Chapter Text
From the Journal of Alreda, Druid of Hells:
It has been three years since I had entered the hells and I had gotten no closer to fixing my love’s heart than when we entered.
It had been a rough landing from the beginning, with Wyll and I fighting alongside Karlach the minute we were transported to the fiery plane. I remember being struck in utter awe at Avernus, memories swarming of the Nautiloid when it entered the war-torn realm; demons flying in the air, acrid sulfur mixing with its equally repugnant brimstone. The ground itself was hot to the touch and the only rivers I could see were those of fire and magma. Simply being there sapped your strength. Not just physically, but your mental strength as well. I could feel morale being stripped away from me and my companions, though it seemed Wyll was almost immune.
I should count myself lucky he was even able to come help, let alone volunteer to do so. He was a true friend, one I can count on with my life.
It was a tough first few weeks when we entered the Hells and I remember very little of it. Constant fighting, screaming, pain. I scarcely recall much beyond growing trees that burnt immediately, reaping what fruit I could from its branches before they turned to cinders. I had killed imps, demons, cambions. Some with my bare hands, some while I had transformed myself into a beast of the hells itself. Wyll, unladen with his demonic powers, was no less useful. His swords pierced the hellion hearts of our enemies and he never seemed to break a sweat. His demonic blood must be serving him well here in Avernus.
I wish I could say the same for myself. Even as a tiefling, I had never once entered the hells. I was a cursed offspring of a devil and an unfortunate woman, left behind the woods. If it were not for SIlvanus’s grace I would have been the meal of the wolves who raised me, not their wayward cub. It would take another intervention from the Oakfather in the form of the Rangers finding me and teaching me the ways of a somewhat polite society. However, Harold always had a funny way of braiding my hair. If he had not been such a great man I would have changed how I kept it up long ago. How he could see past my crimson eyes and purple skin to see just a normal girl, I will never know.
There is no way to explain this in polite prose: its fucking hot and I hate it here. Of course, I would not change any decision I have made that landed me here, but that does not prevent me from hating the circumstances altogether. Not to mention how much I hate the fighting. Rich, coming from me. I remember back in Faerun I was picking fights with whomever I decided. I liked a good scrap, even if it was not in my favor. Injustice somewhere is a threat to justice everywhere, afterall. It's part of what Karlach loved about me, and something I am not keen to change because of it. However, it just gets to be too much. I can not fathom how she spent 10 years down here on her own.
She has been taking it well. Scarcely free for a month, maybe two. I don’t remember how long it was between our meeting by that stream near the tollhouse and our leaping from the docks of Baldur’s Gate into Avernus. She had a taste of freedom on the surface but even that was hampered by the scars of the past. No, she was not happy to return to her prison. But I swear it will not be for long.
Yesterday, Wyll came home with some news that perked my ears. We have been fighting non-stop against the forces of Zariel for a while now. Moving from stronghold to stronghold wiping out legions of demons in our wake. Wyll had gone out yesterday to scout out this next location and overheard one of the guards talking. They mentioned a special prisoner they had captured and were planning to move to Zariel’s extra special prison camp. An infernal technician by the name Lysander.
This is what I have been waiting for. A plan three years in the making, it starts with getting this Lysander from these fiends (pun unintended) and back to our hellish grove. By Silvanus, Karlach I will repair your heart. If I cannot tune your engine to purr like the cutest cat I know you are, then I will replace it wholesale with something else. You have saved me in countless ways. It is finally time for me to save you.