Zeus’s gaze snapped to the Moonrise Towers, and in an instant, the fiery red glow from within him transformed into an ominous, ethereal blue. His entire being radiated with a surge of immense arcane power, so overwhelming that Gale, stood transfixed, eyes wide as he felt the raw magic pulsing through the air.
A low hum vibrated through the ground, building as Zeus raised his hand. A shimmering blue barrier, thick and crackling with energy, enveloped the party just in time. From the distant towers, massive bolts, each as large as a full-grown man, began to rain down on them, slamming into the barrier with enough force to shake the earth. The sound was deafening, a deep thrum echoing through the ravaged battlefield. Despite the impact the magical shield, but it held strong—for now.
"Gale!" Zeus’s voice boomed above the chaos, his command sharp and urgent. "Cast Dimension Door and get everyone out of here!"
Gale, still in awe of the power swirling around Zeus, snapped to action. Zeus's gaze was fixed on the towers ,on Ketheric Thorm, standing on a high balcony, his cold eyes locked on them with a twisted smirk. The general casually walked to one of the massive arbalests.
Ketheric’s gauntleted hand brushed the next arrow, and a sickly, green miasma seeped from his touch, wrapping around the bolt like a living curse. The air seemed to shudder as the bolt was loaded. When it fired, it tore through the sky with unnatural speed, its sickening green fumes spreading in its wake like the breath of death itself. It smashed into the barrier, and this time, cracks exploded across the surface like a spiderweb, the green fumes eating away at the shield with terrifying speed.
Ketheric calmly repeated the process, infusing more bolts with the same cursed energy. The barrier, weakened, shuddered under the relentless assault. There was no time.
Zeus turned back just as Gale cast Dimension Door, his hands weaving the intricate spell as the rest of the party disappeared one by one, slipping into the shimmering portal.
"Halsin, take the echo of Thaniel and run!" Zeus ordered, his voice thick with urgency. The druid, still in his fire elemental form, nodded grimly, cradling the boy in his flaming arms as he leapt toward the portal. The heat from his body scorched the air as he vanished from sight.
The arcane door flickered as more bolts continued to rain down, more and more cracks appearing across the barrier. The cursed bolts that struck the ground around them, caused the earth itself to blacken and crumble. Stone cracked, turning to ash. Even the corrupted vegetation that had thrived in the cursed mist withered, disintegrating into nothingness as the bolt’s poison spread like rot through the land.
Zeus!" Gale's voice broke through the chaos. "Hurry!"
Zeus phased out, appearing beside Gale in a blink. Together, they stepped into the portal just as the final wave of bolts crashed down. The barrier shattered like glass behind them, and the world seemed to tremble at the release of pent-up magic. For a split second, time stood still—then the ground where they had stood moments ago was consumed by a sickly, green rot, dissolving everything it touched into a foul, smoldering muck.
On the distant balcony, Ketheric Thorm watched, his expression unreadable. His armored fist came down on the stone balustrade with a thunderous crack, splitting it in two. His lips curled into a deep scowl, the rage in his eyes barely contained as he turned to Radija, who stood beside him, trembling despite her stoic face.
Radija bowed deeply, her voice shaking as she spoke. "I… I’m sorry, my lord. We weren’t able to kill them."
Ketheric didn’t respond at first. His gaze remained fixed on the horizon, the place where the abomination and his companions had escaped. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice low and cold. "What of the vermin hiding at Last Light?"
Radija stiffened, her eyes wide. "We’ve already sent an envoy to slaughter everyone inside," she answered quickly, her words rushed as if hoping to please him.
Ketheric’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "Everyone?" The word was laced with quiet menace, his armored fingers scraping against the broken stone, the sound making Radija’s blood run cold.
She swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "Of course, we’ve ordered them to capture the woman with silver hair… unharmed."
Ketheric’s piercing gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, then he nodded once, turning his back on her without another word. His heavy footsteps echoed as he walked back inside the tower, the oppressive weight of his presence finally lifting. Radija waited, frozen in place, until she was sure he was gone. Only then did she dare to breathe again, her heart pounding in her chest.
Since her lord had emerged from his chamber, something had shifted within him—something darker, more terrifying than before. Every time she stood near him, it was as if her very soul was being smothered by his presence. There was a coldness in him now, deeper than she had ever felt. And it frightened her to her core even as a fellow follower of Myrkul, the god of death and decay.
