A/N: Hello there! Here we go with Chapter Two of Origins-but first, I really want to thank my three reviewers-Dark Queen Come To Krynn, Insolent, & Wawoot!! Thank you three so much for reviewing. Also, I'd like to thank the other 99 who have been reading, but haven't reviewed-thanks!! Now on to the story! -SidiousSith

As they approached the huge adamantine gates of the Do'Urden compound, wrought into the shape of spiders, A'alis couldn't help but remark to Malice about them: "Matron, why is everything here covered in spiders?" Slightly laughing to herself, Malice paused for a second & then spoke: "Foolish young A'alis, I will forgive your oblivious nature this time. They are the symbols of Lolth, our Goddess. Our Spider Queen. It is she who brought us, long ago, to the wonderful paradise that is the Underdark. Did you notice the buildings we passed earlier? That is Tier Breche, our Academy. It is comprised of three schools-Sorcere, the tower of magic & wizardly dealings, Melee-Magthere, the pyramidal school of fighters, & Arach-Tinilith, the spider-shaped complex for female clerics of Lolth, where they learn of her & deadly power beyond even your imagination." As they passed through the strong gates, a figure stepped out of the shadows-yet spotted by no one, and bent down to pick up a rapidly crawling spider. "Ah, my pet. Thank you for coming back to me with such glorious news as swiftly as you have-rest now." She said, while stroking it lightly on the head, watching Malice & A'alis. Speaking to herself, she commented ever so softly: "So, Matron Malice, it seems that all three of you followed my commands to the letter. A'alis, listen well to her. She will teach you much of power & what you will need to survive here. I at first had my doubts about you, but you swept them all away, beyond even my wildest dreams. Best of luck to you, for the time will come when I shall visit you & it will be time to return to your galaxy. But first, you must learn. Do me proud, my Chosen One." With that, the figure disappeared in a pillar of smoke, leaving only spiders in her wake, for she was the Lady Lolth, Queen of Spiders & Mistress of Menzoberranzan.
Suddenly, the blue disk dissipated, which left only Matron Malice, standing calmly, in front of a huge stalagtite-rising all the way up to a distant balcony, many many feet above them. "Your first lesson will be to levitate-I am sure Lolth has provided you with some of our innate powers, to help you survive here. Reach inside yourself, feel that core of power within yourself & will yourself to rise up to that ledge. I will help you if you do not get it the first time, so that you do not fall from such a tall height. Now.. find that place of darkness inside of you & rise up to that ledge!" Even as she was speaking, A'alis was finding a cold place centered within his very soul, it seemed. Completely unaware of his surroundings, he couldn't tell when he rose 10, 20, 30 feet above the ground until he gracefully landed upon the balcony, completely shocking Malice. "He has the grace of a drow already.. amazing." She thought to herself, then quickly disguised her look of complete shock, while rising up to join him. Within seconds, her astounded expression had been replaced by a slight smile-extremely rare for Malice. "Excellent, A'alis. You already seem to be doing quite well. I feel that you will learn quickly our ways & shall be able to move on to greater studies soon." "Thank you, my Matron." He replied, bowing. Noting that this only brought an even wider smile to her face, he chuckled to himself inside his head, thinking that maybe all that political training could actually help him here. "Come, let us go introduce you to your new siblings. They are awaiting our arrival." She had already talked to Briza about the coming of Lolth's Chosen-she was not aware, however, that he was a human. No, the official story would be that he is a drow cousin of theirs, off for many years wandering through the Underdark's cities, seeking knowledge. She was informed, though, that he was to be treated with the highest respect that could be offered a male-since he was sent to them by Lolth-& that all the family would help to educate him in traditional drow ways. It seemed though, that he already had learned much without any help-that aided her plan greatly.
As he walked beside Malice through the corridors toward the Do'Urden chapel, he couldn't help but admire the beautiful artistry put into the carvings in the archways, the intricate weavings-like spiderwebs-engraved upon the stone floors, & the huge statues of arachnids gracing every single twist & turn in the pathway. It seemed so surreal, to feel to at ease in a place he'd never been before, let alone get this comfortable in. It was strange & wonderful at the same time, to feel as if all Menzoberranzan were filled with people just like him. It gave him so many ideas of what he could do here-the possibilities were sheerly mind boggling. Then-he couldn't help but gasp in amazement & wonder-his eyes fell upon the chapel. It was stunning. Completely. He paid no mind to the people standing there, awaiting Matron Malice to speak-they just weren't as interesting. This chapel, though.. it bristled with power. It called to him, beckoning him with promises of power & glory-if he would listen. Right then & there, he decided that power certainly came first & that this place and all the drow in it most definitely could help him gain even more. Magic really sounded fun..
