If silence could choke, I would be dead by now, too.

It's been a while since they have left to defend the city and end the brain once and for all, and Kelsya and Gortash don't seem in a rush to leave. They sit side by side. Her face is a porcelain mask, and I can't tell what she may be going through that brain of hers.

There have been times when her thoughts have been a mystery to me. A long time ago, when my own were locked away and I aimed to gain a champion, a protector against Cazador. It feels like I'm back in the past, only for the whole baggage that the present is heavy on my mind and my chest.

She and the tyrant don't talk at all. He's impatient, I can see that. His hands twitch from time to time, he looks at her for a few seconds, only to look away again. Impatient, but why?

They are close, but they don't look close at all. The world may be in the Brain's clutches soon, and yet this sight is quite comforting. Even if that means that my city would be the first to fall and crumble in ruins. I might be a fool. And after all, as I said once, only fools fall in love.

Karlach, on the other hand, is barely restraining herself. She's pacing like a caged tiger, her eyes on our prisoners all the time. She's guarding them, for sure, and yet her gaze is filled with anguish and regret.

Finally, she marches towards them, wearing a determined look on her face.

§§§

"Soldier."

Kelsya lifted her gaze to meet Karlach's.

Her approach is expected, but not enough to break the thread of her thoughts. The plan is simple. Keep quiet. Wait a while. Let them believe she's harmless. Give her once-companions the chance to get close to the brain, until the Emperor is too busy to harness it to take away his protection on her. Get away using her new gift and find the only other squid able to help them. Then, only then, while everyone is too busy surviving the encounter, snatch away the stones and take control. It's risky, but it's the only way. Of course, that means killing those guarding them. Father's orders are clear. And after all, it would be a mercy. Is it better to die, or to be chained? Isn't death merciful?

Wouldn't she rather spare him? And wouldn't the fiery warrior in front of her rather die in battle than explode in a burst of fire while in the thralls of the Brain?

"Soldier. I never asked. Are you... ok?" Karlach asks, incredibly gently so.

Yes. Of course, she would. Isn't it the least she can do for gentle, sweet Karlach? Death would be a gift.

"Never better" she replies, calmly.

A mercy.

She can feel Gortash's gaze on her.

"Are you?" Karlach insists, sitting right in front of her. "Perhaps so. But happy? I'm not so sure. I've seen you happy, soldier. You told me yourself. Even now that I am dying and I can feel the furnace burning me inside, I remember how you told me I'd better live while I can. You live, you can live long, and you squander your gift..." the tiefling's eyes trailed on Gortash "... with him. And in service of an undeserving god."

Kelsya stared at her in complete silence. It was no use trying to stop her. Words were lost on her, but she did admire Karlach's passion.

"I am not a vessel for anyone's good intent, Karlach," she said, finally. "You should abandon all those stupid dreams about the one I could have been."

"This is all heartwrenching, really," Gortash interjected "but I wonder. Do you know why I chose to sell you to Zariel, dear Karlach?". He started to stand, with slow, deliberate movements.

Slowly, the tiefling turned towards Gortash. Unlike him, she stood in one single movement, towering over him. "Don't try anything stupid. Or I'll cut off your head, even if this means hurting her, as incredible as it may be." She spat on the ground, her face a mask of hate and contempt now. "You live only thanks to her."

Gortash froze, his hands up in the air. "You should know I'm a big fan of surviving by now. Perhaps we are defeated, but there's still a slim chance for me to end up in one piece. I'm not willing to squander it. And you know I'm not hiding any weapon upon me. You made sure of that."

Away from her former friend's pleading eyes, Kelsya regained her composure. She had a mission and she needed to complete it. No matter if her hand trembling, and her fingers were dancing around that little, round, shiny, Enver's invention . she had been able to hide upon herself. She met Astarion's gaze. He was staring at her somehow solemnly, a serious expression on his beautifully sculpted face. She remembered how soft his skin was. She's seen him tormented, passionate, flirty, guilty. Never like this.

