A heart shrouded by darkness.

My thoughts on NWN and explanation about the story.


My opinion of the Neverwinter Nights official campaign frequently changed. At first I enjoyed it, after some time I considered the story average, and some deeds and motivations of characters stupid… Childish. Aribeth was a girl whose favorite toy was taken, Nasher -dominated by the crowd, Fenthick -an idiot, and Aarin Gend was a character that the creators were needlessly trying to give TOO much depth.
Hordes of the Underdark were overblown, too pseudo-dramatic, and using perhaps the most important NPC in official campaign again – Lady Aribeth. Now I’m finished with NWN 2 and I noticed a total lack of continuity in the games. They operate great as separate parts, but leave much of the story untold, ignore some earlier aspects, throw some opportunities away.
And the first hero of Neverwinter is literally nowhere to be found.
I thought of it, and decided that “he was on bad terms with lord Nasher” wasn’t a good enough reason. Deposing of all characters that had anything to do with previous part was a bit annoying move, in my opinion.
And what’s fantastic about it – it left SO much room for imagination !

What you need to know is – I won’t stick closely to Nwn rules nor even the storyline. Hell, I might not even stick closely to D&D or Faerun world rules – but I’ll try.
The first Hero of Neverwinter is a Chaotic Neutral Warlock (surprise !). He’s more of an anti-hero (all the more reasons for the bad blood between him and Lord Nasher) with one exception – a soft spot he carries for some of his companions (Sharwyn and others), and an even softer spot for a certain elven paladin/blackguard.

About the “mature” parts – check my profile. Other than that, the norm - descriptions of sexual intercourse, bad language, moral decay of the character as he goes down the “dark side” path, at least two instances of rape, some sick/odd/disgusting scenes, and probably instances of genocide. What some religious people may find repulsive is a willingness to consort with devils and demons that some characters exhibit; one of the main characters also will make a move to obtain divinity.
The main character is far from a knight in shining armor archetype initially, and he goes on to become worse – until a certain event happens. If you would like a main character to be heroic, this might not be a story for you.
The second Hero of Neverwinter will be revealed somewhere in the earlier parts of the story, and will take a more important role later on. He is a lot better and more heroic person, but this is not a story about good beating evil and so on. Also, I took some liberty as to what exactly his relations with certain females in the NWN2 Campaign were.

I really have no idea about whether the story will have a happy or tragic ending. It might be either, or somewhere in-between. I will add new, appropriate tags as the story progresses. Also, remember, this is a fanfic with adult themes, not an adult themed fanfic. With exception of violence, there won't be so many themes that require reader's maturity in every chapter.

Last but not least – I’m probably not alone in this, but I’m not a native English speaker. If you see an annoying mistake I keep repeating, PLEASE point it out. It would be very helpful.

Enjoy.


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A powerful blast of eldritch energy blasted the creature’s giant body into the wall. It fell over, large wings making it even harder to get up, when combined with it’s impressive weight. The black-and-purple clad man turned to his two companions, a dwarf in a robe and a red-haired human woman.
-Grimgnaw, Sharwyn…I’m in a hurry, and that… thing can stop us for quite some time. Thank you for your help, but I’m leaving this balor to you two, and I’m going in alone. Finish him off and go to Castle Never. We shall meet again, but the rest is up to me.
-But… Maenaz… Maugrim is in there ! And Aribeth may be there as well ! If you go alone…
-He will bring death upon them, without a doubt. It was... an honor to travel with you, Deathbringer. Go forth, and unleash the will of the Silent Lord upon everyone who stands in your way.
-I will do so… as I see fit. But I need you both to be safe in case I failed. Besides, it’s going to be all personal now. When I fight with Maugrim, or Morag and her Old Ones… I cannot guarantee I won’t just blast everything to oblivion, friend or foe.
-You didn’t mentioned…
-Go. Now. I have to do this alone.
Sharwyn just walked up to him and cast a healing spell. She then embraced him and whispered in his ear.
-Be careful, my friend. I’d like to be there, not to watch your back, but to see your glorious victory.
-Thank you Sharwyn. You won’t have much time to miss me, however.
The half-dragon Balor was already on his legs, charging upon them. Maenaz blasted him back again, and whispered something to himself. A wall of green flames appeared between them and the Balor.
-I’m done here.
Saying that, he walked to the entrance portal into Maugrim’s sanctuary.
He hoped his resolve wouldn’t waver upon seeing her.