As she stood alone on the balcony, watching the last remnants of the barrier fade into nothingness, Radija couldn’t help but wonder if the terror she felt around Ketheric was just the beginning.
_______
Gale and Zeus stumbled out of the shimmering portal, their steps unsteady as they barely escaped the onslaught. The moment they crossed the threshold, the portal behind them flickered and collapsed into nothingness with a faint pop, as if their very survival had been a close gamble.
“That was too close,” Karlach muttered, leaning heavily against the rough stone wall of the secret chamber. She wiped the sweat from her brow, her fiery red skin shimmering slightly from the exertion of the fight.
They had made it to the secret chamber beneath the mason’s guild—safe for now. A silence fell over the group, interrupted only by their ragged breathing as they gathered their bearings.
Zeus sat against the wall, his broad shoulders hunched and his head hanging low. He wasn’t one to show fatigue, but now he quickly needed to recover for what was about to happen. Wyll, sitting nearby, glanced at him with a mix of admiration and self-doubt.
“If Zeus hadn’t raised that barrier, we’d all be dead,” Wyll said quietly, his voice tinged with a bit of defeat. His sword lay across his knees, gleaming faintly in the dim light, but there was a weight in his tone, like the burden of survival weighed too heavily on his heart.
Karlach, always the one to sense when spirits were low, reached over and patted Wyll on the shoulder, her touch warm and grounding. “Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself, Blade of Frontiers. You fought well.”
“It was inevitable,” Halsin said, his voice a calm, steady presence. He had returned to his elf form, the heat of his fire ,dissipated. “We were in proximity to the tower. They had a clear view on us from their position. Our battle must have alerted them.”
The boy—Thaniel’s echo—stood off to the side, looking small and fragile in the wake of everything that had happened. His eyes, filled with sadness and guilt, darted between the group, his voice barely a whisper when he spoke. “I’m sorry. This was my fault.”
Halsin’s large hand came down softly on the boy’s head, ruffling his hair with the tenderness of a father. “It wasn’t your fault. The curse clouded your mind. You were lost.”
Zeus raised his gaze. “Do you have a name, boy?” he asked, his voice softer than usual.
The boy blinked, a flicker of a smile playing at his lips. “My name is Oliver,” he said, smiling at Zeus with a newfound brightness in his eyes.
“Oliver,” Zeus echoed, leaning forward slightly. “Take what happened as a lesson—don’t let your desires control you. Or at least be aware of them.” His words were stern but layered with an odd sense of irony, given the hidden desires Zeus himself was struggling with—the secrets he hadn’t shared with his companions, the ones that made him feel like a hypocrite even as he gave this advice.
Oliver nodded, his smile faltering as the weight of his actions settled in, but the boy seemed lighter now, less burdened by the curse that had held him captive for so long.
“Rest for a few minutes,” Zeus ordered quietly. “We’ll leave soon.”
The room fell into a more relaxed silence, though tension still lingered. Gale turned his attention to Astarion, eyes narrowing with curiosity. “Astarion,” he began cautiously, “didn’t Zeus remove your tadpole?”
Astarion, lounging with an air of detachment, arched a perfectly manicured eyebrow. “Yes, he did. Why are you asking?”
Gale’s gaze lingered on him, puzzled. “Because I remember you saying the tadpole somehow allowed you to stand in the sun without bursting into flames. Yet here you are, very much not on fire during our journey in daylight.”
Astarion’s expression softened into a sly smirk. “Ah, so you’ve noticed.” He stretched languidly, the movement graceful as ever. “It seems my new powers allow me to walk in the sun, though there’s a slight strain. Still, no complaints.” His eyes sparkled with amusement. “But tell me, Gale, you seemed surprisingly... agile in our last fight. You struck me as more of a bookworm than a brawler.”
Gale chuckled, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “I’m, too, full of surprises, it seems. It’s a secondary effect of the tome I possess. It allows me to gain some of the skills of the person I commute with—and they gain some of mine.” He glanced at Wyll, seeking confirmation. “Isn’t that right, Wyll?”
