Still Alive, so That's Progress! (1)

AN: Sorry for the wait things happened, so here's an extra long chapter!

"Welcome to Faerun!" - Speech

'Im in Faerun?' - Thoughts

"We're in Faerun" - Telepathic Speech

"Ignis!" - Spells

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OVERGROWN RUINS-DAY 1

I awoke with a blistering blindness in my eyes.

'Damn sun, where am I?' I thought, taking in my surroundings.

So it wasn't a dream after all.

I half expected to wake up in my room, or a hospital bed. Honestly, it hurt a bit. I'm really here? My old life is really over. Tears almost came from my eyes after realizing what was going on. My chest burned hot and my stomach started to churn like I just got kicked in the balls. Sure, I didn't have the greatest life, actually, I hated it but I had things I cared about. My mom, my dad, my sister and my brother. My old room, my computer, music, food, comfort. All that was gone in a swift crash.

"Fuck!" I whispered while slamming my fist in the sand next to me.

I tried breathing slowly but it didn't really help. I soon got up and sat for a while thinking. Can I really deal with what's going to happen in the future? With my urges and all the odds stacked against me, could I really overcome it? Honestly, I doubted myself heavily. I mean, I'll literally be up against a 4th-dimensional being who is being controlled by a cult. Not just that but actual gods. I've never even gotten in a fight before and I sure as hell never killed anyone, luckily it didn't seem to phase me since coming here. Hell, I even liked it. But that scared me. That's not who I am, and that's not something I want to be. But it's something I have to be. I didn't care about myself, I never did, to be honest. But now that I'm here there's people who I care about. Shadowheart, Karlach, Gale, Lae'zel, Wyll, Astarion, Halsin, Jaheria, and Minthara not to mention all those side characters I fell in love with too. Like Alfria, her story was cut to short, and by the Dark Urge's hands. I looked at my large pale hands and squeezed forcefully. I'll change it, I'll change everything.

Oh and Minsc too I guess. Oh, and Scratch, also that owlbear.

I picked myself up, walked over to the clear blue water close to me, and looked at my reflection. It wasn't me. No matter how much I stared it wasn't me. I sighed and sat back down.

'How beautiful.' I thought.

The sea or lake was bright blue and it blended in with the beautiful blue sky, you would never guess what was going on here or what happened. Or what was going to happen. But it calmed me, the waves washed away my fears and cleared my mind. My thoughts that were once clouded were now confident and clear. I knew what I was going to do, what I needed to do. I would change everything, save everyone important to me, and make sure everyone gets the happy ending they deserve. I'll do anything, and I will do everything in my power to make sure this happens. I promised myself, and this world, even if I die I'll make sure this happens. Not for me but for everyone else.

My train of thought was soon interrupted by my bodily urges, in other words, I gotta piss. That's also something I never really thought of in this game, where do people piss and shit? I just decided to go against a nearby rock. You know, now that I'm here I guess I would have to keep up with hygiene and my bodily functions. I scratched my brand-new beard. It was scratchy and unfamiliar, do they even have razors in this world? Or am I going to have to use a dagger? Well, maybe they have straight razors? I guess I'll find out. Another thing, the leather armor I have on, which now has a huge slash in it from an imp, did not have any buttons or zippers. Only a simple belt held up my pants, and with the belt off my pants came down very easily. I was also wearing some simple well-fitted boxers. Cotton, wool maybe? I finally took them off and started to piss.

'Oh wow, this new body is really something,' I thought looking down.

Honestly, I'm jealous. Where was this thing in my past life!? It doesn't matter now I just sighed and put my pants and belt back on before continuing down the beach. I was definitely happy but… jealous. I decided to ignore this for now and continue on exploring. The sand was far from solid and my boots sunk into the soft sand while fire burned around me. I looked up and noticed a large Nautiloid tentacle that fell on a nearby rock which created an archway, I was too busy to notice it before but after I saw that I began to notice my surroundings. It was a mix of a beautiful beach and a destroyed ship on fire, the contrast was quite something. I walked diligently along the path and soon came across what I was expecting. Shadowheart.

And oh how beautiful she was.

She laid in the sand unconscious, her perfect pale skin matched the sand she laid on and somehow she had not a speck of sand on her. For some reason in the sunlight, she looked extra beautiful. I was too busy staring at her face to notice the Prism next to her. It seemed dormant, it held no energy I could sense and looked like just an odd trinket. It was a thirteen or fourteen-sided metal prism with odd markings on it, I immediately identified them as Githyanki writing. I however dared not to touch it and focused on Shadowheart.

How beautiful and pure she looked. My Urges soon got the better of me and I began to think horrible thoughts. It would be so easy to have my way with her, to watch her scream in terror and confusion from the torture I would put her through. Watching the light go out of her eyes while she-

I huffed and shook my head. Damn you Bhaal I'll kick your ass. I didn't like those thoughts, they weren't my own but were so intoxicating that I almost fell to them. I have to keep a watch out for myself. I kneeled down, took a quick sniff of Shadowheart, and shaked her awake. It took a good few shakes before she finally awoke, startled.

