Day 1: Hunger Bloodweave #bloodweaveweek2024

day 1: hunger bloodweave #bloodweaveweek2024

Coming Thursday!

Blog Updates!

Hello lovelies! Just sending out an update! 1. What Could Have Been Chapter 10: Is slated for release tomorrow. Given some personal life stuff that came up this week the editing is taking a bit longer. <3 2. Three Little Things: Coming Aug 28th! That's right, the editing and re-release of my Spawn specific fanfic will be releasing on tumblr and reuploading to A03 as of Aug 28th! Thank you all for your patience as I navigate the highs and lows of life and trying to get these chapters to you! Weekly posting can be tough so I appreciate everyone's grace! Bella

With the last drops of breath, he sighed the last lines of his diabolical ballad "I am the answer. The soul is only an investment for something that will coming"

Update! I am back home and chapter 9 will be posted tomorrow!

Hello my lovelies!!

I know my post this week is running late but alas I am in the far Feywilds (Also known as Clinton BC) on a trip! Unfortunately I can't use Google docs to edit but chapter 9 will be coming soon! Not only that but I'm bringing my Spawn!Astarion fic to tumblr next week!

Thanks for your patience ❤️

Bella

Halloween’s coming around the corner so i wanted to see what the companions would be like going to a haunted house maze together 🎃

Chapter 9: Ready or not...

Previously: Prologue Tumblr Link for Prologue, Chapter One; Chapter Two, Chapter 3, Interlude Chapter 4 Chapter 5, Chapter 6 Chapter 7 , Chapter 8

Pairing: Astarion x female!Tav

Warnings: 18+. NSFW, Ethical and non Ethical BDSM, noncon, some allusions to sexual violence, flashbacks to sexual violence, discussions of sexual violence, dubious boundaries, attempted sexual violence, dubcon, blood licking/blood kink, reference to cheating behavior, emotional trauma, group sex, sex, smutt, anxiety, negative thinking, sexual trauma, recovery, healing, angst,

Word count: 63K total

Status: Ongoing

Note: Sorry for the delay this week! I had a few medical issues to take care of but Im back in top form!

(Chapter 10: Aug 14th)

Song for this Chapter: Bad Moon Rising: Creedence Clearwater

A03 Entire Story Link on AO3 Spotify Playlist

After the Jump!

Chapter 9: Ready or not...

Sima stumbled through the bustling streets of Waterdeep, her body a tapestry of aches and exhaustion. The Recall spell had transported her, but the relentless spellcasting had drained her completely, leaving her disoriented and vulnerable. The City of Splendors loomed around her, an overwhelming maze of towering spires, flickering lanterns, and shadowed alleys that felt both familiar and alien. Her heart pounded like a war drum in her chest, each beat a painful reminder of her escape.

Each step felt like wading through thick fog. Cobblestones, slick with rain, seemed to shift beneath her feet, threatening to send her sprawling. The cacophony of the city—vendors shouting, horses clattering, distant laughter—blurred into a disorienting symphony. The mingled smells of wet stone, sea salt, and sweet street food assaulted her senses, deepening her confusion.

How could he change so much? The Astarion she once loved had flickered and wilted, replaced by a monstrous shadow. His eyes, once filled with a complex mix of emotion, now burned with an unrecognizable fury. The realization hit her like a tidal wave, a fresh surge of pain and anger intertwining with fear. Shadowheart had prepared her for this, setting up a failsafe in case the ship to Amn had failed. Now, she was in Waterdeep, the final refuge meticulously planned with her wizard friend, Gale.

With a trembling breath, Sima steadied herself and cast a desperate Message to Gale, her voice quivering with urgency. "Gale, it's Sima. I've arrived in Waterdeep. Astarion... he's changed, and I need your help. Please, come find me. I don't know how much longer I can hold out."