There was a lot of commotion outside. While the defender of the Sanctuary was definitely aggressive enough to destroy a wall with someone’s body, the noise must have came from something bigger.
It must have been HIS body that smashed into the wall. Someone – or something – powerful fought the half-dragon balor, and if it was HIM, she would have something to do very soon.
The woman’s long, red hair shifted over her armor as she raised herself to full height. Then, she heard the portal activate.
She half-expected, maybe hoped, that the door will be blasted away as a band of adventurers came in. That didn’t happen. The door opened, slowly, and only a single man came in. Just under six feet tall, long hair, with a small widow’s peak, some of them falling on the sides of his face, the rest in a ponytail behind him.
The Hero of Neverwinter came after all.

-Maenaz Carn’renor. I’m not surprised to see you here. You’re a real thorn in Maugrim’s side. He would never admit it, but I think you really impressed him. It’s not above me however, to show you my respect. You’ve been ruining our efforts many times, however, in the end, no one can oppose Morag.
-I have a name, Tylmarande. It is not “no one”. I’ll blast the mistress of this sick cult into oblivion.
-You have already lost. Luskan forces control the city, even Castle Never will soon fall. The blood of Neverwinter’s children will flow on the streets. There’s never enough deaths to feed Morag.
And we’re all guilty here. We all deserve death.
-There’s nothing left to say, elf. It’s… to late for words.
-My thoughts exactly. Here, blood must be spilled.
She turned the blade and leaped forward, expecting an advantage in speed. But she didn’t have one. Their swords clashed in air, both trying to push the other back. Both failed. Maenaz definitely improved as a warrior.
She looked into his eyes, and it nearly scared her. The eyes of the always determined and strong-willed hero of Neverwinter…
Were cold and empty.

The elf and the human almost danced in the room, with a cold sound of steel clashes filling it. Maenaz was no pushover when it came to fighting with a blade, but as he expected, her paladin training and her strong anger gave Aribeth the advantage soon.
He cursed in his thoughts. “You are supposed to beat her… Kill her, not admire her !” He jumped back, nearly hitting a wall, and she saw the opportunity, leaping forward to attack him. He planned it, however, and he leaped away, pushing himself from the wall with his legs. Aribeth slashed empty air, and he was already quite a distance away from her. He whispered, calling a wall of green flames between them.
–This isn’t going to stop me !
She really was insane enough to run through his invocation, jumping at him and attacking with an uppercut. He dodged quite easily, but his counter was blocked. They again tried to overpower each other. “While our strength is nearly the same, she is, definitely, lighter.” He kicked her in the leg to weaken her balance, and then grabbed her by the throat, pushing her forward and tossing through the flames again. Energy swirled in his, now free, right hand and he released it into a cone, ensuring she had no chance of evading. He heard her though she barely made a sound from the pain. The woman leaped through the flames again, angry, and attacked him strongly. He barely repelled the attack with the sword in his left hand. She slashed again, shifting the sword in midair after his dodge. “To the left.”
Another slash. Hot blood flew into the air. She hit him. Then, his strike came. She held her sword in both hands, and blocked it easily. But then, in the corner of her vision, she saw his right hand move. “Oh, crap”. The smell of sulfur filled the air, as a blast of hot fire came from the man’s hand, and pushed her away. She groaned in pain.


The balor was lying on the ground, dying. Grimgnaw turned and started to walk away.
-Wait, aren’t we going to help him ? I honestly doubt Maugrim is there alone !
-You heard what he said. Castle Never could use our help in pushing back the attackers. Besides, you traveled with him as much as I did. You know what he is capable of.
-But…
-The Silent Lord is on his side, I assure you of it, human. And he was serious when he spoke about blasting things into oblivion. I believe Maenaz has a thing to settle in there, and would like to do it alone.
-You think it’s with Maugrim, or…
-It’s none of out business. Come, the lord of this city needs us.

