WARNING: THIS CHAPTER SHOWS NO MERCY. Be warned, this is not for the faint of heart, so tread carefully. There is gore, intense physical, and sexual trauma our MC endures. I do apologize, but it's game lore… I also think it's the proper way to learn the lesson, "Be careful what you wish for." Sooooo…. The show must go on. Basically to get a summarized version, feel free to look up the dark urges origin and history… It will save you from the most gruesome chapter I've ever made… Sorry not sorry…
Floods of colors, sounds, and emotions disappear within a flash. It felt like all of her ceased to exist for a single moment. Then every atom of her got torn apart in a painless way and rearranged into something unfamiliar. She felt more of herself than ever before. She could feel every molecule in her body, more alive! Like they are supercharged. They radiated an energy she never experienced in her life. It was incredible, indescribable how it actually feels.
In a way, it felt… warm…
Like a hug after a long time waiting to meet…
Suddenly, she was awake. But, looking at memories that were through unfamiliar eyes. Everything she saw wasn't anything she recognized.
The people were all shapes and sizes, adults her size when she was small. She had to be the size of a child and she caught a glimpse of her hands and their sharp nails. They were small hands and her skin was pink… Others were huge. Some had horns, others had large teeth and claws. Skins with all kinds of unusual colors: yellows, reds, purples, and grays. They looked like all the races of Baldur's Gate… The city also looked familiar… People were flashing magic from their hands doing light shows in the street. She couldn't look at them long since whoever is in control didn't care for it. Crowds of these people passed whoever she was. All of them looked at her like she wasn't worth the glance. A burden they didn't want to be bestowed upon.
She kept wandering the streets till a nice couple saw she was thin and took her in. They were kind, they fed her, and gave her a place to sleep. They weren't parents to her, she didn't have real ones…
Something she knew deep down for some reason…
She stayed with them for days, then weeks. They eventually became her foster parents.
She didn't know why, but she just knew that…
She wasn't a normal child.
She had awful thoughts, and temptations she had no control of. Once Elizabeth realized she wasn't seeing just memories…
She was watching everything like a POV television… but more real…
She could feel her body moving, but all of who she is, was locked away. Unable to speak or react, only to just observe the life she lives…
Her body followed a path, and she had no way to make her own choices in any of these actions.
Trapped inside her head, forced to watch everyday pass without a word or movement made by her…
Her body spoke for her… Did everything for her…
She hated every second of it…
Then the day came when the horrifying thought couldnt be ignored. She was forced to watch as the thought not only fills the mind but takes action…
Blood… BLOOD… BLOOD!!!
As she grabs a knife, and stabs over and over…
Her hands ripping, her teeth tearing, and the blood everywhere. The nice couple's screams and pleads of agony as she mauls them to pieces…
She wanted to scream… She wanted to stop it…
She couldn't… she could only watch the carnage and feel all the guilt and torment in her soul. As she did these horrible things to people that trusted her…
Then she leaves the scene.
Days turn into weeks…
weeks to months...
Years of this torment…
Her body grew, the body count too.
Elizabeth grew till she couldn't grow anymore, her body filling out in the right places. As she got curves through puberty and muscles in her personal training. She always wore something new to show them off.
The blood of many was always staining her hands or clothes.
Elizabeth even gave away her body when she didn't want to… Her body controlled every act when she wanted it to stop… Knowing that afterwards she'd kill them… She remembered their names…
the first…
the twentieth…
she stopped after sixty-five…
There was no love… just lust and carnage…
Elizabeth wished she could look away, or step into another room when it happened. However, that wasn't the case. She was here, in every moment. She was forced to watch and feel it all…
All of it reminding her of everything she suffered once before… Only to witness it, as her body gives it all away this time…
Only to watch their sweet love or carnal lust for her, die with them… And was forced to feel the pain from their loss after…
Every impulsive murderous thought became reality, they forced themselves into her head and made her body do them. No matter how hard she fought it, it never stopped. She kept slaughtering them in many ways….
There were terrible ones that probably deserved it... but there were so many good ones...
Beautiful people... taken away for ever...
She got to know them, and no matter how much she screams, begs, or cries inside...
...Elizabeth watches their death painfully...
She'd just fuck and get fucked; by one or many at once. All of them died later, drowning in their own pools of blood.
That she'd bathe in…
On the outside a beautiful, strong, and impulsive woman that drew people in… Some were in it to quit it, most began to open up to her…
Trust her… share themselves with her…
Only to later become a black widow…
A Bhaalspawn…
That uses their heads and body parts as gifts…. to Bhaal…
While on the inside Elizabeth was begging for help… for the lust and death to stop…
Anyone that trusted her ended up dead…
She found out years ago who she was and it's been haunting her since. She was The Dark Urge. It had its own personality before the playthrough.
This was it… She had to watch every unspeakable act as if she was the ignored conscience.
Pieces of her heart chipped away each day, her soul feeling the pain of all those who suffer under her rath over the years…
The Cult of Bhaal began to notice her talents, making her their leader… Committing even fouler atrocities and doubling the body count tenfold. Making her wonder if this was all really worth it…
Even through all the self punishment, and unspeakable things she witnessed her body go through…
She still hoped for a day when the killing ended. The day she wouldn't take another innocent life…
The day she would be with someone out of love… and wake up beside them to see them smile….
not with a slit throat... or worse...
The things she has seen... should never be described...
Unfortunately, she knew every detail...
For they haunt her endless days...
After many more years of death it seemed impossible…
However Elizabeth remained strong, she wanted this wish. She'd be damned if she backed out now! She held strong for this long…
She was nearly there… just for a while longer…
She begins to see familiar faces join the cult, Orin the red and Enver Gortash. It only got worse from there.
