Year 20

"I'm not obsessed." You exclaim which causes a look of skepticism from Sneaks.

"Okay, maybe I'm a little obsessed, but not in the way you're saying." You say.
"Look kid, I'll let you in on a little secret, I've jerked off thinking about Tanya too. I don't think there's a man that's been in contact with her for any length of time that hasn't. Hell, there's been guys in the Guild into men and they STILL admitted to having thoughts about her. She had a dick of course in their fantasies, but my point is, she still had an effect. It's part of her demon heritage, but the effects should have long since worn off and I'm telling you the way you're going is not fucking healthy."
"But my feelings for her are not just physical. I mean yeah that's part of it, but I've been getting to know her and I feel a real connection with her."

Now Sneaks is totally confused.

"I thought you were staying away from her ever since you took out Reginald." Sneaks asks.
"I have! But I keep seeing her in my dreams! And those dreams have been becoming more frequent lately. In these dreams, we spend time together and talk and laugh and…"
"And fuck. Probably a lot of fucking. Look, sounds like you're having some nice dreams, but dreams aren't real and with some of the ones you've described they sound impossible. Just go back to fucking that whore that dresses like her, it's the closest you're going to get."
"I can't even do that anymore, I feel like I'm cheating on Tanya. I'm telling you, this is really happening. I don't know how, but it is. I mean don't succubi invade dreams? I mean maybe she's trying to tell me something even if she isn't doing it in the real world."
"Real world being the key word here. Are you listening to yourself? Look, I don't know what to tell you man, I mean…(sigh) okay say for the sake of argument this IS all true, have you even spoken to her directly about it?"
"Well no, I've been trying to stay away and respect her wishes to leave her alone."

Sneaks slaps you upside the head.

"What the hell?!" you say.
"That's without a doubt, the stupidest fucking shit you've ever said involving Tanya. I've known you since you joined the Guild and you've flirted with her shamelessly beyond a point where others have gotten shanked by her for their troubles. The ONLY other person I know who's gotten this obsessed with Tanya and lived is Garrick, though Yag knows he'd NEVER fucking admit that." Sneaks says.
"So…I was right about Garrick?"
"Of course you were right about him. Why do you think he still holds a grudge against you even though you're staying away from Tanya? I mean in his case, I don't think it started out that way…shit I HOPE it didn't start out that way since he took her in when she was a young teenager, but in any case. Garrick has been in love with Tanya for a very long time now. He'll never make a move of course, which is why I'm telling YOU that if you REALLY think you've got a shot with Tanya, then you need to just go talk to her, because the non-confrontational routine? Yeah that doesn't work and it isn't your style anyway."
"Weren't you the one that once told me once to forget about her?"
"Yeah well I'm hoping you'll listen to me on this advice this time because it's apparent that you're bound for a path of destruction. At least if you go talk to her you'll get that over quickly and who knows, maybe just MAYBE, you're right about all this. In any case, I'm going to go see if there's anyone around to play cards with."
"I think a lot of the members are out enjoying the riots."
"Yeah fuck that, it's absolute chaos out there. Surprised the Baron's managed to still keep control of some of the city. Mostly the merchant's district, rich areas and his palace of course, but it's getting worse. To be honest, I would leave the city, but unfortunately I've still got a streak of loyalty and I'd never just abandon Garrick. Too much history, even if I don't agree with him sometimes. Anyway, see you later and good luck."

Sneaks leaves you and you immediately go to see if Tanya is in her quarters. You already know what you're going to say, because you've been saying it in your mind for a long time now, you're just mentally preparing yourself the verbal (and possibly physical) repercussions of your confrontation.

Has to be done though because this has gone on long enough and if Tanya genuinely has no interest in you then you're not going to stick around just to have something you desire greatly dangling in front of you everyday and can't do anything about it.

As you approach Tanya's quarters you hear voices coming from it. You slow your pace and strain your ears to listen and eventually hide just outside her door.

"Tanya, I can throw him out of the Guild, if he's been bothering you again. Honestly I would have done it sooner had you not told me not to after that stunt with the Neroth cultists." You hear Garrick say.
"He hasn't been bothering me Garrick, if anything he's been honoring my wishes. He's been a perfect fucking gentleman…or at least as close as he can get to one."
"Be that as it may, I know something is wrong."
"I'm fine Garrick, stop fussing."
"Tanya, I KNOW something is going on with you. I've known you since you were girl and I know when you're more troubled than usual. I mean if you don't tell me, I can't help…"
"That's fucking right Garrick, you CAN'T fucking help! Nobody can! So stop playing the over protective dad role trying to save his little girl and just get the hell out of my quarters."
"Tanya, you forget that…"
"Yes, Garrick I fucking know. You brought me in off the streets when I was some poor dirty orphan stealing food and had run away from the home for the umpteenth time! How long are you going to bring that up? I've never said I wasn't appreciative, I think my time staying here has proven that, but if you think I OWE you something more, then you've been a fool for a longer time than even he has! Worse even."
"Tanya! I've never…"

Before Garrick can complete his statement, you finally enter the room causing an immediate hostile look from Garrick and a look of exasperation from Tanya.

"Oh great…" Tanya says.
"YOU! Get out of here, we're having a private conversation!" Garrick yells.
"Tanya, WE need to talk. There's something going on between us and I have to think you know what I mean. This has been a long time coming and I can't just continue to walk around here in silence any longer." You say.
"I'll tell you what, you don't need to be walking around here anymore period. You're out of the Guild! You've been nothing a headache since I allowed you in here! I can't believe I was so blind to think you would be an asset in the first place!"
"Garrick, I'm not even arguing with you and I'll be more than happy to leave this shitty Guild, but I've got to speak to Tanya first."
"Go ahead then." Tanya says a bit defeated.



"Tanya, I've been having dreams about you for past few months ever since everything that went down with the Neroth cultists. Now I dunno if you're doing it on purpose or what, but these dreams have been more than just dreams, it's like…it's like they're real somehow. You're talking to me. WE'RE talking to each other about, well everything. My past, your past, our likes, our dislikes. I swear it's like we've been dating without actually going out."
"Bullshit. You don't know shit about Tanya. You've been making shit up in your delusional mind. Wishful thinking about shit that's never going to happen! Okay asshole, if you know so much, why don't you give us a little history lesson?"
"Gladly."

