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dez78 · 14 days ago

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Shadows of Faerûn

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Chapter Two: Through the dark

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Fandom: Baldur's Gate 3 and Dragon Age: Origins Mashup

Pairings: Astarion x OC Artemis, Zevran x OC Liana

Warnings: Eventual Smut, Violence, Blood, Gore, Mentions of past trauma (eventually)

Rating: Adult 18+ (Minor DNI)

Words: Probably over 1K

Chapter Summary: The two parties find the remaining Darkspawn, but they also find other creatures, like those from the Shadowcursed Lands. They also uncover a strange source of magic that effects one of their own.

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Chapter One Link below:

Astarion and Artemis put on their armor, getting geared up for the day, before coming out of their tent. Artemis was fastening her gauntlets to her wrist. While Astarion stretched out.

"May I interest you in coffee or tea?" Gale smiled as he held up the two pots with the different liquids.

"I need coffee." Artemis said as she stretched out,

"Then remind me not to drink your blood later, or I'll be running around like a drunken kobold." Astarion said with a flick of his wrist.

"Drunken kobold you say? And how exactly would that look?" Artemis mused.

"Full of chaotic energy and absolutely no sense of control." Astarion explained, his voice laced with amusement.

"Oh, my dear Astarion." Artemis chuckled,

"Darling, you're like that already." Shadowheart smirked.

"True, but I have no doubt, if I were to sip up your blood after you've had your coffee, I'd be bouncing off the walls with more energy than a caffeinated squirrel." Astarion smirked as he explained, painting an amusing picture.

"Well that's something I'd like to see." Gale quipped.

"Trust me, you don't want me like that. You'd never hear the end of it." Astarion replied with a dramatic flair.

Gale poured Artemis a generous amount of coffee before handing it over to her. She took it and sipped it, savoring the dark, and rich flavor of it.

"I also made a cheesy ham, potato, and egg scramble." Gale explained, gesturing towards the pan on the fire.

"Help yourself, I made plenty." He added with a smile. Shadowheart, Halsin, Jaheira, Minsc, and Lae'zel already had their plates. Artemis helped herself to a heaping plate of food.

"Eat up darlings, I'm quite full." Astarion smirked, the party gave him knowing grins.

"I'll wait for our friends to arrive, hm?" He said as he sauntered over to a tree and climbed it gracefully like a stalking feline. He sat atop a large branch and hung one of his legs off the ledge as he watched.

"I could have sworn, I heard him thrashing around earlier. Is he okay?" Gale said as he sat down next to Artemis on the log she was seated upon. He mixed his food a bit before taking a healthy forkful.

"He had another nightmare about Cazador." Artemis replied bitterly as she picked at her food.

"Seriously? Did we not crush that son of bitch." Jaheira snarled,

"He still haunts our poor Astarion even in death." She growled like a feral animal, given her nature as a druid, Artemis was surprised she didn't shift then at that moment.

"The poor boy can't escape, it seems." Halsin shook his head, disappointed as he ate his food. Boo squeaked in protest,

"That is right Boo! We shall find a way into Astarion's dreams and crush Caz beneath our boots!" Minsc declared.

"I'm not sure that's entirely possible." Gale said with skepticism.

"What did Cazador say, in the nightmare, I mean." Shadowheart asked as she ate a forkful of food afterwards.

"He said that Astarion would become a slave again, that his time was coming, and he wouldn't be able to stop his fate." Artemis said, her nostrils flared angrily.

"Sounds like that damn vampire was talking straight out his ass, if you ask me." Jaheira snorted.

"We won't allow Astarion to fall into slavery again, we'll protect him." Gale reassured Artemis.

"He's just as much our friend as he is your lover. I'm too proud to admit it, but we all care for him deeply." Gale explained.

"I'm sure if Karlach found out about this, she'd find a way to hunt Cazador in the hells and burn him for hurting Astarion." Shadowheart chuckled at the thought, Artemis smiled weakly.

"I'm just worried about him, what if I'm too weak to protect him?" She said suddenly.

"What if I fail him as his betrothed." Artemis got extremely vulnerable at that moment.

"You will not fail, my dear. You have us." Jaheira said gesturing towards their group of allies.

"Where you fail, we succeed. Astarion will never fall victim to anything or anyone, ever again, I can assure you that." She said nodding her head firmly. The party agreed with her in unison.

