Wyll's Masters [Emperor x Mizora] [Act 3 Spoilers]

Note: In this story, Wyll is the main character or "Tav".

It was a peaceful night inside the Astral Prism. Ever since his champion Wyll had dealt with those fanatical acolytes, he no longer needed to worry about Orpheus breaking loose. It had given time to truly relax during the evenings. With the adventurers asleep and not needing guidance, he could finally give himself time to muse on his past and prepare for his future.

Which, of course, is why he was interrupted.

At first, he thought it was nothing. Perhaps someone had bumped the prism in their sleep. However, soon it became apparent the source of the disturbance was arcane. The stench of the hells infiltrating the tranquility of his plane. The Emperor stood up, summoning psychic powers to his fingertips as he looked for the intruder. More importantly, he cast an obscuring charm on Orpheus, making him as unseen and undetectable as possible.

It did not take long for the interloper to show themselves. A crimson red portal crackled to life, and from it stepped the winged devil herself, Mizora! The cambion was just as beautiful as she'd looked from Wyll's eyes. She stood with an arrogant confidence all to common among the citizens of Avernus. She was wearing the simple blue dress she always wore, with a plunging neckline that showed off her best assets.

"So that's what lays inside this little trinket," she chuckled, looking around. "Endless space... and a mind flayer."

"Leave this place, fiend!" The Emperor commanded, his deep voice echoing around the astral plane. "You are not welcome here!"

"That's no way to treat a guest," she scoffed, her anger evident despite her smile. "And you have some nerve to discuss 'welcome'. You are the one who let themselves into my property... without invitation, I might add."

"Your...property?" The mind flayer was temporarily confused. "State your meaning! You have no claim to this plane!"

"Not this prism, you idiot!" She snarled. "Wyll! That mortal is bound to me by infernal contract. Yet here you are, pulling the strings of a puppet that does not belong to you."

The Emperor bristled. This is why his peace had been disturbed?! Not to free Orpheus. Not to contend with his long term plans. It was over something as petty as a bruised ego?!?!

"Wyll is free to do as he wishes," he replied, floating a bit closer to Mizora. Off the ground, he was able to look down on her. "It is his choice to take advice from me.

"My pet is, in fact, not free to follow his whims!" Flapping her wings, the fiend brought herself up to eye level. "He is bound to me until I say any different. That is what he agreed to. That was his 'choice'. And I will not have my rights infringed upon by, of all things, a filthy illithid!"

"And in what way, may I ask, have I infringed on those rights?" The Emperor had dealt with plenty of hot heads during his time in Baldur's Gate. It was time for a change in tactics.

"What in the nine hells do you mean?" She demanded. "Your very influence is a direct insult!"

"But we are not discussing insults," the Emperor continued. "Wyll is bound to you by a contract. This I know. So, may I ask, what have I done to violate the terms of that contract?"

"Well... you've..." For the first time in a while, Mizora had been caught off guard. She had been so sure of Wyll's betrayal... yet had not quite quantified it.

"It is my understanding, in fact, that Wyll is prevented from even attempting a breach of his contract." The mind flayer floated back down to the ground, no longer feeling the need to establish dominance so physically. "You may not believe it, but I have great respect for your role as Wyll's patron. I have never, nor will I ever, push Wyll to go against your will. Why would I, when our aims are so aligned?"

"Your goals... and mine!" Mizora was doing her best to seem smug, but was clearly intrigued. "How so?"

Devils may be masters of manipulation, but mind flayers had invented the art.

"You want to see the absolute defeated. I share this aim. You want to see Wyll wracked with guilt and tormented. I share this aim. You want to see Wyll corrupted and made a ****. I share this aim. So what are we, if not united by purpose?"

"Corrupted and made a ****..." The wheels in the cambion's head were clearly turning. "I could not have said it better myself. And... I must say... while I don't approve of your methods, I've quite enjoyed seeing Wyll struggle with self-loathing as he's used those tadpoles. It was... it was..."

"...like music to your ears," the Emperor concluded. "I know the feeling all too well."

"My, my, it appears I may have misjudged you," Mizora purred, folding her wings and landing back on the ground. "You are a much more... agreeable sort than the other mind flayers I've encountered." The way her eyes now appraised the Emperor made him certain his plan was working. Perhaps, working a bit too well...

"Actually," the fiend continued. "I did have a question for you, mistress to master."

"It would be my pleasure to indulge your curiosity," the Emperor replied. "Ask away."