Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Caleb was running.

The stairs stretched before him, miles upon miles of stairs. They twisted, curved, went into doorways and reappeared behind others.

“Essek!” He shouted.

Essek didn’t look back.

He kept levitating up, higher and higher-

Caleb ran through a door.

And he was falling.

----
Caleb’s eyes snapped open, heart jackrabbiting out of his chest.

Essek’s arm was draped over him, but it was much too close. Too much. Caleb’s skin itched, and he swore his skin was going to start peeling away.

He extricated himself, trying not to wake him, but Essek stirred, hand tightening on Caleb’s shirt.

“Hm?” He murmured.

Caleb slid out of the bed, walking to the window and taking a deep breath.

Everything was going to be fine.

His mind turned over on itself. He did not have the gift of prophecy, nor did he have divination.

But something about this dream… Well, that and the fact he’d had it every night for weeks. 29 days, to be exact.

“Caleb?”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Did you have the same dream?” Essek asked, frown in his voice.

“Ja.”

“Strange.”

Caleb nodded. Frumpkin - awoken by their voices - came over to him, rubbing against his hand.

“It feels… ominous.” Caleb murmured, still looking out the window. A strange, irrational part of him thought, if he turned, he would not see Essek sitting there. He would see… someone else entirely. Still Essek, but… not.

The thought was so strong, so abrupt, that he felt his back stiffen, fingers freezing in Frumpkin’s fur.

“Caleb?” Essek asked, voice tinged with concern.

Caleb closed his eyes, trying to force himself to turn… but his feet were rooted to the spot, fear a vice on his chest.

“Essek…” He breathed out, voice beginning to shake. “I think I’m cursed.”

He heard movement on the bed, shifting, and then light footsteps. A hand on his arm - Essek’s, but not - and it’s all Caleb can do not to cast Hold Person and fucking run.

“Caleb, dear,” An infrequent pet name escaping Essek’s throat. “Tell me what your brilliant mind is thinking.”

Caleb swallowed. “I’m going to look at you… and you’ll be wrong.” He managed. “Something is wrong.”

“Okay.” Essek murmured, his hand beginning to rub gentle circles on his arm.

Caleb swore they were runes. Runes to trap, to hurt-

He tore his arm from Essek’s grip, rounding on him, spell on his tongue-

Essek was staring at him. Concern in his eyes, in the set of his mouth.

Caleb let out a slow, easy breath. Frumpkin nudged his hand. “Sorry.” He said. The fear had vanished the instant he’d laid eyes on Essek… but he feared that, if he should look away, the sensation would return. “I think… it must have been my dream.”

“Yes. It must have been.” Essek murmured. “How about, tomorrow, we go to Caduceus? He may be able to help.”

“Yes.” Caleb breathed, chest feeling a little less tight at the thought of someone else confirming for him that, yes, this was just a curse. Or a dream. Or… or that Essek wasn’t real, and was some, what… mimic?

Caleb almost laughed at the thought.

“Come.” He said. “Let’s return to bed.”

“Yes.” Essek said, though he did not touch Caleb again.

Caleb laid down in bed, turned so that he was looking at Essek - Essek looking back.

“I’m afraid to close my eyes.” Caleb finally murmured.

“It will be alright.” Essek said, hand brushing over his face, pushing his hair aside. “Go to sleep. All will be well in the morning.”

Caleb closed his eyes - and, perhaps it was with a bit of magic from Essek - but he slept.

----
Stairs loomed in front of him. Caleb was hanging onto the edge of one by mere fingers, while Essek rose further and further away.

“Essek!” He shouted, though no words came out. “Essek, help!”

Caleb felt his fingers slip, and he was falling-

Caleb hit the floor with a thump.

“Ow.” He groaned, getting to his feet. It was early morning, judging by the sun, and as he got back up, he glanced to the side-

Essek was not in bed.

“Essek?” He asked, voice rich with fear - what if, in his sleep, he’d…. He’d done something?

Looking around, he spotted Essek, tranced and sitting on the floor.

“Fuck, Essek, you scared me.” Caleb murmured, looking around - and frowning.

The room was the same as it had been… but there was no cat bed. No Frumpkin.

“Frumpkin?” He asked, looking under the bed.

He saw… huh. A rune, etched onto the floor of the bed. A protection spell, he knew. Perhaps Essek had done it while he slept?

He heard movement, and glanced over at Essek, who was opening his eyes.

They looked at him, clear and… Caleb frowned. They seemed… wary. His eyes not quite meeting his own gaze.

At his frown, Essek’s face melted immediately into neutrality. “Caleb.” He said, tone careful, uncrossing his legs.

“Essek, thank the gods you’re awake.” Caleb walked over to him, “I can’t find Frum-”

He froze in his tracks.

Essek’s face had a heavy, deep bruise across it, almost black against his purple skin.

“Oh, shit.” Caleb hurried to Essek’s side, kneeling down and reaching out.

Essek didn’t flinch, per se, but it was a near thing.

“Did I do this?” Caleb asked, tone horrified. Maybe in his sleep, with his dreams... but surely it wouldn't be so dark?

Essek’s eyebrows furrowed. “Yes, Caleb.” He said, tone still carefully measured.

“Wh-” Caleb’s wrist touched something cold. Looking down, he saw, around Essek’s neck, a heavy metal collar, runes etched into it.

“Essek…” He said, hand dropping to his side. “What’s going on? Where is Frumpkin?”

“I’m sorry, Caleb, I don’t… I don’t understand.” Essek’s eyebrows furrowed deeper - and there was no mistaking the touch of panic in his eyes.

“What is this?” Caleb’s hands went to the collar and, as he pulled at it, Essek spasmed, a small cry escaping his throat.

Caleb dropped his hands like he’d been burned.

“Were we attacked?” He asked. “Did the Assembly do something to you?”

Essek shook his head. “Please,” He said, “I do not understand your game.”

“This isn’t a game!” Caleb got to his feet, crossing over to the window and opening the shades. Staring out… the city looked the exact same. Everything looked the same.

Except Essek.

Caleb felt that fear crawl back into his throat. A hand on his arm but it was wrong.

“Essek…” He said, slowly. “I am going to ask you a very serious question, and I need you to be completely honest with me. No matter how stupid the question may seem.”

“Yes, Caleb.” Essek said dutifully, hands crossed in front of him. “I am always honest with you.”

It was so… demure. It set of warning bells in Caleb’s mind - more than there already were.

“Why is there a collar on your neck?”

Essek’s frown deepened. “You put it there.”

“When.”

Essek’s head tilted. “Two years ago.”

Caleb felt his heart freeze.

“Where… where is my cat?”

Essek began to look even more nervous than he already did, which was saying a lot. “Caleb… you do not have a cat. You never had one, to the best of my knowledge.”

“Who put the rune under the bed?”

“You… you did. When you bought this apartment.”

“And… and when was that?”

“Caleb, are you unwell? You are able to recall these times precisely. Is it…” Essek hesitated, “is it that you would like me to remind you of the events?”

Caleb felt his eye begin to twitch.

“You’re not my Essek.” He said, voice going cold.

Essek froze - his face draining of color. “Please,” He said, voice beginning to shake, his hands rising ever so slightly, “Please, sir, I do not mean to be impudent. Please, don’t kill m-”

Caleb physically jerked back.

“Sir?” He asked, shocked, “Kill you? Wh-”

Essek’s eyes flitted, almost subconsciously, to the closet door.

Caleb, thinking that perhaps this was some sort of joke, or maybe he was dreaming, strode over to the closet door - praying beyond anything that, when he opened it, he’d find a staircase and another Essek floating by - but instead what he saw made his heart drop to his feet.

It was rows, upon rows, piles upon piles, of…

“Holy fuck.” Caleb felt dizzy. Looking away from the pristine, but clearly well-used, torture tools - why did he have those in his closet? - he saw Essek had tilted his head further down, visibly shaking.

Caleb practically ran to Essek - not his Essek, not his room - and fell to the floor in front of him, knees hitting the ground with a crack. He didn’t even register pain.

“Essek,” He said. “Look at me.”

Essek, tentatively, met his gaze. His eyes were full of terror, and yet he made no move to defend himself.

“Something is wrong.” He said. “I just- whatever is going on, this isn’t my room. And you aren’t my Essek. I mean, you are, and the room is, but… it’s not mine. Someone else has been here.”

“Sir, your spells would alert you-”

“No, no, it’s…” Caleb interrupted - and then felt guilt twist his stomach as he watched Essek flinch at his ‘no’.

“Sorry.” He apologized.

Essek went completely, absolutely stiff.

“Sir?” He asked, tone questioning.

Caleb let out a long, slow breath. Something was wrong.

Something was deeply, deeply wrong.

“Where… where is the Mighty Nein?”

Chapter Text

Essek was staring at Caleb, a question clearly on his mind, but was unwilling or unable to say it.

“Essek. Where is the Mighty Nein?” Caleb repeated, trying to remain calm.

“You… I don’t know.”

“How do you not know?”

Essek flinched, eyes flicking back to the ground. “Sir, you took me from them and left their group. You have been living here for two years. During that time, you have not discussed them in my presence… in regards to their location. How would I know?”

The question slipped out, and Essek paled even further.

“Apologies, sir.”

“Okay. First things first. Stop calling me ‘sir’.” Caleb lifted a finger. “Second, I need you to cast Sending to Caduceus. Tell him that I need to see him, urgently.”

Essek looked up at him again. “Sir- Caleb, apologies,” He flinched, “But… you know I cannot cast. And I do not think Caduceus, or any of the Mighty Nein, would be inclined to meet with you.”

Caleb frowned. “Why can’t you cast spells?”

Essek was now looking extremely confused. “The collar you placed on me. It dispels my magic.”

“Why would I do that?”

Essek’s mouth twitched. It could’ve been a smile, except it was drenched in bitterness. “So I do not escape.”

“Escape… what?” Caleb asked slowly, knowing the answer in the fear creeping through his bones. But needing to hear it anyway.

“You, sir?”

Caleb sat down on the ground heavily. He was beginning to feel nauseous. “How… how do I, uh… take it off?”

Essek jerked back. “Take it off?” He said. “Are you… do you intend to-?”

“I’m not going to kill you, geez.” Caleb frowned. “I mean, I promise. No killing you. I want to remove it so you can cast Sending to Caduceus. And then I want to know why I’m not going to be, what, in an argument with him?”

Essek let out a slow breath. Contrary to looking pleased, he just looked… even more terrified.

“S- Caleb,” He said. “You are able to remove the collar with your own Dispel Magic. And… and Caduceus will not be inclined to meet with you, because you kidnapped me and attempted to murder Veth.”

“Huh?” Caleb’s eyes widened. “I did what?”

“I said, you kidnapped me and attem-”

“No, I- fuck, I heard you.” Caleb ran his hands through his hair. “Whatever’s going on, I swear to the gods it’s not me. Or… I’m not him.”

Essek didn’t say anything. Perhaps because it hadn’t been a question.

Caleb reached out, placing his hands on Essek’s collar. Essek flinched, but didn’t cry out.

He cast Dispel Magic. The runes flared, and then went dull. “Okay…” Caleb said slowly, sitting back. “Can you cast Sending now?”

“What would you like the message to say?” Essek asked, stiff as a board.

“Well… I mean I kidnapped you, right?” Caleb asked - having half-expected Essek to immediately set him on fire or something. He wouldn’t have blamed him. “So… shouldn’t you be the one to send it?”

Essek shook his head quickly. “I wouldn’t- I swear, I wouldn’t disobey you sir, I-”

“Okay, okay.” Caleb said, reaching out and touching Essek’s shoulder in an attempt to sooth - then regretted it as Essek flinched from him. “Sorry,” He murmured, drawing his hand back. “Send the message… um, “This is Caleb. Something is wrong with my brain and I just woke up today with no idea what’s going on. Please meet me at… uh…”

“Perhaps the Pillow Trove?” Essek suggested.

“Right. Right.” Caleb nodded quickly. “Smart.”

Essek’s cheeks flushed slightly.

“At Pillow Trove this afternoon at 3 o’clock. Will explain in-person.”

Essek hesitated.

“More than 25 words?”

“Yes.”

Caleb groaned in frustration, counting in his mind.

“Okay, okay, try: Help, Caleb woke up with no idea what’s happened for two years. Please meet at Pillow Trove at 3 o’clock. Will explain then.”

Essek nodded. “I will send your message, sir.”

“Caleb.” Caleb corrected automatically.

Essek flinched again, eyes flitting to the closet.

“Sorry.” Caleb mumbled, trying to look anywhere but said closet.

“So, uh… if all that weird stuff is in there… where do I keep my clothes?”

Essek raised an eyebrow. “In the closet.”

“Isn’t that the closet?”

“No.” Essek pointed to what was - what should have been - his own closet. “That is where your clothing is kept.”

“Thanks.” Caleb walked over to it, opening it hesitantly - and was relieved to find that, true to his word, there was no array of horrible equipment. Instead, there were rows of robes.

“What, uh… where do you keep your stuff?” He asked.

“My… stuff?” Essek asked. “I have no belongings.”

“None?” Caleb frowned, but then remembered - he was evidently keeping Essek here for two years enslaved? Unable to do magic? It was a miracle Essek could even still cast spells at all. “Well, we can’t have you going out in…” Caleb trailed off, feeling his face turn red, keeping his back turned.

Well. Essek had been wearing just a thin sleeping robe at the time, but, well… he hadn’t thought much of it. But if he had no other belongings…

Caleb’s bad feeling was starting to get a lot worse. Nausea was building at the back of his throat, and he felt that he was very likely to be sick.

“Here, put one of these on.” Caleb mumbled, tossing a robe at Essek haphazardly. “Do you want a cloak, too? It’s… well, I assume it’s cold out.”

“Go… outside?” Essek’s voice was tentative, but there was no mistaking the hope in it.

“Yes?” Caleb asked despite himself. He turned. “When, uh… when’s the last time you went outside?”

Essek dropped his head - but not before Caleb caught a glimpse of tears. “Please do not ask me that, Caleb. I beg you.”

“Oh. Sorry.” Caleb rubbed the back of his neck. The skin of his arms was beginning to itch terribly. “Just… get dressed. And I’ll see if- fuck, I should’ve asked Caduceus to bring Veth. Wait, no, you said I tried to kill her? Maybe best that I don’t.” Caleb frowned at the collar still on Essek’s neck - looking more closely, he saw deep wounds around the base and top of it. “Hm. I’ll maybe find a blacksmith or someone to break it open.”

“You, uh…” Essek began, but cut himself off.

“What?”

“You have the key.”

“I do?” Caleb asked. “Oh! I do!” Then, “Where is it?”

Essek looked confused. “I don’t know. You kept it a secret from me.”

“Right. Right, because of the…” Caleb was nodding, swallowing back bile. “The whole… kidnapping thing.”

“Yes.” Essek’s bitter smile was back. “The kidnapping thing.”

“Okay.” Caleb breathed. “Whatever’s been going on… has been bad.”

Essek reached for the robe, and then stiffened. His head tilting to the side.

“I have received a message back.”

“What is it?” Caleb asked eagerly.

Essek hesitated. “It, uh. It’s not me saying it, of course, si- Caleb. It’s Caduceus.”

“I know that.” Caleb said impatiently. “Just tell me what it is.”

Essek cleared his throat, looking steadfastly at the floor. “‘Essek, you’re alive? And escaped him? Meet us all there now. No matter what, we…” Essek’s voice broke. “We won’t let him hurt you again.”

Caleb nodded, mouth feeling suddenly very dry. “Good.” He said. “This is… this is good.”

“Do you intend to kill them?” Essek asked, voice breaking further.

“No, no, I- I just want to know what’s happened.” Caleb knelt down, handing Essek the robe with shaking fingers. “I think… Essek, I know this sounds insane, but… I think I’ve been cursed.”

Essek accepted the clothes, staring at them. He would not look up, but Caleb saw the tears hitting the cloth.

“What are you thinking, Essek?” He asked, as gently as he possibly could, heart twisting further - it was his fault this Essek was crying, his fault he was so scared.

Essek swallowed. “I was thinking… I was thinking that I do not like this game one bit.”

Chapter Text

Caleb bit down on his tongue as Essek changed - he was determined not to look, but he heard a hiss of pain, and his eyes flicked over before he could help himself.

Essek’s torso was littered with bruises, raised lines of old scars. Caleb saw bruises in the shape of handprints on his hips-

Caleb turned away, feeling of illness worsening.

If he figured out who was responsible for this… he was going to kill them.

And if it had been him…

Well.

The point still stood.

Caleb changed quickly, hands shaking like leaves, and, taking two cloaks, he handed one to Essek, and put the other on.

Essek drew the cowl over his face, obscuring his neck and most of his features.

“Hm.” Caleb frowned, but then Essek was standing upright and- “You can levitate if you want.” He said.

“W- Want?” Essek asked, voice uneasy.

“Well… you like to levitate, don’t you? Or, at least, you used to. I think.”

Essek didn’t move, still looking at him.

“It’s not a trick question, Essek.” Caleb said finally, hazarding a guess. “I really don’t mind. I promise you, whoever’s been… controlling me, or… impersonating me… or whatever it is that’s been happening… it’s just me now.”

But that wasn’t true, was it? Caleb was decently intelligent, he liked to believe, and he’d never heard of a spell or a curse completely taking someone over, let alone for two years.

And even if it was… where was Frumpkin? And why had he had those dreams? And Essek… this was just… not Essek.

Caleb kept these thoughts to himself, emerging onto the city street with Essek in tow - Essek, who did levitate, following just half-a-step behind, head tilted low.

Whether it was because of trying to keep hidden, or out of deference, Caleb wasn’t sure.

Well. He was mostly sure, he just didn’t like the answer.

They reached the Pillow Trove quickly, the streets of Zadash bustling. Glancing to the side, he saw the Pentamarket - that was familiar, at least. In fact… everything was the same.

It was as if…

Hm.

It was as if everything was as it should be, except for Caleb.

He was the outlying factor, the force that had seemingly altered Essek so much.

It terrified him. He did not know, should he look in a mirror, if he would see his own face in front of him.

He glanced at a puddle on the street.

His own worried expression stared back.

When they reached the Pillow Trove, Caleb saw, much to his relief, the Mighty Nein were gathered. He felt his steps lighten - if only he could explain, he was sure they’d help him figure this out - but then Beau looked up and saw him.

Her expression morphed into absolute hatred.

Uh-oh.

There was a sudden bustle of movement - each of them grabbing their weapons, readying spells.

Essek, still half-a-step behind Caleb, slowed down as Caleb did.

Caleb swallowed, mouth feeling dry. All of his friends… well, they looked like they wanted to kill him. Even Jester, who normally was difficult to anger, looked like she was going to flay him alive.

Caleb held out his hands peaceably, stepping up to them.

“I nee-”

Fjord punched him.

Caleb staggered back, grabbing his face. He felt blood trickle down out of his nose.

“I’m not here to fight.” Caleb said quickly, holding his hands up. “I swear, I- something is wrong with me, and I-”

“Tough shit.” Beau said. “Is it fatal? I fucking hope so.”

“Essek?” Jester said, voice without any hint of cheeriness. “Come here.”

Essek didn’t move.

“Essek, it’s fine.” Caleb said, “I told you, I’m not… I’m not whoever’s been holding you.”

Essek dared to look at him - expression haunted with fear.

“It’s not a trick.” Caleb murmured, dropping his voice quieter so that no one else could hear - though he was sure they were all attempting to read his lips. “Essek, whoever it actually was… I swear I’ll kill them. But please believe, whoever it was had my face, but they weren’t me.”

Essek looked pale, but slowly, uneasily, he slipped past Caleb, making a wide berth, and went to the Mighty Nein.

Jester grabbed Essek - Essek flinched - and pulled him behind her.

“Now you go, Caleb.” She said, pointing her spiritual weapon at him. “You go and don’t come back.”

“Jester,” Caleb tried, “Please. Last night, I fell asleep,”

“Gods, here we go.” Beau groaned.

“-and I was at home. Frumpkin, my cat, - do you remember my cat? - she was there. And Essek-” Caleb didn’t dare look at him. He felt the tension rise as he said the name. “Essek had no… he was not him. He was Essek, ja, but not… not this Essek. And then I had this dream, I’ve been having this dream, the past 29 days… a staircase, staircases and Essek is floating up them, and then I fell down the stairs and I woke up here.”

“Uh-huh.” Beau said, crossing her arms. “So you what, had a dream and had a change of heart?”

“No! I woke up, the same person, but the world is different! Someone else has been me!” Caleb raised his voice, and Essek drew back - a few people glancing in their direction. “Tell me, do any of you remember Frumpkin?”

He looked at their blank faces.

“My cat! I- hang on,” He cast Find Familiar, and Frumpkin appeared - he let out a gasp of relief. She perched on his shoulder, tail wrapping around him.

“Cute spell.” Beau said, “What, do you torture the cat too?”

Caleb shook his head, hand reaching up and stroking Frumpkin’s fur. He felt his eyes begin to sting.

“I do not understand.” He said, “None of you recognize her?”

Fjord sneezed.

Caduceus laughed. “Right. Well, this has been fun. But we’re leaving.”

“No, wait!” Caleb stepped forward - their hands tightening on weapons. “I swear, something else is occurring, I need- I need help. Beau, Caduceus, you are knowledgeable. I need your aid in finding out what spell this is, what has happened.”

Frumpkin meowed, claws digging into his coat, tail flicking against his ear.

“Look.” Caduceus said, tone clipped. “We came to get Essek. We don’t care why you are letting him go, or if you even are. If you truly have changed… you’d turn yourself in to the military police.”

Caleb hitched a laugh. “Why would I be merciful?” He asked, “If what you say I have done is true, then death is the only suitable consequence.”

Essek’s eyes widened, and he looked up at Caleb - concern beginning to pull at his brow.

“I’m not gonna argue with that.” Beau said. “And that I’ll gladly help you with.”

Veth - who had been quiet up to this point, half-tucked behind Fjord, said, softly, “Perhaps there was a spell that caused his change. Before he left, he was not like… that.”

“He tried to kill you, Veth.” Fjord said, eyes never leaving Caleb’s hands.

“I know that. But doesn’t it seem… odd?” Veth murmured.

Jester was clearly hesitating. “We were good friends once, Caleb.” She said, “Or should I say Bren?”

Caleb flinched.

“Please do not call me that.” He said. “I am Caleb.”

Caduceus made a noise, and then turned - not quite turning his back on Caleb, keeping him in the corner of his eye. “Perhaps we should discuss this as a group.” He said. “Essek, what is your input?”

Essek froze. “My input?”

“Well, you know… the most about him. How he’s been. Tell me, does he seem like he’s been afflicted with something?”

Essek licked his lips, glancing from Caleb to the others. “I do not know of any spell that would effect someone for so long.” He said, “Nor do I know why he insists he has a cat.” Another pause, another glance at Caleb.

“That, that said.” Essek said, hands folded neatly in front of him, “It does seem… when he awoke this morning, he was behaving extremely differently than over the past two years. It reminded me strongly of… of the man I knew before.”

There was silence.

“Maybe it was a spell gone wrong,” Caleb said, “I had been trying to make my own, perhaps- perhaps it caused an effect. Or, or if I have angered a god or-”

“Oh, shut up.” Beau rolled her eyes. “Essek, look, what do you think we should do? Just tell us, help him, kill him, or let him walk away. Your choice.”

“Yeah!” Jester said, turning.

Essek looked at Caleb. He looked pale.

Well, Caleb thought, Looks like I’m going to have to do this on my own after all.

“Help him.” Essek said finally.

There was a moment of shocked silence.

“If… if he is lying, then you may… kill him.” Essek said, looking queasy, “But… but if he is telling the truth, and someone has been controlling him somehow…”

He trailed off, but Caleb saw the spark of hope in Essek’s eyes, weak though it was.

“Fine.” Fjord said.

Beau began to protest, but Caduceus cut her off. “We agreed to abide by Essek’s decision. So we will.” He looked at Caleb disdainfully. “But rest assured, if this is some sort of trick, we will destroy you.”

Caleb nodded, relief flooding his veins.

“Thank you.” He said genuinely.

“We’re not doing it for you.” Fjord said, arms crossing.

Slowly, balefully, the Nein lowered their weapons.

“Ja.” Caleb said, “I know this.”

“Alright, let’s get moving.” Fjord said, taking lead. “There’s no way we’re letting you into our house. And we’re sure as shit not going to go to yours.”

“Right.” Caleb rubbed his neck, “There could be traps or something, I don’t even know…” He frowned, thinking.

“Why don’t we stay at the Pillow Trove?” Jester suggested. “We can all do research and stuff. And keep a close eye on Caleb.”

“And Essek?” Caleb asked hesitantly.

Essek startled at his name.

Jester crossed her arms. “You’re not going near him.”

“Ja, that’s good.” Caleb nodded. Shame twisting in his stomach, he said, “I think- I think he needs healing.”

“Hm.” Caduceus made a sound of displeasure, but tapped his staff on Essek’s arm.

There was a flash of light, and some of the tension in Essek’s shoulders melted out.

“Thank you,” He said quietly, staring at his hands.

“Of course.” Caduceus said, voice grim. “It’s no trouble at all.”

“I shall buy us rooms.” Caleb offered.

“We don’t want your blood money.” Beau snapped immediately.

“Blood money?” Caleb frowned. “Wh- what did I do?”

Beau rolled her eyes. “This amnesia shit is gonna get old real fast.”

Yasha spoke for the first time. “You participate in the mass murder of rebels who fight along the border.”

“... Oh.” Caleb became aware of the money satchel he’d found on the dresser - rich with gold and platinum - and felt sick. “How… how many people have I killed?”

“I’m surprised. Wouldn’t you remember the count?” Beau asked. “Only you know, but it's in the hundreds. Not to mention you dissect them after-”

Caleb turned to the side, and vomited.

Beau said something, but he couldn’t hear her over the sound of the blood pumping in his ears.

He gagged, and Frumpkin let out a meow, rubbing her face against him comfortingly as he retched.

“Okay,” He said, “I think I’m okay.” In truth he was far from it.

But he wasn’t going to waste time being sorry for himself, he would get no sympathy and he deserved none.

Chapter Text

“Let’s get to work.” Yasha said. “And I personally do vote for spending blood money on the rooms. Because I’m not about to pay to deal with Caleb.”

They began arguing amongst themselves, and Caleb felt his heart ache. It reminded him so much of home - wherever or whenever that was - that he almost threw up again.

Instead, he just walked into the Pillow Trove, and ordered six rooms for the day - beside one another, and then walked back outside, holding the keys out.

“Six? There’s seven of us.” Beau said, distributing the keys.

“Oh, I thought- aren’t you and Yasha…?”

Yasha’s face went scarlet.

Beau looked like she’d been slapped.

“Are you two not…?”

“No!” Yasha said quickly, “We- we’re just friends.”

“Oh, did you two break up?”

“We’re no- we were never-” Beau stammered, “Shut up, Caleb.”

“But, the letter-”

Yasha’s eyes flashed, and Beau looked at her, then to Caleb.

“What? What letter?” Beau asked.

Yasha looked as if she’d been force-fed a lemon.

“Sorry.” Caleb muttered, more confused than ever - he distinctly remembered them being together… perhaps something else that had been altered? But, seeing Beau’s face, he decided it would not be wise to bring it up as a possible clue.

Yasha’s expression was back to being impassive, but she seemed to be studying him a lot more closely.

“Besides,” Fjord spoke, cutting through the tension. “Like hell we’re leaving you alone. I’ll guard Caleb, if-”

“Ooh, I’ll take Essek!” Jester grinned, grabbing Essek’s clasped hands in her own and bouncing.

Essek looked relieved, though he shrank from her touch.

“Alright. We’ll convene in the two rooms, figure out a gameplan. Then we’ll hit the books.” Fjord finished.

“Could we try Pumat Sol? He might know- well, something.” Caduceus suggested.

“Hm, he could give us an idea of where to go.” Fjord said, tilting his head. “How about, Veth and I go to Pumat’s, Caduceus and Beau join Caleb and start… figuring out what’s going on. And Yasha and Jester, you stay with Essek?”

“Sounds fine.” Caduceus said.

Essek glanced at Veth, but said nothing.

“Um,” Caleb was feeling sick again. “There’s. Um. Veth, could you- uh. Help lockpick something?”

Veth - who was staunchly ignoring his gaze, glanced up. “What?”

