I spend some time over this. This is the last chapter concerning NWN OC. More and more of my own creations will start to step in.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 2
Duty

All of the most useful and succesful mercenaries hired by Neverwinter passed through the dungeon. Aribeth was looking at them from her cell. The looks Daelan and Linu gave her were somewhat compassionate. Grimgnaw looked at her coldly, but there was something else… Disdain ? Tomi didn’t pay any attention, Boddyknock was somewhat taken aback by her presence. Sharwyn obviously tried to ignore her, but obviously couldn’t help stealing a single look at the elven ex-paladin. Her eyes were completely unreadable. Curiosity ? Envy ? Hatred ? Compassion ? Sharwyn was definitely a complicated young lady. Aribeth felt somewhat jealous that her new beloved spend so much time with someone… well, someone looking like THAT.
So these were the people that helped him along the way. Aribeth felt some regret that, right now, they probably considered her to be their enemy.

As Master Ford was placing the Words of Power in appropriate pedestals, Maenaz rested, letting himself be healed by Linu.
- Fine guys. I probably slaughtered many of their wizards, with help from Sharwyn and Grimgnaw, but anyway you have to be prepared to fight them. And any creatures they may summon. Now, the opponents aren’t just humans. They’ve got frost giants, orcish and hobgoblin mercenaries, and other beasts as well. I wouldn’t be surprised by seeing wyverns or young dragons on the battlefield. In case I fail – you must help the city hold until more reinforcements arrive. That’s your duty. Aarin is trustworthy, you can follow his command.
- It’s funny – Sharwyn said. –It’s almost like if you expected us to disobey commands if they were from someone designated by Lord Nasher… or Nasher himself.
- Yeah, that just screams *ME*, doesn’t it ?
- I find your decision to enter the Source Stone alone illogical. There will be many opponents along the way and you could benefit from help. – Boddyknock couldn’t help but voice his opinion.
- He’s right on that one, bro. Y’know, you ain’t exactly Daelan when it comes to getting your skull bashed.
- I already told you. I’m stronger than ever, and… I won’t hold back inside. I plan to unleash all my power no matter what happens to those around me. I’d rather not blow any of you to pieces.
- You’re talking as if you were a random self-rechargable Meteor Swarm wand. All you can do is fire rays and cones of three types of energy. How do you plan to…
- Sharwyn, dear… You’re being disrespectful. What I have been able to do ten days ago has nothing to do with what I’m able to do NOW. And I’m telling you all that no army of reptiles is going to stop me. I’ll go in there, slaughter the whole fucking race, go in deeper, blast the old witch Morag into the Nine Hells or wherever ugly reptile megalomaniacs belong, and hopefully get out. If I fail, you’re all here, ready to stop the Luskan Army. If Morag manages to get out of the stone, then yes, all of the North’s doomed, and then bang, all the greatest heroes of Faerun come here and kick her ass. There’s only so much damage the Old Ones can do. And I am too indebted to the Queen to let somebody come with me.
- Indebted ? – Daelan obviously didn’t understand warlock’s sentence.
- Yes, a debt I plan to pay in blood. Of her whole damn race.
- You could at least take Linu. She would heal you. – Daelan, embarrassed, tried to change the topic.
- Ohhh, shut up. I’m not risking HER spells blowing up in MY face, ‘cause she would fall under mine whether she wanted or not. No offense Linu, I just told you all ten times already. My decision is final.
- Watch your ba…
- I will, though that’s the advice you should have given to the Old Ones. Otherwise, they won’t know what hit them.

Maenaz raised up as the portal to the Source Stone was opening. He gazed on his comrades one last time. Grimgnaw was very useful, and didn’t refrain from using any methods. But that was all, probably, especially since Grimgnaw was uninterested in him as a friend and person, only in his ability to kill people. Tomi was slightly annoying, especially since he was so dangerous when it came to carrying gold around him. Linu was a nice person – maybe too nice, but she was clumsy, especially for an elf. He always though Daelan was stupid and a do-gooder, though he somewhat admired his sense of honor. Boddyknock was totally beyond his definition of “fun”, and actually beyond his definition of “sane” as well. Of all those, only Sharwyn he could call a friend. Well, people probably though he carried her around because of her rack. Untrue, they got to knew each other closely during their travels, but never THAT closely. Sharwyn admired him, but he knew she was slightly scared of what he was able to do when angry. And nothing was probably such a turnoff for a strong woman like a man who could LITERALLY blow her to pieces with barely more than a few waves of his hand. He entertained the possibility, until he realized how he felt about Aribeth.
He smiled to them, barely, and entered the portal.
-Ya think he’s coming back ?
-Of course he is, Tomi – Sharwyn answered. – He’s as much a hero as anybody we’ll probably ever see. If he can’t, who can ?
-It’s ‘cause if he’s coming back, I hope he leaves da goddamn city. I’m sorry but bro is slightly nuts and too damn strong. He gonna wipe the floor with Nasher one day and make himself da ruler, I tell you. And then he’ll put me in jail. Cause he already knows who steals all these things in the castle.
The group sighed and turned to exit.
They had much work to do.

