Astarion's POV
…Today… was a rough day so far…
Only for it to get more intense and interesting as the day progresses...
….
They made their way through the risen roads and was met with more blood…
There were hyenas on the ground writhing in pain…
Elizabeth approached them and he knew what they were about to do…
This was the birth of a Gnoll…
But... did the bard know…
Was she going to sit there and witness it?
She didn't...
The bard smashed in the skull of the hyena before it could have the chance to be reborn…
He could see the cold look in her eyes and the shaking of her fists f hmmm as she drew her sword and prepared for a fight.
They then quickly wiped them all out before they could change or warn their friends…
With the hyenas dead, the group was able to get the drop on the Gnolls at the top of the hill.
The blood all around didn't bother him in the slightest.
He was energized…
…Happy…
It's been so long since he has felt like this...
He couldn't even remember the last time he did...
In glorious battle with the Blade of Frontiers, a firey barbarian teifling of the hells, and a terrifying bard…
Which somehow could be possible…
A scary blood driven bard…
That somehow makes a deadly moment more motivational with just a song…
Her sword swings with her every musical tone.
Making slices and slashes, using the blade as her defense and a weapon. It was almost like a dance… They could hardly make a hit on her as she danced around them.
Elizabeth: "La… La La La… La La La… La La Laaa...
La… La La La… La La La… La La Laaa..."
He could see her smile despite the slash of blades of the fly of arrows in her direction. She dodged them or blocked them as her attacks made the gnolls scream and howl.
Her voice fills the air…
It distracted the Gnolls from their attacks…
But made her companions smile and become more powerful…
Elizabeth: "Risin' up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet
Just a girl and her will to survive."
Her voice was enough, it didn't require an instrument to give them all inspiration the battle in front of them.
Astarion stood watch from the edge of the battle with his bow at the ready. Aiming for anything that moves in her direction but he was guilty of watching her performance.
Elizabeth: "So many times, it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory.
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive..."
The rogue's eyes focused on the enemies as he heard the clash of blades. With a fly of his arrow and the stab of his knife on any foes, while the others are overcome by an ax or a blade. When the creature in front of him fell limp to the ground, he watched her power and determination as she held off a Gnolls sword.
It growls in her face…
She held no fear, only the strength to keep her voice strong.
Elizabeth: "It's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight…"
She knocks the sword away with her blade. It roars at her and she backs away quickly to avoid its claws.
Elizabeth: "Risin' up to the challenge of our rival..."
With another slash she cuts the creature's hand, causing its sword to fall to the ground.
Elizabeth: "And the last known survivor stalks her prey in the night..."
After the slash of the barbarian and the swish of the Blade of Frontiers against their foes. Astarion quickly takes an arrow and launches it at the gnoll coming from behind to attack her. His arrow pierced its heart, making it fall dead.
Her dance is finished with a twirl and a thrust of her blade to the creature in front of her.
Elizabeth: "And she watching you all with the eye…"
The blade pierces the creature through the gut…
Elizabeth: "...of the tiger…"
She rips the blade upward from its stomach to see the blood pour and the guts spill from it.
The gnoll falls limp with a thud to the ground.
She watches its death with a smile on her face. Then prepares her next attack with an arrow of her crossbow.
He practically swoons as he watches her in battle…
The battle goes with a song in her heart and the blade in her hand moves gracefully with the dance of her body.
Her song empowered them to finish it quickly.
By the time the song was done, all the foes were vanquished.
Everyone was covered fresh in gnoll blood and still fully energized.
With hardly any deep wounds to show.
They were getting stronger…
Astarion was getting stronger and he loved it…
They didn't mind getting covered in blood and guts. All of them fought well together in the heat of battle.
He loved this group.
They pause for a moment as the bard tells them to take a rest anyway. The warlock and barbarian make fast friends as they sit and chat together. The rogue could have let the bard be and had a break by himself. But he suddenly grew curious about her more and more…
Before the elf knew it, his feet walked him closer. In his stride, Astarion was lost in a daze as he admired her lovely features that were accompanied by the splatter of blood and gore. She still smiled sweetly to herself as she looked up at the sky. The view of her covered in blood is absolutely breathtaking...
By the time their eyes made contact, it was too late to turn back. He was standing in front of her now...
He tried to pretend like she was the one that approached him.
Astarion:" Ah! Well, hello. What can I do for you?"
He was shocked by her smile as she looked up at him. He liked how it looked on her…
The confidence in her stance and gaze is wonderful to see…
Elizabeth: "Hello Astarion. So… about you biting me-"
The elf didn't hesitate to answer…
As much as he tried to ignore it... he still felt guilty…
Astarion: "I already apologized. What more do you want?"
His mind swirled with beautiful memories on recalling her taste and smell of her...
He wouldn't mind indulging again...
Taking another bite from her soft tender neck..
Except with more thought than before.
Maybe they would even enjoy it...
...together...
Astarion: "Unless... you're looking for another nibble."
Her cheeks flush as her eyes went to the ground, and her voice was nervous.
Elizabeth: "I-I really don't mind if you feed on me. I was just curious if you were going to feed on other people."
Astarion: "No innocents, you have my word. Only villains that we need to kill anyway. After all, you know what I am. I can fight with all my weapons- teeth included. And if I happen to drain the occasional bandit during a fight, what's the harm? They're just as dead."
She smiles once more, unfazed by his bloodthirsty nature. The bard only spoke sincerely with a hand over her heart.
Elizabeth: "Whatever makes you happy, Astarion. I'll be happy too…"
He was once again shocked into silence by her overwhelming support.
She was so… different…
Does she really mean what she says half the time?
He couldn't wonder for long as his silence left her open to speak again.
Elizabeth: "How do people become vampires?"
Astarion should have guessed that questions would arise, he didn't see the harm in indulging her curiosity.
Astarion: "It's simple. Just find a vampire that will drink your blood and turn you into a vampire spawn: their obedient puppet. In theory, the next step is to drink their blood. Once you've done that, you're free and a true vampire."
Elizabeth: "So, you get bitten, then bite them back?"
Astarion: "Yes and no. The problem is once you're a vampire spawn, they completely control you. They have to allow you to bite them. And why would they do that? Vampires are power-hungry creatures. They won't lose a servant to create a competitor. Trust me. It doesn't happen."
The bard stares down at the ground for a moment as she lets her thoughts be free…
Elizabeth: "No one should have that kind of power over anyone, in my opinion. If I was a true vampire, I'd give the power to my closest friends. I don't really need or want any servants, but I wouldn't want to be alone either. Being a vampire sounds incredibly lonely... Instead, I'd want the people I care about to be my equal. I'd let them bite me, so that way I wouldn't lose them to time. I'd make my own family, so I wouldn't be alone… A family that would be all powerful and would travel all over the world with me. Together forever. A family thicker than any bond by blood and strong because of love and joy, not because of hate and fear… And if they ever wanted to leave, I wouldn't force them to stay. I couldn't, because they would be their own masters. If they stay - I would know that I am enough. If they go - then I'd have to learn to be okay without them… With or without me… As long as they are happy and free to be themselves, that's all I could ever want for the people that I cherish..."
The rogue stares at her in awe…
The things that come out of her mouth completely dumbfounded him sometimes…
He never would have expected something so wholesome to come from her…
If this woman were a vampire, she would be even more terrifying. Knowing how she fights, the bard would become even more of a menace.
Knowing how she is now, he would like to hope that she would stay the same.
However, she doesn't know what it's like to be a true vampire… and neither does he.
But surely, her sweet nature would be wiped away completely.
She couldn't mean it… could she?
Who knows if she would actually do such a thing…
How could he trust that she meant her words?
Becoming a full vampire could completely change her, those hypothetical ideas could disappear within an instant…
Would she really blindly trust people with that kind of power?
Somehow, he couldn't put it past her…
Even hypothetical, he could hear the truth behind her words…
Is that really all she wanted?
Did she want a family of vampires…
Or did she just not want to be alone…?
…If Elizabeth was his master…
Would she really not be tempted to keep the power over him…?
Would she still grant him freedom…
Even if he would leave immediately after…?
Would she really be happy… just knowing that he could to do whatever his heart desires…?
…Just knowing that he was free… and happy…
…Even if she ended up alone in the end…
Was she really that selfless?
If only he was blessed with a master like that…
…With a master that thought like her…
Blessed enough to be cherished and loved as he is…
To be who he chose to be… and loved for it…
But, unfortunately, he wasn't…
There will never be a vampire like that…
Vampires don't even understand the word love...
And there will never be someone who will love him as he is…
It was a ridiculous idea…
But a nice thought nonetheless…
The surprise left him and was replaced with anger as she spoke once more.
Elizabeth: "What about your story? What was it like for you?"
Astarion: "Why do you insist on exhuming the past?"
Her eyes widened with shock before they met the ground, he was back to surprise by the sudden expression she made after.
The bard looked saddened by his frustration…
A sigh left him as he tried to sound calmer, hoping to make that expression go away with an answer…
Although, the response didn't bring positive feelings like hers did…
His reality was far worse than her innocent imagination could comprehend…
Astarion: "I was a slave, a vampire spawn, kept by the Szarr family. Perhaps I still am. I was never able to resist their commands. But now I've been conveniently lost… They won't ever control me again."
The half-tiefling was quiet for a moment and her expression didn't change… it only deepened into sadness…
Only for him to be stunned once again by her words that left her suddenly…
Elizabeth: "I wish I was your master…"
Astarion stared widely and looked at her with awe... Her cheeks flushed red and she quickly tried to correct her words before he could reply.
