Chapter Text
Mirrored Illusion
Aestri Yazar X Reader
Overview:
- Fantasy AU/ D&D AU
- On a quest, the reader begins to understand Aestri’s feelings for them just in the nick of time
- Warnings: Violence, illusions, and mentions of blood
The small town was alive in the early morning hours and unfortunately, that included not only you but your adventuring companions as well. Villagers hurriedly moved in all directions, yet only slowed for the newcomer with a voice of honey and tales long forgotten.
Your back rested against the cold stone building, your sword finding an uncomfortable spot to rest along your back. The morning hadn’t been your favorite, but it was bearable. Your party had arrived in the village late, which led to the inns being low on accommodations, causing a need for rooms to be shared, including beds, between your friends. Were you friends? Surely you were by now. But the question lingered there, just as all things did when it came to your companions- or friends, friend.
The sun had risen slightly since your thoughts had wandered over the exact person captivating your sight, the brown-haired bard sitting cross-legged on the edge of the fountain, now surrounded by schoolchildren who were undoubtedly running late. “-and no one has seen the Dark Knight since. Some say his goons spawn and roam the lands, searching for his lost victim.” Aestri leans closer to the gathered children, catching your eye before a wicked smile spreads. She raises her voice for a dramatic flair, “Or new victims to please their master!” There is a mixture of screams and laughter amongst the town’s children, but before long the ever-so-lovely bard begins to take her leave.
You watch silently as townspeople and children watch her go, some beg her to return the next morning, while others smile and clap lightly. Aestri truly walked with an elf's grace and the confidence of ten men; it was one of her best traits, one you both knew was her strength and your weakness.
You lowered your head in thought. Years ago, you had made a point never to trust someone who could win over the world, for you had seen the battles born of hate and bloodshed in the name of justice, and decided the world was far too dark to trust someone the world could love. Yet she told of the world, and you could only fall more in love with it, with her, through every word she spoke. Which is exactly how you ended up here, unintentionally following her to whatever adventure, whatever end, would meet you. Your heart swelled at the thought then broke from the realization that you would never be able to tell her truths from lies, her myths from facts, not when her words had so many meanings, and each meant everything to you.
“Where have you gone now, dearest?” She was inches away from you now, eyebrows creased in concern and eyes alight with wonder. “Planning to track the Dark Knight down by yourself?”
“Perhaps. Would you stop me if I did?” your head inclined slightly, glancing up towards the tall elven woman.
She smiled and something changed in her eyes. It wasn’t concern, you knew as much, but this look she had given you within recent months was still a mystery. “You’re mad if you think we could be separated. We’re perfect together.” Pure conviction laced her words as if you were the only person she’d ever say that to.
There it was again.
The line became so blurry in these moments. Companion, friend, dearest- dearest what exactly? The thought of her being so close was truly the maddening idea, not the fabled quest or the task at hand. If you were brave, you would have asked, would have kissed her, but words become stuck in your throat, your heart. Emotions mixed somewhere between love and fear. Fear of what could be and what might never be.
“We have a quest!” Baermar shouted from somewhere behind Aestri causing you both to turn towards the man quickly approaching. “There are old ruins with a monster problem just a few miles from here. The old mayor has offered a reward to the adventurers who can clear the place out.”
Aestri smiled and grabbed Baermar’s shoulder, “And by monsters you mean…”
“Shapeshifters. The tavern goers say they’re luring in travelers during the night.” He paused for a moment, watching his surroundings. “Some have said they’re starting to lure townspeople away as well.”
Haraan, a large dragonborn paladin who had been in the party for a few weeks now, interjected. “Perhaps we should head out soon. If they attack at night, we could have an advantage during the day.”
You straighten up at the battle plan forming, “I agree. It could give us the upper hand.”
----------------------------------------------------{At the Ruins} ----------------------------------------------------
After crossing the threshold, you could feel a shift in the air. From outside, the ruins were exactly that; Overgrown with vines, crumbling stone sides, and large cracked paths. Hours had passed since arriving and your group had only cleared the top levels, finding bones and rats but no shapeshifters. This only left the lower levels. Yet, the farther in you went, the more your stomach lurched from a seemingly unknown source. You were used to battle but magic and monsters were something you were slowly learning to navigate. Call it adrenaline or call it fear, but something felt unusual about the broken path ahead. Like something was watching, but every corner, every room, was clear within the searched sections.
You kept a close eye on the bard next to you, ready to react should a trap spring to life or an arrow be shot from a hidden location. Nothing happened. Everything seemed undisturbed.