You begin with a description of the orphanage Tanya grew up in and the apathetic lady who ran it. You mention how Tanya had to beat up two older boys when she was six because they were accusing her of stealing their food. After she broke one boy's arms and the nose of the other boy, the other children remained afraid of her.

She ran away from the orphanage altogether by the time she was nine and lived on the streets until she was around thirteen where upon Garrick caught her trying to pick his pocket. You even describe the type of day it was, mentioning that it was lightly raining. After he caught Tanya he offered her a place in the Guild.

At this point Tanya and Garrick are just silent as you relay this information. Garrick's mouth nearly hangs open as he knows you're exactly right about everything. He can't believe that you know all this. Tanya even looks a away a couple times.

"And you told me, that you've remained loyal for the past twenty some odd years since that time at first because you originally felt obligated to Garrick for giving you a home and helping you when nobody else was, but there was a point when you started to feel less satisfied here and you considered leaving." You say.
"Tanya! You never told me this! Is this true?!" Garrick remarks.

Tanya doesn't answer, she just looks at you like you're going to tell him anyway, so why stop?

"She never told anyone that. She would have left too, but then her mother showed up and after her brief meeting, she stayed with the Guild. Not because she had great attachment to it, but because she feared what she might do without it keeping her somewhat grounded. The Guild became a sort of sanctuary against her infernal nature. Sure, thievery isn't exactly the most noble of professions, but it's a far cry from what infernals like to engage in." you say.

Garrick turns back to Tanya.

"Tanya, you could have told me this! Why didn't you? I could have…" Garrick starts to say before he's interrupted.
"You could have what Garrick? Tried to make everything better like you always think you can? This is what I was talking about earlier, you CAN'T FUCKING HELP ME! Nobody can! I mean just look at what's occurred…I'm meeting this infatuated loser in his dreams and telling him my whole life story and I was only barely aware of some of it! How long before I have complete control over it? My infernal nature is coming out and it can't be stopped. Stop trying to fucking save me because I'm NEVER going to love you Garrick or at least not in the way YOU want." Tanya shouts

Garrick says nothing; he just staggers back a bit against a table like all the wind has been knocked out of him. Tanya now turns her attention towards you.

"And as for you, your best option would be running far away from this place and from me before it gets worse. I don't care how much you THINK you're in love with me." Tanya says.
"Or even how much you might be in love with me?" you answer.
"Now THAT is wishful thinking and not what is happening."
"Okay, maybe love isn't the right word, but I have a hard time believing that you didn't contact me in my dreams for shits and giggles. You're actually fun in those dreams and I know you well enough in the real world that you never do anything remotely fun. It's like you wanted me to see another side of you that nobody else does. Arguably the closest person you were close to before I showed up was Garrick, and you only see him as a father figure at best. You didn't contact him in his dreams. You didn't show up in anyone else's either. You showed up in mine because you obviously have a fondness for…"
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" Garrick suddenly shouts and lunges at you.

He tackles you to the floor and you roll around briefly with him, but you soon get him off of you. However, he's managed to pilfer your pistol that was tucked in your clothing.

"Garrick! Put that down!" Tanya shouts.
"Why?! Just so you can go off with this dickhead? No! How many people have fallen for you Tanya? How many? I've lost count. Why does THIS one get your affection?" Garrick screams and then starts laughing.

"I WAS the one who took you in! I WAS the one who gave you purpose and apparently I was the one who gave you salvation! Don't you see Tanya? I'M the one who loves you! I always did! But if I can't have you…then I suppose I'll have to accept that…but what I won't accept is someone else having you instead!"

Garrick is pointing the pistol right at you and ready to fire. You might be quick enough to stop him, or you might not. Tanya looks like she might do something, but who knows?

You wait

You're putting a lot of trust into Tanya right now…

Since you aren't going for the gun, you attempt to stall for time.

"Garrick, look, she isn't exactly tripping over herself for me either despite me revealing all this information. If anything she probably dislikes me even more now. She's not worth dying for so you want me gone, fine, I'm going. And if it will suffice, my apologies." You say and start backing away with your hands up.
"I'm afraid that will NOT suffice!" Garrick exclaims before Tanya tackles him.

Tanya knocks the pistol from his hand and easily subdues him while you grab your weapon off the floor. He struggles for a bit, but then eventually just stops and starts crying.

"Tanya, move out of the way." You say fully intent on killing Garrick
"No! I know what he did, but you're not killing him! Despite everything, the man DID help me at one time and I'm not going to just forget that. Just leave us." Tanya says.
"What about…you know what, forget it."

You're done. You might still have strong feelings for Tanya, but obviously you're going to have to get over them and hopefully in time they will eventually dissipate by putting as much space as you can between you and her. You also hope the dreams will come to an end because if they don't that's going to make the process a lot harder, if not impossible.

Troubles for another time however and you'll deal with it when you have to.

You make your way out of the Thieves' Guild as quick as you can, into the sewers and to the closest manhole cover. One thing you aren't going to miss and that's mucking around in the damn sewers.

You look around and see a few stores that have been looted, some in the process of being looted, but nothing excessive. The city isn't on fire or anything. (Just a couple of buildings)

Your goal is to get the hell out and as far as possible from this damn city because there really isn't anything holding you here now.

You attempt to avoid potential trouble by taking the quieter side streets. Midway through you half wonder if you should have just used the sewers until you got closer to the front gate, but it's too late now.

You turn down an alleyway to avoid a Holgard Watch patrol rounding up dissidents, and that's when you bump right into Tanya. While you are caught off guard a bit, there's a small part of you that was sort of hoping you'd see her.