Caleb coughed. “Um, Essek, he’s got, um,” His voice kept lowering more and more, “Um, a collar on-”

“A what?”

Caleb was staring at the ground. “Mhm.” He mumbled.

“Alright, I’ll go with Jester upstairs. And then I’ll join you, Fjord.” Veth said, sounding disgusted.

That stung - he knew Veth well, had practically been… well, family. To hear that tone in her voice - even though it was seemingly deserved… it made him feel like he was going to vomit again.

They all traipsed upstairs - Caleb had gotten them general suites, feeling odd about spending this money now that he knew what it was - and split up.

Caduceus and Beau went into one room, half-guiding him in, while Jester, Yasha, and Veth vanished with Essek into another room.

Fjord idled outside, and, as the door closed, Caleb swore he saw a look of uncertainty in the man’s eyes.

“So,” Caduceus said, walking into the room and pulling out a chair. “I don’t suppose you’ll be honest now?”

“I have been honest.” Caleb said, “I know… I know you don’t believe me. But it’s- whatever’s going on…” He scratched at his arm - Caduceus’ eyes flicking to it, “Last night, when I went to sleep, Essek was in bed with me-”

Beau made a choked noise.

Caleb winced. “Not- not like that.” Well, that was a lie, wasn’t it? “But… um, he wasn’t… it was different. He was different, and all of you were different. Everything was.”

“Right. Your cat.” Caduceus said, tapping his staff on the ground, looking at Caleb curiously. “I don’t suppose you’d let me cast something?”

“Go ahead.” Caleb said, “Anything. I’ll even- if there’s a Zone of Truth somewhere, I’d willingly step into it.”

Caduceus held out his staff, and cast Dispel Magic.

Nothing happened.

“Perhaps we should find a Zone of Truth.” Caduceus murmured, still looking at Caleb strangely.

“Well, it’s not like it’d do any good.” Beau said. “I mean, if he really doesn’t remember, that’s that. If he does and he’s lying, so what? Either way, he still did what he did.” She cracked her knuckles. “The real question isn’t if he’s being honest or not, it’s why he did those actions.”

“That’s very insightful, Beau.” Caleb said.

Beau cast him a glare. “Yeah, whatever.”

Caduceus considered. “We should go to the Valley Archive of the Cobalt Soul. They will have many texts, they may be able to help. And,” He added, “They may have a Zone of Truth that we may borrow.”

“Sure. I’ll get us in.” Beau shrugged, “Of course, it would help if we knew what we were looking for.”

“Ooh, we can make a list!” Caleb suggested, smiling slightly - for once feeling a hint of hope in this mess.

Beau’s mouth twitched up slightly, before she scowled at him. “No funny business.” She said, “And no casting spells. You even scratch your ass wrong, I'm taking you down.”

“Fine by me.” Caleb nodded, before crossing over to the room’s desk and pulling out a paper and pen.

“Alright, so… what we know.” Caleb considered. “What happened two years ago?”

Caduceus and Beau exchanged a look.

“We’re not really sure.” Caduceus said, sitting back in the chair. “What we do know, is that you and Essek were… close.”

“You two were pining after each other.” Beau nodded. “And then, you went out - you said, uh, what was it?”

“You were going to visit someone. Didn’t specify who.”

“Where were we at the time?”

“Rexxentrum.”
“Zadash.”

“No, it was Rexxentrum.” Caduceus said, turning to Beau. “Because remember, we got into that fight with the big bird?”

“No, no, that was after Caleb left.” Beau shook her head, “We were in Zadash-”

“No, it was Rexxentrum, because then we followed Caleb and Essek here and had that fight, remember?”

“Oh, you’re right.” Beau said after a moment, then turned to Caleb. “You left during the night in Rexxentrum, and then the next day you and Esek were gone. We tracked you to Zadash… had to fight this bird along the way.” Beau frowned, “And when we found you, it all went to shit.”

“You have nothing to do with the bird.” Caduceus added. “We asked what was happening, if there was a problem. And then you cast your Web of Fire spell. Veth went down, and you…” Caduceus hesitated. “You, ah, attempted to counterspell my revivify.”

Caleb felt his heartbeat rise, higher and higher - he could feel his pulse in his fingertips.

“I do not know why I would do this.” He said. “I would not… I would not do this.”

“Well, you did.” Beau pointed out, though some of the anger in her tone seemed to have let up - she was studying him a little more closely.

“I… what happened? You let Essek and I go?”

“Didn’t have much of a choice.” Caduceus shrugged. “I cast Greater Restoration on you, thought maybe it was a Modify Memory or something, but nothing changed. Wasted a spell, really.”

“What if… what if I was under two curses or conditions?” Caleb asked, beginning to scribble down thoughts. “Then it would have only ended one of two, so if it was a Modify Memory plus some other spell, that would keep it from effec…tively working.”

His pen ink was red.

Caleb stared at it for a moment, feeling sick. Thoughts of Essek swam nauseatingly through his mind.

“Um. So then Essek and I, uh, went to… to live in Zadash, and you took up residence here as well?”

“Yes. We tried to find you, to stop you, multiple times, but… well, you made it clear you wanted nothing to do with us. And Essek…” Beau broke off, looking upset.

“We did not know he was unwilling until it was far too late.” Caduceus said finally. “He did not attack us, but… we thought he was going with you. It was not until a later encounter we discovered the truth. By then…” Caduceus sighed. “You had reinforced yourself and your home so thoroughly we risked serious harm to others should we attempt to get him.”

“Why didn’t you kill me?” Caleb asked.

Beau snorted, but she didn’t look amused.

Caduceus shook his head. “You claimed to have done some sort of blood magic on Essek. So that, should you die, it would, uh… kill him. And if we took him, you’d kill him.”

Caleb’s face went white. “But… if I have no recollection of the spell, how do I deactivate it?” His plan of throwing himself off the roof of the tallest building suddenly wasn’t an option - it had always been an option. No matter the circumstances, Caleb knew he would never take it off the table for himself.

“By getting your memories back.” Beau said. She pointed to the paper. “So, tell us your end. In detail.”

Caleb recounted the events, careful to mention every aspect - including his odd feeling of Essek being wrong - and, when he finished, Caduceus was looking at him very, very oddly.

“Caleb, what day is it?” He asked.

Chapter Text

Caleb thought. “15 Sydenstar 837 PD.” He said finally.

Beau frowned. “That’s the correct date.” She said, “How is it you’re missing two years but still know that?”

“I do not know.” Caleb murmured, frowning. “So far, we have that perhaps there were multiple spells cast on me that are capable of lasting two years. And then… perhaps I have become possessed or otherwise controlled by a being?” He wrote them down. “What other options?”

“You could just be evil.”

“Okay.” Caleb wrote that down as well.

“That… was a joke, Caleb.” Beau said, sounding… almost amused.

“Oh.” Caleb felt his face tinge with embarrassment. “Sorry.”

Caduceus frowned, leaning forward. “Perhaps like you mentioned earlier, a spell gone wrong. There is the separate issue, of course, which is that not only are you saying something overtook you, but this thing also created false memories of your life. That takes very powerful magic.”

“Indeed.” Caleb nodded. “Although, it still doesn’t explain…” He hesitated, glancing at Beau. “Frumpkin.” He said finally. “Fjord is allergic to him, and we went on many adventures with him in tow.”

“I’m telling you, dude, there was never a cat on our adventures.” Beau said. “I’d remember that.”

“Okay.” Caleb said, frowning. “Perhaps another false memory, then.” But he didn’t believe that - he could remember Frumpkin’s fur under his arms, could remember seeing through him, could remember…well, everything. Strange.

“What else could it be?” He asked, tapping the list with the items on it.

“Maybe the Cobalt Soul will have more of an idea.” Beau said, stretching. “At the very least, I’m sure I can scrounge up a Zone of Truth somewhere around there. I don’t want to bother Jester right now, she’s… busy.”

The with Essek, was left unsaid.

With a sigh, Caleb looked down at the list.

Multiple curses overlaid that night two years ago.
Angered a god?
I’m evil.
Possessed by a powerful creature.
Homemade spell gone wrong.

It wasn’t much… but it was more than when he awoke this morning.

Beau walked out of the room, and Caleb murmured, “Caduceus, a minute?”

Caduceus stood, but waited, hand on his staff. “Yes, Caleb?”

“How did… how did you come to know that I was… holding Essek against his will?”

Caduceus sighed, rubbing his temple with a hand. “Is it best for you to know this?”

Caleb wavered. Did he really want to know?

“Maybe… perhaps it is Essek’s right to tell me or not.” He said finally.

He had always been a coward.

Caduceus inclined his head. “Very well.”

Not sure if he’d made the right decision, Caleb followed him out, list folded up in his pocket.

He’d figure this out.

He’d fix this, whatever it was that’d been broken.

Glancing down the hall, to Essek’s closed door, the thought crossed his mind, What if you can’t?

---------
Veth was staring at Essek’s neck.

Essek swallowed, feeling uncomfortable - her hands were fiddling with the collar, turning it this way and that, and each time it moved he tensed, expecting a shock to travel through his flesh. Though none came.

It seemed Caleb had been honest in casting a Dispel Magic.

Essek did not want to think about Caleb.

He did not know what to think, did not know what was happening.

Essek had gotten used to the consistency, as depressing as it had been, and had found himself… enjoying some moments. Times when Caleb was gentle. He knew how to please him, knew how to avoid his ire.

But this… Essek did not know what to do.

And that scared him.

Veth made a humming noise, startling him from his thoughts.

Essek hoped he didn’t flinch.

“I can get this open, I think.” Veth said, pulling out her thieves’ tools. She placed one into the mechanism, then a second piece, twisting it.

Essek stared at her, her eyes focused in concentration at his neck, her face mere inches from him.

He suddenly had the thought that he should’ve cast Prestidigitation on himself before coming here. He used to always do that, why hadn’t he now?

Because Caleb didn’t say he could.

Esek shied from the thought.

Being able to use spells… it had become foreign to him. He needed to practice - but at the same time, was wary of stepping on Caleb’s newly granted mercy.

There was a click, and Essek jumped.

The collar fell away, and Veth pulled it free. “Tad…a.” Her excited tone cut itself off abruptly.

“What?” Essek asked, reaching up to his neck - his hand touching charred flesh. “Oh.” He said. He had known, idly, that there was damage to his body. But Caleb did not have mirrors, so how would he have seen it? Besides, his neck was always enclosed in that collar, since a few months into Caleb’s… having him.

Jester reached out, touching his arm-

Essek jerked away from her touch, hands flexing - but not raising in defense. He was too well-trained for that.

“It’s alright, Essek.” She said gently, “I’m just going to cast Cure Wounds.”

Essek held himself stiffly. “Apologies.” He murmured.

“It’s alright, I don’t mind.” Jester said, touching his arm once more. There was a light, and then Essek felt some of the pain in his neck and on his abdomen vanish.

“Hm. It looks a little better.” Jester said, “I could cast it again- or if we wait until tomorrow, I can prepare Heal.”

“I will be fine.” Essek said politely, “I am in no hurry. Waiting until tomorrow will be quite generous of you.”

“If you’re sure.” Jester mumbled.

“I am.” Essek nodded. “Thank you.”

“Of course!” Jester smiled at him, but it looked strained. She turned to Veth. “You can probably go join Fjord now.” She suggested.

“Mm.” Veth said, standing up. “I’ll take this with me. Might be useful if Caleb…” She hesitated, swallowing hard. “Might be useful.” She said finally.

Essek felt a twinge of uncertainty. Caleb was… Caleb. He would not be brought down by something as insignificant as that which Essek was subject to.

Essek was weak.

He always had been.

As Veth left, Essek hesitated.

He began to cast Prestidigitation...

And then stopped.

He had always been weak.

Chapter Text

Caleb walked awkwardly beside Beau, who was ignoring him, and Caduceus, who was pretending to ignore him and doing so poorly.

The trio walked by Fjord and Veth, who were heading off to the Pentamarket.

“Where’re you three going?” Fjord asked, hand on the hilt of his sword.

“Cobalt Soul.” Beau said. “Gonna find a Zone of Truth and look into some options.”

“Doesn’t Jester ha- oh, right.” Veth corrected herself - she still wasn’t looking at Caleb, and Caleb felt his heart twist further.

“Veth…” He said, slowly, “I promise, whatever has happened… I’ll make it up to you.”

Veth glanced at him, eyes dull - he could see the tension in her shoulders - and she said, “Right. You three have fun.”

Caleb felt sick - to have his own closest friend, his family look at him with such… disdain.

Caleb cleared his throat. “Anyways,” He said, “Let’s get going, shall we?”

“Yes.” Caduceus said, and the two groups awkwardly parted - Caleb could feel Fjord’s eyes on his back, and it took great strength not to look back.

Caleb summoned Frumpkin, and stroked his fur as they walked, feeling uneasy.

“What is it with you and this cat?” Beau asked.

“He comforts me.” Caleb said simply. “I do not feel well.”

“I would expect not.” Caduceus shrugged.

They reached the Cobalt Soul, and a quick exchange with Beau and one of the monks had the three walking inside, another monk running off to summon yet another one who had a Zone of Truth spell.

“This sure is easy when you’re around.” Caleb said, “I remember when I tried to enter here on my own all those years ago,” He smiled, “They quite literally threw me out the door.”

Beau chuckled, “Yeah, it’s open to the public but not rea…lly.” Her humor cut off abruptly, as though she was silencing it. “Did I ask?” She asked, tone once more cold.

Caleb ran his hand through Frumpkin’s fur, and did not respond.

The third monk approached, hands folded. “Beauregard, it is a pleasure to have you visit us once more. I was instructed that you would like a Zone of Truth cast on your friend here?”

“He’s not my friend.” Beau said, “But yes.”

“Very well.”

Caleb handed Frumpkin off to Caduceus, who held him awkwardly - as though not quite familiar with living creatures - and then stepped into place.

He felt a wave of slight warmth, and did not fight it - allowing it to settle into his bones.

“Alright.” Beau stepped forward and faced him. “Who are you?”

Caleb replied, “Caleb Widowgast. I have another name, that you know, that I do not go by. Would you like that one as well?”

“No, it’s fine.” Beau waved her hand. “Where were you yesterday?”

“I woke up in my apartment that morning at 0826 with Essek. We made love,” Caleb’s ears turned red, “And then I cleaned the apartment while Essek prepared breakfast. We joined the Mighty Nein for lunch at a restaurant Jester had suggested. I do not recall the name, but it was very pastel. We encountered a guard, who stated we were needed for a possible mission, and to meet with the head guard sometime tomorrow, which is now today. I then went with Essek on a walk to the Pentamarket, where we discussed the nature of ancient runes compared to modern ones and the possible ties to archaic magic. I believed that-”

“Okay, we get it. You don’t need to give us a play-by-play of your conversation.” Beau began, but Caduceus was shaking his head.

“No, no, tell us.” Caduceus said, looking curious.

“Very well.” Caleb nodded. “I believe that runes are runes, and the age of them has no relevance except for the length of time a spell has been in existence. Essek, however, was arguing that the older a rune is, or more particularly the more frequently a rune has been used, the more powerful that spell then becomes. However, I countered that-” And Caleb launched into a very long-winded explanation of the creation of spells using older runes versus newer runes had no marked difference in his own studies or research, to which the monk looked interested, Beau looked lost, and Caduceus just looked… impassive.

“Of course, then Essek pointed out that the creation of a new spell overrides the frequency of usage of the runes and automatically would be a ‘new’ subset, and therefore not applicable to the overall discussion we were having-”

“Okay.” Caduceus said. “Is this how you two talk all the time?”

“More or less.” Caleb said. “There’s usually more kissing involved though.” His face turned red. “I did not mean to say that part out loud.”

“Side effect of the spell.” The monk said helpfully.

Beau was frowning. “Okay so clearly you actually believe and experienced whatever was going on before wasn’t actually you. This rules out the ‘evil’ front, as well as… hm.” She tilted her head - some of her anger seeming to have faded. “What else was on the list?”

“Multiple curses overlaid that night two years ago. Angered a god? Possessed by a powerful creature. Homemade spell gone wrong.” Caleb recited from memory.

“Hm. Well, what curse would be able to override two years of life like that?”

Caleb thought. “I do not know. It would take countless Modify Memories. Of course, hypothetically, a homemade spell using a Modify Memory and something else would work…”

“I was asking the monk, Caleb.” Beau said - and no, she was definitely smiling.

“I’m happy to see you smile, Beau.” Caleb said before he could stop himself. “I was worried that you would not believe me.”

Beau’s smile vanished, though it seemingly took effort. “Well, the good news is it wasn’t you doing all this shit. The bad news is that someone or something did. Unless you made the spell yourself?”

“I did not.”

The monk interrupted. “I do not know of any spell. I can send some monks to consult our books, however.”

“Yes, that would be good.” Caduceus said, “Thank you.”

The monk bowed his head, and hurried away.

The Zone of Truth faded, and Caleb stepped out of the circle.

The warmth left him, making him feel oddly cold.

“Hm.” Caduceus was tapping his staff, staring at Caleb. “So you said you didn’t make a spell yourself, but it’s possible someone else made a spell and used it on you, effectively overwriting your actions and thoughts for two years.”

“Yes.” Caleb nodded, “Of course, it would have to be someone who could essentially re-dose me with the spell, in all likelihood.”

“Hm.” Caduceus considered. “We may have to ask Essek if you had specific visitors, or traveled to certain locations frequently.”

“Yes.” Caleb nodded. “Possibility of me angering a god…?”

“Slim.” Beau said, “You’re not relevant enough to piss off a god.”

“Thanks.”

Beau’s mouth twitched up again.

“And then possession.” Caduceus frowned. “I should have cast Detect Evil and Good when you were attacking, I… I never thought to.” Guilt colored his tone. “We- I assumed you…”

“It’s fine.” Caleb said quickly. “Really, if I was… behaving the way you all said, I… I understand completely.”

A horrible thought crossed his mind suddenly. “What if…” He breathed out, feeling bile rise in his throat, “What if, when I thought Essek and I were- were- I was actually-”

He turned and vomited.

A monk came rushing over, glaring at him, casting Prestidigitation.

“Oh my gods,” Caleb groaned, hand over his mouth, eyes screwed shut. He could remember it.

Essek moaned under him, legs hiked up onto his back. “Caleb,” He moaned out, fingers digging into his back.

Caleb grinned, leaning forward and pressing a kiss to Essek’s mouth, which he hungrily returned.

“I love you,” Caleb murmured, “Ich liebe dich, Ich liebe-”

Caleb vomited again.

Chapter Text

The walk back was extremely awkward.

Beau had seemingly decided that Caleb was in fact, not evil, but still wasn’t quite sure where he fell on the trustworthiness scale.

The monks had asked them to return the following day, after they’d had a chance to do more research.

Caduceus, thankfully, had cast a Detect Evil and Good, saw… whatever, and then reached the conclusion that Caleb was fine.

There was still tension though, two years of hostility with the being wearing Caleb’s face, or who was Caleb, or… whatever, between them, and it was a mix of silence and stuttering questions.

“So…” Caleb asked, as they walked back past the Pentamarket. “What has the Mighty Nein been up to while I’ve been gone?”

Beau shrugged. “Mostly doing missions. We’ve had a bit of a lull recently though, just been doing some studying, practice, stuff like that.”

“Oh, that sounds pleasant.” Caleb nodded. “Do you, uh, know what Veth has been up to?”

“Veth?” Caduceus thought. “She’s been practicing some spells, I’m pretty sure. I think she’s been a little… down.”

“Because of me?”

“Yes.” Caduceus nodded. “Though, I am certain that things will be much improved once we report back to the rest.”

“Yeah.” Caleb said glumly. They were no closer, really, to figuring out what was going on with Caleb’s brain, and that was fucking terrifying. Not to mention Essek. Whatever Caleb or not-Caleb had done, it still mattered.

He’d tried to murder Veth.

He’d hurt Essek - and only Essek knew how much.

Caleb felt nauseous still, but he’d thrown up everything he had in him inside the Cobalt Soul - much to the monks’ annoyance.

As they walked by, Beau nodded towards a stand. “Wanna grab some dumplings? I’m fucking starving.”

“Yes, please.” Caduceus nodded.

Caleb shook his head, feeling queasy. “My treat.” He offered, buying them each some.

“You don’t have to-”

“Yes, I do.” Caleb said grimly, trying not to stand too close to the stand, out of fear of being sick on it.

He saw Beau eye him a little, but accept the food.

He knew what she was thinking - it was no secret to the Mighty Nein that Caleb… didn’t tend to eat well in general. It was something Essek was usually pressing him about, but the thought of food made him feel so nauseous that he couldn’t bear it.

Caleb ignored Beau’s look, and smiled painfully at the woman manning the stand, before the three continued walking.

Caduceus bit into his vegetarian dumpling, blowing into it as he walked.

“This is very good.” He commented. “Are you sure you would not care for one, Caleb?”

“I am fine.”

Beau and Caduceus exchanged a glance.

“Look, Caleb,” Beau muttered, mouth full of dumpling, “I- I’m sorry I was an ass to you before. I mean, we all thought… you know, that you were evil and stuff.” She swallowed her food, looking guilty. “I mean, you were casting your own spells, and Caduceus did a Greater Restoration and everything… we just didn’t know what else to think.”

“I am not upset.” Caleb shrugged. “It does not matter if it was me or not, something with my face caused harm. You have the right to hate me.”

“We don’t hate you!” Beau said quickly, before amending, “I mean, anymore. Now that we know you’re not evil. And we’ll tell the others, and everything’ll be fine-”

“Whether it was me or not, someone with my face and my body was hurting you all.” Caleb said with a frown. “Was hurting Essek. Let’s just figure this out. And figure out how to break this blood pact I put on Essek.”

Caduceus glanced at him. “Any reason you want that gone in particular?”

Caleb hesitated. “No.” He lied.

By Caduceus’ expression, he didn’t believe him.

Judging by Beau shoving her dumpling into her mouth and avoiding looking at him, she didn’t either.

----
Essek stared at the food in front of him, trying to hide his distaste.

“Come on, it’s still hot!” Jester said, “I told the lady downstairs to make it extra special for you!”

“Thank you.” Essek said, pushing the potatoes around with his fork, trying not to be sick.

He was supposed to be the one to cook.

He wasn’t supposed to eat until Caleb did.

He’d be punished for-

Essek dropped the fork, it clattering against the plate.

“You okay?” Yasha asked, uncrossing her arms.

“Yes, I’m quite alright.” Essek said, “I just… I don’t feel very hungry at the moment.”

“Mm. Are you nervous that Caleb is going to go all evil again?” Jester asked, her face full of food. “Because we’ll protect you, you know.”

Essek smiled thinly. “Thank you, Jester.” He said. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but I am tired. I would like to trance, if you don’t mind.”

“Oh, of course!” Jester bounced off the bed, wiping the crumbs off of it. “Here, you lie down. Yasha and I will play cards!”

“I think he wants to be alone.” Yasha said.

Essek averted his gaze.

“Oh.” Jester deflated. “But… we have to watch you, Essek. To make sure Caleb doesn’t try to hurt you!”

Esek closed his eyes, taking a breath. He felt his frazzled nerves begin to fray even more. “I can trance on the floor, thank you.” He said. “And you don’t need to leave, I just… need it to be quiet.”

“Oh. We can do that!” Jester said cheerfully.

“Good.” Essek tried - and wasn’t sure he succeeded - to hide the bite in his tone, standing up and crossing over to the far side of the room, sitting down on the floor and closing his eyes.

“Uh… don’t you wanna sit where there’s carpet?” Jester asked.

“I’m fine where I am, thank you.”

“Just… I think you’d be more comfy over here.”

Essek opened his eyes.

“Jester, I appreciate you very much. But I am trying to trance. And it requires silence.”

Jester pouted. “I was just worried for you…”

Essek felt his nerves bend, and bend, and begin to snap-

He clamped down on everything at once, shoving it inside himself harshly.

He could not lose his temper.

He could not lose his temper.

Bad things happened when he did.

Essek turning, frying pan in hand. “Hm?” He asked.

The pan glanced off of Caleb’s arm, a hiss emanating from it. Essek jerked the pan back, heart beginning to jackrabbit.

Caleb froze for a moment, staring at him. Eyes slowly filling with rage.

Essek felt his heart stop. “I- I’m sorry, sir.” He said quickly, “You- I didn’t hear you.”

Caleb reached out, and plucked the pan from his hands.

Essek dropped to his knees. “Sir, please, I’m sorr-”

“Get on the bed.” Was all Caleb said.

Essek felt his heart race faster. “Caleb, please,” He begged, “I’m sorry-”

“Are you refusing?” Caleb interrupted.

Essek felt rage build in him. It wasn’t fair - why should he be punished for a mistake? “It was a mistake, Caleb,” He said shortly, tone impudent.

Caleb raised his eyebrows.

“I taught you better than that, Spielzeug.” Caleb’s voice was a threat. “Now get on the bed.”

“No.” Essek stood up, hands clenching. “You need to let me go!”

He froze in place - Caleb casting Hold Person.

Essek fought it, but, without his spells, what power did he have?

Caleb stepped forward, eyes dark. His hand stroked down Essek’s cheek lovingly. “Oh, Spielzeug. You know how I hate to do this.” The look on his face said something different, and Essek tried to open his mouth to argue, but it was frozen shut.

“Now,” He said, “I am going to go and pick out some instruments to remind you of your place.” When this spell ends, I expect to find you, kneeling on the bed. If you do,” He brushed a piece of Essek’s hair back into place. “I will only punish you for your disobedience. If you refuse,” The hand gripped his hair, pulling at the roots. “I will do much, much worse. Understood?”

Essek breathed through gritted teeth, and Caleb released his hair, turning and walking to his torture wall. He opened the doors, rifling through it.

Essek felt his muscles untense, the spell ending.

He hesitated.

With Caleb’s back turned…

He made for the door.

There was a snap of magic energy, and Essek froze once more, one hand on the door handle.

No. He was so close.

Caleb walked up to him, tutting. “Really, Spielzeug. I expected better from you. It seems we will need to work on your training some more after all.”

Chapter Text

Caleb climbed the steps of the Pillow Trove, Frumpkin in his arms, when he heard Jester shouting - and another voice, the voice of the man he loved, in pain.

“What-?” Beau began to ask, but Caleb was moving before he could think, crashing through the door of Essek’s room. Beau and aduceus on his heels.

Yasha whirled, hand on her weapon, half-drawn at his presence.

“Essek!” Caleb called desperately, dropping to his knees in front of him. “Meine liebe, please,”

Essek seemed not to notice his presence. He was curled up on the floor, hands at his neck, and he was whimpering-

“Mein liebe, it’s okay.” Caleb touched Essek’s shoulder and he screamed.

“Caleb, get out!” Jester shouted, and pulled out her spiritual weapon.

Essek flinched at the sound of the raised voices - or possibly just Caleb's name - and curled further into himself.

“Let me help!” Caleb said, but Yasha was grabbing him, physically dragging him from Essek.

“He’s not evil!” Beau shouted, as Yasha made to bodily throw Caleb out the room. “We went to the Cobalt Soul, he’s not evil, it’s not him!”

Some of the tension drained from Yasha’s shoulders, though Essek’s continued murmuring sent her shoulders back up once more. “Your presence is still making him worse.” Yasha said gruffly, though not unkindly. She set Caleb down on the ground outside the door, rather than tossing him.

Frumpkin darted into the room, padding over to Essek’s side as the door closed in their faces.

“Well, shit.” Beau said, before shaking her head. “Come on, Caleb, let’s get you to your room.”

“Sure.” Caleb said, feet unmoving.

“Caleb. You can’t do anything for him right now.” Caduceus said gently, taking his arm. “Come on. Let’s go.”

Caleb stumbled after them, reaching the room and sitting down heavily on the chair. “Can I- can I be alone, please?” He asked.

Beau and Caduceus exchanged a glance.

“Sure.” Beau said finally. “We’ll be just outside.”

They stepped out of the room, door clicking shut behind them.

Immediately, Caleb folded his hands, closed his eyes, and went into Frumpkin’s sight and hearing.

It was oddly disorienting - his vision seemed to jump and skip for a sickening moment before focusing in.

Hm. Another thing that had not happened before.

Frumpkin was sitting by Essek’s head, licking his forehead.

Essek was still curled in a ball, though he did seem significantly less stressed now that he was gone - something that made Caleb feel ill. His mere presence was causing such harm...

