Illithid Behind the Curtain: Heroes and Monsters (Patreon)

"I did it!"

The cry of excitement broke the quiet of my tower like a thunderclap, a comparison not half wrong as rose petals scattered about my study and a Ruby Rose appeared. I lowered my books I was examining, curious as I regarded my sometime student. Out of both sisters, Ruby was the most intensely interested in magic, something not entirely surprising. Yang had seen the study involved and immediately went to punch something, the memory of her father hoisting the Tyrant Belt aloft still stark in her as she followed her old man's style.

Ruby on the other hand, had a wonder equaled only by her stubbornness and after many, many begging and reasoning I finally consented to teach some of what I knew. I had no real expectation as to how effective it'd be. Remnant was a strange world, the Weave operating oddly to one of my senses and the chance of my magic actually being able to be passed down I felt was low.

I was wrong, as Ruby held aloft her hands and with a gesture and a whisper in elvish, sparks began to appear between them, and I became very, very still. She didn't stop there either, holding up her beloved cloak with a stain on it as she did it again, the stain vanishing entirely. And then for an encore as if to truly put me in shock, she proceeded to light a candle and snuff it out, then finally made her rose sigil on my desk before looking up at me, eager for praise.

She was fifteen now. Dividing her time between here and with her uncle, learning his techniques. Crescent Rose was still in the early stages, but not for long if my little engineering prodigy had any sort of say in it. Qrow himself, I had yet to share my secret but the man I'd met... Technically twice, and for all he was a good man if rough around the edges, I was still loath to share more.

"Well done." I finally said aloud, looking at Ruby as she squee'd in joy and I added. "You've mastered the basics of all Casters, as well as the Adventurers Friend." She looked down, but also curious as she headed for a seat and I floated lower, to mimic the same at the desk as I cast Minor Illusion, showing an armored knight walking as I spoke.

"Prestidigitation is hailed as one of the most utilitarian spells. You can clean without wasting water, which has been an issue in most desert expeditions. Campfires are now no longer a source of frustration; food can taste like whatever you want making ration bars easier to deal with and of course, you can make symbols and markings last for up to an hour... These are all just the most obvious benefits."

Ruby looked at her proto-Crescent Rose in thought before she spoke. "I could just clean my baby without a problem!" I nodded. "You could. But there are still the other things to do with it, oiling and the like. Simply removing grime is not nearly enough for something so complex. Remember this-magic, is not a shortcut."

Ruby nodded, saying the rest. "It pays to go the full mile." I set out a cup of water, demonstrating as I cast my spell. And the water swirled out, forming into patterns in midair, freezing and then unfreezing as Ruby looked on, always interested before I asked. "This is a cantrip known as 'Shape Water.' Why would I know such a cantrip? What use would it give me?"

She thought for a moment, considering before she finally spoke slowly. "Well... You're a doctor by trade and skill. For washing hands?" I gave a so-so wave of my hand. "It could be. But I have prestidigitation for that, don't I?" She made a sound of comprehension, thinking hard again before asking. "Are there any limits to it?"

"I simply manipulate water with it, though not to the extent most think." She considered... And then suddenly, her eyes widened, and I chuckled, sensing her thoughts. "Yes. You've got the right idea." I grabbed a scalpel from my pocket sheath and cut my finger briefly. And with a word, Ruby watched as the blood refused to flow out, stayed in place as I spoke. "There are no useless cantrips. Every one of them can be utilized according to the ingenuity of the caster. My prepared spells by and large, are usually meant for my line of work. We didn't have a focused healer in my party-healing was incidental, something on the side that two of us were capable of. So, it fell to me with training, to ensure we didn't collapse of any strange strains of plague or poison."

Ruby nodded, understanding as she spoke and utterly fascinated. "Magic is not a shortcut. It pays to go the full mile." I nodded, pleased as I spoke. "Exactly. Certainly, we could just cure the poison with a touch or a spell, but how did it work? How do we avoid it? What sort of diet and creatures could act as natural remedies, if there was a time, we could not use magic to solve our problems? So, I learned and picked up what I could, performing the largely thankless task of ensuring my companions were just fine."

She cocked her head in confusion and I spoke dryly. "Being the healer of your party, means patching up the idiots who think charging headfirst into a fireball is a good idea. And then doing it again." Ruby winced but looked interested now as she asked.