"Do I even need to ask how you even tracked me in all this chaos?" you ask.
"If you're already dreaming about me, I think you know the answer. I've pretty much imprinted on you at this point, though I suppose not completely." Tanya replies.
"What does that mean exactly?"
"It means if you wanted to, you could still get away. You would eventually in time get away from me or any feelings relating to me. Even the dreams would disappear eventually. Probably would be the best option for you because I can't imagine it getting any better for you, if you stayed."
"Yeah, well I always sort of figured those might be my options anyway, but what do YOU want? I mean I get the reasons for you pushing me away, but is that what you really want?"
"I don't know. Not really. I would like to have a close relationship with you, I probably have even before the cultist incident. I mean now especially considering I know nearly everything about your life just like you know most of mine. Like you said, we've practically been dating, just without the hassle of going out."
"I don't think we're really dating types anyway."
"Hah, probably not. I just don't know though. I mean how do I know if your feelings are real for me, or if it's all just infernal magic? How do I know that my feelings for you are genuine or if I'm just luring you in and going to just suck out your soul eventually?"
"I've asked myself the same question multiple times as I'm sure you have. I mean I'm sure some of it is infernal influence, since I was just about to leave and now here I am completely re-considering. However, I think this is the important difference. I NEED to know if you really feel the same way. If don't, even to the smallest degree, then I'll know that I should leave. It won't be easy, but I'll deal with it. If I was completely under your spell, I don't think I'd even have the capacity to even think about leaving."
"Well that's just it, you're not completely under my spell or influence, but I'm worried that one day you might get that way! I mean I want you to be a freethinking being. There's so much shit going on and I'm experiencing changes a lot faster than I ever have before. Look!"

And this point Tanya takes her hood off and you not only see her lovely face clearly, but two little horns. She must go to great lengths to arrange her hair to cover them, along with wearing the hood.

"Uh, how long have you had those?" you ask.
"A few weeks now." Tanya remarks.
"Oh. Well you shouldn't cover them, I find them to be cute." You say trying to bring a little levity to the situation.
"I'm going to gore you with them if you don't start taking this seriously! I mean I just killed Garrick and I don't even feel that bad about it. I mean shouldn't I feel something?"
"Wait. He's fucking dead? You stopped ME from killing him. What the hell happened?"
"I spoke with Garrick a little in an attempt to calm him down, but the man was a complete emotional wreck. He practically begged me to kill him at that point since he claimed he couldn't go on living the way he was living. So I honored his wishes. It was the least I could do."
"So…it was a kindness. I mean it's a little unorthodox, and granted I'm certainly not shedding any tears, but it wasn't like you killed him in cold blood."
"Yeah, but for better or worse, the man WAS my father in a way. I mean ignoring all the rest of his unwanted feelings, I do remember the positives. Despite all that, I haven't even cried. Shouldn't I cry?"
"I dunno, maybe his recent actions muted your feelings or maybe you're just dealing with them in another way…um are able to cry? Serious question."
"Yes. Just haven't done it since I was a child though. I guess it's not important anyway. My point is I'm worried that I might become a complete monster and I don't want you to be in my path when that happens since you'll most likely be the first victim."
"Well the fact that you're so concerned about me, is a pretty good indication that you're no heartless monster and you're talking about something that MIGHT happen, not that it will. Besides, despite all of what we've shared you still don't know everything about me either."
"What? You a shapeshifter or something?"
"No, I wish it was that interesting. But what I'm referring to is something a lot more mundane. Just a secret of my own I've been harboring and if we're going to be together, I might as well come clean right now."

You explain your dealings with the Ebony Claw Syndicate, constantly pointing out that you are NOT actually a member and that you haven't even done anything that would harm the Guild, though you wonder if that even matters anymore given that Tanya just killed Garrick.

Tanya's reaction is one of shock. For a moment it looks like she's going to punch you, but then she just shakes her head and actually chuckles. You think it's the first time you've seen her remotely laugh.

"Fuck it. I mean at one time I would have killed you as a hypocritical traitor, but what difference does it make now? I already killed the head of the Guild. I'm hardly in a position to judge. If anything, I think I feel better about all this." Tanya says.
"What do you mean?" you ask.
"Well here I was worrying that my infernal influence was slowly turning you into my slave or something, but obviously I don't have that much influence if you're able to keep a pretty big secret like that from me."
"Um, well I did just confess to you."
"Oh right. Shit."
"I knew I shouldn't have pointed that out. I do want to stress though I never actually betrayed the Guild though, I always wanted to tell you because I felt it was the honest thing to do. I just never could figure out a good way to do it and then for awhile you wanted me to leave you alone and…"
"Just stop. As I said, it hardly matters now. (Sigh) The next question, is where does this all leave us? I mean seeing as you're a half spy for the Syndicate and I just murdered the leader of the Guild, it's not like either of us can go back."
"Before you caught up to me, I was about ready to leave the city."
"It's not a bad idea, though I've never left Holgard. There's also the fact that you have some unfinished business with the Ebony Claw Syndicate. Aren't you worried they might hunt you down?"
"Well if I stay here, they're even more likely to find me. They probably aren't going to bother looking for me anyway. And wouldn't you be with me?"
"I suppose I would. However, I'm still reluctant to leave Holgard."
"Why? What's holding you here now?"
"Nothing I suppose, but maybe I wouldn't mind leaving Holgard if it didn't feel like running. I mean I've spent so many years fighting the Ebony Claw, I'd hate to just hand the fucking city over to them. Yeah, I know it's foolish, and maybe I'm just feeling the need to at least avenge the Guild considering I practically just destroyed it myself."
"I think they were always going to win. They just have the numbers and now you're suggesting just the two of us going against them?"
"I don't see why not and I mean we probably could do a lot more damage with just the two of us no longer being restrained by Garrick's caution. We can make a plan. The more I'm thinking about it, the more I really want to do this. I feel like giving myself this purpose would be a good way of directing my energy. Granted it's not exactly the most virtuous way, but surely it's still a positive thing taking down a criminal organization that engages in various violent and illegal activity, right?"

Seems Tanya is trying to figure out a few things in light of trying to handle all her recent actions and physical changes. She tells you that she would like you to stay to help her, but she would completely understand if all you want to do is put as much distance as you can between yourself and this place.

