Work Text:
The party had decided to regroup in a tavern, outside of the ruins of Augustia. Everyone was downstairs, murmuring to each other. Maponos, in a room upstairs, heard his name mentioned more than once. He was too preoccupied with his thoughts to bother with listening.
Perhaps, if they were faster, they could've done something to stop the destruction. Perhaps if they hadn't taken that one rest, they would've had time to see something was wrong and started an evacuation. Perhaps if he was able to do something besides shoot a damn gun and play with poisons he might've been useful.
For once, Maponos wished he had magic of his own. The irony of the thought didn't escape him, but he knew magic might've been enough to save at least his sister.
Menala ... His hands started to shake at his sides. He hadn't said her name since ... the incident. Even just thinking about her or what happened made far too many emotions bubble up inside him.
Yet, how could he not think of her? She was his entire reason for anything worth doing and -
...and now she's gone.
He felt his legs give out from under him, collapsing to his knees as if the nearly unbearable weight of the terrible truth was too much for him.
She's been gone for nearly half a day and now the reality hit him hard. His chest ached, and morbidly, he wondered if this pain was anything compared to when Contra broke a man's ribs.
No - this pain was definitely worse.
"I...I am sorry I couldn't save you." He whispered. "I'd do anything to bring you back." He hadn't even realized he had been crying until he felt the tears on his face.
" I think we may be able to help each other. " A voice reverberated in his mind, the presence behind it felt warm and ancient.
Quickly, Maponos swiped away tears, fully alert, standing upright. "What do mean? Who are you?"
"I believe we can make a deal of sorts. A contract if you will."
"You didn't answer my other question. I'm in no mood for cryptic riddles. Get to the point."
In his mind, the presence seemed to chuckle. " I see why he wanted you as his vessel. "
"What the fuck does that mean?" Maponos snapped. "Enough of the pronoun game."
The air shimmered in front of Maponos, and like the sun rising with a new dawn, a man materialized. His hair was a golden blonde, wearing white and gold clothing and Maponos recognized the face all too well, for it was his own, perhaps an older version of him, yes, but he had seen the statues.
" Lathander. " Maponos laughed bitterly. " Of course it's you ." He shook his head. " What do you want? "
" As I have said before, I want to make a deal with you. "
"What kind of deal?"
"I need a vassal to channel my power when the time comes, seeing as my first choice is no longer an option, I am going to you. In exchange, you will have the power to bring your sister back from the dead."
Maponos scoffed angrily. "Are you saying you had this kind of power the whole time? The great Lathander could just resurrect people? We prayed to nearly every god of healing we could think of...so where were you when she was sick? " His fists balled at his sides. " Nothing could be done the clerics said. Fucking magic couldn't heal my sister. / was the one to keep her stable enough to give me time to find a cure." Maponos' gaze fell to the floor. "And now...she's gone." He looked back up at the god. "You said you wanted her to be your vassal. So where the fuck were you when she died?"
Lathander's expression dimmed. " I cannot interfere in mortal lives in that way, though, if it means anything to you, I am sorry for your loss and the heartache you have because of it."
Maponos was quiet for a moment, unsure what to make of the situation, the flash of rage he had was gone. "What are the terms of this contract?"
The god produced a glowing piece of parchment and a quill. "If you sign the contract with me, I will grant you a portion of my power, though it will take time for you to fully be able to handle the magic needed to resurrect your sister. All I ask is that you follow my guidance. "
"When does the contract end?"
"The Contract will have been fulfilled when Vo is defeated ."
Vo, the immortal being that they have only encountered a few times, barely escaped alive. Vo, who has been slowly building his army of puppeteered slaves and followers. The evil that even the Wayfinders hadn't figured out what to do about.
Maponos glanced at the quill in Lathander's hands and hesitated for a heartbeat.
Fuck it. I have nothing else to lose anyway.
He signed his name.