Seeing her lying on the floor, hurt, some of her skin burnt, was what finally moved something inside of him. He thought he was prepared, he thought he wouldn’t have any difficulties with hurting, even killing, this woman. But, he might have been too weak, after all.
-Aribeth…
-Like I would just let you burn me in the name of this Kossuth of yours ! Defend yourself, Warlock !
She got up quickly, and attacked again. Another series of clashes once again slowly led to her gaining advantage. But after dodging one of her thrusts, he moved his open palm in front of her. Sheer reflex saved her from a heavy injury, as the blast flew right next to her, when she dodged to the left, and back, not to let herself get impaled on his blade. He quickly moved forward, as her sharpened senses told her. She shifted her sword to block an ill-prepared strike from the left. However, his blade was now in his right, and the hit was far better than she would have thought.
It was her blood in the air this time. She surpressed a cry of pain, and attempted to kick him, but he quickly grabbed her leg and thrown her on the ground. Now, his left hand was turned toward her, with the palm opened. She barely managed to roll away as she felt a liquid burning through her armor and then some through her skin. Acid. She got up quickly, but he was already upon her, slashing as he jumped in her direction. This time, she let out a half-surpressed scream of pain as his blade marked her flesh.

Instinctively, she whirled behind his back, grabbed his other hand, and this time, it was him who was pulled onto the ground. She briefly considered trying to attack him, but he had a good reflex, and she needed to take care of herself. A pale, violet energy swirled in her hand, as she put it onto her stomach. She always felt slightly nauseated when she used her healing abilities after becoming a Blackguard, but it was necessary. Maenaz was easily the best opponent she faced under Morag’s orders.
-Way better. Now go ahead, let’s see who’s will is stronger in here.
Maenaz walked to her, slowly, his blade pointing towards her, back in his stronger, left hand. He attacked with a thrust, but she easily dodged, and slashed his thigh. Another clash followed, but she managed to pierce through his defence, and wounded him again. He tried to kick her, but she blocked it with her hand, and attempted a slash across his chest. He evaded it and attacked again. His blade was blocked, but his right hand followed right after, and eldritch energy again swirled in it.

She was prepared, though. Her left hand pushed his right so slightly to the side, and the blast missed her.
-I won’t fall for the same trick again.
Her armored leg kicked him in the stomach, and he felt that. He was too close to slash him, so she decided it was the turn for negative energy manipulation this time. A red energy surrounded her hand, and discharged into his body as she pushed him onto the ground. Right before it, she looked into his eyes.
So much different.
His eyes were now filled with emotion. Pain, anger, and more.
As he grunted from pain and cold touch of negative energy, she, just barely, sighed with relief.

Maugrim stood inside his room, completing the ritual with his two aides, his… special creations standing silently in the corners of the room.
Tylmarande done her job well. The ritual was almost complete. He wondered however – is it really possible that a warrior handpicked by Morag herself was in any danger of losing to this… “Hero of Neverwinter”, someone whom he could almost call a kid ?
Well, that wasn’t his concern, really.
Because he was so much above them all.

Aribeth blocked another one of his attacks, and he decided he had to use more of the invocations from his arsenal. He leaped away, and shot another cone of eldritch energy into the air. She managed to evade, but was now far enough. He closed his eyes and whispered.
-Wer whedaus di wer thurkear, akuech sia mlaen !
He opened his eyes, a ring of blackness now surrounding the irises. He saw her doing a forward motion before she actually done it. He evaded, easily, and blocked another attack. She attempted to punch him, but he ducked, and put his right hand to her stomach. She tried to leap back, but a cone of fire damaged her anyway. He put another wall of fire between them, and started preparing the next blast. He knew… Foreseen, she would try to pass the wall from his left side. Just when she done so, in the corner of her vision, she saw a pale green flash.
She leaped forward, but the acidic blast damaged her greaves and her left leg. She squealed in pain, as he was already charging on her. She evaded and slashed him above the hip. Despite the wound, he turned around and attacked from above, but she blocked his strike, ducking slightly. He forced her blade down, and moved his right hand close to her face. “No…”
She barely moved her head, but, the blast didn’t came. She attacked him, but he blocked her strike reflexively. Maenaz pushed her away, and she felt the heat on her back. He put a wall of fire in there. The human attempted a thrust, but when she dodged, shifted and lightly cut her near the ribs. She kicked him in the stomach, but he hold her leg and tossed her through his wall of flames. The elf got up and moved left, but another wall of fire was put there, blocking her way out. Aribeth tried to leap right, but got caught into a cone of eldritch energy anyway. As she raised her sword after the attack, Maenaz leaped through the flames, slashing her. She managed to weaken the attack by stepping back, but attaining new wounds didn’t exactly help her situation.
In the following duel, they both managed to cut each other a couple of times. He then jumped back and released a cone of acid, which was partially evaded. Leaping forward, she attempted to pierce him with a thrust, but he evaded and was barely cut in the hip. He hit her in the back of the head with his elbow, and then kicked her legs to make her fall. When she lied on the ground, Maenaz quickly fired another blast of energy into her back. She screamed in pain, but thrown her leg back and kicked his shin. Slowly raising, she was slashed from above, a hit blocked despite her bad position, and tumbled again. Another swing came from the side, and only her impressive reflex saved her from a grave wound, but again, she was pushed down, and forced to defend only. As his right hand was beginning to accumulate energy again, and his left prepared to strike her, Aribeth exclaimed :
-I give up ! I give up !