Infernal influence or not, you're not going to let her go into this alone. Besides you wouldn't mind taking out that one eyed asshole, or at least that fucker that keeps shoving a crossbow in your back.

"Okay. I'm in. I stayed here for you this long and I'm not going to leave when you need my help the most. So, let's get to this plan of yours."

Tanya smiles a bit and then hugs you. A bit sudden, but certainly not unwelcome. You have to admit, you're already glad you've made this decision even if you're dreading the danger that's to come from it.

"So, what's the plan and what's it all going to entail exactly?"
"Let's go some place else to discuss this. Probably not at the Guild headquarters or Hell's Own, though, um…let's go the Lighthouse." Tanya says.
"The Lighthouse?"
"Yeah, it's an inn close to the docks area and they probably aren't getting much business anymore what with less ships coming in right now. We can use that as our meeting and planning place for right now." Tanya says and puts her hood back up.

The pair of you travels there without any problems. It seems the rioting and civil unrest has died down for the rest of the night. The owner of The Lighthouse seems pretty surprised (and happy) that anyone is checking in since the place is practically empty.

You pay for your one room and the pair of you head to it.

No sooner have you entered the room and you're about to ask Tanya about what she has planned, you see her taking her clothing off.

"Tanya, wha…what're you doing?" you ask.
"What's it look like? I'm getting ready to make love to you. In fact why are you still dressed? I would have thought you'd be the first one to have your pants off by now." Tanya says.
"I…well I just didn't know we were getting into that tonight, I mean I figured you might need a little time. Plus, I figured we were going to discuss the plan to take down the Ebony Claw Syndicate which is not going to be an easy task.
"All the more reason to do this now. One of us could die when we start seriously pursuing this path. Now I know maybe this isn't going to be a big deal to you, but I think I'd like to actually experience sex in the flesh to see what all the fuss is about."
"Wait….you've never?"
"No. Why would I? I've never fancied anyone before and I've been fighting my succubus heritage remember? That means no sex of any kind. Hell, up until that incident with the cultists, I hadn't even kissed anyone before."
"I was your first kiss too?"
"Yep, looks like you're conquering the rest of the virgin territory tonight. Hope that's not too much pressure, but then why would it be? Not like I can compare you to anyone else right?"
"Um, sure I guess so."
"Hm. Anyway, take off your clothes, I really want to get to this."

You have to admit, after all the times you've fantasized and dreamed about these encounters, none of them ever were like this.

The two of you soon get to it and it's fairly interesting. Tanya might be a virgin, but she's obviously a natural. Of course being half succubus might have something to do with that.

The session goes on for quite awhile. While you definitely don't want to disappoint, you find that you're struggling in the endurance department, though you're not sure if it's because Tanya's taking out decades of pent up sexual energy on you or again, it's because she's part succubus and she's actively draining your own energy.

She can tell you're obviously feeling ill effects and finishes you off before she possibly inadvertently kills you.

"Are you okay?! You look really pale, I have some water in my pack."
"I'm…(wheeze) fine…I'll take that water though." You struggle to say.

As you down the water, Tanya cuddles up next to you lovingly.

"So was it like you imagined?" she asks.
"It was good of course, but definitely more intense. What about you?" you ask.
"It was okay."
"Oh."
"No! I don't mean that as an insult! You were fine and enjoyed all the closeness and it was pleasurable, but somehow I was expecting more given how much people talk about it."
"Well we can try again later after... shit, I'm tired. I dunno if I'm in any condition to process a plan right now."
"Don't worry about that. You get your rest, I'll just be right here beside you."

You slowly start to drift off as you feel Tanya rubbing against your body and almost wrapping herself around you like a second skin. She then whispers "I love you." in your ear and makes some odd noises which aren't exactly the most human sounding, however they do sound content, so at least there's that.

While there wasn't a ceremony of any kind, you suddenly get the very real impression that you're married now.

You on to business

The next day, you surprisingly wake up in the afternoon. Tanya apparently has been awake for quite awhile though, but she's basically been watching you sleep for most of that time.

While you'd think that would probably be creepy, but considering what she is, you can't say you're all that surprised. Besides, she went to the trouble to go get you food.

"Well this is a nice surprise." You say taking the nearby tray.
"I just got what they sell here at the inn. I want to make sure you've got your strength up for tonight's assault on the Guild. I know I drained you during our…closeness last night. I really didn't mean to." Tanya says.
"I know. It's okay."
"But I have concerns about our future intimacy, if I'm going to nearly be killing you every time."
"I'm sure there are potions to help. Quick trip to the apothecary and all that."
"I hope so."

While Tanya has her worries about your sex life together, you're actually feeling a bit more positive about all this. Tanya's concern for your well-being at least shows she's not going to eat your soul anytime soon.

You and Tanya spend the rest of your time talking about her plan. It's actually fairly simple. She tells you to go back to Rook and report everything you know about the Guild. Location and everything. She says when your information pans out to be true, and what remains of the Guild is destroyed then you'll be in the Ebony Claw with no problems and from that point onward, you can tell relay vital information which she can use.

"Wait a moment, what about all the thieves in the Guild headquarters when the Claw comes to take it down?" you ask.
"Well I thought about that and…well they're just going to have to be losses for the greater goal. I mean I could warn everyone, but if it's empty then that's going to look might suspicious for you."
"Are you sure the place is going to be packed anyway? I mean you did just kill Garrick, surely someone has found his body by now. People might be a bit suspicious and not wish to hang around."
"Um. No, they probably didn't. First off, nobody but Garrick would dare enter my quarters in the first place. Second, I made sure to hide it from immediate sight after the deed was done."
"You hid his…nevermind. Probably good thinking on your part given what we're planning."
"Do you have a problem with this plan?"
"Me? Well other than the danger of becoming a mole in the EC, I suppose not, though you do realize how ruthless this plan is if you're willingly sacrificing those you once called comrades for years right?"
"Yes, and I already came to the conclusion that I never was really close to most of them anyway. True, maybe I saw the Guild as my family in some way, but ultimately I was pretty much always alone. I never bothered to interact with any of them except on a job and still always kept to myself. I'm sure you saw that as well."
"True. Still though. Not even Sneaks?"
"Not really. I think you were closer to Sneaks than I ever was. That going to be a problem?"
"Not exactly going to be taking any pleasure in it, but I'm with you all the way on this, so it's gotta be done."

