Nyx and Astarion PoV

It was a kitchen, and they marvelled at the sight.

Nyx wasn't sure why finding a kitchen felt so surreal; people had lived here centuries ago, and they would have needed to eat like everyone else. Perhaps it was the fact that it had been recently cleaned up and the obvious signs of use had made it seem out of place. The back of the kitchen opened into a courtyard that may have been a garden at one time. Underdark flora have reclaimed the area, growing through the crumbling and torn temple walls bringing with them edible mushrooms; and natural pools of drinkable water drip-filtered by the layers of soil from above.

A veritable paradise in the heart of darkness.

They quickly scouted the area including the raised platform leading to the cavern where the Underdark had broken into, however the Underdark fauna had not yet followed since a wide chasm blocked easy access. The routine of setting up camp commenced.

---

Nyx frowned inspecting the small silver bell Tav had proffered.

Tav grinned and the subtle gesturing made it ring softly, "We freed a pixie trapped in one of those Moonlanterns. She gave use this. You ring it and it'll provide you protection against the curse."

Nyx tilted her head and blinked at Tav, but didn't reach for it. She wasn't sure why she hesitated to take the bell, surely, she should. Instead, she studied the bell and probed it with her magic. Nyx spoke her final verdict, "I do appreciate the gift, but I unfortunately cannot except. My", she gestured to the blemish on her neck, "Disposition will nullify it. I am grateful for your offer though."

Tav nodded sagely and returned Nyx's smile. "I understand. It won't be too presumptuous to say that you're as protected as you could be?"

Nyx made a noise of agreement and added, "We are at an impasse of sorts. I do look forward to being rid of it entirely."

A flash of guilt touched Tav's features. Nyx waved her apology down and said, "Don't worry about what happened during the Gauntlet. I am linked to this place whether I like it or not." Nyx looked around with distaste.

"I'm glad you're back," Tav blurted, and Nyx stiffened when she suddenly found herself in Tav's embrace.

"I," Nyx relaxed and patted Tav on the back. Blinking furiously, she managed to swallow the knot in her throat, "Me too."

Tav pulled away and said in all seriousness, placing a hand on each of Nyx's shoulders, "If you need anything, say the word. We're here to help."

Gratitude swelled within her heart, and she nodded once. Tav grinned pleased and sauntered off to do the rest of her check-in rounds with everyone.

---

After a much needed clean up, the party had dined in the kitchen and setup camp. Nyx was in her tent, rummaging through her pack for her nature study book. Karlach's raised voice rung out across camp, "Listen. I'm never going back. If you said I could die right now or live a thousand years in the Hells, I'd choose to go out now, with my freedom intact."

What did I miss? Nyx walked to the tent flap.

Karlach and Tav were stand next to the campfire. Tav said something Nyx couldn't hear and Karlach shook her head. "I don't expect anyone to understand. But I've been dealt a hand most people don't have to contemplate playing." Karlach motioned to leave. Tav hurried after and offered, "It wouldn't be forever. You could return just long enough for us to find some solution."

Karlach stopped and her shoulders slumped, "You heard Dammon. There is no solution. It's Hell or bust. I choose bust."

Ah, her engine... Yurgir's comments... Graces, why can't things just go her way for once?, Nyx held her book tighter to her chest. She stood at the threshold of her tent and watched with concern while Karlach stomped out of camp and ascended the path towards the mushroom filled cavern next door. Nyx pursed her lips and returned to her pack for more books.

Nyx found Karlach sitting atop a large mushroom overlooking the overgrown chasm. Nyx tested the mushroom next to Karlach's with her foot and settled herself.

"Hey, soldier. Not much in the mood for talking right now.", Karlach said solemnly staring off into the distance.

Nyx smiled softly and said evenly, "That's fine with me. I'm well-versed in silence." She placed the partially filled sketchbook in her lap and made a small pile of completed books between them.

While drawing the mushrooms from the cavern, Nyx sorted through her own thoughts, reflecting on what Karlach had said. She too, would rather go out swinging than to fall back into the clutches of Streeaka Valsharess'uh. Nyx suppressed a shiver and wilfully engrossed herself in the sketch.

It felt unreal; having fought through the curse and gaining control of her mind less than a few days ago. For her to now be sitting here, next to a dear friend enjoying a leisurely past time. Karlach shifted and Nyx noticed her leaning over to take a look at what she was doing. Nyx patted the pile of books next to her and smirked when Karlach helped herself to one.