Eric returned home. He was tired, he kept working for a couple of days. Thankfully, with Carn’renor around, no one in his right mind would attack the castle with a small group of assasins, or even, as far as citizens of Neverwinter were concerned, break the law inside the castle. Still, he was tired. Eliza brought him some beer. He loved his young wife. A quarter elf, Eliza had a pretty face and was somehow rather thin despite liking to eat and drink beer with him on parties. A true blessing.
-Honey, for Tyr’s sake, why do you work so much ? There can’t be so many people to defend in the dungeon ! What is so important there anyways ? I thought all able members of the Guard were used to fight Luskan only ?
Eric has been drinking for a while now, but he wasn’t going to tell her something so important.
-I can’t tall, darling.
Eliza’s only vice was that she was curious. Too curious.
-Soooo, you’re protecting something important, right ? It’s… secret, right ?
-Maybe…
He already regretted telling so much. He shouldn’t drink, after all.
-But you can tell ME, right ?
-No, I cannot.
Eliza lowered herself and touched his chest, covered only by his daily clothes.
-Why not ? Don’t you love me anymore ?
-Eliza, I just…
She was upon him before she knew it. He breasts were almost totally exposed in this pose, and right before his face. She started kissing his chin and slightly biting at his ear.
-Darling…
-Eliza…
He couldn’t tell. He couldn’t.
She was stroking his thigh and kissing him passionately.
-Oh come on, sate your wifey’s curiosity… And I’ll more than sate you… in other ways.
-There’s this…
He couldn’t tell. Couldn’t.
-Yes ??
-This lizardwoman, and…
-And ??
-Eliza, I really can’t…
She tore his shirt apart and started licking his nipple.
-Come on, what’s more important ? Fun, or one name ?
In just a moment, she was kissing him again, her hot, fresh breath teasing the skin on his neck.
-…de Tylmarande.
Eliza withdrawn from him, her eyes first widening from shock, then narrowing in anger. She looked like she was possessed to Eric. She raised form him immediately, and left the room. He heard the house door open, then shut.
He suddenly realized he has done something extremely stupid.


He must have already killed dozens of them. It couldn’t be from the wounds. So, did he go
insane ? Was it rage against the Old Ones ? Or did he fight to much today ? Was it even still the day he left Neverwinter ? He couldn’t tell. But he could tell one thing. They looked too much alike. This girl had nearly the exactly same face as Aribeth. They were even built very similarly. She proceeded to introduce herself as Asheera of Sahaladar. She knew nothing of Aribeth. But she knew of Morag. “The queen of the scaled ones ! Her face… was in my dreams, her hissing voice promising me great power, shall I turn against my people. But I’m one of the Shining Order, I swore to serve my city, Sahaladar, the greatest of drifting cities of Azallah. I swore to destroy Morag, and save my people !” They spoke for some more time. She told of a different world, attacked by the Old Ones, nearly conquered, all for slaves and sacrifices to Morag. Her voice, determination, even the way she spoke… He couldn’t stop himself from comparing her to Aribeth again.
-I am not Aribeth. I am Asheera. But many worlds and spheres of existence are drown into this conflict. An some of their heroes were bound to try to venture here. Maybe the one called Aribeth is somehow my reflection in your world – or I am hers. Maybe that’s why we’re both here. Maybe I was drawn here to help you avenge her fall. “ She spoke further of her Order, of her city. She said she failed, and the spell that send her to Source Stone was fading. She asked for his help.
-I can never reach Morag’s inner sanctuary, and the artifact crafted by my people will go to waste, unless I give it to you.
-Give it to me, then. I’ll use it to defeat Morag.
-My time’s running out. Quick ! Take this amulet. It will protect you from Morag and her people. Kill the Scaled Queen, or we will all be doomed.
He gazed upon the amulet. On the sides, it was shaped apparently to suggest seawaves. The middle had the shape of the sun, but what caught his attention was the middle. On a blue background, there was a hammer, with a weight on top of it.
He smiled to himself. A different world… With something looking almost exactly like Tyr’s symbol on their ultimate protection of their great “I-am-Aribeth’s-twin” heroine painted on it. Yeah, right.
He probably was going insane already, but he couldn’t help smiling, and wondering. Was it pure luck, or did gods really were watching them ?