"Hard to believe we started out as strangers just a year prior." Artemis said breathlessly, she looked up.

"Now look at us, we're inseparable." She said, still stunned.

"We're family now, whether we like it or not." Gale teased with a smirk; Artemis smiled fully then.

"Wizard, Boo says your breakfast scramble is delicious." Minsc announced as he fed the hamster bits off his plate. Gale chuckled,

"Thank you, Boo. That means a lot." He humored. The group ate their breakfast in silence after that, enjoying the morning warmth.

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Later, Astarion dropped from his perch gracefully, he greeted Liana and her party while his own party cleaned up breakfast.

"You're late, darling," Astarion said, casually inspecting his nails as if their arrival were a minor inconvenience.

"It's far past first light." He added, finally lifting his crimson gaze to Liana and her party.

"You keep calling my Warden darling. If you want her, I come with her," Zevran interjected with a mischievous glint in his eye, his words dripping with innuendo. Liana’s cheeks flushed a vivid red.

Astarion arched a brow, smirking.

"Ah ha, don’t flatter yourself. It’s merely Baldur’s Gate hospitality—I call everyone darling. It’s nothing personal." He stepped closer, his tone darkening ever so slightly, though his playful smirk remained.

"So do try not to mistake my courtesy for... genuine interest, darling."

Zevran leaned forward just enough to match Astarion’s smirk with one of his own.

"Oh, but it’s so much more fun to imagine it otherwise, no?"

"This sounds an awful lot like flirting to me," Alistair cut in, frowning in exaggerated confusion as his gaze flicked between the two smirking rogues.

"Or am I just really bad at reading people?"

Artemis approached the group shortly after, her silver hair catching the morning light.

"What’s going on?" She asked, her curiosity piqued as her gaze landed on Liana, whose face was flushed a deep crimson.

"Your boyfriends want to fuck each other," Oghren interjected with a hearty laugh, his voice gruff but full of amusement.

Artemis arched a perfectly shaped brow, her expression cool and composed despite the dwarf's blunt comment.

"We do not!" Zevran and Astarion snapped in unison, both turning sharply to glare at Oghren, clearly insulted by the accusation.

"We were merely... sizing one another up," Zevran added with a dismissive shrug, though his tone carried a trace of mock indignation.

"And, for the record," Astarion cut in with a smirk, his voice dripping with sarcasm,

"If I were interested, I’d hardly need anyone’s permission, least of all yours, dwarf."

"Good to know you’d at least ask mine," Zevran quipped, his lips curving into a mischievous grin.

Artemis rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at her lips.

"Wonderful. I leave you unsupervised for five minutes, and suddenly we’re debating who's flirting with whom."

"It’s merely harmless fun, my dear Artemis," Zevran said smoothly, his tone laced with dangerous amusement as he gave her a disarming smile.

"Harmless?" Artemis raised a skeptical brow, her arms crossing over her chest.

"You’re either flirting with my betrothed or plotting a duel. Perhaps both."

"Can’t it be both?" Astarion quipped, flashing his fangs in a teasing grin.

"After all, I don’t mind a bit of swordplay—literal or otherwise."

Zevran chuckled, his golden eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Oh, he’s quick. I like that."

Artemis pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering under her breath,

"Why is it always the charming ones?"

Shadowheart, who had been silently observing with a faint smirk, decided to interject.

"Should we start taking bets on who wins this… contest of egos?"

"I’ll put my coin on the elf with the tattoos," Gale said, laughing as he stirred the morning fire.

"That’s hardly fair," Astarion protested, mock-offended.

"I’ve lived far longer and mastered far more… refined techniques."

"Refined?" Zevran tilted his head, feigning innocence.

"Well, I suppose there’s only one way to settle such claims—"

"Enough!" Artemis interrupted, her tone firm but laced with exasperated amusement.

"The two of you are worse than a pair of squabbling wyverns. You’ll have plenty of time to annoy each other after we deal with the Darkspawn."

Both men exchanged a glance before smirking in unison.

"Fine," Astarion said, his voice dripping with mock surrender. "But don’t think I won’t keep one eye on you, darling Zevran."

"And I, you, my dearest Astarion." Zevran replied with a wink, his voice dangerous and dripping with honey.