Seconds stretched into an eternity. Her heart thudded painfully against her ribs, the chaotic din of the city closing in around her. Each face in the crowd felt like a potential threat. Then, through the haze of fear and exhaustion, she spotted a familiar figure—Gale. Relief washed over her as he reached her side, his expression a blend of concern and determination.

"Sima, you're safe now," Gale said, his voice a soothing balm as he guided her through the throng to a quieter part of the city. "Let's get you to my tower. We have much to discuss."

***

Later that night,

Sima stood on the balcony of Gale’s tower, overlooking the bustling port of Waterdeep. The moon cast a silvery glow over the water, reflecting the myriad lights of the city. The distant sound of waves crashing against the docks was a stark contrast to the chaos inside her mind.

Her thoughts drifted back to Baldur's Gate, the city that had once been her home. The vibrant markets, the familiar faces, and the sense of belonging felt like distant memories. Now, she was a stranger, lost in a sea of uncertainty and fear.

How did it come to this? The flashbacks came unbidden—the relentless chase through the Upper City, Astarion’s wolves and bats nipping at her heels, the desperate fight at the docks. Cold, damp air. Terror gnawing at her, knowing he was so close. The burning need to escape.

She leaned against the balcony railing, her fingers gripping the cold metal as if it could anchor her to the present. I loved him once. I still do, despite everything. The thought of Astarion, the man he used to be, brought a pang of sorrow and longing. But the monster he had become filled her with dread.

Power changes people, she mused, thinking of the allure of strength and control. Becoming powerful enough to stand beside Astarion, to counterbalance his darkness—it was tempting. A seductive whisper in the back of her mind, promising safety and the chance to make a difference.

But at what cost? Her resolve wavered, thoughts a tangled mess of fear, hope, and ambition. Depression and anxiety gnawed at her, constant reminders of her precarious situation. Defiant, yet exhausted and afraid. Hiding, running—antithetical to everything she believed in.

I need to be strong, she told herself, her jaw setting in determination. I need to understand this power, to see if it can be used for good. If I can retain who I am, maybe... maybe I can save him.

***

Over the next thirty days,

Sima and Gale embarked on a relentless quest to locate Van Richten's Guide to Vampires. Their journey through the labyrinthine streets and towering spires of Waterdeep was fraught with challenges. They encountered dead ends, faced off with rival scholars, and navigated the treacherous underbelly of the city. The toll of their search was evident in their weary expressions and the cuts and bruises marking their bodies. Yet, their determination never wavered.

Gale had carefully plotted their course, ensuring they avoided the lackeys of Artor Morlin, the Vampire Lord of Waterdeep. He pulled strings with the contacts he had among the Masked Lords, leveraging favors and alliances. Sima noticed the growing stress etched into his face, the lines deepening and the salt and pepper in his brown hair becoming more pronounced.

"Are you sure about this, Gale?" Sima asked one night, her voice tinged with worry as they navigated a particularly treacherous alley. "What if we’re caught? What if something happens to you because of me?"

Gale gave her a reassuring smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "I’m sure, Sima. You’re my friend, and I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t help you. Besides, we’re close. I can feel it."

Finally, after weeks of tireless searching, they secured the elusive guide. Exhausted but victorious, they returned to Gale's tower, their prize clutched tightly in Sima's hands. The guide was a treasure trove of information, detailing the nature, behaviors, and weaknesses of vampires. Sima's eyes widened in shock as she learned about vampire brides and the inevitability of a vampire's transformation into an evil entity. Yet, amidst these grim revelations, she clung to a sliver of hope.

"Vampires do change," she muttered to herself, her voice barely audible over the crackling fireplace. "But Astarion... he seems different. He has emotions, conflicts. He isn't just evil incarnate."

Gale, ever the objective scholar, supported her obsession with understanding this anomaly. "Power is a complex force, Sima," he said, his tone calm and measured as he turned the pages of the ancient tome. "Astarion's struggle mirrors my own with the Netherese Orb. We must explore every angle, every possibility."

