Prototype's Gate

The party walked away from the room and stopped by the painting that depicted Vlaakith.

Lae'zel stopped and eyed the portrait, a sad expression on her face.

"Are you all right?" Wyll asked.

"I followed protocol. I kept to my faith. Yet the zaith'isk might have killed me. Someone must have tampered with it. An aberration I can't begin to comprehend."

"Someone tampered with the device but to save you," Alex thought.

"There must be Hshar'lak—a traitor. The sort that is hunted, slaughtered, and erased from our histories. Few would dare to dishonor their queen. Fewer would be so brazen. Now hurry. We must go to the ch't'ai and inform him of the zaith'isk tampering," Lae'zel said, walking ahead.

"Before that, shouldn't we look for where the eggs are kept?" Astarion asked.

Lae'zel suddenly stopped and threw a glare at Astarion, who flinched a little. Lae'zel always scared him.

"Still planning to go with your plan. Fine. Follow me," Lae'zel said, not pleased.

The door opened, revealing an open space, a massive cave with rays of sun coming from openings above. The air was warm, humid, and an acrid smell lingered in the air. A large shallow body of water was a few steps ahead. Its water was azure green with some patches having a golden glittering powder floating above it.

Above the water, standing on stone ramparts, were three Githyanki. Two to the left and right with their crossbows close to their sides. The third Githyanki was crouched down, looking at something a bit ahead—a green egg. The green egg was partially submerged in the water. It had a distinctive, organic appearance with dark, vein-like lines running across its surface, giving it a somewhat otherworldly or alien look. The green color was vibrant and slightly translucent, allowing some light to pass through and enhancing the egg's eerie glow.

"Entirely too empty. I'd expected to see fifteen eggs, at the very least," Lae'zel said, looking around.

The party walked to a Githyanki that was a few steps to the right, looking over the water. His eyes moved to the group when they came closer.

"Istik are permitted to view the birthing pools? These are strange times. Step carefully while here. Our hatchery is protected by lethal safeguards. I do not wish to pick your remains from them," the Githyanki warrior said.

"I thought a hatchery would have more eggs?" Wyll asked.

"Most have hatched. Only one remains, monitored by Varsh Ko'kuu, the caretaker of our young," he said, pointing to the male Gith sitting on the rampart watching the egg. "You may speak to Varsh if you wish, but stay away from the egg. There will be no second warning."

"Everyone stay here while I go and speak with Varsh," Wyll said.

"Wait, I'm coming with you," Lae'zel said.

They jumped over a series of rocks until they reached the rampart. They jumped and grabbed the ledge and muscled up on it.

Varsh, hearing their steps, started to talk.

"You can tell Kith'rak Therezzyn that my position has not changed: the egg requires more time. Furthermore—oh," he stopped when he turned around and realized who he was speaking with. "You are not from Creche Y'llek. What are you doing here?"

Alex's hearing was trained on them.

"I'm curious about the egg you guard," Wyll said.

"There is little to be curious about. It is taking its time hatching, nothing more. Most caretakers would not give the child its fair chance, but I shall. There could be greatness in that shell."

"His voice is tinged with weariness. It's the voice of a man who's fought the inevitable for a long time," Alex thought.

"What will happen to this egg if it doesn't hatch?" Wyll asked.

"Kith'rak Therezzyn will give orders to destroy it. She will say it's a weakling. I'll give it a while longer, and if it doesn't hatch, it will have proven her right."

"Why risk its life at all? Give it to me—I'll take care of it," Wyll said, putting his silver tongue to work.

"You? You've no varsh instincts about you at all. Still, the captain's due for an inspection any day now, and if she sees it here...Tell me, what will you do with it if I entrust it to you?"

Wyll opened his mouth to offer an answer, but Lae'zel was quicker.

"I'll see that it becomes the greatest ghaik-slayer you've ever seen."

Wyll was stunned for a moment by Lae'zel's words.