Jester was flitting around Essek nervously, unwilling to touch him but clearly wanting to do something.

“Should I cast Cure Wounds?” Jester asked Yasha.

Yasha frowned. “It’s nothing physical, Jester. He just needs time to come out of it on his own. Leave him be.”

“Are you sure?”

Yasha hesitated. “Mostly.” She said finally. “I just think, I mean you saw what happened when- uh, he - touched him. Best to just watch and wait for him to come out of it on his own.”

“Okay.” Jester fumbled around her bag, pulling out a muffin. “For when he wakes up!” She says, placing it beside his head. “I can… um… what else helps?” She looked around, and then grabbed the comforter from the bed, dragging it over Essek. “There we go!” She said cheerfully.

Some of Essek’s trembling seemed to fade, though he was still horrifically tense.

Frumpkin began to purr, and moved to sit on top of Essek’s side, kneading his paws into the cloth there.

Essek flinched, but then relaxed slightly more.

“Isn’t that Ca- his cat?” Yasha asked.

“Yeah. Weird, right? He never had one before.” Jester said, reaching out and poking Frumpkin curiously. Frumpkin tilted his head, looking up at Jester.

“He’s cute.” She decided, pulling a bow out of her hair and wrapping it around Frumpkin’s tail. “But now he’s cuter!”

Yasha smiled slightly. “He sure is.”

There was a moment of silence.

“You know, I never told him about the letter.” Jester said suddenly. “I don’t know how he knew about it, I swear.”

“No, I believe you.” Yasha said dismissively. “Just… I never showed it to anyone but you.”

“Why not? I told you to give it to her!” Jester said, pouting as she took a few steps away from Essek to lean against the bed.

“Well…” Yasha gestured awkwardly into the air, “What if she didn’t like it?”

“It’s a list of compliments, Yasha. How could she not like it?”

“I dunno. Just… she might not.” Yasha said, looking away.

“Hm. Well, I still think you should give it to her.”

“Well, she might already know about it. If Caleb figured it out-”

Essek flinched again.

“You think she might already know about it?”

“It’s possible.” Yasha muttered. “She said the ball was in my court, and I feel like I fumbled it.”

“How do you fumble a ball?” Jester frowned, “Not wearing the right dress?”

“I don’t know, Jester.” Yasha sighed. “Let’s just… not talk about this. I’ll ask- him- about it, and then decide what to do from there.

Frumpkin slapped his tail across Essek’s face gently.

The edges of Essek’s mouth curled up, and one hand reached up, touching the soft fur.

“What is this?” He asked, voice hoarse. He shifted, and Frumpkin walked with it, settling onto his chest and purring harder, vibrating from the force. He lifted his other hand to touch Frumpkin’s face, who nuzzled into the touch.

“It’s Caleb’s cat!” Jester said helpfully.

“His… cat.” Essek murmured. “You must be Frumpkin, then.” He sat up, and Frumpkin jumped off of him, crossing the floor to rub against his hand once more. He lifted it, bringing it down to pet down Frumpkin’s fur.

“What happened?” He asked. “I was trancing. And now there is a blanket?”

“You had some sort of freakout.” Jester said, “You started making all these noises and then Caleb came rushing in and that made it worse so Yasha kicked him out. But the good news is that Caleb’s not evil! Something else must’ve been happening with him or something. But it probably wasn’t Caleb who was hurting you the whole time!”

Essek’s hand had frozen in Frumpkin’s fur.

Frumpkin licked his hand.

“I see.” Essek said, withdrawing from the cat. “Hm.” A faint purple blush was beginning to show on his cheekbones. “Perhaps… could I please be left alone?”

“I’m not sure-”

“Yes.” Yasha interrupted. “We will go.”

“What? Why?” Jester asked, frowning.

“I’ll explain outside.” Yasha muttered under her breath, steering Jester towards the door.

As they opened it, Frumpkin walked after them, tail flicking.

“Goodbye, Frumpkin.” Essek said quietly.

As the door closed, Frumpkin paused - and could hear Essek begin to sob within the room.

Caleb pulled back into himself, and, curling up on the chair, wept.

Chapter Text

There was a knock on the door.

Caleb hastily wiped his face, clearing his throat. “Yes?” He asked.

“Fjord and Veth returned.” Caduceus informed, opening the door. He paused, eyes scanning over Caleb. “They claim to have news from Pumat Soul. Given the developments here, perhaps it would be best if we could all meet as a group.”

“Will Essek-?”

“We’ll ask him.” Caduceus said, before his tone softened. “Look, Caleb… I don’t know what has happened, and I know you don’t either. But it’s important that we don’t push Essek to give us answers he might not be ready to share.”

“Ja.” Caleb muttered, standing up. “Where will we be going for this meeting?”

“Ah, we were thinking a neutral room. Like maybe mine or Beau’s?”

“Is there a bed?” Caleb asked.

“Yes.” Caduceus eyed Caleb for another moment. “I will suggest a room downstairs, perhaps one of the conference rooms instead.”

“Ja. Please.” Caleb reached into his pouch, pulling out a handful of gold. “To make sure we are uninterrupted?”

Caduceus pushed the money back into Caleb’s hand. “Caleb, it’s alright. You don’t need to repay us for things you haven’t done.”

Caleb shook his head. “No. I must. This money was his. Not mine. I do not want it.”

Caduceus hesitated, then accepted the gold. “This’ll cover dinner too, maybe?”

“Of course. I am not hungry, though you are all welcome to eat.”

Caduceus made a noise in his throat that might’ve been disapproval, but left without argument, opening the door.

Caleb let out a slow breath, feeling nauseous. Even looking at the gold, having it in his possession, made him obscenely uneasy.

“Caduceus,” He called, and Caduceus paused. “Yes, Caleb?”

Caleb got up, crossing over, and handed the money satchel to him. “I can’t- I don’t want it.”

“Caleb-”

“Please.” Caleb begged, nausea growing. “I don’t want it.”

“Okay.” Caduceus said, looking at him thoughtfully. “Maybe Essek would want it?”

Caleb nodded quickly. “Please, ask him for me.”

“I will.” Caduceus bowed slightly, and then left.

Caleb sat back down heavily on the bed, Frumpkin jumping up into his lap. “Oh, Frumpkin,” He muttered, “What are we going to do now?”

He hoped suggesting they move locations was the right one.

He wasn’t stupid.

He’d seen the bruises. He knew what he’d - or whoever it was - had done.

Caleb fought down his nausea, and continued petting his beloved familiar.

Beau knocked on the door next. “Hey, Caleb,” She said, sticking her head in. “We’re all set up downstairs. Come on.”

“Right.” Caleb stood, depositing Frumpkin onto his shoulder.

Beau walked half-beside and half-behind him. “So,” She said, “How long’ve you had the cat?”

“He is a familiar. I have had him for…” Caleb thought. It was hard to say - somewhere between the lines of his temporary insanity, Frumpkin had come. “A long time.” he said finally. “Since before I met all of you.”

“Okay.” Beau reached out and poked the cat. “Did Jester get ahold of him?”

“Mm, the bow? Ja.” Caleb nodded. “She does like beautifying things, does she not?”

“Yeah.” Beau nodded, “She does.”

There was a pause as they descended the stairs - the other rooms were quiet.

“Is Essek, uh… joining us?”

“I think so.” Beau said. “Last I heard, anyway, everyone was gonna be there.”

Caleb made a noncommittal noise in his throat, unwilling to commit either way - he felt a mix of dread and hopefulness. Maybe he could fix whatever had been broken.

Or at the very least, repair the damage and leave Essek to decide what he wanted to do next.

Beau opened a door, and Caleb was hit with a wave of chatter - which died immediately.

Looking around, he saw the entire group was there - including Essek, who was staring at the table.

“'Scuse me.” A voice said, and Caleb stepped automatically into the room to the side. Two barmaids bustled in, distributing platters of food and drink. “And don’t you worry about a thing,” One of them told Caduceus, “We’ve got this whole section booked for you so no one’ll be disturbing you.” She winked at him. “If you need a disturbance later, you let me know.”

Caduceus looked confused. “I am fine, thank you.”

The two women left without further comment, and Beau laughed uncomfortably. “Dude, you just got hit on.”

“Oh, was that what that was?” Caduceus asked, furrowing his brow. “I… um. No, thank you.”

Beau shrugged. “Fair enough.”

She walked to the table, pulling out a chair for herself beside Caduceus, and Caleb sat beside her, next to Fjord. Veth sat across from Fjord, also fascinated by the table, as Essek was.

Next to Veth sat Jester, who was across from Caleb, and eyeing him, while suspiciously, not with outright hostility. Then sat Essek, diagonal to Caleb, who looked uncomfortable, but not actively running for the door. Then Yasha, across from Caduceus, who was looking at Caleb with some degree of curiosity.

|Yasha,______Essek,_____Jester,___Veth|
|Caduceus,____Beau,____Caleb,___Fjord|

All of them had their weapons. Frumpkin jumped down into Caleb’s lap, kneading his leg.

Fjord sneezed.

“So… let’s start eating and then we can go over everyone’s events, right?” Jester suggested. As everyone started eating - Caleb awkwardly fiddling with his fork, feeling sick - and Essek staring at his food without touching it.

“So…” Jester broke the sounds of chewing. “Beau said that Caleb is actually not evil.”

“Mhm.” Beau nodded. “We went to the Cobalt Soul, where we got a monk to make a Zone of Truth. Caleb passed everything, his story is true - at least to him. He didn’t - or wasn’t in control of himself - when he kidnapped Essek and tried to murder Veth.”

Veth looked up from the table, startled, and caught Caleb’s eye. She chewed her lip. “So, what, you’re… just you again? Did something happen?”

“That’s the thing. He has no clue.” Caduceus said. “From his knowledge, he quite literally fell out of bed this morning, in this body, with the past two years being fiction.”

“Yeah, why don’t you run through your version again for us.” Fjord suggested. “I was a little too… disbelieving the first time.”

“Understood.” Caleb said. He once more launched into his explanation of his past two years - merely stating that Essek and he had been living together, and leaving out the more… private elements.

“Yeah, and then he threw up a ton.” Beau said. “I’m pretty sure we’re going to have to pay a fee for that.”

“Why’d you throw up? Could it be a side-effect of whatever you were under?” Jester suggested.

Caleb hesitated. “I was… uh, disturbed. By a realization I had, that perhaps my body was being puppeted. Or that I was acting in some sort of fictionalized world, where my actions were still having an effect, but where I interpreted them differently.”

There was a very long, awkward pause.

Essek’s face, which was still turned downwards, was turning dark purple with blush.

“Anyway.” Caduceus broke the silence, “That’s what we have for you guys. The Cobalt Soul told us to come back tomorrow, and they might have some more information for us.”

“Great.” Fjord nodded. “We’ll follow up on that lead tomorrow. And… maybe we can make a donation to them, to make up for the, uh… messiness.”

“So, what was your news?” Caduceus asked.

Veth looked to Fjord, who spoke.

“So,” He said, “We went to Pumat Soul today, and showed him the- uh. Collar.” He muttered the alst word into his cup. “He said it looked familiar to the one we used on Trent Ikithon-”

Caleb flinched.

Yasha’s eyes flitted over him.

Caleb pretended to take a drink of his ale, feeling sick to his stomach. He mentally eyed the wastepaper bin in the corner, in case he needed to make a dive for it.

Fjord was still talking, “-a variant of it. He said whoever made it would’ve had to have spent years creating it, not to mention the spellwork involved was way too specialized to be Caleb’s work.”

“So whoever possessed or body-swapped Caleb must’ve had access to this.” Jester said, tilting her head.

“Yes, it seems that way.” Fjord nodded. “Pumat Sol seemed very intrigued by the whole thing, suggested we bring Caleb to the Invulnerable Vagrant tomorrow for him to do some spells and work on. He also said that, with a good chunk of time - and a not insubstantial price - he’d be able to undo the magic and find out who enchanted the actual, uh, item itself.”

“That works.” Beau nodded, “I doubt the Cobalt Soul will be super eager to have Caleb back, given the whole… puking everywhere.”

Her light tone fell flat - the underlying understand of horror there - and Caleb simply nodded tightly.

“Essek, aren’t you hungry?” Jester murmured, her voice carrying in the silence.

Essek jerked, as though surprised to have been addressed.

“Oh.” He looked up, and saw everyone looking at him. “I, ah, I am not hungry.”

“Me either.” Caleb said, pushing his untouched food away. “Unless there’s anything more to discuss?”

“What about you guys?” Fjord asked finally, addressing Essek, Yasha, and Jester. “Anything interesting happen?”

Essek tensed.

“Nope!” Jester said immediately, charming as anything. “We played cards and I won.”

“Alright, then, I guess that covers everything.” Fjord shrugged. “Tomorrow, Caleb, Yasha, and I will go to Pumat. Caduceus, Beau, go back to the Cobalt Soul. Veth, Jester, Essek…” Fjord hesitated. “Maybe go do something fun?”

“Ooh, yes!” Jester said immediately - her cheer only slightly falsified. “We can go to the park and look at ducks!”

Essek looked uneasy.

Caleb wanted to say something, but didn’t have the nerve to do so. Instead, he just stood. “I would like to go to bed.” He said. “It has been a trying day.”

“Bye, Caleb!” Jester said.

Fjord sneezed again as he walked past, Frumpkin in tow.

He heard the rustle of chairs - everyone else seeming to be wrapping up - and then jerked in surprise as a hand landed on his shoulder.

Turning, he saw Yasha.

“Walk with me?” She asked.

Feeling as if he was about to be thrown through a window, Caleb nodded.

Chapter Text

Caleb and Yasha went outside, and began to walk aimlessly.

“So,” Yasha said, “It seems that you were telling the truth.”

“Yes. You believe me?” Caleb asked eagerly. “I thought, given your history-”

“What history?”

“You were possessed.” Caleb explained.

Yasha blinked at him.

“Um… isn’t that what you wanted to talk about?” Caleb asked, feeling nervous. “I mean, Obann. All that.”

“What’s an Obann?”

Caleb frowned. “You- you don’t remember that? But, well, what did you do before the Mighty Nein?”

“I was in a circus.” Yasha shrugged. “There were a handful of people I worked with. Then the Mighty Nein caught Mollymauk’s murderer-”

“Molly died? At the carnival?” Caleb asked, stopping in his tracks.

Yasha paused, looking at him strangely. “Yes. One of the others in the carnival apparently, um, ate him.”

Caleb stared at her. “And so then you just, what? Left the carnival and joined? Never… went running off for a while?”

“Nope. Went with you guys. Been working with you all ever since.”

Caleb opened and closed his mouth, feeling very lost.

“Um…” He said, “If you didn’t want to talk to me about my possibly being possessed, what did you want to talk about?”

Yasha reached into her bag, pulling out an extremely crumpled piece of paper. “How come you know about this letter to Beau?”

“You still have it?” Caleb asked, “Why didn’t you give it to her?”

Yasha looked uneasy. “I don’t know.”

“Well, first of all, give it to her.” Caleb said, “You two are meant for each other. Secondly, what do you mean you never gave it to her? I swear, you did and the two of you were together.”

Yasha was looking at him much more curiously now. “Caleb,” She said slowly, “You had been trying to learn how to go back in time, right? To undo your parents’ deaths?”

Caleb frowned. “But I gave up on that mission.”

Yasha raised an eyebrow. “No, you didn’t. You were working on it up until the day you went beserk and tried to murder Veth. That’s why you’d gone to that meeting in Rexxentrum.”

“Who was I visiting?” Caleb asked, fear a pit in his stomach.

Yasha shrugged. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know. You were very private about the whole thing. Although,” She considered, “You might’ve told Essek. Or Veth. Either of them would be better people to ask about it.”

“Alright, because clearly something else is going on.” Caleb frowned. “This isn’t just possession, entire… entire aspects of people’s lives are different! Like you and Beau, Frumpkin, Molly… this… something is wrong here!”

“Okay, okay,” Yasha said, raising a hand. “We’ll go to Pumat Sol tomorrow, see if we can't sort this whole mess out. You might have a ton of Modify Memories stacked up or something.”

“Maybe.” Caleb said, unconvinced.

“But either way, if you were working on time travel…” Yasha frowned, “Maybe… maybe you’re from the future, and that’s why you think all this stuff is weird.”

Caleb shrugged, not sure what to say - this just… it didn’t sound anything like him.

“But, this does bring me back to the letter,” Yasha began, still holding the paper.

“Look, it… I can’t explain it.” Caleb interrupted. “According to my memory, you gave it to her. It had a poem, which you crossed out and replaced with compliments. She read it, accepted it, and the two of you began dating. That is my memory. That is how I know what I do.”

Yasha frowned. “Maybe I gave it to her in the future, and that’s why you remember it?”

Caleb began to disagree, but thought better of it. “It’s possible.” He said finally.

They headed back inside, Caleb muttering, “Give her the letter already, Yasha,” as they parted ways.

Yasha went upstairs, and Caleb saw her awkwardly standing outside of Beau’s room.

He lingered downstairs, so as not to disturb them, as Yasha knocked.

There was the sound of a door opening, of words being exchanged, and the door closing once more.

Yasha’s heavy footsteps traipsed back to her own room.

Once he heard the second door close, Caleb climbed the stairs, walking towards his own room at the end of the hall.

There was a creak of a door.

“Caleb?” Essek’s voice was soft. “Are you alright?”

Caleb startled. “I’m fine, thank you.” He said finally, turning to look at him.

Essek looked nervous, and slightly pale. His robes were drawn around himself protectively. “I just… the conversation at the table earlier. I know… I know it was you who suggested we use a conference room.” He hesitated, “Just… thank you.”

Caleb blinked, taken aback.

“Oh, uh, of course. It’s- I was, um, glad to do it.” Caleb stammered, “Thank you.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re… welcome?” Caleb suggested.

Essek’s mouth twitched upwards slightly. “Good night, Caleb.”

“Good night.”

Essek stepped back into his room, closing the door - Caleb could hear the latch click as he locked it.

Caleb walked down the hall to his own room, and, upon opening the door, found his bed occupied.

“Veth?” He said, surprised.

Veth looked up, her face splitting with relief.

She was up and moving towards him, and Caleb stiffened, but she embraced him, wrapping him into a tight hug.

“Oh, I knew it! I told them it wasn’t you, I knew it wasn’t.” She said, squeezing him.

Caleb brought his arms up, hugging her back, and closing his eyes. He felt profound relief. Veth. How he loved her, she was like a mother and a sister both, and the thought that someone wearing his face had hurt her…

“I would never do it, Veth.” He said, “You know this, ja? You know. I would not, I would never.”

“I know, Caleb.” Veth said, pulling back so that she was holding him with both hands, looking up at him. “I know that you are a good man.”

Caleb felt tears begin to sting his eyes, and he blinked, wiping at his face. “Sorry,” He said, “it’s been a long day.”

“It’s okay, Caleb.” Veth said gently, “It’s okay. You can cry.”

Caleb let out a sob, pulling out of Veth’s grip to wrap his arms around his midsection. “I do not know what is happening to me,” He gasped out, “I’m scared, Veth, I’m so scared. What if, what if I wake up tomorrow and I am gone again?”

Veth led him over to the bed, sitting him down on it. She sat down on it, leaning her back against the headboard.

“Come here, Caleb.” She said, patting her lap. Caleb laid down, placing his head in her lap. “Everything will be fine,” She said, running her fingers through his hair soothingly. “I will stay with you, and you will wake up tomorrow and be fine.”

“Okay.” Caleb murmured. “Please don’t go.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” Veth said firmly, but no less gently, her fingers never pausing in their movement. “I’m not leaving you.”

Caleb sobbed, and sobbed, until he cried himself to sleep.

Stairs stretched out before him. Caleb looked around, and spotted Essek.

“Essek!” He shouted, racing up the stairs two at a time.

Essek turned and looked at him. “Caleb?” He asked.

“Yes!” Caleb shouted - getting closer and closer.

A hand, a hand on fire, grabbed Essek’s arm from behind, jerking him back.

“Caleb!” Essek shouted.

Caleb stepped on a stair - and it vanished beneath him.

He tumbled down, falling through the staircases and through the air until he swore he would die from sheer acceleration.

“Caleb!” Essek shouted from above him - looking up, Caleb saw himself, burning, skin flaking away and charring black, still holding onto Essek’s arm.

Caleb screamed.

Chapter Text

Caleb jerked upright, clawing at the hands holding onto him.

“Woah! Caleb, stop!” Veth shouted, hands grabbing onto his wrists.

He bucked harder, his body going into flight mode - his hands lit up into flames.

The hands vanished and he scrambled away, tripping off the bed and smacking into the floor. His lit hands struck the wooden floor, smoke beginning to rise up from where his hands lay.

“Oh, shit!” A voice shouted, and hands were grabbing his shoulders, shaking him.

Caleb’s vision focused in on Veth’s worried face.

“Caleb, put out your fire!” Veth shouted.

Caleb blinked, looking down at his hands - which had caught the floor on fire, flames beginning to lick the wooden floor. He felt strangely numb - distant from himself - and he extinguished the flames growing off of his arms with a sort of detached calm.

“Move!” Veth shouted, grabbing the sheets off the bed.

Caleb looked around - the flames were beginning to spread - and he reached out, patting them out with his hands. He felt his skin begin to scorch, and Veth shoved him aside, slapping the blanket over the flames and stepping on it with a foot frantically.

“Fuck, Caleb!” Veth said, once the flames had been extinguished. She grabbed Caleb’s hands, inspecting them - Caleb, looking at them, could see the skin was beginning to blister.

“Oh.” Caleb said, feeling distant from himself.

The door burst open, and Fjord rushed in, sword drawn.

“Veth!” He shouted, sword pointed at Caleb.

“It’s fine,” Veth said quickly, “Everything’s fine.”

Fjord’s sword lowered. “Are you sure?” He asked, “What happened?”

“Bad dream.” Caleb said simply, beginning to feel some of the numbness creep away - and with it, the pain in his hands began to register. “Tried to burn the place down, I guess.” He tried for a joke, but it fell flat to his own ears.

Fjord sheathed his sword. “Alright,” He said. Then, pausing, he asked, “Are you… okay?” He said the words hesitantly.

“I’m fine.” Caleb said, wincing as Veth bent his fingers, testing them. “Thank you.”

“Mhm.” Fjord mumbled, sounding awkward. “I’ll, uh, go back to my own room. Unless you need anything, Veth?”

“I’m alright, thanks.” Veth said back.

Fjord vanished, shutting the door quietly after him.

Veth let out a slow breath. “Caleb,” She murmured, “What were you trying to do?”

Caleb shrugged, then winced. “I was falling.” He said, “The same dream as I had last night, but… Essek was calling out to me.”

“Hm.” Veth murmured. “Well, hopefully Pumat Sol will have answers for us.”

“I hope so.” Caleb muttered, pulling his hands out of Veth’s light grip with a wince.

“Here,” Veth fished around in her satchel, pulling out a healing potion. She tried to hand it to him, but Caleb resisted.

“I don’t deserve it.” Caleb shook his head.

Veth rolled her eyes, uncapping it and shoving it towards Caleb’s face. “Come on, Caleb.” She said, “Don’t be stupid. You need to be able to use your hands.”

Caleb shook his head. His hands - these hands - they had been used to hurt Essek. He did not deserve to use them.

Veth made a noise. “Caleb, you will drink it this instant or I will personally force it down your throat. Understood?”

Caleb frowned. “Veth, I’m fine, really.”

“Like hell you are. Now drink it.” Veth hesitated. “For me, at least?”

“But I hurt you, I hurt Essek,” Caleb argued, “It’ll heal. I have no right to take it from you - what if I go evil again, and hurt you?”

“You won’t.” Veth said - and something in her voice, the confidence in it, the inherent trust in him, simultaneously warmed his heart and made him feel sick to his stomach.

Still, with Veth glaring daggers at him, he accepted the potion.

“I really don’t need it.” He argued once more, but Veth grabbed at a dagger on her waist. “Don’t make me fucking stab you.” She warned.

Caleb, frowning, knocked it back, the skin of his hands beginning to heal almost immediately.

“Thanks, Veth.” He murmured, feeling guilty.

“Of course, Caleb,” She said, sitting down next to him on the floor and nudging him with a shoulder. “You and me, we’re thick as thieves.” She smiled at her own joke.

Caleb smiled back, weakly. “Thank you, Veth. For… everything.”

Veth shrugged, looking pained. “I always knew it wasn’t you. The others… after the Greater Restoration failed, they thought… well, that it was you. But I always knew. Always.” She let out a sigh. “I wish… I wish it didn’t take so long for us to begin to figure this out. But I’m glad you’re back. No matter what happened… I’m just glad you’re back.”

Caleb let out a long breath, leaning his head into Veth’s shoulder. “I hope so,” He murmured, “I hope it’s not too late.”

“We’ll figure it out.” Veth said confidently, “And then we’ll deal with it. We always do.”

Caleb nodded, feeling nauseous once more. “I don’t feel well.”

“Maybe you should eat?” Veth suggested, but Caleb was already shaking his head.

“No, no, I can’t- I can’t.”

Veth frowned further. “Caleb, you need to eat something.”

“I will once I figure out what’s going on.”

“Caleb-”

“It’s none of your business!” Caleb snapped.

Veth flinched.

“Sorry.” Caleb said quickly, drawing back from her, “I’m- I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry.” Veth said, “It’s not- it’s not personal.”

Caleb shook his head. “Maybe… maybe you should go back to your room.”

“Caleb-”

“You should go.” Caleb stood, walking across the room to the window, and looking out of it. “Goodnight, Veth.”

There was a long pause.

“Very well, Caleb.” Veth said finally. There was the sound of footsteps, walking to the door. “If you need me, please knock on my door.”

“I will.” Caleb lied.

The door opened, and then shut.

Caleb turned, and walked back over, picking up the blanket from the floor - taking note of the scorched floorboards.

He knelt, reaching out with a hand, placing it against the scorch marks. It was still slightly warm.

Caleb breathed in. Breathed out. Stood back up, and placed the blanket onto the bed, tucking the corners in. Then, he opened the window.

The cool air washed in, clearing out some of the smoke.

Caleb looked out. From this view, he could see the Pentamarket - the fires out, darkened in the night.

He remained there until daylight.

----
“Alrighty!” Veth said cheerfully, holding two bagels in her hands. “Time to go to Pumat’s!” She tried to hand a bagel to Caleb.

Caleb shook his head, feeling nauseous. “No, thank you.” He said.

Veth frowned, but handed the bagel to Fjord, who accepted it - glancing at Caleb as he did.

“I am ready.” Caleb informed them.

“Alright, let’s go then.” Fjord said, heading down the stairs - Caleb heard a creak, and, glancing back, saw Essek peek out of his door.

Biting back the urge to run to him and beg for forgiveness, Caleb walked behind Fjord, pretending not to notice - Veth beside him.

“So, did Pumat get a chance to investigate that collar?” Caleb asked.

“He said it’d take him a couple days, because of how intricate it was.” Fjord replied easily enough. “But he might have answers for us by now.”

Caleb nodded. He felt sick to his stomach.

They passed through the Pentamarket, stopping outside of the Invulnerable Vagrant. Fjord opened the door, and, within was two Pumat Sol’s, both of whom were busy restocking shelves.

“Oh, hello there.” Pumat Sol said, setting down his pile of potions. “It’s good to see you all again. I expect you’re following up on the conversation we had yesterday?”

“Yes, that’s right.” Fjord said, coming forward to the check-out table, Veth and Caleb following behind. “We were hoping you’d had a chance to analyze that, uh, collar,” His face flushed slightly at the word, seeming uncomfortable, “And take a look at Caleb, like you’d suggested.”

“Oh, that’s right.” Pumat nodded. “Of course. I’ll check in. Hey,” he called to the back, “Have you finished with the collar yet?”

“No, there’s more to decipher.” Pumat’s voice called back.

Pumat faced them. “Sorry, sounds like I’m still working on it. But yeah, we can investigate Caleb a bit no problem.” He considered. “I prepared a few spells for this exact situation. Now, Caleb, I am going to cast Scrying. You just go ahead and let me, alright?”

“Sure.” Caleb nodded.

Pumat Sol muttered a few words.

Caleb felt absolutely nothing.

A few moments passed.

“Is it supposed to be working?” Caleb asked, tilting his head.

Pumat frowned. “Well, I should be observing through you. Are you sure you didn’t resist?”

