The Subpar Wizard

When Osian cried out Halsin moved quickly over to the smaller male, looking for injuries and trying to figure out what was going on. He suspected it might be something to do with the Nightwalker they had just escaped but he didn't know how to counter what was happening other than to try to offer comfort.

"You needn't apologize. The others told me you were dragged into the portal rather than entering of your own will." Halsin soothed as he pulled the smaller male into an embrace. "Easy now. Everyone is safe. That creature can not reach you now. It was not an easy choice and I am proud of you for making it."

He got to his feet by the time the others had come over, Osian reassuring them that it was all over before they all started to make it back to camp. Only now the adrenaline had run out did Osian feel how sore and achy his body was. No doubt a good warm meal and rest would do him good.

"It's not kindness. You matter to me, of course I'd want to keep you safe. In a way, it's more selfish than kind."

He took a few steps back as Osian approached Malis Thorm corpse, watching, quiet but alert. Ready to jump into action if something was turning wrong, or if a monster was jumping from the shadows while Osian was busy. His gaze grew worried as he saw the struggle the wood elf seemed to go through to siphon the shadow weave, and he stomped the ground nervously.

"Are you sure of what you're doing?"

Not that he was doubting him, but it was hard to just stay there, doing nothing when seeing this. When the wizard suddenly collasped, Dia Blow rushed to his side to help him.

"Are you alright?!"

He curved his tail around Osian back in a soothing motion.

"Take slow, deep breath. Take your time. When you feel ready, you can lean on me to get up."

He spoke in a calm voice that contastred with the worry shining in his eyes.

Shaking a little, he slowly sat up and felt Dia's tail against his back. He took a deep inhale and wiped the sweat away from his forehead with his sleeve, quickly coming back to his strength. "I-I'm alright." Osian reassured, both himself and Dia, before taking up the tieflings offer and taking the help to get back onto his feet.

At Dia's final question, Osian held out his hands as the darkness seemed to creep further up his scars, now halfway up his forearm. "It seems like it," Osian smiled, turning his hands over to admire the scars he was once so ashamed of. "I can feel the difference already... I think I can safely cast stronger spells now - at long last. Just a little more, and I'll finally be a worthy wizard." He was sure of it. Or it would at least give him the opportunity to indulge in more without losing himself. Whatever was guiding him seemed to be thrilled with his decisions so far. Even if most of the party didn't...

🌑 . . . ╰──╮    OSIAN'S VOICE sent a wave of relief through him & a shaky breath slipped from his lips when the crushing dread that had gripped him loosened at last.

His gaze shifted toward Gale, offering a breif nod of acknowledgment. ❝Thank you…❞ Shadowheart's voice was barely above a whisper. He wasn't one for emotional displays, but the gratitude in his eyes spoke volumes. If it hadn't been for Gale....

His attention returned to Osian, a smile corssing his features as his fingers carded gently through the wizard's ginger hair.

❝Rest now,❞ he murmured. ❝You need to recover.❞

Tender as his expression was, it never truly reached his eyes ; beneath it lingered grief & conflict because Shadowheart would have to do what was necessary.

Osian felt the sudden weight of guilt overtake even the ache in his muscles. Usually he would let it take over and he would have curled up in utter shame. But he found himself grounded only by the feeling of fingers raking through his hair. A soothing, caring motion... Yet something he couldn't fully indulge in.

The wizard dared not look Shadowheart in the eyes, knowing the blush in his quickly-warming body was giving him away anyway. But mostly, he wanted to keep away from the look of pity - of inevitable rejection. After all, Shadowheart belonged to Shar and no-one else. Osian had no chance... He needed to stomp out these fluttering feelings before they nested in his heart. Before he was hurt again.

"I suppose I should..." Osian muttered in agreement, shaking as he perched himself up onto his elbows and out of Shadowheart's lap. "Thankfully it's not a long w-walk to my tent..." He tried to smile - tried to brush it off. He didn't want to assume Shadowheart meant resting here, after all.

Halsin hadn't looked back but that didn't mean he couldn't feel the necrotic energy gathering. He knew exactly how powerful such a creature could be which was why he was so intent on getting them out of the Shadowfell as fast as possible. Once back on the material plane they would be significantly safer.