No matter. It was time. Even so...

In her ears, Enver's voice grew louder. "I gave her you. She offered me the very first project of the Steel Watch. You know, my dear, you might say you've been the first, imperfect one. A failed and yet necessary experiment to achieve greatness. So, thank you for your sacrifice. Now you've outlived your usefulness."

It was time. There was no more to discuss.

Time almost slowed in front of her. Karlach, axe in hand, is ready to charge Karlach. Astarion, now alarmed, is getting closer. And Enver... Enver is looking at her, his hand outstretched. He's moved far enough. As she did.

Death is a blessing. Isn't it? For Karlach. For them all, one day.

So she threw the primer toward Gortash's open hand.

§§§

Of course, I was expecting it. It was bound to happen.

I know what it feels to be burned by the need for vengeance, and I am aware that Karlach wants Gortash's head.

I did let my guard down. A fool, once again. I run towards Kelsya and Gortash, not quickly enough to stop the tyrant from pushing a button on a shiny, little ball. The moment he does, Karlach stops dead in her tracks. She's a glowing red now, redder moment by moment. She's howling in pain, her skin is cracking, and her hands are on her heart.

Part of me knows I am too close. And even though, I can't seem to move. Memories are dancing in front of me. Karlach laughing. Karlach enjoying every bit of scrap life has fed her. Her energy, now literally eating her away.

"What are you doing!? Grab them and let's go!"

Gortash is shouting in Kelsya's direction. Our eyes meet, and I can see true horror in hers as she, like I do, watches the once fiery warrior about to implode.

Karlach lets out another agonizing cry. She's on her knees now.

Kelsya, hardening her expression, marches towards me. For an infinite small, single moment, we stand one in front of the other. For a moment, she seems herself again.

"You dumb-" I hear Gortash shout, once again.

Before he can complete the sentence, Kelsya pushes me away. Away from her, away from Karlach.

As my friend's skin turns to a literal fire, the force of the explosion throws us far from one another. Some cinders slightly burn me, and as a blinding light takes my sight away, something sticky, somewhat liquid, sprays on me.

§§§

Her limbs are still aching, she's sore and slightly burned, but they did it.

The pocket plane worked, and now she, Gortash, and an unconscious Omeelum are safe in the hellish-looking series of chambers that is the Pocket Plane. The second of her Father's gifts, a heritage from the Time of Troubles and a testament to his power.

The explosion is only half a memory in her mind. Karlach's anguish, though...

"What were you thinking?" Gortash asked, grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking her. "You almost died. We almost died." He was furious, she knew.

She turned to him, her gaze empty. "I am His flesh and bone. Did you forget? We all die. We all die in his name, whether or not we like it. We walk towards death the moment we are born. Even you. Even gods." Astarion. Was he? Dead already? More than the pretty corpse he already was?

"My flesh and bone you are. And as such, I won't condone more missteps."

Father's voice echoed through her brain, and perhaps Enver sensed it, felt it, because he let go of her, instead pulling her in for a rough, even ravenous and possessive kiss.

"You will see reason. Whether you like it or not," he whispered, his mouth on hers. "And he" he added looking at Omeelum, who was now stirring, "he will too. You will make sure of it."

§§§

"Wakey wakey, little mouse."

The voice is amused, somewhat mocking.

Raphael's voice.

I open my eyes to the devil staring at me.

Strangely enough, I don't feel any pain. So, from sprawled on the floor of the House of Hope that I am, I cautiously stand.

"Please, have a seat. We have business to discuss," he says, gesturing at one of the chairs and a glass of what is, I can smell, fresh blood.

I am well aware of my current predicament. Raphael will let me go once, and only once, I oblige him. So I do take a seat. He did honor our previous deal. Perhaps he can even be of help.

