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The sun was setting as the adventures made camp in a clearing they found on their journey, their newest member. Karlach was getting herself associated with Scratch, she was making cooing noises at the pooch. Feel a sense of longing to pet and cuddle the dog's face, but her heat prevented her to do so, she didn't want to set the handsome boy on fire.
Veritas watched her new friend giving Scratch attention at a safe distance. She was relieved that she managed to convince Wyll not to kill the Teifling, but something told her that he didn't need much convincing. The connection their group received from the tadpole to reveal the truth about Karlach's alignment to Zariel. The hesitation in Wyll's posture, his eyes widen in horror at the realization that he had been misled. Had told Veritas that he didn't need much convincing.
Veritas turned back to the book she had borrowed from Gale, when she felt the atmosphere grow hot. Uncomfortably hot. The kind of hot she felt when she was in the Nine Hells.
Her camp mates sense the change and glance around confused at the sudden change in the air, except for Wyll. Who was staring at the ground, his face paled with dread and his eyes widen in terror as the ground opened before him.
“Hell's fire,” He muttered. “She's coming.”
The group stood up and slowly, yet cautiously made their way to Wyll to the portal. Shadowheart, Lae'zel and Karlach pulled out their weapons moving towards Wyll. While Veritas, Astarion and Gale hung a little way back. The wizard and sorcerer ready themselves with their magic. While Astarion pulled out his bow and arrow.
The ground opened to a black pool surrounded by fire, illuminating the friends' faces with its light, everyone tenses to see a black figure rise from the portal. What looked to be a sort of black ooze covered the figure, then its wings popped open. The ooze disappeared along with the portal to reveal a she-devil.
“Wyll,” The she-devil spoke with a sickly-sweet voice. “You've been naughty.” Her sinister smile turned to a disapproving glare, “And you know what happens when you've been naughty.”
Karlach let out a curse, her eyes narrowed even more. “Gods damn it. Anyone but her.” She growled; Veritas could detect a hint of fear in the barbarian's voice.
“Wyll, just who in the Nine Hells is this?” Shadowheart demanded, her eyes never leaving the intruder.
The devil let out a mocked hurt noise, “Wyll!” She gasped dramatically as she looked at Wyll placing a hand on her chest acting offended. “I'm hurt you didn't tell them about me?” She then turned to the group to introduce herself. “Call me Mizora, I'm Wyll's patron, the fount of his power.” Then Mizora turned to look at Wyll, “and my pet's been unruly- and his leash needs a yank.” As she was saying this, Mizora held out her hand and gave a harsh tug causing Wyll to stumble forward by an invisible force.
Shadowheart made to grab his arm to keep him steady but was stopped when Wyll pulled out an arm to stop her.
“We had a deal, Wyll.” She scolded, “But Karlach's still breathing.”
Realization hit the group; Veritas stared at Mizora as it all became clear to her.
This was Wyll's contractor! She was the one who set Wyll after Karlach. She was the one that Wyll had seemed to be dreading.
Her heart grew cold with fear to also learn that Wyll was a warlock! Veritas felt a familiar hatred burn in her like a raging forest fire. A warlock! A warlock was in her camp! What a fool she was for not realizing it!
Veritas was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard Wyll speak, he was gripping on to his neck, like he was being choked by a collar. “You told me devils only.” He managed to say, “She's- a Tiefling. Not a monster.”
Mizora stared at the Blade, unimpressed. “How precious.” She said, dryly. “The little pupster's found his bark.” She let go of the invisible leash, Wyll let out a puff of relief of finally being relieved from the choking grip that Mizora had him in.
From where Veritas was standing, she saw the man glare at his patron and while his body remained defiant. She can see the fear in his dark brown eye, the fear for the she-devil. And just like that, Veritas felt her heart sadden for her friend. Warlock or not. Wyll didn't deserve to be mistreated by anyone. Including his patron.
“Clause G, Section Nine: Targets shall be limited to the infernal, the demonic, the heartless and the soulless.” Mizora admonished to Wyll then pointed a finger toward Karlach. “Karlach meets the criteria, pet. Trust me on this one.”
Veritas stride towards the devil to stand in front of Wyll, he grabbed her shoulder to pull her back, but she shook it off. “But Karlach does have a heart.” She defended.
Wyll hissed at her, “Veritas, what are you doing?”
“Trying to save your arse.” She hissed back.
Mizora looked at Veritas, sizing her up and down with a bemused look on her face, “Oh? How so little one.” She asked, her voice thick with amusement.
“She may not have a traditional heart like myself and -I assume- you.” Mizora scoffed at that but let Veritas continued. “But she has a mechanical heart now, thanks to your boss. So, technically Karlach does have a heart now.” When she finished speaking, feeling somewhat confident in herself that she saved Wyll. Until Mizora burst out in mocking laughter, she threw her head up covering her mouth with one hand and holding on to her stomach with the other.
Veritas stood firm, though she felt hot under the collar. Mizora consoled herself and straighten her body, giving Veritas a look that reminded her of her mother when Veritas said she consider stupid when she was just a child.
Mizora reached out a hand to pinch Veritas's cheek between her fingers, the devil's grip was tight, and Veritas felt her sharp nails dig into the flesh of her cheek. “Oh, you're just adorable, aren't you?” She cooed. “You think you talked your way into saving you friend, you're just a doll.”
Veritas hit Mizora's hand away from her, resisting the urge to rub her now sore cheek. Mizora crossed her arms and stared down her nose at Veritas. “You are right, technically, Karlach does have a heart... but-” She lifted up a hand, “technically she does not have one either.” With a wave of her hand, a circle of fire surrounded Wyll.
Everyone watch, no one moved, as Wyll was consumed into the fires of Avernus; the lightning storms of Dis strike at his flesh. His soul passes through each layer of the Hells, gaining their essence- and their torment.
Wyll crumpled to the ground as his body changed, horns began to protrude from his head until the curved around his head. His one good eye changed from brown to red and the whites of his eyes was replaced with black.
When it was all over, Wyll stood before his friends as a devil.
The adventures were silent, horror gripped their tongues unable to speak a word, Wyll stood silent. He spotted a mirror that stood by Astarion's tent, and he ran to it. He fell to his knees and grabbed the mirror to get a better look at himself. To see the devil, he was changed to become.
Tears were threatening to spill from his eyes as he turned to glare at Mizora, who was now wearing a satisfied smile with his punishment. “What the hells have you done?” He shouted; his voice cracked in despair.
“A promise broken; a price paid.” Mizora said simply, “you know the terms. Get used to the new form, pet- there's no going back. Some magic, even I can't undo.” Mizora turned to look at Karlach, “Karlach.” The barbarian turned to look at her, her eyes blazed with rage and horror toward the devil, her teeth were grit with fury. “Keep an eye on him, would you?” Mizora asked.
A hand gripped Veritas under her chin and made her turn to look at Mizora, “I'll be keeping mine on you.” She said to Veritas, sweetly.