"Easy now," I said as soon as she awoke, I then backed up a little while she sat up.

"Y-youre alive? I'm alive. How is this possible...?" Shadowheart said, I could tell by the look on her face she was wholeheartedly confused. Don't worry Shart, me too.

AN: Shart is the shortening of the name 'Shadowheart' usually this is said on Reddit and other places online. Will probably use this more in the future.

She soon sat up and held her head in pain before sneakily putting the Prism in a pocket somewhere. I pretended not to notice.

"I was hoping you knew that, I lost consciousness when something hit me," I said to Shadowheart.

"I remember the ship, I remember that, I remember falling... then nothing." She said confused.

"And our friend Lae'zel?" I asked Shadowheart. She seemed slightly amused and slightly confused at my set of words.

"You might want to reconsider calling her a friend- looks like she ran off without us," Shadowheart said, she put a hand on her hip, leaned a bit, and slightly turned her head to the side.

"I'm sure we'll run into her eventually. We should take care of ourselves for now," I said to Shadowheart.

Shadowheart seemed to agree with my words. At least the last part. "First things first, we need supplies, shelter, and most of all a healer. We might have escaped but we still have these little monsters in our heads," Shadowheart said, pointing to her skull. It seems like her mind is working well enough.

"We? We should stay together if that's what you meant." I kinda blushed internally, although on the outside I'm sure I looked less than friendly.

"We need each other, and we both know what's at stake. I can't think of better company," Shadowheart said, she said the last part with a little more enthusiasm though it sounded half-sarcastic I'm sure she meant it. Ahhh, it warmed my heart.

I took one last look around us, I noticed footprints in the sand. Barefoot, sort of small. Heavy too, looks like Lae'zel was here after all. I stretched my back a bit and readied myself for the road. The plan is to recruit Gale, Astarion, Lae'zel, and Wyll today. Maybe Karlach in that order. Well, hopefully, we have enough time. I looked up and noticed it was still morning, maybe 9 or 10? Hopefully, I can find everyone before the sun goes down.

"Well," I said still stretching, "If you're ready, let's get moving."

I started to turn away from Shadowheart before she grabbed my sleeve and stopped me.

'I wonder how many people would die for a touch from her… Well, I did technically didn't I' I thought, though thinking about my death certainly put a damper on my mood.

"One more thing, just before we go. I wanted to thank you again, for freeing me. It would've been all too easy for you to run right past my pod, but you didn't. I'll remember that." She said. Her voice and expressions told me she was uncomfortable with expressing her feelings, but she still wanted to appreciate my efforts despite that. She held onto my sleeve, took a quick look at my eyes then my sleeve before putting her arms behind her back and looking away cutely. She was embarrassed! How cute.

'Shadowheart Approves!' I thought in my head.

I put a hand and gave her a natural, friendly smile.

"Don't worry, I'd never leave a friend behind, and it was no problem. Now come on," I said before leading the way.

The fire of the Nautiloid soon gave way to beautiful beaches, it looked almost untouched. If you didn't look to the left of course. It was a very nice beach, I bet people would pay to visit here. There was a salty scent in the air, mixed in with fire and burning bodies, but mostly the scent of the sea lingered. The waves splashed and a cool gust of wind hit me each time they hit the shore. I stood with my arms on my hips and took a deep breath.

"Ahhh, can you smell that scent? This beach is so beautiful, the sight, the waves, and the sea breeze. It's amazing isn't it?" I asked Shadowheart. She gave me a puzzled look.

"If I hadn't seen you fight I would've mistaken you for a druid," Shadowheart said sarcastically with her arms crossed.

I just smiled before I got back to the task at hand. There were two places I could go, straight where the Dark Crypt was and to the left where the Nautiloid crash was, also that's where Gale was.

'Left it is,' I thought before venturing forth.

"I wanted to ask you something," Shadowheart started, "How did you know how to free me?" She asked out of nowhere

I answered back quickly, I already expected this question earlier and had an answer ready.

"I had a feeling," I said. Shadowheart kept quiet after that.

The walk to the crash was very short, hardly 30 seconds passed before we saw most of the wreckage, I felt the heat from the fire that still burned and smelled ash mixed with the scent of blood and burned flesh. It took even less time to spot our first dead body. It was a man wearing simple clothes, there was a bucket with a mix of fish right next to him that reeked. Seems like he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. The sight of the body warmed me, however. My urges ran hot and I thought about the last time I had seen a dead body.

Thousands, thousands of bodies lay at my feet. Bones, blood, guts, gore. As fast as it flashed in my mind it went away. I caught my breath and calmed myself down. Whatever this man was, what he did. It was vile, cruel, and unspeakable. I tried to shake it off and keep walking but my mind always returned to those thoughts. God, it was horrible but felt so right.

