Star...and you notice the gleam in his dark eyes and the hint of a smile on his twisted lips. Marazhai could easily rip your hand from his neck if he wanted to — he is playing along with obvious enjoyment.
Star"I... do." When you release your hold, the Drukhari stares at you for a few seconds, his head slightly bowed. "And I will not forget my place... so long as you do not lose your grip." Marazhai's eyes gleam ravenously. "As you have already promised me Yremeryss... I will leave you now. When it is time to kill... let me know."
end of branch
Star"I... do." When you release your hold, the Drukhari stares at you for a few seconds, his head slightly bowed. "Before I leave you... may I request that you leave Yremeryss to me?" You hear supplication in his voice that seems sincere and mocking at the same time.
YOU"Fine, I agree."
Star"Good, [Name]. Know that you could never doom her to a worse fate than the one I have prepared for her. Now that this conversation is concluded..." Marazhai slaps the plate back into position. "We can both be on our way."
end of branch
YOU"Not a chance."
StarWith a hiss, Marazhai replaces the plate and turns around without a word, not dignifying you with a response.
end of branch
Entry point 2 of 8
Star...and you realise that you cannot discern the emotions in his eyes — they slip by so fast you cannot count them. And yet, he makes no attempt to remove your hand.
Star"I... do." When you release your hold, the Drukhari stares at you for a few seconds, his head slightly bowed. "And I will not forget my place... so long as you do not lose your grip." Marazhai's eyes gleam ravenously. "As you have already promised me Yremeryss... I will leave you now. When it is time to kill... let me know."continues where this line first appears above
Star"I... do." When you release your hold, the Drukhari stares at you for a few seconds, his head slightly bowed. "Before I leave you... may I request that you leave Yremeryss to me?" You hear supplication in his voice that seems sincere and mocking at the same time.continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 8
Star(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 4 of 8
Star(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 5 of 8
Star(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 6 of 8
StarMarazhai is casually inspecting his armour for damage, seemingly unperturbed by the attempted reprisal against him.
Star"Mon-keigh..." begins the Drukhari, but he stops short. You see his face twist as he forces out the next words: "[Name]. There is something you must do for me."
YOU"What do you need?"
Star"The soul of Yremeryss, the Archon of the Reaving Tempest. It should belong to me. I do not know where... I do not know how... but that bitch tried to dispatch me without sullying her own hands and she deserves to lose her life. Her soul will remain in my Soul-Trap." With a lazy nod, Marazhai indicates the dark crystal hanging from his belt.
StarWith the claw of his glove, Marazhai hooks one of the crushed plates of armour on his thigh and examines it meticulously. "When we at last face each other — and we will face each other, even if I have to gut all of Commorragh to do it — and if you are there when it happens, do not even think of trying to deliver the final blow. Only an Aezyrraesh has the right to take the life of an Aezyrraesh — and that right is mine."
YOU"Why do you hate Yremeryss so much? It was your own fault you ended up in the Chasm."
Star"It is all... somewhat more complicated than you are capable of understanding. Our game of old must come to an end. My first step went awry because of Nazrakhei's treachery. Now all I must do is finish what I started — destroy her with my own hands before she destroys me."
YOU"Why do you hate Yremeryss so much? It was your own fault you ended up in the Chasm."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want with her soul?"
Star"Simply killing her is not enough for me — no, it is too... banal? Keeping her imprisoned for all eternity in a cage of misery from which there is no escape — that is a fate more to my liking. Her fury and torment will feed me until her spirit dries up, like a fountain of blood spraying from a sliced artery. And also... it might make her resurrection problematic."
YOU"Why do you hate Yremeryss so much? It was your own fault you ended up in the Chasm."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want with her soul?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Resurrection? What resurrection?"
Star"Naive creature... The Haemonculi of Commorragh — including Tervantias, whom Yremeryss favours — are able to regenerate our slain kin from small pieces of flesh held in amniotic tubes. Any Drukhari you kill on the field of battle can come for you again — albeit at a price, since the Haemonculus claims a portion of their client's soul as payment for this precautionary measure. Perhaps Yremeryss was desperate enough — or insane enough — to resort to such a contract. Who knows, having Yremeryss's soul in my keeping might make her regrown form — if one appears — defective. She might not remember me or you at all."
YOU"Why do you hate Yremeryss so much? It was your own fault you ended up in the Chasm."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want with her soul?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Resurrection? What resurrection?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Wait... 'Only an Aezyrraesh'? Are you related?"
Star"Yremeryss is my sister. What does it matter?"
YOU"You want to kill your own sister?"
Star"Yes?" The Drukhari looks deeply confused. "Your astonishment is making me think that the mon-keigh are even more primitive than I first suspected. Do not tell me that blood ties carry certain prohibitions and taboos among your kind?"
YOU"You want to kill your own sister?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have a complicated relationship, I see."
Star"Yes. I valued her until she went too far in her attempts to dispose of me. She valued me until I refused to bare my throat for the blade without a word. Our relationship has come to a dead end. Now the tie between us must be severed."
