Baldur's gate II_ throne of Bhaal - Drew Karpyshyn [15]
"What are you doing here?" Abdel demanded.
"Waiting for you. I knew you would return to this empty plane of our father, Abdel, and so I waited."
Sarevok's words were intriguing, but Abdel knew all too well the deceitful nature of his half brother. Sarevok was evil incarnate. The blood of countless innocents was on his massive hands. He had plotted Abdel's own demise, once. He had been responsible for the death of Jaheira's husband. He had even nearly killed Jaheira herself.
The dark-armored warrior had masterminded a campaign of slaughter and terror up and down the Sword Coast. His machinations had nearly caused a senseless war between the towns of Nashkel and Baldur's Gate-a war of sacrifice and blood that Sarevok had hoped would bring their father back to life.
All this was nothing to Abdel. Death, war, attempts on his life and the lives of his companions-Abdel's entire life had centered around such things. Sarevok, however, had other blood on his hands. Sarevok had arranged the murder of Gorion, Abdel's mentor and adopted father, the one person in Abdel's life who had sought to steer him away from the violence and atrocities that accompanied his birthright. Despite all his other crimes, it was for Gorion's death that Abdel had killed Sarevok.
Abdel wasn't about to let a second chance to avenge Gorion's death pass by.
"You waited a long time just so I could kill you again," he said, taking a quick step toward Sarevok and bringing his broadsword to bear. Abdel was nothing but a blur of furious movement, but Sarevok simply stepped out of range, slapping the blade down with a heavy mailed fist.
The cold, emotionless laugh of Sarevok caused Abdel to stumble back, anticipating a counterattack, but Sarevok made no move toward him.
"I see your impulsive nature has not changed, Abdel. You may vent your rage on me yet again, if you wish… though your efforts will be for naught." Sarevok's voice still had the deep resonance Abdel remembered, it still carried an ominous undercurrent of implied violence in every word. Yet somehow the voice had changed. It lacked the malevolent chill, the hiss of pure evil that had sent shivers of loathing down Abdel's spine in the past.
Using his sword to cut tight circles in the air in front of him, Abdel moved warily forward. All he needed was one opportunity, a single opening he could use to drive his sword between the iron plates of his brother's armor.
"You cannot kill me here, Abdel," Sarevok assured him, seemingly oblivious of Abdel's approach. "When you slew me in the mortal realm, I became a part of you. I became part of this empty world. Even if you chop me into a million pieces, I will still be here."
Abdel let his weapon speak for him, hacking savagely at his half brother's waist. Sarevok made no move to defend himself, but stood in place and welcomed the attack. The blade slashed into the dark armor, carved effortlessly through Sarevok's torso, and emerged from the other side.
Abdel stepped back to avoid the geyser of blood that would erupt from his dismembered foe's lower extremities, but there was no blood. The upper half of Sarevok's body did not topple over and collapse twitching on the gray ground. Abdel's opponent simply dissolved, vanishing from existence in the same manner he had appeared.
"When you are done with this foolery, I have an offer for you, Abdel."
The voice came from behind him this time. Abdel dropped and rolled forward, away from an anticipated attack at his unprotected back. Coming out of his roll, he twisted his body so that he was now facing his opponent as he sprang to his feet.
Sarevok stood motionless, looking exactly as he had before Abdel had tried to cut him in two.
Abdel considered attacking again. He had yet to meet an opponent he couldn't beat down with sheer brute force. He had never fought an incorporeal spirit in the abandoned nether