1.

The flesh door opens, everyone quietly goes through, staying low and out of sight, you the last of them. There's a raised platform where Ketheric and a few others talk, you're too far away to hear much of anything, a few in your group continue to creep forward while you'd rather stay where you are… Something in your gut screams at you not to go, but Astarion urges you forward, and you follow him.

The others on the platform start to become clearer, Karlach growls the name Gortash, you recognize it and for some reason it makes you uneasy to see him. There's a woman too, sitting atop a kneeling man, you don't recognize either. Ketheric, Gortash and the woman bicker amongst themselves, the two new ones aiming most of their ire at Ketheric, who then moves to strike Gortash only to be stopped by the woman. They finish speaking, Gortash moves to the far side of the platform, his voice booming and commanding as he raises his fist, something on his hand begins to glow,

"The edict of Bane."

"The lash of Bhaal." The pale woman stands beside him, her voice loud and clear as she holds up a dagger with a glowing stone.

The misty pool behind them bubbles as great tentacles break the surface, a massive brain, wearing a dark crown, emerges. It's huge, pulsating and radiating that force of will the guardian protects you from, but even with its protection you can feel the worm wriggling in your head. Ketheric joins them, his own voice reluctant but powerful,

"The testament of Myrkul." His glowing stone is added to the others.

The brain floats ominously, glowing red, shivering and the voice of the guardian reverberates in your head.

"An elder brain… one of the cruelest and most powerful creatures in existence, enslaved by mere mortals."

Everyone of your companions looks back at you, for once having heard his voice, the guardian no longer speaking only to you. They remain silent, listening, thinking then turning their attention back to the elder brain. Gale stares, transfixed by it, his eyes focusing on the crown, like he's hypnotized,

"Look at that crown. It radiates with power unlike anything I've ever seen… To have it… to hold… If only I could… But I can't… This is it. I must do as Mystra commands." He starts to stand but Karlach grabs him and yanks him back down.

"Would you knock it off? You're not sacrificing yourself. I'm not gonna let you." She keeps hold of his arm and glares at him, worry in her eyes.

"We will take care of this another way," Shadowheart puts her hand over his, smiling gently, "Trust us."

"I do trust you," He looks back into Shadowheart's eyes with a wavering smile, "More than myself or even Mystra. I have no desire to end your life… We will find another way."

It's a tender moment between them, you had no real idea just how close they'd gotten, but you're glad that their affection for each other is what's stopping him from killing you all. You look away from them, back up to the platform, seeing the brain do something to the kneeling man. Wyll begins to move forward but stops himself, his body coiled like a spring, his hand wringing the hilt of his rapier as he groans,

"Shit, no! Father!"

Everyone crouches in tense anticipation, watching the elder brain reach out to Gortash, the woman and Wyll's father, suddenly vanishing with them. Its voice invading your mind again, commanding its army to move on Baldur's Gate. Ketheric stands alone on the platform, waiting, he knows you're all there.

Your mind can no longer handle everything that is happening. What even is happening? Every moment in this place only brings more misery. You just wanted to be rid of this thing in your head and go home. You grip the back of Astarion's leather armor, panic starting to shake your body, but he's too focused on what's happening to notice. You chew the inside of your mouth, looking at your companions and then back up to the platform. Astarion stands and you blindly follow him, the others walking ahead as you wonder if you're going to have to fight Ketheric again. More of the cavern comes into view, there's monsters on the other platforms and even further in you see Aylin, trapped once again in a soulcage. You know someone is speaking, but none of what's being said sinks in, you're too distraught to listen. Too scared.

Karlach sprints forward, Lae'zel and Wyll hot on her tail. Shadowheart and Gale make a break for Aylin. Astarion lunges forward, out of your grasp and runs towards one of the platforms, leaving you to just stand there, stock still, unsure where to even go. Your eyes drift from one platform to the next, finally landing on one far off to the left with a line of undead. That's where you can go, that's something you can handle.

You run as fast as you can, the panic fueling your speed, and clamber up the sinew mesh ladder. You cast holy magic, turning the undead allowing you to pick them off one by one with your sword. Your arm burns from swinging it, your shield arm begins to droop, but on you go until they're all piles of bones again.

You look up to check what's happening. Shadowheart and Aylin have joined the others attacking Ketheric head on while Gale has joined Astarion on a high platform taking out a mind flayer and several intellect devourers. Even Us is helping attack them. You ready yourself to heal everyone up when there's a sudden lull in the battle, the sounds of everyone fighting Ketheric go quiet. The general says something, but you can't quite make it out, you move closer, only hearing his last words,

"I am yours." He throws open his arms and leans backwards, letting himself fall into a pit.