Tanya nods at your pragmatism on the situation and tells you that you should go report to Rook and get the ball rolling on the first phase of this plan.

You leave the Lighthouse and head to the Poisoned Blade Inn which is the well known Ebony Claw hang out in the city. Granted you don't know if Rook is actually going to be there, but given that's the only way you can think of to get into contact with him, that's where you go.

Unsurprisingly before you even get in the place, you're getting a lot of dirty looks from obvious Ebony Claw members on the streets. Your reception is no warmer when you get inside and you get stopped instantly by a group of EC members.

"You better have a REAL good reason for coming in here." One of them says shoving your shoulder a bit.
"I do actually. I'm looking for Rook, I got important business with the man and I don't exactly know how to contact him so I came here."
"Is that so? Well if you don't know how to properly contact him, maybe YOU shouldn't be looking for him, let alone coming in here uninvited."

At this point you're shoved again, this time hard enough to move you back a bit.

"Alright fine, I'll go and one of you can relay the message that I need to see him."
"We ain't your fucking messengers!" the man says and before he can lay another hand on you, you pull your pistol.

"I got six shots here, maybe I'm not making it out of here alive, but six of you are going down with me, and YOU are definitely first." You say and then you feel a familiar object shoved in your back. The rest of the EC members back away from you at this point.

"Y'know, I wonder how effective of a killer you would be without that fancy pistol of yours." A voice whispers.
"One might ask the same of someone who does nothing but remain invisible and bushwacks people from behind with a crossbow." You say.
"What do you want to see Rook for?"
"It's about the Thieves Guild."
"Alright. I'll take you to him then."

You suddenly feel a blow to the back of your head and you go unconscious.

When you wake up, you're in a chair at a table with Rook sitting across from you.

"Shit…was that really necessary?" you ask rubbing the back of your head.
"My right hand isn't entirely convinced of your potential and so wanted to keep directions to our current location secret. He's a bit of a hard sell, however let's get on with it. You said you had important information about the Guild yes?" Rook asks.

You begin to go into detail about the Thieves Guild and it's location. You also mention you already killed Garrick and Tanya which is why you left. Rook's eyebrow rises at this revelation.

"Truly? And how did this come about?" Rook asks.
"In my attempt to convince Tanya, things unfortunately turned…violent. I was lucky to get off a headshot before she landed a hit on me. Don't worry, nobody else knows about me and I got rid of the bodies." You say.
"Hm, Just as well as you killed that demonkin I suppose. She might have been a bit of a wildcard. In any case you can finish off the rest when you lead the attack tomorrow.
"So, you're sending me along to finish the job huh?" you ask.
"Did you really expect any less? I mean shouldn't be too hard considering you already killed your girlfriend. Besides, you're still the best one who knows about the place, so it would still be helpful if you were there in person." Rook says.
"What're you going to be doing?"
"A lot more important things than rolling around in the sewers with some thieves that's for sure. Don't worry; there will be someone to supervise this mission. You won't see them, but you can be sure they'll be there handy with a crossbow when the time comes."
"If you're talking about who I think you are, they better not be jamming it into my back considering we're supposed to be on the same side now." You say.
"Well do a good job, and you won't ever have to worry about Bolt ever again. Now go prepare yourselves, or whatever you have to do and meet the crew in the sewers tomorrow morning at this location." Rook says pointing at the map.
"Okay, sounds like a plan."
"Oh one more thing, I want that asshole Sneaks alive. I got unfinished business with him." Rook says tapping his eyepatch.

Never occurred to you that Rook was the one Sneaks was talking about when he said he stabbed an EC lieutenant in the eye once.

After a few more words, Rook escorts you out of the room and you soon learn you're at a bigger Ebony Claw headquarters that leads up into a warehouse and then eventually between the poor area of Holgard and the merchant district.

From there you return to The Lighthouse where you get some rest for tomorrow. Tanya isn't around though, but maybe she really wants to keep a low profile now.

The next morning you arrive at the appointed location where other Ebony Claw members are waiting for you.

"Took you long enough. Other members are in various places in the sewers ready to ambush any escaping Guild members." One of them says.
"Alright, let's do this then." You say.

You lead the way, completely surprising several thieves when you arrive.

The battle, if you can still call it that isn't much of one. What made you such a vicious killer of Ebony Claw members, has also made you an equally vicious killer Guild members. Combined with the Ebony Claw backup, it's no contest.

Without Garrick around there's no organization whatsoever and most of them attempt to flee rather than fight. Garrick himself is still hidden in Tanya's room, you drag out his body and shoot it a couple times as "proof" you killed him earlier. You look all over the place for Sneaks, but you don't find him at all. In fact, when you go to his room, some of his stuff is even gone. You wonder if he sensed something amiss and just quietly left on his own.

As you're exiting Sneaks room, a grubby dwarf walks up to you.

"Hey, you. You see any more Guild members run this way?" he asks.
"No, I think we got all of them that were here. I can't find Sneaks though. He's nowhere to be found." You answer.
"Hm. Rook's not going to be happy about that. Oh well, maybe he'll pop up somewhere. Roaches always do. Guess all that's left is the looting which I think the boys are doing a good job of right now. The Syndicate has been thinking of expanding into slave trade here and this place will probably make a good location with some additions. Anyway, we should get back to Rook."

You didn't recognize it immediately, but this man's voice is familiar, You then also notice the crossbow he's holding.

"You Bolt?" you ask which causes a smirk across his face.
"I was wondering when you'd recognize me."

You return to Rook who is full of praise and goes on about how you're going to go far in this organization. He tells you he'll be in contact with you again soon for a more permanent future assignment and even hands you a pouch full of gold.

