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1. makes me wanna run, shatter everything I've done by jadeandquartz

   Fandoms: Critical Role (Web Series), Exandria Unlimited  

   • Mature
   • Graphic Depictions Of Violence
   • M/M
   • Complete Work

   26 Jul 2021

   Tags

   • Graphic Depictions Of Violence
   • Dorian Storm/Dariax Zaveon
   • Dorian Storm
   • Dariax Zaveon
   • Opal (Critical Role)
   • Fy'ra Rai
   • Fearne Calloway
   • Orym (Critical Role)
   • Lolth (Dungeons & Dragons)
   • Angst
   • Body Horror
   • Eldritch Horror
   • Manipulation
   • Self-Doubt
   • Self-Sacrifice
   • Hurt No Comfort
   • local bard becomes champion of the Spider Queen and spends a month on the road angsting about it
   • local bard also decides that pushing his friends away is a good way to handle this
   • (spoiler alert: it is not)
   • reflections on alignment change and the general nature of morality
   • deeply biased narration
   • dorian uhhhh does not like himself very much in this one if we're being honest
   • so be aware of that before you read
   • rated M for some violent descriptions and a lot of vaguely distressing introspections
   • dorian has a really rough month but also gets a cool outfit at one point
   • so surely that makes everything okay!
   • (spoiler alert: it does not)

   Summary

   You’re mine now, Dorian, the Spider Queen says. I thought it couldn't hurt to remind you.

   “I don’t need a reminder,” Dorian replies. He is dimly aware he is gasping for air, his breathing hoarse and terrified, shattering the silence. Up above, the stars continue to spin. Down below, Opal lies motionless and cold. “I said you could have me, in exchange for their safety. When I make a promise that important, I keep it.”

   Between one breath and the next, he is back in the tent. Across from him, Opal chatters brightly to Dariax about Byroden’s beauty shops. Orym sits by the fire, polishing Fy’ra’s retractable staff with a small piece of cloth. Fearne braids her hair in the far corner, humming softly to herself. A light summer rain taps against the tent, filling the air with glints of rainbow light.

   Something trickles down Dorian’s cheek. When he reaches a hand up, his fingers come back wet with tears.

   You promised you’d never betray them, the Spider Queen whispers. Can you keep that promise too?

   ***

   It takes a month to reach the jungle. Dorian Storm offers himself up as champion - and doubts, and doubts, and doubts.

   Language:

   English

   Words:

   5,587

   Chapters:

   1/1

   Comments:

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