Elizabeth: "N-Not in the way that you might think! I-I just meant… well… How do I put it? M-Maybe… I just wish I could set you free. That all it took was one bite and you could finally choose for yourself. Because, honestly, the idea of you being a slave… it hurts me… I wish I could just snap my fingers to take all the pain and suffering away from everyone… But unfortunately life doesn't work like that… It's either the hard way or we die trying… I'm sorry that you had to go through that alone…"
She looked up at him with sad smile that slowly grew, it became genuine and gentle as she stated-
Elizabeth: "But, now, you're not alone anymore. I won't let them control you ever again, I promise."
Astarion was so amazed by her words, by her promise. He couldn't think of a reply or speak another word, as she left him with that to think on…
He decided it was best to ignore the emotions that were caused by them. His mind can think about it later...
Their break was over and she led them onwards.
To simply put it, he was content. A smile found its way to his lips, and he watched her silently as they went. They head up the hill and are met with sounds of more of those disgusting creatures.
He was ready for more bloodshed, but they didn't this time.
They stop again for a moment when the bard turns to face them.
She told them to go down the path, turn to the right, and that there was another cave entrance.
He already had a bad feeling…
The bard then told them to wait for her signal, as she snuck ahead…
He knew it…
Elizabeth was putting herself in danger, once again!
He shouldn't be surprised…
She was going to sneak up on that gnoll drawing on the rock with blood.
He wanted to chase after her…
He wanted to stop her…
But she was too far away and he would risk her safety…
She made up her mind…
Unfortunately, he was forced to watch…
She gets spotted and the worst part of it all…
She did it on purpose…
The bard stood tall and faced the creature…
He then could feel the wiggle in his skull and the connection…
That creature had a mind flayer parasite…
She dug deeper to see the absolute symbol it was drawing…
Finding a way to make a deeper connection…
But of all things she chose to do…
She told it a joke…
And it worked…
The leader started cackling with a howling fit of laughter that infected the rest.
The bard then waved for them to go as she charged full speed into the cave…
…
Damn that woman!!!
What was she thinking?!
This plan worried him nearly to death…
The gnolls slowly snap out of their fit of laughter and begin charging inside the cave regardless of the flames.
He was about to run in after her but he got stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
Wyll: "Do you have a death wish? It's too late for that. We need to get to the other side and you need to trust her plan."
As much as he hated it…
He had to obey…
The one time in his life he had a choice to do something, and for some reason, he wanted to walk straight into danger for her.
But he couldn't…
It could get her killed… get himself killed…
So, he ran as quickly as he could to the other side instead. The others barely had time to catch up as he was racing down the rock ledges.
And just like she said…
There was an entrance…
But it was blocked off.
There was no way in, thanks to the structure and the big rock in the way…
He peaked over it to catch a glimpse of something that gave him instant relief.
It was Elizabeth…
Safe and sound… for now…
She was in a rush, as she jumped across a gap to make it onto the other side and threw barrels of firewine behind her for cover.
He begins to panic as the howling and growls get louder within the cave. They were hot on her tail. More came around the corner to launch arrows at her. Most of them missed… a few didn't.
The smell of her blood blew through the cave in its gentle breeze right to his nose …
It made his insides boil…
He was told to wait…
But he couldn't just sit there and watch.
Something didn't feel right about this cave, there were so many barrels of firewine all over the place. Not to mention a giant round boulder on top of a flimsy support that just needs one touch to activate it…
It was a trap for any intruders…
He then realized her plan: she was trying to get them to follow her into the traps…
But…
How did she think to do such a thing on such short notice?
How did she know about this side of the cave when they just stumbled upon it?
Something was strange about this woman…
She kept saying and doing things without an explanation as to why or how she was doing them…
It was just enough to pique his curiosity even more but not enough to forget the danger she is in.
He tries to make his way through, to be any aid he can be to her, but the wood structure is sturdy and needs a good few hits.
He heard the voices of the others as he attempted to break it down to open the path for her.
Karlach: "Are her plans normally like this? Dangerous, reckless, and exciting."
Wyll: "I'm new to this as well. I joined her just today. Perhaps Astarion knows."
The rogue grumbles annoyed in his reply as he tears at the wood piece by piece with his dagger.
Astarion: "Yes! Unfortunately, she loves to put herself in danger to keep the rest of us safe - the idiot!"
Footsteps approach behind him.
Karlach: "Move out of the way little vamp."
The rogue does as she says as she slashes at the wood with her ax and smashes it to splinters.
Karlach: "There you go."
The elf gawked for a moment, but there wasn't enough time for that. So he pulled himself together and directed-
Astarion: "Alright. Stay here. I will head inside to see if she needs any help."
Karlach: "I want to help."
He halts her before she could step on the spillage of firewine.
Astarion: "No, Karlach! You could light this place ablaze. Stay here with Wyll. I will be in and out."
He hops over the wood and steps within the cave. He stops the moment he sees a trip rope that is meant to trigger the trap.
He tries to get her attention without alerting the gnolls of his position with a loud whisper.
Astarion: "Elizabeth… Elizabeth!"
She turns her head after the second whisper that was louder than the last.
Her face twists with confusion and shock as the creatures debate jumping across the gap.
Elizabeth: "Astarion?! What are you-"
An arrow hits her shoulder and it makes her stagger towards him.
Astarion: "Elizabeth!"
The name escapes him a third time louder than intended and it gets the gnolls attention.
She doesn't scream or yell from the pain, she only wobbles closer before she reaches to rip the arrow out. Her eyes stare at him with a worried expression, that he returns it with his own worry as she throws the arrow to the ground.
He stepped forward just before the trip rope in front of him to see another not too far ahead of her.
Astarion: "Careful! There is a trigger to the trap 3 steps ahead of you."
She looks down at it and smiles.…
Elizabeth: "Thank you, Astarion. I'm so glad you saw it, I couldn't see it earlier. I was so worried I'd trip over it."
She then looks behind her to give the gnolls covered in burns a vicious mockery, angering them further and motivating them to move. Then she quickly turns back at him as she waves for him to leave…
Elizabeth: "Now I can handle this - go! There's no point in both of us dying."
He looked between her and the exit as the gnolls howled and growled, preparing to jump across one by one.
He needed to run…
Why didn't he run?
Why did he come in here in the first place?
Why did he want to stay?
Why was he willing to die for her?
Just for protection…?
Just to see her safe…?
Just to drink her blood…?
What was it?
How was she doing this to him?
Astarion: "No! I won't leave you!"
Elizabeth looked back quickly to see the beasts hop over one by one, the leader smashed the barrels of firewine as it stepped closer. The red of the wine painting down the slope
She turns back to see him still standing there…
The bard ended up practically begging him….
Elizabeth: "Go, Astarion! If I die, you can bring me back. I have four more scrolls or if you want to save them, you can talk to Withers. He will save my soul until you can. I'm okay with this. I don't mind dying, it's not so scary. I can handle it. I can do it over and over again… Because I'd rather die than watch any of you die!... I… I can't handle that! So, go! Please!"
Instead of feeling happy for her sacrifice, her sincerity, or her reasons…
He grew angry…
He was boiling with rage.
She turned to face her foes…
While he was forced to turn away from her, whether she lived or died…
Because he couldn't put her through that…
Or put himself through it again…
Astarion knew what it was like to watch her be brought close to death…
He did at the townhouse… then he lost control…
He also knew it deeper than that since her death was also caused by his hand…
If a soul gives up on life in this world, they can't be brought back…
He was so lucky she was alive at this very moment…
He could have lost her forever…
That thought was painful…
And now he had to experience that loss again…
Astarion could sit there and watch her die by someone else's hand…
But he couldn't put himself through that…
He could stay, fight, and die trying…
But he couldn't put her through that pain either….
If her heart is as big as he sees it to be…
Her words are true…
She couldn't handle the death of her companions, it would scar her even if she could bring them back…
Elizabeth has seen so many dead bodies and feels nothing for her enemies when she watches the life leave their eyes…
The same can't be said if she had to look at the corpses of those she traveled with…
He could see how much she cares for them…
Elizabeth treasured them… even him…
It wasn't just in her words… it was in her actions…
She would blame herself for their pain and suffering…
For their death…
For his death…
Even though he didn't deserve the tears she would shed…
He didn't want to put her through that torment…
He could understand it more than anyone…
But still…
It was selfish of her…
She was being selfish in her selfless act…
How could she put him through this?
How could she not think about what it was like for him?
How could she ignore the pain she was putting him through?
…
Why was there pain?
Why did he care so much?
Why was it so hard to walk away?
Was it the reason why he saved her time and time again?
Was it because he wanted her to fulfill her promise?
Was it because he didn't want to be alone anymore?
Or was it something else?
Something he was missing…
He didn't think of anything else as he forced himself to walk the other way. Each step was more agonizing than the last.
He heard the growls and roars of the creatures as they all walked on the creaky planks of the platform they stood on.
As much as he tried to, the elf couldn't ignore it.
He has to stop and look back to see the last hyena jump across. He watched as they all stepped closer to the bard.
Elizabeth was facing them as she took one step back and then another.
The half-tiefling then quickly launches an arrow and shatters the platform. Causing the 2 hyenas and a gnoll to fall in the pit to their deaths.
Forcing everyone in this cave to only have one way out… and it was right behind him…
The creatures look behind them for a moment as the bard quickly steps over the trip rope in their distraction.
She then stood there waiting patiently as they turned to face her once again.
He needed to leave
He told himself to go…
But it was hard to turn away…
Impossible to move…
He watches the leader gnoll that doesn't think twice as it steps forward.