"Go ahead, take some of that and celebrate with Naji or something. My cousin's actually been missing you at the brothel. I dare say I think the girl had a genuine crush on you. Maybe you can get a new girlfriend to replace your demonkin one, but you know what they say, you can't turn a whore into a housewife. Hah!" He says before dismissing you.

You head back to the Lighthouse where you once again don't find Tanya. When you bed down for the night however, she finds you in your dreams which now are a lot more vivid of her.

"Where are you?" you ask.
"I'm in a safe place, don't worry, I'll meet with you person when there is need to do so. In the meantime, I think this is one of the best ways for us to communicate don't you think?"
"Well I suppose nobody will suddenly catch me talking to you, that's for sure. Anyway, it's done."
"I know. We can talk about the next phase of the plan later, right now let us just spend relaxing time together. I know, tell me more about the little village you came from."
"Really? That place is so fucking boring."
"I imagine it probably was, but from some reason, I find tales of your youthful antics amusing."
"Hm, glad someone does, because nobody in Teckleville certainly did at the time, except for maybe for me and my sister. Okay, I guess there's more than a few stories I haven't told yet…"

As you and Tanya spend time together in your dream, somewhere else in your mind is concerned with just how much danger you've put yourself in being a mole in the Ebony Claw Syndicate. Never mind the fact that you've got an increasingly more powerful half succubus that can access you in your dreams now.

You just hope you never get on her bad side.

You time passes…

Year 21

It's amazing what changes can happen in just a year and that's not even counting the fact that Holgard is in complete anarchy right now, though it probably helps quite a bit.

With your ongoing information, Tanya has carried out one woman attacks on various ECS locations and been more or less successful in the endeavor. Though perhaps not entirely "one woman" she's been using the chaos and the various factions of the city to her advantage, mostly the remaining disorganized followers of Neroth that have still been skulking around, though she's been luring even the Holgard Watch to do her bidding sometimes.

While you haven't brought it up to her, you think Tanya's lost sight of her "original goal" of simply taking down the Ebony Claw Syndicate. She may have even believed that's what she was doing at first, but now? She's just been enjoying the chaos. She's enjoying making people kill and fight. Granted they probably were going to do that anyway, but she's not exactly curtailing what's currently going on right now.

Still, she always returns to you excitedly going on about what she's done and what she's planning and everything else. When you meet in person, it's always a special event (If literally draining).

You remember how hostile she was towards you for years, but now she only ever looks at you with affection. You must have told your mundane stories about your life in Teckleville more than a few times to her, but for whatever reason she seems to enjoy them. Maybe it's due to her own childhood being less fun since despite everything you didn't really have it all that bad. In fact if you'd just obeyed the rules, you would have had a pretty easy life. (You certainly wouldn't be in this situation)

You aren't sure how succubi are supposed to act and granted she's not a full blood one, but it's very strange that despite her obvious descent into morally questionable actions, she's still very attached to you. (Or maybe you're just not used to a very loving girlfriend, your only one before Tanya was Annah) She's also starting to change physically. Her horns for one are a little bigger and her eyes now have a permanent other worldly look.

Most obvious though is her wings. They started off as two little lumps on her back that you noticed during one of your intimacy sessions. The next time you saw her, she had two small wings and are probably going to get even larger.

As for you, you've basically been just trying to keep a low profile as you go about your ECS duties, which are currently as an enforcer at a profitable Blue Dream house in the poor district. It's a rather lowly position for someone of your talents, but on the plus side, it's so unimportant that Rook doesn't even suspect you of any wrong doing and it helps that at least a few of the top Blue Dream distributors at the place have diarrhea of the mouth due to ongoing sampling of some of the drug and never shut the fuck up about sensitive ECS information.

Rook has been trying to keep things together, but he's been obviously losing control. The ECS leadership in the Delantium Kingdom has refused to help with reinforcements any more. They've told him that he needs to work with what he has and if he fails, it's not going to be good for him.

You know he's been trying to gain more help from the Temple of Fel, but that's been having mixed results mainly due to the fact that while they may all worship the same God of Shadows, the pure dedicated followers don't necessarily share the same goals as the Ebony Claw.

Still, they've been contributing enough help to "lend" Shadow Blades to act as extra protection. Them, along with Bolt and Rook's own shadow magic abilities are going to make him quite formidable.

Which is sort of a problem now that Tanya has decided that it's time to actually take out the Ebony Claw leadership for good. Arguably, she probably could have wiped out the Ebony Claw Syndicate with your help (Or at least this increasingly smaller chapter of it) months ago. But she got so distracted with enjoying the bedlam, that it allowed Rook to fortify like he has.

Of course Tanya's not at all worried about any of this, but that's easy for her to say when she's got all her new infernal powers now. Even with her help, it isn't like you've got much defense against a bunch of highly trained shadow magic using killers.

To her credit, she's told you to stay behind on this one, claiming that she can take care of it herself. You have your doubts though. It would be a tough fight even for her. You'd hate to just stand by while she got herself killed, not to mention if she failed, it would be really obvious that you were involved considering you told Rook you killed her. So you'd have to help anyway, and you still don't fancy your chances.

You do have one idea, but it's a long shot and possibly one that could get you killed immediately. You could go try to talk to the head of the Temple of Fel. You don't know exactly what you'd say, but your hope would be to try to convince him that supporting the Ebony Claw, isn't in the best interest of the temple.

"What?! No! That's a stupid idea! I told you, I'll take care of it by myself, I don't need your help, let alone the help of my enemies." Tanya shouts.
"Tanya, I'm serious. This is a really BAD idea, assaulting Rook's home by yourself. I mean don't you even at least have those cultists you can send, or maybe someone else?"
"The last of the Neroth cultists died weeks ago and are probably enduring unimaginable torture right now as their reward and as for sending anyone else, I'm a little tired of acting from behind the scenes, I want to enjoy a bit of hands on mayhem for a change."
"Tanya, are you listening to yourself? You're starting to lose control and getting drunk on the chaos. Maybe I should have said something earlier, but you've been this way for quite sometime now. I love you and all, but you REALLY need to get a grip. You're not even thinking strategically anymore."

