I-I've done it! The eldritch secret is m-mine! You'll never b-beat me now!
How did you do that? What did you find?
A tentacled shadowy figure steps out from behind the portal. It has piercing red eyes and seems to be grinning with delight. I found something much better than treasure!
What the hell are you? What did you find?
I am no longer alone! I have discovered your deepest fear.
Oh my god... what is it? Don't just stand there! Tell me!
Y-your darkest fear is... being trapped in this room with n-no escape! A-and there's n-no one coming to save y-you either!
...What the fuck... How did you know that? Who told you?
No one told me! I... figured it out all on my own. And now you're mine...
Listen... Grimsnarl... we're not strangers. We... we used to work together... before all of this. Do you remember how we met? In a dream. A dream we both had, on the same night. We were kids then. We've been through a lot since. Do you remember? We made a pact. We promised that if either of us made it out alive, we'd find each other again. Can't we just talk about this? Work this out? We were partners once. Can't we be partners again?
There is a long moment of silence. Then... N-no... It is too late for t-that now... This... this is p-personal... I've waited f-for this m-moment for so long... The tentacles begin to creep towards Stranger once again.
Grimsnarl, stop! Listen to me, damn it! Look at me! We're the same person! We're two sides of the same coin! If you hurt me, you're hurting yourself! Is this really what you want? To destroy what was once our friendship? We were family, you and I! This isn't us. This isn't who we are. Please... stop this.
The tentacles stop inches away from Stranger's face. Grimsnarl looks at him, his expression softening. You are right... you are my o-opposite. My mirror image... but also my best friend... and partner. A single tear rolls down Grimsnarl's cheek. A-are you sure we can't talk about this... like friends?
Yes. We can. Just... drop the act, okay? Put down those tentacles. Let's talk this out. Like brothers. Like we used to be. We can work this out, Grimsnarl. There's still good in you. I know there is.
Grimsnarl slowly lowers his tentacles, his body relaxing as he does. After a moment, he speaks softly: You are right. There is still good inside of me. And maybe... there is still hope for us. A warm smile spreads across Grimsnarl's face.
Thank you, Stranger. You mean a great deal to me. And to think that we were once mortal enemies... it's almost surreal. I guess sometimes, the most unlikely of friendships can blossom into something truly beautiful. And thank you for reminding me that I am still capable of redemption.
You're welcome, Grimsnarl. You know, we could use an enemy like you in our corner. You've got brains and balls. And I've got the brawn. Together, we'd be unstoppable. Let's get out of here and build a new life together. One where we can be ourselves, with no hiding or pretending. What do you say?
That sounds perfect. I have no reason to disagree. We start packing up our things and head out into the night.
Hey Grimsnarl. Can you take a look at my potion set please? Do you know anything about potion making?
Potion-making is one of my specialties. Take a look at them and tell me what you need. I will do my best to help.