Master Ford was sitting over his desk, just as he… felt something. Something bad was happening inside the Source Stone.
Something REALLY bad.

Maenaz gave her some space as Aribeth has raised herself. She was tired, scorched, wounded, and probably most of her body hurt. Something inside him was in pain to see the once great paladin of Neverwinter – his inspiration in earlier days of adventuring - in such a state.
- You… came a long way here. I cannot… stop you anymore. If Morag had foreseen… how powerful you will become, maybe she would have chosen you as her champion, instead of turning her eyes toward me.
- I would never bow to your *Queen*. I need you to tell me something, Aribeth, if I am to let you live.
-Let… me live ? You cannot do that ! You serve Neverwinter, you have no choice, you MUST end my life ! Death…can only be a blessing for me. This life had tired me so much.
Tell me, Maenaz ! How can you move forward, knowing that the city you fight for MUST fall with the coming of the Ancients ?
-There is no *must*. The city can be saved, I can let you live, and the Ancients can be stopped. And, Aribeth, you know me… In truth, I rarely ever truly do this for the city itself.
-I’ve seen the future in my dreams ! Neverwinter shall burn to ashes when the Old Ones will be reborn ! It’s inevitable !
-The only inevitable things are those we do, and even then their *inevitability* is questionable as long as someone else is accounted.
-Maugrim… He is awaiting you behind the east door. I was supposed to protect him, but I failed even in this. I have nothing else to do with… this life.
-I need to ask you something, Aribeth. How did it all happen ? Is it just Fenthick’s death, or something more ?
-Isn’t the execution of my beloved enough of a reason already ? A good enough reason… for what I came to be ? They say I betrayed Neverwinter, but it was Neverwinter that betrayed Fenthick ! When he died, I lost more than just him ! He was a loyal servant, to Tyr and to Neverwinter ! And look how they repaid him ! How could I serve a got who let such a thing happen ? How could I serve a city so cruel ?
-…
-When Fethick was put to death, I lost my love, my faith, loyalty – EVERYTHING I believed in turned to dust !
-In order to get revenge on the ones that executed him, you turned to ones that led to his execution. You should have known better, but you were angry, hungry for revenge – and that blinded you. You behaved like a child !
-Maybe, but that doesn’t matter now. It’s too late for me. No reason to ponder on what would have happened if I made different choices.
-You’re still stuck with the same thing ! You’re the one serving a race that lead to his execution, a Queen that will probably betray you, a master that won’t tolerate any failure ! Why do you stick with revenge, and keep saying that it’s too late ?
-I just… I’m just telling how it happened. How I betrayed Neverwinter… and everything I swore to protect.
-If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have shown much forgiveness or mercy on the way here anyway. Forgiveness, Aribeth. It isn’t to late for that.
-Look around you ! Look on the death and destruction I wrought ! I can never fix that…I’ve been serving Morag for too long ! She controls me, owns me ! I couldn’t help you face her, even if I wanted. I cannot help the city.
-So, you just intend to give up on everything ? That’s just not like you. Before I beat Morag, and once I defeat her, your knowledge about Luskan army would be extremely valuable. You could save many.
-I could share my knowledge with Aarin and Nasher, that’s true. But it wouldn’t be enough. Morag’s power guarantees that the Luskan army will succeed in conquering the city. It cannot turn the tides of this battle. The city will fall even if I will save some lifes. And Nasher will put me to death quickly anyways.
-Strange words for someone who valued a single life so much to betray her beliefs and defy her own very nature to avenge it. You would save hundreds, Aribeth. Hundreds of loves such as yours and Fenthick’s.
-I should sacrifice myself… for those murderers ? Am I really capable of something so noble ? I know I would gladly do such a thing some time ago, but now…
-You are noble enough, Aribeth. I’ve seen it before.
-I would happily sacrifice myself back then. But that is past. I have changed. I’m not the Aribeth you have known. I thread a different path now.
Maenaz took a necklace off, and broke it’s tiny chain, handing something to Aribeth.
-The woman who gave me this… Wouldn’t say such a thing.
Aribeth looked at her hand. A small ring.
But it gave her such a rush of feelings.
-You were strong enough to change your path once. And you can do it again. You can leave your hatred behind, you can release yourself from Morag’s influence, you can be noble, and you can save all those lifes. Because, Aribeth… You’re still the woman who gave me this ring.
-You still have it…After my betrayal ? After all the suffering I brought ? Upon you, upon Neverwinter ? But… why ?
-It’s still you, Aribeth. I wanted to remember the woman you were. She’s still there, inside you. I told you. You are the woman who gave me this ring. Now, you need to acknowledge that.
Her voice was breaking, and she nearly cried, as she started speaking.
-I am not… I’m not like I was, it’s… impossible… I cannot… There’s no turning back after what I’ve done. I cannot… turn back.
-Our paths change, and we change, but our core, the essence of who we are, remains the same. You had the strength to become like this, to turn away from your former beliefs – and you can do it again. Do not turn back. Move forward. You are the Aribeth I know. Even your hesitation now screams that.
-Your words are wise… I can forget my hate. And… a part of me still cries when it sees Neverwinter in ruin. If I turn myself in… many lives can still be saved. My death would at least have… a meaning. But… will you trust me ? Your time is running out, you have to face Maugrim now, he awaits you. I can’t follow you. Maugrim could bring me back under Morag’s control, and I’m wounded already. Do you trust me enough to let me go to Lord Nasher all by myself ? If I will swear to turn myself in ? Would you make such a risk ?
-I’m neither your judge nor your warden, Aribeth. I wouldn’t judge you even if you ran away to save your life. I believe that you will simply do what you believe is right.
-Then… I’ll leave Maugrim to you, and I’ll turn myself in to Lord Nasher and tell him what I know about Luskan army. If we’re lucky, my knowledge may save some citizens, and I… I will give into Lord Nasher’s judgment, no matter for the consequences.