YOU"Why do you hate Yremeryss so much? It was your own fault you ended up in the Chasm."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want with her soul?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Resurrection? What resurrection?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Wait... 'Only an Aezyrraesh'? Are you related?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well. Should we encounter Yremeryss at any point, I shall allow you to deal the final blow."
Star"Hmm. The answer I was expecting. I do not expect to wait long for the confrontation — when my sister learns of what occurred in the arena, she will send assassins, or decide to come herself..."
StarMarazhai breaks off — all his attention is now focused on a bent plate on his shoulder. A second later, he grips the edge of the plate and, with a strangled groan, tears it off — the piece dislodges with a hiss. Marazhai begins to straighten the bent plate with his hands, revealing the surprising strength contained within his lean body.
YOU[Look at what the plate was covering]
StarYou are shocked to find no under-armour or clothing — it seems the thin, light armour is attached directly to the Drukhari's pale skin, roped with veins. You notice two pinprick marks surrounded by purplish bruises — something pierced his flesh here, and that is what kept the armour plate in place.
StarAfter a few seconds, some ancient awareness spikes in you — the rapt attention of a deadly predator is focused on you. Your eyes dart up — Marazhai has noticed your interest. Silently, he turns his head to you and leans down. His eyes bore into yours, his gaze mocking and charged with promise. "What are you looking at?"
YOU"Your armour is held on with hooks that dig into your body?"
Star"Correct. Directly into the nerve centres." The Drukhari's head falls to one side and his voice takes on a velvety undertone, as though he is savouring every word. "Direct stimulation of the trigger points, provoking constant, unrelenting pain. Do you know how pleasurable it feels when your suffering rings out in unison with another's? The overwhelming ecstasy when your own agony bleeds into the agony of your enemy? My world is woven from that pleasure, [Name]."
StarThe cold touch of the clawed glove takes you by surprise — grasping your chin, Marazhai leans forward, so close that you can see the narrow band of dark turquoise around the Drukhari's dilated pupils. "I can show you that world, [Name]. I can teach you. If you do as you are told."
YOU[Nod wordlessly]
StarMarazhai's lips stretch into a smile. "An obedient pet. Good." He leans even closer — and then shoves you hard away from him. With a nonchalant expression, he steps back and slaps the plate back into place on his shoulder. "Then start by carrying out my order. If we meet Yremeryss, she is mine. And now — go, [Name]. I am finished with you. For now."
end of branch
YOU[Seize Marazhai by the throat] "I will gladly look upon a world in which you know your place."
StarThe Drukhari's eyes widen in astonishment. With a hiss, he intercepts your arm, gripping your wrist...
YOU[Stagger back] "I don't need that."
StarMarazhai laughs contemptuously. "Very true, [Name]! All you need to do is focus on your obligations."
Star"Let us see how you handle the tasks I have already given you. Remember — Yremeryss is mine, whenever and wherever we encounter her. With that, I have nothing more to say to you, [Name]."
end of branch
Star"Only an Aezyrraesh has the right to take the life of an Aezyrraesh. You will give me the chance to end the existence of the Archon of the Reaving Tempest."
YOU"Fine, I agree."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Not a chance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Strike Marazhai] "Get away from me!"
StarMarazhai dodges the blow with a smirk and draws back. "You should not have done that. But it does not matter. Let us return to your obligations."
Star"Let us see how you handle the tasks I have already given you. Remember — Yremeryss is mine, whenever and wherever we encounter her. With that, I have nothing more to say to you, [Name]."continues where this line first appears above
Star"Only an Aezyrraesh has the right to take the life of an Aezyrraesh. You will give me the chance to end the existence of the Archon of the Reaving Tempest."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You. I have never seen a Drukhari at such close quarters before."
Star"Ah, yes... I can hear your frantic pulse, [Name]." The Drukhari tilts his head. "What is it you feel when you look at me? Primal fear? Paralysing horror? Inexplicable awe? Allow me to explain: you are enthralled by your proximity to death. Your consciousness is swooning at the unlikely fact of your continued existence. But you do not recognise this, because you have been prevented from exploring the limits of your sensation. No such constraints exist in my world."
StarThe cold touch of the clawed glove takes you by surprise — grasping your chin, Marazhai leans forward, so close that you can see the narrow band of dark turquoise around the Drukhari's dilated pupils. "I can show you that world, [Name]. I can teach you. If you do as you are told."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Back away] "Nothing."
StarThe Drukhari sneers at you. "Your fear is almost tangible. Delightful. But let us return to why I called you here — Yremeryss. And your obligations to me."
Star"Let us see how you handle the tasks I have already given you. Remember — Yremeryss is mine, whenever and wherever we encounter her. With that, I have nothing more to say to you, [Name]."continues where this line first appears above
Star"Only an Aezyrraesh has the right to take the life of an Aezyrraesh. You will give me the chance to end the existence of the Archon of the Reaving Tempest."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Armour held on by meat hooks? You Drukhari truly are perverted scum."
StarMarazhai lets out a low chuckle. "I do not expect a primitive creature such as you to understand something so beyond your intellect. All I need is for you to understand your obligations to me."