"Hm. Just be aware that adoptive piety does not turn to sentimentality. Though it could be the only way this one reaches adulthood, I fear. I can no longer ignore that Kith'rak Therezzyn's patience has its limits. Very well. Here—take these—they will aid you in approaching the egg," Varsh said as he handed them a pair of gloves. Lae'zel was the one to snatch them. "Fighting battles already and it's not even born yet..." Varsh saud as his gaze moved back to the egg.

Lae'zel put on the gloves and jumped from rampart to rampart until she reached the egg next to a stone platform barely above the water.

Something was under the egg, but Alex couldn't see it clearly.

Lae'zel reached for the egg and gently patted it. A small smile appeared on her face.

She gently picked up the egg and teleported next to the party on the other side of the cave.

Everyone kept staring at her as she gently moved her hand around the egg, a small smile on her face. For a moment, everyone wondered if this was really the Lae'zel they knew until she raised her eyes and snarled at them before turning her attention back to the egg.

They walked back to the main corridor heading to where Kith'rak Therezzyn's quarters were but stopped when they heard someone shouting.

"Perhaps a tadpole has already addled your brain? Is that it?"

The party headed to where the noise was coming from, into a training room. Githyanki were standing left and right, watching like hyenas what was happening in the middle of the room.

An older Githyanki male adorned with a cape was kicking a young male Githyanki who was laying on the floor, his arm around his head.

"K'chakhi! We are training to fight ghaik. You think they will hesitate?"

"They won't need to, if we keep killing each other for them! It's- it's stupid! Orph-"

"Silence!" the adorned Githyanki shouted before kicking him harder. "It seems your childish prattling is attracting an audience." He paused as he threw a side-eye at the party. "You fight again. This time, daggers only. And to the death as instructed."

"Who wants to challenge this sniveling istik?" he asked, ceasing his kicks and looking around the room.

The Githyanki on the side were whispering among themselves.

"I do," Alex said as he stepped forward.

"You? Tsk're. My students do not waste their time fighting such weaklings. But as we seem so intent on doing things differently today, why not?"

"Take a dagger, stranger. This exercise requires nothing more than a blade and a backbone."

Alex crouched down to the floor and picked up one of the simple daggers lying around.

The young Githyanki picked up a dagger and raised it, his hand trembling and his eyes shaking.

"What are you waiting for? Begin!" the adorned Githyanki shouted.

The young Githyanki dropped the dagger. "I- refuse. There has to be a better way."

The adorned Githyanki, with a look of disgust, turned to Alex.

"Kill him, and put us all out of the misery."

Alex looked at the adorned Githyanki with a smug smile.

"If you beat me in a duel," he said.

Suddenly, the whole room fell silent.

"An istik wishes to challenge me to a duel?" the adorned Githyanki asked, his eyes cold and unforgiving.

"Are you deaf?" Alex taunted, his voice steady and mocking.

The Githyanki tried to maintain his composure, but the rush of blood to his face and ears betrayed his anger. He unclipped his cape, brought forth his dagger, and roughly pushed the young male aside.

"I can't wait for my dagger to pierce your skull," the adorned Githyanki said as he took his stance.

Alex mirrored his movement, his playful smile gone, replaced by a look of deadly determination.

"What is this feeling?" Astarion said, looking at the goosebumps on his arms. He hugged himself, realizing he was trembling.

"I don't...know," Wyll replied, his gaze fixed on Alex. It felt like standing before a great beast, one that could crush him like a bug.

"Watch closely," Karlach said with a serious expression. Her eyes glued to Alex.

The Githyanki lunged forward with the speed and precision of a seasoned warrior, his dagger gleaming in the light, aimed straight for Alex's heart.

But Alex was ready. He sidestepped the attack with fluid grace, his own dagger flashing out to deflect the blow. The sound of metal striking metal echoed through the room, followed by a flurry of movement as the two combatants engaged in a deadly dance.