Aribeth gave him a key to Maugrim’s door.
-So be it.
-Thank you. I am grateful… For this. For your forgiveness, for a chance to do what’s right. I wanted to tell you this before I go, in case Lord Nasher… sentenced me before your return.
-Then go and meet your fate with honor, Lady Aribeth.
-Lady… Aribeth ? It must have been ages since someone called me that. Maenaz, I… You…
She was near another emotional breakdown.
-I must go to Lord Nasher now, while my resolution is strong. You must face Maugrim. Thank you, for everything. And good luck.

Daelan was trying to beat the enemies with help of Linu, Tomi and Boddyknock, however, the summoned demon was giving them a pause. They had to stop them. While only Maenaz could take care of these opponents all by himself, the castle guards had even less chance than them.
Just as he was pondering his desperate situation, one of the attackers grabbed his ears as a hit of sonic energy stroke him. At the same time, a small but well-built man started to beat the demon into his back mercilessly.
Sharwyn and Grimgnaw came back. And with them, their chances suddenly went way higher.

Aribeth gave the person that literally saved her one last look as she stepped through the portal, and she began wondering. How could she have never seen it ? How is it possible that she was so stupid, so blind ?
Despite his cynicism, his sometimes cold and aloof behavior, despite all the criticism his character has earned from Lord Nasher and some members of the Neverwinter Nine during his missions – the Hero of Neverwinter was no less than that. And perhaps he was more than a hero.


As Aribeth stepped through the portal, Maenaz activated another one of his powers.
This was his favorite whenever he was to fight anyone strong. A rush of life hit him, and his wounds were quickly closing on his body. He grinned at the fought of what he would do to Maugrim. He unlocked the door with the key, and then opened them aggressively. As he moved towards Maugrim’s room at the end of the corridor, he said, in a colder, more *threatening* tone than just seconds before, not even sure if Maugrim heard him or not.
-It’s payback time, bitch.

Maugrim Corothir looked like if he was beginning to rot already. His eyes looked almost like those of a blind person, but revealed his complete insanity. His head was marked with three festering wounds, and his body seemed more gaunt and lifeless than when Maenaz last saw him.
-So, Aribeth wasn’t strong enough to defeat you after all. But she served her purpose. All your efforts were in vain. The ritual is finished, the awakening of the Old Ones had already begun !
-The only thing you accomplished is giving me more enemies to strike down. Bring thousands of them, and thousands will fall. Time to make that race extinct.
-You shall be the first one to taste the power Queen gave me !