However, Halsin was not the most skilled flyer. He knew how of course but he was very out of practice so their exit through the portal was less a graceful leap and more a floundering crash as the disorientation from exiting the power combined with his own flaws caused him to crash hard. He ended up on his back beside the mage, winded and sore but with nothing broken fortunately.

When asked if he was alright he made a soft squawk and took a moment to recover before letting the Wildshape go.

Only when Halsin chuckled did Osian start becoming more present. He slowly sat up, shuddering from the chill still clinging to him as well as the sudden drop in adrenaline leaving him feeling exhausted. "Yes... Yes I think so-" But before he could even sit up fully his mind was overcome with a piercing shriek. Osian yelled out in pain, face contorted as he placed his hands over his head, grasping at his hair. The thunderclap headache from the internal screaming rushed through his body and was almost sick from the pain. But as quickly as it came, it left. One last show of frustration from the Nightwalker - where it's whispers had become screams - before it was disconnected for good.

With that, she took a deep breath then as she released it, she shook out her entire body like she was physically shaking off the nerves. She closed her eyes and when they snapped open, gone was the sweet, bubbly Pomelia. Left in her place was a cold, steely-eyed woman that Osian hardly recognized. To the utter surprise of most, the princess had her moments of being rather frightening in the past, specifically with the ability to conjure up this stern, regal stare that left the recipient feeling like a fly caught in a web. It was a skill that she kept sharpened and tucked away like a dagger.

And she was planning on taking full advantage of it.

Head held high, she rose to her full height. She already towered over most of their companions yet somehow with her spine straightened up and her nose turned up at everything she pretended to be below her; every inch of her six-foot self was hard not to notice. Still, she strode through the dank halls with unprecedented confidence and Osian trailing along behind her. No one even stopped to ask them if they should be there.

Eventually the two came across a large wooden door, the raspy growls and gutteral roars of some creature muffled behind the oak planks. Pomelia couldn't help but exchange a slightly confused glance with Osian, one eyebrow raised almost comedically high. She faltered for only a second before pushing open the door. Once inside she was able to get a clearer picture of the situation. Namely, what was causing all the ruckus. Two grubby little goblin children were pelting a poor bear behind bars with sharp rocks while an older goblin, presumably a guard watched on in twisted amusement, encouraging the little bastards to keep a steady aim.

"What in the hells are you doing?" Pomelia sneered, her hands perched on her hips.

The older goblin turned to her with a rather unsettling explanation. "We're juicing it up. The beast came in here with those robbers. Killed Dink- and Mince, too. Boss's thinkin' of servin' it to the worgs."

"And it makes funny noises." One of the goblin children chimed in.

"We made it squeal!" the other child crowed.

The first child spoke up again, almost boastfully. "Look, look, you'll see. Gimme that rock. I'll show ya!"

Pomelia's nose easily scrunched with detestation, her lip curling just enough to show off her pointy canines. "What a ridiculous waste of time." she scoffed, sharply rolling her eyes. "There are better uses for your idle hands. You are to report to Priestess Gut immediately. And take the brats with you."

The goblin guard tried to wave her off with a dismissive snort and a wave of her hand. "Why should I, eh? Nothing wrong with having a bit of fun here so why don't you bugger off."

"Mhm..." Pomelia hummed with a scarily, slow nod of her head as she folded her hands in front of her. "And what, pray tell, gives you the audacity to question a True Soul?"

She loathed having to rely on anything that came from the mind flayers, especially that repulsive, wriggling worm loitering in her cranium, but alas, this time it was necessary to pull rank in this situation. Though despite the discomfort from the tadpole, it did seem to work in scaring the piss out of the guard.

"Oh, y-you're also- M-my apologies, my lady."

Pomelia's glare sharpened, not letting up on the poor goblin as she practically stared into her soul with those opalescent eyes. "Well, unless you'd like to become entertainment for the spiders, I suggest you move along."

"Go." she hissed when the trio of goblins only stared up at her with a strange mix of fascination and unease.

When Pomelia's stance changed, his eyebrows raised ever so slightly but he otherwise brought no attention to it. After all, who knows who could be watching...