The bard quickly turns to run towards him as the creature snaps the trip rope.
The bard's eyes widened when her eyes saw him still standing there.
The rogue watches as the platform collapses, releasing the boulder as it slams onto the ground, and rolls over the gnolls.
He didn't think anything of it…
Instead of running away…
He ran forward, surprising the bard when he quickly grabbed her hand, and pulled her to run faster towards the exit as they ran for their lives.
Elizabeth: "Astarion - I told you to go!"
Astarion: "A giant boulder is rolling toward us! Run now - lectures later!"
Even with his help they couldn't run fast enough…
The boulder was nearly at their heels…
Until she quickly pulled him to the wall…
His body instinctively went to shield hers as he shoved himself as flat as he could against the stone.
The boulder nearly flattened them as it barely grazed his back…
He could feel their heavy breaths mix together and the warmth of her body through her clothes.
Her sweet blood filled his nose but he couldn't be stirred by it…
He was more engaged by the view when he immediately pulled back and looked down to check on her…
She was looking up at him…
Their faces were now inches apart…
He stared down into her eyes as her voice came shaking from her lips.
Elizabeth: "W-Why... Why did you stay?… You could've-"
He didn't let her finish…
Astarion: "I couldn't leave you… I couldn't let you die… and it was selfish of you to think that I could… After the promise I made to you."
Her eyes widened and her breath caught…
Suddenly he couldn't think of anything else…
All other thoughts left him…
He was left with one feeling…
He was so glad she was safe…
But, somehow…
She was so… impossibly alluring in this very moment…
His eyes stared down at her trembling lips…
He wanted to steal the rest of that breath, to make those lips still, and close the distance…
All it took was a few inches till their lips would press…
That desire was more powerful than any bloodlust…
Until they heard stirring within the cave.
They both look to see that the leader of the gnolls survived as it stood to its feet and roared at them…
Astarion was quick to notice the red staining the ground it stumbled on, the creature making its way towards them…
He looked down at their feet to see they were on dry ground, but wine wasn't too far from his heels.
He looked back up to see the gnoll raise its weapon ready to strike them.
Without hesitation, he presses her against the wall once more. Towering over her, with her face and hands pressing against his chest. He placed his hands on the wall after the cast of a spell at the ground below the creature's feet.
Astarion: "Ignis!"
The wine bursts into flames as the gnoll burns in agony.
He accepted the pain from the heat. The burning wine slowly cooked up his back. Until suddenly, he gets flipped around and she pressed him against the wall, snuffing out his flames while suffering on her own burns.
Astarion: "What are you-"
Elizabeth: "Flames don't burn me as badly they burn you… I'm still a tiefling, remember. Besides, I refuse to let you suffer for me."
She then embraced him as the fire burned around them…
The cool stone felt better than the flames.
But nothing compared to her petite body wrapped tightly around him…
He felt a flood of energy rush through him from her hold…
As she protected him from the flames he couldn't help but be surprised by the act…
Despite everything going on, a smile somehow found a way to his face as he accepted the hold…
He lets his arms burn as he returns the embrace to keep her close…
Her warmth was a comfort within the scorching heat.
The dance of the flames meant nothing in comparison to that moment…
He got lost in it as time passed…
The howls finally stopped…
The fire died down and the bard pulled away…
He didn't want it to end…
He wanted to pull her back in, but he couldn't move…
He got lost in her eyes as she froze in front of him…
The glow coming in from the sun luminating her beauty, the glow of her purple eye is brighter in the dim light between them...
Astarion wonders what the bard was thinking when she looked at him like that...
They stare at each other in silence before a voice calls inside the cave.
Karlach: "Little Soldier! Little Vampire! Are you okay?!"
The bard looks to the exit and calls back with a smile.
Elizabeth: "We're great! Meet us on the other side of the cave, we will be there shortly!"
Karlach: "Phew… I'm glad you both are safe! See you in a bit."
They were met with silence then the sound of footsteps leaving. The bard turns and steps away from him only for his hand to stop her as he grabs her wrist.
The good feeling left as he slowly filled with rage again…
Astarion: "What were you thinking?..."
She froze to look at her wrist then stare up in his eyes as he continued.
Astarion: "You said you weren't going to go get yourself killed. No more suicidal ideas. You vowed to me that you would value your life. To fight, to live. Not to go and feed yourself to a pack of gnolls! Why didn't you trust us to fight beside you? Why didn't you trust me?"
She only smiles as she reaches to gently place her hand over his…
Elizabeth: "I did say that, and I do trust you. I meant it when I gave you my vow. I really do want to live and I will fight for my life every single day. But, I will still fight for your lives first… Remember..."
The rage left him and was slowly replaced with bliss… Her touch, her words, and her gaze combined gave him an overwhelming sense of…
…Joy…
Elizabeth: "There were so many of them, I didn't see any other way… If one of us were to die… I would rather die first… I couldn't bear to witness your death… I'm sorry that I worried you..."
She said kind things that used the word "you" and "your" a lot...
Most of the time she makes it seem like she is referring to everyone within her group...
But then... there were times like this...
Did she mean it...
All this time... did she mean everything she told him?
Everything she did... Was it all for him?
If so... that makes him question her sanity...
Why does she hold him in such high regard?
What did he do to earn such respect and loyalty?
She has been this way since the moment they met...
Her thoughts, Her actions, her words, and even her very touch...
Always came with kindness...
Mostly with him... now that he recalls...
but she also avoided him the most...
The chat they had this morning did tell him why that was...
Still... it's didn't explain... everything...
How could she trust someone like him?
Why sacrifice so much... for him?
What is going on in that head of hers?
Suddenly, the bard's hand reached up to wipe soot and old blood off his cheek. He was shocked at first but then surprised to find he was also pleased by the touch…
So many thoughts hit him at once…
Only to wince slightly when she ran her thumb over a forming bruise he got from slamming himself onto the stone wall…
He never would have noticed it was there had she not have touched it.
How could he not notice hurting his own face?
When he cared about it the most. It's the only thing he truly cared for really…
Even if he didn't remember what it looked like.
Yes - it got him places, but it's the only thing that belongs to him and only him.
It's a part of who he was and he hasn't seen himself in so long, he was a stranger even to himself...
Astarion still didn't really know who he was or who he wanted to be...
But he did know that his face was important to him, something he would protect at all costs...
But something else overpowered his desire to protect it…
And protected her instead…
Perhaps it was just a heat of the moment kind of thing…
Unfavorably, her hand quickly released her touch from his reaction…
Words then escaped her in a mumble…
Elizabeth: "You got hurt because of me… I'm sorry, I was trying to prevent it. But I put you in danger with me, instead. I thought I was expendable and it wouldn't matter if I died… As long as I didn't have to watch any of you get killed from my choices… It really was very selfish of me."
She apologizes to him a lot, over things that were odd to apologize for…
It was strange…
But satisfying…
No one ever really apologized to him over something like that…
or apologized to him at all really… except her...
He got lost in himself from her gentle touch before, he ended up looking down at the blood coming from her gaping wounds as she spoke…
Blood couldn't even distract him…
All he could think about was how her touch felt different than it ever had before. At those times, she feared touching him, but now she didn't hesitate…
After all these years he spent despising another person's touch and hated even the thought of being touched without permission or warning…
Only her touch… it was the only exception…
He didn't mind it…
And didn't mind even the pain it gave him, not in the slightest…
Astarion enjoyed everything about her touch…
It was soft and sweet…
Caring and delicate…
It pulled away immediately when she realized it caused him discomfort…
But then suddenly he was overcome with a different feeling…
He didn't want it to disappear…
He didn't even realize he reached for that hand as the rage within him still longed to burn…
Astarion: "Yes… Selfish…"
His hand grabbed onto hers, he moved it, and held it firmly close to his chest…
He looked up from the deep wound on her arm to be met by her surprised expression as he continued…
Astarion: "Selfish for telling me to abandon my promise to you when my word is my bond… Selfish to think that putting yourself in danger is ever the answer… Selfish for believing you're the only one that would suffer…"
Her eyes widened and her face held a shock…
He stepped closer with his hand still holding hers as he pressed it on his chest. Not even thinking about his actions as the words kept leaving him.
Astarion: "You are unbelievably self centered… For suggesting that your suffering or demise would be a more favorable outcome… When you know deep down that could never be the case… You wanted me to have a choice, something no one has ever done for me... An ability I've never been given before... Only for you to take it away! You told me to leave when it was my choice to stay! I fight and I follow you because it's my choice. If I die the world can go on without me... My passing pales in significance next to yours…"
His thoughts were buried deep in his mind, his body had a mind of its own, and his voice wouldn't cooperate…
…What was he saying?!...
Astarion: "The world would be better off without someone like me… The world would only end the day that you die and no one could bring you back… My world would end in endless darkness, a void of emptiness without your light to guide me…"
…What was he doing?!...
His body moves closer and he can feel her breath as it quickened. Heard her heart race as he bore into her eyes…
Astarion: "I am nothing without your guidance, your presence gives me purpose and strength. Without you by my side I am just a frail shell of what I could be. Lost and abandoned in a world that offers no salvation or comfort… No hope, nor respite from the unending darkness that threatens to consume me whole… No one will accept me… No one will save me… No one will be there for me like you are… I… I will truly be alone… "
He could feel the warmth of her breath and the tremble of her body as he placed his other hand on her neck…
Their faces inches apart once again, inching closer…
He didn't want to stop it…
…What was he thinking?...
The whisper left his lips…
Astarion: "I'd be lost in a world without you."