Maenaz leaped forward and fired his Vitrolic Blast at the enemies, shaped into a cone. He saw two beings move in the corners of the room. One of Maugrim aides had barely managed to dogde, but it only lessened the impact. The other one’s body was already being eaten away by the acid. Maugrim cast a spell – Stoneskin, apparently – just as Maenaz ripped his aide’s body in half with a swing of his sword. The beings in the corners were apparently flesh golems. He didn’t really care.
Smell of sulfur filled the air as fire blasted from the Warlock’s hand, hitting Maugrim and then jumping onto his golems. Maugrim answered by firing a Fireball, but Maenaz shrugged it of easily, not only taking minor damage despite the attack’s power, but also quickly healing from it. Angry, Maugrim fired a powerful, exploding blast of negative energy instead. Maenaz was shaken, but his body quickly regenerated from this attack as well. He didn’t intend to give the wizard more time. A blast of acid again struck the wizard, who screamed out in pain. His golems attacked Maenaz but he easily dodged the first strike and swinged down his sword at one of the golems, damaging it’s hand. The second Golem struck him. Hero of Neverwinter then felt that... something was out of place.
Suddenly, time jumped. Two powerful electric blasts struck him, followed by another Fireball. One of the golems was struck by the fireball as well, but Maugrim didn’t seem to care so much.
-So, are you finished already or will you have another pitiful attempt at…
The Warlock’s wounds kept healing on Maugrim’s eyes, turning the state of his mind inot that of burning rage. He pointed a finger at Maenaz and whispered an incantation.
-Die, mortal !
The very essence of death hit Maenaz, who felt and otherworldly force clinging to his life, attempting to shred it. He raised his head and grinned sadistically at Maugrim.
-Is that all ?
Eldritch energy blasted one of the golems away just as Maenaz jumped at Maugrim, swinging down his sword. Stonesking was barely cut, but he accumulated another blast in his hand. He put his fingers at the mage’s body, and fired a mass of acid straight into it. Maugrim screamed in pain, death grabbing him this time. Maenaz turned around to finish the job, thinking only golems were left to be defeated.
-You… fool… You didn’t think I would die so easily ? He pointed at one of his golems, which suddenly decomposed into a mass of flesh, which then begun to shine with an eerie glow. The mass of flash jumped at Maugrim, joining with his body, reforming it. He looked slightly… deformed now, but was obviously in good shape.
Maenaz fired an acidic blast at another golem, and turned to swing his sword at Maugrim.
Time jumped again. In the corner of his eye, he saw Maugrim at the end of the corridor, and then the roof crumbled as a rain of meteorites came down from above.
-Oh, shit !

Aribeth looked at Castle Never, so close already. A small part of her was screaming to run away, but she wasn’t turning back now. She wanted to give this city a chance.
Because she was given one as well.

Maugrim looked at the destruction his spell wrought. Even experienced warriors were not able to do much fighting after being hit with that spell. But something did move inside that room, and it didn’t look like his golem survived. A blast of energy fled towards him, and he barely evaded, the wall behind him blown to pieces.
This annoying so-called hero was alive.

Maenaz was scorched badly, and his regenerative powers were already at their limits. He praised Kossuth for the wizard’s stupidity. Even an idiot would have noticed that his ability to shrug off fire damage was extraordinary. He guessed that Maugrim protected himself from his own fire as well during the time apparently given to him by his Time Stop, so he was limited to his usual energy as well as acid. Maenaz charged out of the room, his right hand prepared to accumulate energy, and his left hand preparing a swing. As lighting came from the other side of the corridor, he dodged left, and jumped forward, firing a cone of acid. Maugrim screamed again, and right after, he felt his sword burying into his flesh. Stoneskin could apparently only take so much damage.
-I’m going to kill you !
-Stop whining. An idiot like you would only be able to kill a sheep with your choice of spells.

Maugrim screamed, but this was different. His shout contained a powerful, magical sonic energy. Maenaz felt his entire body tremble and his ears bleed slightly. Maugrim then charged his hands with negative energy and hit him.
-I’m immortal ! The Queen gave me so much power !
Maenaz grabbed his hand and pulled him closer, swinging his sword down on wizard’s elbow. Blood flew in the air, as Maugrim’s eyes widened in shock.
-And yet you seem to have lost something important ! There, shall I give you a hand ?
Maenaz smashed wizard’s face with his own chopped off arm like it was a mace, and eldritch energy swirled in his hand. He put it straight before the wizard’s face, just as his opponent raised his only remaining arm, attempting to shoot a lighting spell into his abdomen.
-I cannot bear to look at your face anymore.