The Githyanki pressed his attack, his movements swift and brutal. He slashed and stabbed with ruthless efficiency, each strike meant to kill. But Alex met him blow for blow, his reflexes honed by decades of military training. He parried a vicious thrust and countered with a kick to the Githyanki's midsection, sending him stumbling back.

Instead of advancing, he simply stood there, waiting for his opponent to recover. The Githyanki recovered quickly, his eyes blazing with fury. He lunged again, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks.

The room seemed to hold its breath as the two warriors battled. Every strike, every parry was a testament to their skill and determination. The Githyanki's face was a mask of rage and desperation, while Alex's expression remained cold and focused.

The fight moved across the room, the combatants using every inch of space. They leapt over tables, rolled across the floor, and used the walls for leverage. The Githyanki teleported behind Alex, but Alex raised his leg and kicked him in the chin. The blow was so powerful that it raised and sent the Githyanki flying. Again, Alex waited for his opponent to recover.

The Githyanki warrior shook his head and spat a bloody phlegm on the floor. He snarled, his rage boiling over. With a guttural roar, he charged at Alex, his movements wild and desperate. Alex effortlessly sidestepped the attack, tripping the Githyanki and sending him crashing to the ground.

As the Githyanki scrambled to his feet, Alex allowed a small, cold smile to play on his lips. He could sense the warrior's growing frustration and fear. The Githyanki attacked again, his strikes becoming more erratic and less precise. Alex parried each blow with ease, his movements almost lazy in comparison.

With a swift, decisive motion, Alex disarmed the Githyanki, sending his dagger skittering across the floor. The Githyanki stood there, breathing heavily, his eyes wide with disbelief. Alex stepped closer, his presence imposing.

"You have no chance against me," Alex said, his voice cold and commanding.

The Githyanki's defiance faltered. He glanced around the room, realizing the futility of his situation. His shoulders sagged, and he dropped to his knees, bowing his head in submission.

The room was silent, the tension dissipating as the fight came to an end. Alex dropped his dagger and looked across the room. Every Githyanki was staring at him with fear and a tinge of respect.

"That was an amazing fight," Karlach said with a smile, wrapping her arm around Alex's shoulder. She let go a moment later, seeing smoke rising from Alex's clothes.

The young Githyanki that had been beaten came to him, sparks in his eyes.

"That was amazing. I've never seen someone defeat the sa'varsh. He's always telling us how we have to be ruthless, that death is the only mercy we deliver. But you... You showed us why we should be strong. To protect those who are weaker than us. You are just like—never mind."

"Your teacher has forgotten what truly makes a warrior. Victory goes to the one who has no thought of himself. You said I'm just like someone. Are you referring to Orpheus?"

The young Githyanki's eyes shot wide open, as did Lae'zel's behind his back.

"The true prince... He's so strong, and—and wise. And he rides a comet. A comet!" the young Githyanki said with excitement until his expression turned to sadness. "We're forbidden to talk about him. They say Vlaakith knows if you even think his name. I found his book... Part of it, anyway. I read it all the time. He's unbelievable."

"Where did you get the book?"

"A group of warriors came. Outsiders, on a mission for Vlaakith herself. Sa'varsh Kethk made us clean their armor, and... I found it, inside one of the breastplates. I wish I knew who it belonged to—I have so many questions! Hopefully, one day I'll find them."

"Sounds like quite the book. Can I have it?"

"You want...but I...I—"

"You endanger yourself by carrying this around."

"Fine, take it," the Githyanki said as he brought forth a stone disk. "It's so stupid we can't read it. It's just a story, it's not even true. I'll do my best to forget what it said. Thank you for taking it."

Alex reached with his hand and patted the young Githyanki on the shoulder. He flinched at first but seeing that Alex didn't mean harm, he relaxed a bit.

"Hopes and dreams are the light that guides us through the darkness," Alex said.

"Those are some beautiful words," Gale said from the side.

Shadowheart didn't seem so pleased by Alex's words.