Chapter 2
The Ravaged Beach
Aiden opened his eyes and sat up. He looked around, squinting in the sunlight. He was lying next to the nautiloid, almost unrecognizable from the crash. Ashes floated around him and onto the sand. It was then Aiden realized he was on a beach. He slowly stood, trying to figure out where he was. The chaos of the crash obscured the landscape. He then checked himself for injuries. Other than the infection, he was more or less in tact…a miracle, given everything he had been through. But it would be all for nothing if he didn't find help soon. The tadpole was a death sentence, and the clock was ticking. He needed a cure. He also hoped the other victims had survived the crash, and they would also get help. He walked forward, finding a dead thrall, and finding gold, and to his surprise, a fluorite gem. It would seem Hazel wasn't the only one who collected rocks. He decided to keep it, in case he ever ran into her again.
Taking a few more steps, he noticed Shadowheart, lying unconscious. In one hand, she still gripped the strange artifact. Now that he could see it up close, it looked like a twenty-sided dice, with symbols of a strange language on each side. He was almost tempted to reach for the artifact, but he remembered something his mother would say.
"Don't go poking into things you don't understand!" She would say. "And don't pry, and above all; don't tempt fate!"
Aiden knelt down and gently grasped Shadowheart's shoulders, shaking her awake. She groaned and opened her green eyes. Up close, Aiden could see a scar across her right cheek. Quite old, like his own scar.
"You're alive!" Shadowheart gasped, sitting up. "I'm alive… how is this possible?" She asked, slowly getting to her feet and pocketing the strange artifact.
"I was hoping you might know that." Aiden replied, standing straight as well.
"I remember the ship…I remember falling…then nothing." Shadowheart admitted.
"So…now what?" Aiden asked.
"First things first: we need supplies, shelter, and most of all, a healer." Shadowheart replied. "We might have escaped but we still have these little monsters in our heads."
"We?" Aiden asked. "You mean…you want to stay together?"
"We need each other, and we both know what's at stake." Shadowheart replied. "I can't think of better company."
"Very well," Aiden nodded. "Let's do this together, then."
"One moment, just before we go…" Shadowheart raised a hand. "I wanted to thank you again, for freeing me. It would've been all too easy for you to run right past my pod, but you didn't…I'll remember that."
All Aiden could do was smile in response. It was only what his Lady of Silver would want him to do; help others.
"Lead on." Shadowheart said. The two continued, finding more dead thralls, gold, and supplies.
~jb~
Hazel woke with a start. She found herself surrounded by sand, ashes, and crates. She could feel the tadpole squirming through her skull. She sat up, trying to orient herself. She could sense she was in the Wilds, but where exactly, she wasn't sure. She made her way to the crates, finding some gold. On the path towards the crash, she found a piece of granite. She smiled, glad to see something she was familiar with. She happily pocketed it and spotted the nautiloid. Inside, crawled intellect devourers.
"More of those retched things…" Hazel shuddered. She grabbed her quarterstaff, ready to fight. Two intellect devourers dashed towards her. Hazel responded with her thunderwave, knocking both of the creatures back and killing one. Another intellect devourer dashed at her, scratching at her arm with its black claws. Hazel swung her quarterstaff, narrowly missing the brain. The other intellect devourer rushed back, also slashing at Hazel. Hazel used thunderwave again, knocking both creatures back again, killing the first one. This gave her enough time to swig a healing potion.
The last intellect devourer dashed back to Hazel, barely scratching her. Hazel swung her staff again, bludgeoning it to death. Hazel felt weak, so she took another healing potion, restoring her health and erasing her scars. She had some tears in her clothes. She would have to fix them later once she made a camp. She continued up the trail, knowing she would have to find a powerful healer. The tadpole made her shiver in disgust, and she would need it removed as soon as possible.
"Hello? Over here!" A voice called out. She hesitantly followed it until she heard it again. "Hey! I need some help!" She ran towards the voice, spotting a high elf. He looked eerily similar to Aiden, but his clothes were fancier and his hair was pure white. Once she got closer, he gestured to her, eyes filled with relief.
"Hurry!" He pleaded. "I've got one of those brain things cornered." He turned towards the trees and bushes. "There, in the grass." He pointed. "You can kill it, can't you? Like you killed the others?"
"Easily, stand aside." Hazel replied, walking to stand next to the elf. She peered into the grass, but only spotting a dumb boar. She sighed in relief, but didn't see the pale elf moving to stand behind her, grabbing her shoulder and pulling her to the ground. She found herself half-pinned by him, holding a knife to her throat, and glaring down at her with piercing, red eyes. He grasped her shoulder, preventing her from rolling away from him.