While thinking, his face twisted into a wicked smirk, customary of most drow-unbeknownst to him, Matron Malice was watching the whole time, while speaking to the gathered members of House Do'Urden, very pleased by what he was thinking. He certainly was the Chosen of Lolth.. "My family, we have a new member to welcome into our family-A'alis Do'Urden. He is your long lost cousin, sent out on a mission to gain more knowledge for Lolth & Menzoberranzan. He has been away from most drow ever since he can remember, so we must help him. This duty is dictated to us by Lolth herself, to aid him in his quest. So.. Dinin-teach him of the city. Guide him around to all the places he should know. As a Master of Melee-Magthere, you can take him inside the Academy. See where his talents may best lie. Nalfein, follow & guide him through Sorcere. Do you understand?" They both reply in unison, “Yes, Matron Malice," yet it is evident to Malice they do not look forward to teaching their new charge. Ignoring their subtle signals for now, she thought to herself: "They will learn in time. Besides, it would do both of them good to learn patience." As soon as they had left, leaving Zaknafein, Rizzen & her daughters alone in the Do'Urden chapel, she remarked to the two males: "Both of you follow them, too. I want no trouble from any of them. If anything happens to him.. you know the price." Bowing simultaneously, they both retreat into the shadows, taking care not to be noticed by the three in front of them. Briza was the first to remark: “Why must we take care of him, Matron? He is just a male.." "A male chosen by Lolth" Malice said, effectively cutting her off. "He is different, I will agree, but what exactly is so special about that one, Matron? He is no cousin of ours, either.." "Darn.." Malice thought to herself. "I was hoping to avoid this.. arg. But Vierna has always been powerful in looking past appearances. I will have to tell her." After a pause of a few seconds, she finally speaks: "Vierna, he is different because of his power. Power given to him by Lolth. He could rival a high priestess if ever given access to such clerical power-and his skill with manipulation & deceit is exceedingly strong. He is no ordinary drow, you are correct. But he is your cousin. Briza, Maya-leave us." Sensing that Vierna had just set herself up for a fall, they both gave Malice hurried bows & rushed out of the room. Vierna also expected some retribution for her remarks, but was completely shocked when Matron Malice started laughing-softly at first, then slightly louder until it echoed throughout the spacious chapel. "Vierna, my daughter, you have always been the clever one. Ever so skilled at looking through disguises.. No, he is no cousin. He is not even drow. A human, from another plane of existence, is what he is." Now utterly stunned, she could do nothing but stammer: "Why.." & couldn't prevent her jaw dropping, which made Malice laugh even more. "My daughter, he is Lolth's Chosen One. He has dark power flowing through his veins, within his very soul. He has the potential to be evil incarnate upon his home plane. Remember, Lolth loves chaos. What is more chaotic than picking as your avatar a person who goes against all you are, in appearance? He is a male & human, yet his soul mirrors Lolth herself. He has the potential to terrorize his home plane more than anything ever before. I have seen this place only once-it is like the surface world above, except with many, many more species. There is an insane amount of planets. It is... horrid enough already, but he stands for the chance to make it a living hell for those already living there. A mirror of the Underdark. A new territory for Lolth to control & the drow to expand to. It is, in essence, the perfect plan. Now do you understand?" Regaining her composure, Vierna slowly nods her head, and then asks Malice: "Do you wish for me not to tell any of the others about this?" "Yes. This must stay secret. It was known only to me, Matron Oblodra, Triel Baenre, Lolth, & now you. That is how it will stay. Correct?" "Absolutely." Vierna replied, now smirking at the sheer brilliance of Lolth’s plans. "Now, go join your sisters. I have much to prepare for-he still has much to learn before he can truly claim his place."
As they both left to do what must be done, it seemed that the giant statue of the spider's eyes flickered red for a second, as if laughing, then left as soon as it had appeared, leaving the chapel completely empty.

A/N: Next chapter should be up in a few days.