You had switched places with Haraan after your short break. She suggested letting her lead due to an ability she had. Something that let her sense evil. Where we were going, there was something of concern, not that she’d worry anyone of course but she’d mention just enough that we knew to be prepared.
The light Haraan provided glowed in the darkened catacombs of the underground ruins. Single file as the paths became narrow, you took your position at the back of the group. Aestri insisted you go ahead of her in case Haraan needed help, but you refused. The logical reason was if there was an attack in such close quarters, you and Haraan would be the best equipped for an ambush. The illogical reason was so you could shield Aestri.
You glance at the bard in the dim light. You studied her, the way she walked lightly, always had an instrument ready instead of a weapon and even wore small amounts of armor. Something in you knew she wouldn’t be able to walk away cleanly from that old knight of legend or even a great axe from an angry barbarian. She could protect herself in other ways. You had yet to meet a person she couldn’t charm or talk information out of. Those were skills you have never possessed.
You heard a small noise of something, or someone, moving against the stone behind you. You were sure of it. Turning back to watch for movement, you whispered a quiet order for the party to stop. Yet, nothing moved from behind you. A haze had settled over your senses like everything was the same. The hallway, the sounds, except for the light. Haraan’s light had moved, they had moved down a path of steps to the right. You thought they heard you. Hadn’t they heard you? Surely Aestri would have known you’d stopped to check.
The light dimmed again and without another thought, you followed it.
You traveled down the stairs until you came to the opening of a circular room, inside stood only Aestri holding a torch to a brazier, illuminating the room. “much better don’t you think?”
“Where are the others?”
She tilted her head, “what others?”
Others. There were others, weren’t there? Your brain moved so fast, desperately trying to remember. You were with Aestri, searching the old ruins, but for what you couldn’t seem to remember.
“Are you alright?” Aestri moved closer but the movement seemed rushed. “Perhaps you should put your things down and rest for a moment.” Her hand found your cheek. Unconsciously you leaned into the touch. A moment, a moment with her, that’s what you wanted, right? For a second you thought you felt a stinging sensation near where her touch still lingered.
Aestri moved closer, clasping your chin in her hand. She must be worried for you as she stared into your eyes, perhaps looking for injury. She would often do similar actions when you were injured on whatever adventure had taken your liking, but those actions were never this. It felt off in a way. To be so close to her, to feel her warmth.
Did her eyes glow?
No. They couldn’t have.
She looked away, glancing nervously around the silent, empty room. “Perhaps you should rest, my love.”
My love.
You couldn’t be her love. You were dear to her, yes, but never her love. She used the word love the way others use like. Aestri loved everything; the way musicians played in open cobblestone streets, the orange scones from that bakery in Waterdeep, the way you danced with her under the stars at every campsite. Those things, along with so many others, were what she loved. You were something different, something more.
“My dearest.” Her voice echoed from the previous night as she bid you goodnight from the spot next to you on the bed. Moments she had used dearest to describe the most heartwarming times in stories, in songs, in descriptions. “Anyone can love something but to hold something so dear to you is the greatest form that love can take” Months ago those words hardly held meaning when she said them to the group of villagers, in another town, on another adventure, telling another story.
The words you needed to hear, the conversations you thought she was avoiding, were there the entire time. “My…Love.” You repeated slowly.
Her head snapped to you and for a moment you thought she shifted before her eyes met yours again. “Yes, my-” she screamed. It was guttural and inhumane.
Then everything around you shifted.
It was like the world spun around you, pain throbbed through your head and neck. You fell to your knees, limbs so heavy it became hard to sit upright. Your hearing slowly returned, from deafening ringing to the quiet sounds of heavy breathing and voices you recognized, mumbling something about a healing spell in the background. Your eyes open slowly to see the backside of your shield being held in front of you defensively. Aestri knelt beside you, holding your shield with one hand while holding part of your body up with her free hand and the side of her body.
“You were,” and pointed to where your shield was blocking. “why am I,” You started but were cut off by a trail of blood running under your shield from the side you were pointing to.
“I don’t think you should look yet. It’s not a pretty sight, especially since you have a much better view already here.”
In an instant, you knew what had gone wrong. You were about to be the next victim lured in by the shapeshifters. Quickly, you recognize the post symptoms of hypnotization spells. “Perhaps, you’re right. I don’t think I'll go looking for the Dark Knight on my own any time soon.”
Aestri smiled but her confidence faltered, “was that the only thing I was right about?”
Your heart raced, remembering those words. “I’m willing to find out the rest if you are.”
Her eyes held a mischievous grin as she leaned, kissing you sweetly. Some part of you couldn’t help but wish the tavern would be packed again tonight.