“No, I’m… I’m fully willing to be observated.” Caleb nodded. “I’m just waiting for it to happen.”

Pumat frowned. “Well, the spell failed. Let me try again - open your mind to me, fully.”

Caleb nodded. He closed his eyes, widening his mind as far as it would allow - practically inviting Pumat Sol in.

Pumat uttered more words.

Nothing happened.

“Well, that is peculiar.” Pumat said, frowning. “It seems that you are not the Caleb that I know.”

“What does that mean?” Veth asked, “This is Caleb, isn’t it?”

Caleb watched Fjord’ hand twitch towards his sword’s hilt once more.

“Well, whoever this is is acting like Caleb for all intents and purposes. But this spell is supposed to work on any willing person I know within the same plane of existence as me.”

Caleb felt a sudden flash of fear. His heart dropping, and stopping somewhere in his stomach, he murmured, “What if… what if I am not the Caleb of this plane?”

“What do you mean?” Veth asked, “You’re Caleb. You have to be.”

Pumat tilted his head, the other Pumat coming over. “It is impossible for you to be Caleb from here and have also had that spell fail to work.”

“Yes, and I am Caleb,” Caleb said quickly, “But what if I am not this Caleb? What if-” His mind was beginning to run into a direction he didn’t particularly like. “What if somehow, your Caleb and I switched?”

“It’s possible.”The other Pumat Sol spoke, tilting his head as well, eyes appraising. “If you were an alternate version of Caleb, then I would not be familiar with you. Explaining why my spell failed.”

“And… and in that case…” Caleb swallowed back bile. “What if… your Caleb is where I’m from?”

Chapter Text

“No.” Veth said immediately. “No, you’re- you’re Caleb. You have to be.”

“Veth-” Fjord began gently, but Veth shook her head.

“You have to be him! You-” Her eyes began to fill with tears. “You’re my Caleb! You are!”

She grabbed him, and for a moment Caleb thought she might stab him, but instead she pulled him into an embrace.

“You’re my Caleb.” She said, “You are. You are.”

Pumat Sol spoke, his voice tinged with a sort of kindness that Caleb doubted was much appreciated. “I am sorry little one, but this is not this universe’s Caleb.”

Veth shook her head again, clinging onto Caleb’s robes. “No, no.” She murmured.

Caleb felt his heart twist. He felt horrible for feeling so relieved - it hadn’t been him after all, who had done these things. But it had still been him.

What’s more… how horrible must it feel, to know that his evil counterpart was their real Caleb?

“I am sorry, Veth.” Caleb said, pulling back from her. “But just because I am not your Caleb doesn’t mean that all is lost. Perhaps… perhaps something has still happened to your Caleb, where he was turned. Because you did say he changed very suddenly, ja? Just because he was not me doesn’t mean that something didn’t still occur.”

“Maybe,” Fjord said, “We’ll figure out what went wrong with our Caleb, and… bring him back. Then you can go back-”

“I don’t want him to go back!” Veth snapped. “This is Caleb.”

“I’m not the same Caleb-”

“I don’t care!” Veth said, hackles raising. “You are good! You are a good man and you are Caleb!”

Caleb rubbed at his face. “The Mighty Nein here… you are not my people. I need to get back to my own- and Essek,” He felt fear coil in his stomach, “If my Mighty Nein, my Essek, are being subjected to yours…” He trailed off, feeling sick with himself.

“Alright,” Fjord said, “We’ll get to work on figuring out how to… switch you back. And the others can keep working on figuring out what changed you- uh, him, originally.”

“That sounds reasonable,” Caleb said, relieved at the progress - though Veth was still staring at him with that desperate look on her face.

“How goes it on the, uh… item we gave you?” Fjord asked Pumat.

“Well, I have most of the spellwork done. The identification spell I use takes a few days to fully decipher who laid the enchantments, since this work is so intricate.” Pumat Sol nodded to the other Pumat Sol, which went through a doorway. “He’s gonna check on the progress.”

“Yep!” Pumat called out, “It’s still working. It’s some interesting spellwork, very highly skilled for sure. But we won’t have answers for you for another couple days yet.”

“Alright.” Fjord said, “Thank you.”

“Of course. There is the small matter of payment-”

Caleb reached for his pouch- and then grimaced. “I gave it all to Caduceus.” He said, “I didn’t- I didn’t want it.”

“It’s fine.” Fjord said, handing over a decent pile of gold. “This is a team effort. We don’t expect you to do this alone.”

Caleb felt slightly better at that.

The three left, traipsing back to The Pillow Trove.

“So…” Fjord broke the silence. “I guess that explains the cat.”

“Ja.” Caleb nodded. “And perhaps the… other things. Mollymauk’s death, Obann, Yasha’s le-” He cut himself off. “Other things.”

“Hm.” Fjord didn’t push the slip-up. “Well, I’m sure… the others will take it fine.”

Caleb glanced at Veth, who was glaring into the middle distance. “Are you sure?” He asked. “I am now an interloper, and your Caleb is still possibly evil.”

“Yeah, but…” Fjord sighed. “I don’t know. When Caduceus’ Greater Restoration failed, we thought… well, we thought maybe you had just turned. You- or our Caleb, he was always… a little closer to the edge than the rest of us.” Fjord glanced at Caleb. “I mean, he did kill his own parents.”

“Because of his memory?” Caleb asked.

“Because they were traitors.” Fjord replied. “That’s what he always said. And I mean, don’t get me wrong, you- he’s always been passionate about his king and country, you know what I mean? But whatever happened in Rexxentrum made him snap. Hard. He came back from wherever he’d gone, took Essek, and… next thing you know we were squaring off against you.”

“Everyone else thought you’d gone evil.” Veth said bitterly. “I knew it wasn’t true. I knew something had happened. And I thought I finally got you back. But no,” She laughed, “You’re some different Caleb.”

“What if, um…” Caleb considered. “What if your Caleb was switched, too?”

Fjord stopped in his tracks, considering. “It is possible.” He said slowly. “Although, well… hm, we were able to use Sending for a while. Would it work on you, if we didn’t actually know you?”

“I don’t know,” Caleb frowned, also stopping. “After all, it is less precise than Scrying.”

Fjord was frowning harder. “We need to have another group meeting. Now that we know you’re from a different… plane or whatever, this changes things.”

“Yes.” Caleb swallowed, hard. “Someone should, uh… someone should tell Essek.”

----
Essek woke to the feeling of hands on his thighs.

“Mm, Caleb?” He mumbled, feeling warm lips press against his hip.

“Hello, schlampe.” Caleb’s voice was thick. Hands slipped up his legs, one continuing up the planes of his abdomen, the other stopping at the junction of his legs.

“Caleb,” Essek moaned.

The hand slipped down, hiking him up on the bed slightly, one knee pushing beneath the back of his thigh. Caleb shifted, both hands migrating to Essek’s hips.

Essek let out a hum of pleasure.

Caleb slapped him across the face.

Essek’s head whipped - the pain registering on a delay, as if it itself had been shocked.

“Caleb?” Essek asked, turning his head back and trying to sit up - one of Caleb’s hands landed on his chest, shoving him down. “Caleb, what are you doing-?”

“Do not speak to me, schlampe,” Caleb growled, and his voice lacked its usual playfulness, “Unless it is to beg for your life.”

Caleb’s free hand was on his hip, and Essek could feel his erection against his thigh-

Essek cast Hold Person.

Caleb froze above him.

Essek scrambled back on the bed, half-slipping off the side in his haste. He got to his feet, and stepped a few paces back from it.

“Caleb,” He said, hating that his voice shook ever so slightly. “I do not know why you are acting this way, but I do not like it one bit. I am going to end the spell, and you are going to explain what you are doing. And then we are going to Caduceus.”

Essek ended the spell.

Caleb turned, climbing off the bed, face set in a distinctly un-Caleb-like scowl. “Where is your fucking collar?” He asked, and began to cast-

Essek cast Magnify Gravity.

Caleb collapsed into the floor, which creaked dangerously.

“What is wrong with you?” Essek snapped, “You are behaving like- like-” He cast Hold Person once more as Caleb tried to stand, though it didn’t seem to work. “You are not acting like yourself.” He said finally.

Caleb’s hands lit on fire.

Essek backed up further. “I do not wish to hurt-”

Fire erupted across the floor, and Essek dodged - feeling his arm begin to scorch from the heat.

Essek looked around - the room was steadily beginning to catch fire - and at Caleb, who was walking through the flames towards him even as his skin began to char.

He winced. “I am sorry, Caleb.” He said, and then cast Gravity Fissure.

Caleb slammed back into the floor, his clothing catching fire.

Essek grabbed him and pulled him out of the flames, turning him onto his back, patting out the fires he could find.

Caleb began to stir, and Essek quickly kicked him in the head.

Caleb went limp, head tilting to the side.

Letting out a long, slow breath, Essek grabbed the body, dragging it further from the fire. “Frumpkin?” He called, “Frumpkin!” Flames began to lick the walls, the wallpaper curling down.

There was a familiar jingle, and Frumpkin padded over to Essek. He poked Caleb’s face with a paw, and then hissed at it, and, before Essek could stop him, bit him on the nose.

“Ah, Frumpkin, do not!” Essek said, scooping up the cat - which dug his claws into Essek’s arm. He dropped him, and he launched himself at Caleb, beginning to scratch further.

“Stop, stop!” Essek said, coughing as the smoke began to thicken in the room, grabbing Frumpkin by the scruff - earning him another bite for his troubles - and then cast Teleportation, one hand holding Frumpkin and the other on Caleb.

There was the familiar sensation of being magically pulled from one place to the next.

Essek landed on his feet, thankfully, but his spell had been a little off. Rather than landing in Caduceus’ home, it appeared he had landed on his dining table.

One of Essek’s feet was firmly planted in a boiling hot pot of tea, and Caleb was sprawled over the edge of the table, half on the floor.

“Essek?” Caduceus asked, standing up.

“Hello.” Essek managed to get out, setting Frumpkin on the table. He coughed, bringing up his burnt arm to cover his mouth - he saw a flash of white bone within the flesh. “Apologies for the interruption, Caduceus-” He coughed again, and could taste the acrid smoke on his tongue. “Caleb is unwell.”

Chapter Text

“So…” Caduceus said, tapping his staff on the ground consideringly, while Essek paced around the still-unconscious form of Caleb. “You’re sure he was having the same dream?”

“Positive.” Essek nodded. “And last night, he had the strangest reaction to me. He swore that, I was not me.”

“Hm.” Caduceus tilted his head. “Perhaps a Greater Restoration is in order.”

“Perhaps.” Essek frowned. “We planned to come to you this morning, to seek aid. I was thinking perhaps a curse, or some sort of other… condition.”

“Do you have something in mind?” Caduceus asked.

Essek hesitated. “Perhaps.” He said, “The way he was acting this morning… it seemed… well, he seemed almost like… a completely different person.”

Caduceus tilted his head. “Like any person in particular?”

Essek swallowed. “He was behaving… like, um, like Bren.”

“Hm,” Caduceus made a displeased noise in his throat. “I see.”

Caduceus stepped forward, and placed the tip of his staff on Caleb’s arm.

“I’m going to cast Greater Restoration, now.” Caduceus warned.

Essek readied Gravity Fissure.

Caduceus released the spell.

Caleb came to life with a start, thrashing in his bonds - snarling and biting at the staff, which Caduceus pulled away quickly.

“Release me!” He snarled, hands lighting up on fire - though the enchanted ropes held. “Essek, I swear, I will make you pay for this!”

Caduceus looked to Essek, but Essek couldn’t tear his gaze from Caleb’s twisted expression.

“I will get out of this, and when I do, I will punish you for this! I will fuck you through the floor-”

Essek released Gravity Fissure.

Caleb’s head slammed into the floor, and he went still.

“Essek?” Caduceus asked, hesitant.

“It’s fine.” Essek said shortly, kneeling down and checking Caleb’s pulse - which was strong, still there. Relief filled his veins. “It’s not him.”

“...Right.” Caduceus said cautiously. “Well, either way… we need to… um, contact the rest of the Mighty Nein.” He hesitated. “Are you… are you sure you’re okay?”

“It’s fine.” Essek repeated, hands trembling as he brushed Caleb’s hair out of his still face, fingers lingering on his cheekbone. “I’m fine.”

----
Caleb paced around in circles at the back of the conference room while Essek fidgeted.

“So…” Essek said slowly, “You’re just… not this Caleb.”

“It explains a lot.” Fjord said.

“It doesn’t explain everything.” Beau said, from where she was perched on a chair, “If you… switched places yesterday, maybe our old Caleb is stuck somewhere else, too. And we’ve got some psycho-Caleb running around our place for two years.”

Essek shook his head. “I don’t know.” He said, “Interdimensional travel is hard enough to do once without a teleportation circle. Let alone a different spell that Caleb just doesn’t know.”

“Not this Caleb.”

There was a pause.

“Maybe we should check my spellbook?” Caleb asked, idea coming to him suddenly, rummaging through his pockets. He pulled out his worn book, and flipped it open. “If this is this Caleb’s spellbook, it should say if he knew any… suspicious spells.”

Essek stepped forward seemingly despite himself, peering over the table to look at the spellbook.

“Huh,” Caleb said, flipping through the pages. “There is no Find Familiar here. I suppose that explains why Frumpkin… hm.” Caleb paused, reading a spell - eyebrows furrowing down. “I do not know this one. Reverse Gravity. Huh.”

“Well don’t cast it!” Beau said quickly, grabbing onto the edge of the table.

“I won’t, I won’t.” Caleb said, waving his hand distractedly, studying the spell. “Have you ever seen this spell used by your Caleb?”

“Not that I know of.” Caduceus said, from where he was sitting beside Fjord. “Essek, do you recall-?”

“No.” Essek said bluntly. “I would remember if he did.”

“Hm.” Caleb hummed, flipping through the book some more. His hand froze on one page, his stomach twisting. “A Modify Memory...” He breathed, feeling sick. “I would not know this. I hate this spell.”

“Caleb, it’s not you-” Jester said, frowning, but Caleb shook his head.

“It is a version of me. That makes it me, or at least a me.” His eyes flitted to Essek, who was looking at him. “What this Caleb has done, has been doing… it is unforgivable, ja?”

Essek’s eyes dropped.

“Oh.” Jester looked to Essek, expression darkening. “Oh. I see.”

Caleb continued flipping through the pages. “Ah, Trap the Soul. From Halas Lutagran?”

“Yes.” Fjord latched onto what seemed like a safer topic. “We encountered him a long while ago. He was uh… trapped in this gem. He wanted us to break him out, but we didn’t do it.”

Caleb nodded slowly. “Right… when was that, exactly?”

Caduceus tapped his staff on the ground, thinking. “Over two years ago. Before you were corrupted.”

“How long before?”

There was a very long pause.

“What, you think you - the other Caleb - was possessed by Lutagran?” Fjord asked.

“It is possible, is it not?”

“We asked him three questions, and then you dropped the stone. We left… and then we kept journeying for a good month when everything was normal.” Beau said slowly, thinking. “Then after a while you went to Rexxentrum, and when you came back… everything was all fucked up.”

“Hm.” Caleb sorted through the spellbook again, thinking. “Where did we leave the stone?”

“Yussa’s pocket dimension. In Nicodranas.” Jester said.

Caleb groaned, burying his face in his hands. “This does not make sense!” He complained, “We are going in circles and there is no answers! If only-” He cut himself off.

“What?”

“If only I had Essek.” Caleb said finally, “My Essek. He is an expert, wildly intelligent, he could give me guidance.”

“Well we’ve got an Essek right here.” Beau pointed out.

Essek tilted his head, and spoke - though his voice seemed shaky. “I may not be as knowledgeable as your… as my counterpart. But I am still Essek Thelyss.”

“You are right,” Caleb said, dipping his head in acknowledgment, “I am sorry, I do not mean to… offend. I just miss… I just miss him.”

Some of the tension in Essek’s shoulders leeched out. “Yes,” he said, “I quite imagine that you do.”

There was a pause.

“Well,” Jester said, “Does the Cobalt Soul have any updates for us?”

“Yes,” Beau said, jumping on the opportunity to break the uncomfortable silence. “They did some digging, and conclusively ruled out any curses that they know of. They even did some research on people who’ve been trying to make their own spells, like Caleb did, and didn’t find anything to suggest that a curse or spell had the power to do this.”

“So that leaves… what?” Fjord asked. “Possession, dimensional… swap?, or what, Caleb’s just evil?”

“Basically.” Beau sat forward, tapping the table. “They also said something about demonic possession, that if our Caleb had been dicking around with higher powers - or lower ones as it were - and were somehow tricked, or made a deal…”

“Hm. So Caleb’s been possessed by a demon.” Yasha raised an eyebrow. “Does anyone know an exorcist?”

There was a beat of silence, and then Essek laughed.

It was nervous, and slightly breathy, but it was a laugh nonetheless.

“I doubt any Caleb, regardless of dimension, would ever worship a god.” Essek said, once his laughter had died down. “Especially not ours.”

“Why not?” Caleb asked, “Why not yours specifically?”

Essek shrugged, some of the mirth vanishing from his expression. “He practically worshipped Ikithon as a god, and look where it got him.”

“Right. About that.” Caleb frowned, closing the spellbook. “You guys said he killed his parents. Just, because they were traitors. Did he ever… did he ever go to an Asylum or anything?”

“No?” Beau said, “Or, not that he ever told us.” She looked to Veth.

“No.” Veth said.

“Then why did he leave Ikithon?” Caleb asked.

“Ah… Caleb caught Ikithon breaking some laws. Doing some…” Veth trailed off, “Distinctly not-good things.”

“Like?”

Veth looked uncomfortable. “Caleb doesn’t like to talk about it, and… I’m sorry, but I want to respect his privacy on this.”

Caleb gestured at himself. “I’m Caleb! A Caleb!”

“I don’t care.” Veth said shortly, “If I thought it was necessary to say it, I would. But I don’t think it is, so I won’t.”

“It could help us!”

“Caleb,” Fjord said, tone warning.

Caleb deflated. “Sorry.” He mumbled - he saw, with great guilt, that Essek had withdrawn slightly from the table, tension around his shoulders. “You are right of course, Veth. I should not push, I apologize.”

“All good.” Veth said, looking uncomfortable.

“Alright, so… Caleb left Ikithon. Then joined you all?”

“Yes. He met me, back when I was Nott. Then we met everybody else at the circus, where that guy died-”

“Mollymauk.” Yasha interrupted, breaking her silence.

“Yeah, Mollymauk.” Veth said. “Then we journeyed together for a long time, met Essek… I dunno, it’s just… what else happened anyways?”

“I got possessed by a sword.” Fjord offered. “But that’s over now.”

“We fought the Laughing Hand,” Caduceus added, “And its cult.”

“But Yasha was never possessed by Obann?” Caleb asked, confused.

“Not that I know of?” Yasha frowned, “The Laughing Hand did have a cult leader, but I don’t think we ever got his name. He died, though, after being transformed into this ugly looking thing with a bunch of eyes.”

“Huh.” Caleb shook his head. “We’ll need to go over all of this in detail.”

“The bigger question I have right now, though,” Fjord said, “Is that, if this old Caleb was also dimension-swapped or possessed or whatever, how’d you end up here?”

Caleb glanced at Essek, who looked away.

“I don’t know.” Caleb said finally.

Chapter Text

Caleb was frowning.

Essek shifted in his chair, feeling uneasy.

“Well, just the fact that I- or whoever - has Modify Memory, is a major safety concern.” Caleb looked to all of them. “You should all cast Greater Restoration on yourselves, especially- especially on Essek.”

“Yes.” Caduceus nodded, standing up. “Essek, do you mind if-?”

Essek held out an arm - it was shaking slightly. “Not at all.” He said, trying to still himself without much success.

Caleb was looking at him.

Essek frowned, thinking - he could not recall what times did not match within his own memory, times where Modify Memory had been used - although, perhaps, that was the point.

Caduceus tapped his staff on his arm, a light emanating from it.

“Come on, Essek,” Caleb said desperately, pulling on his arm. “We need to go, now!”

“What about the others?”

“Forget them.” Caleb stared at him, before surging forward, crashing his lips against his own.

Essek kissed him back, but all too soon Caleb was pulling away.

“Do you trust me?” He breathed, “Please. I am in danger, and I need you.”

Essek frowned.

“Come on, Thelyss.” Caleb snarled, grabbing onto his arm. “We need to go, now!”

“What about the others?”

“Forget them.” Caleb said, “It is only us who matter.”

Essek pulled his arm from his grip. “You are not behaving like yourself, Caleb. You are not behaving like the man I care for.” He said sharply. “Reveal yourself, or I will stop you and call for them.”

Caleb hesitated, and then cast a spell at him.

Essek frowned, glancing at Caleb. “You- Caleb had modified my memory of our leaving the Mighty Nein, to convince me to go with him.” He informed.

“Cast it again.” Caleb said shortly.

Caduceus’ staff lit up once more.

“Caleb, what are you doing?” Essek asked, as Caleb rifled through his spellbook. “If you want my expertise you need only ask.”

“Trust me,” Caleb said absentmindedly, “I know what I am doing. This is necessary, for our protection.”

“I can cast, if there is a concern-” Essek began, but Caleb cut him off with a look of absolute fear.

“Essek, please, I need you to trust me,” He said, and his voice was so full of dread, that it stole Essek’s breath away.

“What is chasing you, Caleb?” He asked.

“I wish I knew.”

Essek stood up, frowning deeper - the true memory beginning to flood his brain.

Caleb rifling through his spellbook.

“Caleb, what are you doing?”

“Trust me, pet,” Caleb said, flipping through the book, and pausing on the later portions.

“What are you looking at?” Essek looked, and caught a glance of Teleport.

Caleb glowered, and raised his hand towards him.

“Caleb stole my Teleport spell.” Essek informed dully, feeling nauseous.

“Again.” Caleb instructed.

“Are you sur-?”

“Again!”

Caduceus’ staff tapped against his arm.

“You are so good for me,” Caleb murmured into Essek’s ear, thrusting in deeper.

Essek cried out, fingers digging into the sheets. “Please, Caleb,” He begged, “Please, stop.”

“I love when you beg,” Caleb grinned against his ear, “You’re so beautiful when you cry.”

Essek blinked. When had he started crying?

Essek jerked, taking a step back from Caduceus, away from the staff.

“You are so good for him,” Caleb murmured, eyes questioning, pausing in his movements. “What does inspire that level of devotion?”

Essek closed his eyes. A hand smacked across his face, grabbing his jaw.

“Tell me!” Caleb snarled, “Tell me why you still love him!”

Essek shook his head. “How could I not?” He asked weakly. “How could… how could I not love Caleb?”

Essek slammed himself back against the wall.

“It’s not him.” Essek breathed out. “It wasn’t Caleb. It was someone else. Someone else was piloting him, like a corpse on strings-”

“Do it again.”

“Caleb-” Caduceus warned, “Too many can be disorienting-”

“Do it!” Caleb screamed, “Do it! Free him, please! Please-” Caleb’s eyes were filling with tears, “Please, please...” His knees seemed to give out, and he crashed to the floor. “Please, Caduceus. Please, don’t stop.”

Essek stepped back forward, holding out his arm. “Go ahead, Caduceus.” Essek said quietly.

“If you’re sure.” Caduceus said, tone somber, and he reached out once more.

Caleb ran his hands through his hair, spreading his legs a little further. “You’re so good to me, schlampe,” He murmured, one hand landing on Essek’s hair, where his head was nestled between his legs.

Essek looked up, and saw Caleb looking down on him fondly, an edge of cruelty in his eyes.

Essek covered his mouth, gagging.

Caleb ran his hands through his hair, tying it back with a glowing strand of copper.

“What’s that?” Essek asked.

“Don’t mind it.” Caleb said, “Your attention should be elsewhere, ja, schlampe?” His hand was on Essek’s head, forcing it down between his legs.

Essek fought back, reaching up - hand grabbing onto the copper thread - it burned his hand, and Caleb’s hand tightened in his hair, before slamming him down into the floor.

“Down, schlampe.” Caleb snarled, “Be a good little whore.”

Essek clamped the hand over his mouth tighter and, grabbing a nearby trash can, vomited into it. “Again,” He said.

“Essek-”

“Again!” He screamed, reaching out and grabbing onto the end of Caduceus’ staff.

Caleb brushed his fingers through his hair, as Essek sobbed.

“Please, it hurts-” He begged, “Let me go. Just let me go.”

“I can’t do that.” Caleb said, voice gentle compared to the pain emanating from his ribs as Caleb slowly pried them open. “You’re just too precious to me.”

Essek’s knees gave out, and he slammed into the wall behind him.

“Please, it hurts,” Essek begged. “Let me go. Just let me go.”

“I can’t do that.” Caleb said, voice gentle as he pried Essek’s ribs open one by one. “You are going to tell me how to release Trent Ikithon’s body, and you will tell me now.”

“I don’t know.” Essek groaned, “I don’t know. Caleb, please-”

Essek vomited again.

“It’s Ikithon.” He groaned, one hand on his mouth. “It’s Ikithon, it’s him, it’s hi-”

His vision went spotted, and his arms gave out. His face hit the floor, and he felt his nose crack from the impact.

“Essek!” Caleb reached out, grabbing him - and Essek tore himself from his grip. He was shaking, disoriented - the memories piling and piling and unable to fit in his mind…

Looking to Caleb, he saw a string of copper in his hair.

He lunged forward, grabbing onto Caleb’s face, tearing the thread from his hair - and taking a chunk of hair along with it.

Caleb flinched, but didn’t resist, instead staring at the copper thread in Essek’s hand as though transfixed. His hand reached up to his hair, touching it as it cascaded around his shoulders.

“I’ve never seen that before,” Caleb said slowly. “Essek, whatever it is, it’s not mine-”

“Essek, calm down,” Beau said, cutting him off, “It’s okay, you’re safe.”

Essek clutched in his hand, pulling away from the group, scrambling back until his back hit the wall.

“Essek-” Jester said gently, stepping forward.

Too close. Too close. They were all too fucking close.

Essek cast Teleport, and vanished - bloodied copper thread still clutched in his hand.

Chapter Text

Essek crouched in front of the still form of Caleb, inspecting him.

“Well it looks like Caleb.” He said. “And Greater Restoration did not fix whatever is wrong.”

“We should wake him up and interrogate him.” Beau said, cracking her knuckles.

“What if Caleb’s still in there though?” Jester asked, “We don’t want to hurt him.”

“He’ll get over it I’m sure.” Beau said, “If he literally tried to murder Essek I feel like he won’t be that upset if we have to get a little rough just to get him back.”

Caduceus tapped his staff on the ground, evidently lost in thought. “I could commune, see if the Wildmother has any guidance.”

“Yes, that would be good.” Fjord nodded, “In the meantime, let’s all avoid beating up Caleb, alright?” He said pointedly at Beau. “Does anyone have any thoughts on what this might be?”

“Well…” Yasha frowned, “What if he’s being possessed? Like I was, with Obann?”

There was a pause.

“It’s possible.” Essek said, “Though… well,” He frowned deeper. “Actually, that does seem likely. The way he spoke… he was behaving much like a different person entirely. He was acting a lot like… well, like how he’d described himself when he was Bren.”

Beau leaned forward. “Why don’t we pay Ikithon a visit?” She asked, “See if maybe he’s done something to him.”

“How would he? He can’t do spells.” Caduceus frowned.

“Just because someone can’t cast spells doesn’t mean they can’t still pay people to do things.”

“Hm.” Fjord shook his head. “I don’t like this. What’s the plan, play charades with him?”

“I’m very good at charades.” Jester said, “Or, we could draw pictures. Either way, we are getting Caleb back.”

Fjord looked to Essek. “What do you think, Essek?” He asked, “You're the one who saw him. Do you think Ikithon might be involved?”

Essek considered. “All we know is that he seemed very confused, was acting and speaking in a way very unlike him…” A thought came to him suddenly, “And he did reference a collar. Perhaps that was what he meant?”

“It’s decided then.” Caduceus said, “We will go to Rexxentrum, and I shall meditate there while you all question Ikithon.” Caduceus’ expression twisted slightly. “I would prefer not to deal with him myself, you understand.”

“Of course,” Beau said quickly, “We wouldn’t ask that of you.”

Caduceus nodded stiffly.

The group all stood - Essek had been healed by Caduceus, thankfully, though he swore he could still smell charred flesh - and gathered together. “I will teleport all of us, but I am unsure if Caleb is a willing member or not. I may need to make a return trip.” He informed.

