Chapter Three: Daughter of Darkness

Valance and Lae'zel cautiously entered the dark chamber, their eyes immediately drawn to the towering structure at its center. It pulsed with an eerie red-orange light, casting sinister shadows across the room. Six pods surrounded the structure, their chitinous plating reflecting the light undulations in eerie unison.

As they drew closer, Valance noticed dark stains marring some of the pods. Blood.

Lae'zel followed his gaze, her expression hardening. "Remove the dead from your mind," she stated flatly. "Your guilt won't help you survive this. It's too late for them."

Valance swallowed hard, knowing she was right. They had to focus on getting out of this hellish place alive. He nodded curtly and moved to help Lae'zel navigate through the fallen debris that barricaded their path forward.

But as they picked their way forward, a sudden vision flashed through Valance's mind - a pale blue orchid, one of its delicate petals spiraling down into a pool of inky blackness. The image tugged at his attention, inexplicably drawing his focus back to the pods.

Lae 'zel's words rang in his ears, urging pragmatism and self-preservation above all else. Yet the compulsion to investigate further, to determine if any life still lingered in those ominous containers, gripped him relentlessly.

"Leave it istik!" Lae'zel hissed in warning as he found himself veering closer to the nearest pod. "We cannot risk delay. There's nothing you can do."

He hesitated, torn between heeding her counsel and following the desperate pull of his conscience. In the end, he had to know. Raising a placating hand to Lae'zel, Valance cautiously approached the first blood-smeared pod, heart pounding, steeling himself for the horrific scene that might await. With trembling hands, he wiped away the condensation obscuring the first pod, only to recoil in shock at the sight of its occupant. The lifeless body was contorted in agony, its features twisted into a grotesque mask of suffering. Fear rose in Valance's throat as he moved from one pod to the next, each revealing a similarly grim scene of death and torment.

But as he approached the final pod, a flicker of movement caught his eye. Valance's breath caught in his throat as he saw a pale woman with raven-black hair, her eyes closed and her face contorted in pain. Suddenly, the ship shuddered violently, and the woman's eyes snapped open, locking onto Valance's panicked gaze.

"There's a survivor!" Valance shouted, his voice cracking with urgency. He pressed his hand against the glass, trying to convey a sense of reassurance to the terrified woman inside. "It's okay," he said, his tone softening. "I'm going to get you out of there."

The woman's panic seemed to subside slightly as she held Valance's gaze. Slowly, she raised her hand to meet his through the barrier, and Valance felt a surge of resolve course through him.

"What's your name?" he asked, gentle yet insistent.

"Shadowheart," she replied, her voice muffled by the pod's glass.

Valance nodded, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features as he introduced himself. "Well Shadowheart, I'm…Valance," he said, the name feeling unfamiliar as he tested it on his tongue.

Shadowheart's eyes widened with fear. "Please, Valance," she pleaded, her fingers splayed against the glass. "Hurry."

"Lae'zel!" Valance called out, his voice strained with urgency. "I need your help over here!"

The Githyanki warrior turned, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene before her. "We don’t have time!" she hissed, as pieces of a bone-like pillar came crashing to the deck.

Valance gestured towards Shadowheart's pod; his expression resolute. "You said we might survive if we work together, and that means you need me. If you want my help, we free her!"

Lae'zel hesitated, her gaze flickering between Valance and the pod. "Tsk’va!" she growled.

"Please, Lae'zel," Valance implored, "I can't do this without you."

With a frustrated sigh, Lae'zel strode over to the pod, her fingers curling around the edges as she attempted to pry it open with sheer force. The metal groaned under the pressure, but the pod remained stubbornly sealed. Flames licked at the edges of the room, the heat growing more intense with each passing moment. Inside the pod, Shadowheart's eyes widened with fear.

"Check the console, they did something strange to it after they put me in here," she called out, her voice trembling.

Valance nodded and ran to the fleshy machine, its surface adorned with alien symbols that seemed to flicker and dance before his eyes. Tentatively, he reached out to touch it, his fingers hovering over the controls. As he stared at the console, a strange tingling sensation began to build in his mind, a familiar stirring - the worm. As if in response, the console began to glow, the alien symbols blurring and shifting before his eyes. 

"I’m not sure which button it is," he called out to Lae'zel and Shadowheart, his voice catching in his throat. "Just give me a second, I’m gonna test it on another pod"

Valance sprinted to the adjacent pod, skidding to a halt before the console, its fleshy surface pulsing with an otherworldly light.