Wyll raised a tired but amused hand, giving Gale a thumbs-up. “I did feel a bit smarter swinging my blade,” he admitted, causing a ripple of laughter to spread through the group.
Lae’zel, standing off to the side, chimed in, her sharp gaze flicking between them. “Shadowheart’s abilities allow her to weave different spells together. That’s something I noticed.”
Shadowheart blinked in surprise at Lae’zel’s observation. “She’s right,” Shadowheart admitted. “But there are limits. I can only combine low-level spells for now—cantrips and levels one or two. But I was able to imbue Turn Undead with fire, which… was unexpected.”
Gale nodded, his curiosity piqued. “That’s remarkable. The possibilities for that could be endless.”
The conversation quieted for a moment, each member of the group reflecting on the rapid growth of their powers. Gale couldn’t help but shudder as his thoughts turned to Minthara. Her power had immense potential , and he dreaded to imagine what she might become if she learned to fully wield it.
Alex, grinning from the side, added, “I bet Karlach will turn into a dragon at this rate. I mean, look at her—she’s already got scale patches.” His voice held a teasing lilt, but there was truth in his words. He didn’t expect such a transformation to come so soon, but the way Karlach’s draconic characteristics had emerged hinted at something far greater.
Karlach’s eyes brightened at the thought. “Well, when Zeus entered my mind, I had ethereal dragon wings, so who knows? It could be possible one day.” She smiled warmly, her voice softer. “Just imagine—Wyll in my arms, flying across the blue sky.”
Wyll, his voice tender, reached out and placed a comforting hand on hers. “That sounds beautiful,” he said, his eyes soft with affection.
“Or,” Astarion cut in, his voice dripping with mischief, “she’d eat you.”
A series of glares turned on him, but Astarion merely shrugged, unapologetic as ever. A few chuckles followed, the tension breaking just slightly.
"What was Ketheric up to? That wasn’t just an ordinary volley of arrows. There was something… darker about them."Wyll asked as he turned to Zeus.
"Ketheric’s powers have become stronger . I sensed corruption lacing those arrows—necrotic energy infused with strong curses. If they had broken through, it wouldn’t have just killed us. It would have turned us into something worse."
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
“Like the undead we just fought?” Shadowheart asked, her brow furrowing in concern. She wrapped her arms around herself, as if the thought alone made her cold. "Better to become a pile of ash than become a shambling corpse." She muttered to herself.
"Exactly," Zeus replied, his voice low. "That’s why I had Gale get us out. We couldn’t risk a direct confrontation… not yet. We were at huge disadvantage."
As Karlach's tail flicked, her gaze grew more intense, her voice carrying the weight of their inevitable clash with Ketheric. “We can’t avoid him forever, though. At some point, we’ll have to face him—and I’d prefer it sooner rather than later. I can't wait to find that bastard Balthazar and finally rid Ketheric of his immortality.”
Lae'zel’s arms crossed tightly over her chest, her ever-sharp voice cutting through the room like steel. “And before this place gets swarmed with githyanki. We must move quickly.”
The reminder of the corpse in the hut—a fresh kill, the blood still pooling beneath its lifeless body—flashed through their minds.
Astarion’s lip curled in disdain. “Do we really still need the Astral Prism now? We’re no longer in danger of turning into mind flayers, and that cursed guardian nearly let us become one anyway.” The resentment was still raw in his voice; Astarion wasn’t the type to forgive easily, and the grudge against the guardian lingered like a festering wound.
Zeus, with his calm yet firm tone, explained the situation. “Even if it no longer threatens us directly, we can’t allow the Astral Prism to fall into Vlaakith’s hands. Whatever she plans, it could be worse than anything we’ve faced so far. And I suspect the prism is still bound to Shadowheart.”
Shadowheart looked up, her brow furrowed as she considered the connection. “Could you absorb it? Or use the power of the orb to manipulate it somehow?”
Zeus shook his head. “The prism likely has fail-safes. It’s too risky to attempt anything with it now. We’d need time and a safer place to try.”
Understanding flickered in Shadowheart’s eyes, and she nodded, accepting the caution.
The conversation shifted as Alex spoke up, admiration in his voice. "Halsin, you were incredible on the battlefield."
Halsin’s smile was warm, his humility shining through. “Just a small trick of mine.”
