How much she had missed it. Play with someone's mind until that enemy is in her power and then, only then, hack and slash the tender, juicy skin until only a lifeless shell is left. After all, death is the ultimate game. Everyone's endgame. It is only fitting that, for those Zentharim, endgame came through her hands. Their blood was staining her armor in such a captivating manner. It was with utmost delusion that she watched the Rashemi and Jahehira's doppelganger escape their inevitable fate.

Behind her, their Jaheira was swearing, and promising a grim fate to that "Bhaalist imposter". Well, Kelsya thought, aren't we all murderers in the right state of mind?

"You should stop smiling, before anyone other than takes notice of your... grin", Shadowheart whispered in her ear.

The sudden appearance of the cleric beside her startled her only for one second. Her smile faltered just a little. The sight of blood was still a welcome one.

"Are you alright?" Shadowheart asked, concern on her face as she stared at her.

"Oh. Wonderful", Kelsya whispered back, to quieten her friend's suspicions.

Partly, at least. Because she did indeed feel wonderfully at peace.

§§§

Before I even have time to consider the implication of my mistake, the first step of the stairs implodes with a loud rumble. As the explosion deafens me, I place one arm on my face to protect myself. There's no more ground under my feet, and my right hand, set on the handrail, loses its grip. The fall on the throne's room floor is quick, but brutal all the same. I barely avoid landing on my head or a knee. When I notice two banites running towards me, my ears are still ringing and my head is still spinning.

Karlach, flaming with fury, jumps down in front of me and parries a blow aimed at him. On the sides, both Gale and Wyll are quick to blast away more incoming enemies.

That's my occasion. If I can get to Gortash and eliminate him, the fight will be quick for them too. The Banites will lay down their weapons deprived of their leader.

As I move from shadow to shadow and make use of every piece of furniture to keep hidden, I feel a stitch in my right leg. It does not matter. I can still surprise him, and gain the advantage I lost.

I must keep myself focused. No more daydreaming. The place may be trapped, considering the warm welcome I received.

Behind me, where the battle is raging, a grenade explodes. Instinctually, I turn to check that everyone is fine. They all are, but Gortash is not in sight.

Step after step, as I near the other end of the room, I finally see him.

He's holding a crossbow, and he looks alert.

I take a good look at him, sizing him up. He does not have the same aura of the great commander that belonged to Ketheric, nor the vibrant presence of Orin. He does not look like... a Chosen. The Steel Watcher by his side is intimidating, but not nearly as much as Myrkul has been.

Chosen or not, however, he has that crossbow and by the look of it, he may be quite proficient with it. I must get close to him in a single stride, otherwise I'll become his pincushion. Or, at best, I'll be too busy to avoid endless bolts to even have a chance to hit him.

I creep a bit closer. He does not notice, and that's when I make my decision. Those marble busts are the safest bet. If I'm quick enough, I can jump behind him using the closest one, and even make use of him as a shield against the Steel Watcher.

As Gortash stands apparently in waiting, I manage to not make a single sound. Now, between me and the tyrant, there's only one bust.

As soon as I jump, dagger in hand, I realize I did not consider my wound. My knee drops, and even though I do jump on Gortash I am not quick enough to plunge my weapon in his skin. He does not manage to shoot either, though. We roll on the floor, together, as the heavy steps of the automaton get closer.

For a split second, as we both regain a standing position, we stare at each other.

There's not enough time for me to conceive a new, desperate plan.

The Archduke allows his Steel Watch to come close enough to attack me. Except, at the last split second, he holds a hand to halt its march. To me, he flashes a knowing smile.

"You. All alone. A perfect occasion to finally talk", he says.

§§§

She was breezing through their enemies. Jaehira had asked them all to stun Minsc, to avoid dealing him a deathly blow. She thought it would be a challenge to her, but apparently taking care of the Zentharim was enough to sate her urge.

Kelsya looked around her. The last of the crooks was falling to the ground, and Minthara had managed to knock the Rashemi out.

The whole gang approached him. Kelsya stared at the man. He was big and strong. And he was somehow familiar to her. She had never met him, but somehow part of her was fueled with hate. Looking down, she noticed she was still holding her weapon.

"Cub. Cub!" Jaehira was calling her. It took her a tremendous force of will to move her gaze from the Rashemi.

"He has a tadpole. The illithid can extend his protection to him, too." She looked at her, pleadingly. "I know Minsc. He's a fierce warrior, he'd aid our cause" Jaehira said.

Apparently, the Emperor was of a different mind. "This one will not aid our cause. He's more trouble than anything."

Kelsya watched as the Rashemi started to regain consciousness. Minthara was standing behind him, ready to stun him again if needed.

The man was full of rage. So, so full of rage that he was trembling with it.

She had seen so many others enslaved by a tadpole and none had been rabid. The Rashemi was rabid, real rabid. Perhaps he was unstable even without a tadpole.

She knew that feeling. The inability to control herself. It made her miserable.

Perhaps mercy was the best choice. The same one she, at times, hoped her friends would finally make. Mercy. Mercy. Make a mercy out of this poor man.

One moment later, a gushing of blood landed on her face. Her blade was plunged into the Rashemi's heart, his eyes wide open no longer staring at her. Something close to jubilation was growing inside her. Mercy, and a gift for father.

§§§

Upon hearing Gortash's words, I freeze.

"Talk?" I spit out. "Definitely not why I'm here." I raise my dagger again.

I try to get closer, to slash at him, but the Steel Watch approaches menacingly.

"Now, now. Just a few words, and we can go back to kill each other. After all, your friends are coming, right? And maybe, all together you can overpower me. That is, assuming that they are still alive. Or they will still be once my men are done with them." His tone is slimy. "Or, I can give the order to my guard and you lose any chance to end me."

I almost growl with frustration. Sadly, right now I am forced to play this sick game. I don't like him, and I don't trust him. The man has too many masks. A gentle one for Kelsya. A slimy one, and surely also a cruel one when he needs to crush his enemies.

"Where is she?" the Archduke asks, almost casually.

The question is enough to make me give him my full attention. I don't answer. I don't want to and, I realize, I can't.

"Oh. I see. I'll ask your friends, then. I had almost forgotten she abandoned you. Of course, you cannot know", he says casually. His gaze is full of mockery, a smile on his lips.

"You-you know nothing!" I growl at him. Once again, I attempt to lunge at him and this time the Steel Watch throws me back a few steps, farther from Gortash.

Gortash stares at me, still smiling. He waves one hand in the air. "Leave now. I have no wish to kill you. You are just like a gear placed in the right niche. If keeping you alive means I can get close to her again, by all means, don't die. I am still not sure how she would react to your demise."

He does not wait for my answer. The Steel Watch crushes against me rudely, throwing me further near the entrance of the room. It hurts, but I've endured far worse. He truly does not want me dead.

As I get back on my feet, Gortash starts walking away. Behind me, I hear rushed footsteps. And a familiar voice.

"You sick fuck!" Karlach shouts as she runs beside me.

It all happens in a matter of seconds. Karlach jumps towards the Steel Watch like a burning comet, flames engulfing her. She lands on its shoulder and she strikes one, two three times. The automaton starts moving erratically. Gortash, alarmed, moves away, towards the door behind him.

As Karlach jumps down and I scramble away, the automaton explodes. All I see is a blinding light and so much smoke.