The Neverwinter guard was fighting the enemy near the broken wall, with support of Linu and Sharwyn. They were all tired, hungry, and sore all over their bodies. They fought there for many hours, without the help of the bard and the elven cleric, they would probably die some time ago, overwhelmed by the enemy forces. Finally, the last frost giant has fallen to his knees, and let out it’s last breath.
Then they heard some screams. Curiously, they walked to check it out. Those were apparently Neverwinter citizens, gathering. Some of them held axes used usually to chop wood. Others had different tools. They were gathering more. And apparently, they were preparing for something.

Two dragons, a couple demons, and gods-know-how-many Old Ones. Maenaz couldn’t keep track of how many enemies died along the way, but his potions were quite spent. Thankfully, he saw her.
He knew it was just and illusion, projection, something she used for communication. He could feel the malice radiating from it. She spoke to her servants, hopefully the last ones he had in his way. A cleric standing next to her was applauding her every sentence. Maenaz immediately thought about how idiotic that one must have been.
-Soon, the High Priests will prepare the ritual that shall release us once and for all from the Source Stone ! But, what is this ? A slave daring enough to step into our kingdom !
Slaughter the warm-blooded ! Kill that slave !
They were all close to each other. Way too close.
Maenaz’s eyes literally glowed, power filling him. He turned his hand in their direction, pointing towards the sky. He made his palm into a fist, and then rapidly withdrawn it, like if he was pulling something.
A giant eruption of eldritch energy engulfed the warriors of the Old Ones. The priest and two warriors died immediately, the other two took heavy wounds. They charged at him nevertheless, apparently too stupid to realize the difference in their powers. Both were carrying great maces, and Maenaz knew how much damage such a weapon could cause. They attacked at the same time, with quite impressive teamwork. Warlock blocked one of their strikes with his sword and dodged the other. He slashed at the reptile-men, but missed. Another strike came, sheer reflex saving Maenaz from it. He ducked and thrust his blade into the chest of one of the fighters. The other finally managed to hit him, thought it was an ill-prepared strike. Maenaz put his hand in front of the opponent’s chest.
-Have a nice day, scaly bastard !
A Vitriolic Blast hit the reptile straight into his chest, his skin and muscles quickly eaten away by the acid. The opponent fell to the ground, clutching himself. Maenaz brought down the sword on his neck.
They did not deserve to live. Not a single one of them.
Maenaz rushed into the last corridor, prepared, his mind focused on one thing. Killing the Queen. There would be no negotiations, no patience, no mercy.
Only slaughter.

The corridor seemed to be endless, but he was seeing something on the end of it. He slowed a bit, wary of any traps. He walked into the last room, finally face to face with the Queen of the Old Ones.
-For your race, you are quite powerful, slave. You managed to defeat Maugrim, the one who foreseen my arrival to this world. You defeated Aribeth, the one whom I handpicked among the slave races. Not a single one of my priests, servants, or champions managed to stop you. But now, you’re facing me. Morag, the Queen of our ancient race, and the Highest Priestess ! Bow down to me, and I shall spare your life !
-I’m here to make you pay, Morag. Nothing else. Your entire pathetic race is no longer fit to rule my world. But don’t worry. You’re fit to be a Queen of the Dead Ones.
-I shall tear your weak, mortal form apart, and feast on your soul, slave !
Maenaz immediately blasted her with a cone of eldritch energy. She shrugged off the attack like it was nothing, and fired a fireball.
Her eyes slightly widened when he simply jumped straight through it, slashing at her. She blocked the attack with her staff, her physical strength just enough to match his. She shifted quickly and fired an electric spell into him. His body was wrecked with pain, but he wasn’t going to give up. He slashed at her, but his blade was repelled, without her suffering any apparent injury.
-I am Morag ! No one can oppose me, and here, you cannot even touch me ! I shall be the ruler of your world ! Here, my will is absolute !
Her staff stroke the ground, and she pointed at him. Large chunks of earth tore out from around where he was standing, and flied at him. He dodged two, but the others pushed him back into the corridor. Morag for her part cast another spell, from the incantation, he guessed Isaac’s Missile Storm.
From the room, creatures started to rise, and charge onto him.
He was in some deep shit this time, and he knew it.