Their research sessions were intense, filled with late-night discussions and the flickering light of candles casting long shadows on the walls. Sima clung to the hope that the Astarion she knew was not entirely lost. His restraint during their last confrontation, his refusal to forcibly turn her, was a lifeline she held onto desperately.

Night after night, Sima drove herself harder, poring over the guide with a fervent intensity. The desire to find the elusive piece of knowledge that could help her understand her predicament consumed her. Her eyes grew red from lack of sleep, her fingers trembling as she turned each fragile page.

"There has to be something," she whispered, her voice tinged with desperation. "A way to understand this... to survive it."

Gale watched her with a mix of concern and admiration. "Sima, you need to rest," he urged gently, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We won't find the answers we need if you drive yourself to exhaustion."

Sima shook her head, determination burning in her eyes. "I can't stop, Gale. Not until I understand. I need to know what Astarion is going through. I need to know if there's a way to survive this, for both of us."

Gale sighed, recognizing the stubborn resolve in her expression. "Alright," he said softly. "But remember, power comes with a price. Be careful not to lose yourself in the pursuit of it."

Sima nodded, her gaze fixed on the pages before her. "I just want to know," she murmured, more to herself than to Gale, ”if there's a way to navigate this without losing who I am."

As the days turned into weeks, the city of Waterdeep became the backdrop for their intense research. Each step they took, each piece of information they uncovered, brought them closer to the answers Sima urgently sought. With Gale by her side, she felt a renewed sense of purpose. Together, they delved deeper into the arcane mysteries, uncovering secrets that seemed to raise more questions than answers.

One evening, as the moonlight filtered through the tower’s windows, casting eerie shadows, Gale closed the guide and looked at Sima with a thoughtful expression. "There’s one more thing we need to do," he said, his voice calm and scholarly. "To truly understand what you're facing, you need to see the reality of a vampire spawn's existence. It’s time for your lesson."

A chill ran down Sima’s spine at his words. The weight of what lay ahead settled heavily in the room, the flickering candlelight casting long, ominous shadows. She steeled herself, knowing that the next step in their journey would test her resolve and perhaps reveal the truths she sought about Astarion—and herself.

***

Gale's tower in Waterdeep stood as a testament to his mastery over the arcane. The structure, an elegant blend of ancient and modern architecture, rose high above the city, its silhouette framed against the deepening twilight. As evening descended, the tower's many windows glowed with a warm, inviting light, casting a magical luminescence over the surroundings. Inside, the air buzzed with residual enchantments, and the walls were adorned with intricate tapestries depicting scenes of arcane mastery and historical battles. The ambiance was serene, yet charged with the promise of untold magical secrets, making it the perfect setting for an evening of deep, introspective learning.

Gale stood near a large table covered in tomes and scrolls—some old enough that the ink had faded, their leather covers wrinkled with age. An oil lamp rested on the table next to a few neatly stacked chairs. He was dressed in his usual robes, though tonight it seemed the gold embroidering on his sleeves was shining a bit brighter than usual.

"Ah, come in, come in!" he called when he saw Sima approach, waving her inside. The doors shut behind her with a soft click as he gestured to a chair near the table. "Please, sit."

Sima raised her brow and shook her head. "You are far too jovial for a man harboring a former kidnapping victim, Gale. Need I remind you why I'm here?" She crossed the room with an air of practiced defiance, her guard up after weeks of relentless fear and cautious hiding. The invisible shield she’d built around herself was almost palpable.

Gale's cheerful expression faded into a more serious look, and he took a seat in one of the other chairs. His fingers traced random shapes on the table, his expression focused but troubled. "I know, I know, the situation is... dire. But I assure you, you're quite safe here. Even Astarion would have trouble getting past the wards I've placed on this tower."