The killer uno, became the killer trio…They hatch a plan…
THE plan.
To get the Crown of Karsus, place it on the elder brain, create a soulless army of mind flayers, and exterminate all life for the God of Murder, Bhaal.
Elizabeth joins Gorash who was now the chosen of Bane, and Ketheric Thorm chosen of Myrkul.
Her body did everything as usual; got through a portal to hell, executed the plan perfectly and every person in her path. Getting the crown, successfully getting into the mind flayer colony underneath moonrise towers, and finally placing the crown on the brain.
Elizabeth didn't bother protesting anymore. She tried to not let every innocent life place their scar on her. All of this must be so there is a storyline, if she intervened it would ruin the future…
Every death had a purpose for the lore of the game… That's what Elizabeth convinced herself it had to be…
She must endure. She knew after all of this, she would have control…
Eventually…
Hopefully…
One day she will take violence into her hands, but only to stab Hella for not at least warning her about this…
Maybe she did, Hella did say a wish never turns out like anyone hopes… How that couldn't be more true…
"Heads up, you are the Dark Urge and you have no control while you commit mass genocide. Also don't forget the trauma!"
Would have been nice…
Hella did say it would be a pre-loaded character… meaning the last character Elizabeth played…
She was surprised after everything, she could remember it. It was hard to tell what was real or not anymore. The names and faces of her old life begin to fade over her time here. After all the torture and death her mind was a husk of what it used to be...
Nothing else seemed important to remember after so long...
But, she clutched onto every moment of that memory. Because she knew now, it was all too real.
This was real!
She just wanted so desperately to be real...
...to be herself...
...Not this... monster...
Not a dream anymore, her dream came true…
but… not. at. ALL like how that damn witch said!
It became a nightmare really fast...
Hella suited her for sure… she hoped to never forget it…
She contemplated for a long while if the dark urge was her favorite playthrough anymore…
Maybe Elizabeth should have paid better attention to Hella and asked more questions. She at least would have been more prepared…
No…
Truth is... nobody would be prepared for this…
She'd be surprised if anyone enjoyed this…
Elizabeth witnessed as she started to bond with the elder brain. The brain also had a love for enslavement of all living things, domination, and eventually the extinction of all life. The elder brain loved Elizabeth's way of thinking and followed her willingly. But, not her…
...The Dark Urge...
The death gods held high hope for her, the elder brain, and the Cult of Bhaal worshiped her like a god. So she practically ruled over Moonrise Towers, but someone was jealous of that power. Jealous and envious of all the might of the souls Elizabeth had bowed to her feet.
In a moment she thought she was alone, suddenly the air had a sense of death. This time it was pointed at her…
Elizabeth might not have had control over her body, but she could still feel its pain. She felt everything over the years. Every cut, every headache, every sickly ailment that befell her. She felt it all, not just the emotional pain she suffered over the years.
Tonight it hits a whole new level. She felt it as someone attacked her from behind. As a knife entered her skull and stabbed into it; over and over. She heard the maniacal laughter of Orin. Her body collapsed to the floor, hitting the ground with a thud after failing to hold herself up. Losing most of her motor functions. The woman standing behind her was now on top of her as she splits open her skull with the knife. The blood and the pieces of her brain leaving her head. All of it a painful excruciating experience. She couldn't scream or move.
All she could do… Like she did all these years…
She watched her blood leave her.
Memories she had tight grips over, their thread's were being cut or struggling to hold on. Important memories of her fading into blackness. She tried her best to tend to every thread trying to hold onto her surviving memories from the side of her brain that remained intact.
She mourned over her loss of those precious memories. Not remembering why they were so important…
She watched as Orin walked away with her bloodied ceremonial knife in hand, covered In Elizabeth's blood. Laughing triumphantly as she leaves Elizabeth in her body's pain and despair. In its failure to keep this from happening…
It's last remaining thoughts…
Soon she doesn't feel the influence of the other anymore… the one that has been making choices for her all this time…
The Dark Urge…
They disappeared from this world for good… at least most of it…
The darkness threatened to take over Elizabeth's view forever. She fought it anyway, with all her willpower, if it had any influence at all…
She wanted to live!
To have her chance to fix the wrongs she committed!
Then she noticed as a familiar creature came squirming into view, the smell of her flesh and fresh brian on the floor drawing it closer.
She watches as a mind flayer worm crawls its way to her, slithers itself inside her brain, and begins feasting on the remains of it. Nesting itself within her open head. Then something snapped. All of a sudden she didn't just feel the pain, she could feel as her fingers twitched and her toes wiggled. She could blink her eyes… and she abruptly drew in air just before the brink of drawing her last breath.
Elizabeth could finally feel it… the control… the long awaited moments she had been waiting for.
After all this time, she was finally free…
Or so she thought...
Unfortunately there wasn't much she could do now. Every part of her was still struggling to adjust from its injuries and her newfound control. The headache of her life finally taking her consciousness as the world fades around her…
Eh-Hem… Hi… sorry for intruding…
Important note tho.
At this point forward I want you to know Elizabeth has forgotten her own name. BUT, so I don't confuse you… I will refer to her by her name till she "re-discovers" it later… Thank you. Sorry for interrupting, please continue.-
Elizabeth woke up from the sound of someone close to her, their presence observing over her as they sharpen a knife in their hand. Her head throbbing as she attempted to adjust to her surroundings.
She looked around to see the same familiar roof of the mind flayer colony, but from the view of being on one of the torture tables. Not a view she was used to, as the one normally in the mysterious woman's position with someone else was laying on the table.
...Was she getting what she deserved?...