His hand hovered for a moment, his fingers twitching with uncertainty as he studied the myriad of buttons and switches before him. The ship shuddered beneath his feet, a grim reminder of their precarious situation. 

With a deep breath, he reached out and pressed a button, his heart pounding in his chest as he waited for the pod to react.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a sickening crack, the corpse within the pod began to contort. As the skin ripped and bled, a noxious dark substance spilled from every orifice. Valance stumbled back, his eyes widening in horror as the pod’s occupant was ripped apart. In its place stood a monster, choking on its blood.

"What in the Nine Hells...?" Valance gasped.

The creature was unmistakably a mind flayer, its tentacles writhing as the life faded from its eyes.

"What happened? I heard you shout!" Shadowheart's voice was laced with fear, her eyes darting.

Valance opened his mouth to respond, but the words died on his lips. How could he possibly explain what he had just done? "Nothing," he lied, his voice trembling. "Don't worry about it."

Lae'zel scoffed, her eyes narrowing as she studied the creature. "Turned into a mind flayer at the touch of a button," she spat. "What new horror is this?"

“What!” Shadowheart shouted, banging her hands on the glass.

The room around them groaned and creaked, the metal walls buckling under the strain of the ship's imminent destruction. Flashes of arcane energy crackled through the air, casting eerie shadows across the chamber and illuminating the desperation etched on Shadowheart's face.

"We have to try again," Valance said, his voice barely audible above the cacophony of destruction. "There has to be a way to—"

His words were cut short as a deafening explosion rocked the chamber. A massive section of the ceiling collapsed, sending debris raining down upon them. Lae'zel dove to the side, narrowly avoiding a chunk of twisted metal that crashed to the floor where she had been standing moments before. Valance stumbled backward, and Lae'zel's eyes flashed with anger as she surveyed the chaos erupting around them. 

"Enough!" Lae'zel shouted, her voice cutting through the cacophony of destruction. "We cannot linger here any longer. The ship is tearing itself apart, and we will be crushed if we do not leave now."

Valance turned back to Shadowheart, his eyes wide with desperation. "The room is coming apart," he shouted over the din of destruction. "We're running out of time!"

Shadowheart's face contorted with fear, her hands pressed against the glass of her pod. "Please," she begged, her voice muffled but still audible. "Please don't leave me here!"

"I won’t," he promised, his voice steady despite the fear he felt. "I swear it. I have an idea, but I need you to trust me. Can you do that?"

Shadowheart's eyes locked with Valance's, searching for any hint of deception. At that moment, as the world crumbled around them, she saw only sincerity and determination in his gaze. She nodded, a barely perceptible movement, but it was enough.

Valance turned back to Shadowheart’s pod, focusing on the worm’s excitement. The tingling sensation in his mind intensified, like a thousand pinpricks of electricity dancing across his skull. He closed his eyes, letting the feeling wash over him, embracing the strange connection that had been growing since he first awoke on this nightmarish ship.

As he gave into the sensation, the world around him seemed to fade away. The destruction became muted, replaced by a soft vibration that seemed to emanate from his mind. His fingers hovering over the buttons once more, until suddenly something within him understood. 

"Please," he whispered, a desperate prayer to whatever gods might be listening. "Let this be the one."

With a shaking hand, he slammed his hand down on the far right button, bracing himself for the worst. But instead of triggering a gruesome metamorphosis, the pod containing Shadowheart hissed open, the pale woman stumbling out into the chaos of the ship.

Shadowheart fell from the pod, her legs buckling beneath her as she took her first unsteady steps. The acrid smoke stung her eyes, and the cacophony of alarms and crashing debris assaulted her senses. Valance rushed forward, his strong arms catching her before she could fall.

"I've got you," he reassured her, his voice a steady anchor in the chaos. Shadowheart clung to him, her fingers digging into the fabric of his shirt as she struggled to find her footing. The ship lurched violently, sending them both stumbling. Valance's arm tightened around her waist, keeping her upright.

"We need to move," he urged, his eyes darting around the chamber, searching for the safest path through the destruction.

"Wait," she gasped, her voice barely audible above the chaos. "There's something I need."

Before Valance could protest, Shadowheart wrenched herself from his grasp and stumbled back towards the pod. Her movements were clumsy, her limbs still adjusting to freedom after their long confinement.