Sima lightly flipped through the pages of the dozens of books that littered her best friend's desk—a cacophony of noise she had to sort through to understand myth from legend, hearsay from stupidity. And now Gale, it seemed, had much to tell her, though her own doubts about her security lingered. "You say that like he's an errant puppy. You didn't see how he hunted me through the streets, Gale. So, how about we dig in before we push our luck?"

Gale chuckled softly, though the gravity of their situation was not lost on him. "Fair enough, fair enough. I'll get to the point."

He picked up one of the tomes on the table carefully, opening it to a page in the middle. "Now, let me ask you something. What do you know about the differences between true vampires and vampire spawn?"

"Autonomy. Freedom after a sort, and, well, I assumed all vampire spawn were sentient. Like Astarion is." The last bit was said with a bit of trepidation. She would be a fool not to admit that she had, in part, assumed a great deal about the general nature of spawn given what Astarion once was. But the gleam in Gale's eye belied his itch to get out information she knew too well.

"Ah, I'm glad you're with me so far." Gale put the tome back down carefully and gave her a sly smile. "I suppose that's as good a place to start as any. Most vampire spawn are mindless slaves, driven solely by their master’s will. Astarion, however, retained his personality and emotions. He’s an anomaly, possessing both the instincts of a vampire and the autonomy of a true vampire."

"What are you talking about, Gale? All of Cazador's... elder children, his siblings, all had their wits about them. Are you telling me spawn are usually… what? Feral?" Sima leaned in, her brow furrowing as she tried to grasp the implications of Gale's words.

Gale closed the book and looked her firmly in the eye. "Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying. Most spawn are mindless servants—slaves without even the free will to feed themselves. They only exist to obey their master's orders."

He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "I've only ever encountered a handful of spawn like Astarion, with some measure of independent thought. But I can count them on one hand. He is truly one of a kind, as far as I can tell."

Sima felt a chill run down her spine. "So, his emotions, his personality—all of it just"—she snapped her fingers—"are unique to him? And now that he's ascended, is he…. what? Bereft of emotion? Is that the great mystery? Is that why he has become this... thing?" Her voice trembled, fear and anger intertwining as she tried to reconcile the man she loved with the monster he had become.

Gale leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady. "It's complicated. For the most part, true vampires are just... more intense versions of themselves when they were still mortal. Their emotions are heightened, their desires greater, their ambition... unlimited. If I were to guess, I'd say that Astarion is just... more of what he was before."

He paused, his eyes drifting off to one side. "And given what I know of him, that's not a good thing."

"Gale, that makes absolutely no sense. The change in their nature of true vampires, based on nearly a month's worth of research, tells us they become evil incarnate. Lawful, driven, but evil. Astarion is still capable of love. What are you trying to say to me here? That his... uniqueness as a spawn somehow was... amplified? His ability to feel despite his nature?" Sima stood up at this and began pacing in Gale's study, the view of Waterdeep's night sky in the window beyond.

Gale's gaze followed her as she moved erratically about the room. "What I'm trying to say, Sima, is that Astarion's different. From spawn, from true vampires. He was already quite the rascal in terms of his ability to charm and manipulate people. Hells, even to just... enjoy their emotions. And now—"

Gale leaned forward in his chair, eyes intense, his voice dropping. "And now, he has an almost endless amount of power with which to do it."

Sima pursed her lips, her mind racing. She was no stranger to the temptation of power. Neither was Gale. They had both danced on the edge of that particular temptation more than once, which is why he had agreed to help her. Not Shadowheart, who seemed horrified that Sima was even considering turning. Not Karlach, who wanted to end Astarion. Just Gale, only him. "He let me go. It was brief, but it was real. And I cannot... I will not forget that, Gale."

Gale's expression softened slightly, a knowing look in his eyes as he sat up straighter in his chair and crossed one leg over the other. "I never said he was incapable of love or even friendship, dear girl. But power, and the desire for more of it... that can corrupt even the best of us."

He paused for a beat, his gaze drifting off into an empty corner of the room as he seemed to be lost in thought for a few moments. "After all, look what happened to me."

