Chapter Text
“This isn’t going to work”, Tav ‘said’ plainly.
The Emperor nodded, <I can see that. You’re scared of me, as if you were still viewing me through the eyes of a human>.
Tav looked over, his glowing burnt orange eyes glaring into violet. “It’s not that. I’m not scared of illithid, it’d be stupid to be scared of my own kind. I’m not even scared of being an illithid in body. I can deal with not being in the sun, the slimy skin, and even the brain-eating. But I’m scared of being illithid in behavior- like you”. Tav could feel the wave of concern coming off the Emperor as he slouched in position.
<Your mental state is going to greatly suffer if you pretend to be human yet>, the Emperor half-yelled. They continued, <It’s all within our nature->
Tav’s vocal cords trilled, almost in laughter as he straightened his back. “That’s the funny thing. It’s in your nature- anyone with a hint of telepathy can tell. But this whole time- this whole tenday, I’ve never felt half of the things you’ve said I’d feel. Superiority, the need for a thrall, kinship with others of your kind, dulled emotions, altered emotions and morality… all surprisingly absent. Some things are undeniably there but, even then, nowhere near your level. And do you remember the party? The secret one I held here.” He patted the roof of the Elfsong, where they were sitting. “You met Omeluum, I specifically introduced you to it myself. You saw how.. little of all those illithid-y things were there- and how little it presented them!”.
The Emperor paused, thinking for a moment, <Omeluum was affected by arcane magic. Its ceremorphosis was altered->.
Tav squinted, “So was mine. That Astral Tadpole was not unaltered”. “And speaking of- If Omeluum’s was so messed up by arcana, wouldn’t yours be too? During your little trip through your memories I saw you cast a spell on yourself”. The Emperor paused as Tav leaned back, “Look, my theory is that you and every other illithid and elder brain in the multiverse and beyond is in one big cult. When we’re connected to an elder, it programs some nasty stuff in your head. And when/if we get out, we have to essentially de-enthrall ourselves- like a human would have to. Omeluum’s done that already and you haven’t yet. I never had to- thanks to you, of course.”
The Emperor sighed, listening to the theory again. Tav turned his head to the other illithid, “But, theories aside, I know if I stay with you, you’re just going to drag me down with you. I know what your plans are- let me say my goodbyes to society and my old life, and then slowly wean me off of it like a babe to its mother’s teat. It’s not like you’re hiding it”.
The Emperor crossed their arms at the stupid neophyte, <You’ll soon find out how dangerous our instinct is. Especially as a newborn. And how it’s for your protection>.
“But isn’t there a way to do it that doesn’t turn me into Emperor 2, Arcana Boogaloo?”, Tav cooed.
<It is the most optimal path for an individual illithid>, the Emperor asserted.
“Tell that to the squid who ended up not only being given back to, but after they escaped again, ended up only advancing the plans of the very brain they despised so much~”, Tav retorted with a smile.
<We did defeat the Netherbrain in the end, and I stayed out of its grasp>, the Emperor said.
Tav’s trill-laugh went again “Oh I’m sorry- the moment I brought out that hammer you were next in line to rejoin the blasted brain. I had to half-charm you to stay even half-way logical”. Tav levitated closer, “You and I are both hypocrites. That’s why we work so well together, we’re kin!”. Tav’s claw booped where Balduran’s nose was. “Sleazy, emotionally-driven, half-truthful, hypocrites. And you were the one who made sure I bled the same color too, Empy~”.
“Just that… I don’t think you know you are one. And… I truly think we work better as friends… or frenemies if you wish”.
<You are awful. And you clearly don’t know anything. Perhaps I was wrong in my choice of partners>, the Emperor scolded, bringing psionic weight to its words, <Even Karlach would’ve made a better illithid than you>.
Tav floated back to his spot on the roof, “No matter what, I enjoyed the time we spent together. I think it was fun, we all learned something, and gained something of value. And don’t lie, you liked me too~”.
<For a time, yes. But now, I am not so sure>. The Emperor huffed.
“Ah well, then”. Tav shrugged, “Gale and I will be staying here for a while longer. I need to tie up some loose ends- and that Duke Ravenguard owes me two more favors.”
<Favors? How many did you squeeze from him?>, The Emperor inquired.
“Ah well, First I granted the ability to ‘Walk the streets of Baldur’s Gate unharmed and uncaptured by the guard” to all from the final battle, including you and I- you’re welcome by the way. Though you may get followed, I think it’s a fair trade”
The Emperor froze in shock before recomposing itself. <Only three favors, then?>
“Ah no, actually. I asked for five, and got four because his son ended up in hell… and spent two on the aforementioned, the reason being, and I quote, ‘One for each mind flayer there’. I wanted to get amnesty for Omeluum too but if he said ‘no’, then I didn’t want them to find out it’s even here”.
<I do not leave the hideout during daylight without disguise. It was worthless to spend an excess favor on such things>. The Emperor responded.