They sat in companionable silence, her pencil softly scarping over the paper and Karlach turning pages with one dainty claw.

Karlach turned another page and mused, "You're so fearless."

Nyx snorted, "Says the one who charges into battle headfirst literally ablaze."

That garnered a chuckle. "I meant, out there, in the curse. You even made it back all by yourself."

The chasm echoed their words back at them, Nyx realized that everyone in camp was likely privy to this conversation. She measured her words carefully and answered sincerely, "Not really, Karlach. I made it back because of your help."

Karlach turned to her, brows knit in confusion.

Nyx continued with a smirk, "The curse had, initially stripped me of many of my memories. I couldn't remember how or why I found myself there, in the middle of nowhere. But there was an unmistakable pull towards something. A tugging strong enough to keep me going."

Karlach shifted. "Okay, but I still don't see how we helped."

"Hmm, let me put it this way. I regained portions of my memories by fighting back against the curse yes, but the ultimate - 'moment of clarity'... The 'breakthrough' if you will, was when I found some of you in the plaza with the drider. All of my memories came flooding back, and with it I could forge mental weapons and defences against the war in my head. Those memories would not have been there if I had not walked this path with you."

Karlach digested the information, paging through the sketchbook and said, "Alright, I get what you’re saying. Still sounds fearless to me."

"Oh, believe me there were moments where I was sure I was done for, and it shook me to my core. It was in those moments that the memories we shared saw me through. Knowing that you lot were out there reminded me that I wasn't alone and I drew strength from wanting to get back."

The scraping of her pencil and the turning of pages filled the silence once more. Nyx gathered her rambling thoughts into something more coherent, "I think what I'm trying to say is that you and I have been self-reliant for a long time while fighting our respective wars - perhaps it is time we learn to share the load." She hooked a thumb over her shoulder, "We have a whole bunch of people watching our backs and are willing to share our load like we have theirs."

Karlach was grinning. "And there you go again, making too much sense."

"Took a while this time."

Karlach guffawed and turned another page, "Oh look! It's our friend. Aw, and a baby," she leaned over with the book and pointed at Nyx's sketch of a familiar feline. Karlach scrunched her nose, "Hmm, 'Displacer beast'. That doesn't sound very nice."

"Most people don't consider them to be." Nyx chuckled.

"Why not?", Karlach seemed genuinely appalled.

"They tend to be aggressive and territorial."

"So? Rothé are too."

Nyx snorted and continued, "Unlike other felines; they're not ambushers. You see those feathery looking things at the end of their tentacles," Karlach nodded, and Nyx cupped her hands to illustrate, "They can project duplicates of themselves, making you think they're over here, when actually -"

"They're at you back!", fire in her eyes.

Nyx nodded smiling.

"That's so awesome. Also, look at that doll face," she pointed at the kitten. She mused into the page again, "I hope she's okay."

"They are smart and strong. I'm sure she's already forced her way through the tomb door by now."

"Aces.", she perked up, "Could you draw me one of Scratch and Bean? I want to put it up in my tent."

"Certainly," Nyx considered that for a moment, "It may not last too long given how 'exposed' your tent is to the elements."

Karlach waved a dismissive hand, "It's fine, I'm sure you'll sketch me another one."

Nyx smiled into her book.

---

The disturbance of her tent flap jarred Nyx awake, clenching her knife in a fist. Her eyes adjusted and Astarion stood at the entrance with a small bundle between his hands. She breathed a long sigh of relief. "Sorry, I'm a bit jumpy."

He chuckled and motioned to place the bundle on a nearby chest close to her small living nook. While he dressed into his casual wear he lilted, "It's understandable, my sweet. You can feel more at ease now that I'm here."

Nyx settled back down and replied sincerely, "I do feel better knowing you are."

She pulled the fabric over herself. They had rolled out both of their bedrolls and attached the ends to one another giving them double the space beneath. It was luxurious in size and comfort, her tent easily accommodating the arrangement.

He slid in next to her and pulled her closer. She hummed a sleepy appreciation at his lingering kiss. Astarion filled his arms with her and nuzzled into her collar bone sighing. Nyx embraced him slowly across his shoulders, placing her cheek on his head and fatigue pulled her into sleep once more.

