Soul Reaver mentally contacts his friends.

Do not worry - I have no intention of accepting their 'quest' without good reason.

Defiantly, Soul Reaver looks straight into Heartbanes' eyes.

"I do not see why I should acquiesce to a request from one such as you, Heartbane. Tell us why we should accept, and tell us now, or we shall leave."

The Shadowlord on the rightmost side leans forward to speak.

"You above all others would have good reason to accept. For it is connected the torturous visions that have been now been plaguing you."

Several of Soul Reaver's companions look at him quizically - they know nothing of the 'visions' the Shadowlords speak of. However, Soul Reaver's darkening expression reveals that this is not a ruse.

Soul Reaver, however, still stands firm.

"I still do not see how any goal of ours could possibly be linked with those of you and your Lords."

Heartbane turns his glittering red eyes on Soul Reaver. His words are meant for him alone, but the others hear them too.

"Do you remember the spider, Soul Reaver? Do you remember how it fed off those around you? How it fed off of all existence? You know that it is more than just an illusion - it is REAL, and it is EVIL. And it will consume everything you hold dear.

What we ask of you destroy the lord of that web. Did you not already know that a time would come where you would need to do so anyway? If you agree now, then we can help with information that only we possess. Without us, you will be left as blind as before."

Heartbane allows himself to sink deeper into his fleshy throne, steepling his fingers before him.

Soul Reaver seems shaken and more uncertain as he replies.

"I am still not convinced... your reputation for deceit is well known..."

The Daemon Prince to the left of Hearbane speaks in response.

"We suspected that you would be reluctant. That is why we wish to offer you proof that our intentions are genuine. We wish to offer you a gift, of sorts, as a token of our... good will."

Soul Reaver seems suspicious.

"And what would that gift be?"

"This!"

Heartbane smirks as he rises from the throne to his full height, his massive wings blotting out the spitting skull-torches behind him. Soul Reaver's hand involuntarily begins to go to his sword.

Heartbane holds his hands in front of him and moves them apart. A shimmering vision appears between them...

Kawanua, his wings shredded and torn by the razor-studded wire threaded through their bones, hangs a painfully short distance just above the ground. Blood flows in endless rivers from his innumerable wounds, which constantly bubble and spit with a terrible poison.

Kawanua rolls his head in agonised circles, his eyes wide and staring... his eyelids have been torn from his face, making him unable to look away from his tormentor.

That tormentor stands before him even now. It is a woman, who might have been beautiful once. However, her long blonde hair is caked with blood, her face twisted in an insane mask of hatred. A clean wound seems visible on her back, blood welling freely from it.

She is clawing with her bare nails into a gaping hole in Kawanua's torso, slowly, agonisingly tearing out his insides, scraping away at him even as he howls in torment. All the while she screams mad obscenities at him, screeching her hatred for him so loudly that it seems to ring and reverberate in every bone in Kawanua's body.

Realisation dawns in some of the companions as they see and hear Kawanua speak in a voice choked with blood and mental anguish...

"Forgive me... Samantha... forgive me..."

The vision abruptly dissolves as Heartbane lowers his hands. He remains standing, looking down at the stunned companions.

"I offer the release of Kawanua, and even the restoration of his life, if you will accept this quest. Should you accept, not only will you gain our aid in destroying the evil that even now threatens everything you hold dear, but you will save Kawanua from eternal torment here. Soul Reaver should well know how loathe we are to relinquish a soul from our possession... that alone should be enough to convince him of the truth behind our words.

Now do you accept our offer? I will give you all a few moments to come to a decision."

Soul Reaver looks amazed. He turns back towards his friends.

"I know that they are untrustworthy... but this time... I believe him."

Seeming ill-at-ease, Soul Reaver awaits the council of his companions.