Was it rage…
Or was it something else…
This powerful urge within him that he desperately wanted to drown in, it had his lips nearly brush against hers...
Until a voice calls in the cave…
Karlach: "Hellooooooooo! Ohhhh, Wyll, there's an echo! Echoooooooo!"
It snaps him out of his trance…
The elf finally felt control as he released her and pulled away from her completely…
Trying his best to keep his composure and breathing under control…
To fight the shake of his own body that ached to pull her back in…
While his mind gained full control, he had to refrain himself now that he got it back…
And it felt terrible…
Elizabeth was frozen for a moment. Her soft look turns hard and her stare grew cold... Then she snapped out of her own trance, shocking him when she placed a healing potion in his hand. Then the bard left him as she collected the parasite from the gnoll's corpse, and turned to exit the cave…
The bard didn't wait for him or spare him a glance as she made her way through the pile of wood and disappeared from his vision through the gap…
He stood there quietly for a moment with himself as he stared at the exit.
Wondering what that reaction was for…
As he watched the sunlight beam through as he reflected on what just happened…
Then he stared down at the bottle in his hand…
She was always looking out for him…
That was the purpose of her plans and the reasons for her actions…
Even if her actions don't seem so positive in the end…
She walked away for a reason…
But, he hated to think that she was running away from him instead…
Pulling off the cork to the potion, his burns were gone in an instant when he used it on them. For some reason, instead of discarding the empty bottle, he held onto it as his mind raced…
What came over him before?
He said more to her than he ever thought he would express with anyone…
His words were deep and he meant every one…
It wasn't to charm or manipulate…
It was real…
He was losing himself even more…
…But… he didn't hate it…
His hand then lightly brushes against his cheek…
and moved down to his lips thoughtlessly…
He shivered from his own touch and a sigh left him as he closed his eyes…
His body felt warm from the brief images that flooded his mind…
He was shocked by his previous actions, but for some reason, he craved it again…
Why did he want to do such a thing?
Why did it ache?
Why did he want her to turn back around and say what's on her mind?
…Why did he want her to want it too?...
This craving… this desire… for him…
Questions that remain unanswered, swirling in his mind.
He cursed himself for his lack of control…
For his emotions…
For his body…
For even his mind…
His very words…
They all betray him…
For what purpose?
Why?
Was it him…
…Or was it her?...
He finally made himself move, making his way up the path, and met with them at the other entrance as they came out.
Elizabeth couldn't look at him…
And frankly…
He couldn't look at her…
He was afraid to…
He didn't know what she was doing to him…
But he can't decide if it's good…
Or if it's bad…
So, he looked anywhere else, at anything else other than her as he got lost in his thoughts once more.
And of course they were thinking of her…
The elf wanted her to become infatuated with him before…
So, that way she would keep him safe…
But, he found himself infatuated instead…
He couldn't get her out of his mind…
He wanted more of her touches…
More of her deep stares…
More of her shivers…
…Shivers…
He felt them last night…
When he drank from her, he felt her pull…
When she leaned into him and placed her hand on his head…
He felt her desire…
In her touch, the quiver of her body, the change in her pulse, and stillness of her breath…
She wanted it…
She craved more of it…
More of him…
How could she deny it?
He felt it too…
From what they shared moments ago, even though she pulled away…
When she walked away without a word…
It only confirmed it…
Elizabeth wanted more of him…
…And he wanted more of her…
It must be why she left him alone…
She didn't know how to express it so she left.
She didn't want to reveal it to him or anyone else…
What else explains her words and her actions towards him?
What else explains his own words that he would never say to anyone else?
What else explains that pull?
…This craving for more…
It's the only thing that makes sense anymore…
Why else would he be so drawn to her?
Its been a very long time since he was physically attracted to someone...
He forgot what it felt like...
Perhaps one night with her isn't such a bad idea. He should move on with his plans, and once it's over he won't crave anymore of it…
Maybe one night is all it takes…
And it will be over…
He shouldn't deny it anymore…
The rogue needed to fulfill this… new hunger…
Or it was going to drive him insane…
He can go on with his life once he finally gets her complete devotion…
And the insanity will finally be over…
…Right?...
She already seemed pretty intent on keeping her promise.
In the end...
...Is it really necessary?...
He snapped himself out of his daze as they walked down the dirt path.
He realized that they were getting stronger, their days were lasting longer.
Thanks to their leader conveniently stocked on potions and with her getting better with her healing magic everyday.
Who also foolishly puts herself at risk instead of using her companions strengths…
And gets herself into trouble on the daily so the rest of them didn't have to. She continues to suffer the most out of all of them… and he hated it…
Because then they had more time in between short rests, and less of a need for them…
Which began to make his feet ache after all this walking…
He couldn't remember the last time he walked through so much terrain. The city was completely different then this wilderness…
The bugs that kept buzzing and biting, nibbling even on him…
He hated the idea of the one that is being bitten instead of doing the biting…
Astarion: "Biting flies, midges - shouldn't nature be beautiful and serene? It looks so nice in the Upper City parks."
He gets a reply from their curious barbarian.
Karlach: "Upper City, huh? Swish. Never spent much time there myself."
She must be from the deepest parts of Baldur's Gate to not have even seen the upper part of the city…
The poor tiefling was ripped from her home and all she wants is to go back…
So does he surprisingly… despite what's waiting for him there…
She deserves to see the better half of it at least…
Astarion: "I'll happily take you. If we survive this bugs' banquet."
Karlach: "Sounds good. I've always been curious what a patriar loo looks like."
He chuckled to himself from her response…
It looks fancier for sure…
But it's still a shitty place to be in his opinion…
Pun intended…
Then the warlock decided to pitch in…
A perfect distraction for a little while as they go back through the forest.
Wyll: "As much love as I hold for Baldur's Gate, these frontiers delight me as much as any bustling street."
Astarion: "You can't be serious? This is a howling wasteland!"
He could feel the filth all over him. The soot, the dirt, and the old blood dried on his skin and clothes.
Astarion: "I haven't even had a proper bath since the abduction. I must reek of illithid slime."
Wyll: "Sure, but think of the stories you'll be able to tell."
He did have a lot more stories than he could ever make up or read from a book. It was actually the best he's been in a long time… So… maybe it wasn't all that bad…
He then heard the soft voice of their leader ahead of him just loud enough for him to hear.
Elizabeth: "Smells perfectly fine to me… I'd even put it in a bottle."
The elf was shocked by the statement. He could have heard her wrong, but what else could she have said…
He certainly couldn't ask her to repeat it, but if it is what she said…
He felt all giddy all of a sudden…
He nearly stumbled over a rock before he snapped out of it…
He looked up just in time to see her turn to look behind her from the sound…
She looked at him for a moment only for her cheeks to burn red…
Brighter and redder than they ever burned before when their eyes locked for a moment.
When she quickly faced back forward, she didn't turn back around for the rest of the trip.
He only watched her back silently as they went the rest of the way.
To find themselves going back to the murky swamp.
Camp Special
Shadowheart's POV
It's quiet…
Perfect for meditation, but after so long of doing it… it gets old.
There was nothing better to do…
She hasn't been able to leave the camp in days and it was driving her insane.
Even more so that the Gith was stuck in camp today.
Suddenly the sounds of grinding metal fill the air…
The half-elf opens her eyes and gets up to peak over at the warriors tent, to see her sharpening her blade.
Shadowheart rolls her eyes as she tries to concentrate on herself.
Since meditation was out of the question.
She sits back at her tent and spends this time thinking about the mission, worrying about the parasite, and wondering how the others are doing.
Her interest dug further on their journey so far.
When the others came back to camp, she spent her time observing in the night.
Keeping her eyes on them… trying to read them…
Mostly on the githyanki.
But something else seemed to pique the cleric's interest…
Something was going on between the bard and the rogue.
Before the discovery of the elf's true nature, the half-elf already had her guess that he was something else.
Something up to no good…
The messy red cups over at his tent.
The mirror he owns has not once caught his reflection…
Shadowheart should have guessed it then, but nothing explained the fact he could walk in the sun or use the camps river.
Not until this mornings 'enlightenment' when he explained to the bard that the parasite is to blame.
The cleric would be worried that she would have to sleep with one eye open…
and even watch her back during the day...
But he doesn't seem to be interested in anyone else…
Most of the time, he has his eyes on the bard…
Since the moment those two met she knew something was off…
The way he was gawking at her wounds with his mouth practically watering.
All while she was bleeding out in front of him, he did manage to keep himself together…
Barely… It was obvious he wasn't doing so well.
He still carried her back to camp anyway, however.
That was… nice of him…
But when he offered to undress her and tend to her wounds…
That's where the line was drawn.
Shadowheart trusted him enough to carry her, but not enough to let him possibly defile her while she was unconscious…
Realizing it now he could have drained her then. All those times she was wounded…
He could have done it…
He could have bitten her…
But he didn't…
He had restraint and hasn't revealed himself after all this time…
Until last night…
Did Eliza really offer him her blood?
Or did she just say that to defend him?
The bard couldn't hide the fact that she has always had eyes for the white haired elf…
She trusted him even after he held a knife to her throat…
Even though he was sneaky, conniving, and untrustworthy…
She didn't change her gaze.
There was admiration, pride, and even joy…
The smiles on her face were mostly there when he was near.
The rest of her time is spent in misery and terror…
There were times the cleric saw the pain in her gaze…
Eliza hardly spoke a word last night. She seemed out of it. Something has been bothering her, but it somehow changed overnight.
She had more confidence than she did before.