Hazel wasn't sure if she should even try to struggle or not. Before she could decide, he grasp her shoulder even tighter.
"Shh…" He hushed her. "Not a word. Let's try to keep that darling neck of yours in one piece, hm?"
"Hazel!" The half-elf heard a familiar voice in the distance. Aiden! She heard footsteps, and from the corner of her eye, she spotted Aiden and Shadowheart rushing towards her.
"You two, keep your distance!" The stranger snapped. "No need for this to get messy."
"We need her alive." Shadowheart said. "Stow that blade and I'll show you just how messy things can get."
"Promises, promises." The high elf mocked. "But I have other business, I'm afraid." He looked back down at Hazel, his red eyes burning into her. "Now, I saw you on the ship, didn't I? Nod."
Personally, Hazel didn't want things to get messy, so she nodded in response. She didn't see him, but he must have seen her from one of the pods.
"Splendid." The high elf responded. "And now, you're going to tell me what you and those tentacle freaks did to me."
"You've got it backwards!" Hazel finally spoke up, finding her voice. "They took me, just like you!"
"Don't lie to me!" The elf snapped. "I-Argh!" Suddenly, their minds connected. Hazel was looking out of unfamiliar eyes. Busy streets, crowded taverns, the night sky. She tried to hold the memory, but it faded to the worm, the light…the fear…
Hazel opened her eyes, still pinned by the elf. He shook his head. "Ugh, what was that?! What's going on?!"
"It's the worm!" Hazel replied. "It connected us!"
Surprisingly, the elf raised his knife and loosened his grip on her shoulder. Hazel rolled away and quickly got to her feet.
"You're…not one of them…" The elf said as he also stood on his feet. "They took you, just the same as me…and to think, I was ready to decorate the ground with your innards…apologies."
"Apology accepted." Hazel shrugged. "I might have done the same thing if the roles were reversed."
"Ah, a kindred spirit." The elf said curtly. "My name's Astarion. I was in Baldur's Gate when those beasts snatched me."
"My name is Hazel." The half-elf nodded. "I was travelling through the Fey Wilds." She continued to explain how she met Aiden and Shadowheart.
"My, my, you've been busy." Astarion mused. "So, did you learn anything about these worms while on the ship?"
"Yes," Hazel replied. "Unfortunately, they'll turn us into mind flayers…"
"Turn us into…?" The elf's red eye widened before he turned his head and gave a few curt laughs. Then he sighed and became serious again. "Of course, it'll turn me into a monster…what else did I expect?" There seemed to be a sadness in his eyes that Hazel couldn't quite place. Before she could ask him about it, he continued. "Although…it hasn't happened yet…If we can find an expert-someone that can control these things, there might still be time."
"Control it?" Hazel repeated. "We need to get rid of it!"
"Well, yes of course." Astarion replied. "But first things first."
"You could travel with us if you wanted." Hazel suggested. "Our odds are better together." She glanced at Shadowheart and Aiden. They exchanged on odd look Hazel couldn't place.
"You know, I was ready to go at this alone. But maybe sticking with the herd isn't such a bad idea." Astarion admitted. "And anyone who can survive a nautiloid crash, fight intellect devourers, and walk away seems like a good person to know…all right, I accept. Lead on."
~jb~
Ella woke slowly, her head was pounding. She wasn't sure if it was the parasite or not. She slowly sat up, wanting to curse whoever did this to her… as she stood, she shivered. So much had happened to her, but she still had no memories except her name. On top of that, it was like her mind was at a splitting pathway, as though it couldn't decide which memories to contain…one side of her longed to find something to kill and mutilate, the other half shivered at the thought, and urged her to find a cure for the tadpole…and answers.
What was wrong with her?
She shook her head, deciding that this could be an opportunity. She could start a clean slate. Given the blood that covered her, it could also be a better slate. She began to walk up the trail, grabbing provisions off of dead goblins. Some gold, a healing potion, and a fish…? It was fresh food. It would work.
As she continued up the trail, she heard a strange sound. She looked up and spotted a travelling rune. She thanked whatever gods put it there, but something was wrong…there was magic swirling, with sparks flying out. It looked unstable…like it was malfunctioning. It looked slightly dangerous…but Ella had been through worse the previous night, maybe worse before then. She reached her hand towards the sigil, only to be zapped slightly. She pulled away, shaking her hand out. She looked up at the rune again, but gasped when she saw a hand pop out.
"A hand? Anyone?" A voice called out.
Ella could sense who this man was…only a wizard would mess up travelling through rocks. She slapped his hand.
"Ow! Perhaps I should clarify…a helping hand? Anyone?" The voice pleaded.
