Keep marching forward // Dnd stories/oneshots

Cold Love

Kalroth knew when the fight had started his chances of living through this were pretty low. Not when Ar'eth was making him fight. Not when It was making him fight his own friends.

Not when it wanted him to attack Koa.

If he disobeyed, Ar'eth would kill him. If he obeyed then the people he cared for would kill him.

Casting weak or useless spells wouldn't save him, his pained expression wasn't enough. He periodically glanced at Ar'eth and Rue, both of whom were on the defensive. He was the one meant to take the party down.

Kalroth closed his eyes as he cast another cantrip, it didn't land on anyone. And he heard Ar'eth's cold voice behind him.

"What do you think you're doing, my dear Kalroth?" he felt a hand wrap around his neck and pull his head back, he'd pissed Ar'eth off. "I told you to kill them, did I not? Are you defying me?"

Kalroth didn't respond, he knew he was being stupid. So very stupid. He could hear the party mumbling amongst themselves, Rue was saying something but he couldn't really hear it, but they sounded confused and concerned.

Ar'eths hand tightened around his neck, he supposed suffocating wouldn't be the worst. It had done worse.

He was just hopeful that his death wasn't horribly gruesome. He didn't want Ax or Rue to see that, much less his darling. He was glad he gave Koa his scarf back.

Everything was happening too fast, rue tried to grab onto Ar'eth's arm and got flung backward. The party was trying to fight without hitting him – practically impossible. Koa was yelling.

He was yelling at Ar'eth.

Maybe his rash decision-making was why Kalroth fell in love with him, that would make sense. He smiled a little at the thought, such a sad smile.

Ar'eth forced Kal's head forward to look at the others, even if he was using his weak spells, they all looked hurt, except Koa. He couldn't bring himself to hurt Koa.

"This is your last chance, Kalroth. Kill him and I'll let you go." Ar'eth whispered, it was so close to his ear that it made him shudder. He grits his teeth and clenches his fists. He felt Ar'eth's nails dig into his neck, but he couldn't care less. He forced himself out of Ar'eth's grasp and swung, punching the demon in the jaw.

Truthfully it was only enough to stun Ar'eth but any time he had to try and think was a good time.

"What are you doing Kal!?" rue sounded desperate and worried. They had just gotten up from where they'd fallen, they knew what the consequences of this would be.

He looked over at Ax, the changeling looked about ready to break down. "Are you stupid, Kal!?! How is that meant to help you!?" his voice sounded broken, Kalroth could safely assume Ax was aware of the fate he would reach.

He couldn't comfort Rue; he couldn't comfort Ax. Koa looked about ready to jump Ar'eth but that wouldn't work.

So, he smiled, he smiled at them all, Rue, Ax, Koa, Kin, and Xavier. They had done a good job fighting against him, they were good people. He was hurt already, it made sense that his death would be easy.

He heard Ar'eth mumble from somewhere behind him, he knew this was the end.

He looked at Koa with what little time he had left, everyone was panicking, even Koa. Kalroth mouthed the words "I love you" before he was gone.

Nothing more than a lifeless body in the abyss.