The woman who watched over her, stared at her closely. The pain from Elizabeth's headache alone trying to steal her waking moments. Observing the woman and noticing the strange helmet she wore, it felt like Elizabeth was her before…
But where?..
When?..
Why?...
All memories failing her, the pain too unbearable to think… half of her brain was scrambled. So, of course, it was hard to focus on anything…
The mysteriously familiar woman sounded slightly bored as she spoke…
"Well, hello there, my very not dead friend. I know you don't understand me or why you're here. That's okay though, you can't think for yourself so it shouldn't be an issue."
Elizabeth strains as she tries to use her limbs. Fighting the pain in order to stand, but couldn't go far since she was tied down. Her voice in her throat grumbles as she tries to command her voice to speak.
Only for pain and a grumble in return. She could finally feel for herself and move her body on her own!
She wasn't just watching anymore! It was real!…
She finally had her freedom to move and use her voice after so long!…
However, she struggles to use her speech as pain stops all her cheer in her triumph and newfound freedom. A knife quickly stabbed into her hand and she screamed out at the action. The freedom getting ripped away from her once more…
"Hey! I didn't order you to get up! Wait, you feel pain? You express it too… interesting."
Then finally, after years of not being able to use her own voice. The decades of her soul's silence finally over in an instant. As her soft voice struggles to leave her.
"W-Why… are you… doing this?... It hurts… please…stop."
The woman stares down at her with wide eyes. Completely dumbfounded by the fact Elizabeth could even use her voice at all. The woman spoke with both fascination and shock as she stared down at her with hungry eyes. A hunger for knowledge plain on her face.
"You… you can speak… You don't sound like the usual lord of murder… Why are you… begging for your life?"
"I-I… want… to live!…I… must!"
She fought to keep her words. As she exasperated them out, pleading angrily for the pain to be over.
The woman intenses her gaze on Elizabeth's, looking deep into her eyes. As if she was searching her soul for glimpses of familiarity. Seeming to be disappointed by the answer as the woman continues with her conclusion.
"You have fire like you always did… but not like before… For some reason there's a different look in your eyes… almost… kinder…"
The woman rips the knife from Elizabeth's hand, causing another scream to escape her. Only making the woman purr in delight as Elizabeth's eyes widen and stare into hers. This time her eyes held fear rather than anger. The look on the woman's face was sick and twisted.
"You scream now, when you never reacted to pain before… it's sweet, almost beautiful… Your voice sounds so lovely when it's in pain… sing some more for me won't you."
The woman held the blade close to Elizabeth's eye and threatened to pierce it. Elizabeth held her gaze firm, showing no signs of fear…. Only determination.
"I… only sing… for friends….not… for you… cult bitch… "
Elizabeth tries to spit her words with venom and passion. The woman breathing in her fire with a disturbing smile. Holding the knife steady in its position as she spoke with vigor.
"Ohhh.. I like you… More than before! Your determination to live, your will against the elder brain, the fact you can talk freely, and this odd little personality you picked up after losing half your brain… I will tear you open and find out how you have developed this… resistance… I can't wait to watch the moment I break that spirit of yours..."
She pulls the blade away, holds it in front of her lips, and licks the blood off the blade. With a look that said she enjoyed every second of it as she gives sounds of pleasure. Her eyes vibrated with ecstasy as she stared down at Elizabeth.
"Even your blood tastes sickeningly sweet…What has happened to you?!... Ohhh, I can't wait to see how you became you… I must learn all about you, inside and out! How to make more of you! I can't wait to rip you open and see what else has changed about you!"
The woman has gone completely psycho. Her eyes were dangerously erratic. Her smile was wide and meniacle.
She meant every word she said…
That sent a cold chill down Elizabeth's spine. Her panic began to rise, but she had no strength to retaliate or struggle.
The woman licked her lips as she continued with a menacing laugh, her voice filled with excitement.
"You… my dear, my sweet new project. I am Kressa, and we are about to get to know each other very well… for instance, you will learn the one thing I love more than anything…"
Kressa pauses as she readies the blade of the knife above Elizabeth's stomach. Her anxiety drives at its peak as she realizes she already knew this woman. But, nothing to explain how…
The thread of this memory is well intact but damaged…
She is Kressa Bonedaughter, Elizabeth found her before but…in another life?…
They met here before in the mind flayer colony…
Kressa told Elizabeth at that time, she ripped the dark urge open and put her back together, over and over again to study her…
The Dark Urge was the first True Soul…
Was she the Dark Urge?...
Was Elizabeth about to experience all of it?…
She wanted to run, she wanted to move, but her body wouldn't fully cooperate with her. The restraints held her down and her brain was not fully there. She was barely holding consciousness. She stayed awake out of fear if she closed her eyes now, she wouldn't wake up ever again. But, if she stayed awake now she was about to suffer something she never imagined she was going to live through…
As much as she wanted it to be… This is not a dream…
It's very… real…
Her wish now… was to be free…
Now more than ever…
But right now, she is here…
She is alive in this world…
She is breathing, seeing, and feeling the magic around her...
Finally after so long... She has a choice...
Elizabeth was in the world she dreamed of being in…
That much she knew… and yet she had to be here…
Her freedom was so close... but so far out of reach...
This is what she got for dreaming.…
Was all of this really worth it?…
She hoped it still was…
Elizabeth shut her eyes tightly as the worst moment of her life began…
Hey… sorry again…
I'm warning you now this is the part where you should run away. Elizabeth is about to be seriously tested. If you already know, then feel free to skip this part. It gets very dark and very detailed. Be careful treading past this point.