She reached back into the pod, retrieving a small, mysterious object before tucking it away discreetly in a leather bag at her hip.

Valance and Shadowheart raced across the crumbling chamber, their feet pounding against the metal floor as they dodged falling debris and leaped over twisted wreckage. The air crackled with arcane energy, bolts of purple lightning arcing between exposed conduits. The ship groaned and shuddered beneath them, as if in its death throes. But Valance’s hand remained firmly clasped around Shadowheart's wrist, guiding her through the shifting terrain. Until finally they caught sight of Lae'zel's imposing figure. The Githyanki warrior stood at the threshold of a massive bulkhead, her green skin glistening with sweat and soot, her eyes blazing.

"Hurry!" Lae'zel barked. The shattering of glass, the roar of flames, and the distant cries of chaos filled the air. "The helm lies beyond this door. It's our only chance of escape!"

With a final, desperate push, the two made it to the doorway. Shadowheart, her breath coming in ragged gasps, eyed Lae'zel warily. Her eyes were wide with caution as she turned to glance at Valance, her expression a mix of doubt and curiosity. "You keep dangerous company," she finally spoke, her voice tinged with accusation.

"These are dangerous times," Valance replied with a weak laugh, a hint of resignation in his tone. The flickering light from the surrounding flames cast shadows across his face, highlighting the exhaustion etched into his features.

Lae'zel growled, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her sword. "My people are the only ones capable of removing these parasites," she snapped, her gaze flicking to Valance. "You would do well to remember that."

Valance, Lae'zel, and Shadowheart gathered their wits, the urgency of their situation pressing down upon them like a suffocating weight. Lae'zel's stern gaze swept over her companions, her voice laced with authority. "Follow my lead," she commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

But Shadowheart's eyes narrowed, a flicker of defiance sparking within their depths. "Who put you in charge?" she asked, her words sharp and unyielding. "I will listen to my instincts, thank you."

Lae'zel's face contorted with frustration, her patience wearing thin. "K'chakhi!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the chamber. "You run towards your doom then."

Valance stepped forward, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Enough," he said, his voice firm yet tinged with understanding. "We need to work together if we want to survive, remember." He looked between the two women, his eyes imploring them to set aside their differences.

We have come this far. I would not have us fail now.

Shadowheart's gaze softened slightly, a flicker of respect crossing her features as she regarded Valance. "The helm," she said, her voice low. "You are right, we must focus on the helm." 

Lae'zel stepped forward with a frustrated click of her tongue, her sword raised to cut through the obstacle. But Valance's hand shot out to stop her.

 "Wait," he said, his brow furrowed with concentration. "I can't risk getting covered in more disgusting slime, let me." He closed his eyes, focusing on the strange connection he had felt with the console earlier. His mind reached out, tentatively at first, then with growing confidence. 

“Kaincha, you are a fool if you think communing with the parasite will bring anything but a bloody death. ” Lae’zel spat

Ignoring Lae’zel’s warning, he willed the door to open, his thoughts pulsing with a newfound power. With a squelch, the fleshy door peeled back, revealing a scene of utter chaos. Devils and imps clashed with mind flayers on the main deck, their struggles illuminated by the glow of the helm. As the trio stepped onto the main deck, a searing psychic command invaded their minds: "Thralls, to the helm." Valance winced, the mind flayer’s voice echoing in his skull. He glanced at Lae'zel, seeking guidance.

The Githyanki's eyes narrowed, her jaw set with determination. "Do as it says," she growled, her grip tightening on her sword. "We will kill the Ghaik after we leave this place."

Shadowheart's gaze darted between the warring factions, assessing the battlefield. "Valance," she said, her voice cutting through the chaos, "make a break for the helm. The Gith and I will keep your path clear." 

Lae'zel nodded in agreement, her stance shifting as she prepared to charge into the fray. Valance took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew the weight of their survival rested on his shoulders.

With a burst of speed, Shadowheart and Lae'zel rushed into battle, their weapons flashing in the hellish light. Valance dashed towards the helm, his eyes fixed on the grotesque apparatus that seemed to pulse with a life of its own.

Suddenly, a twisted boar with gnarled teeth and fiery eyes emerged from the chaos, its squeals piercing the air. Valance's eyes widened as the creature charged toward him, its hooves pounding against the deck. He tried to dodge, but the boar's speed was too great.

