I make my way to the Absolute camp. I search the tents and approach several duergar who are sitting in a circle playing cards and drinking around a fire.

"I'm looking for True Soul Z'rell."

One of them nods toward a door. "She's got her own space. Easy to miss."

"Thank you." I give them a nod and make my way. I rap on the door and wait.

There is a long silence before I hear a click and the door cracks open. Z'rell looks through, her eyes flat, almost bored. "Vash? What is it?"

"We need to discuss how we're going to proceed."

Her gaze travels across me and she steps aside, drawing the door open for me.

I step into the quarters of a Sharran superior. Dark stone floors meet indigo marble walls. A fire crackles in the hearth, and a lantern shines from a stand in the corner.

She's wearing a nightgown, but pulls a shawl from the bed and throws it over her shoulders, leaning back on a desk near the fireplace.

"Have things changed with the Sharp Teeth Tribe?"

I walk up to her. "No, Sazza is on her way to gather her people."

She rolls her eyes. "Okay, so what is there to discuss?"

The shawl is draped loosely over her shoulders. I take the edge of it and pull it from her.

She watches me as it falls.

I step closer to her and tilt her chin up. "How long have you served General Thorm?"

Her thoughts ring chaotically. There's nothing cogent there.

Then a voice enters her mind. "Ten years."

"A decade," she says. "I worked tirelessly to be lieutenant to General Thorm."

The prism hums in my pocket. "A false memory."

"I'm shocked."

I search her mind. She was initiated six months ago. I have no access to who she was before then.

"Impressive service," I mutter.

My thoughts touch the prism. "I'm going to test my powers from the Zaith'isk."

"She's a good subject."

I scoff. "Because you have no love for her. She could be a very competent Lieutenant, and yet you easily condemn her. Remember that."

"How long have you served Lord Bishop?" Z'rell asks. I press my hands into her temples and her face falls. "What are you-" Her eyes glaze over and her body goes slack.

I get images of an old elf clad in armor. He sits on a throne in a grand hall. Z'rell's mind whispers his name. Ketheric Thorm. That's what the old bastard looks like. Three novices are kneeling before him.

A priest stands behind the kneeling men. Beige and blue robes drape from his shoulders. Z'rell doesn't focus on his face. All I hear is a single word. "Choose."

Ketheric leans on his elbow, waiting.

She holds her hands together and focuses. One of the novices begins to bleed from his nose. He cries out before his head detonates. The priest's robes are spattered with gore as the body collapses at his feet.

Ketheric laughs. "Gods, Bishop. She didn't recognize them at all."

"Her priorities are clear. She favors obedience and reverence over cunning."

"If she can kill one of her husbands without flinching, this could work."

"As I said."

Something within her goes still. "My... husbands?"

The memory fades.

I glance down at her. She rests with an empty expression. I remove my hands.

She blinks.

"Vash. What are you doing in my chamber?"

"...You asked me to come."

Her brow pinches. "Did I?" She subtly flexes her jaw, tapping her fingers on the edge of her desk. Then her eyes soften and she stands with a smile. "I knew you would. Though, I might be more of a handful than the gith."

She pulls off my coat. I let it drop and look at the silhouette of her body through her nightgown.

"Where do you want me to begin?" I mutter.

"Be creative."

I walk behind her and kiss her neck. My hands drift up her sides, lifting the nightgown before I slide my fingers between her legs.

She makes a soft sound. I didn't think a creature like her could make a noise so gentle. I drag my teeth across her neck.

Bite her.

A soft laugh escapes me.

What a thought, Father.

"Stop being gentle," she says, giving me a playful glance.

"I can't help but savor you while I have you." I wrap my arm around her shoulders and sink my teeth into her neck. Her body goes stiff as I tear out a section of flesh. She claws at my arm and her knees buckle. Noises sputter from her as she collapses.

I feel exhilarated and take a moment to study what I've done. I crouch beside her, touch the braids of her hair, and let my fingers trail along her jaw. Her hand twitches before going still. I break through her eye, scooping out her tadpole. I focus. My brain itches as the knowledge of the Absolute's gift writes itself into my mind. The tadpole crumbles in my hand. The ashes drift between my fingers.