"You're welcome, by the way. I lent you my boudoir pool and I'm even inclined to help you save... the salvageable, if you're so inclined. At a small price." He continues, then. "As we speak, your pretty girl and her new lover are about to reach the Netherbrain and have their new tentacular friend bring the creature to its, so to say, knees. They might be successful. Or your friends might stop them. Are you inclined to bet when the price is Faerun's current state of freedom?"

As the devil speaks, I consider my options. I might make a run for the battlefield, once free to go. But even then, it might be too late. I trust my friends, of course. But they think Kelsya and the tyrant are safely tucked in the Astral Plane and don't expect a visit.

As far as he knows, they might all be dead.

And he would never be able to save Baldur's Gate. To save her from herself.

"Stop the lovers. Save her soul, or whatever is left of it. And once you do, give me the Crown as payment. Nothing more. Nothing less."

§§§

She didn't bother to watch back as the portal behind her closes. In front of her is what can be somewhat described as the spinal cord of the Netherbrain, ready to be climbed.

Omeelum has long stopped talking. Just like Karlach, he has tried to dissuade her, until she has taken up a fairly extensive use of her knives. Just enough to terrorize him, not enough to debilitate him. She had let Gortash explain that, in exchange for his help, they would let him and Blurg live and continue their studies. At that, the mind flayer had relented and finally agreed to make for the Emperor's substitute. He did not look happy at all. Then again, it wasn't her problem.

Without a word, she handed them both an invisibility potion.

"You both know what to do" she merely said, before starting her climb.

§§§

A moment earlier, I was in the House of Hope.

The other, I find myself surrounded by the fierce battle against the Netherbrain. I immediately spot the portal Raphael mentioned, and it is fairly easy for me to go unnoticed when even a red dragon is falling under the blade of a fierce Zevlor and the Guild's warriors are slicing mind flayers.

As I cross the portal, thanks to my reflexes I jump from one platform to another avoiding a certainly unforgiving fall into the void. Gale, Lae'Zel, and Wyll are moving around the Netherbrain, while the Emperor is keeping himself out of any damage range and is ready to act as soon as the time is right.

And judging from the weakened state of the Brain, that time is close.

Where are they? Where is she?

Was Raphael wrong?

"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to guard them with Karlach?" the gith asks me, landing yet another blow against her foe. I notice several wounds on her body, just like on Wyll's.

There's no time to spare. I can't hope for more good fortune.

"They're coming! They have Omeelum and-"

A single dagger slips through Lae'Zel armor and her ribs, causing her to gasp in pain and surprise. Only then Gortash's figure becomes visible, a wicked grin on his lips. He does not withdraw the blade.

"I advise you, any of you, against trying to yeet me down there. Unless you want her to fall to her death as well" Gortash says.

I can't see her, nor Omeelum. But she has to be here. I can't see what she is about to act. I do know her, though, and her gaze is sharp and her mind is quick.

So I ran towards Gale as he's still looking around, and I take a leap of faith. Gale falls on the terrain, just like I and a now entirely visible Kelsya do. She is wriggling to disentangle from both of us. Physical strength is not my first talent, and the same goes for the wizard, but together we are able to keep her from taking any action. I notice only then that she had no weapon in her hand.

The time seems to have stopped. Wyll, now focusing on Gortash, is channeling his concentration and taking a good look at the area around him and the tyrant.

"You like daggers, don't you?" he finally says, before raising a single hand.

As he does, a cloud of daggers surrounds Gortash without hurting Lae'Zel, making him wince in pain and loosen his grip on the dagger's hilt. That's all it takes for the gith warrior to turn and, with an angry cry, throw him down the platform he was standing on.

As Gortash's scream echoes, farther and farther every second, Kelsya's eyes widen in what I recognize as terror. "Nononono. What have you done. What have you done!" she screams, and soon pants.

The Emperor, oblivious to all, marches towards the Netherbrain, the stones in his hand.