When they heard the pained animal cries, Osian spared her a concerned glance as well before taking a deep breath and calming himself. He wasn't too much shorter than her, with any luck their height would give them an intimidating air. When trailing behind her, he kept his hands behind his back and his chin held high. The best he could achieve was to act like her assistant. To keep up this facade, he glances around the room coldly at the other Goblins, as if staying on guard. He calculated how many were here, in case things turned ugly.

As the Goblin and the children protested, the others began to look over and stand up - as if ready to join in on the fuss. Osian caught their eyes though. A piercing silver stare that showed he was certainly paying attention to every move they made. Somehow, this was enough for them to stall long enough for Pomelia to finish her intimidating, and get them all to move out.

Once the Goblin's scarpered, Osian sighed in relief as well, patting the hand Pomelia clung to his arm with. "Good job," Osian praised before making his way over to the bars holding the bear in place, swallowing thickly as the beast growled. "The other prisoner said Halsin t-turned into a bear and fled...r-right?" Osian glanced at Pomelia for confirmation before taking a calming breath. Clearly this every-day man wasn't used to tension like this.

Halsin noticed the Mage's casting but didn't comment on it. His own focus was on maintaining the protection around them and guiding them back to the portal. That said, if any creatures drew closer than he liked they would swiftly receive a Lightning Bolt straight to the face.

After what seemed like both hours and second the portal came into view but it was fading rapidly. As was the power currently protecting them. Halsin didn't curse but his expression did harden further as he assessed the situation.

"Hold on!" He commanded before Wildshaping into an Owlbear. It wasn't his preferred form but it was fast and right now that was what they needed. If Osian wasn't able to climb on then Halsin would grasp the mage in his front talons before taking flight straight for the portal.

But it was pointing at Osian now. Whatever was gathering in that cave made his hair on the back of his neck stand up. But he was snapped back to facing ahead as Halsin called out. Osian didn't have time to be astounded, he just took action - clutching at the now Owlbear's fur and clamoured on as best as he could. He laid flat against the spine of the beast so the wings could still function decently - just in time as Halsin used that burst from the wings to send them through the portal. Just as a foul, green ray burst at the ground where Halsin had leapt from. A necrotic beam that would have been devastating had it hit...

🌑 . . . ╰──╮    GALE'S ASSESSMENT sent ice through Shadowheart's veins.

❝No!!❞ he snapped, the hostility in his voice barely masking his fear at this point. ❝This is the Shadow Weave, my Lady's domain! I know it better than you ever could———❞ But even as the words left his mouth he knew the bitter truth ; wielding the Shadow Weave as wizards did was fundamentally different from receiving Shar's power as her cleric.

He clenched his jaw & nodded.

Fear coiled tight in Shadowheart's chest as he looked down at Osian's unconscious body convulsing in his lap, but the only comfort he could provide was to hold him.

He wanted to PRAY, but what right did he have to ask the blessed Nightsinger for compassion?? To ask her to validate the very weakness she had taught him to abandon?? It would be an insult to his goddess. If Shar chose to spare Osian, it would not be because her cleric had groveled for permission to be weak...

So he remained silent as Gale worked his miracle. As soon as the gave the order to heal Osian, Shadowheart channeled everything he had. Healing magic surged from his hands, cold & dark, flooding into his lover's body.

Just as another, far warmer and more familiar voice was...

Osian blinked in the vision and opened his eyes to see a blurred version of a tent - and faces hovering over him. He had awoken with a start - his body aching more than it had ever done, and he was still frightfully cold. But as he gasped for deeper breaths - as if he had been underwater - he was certainly alive.

"Wh-What happened?" Osian muttered weakly as his friends faces began to gain detail in his vision. "A slither of shadow weave almost took you from us," Gale sighed with relief. Despite his threat of berating the other wizard for his actions, it seemed Gale was more interested in seeing his friend well again. "But we caught it in time."

🌑 . . . ╰──╮   ❛ We have emptied our hearts of falsehoods. We have vanquished your foes. In DARKNESS, we see your truth. Embrace us, your loyal warriors. Cloak us in your shadow. Guide us to your victory.  ❜

ind. & selective rp blog for SHADOWHEART featuring TOLKIEN & ELDER SCROLLS verses and a soft spot for canon divergent, pre-game / post-game AUs ♡ mun is 30.

Dia Blow retorted before sighing.

