Bad Dreams

He was interrupted by the sounds of a nearby wolf. He spun around to face it, realizing that it was closing in. It’s just a Wolfe. No need to worry. Then, the creature let out a guttural noise. It bared its fangs as it closed in. Khalin stood confused, thinking perhaps he had done something to provoke the creature.

"You abomination!"

Khalin stared wide-eyed at the wolf that had just addressed him. It still closed in menacingly. What have I done? Why is this happening?

"Look what you’ve become!" The Wolfe closed in. "You are something more twisted and evil than you ever were in Menzoberranzan!" Khalin was shocked and confused by the accusation. He had started to move backward, taking some small comfort in the hilt of his war fork. The Wolfe continued, "You Drow are all the same! You’re all liars! To hell with the lot of you!"

No! You’re wrong! Sevanna was the liar! She was the one who deceived us, not me! He was beginning to sweat. I’ve tried to change!

A sound caught his attention just behind him and he spun around, fearing more wolves. Instead he saw the shadowed figures of two people. One of them stepped out of the shadow and into the sunlight. It was Talanithus Tarant. He had a look of disappointment on his face. "N’uma, Khalin. You would never have changed on your own. You had to change because I bound you by Corellon’s Command to change. Your will was not your own then, just as it is not your own now."

Khalin’s eyes narrowed. Something was wrong here. This was not right. "Now, I’m afraid your time among us is over. Go back to where you belong." Talanithus motioned to something behind Khalin. There was the rustle of movement. In one motion, Khalin unsheathed his war fork and met the attacker, full force.

Amanda Wolfe reeled backward in pain. The war fork was pulled from Khalin’s grasp as he stared at her midsection — she had been gored by his own weapon. He looked horrified and bewildered. "To hell with the lot of you..." Her voice quieted as she hit the ground.

Khalin approached her. An inexplicable rage was burning inside of him. He pulled the war fork from her stomach, letting the blood drip onto the ground. He stood there frozen for a moment, simply staring. Then, in a fit of energy fueled by something dark, he stabbed at her again. And again. And again. Amanda’s blood flowed in rivers out of her body, and he backed away only when the blood threatened to touch his boots.

"See. You are just as evil as ever. Nothing has cha..." Talanithus was suddenly cut off, his accusing voice replaced by a wet, gurgling sound. The other shadow, the one that had stood behind, came into the light bringing Talanithus with him. It can’t be! Trezann! I killed you!

"Well if it isn’t little Kesar Daerszhazzonn." He smiled an evil grin, that was accented by the fact that his mouth dripped blood. "Xas, my ‘brother.’ You killed me. And I’ve come to return the favor. I just didn’t want this surface-trash to do it first."

Khalin’s mind began to ache. Too much was happening. He could not take it all in.

And then, as if on nauseating cue, the ground began to shake beneath Trezann. Thick, black branches made their way to the surface, tearing at his flesh as they rose up. Khalin was knocked back by the force of this... tree?... making its way to the surface. When he had recovered himself, he saw a crooked, black tree devoid of leaves. On its topmost branches was the impaled form of Trezann Ja’neztt. His body was broken beyond repair, but his face still had expression, and it was staring down at Khalin with avarice.

The tree spoke to Khalin in a voice that felt soft to his soul, yet shook the ground with its intensity. Hello, Khalin.

What are you? What do you want from me?

I am what you seek. And you are what I have sought. I want nothing from you. I simply want you. You and I are the same. We are lovers in shadow. As things were, they will be again. Branches swept downward to embrace him, and he found himself unable and unwilling to resist them.

Khalin felt its soothing, cold touch. This spirit within the tree -- there was a familiarity to the sensation. And then a realization... Wait. You’re not Delphianne... The first signs of panic hit him. He struggled to understand what was going on.

"There you are. Finally come out of hiding?" Khalin felt the sinister presence behind him long before he turned around. There, standing in the clearing and illuminated by the moonlight, a man stood. He was dressed in all black, with long red hair and a full moustache and beard. At his side was a blade made out of bone. The instant Khalin looked at the blade, he recognized it -- and the old wound on his leg tore open again.

The sinister presence continued. "Today marks the end." He looked at the tree. "Today, abomination, I take back that which you stole from me." Then he turned to Khalin. "And today, upstart, in death you will learn the power of shadow."

The man leaped forward, charging with his bone-blade. Khalin felt the rigid grasp of the tree’s branches holding him motionless. Today, lover, you die so that I may live. Khalin’s eyes widened, realizing that he was helplessly being used as a shield.

The blade made it’s way into his chest, bringing with it a chill that he vividly remembered from that day at the Moonglow cemetery...

Khalin Wael woke up sweating and screaming. He examined his chest and his leg... everything was fine. He sat up and caught his breath, waiting for his racing heart to slow down. Just a dream. It was just a dream.

The nightmare had left him restless and unable to sleep. He was disturbed. He was confused. But most of all, and most confusing, he was angry. After some time, he donned his armor and gathered up his things. He hoped to find some outlet for these sensations. He made his way out into the forests east of Yew. Perhaps to hunt. Perhaps to kill.