I peek outside the door. The duergar seem to have gone. I throw the body over my shoulder and discard it in a lava flow, then head back to camp.

I try to clean the blood from my mouth and hands with a kerchief.

Bex and Rooster sit by the campfire. They rise and Rooster dashes over to me, clinging to my shoulders. "Gods, are you alright? You're covered in blood."

"Not mine."

He snatches his hands back and takes a step back.

Bex places a hand on his back, looking at me. "Who was it?"

"Z'rell. Now all we need to worry about is Nere and the few True Souls among Clan Flameshade."

Rooster taps his hands at his sides. "Are we murdering people now?"

"Should I have picked a fight with her to make it less morally reprehensible?"

Rooster stares up at me. His mouth opens, then closes.

I sigh and place a hand on his cheek. "Not everything we do is going to be glamorous. I am made to shoulder the burden of the more gruesome necessities."

He glances at Bex, and she gives a silent nod. "Okay. I'm... going to sleep with Astarion tonight, though. I don't know if I can handle the smell."

I watch him pass, then sniff my coat. Gore. I don't know what else I was expecting.

I briefly close my eyes and focus on Bex. "There's something we need to discuss."

"What's that?" she asks, settling her weight to the left.

I reach for her hand and she takes it. I guide her to sit on one of the many marble pews scattered throughout the grand room where we are camped. I hold her hand in mine for a moment, running my thumb across her knuckles.

"Vash... what is it?"

"The tadpoles. Although we are infected, they imbue us with great powers. Because of the prism's protection, I am able to absorb the power from others' worms. I've only absorbed the power from one, until today."

"Z'rell. You took her worm, didn't you? What did it give you in return?" Her brow is pinched, her tail flicks. Her focus is unbreaking.

"The ability to kill with a thought."

She abruptly stands, her eyes wide. She doesn't speak.

"Bex please. Trust me."

"A man whose sworn oath is to end all things just told me he now has the power to kill with a thought. Vash! I..." She clings to her elbows.

"Let me explain."

"What is there to explain?! Are you..." She presses her hands to her head. "...Gods."

"Bex!"

She stares at me, her breath heavy.

"There are limitations. It only works on other infected. I can only use it once a day."

Her shoulders fall and she slumps before falling onto the seat next to me. "Hell's teeth..." she says, pressing her hand over her heart.

I rub her back. "Are you okay?"

She catches her breath and nods.

"The power detonates the worm inside of people's heads. That is the kill switch. Only that."

She breathes a laugh. "Only that..."

"I may need to use it. It will not be pretty. Only to keep the cult in line."

"I understand. Just... let me know."

I take her hand and kiss her fingers. "I'm sorry for frightening you. I will warn you if I need to use it."

She nods quietly and places her forehead against my arm.

Bhaal's whispers are sated after obeying what Father was urging me to do.

It's the first time I've knowingly acted on the whispers...

The relief feels like a still lake, and it's far more satisfying than the ten-day sacrifice.

The hum from Karlach, Shadowheart, and Astarion's minds is also subdued as they sleep soundly.

The Shades of Thay do not howl.

The prism has nothing to add, for once. It makes me worry if she's been compromised.

Even so, it's another night of poor sleep. My own thoughts whirl with everything that must be done.

But breakfast brings a welcome calm.

Rooster and Astarion sit beside me, as I eat my soaked oats. Doni has his own cup of oats. His mask rests on the crown of his head as he eats.

Karlach and Danis cook the rations together, while Bex manages the fire. Shadowheart is still in her tent, lost in prayer.

Shovel is eating a fish. I don't know where she got it from.

Doni wipes his mouth on his sleeve, before pulling down his mask.

"Mr. Ancunín?"

Astarion is adjusting his curls. "Yes, Doni?"

"Why do you never eat with us?"

He freezes.

I slowly take a bite of oats with a vague smile.

Astarion glances at me with pleading eyes.

A gentle laugh escapes me, and I cover my mouth. "Mr. Ancunín has a very special diet."

"What does he eat?"

"He eats little boys!" I say, wrinkling my nose.

"What? Nooooo!" he laughs, kicking his feet.

"You're not helping!" Astarion shoves me.

Doni settles from his laughter and glances between me, Astarion, and Rooster.

"Father, can you marry Mr. Ancunín and Rooster?"

