Chapter 1:

The evening after the defeat of the Netherbrain was a rainy one. A blessing, for the sudden deluge put out the fires that burnt rampant throughout the ruined city of Baldur's Gate.

Shadowheart, Gale, Halsin, Minsc, and Jaheira were sitting around a table at the Elfsong tavern, a strong drink of their choice close at hand. The mood should be joyous, celebratory, but they were all somberly reflecting on the events of their long and arduous day. From the victory they claimed by liberating Baldur's Gate from the Illithid army and the Cult of the Absolute, to the almost complete destruction of the city along with the many innocent lives that were lost in the crossfires of the battle.

They thought of their friends. How they all started as strangers with barely anything in common except for the desire to get rid of the tadpoles in their heads, and how they, despite all the disagreements and hardships they've been through, banded together like a family.

They thought of Lae'zel, who left for the Astral plane astride a Red Dragon. After a lifetime of being lied to by her entire culture that Vlaakith— the God-Queen, was actually a usurper who stole the life force of the ascended Gith to prolong her own life, Lae'zel took up the mantle of the fallen Orpheus—true heir to the Gith throne, to liberate her people from Vlaakith's clutches.

They thought of Karlach. Her Infernal Engine burning up, threatening to reduce her to a pile of ash. She was determined to die in the company of her friends instead of returning to Avernus and risking capture and re-enslavement to the Arch-Devil Zariel; until Wyll offered to go back to Avernus with her so that she wouldn't be alone.

They thought of Astarion, who thought that the protection the tadpole provided him from the sun was permanent even after the destruction of the Netherbrain. One moment he was enjoying the beautiful sunrise over the Chionthar and planning how they would celebrate their victory, and the next burning alive because of the sunlight—the same thing he was relishing just mere seconds ago. He left suddenly, running as fast as he could to avoid the deadly rays.

They thought of Tav, who at the sight of her beloved's rushed escape, broke down in tears, mourning the loss of Astarion's ability to walk in the daylight for him.

They searched for Astarion—now just a regular Vampire Spawn with all their weaknesses, in the shadows of the ruined city. They checked every corner, every dark alley, every crumbling building the entire day and well into the evening. Still, they could find no sign of the Vampire.

Tav's tears fell as they raked the city to find her love. Her teardrops marking the places they've searched. She called out her Dearest's name over and over again until her voice became hoarse, hoping to hear his melodious voice once more. She kept searching, even after the rest of the exhausted party went back to the tavern, for any sign that he was still alive. Alas she found none. So she crawled back to the tavern, barely able to stand and her eyes swollen from crying. Her tears long spent.

They offered her food and drink, as she had not had any since before the battle. They managed to get her to swallow a few mouthfuls of water, but she refused any food; too depressed to eat. So, they helped her up the stairs to her room, helped her change, and tucked her in, hoping that she'd at least get a couple hours of sleep.

A dark, cloaked figure threw the front doors of the tavern open as they entered. The party members didn't mind them at first, as many residents of the city were going to the Elfsong to shelter from the rain or rent rooms because their homes were destroyed. However, Halsin detected a familiar scent on the air wafting through the open door.

Gale noticed him staring at the door. "What is it, Halsin? What's caught your attention so suddenly?"

"Astarion…" Halsin whispered in disbelief, staring wide-eyed at the person in the doorway.