Kressa pressed the blade on Elizabeth's skin, and started slicing down above her stomach. Elizabeth doing everything in her power to endure it as she was being slit open. Her insides being exposed as she screams in agony. The blade stopped just above her pelvic bone. She felt the blood escaping her dripping down her sides…
Elizabeth struggled to breath, to hold in her suffering, and tried her best to fight her tears forming in her eyes. The pain is beyond excruciating, beyond words…
Kressa's words rolled off her tongue, every word vibrated with pure love as she spoke. A pure psychic love… As the woman gently caresses the blade before she puts it down on a far table.
"Mmmmhmmm, ohh, how I love your screams… Are those tears?… So lovely… What I love, my dear, is thorough research in my experiments and the sounds it causes! If my victims stay awake long enough to make any noise… Now we can do this together, you and I! I'm excited to see what we learn! The sounds you will make… Yes… don't pass out on me yet, let's see what you look like in here! "
Kressa violently shoves her hand inside Elizabeth as she takes a tight grip on her intestines. Elizabeth screamed at the top of her lungs, unable to bear the torture it caused. Her entire body was tightening, struggling, and fighting to resist all the agony she was going through. Her will to keep on existing, barely holding on. It was a miracle she was able to keep her eyes open…
So, she had to watch as Kressa pulled out her guts. Bringing them out of her body with one hand, extending them out with her other hand.
Elizabeth couldn't utter a sound or a word, she was in a state of collapsing at any moment. Tears left her as felt everything, every grip Kressa had on her insides, her blood leaving her body, and as she became more empty the more it was pulled out of her…. Kressa looked deep in her "research."
Okay y'all are clear from here. It's not so detailed beyond this point.
"You're still awake, remarkable!… Might as well share my findings with you. Since you won't fill the silence with your beautiful voice…. I'm not seeing much change… looks normal… I might have to do this again, tomorrow in a better light… After you adjust more to the tadpole in your head."
The blackness fades in and out of her view, she wanted to so desperately to clutch onto life. But, this pain is unlike anything she has ever felt… It was hard to know if all of this was worth it… She was so close to giving up her wish…
Until…
Suddenly the faces of those she looked to for comfort came into view. Faces of people she hasn't thought of in so long…
The reason she was doing all of this… to see them…
To live the life she dreams… to make them smile…
To hear his laugh…
To not feel pain…
but be held… and cherished…
To sing beautiful songs for her friends…
her family…
her love….
Tears flooded out of her eyes as the lovely thought drifted her to a painful sleep. Sounds and colors are fading away. Incapable of staying conscious any longer…
Their faces come with her as she is safely embraced by the darkness…
She woke up to the same thing everyday, her body being reopened and she'd pass out before she was closed again. Every day was more dreadful and soul crushing than the last. Yet every day, she had the faces of those who brought her comfort in her mind.
Although over time they began to blur...
After so long, she was only left with one fair glimpse of red...
Crimson orbs that never lost its place in her mind...
She still lived.
The thought of seeing their lovely faces standing in front of her kept her going. The longing of seeing a different color of red giving her the will to live another day...
...Whoever they were... they kept her going...
All of who she was is now a gentle husk, their names and faces weren't clear anymore. It's been so long…
but they were still there in the back of her mind...
She didn't know for how much longer however...
When she was struggling each day to clutch onto the memories of them, but she fought regardless. No matter what, she made sure to keep them in her heart every single day…
Maybe the part of her memory that was lost was with the other half of her brain…
or there were other things that kept her from thinking too much…
Even after she forgot why she wanted to meet them… The memory of whoever these beings were, kept her spirit strong. Even when she had no will to go on, every time she saw Kressa's face.
Even when she thought it would be her last day… every day…
They still kept her going. Cheering her on, telling her they were eager to meet her…
Who were they to her again?...
She opened her eyes one day to see a different face, their significant voice shining through and miraculously reaching her ears…
"You're saying she still has free will, she hasn't changed, and she is alive… after… all of that."
The sound of evil made her entire body react by the mere sound of Kressa's voice. Shutting down, as the woman's very presence ment pain or near death… So, she kept her eyes shut and didn't move a muscle.
"Yes, I believe she is one amazing specimen. Her will to live is extraordinary. She's been a challenge, keeping me on my toes. But I have learned much from her… Her spirit is astounding-…"
The sound of a different voice entirely, it was small yet it demanded to be heard from Elizabeth… From a being not among them, but inside them… barely inside her…yet speaking to all of them to the best of their capabilities.
"A.. True Soul…"
"Hmm… True soul…. I like it. Can we make more of them?"
The man spoke to the vile woman. As she nodded with a response.
"I do believe that through my studies, I have learned much from her. We can begin first by recreating how she came to be, with other subjects. Or we can start a study on the tadpoles themselves. In my research, her tadpole had a very odd energy, like it was touched with magic… I believe if we follow further we can make more."
"Then do it. I want hundreds of these. Begin immediately."
The man said swiftly, she heard footsteps leading away indicating she was left alone once again… with her…
Elizabeth kept her eyes shut, not letting it be known she heard everything. Her heart was beating rapidly as there was a long silence before maniacal laughter began to fill the room. Her voice smooth as silk as she speaks, every word making her body shiver in terror.
"Oh, this is so wonderful… My pet. My sweet project, you have given me so much. I can't wait to repay you…"
There was silence once more as she steps closer, her heart now hammering. Her voice almost made her jump out of her skin as it whispered in her ear.
"Too bad you were not awake to see how far we've come… I was sure you would have loved the news… but I'll let you rest for now, you earned it after all… I must begin on new subjects, don't worry though… I will never forget to come show you my love."