Sima looked at him softly. "You let the orb go. You returned the crown of Karsus. You found your way back, despite it all. You are the only person I have told the true reason for this research... to see if I was to turn... if I could remain myself. And what you are telling me... is there is a chance." Her voice cracked slightly, vulnerability seeping through her determined façade. She walked over to her friend, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.

Gale's mouth remained a thin line, his shoulders rigid under her touch. "Yes," he said quietly. "There is a... chance... that you could keep your soul. But you must understand, the change... it's more than just physical. It changes how you feel, what you want, what you're willing to do to get it."

Gale's gaze flicked up to meet hers, searching her expression. "Are you prepared for that? For what you may lose of yourself?"

Sima swallowed hard, her mind a whirlwind of fear and determination. "Nothing worth doing comes without risk, Gale. And if I was his equal? Who is to say I couldn't... counterbalance whatever this thing is that keeps him dangling between his nature and who he truly is. He was never a saint, but neither am I, and you know that. You know what I did for that Wish spell. There's blood on my hands, too. I just... need to know if I can reach him." Her voice wavered, the weight of her past actions pressing down on her.

Gale then walked over and looked towards a reinforced door. His footsteps echoed as he crossed the room, his long, flowing robe sweeping behind him like a cloak of shadows as he came to a stop before the reinforced door. He placed a hand on the thick, metal barrier, his expression grave and pensive.

"I don't doubt you can reach him," he said quietly, his gaze fixed on the door, not looking back to meet her eyes. "But whether he lets you in... that's a very different story entirely."

Sima looked at Gale and then at the door before she heard it—the thrashing, the roar, the raging of something behind it. "The Hells..." she said quietly, taking up position behind him. "Another lesson of yours?" she asked sharply.

A grim look passed over Gale's features, his hand still resting on the reinforced wooden door. Guttural noises came from the other side, like a wild animal trying to break free of a cage. "Yes, yet another lesson, if you will," he said, looking at her with a mixture of caution and determination in his eyes. "This is a controlled environment. There are spells in place to keep it contained. You need not worry about your safety, so long as you stay back."

As Gale opened the door, the horror came into view. The vampire spawn thrashed within the spell-bound cage, its eyes burning with a predatory hunger. Emaciated yet fearsome, its muscles tensed and rippled under pale, taut skin as it tested the magical barriers. Chains rattled against the cold stone floor, the creature's growls echoing through the chamber. Every movement exuded a menacing, feral energy, a testament to its barely restrained bloodlust. The air around it crackled with suppressed power, making the controlled environment feel both charged and perilous.

Gale took a few steps backward from the door as the spawn's furious, animalistic snarls filled the room. He kept his eyes trained on it, his expression wary but composed. A subtle magic hummed around the edges of the reinforced cage, a constant reminder of the spells that contained the creature.

"Sima, I'd strongly advise against standing too close. Even with these enchantments, this spawn is still powerful and dangerous. It will attack if provoked, and it will most certainly do you harm, if not worse."

Sima observed the creature with narrowed eyes, noting the differences. Gaunt skin greeted her, eyes blown out in hunger, the pupil lost to the blackness, though a thin line of red lined it. The body, almost emaciated but strong, muscular. Teeth that were sharp and feral. Her heart pounded, her breath quickened, and she felt her hands trembling slightly. "This... is what an actual spawn... is?" she whispered.

Gale's expression was grim as he nodded in agreement. "Yes, that is what a spawn is. All power and instinct, a twisted shadow of what it was as a mortal. Barely sentient, barely able to control itself. They are driven by bloodlust and a singular purpose to serve their master."

He paused, crossing his arms over his chest. "Astarion is different."

"Defying nature itself. That's my beloved," Sima whispered, almost to herself as she crouched, watching the thing that roared and rattled the magically enforced cage. It lunged suddenly, making Sima barely flinch as she observed it in almost studious detail. As she did, Gale made his way to a blood store, bringing out a jar of blood. "Gods below, I think it can smell it," she commented as the creature whipped its head to look at Gale.

