The arrival of spring brings with it a flurry of butterflies, their colorful wings fluttering in the warm sunlight as they rejoice in Giakora's victory over winter. Eben watches with clenched teeth as nature's beauty plays out before him, the vibrant display of life a stark contrast to the turmoil churning inside him.

The fear of leaving Adder all alone grips Eben's heart, stealing his breath. He laughs at the ridiculousness of this all, despite the pain. Once fearless in the face of death, Eben now feels weakened by the weight of what he stands to lose.

Death is no longer an option, not when it means leaving Adder alone again. He must stay alive to protect those he loves, no matter the cost.

When it comes time to leave for the festival, both Helia and Adder squeeze him in a constricting hug. They don't say much, as nobody wants to cement their fates by saying goodbye...It doesn't matter anyway though—since they will all see each other at the festival one way or another.

So he mounts Fairy, dashing off towards the village. Eben has no desire to be there sooner than he needs to, but he knows he'll lose his nerve if he doesn't get there quickly. So the half-elf urges the dappled mare onward, crushing wildflowers under her hooves as they pelt through the woods toward their fate.

As Eben passes through the stone gates, his scowl deepens as he takes in the festive decorations of Nǣdre Tor for Koranelia. Pastel banners flutter in the breeze, flowers adorn every corner, and altars overflow with wine, pastries, and roasted meats.

It's a picturesque scene, with the jubilant rays of sunlight dancing among the ornamented streets, but it only serves to make the half-elf more enraged at the tastelessness of it all...two women were sentenced to die today, how could they decorate so gayly?

However, the crowds around him don't seem all that cheerful, either. Fear and desperation is palpable in the air, as if the villagers know this is a turning point for their home—once the madman used Adder against Daisy and Fern, there was no going back. Nobody would be safe.

The half-elf shifts uneasily in his saddle, the tension in the air only adding to his anxiety. Besides saving Adder, the whole town was at stake...If he failed, they were all doomed.

Thankfully, a familiar sound rings out above the worried murmurs of the crowd, ripping Eben from the vicious cycle of dread and fear.

"Eben!" A male voice calls out.

The half-elf turns his head towards the sound. Adler is waving, little Kora at his side. Eben makes his way to the pair, dismounting Fairy. "Adler, Kora, greetings."

"Hello, Eben." Adler greets solemnly.

"I didn't think I'd see you here, to be honest," Eben admits.

The artisan grits his teeth, eyes on the ground. "Attendance is mandatory. If we stayed home and anyone reported it to Sheppard..."

Adler doesn't finish, but the pinching of Kora's face tells the half-elf they both understand what could happen. Midnight mass had taught them both well the consequence of opposing the corrupt priest...Eben could only pray that Jacqueline wasn't being mistreated in Sheppard's clutches.

After stabling Fairy, the three head towards the celebration. A crowd has gathered in the center of town around an enormous Maypole bedecked in pastel pinks, greens, and yellows.

However, the sight of the Maypole seems to inspire fear rather than joy in the townsfolk, and as Eben gets closer, he soon understands why. Bile rushes up his throat as he spots, to his horror, Daisy and Fern tied to the base.

They look ragged—hair hanging limply over empty eyes as they slump weakly against their constraints. To his growing dread, the half-elf realizes that the women appear to have undergone a brutal beating, blue-black bruises mottling every visible inch of skin.

Even so, as both women tremble in pain and fear, their hands are tightly entwined. Eben thinks of Daisy's feelings for her friend. Did she ever get to confess?

The half-elf grits his teeth—It didn't matter, she would get another chance even if she didn't. Eben would make sure of that.

Suddenly, the worried murmurs of the crowd go silent as Sheppard makes his way to the front of the maypole, raising his hands.

"My loyal flock!" The man crows, "I welcome you to another beautiful Koranelia!"

The crowd cheers, but as Eben studies the faces of the group, he sees many fearful and blank faces.

Sheppard silences the crowd, raising his hand before continuing. "This celebration marks yet another year that Giakora has subdued death. Another year that Nǣdre Tor has persisted despite the attempts of the great deceiver to send us to ruin."

The man pauses, viridian eyes gleaming with an unsettling glee. "However just as life persists, so does death. It is a give-and-take that we all must learn to embrace. For that reason, we offer two women convicted of crimes against Nǣdre Tor to Goddess of spring."

Sheppard turns to face the crowd lifting both arms gleefully. "In doing so, we remind Giakora of her place beside her husband, and ourselves of the futility of struggling against the natural order. Rejoice, my children, for with death life begins anew!"

As the priest's words end, the villagers fall to their knees and cover their eyes at the sound of the church bells. Even Sheppard shuts his eyes, still grinning manically as he anticipates the arrival of Adder.

However, Eben's eyes remain open. As the sound of Adder grows nearer, the half-elf tenses.

It's time.

The villagers tremble and hold onto each other as Adder approaches the town square, Helia held securely in his arms. He sets the woman down in the crowd, turning his head towards Eben for a moment before approaching Sheppard.

The priest's unsettling grin grows as the gorgon approaches. "Adder, welcome to Koranelia."