More motivation…
All those times she was trapped within her head, the elf was the only thing that brought her out of it.
The only one that could make her feel joy when she hated her very existence…
Shadowheart could see how much she cared for everyone here, she could see the size of the bard's heart…
But why does it seem like her heart cares about the vampire the most?
He's the only one in this camp that hasn't left her side…
The proof was there when the wizard returned not too long ago with a sour look on his face…
No doubt he could also see what was clearly there…
The real question was…
Did the vampire have good intentions?
He may have watched over her, aided her, and protected her.
Last night, he killed her…
In this very camp…
But, surprisingly, he brought her back…
And there was even guilt in his eyes…
She never heard of a vampire that ever expressed regret…
Or ever experienced it either…
As far back as her memory goes anyway...
It could be an act, she didn't know the vampire well enough or about vampires in general…
Although, somehow, he seemed sincere…
That doesn't mean the cleric wasn't going to interrogate him the first chance she gets…
Even if their leader was completely enamored with the vampire…
His charms really did their work on her…
Unfortunately, for Eliza…
… Her feelings were real…
His weren't…
He will use her devotion to his advantage…
To him it could be a game, just another thrill of the hunt.
But why just her?
There were plenty other choices to sink his teeth into...
He could find someone else to set his sights on…
He watches her a lot…
His smiles and looks have hidden intentions…
The cleric was not going to let him snuff out the bard's light…
Eliza may have already died once by his hand because they let their guard down.
Even if he did bring her back.
That meant nothing if he is the cause of her heart getting destroyed in the end.
The bard is such a sweet soul, even if she is cursed by something so dark…
She didn't deserve a broken heart when she already has a broken mind…
It would destroy her more brutally than any torture or death.
The bard was so pure, so kind, and so loyal…
There weren't many people like that…
Shadowheart wanted the chance to get to know her more…
To talk with her…
The bard accepted a vampire… A gith…
A wizard that consumes magical items.
Surely there was room for a worshiper of Shar.
Wyll is a sweetheart, surely nothing is wrong with him.
The vampire, however, could very well take advantage of the bard.
Shadowheart refused to let it happen, and vowed to step in if he ever tried to use her in any way.
Her mind slips back as the grinding metal on the stone gets louder and louder.
She can't even think clearly with its constant sound.
Shadowheart has enough as she gets to her feet and strolls over to the warriors tent.
The creature wasn't even phased by her presence when she asked sarcastically.
Shadowheart: "Is your blade not sharp enough? There won't be anything left of it at this rate."
The sword left the stone as it got held into the sunlight, blinding her as if it was on purpose.
Lae'zel: "No. It's not sharp enough. I want someone to bleed just by the sight of it."
The cleric sighs deeply as she blocks the light with her hand.
Shadowheart: "You're better off getting milk from a dragon than attempting something so impossible."
The warrior's ice hot stare bore into the cleric and her tone was annoyed. The sword gets placed on her back so the cleric could see again after a few blinks and the purple dots fade away.
Lae'zel: "What use would a liquid have against metal? Besides, you can't even get milk from a dragon."
Shadowheart: "My point exactly. So, why don't you try doing something else?"
This time the githyanki sighed, the roll of her eyes came with a frustrated tone.
Lae'zel: "If you're so smart, why don't you suggest what I should do. Do you see anything else that could occupy my time? Nothing brings me more joy than the thrill of battle or the sharpness of my blade. I can only accomplish one of those in a camp full of weaklings."
The cleric's eyebrow twitched as she stared at the heartless creature.
As much as she would love to put the gith in her place, it would become more than a 'friendly' duel.
There was no point in battling if the others came back to a blood soaked camp thanks to the two people that would love to see the other dead.
Besides, she can't even use the sword the bard gave her…
Eliza gave it to her without knowing that she can't use it, and for some reason the cleric couldn't turn it down.
Something about her makes it impossible to deny her wishes. Shadowheart couldn't say no to her...
She can carry the blade, but can't swing it at all...
Thankfully, she never had to use it and the bard left her a better mace than her old one. But... even still... She couldn't find it in her heart to trade it or get rid of it.
The bard's gifts were something to be treasured and taken care of...
So perhaps there was another way to occupy the gith while also giving herself a little entertainment.
She didn't mind the sound of grinding if it would be useful and fun to watch.
Shadowheart: "Why not sharpen my blade? I think you will like the challenge."
The githyanki looks to the cleric and at the sword in question.
The warrior has had her sights on it for a while, so it already piqued her interest.
Without another word the cleric grabs it off her back and reaches out her hand to the creature.
They stare silently for a moment before the gith snatches it from her grasp and starts spinning the stone.
The cleric walks back to her tent, grabs her stool to get a better view, and gets comfortable.
Shadowheart smiles and laughs to herself as she watches the gith get burned by the flames every now and again.
Gale's POV
He thought long and hard about their travels so far on his walk back to the camp…
Just when he already thought the orb was enough peril looming over him…
He was infected by a parasite of an illithid, doomed of becoming one.
Would he still have the orb?
Would he still have to consume magical items along with his new diet of brains?
Or would he still be a threat far worse than any normal mind flayer?
Questions he couldn't rely on research unless he was forced to observe it himself…
But, unfortunately, once he was an illithid...
All of him would cease to exist.
He wouldn't remember he needed to or to record it..
He wouldn't research or respond.
Everything that made him who he was would be gone in an instant…
Perhaps he would do the world a favor, if his body got back to their nest. It would be a perfect gift for his abductors and possibly an aid to the others.
Or… He would become more harmful than good…
A burden…
A looming doom…
At the wrong place or the wrong time…
After feeding on countless brains and infecting more innocents…
…Boom…
An entire civilization gone in an instant, thousands of lives…
…gone…
At least his traveling companions wouldn't be there after he changed, no doubt they would follow soon after.
That was their fate…
At least it was supposed to be for a while now.
They should be worse for wear…
But he felt fine…
He felt fantastic actually…
At least, whenever the bard was near...
She told them in the beginning, there was nothing to fear. There were so many things that she said that made him think more than he usually did.
The one thing he would hate about becoming an illithid more than the rest of it…
Was the fact he would lose his memories…
Lose the chance to make more…
He would forget the bad times too…
But there were so many good ones so far…
Of course, Gale couldn't forget the worst points of his life, because now it helped him to realize how better his life is compared to how it was…
After all his time alone in his studies fighting to survive, fighting to live just to keep from ruining the lives of anyone who came near him.
All because of poor choices…
All because he was blinded by his desperate desire for some equality between him and… her…
His goddess… his previous lover…
…How could he ever be enough for her?...
As a mortal, the greatest wizard in the world didn't amount to anything…
It was never going to be enough for someone like her…
Not unless he was her equal…
He didn't need much, just some appreciation.
Acceptance…
Patience…
To be seen as worthy in her eyes…
But he failed… and she casted him aside…
In his time alone he still studied, he still buried his nose in books. To find any cure for his condition. Only to find more grave news than good. He learned, thanks to Tara, that he at least could keep it stable.
Gale had a lot more time to think and reflect on his actions in his isolation. He had distractions thanks to delving into research and he at least had the company of his Tressym…
But he still felt… alone…
Then he gets kidnapped by Illithids, trapped in a pod on one of their ships…
A worm gets shoved into his head no matter how much he kicked or screamed trying to reason with them...
All seemed lost…
But then a glow of pink walks by his pod…
His eyes caught a glimpse of her long white and pink hair that descended down her back…
The woman was in and out of his vision, but then she came back through and he got a better look.
Her red horns and pink tail threw him off…
A tiefling?
Just wandering around the nautiloid freely…?
What were the odds of actually seeing that and it wasn't a hallucination, he pondered.
It somehow made all his fear and anxiety leave him as his curiosity grew.
Then, after a while left with nothing to give that answer. The ship started to shake and rumble some more. Hearing more sounds of roaring dragons and the cries of imps and brains. His pod suddenly became loose, then got tossed across the ship.
Everything went black for a moment.
Before he knew it, he woke up free falling and close to becoming a pile of meat.
His trajectory led towards an untimely demise, but luckily he felt the bends of the wave and he used it to his advantage…
Only to become entrapped within it.
He didn't know a way out, he couldn't escape…
It was dark and empty…
Once again, held within a prison with no hope of escape or survival.
He didn't know how long he stayed in there...
But then he feels an influence, their touch causes him to catch a glimpse of his escape.
He reaches through it, but he can't get through on his own; he needs further assistance.
He asked for it, only to feel the light traces of something tickling his palm.
It caught him off guard as a laugh escapes him, and realized they were the tips of pointy fingernails. Embarrassment makes his cheeks flush and he swats the hand away.
Who would tickle a stranger?
Something so delicate and… simple…
So gentle… but childish…
He couldn't help but smile in his surprise...
He then hears a beautiful melody…
Coming from the voice almost as if it was a siren or a harpy…
Its song vibrates within the weave…
A connection unlike any he has experienced before…
His curiosity stirring even more as he reached out for a hand.
Then their hand grips on and it felt like a different rush than when he was tickled.
A different vibration…
A new sensation as they pull him free and he gets swarmed by gravity and light.
Then he lands on his hands and knees, the ache and the brightness causes him to close his eyes shut.
He only felt their warmth and heard their breath before he opened his eyes…
Only to be completely mesmerized by the view…
Lost in the orbs that have a glow of a purple flame and the shimmer of winter blue…
Red horns, whitish pink hair, and fair pink skin.
The tiefling from before…?
Again the anxiety and fear left him, he was only left with curiosity.
How can someone be so breathtaking?