And from this pit comes a terrible voice. Deep and trembling with divine indignation,

"You dare end one who belongs to me?" The pit swirls with eerie green mist, "I am the smile of the cleansed skull. I am the regrets of those who remain, and the restlessness of those who are gone. I am the haunt of mausoleums, the god of graves and age, of dust and dusk." Great bone hands grip the edge of the pit, dragging up the skeletal deity, "I am Myrkul, Lord of Bones, and you have slain my Chosen. But it is no matter. For I am Death. And I am not the end. I am a beginning" And so he looms, a god among mortals.

You have never felt such terror as you do looking upon this eternal harbinger of death. The very breath you draw feels tainted; no life can be sustained in His presence. He summons forth a great scythe, its blade fearsome as he swings it. You clench your jaw, watching it swipe passed everyone… but not Shadowheart… Your heart stops as you helplessly watch her double over clutching at her stomach.

Lae'zel runs to her side, trying to help her get away but there's no clear opportunity. Aylin flies overhead while Karlach and Wyll rush in to distract the god. You gather your magic, trying to heal Shadowheart but nothing happens. You madly run to the mesh ladder, flinging yourself down, scrambling to get to where she and Lae'zel are, again trying to use your magic on her and again nothing happens.

You get below them, shouting, begging Lae'zel to drop Shadowheart down; you know it's only going to make her injury worse, but you have to get her away from that monster. Lae'zel dangles her down as far as she can before letting go. Shadowheart drops, landing heavily on her feet and immediately going down to her knees, her hand reaching out to you so you can drag her away. You pull, both hands holding her limp arm, every step you take you try again and again to staunch the bleeding, but still nothing happens. This demon's very presence denies healing, denies life and you can do nothing to save your friend.

You don't know how far you drag her but your vision blurs with tears and your voice cracks from screaming at her to hold on when her voice finally breaks through to you,

"It's working…" Her voice is weak, raspy and low.

"Shadowheart?!"

You stop and look down at her and the soft glow of your magic and hers finally working. You drop her arm and crouch down beside her, shooing her hand away so that you can concentrate on her wound. Your hands hover over her, feeling for the damage, willing her organs to be whole once more, her muscles to knit back together, for her skin to seal, not even a scratch is visible once you're done.

Gale runs to where you sit with her, still unbelieving she's OK,

"Get back to the others. I'll stay with her, no further harm will come to her, I promise. Please, they need you there."

"Go, Talia. I can handle the rest, thank you."

"You're sure?" She nods and you run back to the others, unsure what you can even do if you cannot heal them...

You reach the platform and climb up, hoping to be able to shield the others from further injury, but there's no need. Aylin flies over and then swoops down on Myrkul, delivering the final blow. The god crumbles to green flames and smoke, leaving behind the battered body of Ketheric. He moves, kneeling, whinging about the impossibility of his defeat for he has domain over death, but then he finally sees… he has been forsaken by his god and the unlife he was granted is withdrawn.

As Ketheric collapses Aylin goes to the corpse, continuing her assault, desecrating his body, crushing his skull underfoot, all the while screaming at him. You leave her to her grim work, concentrating on healing your friends. Wyll, Karlach and Lae'zel are battered and bloodied, all requiring an immense amount of healing, draining what magic you had left.

Wearily you look up to see Astarion coming, you smile up at him, the strain and fatigue taking you, your whole body trembles and all you want is for him to hold you in his arms. But he can't, not now… that damned guardian is in your heads again, you can see it written on Astarion's face, he's listening as it says to collect the stone from Ketheric's armor. You push the voice from your head, you can see Gale stooping by the dead general to retrieve it, and no sooner is it in his hand than a portal opens up, the guardian himself striding through,

"Remarkable. Truly." He looks down at the stone in Gale's hand, "And now the picture comes together. The Absolute is neither god nor man. It is the elder brain you saw, held here by those three against its will. The crown it wears controls it, and these stones control the crown. It has been dominated. To master an elder brain… to subdue it… Our enemies are formidable." The way it speaks, like it's marveling at this whole fucked up situation.

