The path through the labyrinth of underground caves continues. You and Oolok find something.

New hours of wandering through dark dungeons.

Half-orc's swearing.

His irritation is growing every hour due to the fact that the search for a way out does not bring a positive result.

You tell your companion about the small lizards you noticed.

Oolok reacts: “At least some kind of food source... My food supplies will soon run out. Then we will have to hunt these lizards and eat their meat."

You feel increasing anxiety.

What if you still can't find your way out of the dungeons?

What if your optimistic expectation of the effectiveness of mutual aid and the goodwill of Oolok does not come true?

By the end of this day, you both go deeper into the underground caves.

The exit could not be found.

However, the half-orc was able to find a vast underground lake.

The dark surface of the vast underground lake is a majestic view. Majestic and disturbing.

An inexplicable but persistent anxiety rises in your mind at the sight of this lake.

The half-orc is preparing a place for another night on the shore of the lake.

You both eat and drink.

Oolok then fills his canteens with water from the lake. He hands you one filled flask.

He says: “At least there was something successful for today spent in these shitty caves. We were able to replenish our water supplies."

The half-orc then goes to bed. Today he sleeps first.

You must observe the area.

Time passes slowly.

Your gaze glides over the dark surface of the underground lake.

You can go around the lake from the left or right side (the branches of the underground tunnels are located in both directions). But the size of the lake is such that you cannot see its length.

You drink water from a flask.

The sound of dripping water.

Glow of mushrooms and moss.

The rustling of some small animals that move among the stalagmites.

Several hours pass.

In your head, in addition to the usual fatigue, something strange is felt.

It's like a quiet whisper.

Whispering in some language unknown to you.

You think: “This is just the result of fatigue, lack of sleep and nervous tension...”

You rub the temples on your head.

Unfortunately, the whispering doesn't go away.

Ten minutes later the situation changes.

In addition to the whispering in your head, you feel mental images appearing in your mind.

It's like a waking dream.

Or something more than a dream.

You have no control over these images.

Pictures of boundless water surface among the stalagmites of caves appear in your head.

Images of vast and dark underground tunnels that rush further and further for many days of travel, delving into the depths of the dungeons.

Images of you and your companion, who look like two small sparks in the darkness of a huge dungeon. Small and insignificant sparks that someone looks at from above.

You feel a slight urge to vomiting.

You are confused.

However, the images and whispers in your mind do not disappear.

On the contrary.

They become more persistent and colorful.

It's as if you see yourself from the outside.

In your mind, your image looks strange. A slender and short half-elf with a half-mad smile on his face. Slightly dirty reddish hair reaches shoulder level. Beautiful greenish eyes exude an unhealthy shine.

This half-elf... you...

You are walking towards a dark underground lake. Step by step you are approaching the water surface.

Your thoughts now: “What nonsense?! I’m seeing some illusions!”

You shake your head. Then you pour some water out of the flask and you wash your face, trying to shake off the obsession.

Unfortunately, this doesn't help.

The images in your head become more and more colorful.

The insistent whisper in your mind is growing stronger.

Do you feel a strong need...

An inexplicable but strong need.

The need to go towards the lake.

The need to enter its waters.

For some reason you feel like you need to do this.

Cool water...

It is so sweet.

The touch of cool water to the skin refreshes and invigorates.

You need to take a little swim.

You yourself do not notice how your body takes steps towards the shore of the lake.

A couple more steps.

You feel the water of the lake washing your ankles.

You try to concentrate on the last remnants of rational thoughts in your mind: “What the fuck?!” Why do I want to swim in this underground lake now?! I have to resist!”

At the same time, calming thoughts arise in your mind.

These thoughts sound with synchronicity, persistence and monotony.

"Everything is fine.

Everything will be fine.

A way out will be found.

I just need to relax.

I need to swim in the lake.

This will help me.

Cool water will refresh me.

A little more and there won’t be any problems.”

One more step.

Your skin feels the coolness of the water.