“Sure.”

There was a jingle, and then Frumpkin, who had been licking his tail on the table, raised his head, and abruptly vanished.

“That was weird, right?” Yasha asked. “Does he normally do that?”

Essek tilted his head, curious. “I don’t believe so, no.”

“Hm.” Fjord made a noncommittal noise in his throat. “Shall we?”

“Let’s shall.” Jester said, grabbing onto Beau and Caduceus’ arms. They all linked up - Yasha heaving Caleb over her shoulder - and then Essek cast Teleport.

There was a sickening sensation, and for a moment Essek felt as though he was being pulled off course - but then they all arrived safely in the middle of the Rexxentrum’s Platinum Veranda.

A few people glanced in their direction, but seemed unbothered by the sight of seven people appearing out of thin air, one of which was unconscious and tied up.

“We should go to the jail.” Yasha said, adjusting her grip on Caleb.

“Are we sure we should bring Caleb?” Beau asked, “In case he, I dunno, goes beserk or something when he sees his own body. Like… inception or something?”

“What’s an inception?”

“I don’t know, it’s a- a thing, dude.” Beau waved her hand, “You know, you see your own doppleganger and the world explodes or something.”

“That makes no sense.”

“Whatever! The point is, maybe we should leave Caleb someplace with Yasha guarding him.”

“Sure.” Yasha said, “Caduceus and I can stay, we’ll grab a bedroom or something.”

“Sounds good.” Fjord nodded, “The rest of us will go to Ikithon.” He hesitated, “Maybe, Essek, you should, ah, sit this one out?”

“Why?”

“Well, you know, Ikithon kinda has… issues with you. Because of the whole… Caleb thing. And the traitor thing.”

Essek bristled at the words, despite the truth in them. “I will go with you to Ikithon.” He said shortly. “If that man had something to do with affecting Caleb in this way… I want to see him at once.”

----
Essek teleported, without knowing where he could go. Where was safe?

Where, if anywhere, was safe?

His feet landed on the floor, and he stumbled ungracefully, catching himself before he fell.

Looking around, he felt fear grip his throat - why, of all the places in the world, had he chosen here?

His and Caleb’s apartment stretched out before him, looking innocently back at him.

Essek looked down, and saw that, in his hand, was a chunk of Caleb’s bloodied hair, and a copper wire.

He felt oddly detached that he had caused Caleb injury. On the one hand, he felt guilt, and fear - but on the other, a strange, sick satisfaction that turned his stomach.

Of course, he was no fool.

That person in the room, though he might be Caleb, was absolutely not the Caleb he knew.

Guilt etched his heart, and he sat down onto the floor, turning the wire over in his hands.

He was not a religious man - had not been, before all of this. But being kept captive for two years with who he had thought was Caleb… things had changed.

Essek knew that the others were still trying to figure out what had happened - if Ikithon, who had been somehow inhabiting Caleb’s body, had switched them.

Only Essek knew the truth.

Every night.

For twenty-nine nights.

He had prayed for divine intervention.

To every single god that would listen.

To ask for Caleb, this cursed, horrible Caleb, to be changed back to who he was.

Essek was no fool.

He had caused this.

And now, somewhere out there, in another world, in another plane, another Essek was encountering his possessed Caleb.

Essek still felt detached. He was sure he should be feeling something, anything, but instead he was just… numb. His body felt separate from himself, as though he was looking down at his own form.

Weak, pathetic, he thought, though without any real venom.

Traitor, his mind whispered, and Essek shut that thought off quickly.

The others did not know. Even Caleb, before the possession and the version that Ikithon piloted, did not know.

Essek let out a slow breath, his fingers turning the wire over in his hands, picking pieces of bloody hair from it.

There were many uses for copper wires in spells. His mind ran through them absently.

Message. Sending. Gentle Repose. Detect Thoughts.

Hm.

He looked at the copper consideringly. If only he had a way of recalling the information, finding what had been cast from the material component.

That, of course, was beyond his capabilities - likely beyond even Pumat Sol’s.

He recoiled the copper, placing it into his pocket dimension automatically - then wincing, expecting retribution for using it.

Before mentally berating himself, for having flinched.

There was no one who could hurt him.

He had made sure of that.

Now, of course, another universe was being dealt the hand he had.

Essek could tell he was beginning to feel something - guilt, beginning to weigh in his bones - but he ignored it, getting to his feet.

He needed to go to Rexxentrum.

He needed to find Ikithon’s body.

Caleb was almost certainly inside.

The other option, of course, filled him with dread - that perhaps Caleb had been there the whole time, locked away.

And that Essek had cast him away from him, damning him to a universe that would kill him for Ikithon’s actions.

Essek hoped that, in whatever universe his Caleb had landed in… that that Essek was smarter than he was.

Braver than he was.

Essek felt tears sting his eyes, and he wiped at his face, irritated.

He did not know why he was crying.

Chapter Text

The moment Essek vanished - clutching the chunk of wire and hair - Caleb reached out again, trying to snag him.

But he vanished too quickly for him to reach.

There was a long moment of silence.

“... What the fuck.” Beau said finally.

Caleb stood up - his heart beginning to hammer in his chest. “This is very bad,” He said, “My Essek is trapped with Ikithon in my form. This is very, very bad.” His hand found his arm, and began to scratch at it. “This is so bad. They don’t know, they don’t know what he is. This is bad, this is bad, this-”

Jester reached out, grabbing his hand and pulling it from his arm.

“Hey, Caleb, it is okay,” She said gently. “Everything will be fine. We will figure out a way to reach them, and then we’ll tell them what’s going on. And then we’ll fix everything and you can go home and we’ll get our Caleb back!”

“Assuming our Caleb is still alive.” Yasha pointed out, “Or even sane.”

Fjord grimaced. “Well, we’ve got more than what we started today with. So that’s good.”

“Good?” Caleb asked shrilly, pulling his hand out of Jester’s grip and beginning to scratch his arm once more. “Essek has vanished!”

“We’ll find him.” Jester said calmly, “I’ll use Sending and see if he’s safe. So long as he is, it’ll be fine.”

“Really?” Caleb asked, irritated. “What, you think he’s not going to run straight to Rexxentrum and start trying to release Ikithon?”

There was a pause.

“I… hadn’t considered that.” Caduceus said. “He’s not stupid, though. He’d wait for us, I’m sure.”

Jester began counting on her fingers. “Hi Essek, you left really quickly and we want to make sure you’re okay! And that you won’t go after Ikithon without us.”

She stood, waiting, and then recited, “He says, ‘I need to be alone. I will not pursue Ikithon without aid. We must find Caleb, and free him. I will return in due time.’”

“Well, where could he have gone?” Fjord asked, “The city’s not that big. Maybe Pumat’s?”

“Our old apartment.” Caleb murmured.

“Uh, Caleb… I don’t mean to be rude, but isn’t that the last place he’d want to be?” Beau asked, “You know, on account of the whole… ‘held prisoner’ thing.”

“Perhaps we should trust Essek to come back when he’s ready.” Yasha suggested.

Caleb shook his head. “He’s afraid, he needs us-”

“You mean he needs you,” Beau corrected, “And no, he doesn’t. You’re the last person he’d want right now. Fucking respect his space.”

“Hey, that’s mean.” Jester said.

“I’m not trying to be mean!” Beau said, “I’m just… I think we should trust Essek, like Yasha said.”

The two of them exchanged a look.

“Well, I agree that we should respect Essek’s wishes at this time.” Caduceus said, “So let’s focus on figuring out how this could’ve happened.”

“Well…” Caleb rifled through the spellbook again. “Your Caleb - or, Ikithon - had Trap the Soul in his book. We should operate under the assumption that your Caleb’s soul is etrapped somewhere.”

“You think he’s alive, then?”

“Yes," Caleb nodded. “Removing or replacing a soul is extremely difficult work, let alone actually destroying or killing one. Without a physical form, it’s essentially immortal.” He waved his hand, “This is not my specialty though, someone like Pumat would be better consult for this.”

“Hm.” Veth frowned. “We could go to Yussa, see if we could speak with Lutagran again. He’s the expert, right?”

“And risk his possessing someone else?” Fjord asked, “It seems really risky.”

“Well, we have to do something,” Veth snapped, “I told you Caleb didn’t kill me, and none of you fucking listened-”

“Okay, hang on.” Beau pointed a finger at Veth. “Why did he target you? He cast Web of Fire but it was solely directed towards you. And you, I mean, you aren’t the heaviest hitter on our team.”

“Beau-” Fjord began, tone reproving.

“No, I just- I mean, if I was going to try to take one of us out first, it wouldn’t be Veth!” Beau said quickly, “Sorry, I- I don’t mean to be rude to you, Veth. What I mean is, why target you specifically? What about you is a threat? Or- not a threat, Veth, you’re- you’re very threatening of course. I just mean, um, the biggest threat. To Caleb-as-Ikithon.”

“Beau is very poorly making a good point,” Caleb said, nails digging into his arm absentmindedly. “Perhaps you saw or heard something, Veth, that led you to suspect something?”

“Not that I remember.”

Caleb’s hand froze.

“That you remember,” He repeated. “Jester, could you cast a Greater Restoration on Veth, please?”

“Sure.” Jester reached out, and touched Veth’s shoulder.

There was a flash of warm light, and then Veth shuddered.

“Oh.”

“Oh?” Caleb asked.

Veth looked up at him, and her eyes looked reddened. “Um, Caleb,” She said, “I- I’m so sorry.”

“What is it?” Caleb asked quickly, “Did you remember?”

“Yes.” Veth let out a slow breath. “Ikithon-as-Caleb wanted to kill me because I- I heard a Sending he was sending to… to wherever the real Caleb is.”

“What was he saying?”

“I- I’d rather not say,” Veth said, looking uncomfortable, “Just that’s why he modified my memory, and tried to kill me.”

“This is important, Veth!” Fjord stepped on the end of her words. “You won’t talk about why Caleb left Ikithon to begin with, you won’t say what the conversation was, it’s- these things are important!”

Veth slammed her hand on the table. “Fuck you!” She snapped. “This is Caleb! Our Caleb! He has a right to his secrets-”

“Not when his life is in danger!”

“Oh, really?” Veth stood up, “What about you, Mr. Choking-on-seawater? Huh?”

“That- that was different, that was my decision. Caleb can’t make a decision right now-”

“Actually, he can.” Beau cut in. “Why don’t we ask this Caleb?”

Everyone turned to look at him.

“Me?”

“Yeah, you’re the closest thing to our Caleb we’ve got, so… if you think Veth should say what she heard, what she knows, then… then its your choice.”

Caleb hesitated. “This Caleb, yours, is so different from me. No Frumpkin, no sanitarium-”

“No what?”

“Not important,” Caleb waved his hand dismissively, “But… this Caleb, he loves Essek, ja?”

“Yes,” Jester said, tone strained, “He does.”

“Then he would do whatever it took to try and get him back.” Caleb said slowly. “Veth, whatever the secrets are… Caleb will forgive you. He has already forgiven you, I promise you.”

Veth’s face was a twist of pain. “Okay.” She said finally. “To get Caleb back. It- just, Caleb…” She stared at the table, not meeting his eyes, “Just… please, don’t look at me.”

“Alright.” Caleb said, turning so that he was looking off to the side.

Veth let out a slow breath.

“Alright. So… Caleb left Ikithon, back… back originally. Because, um…” She cleared her throat. “He was, um, using necromantic spells. More specifically, he was, um, working on completing Lutagran’s work by…” Veth’s voice was getting lower and lower, “He would trap Caleb’s soul, and, um… do things to his body, while Caleb wasn’t there. And… and Caleb didn’t know, because he wasn’t… wasn’t there.”

“What, uh… what kind of things?” Yasha asked uneasily.

Veth muttered something unintelligible. “Anyways,” She said, “Caleb found out, and that’s why he left.”

“So Ikithon was working on trapping souls even back then,” Caduceus said consideringly, “Then it explains why he was able to be so adept at it now. Where did he keep Caleb’s soul when he was, uh…” Caduceus trailed off.

“Caleb didn’t know.” Veth said. “But… he told me about it. And… and he asked me not to tell you all.”

“It’s alright, Veth,” Caleb said gently, “This is helpful for us. What memory was modified, when Caleb was taken over by Ikithon?”

Veth swallowed, hard. “Do I need to say it?” She asked. “The point is that, um, he was saying… basically, that he had control, and he was going to punish Caleb for imprisoning him.”

“Did he use any specific phrases? Anything unusual that stuck out to you, so that could guide us in a given direction?”

Veth shook her head. “He was casting Sending, and he was talking to Caleb, that’s how- that’s how I knew it wasn’t actually Caleb. What he was saying was… was cruel, and horrible, and I don’t want to repeat it.”

“Veth-”

Veth shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m… please don’t ask this from me.”

“Veth, please.” Caleb asked, voice impossibly gentle, “Please, just tell us. We know it’s not you saying it.”

Veth swallowed again. When she spoke, it sounded like she was going to cry. “He said, um, he said… ‘Get a feel of my vengeance, Bren. You should’ve killed me if you weren’t so weak. I’m going to enjoy-” Veth’s voice cracked, “um, enjoy, um,” Her voice was practically a whisper, “Fucking your precious Thelyss’.”

Caleb felt his heart turn to ice, the slow rage beginning to inch through his veins.

“I will murder him.” Caleb said, breaking the silence that stretched out after Veth had spoken. “I will rip his skin from his flesh, I will make him eat his own guts-”

Veth let out a sob.

Caleb felt his rage dissipate into despair, and he went over to crouch down beside her. “No, no, Veth, it is alright. You did so good, thank you for telling us.”

Veth shook her head. “I can’t believe, I can’t- I don’t know why I hadn’t thought… I knew it wasn’t Caleb, I should’ve realized it was Ikithon…”

“None of us realized, Veth.” Caduceus said, “It’s on all of us.”

Fjord spoke, his tone clipped. “Well, our first course of action is to find wherever Ikithon is keeping Caleb’s soul. He said, ‘feel my vengeance’, right? That implies Caleb’s not dead, but just… uh, suffering somewhere?”

“Vengeance for locking him up, I’m guessing?” Yasha frowned. “Maybe he put Caleb’s soul in a gem or something, and tossed it in the ocean.”

“No, no, it’s more than that.” Caleb frowned. “This is Ikithon. He’s nasty, he’s cruel. He’d do something horrible, he’d- he’d…” Caleb’s eyes widened, and he sat down heavily on the floor.

“I think I know where Caleb is.” Caleb said, feeling numb. “He’s in Ikithon’s body.”

Chapter Text

Essek nodded to the guards, sweeping past them - the Mighty Nein on his heels, trying to keep up as he weaved between the hallways, floating above the ground.

“Essek, wait up!” Jester called, hurrying after him, her feet clacking on the floor.

Essek didn’t pause until he reached the door to Ikithon’s cell, and then stopped, hand on the door. He turned, raising an eyebrow at the group.

“What?” He asked.

“We should come up with a plan!” Jester said, “What are we going to do?”

“Simple.” Essek replied, voice cold, “We are going to go in. I am going to find out what Ikithon did to Caleb, and how to undo it. Then we will fix the problem.”

“It’s not that simple,” Beau said, “We could be dealing with anything here.”

“Caleb mentioned a collar. He talked like Bren.” Essek said stiffly, “We don’t need any more information than that.”

That isn’t how it fucking works!” Beau said, crossing her arms. “We need to know- what do we think Ikithon might’ve done? How are we going to play this? We-”

Essek turned away from her, and opened the door.

Ikithon was asleep on the bed.

Essek crossed over to him, reached out, and cast Magnify Gravity.

The bed creaked, and Ikithon’s eyes shot open, hauling himself up. His eyes narrowed, he looked around at them. Then, vision focusing in on Essek, he very pointedly rolled his eyes.

Essek grabbed him by the shirt, and hauled him up.

“What did you do to Caleb?” He asked, without preamble. And immediately cast Detect Thoughts.

Ikithon’s mind entered his at once. Confusion, mostly, and irritation - as well as a vein of curiosity bubbling underneath.

“Tell us what you did to him.” Essek repeated himself, probing deeper into Ikithon’s mind.

Ikithon resisted, his own mind flickering with amusement. Silly little Drow, it murmured at him, You are still not as strong as me.

Essek shook Ikithon again, but Ikithon reached up, batting his grip with his restrained hands. His feet found purchase on the floor, and he stood upright, brushing past Essek and gesturing to the chair in the room sarcastically.

“Why don’t you take a seat, Ikithon?” Beau asked, stepping forward. “We’ve got some questions, and we will be getting answers.”

Ikithon rolled his eyes again, but obligingly sat, straightening out his robe as he did.

He smiled up at Essek, and he felt his blood begin to boil.

Essek moved so that he was at eye-level with Ikithon, glaring into his irritated expression with one of unconcealed rage.

“You did something to Caleb. Tell us.”

Ikithon gestured to the collar.

“Not gonna happen,” Fjord said immediately.

“I brought paints, if you need to talk,” Jester said helpfully, setting a piece of parchment and a couple paints and pens before him.

“Yes. You will write down exactly what you did to Caleb to make him- confused, and you will tell us now.”

Ikithon raised his restrained hands.

“Use your fucking mouth, I don’t care,” Beau began, but Essek was pulling out a dagger and placing it on the seam of Ikithon’s hands.

“Now,” He said coldly, “I can try and cut your hands free. You might lose a few fingers, but I’m willing to accept that. Are you?”

Ikithon glared at him.

“That’s what I thought.” Essek said. “Now, I am going to cast Detect Thoughts, you are going to let me in, and you are going to tell me exactly what you did to him.”

Without waiting for permission - and ignoring Jester tugging at his arm - Essek re-cast Detect Thoughts.

Ikithon’s mind was seething with irritation, but he let him in without issue.

So, Drow, it seems you’re a little upset. Is Bren not doing it for you anymore?

“You will tell me, at this exact moment, what you did to Caleb.” Essek said, “That caused him to wake up this morning, behaving so unlike himself.”

Surprise flitted across Ikithon’s mind, although he seemed to try to clamp down on it quickly, replacing it with a sense of smarminess.

I did a lot of things to Bren, Ikithon sat back in the chair, Would you like an itemized list? There was corrupting his mind, of course. Corrupting his body - much more fun, in my opinion-

Essek’s hand clenched around the dagger’s handle, before lifting it and burrowing it into Ikithon’s thigh.

Ikithon’s mouth opened in a kind of scream, and Essek just raised his eyebrows.

“That’s not what I was asking about. What did you do to him recently that caused him to be this way. Or paid someone, or coerced someone, or threatened, or whatever the fuck it is you did to cause him to change.”

I didn’t do anything to anyone, Ikithon’s mental voice lost none of its sliminess that it had contained in his real one. I’ve been a little bit unable to do anything of value. Contribute to society, if you will.

“You’re lying,” Essek said, twisting the dagger deeper.

Ikithon bucked, and his hands smacked Essek across the face.

Essek pulled out the dagger.

“Tell me what you did.”

I didn’t do anything to Bren, Ikithon’s voice was harshened with pain, He’s not my priority here.

“Essek,” Fjord’s hand caught his wrist as he attempted to bring down the dagger again. “Essek, stop.”

“How about I cut off your feet?” Essek asked, voice dripping with unconcealed hatred, “How about I cripple you that much more, you devious, fucking-”

“Essek!” Jester cut him off, stepping into view behind Ikithon. “I agree that he is not a good person, but you can’t do that, it’s cruel!”

“Yeah, man, there’s a time and a place. Roughing someone up is one thing, causing permanent maimage is not okay-”

“As if you know, as if you care,” Essek snarled at them, “He knows something!”

They don’t know? I think it’s you who doesn’t know, Thelyss. Ikithon tilted his head, expression breaking into a strained grin. Did Bren ever tell you how good of a fuck he was? How well he took-

Essek cut off the spell.

He turned, and paced away from Ikithon, before turning back and slammed his fist on the table, knocking over one of Jester’s paints.

“Hey!” Jester said, grabbing it and straightening it.

“Maybe we should reconvene outside?” Fjord suggested, looking pointedly at Essek, “Get everyone a breather.”

Scowling, Essek stormed outside, the cell door slamming on its hinges.

“Essek, what the fuck was that?” Beau asked the second they were all gathered outside - Jester holding her paints and paper in her hands.

“He knows something.” Essek said, pacing back and forth, hands running through his hair. “I know he does, he has to, if I could just pry into his mind deeper- I can get something from him, I know it. I know it.”

“Okay, okay, look,” Fjord said carefully, “I can tell that we’re all a bit upset. We’re all worried for Caleb, and we thought Ikithon-”

Essek opened his mouth, but Fjord spoke louder.

“We thought Ikithon knew something. I’m not saying he doesn’t know something, he still might, but I think we need to approach this as a team.”

“I’m the one with Detect Thoughts,” Essek said, irritated, “And his mind- it’s disgusting, vile. He’s hurt Caleb so much, it has to be him.”

“Essek…” Jester said gently, “We know how… difficult this is for you. We all want Caleb back. But we have to get him back in a way that wouldn’t make Caleb too upset, okay? We can’t run around torturing people, it’s not what Caleb would have wanted-”

“Would have wanted? You’re talking like he’s gone!” Essek snapped.

“She doesn’t mean it like that, come on, dude,” Beau said, “We’re all trying here, you need to try too.”

Essek breathed in, and breathed out a long, slow breath. “Fine.” He said finally, “We’ll go back in. I will cast Detect Thoughts and interrogate him without resorting to violence. For now.” Essek said begrudgingly.

“Thank you.” Fjord said.

“And yeah, Essek, if it turns out he really is up to no good, we’ll beat him up together.” Beau said, nudging him, “Got that?”

“Yes.” Essek said after a pause. “I just- I really want Caleb back.”

“Yeah.” Beau said, expression sad, “I get that. Yasha-” She cut herself off. “Nevermind.”

“No, what?” Jester asked.

“Just… you know, with her memory, and the possession and shit. It took some time to sort it out. I’m just saying, we’re not gonna give up until we get our Caleb back. Whatever is fucking with him, we’ll figure it out. We always do.”

“Thanks,” Essek said genuinely, “I appreciate it. Really, I- I know I’m being rude. But I do.”

“Eh, you’ve been through a lot, you’re entitled to being rude.” Beau waved her hand dismissively. “Now, come on, let’s get back in there.”

“Right.”

Essek took a steadying breath - reminding himself to calm - and walked back in the room.

Ikithon looked up as they entered, sardonic smile in place. He was still sitting in place, blood saturating one leg.

Jester cast Zone of Truth, but there was no effect.

“I’m going to enter your mind again,” Essek said stiffly, trying to keep a hold of his calm. He cast Detect Thoughts, and entered Ikithon’s mind.

Immediately, a memory smacked into his brain like a brick wall.

Caleb writhing under him, his hands - no, not his hands, they were white, not purple - pinning down his hips as he thrust in-

Essek slammed down his mental barrier, shoving Ikithon’s memory away from him. Ikithon was laughing silently.

Was it as good for you as it was for me?

Essek snarled, hands itching to grab Ikithon and shake him until the truth spilled out, but he refrained.

“This morning, Caleb awoke with a different personality and behaved erratically. He attacked me and other members of our group. You will explain what you did to cause this.”

I didn’t do anything to cause that, Ikithon said, pushing another memory - Caleb on his knees, choking on him - that Essek batted away angrily.

“Stop that.” Essek warned.

Stop what? You understand I’m so bored here, I tend to… relive the good days, in my mind. Ikithon replied, Caleb took me so well. Surely you know that he’s a good fuck, even if he cries too much afterwards.

Essek carefully kept his mental barriers up, so that the memories were not able to enter into his own head, save for the first one - but he could still perceive them butting up against his barriers, could still comprehend their contents.

It made him feel sick to his stomach.

Caleb had told him a little, but had wanted his privacy. Essek hated that he was now, essentially, violating that privacy.

It was for a good reason, he reminded himself. To get him back.

Ikithon had to be who had done this. Otherwise… otherwise this violation of trust was for nothing.

Essek gritted his teeth, practically growling out, “Have you paid someone? What have you done?”

All I have done is in the past. I have not done anything recently to Bren, not since you all defeated me and put me here. Ikithon complained, What I would do to him if I could get out of here, though. That boy always knew how to take a beating. So pliable, his mentation was never strong to begin with. All it ever took was the slightest push-

“So you’re saying that Caleb’s mind broke on its own?” Essek asked, frowning.

All I’m saying is that Bren was always weak to mental forces. I might not have been the one to enter his mind, but it would have been very easy for anyone else to. He is so weak, pathetic-

“He is not weak!” Essek snapped, “He is stronger than you ever were.”

Really? Ikithon’s voice dripped with disdain, Last time I checked, it took all of you to defeat one of me.

Essek bristled. “You-”

Detect Thoughts ended.

Essek snarled, and recast it - his magical strength was beginning to wane, having used many spells so far today, and he could sense a headache beginning to form inbetween his temples.

Not overworking yourself, are you? Ikithon asked smarmily, You know, whenever I was stressed, I always found a good fuck would help me relax. Bren not doing it for you? Or do you take it like a bitch instead?

Essek raised his hand, intending to hit Ikithon, but changed his mind at the last second, instead running it through his hair. “You are trying to antagonize me,” He said, “Drive me off the point of questioning. It will not work. You were involved in this. This collar thart you wear, Caleb mentioned something similar to it this morning. Has anyone come by to study it? Asked you questions about it?”

You all are my first visitors since you put me here, Ikithon sat back, And the guards do not understand magic any more than they understand basic arithmetic. A hungry expression crossed his face, This is the first actually interesting conversation I’ve had in years. I would be most eager to help with this Bren situation, in exchange for some privileges.

“We’re not taking the collar off.” Essek said bluntly.

I’m not asking for that, Ikithon said, I am merely suggesting the company of magicians. Those who can communicate with Detect Thoughts so that I may have something to occupy my mind.

“You should’ve thought of that before you sent me those images,” Essek said coldly, “Before you told me those things that you have. You are an egotistical, incompetent, foolish-!”

How uncivilized. Ikithon’s tone didn’t seem irritated, more… amused. I am offering my expertise. I will admit, I am quite the expert when it comes to things of the mind. If you were to bring Bren here, or take me there, surely I would be able to help.

Essek snarled, and ended the spell, turning to the others.

“He’s holding out on me still. Trying to bargain for release or privileges in exchange for helping us fix the problem with Caleb.”

“Hm. So he what, caused the problem so he could solve it?” Beau asked, “How stupid does he think we are?”

Ikithon shrugged sarcastically.

“Asshole.” Beau muttered.

“Well, I can continue speaking with him. Try and seed out more information.”

“Are you sure? He’s sort of… stonewalling. He might not know anything after all.” Fjord pointed out.

“No, no,” Essek said desperately, “He has to know something. He has to.”

Essek turned back to Ikithon, and cast Detect Thoughts - vision spotting slightly as he did.

He would figure this out.

He would get Caleb back.

Chapter Text

Several hours, and every ounce of magical strength Essek had in him - not to mention regular strength, given how revolting it was to speak with Ikithon - Essek was, unfortunately, pretty certain that Ikithon had nothing to do with what had happened. Or, at least, he personally wasn't the one involved. It made no sense, though - Essek knew it was him, and yet it couldn't have been.

He needed to think on this.

The others had all been trying to convince him of Ikithon's uninvolvement for the last two hours and, when he finally gave in, Ikithon seemed almost disappointed.

The fact that Essek had, in effect, been entertaining Caleb’s abuser made him feel wretched - not to mention the massive invasion of privacy Essek had committed by allowing Ikithon to cast these words and memories into his mind.

The group left the cell, and the prison, the guards awkwardly waving them off, and went to Camarouth Cottage, where Caduceus, Yasha, and Caleb had gone.

Well, where Caduceus and Yasha had taken Caleb, more specifically.

When they arrived, they were directed to their room, and everyone piled in.

Caleb was unconscious on the bed, still tied up.

“Oh wow,” Jester said, “He’s still out of it?”

“Well, I had to, uh, knock him out a few times,” Yasha said stiffly, “He kept waking up and going berserk on us, so it was better safe than sorry.”

“Did he say anything?” Essek asked nervously.

Yasha hesitated for a second too long before saying, “No.” Then, she added, “I mean, nothing about what might’ve happened, or any sort of clues. Just a lot of… uh, insults and stuff like that. Threats.”