--- --- ---

The faint glow from the surrounding mushrooms gradually changed colour and became brighter against the walls of her tent while he watched her sleep. A profound sense of contentment swirled within him. It had grown after he roused from his trance finding himself nestled against her.

She shifted and her eyes fluttered open. Her bright smiled warmed him even more. "Bellinor."

"R'hunni'vah", he leaned in to capture the smile from her lips. She moulded herself to him and the movement briefly stirred something entirely different within him.

She shifted, one arm propped under her head and the other brushed its fingers over his lips. Before he could nip at them, she retrieved her hand into her chest. Her eyes searched his as though they contained the answer to whatever was on her mind.

He gave her an expectant eyebrow, "Something the matter?"

She replied softly, "No. Not at all."

He grinned and made himself more comfortable. "How did Karlach put it? 'I can see the smoke coming out of your ears.'"

She barked a laugh and sobered smiling. "Hmm, there is something I want to tell you but no matter how I phrase it, it sounds utterly bizarre - even to myself."

"About the 'war in your head'?"

She nodded.

"My love, it had been clear from the start that you are significantly more than what meets the eye." He realized that much the same could have been said about him and still was applicable to him. "I also assume that it has to do with your powers as well." He smiled at her bashful expression, "I must admit I am rather curious but," he somewhat admitted to himself then, "I doubt it would change anything between us."

What he didn't say was, Just as I hope the rest of my secrets won't either.

She gave him a long look and eventually said, "Thank you", and frowned mostly to herself, "I'll try to think of the least bizarre way to put it."

He chuckled and lulled searching for her free hand under the covers, "I'm sure it is no less bizarre than the lunatics we share camp with."

She laughed freely and he delighted in it, giving her hand a quick peck.

Her gaze fell from his and he readied himself, but she ventured instead, "When do you think Raphael is planning on making good on his deal?"

He scoffed, more disappointed at the change in subject than anything else and lulled, "The devil turns up where it pleases him.", and said amused, "Perhaps we'll find him in an old pair of boots? In an abandoned outhouse?" His sly smiled split his lips. "In our own bedroll?"

Nyx set her mouth in a line and deadpanned, "If he does that then I will punch him in his smarmy face."

His pitched laugh escaped him, and he raised a finger between them. "Do let me know when you do, but only after he's given me what I'm owed."

"Done."

--- --- ---

Breakfast consisted of more Underdark mushrooms and packed provisions, but the hearty and light company ensured it a kingly meal. The knot in Nyx's stomach was gradually easing away; another day she found herself treated as though nothing had changed. Drawing a small sigh of relief from her while she surveyed their surroundings; part ruin, part fairytale.

Something in the Shadowweave shifted and Nyx's magic hackles responded. She rose for her seat to probe at the weave, catching Shadowheart scanning everything in sight as well. The others stilled and watched them with curious and concerned expressions.

Nyx directed to Shadowheart, "It feels agitated, but distant."

Shadowheart's ponytail swayed, and she replied, "The guardians are being drawn from every part of the temple."

The rest expressed comments of alarm, but Shadowheart shook her head again, "No, they're not heading here."

Their alarm subsided and Tav prompted, "Can you make out where they are heading?"

A slight frown tugged at Shadowheart's mouth, and she stated, "To the last trial."

---

It was as though the entire temple's magic had been redirected. Streams of it flowed along the corridor, the agitation scouring against Nyx's senses. Gale rubbed his arms staring up at the ceiling and remarked in a low tone, "I wonder about the wisdom of us walking toward the source of its irk."

Nyx made a noise of agreement and stifled another shudder. She blew out a breath and meditated, readying herself and attempting to soothe away her impatience at wanting all of this to end.

Turning another corner revealed a large hallway littered with bones.

They casually inspected the bones in passing. Wyll stooped to pick up one and said, "These don't look like anything Sharran."

Shadowheart clipped from the front, "They're not."

Gale's magic swelled for a brief moment, and he added, "Necromancy. Balthazar, I take it."

They drew their weapons and followed the raging shadow river.

Their way was blocked by a door sealed with magic. Sounds of fighting and shouting came from the other side. Karlach and Lae'zel attempted to force it open, but the seal held fast. Tav gave Astarion a raised eyebrow and he shook his head in the negative.

Gale stroked his beard and probed at the magic seal. "Nyx", she turned to him. His eyes alight with challenge, he asked, "Do you think you can 'unmake' the seal?"