Word spread quickly about Aribeth being held in the dungeons. People were preparing. If Nasher wouldn’t want to give the traitor to them, they would take her.
She had to be executed. For justice.


An incredibly quick reptilian, carrying two short swords, leaped at him right after Missile Storm hit him (From the number of missiles, he guessed it was the Lesser variety). Maenaz blocked his attack from one side, but the other was hurt with one of the swords. Warlock kicked his enemy in the stomach and put his hand straight to his face, firing an acidic blast, shaped into a cone. The acid quickly got through the skull into the attacker’s brain, and he has fallen dead on the floor. Then, Maenaz had to leap backwards in order to avoid a hit from an axe. This reptilian was probably one of the biggest he ever saw. Almost a foot taller than he was, his build was impressive. Maenaz quickly accumulated a blast in his right hand. There’s no way he could beat that guy in melee unless he was completely unskilled, and Morag was probably smart enough to keep her best warriors near herself. He fired the blast, but the opponent blocked it with his axe, the weapon somehow keeping all the pressure.
-You shall be ssssacrificed… To the Queen… A precioussss sacrifice… You killed the second Hand of Morag…
-You mean that guy ? You mean like what, you and him are equal in status ? Whew, I tought you were as tough as you look !
The reptilian charged him, and Maenaz stepped aside. However, the reptilian kept his axe in one hand, the other grabbing him with the claws. Maenaz was tossed against the wall, and the reptilian prepared to swing the giant axe. The human ducked, but was kicked on the ground. Another swing came from above, Warlock rolling to the side, and firing a rapid Vitriolic Blast as he rised. The creature hissed, and charged at him again. He was too close. Maenaz barely blocked his strike with his sword, the force of the swing pushing him backwards. He looked up.
He realized he forgot about Morag.
A giant stream of burning light came down at him. Maenaz thanked Kossuth for his strong fire resistance, but this was apparently a divine spell that was somehow capable to partially overcome it. After the fire ceased, his head was nearly smashed by a strike from the reptilian. He evaded and slashed at the creature, but he was as tough as he looked after all. The creature attempted to strike him twice, but he dodged repeatedly. Unfortunately, the corridor was too narrow. As he dodged a Lighting spell from Morag, the axe finally got him. It wasn’t a completely clear strike, which would tear him apart. The wound was deep, painful, and he was tossed aside.
He then called it. That rush of life, that… power inside him, and part of him suddenly became stirred at facing such a strong creature. He closed his eyes., whispering the incantation. “Wer whedaus di wer thurkear, akuech sia mlaen”.
He opened his eyes, a black ring around his irises. The creature wanted to finish him.
It has been foreseen that it would miss. Maenaz put his hand on the reptile’s leg, flames bursting from it. The Hand screamed in pain, grabbed him and tossed him straight into the incoming Fireball. Maenaz regained his stand. Ground behind him raised and tried to smash him, but he simply dodged without even looking at it. The creature went forward, but Maenaz simply fired a cone of acid at it, which it was unable to avoid. Warlock’s wounds were healing, he was able to catch the glimpses of what his enemy was about to do, and his reflexes sharpened.
All that power…He couldn’t be stopped.

Aribeth considered praying for his safety, but was afraid Tyr wouldn’t listen to her or would decide to punish her somewhat. She couldn’t get rid of the feeling that something bad was about to happen. The creature in the cell next to her stood calm.
-You’re doubting him, young one.
-How did you…
-The tension could be felt in the air even by a child. I’m preparing a way for him to escape in case the Source Stone was about to crumble.
-Why would it ?
-Shall Morag die, it probably will. Even now however, the inside of the Stone is damaged by their clashing powers.
-Is Maenaz…
-Do not doubt him, young one. Do not fear.
-Right. If anybody can do it, it’s him.