"Shall we discuss battle plans." Liana spoke, breaking the tension in the air,

"We shall." Artemis agreed. They split off and gathered around the battle planning table that Artemis had set up earlier. Gale’s papers, notes, rough sketches, and open tomes were scattered across its surface, a testament to the scholar’s tireless efforts.

Artemis, with a sigh of exasperation, pushed the clutter aside to make room, her silver hair catching the morning light as she reached for the map of Faerûn.

The map was well-worn, the edges fraying from frequent use. Charcoal markings circled various points across the land—places where rifts had opened, and Darkspawn sightings had been reported. Artemis’s fingers hovered briefly before landing on their current location.

"We are here." She said, her voice steady but laced with determination. Her well-manicured hand tapped the spot, leaving a faint smudge of charcoal on her finger.

"We didn’t manage to clear all the Darkspawn in those ruins. Some escaped, and it’s only a matter of time before they regroup or spread further."

Liana leaned over the map, her oak-brown eyes narrowing as she scanned the marked areas. There were far too many for comfort.

"It’s spreading quickly," She murmured, her voice thoughtful but tinged with concern. "The Blight always does."

Zevran stood nearby, his back against a tree. One foot was propped against the trunk, his arms crossed over his chest as he observed the discussion with a furrowed brow. His usual playful demeanor was replaced by a rare seriousness, though the faintest smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as his gaze briefly flicked to Astarion.

Astarion, meanwhile, stood a few paces away, twirling a dagger between his pale fingers with an almost unsettling precision. The weapon caught the light as it spun, his expression unreadable as his crimson eyes flicked between the map and the gathered companions.

On the opposite side of the table, Gale studied the map intently, one hand resting on the edge while the other absentmindedly rubbed his beard.

"I’d wager there are more rifts than we realize," he said, his tone thoughtful but grim.

"Smaller ones, perhaps, in remote areas we haven’t accounted for yet. If the Darkspawn are anything like they are in your world," He nodded to Liana,

"They’ll spread like a plague, moving swiftly and relentlessly."

Alistair, standing beside Artemis, frowned as he leaned closer to the map.

"If they’re regrouping, they’ll likely hole up somewhere defensible," he added, his voice carrying the weight of his experience as a Grey Warden.

"Ruins like these," he gestured to their current location on the map,

"Are perfect for that. We’ll need to go back and finish the job sooner rather than later."

Artemis straightened, her piercing ruby eyes sweeping over the group.

"Agreed." She said confidently.

"But we also need to consider the bigger picture. If we’re only reacting to reports of Darkspawn and rifts, we’ll always be one step behind. We need to anticipate where they’ll strike next."

Liana nodded; her expression thoughtful.

"The Darkspawn are drawn to taint—corruption, decay. They’ll head for places with strongholds or settlements, places they can overrun quickly."

"Yes, like wolves circling a wounded deer," Zevran interjected smoothly from his place by the tree, his golden eyes glinting.

"Efficient, brutal. Predictable, in a way."

"Predictable, yes," Gale agreed, his fingers tapping the edge of the table as he thought aloud as he scratched his beard.

"If we study the patterns of these rifts and their movements, we may be able to find a connection. Something to help us get ahead of them."

"Perhaps," Artemis said, her voice softening as she traced a finger along the map.

"But even if we do, we’re dealing with two unknowns: the magic creating these rifts and the Darkspawn themselves. Both are foreign to Faerûn."

"I’ve seen enough to know that foreign or not, they bleed," Astarion said darkly, his dagger ceasing its spin as he sheathed it in one fluid motion.

"And as long as they bleed, they can die."

"Comforting," Alistair muttered dryly, though a faint smirk tugged at his lips.

Artemis allowed herself a small smile but quickly refocused.

"We need a plan." She said firmly.

"And we need it now. This Blight isn’t waiting for us to catch up."

The group fell silent, the weight of the situation settling over them like a heavy fog. The map lay between them, a stark reminder of the task ahead and the countless lives at stake.

"First things first, we kill the remaining spawn in these ruins." Zevran voiced, gesturing towards the worn-out tower of rubble.

"That's a good place to start at least." Artemis replied with a heavy sigh, she rolled up the map and stuck it in a satchel on her hip.

"Gather what supplies you can carry, I suggest we bring that healer friend of yours; her spells protected you from getting gravely wounded last night." Liana explained, pointing her chin towards Shadowheart.