"Right, sorry." Ella smirked. For a moment, she wanted to imagine cutting off the wizard's hand. She shivered again and shook her head. She lifted her hand and began to work her magic, willing the run to calm down.
"Whatever you're doing, it's working wonders!" The wizard praised. "Now a quick little pull ought to do it!"
Ella reached for the hand, grasping the arm and pulling the man out of the stone. She and the stranger fell on the pathway, and the rune stopped malfunctioning, turning back into a normal Waypoint. Ella got a better look at the wizard. He was a human with a short beard and brown hair that was swept back. He wore a purple robe, and carried a quarterstaff.
"Oooh…" The man groaned, slowly standing up. Ella got to her feet as well. "Hello, I'm Gale of Waterdeep. Apologies, I'm usually better at this…" He stepped forward and shook Ella's hand.
"No need to apologize, are you all right?" Ella asked.
"A bit shaken," Gale admitted. "But friend, it's a relief and a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Say, but I know you, don't I? In a manner of speaking. You were on the nautiloid as well?"
"I was, yes." Ella nodded.
"Then I can only guess you too were on the receiving end of the unwelcome surgery in the ocular region…" Gale mused.
"I couldn't phrase it more repellently myself." Ella admitted.
"No use sugar coating it then, is it? This insertee we speak of, are you aware that after several day of excruciating gestation, it will turn us into mind flayers?" Gale asked.
"I am." Ella said.
"It's a process called peramorphosis, and let me assure you; it is to be avoided!" He practically declared. "You wouldn't happen to be a cleric, would you? A doctor? Surgeon? Uncannily adroit with a knitting needle?"
Ella couldn't help but smile. This man was adorable. But her grin quickly vanished when she pondered the question.
"My memories are…compromised at the moment. But I remember my name…Ella." She replied. "And because of your predicament…I remember I'm a sorcerer…I can use my magic for some ailments, but alien parasites? I'm afraid not."
"As we established, few enough can." Gale replied. "I'm glad some of your memories are returning, but we'll have to find a healer, and soon too. How about we lend each other a helping hand once more, and look for a healer together?"
"Sounds good to me." Ella replied.
"Oh, but before you think you're about to embark with most ill-mannered a man, thank you for pulling me out of that stone. It was an act of great kindness, and I hope there will be ample opportunities for me to return the favor."
Ella smiled.
"Ella!" A voice called out. One that was familiar.
"Aiden!" She turned to the ever-growing group. She sighed in relief that Hazel- and other survivors- had been found.
Each of the new party members introduced themselves. They decided to continue their journey, continuing up the path.
"What happened to you?" Astarion asked Ella.
"I'm not sure to be honest." Ella admitted. "I'm in quite the state right now, but I think I'm Ella."
"Hm…well, do take care of yourself." Astarion insisted.
"Oh, and Hazel, I found fluorite." Aiden said, handing Hazel a gemstone.
"Oh, I love fluorite!" Hazel said excitedly. "So pretty!"
Ella chuckled at the half-elf's excitement as the group walked around the crash, finding more gold and provisions.
"There, a mind flayer! And it's hurt." Hazel spoke up suddenly. Ella looked to see the monster half-buried under rubble of the ship, weak and barely breathing.
"Better it be hurt than me. Do be careful." Astarion said as the group began to approach the dying monster. Ella stood in front of it, happy to have it at her mercy. She could end its life here and now if only she didn't feel…compassion…compassion? No this was wrong, she should be angry, shouldn't she? Yes…she felt hate, and she deserved to be punished for it. She should be whipped and made to bow before this creature in shame…
Ella shook her head, realizing the beast was trying to possess her mind, forcing her to…love it… but then the feeling slipped, and the creature's mind seemed to focus elsewhere. Ella wondered what it could be thinking, as it lay there in defeat. Its eyes were like wet, orange pearls, radiating malice. She wanted to close those eyes forever. Almost as if her foot moved on its own accord, she found herself stomping on the monster's head.
"Monster." Aiden spat. "Death is too good for it."
Ella could sense the group had all felt the same feelings she had. Her tadpole squirmed slightly, as though confirming it. She shook her head again. Something was wrong with her, and it wasn't just the tadpole.
~jb~
Tom opened his eyes, seeing an unfamiliar forest. He wondered if everything that had happened was a dream. The strange movement in his head told him otherwise. There was definitely a parasite in his brain. As he sat up, he saw Asha and Yan'lu, who were also slowly stirring.
It definitely wasn't a dream.
He pulled out his rifle and examined how many bullets he had left. Twelve. He had to be careful.
He watched as Asha stood and helped Yan'lu to her feet.
"What is this place?" Tom asked.