Astarion scoffed from his perch in the corner, rolling his eyes. “Turning into a massive fire elemental is hardly what I’d call a ‘small trick,’ Halsin.”
Oliver frowned hearing Astraion's words . “He’s just trying to be modest. Right, Halsin?”
Halsin chuckled, his eyes twinkling with warmth. “Endless effort, endless humility, endless modesty.”
As they shared a moment of levity, Karlach’s eyes fell on Minthara, who had been unusually quiet throughout the conversation. Karlach’s voice softened with kindness. “Minthara, don’t let this get to you. Your ability is powerful, just not the right match for fighting undead.”
Minthara’s stoic gaze softened slightly, though her voice remained firm. “I agree, Karlach. Abyssal Will is poorly suited for such foes, but it will prove its worth soon—when we face the Absolute’s forces.”
Everyone sprang to their feet as the ground trembled violently beneath them, the vibrations sending unsettling cracks through the stone floor before them. Weapons were drawn, and the air grew tense with anticipation. Shadows shifted as the tremors increased, the entire chamber rattling under the strain.
"Calm down," Zeus commanded, his voice carrying an unnatural stillness amidst the chaos. His tone had the effect of cutting through the rising panic, and the party slowly lowered their weapons, though their eyes remained wary.
Without further warning, the center of the floor gave way with a deafening crash, stones tumbling into a newly formed pit as something massive crawled from the depths. A low, rumbling growl filled the chamber as a colossal figure emerged from the rubble—a land shark, with dark blue scales glinting in the dim light, its form both fearsome and magnificent. The creature's jaws were wide, lined with rows of razor-sharp teeth, but it showed no hostility as Zeus strode toward it calmly.
"Bullet," Zeus murmured, placing a hand on the creature’s snout with familiarity and affection. The land shark let out a low, pleased rumble, its massive tail thudding rhythmically against the stone floor like a drumbeat. Each thump sent vibrations through the ground, but this time, they felt oddly comforting, like the beating of a heart, alive and reassuring.
Through their telepathic link, Zeus spoke with quiet authority. "Did everyone make it out safely?"
The response came from Bullet, the land shark's deep, rumbling voice filling Zeus’s mind. "Yes, Alex. They're waiting for you."
Zeus let out a small sigh of relief, patting Bullet’s head again. The others watched in a mix of awe and disbelief as this enormous creature, a symbol of destruction to most, acted with gentle obedience under Zeus’s hand.
"That land shark is like a puppy ." Shadowheart murmured to herself.
The tension in the room slowly dissipated as the danger passed, replaced by a moment of calm. Zeus’s presence had a way of doing that—commanding chaos into order, easing even the most volatile of situations.
“Bullet’s timing is impeccable,” Astarion said, his voice filled with sarcasm. “We could’ve used him a few moments ago.”
Zeus turned his gaze to him. “Maybe next time ."
As Zeus’s arms shifted, transforming into three-fingered hands with surprising grace, he deftly spun a silk rope from the tips of his fingers. The material gleamed in the low light, its surface shimmering like liquid silver as it coiled into the dark hole beneath them.
Zeus’s calm, steady voice instructed. “Grab the rope and descend. I’ll need to seal the entrance.”
Bullet, gave a low growl of acknowledgment and lumbered down into the depths, his massive form disappearing into the shadows of the hole. The ground shook slightly as he moved.
Wyll was the first to step forward. Without a word, he gripped the rope and began his descent, the rest of the party followed, one by one. Gale hesitated, eyeing the rope with apprehension.
"Are you sure this will hold us?" Gale asked, his brow furrowed, doubt creeping into his voice.
Zeus’s response was firm but gentle. “The rope is a hundred times stronger than steel of the same width. You’re safe.”
A small nod from Gale, and then he too began the descent, the rope humming under his weight as he disappeared into the darkness below.
Halsin crouched beside Oliver, the boy’s wide, fearful eyes reflecting the dim light. “It’s okay,” Halsin whispered, his deep, soothing voice wrapping around the boy like a warm blanket. He gave him a comforting hug, holding him just a moment longer before they both made their way down.
Zeus could feel the vibrations of the rope through his fingers, sensing the presence of each of his friends as they descended deeper into the earth. The vibrations soon stilled, signaling that they had all reached the bottom safely. With a quiet flick of his wrist, he reeled the rope back in, absorbing it into his form like it had never existed.