It took everything Elizabeth had not to react when Kressa caressed her cheek. As the last word vibrated menacingly from her tongue…
Elizabeth's panic left her as Kressa's breath was no longer in her ear. Then suddenly there was a flash and she felt a wave of sleep wash over her. The last words she hears,
"I must make sure you won't attack anyone while you're being moved, though I doubt it… I won't underestimate you."
Then she is sent into another useless sleep for however long it persists.
Elizabeth wakes up once more to feel no restraints on her, but instead she could hear her own breathing more than before. She was also more upright than before. Not standing, but more elevated. She opened her eyes to look out of some sort of glass. Her arms were finally free, no longer bound to anything. For the first time in a long time, she tried all in her power to move her arms. They shake as Elizabeth presses them against the glass. Her entire body wrapped in bandages, hating the very action. Despite all of it she moved herself closer to look out of this mind flayer pod they shoved her inside of…
Her stitches rubbing on the cloth, a little of her blood beginning to show up on the white. Her hands turn to fists, this glass the only thing keeping her from freedom. Her first attempt to hit it was frail but held promise. Retaliating as a response, her body spikes with immense pain. Regardless she attempted more, reared back her arms,and slammed her fist over and over on the glass. Her blood is now soaking her front.
She wanted to be free, she wanted to get out, she wanted to find someone… But who?…
They were important to her…
Important enough to get-
Both fists strike the glass now.
Out-
Pain was meaningless, her freedom was inches away.
To be free-
The force makes the sounds of cracks to the glass.
To find-
She held her fists high, ignoring the excruciating pain, as she built her strength to its highest for one final strike.
HOME!!!
The glass shattered with her most powerful strike, along with the bones in her hands . Her entire body flooded with a wave of tremendous joy and pain. As she collapses, the glass rips her bandages through to her skin as she falls from the pod onto the ground. Freedom just at her reach…
She drags herself barely an inch till someone stomps violently on her hand. But, nothing compared to what she endured. So, she didn't even react as the bones in her hands cracked. They were both already broken…
The voice of a man above her was loud and angry. It was radiating with malice and jealousy.
"I HATE YOU!... You freak… She spends ALL her time with you! ALL of it talking about you! I can't get any peace! I hear your name every second of my days!!! MY PROJECT! MY TRUE SOUL!!! I'm done! I'm sick of it!..."
He lifts his foot off her hand and hovers it over her head.
"No more."
His foot descends down on her face, the last thing she sees as she is forced back into darkness….
Finally… After all of it… after all of the torture and terrible years she suffered…
Something was familiar.
Her eyes were opened once more to see before her the scene a part of her has seen before… She knew deep down… she was here before… but how?…
Elizabeth saw a mind flayer put a tadpole into the eye that belonged to a face she knew. Elizabeth's eyes felt hope the moment she caught a glimpse of the familiar woman. Her gruff face in distaste as she gets overwhelmed by the sudden insertion of the small creature. The mind flayer turned its attention to Elizabeth as it reached for another tadpole… Her first instinctual thought;
"Oh no… not another…"
Despite the protest there was nothing she could do as she watched the worm open its jaws and it shoved itself into her eye…
Once again blackness overwhelmed her…
A sound of a click and a vacuum of the air swirling around her as the door in front of her opens. Her body felt stiff but still reacted as it jolted her awake. Her bandages were gone, her clothes got changed… Her wounds were gone and all healed. She had a violin and a rapier on her back.
How long was she out for?
When did she get here?
Everything around her was on fire, holes in the ship causing there to be a strong gust from the ashy air outside. She looked to see most pods around her destroyed or empty. Everything about this place screams familiarity. Even if she was in immense danger, she never felt more safe than to be in this moment. She felt relieved and calm, when Elizabeth should be terrified.
She jumps out of the dome, feeling a wonderful rush of delight. She didn't struggle for strength. She effortlessly and painlessly landed without backlash. It felt amazing, she never felt more alive!
The silent cheering to herself was interrupted as the ship shakes violently. Threatening her safety once more. This ship was under attack; she knew that wasting time was not an option. It meant life and death, when she so desperately wanted to live.
For some reason, every piece of this place was familiar somehow. She didn't waste a second of that knowledge as she grabbed useful items in the area. Then a wave of a bloodthirsty feeling overwhelmed her.
The blood in her head thrums and pounds Nothing but a headache and a shadow of her name… Her life before felt like a dream… another life…
She decided here and now, this was going to be a change. Everything she felt, everything that whispered in her mind. The dread, the blood, and the hatred… She wanted nothing to do with it. She vowed to be different from the husk of who she was before.
After everything she endured…
Only Eliza remained… That's all that came to her, as her name… Only a fraction of who she was, the rest was up to her. Somehow deep down the name gave her strong emotions. Ones that gave small tears as they fell from the corners of her eyes.
She let them fall, unashamed, and determined for this new life. She opened the next door to be sent into another room. It felt nice to use her legs and arms again… She didn't know how long she was without them… She'd be damned if someone tried to take her freedom from her again…
Once again her surroundings are familiar as she passes a body on a table with rune tablets scattered around. She reaches a platform and interacts with the odd alien panel. Making the platform move up to a higher level.
She is greeted by a voice that's delicate and shy.
"Help us, please…"
She comes up to the body, unfazed by the sight. The body twitches in excitement at her approach. Eliza already knew what it was and what it wanted somehow.
"Yes, you've come to save us from this place. From this place you will free us."
Without a second thought her hands knew exactly where to go. A stream of profuse knowledge in medicine floods her as she grips onto the brain. It jolts under the action, seeming completely surprised at the sudden response.