Adder is tense, taking a moment to breathe deeply before he responds. "Hello, Father. What is it you require of me?"

"These women have transgressed against us, my child," Sheppard's voice dips into an uncanny pitch, hands clenched. "Do what you must; protect this village."

Adder pauses before he approaches the women. Both Daisy and Fern are quivering in their bindings, knuckles white as they hold onto each other tightly.

The gorgon grimaces at the display of fear, claws quietly attempting to untie their bindings without alerting the priest.

However, the vile man is not so easily tricked.

"Adder," Sheppard snarls, "I said do your job. Kill them, now."

The gorgon jumps at the command, hesitating for a moment before his face hardens. He tears the bindings off with a ripping sound, turning to face Sheppard.

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"My job," he snarls, "is to protect villagers, not kill them. I'm done being your pawn, Father."

Villagers gasp at the gorgon's defiance as Sheppard's face twists into an ugly mask of rage. "You dare, you beastly creature? How many died at your hand?! How many more would have, if it had not been for me?!"

Eben gasps as magic swirls in the air, goosebumps raising as he feels the malice and ill-intent emanating from Sheppard.

"You owe me, you monster!" Sheppard shouts.

Suddenly, the high pitch of Helia's voice rings out into the air. "We all know who the real monster is!"

Sheppard tenses at the sound of her voice. "Helia how—"

"How did you tell them I died, Sheppard? Did you really tell them my son killed me in a fit of rage?" Helia snarls, "You are nothing but a coward and a liar! Tell them what really happened to me, tell them what you really are!"

"Witchcraft!" Sheppard roars. "Echoes of the dead, be gone!"

Helia doesn't hesitate. Reaching from her bag, she launches a potion at the man. The glass breaks at his feet, causing him to cough and cover his mouth at the acidic fumes.

Taking his cue, Eben springs into action. His hand flies out as he casts the spell, thinking of thunder and lightning.

From his hand arcs a brilliant blue bolt of deadly electricity. The magic illuminates the panicked crowd as it crackles fierce and deadly, aiming straight for Sheppard's heart.

Villagers scream and run as the Sheppard dodges the attack. Before he can retaliate against the half-elf though, Adder takes the offensive by charging with fangs bared.

Adder attempts to sink his venomous fangs into Sheppard's shoulder but misses by a hair's width when the priest dodges to the side. Sheppard knocks the gorgon back with an invisible barrier, snarling with eyes wide open now.

Seeing an opportunity, Fern joins the battle astride the hulking form of Daisy. Daisy lunges for Sheppard's throat, sharp teeth snapping as she seeks blood.

Sheppard cries out as she rips a chunk of flesh from his arm, retaliating with a searing blast of fire to her snout. Fern seeks vengeance immediately, jumping from her friend's back to sink her fangs into Sheppard's shoulder.

Sheppard howls in pain, flinging the vampire away with a crackle of magic that sends everyone flying.

Eben is the only one still standing. He uses Sheppard's pause to launch another attack—This time he summons a fiery ball, launching it at the priest. It burns a bright green, flames crackling loudly as it sails through the air toward its target.

Once again though, the man is too quick, magically catching the projectile before extinguishing it in his fist.

"Enough!" Sheppard bellows, enraged.

The air shimmers, invisible tentacles seeming to coil around everyone. Eben's pulse quickens as he jolts fearfully from the sounds of distress from his companions.

He attempts to cast a spell to respond, but the constriction around his arms and legs causes him to panic. No matter how much he tries, his body can't help but seize fearfully as he's paralyzed completely.

Sheppard is panting, taking only a moment to catch his breath before he flicks his hand, telepathically dragging Eben forward. The half-elf struggles futilely in the grip, desperately attempting to break from the panic seizing his mind. But deep green eyes bore into hazel, instilling bone-deep dread.

The priest grabs Eben by the face, laughing. "You do one parlor trick and you think yourself ready to face me, whelp?"

Adder growls and thrashes where he's kept in a similar hold. "Let him go!"

Sheppard turns his face towards the gorgon, face morphing into a false look of sadness. He tuts, shaking his head. "And you, Adder, I'm so disappointed. I really thought I could raise a beast to ignore its baser instincts."

Sheppard cackles again, pulling the gorgon forward. "Well, It wasn't that much of a waste. I learned a lot from this little experiment—the next gorgon I hatch will be much more obedient, I hope."

The priest laughs harder as Adder's face morphs into horror at the confession. The man cups Adder's chin, grinning as he closes his eyes and rips the gorgon's blindfold off. "Before you die though, I have one more job for you."

Eben's heart drops into his stomach as his face is brought directly in front of Adder's. His lover fights against the hold with even more desperation, seeming to understand instantly what the priest intends. "Please, no!"

"I told you there would be consequences if you ever reverted to your monstrous ways. Now redemption is far beyond you or any of these creatures," Sheppard growls. "Your punishment will be petrifying every one of these vipers before your death."

Eben squeezes his eyes shut, hyperventilating as he tries digging for his powers once more. But they have fled at the most inopportune moment, leaving him absolutely defenseless against the disgusting man.