"Who were they? Your party members."

And for a moment, I was still as the memories of Hannibal answered that and I looked down at the table, producing a new illusion. A veiled woman, grey-skinned and scantily clad as serpents writhed about her head. A large, green-skinned troll with four arms and armored, each hand holding a battle axe gripped. A white dragon, young with the tattoo of the symbol of Tiamat stamped over their face and finally, a pale looking knight in armor, lovely but for the fangs in her smile and the utter red of her eyes... And me.

All of us, bearing the symbol wrought in iron around our necks of a skull and star. To each one, I touched my fingers lightly and spoke, in order.

"Lady Stheno. A Medusa, with a lovely voice. Her magic manifested in her performance arts and her knowledge was matched only by her charismatic methods. She was our negotiator. Jorgen here, was a troll-regenerative properties, very disciplined. He was a warrior and a clever one, using the perception of others to hide a mind that could have conquered kingdoms and had." Ruby looked briefly concerned as I did the mental equivalent of a cough and went on.

"This is Fang. Fang is a White Dragon, not the brightest of the bunch but devoted to Tiamat. I had to patch him up often and he acted as the battering ram for most of our engagements that ended in violence."

"How often did that happen?" Ruby asked and I was still, before moving on.

"This is Dame Alyson Jeanne. She was involved with the Inquisition before her contraction with vampirism. Written off as a lost cause by her people, before we freed her killing her sire. After which, she joined us as one of our own. Incredibly sweet, for a vampire."

"I have so many questions." Ruby muttered, before she looked at me and thought before asking. "Where are they now?" I shrugged at that and dispelled the illusion.

"Who knows? Stheno opted to go to Waterdeep. Fang flew towards Icewind Dale, to climates better suited for himself. Jorgen I believe joined the Blood War to find opponents worth slaying. Besides him, Jeanne like me also began to travel the planes. I do believe she still acts much as she always had-fighting whatever is before her, that her morals do not agree with."

"She sounds like a hero." I glanced at her; her tone of voice odd as she looked thoughtful before she asked me. "Do you miss them?" I paused to consider, thinking before I finally chuckled and spoke.

"Sometimes. Now I think you have another lesson?"

Ruby glanced at her scroll. Her eyes suddenly bulged as she cried out. "Ah! I'm gonna be late for Uncle Qrow!" She sprung to her feet, stammered out a rapid goodbye and the next thing I knew, rose petals scattered about my study again as I sighed and directed my invisible servants to clean up.

A few moments later, I produced the illusion again as I sighed and spoke.

"We truly were monstrous, all of us."

That campaign had been fun, but in the end, we were monsters. Our entire goal had been to carve out a land of our own, a Mordor in which together, we'd rule and inflict our brand of evil upon the world. Our GM had Way of the Wicked at the time and for the uninitiated, it was... Brutal. And with his homebrew additions, we were just one of the many who had sought power and eventually came on top. Some of us survived, in the end. But it was nowhere near the happy ending I had indicated to Ruby, even by omission.

Jorgen's devil patron he had worshipped claimed his soul for the Blood War when he finally fell. Stheno, like me had backup plans in which to escape in the event of the worst case coming to pass. Fang had fought and heavily wounded, fled the battlefield at the final battle when it was clear he would not survive. As for me, I dealt with betrayal against the worst, possible foe I could have fought.

There was a reason I had a Sun Blade in my cane, Jeanne's redemption arc making for an incredibly amazing story at the table as my Mind Flayer wizard clashed with the Vampire paladin within our fortress. In the end, rather than killing the other, we opted for the following.
Both of us would fall within the Well of Worlds, the artifact I had been studying at the time for a larger, much more controlled gate. Something in which our armies could march upon the multiverse, conquering all in our path.

Only at the end, to be lost between worlds as our fortress was destroyed around us and we split apart. It was a wonderful ending for us all and one of my favorites.

The fact I had the Well of Worlds was very disquieting to me when I woke up however, though whatever misgivings I had were put to rest by me. I was no longer Hannibal the Conqueror. I had his skills, his abilities and his powers but the core, everything else was me. And I had chosen to be good, to be different.