"Oh.. Wait! What-…"
The brain lifts from the skull after giving it a swift pull, the body slumps lifelessly, and the brain sits in her hands quietly. The sudden desire overwhelms her thoughts as they twitch her fingers. Her urge to rip its flesh to shreds, watching the blood spill on the floor as she mutilated the brain…
She shakes her head abruptly from he thought. Doing everything in her power to not crush the small being trusting her hold…
The brain wiggles suddenly as it jumps from her hands. Landing on the ground growing antennas and legs. The brain quivers as it sends waves of delight to Eliza's little friends in her head…
"Wow! We are free! Freedom is ours! Friend."
The brain sends signals of recognition and joy as the creature seizes behind her eye.
"We must go to the helm. At the helm where we are needed."
She had a feeling she didn't bother to ignore, she knew to trust her gut. The only person Eliza felt she could trust more than anyone at the moment was herself… So, she went with it, hoping her feelings weren't wrong…
"Let's go then."
Without another thought she led on, the little creature following not far behind. She collected everything valuable before she headed down a path that leads to the open air outside of the ship…
The red beautiful, yet, terrifying beasts flew majestically over all the raging war that played on the scene. The nautiloid firing its cannons, the rage of the hells, and the Githyanki riding on the Dragons…. The most beautiful creatures in the world to her, were dragons. She had a deep fascination for them that went beyond words. Eliza felt her body vibrating in excitement at the sight of them…
She scoped out to witness the land that the ship flew over; the dark stormy clouds, the ashes for hills, rocky mountains, and the screams of death that echoed in the planes. This place was familiar as well. One hells of Avernus… a name that emerged from her faded memories. All of it seemed like a familiar dream she once had… or one she wanted so desperately to see…
Was this it?
How could it be? She still felt incomplete… Like a lot of it was still missing… She was broken, trying to find her missing pieces…
But, where were they?
What were they?
She couldn't help but feel like the familiarity wasn't going to stop…
The feeling of deja vu has been on a constant basis since the moment she woke up. Like she has been here before…
Although the view is off. She is seeing it through her eyes now… not from… above?...
She turned around suddenly as a thought of that very word flashes into view. Someone is about to come from above. She looks up to see the very someone she saw in her last conscious moments. The familiar face and a name comes to her mouth. As the strange warrior in intricate armor, with a greatsword in hand, lands in front of her. Ready to strike.
"Abomination, this is your end!"
A smile twitches at the corners of the Gith's mouth. Eliza should have been afraid, but instead felt a rush of relief. Like she just found a missing piece…
As she smiles with a sigh, and whispers out the name in content…
"Lae'zel."
The warrior freezes at the mention of her name, her eyes widened in shock. Looking Eliza up and down for signs of recognition.
"I don't know you…. How do you- UGH!"
Eliza's head throbs and her skin tingles. Visions flash through her head: a dragon's wing, a silver sword, and Eliza's very face seen through Lae'zel's eyes.
That was a new experience entirely, throwing her completely off guard.
She looks at Lae'zel to see her face hold disdain and very little trust. Eliza had a feeling Lae'zel had similar experiences, since her sword was lowered and she was also disoriented...
"My head… What is this?... ngh..."
Lae'zel composes herself as she gets a grip on reality. Eliza is doing the same.
"Tsk'va… You are no Thrall- Vlaakith blesses me on this day! Together we might survive."
Lae'zel says as she sheathed her weapon. Giving a friendly smile with hesitation on her face.
Eliza is delighted to see her…This warrior's presence gives her a comfort unlike anything else. As floods of tears and self control are at battle for domination over her. It took everything in Eliza not to hug her. She felt if she did, there was a very high chance of ending up stabbed. So, she kept the peace as she tried to focus on the mission at hand without crying her eyes out immediately… Which was a very strong battle she never had to overcome more than in this moment…
Eliza shoved her feelings back in her heart with a deep breath and got her serious face on… Already knowing the plan ahead…
"Your plan is to take over the ship?"
Lae'zel widens her unique pupiled eyes in slight astonishment.
"Hmm… Yes, you are… efficient. I find it odd that my name came from your lips; yet I am certain we never met, istik… How you know me is unusual, I doubt I'm well known among your people. zech… This is hardly the time to interrogate further, we must get off this ship!"
Lae'zel gestures to a group of imps devouring the flesh of a body…
"First, we must exterminate the imps. Find the helm and, as you said - we take control of the ship."
She then looks down at the little brain in distaste.
"As for that thing - it will remain tame as long as it believes we are thrall. It may be of some use for the fight to come."
Lae'zel then leads them into battle, Eliza close behind. Their presence stirred the imps as one looked up from the fresh body it feasted on.
Lae'zel draws her weapon once more, and yelled out a word in her native tongue.
"Htak'a!"
The imp screeches its loud battle cry and it flaps its wings as it hurls itself towards Eliza. She prepares her blade, drawing it from its sheath. Suddenly she had a flash of knowledge on how to use it properly, her body instinctively in battle position. The imp was merely a couple feet from her, as its claws were outstretched ready to grab her. In an instant she reacted, a single swift move as the blade strikes across the creature's chest. It was a deep long cut that nearly chopped it in half… She was stronger than she thought, despite not having control for so long. Her muscles from her tedious training paid off.
The imp was barely holding on, it used its last effort to give a slash of its claws at her. She dogged it barely, as its claw cuts across her arm.
She uses her next move to shove the rapier through the beast's chest. She rips it out as the creature goes limp.
The imp went down in an instant as it fell to her feet. Its glowing eyes dim to nothing as life leaves it.
She looks over to Lae'zel, who has already dealt with her enemy as it bled on the ground.
Us was quietly behind Eliza waiting for a command. The name drifted its way into her thoughts, now she knew what to call the brain creature that followed her.