His body shifted again as two pairs of spider-like legs sprouted from his back. He anchored himself to the walls of the tunnel, his movements graceful and precise as he sealed the hole above . The stone heated up and melted, flowing gently before solidifying. .
Then, slowly, deliberately, Zeus descended into the blackness, the faint glow from his armor reflecting off the damp stone walls. The tunnel stretched downward, a yawning abyss, but he moved through it with the fluidity of a creature born for such depths.
As he neared the bottom, a soft glow greeted him—an orb of light floating above the heads of his companions, casting a warm halo in the otherwise oppressive dark. He gently landed beside them, his spider legs retracting back into his form with a soft shlurp. His fiery light pulsed brighter, the light peeking through the cracks in his armor, guiding them all.
"Follow me," Zeus commanded, his voice low but certain.
Together, they ventured into the tunnel’s depths, the flickering light from Zeus’s armor their beacon.
Shadowheart’s voice broke the silence, her words tense. “Wouldn’t be bad if the cultists found one of these tunnels?”
Zeus glanced back, his face unreadable but his voice steady. “They’re a maze. Even if they find one, it would take too much time for them to reach us. We’ll be long gone before that happens.”
The party walked in silence after that, the faint glow of light and the occasional scrape of boots against stone the only sounds to accompany them. After what felt like an eternity, the tunnel opened into a massive circular cavern. The walls were scarred with deep claw marks—signs that Bullet had recently dug it out. Orbs of light floated gently along the edges of the cavern, casting a soft, warm glow on the faces of those waiting within.
In the center sat Jaheira, Zevlor, and Isobel, hunched over a table strewn with maps and figures. Around them, a few Harpers sat in silence, their faces drawn with exhaustion but eyes sharp, ever vigilant. In the far corner, Alfira, Ellyka, Roland, Cal, and Lia whispered among themselves, their voices hushed with the weight of unspoken fears. The soft murmur of their words faded as Zeus’s party stepped into the cavern, all eyes turning toward them.
The first to speak was Jaheira. A cheeky smile curled at her lips, but the dark shadows under her eyes betrayed her exhaustion. She hadn’t slept since they arrived at the Last Light, Zeus knew. She had tried, but the Harpers needed her. If things went south, she needed to be ready.
“You appeared just in time, my favorite abomination,” she quipped, though her voice carried a weariness that words couldn’t hide. She waved for Zeus to come closer to the table. Maps sprawled before her, and small wooden pawns represented their forces, scattered like pieces in a deadly game of chess.
Zeus stepped forward, his presence commanding the room. His gaze swept over the crowd, taking in the faces of those gathered. Each man and woman, each different race, stood unflinching, determination etched into their features. They were tired, battered, but unbroken.
“The plan is fairly simple,” Zeus began, his voice echoing through the chamber, drawing every ear toward him. “Everyone except my party will remain here while we head to the Grand Mausoleum.”
A voice cut through the tense air, sharp and urgent. “We can help too!” A Harper stepped forward, his fists clenched.
Jaheira raised a hand, her expression softening with regret. “We lost some comrades in the fight before we reached the Last Light,” she explained. Her voice was low, and the sorrow in her eyes was evident.
Zeus’s gaze swept over them again, the weight of their loss heavy in the room. He could feel their pain, their desire for vengeance burning as fiercely as his own.
“The big fight is approaching fast. After Ketheric loses his immortality, I promise everyone here—you will have your revenge,” Zeus said, his deep voice reverberating through the stone walls. It wasn’t just a promise; it was a vow, etched in fire and fury.
The crowd seemed to shift, some of the tension easing from their shoulders. It wasn’t enough to heal the wounds, but it was a start—a glimmer of hope in the dark.
Before anyone could move, Zevlor’s voice broke through the calm. “Before we proceed, we have some questions.”
Zeus nodded, his face turning to him.
“If your land shark can dig so easily, why can’t you just order him to dig to the Towers and launch a surprise attack? We’re aware that Ketheric will try to stop us, but if we play our cards right, we could damage their chain of command,” Zevlor reasoned.
Zeus paused, letting the question hang in the air for a moment before responding. His voice was low, almost grim. “Digging to Moonrise Towers is out of the question.”