Tav laughed again, “But Empy! I only needed two things done to begin with! And one has already solved itself! The paper’s printing about illithid saving the city next week, and I’ll be around to read it myself! The others are now just to mess with him. And I don’t even have to use them to do that- just the looming threat of an illithid of all things having favor with a legislator is enough”. The physical laugh stopped as Tav kicked his leg up and over his knee.
“Seriously though, I have done all I can think of for The Gate, well aside from leaving a few cultists lurking about in secret but, those are our new pantry, are they not?”
<I suppose so. You have done well planning for the future, I see. As to be expected from you, Taverick>.
“Aw, thanks~”, Tav responded, looking up at the rising sun. “Ah, there he is, Helios himself coming on another bright morning… How delightful .” He hissed, a bit of sarcasm in his tone. “I was hoping the druids were right about the clouds”.
The Emperor began to levitate down the side of the building, with Tav following close behind. As they reached the bottom, Alan looked at them warily as they floated past the door. <I’m surprised how unconcerned he is with me staying in the basement>, The Emperor whispered.
“Oh”, Taverick waved his hand, “A thousand gold will shut a man right up! And it would allow you to throw a party in his tavern with three illithid. A devil or two, a god of death, and a few open skulls for catering- legally obtained of course.”
The Emperor began down the stairs as it turned back, <You never did tell me how you got those. May I inquire on how one managed to get three magically preserved brains?>
Tav chuckled, “I can’t share all my secrets, Emperor. Now, you have a good rest- a good morning, as I should say”.
The Emperor sighed, entering the basement with its spare key. <Good morning to you, Tav>. As the door shut behind them, they could hear Alan talking to Tav above- a question of how long they had been staying there. <Longer than I had originally hoped>, the Emperor thought to himself. As they entered the secret room, they looked at a wrapped package left on the table.
I figured you’d want this back- since Lae’zel left, we don’t need it anymore. But I do have to give the helmet to a museum sadly…
Some curator saw me with it and wouldn’t let me say no, even when I said someone else had claimed it… besides, it wouldn’t fit either of us now!
Sorry about your hoard- ‘Tav’.
Opening the package, he found his Giantslayer- Balduran’s Giantslayer, nestled within the brown paper. As its hands near-instinctively went to the hilt to lift it, as it had a lifetime ago, the sword felt cumbersome and bulky. It was much too large to be properly wielded by someone of its stature. At least, it would be, without psionics to assist. Using psionics, the Emperor enhanced its muscles, allowing it to pick up the sword with the ease of a seasoned warrior. Placing it on the sword rack next to his other blade, The Emperor almost felt guilty looking at it. A memory flashed through his mind, bronze scales dripping with red blood, as the blade pierced through the heart of The Heart of the city he founded, the who chose him… not him, but him. The person he could no longer be. The person who is and isn’t all at once.
But it was okay with that. They did what they had to, when they had to. It was like everything in their life, one life for their own. One more who wished them dead was gone. And now couldn’t hurt them further. He was safe, for a moment. He won, for a moment. The war lived on as it always did but he was safe and victorious and alone.
Alone again.
It shook its head. It was too tired to really function, it’s mind going off on different tangents- useless in the scheme of things. As it went to its moss bed it ruffled around the plant matter a little, trying to get it in a uniform direction. When they were finished, they laid down on the mossy hammock. As the moss enveloped them, it felt almost like velvet. Their semi-squishy head made up for the lack of pillows and the sides of the hammock made up for a blanket. It was almost as comfortable as the beds in the inn above, though definitely more well-suited to them. Soon, he began to drift off, but not before a song began to play, surely the first one of the day. He was annoyed, knowing every line like a memory.
O’ Sing a song of Balduran,
Who Founded Baldur’s Gate
Upon hearing the words once more it forced itself into slumber. If he stayed awake any longer, he would get lost in the lyrics once more.
He opened his eyes to find himself at a familiar scene. He was standing on the deck of an old sailing ship, sailing away from some foreign dock. Waves crashed into the boat, rocking him side to side, forcing his body to subtly shift his weight as he walked to the side. Upon the horizon, directly in front of where he was sailing, a storm brewed in wait. It was always like him, wasn’t it? To go into danger? The smell of salt hit his nose. Now realizing that sense was long gone, they knew immediately that this was a memory- an illusion of a time long gone, and of a man whose soul was either very, very far away or gone entirely. He wasn’t quite sure. Rain poured upon him from lighter clouds around the edge of the storm. Despite how wonderful it should’ve felt upon his skin, it was all too cold, and the wetness felt unfamiliar. Like it used to, back in another life.
The roar of thunder filled the sky as the winds seemed to pick up. Their senses came back to them- no way could they weather the storm today. They screamed at the boat to turn around, circumnavigate, hells, even return to port. But all it seemed to do was make the winds pick up even more, forcing the boat even faster into the storm. He ran to the wheel, maybe he could be the one to turn this around. Running up the stairs, the boat began to rock violently as the waves became larger and larger, nearly knocking him into the sea. As they made it to the wheel, the storm’s beginning clouds began to swirl above the boat, as if a second wind was pulling it closer. As soon as he touched the wheel, a streak of lighting came from the storm, hitting the wheel. It was charred, and threatened falling apart if he even so much as touched it again. He was knocked back, his head tilting up. In the clouds, he could see a shadow approaching. One they knew all too well. One he knew by heart. One it couldn’t forget- it knew, for it had tried long ago.