"The less people we take, the more efficient we can be." Liana explained.

"Unless there's a ton of Darkspawn in there, then..." Alistair trailed off, his gaze shifting towards the horizon where the remnants of the ruins loomed. The silence that followed was heavy, the weight of the impending battle hanging in the air.

"I’d rather not overextend ourselves, but I understand the necessity," Zevran added, his voice smooth but serious. He pushed off the tree with a languid motion, the gleam in his eye betraying his readiness.

"A small group will be quicker, more lethal. If we bring too many, we risk tipping the balance."

Artemis nodded, taking a deep breath.

"It’s settled then. A small team, but we need to be prepared for anything." She glanced over at Liana, silently asking for her thoughts.

Liana caught her gaze and gave a sharp nod, her expression focused.

"I’ll go, of course." She said, her voice unwavering. "I’m not about to let you all handle this without me."

"I’ll stay close," Shadowheart spoke up from behind them, her eyes watching the conversation carefully.

"I’ll be ready if any of you need healing, though I would prefer not to get caught up in the melee."

Astarion raised an eyebrow.

"Not to mention, we wouldn't want you wasting all your energy on the likes of us." He smirked, eyes flicking over to Zevran.

"If we must take someone, better it be someone who can keep us alive."

Zevran snorted in amusement, his fingers twirling a dagger idly.

"Always the charmer, Astarion." He said with a wink.

"But I suppose I agree. We don't want to lose anyone too soon."

"Agreed." Artemis’s tone turned practical as she looked back at the ruined tower.

"We'll go in, clear the remaining Darkspawn, and get out fast."

"We'll need to stick together," Liana added.

"If we split up, it could be too easy for the Darkspawn to pick us off one by one."

"Indeed," Zevran chimed in.

"But in case things go awry, a swift retreat is always an option, yes? We don’t want to become their next snack."

"Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that," Artemis said, her voice calm but her eyes sharp. She checked her equipment quickly before motioning to the others.

"Gather your things, everyone. We move out in ten."

The group shifted into action, each one preparing in their own way. As Artemis secured her weapons, her mind already turning to what lay ahead, she couldn’t shake the sense of unease that gnawed at her stomach. The rifts were spreading fast, and with each new one that opened, the Darkspawn grew stronger.

She turned to Liana, offering a small smile.

"Ready?"

Liana met her gaze, her eyes unwavering.

"Always."

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Artemis, Astarion, Shadowheart, Gale, Liana, Zevran, and Alistair were the ones to take the place of the squad to finish off the Darkspawn in the ruins. They put on their packs and headed towards the dilapidated tower.

The air heavy with the tension of their impending task. The ruins of the tower loomed ahead, its stone structure partially collapsed, creating jagged edges where the walls had crumbled away. The once-mighty structure now stood as a testament to the violence that had ravaged the land. Despite the silence that surrounded them, there was an underlying hum of anticipation among the group.

Artemis moved at the front, her silver hair catching the soft rays of the early afternoon sun as she led the way. Her gaze never strayed far from the ruins; she could almost feel the remnants of Darkspawn lurking within. A quiet confidence radiated from her, but the weight of responsibility lay heavy on her shoulders. As the leader of the group, it was her duty to ensure they all came back alive.

Behind her, Astarion's sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, ever watchful. He walked with an effortless grace, his cloak billowing behind him like a shadow in motion. His mind was already considering the tactics they would need once they reached the ruins. Despite his usual playful demeanor, there was a focus about him now—this was not a time for jokes.

Shadowheart, her steps quiet, moved to Artemis’s side, her sharp eyes studying the terrain ahead. Her hand occasionally brushed the holy symbol of Selune at her neck, a reminder of the path she walked. The wind tugged at her light cloak, but she seemed unfazed by it. Her thoughts were likely on the upcoming battle, and though her healing magic would prove invaluable, she never underestimated the danger they faced.

Gale walked with his staff in hand, his fingers lightly gripping the shaft as the magic hummed around it. Every now and then, a flash of lightning danced along the metal tip, crackling with energy. He seemed both focused and somewhat distant, his mind likely calculating the most efficient way to utilize his magic.

As a scholar, Gale's calm demeanor could almost be seen as reassuring, though there was no mistaking the sharp intelligence in his eyes. His presence added a touch of gravity to the group, and his expertise in the arcane would prove essential.

