Baldur's gate II_ throne of Bhaal - Drew Karpyshyn [7]
"Not a god, but a servant of the Divine Will. There are greater powers than the gods, Abdel Adrian."
Abdel shook his head to try and dispel the fog of wonder that seemed to envelop his thoughts. His mind cleared somewhat.
"Where am I?" Abdel was certain the magnificent specimen before him knew the answer to his question. Perhaps it knew the answer to all questions.
"We are between, Abdel Adrian," the being responded in its harmonious multitude of voices. "That which was, that which is, and that which may be. All things are possible here, yet none truly exist."
"I… don't understand." A part of Abdel felt ashamed to admit his ignorance to this glorious creature. But another part, a small, hard ember at the core of Abdel's being, felt resentment toward the entity before him.
"No, you are not yet ready to truly understand." The creature seemed to be momentarily speaking to itself before turning its responses back toward Abdel. "This was once the realm of Bhaal-a piece of the Abyss blighted and scarred by the hate and evil of your father's existence. But Bhaal is dead, and he no longer holds sway here."
Abdel pondered the being's reply for a long time. The creature stood motionless before him, radiant and stunning. When the entity first appeared, Abdel had felt his own identity all but crushed beneath the creature's splendor. Now, however, Abdel no longer felt overwhelmed by the entity's mere presence.
"You brought me here, didn't you? Why?"
"Your presence here is as much your own will as mine, Abdel Adrian-though you do not yet know it. You are here to prepare."
"Prepare for what?" Abdel asked, already certain he knew what the answer would be.
"Your destiny. The legacy of your father. You are a Child of Bhaal, Abdel Adrian. Know this, and you shall know thyself."
The small ember of resentment briefly flared up in the sellsword's breast. Destiny, the legacy of Bhaal; in his entire life, in all he had seen and done, Abdel had never encountered anything remotely resembling the creature now before him. Yet this spectacular being was repeating the same refrain Abdel had been hearing ever since the night his half brother Sarevok's minions had killed Gorion, Abdel's foster father.
With a weary sigh Abdel asked a series of all-too-familiar questions.
"What of my legacy, then? What future does my destiny hold? And what do you want from me?"
The entity, physically perfect in its statuesque motionlessness up until this point, shifted its head slightly. The illusion was shattered. For all the spectacle of this seemingly omniscient, omnipotent creature, Abdel realized, the entity was uncertain. Again, the ember of resentment flared up within the muscular chest of the giant warrior.
"I have watched you closely, Abdel Adrian," the man informed him. "The Immortal is strong within you. There are many paths for the Children of Bhaal yet to walk, and you shall be one at the forefront of the journey."
"Children?" Abdel asked in surprise. "You mean Imoen is involved, too?"
"You and Imoen are not alone. Your destiny is entwined with that of many, many others."
"And just what is this destiny you speak of? What future awaits me?"
"Your destiny is yet unclear," the being admitted. "But know that the time of prophecy is near. There are those who seek to destroy you and your kin, Abdel. Betrayal awaits at every turn, and hidden enemies plot to kill you."
"Hidden enemies? Who? Why can't you just tell me?"
"There are secrets I cannot divulge. My actions are bound by forces mortals cannot fathom. I can only guide you to the answers you seek, Abdel Adrian. I cannot give the answers to you.
"Seek those who share the taint of your blood and you shall find the answers I cannot give."
Abdel woke to Jaheira's screams.
Chapter Two
Illasera sensed the hunt was near an end. She licked her lips in anticipation as she slung her bow from her taut, muscular shoulder. Without breaking her long, graceful stride she silently notched a single black arrow from the quiver