There was an eerie silence as Astarion gazed down at his fallen master, his crimson eyes reflecting a mix of relief and grief. The encounter had been a turning point in his journey, solidifying his freedom from Cazador, but his enslavement to the world. He sacrificed his ability to walk in sunlight and walk about freely in running water or into houses.

He was torn between the darkness within and the remnants of his humanity as the blood dripped from his hand and blade, wailing on his knees.