Chapter Text
You don’t hear it but you feel it, deep within your soul, his laughter's as he watches you struggle on the floor of his altar. With weapons tossed aside both you and your bloodkin fight with the sharpest parts of yourselves; claws, teeth, and cutting words. It is a cycle of violence your shattered memory manages to find comfort in. Were you always like this?
Before the betrayal, did you ever get along with your sister beyond a mutual understanding that you were part of the same divine mission. Or, was there always a knife pointed at your back during family dinners. The very idea of doing something domestic like sharing a meal with Orin was funny enough for you to match Bhaal’s laughter. Although…
When you look into her pale white eyes, wide with mania, they’re filled with fear and anger. A small part of your brain reminds you of a child that used to claw its way into your chambers, when you least wanted it, looking for someone to soothe them.
Did you soothe? The very notion seemed reasonable after spending the past month mothering your companions; assuring Wyll that his horns were handsome, distracting Shadowheart from the pain Shar caused, being there to pick Gale up when Mystra called for his death. You learned, with your friends, how to be caring.
From what you’ve learned about yourself you doubt you rubbed your hands on Orin’s back or held her close when she cried. But now? Perhaps a campfire meal, a game of fetch with Scratch, or a night watching the stars will quench her bloodthirst. If she is truly your sister, your replacement, a shadow of your beginnings, then maybe she too can learn kindness.
“No! No! Noooo!” She thrashed and screamed when you managed to get her wrists pinned besides her head and for a brief moment you were flashed with the idea of silencing her with a quick snap of your teeth on her neck.
“Learn to shut up you slimy little brat!” You scream right back, twisting your body so she is properly stuck beneath your mass and can not escape, “You have lost! I win! I fucking win!”
Orin seethes with resentment for the names you called her, perhaps you sludge up some old insults from your youth, so she doubles down on her escape. She manages to get a knee in your gut but you hold strong. From the sidelines you hear your companions cheering you on and demanding retribution for Orin’s crimes. But you have other plans.
“Stop fighting me and listen,” You beg, “I won’t kill you, not for him!”
You didn’t actually expect her to respect that what you had to say was important. Orin preferred calling you a coward and a weakling, but this was reasonable since you were fighting to the death.
“I’m sick of it, sick of all this. All we do, all we’ve done, is kill for someone else’s favor!”
“Oh, does the poor golden child want to kiss and make up?” Orin mocks, “No longer fathers favorite so now you think you can spoil me too?”
“Father doesn’t give enough shits about you to care,” You spit back, “He wants me to kill you and you know it.”
Orin's face contorts with anger, her eyes narrowing as she clenches her fists. "You're lying!" she insists, her voice trembling. But despite her defiance, a flicker of vulnerability passes across her face, and you catch a glimpse of yourself in the reflection of her eyes.
“Born to be a sacrifice, that’s what you are. Flesh on Bhaals pyre.”
“Liar! Liar! Ugly, filthy liar!”
“But you killed your mother and so many others. You’re stronger than anyone ever expected. Even Saverok wanted me to strike you down because he couldn’t.”
The cracks in her resolve started to deepen, her thrashing slowed, and her threats became harsh hisses like an angry cat being scruffed, “If you don’t kill me, I'm going to skin you and all of your little pets.”
“If I kill you now, you will just be another sacrifice.”
It’s a standoff now. Despite you’re overpowering her, it is ultimately Orin’s decision on how this fight will end. One way or another, someone was going to break. You could only hope that it is her viewpoint rather than your spine.
“Or, would you rather kill god.”