He addressed everyone but you cannot fathom what he means by "our enemies". You came here because you were told you could be rid of this damned worm in your head. You didn't come here to fight fucking Chosen or the fucking gods they serve. You just wanted to be able to return to Baldur's Gate with Astarion to… To do what, exactly? You hadn't ever actually thought about it until now. What would going back mean for both of you? Without the parasite he'd be reclaimed by Cazador… He'd be taken… Sacrificed. You look over to him as he talks with the guardian. You fight back tears, swallow your screams, and resign yourself… knowing you have no choice but to continue…

2.

You sit on the steps of the dais in the audience chamber, looking out at everything… The whole of the place has been taken over by the Harpers. They've brought the rest of the people from the inn; the Tieflings mingle in a small group just of themselves, Aylin and Isobel sit close together, holding each other while they talk with Gale and Shadowheart, Halsin sits with a strange looking boy, Scratch and the cub lay at their feet, even the weird skeleton man, Withers, is here speaking with Jaheira, Lae'zel, Wyll and Karlach. The room echos raucously with everyone's raised voices, your head throbs, your stomach groans, you can't remember the last time you ate or even how long this whole thing has taken. Is it still the same day? Is it the next morning? How are you even supposed to tell? Your nails dig painfully into your palms, threatening to break the skin when you hear his voice,

"What's wrong, my sweet?"

"What am I doing here?" You slowly look up at his face.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean… look at them… all of them… and then… and then there's me…" You take a shaky breath, trying to better explain yourself, "All of you are so different from me. They're all warriors or soldiers or adventurers… You're an immortal vampire who can kill as easily as I breath… and I'm…" you hide your face in your knees and mumble, "…I'm just some whore-"

"No!" He cuts you off, griping your shoulders, shaking you, "Don't ever say that. That's not what you are. Not anymore," His hands move to cup your face, staring into your eyes, raising you to your feet, "You're so much more than that. You're so much more to me… I want you by my side, always. So even if you don't think you belong here, you belong with me. Wherever I go, whatever I do, you'll be with me. You're mine."

"I'm yours." You quietly agree before he kisses you and you push aside your fears of being helpless… useless.

"Now, let's find somewhere I can have you all to myself. I have been deprived of you for long enough," He says it as he nuzzles into his place, your pulse thrumming beneath his teeth as they gently graze your skin.

He pulls you along to the room you had shared before, and as soon as he shuts the door, he's on you. His mouth ravenously kisses you, his hands making quick work of your armor and chainmail: the weight of everything falling away with them. Your own desire for him rises, your hands moving swiftly to strip away his leather armor, desperate to feel his skin on yours when there's a great gurgling rumble from your stomach, ruining the amorous mood.

"Are you that hungry?" Exasperated frustration is heavily sighed into his question, you nod, "Let's get you fed. Stay put."

He leaves, the door bangs loudly as he disappears behind it. You chew the inside of your mouth, fretting that you've upset him. He's only gone a few minutes and when he returns its with bread, cheese and wine, of which he hands you the food while he sits and drinks from the bottle.

"I'm sorry…"

"Whatever for?"

"For… being hungry…"

"Don't be. Now, hurry up and finish. I wish to resume our fun."

"OK." You smile brightly, relieved he's not upset, then proceed to inhale your food like a half-starved animal.

He watches you, slowly sipping the wine then offering you the bottle once you've shoved the last bite into your mouth. Thirstily you gulp it down. With not even a moment to finish his hands are already on you, taking the bottle from you before you can drain it,

"Now, where were we?" That devious smile descends to your wine wet lips.

"About here I believe," You breathe against him, your hands starting to work at his clothes again as his work at yours.

You continue to kiss, breaking away only to remove the next piece of clothing until everything is tossed to the side. He brings you into him, lifting you up so you wrap your legs around him. He backs you into the wall and easily slides into you, holding still for just a moment, reveling in how your body is always ready for him. The cold rough stone scrapes against your back as he begins to thrust up into you, his fingers gripping the soft flesh of your ass, your fingers tangling into his curls. Your head tips back so he can bring his fangs to your pulse and drink deeply as you gasp,

"More…"

He bites down harder, his hips slamming into you faster as you shiver into your climax. Your body has barely begun to stop quivering when he sets you down and turns you to face the wall. His hands grabbing you, arching your back, forcing you to go up on your toes, your cheek pressed to the wall, your fingers searching for purchase amongst the stone. He slips back into you, rolling his hips before he yanks on your braid, pulling you back by it, your arms pushing you off the wall, shaking with the strain of this contorted position, and it all feels so good…

His fangs bite down on your shoulder, letting your blood run down your back as you whimper,

"Harder…"

His fangs tear away,

"With pleasure, my sweet." You can hear the smile as he pulls out of you.