So bright…
Only when he realized their position did he finally get off of her with embarrassment flowing to his cheeks.
The more she spoke, the more he felt her kind touch, and the more he witnessed her passions; it drew him ever closer to her.
Her drive and ambition…
Her faith and loyalty…
Her kind and sweet nature…
Her songs that find a way into the heart and soul…
Gale could always look at her and feel better.
She was a safety unlike anything he's ever known.
He didn't feel alone anymore…
She can be scary at times, but her smile was always bright and lively.
Only for something to take it away…
Elizabeth explained her darkness to him before and he felt terrible about it, for not taking her affliction into consideration when she told him about it the first time…
When she didn't hesitate with his.
She listened, took it seriously, and offered her aid regardless of its purpose or reason.
She didn't reject him or treat him differently, she trusted his actions rather than digging for information.
And he couldn't even be a little understanding…
He thought that someone as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside could never suffer…
That someone so precious could never be going through that kind of pain every day and night…
And still be so cheerful…
Who still tries to see beauty in all things even when her mind tears itself apart…
He hated seeing her suffering…
It was painful to see the look on her face…
She trusted him with her truth and appreciated him enough to show it…
She gave him a hug…
The purest thing he's ever been given as she squeezed him lightly…
He could feel her longing to be trusted and not despised…
Her desire to keep him safe when she couldn't trust her mind or her body…
She tried anyway… for him…
And that brought him joy…
Before he could get the urge to repay her back with a tickle of her own as an attempt to cheer her up.
The bard pulled away…
He started to observe her more, and kept his eyes on her as he pondered on her affliction and its source…
Until he began to notice her gaze…
He noticed before but it never seemed to bother him to this extent...
How her eyes don't look at him…
Like they look at the vampire…
How she acted, how she spoke, how she smiled…
It was completely different in comparison…
And he hated it…
She defended the vampire, even when he killed her!
She forgave him regardless…
How she could do that so easily was baffling…
When even he can't seem to forgive that creature.
The bard was special. She was beyond innocent at times, but Gale could see that she was a good person deep down.
Her actions and her words were genuine and honest.
The darkness within her was just a small fluke in comparison to her good deeds…
Gale admired her…
That's why he couldn't stand it that the vampire was taking advantage of her kindness.
Astarion was the opposite of good.
He wanted her for dinner, she was nothing but a meal to him.
Why of all things did her kind heart have to go and fall for the vampire?
His charms must have lured her in…
If he ever broke her heart Gale vowed then and there to break the vampire…
She better be safe from harm and come back to camp in one piece.
Or else he highly considered staking a vampire…
Although, then again, he recalled when the pale one stepped in to aid her when she was injured...
Astarion did seem like he was a little squeamish around her when she was bleeding, but he always chose to heal her rather than bite her...
Even when watching him, just to simply observe, and to try to figure him out...
Gale noticed something...
The bard wasn't the only one with that look...
The dreamy look in their gazes...
When looking in her direction or they were standing in front of each other...
No matter how hard Gale tried to get close, the vampire stepped in...
Those two were always so close...
So intimate...
Anyone with eyes could see how fond they were of each other...
Perhaps its just desire, not a matter of the heart...
However...
He could see the signs, he knew he was right...
Gale was always right...
For once, he didn't want to be right.
He wished he didn't know the truth...
Then maybe this would be easier...
Whatever 'This' was...
The wizard hated it... a lot...
He let himself get enraged as he began filling his head with more knowledge from the books he's collected.
Otherwise he would torment himself about...
other things...
The moment he got back to his tent he opened his first book of many as the hours passed by…
Astarion's POV
This was the worst experience by far…
They were back in the stinky, filthy swamp.
He was stepping through the mud as it squished around his feet…
He stopped to look down at his muddy shoes in disgust.
Astarion: "Transforming into a mind flayer might have its perks. At least then I could float over this muck."
The barbarian walked past him without hesitation and she looked down at their feet in her response.
Karlach: "Not one for roughing it, I see."
He tried to catch up as his feet continued to sink in the loose mud.
Astarion: "Wallowing in filth is for pigs and children, my dear."
She talks over her shoulder as he starts walking in her footsteps, finding it easier to tread on than making his own steps. Her heat conveniently hardened the ground by burning away all the moisture.
Karlach: "Pigs, children, and people with a little bit of grit."
They both heard a chuckle come from the bard. He looked up to be met with her smile as she turned to face them. But she tried very hard to avoid his gaze…
Elizabeth: "The gods must have given all the grit to me then, because… I love the mud."
She then does something completely unexpected as she spreads her arms out and falls back. The entire backside of her body just went 'splat' into the mud. Her frame perfectly snuck in the ground. She sits back up with the mud completely painting the new armor she wore. A wide smile and joyful laugh escaped her as she cups the mud in her hands to squish it between her fingers.
Astarion gaped in shock…
The entire scene shook him to his core. He was completely tense from imagining what that felt like.
Was she insane?!
The tiefling laughs out loud from the bard's antics.
Karlach: "Hells yeah! That looks like fun!"
Her voice is just as joyful as she hops in the mud not too far from the half-tiefling.
She hits the ground with an 'oof' rather than the soft landing the bard had.
The mud sizzled and hardened as soon as the tiefling touched it.
Karlach sits up and only laughs as she looks herself over making the bard laugh with her.
He's not traveling with 2 badasses anymore, just with children…
Or pigs…
The two tieflings were so alike…
The pink one grabbed his eyes as her smile looked genuine. She was unaffected by her condition or her surroundings.
Just full of overwhelming joy…
Despite the differences between him and her in this regard.
She always found a way to make him smile too.
Even covered in filth…
She was the most beautiful thing in this entire swamp…
The horned ones both get to their feet as they chuckle, the taller one brushes off the crusted dirt with ease.
While the bard remained covered, he stood there and stared at the laughter between them when they joked with each other.
Only to feel eyes on him. The elf looked over to see the Blade's eyes watching him closely.
He couldn't deny the sudden curiosity from getting such a stare…
The rogue's smile disappeared when he asked-
Astarion: "What?"
The man smiles with his response.
Wyll: "Oh, don't mind me. I'm merely observing. Although, I am rather curious…"
The rogue looks away from his smug expression, he tries to make his eyes wander to anywhere else…
The sound of Wyll's voice made him feel uncomfortable as he asked.
Wyll: "Do you see her as a person or as a meal?"
He clears his throat and tries to play dumb with his charming smile as he eyed the fiery tiefling instead.
Astarion: "Who? The Barbarian? She's far too hot, even for me, Wyll. Karlach would burn my outsides before my insides. Not unless her ax goes for my throat first."
The warlock only replies calmly.
Wyll: "Not her… I'm talking about Elizabeth…."
His smile immediately falters at the mention of her name.
Astarion was surprised by how angry he became over someone else referring to the bard by her full name.
It was something only the two of them shared at one point, now it wasn't a secret.
But secretly Astarion wished that... for once...
He would have kept his mouth shut…
And he didn't know why…
The Blade only continued with his quarry, seeming accusatory rather than sympathetic.
Wyll: "I notice that you watch over her a lot. You smile a lot too. What are you planning? You better not be trying to take advantage of her, I hope. She seems very trusting of you, against her better judgment."
The vampire spawn didn't even think as his eyes bore into the human's, causing the warlock to falter instead.
Astarion: "She can trust me. I mean her no harm…"
The rogue's eyes fall back on her…
Elizabeth's smile makes him feel warm. His thoughts of the last time she was covered in mud came to his mind…
How she bathed herself in the river under the moonlight…
The words left him thoughtlessly.
Astarion: "My plans are much more pleasurable than you might think…"
A small mischievous smile formed on his lips…
Then he turned back to see the concern in the warlock's gaze.
The elf clears his throat once more and adjusts his composure as he tries to end the conversation there by walking away.
Astarion didn't give any further explanation, he didn't have one. Nor did he feel like attempting to give one.
The girls continued forward, walking as they talked.
He walked past the silhouettes of their bodies in the mud with a small chuckle. Then his eyes catch movement coming from ahead.
Everyone stopped when they saw the red caps patrolling about. Except for the bard as she walked right up to one and she talked to it…
It just…
Shouts at her…
Did it just say… Baa?
Like a sheep?
That's hilarious!
But why?
Then suddenly, the best thing about his leader is shown as she takes in a big breath and does it right back.
A 'Baa' left her as she yells it in the redcaps face.
It makes the elf and the human laugh quietly to themselves…
The redcap responds the same, but more angrily this time.
The bard only walks away from the creature with a smile and a laugh. Karlach does the same thing with a laugh of her own when the redcap does it again.
He definitely was traveling with either children or animals…
And it was better than he expected it to be…
He liked seeing the bard happy…
It was better than her usual behavior…
But he didn't like the fact that she hasn't even looked his way yet…
The elf finally caved, when he realized that watching her was the best part when he caught a glimpse of her red cheeks. He ended up hating the idea of missing a thing after that.
Even if it sent him into a state of daydreaming…
Something he hasn't done with anyone before…
But, he didn't mind it…
The thoughts were… pleasant…
…Sweet…
Sweeter than her blood…
His mouth began to water at the thought…
Nothing else has been more enticing.
Of all the blood he has tasted today...
Nothing seems to compare or come close...
Since the moment they met, only her scent has been the most delectable above the rest.
