Author's note : Have been a bit busy, couldn't post any chapters for the week, but things should resume as normal as of now!

Betrayal

Arthur's eyes grew wide in disbelief as he saw Astrid lying on the floor next to some lit candles., burnt to the flesh. He ran straight by her side, throwing back his cowl. Her eyes were closed, but opened in surprise when she heard someone rushing into the room. Nazir and Babette followed Arthur inside, and Babette gave a startled gasp. They were both speechless...

Arthur got down on one knee, crouching low to speak with Astrid who could only give pained whispers.
"You alive!... *cough*... Thank Sithis!" exclaimed Astrid, her voice filled with pain. "You're Alive!"
"Astrid..." called Arthur, his eyes filled with sorrow and disbelief.
"Shhhh...*cough*... Please..." said Astrid trying to talk without pain. "There is much...*cough*... I have to say...*cough*."

"Astrid...I'm sorry... I have failed you... failed the family..." said Arthur with much grief. "I..."
"No, no Arthur...*cough*... I'm the one who should be sorry..." interrupted Astrid, "The Penitus Oculatus... Maro..."
"They found out... I don't know how..." explained Arthur.
"I...I am the one who told them..." stated Astrid hesitantly and in despair.

Arthur's eyes filled with his realization... He leaned back on the charded wood behind him, in disbelief... in his mind, it already seemed clear she was the one... but he didn't want to believe it. He trusted her...
"Sister...why?" asked Arthur in both shock and despair.
"Maro...*cough*... he said that by giving in to him...he would leave the Dark Brotherhood alone... forever..." explained Astrid, with much regret.

Arthur looked around, to the burnt sanctuary he once called home... he didn't know what to say...
"By Sithis...*cough*... I was a fool...All of this, my fault..." said Astrid with much regret and guilt.
"You...just wanted to protect our home..." said Arthur, with a sad tone. "I...I understand, sister..."

"No, no...*cough*...You are the best of us...and I nearly killed you..." replied Astrid with remorse. "...as I have killed everyone else..." she continued.
"I...I pity you, sister..." said Arthur with sadness. "Sithis will judge you in the void..."
"No! Don't pity me!" exclaimed Astrid hastily, almost shedding a tear. "I deserve whatever fate the Dread Lord has in store for me!"
"I betrayed you... and in turn, Maro has betrayed me..." she continued. "...Fitting."

"I trusted you, sister... do you still not trust me?" asked Arthur, still heart-broken to hear her trust in him was just a ruse.
"I just wanted things to stay the way they were!" replied Astrid in despair. "Before Cicero... before the Night Mother."
"Before...you." she continued. "I thought I could save us... I was wrong..."
"Sister...I..." said Arthur, trying to think what to say...
"Shhh... please... You're still alive... there is still a chance..." interrupted Astrid. "A chance to rebuild... to start over."
"That's why... I did this..." explained Astrid, gesturing slowly to the candles around her...

Arthur stood up, and looked around. A circle of lit candles, surrounding Astrid. Next to her, was a fine-bladed dagger, and Nightshade petals.
"The Black Sacrament?" asked Arthur, not sure what that would do.
"Don't you see? I prayed to the Night Mother..." explained Astrid. "I am the Black Sacrament..."
"What are you saying?" asked Arthur, still trying to understand what she meant.
"I'm saying you were right..." replied Astrid. "The Night Mother was right..."
"The Old ways... they guided the Dark Brotherhood for centuries..." she continued, "I was a fool to oppose them!"

"And to prove my... *cough*... sencerity..." continued Astrid, looking to the walls of the burnt sanctuary. "I have prayed for a contract..."
"Astrid..." said Arthur, feeling sorrowed to see her suffering.
"You lead this family now..." said Astrid. "I give you the Blade of Woe, so that you can see it through..."
"You must...kill..." said Astrid. "Me..."
Arthur's eyes filled with tears, but he closed his eyes before they could leave. He strengthened his heart, because he knew it had to be done.
He was comforted by knowing that to kill her, was to end her suffering. He prayed silently she would find salvation.

Nazir and Babette said their good-byes to Astrid, and proceeded to the other room, not wanting to see the deed be done.
"Oh Astrid..." cried Babette saly, on her way out.

Nazir turned to Arthur, and a hand on his shoulder.
"Astrid did the right thing... now it's your turn..." said Nazir with sorrow, "End her suffering..."

The Final Sacrament

Arthur lifted the Blade of Woe. He rubbed its sharp blade with the petals of the Nightshade. He crouched down on his knees and lifted the blade in the air.

"Sweet Mother...Sweet Mother...Send your child onto me..." chanted Arthur, closing his eyes hard. "For the Sins of the unworthy...must be baptized in blood..."

"...and Fear." finished Astrid, as Arthur's blade pierced through her, "Thank you... Listener..."