He grabs a fistful of hair at the back of your head, moving you down to your knees, kissing you fiercely then laying you down, his body bearing down on you as you open your legs to him. He teases you, sliding up along your center, just grazing over your clit. You moan, your lips trembling with anticipation, you're on the brink of begging when his cock finally pushes into you.

Hard and fast and relentless, his body answers yours with fervent ferocity. You cum again, your body squeezing and pulsing around him, crying out his name. He smiles down at you, his eyes gleaming with possessive pride, watching as you writhe beneath him. His lips come down to yours again as he follows you into oblivion.

You've never known such pleasure as he gives you: the torment of his teasing, the sharp intense sting of his fangs, the way he pulls your hair and makes your body bend to his whims, all of it, pure indulgence of your deepest darkest desires. And all of it brings on Her blessings, soothing any doubts you had about where you belong or what you need to do; you need only be with him.

You stay lying on the cold floor, your legs shaking as he caresses the bare skin he had just savaged. Soft kisses soothing his bite marks and bloody punctures. He had continued to avail himself of your blood, biting you all over your body, but only after he was satisfied with fucking you senseless. Your hand begins to move, softly glowing over his love marks, getting to most of them when he stops you,

"Leave a few…" His devilish smirk makes you flush, "I quite enjoy the look of them on you."

"As you wish," You give a smirk of your own, reaching up to bring his face down to yours for another kiss before he gets up.

"Now that I've had my way with you, let's find some more suitable accommodations to retire to." He helps you up and kisses one of the remaining bite marks, "I may even indulge myself again once we're settled."

3.

You wake, warm in a soft bed, dim sunlight filtering in through dirty windows and Astarion's arms wrapped around you. You're still surprised no one objected to him taking the general's bedroom. Seems like Isobel claimed her old room with Aylin while Shadowheart and Gale took the bedroom attached to this one. You wonder how she's doing after everything… the temple, the assimar, the betrayal of her goddess… very nearly dying… You want to go talk to her, check on her, make sure she's alright. You gently start lifting Astarion's arm up, slowly shimmying your shoulders, trying slip away…

"And where are you trying to sneak off to?" His voice is thick from just waking.

"Oh! Sorry… I was trying to not disturb you." You roll over in his arms to look at him, "I wanted to see Shadowheart. So much happened, and I just want to see how she's doing."

"She has Gale to comfort her for now. You can see her when we go down for the meeting." He tightens his hold on you, "Stay."

"Of course, my love." You snuggle back into his embrace and wait for the early morning to pass.

The audience chamber is packed with Harpers and your companions, the remaining Tieflings have already left, journeying on to Baldur's Gate. Astarion stands beside you, waiting for Jaheira to start speaking while you look around. You spot Halsin sitting with the boy you saw yesterday and all three of the adopted four-legged pets. It looks like Us has been welcomed by Scratch and the cub, though you're not sure how that worked out. You continue looking, searching for Shadowheart but you don't spot her before Jaheira begins speaking.

She stands on the dais, addressing everyone, informing you all that the army Ketheric had assembled is now marching towards Baldur's Gate, she wishes to move out as soon as possible, to help in whatever way they can. And with that she steps down, making ready with her Harpers while Astarion says you will need to discuss with your group what the next move for you should be. With everyone now shuffling around you spot Shadowheart… and her new hair. You run off before Astarion has a chance to say anything,

"What is this?" You smile, bringing her braid over her shoulder so you can admire it.

"Do you like it?" She blushes shyly, as though she's embarrassed by the new look.

"I do… But does this mean you're a Selunite now?" You arch a brow at her.

"Yes, I think it does…" She laughs nervously, "As it turns out, I always was, or at least I was meant to be." She looks at you, regret in her eyes, "I'm not an amnesiac orphan… I was stolen m my family during my coming-of-age ritual. The wolf I saw wasn't trying to hurt me… it was trying to protect me… It was my father. The Mother Superior stole me to turn me from a Selunite to a Sharran…"

"Gods, Shadowheart…" You reach for her hand, holding it tightly, "Why?"

"I don't really know. But… that's not the worst of it… My parents are still alive… And this mark, it's linked to them. They're being held captive… tortured… Their pain is my pain. That's what this mark is…"

"Do you know where they are?"

"I think they're back at the cloister in Baldur's Gate. I need to rescue them," She looks up at you with pleading eyes, "Will you help me?"

"You don't even need to ask, of course I'll help." You hug her, embracing her tightly as she sighs with relief.

"Thank you, Talia."

