Chapter Text
"Are you sure about this?" the Emperor asked as I transcribed the scroll into my spell book, making use of the last rays of light as the sun went down.
I had hoped to rest, but then I remembered the Crown. It was somewhere in the Chiontar, and I couldn't leave it there for someone to try creating another Absolute.
The city was still burning, and people were still fighting, but Sorcerous Sundries had been open---likely to provide supplies to the defending force---and I had bought the scroll of Water Breathing.
We were sitting at the dock, still disguised as our elven forms, and while I concentrated on copying the words and diagrams, the Emperor watched the area for anyone who could get in the way.
"Taking hold of that Crown will attract the attention of gods," he insisted.
"I know," I said after writing the last word. I stood, used the necessary components, and granted us both the ability to breathe under water. "But I don't intend to become a goddess." At least not yet. "They should leave me alone until that changes."
"And what will you do with that power?" the Emperor asked as we jumped into the water, dismissing our disguises in favour of better mobility.
Swimming as an illithid was more pleasant than I had anticipated.
First, I will need to understand it, I said, trying to focus. So I will keep it safe while I research.
You know, illithid culture rejects arcane studies, he continued. Once renegades hear about you, it is likely they will come after you as well.
Whether they come as friends or foes, I will treat them accordingly. At the very least, meeting other free illithids would be an interesting experience.
The deeper we went, the stranger it became. I had prepared a ring of Light for when the darkness proved a problem, but as the sunlight faded, I discovered another way to see: temperature.
It was an experience like no other, if a little disorientating at first, and my fascination with my new nature only grew. I was so much better than I had ever been, and I wouldn't give it up for anything!
Gratefulness flowed from me without my control, and I felt the warmth from the Emperor when he received my message. He was happy to be appreciated.
And his happiness was exhilarating. I had to make an effort not to lose myself in my emotions.
Animals avoided us, but patrolling sahuagin came to investigate as we descended. They were just as vicious as one would expect, but aside from my lack of experience fighting underwater, they were not a challenge.
After defeating another small group of sahuagin, at last, we reached the source of the magic I had been tracking. Since both the Netherstones and Crown had fallen into the river, all I had to guide me was Detect Magic. Unfortunately, another group of sahuagin was investigating it.
It was a horrible fight. They had clerics and sorcerers among the fighters, but we could dominate their minds and slowly turn the tide.
You are truly a wonder, the Emperor said after the sahuagin were killed, some having become our food. The way you manipulate psionic power and arcane magic, alternating between them effortlessly, is... fascinating.
His compliment, along with the rush of raw admiration, pride, and arousal took my head for a spin. For a moment, I couldn't think or move. I was a vessel for emotions burning my body from within.
Forgive me, the Emperor said, running a tentacle delicately on my face while he anchored me, holding my arm tightly. Your performance is so outstanding I forget you are a newborn. Take a deep breath and focus on the water touching your skin. Do not fight your feelings. Let them flow through you. I am here with you. I will not judge you or your emotions. I followed his guidance and soon, I was calm and focused on our task once again. Well done. And he almost ruined it all, but his amusement at my imbalance made me appreciative instead of overwhelmed.
Thank you, I said, entwining a tentacle with his. You are a wonderful mentor.
His tentacle caressed mine and let go. I shook myself out of the desire to continue and looked at the dead sahuagin around us, which helped me focus.
I checked the corpses for useful items and found two of the Netherstones, indicating they had been searching for a while. Or maybe they just got lucky. When I reached one of the pieces of the Crown, I understood their reluctance to get closer. That thing was emanating a powerful aura, and it wasn't pleasant either. But I needed it, and I collected it.
This object had been the source of every change in my recent life. The very powers I had were enhanced versions thanks to it. I could do so much with it. I could start a whole new breed of illithids! I probably already could, but the Crown would ensure their power.
The Emperor's interest grew and I had trouble maintaining my focus---my composure---but I succeeded. Before I could do anything, I needed the other parts; I couldn't afford distractions now.
Now that I had one of the parts of the Crown and two Netherstones, I no longer needed Detect Magic to guide me. I could follow the items' desire to reunite. And what a pull it was! It could not be ignored.
Unfortunately, the remaining items were in opposite directions, which made me uncomfortable the entire time I was heading towards one of them. But there was one good side to this: it didn't allow me to be distracted by any other thoughts or desires beyond collecting the pieces.
The final Netherstone had gotten stuck deep within a crevice, but I managed to pull it out with some magic. The Crown's pieces, however, were moving towards me. That very likely meant something or someone had gotten hold of it.
Unsure of what else we could find in the bottom of a river that was supposed to be safe for travel and trade, we hid behind a large rock among thick algae. It would do nothing if whoever approached could see temperature, but it would at least serve as a barrier.
It wasn't long before the bearers of the Crown's parts appeared. Merfolk.
I thought stories of them in the Chiontar were just that, stories. But as the small group approached, bathed in light cast by an orb one of them carried, they completely blinded me for a moment. The good thing was that if they needed light, they didn't know exactly where I was, even if they were being guided by the Crown's parts. If I stayed where I was, they probably wouldn't even know I was there.
Merfolk culture was unknown to me, but it was probably safe to believe they hated illithids--any intelligent being who knew about illithids should at the very least fear them--so I disguised us once again, assuming our elven shapes.
They were getting closer, and as soon as I made myself known, they stopped. Understandably, they were wary, but they didn't attack on sight.
The Emperor remained hidden as I talked to them, just in case something went wrong.
They had come to investigate the explosion and found the pieces of the Crown, but also had to fight many sahuagin in the way. It was strange that so many sea devils were in the area, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Absolute had played a hand in it too.
Convincing them to release the piece to me was way more difficult than I had expected, however. Their leader thought bringing this back to their city would gain them favour and help in their conflict against a people I didn't quite catch the name. I probably could have offered to help them with that, but I needed to take some time for myself before I got into other people's fights. So I did the next best thing, and promised that I'd help if they still needed me in the future.
While they returned to their people, the Emperor and I returned to the surface. I had no idea how I would fix this Crown, but at least it was now safe with us.