I choke on my oats and Rooster laughs. "Ah ha! He got you."

I tap my chest. "Where is this coming from, Doni?"

"Well. Mr. and Mrs. Aldwick are married. They're close to Rooster, but not in the same way as you and Mr. Ancunín. So... who does Rooster belong to?"

Rooster covers his mouth, still grinning.

I glance at the others, as they look at me.

"This one is mine," Rooster says. "Doni, how old are you?"

"Twelve."

He nods solemnly. "Then you're old enough to understand."

Doni adjusts his mask and pays attention.

"You see, when a man, a man, a man, a woman, and another man love each other very much..."

"Rooster." I palm my forehead. "I don't think that's going to make it easier for him to understand..." I give Doni a weary smile. "He is friends with Mr. and Mrs. Aldwick. Astarion, Rooster, and I are partners."

"Partners? Like, you love love each other?" He lifts his mask enough to finish his oats, wiggling his feet.

"Yes."

Astarion and Rooster stare at me.

I lower my oats. "What?"

Rooster leans on my arm. "You love us?"

"How is that even a question?"

Astarion takes my hand. "You've never said so."

I take their hands in mine and kiss each one. "Why waste my words when I can show you?"

They glance at each other and Rooster sighs. "Good enough."

I hear a crackling and quickly stand. I know that sound, that smell.

Everyone gets to their feet, glancing around.

Karlach growls. "Oh, Hells no!"

"Doni, get behind me. Rooster, Astarion." I gesture back.

Doni dashes behind my coat while Rooster and Astarion stand beside him.

"Huh? Oh! Something fun!" Shovel climbs my coat and sits on my shoulder.

"No," Bex whispers. She grabs Danis and they hold each other near the fire.

A ring of flames forms on the ground in front of me, and from the void rises wings, crimson hair... and a dress that only covers what it has to.

"Mizora," I murmur.

Shovel stands on my shoulders, clinging to my horns. "It's the naked lady!"

Mizora shakes her wings loose and smiles, flipping her hair. "So good to see you again, Vash Neel, and your little fiend, too."

"My name is Shovel!" she squeals.

"Shovel, shut up," I say tersely.

Karlach advances. "What in the Hells do you want, Mizora!"

She gasps. "By the nine! Karlach! Zariel has been looking for you." She glances at me. "Of course you would end up in his camp. It all makes sense now. So which one of you did it?"

"Did what?" I ask, fingers flexing.

"Who murdered my beloved puppy?" she says with a pout while staring directly at Karlach.

Karlach's fists tighten. "It... it wasn't a murder. I tried to stop him, but Wyll kept coming at me." She walks up to her and presses her finger into Mizora's chest. "You were the one who sent him after me!"

Mizora's skin sizzles, but she scoffs and bats Karlach's hand away. "You tried to stop a warlock from fulfilling his duties to the Hells? The duties that cost him his soul? Foolish."

Karlach scowls, jaw clenched. "He didn't leave me much of a choice."

"Of course not." She steps past her and glances around. "Pitiful camp."

"We're traveling light. What do you want?"

Doni clings to my arm.

"You're in such a rush, Vash Neel. I thought I might take this opportunity to see how you were faring. Oh! And to deliver a message."

Her gaze rests on Doni. I quickly step between them.

"And who's that?" she asks softly, kneeling down.

"What's the message, Mizora?"

She leans over to glance at Doni once again. "What's your name?"

"Doni, don't answer her."

He ducks further behind me, clinging to my coat.

"The message, Mizora."

She purses her lips and straightens. "Fine." She lifts her chin, broadening her wings. "It's from Mephistopheles himself. As much as I resent being another archdevil's courier, Zariel encouraged me to deliver it."

She clears her throat and raises her arms, as if to summon the very essence of the Hells themselves. The circle of flames rises below her once again. "Tentator! Tyrannus! Totalitas!" she says in a theatrical voice. "Vis mea manus tuas perurat!" She meets my eye. "Capulus clavem tenet."

She grins and wiggles her shoulders at me. "Try not to ogle my body as I leave this time." She waves her fingers at me. "Ta-ta." She vanishes in the circle of flames. The smell of sulfur lingers. The camp is silent for a moment. Then shoulders start to relax.