Liana walked close to Gale, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, her eyes trained on the ruins as well. She was no stranger to the weight of leadership, though it wasn't the same as Artemis’s.

Her mind was sharp, and her training as a warrior was evident in the way she moved—deliberate, calculated. Still, there was a gentleness about her, and Artemis had always respected the balance Liana carried within her.

Zevran trailed behind them, his usual carefree smile replaced by an intensity that mirrored the others. He’d been through more than his fair share of battles, but there was always a thrill in the air when hunting the Darkspawn. He was a master of the blade, his every step a fluid motion of grace.

His sharp eyes flickered over the group, taking in their expressions, before settling once more on the ruins ahead. His hand twitched at his side, his fingers lightly brushing the hilt of his dagger.

Alistair brought up the rear, his bulky form less subtle but just as important. The broad-shouldered warrior exuded a quiet strength, and despite his sometimes-bumbling nature, his loyalty to the cause was unquestionable.

His heavy armor creaked with each step, but he moved with purpose, his sword ready at his side. He shot occasional glances toward the others, offering a comforting presence even if he rarely spoke up.

"We make quick work of this, and we return before sundown," Artemis muttered, more to herself than anyone else. Her voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that spoke of her determination.

"Stay alert. The Darkspawn have a tendency to spring surprises."

Zevran shot her a smirk.

"Oh, don't worry, my dear. I’m always alert. But I’d prefer the surprises to be something a bit... more pleasant."

"Focus, Zevran," Alistair growled, not unkindly.

"We don't want to end up like last time."

Zevran chuckled, the sound low and mischievous.

"Relax, my friend. I'm always at my best when there's danger afoot."

Gale, still twirling his staff with practiced ease, added,

"Danger can be managed with the right spells. I trust you all to do your part. I’ll make sure we have ample protection from the elements and any... unwelcome guests inside the ruins."

Liana nodded in agreement, though she shot a glance toward Gale.

"I’ll leave the magic to you, wizard. I’ll keep my blade sharp for the Darkspawn. And Shadowheart, you know what to do if things get too... chaotic."

The Cleric gave a nod, her face impassive but her mind clearly already anticipating the needs of the battle ahead.

"I will be ready. Healing when needed, or striking when it calls for it."

Artemis stopped just before the entrance to the tower ruins. The doorway was partially blocked by rubble, and the air was thick with the scent of decay.

"This is it." She said, her voice low but carrying the authority of someone who had long been accustomed to leading. She turned toward the group, meeting each of their eyes.

"Let’s do this quickly, and let’s do it right."

Astarion cracked a grin, his teeth gleaming in the sunlight.

"Shall we then, darling? After you."

With that, Artemis nodded and stepped forward, leading the group into the ruins. The weight of the moment hung in the air as they crossed the threshold, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the dust and stone.

Artemis ducked under the rubble, sliding into the ruins through the narrow entrance, Astarion followed, then Liana, then Shadowheart, then Gale, then Zevran, then Alistair.

"Not the tightest hole I've squeezed into." Zevran commented with snark. Liana groaned in response with Alistair.

"Now is not the time for crude comments." Alistair barked.

When they managed to get through the narrow entrance of the ruins, they lit torches and headed deeper into the darkness. The smell of decay overpowering, it was sickening. And the sounds were deafening to their ears.

"They are definitely here." Alistair murmured, his voice just above a whisper.

"Keep your eyes sharp, these creatures love dark corners. Perfect ambushes." Liana warned the group. Water dripped from the crumbling ceiling, leaving droplets on their armor and robes.

Astarion was on high alert, his crimson eyes were fixated on every corner, every shadow. His longsword in hand, his daggers on his belt, ready to be used if he was unarmed. His fey ancestry and vampiric nature allowed him to see far ahead into the darkness. Artemis only saw half the distance he did.

Shadowheart had a shield ward ready in case Darkspawn started jumping from the shadows. Her green flecked eyes watched carefully. Gale was hyper focused on every shadow that dared move.

Liana's steps were deliberate and focused, her sword and shield ready in hand. Zevran's steps were as graceful as a feline as he walked with caution.

Alistair held his sword close, his heavy armor clanked with his fluid movements, he'd point his sword in the direction of any noise, his grip tightening.