Gale's fingers tightened around the jar as the spawn's head whipped toward him, its nostrils flaring in anticipation. It prowled the edges of its cage, eyes fixed on the blood as if it were a beacon, its entire being focused on the promise of a meal.

"It can smell that the blood is nearby. It's all it can think about—the hunger, the need for blood, the compulsion to feed. See how it moves..."

The spawn moved with a primal grace even within the confines of its cage, its eyes fixed on the jar of blood in Gale's hands. Its body coiled and tensed like a spring, ready to pounce. Every muscle in its body seemed to twitch and vibrate with an unearthly anticipation.

"It's driven by pure instinct. Nothing else matters except the blood. It will do anything, say anything, promise anything, if it means it can have what it craves."

"This is how Cazador controlled him, made him desperate enough to eat rats," Sima said, a rage rolling through her. She had never been more grateful to the memory of seeing Cazador consumed in the infernal fires that allowed Astarion to ascend. "So this is proof that Astarion retained himself, despite the transformation. Though, the explanation of why remains... elusive?"

Gale's expression was solemn as he looked back at Sima, his eyes focused. "Astarion didn't just retain himself. He transformed, in every sense of the word. He is more... himself than he's ever been. His mind, his powers, they're all still his, more acute and more powerful than ever before."

He paused, his gaze drifting back to the spawn. "But his hunger, his drive, they're more intense too. They're the same desires, the same wants. Only now, they're amplified."

"So what is the lesson, Gale? I know you, there is some sort of moralistic quandary gripped around this lecture with you. There always is. What? Should I be ashamed that I see the power here? That, despite the worst of his traits being more powerful, he is still in there somewhere? You give me hope and then condemn me for it." Sima turned to him, her eyes relentless and stubborn.

Gale looked at her with a pained expression. "Sima, you and I are two of the most power-hungry people I know. It's not a criticism by any means, but I also can't pretend we don't both know it's a dangerous combination. Power is... addicting. Seductive. It's all well and good to say you're going to be careful, that you're going to exercise restraint, but those are the words of a person who hasn't tasted it yet."

He sat carefully in the chair beside her and leaned closer as Sima bit out the next words. "Don't you dare patronize me. I want it. There, look upon me and be horrified. But the chance, the singular chance to do something good with this? Immortality? A chance to undo the harm I have done in a year. I have killed, I have murdered, I have burned lives down to ash in a blink of an eye to get what I needed to change him back. And I failed. If this is the chance to reach him, to join him... am I so terrible?" Sima looked at Gale, the hope and strategy mingling with her need for the person she once loved.

Gale gently took her chin in hand, forcing her to meet his gaze. "I'm not telling you to abandon your hopes, Sima. I just... I don't want you to lose sight of that hope. It would be all too easy for Astarion to let his darkest nature win, and in his new state, that dark nature would have incredible power. So, power isn't the answer on its own. Not for you, and especially not for him. You need to have something more... significant than that to hold on to."

"We have each other. We have always had each other. I will not give up on him. That is my dirty little secret. I can't trust him, I can't turn my back on him, I can't underestimate him, but I will not abandon him to his fate. I will take this power, and I will not lose myself even if it's a war on both fronts. I know I can reach him, Gale, keep him from the edge." Sima gazed into Gale's brown eyes with her own, and the conviction was breathtaking.

For a moment, Gale was silent, his expression stoic as his fingers held her chin. Then, gradually, his stern exterior cracked slightly, a smile coming begrudgingly to his lips at her earnest tone and her determination. "Gods almighty... you truly are a stubborn one, aren't you? Once you've set your mind to doing a thing, you do it, regardless of the odds."

