I like that you're broken, broken like me
Maybe that makes me a fool
I like that you're lonely, lonely like me
I could be lonely with you
~broken, lovelytheband
As Ruby slowly regained consciousness, the first sensation that washed over her was the unsettling texture beneath her. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before - soft yet firm, pulsating with an eerie rhythm. Confusion clouded her mind as she struggled to piece together where she was and how she had ended up there.
The sound of a hiss startled her, and instinctively, she jerked her head towards the source. The pod, which enclosed her in its fleshy embrace, was opening. A sense of urgency flooded her senses as her violet eyes widened with realization.
Astarion. Her violet eyes shot open. Astarion. The mind flayers behind him was the last thing she saw before everything went dark. Astarion. She had to save him from Cazador. She didn't know how long he'd been a slave for but she knew of the vampire lord's sadistic nature. Saw it first hand. Experienced it.
She was going to tell him about what Cazador did to her...to her family…but she never had a chance. She had to find him and get off this ship. They needed to return to Baldur's Gate so she could end Cazador once and for all. Astarion.
She climbed out of the pod, landed on her feet, and looked around. He was nowhere in sight, so she began to run.
It didn't take long before she was confronted by a gith named Lae'zel. Once she proved she wasn't a threat, Lae'zel joined her side and they fought off a few blasted imps.
Their group expanded further when they stumbled upon Shadowheart, trapped in a pod on the level above. Initially wary and defensive, the half-elf's distrust flared at the sight of Lae'zel. Yet, Ruby's persuasive words managed to bridge the gap, convincing Shadowheart that their survival depended on cooperation, regardless of their differences.
Reluctantly, the trio formed an uneasy alliance, each harboring their own reservations as they navigated the labyrinthine corridors of the ship. Though their mutual goal was to escape the nightmarish vessel, Ruby's insistence on finding her 'friend' added an unexpected twist to their quest.
As Ruby and her companions entered the room adjacent to where they had freed Shadowheart, the sight that greeted them was chilling. Fleshy pods lined the walls hinting at the horrors that lurked within. Yet amidst the eerie silence, a rhythmic pounding echoed through the chamber, drawing their attention to one particular pod suspended in front of them.
Driven by instinct, Ruby moved with supernatural agility, scaling the pods with a grace that belied her urgency. With each leap, her heart pounded in her chest, her violet eyes scanning the pods until they locked onto a single source of crimson.
There, trapped within the confines of the glass pod, was Astarion, his eyes alight with relief and desperation as they met hers. Without hesitation, Ruby flashed him a relieved smile, motioning for him to shield his face as she prepared to free him from his prison.
Grasping a quarterstaff she found nearby, Ruby's muscles tensed with determination as she swung the makeshift weapon with all her might, channeling every ounce of strength into the blow.
As Ruby struggled with each attempt to free the vampire spawn from his glass prison, frustration gnawed at her resolve. Three times she tried and finally, on the brink of exhaustion, she succeeded.
As the glass shattered, a surge of relief flooded through Ruby's veins. For a fleeting moment, her instincts screamed for her to embrace him.
Unlike Astarion, who recoiled from physical contact, Ruby yearned for the comfort of touch. It wasn't about lustful intimacy; in fact, despite her undeniable beauty, she had never indulged in such experiences. Her focus had always been on her mission, on the relentless pursuit of justice.
Memories flooded her mind, bittersweet reminders of a time long past. She recalled the tender embrace of her father's big bear hugs, the gentle kiss of her mother on her temple. She remembered the security of sleeping between them during restless nights, and the warmth of her mother's shoulder as she leaned against it while she read.
Tears welled in Ruby's eyes as she allowed herself to dwell on the memories of her parents, the ache of their absence weighing heavily on her heart. But amidst the pain, a steely resolve took hold. Now wasn't the time for tears, for dwelling on what was lost. She had a mission to fulfill, a promise to keep.
Perched precariously atop the shattered pod, Ruby steadied herself with a grace born of necessity, her muscles tensed as she reached out to pull Astarion through the tiny window. With a swift motion, she hoisted him free, her strength barely faltering as he landed on top of her, causing the pod to swing precariously.