The distance growls of Darkspawn grew louder with each step.

"We're getting close." Liana whispered. The group was cautious as they found themselves in a large room. What caught their attention was the Darkspawn, they had found them.

That wasn't all though, shadow monsters, corrupted shades, and a dark figure cloaked in black were also present.

"Those look the creatures from the Shadowlands, no?" Gale said, stunned.

"They are, what in hells are they doing here?" Shadowheart snarled, they readied their weapons when the shadow figure turned.

"I should have known necromancy was present." Gale said, narrowing his eyes. It wasn't long after that comment that the battle commenced.

Liana was the first to strike, she knocked an arrow and released it with deadeye precision. She killed a Darkspawn immediately. Then it was Zevran's turn, his movements were graceful as he danced across the floor, killing two Darkspawns.

Astarion was even more graceful with a flick of his wrist and a swish of dramatic flair, he released a well précised fireball. It exploded on impact, killing two shades and one shadow creature.

Gale manifested the weave in the palm of his hands, he pulled lightening from his palm and stretched it out before hurdling a witch bolt in the direction of the cloaked figure. It was direct hit.

Artemis was gracefully gliding across the floor with her longsword, her motions were elegant and precise. She cut through a lot of the Darkspawn with ease. She whipped around and with a quick flick of her wrist released a deadly hellish rebuke, killing two more shadow creatures.

She hadn't done her braids today, so her silver hair was loose and swayed with every movement. Making her look elegant while her touch was deadly.

Alistair cut through the Darkspawn with ease, only a few remained. Things were looking up for them, until it wasn't.

As the battle raged on, a sudden piercing shrill sliced through the air- Astarion had heard that sound only once before, and it chilled him to the bone. He whipped around so fast it almost seemed like a magician's trick.

"Artemis!" Astarion wailed, his voice cracked. His crimson eyes locking onto his betrothed, who shrank to her knees while clutching her abdomen in apparent agony. Her face contorted with pain. Time seemed to slow as he rushed toward her, but then-suddenly-her body erupted into a sickly, bright green light. Magic surged around her, forming a blinding necrotic ball that floated her inches above the ground. Her arms sprawled outward, her sword slipping from her grip and clattering to the floor.

Astarion was mortified as dread washed over him. The source of the magic was clear: the cloaked figure standing in the distance, casting the spell that was twisting Artemis's very essence, but his focus was solely on her.

Then Artemis dropped to her knees, Astarion ran over to her. His hands gripping her armored shoulders.

"Arty?" He said, his voice strained with panic. Artemis sat there for several moments before slowly, unnaturally turned her head to look up at him. Her eyes-her beautiful ruby eyes-were still hers, but there was something else behind them. Something diabolical. Astarion got an unsettling feeling.

"My love?" Astarion's voice was trembling now, his breath shallow. A smile creeped onto her lips, it wasn't the smile he knew, it was malicious. When Artemis rose to her feet slowly, Astarion instinctively took a step back, a cold shiver crawling down his spine.

The rest of the group watched from the sidelines, equally horrified.

"That isn't normal." Gale's voice, though calm carried an unsettling note of fear "It's unnatural." He added, his words barely above a whisper.

"Artemis?" Astarion called his lover's name again, she only looked at him with a wicked look. Shadowheart was the first to recognize the magic.

"Astarion!" Shadowheart's voice cut through the tension like a knife, the elf turned, so he didn't noticed Artemis pick up her sword.

"She's possessed! Get out of there! Now!" Shadowheart screamed distressed. Astarion turned just in time to see Artemis swinging her sword toward him with terrifying speed.

"Shit." Astarion said as his ears bent downward.

Artemis's face was contorted with fury and her teeth bared like a wild animal as she attacked him ferociously, he managed to block her attacks with his own sword.

"Moonflower! It's me!" Astarion wailed, Artemis's attacks didn't lighten up, instead they became more vicious.

"Artemis, please..." Astarion pleaded with her, but she just continued to fight him wildly.

He barely had time to react, raising his blade to deflect her strikes. The force of her blows left him scrambling to keep his footing, but there was no hesitation in her attacks-each strike was fueled by something vicious. Something out of her control.

"Artemis, stop! It's me!" Astarion's voice cracked, desperate. He wanted to reach her, to break through whatever had overtaken her, but the fire in her eyes only intensified.