Lae'zel looks over to Eliza's enemy, also bleeding on the ground, and looks back at her in astonishment.
Suddenly another screech came from behind Lae'zel, an imp was charging towards her. She barely had time to react. Eliza, quick to respond with a vicious mockery.
"The Hells would gag on your putrid stench!"
The imp stops and stares at Eliza. It lifts its arm, turns its head, gives itself a whiff, and makes a face of disgust not long after. Completely unaware of the disadvantage it was given as Lae'zel's blade strikes and cleanly chops off its head.
The head hitting the ground with a separate thud from its body. Lae'zel turns to greet Eliza in a new light.
"You prove surprisingly adequate in battle. Now- to the helm."
Lae'zel catches up to Eliza, nods to her, and gives her confirmation to lead.
Eliza smiles brightly as she silently enjoys each second. She then bows to the warrior with grace as she introduces herself.
"As you wish. My name is Eliza. It is an honor to be graced with your incredible company."
Lae'zel stares at her in bewilderment, her green skin turns a little pink as the corner of her lips twitch a trace of a smile. Just before Eliza could get a second glance, the smile disappears. Then, Lae'zel rolled her eyes and exasperated to Eliza in response. Her words came out as if she was annoyed, but deep down Eliza could sense the appreciation.
"Now is not the time for flattering words… However, those words will only be acknowledged because they are true… nothing more… Enough chatter- let's move!"
"Yes, I doubt the ship could take much more from those beautiful red dragons out there. We best get going fast or else this will be a short adventure…"
Lae'zel once again was shocked by Eliza's words. Instead of speaking of her comment, Lae'zel stayed quiet and followed Eliza.
As she led them both, she dug around, and looted anything valuable on her way to the helm. Eliza passes by a tall alien thing with blue tentacles emerging from it. She grabs one of the tentacles as a flash of serenity flooded her body, the cut on her arm disappeared in an instant.
"Wow… Where was this when I needed it?"
They continue forward.
They make a peril of a climb on a slimy membrane as their only way forward. Its structure being the only thing connecting the two floors. The slimy grip, the wind blowing, the ship getting thrashed, and the height of it make it a tedious task.
She couldn't help but feel like this was so much easier from another point of view…
She finally reaches to the top, taking time to catch her breath.
Her muscles were still great but her cardio…
Not so much…
Since she was asleep for… only the gods know how long… she had no clue…
While Lae'zel makes it to the top effortlessly, her breath was steady. She didn't break a sweat. She even crossed her arms and shook her head at the display of Eliza's weakness. Us was last to meet up with them at the top. Eliza tried her best to recover quickly as she led on once more.
They open a fleshy door and enter another odd room. People were laying on operating tables, they were incapacitated and unresponsive.
The sight of them giving her thoughts of when she layed on a table… covered in her own blood… screaming…
She shook the thoughts abruptly from her mind, determined to ignore the feeling it gave her.
She let them be and walked in without another thought. As if on instinct, she waltzes through the room, passing everything. She heard baging on the glass of a familiar pod and a voice that let herself be known as Eliza walked by it.
"You! Get me out of this damn thing-"
Eliza continues forward, only sparing a single glance and one finger in the woman's direction. Eliza's way of quickly saying,
'Just a moment.'
Without saying it.
Though to the other it meant she was getting ignored.
"No! Wait!"
Eliza didn't say another word, but she did look back to see Lae'zel rather pleased by the action. However, both of them were unaware of what she was already prepared to do.
She waltzes into the next room,with another woman trapped in a pod in the center of the room. Many other pods were displayed on the walls. All of them were full and held a person within them…
Eliza passed by a particular pod that gave her a small feeling. It was hard to notice at first but she did a double take after her heart skips in her chest… That pod… held something important… Someone important… However she couldn't interact with it, it hung on the wall far from the platform she was on. The glass was dark like the others. She wasn't able to see who was inside.
She stared long and hard at it, curious on who could be inside to make her react in such a way.
Whoever they were she couldn't wait to meet them, the thought making her smile. Giving whoever is in there a small wave, placing the hand on her heart, and giving a gentle bow of acknowledgment.
Her thoughts were clear if there was a way she hoped she was heard.
"Whoever you are… hold on… Everything's gonna be okay… I'll fix this… You won't die here…"
She had a feeling she would get to know them soon…
So, she moved forward with the thought of the pod lingering at the back of her mind. While she continued on with her plan that was based on pure instinct.
She ignored every other pod as she searched the remains of a body at the end of the room. She grabs a rune tablet, smiling in her silent victory, and already knowing its purpose…
She then turns her gaze to something on the floor glowing green and floating within its glass casing. It was a brain in a jar… She couldn't help but feel it has a purpose… So she walks over and grabs it without hesitation and stuffs it in her bag. Lae'zel giving Eliza an odd look from the act, but remained silent.
She heads back into the other room and rushes to the panel not far from the first pod she saw before. Once she stands in front of it she slides the rune perfectly into the open slot. The console humming with a new life. The woman inside looked over at Eliza curiously. Laezel looked ready to protest.
"You again? Do you know what you're doing?"
"We don't have time for stragglers!... zech… the rune… You knew where to find it… Yet you didn't even stop and look, to know of it… You knew my name too…"
Eliza turned to face the Gith she traveled with.
Lae'zel stared at Eliza with her arms crossed, giving her more thought than before. Completely forgetting about Eliza freeing the half Elf.
Instead Lea'zel looked like she was full of questions. She probably didn't know whether she had the time to speak of them. So, she kept them to herself… for now at least…
Eliza returns her attention to the console, placing her hand on it. She felt a rush throughout her body, the friends in her head started to dance, and hum with a feeling…
Connection…
Authority…
She willed the pod to open, imagining the door unlocking was all it took. It wasn't too difficult.