Star"Let us see how you handle the tasks I have already given you. Remember — Yremeryss is mine, whenever and wherever we encounter her. With that, I have nothing more to say to you, [Name]."continues where this line first appears above
Star"Only an Aezyrraesh has the right to take the life of an Aezyrraesh. You will give me the chance to end the existence of the Archon of the Reaving Tempest."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the plate in Marazhai's hands]
StarThe underside of the plate is fitted with two thin hooks. They do not look like normal armour fastenings, and they are also coated in something wetly glistening.
StarAfter a few seconds, some ancient awareness spikes in you — the rapt attention of a deadly predator is focused on you. Your eyes dart up — Marazhai has noticed your interest. Silently, he turns his head to you and leans down. His eyes bore into yours, his gaze mocking and charged with promise. "What are you looking at?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Leave me alone in exchange for Yremeryss, and you can have her."
Star"Good, [Name]. Know that you could never doom her to a worse fate than the one I have prepared for her. Now that this conversation is concluded..." Marazhai slaps the plate back into position. "We can both be on our way."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not help you. Hunt Yremeryss yourself."
StarWith a hiss, Marazhai replaces the plate and turns around without a word, not dignifying you with a response.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If this conversation is over..."
StarMarazhai makes a casual gesture, in the same motion returning the plate to its proper place. "I am finished. Let me know when you are planning to kill someone — I cannot stand this lull."
end of branch
YOU"I will think about your suggestion."
Star"I did not tell you to think about it, [Name]. I told you what I need from you. And your response has displ—"
StarMarazhai breaks off — all his attention is now focused on a bent plate on his shoulder. A second later, he grips the edge of the plate and, with a strangled groan, tears it off — the piece dislodges with a hiss. Marazhai begins to straighten the bent plate with his hands, revealing the surprising strength contained within his lean body.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not plan to concede this kill to you."
Star"Hmm. Perhaps I did not make myself clear. The right to take the life of an Aezyrraesh—"
StarMarazhai breaks off — all his attention is now focused on a bent plate on his shoulder. A second later, he grips the edge of the plate and, with a strangled groan, tears it off — the piece dislodges with a hiss. Marazhai begins to straighten the bent plate with his hands, revealing the surprising strength contained within his lean body.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It doesn't. Forget I mentioned it."
Star"Then let us return to my instructions. Yremeryss's soul and my right to kill her."
YOU"Why do you hate Yremeryss so much? It was your own fault you ended up in the Chasm."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want with her soul?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Resurrection? What resurrection?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Wait... 'Only an Aezyrraesh'? Are you related?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well. Should we encounter Yremeryss at any point, I shall allow you to deal the final blow."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will think about your suggestion."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not plan to concede this kill to you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have a complicated relationship, I see."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It doesn't. Forget I mentioned it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well. Should we encounter Yremeryss at any point, I shall allow you to deal the final blow."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will think about your suggestion."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not plan to concede this kill to you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Wait... 'Only an Aezyrraesh'? Are you related?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well. Should we encounter Yremeryss at any point, I shall allow you to deal the final blow."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will think about your suggestion."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not plan to concede this kill to you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Resurrection? What resurrection?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Wait... 'Only an Aezyrraesh'? Are you related?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well. Should we encounter Yremeryss at any point, I shall allow you to deal the final blow."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will think about your suggestion."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not plan to concede this kill to you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want with her soul?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Resurrection? What resurrection?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Wait... 'Only an Aezyrraesh'? Are you related?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well. Should we encounter Yremeryss at any point, I shall allow you to deal the final blow."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will think about your suggestion."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not plan to concede this kill to you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have the nerve to disrespect the person who just dragged you out of the arena alive?"
Star"Dragged me out alive?" Marazhai allows himself a thin smile. "The only reason you walked away from that fight in one piece is because I was on your side. Your self-delusion runs depressingly deep."
Star"The soul of Yremeryss, the Archon of the Reaving Tempest. It should belong to me. I do not know where... I do not know how... but that bitch tried to dispatch me without sullying her own hands and she deserves to lose her life. Her soul will remain in my Soul-Trap." With a lazy nod, Marazhai indicates the dark crystal hanging from his belt.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Listen in silence]
Star"The soul of Yremeryss, the Archon of the Reaving Tempest. It should belong to me. I do not know where... I do not know how... but that bitch tried to dispatch me without sullying her own hands and she deserves to lose her life. Her soul will remain in my Soul-Trap." With a lazy nod, Marazhai indicates the dark crystal hanging from his belt.continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 7 of 8
StarYou can see the jaw muscles twitching in Marazhai's face — it seems the attack on him has managed to upset his equilibrium after all. He is carefully inspecting his armour, which has obviously suffered damage in the arena and the recent fight.
Star"Mon-keigh..." begins the Drukhari, but he stops short. You see his face twist as he forces out the next words: "[Name]. There is something you must do for me."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 8 of 8
StarMarazhai tracks you from beneath his lowered lids — his gaze is appraising, as though trying to work out how much of a threat you pose. Then he looks away and begins inspecting his armour with pointed nonchalance.
Star"Mon-keigh..." begins the Drukhari, but he stops short. You see his face twist as he forces out the next words: "[Name]. There is something you must do for me."continues where this line first appears above