Chapter Text
If someone had told Ash that they would have been plucked off the street of Baldur's gate by a Nautiloid only to have a tadpole forced into their brain. Ash would have asked what drugs the person was taking before brushing them off, as a crazy person. But this is the predicament the Tiefling warlock finds themself in. Trudging towards a Druid grove alongside a Githyanki, that tried to run them through with a long sword when they first met. A Half-elf, carrying a weird trinket box. A wizard, Ash had to pull from a rock, and had the fucking nerve to call their infernal powers a "Sliver of the Weave", Last but not least the pale finely dressed elf, who Ash swore kept looking at them with a deep hunger in his crimson eyes. This motley crew shared one thing in common. The unwanted guest that was slowly chewing at their grey matter. Hearing from some Tieflings, Ash had convinced to let Lae'zel go and leave without starting a fight, that a Druid called Nettie would be able to assist them with healing.
Lae'zel had been grumbling for what felt like the last hour, about how they should ignore the druids and look for the crèche that may be close by. Their constant reminder that time was of the essence, and the more time wasted, the closer to turning they got. Left a throbbing headache to slowly spread from behind their eyes. Ash could not be sure if it was the stress, or the unwanted guest causing the pain. But the sharp stabbing caused Ash to stop walking, pressing their greyish blue palms into their eyes, and gritting their teeth.
"Ok... time for a break." Ash hissed as another wave of pain rocked through their skull. "Just five minutes, I just need a breather." Ash cut off the Githyanki before she could protest. Before their companions could say anything. Ash walked a little away from the group, and under a nearby tree. Closing their eyes, they sent their magic inside themselves. Searching for the cause of the pain. Finding the source being a build up of stress, and not a happily feeding brain worm. Ash cast a small cantrip on their fingers, pressing their now chilled touch to their forehead to relieve the pressure. Letting out a sigh of relief as the pain started to ebb away under their cold touch.
"My my, what a little firecracker you are." A voice purred from to Ash's right. They jumped to their feet and turned to see a human man leaning lazily against another tree. Dressed in a finely tailored suit, fine gold threads was skillfully embroidered over the jacket. His trousers tucked neatly into waxed dark leather boots. His dark hair was pushed away from his tanned face, and curled slightly at the nape of his neck. Just above the starched white ruffles of an undershirt, that peeked from beneath his jacket. It was his eyes that caught Ash off guard. Deep browns that in the sunlight seemed to have a glow to them. As Ash took in his appearance, he had moved, hands clasped behind his back, and he slowly walked closer to the surprised Tiefling.
"I do believe I can be of.. an assistance to your little problem." His voice was rich as he spoke. Coming to a halt in front of Ash. "But as much as this little place has it's charms." He looked around the small pocket of trees they both stood in scrunching his nose up at the sight. "I know the perfect place for us to continue our conversation."
Before Ash could respond a bright white flash flared around the both of them. The brightness caused Ash to close their eyes, wincing as the pain in their head flared up again. Only to be washed away with a familiar heat, that embraced them. Looking around to find they were no longer in a little grove of trees.. but inside.
The room was large, but its lavish decor did not make it feel empty, it gave the room a lived in feel. Deep crimson tapestries lay draped over the walls, the candlelight bouncing a crimson hue around the room. In the centre, a dark cherry wood table, with an assortment of foods piled upon silver platters on it's surface. As if awaiting a banquet's worth of guests to enjoy its delights. The smells of the food were mouth watering, and complemented by the heavy incense that filled the room. The sweet scent of cherries and rich sandalwood.. and was that slightest hint of sulphur? clung to Ash as they looked around. A grand fireplace roared with life.. and above it, a large and well painted portrait of a Devil lourdes from its resting place on the wall. No, not a devil. A Cambion. Ash noted, before their attention was pulled away from the painting. By the man who now stood in front of the fire. Said painting looming behind him.
"Now that is much better." He said with a sigh. "Nature for all its wonders, can not be compared to the lavishness of home." He spread his arms wide. " I bid you welcome to my House of Hope. my little respite in the hells." A slightly chuckle escaped him, as if laughing at his own joke.