"Thank you," he murmured, his voice genuine with gratitude before his demeanor shifted, morphing into something altogether more familiar and disarming.
A flirtatious smile curved his lips, igniting a blush across Ruby's cheeks as she felt the heat rise within her. His words, though laced with charm, only served to reinforce her resolve as she met his gaze with steely determination.
"Darling, if you wanted me on top of you, that could've been arranged long before now," he teased, his tone dripping with seduction.
But Ruby refused to succumb to his charms, her father's warnings echoing in her mind. She knew all too well the nature of vampire spawn, their instincts and compulsions ingrained deep within their very being. Astarion's behavior was no different, a product of the dark forces that bound him to servitude.
Despite the undeniable allure of his obnoxiously handsome features, Ruby remained resolute, turning away from him with a determined set to her jaw. She refused to be swayed, to fall victim to the machinations of his vampiric nature, no matter how tempting the prospect may be.
With a silent determination, she descended from the pods, rejoining her companions. What she didn't notice was a pair of crimson eyes tracking her every move with a sense of sadness.
As the group fought their way through the labyrinthine corridors of the fleshy ship, their determination to reach the control center burned brighter with each passing moment. They could feel the ship trembling beneath their feet, a palpable sense of urgency driving them forward as they raced against time.
The ship began to plummet towards the ground, the ground rushing up to meet them with terrifying speed. Panic gripped their hearts as the world seemed to fade to black.
As consciousness gradually returned to them, Astarion found himself awakening beside Ruby, their hands intertwined in a moment of unspoken solidarity. Yet, as if recoiling from an unseen force, he jerked his hand away, a reflex born of centuries of instinctual fear.
Ruby stirred slowly, her senses slowly coming back into focus as she watched Astarion rise to his feet. The harsh daylight flooded the beach. Panic flickered in her eyes as she realized the danger he was in.
Without a moment's hesitation, Ruby launched herself at Astarion, her body moving on pure instinct as she sought to shield him from the deadly sunlight. Her heart pounded in her chest as she pressed herself against him, a barrier against the inevitable burn of daylight.
Astarion's confusion was evident as he grunted in protest, his mind struggling to comprehend the sudden urgency of Ruby's actions. "Ruby, what the hells are you doing?" he demanded, his voice tinged with frustration.
But Ruby could only manage one word in response, her voice barely a whisper as she met Astarion's gaze. "The sun," she breathed, her eyes pleading with him to understand the gravity of their situation.
As the realization dawned upon him, Astarion's breath caught in his throat. He braced himself for the searing agony he had come to expect when exposed to the sun's rays, but to his astonishment, the anticipated pain never came.
Eyes squeezed shut in a futile attempt to comprehend the impossible, Astarion couldn't help but let out a shaky breath as he slowly opened his eyes. The world around him bathed in daylight, yet he remained unscathed, untouched by the sun's deadly touch.
"Well, this is interesting," Shadowheart remarked with a smirk, her tone laced with amusement as she observed the scene unfolding before her. A flush of embarrassment crept over Ruby's cheeks as she quickly disentangled herself from Astarion, rubbing her arm awkwardly.
"We should go look for Lae'zel," she suggested, her words a thinly veiled attempt to shift the focus away from the awkward moment.
But Shadowheart's response was sharp and to the point, her gaze cold as she laid out their priorities with unwavering determination. "Don't bother, she already left," she stated matter-of-factly. "Right now, we need to focus on gathering supplies. Food, shelter, and water are our main priority."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow across the sky, the makeshift band of adventurers gathered around their meager campsite, the day's trials still fresh in their minds. Lae'zel, newly liberated from her captors, stood tall and proud, her fierce demeanor softened only slightly by the gratitude she couldn't quite conceal. Shadowheart's disapproval lingered in the air, her stern gaze betraying her annoyance at the unexpected detour to rescue their gith companion.
In the midst of the gathering, an odd figure stood apart from the rest: Gale, the eccentric wizard they had stumbled upon in their search for supplies.