Both blasts came at the same time. Maenaz felt pain as electricity was discharged into his body, but it was nothing in comparison with Maugrim’s exploding skull, brains and blood splitting on the wall behind them.
-What would you say here… Hmm, let me guess… “No, it’s impossible ! I am IMMORTAL ! NO, OH NOOOOOO !!!”
The warlock turned to Maugrim’s room, where the last Word of Power was. In the chest, he also found Maugrim’s journal. And, on his way back, he read it.
He read about Wailing Death, about Words of Power, about Aribeth’s betrayal, and about how Maugrim revived the Old Ones.
And things became clear to him.

The Source Stone’s activity worried Aarin. Aribeth’s arrival and willingness to share information and surrender to Lord Nasher’s judgement shocked him. But then, Maenaz came into the castle, and things just might have turned out better for them all.
Unlike Lord Nasher, who sometimes disagreed with both Warlock’s methods and his character, and was extremely wary of his unusual powers, Aarin both shared some of his sympathy for Aribeth as well as understood his behaviour. Maybe Maenaz weren’t a knight in shining armor, but he was powerful, incredibly determined, nowhere near as tired of fighting as the rest of Neverwinter’s champions, and he seemed to have some motivation beyond just the monetary reward. His growth rate was astounding – from only a promising recruit, he turned into one of Faerun’s most powerful humans in a matter of months.
He was an asset worth keeping no matter the cost.

-I usually consider myself well-informed, especially when it comes to Neverwinter’s protection. But I must confess, I was troubled when no one warned me that Aribeth was closing in on Castle Never in order to surrender herself to Lord Nasher. It was completely… unexpected. Seeing you here, I keep wondering what else you will do to surprise me.
-Yes, these are strange times. My city in ruin, Luskan’s siege is still out there, and Aribeth, the leader of our enemies’ army, is locked in a cell, awaiting her sentence.
-What are you planning to do with her ?
-She’ll live as long as war is waged. She has much knowledge about the enemy. After that… I don’t know. That decision will have to wait.
Aarin whispered to Maenaz : “The penalty for betrayal is death, but after Fenthick… I think Lord Nasher has learned not to make the same mistake twice”.
-I would prefer if you kept her alive until I stop Morag and let her have a chance to defend herself. Apparently, her cause is… special. There are many reasons why her penalty should be lessened.
-I told you already. That decision will have to wait.

Maenaz whimpered. The old aristocrat’s stubbornness and unwillingness to consider HIS opinion was annoying.
-I have the last Word of Power.
Aarin spoke.
-Yes, Grimgnaw and Sharwyn told us about your venture to Maugrim’s own chambers. Considering your earlier success, I am not really surprised.
-And how shall we benefit from this damn word ! We have a whole collection of them ! The other three gave us nothing !
-Lord Nasher, now, having all the Words, we might be able to use their power.
-And how would we do that ? I suppose neither of you can use that power ?
-I think Haedraline can. We need to convince her to work with us.
-Stop wasting our time, Maenaz. If you think it’s useful, talk to Haedraline about it. The other Words of Power are with Master Ford inside the caves beneath the dungeon.
-I will. And I’ll probably return once I’m finished with Morag.
-If I could, I would give you a whole company of armed…
-But we cannot. We need all the soldiers we have, and more. And instead of wasting time with some ancient words, you could probably join the fight as well. Unless you think Haedraline’s plan, if she has one, is really worth our time, you should do just that.
-I’ll stick with my decision.
Maenaz turned his steps to the dungeon, thinking about how stupid and self-righteous Lord Nasher was.

The castle dungeon. So cold, so lonely. And yet, she was back in Castle Never. Surprisingly, the guards didn’t try to murder her, there weren’t many prisoners inside, and the one in the cell next to her was quite… unusual. An Old One, no doubt, but… different. She had none of their savageness, and neither she was cold, calculating and radiated a mind-blowing evil aura like Morag’s manifestations.