Just as Valance braced for impact, a silver sword streaked through the air, impaling the boar's head with a crunch. The creature crashed to the ground, its momentum carrying it forward in a lifeless heap. Valance turned, his heart in his throat, to see Lae'zel running towards him.

"Tha —" Valance began, gratitude and relief flooding his voice.

But she cut him off, her words sharp and urgent. "Just go, Istik!" she commanded, her eyes blazing with the heat of battle.

Valance nodded, turning back towards the helm, his resolve hardening with each step.  With a final exhaustive push, he reached the alien console. The fleshy apparatus was surrounded by writhing tentacles that whipped through the air, their movements both hypnotic and unsettling. He swallowed hard, trying to focus on the task at hand despite the battle that raged around him.

As he studied the console, Valance felt a familiar tingle in his mind, a sensation that had become all too common since the parasite had taken root in his brain. Images flashed through his thoughts—tentacles being attached and pulled like the strings of a bow. He blinked, trying to clear his vision, but the impression remained.

"Could it be that simple?" he muttered, his brow furrowed in concentration.

With trembling hands, Valance reached out and grasped two of the tentacles, his fingers sliding over their slick, pulsing surface. He closed his eyes, trying to conjure an image of home, but all he could see was a blurry skyline, a hazy memory that seemed to dance just out of reach.

Without warning, a terrifying roar shook the ship, and Valance's eyes snapped open. His blood ran cold as he saw a massive red dragon stick its head through a jagged break in the ship's hull, its scales glistening in the hellish light. The dragon's eyes, burning with malice, fixed upon Valance, and he felt the weight of its gaze like a physical force.

The dragon reared back, its maw opening wide as it prepared to unleash its fiery breath. Valance's heart pounded in his chest, and he knew he had only seconds to act. With a desperate cry, he yanked on the tentacles, pulling them taut like the strings of a harp.

Just as the dragon released its breath weapon, the ship blinked out of existence, hurtling through the astral plane. But it was too late—the dragon's fire had already reached Valance, engulfing him in searing heat. His clothes caught fire, and he fell to the deck, rolling frantically to extinguish the flames.

Around him, the ship pitched and yawed, sending everyone tumbling. The astral plane stretched out before them, a kaleidoscope of swirling colors and shifting dimensions. Valance struggled to right himself.

The ship shuddered violently as it emerged from the astral plane, the sudden transition sending a shockwave through its ancient frame. Valance's eyes widened as he took in the familiar sky, the pinks and blues of the setting sun bleeding into the encroaching twilight. For a fleeting moment, a sense of relief washed over him, but it was quickly shattered by the realization that their troubles were far from over.

The vessel streaked through the air, its trajectory erratic and uncontrolled. The deck beneath Valance's feet tilted at a nauseating angle, and he lunged forward, desperate to find something to hold onto. Around him, his companions struggled to maintain their footing, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and determination.

Valance's heart pounded in his chest as he inched his way forward, the ship's violent convulsions threatening to send him tumbling at any moment. The ground below rushed up to meet them, a patchwork of trees and rocky outcroppings that promised a brutal impact.

Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed through the air, and a piece of debris hurtled towards Valance. He tried to dodge, but the ship's erratic movements made it impossible. The jagged metal struck him squarely in the chest, knocking the wind from his lungs and sending him stumbling backward.

Time seemed to slow as Valance lost his balance, his body twisting in midair as he fell towards the gaping hole in the ship's hull. The wind roared in his ears, and the world beyond the breach beckoned, a dizzying expanse of sky and earth.

In that frozen moment, Valance's gaze locked onto a pair of piercing purple eyes—the eyes of a mind flayer, watching him from across the deck. Something was haunting in that gaze, a flicker of recognition that sent a chill down Valance's spine. It was as if the creature could see into the depths of his soul, privy to the secrets he had yet to uncover.

And then, with a nauseating lurch, Valance was falling, the ship receding above him as he plummeted towards the unforgiving ground below. The wind whipped at his face, and the sunset sky stretched out before him, a breathtaking tapestry of color that seemed to mock his demise.

A strange sensation twisted in the pit of his stomach, a gnawing unease that he couldn't quite place. It was as if his body remembered something that his mind could not, a dark secret lurking just beneath the surface of his consciousness.

"Maybe this is for the best," he thought, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.