As the group settled in for the night, Ruby's thoughts turned to Astarion, her heart heavy with the weight of the truth she carried. The flickering flames cast elongated shadows across the campsite as Ruby approached the vampire spawn, her dimpled smile belying the gravity of the conversation she knew they needed to have.
Astarion looked up from the tome he had been paging through, his crimson eyes meeting hers. With a practiced ease, he closed the book, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips as he stood up and towered over her.
"Well, hello. What can I do for you?" he inquired, his voice smooth and honeyed.
Taking a deep breath, she tore her gaze away from his. "Do you mind if we talk? Somewhere a little more private?" she asked, her voice trembling with unspoken urgency.
Astarion's smile widened, a mischievous glint flickering in his eyes as he leaned in closer, his tone dripping with playful innuendo. "Darling, if you wanted to be alone-"
But Ruby's patience wore thin, her dimples disappearing as her features contorted into a scowl. She shot him a glare, her eyes flashing with a fierce determination that brooked no argument. "This is serious, Astarion," she insisted.
For a moment, they locked eyes in a silent standoff, the tension between them thick . And then, to Ruby's surprise, Astarion's perfect smile faltered, his playful facade crumbling in the face of her seriousness. It was a moment of vulnerability, a crack in the carefully constructed mask he wore, and for the first time since they were kidnapped, Ruby glimpsed the turmoil that lay beneath the surface of the charming vampire spawn.
With a resigned click of his tongue, he set aside the tome he had been perusing. "Alright, lead on," he murmured, extending a hand in front of him as Ruby forged ahead.
As they ventured deeper into the grove, the canopy of trees stretched overhead, their branches interlocking to create a natural cathedral beneath the moon's gentle glow. Shadows danced across the forest floor, casting an ethereal light upon the path ahead as Ruby led the way.
The silence between them grew palpable, broken only by the rustle of leaves and the hushed whispers of the night. Astarion cleared his throat, the sound echoing in the stillness as he clasped his hands behind his back, bending down slightly to meet Ruby at eye level.
"So, what did you want to talk about, my sweet?"
Ruby halted in her tracks, her breath catching in her throat as she turned to face him, her gaze fixed on a point just beyond his shoulder. With a heavy sigh, she finally spoke, her voice tinged with regret and remorse.
"I haven't been completely honest with you," she confessed, her words hanging in the air like a veil between them.
The vampire spawn's chuckle echoed softly through the grove, a hint of amusement coloring his voice as he regarded Ruby with a curious glint in his eyes. "Darling, we hardly know each other. I'm just surprised you feel the need to be so truthful when you don't even know me."
Ruby shrugged nonchalantly, her resolve unshaken by his casual dismissal. "I don't care what people think of me. If they know I'm a dhampir or if I'm a monster hunter. Obviously, I do use my youthful looks to my advantage though," she admitted with a dramatic flip of her hair, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of Astarion's lips as he listened to her speak.
As she paused, searching for the right words to convey the truth she carried, Ruby felt a knot of apprehension tighten in her chest. "Astarion...how do I put this?" she began, her voice faltering slightly as she finally met his crimson gaze.
For the first time since she had freed him from his pod, there was a flicker of humanity in his vampiric eyes, a glimmer of understanding that mirrored the turmoil that churned within her own soul.
But before she could continue, a sharp pain pierced through her skull, causing her to gasp in agony. Instinctively, she reached up to clutch her head, only to find Astarion mirroring her actions, his features contorted in pain as if he, too, was experiencing the same torment.
In that moment of shared agony, Ruby realized the truth—Astarion was being pulled into the depths of her memories.
Ten Years Ago...
The room was bathed in the soft glow of candlelight, casting flickering shadows across the elegant furnishings. Ruby sat before the white vanity, her reflection staring back at her with an air of disinterest. The beautiful woman standing behind her, her pointed ears and smooth gray skin marking her as part fey, gently braided Ruby's golden curls, her movements practiced and gentle.
