26 Ch26 - Unlikely alliances

The final stretch was upon us, Zevlor and the mercenaries gave solemn nods upon noticing us. They had swords ready and waited on our command, we gathered around and formed a plan of attack. I suggested going in whilst invisible to collect information, but they decided against it as if noticed they would lose the surprise advantage.

Various ideas were suggested and many ended up in hushed arguments, for example, Gale wanting to activate the magical nuke inside of him. Ultimately, It was decided, we would sneak in. Once we confirmed targets, everyone able to use an invisibility scroll or spell would scatter out to get better positions.

Me, Astarion, Gale and Lae'zel all went invisible. The many different sights offered by the hags, oozes and ghostly forms allowed me to still see them perfectly fine, so I could keep tabs. We all marched in, a grand open space awaited us, there were many residents already there. From the mindflayers guarding the perimeter, to the giant floating Netherbrain in the middle.

But the main attraction was the chosen apostles of The Dead Three: Enver Gortash, Orin and Ketheric Thorm. We couldn't hear exactly what they were saying, but they seemed to be making light of Ketheric and his failings. A few minutes later, the three of them reached an agreement and Orin and Gortash took off on the giant brain.

There Ketheric stood in waiting for us, the ones still visible approached him, challenging him for his life. Whereas I took to the high ground, next to a random mind flayer. I started a telepathic communication line with it, "Hey dude, you know that guy is manipulating your elder brain right? You see that gem in his armour? We're gonna use it to free the elder brain, do you want to help?"

I held back a giggle as it looked around rapidly, "And how do I know you speak true? The elder brain has not shown distress since our alliance with the three was formed."

"I'll make a deal, if you notice that the elder brain is the same after we kill Ketheric, you can eat my brain. If not, then you now have a good cause to unite the mind flayers against the three." I could always turn into a ghost or an ooze if it's too far away to notice a difference, but if not, then we may have formed an early alliance.

"I accept your terms and agreements, we of this room shall join you in this battle, if you lie, then we will eradicate you where you stand." I look to see the 4 mindflayers share a look.

The final thing left is to free Dame, ideally, I can convince her to sneak attack him. Floating over to the (again) captured Dame, I set up another telepathic link, "Hey Dame, when I free you, be quiet. We can all use the surprise to kill him quickly!"

I see her look around before nodding. Ketheric is nearly done with his speech, so I hurry up and smudge the lines holding Dane. She stretches her wings immediately and slowly flies over to him, slowly she raises her blade and "CLANG" he raises his shield in defence.

"This could be a problem" He mutters.

Immediately, everyone charges him, spells are thrown, mind blasts are sent and he's sent reeling from the damage. Gale snuck in and sent him into a deep green pit with a tactical use of his thunderwave. Despite this, no one relaxed. Ketheric has a reputation to be unbeatable, un-killable like a cockroach.

We were unfortunately proven wrong, not a minute later, a colossus of bones ascended from the hole, laying Ketheric out before us. "You who have slain my apostle, shall suffer against the might of Myrkul." The hooded undead branded a scythe and immediately cut a great gash through Shadowheart.

I flew over immediately, opening the lighter, 4 wisps flew out, not even giving myself the chance to see them, I flew Shadowheart to safety. I look at the deep wound on her, dark green outlined it, bone chill. "Are you with me Shadowheart?" Her eyes were tightly shut under the pain, blood was leaking fast for her. Another 10 seconds past and I poured one of my healing potions over her wound (I know that's not exactly how it works), and finally the green glow disappears and the wound closes.

"I've got to get back, recover when you can" I pat her shoulder and fly into the fray, the sound of music and violent battle synchronises upon my entry.

"Ooh baby give me one more chance,

(show you that I love you)

Won't you please let me back in your life!

(back in your life)"

Not exactly battle music, but the Jackson Five can't cover all the bases. I leap in to the high ground and throw my molotov potions over at the true Apostle of Myrkul. Dame is ripping chunks out of him at a time, reminder to self to pick them up later.

The rest of the group is holding well, wary of what happened to Shadowheart, everyone has successfully dodge the scythe. The mindflayers must have noticed a difference in the brain and assisted us in the fight too.

The apostle of Myrkul was ceaselessly flailing at this point, every time he attempted to summon skeletons to be harvested, they were turned into ghostly musicians instead by the Jackson Five.

It was looking hopeful until he cast [Horrifying visage] on Astarion, as he ran, Myrkul sliced into his spine, killing him on the spot.

A moment was held in the air, a painful moment.

I leapt into close quarters and started ripping his ribcage off, two at a time. I felt weak, for all the spells I knew, he was immune to. Vicious mockery was the most effective one I could use, but I can hardly think straight enough to know which bone I'm currently breaking. Sometimes I notice the bones I leap for are already taken and are being crushed under the weapon or spell of another. But finally, I have the spine to myself, I reveal the [AF] form's hand to start shredding away into it. Spinal shrapnel is sent everywhere as I dig into the thick bone.

With a final click, the spine holds together no more. The apostle has fell, laid upon the same deathbed as Ketheric has. I fly over to where I last saw Astarion, he was gone. Left right, I even checked the floor, only to see him barely alive in Shadowheart's care. She's violently casting healing word and cure wounds on his back, he gets better with every one.

And despite the tissue healing, the spine is still severed. An idea comes to mind, I grab a bundle of the Apostle's spine shrapnel and place it in a ritual circle with a greater healing potion. Ironically, I chant to Myrkul, god of bones to bless the ritual.

[Potion of bone mending -

A ritual mixture of a variety of different bones with a healing potion. Mends the bones within the area applies.]

I look at the description analysing it just in case I missed something, the only thing I notice is the phrase 'variety of different bones'. It seems the apostle was just formed from random bones, not special ones unfortunately.

I walk over to Astarion and pour the potion on his newly mended flesh, the clicking and the writhing underneath his skin looked horrifically painful. I can only be happy he's unconscious for this.