“Hm.” Fjord frowned, “Any chance he’ll wake up tomorrow and be back to normal?”

“One can hope,” Caduceus said, “Either way, it would be best if you prepared some spells, Jester, in case of danger. I will do the same.”

“Right.” Jester nodded.

“We’ll need to keep watch,” Fjord said, “I can take first. Essek, you should sleep- or, trance, I mean.”

“I’m fine.”

“Dude, you cast like… what, almost 20 spells today? You need to rest.”

“I’m fine.” Essek repeated tiredly.

“Like hell you are,” Beau rolled her eyes, “You’re not even levitating anymore you’re so fucking tired.”

Essek would have bristled, except he had no energy.

“Fine,” He gave in, “I will trance. But if anything seems to have changed, you let me know immediately.”

“Of course,” Fjord nodded.

Essek left, and went to a different room, laying down on the bed and closing his eyes, attempting to trance.

You’d be amazed how he’d beg, Ikithon’s voice rang in his ears, He’d be so desperate to be let go. Of course, once I would modify his memory he’d beg for me to fuck him senseless-

Essek turned over in the bed - it felt too small, without another person beside him.

He was fine.

This was just Ikithon’s way of hurting him, of trying to hurt Caleb.

But this time, Ikithon hadn’t hurt Caleb - Essek had, by invading his privacy like this. By seeing and hearing things that Caleb had not wanted him to know.

Essek turned over again.

He had a feeling it was going to be a long night.

When he tranced, he did not dream, but memories of his mind organized themselves within his mental space.

Essek hated that these new memories, unwanted gifts from Ikithon, began to file themselves away.

But Essek needed his strength if he was to help Caleb.

And so he tranced all the same.

----
When Essek awoke, his first thought was that the bed was cold.

His second thought was of Caleb.

He stood up, and left the room - going into the next, he saw that Fjord had been replaced by Beau, who was sitting, leaned forward, on the chair, staring at Caleb.

“-figure this out,” Beau’s voice was low, “And when we do, we’re gonna beat the shit out of whoever hurt you. I promise. We’ll make it better.”

Essek knocked on the door loudly, then entered - when he did, Beau was sitting upright, and clearing her throat.

“‘Sup?” She asked.

“Finished trancing,” Essek shrugged, “I only need four hours, after all. So I figured I’d stop by and give you a break.”

“Nah, I’m good,” Beau waved her hand dismissively, “So,” She pulled out a second chair for him, “How’re you holding up?”

“I’m alright.” Essek said smoothly, sitting down beside her.

Caleb’s expression in his sleep was a frown.

Essek reached out, brushing some hair from Caleb’s face.

“Seriously, are you okay?”

Essek didn’t trust himself to speak, and instead just shook his head.

“I- I don’t think I am,” He admitted, voice cracking.

“Oh, Essek,” Beau said, bringing up a hand to awkwardly pat on his back, “We’ll figure this shit out, I promise.”

“What if we can’t?” Essek asked, “I was so, so sure it was Ikithon. I could feel it.”

“Well, sometimes… sometimes we get it wrong. And that’s okay.” Beau said, hand patting him still, “I can reach out to the Cobalt Soul, see if… if maybe they’ll know something. And who knows, maybe Ikithon was just a really good liar! We can check out the guard logs or something in the morning, see if he had any guests.”

Essek nodded. “You’re right,” He said, “You- of course you are. I’m just… I don’t want to get emotional over this, but…” He trailed off, biting down on his lip to stop the tears stinging in his eyes.

“I understand,” Beau said quietly, “Sometimes… Yasha told me I could tell you. Sometimes, when she wakes up, she’s confused. Doesn’t remember where she is, who I am, stuff like that. And it is really scary. But she comes out of it. She always does.”

Esek swallowed. “Does it ever… go on for this long?”

“No,” Beau admitted, “But I’m telling you, dude, I get how scary this is. But you gotta trust that Caleb’s either in there somewhere, or out there somewhere. And either way, we’re going to get him back.” Her voice turned firm, ‘There’s no other option.”

Essek nudged her with an elbow. “That was very heartfelt.”

“Shut up,” Beau warned him, ‘If you tell anyone I was nice I’ll kill you and them-”

Essek raised his hands placatingly, small smile crossing his face. “Don’t worry, Beau, your secret feelings are safe with me.”

Beau smiled back, and Essek felt a sudden twinge - despite the weight of the situation, for just this one moment, he was happy.

Essek swallowed again, smile vanishing. “Well,” He said, “Perhaps we can brainstorm while Caleb sleeps? Come up with a gameplan.”

“Sounds good.” Beau said, returning to business without complaint. “So,” She pulled out a piece of parchment, and began to make a list. “What’re our options?”

----
Essek went down the steps, intent on ordering breakfast for the group before the day began. The sooner they all ate, the sooner they could get on figuring out what was going on with Caleb.

The innkeep cheerfully placed the order for the meals, and Essek turned to go back up the stairs - and promptly ran into Caduceus, who was walking down them.

“Oh, good morning,” Caduceus said, “What causes you to be up so early?”

“Ordering breakfast for us.”

“Ah, that saves me a trip,” Caduceus said, turning back around. Essek walked beside him as they went up the stairs.

“So, I neglected to ask,” Essek said, “But how did your commune with the Wildmother go?”

Caduceus frowned, “Not too well. It’s difficult to speak with her here, in the city like this. I might take a trip out to the woodlands near here, see if there is more guidance she can offer.”

“I could Teleport you somewhere,” Essek offered. “Would that help?”

“That would be lovely, thank you,” Caduceus nodded. “I was planning on suggesting we split up today. I could go to the woods, while the rest of you perhaps went and searched for clues elsewhere?”

“Beau and I were discussing visiting the Cobalt Soul,” Essek informed, “And then perhaps Jester can place Caleb into a Zone of Truth.”

“Seems like a good plan,” Caduceus nodded.

“What about Yasha. Does she have any ideas?”

“Mm, she hasn’t said much,” Caduceus admitted, “But she strongly believes it is a possession of some kind. She suggested hiring a priest to do some sort of exorcism ritual.”

“Hm.” They reached the top of the stairs, and went into Caleb’s bedroom - Yasha had taken over for Beau, and she was sitting there, looking lost in thought.

“Yasha,” Essek greeted, “Caduceus said you were thinking of hiring a priest?”

“Hm?” Yasha startled, “Oh, yes. It might be helpful. At the very least, it might give us some insight as to what’s going on, even if it isn’t a possession. But I think it is.” She frowned, “I mean, you said he was acting like Bren, right? But when he was interacting with me, I got the impression it wasn’t any Caleb at all.”

Caduceus nodded, “Yes, it was even… the way he was talking, it sounded much too…” He hesitated, “I don’t want to be rude, but too… wordy? He still had his accent and everything, I mean, but it was more… bigger vocabulary.”

“More bigger?” Yasha raised an eyebrow.

“You know what I mean,” Caduceus said, unbothered, “It’s… it seems like it’s an entirely different person, rather than a Modify Memory or something.”

“Well, besides, Greater Restoration didn’t work on him, so either it’s a lot of Modify Memories stacked up, or… well, something else is going on.”

“Yes. It might serve us to come up with a list of what Greater Restoration doesn’t fix, and work backwards from there.” Caduceus suggested.

Essek hadn’t considered that. “That is a very good idea, Caduceus,” He said, “We can ask the Cobalt Soul. Surely they’d have a list of some kind.”

“Sounds good.”

There was a knock on the door, and a woman called out, “Your meals, sirs.”

Essek went to open the door, then remembered Caleb was trussed up on the bed, and called out, “Uh, just leave it out there, please.”

“Alrighty then.” There was a clinking, and then the sound of footsteps walking to the next room.

“Let’s all convene to eat and come up with a game plan,” Caduceus suggested, “Besides, we need to feed Caleb, and that might be a multi-person task.”

“Mm.” Essek also hadn’t considered that. “You’re right.”

Yasha stood, “I’ll go collect everyone. You two keep an eye on him.”

She left the room, and soon the rest of the Mighty Nein were scrunched into Caleb’s room once more, eating practically elbow-to-elbow.

“Alright,” Fjord said, “Beau will go to the Cobalt Soul. Essek will take Caduceus to the wilds for a commune with the Wildmother. Veth and I will go back to the prison, check out the logbook and do some investigating to follow up on Ikithon. Yasha and Jester will keep a watch on Caleb here. Does that work for everyone?”

“How come I have to be on my own?” Beau asked jokingly.

“Well, because none of us like books except for Caleb,” Jester pointed out, “So no one else would want to go to the Cobalt Soul with you.”

There was an uncomfortable silence as the weight of it - and of Caleb, still motionless on the bed - seemed to sink into the room. They were down a person.

“I like books,” Essek said, breaking the silence.

“Yeah, but you need to transport Caduceus,” Fjord said.

“Yes, I’d rather not get stranded in the middle of nowhere,” Caduceus said politely.

“Fine, fine, I’ll fly solo this time,” Beau said, “But if I get attacked by some rogue books, you’re all going to hear about it, believe me.”

Jester laughed, and the tension was broken, all of them returning to eating.

Caleb’s plate sat on the desk, still warm, and, when they all finished eating, they stood around, uncomfortable.

“So… what should we do? Feed him?” Yasha asked. “I can shove food down his throat, but I don’t want him choking.”

“Maybe we should wake him up?” Veth suggested, “See if there’s been a change?”

“That seems like a good idea.”

Veth shook Caleb, who blinked, blearily opening his eyes. A few strands of hair fell before his face, and he looked at all of them, eyes landing on Essek. He half-smiled, and, for a second, Essek’s heart filled with hope.

Then Caleb’s smile turned enraged.

Chapter Text

“What the fuck do you all think you’re doing?” He snarled, “How long have you been plotting against me, schlampe?” His hands lit up into flames, and the bedsheets began to scorch.

“Hey! Stop that!” Jester said harshly, “We’re trying to feed you! So be nice and eat food or we’ll knock you out again.”

“Be nice? Be nice?” Caleb snarled, “Why would I be nice to a bunch of disgusting, weak insects of beings! I am more powerful than all of you, I am-”

“Oh my gods, shut up” Beau groaned, “Eat some fucking food already.”

Caleb sat up, arms bound in front of him. “Fine.” He said, eyes locking onto Essek. “Pet, come here.”

Essek froze. “Uh, no?” He said, feigning confusion.

Caleb’s expression darkened even further. “I will get out of this, schlampe, and when I do, I will make you regret this. Deeply.”

Essek bit back his words, his hurt - what if Caleb was still in there somewhere? - and instead just said, “Eat some food, Caleb.”

Caleb rolled his eyes, but obligingly picked up his fork between his hands.

“You know,” He said casually, as he took a bite of the eggs, “I remember the first time I fucked you.”

Essek’s face went bright purple.

“Um!” Jester said loudly, standing up, “Caleb, we don’t talk that way at the table!”

“Oh, we don’t?” Caleb grinned, “How about the time I killed Veth, hm? You screamed so much, Jester, you could barely stand.”

Veth jerked her head up, looking confused. “You never killed me?” She asked.

Caleb continued, unperturbed, “Oh, Jester, the look on your face when I cast Counterspell was priceless. I thought you were going to try and kill me - not that you’d have the guts too, of course-”

“Caleb, shut up.” Fjord snapped, a rare edge of irritation entering his tone.

“No,” Caleb replied simply, “Not when there’s so much fun to be had. Oh, Essek, how are your ribs doing?”

“... Fine?” Essek asked. “Why, did you do something to them?”

Confusion flitted across Caleb’s face. “Are you pretending nothing happened? Afraid of losing face in front of your precious friends?”

“No, I have… literally no idea what you’re talking about?” Essek said, frowning more heavily. “Caleb, you do know you’re talking to me, right? Essek?”

“Yes, I know that. My eyes work, you know.” Caleb snapped, looking confused and more than a little irritated. “Is this some sort of ploy? Pretending not to remember anything? Because it won’t save you, sch-”

“Stop calling me that!” Essek interrupted, “My name is Essek Thelyss, and you will call me by it.”

“Why should I? Schlampe is what you are. A whore.”

Essek’s face flushed darker.

“Go ahead, tell them how well you take it. Even if you cry too much afterwards-”

Caleb took me so well. Surely you know that he’s a good fuck, even if he cries too much afterwards.

Essek stood up.

Jester grabbed him as if to hold him back. “He’s not worth it, Essek,” She said.

“It’s not that,” Essek said, frowning. “Ikithon?” He asked, “Ikithon, is that you?”

Complete and utter surprise crossed Caleb’s face - he masked it quickly, but not quickly enough.

Essek let out a shaky breath, rage filling his veins.

“That’s not Caleb,” He said determinedly, “That’s Ikithon.”

There was a pause, and then Caleb laughed.

“Oh, clever little pet, aren’t you?” Caleb- no, Ikithon said, lounging back. “I’m surprised it only took you two years to piece that one out.”

“Two… two years?” Essek asked, horror beginning to fill his veins.

“Yep. Since the day I kidnapped you in Rexxentrum.”

Fjord looked to Essek, “Uh, what’s he talking about? What’re you talking about? We just went to Ikithon yesterday-”

Essek began to pace. “Something must have happened. Somehow, Ikithon split his mind into two people, and is operating both. This suggests that Caleb’s mind is either locked inside of himself,” Essek gestured to Caleb in front of them, “Or his mind has been placed elsewhere, such as was the case with Lutagran.”

“Hm,” Caduceus tilted his head. “This is very, very strange. I’ve never heard of a mind splitting before-”

“It must be, because the man I spoke with in the cell was absolutely Ikithon,” Essek said - not missing the confused look that crossed Caleb’s face. “Somehow, Ikithon is in both places at once.”

“That seems impossible.” Fjord said, frowning.

“Improbable, not impossible,” Beau corrected. “There must be a way to fix this somehow. If it was done, it should be able to be un-done, right?”

“You’d think that, wouldn’t you?” Caleb asked, grinning wider. “Oh, you’re all so simple-minded, it’s adorable.”

“Shut up.”

Caleb laughed - it was cold, and unlike himself. “Oh, no matter what you do, you’ll never get Bren back. How could you? I’ve piloted his body for this long, it’ll never be truly his again.”

“You’re lying,” Essek said, voice shaking, “You’ve only been in there for a day. Not two years. I would’ve- I would’ve seen it.”

Caleb laughed harder. “Spoken like someone in denial. Accept it, you’ve been getting raped by your lover’s ene-”

The butt of Yasha’s ax landed squarely on the top of Caleb’s head.

He collapsed face-first into his plate.

There was a long, long silence.

“Well,” Beau said finally, “Guess we know it’s Ikithon now. That’ll save us some time. On the whole… figuring this out. Thing.” Another pause. “That we have to do. Today.”

Another pause.

“Can someone else talk now, I feel awkward.” Beau said finally.

Caduceus cleared his throat. “Right,” He said, “I’d still like to consult the Wildmother. And I believe an exorcist priest might still have some insight we can refer to. I say we keep our plans the same as before, except now we focus on fixing the problem, rather than figuring out what the problem is. Does that work for everyone?”

Everyone mumbled assents, save for Veth, who was still staring at Caleb, confusion on her face.

“He never killed me,” Veth muttered, “I don’t understand.”

“Yes, a lot of what he said didn’t make sense.” Fjord nodded, “I don’t recall him using Counterspell after one of us went down, either.”

“He’s like in a totally different world,” Yasha shrugged. “But if he’s been Caleb for two years…”

Essek felt eyes on him.

“That’s not correct.” He said firmly, “He changed yesterday morning. That I know.”

“Essek-”

“I know it!” Essek shouted, “I’m not a fool! I know Caleb, I know him well!”

“Didn’t you two only get together a couple years ago, though?” Jester asked quietly, “What if… what if that was when Ikithon took over?”

“No,” Essek said, shaking his head, “He’s lying to get under our skin. That is all.”

“If you’re sure.” Jester said dobutfully, but Beau was cutting in.

“No, I think Essek’s right. I mean, we all know Caleb, and his change yesterday was… really significant. I think that whatever is going on is definitely a recent development, not some long secret plan.”

“Besides, did you see how confused he looked when we were talking?” Yasha pointed out, “It seemed like he didn’t know what was going on any more than we did.”

"Perhaps he's from a different plane," Essek suggested, "Or splitting his mind deluded him somehow."

“Hm.” Fjord considered, “This gives us a lot to think about. I’d say for now we stick to the current plan. Yasha, Jester, if and when Cale- Ikithon wakes up, try and get more information on his experiences out of him. If we can figure out where this disconnect is, we might be able to find out what happened and reverse it. Or, if he is from a different plane, we find out what the fuck is going on over there.”

“Right.” Yasha nodded, as did Jester.

“Alright, let’s split up.”

They all headed outside, save for Jester and Yasha, who were breaking out a game of cards.

“Yasha, Jester,” Essek said, once the rest had traipsed out, “Try to get information from him. I don’t care what he says about me, but just… just get information. We need to fix this.”

“Of course,” Yasha nodded, “We’ll figure it out.”
“We’ll get this sorted out, don’t worry!” Jester said simultaneously.

Essek nodded, and then followed the rest outside - everyone had split off, save Caduceus, who was waiting by the entrance.

“Ready?” He asked.

“Yes,” Essek said, taking hold of Caduceus and casting Teleport.

They appeared in the middle of the woods, and Caduceus nodded approvingly at the moss and toadstools that were growing around them.

“This will do perfectly,” He said. “If you wouldn’t mind giving me some space?”

“Oh, yes.” Essek said, walking a few paces away and sitting down.

Caduceus sat on the mossy bed, crossing his legs, eyes closing. A faint aura of green seemed to emanate from him, dim at first, but brighter and brighter with each moment. The moss and grass around him seemed to brighten, become more lush.

Essek watched him silently - he was a wizard, with no ties to a god - but it was still a thing of beauty to see this magic at work.

They sat there for quite some time, before Caduceus slowly opened his eyes - green light emanating from within them.

“The Wildmother has given guidance,” Caduceus said, voice even. “She notes that although Caleb is present here, his energy is not in alignment with the rest of this plane. She did not share about his mental state, but she did inform me that the Caleb in the Camarouth Cottage is, in fact, not the same Caleb as the one of this plane.”

"So it is an alternate plane's Ikithon and Caleb," Essek said, frowning. "This raises a host of questions. For one thing, what happened to their Caleb? Second, why is Ikithon in Caleb's body here? And, third, where is my Caleb?"

Chapter Text

Caleb paced in circles nervously, scratching at his arms. “How much longer do you think it will be?” He asked, “I know he said he wouldn’t go to the jail alone, but… I’m getting nervous.”

“Yeah,” Beau said, “I’m starting to get a little concerned myself. But we need to trust him.”

“Ja,” Caleb let out a slow breath, trying to center himself. “We must.”

Every member of the Nein seemed anxious - now that they had their suspicions where their Caleb was, is was difficult to stay put and wait.

But they needed Essek, for this.

After a few more minutes, there was a knock on the door, and Essek entered - looking haggard.

“I am prepared to go to the jail,” He said.

“Alright, let’s not waste time,” Fjord said quickly, cutting off the clear question Jester was going to ask. “Can you cast Teleport?”

Essek hesitated, eyes flitting to Caleb.

“Do you want me to cast it instead?” He offered.

Essek shook his head, “No, I’ve got it.” He said, before turning away and gesturing for the group to come close to him.

Caleb awkwardly placed his hand on Essek’s shoulder, feeling Essek tense beneath him, as the rest of the Nein huddled together, hands on Essek’s arms.

“Let’s go team,” Veth said, “And get our Caleb back.”

There was a sensation of the world being pulled out from underneath them, and then- Caleb felt a strange yank, his hand nearly slipping from Essek’s shoulder.

They landed unceremoniously, in a tangle of limbs. Caleb fell onto Essek, who fell backwards and hit the ground. Caduceus was getting to his feet, confusion splashed across his face.

“That doesn’t usually happen,” He said, as the others all got up.

Caleb scrambled off of Essek, face crimson, and held out a hand to help him up.

Essek hesitated, then accepted it.

Caleb cleared his throat. “So, did we land on target?” He turned, and saw the Rexxentrum prison in front of him. “Ah, I suppose we did.”

They went inside - the guards giving them a curious look but letting them pass all the same.

They went down to where Ikithon’s cell was, and then Essek hesitated, one hand on the door.

“What if it isn’t him?” He asked.

“If it’s not… we’ll figure it out,” Jester said, nudging him. “But we need to find out, one way or the other.”

Essek nodded, and opened the door.

Ikithon looked up from where he was sitting on the floor, his eyes widening with surprise. His mouth opened, though no words came out, lips forming Essek. Then, he saw Caleb, and his expression turned into one of absolute horror.

Then, before any of them could react, Ikithon launched hismelf at Caleb.

Caleb was slammed back into the wall, Ikithon’s hands - they weren’t glued together - reached out and slammed onto his throat.

“Woah, stop!” Fjord said, grabbing Ikithon and hauling him off of Caleb.

Ikithon snarled soundlessly, scratching and clawing, mouthing words that couldn’t be heard.

But the look in his eyes - sheer desperation - was painful, and Caleb stepped back, rubbing at his throat, coughing slightly. Memories were beginning to crepe up in his brain, of Ikithon’s hands on him, and he shoved them away harshly.

“Are you alright, Caleb?” Essek asked.

Caleb nodded unsteadily. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Ikithon went limp in Fjord’s arms, staring at Essek with a look that was completely haunted - so unlike the bolstering, arrogant Ikithon that Caleb had known and feared.

“You’re not Ikithon,” Yasha said bluntly, “You’re Caleb.” She pointed with her thumb at Caleb. “This is also Caleb, not Ikithon.”

Ikithon tilted his head, looking confused - mouth forming more words.

“Hang on,” Veth said, stepping forward. “Let’s just get that off, okay?”

Caleb-as-Ikithon nodded, and Veth pulled out some tools.

There was the sound of footsteps, and a guard stuck his head in.

Veth’s hands quickly covered the tools.

“You all good in here?”

“Yes!” Fjord said loudly.

The guard’s eyebrows furrowed, and Jester stepped forward with a grin. “Oh, Mr. Guard, I was wondering if you could show me the logbook? I want to see if he’s had any visitors!”

“Oh, he’s had a few,” The guard nodded, “Come on, I’ll show you.”

Jester gave them a thumbs up and left.

Once the guard and Jester were a safe distance away, Veth went back to lockpicking. After a few tense minutes, there was a rewarding click, and the collar opened.

“Essek,” Ikithon said immediately, his voice lacking its usual slippery quality. It sounded desperate, “Essek, I’m Caleb, I swear-”

“I know,” Essek said, stepping forward and placing his hand onto Ikithon’s. “I know.”

They stared at each other for a tense few moments, before Essek pulled his hand back, stepping away.

Ikithon’s eyes flitted to Caleb. “So, you’re… also a Caleb?”

“Yes.” Caleb said hurriedly, coughing as his throat spasmed, “I, ah, I’m from a different plane. Somehow your body with Ikithon inside got switched with me.”

“So my body is being controlled by Ikithon in another plane?” Ikithon asked, “Where there is presumably another Ikithon.”

“Yes.”

Ikithon cursed in Zemnian - which sounded oddly accented with Ikithon’s mouth and tongue - rubbing at his neck absentmindedly. Caleb could see deep scratch marks on both of his forearms.

“We’ll find a way to get you out of here,” Beau said, “Maybe we can pretend we need Ikithon for something, get you someplace out of here.”

“But wouldn’t we want Ikithon’s body to be somewhere controlled when we switch them back?” Fjord suggested.

“We don’t know how to do that yet,” Beau pointed out, “And besides, I don’t want to keep our Caleb in a cell any longer than we have to.”

“Yeah, I’d- that would be nice,” Ikithon said, “I have been here for a while, yeah? How long has it been?”

“Two years.”

Ikithon’s face went pale. “Two… two years?”

Essek nodded silently.

Ikithon’s eyes began to fill with tears. “Don’t tell me I hurt anyone, please. Please don’t tell me I did.”

“You didn’t hurt anyone,” Veth said, “Only Ikithon using your body did.”

Ikithon shook his head, wiping at his face. “Ah, this is- this- fuck. Essek, please, please tell me he did not hurt you.”

Essek hesitated.

Ikithon’s face broke, and he let out a sob, burying his face into his hands.

Essek brought out one hand, and patted him on the back. “It’s okay, Caleb,” He said, “We’re going to fix this.”

He didn’t sound convincing, even to Caleb’s own ears, and Caleb was just opening his mouth to say something when he received a Sending - in a very familiar voice.

----
“I’m going to try Sending.” Essek informed Caduceus.

“Would that work?” Caduceus asked, leaning on his staff and subconsciously smoothing his hand over a piece of tree.

“It might. Because even if the body is different, it’d still be Caleb, wouldn’t it?” Essek asked, more to himself than to Caduceus.

Essek closed his eyes, and cast Sending. “Caleb, you’ve been switched with Ikithon in a different plane. Are you safe, can you access a Gate or Plane Shift?” A hesitation. “Please come back.”

There was the familiar expelling of arcane energy… and then silence.

Essek waited for a few minutes, then let out a sigh. “Perhaps he can’t speak,” He suggested, trying to reassure himself, “Or the spell could have failed.”

“Yeah, maybe we try again in a little while,” Caduceus offered.

Essek nodded, and then held out an arm. “Would you like to Teleport back to the others?”

“Yes, thank you.” Caduceus said, taking his arm in his own.

Essek cast Teleport, and they reappeared inside Caramouth Cottage.

A barmaid startled, and dropped a dish, shattering it onto the floor.

“Oh, apologies,” Essek said hurriedly, fishing out a gold coin, “I meant to appear outside.”

She accepted the coin and grabbed a broom, as the two of them headed upstairs.

“Hopefully the others have had some success too.” Caduceus said, but, when they opened the door to the main bedroom, they found that no one else was back yet.

“I’ll cast Sending again,” Essek muttered, “Try and let them know what’s happened.”

He cast to each of the groups - Veth and Beau - the same message. “Caleb switched dimensions with an Ikithon-possessed Caleb. We need to find a Gate or a Plane Shift as soon as possible.”

Beau replied, “Alright, I’ll start bothering everybody for the spells. Don’t worry, we’ll find Caleb and then kick someone’s ass for this.”

Veth replied, “Alright, we checked the logbook and there’s no visitors, spoke to the head guard too. No dice here. Glad we could figure it out.”

Yasha and Jester were still playing cards on the floor, and Caleb was either asleep or unconscious on the bed.

Essek hoped they weren’t causing permanent brain damage from how often they were knocking him out.

“So,” Yasha said, losing another hand, and setting her cards down, “It sounds like you guys figured it out?”

“Yes. Essentially, our Caleb was switched with this Caleb, and this one had been possessed by Ikithon. Based on what this Caleb was saying, probably two years.”

Yasha let out a low whistle. “Well, that’s not good.”

“Yes.” Essek muttered, running his hands through his hair, “It is distinctly bad. I tried to cast SendingSending again?”

Essek nodded, and closed his eyes. “Caleb, you’ve been switched with Ikithon in a different plane. Are you safe, can you access a Gate or Plane Shift?” A hesitation. “Please come back.”

There was silence, silence, silence… and then a voice.

“Essek? Essek! It is me- you are right, I am here with a different Mighty Nein! I will find my way back I promise, I-” The spell ended.

Almost immediately, Essek received a Sending.

“I love you,” Caleb’s voice was raw in his mind, “Their Caleb is trapped in Ikithon’s body here! You need to get the other Caleb here so we can fix it.”

Essek quickly replied - ignoring Caduceus, Yasha, and Jester all standing up and staring at him, excitement across their faces.

“Yes, we will find a Gate spell and transfer everyone over to you. Stay put. Where are you? We’re coming. I’m coming.”

Another message came the second it ended, “In Zadash, at Pillow Trove. If you can transport everyone, we can meet you wherever you land. ” A pause, “Yes, you can meet your doppleganger, Jester-”

Essek replied, “We will find someone as soon as possible. Please stay safe.” Ears burning, he added, “I love you, I’m… glad you’re alright.”

There was silence, and no reply.

Essek swallowed - it was just spell limitations, that was all - and then turned to Yasha, Jester, Caduceus, and the unconscious Ikithon-Caleb.

“Alright, it looks like we have all the pieces.” Essek informed, “All we need to do now is find, and pay, someone who knows the spell.”