"Artemis, please!" He begged, his words strained and frantic. "I don't want to hurt you!"

Artemis's attacks only grew more savage, the magic surrounding her flaring as if the very air itself had turned against him. Astarion knew he couldn't block her forever.

"Astarion, get away from her!" Liana shouted, her voice edged with panic, but Astarion's gaze never wavered from Artemis.

The battle continued to rage around them, but all Astarion could hear was the ringing clash of swords and Artemis's animalistic growls. He could barely hold back the tears threatening to spill as he fought to protect the woman he loved.

"We have to do something!" Shadowheart screamed, her voice ripped through her throat desperately, she was scared, no she was petrified.

"What do we do?!" Zevran asked, he was just as terrified.

"Astarion can't block forever, we need to get him away from Artemis." Gale explained frantically, trying to figure out a quick solution- he needed it right now. His intelligent brain struggled to process any good solution.

"Hurry!" Alistair wailed in a panic as he fought off the last of the Darkspawn.

Artemis's strikes didn't light up, her body didn't tire. She just continued brutal strike after brutal strike. It was agonizing for Astarion, not only physically, but mentally.

He had playfully sparred with Artemis in the past and he's seen her on the battlefield, but never imagined he'd have to fight her for real. She was lost; she was a lack of better words, a monster. Magic continued to swirl around her.

Astarion's mind swimmed with the nightmare's message. Cazador was right, Astarion had become a slave, a slave of agony. Losing his betrothed would be the worst possible fate of them all. Tears streamed down his face.

He was breathless as he blocked her attacks, her eyes were crazed with rage as she attacked Astarion ruthlessly. He struggled to keep up now, he was waning, and it was obvious.

"Baby, please." Astarion's voice was a whisper, tears fell freely from his eyes. Only he hadn't become the monster, his beloved had. That fate had seemed even more twisted. It was cruel. Astarion's undead heart was shattered.

"ARTEMIS! PLEASE!" His voice was raw and full of anguish, tears poured from his eyes, he wanted desperately to get into her head, to find his moonflower. He knew she was still in there.

"I have an idea!" Gale finally declared, he dashed towards the two elves. Gale's hands illuminated with the weave, and he unleashed his spell, Artemis's attacks stopped, she stopped. She growled viciously in place, Gale had casted 'hold person' it seems she wasn't resistant to it.

The others charged in, Gale casted silence then, the dark cloaked figure was clearly a mage. He couldn't cast anymore. They unleashed hell upon him. Fireballs, swords, and magic missile all in unison.

He fell dead, crumbling into a cloud of green ash. As soon as his life force dissipated. So did his hold on Artemis. Her shoulders relaxed and she blinked a few times to regain her lost vision. She was in a haze of dark.

She looked around, trying to figure out what had just happened,

"Moonflower?" Astarion said with caution as he approached his betrothed, she held her head.

"Urgh... what happened?" Artemis rasped, her voice raw but unmistakably her own, though there was a slight disorientation in her tone. Her ruby eyes, once clouded with the possession, now gleamed with clarity as she looked around, taking in the familiar faces surrounding her.

"It worked," Gale exhaled with palpable relief, his shoulders sagging. He released the hold person spell that had kept her from causing further harm, he took a step back, giving the group a moment to process what had just occurred. Astarion didn’t hesitate. He rushed forward and enveloped her in his arms, pulling her close, his entire body shaking with the intensity of his emotions.

"Thank the gods, you're back!" His voice cracked, thick with raw relief, as he held her tightly, as though afraid she might vanish again the moment he let go.

Artemis, still dazed but already regaining her senses, leaned into his embrace, her mind racing to catch up with everything that had happened.

"Astarion..." She whispered, as if saying his name would ground her further.

"Shh." He murmured, brushing a hand through her hair as he buried his face in her shoulder.

"I thought I lost you." He said softly, a tremor in his voice betraying how close he had been to breaking. His grip on her tightened, as though he never wanted to let go.

The others watched, their faces a mixture of relief and concern, but it was clear that Artemis was no longer the person they had been fighting moments prior—she was herself again, whole and present.

"We’ll need to make sure the magic’s fully gone," Gale said quietly, but the weight of the moment was heavy in the air, and his words barely cut through the embrace that seemed to stretch between Artemis and Astarion. For now, they had what they needed... each other.

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