"Just promise me one thing," You pull back, your hands on her shoulder as she looks at you with her eyebrows raised, "No proselytizing, all right?" You can't help but giggle at her, "I'm not converting, you hear?"

"I wouldn't dream of it." She giggles back, taking hold of your hand, leading you to join the others.

Astarion turns, watching the two of you approach, his eyes drifting down to your hand held tightly in Shadowheart's, but he says nothing. You try paying attention to what's being said, you don't know where the discussion is at, or if anything has been decided on. You catch the Halsin will be staying to help with this giant brain problem, you're excited for him to continue cooking, you've missed the food me makes. But other than that, it looks like everyone has something of dire import to do in the city so you will be leaving and traveling with the Harpers, they plan on leaving just after midday. You're not looking forward to having to hit the road again so quickly, you'd have liked to rest after everything that happened here, but you know your opinion matters little in the face of everyone's concerns. Instead, you comfort yourself with what Astarion told you, that you belong by his side, no matter what.

As everyone disperses to prepare for traveling you let go of Shadowheart so she can join Gale. As you turn to follow Astarion you notice Halsin smiling at you, you are curious about the mysterious boy he has with him and you step towards them, but Astarion puts his hand on your shoulder,

"We should get ready ourselves, come."

"Oh, but I think Halsin wants to talk to me. I'll be quick, promise." you smile up at him and his eyes look over to the where Halsin stands with the boy, his large hand rising to wave at the two of you.

"I'll join you, my sweet."

"OK." His hand grabs yours as you walk over to your smiling friend.

"Talia, I wanted you to meet Thaniel."

"Hello, Thaniel." You beam down at the boy with wooden horns and an aura like your childhood home.

"It is nice to meet you, Talia." He speaks slowly, softly, looking up you, studying you, then turning to Halsin, whispering something that you can't hear before he speaks to you again, "I am the spirit of these lands, and I want to thank you for your help in dispelling the shadow curse." He bows his little head to you.

"I really didn't do much. It was more Shadowheart, I think. She's the one who freed Aylin."

"But you helped her. And you helped defeat Ketheric." His little face looks up at you in such earnest, its quite sweet.

"You helped a great deal, little flower, thank you." Halsin's gentle smile lights up his face.

Before you can respond Astarion speaks,

"She was a great help," He looks down at you, a hungry glint in his eyes, his hand finding yours, griping tightly, "Now, if you'll excuse us, we have a great many things to take care of before we must leave. Come, Talia." He pulls you away as you look over your shoulder, smiling back at them, knowing you can always talk to him more later.

4.

You've had little time to speak with anyone while traveling, Astarion never leaves your side. When camp is finally being set up you wander over to Shadowheart and Karlach to see if they'll be enjoying some much-needed drinks by the fire with dinner tonight. They will be, you're excited to join them while Astarion goes on a hunt.

The tents are ready, Halsin is cooking as the animals keep close, waiting for their scraps and then their own bowls of dinner. You smile, shaking your head at how spoiled they are while ruffling the feathers on the cub's head, his clawed paws wrapping around your arm playfully. Astarion sits with Scratch, patting his head and looking off into the distance. Shadowheart walks over, smiling with a bottle in hand and Karlach just behind her. They sit down with you, beginning to chatter about nothing in particular, waiting for Halsin to hand out dinner. When he finally does you expect Astarion to get up and go, but he doesn't move, he stays, sitting close to you, drinking wine, watching you eat and laugh with the others. And when you finish, yawning with delayed exhaustion he offers you his hand and takes you to your tent.

"I'd have thought you'd go hunting now that we're out of the shadow curse, my love." You speak softly while changing for bed.

"I will go once you're resting, my sweet."

"Why so late? You could have gone while we were eating, if you're hungry."

"I am quite alright, you needn't worry. I just wished to spend time with you," He brings you into his arms, kissing the top of your head, "Now, time for you to go to bed, my darling." He kisses your lips and waits for you to get into your bedroll before he goes out into the night.

He's acting oddly, but then again, so is everyone else; they're all anxious about reaching the city, even you. You're excited to finally be going back home, but the closer you get the more trepidation you feel. You think about being told who the other two were when you saw the elder brain, the Chosen of two more gods, Bhaal and Bane. It's the thought of Bane that makes you squirm. You've had plenty of visits from his followers, they're given special privileges at the temple and The Chateau; after all, your goddess is the consort of theirs. But it's never been something you've thought too much about, until you saw Gortash, the Chosen of Bane, and the way he made your stomach lurch…

You wake in Astarion's arms holding you close, his steady breathing stirring your loose hair. You snuggle back, pressing into him more, hoping he'll wake in an amorous mood… He does. He noses down to your neck, his lips kissing your neck before biting down on your pulse, drinking deeply, his hand wandering down to find you wet and waiting.

