe the worst of you. And then I saw what they were doing, how they were acting. I saw Syxorath's hounds working to heal civilians and protect their passage out. I saw Blackstone's, Gaunts and Anghelscu's give their lives to protect those in need. I saw acts of heroism from those who I believed were incapable of doing so, and made the choice to help them with the armies we mustered to stop you. Now, here and now? You've let us both in and aren't even going for a weapon."
Fury crossed her face and she suddenly launched herself. I did nothing, not even when her gauntlet slammed into my cheek, as bones cracked and I fell to the ground.
"Get up." She said, grabbing my collar and shaking me. "Get up. Tell me your plan! Tell me what you're scheming!" She punched me again, the searing familiar burn of radiant damage almost nostalgic as she began to sob.
"You've taken everything from me! Don't you dare take this from me too! Please... Please..."
Tears dropped on the ground, steaming as Bellinda began to cry, the older High Elf moving swiftly to squeeze her shoulder.
"... I'm sorry." I hated using my voice in this form. It felt too guttural, disturbing. Truly, the voice of a monster as pain wracked my body from the blow she had given me. My speech slightly slurred, I made no effort to get up as I spoke with all the sincerity I could muster.
"I'm sorry I was a monster to you, who didn't deserve it. I'm sorry I had inflicted such harm upon your people. I'm sorry for everything I had been, and how I must have preyed on your mind since. I have done everything I could, to make up for those past mistakes. But it does not excuse your grief, nor your anger. Hate me if you wish, if it is my head you desire, take it. But please, do not let your anger fall upon those under my protection."
I looked her in the eye, noted the astonishment under the sorrow and rage as I added.
"Do not become me."
Silence fell. Bellinda hesitated, her fist raised before she sighed out and brought it back.
A soothing light filled the room, as she healed me with a touch and wiping her face with a handkerchief passed over, she spoke hoarsely.
"Never. I will never become you. I... I must think on this." She rose, turned and left swiftly. As the door closed behind her, I sighed out and floated in midair, before glancing at the high elf left in the room... Or the creature, with the guise of one.
I inclined my head. "It is good to see rumors of your death had been greatly exaggerated, Lady Antharia."
"Not for lack of trying." Rumbled the silver dragon, her eyes glowing brighter as she stared at me, puzzled despite herself. "You actually meant that."
"Of course." I said simply as I floated back and adjusted my clothing. "As I said, I am a changed being. A new Illithid, you might just say. An impossibility, certainly. Nevertheless, here I am... And here, I seek to better myself. Though I couldn't have done it alone. Tea?"
Bellinda's mother stared at me, intently before her eyes flicked past to a chess board as she suddenly spoke. "Do you play?"
"I dabble." I said offhand, in a manner that fooled neither of us as she smirked and I helped her to a seat, floating back around as she spoke. "A wager perhaps, to make it interesting? For every piece taken, a question answered truthfully. If you cannot answer, you forfeit a move. Is this agreeable?"
"I accept your terms." I reply and after sending a mental ping to my invisible servants, we take our seats. The board is set, and Antharia chooses white as she says idly.
"You seem like a black sort of player."
I chuckle, and the game begins. As it does, I think about what I know of Antharia, a powerful dragon even among their kin. In our game, Neberus himself had to fight her to ensure our forces survival and he failed, but seemed to have taken her with him. Not that I knew, fighting in our palace and as we take pieces, the questions asked are more banal on both our ends. How are our respective realms, current fashion trends, little things that when investigated will prove our honesty to one another. As she plays however, I sense something rise and activate before pretending I don't notice.
If a Zone of Truth will make her feel more at ease, so be it. I have nothing to hide and everything to gain as she captures my knight and asks the first real question.
"Are you truly C'gorath?"
"Yes and no." I reply and she looks briefly irritated at the wordplay before relaxing as I elucidate. "I am C'gorath, he who did all these things prior, all these horrible crimes... And yet, I am not. I am a new house with the foundations of the Illithid I once was. The pieces so abhorrent to me now, have been replaced with new values, new goals. Not simply because I failed, but because I find it morally repulsive to act otherwise. In that sense, I'm certainly not the C'gorath I once was. Instead, I'm more than he ever was. Or could be."
She looked thoughtful at that, before asking as our game proceeded and she took a bishop. "How do you deal with your brain problem?"
"I don't." I said with a chuckle. "I've been starving myself for quite some time, at least till fairly recently. The scouting corp was real enough, but they had been preying on my people and allies who otherwise wanted only to leave in peace to my city. I was angry, I lost my temper. I... I've had help, coming to terms with it, thankfully."
She looked more puzzled than ever, and as we played on, more of my pawns were eradicated as was another knight as she asked.
"What plan do you have for this realm?"
"None." I said simply. "Everything I do, is simply to make a home. To make a new player on the board, to upend the game that had been going on for far, too long. There is evil here, that shall come to blows with me some time in future, inevitable and as strong as gravity. I will be ready, when the time comes."
She puts me in checkmate. She doesn't look happy about it, considering before she spoke one more time.
"You would have let my child kill you. Despite your plans, despite everything... Why?"
I sighed out, my tentacle reaching out to coil around the queen piece as I lift it in sight and stare before setting it back.
"... Because I have no other way to share my sincerity. Because you know you can't trust my words. And because she had that right, after all that was done. I cannot change the past, but I can make the future better. And while she may not want it, she has an ally in myself and my resources."
Antharia is thoughtful. She glances at the board, frowns deeper and finally speaks ruefully. "... You knew about my zone. You let me win, letting me know what I want. And despite my own personal misgivings, I cannot deny the sincerity of your attempts at repentance. Something you know I will share with my child, in my role as her councilor."
I was silent and after a moment, the dragon chuckles ruefully. Her eyes flick to my own as she smirks. "A leopard does not change their spots entirely, do they? Or an Illithid, their mind games. Very well C'gorath."
She rises and I rise in turn as she speaks. "A chance. No more. And should you step so much as a tentacle out of line, I'll spare my child her anguish and eat you myself."
I incline my head and with that done, the door slides open as a blur of flower petals flit past and Ruby slams against me, hugging tightly as she wails.
"Aunty Em! Yang's gone! So's Blake!"
More than anything, this shocks Antharia to her core. She stares, at the way the small human hugs my waist with absolutely no fear, utterly trusting as she sees how I handle her, as I speak.
"Is she? We'll talk. Apologies Antharia, but this is personal. Shall we speak later?"
She stares. Ruby looks at her curiously and with wide eyes, Antharia is disquieted by something in Ruby's features as she speaks slowly.
"Yes... By your leave, Headmistress." She turns, leaves and the last I see of her is a thoughtful expression before I float Ruby onto my desk and speak.
"Now child... What's this about your friends going missing?"