He let go of her face and took a small step back, shaking his head faintly, almost in awe. Sima then gave him a shade of her devil-may-care smile, the one that often got them into trouble and out of it during their adventures. "A trait I share with most of our friends, if not the man I love. I still love him, Gale, despite it all," Sima confessed quietly, her eyes uncharacteristically soft all of a sudden.

Gale's expression softened more, and he reached out to rest a hand gently on her shoulder. "I know you do." He sighed, rubbing his forehead with the other hand as he looked off to the side, his eyes distant as he thought for a moment. "I've seen what power can do to people. How it can... twist them, change them."

He met her gaze again, his expression solemn once more. "But... I understand. You want to try. I just hope you know what you're getting into."

Sima took his shoulder in turn as he led them away from the feral spawn and back into his study. "Do you believe in me, Gale? You always trusted me, even to get us to the Absolute, to bring down the Brain. I need to know you'll stand by me. Can't do it without the best wizard in Toril. Don't tell Elminster I said that, alright?" Sima again gave Gale a rare weary smile. A rare one indeed, since she had been staying with him for almost a month, in hiding.

Gale chuckled softly at her small joke, a shadow of a smile on his face, but the worry still present in his eyes. "Trust you? Hells, you practically forced me to keep trusting you. You're stubborn and reckless, and the worst part is... you're usually right."

He paused, taking a breath, his expression growing more serious once more. He placed both of his hands on her shoulders now, looking right into her eyes with a deep affection and concern. "And yes. I believe in you, Sima. Always."

Sima felt a surge of warmth at his words, a rare moment of genuine connection amidst the chaos and darkness. "Thank you, Gale," she whispered, squeezing his hand gently. "I won't let you down. I promise."

Gale nodded, a trace of a smile lingering on his lips. "I know you won't. Just remember, we're in this together. You don't have to face it alone."

Sima gave him a determined nod, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. She glanced back at the door where the vampire spawn thrashed, a grim reminder of the path ahead. But with Gale by her side, she felt stronger, more resolute in her mission.

"Let's get back to work," she said, her voice steady. "There's still so much to learn, and we need to be ready for whatever comes next."

Gale released her shoulders and led her back to the table covered in tomes and scrolls. The candlelight flickered, casting long shadows on the walls as they resumed their study, their minds focused on the task at hand.

Sima's thoughts drifted as she pored over the ancient texts, her fingers tracing the faded ink. The image of the vampire spawn lingered in her mind, a stark contrast to the Astarion she once knew. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was still hope, that somewhere beneath the darkness, the man she loved still existed.

Power may have changed him, but it hadn't erased him. She clung to that belief, letting it fuel her determination. As the hours passed, she absorbed every detail, every piece of knowledge that might help her understand and perhaps save Astarion from the abyss.

The night stretched on, the air thick with the scent of parchment and candle wax. Sima's eyes grew heavy, but she refused to give in to exhaustion. She had to be strong, for herself, for Gale, and for Astarion. Her resolve hardened with each passing moment, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

She glanced at Gale, who was deeply engrossed in a particularly ancient tome. His brow furrowed in concentration, his fingers turning the delicate pages with care. She admired his dedication, his unwavering support. He was a true friend, one she could always count on.

A pang of guilt tugged at her heart as she thought of the blood on her hands, the lives she had taken in her quest for power. But she couldn't dwell on the past. She had to focus on the future, on the possibility of redemption. If there was a chance to make things right, she had to take it, no matter the cost.

I need to be strong. I need to find a way to reach him. Sima's thoughts echoed in her mind, a mantra of determination and hope. She couldn't afford to fail. Not now, not when the stakes were so high.

Sima then heard Tara downstairs beckon them for supper. "I want this, but I won't go into this blind. Thanks to you, Gale. I'll show you your trust isn’t misplaced once... if I transform and accept Astarion's offer. And it will be on my terms. I'll still be your friend, always." Sima squeezed his hand. "Now come on, your tressym will Fireball us if we are late to dinner again."