"Father, who was that?" Doni walks out from behind me. "She was beautiful. Her horns were like a crown."

"She's no one."

Karlach turns to me. "Spooks... how do you know Mizora?"

"My handling of Wyll's body called her to me."

"Oh man, I'm sorry Spooks! This is my fault."

"No. It's not. I'll not have you blaming yourself."

Bex walks up to me. "So what was the message?"

I pull Shovel from my horns and set her down. "You can't speak Infernal?"

"No, and I don't intend to learn."

I look at everyone gathered. "It means the cave-in won't be the only thing I'll need to excavate. Unfortunately, the Temple of Lathander may prove more challenging."

Bex and I walk to the gnome camp. I notice a few clan members following us, before we're cut off by half of Clan Flameshade, crossbows trained on me. I put my arm across Bex and move her behind me.

"You!" Sergeant Thrinn approaches me. Her crossbow lands heavily in her palm as she pulls it from her back. "You think you're slick, huh?"

"Not necessarily," I say with a half smile.

"Shut up! Ketheric is going to fucking slaughter you when he hears you killed Z'rell."

Bex reaches for her crossbow, holding it low.

I square my shoulders, tucking my hands behind my back. "If Z'rell is missing, then perhaps we should look for her before you start throwing around accusations."

"Don't give me that shit, hoon! I saw you carrying her body from her quarters."

I probe for who might be tadpoled. I feel a familiar squirming behind the eyes of a couple, including Thrinn.

Nere approaches from the cultist's camp. "What is this?" he barks.

"He killed True Soul Z'rell!"

"You did what?! She was Thorm's right hand!" The static of his thoughts bites at me. Confusion. Apprehension. Indignation. A fear of the ramifications. "Do you understand the utter shitstorm you just created?!"

"Let that be my concern. For now, we need to focus on the cave-in."

The gnomes are chained behind the duergar. They're trying to act like they're not gawking.

"Fuck off!" Thrinn snaps. "I'm not working with some cunt who shows up out of nowhere and starts killing True Souls!"

I calm myself and focus on her tadpole. I reach behind me and give Bex a gentle tap. My voice grows quiet. "Reconsider."

Bex turns away. "Torm, give me strength."

"Shove off!" Thrinn trains her crossbow on me, then her face falls and she lowers the weapon. Her nose begins to bleed. "Wait..." She taps her lip and looks at the blood. "Wait!"

I snap my fingers. Her tadpole detonates and her head ruptures. A few people jump as they are spattered, and her body drops.

Silence falls.

Nere's focus slowly shifts from Thrinn to me. "...How did you get Z'rell's gift?"

"Enough. I'll not have us losing focus on what needs to be done."

Lurgan stares at Thrinn's body before looking at me. "You said Gekh drowned?"

"The lake is very dangerous."

He lifts his hands and steps back. "Then the lake can have all the space it wants." He walks away.

"Who is the slave master?"

Someone gestures to Thrinn.

I grunt. "Looks like I'll be taking charge of their care going forward."

A man steps forward. "They belong to us, you can't just claim them." He speaks flatly but keeps a safe distance between us.

"Who are you?"

"Elder Brithvar. I lead Clan Flameshade."

"Right." I pull a satchel of coin from my pocket and count out fifty gold, pressing it into his palm and patting his shoulder.

He stares at it as I unlatch their chain from the post.

"Come. Let's clear the cave-in once and for all. Single file."

Beldron stares up at me, mouth parted, before his eyes trail to the corpse. He grabs Lunkbug as the coffle begins shuffling forward.

Bex walks beside them. "Thank you for your help."

Barcus glances up at her. "Are you loyal to the Absolute?"

"No. Not in the least."

"A neutral party?"

"Yes."

He seems to allow himself to relax. But only just.

I focus on Brithvar. "I need smokepowder, a stone drill, and some tamping rods."

Brithvar pockets the fifty gold. "Kith!"

There's a commotion as they push a man through the gathered clan members.

He staggers forward. "Erm... I should have the supplies. Twenty gold for the lot."

Brithvar slaps the back of his head.

He flinches. "Uh, I mean, ten gold."

"Deliver it to the cave-in." I hand him ten gold. My focus settles on Nere. I gesture to the body. "Clean that up. It's not doing anything for morale."