"Ruby, my dear, you look absolutely gorgeous as always. I'm certain you'll find a kind gentleman tonight worthy of your hand," the woman remarked, her voice tinged with affection as she met violet eyes in the mirror, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she pinned the braided bun in place.
The dhampir's attire was as striking as her appearance. Clad in a dark red velvet dress that hugged her figure in all the right places, its off-the-shoulder bell sleeves and illusion turtleneck crafted from delicate red lace, she exuded an air of elegance and allure. Dangling ruby earrings adorned her ears, their crimson hues complementing the dress perfectly, while black-heeled slippers completed the ensemble with a touch of sophistication.
Despite the undeniable beauty that radiated from her, Ruby couldn't help but give her mother a disgruntled look, her youthful defiance evident in the furrow of her brow.
"I enjoy my freedom, Mom. I'm only eighteen. I don't understand why I already need to be tied down," she protested, her voice tinged with frustration as she resisted the expectations that weighed heavily upon her young shoulders.
The room seemed to hold its breath as Ruby's father, tall and pale with an aura of quiet strength, stepped into the space. Despite his status as a full vampire, there was a warmth in his eyes that belied the usual coldness associated with his kind. Ruby had always sensed that her father possessed the heart of a human, a purity that set him apart from the darkness that often consumed their kind.
With a deep, hearty chuckle, he greeted them, his voice filling the room with a sense of comfort and familiarity. "My daughter...always taking after her mother," he remarked, his words tinged with affection as he observed Ruby's stubborn defiance.
But as his gaze lingered on his daughter, his cheerful demeanor faltered, replaced by a hint of sadness that creased his brow. With a long sigh, he took a seat on the large bed behind the vanity, the weight of his words heavy upon his shoulders.
"Ruby, I won't always be around. I might be a vampire, but I'm not immortal. I could die some-" he began, his voice trailing off as he broached the subject with a tenderness that spoke volumes of his concern.
But Ruby's reaction was swift, her defiance flaring anew as she snapped her head around, the earrings jostling against her face with the sudden movement. "Don't say that!" she interjected sharply, her eyes flashing with emotion as she recoiled from the thought of losing her father.
As the tension between them simmered in the air, Ruby sunk further into herself, her earlier defiance giving way to a quiet resignation. "I don't need a man to protect me, Papa," she admitted softly, her voice tinged with vulnerability as she met her father's concerned gaze. "I know how to fend for myself."
As Ruby sat there, she sensed the tension between her parents without even needing to see them. Their argument played out before her, a silent dance of words and gestures that spoke volumes of their concern for her well-being.
Her father's voice cut through the silence, breaking the stalemate as he cleared his throat. "Ruby, six months of training with crossbows and daggers doesn't mean you can fend for yourself," he admonished gently.
Her mother's voice chimed in, a soothing counterpoint to her father's sternness. "Your father's got a point, dear. Don't get me wrong, we're very proud of how far you've come in your training, but it takes people years to master any type of weapon."
Ruby's frustration boiled over. She stood up, her hands slamming down on the vanity with a resounding thud as she vented her pent-up emotions. "I have mastered my weapons and I'll prove it to you! Both of you! I don't need a man to protect me!"
But amidst the heated exchange, a calming presence descended upon Ruby as her mother placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Ruby, just humor us for one night," she implored gently. "Dance with a few suitors. Have fun. If none of them strikes your fancy, that's alright."
With a heavy heart, Ruby watched as her parents exchanged a sorrowful glance before making their way toward the door. The sound of it clicking shut echoed through the room, sealing her solitude with a finality that sent a shiver down her spine.
Alone in the silence, Ruby let the tears flow freely from her violet eyes, her shoulders slumping with the weight of her grief. But amidst the sorrow that threatened to consume her, a sudden crash shattered the stillness, followed by the sound of terrified screams echoing from downstairs.
Instinct kicked in, adrenaline coursing through her veins as Ruby's gaze darted toward the weapons hanging neatly over her dresser. Without hesitation, she reached for the crossbow and daggers, her movements swift and purposeful as she prepared herself for whatever danger lurked below.