The creature managed to tear some of his flesh away with the edge of his axe. In the meantime, Maenaz noticed that a large creature, similar to a Gray Render, but looking more reptilian, was blocking his way to Morag. Also, two earth elementals were forming in the corridor.
He had to be quick. Maenaz slashed at the Morag’s Hand repeatedly, driving him back, avoiding it’s powerful swings. The creature started to become desperate. Maenaz then pushed him through the wall of flames he had called just a moment before. He turned around, and put another wall of flames between him and the forming elementals.
-A wasssste…Sssso much power in the handssssss of a sssslave… Sssso much effort in vain… You shall die.
-No, reptile. Your whole race will be slaughtered by this slave. Because, you know, that’s what all slaves are supposed to do. Grow strong, and overcome their masters. The creature leaped at him, swinging it’s axe. Maenaz jumped and pushed the axe to the ground with his leg. He then thrust his blade straight through the reptile’s hand, and his eyes were shining.
He was momentarily blinded by heat, as a giant column of fire surrounded them both. The reptile was burned to death. Maenaz turned around, and drank a potion to quicken the regeneration of his wounds. He faced the elementals. Firing a cone of acid, he leaped back, and immediately put another wall between him and the summoned creatures. Another barrage of magical missiles came from behind them, but some of them slightly missed, despite the deadly accuracy of the spell.
He had foreseen them. He wished the power would just show him Morag dying and he could proceed to make that happen. But he had to wait. As the elemental charged at him, he jumped, runned him through with his Astral Blade. Eldritch energy suffused his right hand, and he unleashed it straight into the elemental’s core. The being has fallen, and another charged at him. He dodged, and slowly prepared to unleash his full power on it. The elemental managed to hit, and Maenaz flew through the corridor. He managed to stop before the render, however.
His eyes glowed, and the elemental was fittingly buried with his power, and with the ceiling of the place falling down on it.
He turned around. The render has hunched and slowly managed to get through the entrance. Warlock stated to run, gathering his power. The render came at him, slowly.
Something came down Maenaz’s cheeks. Tears ? Blood ? Weak acid ? He did not know. His eyes were engulfed by a sickly pale green mist, just as the creature was surrounded with a pillar of green light, and then suddenly bathed in a ridiculous amount of acid. It tried to crawl to him, and roared, dying slowly, acid eating through it’s flesh. Maenaz slowly walked to the side, and a couple of fire missiles flew by him, only one hitting it’s mark. He then turned his steps to Morag.
As he walked in, his hand was already charged with energy. He fired straight at her, but it barely pushed her back a bit. The creatures sitting in a circle around her were hit as well by the chain effect, by they seemed unfazed. Blades were separating him from Morag, and she greated him with another of her spells. A green sphere was fired at him, exploding in an acidic mist. Maenaz definitely felt the effects, but the spell wasn’t enough to bring him down. Of course, another idiotic selection of spells. He thought sometimes if anybody would ever guess that fire and acid were two things they SHOULDN’T use against him.
-I already told you, slave. You cannot beat me here. You’ll die in horrible agony, unable to give me a single wound. If you kneel and beg for your life, I may consider making you my pet.
His eyes begun to shine.
-I just need to find a way around your magical protection, that’s all. Not even deities are untouchable, Morag. And you’re far from being divine. Oh, I’m sorry.
He blasted her and her servants with his Eldritch Doom.
-I didn’t mean to make you realize how ugly you are.

The mechanism invoking the barrier of blades was destroyed by the blast. One of the beings in the circle was heavily damaged, the others however shrugged off most of the power. Morag was on the ground, her royal clothing teared apart, her staff slightly damaged, but she wasn’t visibly hurt.
-You have some powers I have never seen in any slave or any of my own race before. And they’re quite well developed, I must say. To bad I didn’t choose you to be my servant. Now all this power will just be gone, crushed under my heel. You should feel honored. If you’ll survive two of the next three spells, that will mean you’re probably the most powerful being I’ve ever faced.
-Awww shit, now not only I must stand your stupid talking, but you being half-naked too ! And in a couple of minutes I will have to hear you speaking about how the last spell will destroy me, and then see the idiotic face you’ll make when I just shrug it off.
Maenaz leaped at her during her incantation. A necromancy effect, he was sure of it. Suddenly, a deathly mist covered them, and an evil gleam appeared to surround him. He was suddenly winded, and started coughing. He felt his body dry up, and he felt a smell of rotten flesh.
His whole body hurt like hell. He raised his head, and, slowly, kept walking towards her. When the effect ceased, he felt his regenerative power was running out. He slashed at her with all his strength, but the sword just slid over her, with a loud, deafening noise, not hurting her at all. Maenaz turned to her priests and fired a blast of energy at the one most hurt, finishing him instantly.
-Now, to test the theory.
-Second spell comes. We shall only test your ability to cling to your pathetic life.
A blue, icy mist covered her hand, as a light appeared in it. A ray of freezing cold suddenly flew from her hand, straight to his body. He didn’t try to take the attack head on, but took much damage nevertheless. He had to finish this fight, quick. His eyes started glowing.
-I’d like to paint this place with your blood, my *queen*.
Her eyes widened. As he fired his blast, she suddenly let out a scream, before she was hit.
Wail of the Banshee.