"Sorry I yelled. I shouldn't have. Even I know it's not a proper way to thank someone. I was just... Scared, I guess."

His tailed was twitching with awkwardness as he was stomping the dirt. He wasn't sure how to go on after this.

"I huh... I guess we should sit a bit, you look like you need to catch your breath."

He muttered tentatively before tilting his head on the side, thinking back on Osian retort.

"You do seem tired just from this. Even when you told me about it, I didn't realize casting was so demanding for you. And yet, you fought by our sides without complaining... You're stronger than I thought. I mean. It must take so much willpower."

He thought for a moment before adding;

"Thanks again. I owe you one. If you ever need help with anything in the future, let me know, okay?"

He offered a shy smile.

"Mmhmm." Osian hummed, clearly annoyed but too afraid of confrontation to fully go onto the attack. He didn't sit. Instead, he leaned against a tree nearby and used the end of his staff to etch into the dry dirt aimlessly. He wasn't even sure why it made him so frustrated when he had been hearing it all his life. Perhaps because he was finally making some headway thanks to the tadpole and it still wasn't enough...

Telling him to sit down and 'catch his breath'. The nerve... True, his body ached during the task but it wasn't enough to knacker him. Already he was feeling his strength returning. If he wanted to be treated like a baby, he would stay with his sister.

"Almost as if I k-know my own abilities better th-than you." He muttered. He wouldn't call himself strong. Far from it. He was a fool with a dream and nothing more. He was pathetic. Subpar. But despite knowing it, didn't mean he liked to hear it.

🌑 . . . ╰──╮   PANIC BEGAN clawing it's way through his chest, but he took a few deep, slow breaths & forced himself to stay calm. Succumbing to fear would serve no one, least of all Osian.

Once inside his tent, he knelt and positioned the wizard's head in his lap, placing one palm against Osian's forehead, the other on his chest. Healing magic flowed into the elf's body — but it didn't feel warm or comforting. It was cold as the shadows that had almost claimed the elf.

❝. . . Please, my Lady Shar, do not take him from me...❞ The cleric prayed beneath his breath, struggling to remain composed. ❝Do not punish him for my weakness... I have learned my lesson. And he has learned what becomes of those who wield your sacred weave without your favor....❞

ㅤㅤAstarion hovered near the tent, fidgedting nervously with his fingers. This was... inconvenient.

Honestly, Osian had never exactly been the most useful member of their merry band of misfits, certainly not compared to Gale, but the awkward ginger had managed to worm his way inside Astarion's heart. All of them had. In a way. Some more than others. Besides, every loss weakened the group.

Karlach returned with Gale in tow. By this point, the camp had been alerted to something amiss and a small gathering was starting to form outside of Shadowheart's tent. Gale burst in, only having a rough idea of what Karlach was blustering about.

Gale frowned deeply with a shake of his head as he kneeled beside Osian. "By Elminsters beard, I warned him aplenty about all of this! He's due a lengthy lecture once this is all over." He sighed, almost like a disappointed teacher in his pupil as he rolled up his sleeve. Almost instantly, they were surrounded by the sickly sweet feeling of Mystra's Weave. But it seemed to repel from Osian, as something else showed itself amongst his chest. "A thread of Shadow Weave has woven itself into his heart... Much like a great tapestry, if I pull the thread, it could all unravel. Be ready for that unravelling... He'll need your magic to hold him together."

It was a rather poetic way of explaining that should this fail, Osian would die. "With Mystra's Weave, I will be the needle to guide the dark thread out..." "But what about his...I dunno... allergy? - to that Weave?" Karlach pointed out from outside the open flaps of the tent, giving Gale a disturbing pause. "Then I suppose we best pray to whomever Gods we hold dear..." Gale added with a quiet melancholy as he got to work. Closing his eyes and weaving his fingers through, he massaged the Weave around them to try and pull out the Shadow Weave trapped within Osian. The wood elf's body was trembling and twitching from the pain the Weave gave him, but Gale was relentless. It was either suffer the pain, or die from the shadows.

Several tense minutes later, both Weaves seem to dissipate and Gale sat back on his haunches with a bead of sweat upon his temple. "Heal him. Quick as you can..." Though, he supposed they did have Withers right here should things escalate.