With a determined resolve, she rushed down the stairs, her heart pounding in her chest as she braced herself for the scene that awaited her. But as she reached the bottom, her worst fears were realized in the most horrifying way possible.
Her parents lay sprawled on the floor, their lifeless forms bathed in a pool of crimson blood that stained the pristine marble beneath them. The sight sent a wave of fear coursing through Ruby's veins, her breath catching in her throat as she surveyed the scene before her.
And standing amidst the carnage, bathed in the eerie glow of moonlight filtering through the windows, was a figure with eyes as red as blood—eyes that didn't belong to her father.
The man with long black hair smirked at her, turning toward one of his werewolf companions. "Kill the half-blood, too."
Ruby's heart pounded in her chest, a surge of adrenaline flooding her veins as she faced the looming threat before her. With a steely resolve, she raised the crossbow, her fingers trembling slightly as she took aim at the approaching werewolf.
But before she could even pull the trigger, the werewolf lunged forward with lightning speed, his claws slashing through the air with deadly precision. Ruby's heart leaped into her throat as she released the bolt, the projectile missing its mark by mere inches as the werewolf closed the distance between them.
With a savage growl, the werewolf seized her by the neck, his powerful grip cutting off her air supply as he hurled her across the foyer with terrifying force. Ruby's body collided with one of the stone columns, the impact sending waves of pain radiating through her battered form. But even as she crashed to the ground, she refused to relinquish her grip on the dagger clutched tightly in her hand.
With tears stinging her eyes and fury burning in her gaze, Ruby staggered to her feet, her muscles screaming in protest as she faced down her assailant. Baring her teeth in a primal display of defiance, she launched herself at the werewolf with supernatural speed, the dagger slicing through the air with lethal precision.
The werewolf howled in agony as Ruby's blade found its mark, leaving a trail of crimson in its wake. But before she could revel in her small victory, the werewolf retaliated with a ferocity that took her by surprise, his claws tearing through her defenses with brutal efficiency.
"I said kill her, not play with her. Finish up, we're leaving."
The werewolf paused mid-attack, his snarl freezing into a momentary stillness. With a disappointed growl, he reluctantly withdrew from Ruby, his claws dripping with blood as he turned to obey his master's orders.
But before Ruby could fully comprehend the gravity of the situation, the werewolf lunged forward with renewed ferocity, his claws slashing through the air with deadly intent. With a final, desperate effort, Ruby attempted to defend herself, but it was too late.
The werewolf's claws tore through her defenses, slicing through flesh and bone with brutal efficiency. Pain exploded through Ruby's abdomen, a searing agony that threatened to consume her as she stumbled backwards, blood gushing from the grievous wound.
Through a haze of pain and shock, Ruby's vision began to blur, the world around her fading into darkness as her senses dulled. With trembling hands, she reached out to touch the source of her agony, her fingers coming away slick with blood.
Her heart raced in her chest, its frantic rhythm a desperate plea for survival, but even as she fought to cling to consciousness, she felt the life slipping away from her until finally, her heart stuttered and faltered, its once steady beat faltering before coming to a sudden, agonizing stop.
And as the darkness closed in around her, enveloping her in its cold embrace, Ruby's mind echoed with a single name—a name that carried with it the weight of all her fears and regrets.
Cazador.
As the memory dissolved into the recesses of their minds, leaving behind a lingering echo of pain and despair, Ruby and Astarion found themselves gasping for air that they didn't truly need. Despite the absence of breath in their undead bodies, the weight of the memory hung heavy in the air, suffocating them with its intensity.
Ruby staggered backward, her hands flying to cover her ears as if to block out the haunting echoes that reverberated within her mind. "It's too much," she cried out, her voice raw with anguish as she curled into a tight ball.
Astarion moved to her side, his movements fluid and graceful as he knelt beside her, his hands hovering over his daggers in a reflexive gesture of readiness. Was she undergoing ceremorphosis?
But Ruby shook her head, her sobs punctuating the silence like a mournful lament. "It's the spirits," she explained between ragged breaths, her voice strained with the weight of her anguish. "Their screams, their cries...they haunt me."