Eliza was proud of herself. Many people were gathered, waiting for the right moment to march into Castle Never and to demand the traitorous witch’s public execution.

Maenaz was never as shocked as he was after she cast her spell, but he wasn’t completely terrified, meaning him standing on his legs wasn’t just temporary. He shrugged of all three of her spells.
Morag raised, despite her whole body aching from the blast’s power. He was somewhat satisfied that he was the first being in eons that had hurt her.

His attention turned to her priests, and he slashed them until he managed to chop off the head of one. He then fired a cone of acid, damaging another, and so soon all his weapons would be available to him. Morag prepared another spell.
Meteor’s swarm. People never learn.

The Luskan armies somewhat weakened, Daelan, Grimgnaw, and Neverwinter soldiers managed to push them back. They could swear the shade over the city lessened.

The whole place was filled with fire, and his body was heavily burnt. Maenaz however still stood on his legs, and it was what really mattered most. One of Morag’s priests was apparently hurt by her spell, so he walked straight to him, and burned him with his Brimstone Blast. He then turned to angered Morag. His voice was cold and calm.
-What are you whining about ? I told you. Anybody can be hurt. Anybody. You entire race is only meant to die. It is only fitting you shall die with them. You know, with all this talking about how powerful you where, and how I must hurry, I thought you would really be something. Without those priests, you would be dead already.
-How… dare you !!
-Sorry, Morag. After all, you’re apparently just an Old One, a reptile, like the rest of your race. I’m special. And I came here with one intention. No matter how powerful you are… My hatred, right now, makes me stronger.
He dashed forward, slashing her. She screamed in pain, and hit him with her staff. He dodged easily. She cast Stoneskin upon herself, and he fired an acid blast as she did so. Her body was being eaten away, just as he prepared another invocation. A mantle of energy surrounded her, an obvious attempt to block his Eldritch Blast.
-You know, most of you wizards think, ah, I cast this, I cast that, and I’m safe. Guess what, bitch. You’re not. In fact, I can turn this strategy against you.
He grinned sadistically, as the mantle has been stripped away from her by his invocation. The energy started fading as his body was absorbing it. He felt renewed strength. Stoneskin followed, her body becoming green again, and him further regenerating. He knew the magical power wouldn’t be able to support his vitality for long, so he decided to finish her. A green light appeared in his right hand.
Morag was utterly shocked as she was blasted with his acid, screaming out in pain.

Haedraline felt her queen’s pain radiating from the Source Stone. The young human was getting the upper hand, something she thought impossible inside the Source Stone.

Maenaz was separated from Morag by a wall of earth, and suddenly, many sandy missiles fired from the wall, hurting him further. He prepared to fire a cone of acid at it, just as the wall changed into a wave, and another barrage of Isaac’s Missile Storm hit him. He was heavily hurt, and he had to end the fight quickly. His hand burst forward, a smell of sulfur filling the air. The blast connected, and Morag screamed out in pain again. He tried to leap at her, but his body was too hurt. He instead walked, quickly, desperately, slashing at her repeatedly. She let out a cry and used the Fireburst spell, but to no avail. He was determined to sent her to the Underworld, even if he went there as well. The amulet given to him offered enough protection from her magic, already. He broke her staff with another strong strike, and had her against a wall. A pillar of flames stroke him again, and he screamed in pain. He jumped at her, impaling her on his sword, his eyes burning with fire.
-It’s time for you to leave this place. I told my friends I’ll blow you into oblivion. And that’s exactly what will happen.
A huge wave of flames surrounded them both, scorching him, but burning her body. He stood there as about half of the Queen was turned to ashes, the rest falling down. He felt the Source Stone beginning to tremor, and smiled.
He was victorious.
But how the fuck was he going to get out of there ?