Your defiant words aren't something she hears very often, at first she looks surprised, even slightly hurt, but then that turns to anger very quickly.

She grabs you and throws you against the wall very hard.

"…shit…" is all you can utter as you hit the stone and slump to the floor.
"HOW FUCKING DARE YOU QUESTION MY IDEAS! I'm the one in control here! YOU follow MY lead! YOU are only allowed the magnificence of my presence because I allow it and you should be grateful!" Tanya bellows and her voice seems to invade your very mind a bit.

You look up from your position and focus on Tanya. She's changed physically again. Her wings are bigger for one thing (you called that one) and now her skin has a reddish hue. If you didn't know better, you'd think her eyes were going to burn a hole in you with how she's staring at you. Reminds of the old days when she used to get pissed at you, though she never slammed you this hard into a wall before.

The dominating voice you just heard is also a bit new. As a half succubus she always had a bit of a seductive tone, but this is different. Her voice just now sent a chill of fear within you. Maybe she's not completely embracing her "succubus side" but she's certainly embracing the demonic heritage.

Still, this is the girl you chose, so if this is how you're going out then so be it.

You struggle to get back up and lean against the wall as you address her.

"Well, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you can take them alone. You're obviously in full control of yourself, what with putting a mere mortal like me in my place and all. No need for my help anymore. I see that now."

Tanya's stance towards you softens a bit, but not by much. She doesn't even apologize; she just leaves the ruined house you were meeting her in and takes to the air. She apparently has decided to give absolutely zero fucks about being seen anymore.

You don't know how much time you have or even if it's going to matter, but you still feel compelled to help in some way. Maybe she isn't the Tanya that you fell in love with anymore, but for better or worse, you're going to help her whether that means directly or indirectly.

You help directly

For all her change, you know that Tanya's probably still considering your last statement to her. Which means she probably isn't going to attack Rook immediately giving you a bit of time to form a plan.

Two things you think about first is that she may be right in that going to the Fel Temple is a bad idea. If they were willing to help Rook (no matter how reluctantly) they probably aren't going to listen to someone who isn't actually a follower.

The other thing is, Tanya has changed so much now that she probably isn't recognizable anymore, not that she really made her face visible in the first place, but she looks more like a traditional demon now rather than the half breed she actually is. You think you can spin a lie…

You go to your "place of work" where the usual group of lowly Ebony Claw thugs stand around keeping the Blue Dream addicts in line. Meanwhile you head to the two assholes who run the place. Dreamweaver and Mr. Dream. The unimaginative idiots must have thought they were being real clever with those names.

One of them looks up as he's counting coins while the other is sorting out blue dream vials. Neither one of them particularly likes you, so this will be all the more simple.

"The fuck do you want fancy boy? Don't you have addicts to keep in line out front or managing the rest of those other losers?" Mr. Dream asks.
"Not today." You say.
"The fuck you mean by that? I'm in no mood for your attitude today. I don't even know why the hell you were even allowed in our organization after what you've done. You put several of my friends in the ground you fucker!"
"Good news then. Today, you get to join them."
"Wha…shit!"

Mr. Dream is too late to draw his own flintlock as you plant a bullet in his head and Dreamweaver fairs no better. You've killed the pair of them and predictably the shots draw the attention of some of the others.

Using your former bosses' firearms, you take out two EC thugs and then use the remainder of your own bullets to take out three more. A couple of the thugs probably just flat out ran off, so you don't waste much time and cut off the heads of the two Dreams and shoving them in nearby sack holding a bunch of Blue Dream which you dump out first.

After helping yourself to some of the gold, you walk out of the office and through the rest of building until you get to the courtyard where several of junkies are still lingering about despite all the gunshots.

"Hey…can I go in to get my fix yet? I've been waiting out here for hours!" one remarks.

"Actually all of you can go in and help yourself to all the Blue Dream you want, but one of you has to come with me and for that to happen, I need the worst of you lot to do something for a lot of coin, so who's done the most awful thing here?" You ask.
The various addicts excited by the prospect of getting free drugs immediately start telling on each other. A couple of them confess what they've done since they apparently are thinking long term and want the coin rather than just the drugs.
A lot of them haven't done much except steal or perform sexual favors. A couple of them have killed, but none catch your attention until one of them starts accusing another one of having sex with children.
He denies it and so it goes back and forth though a couple of the others back up the accuser.
"Enough! Is this even remotely true? I got shit to do and I need to know now. So if everyone here wants to get their free drugs, you need to fucking confess or step aside and let someone else earn this coin. I'm not going to judge you anyway."
The one who was accused slowly steps forward.
"Well, it was just one time. She was ten and she wanted to know about sex and I figured it was my duty as a parent to…"
You don't even wait, you just shoot him. This causes the rest to run a bit or take cover, but they don't go far. You quickly go to the sick fuck's body and cut off his head with your short sword and shove it in your bag of heads.

The addict stand around gawking for a moment, but then quickly realize they should go get their free drugs and run inside the house, leaving you to head over to Rook's place.

While normally walking about in the open during the day with a bag of heads where the blood is leaking through might cause some issues, but given the state of the city, it just serves as a warning for people not to mess with you.

Rook, nowadays rarely leaves his mansion. You aren't sure who had it before he did, but you do know he just took it over soon after the Guild was wiped out. You're stopped at the front gate by one of the Ebony Claw members.

"What do you want and what the hell is in the bag?" she asks.
"Severed heads of fucking loudmouths and spies. Look, I got important shit to talk to Rook about and I just dragged my ass through riots to get here, so let me the fuck in." you say.
"You don't give the damn orders here! Nobody gets in to see Rook without his say so! So you're just going to have wait until one of us goes to see if it's okay first and I don't particularly feel motivated to do so and neither does anyone else, let alone for the likes of you."
"I don't have time for this. Bitch, you will LET me in there because if you don't I'm going to do to YOU and the rest of these assholes what I did to these fuckers."

At this point you dump out the contents of the bag and bloody heads drop out.