Nothing would take that from me, as the tentacle severed by a particularly, savage smite flicked and ached, as if in mockery of my thoughts as I turned and floated off to other errands to be done.

====

The days passed. I visited the Xiao-Long-Rose residence often, as both Dr. Rincewind and Weatherwax. Partly out of contentment, partly out of other reasons. Reasons like the raven radiating brooding resentment, curiosity and fear as it watched me in Weatherwax's guise, watch as Ruby and Yang sparred with live weapons for the first time.

Crescent Rose had been completed and it was a gorgeous thing, a named weapon to match the gauntlets of Yang as Taiyang picked up a rock, tossing it in hand as he called out. "Remember! The moment either of us say stop, stop!"

"You hear that Ruby? When you look to be on the fence, just say the word!"

Ruby's response was lost to me, as a part of me was focused on the unexpected factor in my plans.

Of all people to worry about, Raven Branwen was last on my list. I had written her off as a nonentity, someone was just there, more or less. But ever since Christmas, she had been showing up a lot more nowadays. Always watching, always quiet and it seemed uncharacteristic of her. And any sort of gleaming of her thoughts only brought more confusion.

I couldn't very well know what Raven wanted from all this, if she herself didn't know either. I hid a sigh, watched the combat as they zipped and shot themselves across the field and Taiyang looked at me in concern as he leaned in.

"Everything alright?"

I wondered for a moment if I should mention his ex or the fact, she was in a tree close by us now. But she hadn't seemed violent and after a moment I just smiled. "Nothing. Just thinking about the children, really." Taiyang puffed up with pride as he spoke. "Yeah, my little girl is going to Beacon Academy soon! Ruby was going to join her, see her off." I knew well how that would turn out and I looked curious.

"You're not going to join them?" Taiyang gave a shrug as he spoke. "I want to, but according to Yang it's 'uncool' for your dad to see you off, yelling to do your best in school." He smiled wickedly as he added. "Which is why I plan to do so in secret, before it's too late to push me away."

I laughed at that, grinning broadly. "You're evil."

"I'm a dad. I think it's a job requirement to embarrass your kids."

I smiled, looking back at the fight before I felt a small bit of trepidation and uncertainty from Taiyang, the emotions making me curious as he added. "You know... They're your kids too. In the ways that matter I mean." I blinked, looking up at him now in full as he hemmed and hawed before speaking.

"You've been there for them. You've taken care of them; you showed up at birthdays and holidays. They may not be yours by birth, but they're yours too. You're as good as family."

I frowned slightly. His emotions were odd, but I never delved into minds if I could help it and he knew it. Finally, I smiled and inclined my head. "Thank you Taiyang. I appreciate that sentiment more than words can say."

He beamed, happiness broadcasting from him like the sun as he clapped my shoulder.

"Any time."

In the tree, the sensation of resentment grew stronger.

====

I was walking home. My staff in hand, an herb basket in the crook of my arm as I strode. It was nearly dark, the stars were coming out and then suddenly I paused. I tilted up my head, raised my voice and spoke.

"I know you're there, Raven Branwen."

Silence fell and then behind a tree, five meters to my right she stepped out. No helmet, so she wasn't really preparing to fight. But I knew her strength and had no idea if I was facing a maiden yet, so I remained on guard, and she was well trained enough to know it too. She looked tired, beyond the physical.

There is a deep, sensation of swirling bitterness, regret and fear all compounded into self-loathing and a lot of anger as she looked me up and down and sneered.

"Taiyang tell you about me?"

I frowned at that, at the insinuation as I spoke. "Taiyang told me nothing. But I know of you. I make it a point to know what kind of threats might appear in future, when it comes to my girls." Raven's eyes seemed much more terrifying now or would have to most. But she was no dragon as she grits her teeth and took a step forward as she spoke.

"You think I'm a threat? Really?"

I raised a brow and cocked my head. "Was there some other, Raven Branwen-Queen of Bandits I had mixed up with you then?" She paused at that, closed her eyes and then sneered, finding new resolve.

"You know nothing about me."

"I don't." I replied, before pausing as I asked. "Do you like tea?"

She stared, utterly surprised as I tsk'd and added. "No, you don't strike me as the type. Well, come on. My home is just ahead."