Neverwinter prevailed against Luskan forces, but now it had problems of it’s own. With some enemies still in the city, the citizens however made an uproar. Aarin Gend was frustrated. Their demand… He had a bad feeling about how Lord Nasher will answer to it. Everything was turning out for worst.
-Lord Nasher, the citizens… They demand Aribeth to be handed over so she could be executed.
-Didn’t the Source Stone start to collapse a few hours ago, with Luskan forces being driven away ?
-Yes, milord, but…
-Then hand her over. She is a traitor. I might have shown some mercy, but the people apparently are not willing to do this. And it is my duty as the ruler of this city to pay attention to their demands.
-My lord, she willingly…
-She knew her fate. She shall be executed today.
Aarin had a bad feeling about this. He had hoped that Maenaz would have returned so far, but he was apparently either dead, trapped within the Source Stone, or currently unable to return. To Nasher’s glee, and to Aribeth’s doom.


Maenaz was eager to return to his friends, and to see Aribeth. Haedraline, the quiet, unknown hero, had passed away, but not before creating a way out for him. But it was taking much time.
Too much.

Aribeth stood there, in the middle of a crowd, nearly everyone yelling, screaming, cursing her, demanding her execution. Her string was ready, and the guards pushed her towards it. Sedos Sebile herself was apparently designated to end her life. She looked at the crowd. Those people… Killed Fenthick. And now, when she repented, tried to help to save them, and left her revenge behind… They wanted to kill her. She knew she deserved death, but hoped, deep inside, that she would be given a chance… One last shot at happiness.
She was horrified at how he would feel. She couldn’t help the two tears that run down her face. The string was placed around her neck. The crowd let out one last cry, and then, it was all silent. She gazed upon the people of Neverwinter, that hateful, cruel mass. She once loved them, but now she knew they would never learn. She hoped that her dear would find the strength to forgive them, to cope with his loss. She really hoped.
Apparently she wasn’t destined for any happiness. She understood. Life was always a bit cruel for her. It had to end like that.
She couldn’t help crying as she started to choke.

Maenaz left the Source stone, quickly drinking a healing potion. No one was waiting there. When he got into the dungeon, he had a bad feeling. The cells were empty.
He ran. Through the window, he saw a large crowd. He feared what that mean. He feared he was too late. He ran out. She was there, hanging on a rope, by her neck, in the middle of the crowd.
He screamed. First inaudibly, then, one, single name…
-NASHER !!
Luckily for the lord of Neverwinter, he wasn’t close enough to the warlock to be blasted immediately. But he screamed again, and Nasher realized he might just have made a really bad mistake.
Then, and explosion, bodies flew away, his path toward Aribeth’s body clearing.
Maenaz never had so much sheer anger in himself. He didn’t care whom the blast hurt. Someone probably died, but they deserved it. Every one of them. As guards tried to stop him, he blasted them with acid, ignoring their screams of pain. They would probably stay crippled without good and quick magical help.
Sedos Sebile walked away from him, terrified. People started to move away, frightened of his power, of his rage. Callum of Neverwinter Nine attempted to stop him, but was blasted away. He reached out for her body, gently, and took the rope of her neck. It hurt him, deeply, as he saw tears on her cheeks, and he cried out.
-Mindless beasts ! She served the city for years, and what have you done ! You killed her beloved ! Most of you didn’t even care !
He thrown Maugrim’s journal at Nasher.
-Here’s your fucking evidence ! The truth ! Her will was assaulted by spells of a creature every single one of you was scared shitless to come up against ! The creature that strengthened the whole Luskan army ! She turned away from the city, but then regretted ! She has given up, and saved many of your lives ! AGAIN, because she served this city faithfully for years ! Not a single one of you deserve that !
-She betrayed us ! The penalty is…
-She broke a spell that would turn most people here into mindless slaves ! All I asked was time ! She didn’t deserve death… Not after all she’s been through ! And yet you…
He screamed again.
-I risked my life for your damn city Nasher, and she did it dozens of times ! That’s how you repay us ? That’s how this cursed city repays us ?
-Stop whining, you beast ! Don’t think you can terrify us ! If you’re with the witch, maybe you should be…
Another blast came down. Nasher has fallen from his throne, his whole clothing in dirt. Blood in his mouth.
-That *witch* saved your lives ! She sacrificed herself countless times ! And you sentenced her to death for a moment of weakness after killing her beloved for no reason other than your own anger ! She was better than you ! A thousand times… and a thousand times again ! She was a hero for this city, but this city made her into a villain… Mindless beasts !
The crowd went silent.
-She deserved one last chance. She knew happiness once, for a short time, and you took it away…
A wall of flames was put at the tools of her execution. He started to go to the city gates, slowly, but turned away.
-Nasher ! You and your damn city killed the only woman I could ever love ! This city was never worth anything that was done for it ! And for that, I promise you, oh Lord, that you WILL suffer… And everybody who ever tells a bad word about her, or tries to stop my vengeance on this fool, shall be obliterated ! I’m done with Neverwinter ! And I pity any fool who ever takes it upon himself to save this city… I hope your children will once grow to be wiser than their parents.
Nasher still had a reply for him.
-Because of the will of the citizens, and as a ruler, I had the right to…
Eldritch energy suffused Maenaz hand as he pointed at Nasher.
-Say it, Lord. Speak about your right to torture an elf who had an uneasy life. Speak of your right to kill the love of the man who saved all of your lives. Speak, and I shall pass my judgement.
Sharwyn stood on his way, a silent plea in her eyes as she delicately lowered his hand.
He pushed her away, and continued on his way to leave the city. People were silent. Some still from fear.
But quite a few from regret.