Her wounds were still open from the previous battle, but now the mud sealed them. It still didn't stop the sweet scent however, as it swam through the other strong smells and reached his nose…
His mind began racing over the taste…
He never tasted anything more pure…
More lovely…
If sunlight had a smell or a taste…
That had to be it…
The sun was forbidden to him for so long…
But now it isn't…
And he didn't plan on letting it go…
Either of them…
Suddenly her sweetness gets overpowered for once. An awful pungent scent gets forced into his nostrils, a sickeningly sweeter smell getting stronger as they get closer to it.
They are met with a man that apologizes from that very aroma.
Powdered iron vine…
A hunter's trick, for monsters…
Like vampires…
...a Gur…?
The man only confirms it which piqued the rogue's interests.
Astarion: "You're a monster hunter? I'm surprised - I thought all Gur were vagrant cut-throats."
The bard says nothing which makes the hunter continue.
???: "And more! We steal your chickens, curse your crops, seduce your daughters - the list goes on"
The rogue puts his hands on his hips and smiles at the Gur. This one seemed different then the ones he remembered very clearly…
But he was still a hunter… still a Gur…
What was he doing out here?
???: "I wish I had half the power settled folk think my people possess. Alas, I am a simple wanderer. A simple wanderer and monster hunter. But I'm no witch doctor or cut-throat."
The bard surprised him by the wariness in her response.
Elizabeth: "There is not one cut-throat in the world who would admit that they were one."
That's not entirely true… or false…
Astarion didn't have to admit it, he showed it to her the first time they met. Under different circumstances he wouldn't have admitted it either…
And yet she still trusted him more than she trusted this Gur right now… How peculiar…
???: "True. And I have no proof to offer but my word."
He heard a soft mumble escape the bard before the hunter continued.
Elizabeth: "Words mean very little in comparison to one's actions."
Hmm…
True…
Actions spoke more truth than any word could ever hold.
Her actions were close to her words, so perhaps she spoke the truth when she spoke to him…
So far the bard has been the only exception whose actions speak just as loudly as her words...
The Gur only catches his attention as he speaks.
???: "…I'm hunting a vampire spawn, and it's a little too bright for you to be my prey. His name is Astarion, but I fear he's gone to ground..."
The vampire's eyes widen at the mention of his name. He looked to the bard to see her unfazed, she gave no reaction as she stared coldly at the man in front of her.
What was she thinking?
What will she do?
Will she turn him in?
Will she protect him?
Would they fight for him still or…
Was he on his own?
Only to be shocked out of his thoughts when his leader spoke.
Elizabeth: "Hm… Well, I'm afraid I'm not much help to you. So, we better get going. I would wish you luck, but I hope you never find him. Vampire spawn or not, I think it's wrong for you to hunt down a person."
The elf's gaze turns and stares at her as a smile slowly forms on his face…
Not only did she lie to the hunter…
She defended him… again…
The Gur's response pulled his stare away to change into a glare.
???: "Oh, I assure you. Once they change, they are no longer people. You must not spend much time around vampire spawn, but trust me, I have. They are godless creatures, who are cold and untrustworthy. They have no soul and do whatever their masters tell them to. They are dangerous. You should be more cautious, thinking like that will get you killed by one."
Astarion looked down to his feet, letting the words sink in.
As much as he wanted for it to be untrue, it wasn't.
She already did get killed by a vampire spawn…
By him…
He was cold and untrustworthy…
He didn't have a soul, he was dead…
He didn't have the control of his master anymore…
But he was still dangerous…
That, undoubtedly, has been proven to be true…
So maybe it was foolish of him to think he was a person anymore…
That he was worthy of any redemption or respect after everything he did…
When he was exactly the beast this man described…
He didn't deserve the company he kept…
Because his choices were now his own, not his masters…
With his own choice, he still did what a vampire would have done…
Drain those closest to them…
To pick the most trusting and willing…
To pick the easiest target to kill…
Perhaps, the Gur is right about him-
Elizabeth: "You're wrong…"
The elf's eyes widened as the words kept coming, each sentence bringing him more bliss…
Elizabeth: "They were a person before they changed, and they still are after. They still have thoughts and feelings, but just no longer have a choice. How would you like to be forced to obey someone in order to survive? No matter what they told you to do, you could never say no. Tell me - do you really think that you can be the same person you are today after hundreds of years of that?"
Even with a pause, the Gur and the vampire were too shocked to respond. The hunter couldn't possibly understand that question, but Astarion did. That's why he couldn't believe that she would ask that so boldly… The bard, however, only continued from their silence.
Elizabeth: "I've spent enough time around them to know that vampire spawn are not monsters. They are just misunderstood. They are still people to me. People with different needs than ours, except they are bound by the choices of their masters - who are the real monsters. I would trust a vampire spawn before I'd trust someone like you any day. While you hunt them down, they might just be scared, hungry, and alone. People that need your blood in order to live are treated like beasts, when they just might need your help. You are the monster to them, you slaughter or capture them over something they can't control anymore. No wonder they want to attack you."
The hunter gaped at her as she stepped forward and spoke harshly.
Elizabeth: "How dare you even consider yourself a person? When you are the one hunting down innocent people that were probably forced to become who they are. Who are still the people they were before they changed, forced to adapt to a new life thrusted upon them, and are dying to be free from their masters command. These people are already suffering while your oppressing them. No. You sir, are the monster here, in my opinion."
Astarion was completely dumbfounded by her words. Even the Gur was just as shocked. The hunter pondered in thought as she left him with that to think on.
They walked down the path, and all he could do was watch her as she walked. The rogue was completely in a daze as he let her words replay over and over in his mind.
She really believed that?
She doesn't think he's a monster?
How?
He has done so many horrible things…
Even without his old master's influence…
There were things he did that he wasn't forced to do…
And yet…
…She still thinks that he is a person…
That he was worthy of being saved, not treated like a killer…
He always killed with an intention, he never regretted taking another person's life to save his own…
Except… for her…
Elizabeth's death was because of his fear…
Not because he had to…
She never forced him to do it, nor was it a command…
Her life was still taken by his hands…
It was his choice, and it would have been Cazador's choice as well if they had traded roles…
Although, the monster would have never brought her back.
That was the only difference between him and Cazador…
And yet, even after what he did to her…
Elizabeth still didn't hate him, she protected him, no matter what.
Would she still feel the same if they met during his life before the mind flayers captured him?
…After everything he ever did to so many people…
…After the scars that got inflicted on the inside, not just on the outside…
…After every disgusting, loathsome, and evil thing he was forced to do…
Would she still believe her own words?
If she did… then…
How can someone like her exist?
Where was someone like her 200 years ago?
100 years ago…
50… 30… 10 years ago…
Why did he have to be saved by the mind flayers?
When someone like her was in this world…
…
Where was she when he needed her the most?
…
Well… even if it took all this time to finally find her…
He was so glad to finally be seen…
To finally know someone who thinks he is worthy of being saved…
Who looks at him and doesn't see a monster…
But he still doesn't know whether he deserves it or not…
If he deserves to even be near someone like her…
Especially, when she hasn't even looked at him since their moment in the cave…
He began to fear the worst…
Did she not like his touch?
Did she not like his presence?
Did she not believe his words?
Did she dislike his actions?
Even though her beautiful words were in his defense…
Her actions towards him didn't feel like it was in a positive manner.
He felt completely ignored.
What was going on in that head of hers?
He could dig around further with their connection, but that would be rude. Who knows, he might also get into the others' heads unintentionally. Then everyone would know his intentions and he didn't want that.
He could just… move on…
But he can't…
Astarion was impossibly obsessed.
Every time he thinks about trying to ignore her or pretend like she isn't there. He hated the idea of it.
Astarion wanted to watch her.
He wanted to know she was there.
Finally, he could see that his words spoke the truth...
He would be lost without her…
The elf was terrified of even the thought of losing her…
He wouldn't have someone to say wonderful things about him…
Wouldn't have someone to make him feel joy in the smallest of ways…
Wouldn't have someone to make him feel like a person worthy of feelings and thoughts…
When he had to abandon all emotions and thoughts so long ago…
The things he was told to do…
Forced to do…
Cazador did everything he could to abuse his power over his spawn…
Astarion was forced to become something vile and grotesque…
To be someone he didn't even recognize anymore…
He was forced to be nothing more than a pretty plaything for his master's food.
When his body wasn't being used in the most disgusting of ways…
He was forced to sit and eat the remains of dead rats in order to feed…
Always demanded to eat right in front of Cazador…
He loved to watch his own power at work when telling Astarion to bite into the rotting flesh…
Watching with joy as he involuntarily felt the poisonous blood boil and churn his insides caused by the rodents corpses…
Under watchful eyes he had to resist the urge to gag otherwise he was considered… 'ungrateful'…
The punishment for being ungrateful was to eat insects instead…
That tasted even fowler than the dead rats…
Or… he didn't get to eat at all…
The hunger he had to endure for so long, would drive anyone insane past the point of breaking…
No matter how much it hurt him, whether he hated it or wanted to ignore the demands…
It was impossible…
He couldn't be anything else…
He couldn't have anything more…
He couldn't resist…
He could never say no…
The power of a vampire over a spawn was impossible to ignore…
He was lucky if he ever got a freshly killed rat…
Every live rat was the biggest celebration of his miserable existence…
If he wasn't eating something dead or seducing anything breathing…
If he ever stepped out of line…
If he ever failed at all…
He was tortured…
For hours… days… weeks… months…
…Even years at a time…
If it made Cazador angry enough…
After 200 years of being treated worse than the food he ate…
He finally found peace…
He finally found hope…
He finally found joy…
Astarion finally… felt happy that he existed…
…Happy to be alive…
Because of someone who treated him with kindness and respect.
Who saw him as any other person.
A person worthy of living.