"SHIT! That's Mr. Dream!" one of them exclaims.
"And that one's Dreamweaver! He fucking killed them!" another exclaims.

The female Claw member who was talking to you before now looks a little more concerned by your presence and starts going for her weapon.

"Do not even fucking think about it sweetheart. I will fucking shoot you in both tits and then after I'm done killing the rest of these sorry excuses for Syndicate members, I will violate your dying body and the last thing you're going to feel before you leave this shitty earth is me coming inside your ass and laughing while doing it." You threaten.
"Shit…fuck man. There's no need for damn rape threats. Fine, you wanna go see Rook you crazy fucker, be my fucking guest. You're still not getting past those Shadow Blade guys though and if you do, Rook's going to be pissed at you for killing some of his top Blue Dream dealers anyway. I hope he fucking cuts your dick and balls off and shoves them down your throat!" The female Claw member says and starts motioning for the others to open the gates while you collect the bloody heads and shove them back the bag.

As you walk through the gates and towards the mansion, you shake your head.

"Shit, that was a bit dark for me, but hell, no wonder the Syndicate is going to shit, if they're backing down from a threat like that." You say.

You get to the front door and you are immediately stopped by some cloaked individuals who just suddenly appear around you.

You fight the instinct to immediately go for your weapon, not that you'd be fast enough anyway since two of them have already grabbed your arms, while another takes your bag and all your weapons.

"What's you business here?" one of them asks.

Taking a politer approach you explain everything or rather you spin your lie which isn't completely a lie since the two Dreams were pair of loudmouth assholes that blabbed shit so freely that's what allowed you to relay most inside information to Tanya in the first place.

You add the extra bit that the head of the Blue Dream addict was a Neroth cultist spy and explain that's how come groups of Neroth cultists have been fucking up Ebony Claw interests as of late.

The head Shadow Blade whispers to one of his comrades who enters the mansion.

"He'll be back in a moment, then we'll proceed from there." He says and then motions for the ones holding your arms to let you go. They don't give you back your weapons (or the bag) though.

You wait in silence for a bit, and then eventually the other one comes out and nods.

"Okay, looks like you're in the clear for now. Follow him inside and if you survive your meeting with Rook and he okays it, then you'll get your weapons back." The lead Shadow Blade says.

As you start to head in, the lead Shadow Blade grabs your shoulder and whispers to you.

"All secrets are eventually uncovered by Fel." He says and then lets go of your shoulder.

The pair of you look at each other briefly, and its almost like the Shadow Blade is telling you already that he thinks you're lying. It's enough to put some fear into you though you hold it together and go inside the mansion.

After following the Shadow Blade through a series of halls and eventually to Rook's office. He sits behind a desk with Bolt on his right side and slightly behind his chair. Rook is talking with another skinny man off to the side that you've never seen before, but judging by all the books on the desk, you guess that he might be some beancounter that tracks the accounts and such.

"Rook, we are hemorrhaging coin. We are not going to have enough to kick up to the Syndicate Directors this month. This state of anarchy is really bad for business and the deal you made with the Temple of Fel REALLY took a large chunk out of our treasury."
"And what the fuck was I supposed to do Lloyd? We had a manpower shortage, and I was getting no fucking help from the directors! Those fuckers have been sitting on their fat asses in the Delantium Kingdom for so fucking long they don't even know what it's really like to struggle any fucking more. The Temple of Fel is an ally to the Syndicate and apparently the only reliable one I have right now besides Bolt here. And THIS asshole, who I may have put too much trust in, apparently just took it upon himself to waste two of my best distributors!" Rook says turning his attention to you.

Rook at this point stands up.

"Now I was already told the little story that you told everyone outside in order to get in here, but why don't you go over it again with me directly so I can try to grasp it myself and attempt to understand your logic."

You're on the spot and now you suddenly don't feel very sure about this plan, but you're here now so you better be convincing.

You tell the story again with complete confidence

Adding more lies is only going to trip you up on details if further questioned. Better to stick with the same story.

You tell Rook the same story you told the Shadow Blade outside and try to remain as calm as possible the whole time. You manage, but it's stressful as hell as Rook is studying you the entire time along with Bolt staring at you with that typical grim dwarven expression and even this Lloyd person who occasionally makes a brief frown.

Eventually you finish which is followed by some uncomfortable silence. Rook looks over at Bolt who shrugs, then over to Lloyd who is quite vocal.

"This guy's talking bullshit. I dunno what his game is, but I don't like his story and I think you should kill him." Lloyd says.
"Who the fuck are you to call me a liar!? You weren't there, that's what happened!" you exclaim.
"Doubt it. I've seen the best liars in action and you aren't one of them. Your whole story sounds suspicious and given what I already have heard about you, I'm not sure why Rook ever trusted you."

This little smug asshole's tone is enough to cause you to nearly go at him, but Rook and Bolt both react in a manner that suggest that you shouldn't even attempt it.

"Rook, I'm telling you the damn truth."
"Yeah, well I'm not sure if I'm quite convinced. I mean there are some things about your story that feel a little weak and I don't have the luxury of interrogating Mr. Dream or Weaver, because you killed them both. All I got is your word and right now, that's not much."
"Well what do you want me to do? Swear to the gods? I mean I'll swear to Fel if that will…"

This remark causes Rook to give you a stare that could burn a hole through you.

"The fuck did you say?" he asks.

Before you can even answer, Rook smashes his fist into your face and begins kicking you on the floor. He also starts ranting at you about disrespecting the name of Fel. Saying that an unbeliever such as yourself attempting to invoke the name in order to gain some sort of leverage because of his own faith is offensive to him.

Rook now really doesn't believe anything you have to say, so the only chance you hope to have is to hold out until Tanya gets here. Unfortunately Rook is so mad, that he's intent on killing you now.

Before you can beg, fight back or attempt to talk your way out of this, Rook removes his eyepatch revealing a black gem in his eye socket. A solid black beam of dark energy emits from it and hits you in your head.

The dark energy liquefies your brain while having the added bonus of creating horrifying visions as you die. You scream and writhe in physical and mental agony for a few minutes before your body gives out completely.