He curls his nose as Thrinn's body oozes fresh blood. He turns to Brithvar. "Do you... have special funerary rites?"

Brithvar stares at him, then walks away.

I follow after the coffle as Clan Flameshade moves to grab the supplies.

Bex lifts herself onto her toes, peering through the hole. "Gods, you weren't kidding."

I rest my fingers on the small of her back. "What do you think?"

"I think your hand needs to find a better position, quickly."

It shifts to the spot between her shoulders. She glances at me and I give her a guilty smile.

She settles on her heels. "Why were you in here by yourself, again?"

I lift my brows. "I had to take a chance and it paid off. I don't regret the risk I took."

"Well, I'm glad you're safe despite your recklessness." She nudges me.

"The charges are set!" Barcus calls through the hole.

"Are you ready to uncover an ancient forge, Mrs. Aldwick?" I reach out my hand and she takes it. "60 seconds to detonation!" I call back.

Bex and I dash out of the cavern. She's smiling as she passes me. "Aaaahhh!" she yells playfully before reaching the mouth of the cave. Her joy seeps into me.

I stop next to her, laughing.

Brithvar, Kith, Nere, and my entire camp are present.

Doni takes my hand, focused on the cavern. Kith steps beside me. "I must admit. I'm pretty excited to see what's on the other side."

"What are you hoping to find?"

"Knowledge! These ruins have fascinated me since we began occupying this space. The masonry, the craftsmanship! I want to know what happened here."

Shadowheart taps his shoulder. "I couldn't help but overhear your interest in the temple. The followers of Lady Shar were not amateurs when it came to building devotional institutions such as this. However, this is the largest temple I've seen."

"You've seen more temples like this?"

She laughs lightly. "I guess there's no use hiding it. I am standing in her presence. I am a cleric of Shar."

He gawks at her. "A real Sharran. Never in all my days did I think I'd meet a real Sharran."

They step away and continue to discuss the ruins.

Bex folds her hands in front of her. Doni grips my hand tight. Everything seems to fall still.

The detonation rattles the air around us. My chest is battered and I lose a breath from the force of the blast. Smoke jets out from the cave and we shield our eyes.

I cough a few times and wave my hand in front of my face, trying to clear the smoke. Then Doni, Bex and I approach the mouth of the cave.

"Is it clear?" I call through.

There is a pause, and some unintelligible chattering. Then finally, "Yes, it's clear, Boss!" Sazza cries out.

I sigh and roll my eyes before glancing at Nere.

He has his hands clasped firmly behind his back. "I can't say I'm surprised it's you after what I've heard about The Boss. Ketheric is looking for you."

"He'll find me soon enough. I have business with him."

"I was sent to retrieve you and bring you to Moonrise as soon as possible."

I stare at him. "Thank you for letting me know, Nere."

His nostrils flare.

"Stay close. You're a part of this operation now."

I send Doni back to Astarion and Rooster while Bex and I carefully step through the tunnel, with Kith and Shadowheart close behind. Rubble is scattered across the ground. The other end sits open, with just a few large stones still in the way.

Bex grabs my arm, her eyes wide as a vast cavern stretches out in front of us. Furnaces surround a large hammer that lies dormant.

"Adamantine," Barcus says. "This hammer was meant to forge adamantine. No man could create the force to shape it. I bet you anything this can."

"How can you tell?" I ask.

He stoops down and runs a finger along the ground. He shows me the dust that clings to him.

It shimmers a faint blue and there is a soft glow to it.

"I'd bet my boots that's exactly what that is," he says with a firm nod.

Bex and I share a glance.

"We need to send word to Maylee, Zevlor, Lady Lumael, and Emila, immediately," Bex says. "We need our people here, as quickly as possible."

Kith steps forward. "Now hold on a minute! This claim belongs to Clan Flameshade as much as it does to you. Ser."

I smile. "Of course it does. But we have the resources to make the claim worth anything. I'm not sure what you intended to do with a nice view."

Kith looks past me at the broken stone bridge, then looks at the lava flowing below. "You've got a point there."

I focus on the gnomes. "Let's clear the rubble and put up support beams to stabilize the tunnel. We've got a lot of work to do."