Daelan, Grimgnaw, Aarin, Sharwyn, Linu, Tomi and Boddyknock gathered near the gate moments after he left. Aarin spoke.
-We have to get him back. Someone like him… He should be our champion, and if he will turn out like Aribeth…
-It’s the city’s fault again – Sharwyn spoke. – He is right to curse it. As a matter of fact, I think I should leave too. If that’s how Neverwinter treats it’s protectors.
-But, Sharwyn… All of you… Does any of you wish this man to leave the city ?
Grimgnaw spoke.
-The Silent Lord chose him. He is now disposed of his only weakness, his feelings for this woman. He shall fulfill his fate as the avatar of Death. Whether here, or somewhere else.
Daelan respond in anger :
-You’re insane ! This man should be a hero, if he leaves now, he shall be forgotten ! He’s only destiny is to be Neverwinter’s greatest champion !
Aarin spoke one last time.
-All who agree, go after him !
Grimgnaw stood in place. The others followed in Maenaz’s footsteps.


He was nearly crying as he heard quick footsteps behind himself. Sharwyn was running behind him, quickened.
-You against me to ? What, they sent you for her head ?
-No. I… am sorry. I should have protected her. I protested, but… I should have done so much more. Maenaz, I feel like you should leave Neverwinter behind. I will, because you and her have shown me this city is not worth the effort. But, vengeance ? No. Let yourself be remembered as a hero. I will remember you that way. Soon Aarin will arrive. Don’t let him force you to anything. I hope we meet again.
She gave him a slight kiss on the cheek, but he was expressionless.
-Goodbye, Maenaz. Don’t let it destroy you.
-Farewell, Sharwyn.

They turned and went other directions.


Finally, Aarin Gend and the rest caught up.
-Maenaz, don’t leave !
-Shut up Aarin. She thought so high of you. You probably told the citizens about the verdict ? You’re nothing but a bastard. And think twice. If I ever see you in a Neverwinter Nine outfit... I’ll treat it as if you took her position. And then, no god shall save you.
-Maenaz, you’re a hero ! All you need to do is make up to Nasher and tell the city that you were crushed by her loss, and you will be treated as such ! People need you ! – Daelan exclaimed.
-They didn’t care what I needed.

He kept walking. Daelan held him. He was blasted away.
-You touched her hair, Neverwinter scum. Shall I rip your head off ?
-Maenaz…
-Maenaz, don’t be hasty. You were trained here and you sacrificed much of the city… you’ve done so much. And we’ve done much for you. Are you just going to leave ?

He was silent
-It is your duty to stay and protect the city of Neverwinter !
As he went farther away, a wall of fire appeared between him and the rest of them. In a slow, melancholic tone, which was close to breaking into a cry, he spoke.
-Duty… is nothing.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I really don't when I will be able to write again, since I need to work a couple of days. I tried to make Maenaz's last speeches overdramatic and a bit pompous, but might have failed since it was late and I hurried up a bit. Word count ~7000