"Please don't make me do this," Adder sobs, "I love him."

"Why do you think he's going first?" Sheppard grins.

Eben hears Adder start to scream and thrash as the priest exerts his magic on the gorgon. The half-elf can only beg for forgiveness for his failure as he hears his lover cry out in anguish.

After a few moments filled with the sounds of struggle, Adder quiets down, only snuffling and whimpering now.

The sound of his dismay fills Eben's heart with a burning rage that simmers under his skin, but he doesn't have much time to contemplate his feelings as he feels the slimy force of Sheppard's magic intrude his body.

Eben screams as his eyes begin to burn and water—it feels as if someone is digging their fingernails under his eyelids trying to force them open.

Frantically he begs all the Gods he can name to come to his aid; Giakora, Morthall, Demeterra—he even makes a plea to the great deceiver—but nobody answers his desperate prayers.

His eyes are forced open—he gapes at the sea of deep vermilion that meets his gaze.

Adder is crying, tears pouring from brilliant, gold-flecked, ruby-red eyes.

It's beautiful, so beautiful that the half-elf smiles and laughs as tears drip down his cheeks.

Sheppard thought he was doing them such a cruelty—but here was Eben, dying while looking at the most wonderous thing in the world. As far as deaths go, it was a pretty pleasant way to go out.

He feels the petrification beginning in his extremities, slowly traveling up his arms and legs. But he doesn't flinch or resist anymore. He just focuses on his beloved gorgon, fear ebbing away.

"You're beautiful, Adder," He whispers.

Adder laughs, more tears running hot down his cheeks. "Don't say that. Don't say that while I kill you."

Eben smiles more. "It's true. I'm so glad we met."

Adder sobs harder, eyelids twitching as he attempts to close them once more. "I love you, Eben. I love you..."

The half-elf feels the scorching fire of his magic return. It seems to erupt from his chest before following a rapid ascent up to his throat. Eben screams as the curse around his neck seems to writhe and fight with his magic.

Trembling, Eben gazes downward to witness the tattooed snake coiling around his arms and legs—black scales now a shimmering golden hue.

The half-elf gasps, watching how as the winding lines travel across his skin, it reverses the petrification in a tingling motion. Adder watches as well, wet eyes aglow with wonder. His eyes dart to Eben's, confused.

But there's no chance to explain. Glancing over towards Sheppard, Eben notices the priest's head is cocked as he tries to understand what's happening. Thinking quickly, the half-elf comes up with a desperate plan.

"Your magic is too weak, bastard," Eben gloats. "You can't even make him open his eyes."

The priest tenses. "What do you speak of!? His eyes are open, foolish child!"

Eben laughs, trying to keep his anxiety out of his voice. "Then why do I still live? You are weak, Sheppard. Just a pathetic half-elf pretending to be a great man."

Catching on, Adder joins in. "He tells the truth. Helia has hardened me against your magic. You cannot make me open my eyes."

The constriction around Eben increases as the priest's rage grows. "You monsters! I will—"

"You'll do what?" Eben growls. "What can a pathetic half-breed pretending to be a human do to me?"

Sheppard opens his eyes. "I'll kill y—!"

The man gasps and stumbles back, magic falling away from Eben and Adder as green eyes meet the enraged carmine of Adder's irises. Immediately, the priest is casting spells to reverse the petrification, but it's too late.

Adder is snarling, pinning Sheppard's hands to the ground as he brings his face nose to nose with the man. Sheppard is struggling wildly, screaming and thrashing as stone creeps up his skin.

"No! Get off! Obey me! Get off!" Sheppard screeches pathetically.

Adder growls, claws piercing the thin skin of the man's face as the gorgon forces Sheppard jaw to face his.

The gorgon growls in a horrifically deep pitch that reverberates in the air menacingly. "Open your eyes, Father."

When the priest continues to struggle, Eben lends a helping hand. Sheppard screams and begs for mercy as his own wicked spell is used against him, eyes forced open.

"I'm not a monster, you are!" he raves, bloodshot eyes wide now. "Monsters! Monsters! Most—"

The priest goes silent as his tongue turns to stone.

Sheppard is dead.

Adder stays frozen, eyes still staring wide at the petrified man underneath him. He flinches as Eben approaches, covering his face and shrinking away.

"Don't—I'll—I'll hurt you I don't—"

Eben grips the gorgon's hand, squeezing gently. "You can't hurt me. Not anymore—look at me, Adder."

The gorgon hesitates for a moment before he obeys, hesitantly opening his eyes.

Eben gazes into the beautiful depths of the red-hued irises, smiling. "It's okay, it's okay. I'm here."

More tears spill from the gorgon's eyes. "I love you."

The half-elf wraps his arms around Adder's neck, pulling his lover into a passionate kiss before he replies. "I love you too."

Eben smiles as Adder wraps him in a tight hug, sobbing into his shoulder.

As tears trickle down Eben's cheeks, he realizes can never leave—he's grown too attached, bound to this man forever.

But it's not magic that binds him now.

The half-elf closes his eyes, hugging his lover tightly against his body.

It's something stronger.