Yasha spoke up, “Have you tried a cleric or a high priest? Bet they’d know it.”

Essek could’ve smacked himself. “You’re right!” He said, turning on his heel, “Come on, let’s go.”

“Me?” Yasha asked.

“Well, yes, you know the religious arcana and Caduceus isn’t really a Church kind of guy.”

“That’s true.” Caduceus offered helpfully.

“Alright, you guys watch Caleb,” Yasha said, before grabbing her axe and heading out after Essek.

A quick word with the barmaid told them the closest Church was one to Eldath off to the side of the Shimmer Ward. So, they took off - Essek floating beside Yasha as they went.

“This is good,” Yasha said, “I might not know what’s happening exactly, but if it makes sense to you then I feel confident.”

“Yes,” Essek nodded, “I don’t know the why, but I assume Ikithon is behind it.”

“Yeah, but he seemed really confused, right? So it couldn’t have been him who made the switch of the Calebs happen.”

“Yeah,” Essek frowned as they walked past a pastry stand, and made their way into the Eldath chapel. “So, Ikithon intentionally switched himself with their Caleb. Then, he somehow accidentally got switched with our Caleb two years later.”

“Huh.” Yasha frowned, “Maybe their Caleb somehow did something, trying to fix it?”

“Maybe. Not sure what he could do, if he was in Ikithon’s body…”

He trailed off as a priest walked up to them.

“Hello,” The dwarf said, smiling at them. “How can I help you?”

“Ah, do you know anyone with a Gate spell? Or a Plane Shift?”

“Why I certainly do! I myself know the Gate Spell.”

“Great! Can you cast it for us and some friends? We’re on a mission.”

“Well,” The dwarf shrugged, “All of our spells are available to be cast for a fee. Something that powerful, though, might be a little outside the price range…”

“Name it.”

“Well, close to 2000 gold,” The dwarf said apologetically.

“Done.”

“Uh, Essek-”

“I said, done.” He repeated, reaching into his pocket dimension and pulling out a handful of platinum. He counted out 1000gp. “The other half when you cast it,” He said. “Can you do it in three hours?”

“Certainly.”

“Can you do it at the Caramouth Cottage?”

“Yes, let me just… put this away.” The dwarf walked off with the platinum, and then returned. “Let us be off, then.”

Essek nodded, and turned to Yasha. “Let’s gather the others. It’s time to make our move.”

Chapter Text

“Alright,” Fjord said. “Ready?”

“Yes.” Essek said, “I can only transport eight people at a time, and Ik- Caleb, makes eight. So we need to move fast.”

“Understood,” Caleb said, voice hoarse.

“Sorry,” Ikithon said. The word sounded genuine, but coming from Ikithon’s mouth it was laughable.

Caleb stopped himself from saying something grating - it wasn’t really Ikithon, he reminded himself harshly. It was a version of himself.

He smiled awkwardly at Ikithon, and reached out, grabbing his hand and placing his other on Essek’s shoulder, trying not to be ill.

Ikithon smiled back just as awkwardly, and Caleb tried not to gag.

The others all grabbed hold of Essek, and Essek cast Sending, saying, “Jester, come back here quickly. I am going to Teleport us and Ikithon-Caleb out of here.”

“Should we try negotiating him out or something?” Fjord suggested.

“It’s a little late for that, I think,” Caduceus said neutrally, placing his hand on Essek’s arm.

Jester came bounding around the corner, and slapped her hand into Essek’s - there was a familiar jolt, and then once again that unfamiliar ripping sensation.

Caleb’s hands tore free, and Ikithon grabbed hold of the front of his coat, holding him in place, hand on Caleb’s throat.

Hands on skin-

Caleb clenched his fists, nails puncturing skin, as they slammed into the Pillow Trove’s conference room.

Caleb immediately lost his balance, falling off the edge of the chair he had landed in. Caduceus was facing towards the wall, nose inches from it, while Beau was standing on top of the table.

Yasha held out her hand, helping Beau step down - a faint blush sprinkling across her face.

“So… that went well,” Caduceus said, turning around to face the room.

“I don’t understand why that happened,” Essek frowned, getting to his feet. “Perhaps it has to do with Caleb?”

“Me?”
“Huh?”

Fjord pointed between them, “Ikithon-as-Caleb? Or Caleb-from alternate-plane-Caleb?”

“Alternate-plane-Caleb.” Essek pointed, “It happened before with him.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” Jester said amicably, looking under the table and grabbing Beau’s staff, handing it back to her.

“Thanks,” Beau said, “Yeah, Caleb, don’t worry about it. Whatever’s going on has nothing to do with you.”

“Awesome. That makes me feel a lot better.” Caleb muttered.

Ikithon went to pat his back, and Caleb stepped away, acting as though he was going over to Fjord.

Fjord was rolling his shoulders, looking irritated. “So,” He said, “What’s the plan, exactly?”

“The other Nein - my Nein - are going to come with Essek to this plane, here. We’ll get Ikithon and Caleb - the other Caleb - in the same room, and hopefully… I dunno, we’ll find a way to switch them back.”

“But it’s not just them,” Essek pointed out, “You have my Caleb’s body.”

“Huh?”

“I pulled that copper from your hair,” Essek said, “And besides, there’s a scar behind your ear there.”

Caleb brought up a hand, and felt a small scar right before his hairline. “Huh.” He said.

“So… maybe we’ll be able to switch Ikithon and Caleb… and then Caleb and me?” Caleb suggested.

Caleb began to speak further, but stopped himself as Essek’s voice came through.

“Caleb, are you ready for us to transport to the Pillow Trove? We have Ikithon in your body here, we’re ready to go. Love you.”

“Essek, love, yes, we are ready.” Caleb spoke to the air - both Ikithon and Essek startled as he spoke, “We’re in the conference room - actually, let us go up to our rooms. In case Ikithon’s tied up.”

They traipsed upstairs - the barmaid raising her eyebrow as they passed by without having entered through the door - and went into a main bedroom.

Jester’s deck of cards were sitting innocently on the bed.

Caleb cast Sending. “We are ready. In room 203.”

“We will be there soon.”

They stood around for a few minutes.

Fjord rubbed the back of his head. “So, uh… how long is this going to take?”

“No clue.” Caleb shrugged, “I don’t know the Gate spell.” He went to sit on the edge of the bed, but, glancing at Ikithon, rethought that decision, and chose to stand against the wall instead, casting Find Familiar.

Frumpkin appeared in a pop of fur, and wound around his legs.

“What is that?” Ikithon asked curiously, “Find Familiar, ja?”

“Ja.”

“Hm,” Caleb reached into his pocket, then frowned. “Ah, this is your spellbook. I can copy down the spell for you, once my body gets here.”

“Ja, that would be great.”

Beau snorted. “God, there’s two of them.”

There was a sizzle, and a square of light appeared on top of the bed.

“Get ready,” Caleb muttered, “This room is about to be way too small.”

Yasha came through the gate first, weapon gripped in her hand. She visibly tensed further when she saw Ikithon, but then she saw Caleb, and she relaxed slightly.

“Caleb?” She asked.

“Yasha!” Caleb said, relieved at seeing a familiar face. Well, an actual familiar face.

“Hang on,” Yasha said, turning around and sticking her face through the gate. “Yeah, it’s all clear!”

Yasha stepped out onto the bed, stepping off of it and turning, holding out a hand.

Beau came through next, also holding her staff, and she accepted Yasha’s hand. “Thanks, babe,” She said automatically.

The alternate Beau made a choked noise, while Yasha looked at both alternates curiously.

“This is going to get really confusing.” Fjord said.

“We should use our last names,” Caduceus suggested, as Fjord came through, looking around and awkwardly waving at the alternate Fjord.

“Yeah. Everyone who’s from the plane where our Caleb was possessed for two years, we go by our last names.”

“How come we have to use our last names?” The alternate Beau complained.

“Because they’re the ones getting dragged into our mess,” Alternate Caduceus pointed out, “It’s only fair we accommodate them a little bit.”

“Fine.” Lionette said, sticking out her hand to Beau. “I’m Lionette.”

“Beau.”

They shook hands.

There was another sizzle, and then Caduceus and Jester stepped through, hauling an unconscious Caleb between them, while Veth slipped out behind them.

“Is that Ikithon?” Stone asked, hand going to the hilt of his weapon.

“Yes,” Caduceus said, setting Caleb’s unconscious body down onto the mattress, and stepping off to the side.

Jester dropped Caleb’s legs immediately, bouncing over to Lavorre.

“Oh my gods!”
“Hi!”

The two embraced, and then turned, grinning, at their respective Fjords - both of whom had gone a little pale.

Finally, Essek was stepping through the portal, which sizzled closed behind him.

“Essek!” Caleb said, stepping forward.

Essek looked at him, and a wide smile spread across his face. He stepped down off the bed, striding up, and wrapping him in a hug. His arms tightened against him, head tucking into his shoulder.

“I was so worried,” Esek murmured, too quietly for anyone else to hear.

“Me too,” Caleb said, pulling back slightly and looking Essek over. “Did he hurt you at all?”

Essek’s smile turned a little amused. “Nothing I couldn’t handle, and dish back, don’t worry.”

“Right, I should’ve known,” Caleb said with a grin, “After all, you’re Essek.”

Ikithon - or, Widogast, Caleb supposed, though it was hard to think of him as anything other than a distinct threat - cleared his throat.

Caleb launched himself back from Essek, blush beginning to form on his face, but Essek didn’t let go, holding him to him.

His eyes scanned over Widogast appraisingly, and then nodded, letting go of Caleb - though his hand caught his.

Thelyss looked distinctly uncomfortable, and Caleb pulled his hand from Essek’s grip, feeling guilty. It was Thelyss’ Caleb whose body he was inhabiting, after all.

“So…” Fjord said, looking around the room - it had truly gotten much too small now. “Does anyone have any ideas on how to undo this… switching situation?”

“I have some theories,” Thelyss said, pulling out the copper band. “This was in Caleb’s hair.”

“Hm,” Essek stepped forward, “May I?”

Thelyss handed it over, and Essek turned it over appraisingly. “Interesting.” He looked up at Widogast, “Did you ever receive any Message or Sending from Ikithon?”

“No,” Widogast said, crossing his arms. “I thought perhaps… that he would, to taunt me,” He was pointedly not looking at either Essek, or Caleb for that matter. “But he did not.”

“Hm.” Essek hummed, “If only we had access to his spells.”

“Well, how could he cast?” Beau frowned, “I thought you would’ve disabled his spellcasting.”

“Well, I put this silencing collar on him,” Lionette explained, “But he could still hypothetically cast with materials or uh… hand movements.”

“Somatics.”
“Somatics.” Both Calebs responded automatically.

“Huh.” Beau frowned, “Well, then, what spells can switch people’s bodies or souls or whatever that doesn’t involve verbal components?”

“Well, he could’ve gotten someone else to cast it for him,” Clay said, “So perhaps we should focus on what spells are capable of doing it in the first place?”

“Hm,” Both Esseks hummed, then stopped.

“There is Lutagran’s Trap the Soul,” Essek said, “It’s possible he somehow adapted that. But that doesn’t require anything but a gem as a place for the soul to go… but he was trapping the soul in a different body, so the gem might not even be necessary.”

“There would still need to be a spellcasting focus,” Thelyss pointed out, “Especially for a spell that powerful. Perhaps the coil served as it?”

“Mm, it’s possible, but wouldn’t it also require something of higher value?”

“There might’ve been something of higher value that was consumed in the process.”

“That doesn’t explain how I ended up here two years later,” Caleb pointed out.

“Let’s focus on one thing at a time,” Thelyss said quickly, “Let’s get Ikithon and Ca- Widogast sorted, and then we’ll worry about your respective bodies.”

“Yeah, I mean… I’d like my own body back preferably, but if we can only switch once I’d rather be in any Caleb body than none.” Widogast said.

“Agreed.” Caleb nodded.

“Alrighty then,” Fjord said, “Why don’t we try to focus on figuring out this… spell thing. Is it possible Ikithon made his own spells? Like you do, Caleb?”

“It’s possible,” Caleb nodded, as did Widogast. “We’d need to investigate further.”

“Hm… do we need to know what spell he used?” Caduceus asked, “So long as we switch them back, does it matter?”

“Well, he could always just do it again.” Clay pointed out.

“Ah, good point.”

“Thank you.”

“So we need to find out how he did this, undo it, and then stop him from doing it again.” Lionette nodded. “Sounds like we just kill him.”

Thelyss snorted.

“I agree with that.” Beau said, crossing her arms.

The two Jesters, who had been involved in a side conversation, looked over in unison.

“I don’t think killing him is the answer unless he makes it necessary!” Lavorre said.

“Yeah!” Jester said.

“Um, he literally killed Veth!” Lionette argued, “And he-” She paused, “He hurt Essek!”

“Well maybe we should ask Thelyss and Widogast what they think,” Veth suggested quietly, her eyes trained on the floor.

Caleb narrowed his eyes at her. He had expected her to run over, or at least look at him. But instead, she seemed almost… guilty?

He made a mental note to check in on her later, once they had devised a plan.

“So, here’s the thing,” Widogast said, “I don’t think I have any right to make a decision on this. Thelyss and Brenatto should make the decisions here, they’re the ones affected.”

“Um… you were trapped in a cell for two years?” Lionette pointed out.

“Well,” Widogast said stiffly, “That’s different.”

“I don’t see how it is?”

“It is.”

“I-”

“Okay!” Widogast interrupted, clapping his hands.

Caleb flinched, and tried to hide it with a stretch. Essek’s eyes flitted to him, as did Veth’s - who looked even guiltier.

Actually… none of his Nein were meeting his gaze.

Caleb felt an edge of uncertainty creep inside of him - what had Ikithon done?

“Okay, should we hit the books?” Essek asked after an uncomfortable silence, which seemed to be stretching out indefinitely.

“Yes,” Clay said immediately, “Let’s all split up. We can try and figure out what spells Ikithon used.”

“Wait, hang on,” Nydoorin said, pointing at Widogast, “You went and visited Rexxentrum two years ago. That’s when Ikithon possessed or bodyswapped or whatever-ed you, right? Do you remember what happened that day?”

Widogast tensed, his jaw setting. In Ikithon’s body, it was… distinctly menacing.

Essek’s hand gave Caleb’s a reassuring squeeze.

“I went because I had received word he wanted to discuss Thelyss.” He said simply. “He said he had knowledge about a possible movement against him, I thought… well, it doesn’t matter what I thought. I was tricked.”

Thelyss was staring at Widogast. “You went for me?” He asked, hesitant.

Widogast chewed on his lip, staring at the ground, before finally meeting Thelyss’ gaze. “Yes,” He admitted. “He said… he said he wanted a trade.”

“What kind of trade?” Thelyss asked, voice sounding strangled.

Widogast was now staring at the floor, arms crossed. “Uh… it doesn’t matter.”

“Caleb…” Thelyss said, stepping forward and lowering his voice. “Was it-”

“Stop.” Widogast snapped, voice cold.

Everyone stiffened, hands grabbing their weapons - and Essek flinched, taking a bodily step back.

Widogast let out a slow, shaky breath. He stared down at his own hands for a long moment. “I’m sorry.” He said finally, “I- it doesn’t matter. We went, had a conversation, I went to leave, and then next thing I knew I was in his body and he was in mine.”

“Did he do anything? Any movements, or anything in the room that looked out of place?”

“Um…” Widogast thought for a moment. “Now that I think about it, his robes had an odd shine to them.”

“Really?” Fjord frowned, “Was it still there after you switched?”

“No.” Widogast said slowly, eyebrows furrowing, “There wasn’t.”

“Hm. So something on his clothes?”

Essek reached into his pocket dimension, pulling out a handful of different materials. “Look through these, what was it?” He spread them across the mattress.

Widogast stepped forward, awkwardly leaning away from Caleb as he picked through the contents. “Uh… I think it looked like the platinum,” He said, picking up a bar, “Except it wasn’t thick like this, it was almost… interwoven?”

“A platinum coil, maybe?” Thelyss suggested, voice quiet.

Caleb snapped his fingers. “Tether Essence, maybe?”

“But that wouldn’t switch like this…”

“Maybe not, but hear me out - Caleb brushed the contents of the mattress out, picking up a gem. “If he had this, for Trap the Soul, and a platinum coil for Tether Essence...”

“You think he combined the two? Created a soul transfer spell?” Widogast asked, intrigued. “That sounds like something possible. Of course, that’s not my specialty-”

“Me neither.”
“Nope.”
“No.”

“The only person I can think of who might know about this is your guys’ Lutagran.” Fjord said, “We should seek him out, see if Ikithon was in contact with him.”

“Well, the guard did say he’d had visitors,” Levorre said, looking up from where she’d been deeply involved in a conversation with Jester, “And I copied down the names!”

She pulled out a list, holding it out triumphantly. “Here it is!” She said, “It says the only visitor he’s had has been Ludinus Da’leth, and he visited a few times since Ikithon got imprisoned. But not for the past two years.”

“So he must’ve known whatever happened was successful.” Caduceus said, crossing his arms.

Clay nodded, “So we should track him down, too.”

“Great.” Beau cracked her knuckles, “I’m looking forward to beating up that fucker.”

“Yeah,” Lionette said, doing the same motion. “The two of us can take him.”

“Wait, wait, hang on,” Fjord said hurriedly, “We can’t just have everyone be doubled up like this, it’ll be too obvious we know what’s up. Everyone needs to split up with each other, and no doubles.”

“But I know Invoke Duplicity,” Levorre pointed out, “So we can still be partners!”

“Oh, wait!” Jester said, before abruptly she split into two. The two Jesters high-fived.

Levorre grinned, and then there were four Jesters in the room.

“Oh gods,” Stone groaned, “Jester- Jesters, please-”

The Jesters all turned at once, “Yes, Fjord?” They asked.

Nydoorin laughed, and then gestured. “Lionette and I can hit up the Cobalt Soul again. And then Veth- or, Brenatto, you can go snoop around the jail again? See if there’s some writing on the walls. Literally. Maybe take Beau with you, since she’s decent at sneaking.”

“Thanks.” Beau said.

Yasha looked between the two Beaus, and then smiled. “I can sit on Ikithon, if anyone wants to join me on that?”

“I’ll do that,” Stone said, “And then everyone else gets to work on tracking down Ludinus? In case he has Ikithon’s spellbook.”

“Sure.” Fjord said, “We can start asking around… best if we keep Widogast here, though, and one of the Esseks.”

“I’ll stay,” Thelyss offered immediately. He had been glued to Widogast’s side the whole time - something Caleb was trying very hard not to notice too much, since it made him feel sort of sick.

“Well, Essek and I and Veth can go someplace,” Caleb suggested.

“Yes,” Veth said miserably, “We need to catch up.”

Fjord nodded, looking a little uneasy. “Right,” He said, “That.”

“That?” Caleb asked.

“Uh… let’s go to another room, maybe?” Veth suggested, while Essek shoveled all the material components back into his pocket dimension.

“Sure,” Caleb said, looking at his body with Ikithon inside. He was still, seemingly unconscious, and he rubbed at his arms subconsciously. “Perhaps, uh… Jester and Levorre, where are you headed?”

“We were gonna go outside and talk about our dimensions!” One of the - now there were six? - Jesters said.

“Um… is that really needed?” Caleb asked, trying to politely redirect them.

“Well,” All of the Jesters crossed their arms, “Once we know the differences, we might be able to figure out how the two Calebs got switched.”

“That’s actually a good idea,” Clay pointed out. “Perhaps we should let them do that. Just… Jester, please, write down everything that’s different.”

“Sure!”
“Okay!”

The mass of Jesters filed out of the room and down the stairs.

There was the sound of a dish breaking and a shout by the barmaid.

“Okay,” Veth said, “Let’s go.”

“Yes, and- everyone else, if you would please stagger out in small groups!” Stone said, “That would help.”

Nydoorin and Lionette left to go to Cobalt Soul, then Beau and Brenatto to go back to the jail. Caduceus and Clay both independently decided to meditate - Thelyss offered, nervously, to transport them - though he kept eyeing Widogast and Caleb nervously, as though he was loathe to leave Widogast’s side, but keen to leave Caleb’s.

Caleb, Veth, and Essek left, leaving behind Yasha, Stone, Fjord, Ikithon, and Widogast.

“Oh, wow,” Caleb said, once they left. “That’s a lot of people.”

“At least everyone’s dressed slightly differently,” Essek said, “Aside from the Jesters, anyway.”

“Yeah.” Caleb muttered.

Veth hadn’t spoken during this time, but led the other two to one of their rooms, pushing it open and walking inside.

Caleb winced at the scorch marks on the floor.

Essek looked at them, but didn’t say anything.

Veth turned to face Caleb. Tears were in her eyes. “Oh, Caleb,” She choked out, voice breaking, “I’m so sorry.”

Chapter Text

“Sorry? For what?” Caleb asked.

“Ikithon said he’d been in your body for two years!” She said, “And I- I’m so sorry, I thought- I thought he was telling the truth, and… and Essek knew you weren’t but I didn’t believe him and-”

Caleb pulled her into a hug, her words dying in her throat.

“I don’t care, Veth,” He said gently, “It does not matter to me. I am just glad I can see you again.”

She hugged him back, “Oh, Caleb, I was so worried. When we went to Ikithon in jail, and it was just him, I was so scare-”

“You went to Ikithon?” Caleb asked, stiffening as fear became a vice in his chest. “Did he say anything?”

“Um… he couldn’t speak, so Essek and him had a conversation using Detect Thoughts,” Veth said, concerned, “Why? Did something happen?”

Caleb pulled back from her, looking her in the eyes. “My past is my own, ja? I have shared what I wanted to, and I ask that you not poke where I have hidden.”

“Right, of course,” Veth said quickly, “I just thought maybe… that we could help somehow.”

Caleb let out a slow breath. “You have helped me immensely by searching for me and finding me. That is all I can possibly want.”

Veth hugged him again. “Oh, Caleb,” She said, “It’s so good to see you.”

Caleb hugged her back, before letting go, stepping back. “What else is there to discuss?” He asked, looking between them. Essek had an odd look on his face.

“Essek?” He asked.

Essek sighed. “Caleb… when Ikithon woke up, in your body… he was behaving strangely.”

Caleb felt fear ricochet up his spine, breath catching. No, not Essek-

“We fought, and…” Essek paused, “Our home… it burned down.”

Caleb felt as though the air had been stolen from the room. He grabbed onto the office chair, sitting down into it heavily.

He opened his mouth, but didn’t know what to say, and closed it again.

“Our home…” He said quietly, memories pressing up against his skull, clamoring for attention. The screams of his parents-

“Were you hurt?” He asked numbly, staring at the scorch marks on the floor.

“Caduceus healed me.”

Caleb’s eyes flickered up to Essek. “So he did hurt you.”

Essek stepped forward, kneeling down to be in front of Caleb. “Not badly,” He said, “Nothing that a simple spell would not fix.”

“But he did. Hurt you.”

“Yes,” Essek admitted, “He burned my arm. But I did far more damage to him, I assure you.”

A dry smile cracked over Caleb’s face. “I believe that,” He said.

“Yes,” Essek agreed, voice gentle, “Then I transported us to Caduceus’ home, and from there we gathered everyone and quickly discovered what was causing this. And now that we are all here, we will fix what has been done. Or,” Essek hesitated. “Or, we could leave.”

“What?” Caleb asked, frowning.

“You’re in the body of a Caleb. We could just… go. Take our Nein and go. We don’t need to help them, not if you don’t want to.” Essek said practically, “This is their mess to sort out, we don’t have to stay if you’d rather go.”

Caleb hesitated.

The temptation to go home - to hold Essek in his arms, to just be, was overwhelming.

But this plane’s Essek…

It wasn’t the same person, and Caleb didn’t love him per se, but the thought of leaving any Essek to suffer made him feel slightly ill.

“No,” He said finally, “I think we should help them.”

“Very well.”

Veth cleared her throat. “Um, Caleb, when’s the last time you ate?”

“Why do you ask?”

“You look like shit.”

“Ah.” Caleb thought back, “Not since I switched planes.”

Veth’s eyes widened, and Caleb tensed as she began to yell, “Caleb Widogast! You will go downstairs this instant!”

“I’m fine-”

“Caleb.” Essek said sharply.

Caleb deflated. “Fine,” He said, “But only if Thelyss eats too.”

“Very well,” Essek stood, “I will order him something as well. Come.”

Caleb stood, and the three traipsed downstairs.

The barmaid raised her eyebrows, but seemed resigned to their shenanigans by now, and placed the order for eight meals without protest.

“It’s been a long day,” Essek explained, handing over a gold coin and then they turned, heading back upstairs.

“What is going on?” One of the patrons muttered into the ale as they passed.

“Don’t care, they all keep tipping,” The barmaid replied.

Once back upstairs, Essek walked back to the room with Thelyss, Widogast, Yasha, and both Fjords, knocking and then entering.

The two Fjords were deep in a discussion, while Yasha was watching Ikithon impassively. Thelyss and Widogast were holding hands and talking-

Caleb gagged.

Thelyss and Widogast jumped apart, looking guilty.

“Sorry,” He lied, “Just nauseous.”

Thelyss eyed him suspiciously, while Widogast looked like he wanted to sink through the floorboards, expression a twist of shame and guilt.

“It’s not his fault he looks like that,” Essek murmured into Caleb’s ear.

“I know.” Caleb muttered, “Doesn’t mean it doesn’t make me feel…”

What did he feel? Seeing his old… mentor, he supposed he could call it, holding hands with a copy of his lover, who had been abused by the same person in his own body…

Caleb privately felt that if he ate something he’d be sick.

As if on cue, the door knocked, and there was the clatter of plates being set outside the door.

Caleb, eager for the distraction, turned on his heel and opened the door - the barmaid glanced inside, blinked, and then schooled her expression. Glancing back, he saw his copy tied up on the bed, still unconscious.

He handed her another coin, and then grabbed the tray, pulling it inside and closing the door in her face.

“We are traumatizing the staff,” Caleb informed, setting the tray onto the desk.

Fjord moved a piece of parchment out of the way. Caleb looked down at it, and saw a growing list of possibilities to fix the situation.

“So,” He said, picking up the paper and reading it, “You think going to the Bright Queen will help us?”

“Well, it’s worth a try, isn’t it?” Stone asked, handing a plate to Yasha.

“Maybe that can be a last resort situation,” Caleb suggested politely, glancing at Thelyss, who was looking at him nervously. He handed a plate to each Widogast and Thelyss, both of whom accepted it hesitantly.

Caleb sat on the floor, Essek sitting beside him, and Veth on his other side, and Caleb stared at te food, feeling ill. He was hungry, he knew, but… he just felt so sick. He staunchly refused to look up at Widogast, and instead stared at his meal as if it would bite him.

“Caleb,” Essek murmured, “Go ahead.”

Caleb, feeling sick, began to eat. He nearly gagged on the food, but managed to choke down at least a portion of it.

There was the sounds of clinking, but, when Caleb glanced up, both Widogast and Thelyss were staring at their own plates.

“Hey,” Caleb pointed at Thelyss, “If I can eat, so can you.”

Thelyss jolted, looking up at him with surprise, before obediently picking up his fork and beginning to eat. Widogast, after a pause, joined him.

“Gods,” Veth muttered, “Don’t tell me they all haven’t been eating.”

Essek made a humming sound of displeasure.

When Caleb had eaten his fill, he pushed the plate aside, and turned to the rest of his Nein. “Yasha, Fjord,” He said, “It is good to see you both again.”

“You too,” Fjord said, “We were worried about what was going to happen. Glad we at least have started solving the problem.”

“Yes,” Yasha agreed, “It’s good to see you didn’t go insane, Caleb, and it was just someone masquerading as you.”

“Thanks.”

“Anyways,” Yasha said, setting her own plate to the side, “While I do agree that we prioritize fixing Widogast and Ikithon’s whole mix-up, I am very curious about how exactly you got dragged into this.”

“I agree,” Essek said coolly, “After all, our involvement only began because of your being switched, Caleb. What happens here in this plane is less of our concern than your involvement in it.”

“I understand completely,” Stone said, “After all, you didn’t need to help us, and I can speak for everyone when I say we really appreciate everything you’ve done so far. Just by trying to help us, and figuring out this spell situation, means a lot.”

“Of course,” Veth said, shooting Essek a look, “We’re happy to help. After all, you’re us.”

Stone laughed a little, “That’s true. I suppose we are.” He paused, “Although, I am curious what the Jesters are up to right now.”