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
“There’s something massive beneath the Towers,” Zeus continued, his gaze growing darker. “Something that’s already been burrowing under the foundation of the tower and the area around it. I suspect it’s a mind worm.”
The air in the cavern shifted as the gravity of his words sank in. Faces paled, fear creeping into their expressions. Even Jaheira, always composed, looked taken aback.
Karlach broke the silence, her voice tight with unease. “Sorry to intervene, but… what exactly is a mind worm?”
Jaheira’s voice was steady, but the dread in her eyes was undeniable as she answered. “Mind worms… they are one of the deadliest creatures of illithid origin. Their psionic abilities are almost unmatched, able to resist mental attacks and spells. They can swallow creatures whole or send a blast of psionic energy that could wipe out an entire group. But their most terrifying ability is their probe worms—tiny constructs of psionic energy that can strike from any surface and, if unlucky, transport their victim straight into the mind worm’s stomach.”
The silence that followed was suffocating, the weight of Jaheira’s words crushing the room.
“My gods…” Wyll whispered, his voice barely audible.
The rest of the group stood in stunned silence, the reality of what they were up against settling heavily on their shoulders.
“Hells,” Karlach muttered, her fiery demeanor flickering. “Do we even have a chance against something like that?”
Isobel, her normally bright face now pale, spoke up, her voice trembling. “Then why are we standing here? Are we in danger of being attacked right now?”
Zeus met her eyes, his expression resolute. “For some reason, the creature hasn’t burrowed further. But just in case, Lump is standing guard, keeping watch near its territory.”
Zeus' gaze lingered on Isobel, noticing her pallor and the fear flickering in her eyes. His previous reassurance hadn’t been enough. He sighed, his voice heavy with grim reality as he spoke, "The surface isn’t safe anymore. Now that the curse is lifted, yes, our troops can move freely without the threat of corrupted creatures lurking in every shadow. But so can the enemy. They hold the advantage of numbers, and even as we speak, they might be sending an envoy to the Grand Mausoleum."
Isobel's lips parted, as if to protest, but her words faltered. Her eyes flickered with uncertainty before she nodded slowly, her silence more telling than any argument she might have made. She knew the weight of his words was undeniable.
A tiefling, his horns curled slightly back, stepped forward from the shadows, his voice filled with admiration and a hint of misplaced confidence. "But we have you," he said, eyes bright with hope. "A one-man army." The tiefling had witnessed firsthand the sheer destruction Zeus unleashed on the enemies who threatened the grove. To him, Zeus was invincible, capable of carving a path through any foe who dared stand in their way.
Zeus looked at the tiefling. He shook his head slowly, the fiery light glowing from his armor dimming just a touch as if reflecting his somber mood.
"It’s not that simple," Zeus began, his voice low and steady, but there was an edge of caution in his tone. "Ketheric will come the moment a large battle erupts. He won’t sit idly by while his forces are slaughtered. And when he does," he paused, meeting the tiefling’s gaze, "I’ll be locked in combat with him. Ketheric is no ordinary foe. He’s powerful, unpredictable. If we face him too soon, I won’t be able to protect you or anyone else. My focus will be entirely on him."
The room seemed to grow quieter, the flickering orbs of light casting long shadows along the cavern walls. The optimism that had sparked in the tiefling’s eyes slowly dimmed, replaced with a deeper understanding of the gravity of their situation. His shoulders sagged slightly as he realized the danger wasn’t something even a beeing like Zeus could entirely shield them from.
Zeus continued, his voice filled with a mix of resolve and warning. "This fight isn’t just about brute strength. Ketheric is playing a game of endurance, one we can’t win if we rely only on force. Every move, every step, has to be calculated. If we rush in... we’re all lost."
The tiefling swallowed hard, nodding slowly, the hope that once filled the room now tempered by the reality of what lay ahead
Jaheira, her voice carrying the steel of countless battles, stepped forward, her expression hardening. "Then we wait," she declared, her tone leaving no room for hesitation. She turned to the gathered comrades, her eyes sweeping across them with the commanding presence of a seasoned leader. "You heard him. Sharpen your blades and prepare your minds."
The weight of her words seemed to echo off the cavern walls, sinking into the hearts of those assembled.