"I'm not sure…but it's definitely Faerun." Asha said.
"The trees look similar to where I come from." Tom mused.
"We might be in the Sword Coast…" Asha replied, looking around. "There's the crash. Just a little way south."
"How are we alive?" Yan'lu asked.
"I have no clue…" Asha said. "Shouldn't have wished to live in more interesting times…" She shook her head.
"Hey look, there's the others!" Tom stood, swinging his gun over her shoulder.
Aiden had been leading the way. He and Hazel ran over to the three, and introduced the new travelling companions.
"More of us survived than I thought." Shadowheart mused. "I wonder how…and why…"
"It doesn't matter, we made it." Ella said.
"Do you think…" Yan'lu hesitated. "My kin survived?"
"Yeah, what happened to our other Gith friend?" Aiden asked.
"You may want to reconsider calling her a friend." Shadowheart said. "She probably went off without us."
"She didn't get very far," Tom said. "Look." He pointed up the trail, and there was the Gith, stuck in a wooden cage, suspended off the ground. Two Tieflings were looking up at it, talking amongst themselves.
"Zorru was right, yellow as a toad, and twice as ugly." The man said.
"The thing's dangerous! Leave it for the goblins to kill." The woman said.
"And if it escapes, how will you…?" The man replied, but trailed off when Asha walked up to him. "Oh, a guest…" He gazed at the group. "Hells, a drow? And…another one of those things…?" He looked between Ella and Yan'lu. "This…this is the oddest party I've ever seen."
Tom could feel the prisoner's white-hot stare. He looked up to see her glare down at him with yellow-green eyes. Her lips didn't move, but he could still hear her voice through the tadpole.
Get rid of them!
"This creature is dangerous; you should get out of here and leave it to us." Tom stepped forward.
"Hm…you may be right." The male Tiefling said. He still seemed uneasy around Yan'lu, but shrugged. "Nymessa, come." He led the other Tiefling through the woods. When they were out of earshot, the Gith yelled.
"Enough gawking! Get me down!" She demanded.
"Say please." Tom jested, earning a chuckle from Astarion and Shadowheart.
"Never." The Gith spat.
"Here," Hazel stepped forward, summoning a vine of thorns from seemingly out of nowhere. She spoke in a different language and shot the thorns forward towards the bottom of the cage. The thorn whip grabbed at it and broke the wood open, making space enough for the Gith to slip through and jump to the ground. She walked up to the group, looking at Tom with curiosity.
"The tadpole hasn't yet scrambled all your senses…auspicious…but the longer we wait, the more it consumes. I must find a creche, you will join me."
"Careful." Shadowheart suddenly spoke up. "She obviously sees your kindness as weakness. Don't let her take advantage."
"Wait, what exactly is a creche?" Tom asked.
"It is everything. A hatchery, a training grounds, a shelter." The Gith explained. "When infected with a ghaik tadpole, the protocol states we must report to a creche for purification."
"Then let's find this creche." Tom decided.
"It is done. You have made an ally of Creche K'liir. Few know such fortune. Call me Lae'zel."
Lae'zel…so that was her name… Tom thought it sounded similar to Hazel. He smirked at the confusion in the group that was sure to come.
"I am sorry we didn't get acquainted properly." Lae'zel said to Yan'lu, bowing slightly at the waist. "Your name and Creche?"
"Yan'lu, of Creche Lekin." The other Gith replied. "It is an honor and a relief to meet you."
"Likewise." Lae'zel said. She turned back to Tom. "The horned ones mentioned a camp, one there- this Zorru- has seen Githyanki. We must find this camp and interrogate this Zorru and ask him where he has seen my kin."
"All right," Tom nodded.
"Maybe this camp has other healers too." Hazel said.
"Do not be foolish, only a ghustil of my people can cleanse us." Lae'zel said.
"I don't doubt the abilities of your people." Hazel replied. "I'm just saying, we need to keep our options open-get help wherever we can."
"Either way, we should move on." Aiden said. "Before the sun goes down."
"Very well, lead on." Lae'zel said.
"I'll trust your judgement." Shadowheart said to Tom. "But I won't trust her…not until I've gotten the measure of her." She glared at Lae'zel.
"You've a sharp tongue, elf." Lae'zel retorted. "Were that your mind proved its equal."
"Half-elf." Shadowheart corrected. "I suppose the finer details are lost on a creature like you."
"Chk!" Yan'lu scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"Ugh, we've got a long road ahead." Hazel groaned.
AN: I forgot to mention- for extra spice, I have been using DND dice for fight scenes, and sometimes perception checks. It's made the story more interesting. AND I can actually write fight scenes now!