====

She was in my kitchen now. Her eyes glancing about, before she spoke. "I thought some fancy doctor lived here. You seem familiar with it."

"I know him like I do myself." I reply, taking a bottle of rum I had brought over from Christmas as I pour myself a glass and then do the same for her, sliding it over openly as I take a drink myself.

Raven takes a sip, then freezes as she glances at it oddly and licks her lips. "...This is new."

For a moment, there is only quiet as we drink, before I speak aloud. "So, you do care. That's good to know." Raven pauses and I ignore the anger building, as I speak on.

"I forgot about your semblance and how it must have reacted. One moment, there they were and the next, gone. And here you are, having cut off ties with everyone else that mattered that you were all alone in your panic." Raven's glare could cut steel and I didn't need to be psychic to know she was thinking of glassing me right now. I sipped my drink, set it down and spoke.

"We went on vacation. It was Christmas and I had the ability to do something nice and did it. If you were wondering." She stared at me now, curious despite herself as she asks. "Are you one of hers?" There's panic in her senses, as well as grim resolve and I chuckle and shake my head.

"Never. I'm not one of his either."

Now there's only confusion, as she regards me before I add. "If anything, I'm simply me. My side, if you understand." I pause and add. "And I'm retired." Raven stared, trying to parse anything from my expression before she asked me outright.

"Could you kill Salem?"

I consider the question, before finally shaking my head. "No. I could delay her, put her aside, even remove her entirely... But to kill her is beyond my power. But even if I could, I wouldn't."

Raven seems intrigued now as she looks at me before speaking. "Not a fan of hopeless causes?" I chuckle and shake my head.

"I don't trust myself with power." She didn't understand and I considered before speaking. "Let's say I did kill her... Alright. But the Grimm aren't the only problem. There's plenty of evil left in the world. To be safe, let's kill them too. Corrupt politicians, terrorists, bandits..." I slowly smile and Raven's psionic sense ripples with unease and fear from my expression as I add.

"But perhaps the system is to blame? Alright. I'll break it all down and start afresh. People will inevitably try to stop me of course, which means they must be evil in turn. I'll kill them too." My eyes glow, Raven grunts and clutches her head as I touch upon abilities I hadn't used in ages as my voice resonates between the physical and the mental.

"In place of Salem, you would bring forth a new evil. Insidious as the dark, cunning as the statesman. A thousand voices, brought to heel and singing my praises."

Break the glass.

She shattered her shot glass, picking up the sharp end. Her internal mind screaming, panicking. Her body operating without her consent as I gave a new command.

Put the shard to your throat and remove your aura.

Aloud, I continued. "All shall love me and despair."

I waited for a beat and stopped, releasing her mind. Raven dropped the glass like it was burning and stumbled back, eyes wide with shock and no small amount of fear now as she asked.

"What are you?!"

I sighed and poured out my last glass. I put the cork back, slid the bottle across as an apology as I said simply.

"I'm retired. And I'd like to stay that way."

Raven hesitated and then took the bottle, a new portal opening as she turned to leave before I spoke.

"I know you don't want to reveal yourself. But should you ever wish to know more about Yang or her father, I won't reveal your secrets." Her mind was in turmoil, considering before she left without a word.

Leaving me alone in the kitchen as I sighed out.

Well, that could had gone worse.

And it was a lesson for me, to not underestimate the people. There was no 'plot line', no script, no method in which to follow.

They were real.

And they would react as such, as anyone would.

====

It was a cold winter night.

The moon was full, shattered and the air was still. The only splash of color being the red cloak that waved in the breeze as Ruby visited her mother's grave. I had to see it for myself and had hidden myself rather well, floating and waiting, ready to step in if needed.

I doubt I would. This too, was a landmark. A time when new heroes stepped forth, overcoming the problems their forebears could not correct. And perhaps something in the air recognized it, recognized the moment for it was. It felt electrifying as she knelt and around her, the beowulf pack emerged.

They might as well had been putties for all the use they were. They came in numbers, ravenous and dangerous. They roared and slashed, only to die in droves. Cleaved, shot, exploding from the rounds used, Ruby Rose demonstrating why she was going to be such a hero, when the time came.

And when it was over and all was still, it was as much a sign to me as anything else. Time had run out, my little Rose was all grown up.

It was time to leave my tower and travel.