…Someone worthy of existence…
Regardless of his nature or his past…
What others consider flaws, Elizabeth sees it for what it is…
Who he is - it isn't a flaw to her…
It was what he was created for…
His nature…
And she didn't shame him for it…
She offered herself to him willingly…
Treating him differently, unlike so many have done to him before…
When others shunned him, feared him, blamed him… hated him…
…Used him…
Even attempted to kill him on multiple occasions…
She welcomed him, trusted him, helped him, defended him…
Elizabeth saved him…
Because Elizabeth believed he was worthy of it all…
And she didn't even really know him…
She already made up her mind…
And now… he made up his…
She was perfect…
Astarion wasn't…
He could never be what she wanted to see in him…
He should stop his conquest…
He shouldn't use her or hurt her…
He should leave her alone…
But… he didn't want to…
He wanted nothing more than to keep her close…
Forever…
He wanted to know her likes, her dislikes…
He wanted to listen to whatever she had to say…
He wanted to watch her dance and fight…
To hear her sing and laugh…
To feel her gentle warmth and embrace…
She was unlike anyone he has ever known…
He had to tell her that…
He had to tell her everything…
And he will…
As soon as he-
Wait…
When did they get in this house?
The old lady again?
What were they-
Oh… that's right…
…The tadpole…
Was the bard going to get rid of it?
Will it work?
When her tadpole is gone…
What would that mean for this group?
Would this adventure come to an end?
Will they still travel together?
He found himself secretly hoping that she would keep the tadpole…
That they could stay like this…
Would she still accept him if he wanted to keep the tadpoles?
If he didn't keep it, he was doomed…
If he kept it… still doomed…
Damn…
Even doomed, he enjoyed the freedom of the sun and all the blood he could drink.
He enjoyed this life, because it had her in it…
Even if it only lasted for a little while…
He wanted to live like this…
He wanted to spend it with her for as long as he could…
Even if he only had 5 days or 5 minutes left…
It would be 5 more of the best moments he has had in over 200 years…
They definitely needed a talk…
Before things could be done that can't be reversed.
Unfortunately, now wasn't a good time.
It seems that Elizabeth wasn't in a good mood anymore…
Instead she seemed more…
On edge…
Especially when the old lady turns to greet her unwanted guests in shock. The smile the bard wore coming in was nowhere to be found the minute the hag rose her voice.
Auntie Ethel: "If it isn't the cheekiest pup of- Goodness gracious! What do you think you're doing coming in here with all that filth!? How dare you track mud on my clean floors! You'd best have one hells of an apology for me, young lady."
The half-tiefling was quiet…
She seemed lost as she looked back and forth between the women in this room.
Finally her words came but they weren't as polite as they always were.
Elizabeth: "I don't think I owe you anything."
Auntie Ethel: "Hah! Oh, I do like the mouthy ones. You know, I was gonna give you a swift kick up the arse and show you the door… But I think you and I could have a bit of fun together."
Suddenly he got the feeling they shouldn't trust this hag…
The old woman then turns to the pregnant lady by the table with a sour look on her face.
Auntie Ethel: "Gods, grant me patience… Eat up, Mayrina! I won't say it again."
The bard stares in shock as he makes the realization as well.
Elizabeth: "Mayrina…? You… You told her brothers you didn't know her… You lied to them… to me."
The woman in question asked curiously.
Mayrina: "My brothers? You saw them?"
The old woman didn't hesitate to come up with an explanation.
Auntie Ethel: "They stopped by to pass on their congratulations. Said they'll be waiting for you at home."
Mayrina: "Oh. But why didn't they come in to see me?"
Auntie Ethel: "All they left was a message, which I passed on, didn't I? Don't be stressing. And you. Hush. Don't be upsetting the girl with such things."
The bard sounded upset this time…
Elizabeth: "Who knows if you're even telling the truth. Where are her brothers?"
Auntie Ethel: "You cheeky thing. Sutton Farm. North of Baldur's Gate. Check if you like. But I think you have bigger problems. That wriggler swimming in your brain juice is a bit of an inconvenience, isn't it?"
Elizabeth: "That's none of your concern anymore."
Auntie Ethel: "No, but it is yours. And if I were you, I would be very concerned. I can tell you're almost done cooking. You know you could turn - just like that. What do you say? Want me to take care of the little bugger?"
He looked at the bard and was surprised by her aura, she looked angry…
But sad too…
Her voice was soft at first before she directed it at the hag…
Elizabeth: "Lies… She… She never lied to me… You're not at all who I thought you were. Whoever the fuck you are, I don't want your damn help. I'll be better off without it."
Astarion lets out a sigh of relief from a breath he didn't realize he was holding…
The hag seems unfazed by her sudden fury.
Auntie Ethel: "Hah! Good luck with that. But don't you fret, petal - I'm sure you'll make a very pretty mind flayer."
The old woman then tells Mayrina it's time to go and the woman goes 'poof' in a green puff of smoke. The hag walks away to the other side of the house, but the bard doesn't move…
She doesn't leave. Her eyes only watch the fireplace with a strange fascination. She then tells everyone to sneak as quietly as possible. Which wasn't a problem for him, his footsteps hardly made a sound. Sneaking was ingrained into him from years of it spent in the dark streets of Baldur's Gate.
He wondered what it was like in the sun now that he could enjoy it.
If he would live long enough to see it of course…
Perhaps… with her…
If they manage to make it back…
Could he show her the world he knew, but with different eyes…?
He wished he could do that so carelessly, but he never will be safe once night time falls. He can't hide forever… Cazador will find him eventually…
The only way he can be free is if that monster is dead… Which is impossible…
He shook his thoughts away to try to focus ahead. Luckily he didn't trip on anything while lost in his thoughts. The half-tiefling investigates and manages to make the flames die down. The fireplace wasn't real and the wall behind it wasn't either. They all walked right through except for the barbarian who was slightly freaking out. It came out in a surprised whisper.
Karlach: "Wait… What?! What the- How did you guys just walk through a wall? It's… oh… it's not real… so cool!"
After waving her arms through the illusion, she finally steps through the fireplace and the flames reactivate behind her.
They no longer have to sneak as they all get back to their feet. The bard pauses at the tunnel leading down…
He suddenly got a bad feeling about this place. The more awful smells he caught a whiff of, and the more he heard screaming coming from that very hole… He wondered if this was the best idea…
Obviously they would be intruding into something horrid, it could be quite the show. But they were free to walk away if they turned around right now and pretended like they didn't see anything. Once they step in, however, there's no turning back.
They were as good as dead. Only one of them would make it out alive, either this group did…
Or the hag…
And, of course, he should have known…
They walk right in…
Only to hate every second of it after.
When they make it to the bottom they are confronted by a tall, hideous, and menacing creature that owned this very lair as she magically appeared in front of them.
It was too late now…
Auntie Ethel: "You are as thick as they come, sweetness. This is my personal play house. And you don't have an invite. Get. Out."
He looked over to the bard, whose face held shock and terror when she looked at the hag…
Her voice sounded devastated and angry…
Elizabeth: "I… I trusted you… You evil Hag! Where is she? Where is Mayina?! Tell me where she is!"
Auntie Ethel: "Has that wriggler eaten your brain already? Leave. Or you'll end up in tonight's stew. You'll go nicely with Mayrina. She's already marinating. HAH!"
The hag was gone after a green puff of smoke.
He hated everything in this damn place…
Not only from what he saw or what he heard in the Hag's lair…
But because of what it did to the bard…
She slowly crumbled bit by bit…
Everything she saw, everything she heard.
Destroyed her little by little…
He could see the pain in her eyes.
When she approached the mirror, she was trembling from the sight of the woman banging on the other side of the glass…
She casted a spell from a necklace that talks to the dead, and spoke to the eyeless corpse.
Elizabeth then began to weep from her story…
She approached the elf that was screaming at his own reflection in the mirrors. He did nothing but scream and cower. The bard tries to help but only gets screamed at some more…
He called her a mind flayer…
Elizabeth tried to pretend like it didn't affect her, but it was obvious that it did.
When she walked up to the wooden door, she spoke to it, only to suddenly get a vision. They witnessed the horror of what this door had suffered through.
It was at that very moment something seemed to snap in her.
She looked over to a table with strange masks resting there. Waiting to be used…
He got a bad feeling about them…
He didn't know what the bard was thinking; she suddenly walks over, grabs a mask, and puts it on.
Within an instant, something didn't feel right.
Elizabeth was shaking and trembling, looking around like she was being spoken to.
Her voice was trembling…
Elizabeth: "M-Monster… Let… me… go…"
The half-tiefling tried to reach for the mask, but couldn't. Her body was moving as if it wasn't in her control…
He was filled with worry…
Astarion: "What's happening? What did you do?"
Next thing he knew, she drew her blade and turned to face them.
Karlach: "Shit! This doesn't seem good."
He could see her hand shaking to hold the sword as her voice pleaded through her strain…
Elizabeth: "Get… Get away!… Now!… Not… safe…"
Her stance changed to aim her blade at them, her voice now filled with terror.
Elizabeth: "Run!… Can't… stop!"
They are forced to draw their weapons and face their own leader…
He didn't have a choice anymore…
It was either him…
Or her…
That's all I can fit in for this chapter. I hope it was good. I decided to let Elizabeth have a break for this chapter. She will definitely be busy in the next one…
Song- 'Eye of the Tiger' by Survivor
(P.S. I updated all the chapters, I've made tweaks and changes. So, feel free to re-read the story and see if you can spot the changes. I hope it's better than before)
Tah-Tah. Until next time, my lovelies!