Nyx looked up at the door scrunching her nose. She ran her hand over the wood grain, plucking at the strands of the seal woven within. They slipped from her grasp, and she said, "It is well made, the strands are thin, but my control isn't that finely tuned."

Gale's eyes sparkled and he offered, "Let me help."

A strange nostalgia came over Nyx while Gale directed her magic using his. Sanika and Keetjah had done the same during her training and Nyx marvelled at how she could feel Gale's expert wielding of Mystra's weave. And how unique it was to him, like her mentors. Sanika's had the warmth of a gentle spring breeze, whereas Keetjah's sparked with barely constrained power. Gale's was almost like the weave itself; a soft touch of silk on the skin. She wondered for a moment what hers felt like, nothing in Gale's demeanour suggested it to be unpleasant, Thank the graces.

His eyes were closed and his hands on the door. He instructed, "Now, extend the smallest amount of magic you can. I'll try to flatten it and cut through the strands like a knife."

Nyx took a breath and released her shoulders. She stuck one of her whiskers to the seal seeing as the strands kept slipping away from her and sent a sliver of her magic down the line. Gale grasped at the contact point. The magic felt like it was simply pooling there, directionless, but a few moments later her magic was pulled into each of the seal's strands, eroding them rapidly like exposed fuses.

Gale tugged once on the disintegrated strands and the seal came undone in a rain of sparkling light. He stroked his beard again and knitted his brows. "Hmm. Not entirely what I had in mind, but the results speak for themselves."

Lae'zel groused from behind, "You can congratulate yourselves later."

He made a bend at the waist. Glancing at Astarion, he gesturing to the lock. "After you."

---

Lae'zel's patience had clearly run out when she pushed past Astarion and psionically kicked the door in, sending two skeletons sprawling on the other side at the contact.

There was hardly enough time to make sense of the commotion inside. Those of them who were quicker rushed forward and dove for cover behind stone columns and benches. The others held back, flanking the doors.

Nyx took a cautionary glance around her bench. A large group of skeletons were fighting against the temple's guardians. The enclosed room, likely once a grand reception area, was filling up quickly with more guardians. Magic flashed against the walls, arrows whipped through the air and blades clashed. The foul stench of undead mixing with the scent of ozone.

Tav shouted from the door, "We need to get that portal closed!"

Nyx shuffled to the other side of the bench and spotted it sputtering at the far side of the room. Even more Dark Justiciars stepping from it.

She primed her magic and projected, "On it!"

Tav directed ranged cover while Karlach and Lae'zel joined Nyx. They sprinted towards the portal, Karlach and Lae'zel engaged intercepting guardians giving Nyx a clear path through. A trickle of chaos magic ran down her arm, lacing her shadow claws and she cleaved into the portal. Using her force magic to drive the chaos into the portal itself guided by her connection to the shadow-weave. A wave rippled through it and it started to come undone, distorting and thrumming unharmoniously, but not before two more Justiciars stepped from it.

Nyx was fast enough to intercept the first one, plunging her free hand's claws into its featureless black face under an exposed helmet. Her other hand extended outward toward the portal, holding off the curse lashing out from within. She attempted to dodge the second Justiciar’s slash, but the first grabbed onto her arm (that had its claws still planted in its face) and held her in position as the second's sword cut deeply across her leg. Pain from the curse poured into the wound forcing Nyx to steel against that as well. The first opponent had fallen to one knee, her magic slowly eroding down its neck while the other recovered for another strike. Nyx reinforced her arm and caught his blade on the down swing.

Lae'zel barrelled into the standing opponent, shoulder first, effectively leaving Nyx clinging to his unmanned blade. Karlach helped the disintegrating one along by bringing her great hammer down on his crumbling form, finally releasing Nyx. Through clenched teeth Nyx drove the portal's lashing whips back, and it finally collapsed on itself in a resounding whoomph.

Nyx turned when several crude and vulgar profanities were directed at their group while engaged with the rest of the guardians. She remained where she was, her shadow stepping impaired with her injured leg, thus she opted to assist with her bow instead.

The source of the cussing seemed to be one of the skeletons, who simply continued to fight as fervently and it could cuss. "Where we're you dawdling all this time?"

Tav's magic-infused voice carried over the din, "Fight now, talk later."

"Ah yes, I forget the simple-mindedness of the living."

Balthazar, I presume.