"Ruby, what the fuck are you talking about?"
The dhampir's heart sank at Astarion's harsh words, his disbelief a bitter reminder of the isolation she felt in her struggle. As he unsheathed one of his daggers, holding it out before him with a menacing air, she felt a pang of fear shoot through her.
The sight of the blade held out at her forced the haunting voices to retreat, their anguished cries silenced in the face of the more immediate threat. But even as the cacophony faded, Ruby could still feel their lingering presence, a spectral presence that lingered just beyond the edge of her consciousness.
"You show me delusions of my master. Now you're harping on about spirits? I will kill you now if I have to," Astarion's words cut through the air like his blade, their sharpness leaving Ruby feeling exposed and vulnerable.
Her shoulders slumped in defeat, her resolve crumbling under the weight of his accusation. Despite the dagger pointed menacingly in her direction, she sank back to her knees, her gaze fixed on the ground as she struggled to find the words to explain the turmoil that raged within her.
"I'm not changing, if that's what you think's going on," she murmured softly, her voice tinged with resignation.
"Then you better start talking or I swear to all the gods of Faerun, I will plunge this dagger through your heart."
Without fear. Without hesitation, she gently pushed aside his dagger, her touch firm yet gentle as she urged him to lower his weapon. With a silent gesture, she motioned for him to join her, patting the ground beside her in a silent invitation.
Reluctantly, Astarion obeyed, his movements hesitant as he lowered himself to the ground beside her, his back resting against the trunk of a nearby tree. Despite the tension that lingered between them, there was a quiet understanding that passed between them.
"That wasn't a delusion you saw," Ruby began, her voice soft yet resolute as she recounted the events that had led them to this moment. "I was trying to explain it to you so you wouldn't freak out like you did, but it seems like our little friends grew impatient," she added with a faint chuckle, though there was a bitterness underlying her words.
As she began to recount the tragic events of her past, Astarion listened in silence, his gaze fixed on the ground as he absorbed her words. "Cazador murdered my family on the day of my eighteenth birthday. We had just moved to Baldur's Gate. Papa said it would be a nice change of scenery. What he didn't realize is-"
"Cazador has eyes and ears everywhere," Astarion finished with a heavy sigh.
"He killed me, Astarion," Ruby murmured so softly it was almost lost amidst the rustle of the leaves overhead. The vampire spawn's gaze softened, his usual facade of indifference melting away to reveal a rare glimpse of genuine remorse reflected in his crimson eyes. For a moment, their eyes met in silent understanding, a shared acknowledgment of the pain that bound them together.
Gathering her resolve, she finally tore her gaze away from his, pulling her knees to her chest as if seeking refuge from the storm of emotions swirling within her.
"Everything went black, then something or someone was calling out to me. They told me I was stubborn, selfish, and spoiled, but I was also still a child nevertheless and I deserved to have a second chance at life. So, I woke up soaked in my own blood. The voice told me I would live again, but I would be humbled, so they gave me a gift...or a curse, depending on how you look at it.
"Fifty lost souls who died at the hands of a monster were imbued within me," she revealed, the truth of her confession hanging heavy in the air. "I have to bring them vengeance. Closure. I have to track down their killers and kill them. Every soul that is avenged is one less voice I hear. There are only two souls left...and they're the most difficult to bear."
"Your parents."
Ruby nodded silently, her tears glistening in the moonlight as she struggled to contain the storm of emotions raging within her. "So when I met you, I figured I'd finally be free of this curse," she confessed. "They'd finally get closure. I'd finally get closure...and be able to save others from him."
The weight of her words hung heavy in the air, a solemn reminder of the price of vengeance and the toll it exacted on those who dared to seek it. But even as the darkness threatened to consume her, Ruby refused to surrender to despair. She wiped away her tears and rose to her feet, offering a trembling hand to the vampire spawn.
"I meant what I said, Astarion," she declared, her voice tinged with a fierce determination that belied the fragility of her form. "We'll kill him and you and I will finally be free of his torment."