Gale chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't remind me. The last time I was late, she put thorns in my bed for a week. I'm never going to hear the end of it." He gave her hand another squeeze before letting go. "And I do trust you, you know that. You're one of the most dependable people I know. I just—" He stopped himself, sighing softly as the two of them began walking to the door. "I just worry about you, is all."

"Stop, or you'll get more wrinkles. Tara already says you've aged a year with me staying with you." Sima flicked the salt-and-pepper streaks of hair that seemed to have grown around Gale's beard and brown hair. "Come on, let's go have a bite of supper."

Gale chuckled as she playfully flicked his hair, his eyes crinkling with humor. "Maybe you're right." He took her hand firmly. "Let's go before we make Tara any more irritated."

Despite his lighthearted tone, Gale's expression darkened for a moment as he looked at her, his voice dropping. "Just... be careful. Please."

Sima looked back at him and smirked, her brown eyes a little bit more shadowed than he remembered from their adventures. The lines of stress were there but fading. But that elusive fire was still there, burning fiercely. "I will, I promise."

In that moment, Gale almost believed her, or at least let himself do so as he watched his friend descend the stairs of his wizard tower, and followed along with her.

As they made their way to the dining area, the scent of a home-cooked meal greeted them. Tara, Gale’s tressym familiar, eyed them with a mix of impatience and amusement from her perch. The little winged cat had a knack for knowing when supper was ready and would tolerate no delays.

They took their seats, the meal spread out before them. For a moment, it almost felt like the old days, a simple gathering of friends around a table, sharing food and conversation. Sima allowed herself a small smile, feeling a semblance of normalcy for the first time in weeks.

Gale poured them each a glass of wine, his demeanor relaxed but his eyes still watchful. "To new beginnings," he said, raising his glass. "And to the old friends who make them possible."

Sima clinked her glass with his, the warmth of the wine spreading through her as she took a sip. "To new beginnings," she echoed. They began to eat, the conversation turning to lighter topics—old adventures, shared memories, the peculiarities of Waterdeep.

Just as the tension began to ease, a sudden, jarring sound shattered the tranquility. The alarm of the tower blared to life, its shrill cry echoing through the walls and sending a surge of adrenaline through them. Tara hissed, her fur standing on end as she leaped to the floor, ready to defend her territory.

Gale’s eyes widened, his expression immediately shifting from relaxed to alert. "What in the Nine Hells...?"

Sima's heart raced, her hand instinctively moving to the hilt of her dagger. She exchanged a glance with Gale, her mind already piecing together the only likely explanation for such an intrusion.

"It's him," Sima whispered, her voice tinged with a mix of fear and resolve. "Astarion."

The tower's alarm continued to wail, the sound a stark reminder that their brief moment of peace had been shattered. The reality of their situation came crashing back with a vengeance, leaving them no choice but to prepare for the confrontation that loomed ahead.

As the echoes of the alarm faded into the background, the oppressive silence that followed was filled with an undeniable tension. Sima and Gale stood, readying themselves for the inevitable.

"Stay close," Gale instructed, his voice steady despite the urgency of the situation. "We have to face this together."

Gale began chanting under his breath, his hands weaving intricate patterns in the air. "I've activated a ward to prevent your forcible removal from the tower," he said, glancing at Sima. "As long as I'm conscious—or, you know, not devoured by your charming paramour—it should hold. Let’s try to avoid testing its limits, shall we?"

Sima raised an eyebrow, a hint of dark humor in her voice. "Comforting thought, Gale. Let’s hope Astarion doesn't try too hard to change that."

Gale managed a grim smile. "Well, as long as your erstwhile paramour doesn’t knock me out or eat me, you should be fine. But let’s not give him the chance, eh?"

With weapons drawn and spells at the ready, they prepared to confront the threat that had come knocking at their door, the weight of their choices and the stakes of their mission hanging heavy in the air.

And just like that, the fragile hope they had clung to was put to the test, as the past came crashing into the present, demanding to be reckoned with.