Hope ached in the best way as they took to the road that morning. It had been a long time since she'd been fucked so well—Astarion knew what he was doing. She'd been with her share of lovers who couldn't describe an erogenous zone, let alone find one.
All was quiet for some time before Shadowheart broke the silence. "You know, if you're going to do it, at least take it further from camp. Or be quieter."
Eyes wide, Hope whipped her head around, expecting to see Shadowheart scowling at her. She wasn't. She smirked, actually. As if it were a funny bit of gossip. The only one who truly seemed bothered was Gale, and she only knew that by the way he wouldn't meet her eyes.
"Oh, come now, Shadowheart," Astarion grinned fiendishly, "We all must find comfort in the night somehow."
Astarion winked at Hope, and she turned, running her fingers through her hair as she managed a small smile.
"Okay, let's…focus on where we're going."
"Anything you say, darling."
With plenty of supplies from the Hag's cottage, they were able to continue the main stretch of road. Through the Blighted Village and beyond, the Goblins Camp wouldn't be long. A few more miles and they'd save the druid and find a cure. Then, finally, Hope could go home.
"So, did anyone have any strange dreams of late?" Shadowheart asked.
Hope frowned and glanced at Astarion, whose lips pursed into a tight line, "I did…" she replied, pausing to look at her companions. "The other night."
"We all had the same dream visitor?" Gale asked, and his footfalls slowed.
"I trick," Lae'zel spat as she shook her head, "The creatures in our brains are fueling nightmares. Soon, we'll turn into the nightmare itself. Do not trust it."
"I'm not saying we trust it," Hope replied, "I want to understand it. Ignoring it could be just as much of a problem."
Shadowheart nodded, "I have to agree. We cannot trust it blindly but can't disregard it either."
That was enough talk about the visitor, because they soon arrived at an impasse. More goblins, Hope realized as they approached the dilapidating structure. She wasn't sure what it used to be, but now it was more like a half-crumbling tower in the middle of the path.
Beside the goblin were beasts on all fours. She didn't know what they were called.
"Stop right there!" Shouted one of the goblins as they approached.
Hope stopped as her companions did and let a smile grace her lips, "Just passing through."
"No one goes through…"
An odd thing happened then, and Hope took in a sharp breath as brain swirled, encroaching toward the goblins and met it. It felt similar to when she herself reached out to someone's mind, but this felt sudden and forced. Blinking, she shoved back the sensation harshly.
Was this the parasites' doing?
If Hope were being honest, she'd much rather manipulate her own way.
Locking her eyes with the goblins, her pupils dilated as she compelled him, "Move."
His face slackened, but he moved without hesitation, "Of course. You may go on, of course…"
"A true soul…" A few whispers roused the air as they passed.
It wasn't until they were out of earshot that Hope asked, "What the hell is a True Soul?"
"I haven't the slightest idea," Astarion smirked, "but it seems we can use the powers to manipulate the thoughts of others. How convenient."
"That's destructive," Shadowheart countered.
"It's necessary," Hope answered and glanced over at her, "we don't need to use it against everyone, only those who are in our way. Those that deserve it."
The bridge separated them now from the camp, and as they crossed, a sudden force slammed down on them. Hope fell forward, bracing her hands against the stone as darkness enveloped and energy crackled in the atmosphere around them. She gritted her teeth, fighting against the pressure that pushed her down against the ground.
It didn't matter—she wasn't strong enough.
"Hear my voice. Obey my command."
Whatever it was, whoever it was, spoke with such authority her entire mind screamed against it. Thrashing wildly, like a feral animal to escape its clawing demands. Managing to lift her head, she stared at the three figures that stood before her in the darkness: an armored, male elf, a handsome younger man, and a pale young woman with pale eyes.
"These are my chosen. They speak for me. Aid their search for the prism, and you will be worthy to stand beside them. In my presence."
Hope snarled, baring her teeth at the voice. At the vision before her.
In the explosive darkness, she quickly looked over and could only watch in shock as Shadowheart pulled out the artifact, now glowing red-orange, that she'd been carrying since the crash. She thrust it forward, and it floated from her hand, glowing even brighter. Hope could feel a bit of the pressure slowly lift, and the power of the voice in her head diminish.
"My power grows. My forces gather. The reckoning draws near."
Slowly, Hope pushed herself off the ground as the disembodied voice faded into nothing and watched as the artifact fell into Shadowhearts outstretched hands.
Hope stared at her expectantly. What the fuck was that? Her expression read.
"Don't give me that look," Shadowheart swallowed apprehensively—defensively, "I don't know what happened any more than you do. We should keep going."
The curiosity wasn't as strong as Hope's fear. What was that thing, and who was that speaking to them? "Did you hear the voices?" She asked, instead of asking about the object, she tucked it into her satchel.
But it was Lae'zel's voice that cut through sharply, "A gith relic that softened the voices. Why does a half-elf carry it?"
Frowning, she glanced between Shadowheart and Lae'zel. They couldn't afford a fight mere feet from the goblin camp.
"We'll address it later," Hope intervened quickly, "we need numbers and focus right now if this turns bad."
Lae'zel flashed a glance at her before releasing a slow sigh. "I hate to agree," she eyed Shadowheart then, "but we will…"
Her voice held a threat, not a promise, but Hope couldn't think about that right now. They were about to venture into the goblin camp, and they couldn't be distracted. Turning to the massive, open doors, she took a deep breath and stepped forward.