We kept walking and very shortly more and more bodies appeared before us. All were killed in a similar manner, wounded by claws, and died by blood loss I assume. The main room of the Nautiloid came into view, It was a large dome-shaped area made of the usual flesh and alien technology that I couldn't make sense of, just like most of the ship. Except this one had those fuckers the Intellect Devourers. They scurried away like rats as soon as they spotted us. I let my distaste be known.

"Intellect devourers," I spat, "Prepare for combat!" I ordered before unsheathing my longsword and readying my magic.

"On it!" Shadowheart said before taking out her scimitar.

The Intellect Devourers were, of course, no match for the two of us, they rushed us and arrived at our feet quickly. These fuckers were fast! I kicked one and it hit a nearby wall with a wet Splat!, it didn't die but was visually stunned for a bit. The nearest one to me swiped at me with its claws but I easily dodged it and stabbed it all the way through from the top of its brain to the bottom of it's 'body' which was also its brain. It died instantly.

"Get. Off!" Shadowheart seemed to have trouble with her Intellect Devourer that had its claws around her leg and would not let go. She panicked and tried to shake it off which only made the wound worse. I collected my magic and threw a Phase Bolt that expertly hit my intended target. Chunks of its brain blew in several places and Shadowheart calmed down, her leg was beat up pretty bad though. I turned to the last Intellect Devourer that was currently running away. Self-preservation, how rare!

I threw a quick fireball that hit the Intellect Devouver, it burnednand died while screaming in my mind.

Kinda brutal.

"You okay?" I asked Shadowheart. She was obviously in pain but toughed it out.

"I'll be fine, but thank you for your help. Te Curo!" Shadowheart yelled, a blue light emanated from her hands and the once-deep cuts closed on their own, such a weird thing to see in real life. I wonder what healthcare is like in this world. The oddest thing was that her clothes began to 'heal' too, it looked like nothing even happened. So this is the power of a cleric, huh?

Once Shadowheart was done she looked at me before speaking, "I have to thank you for the help, you fight well. Maybe our survival wasn't such a distant prospect after all."

"It isn't," I said simply before looking around for any more danger. Ahh yes, the mindflayer. There was one mind flayer in the middle of the large dome-shaped room, it was injured heavily and looked at us with hate in his orange eyes, I walked to him.

"Thrall-" I interrupted him with a stab of my sword, it went clean through his neck and he gripped my sword while blood gushed down his neck, he tried to pull it out but had no strength left. Even as he slowly began to die, the hate in his eyes never left.

Damn mind flayer.

"Shadowheart, go check out that chest," I said pointing to a chest that was on a second floor above us.

"Sure," She said simply before climbing the stairs and reaching inside the crab-like chest. She opened the chest and searched for a second.

"Look! A scroll of revival and gold!" She said with a smile on her face as she raised up a golden scroll and a leather pouch. Well, it looks like we have some fail-safes, but why would mind flayers have gold? I put that thought away and motioned her to regroup with me

Shadowheart seemed pretty happy at what she found, I just let her keep both items which she seemed to appreciate. Anything for you, Shart.

Now that everything was wrapped up here we started to walk a nearby path, which led to a large purple portal.

"What is that?" Shadowheart said, obviously confused.

"I guess we will find out," I said before continuing.

The path was uneven and required us to climb waist-high rocks before walking up a steep hill, it wasn't hard at all even though I thought it would be. This new body definitely has its advantages. I also noticed as we walked that in the sandy dirt there were footprints, small boots and they seemed light. Maybe Gale or Astarion left these.

"Footprints, there's others who survived the crash," Shadowheart said following close behind me.

"Let's find them if we can," I said to her.

"Agreed," Shadowheart said.

The purple portal was a swirling mass of energy and created a magical vortex that swirled and moved, almost like a whirlpool. I could sense the weave here, or what I think what the weave is. It seemed like it would suck in any passerby. The closer I got the more I sensed, it was out of control. Wild even. It was malfunctioning, I was scared it was going to explode but I knew that wasn't gonna happen. I simply waited for a certain someone's hand to come out.

A hand suddenly reached out just like I predicted, I guess Gale sensed that I was in front of the portal, but something was different from the game, the hand was the same color as Gale's, and it had purple robes just like Gale's. The only difference was that it was more… feminine. The nails were fairly long and clean, it looked nothing like Gale's hand, there was no hair to be found, and was much smaller than a man's hand would be.

That's when I heard their voice.

"A hand! Anyone?" A desperate voice came from the portal. It was unmistakable, its cadence and accent were identical to Gale's, the only difference was the pitch and sound. It was higher-pitched and girly. I could only guess what it meant.

Gale was a woman. And, whoever sent me here added too many mods.