Another one of Nyx's armour piecing arrows found purchase in a Justiciar's back. The skeletons were remarkably competent albeit fragile. The two groups collectively finished off the dwindling number of guardians.

Tav took stock of injuries. She ignored the rest of the rude insults from the skeleton, prioritizing her people instead - the battle in close quarters had taken its toll.

Nyx ambled to a nearby bench and saw to the weeping gash in her leg, blood threatening to stain her boots.

"Stop wasting more time and get yourself in here."

Nyx didn't catch were 'here' was.

Tav whipped around to face the skeleton and gestured in agitation. "Your skeletons would be dust if it wasn't for us. I highly doubt you would have lasted much longer thereafter."

The skeleton threw its head back and gave a long menacing laugh, its lower jaw rattling. "I would peel your skin from your bones for such insubordination were it not so amusing." Another bout of profanities burst from it, not directed at Tav. The skeleton abruptly stopped talking. The glow in their eyes faded away and they froze where they stood.

Tav shook her head, relaxed her stance and returned her attention to assist Gale with Wyll's head injury.

Nyx's leg was on the mend, and she shambled past Shadowheart, who was attending to multiple lacerations across Karlach's body. Astarion had taken an arrow to his side. He was hunched over on another bench, clutching the arrow between his fingers.

He scowled up at Nyx, and she asked concerned, settling herself next to him. "How's the pain?"

He winced at taking a breath. "Bearable. Feels wrong."

Nyx nodded sympathetically while inspecting the damage. A strange fascination came over her while probing at the entry point using her magic. The arrow had missed his ribs but pierced his lung, lodged into the bottom part. Were he alive he'd be either drowning in his own blood or suffocating due to a collapsed lung by now. She was furthermore amazed.

Nyx straightened, not taking her eyes off the wound she confirmed, "Bearable pain, more discomfort?"

He hmmed.

She tilted her head, folding one arm around her waist to prop up her other arm. Forefingers tapping her lips, she considered whether using an anaesthetic or pain reliever would be appropriate.

I'll have to dig my fingers into the wound either way to deliver it. She pursed her lips, Which is only going to prolong the process. Adding to his discomfort. She mused to herself, The only oral pain relivers I have are known to make people drowsy - now is not a good time to experiment either. I'll have to ask him to try it at some point though... and take notes on 'first aid for vampires'?

She found him grinning and realized she was too.

Although he strained somewhat, his words were light and amused. "I do hope your smiling because you can heal it, my sweet."

Nyx made herself more comfortable. She replied evenly, "Yes, I can." She magically stitched the area around the arrowhead just in case.

It's like his body is reacting to it as though it is merely a flesh wound... Major blood vessels don't seem to be present anymore. I suppose lungs won't be that critical to a vampire - has it simply become a sack to move air? Its 'resources' diverted elsewhere? So, if it is only a 'flesh wound', I should be able to treat it like one...

Nyx distracted him and quipped, "I'm smiling because of your fascinating biology."

"Oh? Staring at me like you did the myconids? Shameless.", his tut got cut off by a grimace when Nyx unceremoniously yanked the arrow out. He squirmed, sputtered and coughed then his voice rose in an exasperated pitch, "Gods! That hurt! Why didn't you warn me?" Scowling at her again, clutching his wound defensively.

Nyx chuckled into her pack, retrieving a bottle. She gently batted his hand away and continued to sterilize the open wound, "In this particular case, it's better not to. Hurts less that way."

He harrumphed unimpressed and lilted, "Shadowheart doesn't need to do that."

Nyx raised an eyebrow and glanced back at Shadowheart, who was consumed with Karlach's care.

Because she has magical anaesthetic. I make do with what I have.

Returning her attention to stitching the wound, she replied, "Would you rather wait in line next time?"

He tutted again and gave her another disapproving glare down his nose. She ignored it, wrestling against the smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.

Nyx finished and looked up into his sly smile. She crossed her arms and waited expectantly.

He appraised the mended wound, giving it a poke for good measure. Apparently pleased with the outcome he lulled, "I think I deserve a kiss for being such an agreeable patient."

Nyx snorted and leaned forward. She held his ruby gaze and whispered against his lips, "I'm sure Shadowheart won't comply to such a request."

"Neither would I be interested in asking."

“So, if you are too tired to speak, sit next to me for I, too, am fluent in silence.”
― R. Arnold

Published: 21 March 2025