A friend, a savior, a lover … all sweet meanings about him now rotted as his corpse.
The being once known as Balduran stood up to its feet. He looked to the skies as the shadow came swooping down. It wasn’t scared. This was their mind after all, they had full control here, they could end it whenever they liked. But he stayed a little longer, hoping for something. The storm landed at the ship's main deck, his head rising up to meet it, standing at the helm. Before them stood an adult bronze dragon, healthy as his last moments. Violet eyes met Seafoam.
<Ansur>, The Emperor acknowledged as cold as it could.
“Hail, Balduran. Or- should I call you another name?”, The storm rumbled.
<I would like to be called the Emperor, it feels more befitting of my stature.>, He lied.
“Bah, that’s what you’re going by, now? And about how it ‘suits you’. Emperors are proud! They rule over vast troughs of land with might, loved by their people!”, The storm roared as he spoke. “You rule over the dingy basement you hide in, faessi , surrounded by the fading, dusted memories of yourself. You cower and sneak through shadow looking for a weak link to sever. And who loves you ? Not the people you protected! Or should I say… used someone else's power to protect? Not even the one who went out of their way to save you from your decisions has chosen you in the end. You will be Balduran to me.”
The Emperor felt a bubble of emotion come from within. <Fine>, he asserted, <Have it your way, Ansur!>. The Emperor’s hand raised, a shaky smile forming. It pulled on the dream with all its mental strength, trying to shred the vision into a thousand pieces. Trying to force itself into the void of a dreamless sleep, as it had done a thousand times before. But as the dream began to fade, lightning began to pull it back together. Something else was keeping the dream going. Something that wasn’t itself. Another mind, interposing itself on top of their own, forcing them to see this- to see him . And he was most definitely not supposed to be there. The storm stared deep into their eyes.
“You didn’t think I would fade that easily, did you veth-noachi ?” The storm continued. “ Balduran , I have found you once more, and like before, all those years and lifetimes ago, I promise to never leave - not til the day your stolen life runs dry-”
<Ansur, dear friend, What is there to accomplish from this?>. The storm rumbled softer. The Emperor continued, a strange softness overtaking his deep voice, <All that has been done, is done. All that needs to be said, is said- and written in the memories of others. It is time to rest, old friend. I will not hesitate to allow a cleric to evict you from this life by force. But such actions are said to be painful, and I wish to cause you no harm.>
The storm began to roar again, lighting shooting down upon the boat, the waves becoming rougher. “Henich”. He hissed, “You say that, yet you and your hostages have killed me twice already. Now you wish to kill me again!”.
The Emperor sighed, he was getting tired of repeating himself, <You left me and my partners no choice. The adventurers and I acted in self defense on both occasions, Besides, do you truly believe I wished to die ?>
The storm rumbled so loud it shook the boat. “If he would’ve known what he’s become he would’ve forced me to put you down like the sick dog you are the moment I saw you”.
The Emperor hissed and whimpered like a cat. How dare Ansur claim it was him that had fallen, when the dragon no longer knew who he is now or who he was . <I object. Balduran would have told you to hold on as long as you saw even but a sliver of him left. And I know he is still with us- still in me . I may be beyond him, but he is not going anywhere. I am right here Ansur . >
Lightning struck the boat as the waves began to crash over the sides and onto the decks, forcing the Emperor to levitate to avoid crashing into its beloved sea. “ How dare you . After all you’ve done. How dare you say you are the same, Balduran?!”. The storm shook the boat once more, though the Emperor was not affected by it physically.
<I never said I was the same. To say so would be a bitter lie. As I have said to you in the past, I have evolved>. They begged, trying to convince them it was true. <I am still Balduran, but I am also more than he ever was and would’ve been. And I implore oneself to finally listen. My beloved Ansur->.
Lightning began to fly in all directions, blinding the Emperor with the light. “Call me beloved one more time and I’ll rip you to shreds, Balduran”.
< And what will that do!? > The Emperor shouted wordlessly over the thunder. <Your spirit resides in a dream . Unlike when I was in The Prism, I cannot be physically harmed from within a dream of my own mind. All you’ll do is delay our conversation, stop it for tonight.> He continued, < My Beloved , nothing will get done. This will continue night after night until one runs dry .>
The lightning began to focus on the Emperor himself. The strikes struck his core. A night without a day, a hilt without its blade, a heart without its mind. It all led to one emotion, filling his body and clouding his thoughts.
Loss.
The lightning parted, revealing seafoam eyes and bronze scales. “ You think that’s not what I want !? I want to see you run dry . To see you break . To see you pay . Night after night. Little by little. And with my stolen lifetime upon you, time is on my side, Balduran ”. As the storm began to roar wordlessly, the lightning once again clouded the Emperor’s view and mind, blinding them in light and loss. Before it awoke, one final message rang through its mind. A memory from a better time.
“My dearest Balduran, I will never leave you”