His fingers slide up and down between your folds, circling your clit, then slip inside of you, eliciting a whimpered moan from your lips. He pulls back, letting you turn to him, your leg going over his hip, pulling him closer, feeling him hard for you, his lips going to yours, kissing you deeply. He rolls onto his back, bringing you with him, your hair cascading down around you like a curtain of crimson. You lift up enough for him to reach down, freeing himself, letting you settle back down onto him, never breaking your passionate kiss.

You straighten up, his hands grabbing your thighs as your hips begin to move, slowly rolling up and down, your body already trembling. He begins to move his hip, thrusting up, slow and hard, matching your rhythm, his dark eyes watching you stifle your cry of ecstasy, tightening around him, bringing him with you to sweet release.

He holds you close, smoothing your hair as you lay on top of him, breathing heavily. You stay for you don't know how long, but he stops his hand, and his chest vibrates with his voice,

"We should get ready for the day, my sweet."

"Must we?" You rub your face against his chest, his shirt bunching up as you slide your hands under it.

"Yes, we must." His chuckle rumbling through him as he rolls you off and onto the bedroll.

You pout but do as he says, slowly piling on everything you must before packing up and preparing to take down the tent, your mind constantly drifting back to how sweet this morning had been. You go over to where Halsin has breakfast ready; a skillet filled with cheesy eggs and fire toasted bread to heap it onto, it is amazing as always. You eat like a child, too eager and impatient to wait for it to cool, you will just have to heal your mouth once you're done. Halsin shakes his head at you as you walk away to help the others.

Every day of travelling goes much the same as the first; walk for what feels like an eternity, stop along the road to make camp, eat dinner, go to bed, wake up to do it all again. Five days of this, and through it all Astarion almost never leaves you side, and you fear he's worried about going back and all it will mean for him. You do what you can to keep his mind off of it, spending every evening with him; playing cards, drinking with everyone, telling and listening to silly stories until you go to bed, and he goes to hunt, then spending every morning with him hungry for you and you just as hungry for him.

But tonight is different, tonight will be the last night spent on the road, tomorrow you will reach Wyrm's Crossing. Camp is set along a cliff side looking onto the city, you stand, alone for once, looking out at it, the soft yellow glow of firelight illuminating pockets of the Baldur's Gate. You close your eyes, wondering what tomorrow will bring when his arms wrap around you, his body leaning into you,

"We'll be there soon… Closer to Cazador." His embrace tightens, "I'll need to find out where this ritual is taking place. Which means I'll need to find my 'brothers and sisters'." You can hear the sneer he has, the irritation palpable in his voice.

"Any ideas where they might be?" Your own voice is low, you hate hearing him like this; speaking about his past is only ever painful, and all you want to do is help him be free of it.

"So long as their orders haven't changed, they'll be in the taverns and flop houses of the city… hunting."

"You want me to help you look for them? I'm happy to, my love." You tip your head back, turning to nuzzle at his neck, attempting to sooth him.

"I know."

You return to the fire; a bowl of dinner is left for you with Us standing guard over it. You thank them as you settle down to eat a very late dinner, Astarion had not wanted to be with the others and their raucous laughter, he was in too foul a mood for revelry. He sits with you in silence as you finish up. You put the bowl to the side and lay back by the fire, enjoying the warmth of it on your face while Astarion sits beside you, brooding.

Your eyes grow heavy as Astarion stands, saying you should get to bed, reaching down to help you up when suddenly a shocking pain rips through your head. Your body writhes on the floor, your fingers dig into your hair and pull as you curl into a ball, screaming. The voice of the Absolute forces all other thoughts from your mind, all you can hear it its command to gather… to transform… to obey…

The sudden compulsion abates as the Astral Prism hovers near your shaking body, the Guardian begging for help as a portal opens up and Githyanki warriors jump through. Astarion rips you up from the floor, shouting for everyone to help. Thankfully not everyone had been asleep, but no one was prepared to be attacked. You throw up some protection onto Lae'zel and Karlach, the first of you to respond with weapons in hand. You're only in a tunic and boots, frantically you look around for your shield as more of your companions appear. The voice of the Guardian grows more desperate as everyone tries to fight their way to the portal.