“I doubt they’re on topic.” Fjord said with a grin, “How many Jesters do you think they’ll be when they return?”

“Oh, gods, probably eight,” Stone laughed, “If not more.”

“How many can they have, in theory?” Yasha asked.

“Well,” Fjord said thoughtfully, “The most I’ve ever seen her use is four. But even if each of them did that, it’d make 10 of her.”

“Gods,” Yasha laughed, “I can imagine the chaos now.”

Fjord and Stone both smiled, noticed each other smiling, and stopped.

Ikithon stirred on the bed.

Yasha picked up her blade, aiming the butt of it towards his head, but Essek intervented. “Wait, stop,” He said, “Here, give me the silencing collar.”

“Oh!” Thelyss fished around and pulled it out of his pocket dimension, handing it over. Essek clipped it around Ikithon’s neck.

“Now we can use Detect Thoughts on him and figure out his plans.” Esek explained, “Without him burning down the whole place.”

Or, Caleb thought with no small amount of relief, shouting what he’d done to him - or Thelyss - from the rooftops.

“Ja, good idea,” Widogast said.

“Thank you,” Essek replied politely,

Thelyss turned to Widogast, murmuring something.

“Ah, yes,” Widogast said, “Are we sure we should all be here when he wakes up?”

“I plan to be.” Caleb said shortly, “I want him to tell me exactly what he’s doing.”

“As do I,” Widogast said.

“And I’ll need to be here to cast,” Essek said. “Though you don’t have to be here if you don’t want to be, Thelyss.”

Thelyss hesitated. “Wherever Widogast goes, I go,” He said finally, catching hold of Widogast’s hand.

Caleb looked away, meal threatening to make a reappearance.

It was bad enough that Widogast was in Ikithon’s body. But the level of… ease Thelyss seemed to have around him - when he’d been terrified to even meet Caleb’s gaze - made him feel… well, guilt, for one thing, but another, darker emotion of… well, irritation. Irritation at Thelyss.

Ikithon’s form was not one that should be a comfort to anyone, least of all someone who Caleb knew.

But he didn’t know this Essek, he reminded himself - this was not Essek, it was Thelyss. And it was none of his business.

The lingering disdain didn’t disappear, though.

Chapter Text

Essek watched impassively as Ikithon began to stir. He pried himself up off of the bed, going to a sitting position and looking around.

Essek merely raised an eyebrow, and waited.

Ikithon’s eyes widened as he looked around at the multitudes, and then down at himself - seeming slightly relieved to be in Caleb’s form. He opened his mouth to speak, and then, when no words formed, he let out a soundless scream of rage, expression twisting.

“Calm down,” Yasha said bluntly. “We’re going to ask you some questions, and you are going to answer.

Essek stepped forward, and cast Detect Thoughts.

Instantly, his brain was slapped with the mental image of himself.

His hands pinning down a sobbing Essek as he fucked into him-

“Stop that!” Essek snapped, slamming up his mental barriers, and mentally berating himself for not having done it sooner. That image - himself, looking weak, looking pathetic, seared into his mind.

Essek was not weak.

He glanced at Thelyss, and felt guilt for his thoughts. It was not Thelyss’ fault he loved Widogast. Essek, too, loved Caleb to the point of violence.

If Caleb hit him, would he leave him? Essek wondered - but then he disagreed with it. Caleb wouldn’t hit him.

But what if he did? His mind whispered.

Essek pushed the thoughts away, irritated, and faced Ikithon on the bed. “You will tell me how you switched your soul with Widogast’s.”

“Widogast?”, Ikithon’s face twisted into a sneer that did not suit Caleb’s face one bit, “What’s the matter? The two of you have a couple’s quarrel?”

“Not in the slightest,” Essek replied smoothly, “I am the Essek you tried to mess with yesterday.”

Ikithon paled slightly. ”Oh,” He said disdainfully, ”It’s you. Still sore from the beating you gave me.”

“Good.” Essek smiled with too many teeth. “Now then, you will tell me how you switched forms with Widogast, and you will do so this instant.”

“Or else what? Not like you can do anything else to me. You can’t kill me, then your precious Caleb will be stuck in my body forever. Not to mention the blood curse I put on the weaker version of you.”

“He’s not weak,” Essek snapped, despite his own mixed feelings on the thought. “You tortured him, it’s not his fault.”

”Whatever you need to tell yourself, pet.” His tone turned slimy.

Essek bristled, “You are avoiding answering the question. Tell me, now, how you did what you did.”

”Well hang on, let’s negotiate this first,” Ikithon said, voice still slimy, “I want freedom. And a promise that you all won’t go after me, that you’ll leave me in peace. In exchange, I’ll lift the blood curse.”

“And give Widogast his body back?”

“I’ve actually grown to like this body quite a bit. It’s very… responsive.” Ikithon nodded downwards towards Thelyss, He can attest to that, I’m sure.”

“You’re a worm.” Essek said, “And no deal. Here is what will happen: you will tell me everything, and in exchange I will not beat the information out of you.”

”In your precious Caleb’s body? I don’t think so.” Ikithon laughed soundlessly, ”Even if you torture it from me, I’ll never tell you because I don’t even know how it works.”

“What do you mean?” Essek asked sharply.

”Ludinus is the one who made the spell, not me,” Ikithon said easily, “All I did was guide him to my research, and imply that if he helped me it would benefit him immensely. He did the rest.”

Essek rolled his eyes, “Sure. So where is Ludinus now?”

”How would I know?” Ikithon said, “I haven’t spoken to him in two years.”

“What about other methods of conversation or interaction?”

Ikithon rolled his eyes, ”No, I haven’t seen, heard, listened, walked past, or sent a letter or any other method of communication with him in two years.”

“What was your last interaction?

”He gave me the completed spell to memorize, and a robe imbued with platinum coils and a piece of copper, as well as a gemstone sewn into the sleeve of the robe.” Ikithon listed. Essek gestured for the parchment, which Stone handed over, and Essek wrote it down.

“What was the component quality? How much of it?”

”The spellbook said,” Ikithon rolled his eyes again, “It’s been two years. I don’t exactly memorize things for this far out.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Find Ludinus, then, if you can,” Ikithon’s tone was rich with amusement, “He’ll have the spellbook, I’m sure. That fool never gets rid of anything.”

“We’ve already sent people to find him.” Essek said bluntly, “But, you will recount every detail of this spell that you can possibly think of. Is that clear?”

”A crystal.” Ikithon shifted in the bed, “At least take these ropes off. I can help write down what I remember.”

“No way in hell,” Essek snapped, “You aren’t going to lay a hand on anyone or anything ever fucking again, is that clear?”

Another mental image - his hand buried in Essek’s hair, Essek gagging-

Essek slapped Ikithon.

There was a crack, and Ikithon’s head whipped to the side.

“Essek!” Caleb said, shocked.

Ikithon turned back around, his cheek reddening. He grinned. ”I always knew you liked it rough, pet-”

Essek ended the spell with a sigh. “We’ll have to try again later,” He informed, “He’s said everything useful he can for the moment.”

“Can I knock him out then?” Yasha asked.

“Yes.” Widogast said, eyeing Ikithon coldly. “Please do.”

Yasha slammed the butt of her weapon down onto his skull. Ikithon went limp, landing face-first in the mattress.

“Gods, this is getting tiring,” Yasha said, setting the blade downwards and resting against it, “I mean, come on, Caleb’s brain is getting turned to mush in there.”

“It’s fine,” Caleb said, “I’ll take some healing potions or ask Caduceus for help once I’m back in my own body.”

“Yes,” Widogast said, “I am very eager to be back in my own form as well.”

Thelyss didn’t speak, but he swallowed hard - and Essek caught a look of uncertainty in his eyes.

Essek didn’t care for how much he disliked his counterpart - the rational aspect of him told himself that it was normal, that it could’ve been him. But another part of him - the part of him that was still a very proud, even arrogant, man… it did not care for that weakness across his counterpart’s face one bit.

As if sensing his gaze, Thelyss turned to look at him - expression looking as though he knew precisely what Essek was thinking.

Essek felt guilt for it.

He did not judge Caleb, after all, for his past - what right did he have to judge someone else, merely because they shared the same face and name?

Resolving to think further on this later, Essek looked away from Thelyss, unwilling to continue to meet his gaze, and instead turned to face Caleb.

“Perhaps we should try to recreate the spell,” Essek suggested, “Us thinking together should be able to come up with something.”

“If we can replicate the spell, we’d be able to cast it again. And then… somehow create another spell or enchantment to block future swaps.” Caleb nodded.

“Yes,” Widogast nodded, “That seems like a good idea. Please, allow Thelyss and I to assist.”

Caleb looked as though he’d rather be anywhere but sitting next to Widogast, but he nodded, “If it’s alright with Essek.”

Essek hesitated - Caleb was clearly uncomfortable, but at the same time he had to admit having more people to work on it together was a good idea. “I think we should give it a try,” He said, “Why don’t you cast Sending and ask Lionette and Nydoorin to copy down both spells, and then come back form the Cobalt Soul?”

“If Caleb says it’s okay,” Thelyss responded automatically, before freezing. Tension inched into his shoulders. “I mean, yes, I can,” he corrected.

Widogast’s hand found Thelyss’, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “It’s alright, love,” He said.

That seemed to be the final straw for Caleb, who stood up. “I need to go to the restroom,” he said, clearly lying, before exiting the room.

There was a moment of silence, before Thelyss pulled his hand from Widogast’s grip, clearing his throat.

“I don’t mean to make him uncomfortable,” He said, “After all, while I don’t know too much of Widogast and Ikithon’s past… I would be loathe to imagine how he feels.”

“Much like how you feel around Caleb, if I had to guess,” Essek muttered under his breath.

“Huh?”

“Nothing.” Essek straightened his shoulders. “Regardless, let us retire to the next room. We can work on the spell there, away from Ikithon.”

“Yes, that seems like a good idea,” Fjord offered, “It would be best if he didn’t get any ideas.”

“Here,” Stone reached into his bag, and pulled out a handful of parchment and a few pens, “For your work.”

“Yes, thank you,” Essek said, tearing off the bit of parchment he’d used to write down the components Ikithon had recalled and sticking it into his pocket dimension, along with the papers and pens.

The three stood, and walked outside, going into the next room - Caleb was already there, sitting on the edge of the bed, hugging Frumpkin to himself. He looked up as they entered.

“Ah, hello,” He said, turning his face to the side - but not before Essek spotted the tears in them. “Are we going to be working on the spell now?”

“Yes,” Essek pulled out the parchment and pens, “We might want to borrow some chairs from the other rooms, though, my back is beginning to hurt from sitting on the floor.”

“We could use the bed?” Widogast suggested.

Thelyss, Caleb, and Essek all tensed.

“...Or not,” Widogast said quickly, “Here, I’ll go- go grab some chairs.” He went to leave, but Thelyss grabbed his arm.

“Wait, don’t- you look like Ikithon, remember?”

“Oh, right,” Widogast paused. “Oh,” He said, looking at Caleb with sudden clarity.

Caleb stood up. “I would gather the chairs, but I suspect Fjord and Stone have already liberated most of them for that room. Perhaps the conference room instead?”

“No, because of Widogast,” Thelyss pointed out. “We’d have to walk past that whole group of people.”

“Hm, you’re right.” Caleb considered, “I suppose we could just ask if the barmaid has any chairs we could borrow. And then perhaps convince Yasha to carry them up the stairs for us.”

“For enough gold, I’m sure the staff wouldn’t mind.” Essek said, “Go get Yasha, I’ll go downstairs and speak to the staff.”

Chapter Text

One awkward conversation - and bemused Yasha - later, the four of them were seated in a circle, the desk table dragged to the center of the room, and the bed pushed off to the side.

Essek was sitting between Caleb and Widogast, and then Thelyss sitting between them. It seemed like no matter what no one was going to be happy - Caleb didn’t want to sit near Widogast, though he was trying to be discreet about it, unsuccessfully. Thelyss, as well, was trying to hide his discomfort with Caleb, also wildly unsuccessfully.

Essek, for his part, felt awkward about the whole situation - and Widogast looked uncomfortable too.

“Alright, so these are the components,” Essek smoothed out the parchment, “And then the two spells that were combined were Tether Essence and Trap the Soul.”

“So should we assume that Ikithon and my’s health are connected?” Widogast asked, “So if he dies, I might die too.”

“Not to mention this ‘blood curse’ thing he’s got on Thelyss,” Caleb pointed out, “So we have to assume that no one can be hurt without someone else getting hurt too.”

“Right.” Thelyss nodded, “Going off of that assumption, I think the best thing to do is try to figure out how to reverse Ikithon and Widogast, then worry about the two Calebs, and then worry about the blood curse.”

“Well… there’s no guarantee that switching… ugh,” Caleb buried his face in his hands, “This is so complicated.”

Essek considered for a moment. “Well, he said ‘blood curse’... do you remember him ever injecting you with anything? Or putting something inside of you?”

Thelyss snorted.

Essek felt his face flush.

“Well, he used to…” Thelyss glanced at Widogast, “You know, aside from the usual stuff. There were a few times where he, um… cut me open?”

“He what?” Widogast asked, voice dangerously low - Caleb tensed up beside Essek.

“I don’t remember him putting anything inside of my chest or abdomen,” Thelyss continued slowly, “Though it is possible. He went over the same area more than once, so perhaps he was checking some sort of effectiveness.”

“Hm.” Essek began scribbling down notes, “Perhaps some sort of object was placed into your chest that acts as a binding agent. A sort of Tether Essence that can be permanently transposed onto an object, and then by essentially ‘wearing’ the item you’re bound to him.”

“Well, if that were the case, how would we deactivate it? Or get it out?” Widogast asked, eyes wide as he looked over Thelyss concernedly.

“Well, we’d have to, you know…” Thelyss gestured to himself, “Cut it out, I suppose.”

“No way. We’re not doing that.”

“Well hang on, we haven’t even confirmed this yet,” Essek said hurriedly, “And we don’t know if the Tether Essence, if it is the case, would be bound to Ikithon’s soul or the body he resided in at the time.”

“That doesn’t matter, really,” Widogast said, “What matters most is getting this blood curse taken care of. Forget switching me and Ikithon back, this should be our priority.”

“No,” Essek interrupted, “Our priority is switching you back into your body and negating Ikithon’s power. This blood curse may become irrelevant once we do that.”

“No.” Widogast snapped, “We need to help Thelyss first.”

“No, we do not.” Essek said, irritation beginning to rise within him, “We need to fix the priority-”

“Essek is my priority!” Widogast snapped, standing up.

Caleb flinched.

“I am Essek,” Essek said cooly, “That is Thelyss.”

Widogast looked like he was going to explode, but Thelyss placed a hand on his arm, and he let out a slow breath, sitting back down. “Fine,” He said, “We’ll… work on the body swap first,” He ground out the words as if they were painful to him.

“Thank you,” Thelyss said quietly, voice gentle.

Widogast sat back down, but Caleb was still tense beside Essek - Essek reached out, placing a hand on Caleb’s leg under the table.

Caleb untensed slowly, his hand coming up to scratch at his arm. “Very well,” He said, “What is the estimation on Lionette and Nydoorin’s arrival?

“Should be soon,” Essek said - and is if on cue, the door opened, Lionette and Nydoorin striding in.

“Here you go,” Lionette said, handing over a sheaf of papers, “You would not believe how unhelpful the monks were, for the record.”

“They are very protective of their knowledge,” Caleb said diplomatically.

Lionette snorted. “Yeah, you could say that.” She leaned over, reading off the parchment on the table. “So, what’s this?”

“Possible spell components.” Essek explained.

“Ah.” Beau gave a thin smile, “Good luck with that! We’re gonna go relieve the Fjords.”

“Have fun.”

“Yes, I would like to talk to Yasha,” Nydoorin said.

“Right! The letter?” Caleb asked.

Lionette and Nydoorin both blushed. “Shut up,” Lionette warned.

“Ja, shutting up.”

“Letter?” Widogast asked, tone confused.

“I’ll explain later,” Caleb muttered.

The two vanished, leaving behind the two Esseks and Calebs.

“Alright,” Essek passed around the spells - one copy of each one. He gave Thelyss and Widogast the Tether Essence, and himself and Caleb the Trap the Soul.

The four of them fell into an uncomfortable silence, and began to study.

----
Thelyss felt very uncomfortable.

He wasn’t a fool - he saw the way Essek was looking at him, that carefully concealed disdain lingering beneath the surface of his impassive face. It was his own face, after all - he knew what it was thinking.

Not that he blamed Essek for hating him - he hated himself, too. His weakness had been… profound.

But Widogast - Caleb, his Caleb - was sitting next to him, and that was enough for him. Thelyss glanced at Caleb, and then looked away quickly - that man made him feel uneasy. It was odd… he’d been nothing but kind, if a little uncomfortable, but it wasn’t his Caleb. He didn’t care who the man was, he wanted him gone.

Essek felt gentle pressure on his hand, and looked to see Widogast giving him a smile.

Thelyss felt his heart ease slightly - he had never cared for Ikithon in life, but Widogast in Ikithon’s body was strangely comforting. It was just… his Caleb. That’s all he cared about.

Two years of thinking Widogast had been torturing him, only to find out it was someone else entirely… Thelyss felt a surge of guilt in his chest. He should have known, after all. He should have known.

Widogast squeezed his hand gently, then let go, turning back to the spell and transcribing pieces of it, pausing to think.

“Perhaps, he used the essence portion of this here, and combined it with the word for soul of the other spell,” He suggested, voice cracked with age. “That would give the spell the ability to trap and tether at the same time.”

“Mm, perhaps,” Caleb replied, and Thelyss tensed despite himself. That cadence of his tone, the way he just sat, reminded him so strongly of- it wasn’t Caleb who did that, it was Ikithon.

Thelyss forced himself to look away - Caleb was still speaking, but he had tuned him out. Underneath the table, Thelyss grabbed onto Widogast’s leg, holding onto it like a lifeline. He stared into the distance, trying to control his breathing - everything was fine.

He had Widogast, his Caleb. Nothing else mattered.

It couldn’t - Thelyss didn’t have any room left inside of him to care about anything other than Widogast’s wellbeing.

The focus on returning him to his body… it would be good. For one thing, the body of Ikithon was old, and he might soon die - soon by elven time, at least. For another, Widogast had suddenly become very uncomfortable with his own form, although what brought about that abrupt change Thelyss wasn’t sure. And, of course, Widogast wanted to be back in his own body.

That was all that mattered, what Widogast wanted.

Thelyss would be fine.

He always was.

He sensed Caleb staring, and he chanced to meet his gaze - some unsettling mix of guilt and frustration were across his face, and almost… Thelyss would almost call it fear, but… well, what did Caleb have to be afraid of him for?

Thelyss tilted his head, and Caleb’s gaze shifted to him - oh. From Widogast.

That’s who he was afraid of.

Thelyss blinked, confused.

Caleb looked away, lines of tension in his shoulders. The cat - Frumpkin, Thelyss believed - jumped up onto his shoulder, beginning to knead biscuits.

Caleb reached up, and pet the cat - Thelyss looked away, busying himself with the spell once more.

“We should be able to have this figured out,” Thelyss muttered, “I feel like we have all the pieces.”

“I agree,” Essek nodded stiffly. “Widogast, do you have any suggestions?”

“Ah, no,” Widogast said - and Thelyss could see Caleb tense even further. “I think I’ve hit a wall.”

“Mm,” Caleb pulled their spell over to him, looking down at it. “Why don’t we switch? Get a different set of eyes on them.”

“Sure.” Thelyss handed him the paper - their hands brushed, and he jolted back, fear ricocheting in his throat. Hands pinning him down-

Everyone tensed - Widogast looked guilty, Caleb looked guilty, and Essek looked… well, annoyed, though he also had a healthy amount of guilt on his face as well.

“Alright,” Thelyss said finally, voice uneven as he turned the new spell around and stared at it. “Widogast, if you’d help me?”

“Ah… sure,” Widogast murmured, his hand finding Thelyss’.

He heard a choked noise come from Caleb, but Thelyss chose to ignore it. Whatever Caleb’s problem was, he simply did not have room to care.

Chapter Text

They eventually called it quits somewhere between Caleb getting a headache from being near Widogast and Thelyss, and Caleb getting a headache from reading.

Groaning and rubbing at his eyes, Caleb walked outside, leaning against a wall. “Essek, this is killing me,” He complained, as Essek stood beside him, “I just want this mess to be over.”

“I know.” Essek said, “This must be difficult for you.”

“Yeah, you could say that.” Caleb muttered, reaching out and taking Essek’s hands in his. “I just… I just wish everything was normal.”

Essek studied him for a moment.

“Come,” He said finally, “Let’s go to bed.”

“Mm, yes please,” Caleb muttered, following Essek to one of the bedrooms they’d gotten since the Mighty Nein had arrived. Essek shut the door after them, then leaned against it, eyes appraising.

“What would help you right now?” He asked.

“I don’t know,” Caleb ran his hands through his hair, “I just want to feel normal.”

Essek hummed, and then he stepped forward, into Caleb’s space. “I have an idea,” He said, before pressing his lips to his.

Caleb melted into it, sagging against Essek’s body, wrapping himself around him. “Gods, I’ve missed you,” He murmured into Essek’s mouth, kissing him back. “I thought I’d lost you.”

“Never,” Essek said back, his hands latching onto the front of Caleb’s clothes, hands slipping down to grip his hips.

Caleb groaned, breaking off from Essek’s mouth to suck a mark into his neck. “Gods, I’ve missed you,” He repeated, “I love you, I love you.”

Essek pressed him back, hands guiding him back on his hips. “I love you, Caleb,” He said, one hand slipping between Caleb’s legs.

“This is wrong,” Caleb murmured into Essek’s mouth as his calves slammed against the edge bed, “This isn’t even my body-”

“It’s a Caleb, and you’re you,” Essek said back, his other hand digging almost painfully into his hip. “That’s enough for me.”

It was enough for him, too.

Caleb practically ripped off his clothes, hands scrabbling against Essek’s front until his hands met bare, warm skin. He pressed a kiss desperately into Essek’s mouth as he turned them, slamming Essek down onto the bed with a creak of bedsprings.

Essek let out a huff, and then pulled Caleb by the hips down on top of him. “Fuck me, Caleb,” he cursed, “Fuck me until I can’t stand.”

“Essek-” Caleb groaned the name, his hands sliding down Essek’s chest to grip onto his hips, “Don’t say that unless-”

“I mean it,” Essek said firmly, “Fuck me. Now.”

Caleb needed no further encouragement.

He shoved Essek further back on the bed, and then slid onto the bed, shoving his knee between his thighs and parting them.

“Do you have-?”

Essek reached into his pocket dimension, pulling out a bottle. Caleb accepted it, uncapping it and spreading some of the liquid onto his fingers, onto his dick.

“Essek,” He groaned, “I’ve missed you-”

“Shut up and fuck me,” Essek snapped.

Caleb laughed. “Still as demanding as ever,” He joked, bringing down his slick fingers to run over the side of Essek’s dick.

Essek let out a gasp, his hands reaching up and grabbing Caleb by the hair.

“Stop playing with me and do it already,” Essek ordered.

Caleb grinned wider, and slipped his fingers down to trace around the outside of Essek’s hole, before sliding one in.

Essek let out a breath, his fingers twitching in Caleb’s hair.

“Don’t go easy now,” He said, “I told you to fuck me, not make love-”

Caleb slammed his finger in, and Essek’s words were lost on a choked off breath.

“Good, good,” He moaned, “Do more. I want more.”

Caleb added a second finger, and began to scissor them - Essek’s back spasmed, half-rising up to him, his hands leaving Caleb’s hair to grab onto his back, nails digging in painfully.

“Hurry up!” Essek snapped, and something in his tone - demanding, insistent, seemed to put Caleb’s mind so blissfully at ease.

Essek wanted this.

Essek knew what he wanted.

Essek was in charge.

This was good.

Caleb pulled out his fingers with a wet sound, lining himself up without preamble.

“Are you sure-?” He asked, and in response, Essek shoved his hips down, pressing himself around Caleb’s dick.

Caleb slid in, and both he and Essek let out a breath, Essek’s fingers tightening even further into Caleb’s back until he was sure they broke skin.

Caleb bottomed out, and he leaned down, pressing his chest flush against Essek’s, placing a kiss onto his lips.

“I love you,” He murmured.

“I love you too,” Essek groaned, tossing his head back as he gyrated his hips. “Now please fuck me.”

Caleb drew back until he was just barely within Essek, and then pressed forward, angling his hips upwards to aim for his prostate.

Essek jerked, letting out a choked moan, his hips lifting off the bed. “Fuck, more of that, more of that now-”

Caleb set up a steady pace, his hands pressed to either side of Essek’s head while Essek’s fingers tore into his back.

With each thrust, Essek seemed to spasm underneath him, his body tensing and untensing with each stroke. His dick, pressed against Caleb’s stomach, was getting hard, and Caleb brought down a hand to run across the length, thumb catching over the head of it.

“Caleb,” Essek moaned, his head tilting back, exposing his neck, “Caleb.”

Caleb pressed his head down, wrapping his lips around the junction of Essek’s neck and shoulder, biting down.

Essek let out some sound of pleasure and pain, tightening around Caleb’s dick until Caleb saw stars. “Don’t you fucking dare stop,” Essek snarled, his hands slipping down to grab Caleb’s ass, trying to press him deeper in. “I want you to fuck me until I can’t fucking stand, is that understood?”

“Yes,” Caleb groaned, the order rushing straight through his ears to his dick, which seemed to - if possible - get even harder. “Gods, Essek, fuck,” He swore, increasing his pace, thrusting his hips into Essek as hard as possible, so that Essek’s entire body slammed up with each thrust.

Essek let out another moan, his legs hiking up to encircle Caleb’s hips, tilting so that each thrust went even deeper.

Caleb groaned, “I’m not going to last-”

“Don’t you even think about coming until I do,” Essek warned.

Caleb let out a breathy laugh, redoubling his pace. “I guess I better hurry, then,” He said, his hand on Essek’s dick sliding up and down, fingers slipping over his head.

Essek jerked again. “Don’t stop,” He ordered, “Don’t you dare fucking stop,” His thighs were shaking against Caleb’s hips.

Caleb drew back and thrust in once more, and Essek let out a moan, tightening around Caleb’s dick. He came on Caleb’s hand, against his stomach, thighs pressing into Caleb’s hips until his bones creaked.

Caleb wasn’t far behind, barely making another full thrust before he felt himself come, buried to the hilt in Essek’s body.

Essek grabbed onto him, pressing him tight against his body as he came. Their chests pressed together, both heaving, and, even as Caleb tried to pull back, Essek’s legs tightened around him, pinning him in place.

“Don’t move,” Essek snarled, hips gyrating on Caleb’s dick even as tears began to appear in his eyes from the overstimulation, “Don’t-” His words were lost in a choked off sound, as his dick spasmed once more in Caleb’s hand.

They laid like that for a moment, Caleb buried in Essek, both gasping for breath, until finally Essek brought his shaking legs down from around Caleb’s back to place them down onto the mattress.

“Clean me off,” Essek ordered, voice even between shaky breaths.

Caleb slid out, and obediently licked Essek’s stomach, cleaning away the come that was splattered there. Then, he placed his mouth over Essek’s dick, sucking it clean.

“Good,” Essek murmured, hand grabbing onto Caleb’s hair and pinning him down until he could barely breathe. “Good, Caleb.”

Caleb hummed, and Essek’s hips jerked, choking him - Caleb gagged, but Essek’s hand didn’t let up, pressing down harder.

“You’re such a good fuck,” Essek groaned, “I love you.”

Caleb hummed again, and Essek released him. Caleb came up for air, gasping, wiping his hand across his face.

“Gods, I love you,” Caleb groaned.

“I love you, too,” Essek said easily, the mask of authority sliding off of his face. “Come here.”

Caleb laid down beside him, and Essek pulled him into an embrace, tucking his head onto Caleb’s chest, his hand finding Caleb’s hair - gently, this time - and running through it.

“I was so scared I wouldn’t see you again,” Caleb admitted, “I missed you so much.”

“I know.” Essek murmured, hand continuing to pet through Caleb’s hair, “I know.”

“Thank you,” Caleb murmured, “For… for…” He didn’gt know how to explain it. For taking charge. For demanding pleasure from him. For knowing exactly what to do.

“I know,” Essek said simply.