A frown grew on Ash's face as they connected the clues around them. The infernal heat that embraced them like an old lover, the decor that gave the Warlock the sense they had seen it before. But they could not place where they had seen it. What was the final nail to drop was his eyes. That glow Ash had notice before was more a hellish heat that made his eyes tinkle as he took them in.
"But please, help yourself." He gestured to the bounty on the table. " I had it prepared especially." He strolled over to the table, pulling out a plush wing back armchair and gracefully reclined in it. Crossing a long leg over the other and pouring himself a glass of deep red wine. Raising it slowly to his lips and looking over to Ash over the rim as he took a sip.
"A place of hope in hell... ironic isn't it?" Ash pulled a seat out and sat on the edge. The devil across from them gave a deep chuckle as he placed the glass down, and ran a finger around the rim.
"Ah…us devils do so love a little irony." Raphael leans back and holds his hands up. " But who could blame us for that." He flashed Ash a sharp toothy smile. "But to business. I came bearing a proposition. A reprieve from your tragic situation you find yourself in. A nice juicy worm nestles itself deep within that interesting brain of yours. I offer to remove it, to pluck it from its new home, and set you free from the cruel fate you have been dealt."
Ash tilts their head. "That is a pretty big offer, coming from a Cambion. Aren't you biting off more than you can chew?" The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, and Ash nearly missed it. Clearly a nerve has been hit.
"My how impressive." He gave a snap of his long fingers. Hellish flames washed over him, washing away the human disguise, and revealing the red skinned devil's true form. Two impressive horns grew , curling back over his head. A smaller set curled off from their base. Large leathery wings fluttered open casting an imposing silhouette. His fingers tipped with sharp black claws that clicked against the wine glass as he picked it up. His yellow eyes glowed brightly from the black sclera. "But this Cambion is the one offering you the salvation you desperately wish for." He proclaimed with a flourish of his hands.
Ash spied a bowl of cherries in front of them. Their deep crimson flesh shone in the candlelight. The fruit had been pitted and their stems removed, so it can be eaten easily. They reach out to pick one up. The devil's eyes were fixed to it, watching intently as they rolled the berry in their fingers, A small bead of juice running down one of their fingers. "So what do you gain from this deal." Ash titled their head, watching the small ruby bead as it dripped down onto the table top. The bright red trail left behind contrasted with the pale grey of their skin. " Cambion or not, all hellish offers come with some sort of cost." Ash added, popping the fruit into their mouth. An explosion of sweet juice popped in their mouth as they bit into the flesh.
Something sparked in the devil's eyes as he watched them eat the small fruit. "You are correct my dear. But all the best deals come with some sort of price." He tapped a clawed finger on his chin. " Alas your soul is off the table. Someone else holds that prize. No, my reward should be something more.. but what to ask for." He pulled a slight pout and looked Ash over.
After a moment he stopped tapping his finger. " Tell me , little mouse. Do you wish to be cured of your ailment?. How desperately do you want your unwelcome guest removed? What will you do for my help?. What are you willing to part with for my assistance?" His voice purred as he asked, his gaze holding Ash's as they swallowed.
"You're not the only one who can help. There is a druid close by who can remove it." Ash said with a shrug earning a deep laugh from the devil.
"Shop around all you wish." He held his hands out wide. "But know this, at the end of the day, only I can save you." He leaned closer to Ash, placing a hand on his chest as a grin spread on his face.
Ash rose slowly from the table and walked over to the devil. His gaze fixed on them as they moved closer. " I'll consider your offer, if the druids aren't any help." The Tiefling stopped as the devil pushed his chair back, turning to face them. Lounging back in his seat, He lazily reached out for his wine glass and took another sip.
"As you wish, little mouse. Take your time, I shall be here waiting if you change your mind. " He snapped his fingers with a flourish.
The bright light engulfed Ash once again. Once it fizzled out, Ash found themselves back in the small grove of trees they were before the encounter. Their headache had not returned much to the warlock's relife.
"There you are. Are you finished with your rest? If I have to listen to that Gith complain any more I will not be responsible for my actions." Asterion's voice pulled Ash out of their thoughts as he walked closer.
"Yeah I'm done, I need to talk to you all though, something just happened." Ash turned to rejoin the group , starting to explain the encounter with the pale elf as they walked.