And then he came into the dungeon. He turned to the cell of the lizardwoman, not sparing a single look into her direction. The anxiety was killing her. Was it about his mission being more important, or was it that he didn’t care ? He wanted him to walk near her… Talk to her. But instead, the only thing she could do was listen to their conversation. The woman called Haedraline told something about Words of power, and then about how Morag was too strong to be stopped now. Wailing Death and Maugrim’s doing strengthened her too much for Haedraline to be able to contain her with Words of Power. His voice was cold and determined.
-What can I do to stop her ?
-Morag did not reach her full power yet. She is still sealed inside the Source Stone. You may enter her world and attempt to destroy her there.
Haedraline continued about using the Words of Power to… enter the Source Stone ? Battle Morag, whose power was increasing with every second…
So they all were doomed. Battling Morag inside her own domain was insanity, and with her growing even stronger… They would have to use an army to have a chance of stopping her. But then, he spoke.
-I’ll just have to grow more powerful than she is, then. I’ll enter the Source Stone and slaughter all the members of your race that get in my way.

If anybody else said that, it would have sounded like words of a fool. But that man had a greatness about himself. Something that didn’t stem from magic or strength at arms, or even from divine protection. She quietly wondered if that was what made the greatest heroes of Faerun what they were. Then, he finally walked to her cell. She wondered how it was that his wounds weren’t major injuries. Those she inflicted on him were gone, and he had mostly minor burns from Maugrim’s spells, and one more nasty on his chest, like if somebody tried to tear him apart with claws. Healing potions ? It did not look like it.
He spoke her name, but it took her a moment to turn her attention to his voice.
-I am glad to see you again. When I surrendered to Lord Nasher, I was sure my execution would come quickly. But it seems like Lord Nasher decided to let me live… At least for now.
I’m happy, because it at least give me a chance to see you again.
-How do you feel, Aribeth ?
-I… found peace. For the first time since Fenthick’s death. Thank you. It’s you whom I owe my rescue.
-I just let you do what you knew was right. And, it’s not a rescue. You… probably will… be executed.
He didn’t speak this with his usual, indifferent tone, nor his harsher voice. Sadness ?
-I am not afraid of my fate anymore. When Fenthick…When Fenthick was being executed, I thought I lost everything. But now I see it wasn’t true…I have you. You were there… when I was in my darkest hour, you were there when I needed you - but I was too blind to see.
But… you never gave up on me. I have found myself again. And I finally see how... how special you are to me.
-You… Are also special to me, Aribeth.

These words… He really meant it. Suddenly the cell felt a lot less lonely, and she felt something in her heart. She was suddenly glad that she gave herself up and was spared. She was glad that this man, right in front of her, existed, and had a strong, brave, but human heart that could have feelings for her.
She walked towards him, her body touching the bars. She put a hand through them, and he held it.
-They say it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. I never believed in those words, until now. I… loved Fenthick… with all my heart, and I will always treasure my memories of him. But that doesn’t mean… I cannot love another. Maybe with time… If things had been different…
-Aribeth… It’s unfair… when you’re saying something like that… When I may lose you soon… Nasher, he…
-He didn’t pass his judgement yet. I will accept any fate he may have for me, but in his eyes… I see something that gives me a reason… to have hope I may still live. Shall Neverwinter survive, he may have another sentence for me. There is hope for me… for us.
He just stared at her, his eyes filled with waves of emotion. Should she really tell him this NOW, when he was about to have the most difficult battle of his life ? Was he really ready to return the feelings of a traitor ?
-I’m sorry for speaking so openly about this…My heart couldn’t stay silent, but… I shouldn’t burden you with this now. Not when you have to face Morag.
He raised her hand and kissed it gently. He had feelings for her. How long, she wondered ? Since Port Llast ? Or was it their separation when he realized? Or earlier… Maybe since the moment they’ve seen on the day of his graduation ?
It didn’t really matter so much now. She was glad they had each other, even if it was for a single moment.
-Your words do not burden me, Aribeth. I’m glad to hear them. My burden actually becomes lesser. If I am to face Morag… and defeat her… I’m glad things are clearer between us.
-If fate will turn out gracious, maybe we can return to this once Morag is dead. But for now, we have to put our feelings aside… For a more important case.
-I’ll blast that whole reptilian race to oblivion and return here as quickly as possible. You will not lose anyone anymore, and I do not intend to lose you.
He kissed her hand again and turned to the door down.
Things finally were going well for her. For them both.


But whether it’s because time was flowing differently in Source Stone, or because traveling in and out was long, it would take some time before Maenaz returned. And in meantime, things would happen.
Things that would turn the Hero of Neverwinter into something drastically different.