The door to the pod opens, the half elf stands to her feet, and falls from the pod. She exhales with triumph…
"At last… I thought I was done for…"
The relief of fresh air and freedom overwhelms someone, Eliza knew that more than anyone.
A memory flashes of what was done to her. Unfortunately, the demented thoughts took root there… They wanted more than anything to do exactly what was done to her…
To this half elf…
To Shadowheart…
To hear her bones crack in her hands… to hear her scream…
Eliza banished the thought, demanding her presence to be of comfort not of pain.
Eliza kneels to Shadowheart with a wide smile and offers her hand instead. Ignoring the gnawing sick feeling after abandoning the carnage a part of her desired.
The half elf looks to Eliza with shock only to fade into a smile that matches hers. She grabs Eliza's hand and they stand together. Eliza lets her go so Shadowheart can steady herself.
Eliza knew her name, just like Lae'zel. But, this time she kept it to herself. As to not raise any more suspicion from Lae'zel. If the warrior asks, Eliza has no valid answer… she just… knows…
Shadowheart breaths another sigh as she continues in her thanks.
"I thought that damn thing was going to be my coffin… Thank you-"
A surge of emotions flooded into Eliza, they were reflecting Shadowheart's gratitude. However, she was still wary…
Because of Lae'zel…
Lae'zel crosses her arms at the thought, obviously connected as well, after feeling Shadowheart's emotions. Both of them give silent glares to each other for a brief moment.
Then, Shadowheart turns her attention back to Eliza.
"You keep dangerous company."
"Dangerous company is good to keep in case of a battle. Besides, I trust her with my life! Lae'zel is extraordinary with a sword and she hasn't proved me wrong yet."
Eliza could feel the stare coming from behind her. She took a glimpse back to see it wasn't hateful, she could tell the Gith actually was grateful… Her eyes wide, looking a little stunned by her once again… Considering they only just met and that was bold of Eliza to say…
Eliza looked back at Shadowheart to see the same look of shock.
Shadowheart continues with an awkward smile.
"Fair point. I guess I can take your word for it. Considering what you've already done for me, I feel I can trust you at least… and her for now… Looks like there is plenty of fighting ahead. Let me come with you. We can get off this ship, and watch each other's backs along the way."
Eliza bows to Shadowheart giving her greeting.
"Nothing would make me happier. You can call me Eliza."
""Shadowheart."
Both of her new companions can't help but stare at their chosen leader with curiosity and bewilderment. They can't tell if she means what she says or if it's mindless flattery to earn their trust. In all honesty, she was being genuine and true to herself. She felt more joy in seeing their faces than she had felt in so long…
Eliza couldn't explain it, but it felt like she was so close to being whole again…
Shadowheart turns to the pod and asks them for a moment, as she reaches in to grab something. She pulls out another familiar object to Eliza. She didn't feel the need to mention it. So, she responded with;
"You ready? Need any healing potions? I have a few."
Shadowheart was hesitant by her sudden kindness, but was willing to receive it.
"Yes… I could use one-"
Lae'zel finally put in her input at their lack of hastiness.
"Enough of this pleasant chatter. We must get to the helm- now."
As Eliza sacrifices one of her potions to the new recruit. Shadowheart replies without protest and pockets the position with a half-smile.
"She's right. Lead on."
Eliza led on once more and collected valuables along the way.
She stopped her sights again on another floating brain in a jar. She felt a connection to it just like the last one… Its use was useful in the right circumstances… She was sure of it. She walks up to it and picks it up. Only to be stopped this time by the Githyanki with a hand on her hips. Pointing her finger in her protest.
"Stop it! I let you keep the first brain. Despite my concerns… You don't need another. Put. it. Down! We need useful items!"
Shadowheart, despite her dislike towards the Gith, still agreed…
"Yes, I highly doubt two extra brains and weight is needed."
Eliza looks between them and gives them both puppy eyes as she hugs the jar tightly.
"Noooo… It is useful! I can't explain how I know, but I know I can use it somehow! I'll carry it and take care of it. Just until we camp, I promise! Pleeeease!"
She begged like a kid asking their parents to keep a pet. Except she was a full grown adult and she was asking to not keep one… but two brains in a jar… but Lae'zel's only seemed quarreled by the notion as she continued with her fueling anger. Rather than arguing, solving it the best way possible was to meet halfway. To get moving, without fuss.
"If that thing ever becomes useful, you will have my best sword. If not and you can't keep up; you're on your own… and there will be no camp... for you."
Eliza smiled widely as she placed the jar in her bag.
"That is completely fair. Don't worry, I'm not worried at all. We have a great team so far!"
Lae'zel and Shadowheart look at each other with uncertainty.
"Suuure."
"To. The. Helm."
Eliza chuckled to herself with a bright smile. The grumpy look coming from Lae'zel bringing it out of her. Which threw the warrior off, Eliza wasn't threatened at all by her.
When most were…
In fact Eliza looked unaffected by anything… just constantly cheerful, polite, and possibly dim-witted…
The strange woman avoided not one, but two chests at first. Instead Eliza grabbed the brain in a jar next to them… Both times… before she even noticed the chests…
As a result, it only made the warrior scoff… The Gith doubts she will live long…
Shadowheart seems to find it a little humorous as well. Seeming rather fascinated to be saved by someone like Eliza.
Eliza led the way once more. She felt that whatever she was yet to face, she was ready for it. She was ready to live, finally… After so long. Everything was coming together piece by piece.
She felt something was waiting for her, something amazing, and unlike anything else.
All the suffering… it was worth it!
She felt close to her dream…
Close to her true home…