Calm and collected

Despite your insistence that not everyone needed to come along, all the girls are ready to go when you are. None of them are willing to simply wait while you leave on an adventure, no matter how short. Even Sarah, who is clearly still exhausted from her efforts the day before. The hellhound waves off all your worries, simply grinning.

It’s Melora who puts it in the simplest terms. “How could we let you go into this without us? We’re bonded to you, remember? You’re stuck with us.”

Looking around at the smiles and nods of agreement from the others, you chuckle. “Well, thank you. I appreciate the support.”

Ferra steps closer. “Besides, if you think I’m letting you get out of my sight again…”

Alex giggles. “Yeah! And every time, you come back with a new girl!”

She looks pointedly at Nadia, who smiles. “That sounds like a complaint. Are you upset by my joining you?”

Alex shakes her head. “Nope! Just eager to get your clothes off!”

Everyone laughs, including Nadia. The faerie slides closer to the fire spirit, mischief sparkling in her eyes. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? I would be happy to share everything with you!”

Alex giggles, and you chuckle as your group sets out. Ferra walks beside you, and you listen to the girls plotting a wild night for when you return. Nadia seems to fit right in with the group, willing to tease and joke right along with everyone else. Somehow, it feels like she was always meant to be there.

After a pleasant couple of hours, Nadia moves to walk beside you as well. “You’ve gathered quite a lovely group here. I’m happy to have chosen you as my mate.”

You chuckle. “I’m just glad you’re getting along.”

Nadia smiles, and looks over at Ferra. “Do you approve as well? You’ve been quiet.”

Ferra nods. “I do. I simply enjoy walking with master.”

The faerie looks at her curiously. “Do you mind if I call him master as well? I wouldn’t want to intrude on something special.”

Ferra shakes her head. “I do not mind. I simply say it as an expression of love and devotion.”

You chuckle. “I didn’t like it when we first met. I didn’t want her to think of herself as an object or a slave. But now…it’s different.”

Nadia smiles, touching your arm. “You’re a good person, master.”

You shrug. “I try.”

Ferra and Nadia share a smile over your response, but nothing more is said. Your group walks on, conversations coming and going, until in the late afternoon, Nadia directs you off the path, into a thick wooded area. Fighting through the underbrush is difficult, and at several points you need to use your sword to cut your way through.

Then, suddenly, you break out into a small clearing. In the center, a pile of rubble sits, partially overgrown. Directly in front of you is a small, waist high plinth, which glows faintly. As everyone comes into the cleaning, conversations come to an end. It’s clear that this is what you were looking for.

Nadia stands beside you and sighs. “Here we are. Last chance to back out. Once I open the tomb, there’s no going back.”

You nod. “My mind is made up. Let’s go.”

The two of you walk up to the plinth. Up close, you can see a hand shaped depression in the top. Nadia takes a calming breath, and places her hand into the depression. She murmurs some words you don’t understand, and you feel the ground shiver under your feet. You hear the girls gasp behind you, as the rubble begins moving, slowly reforming into an elaborate doorway. When everything finishes moving, Nadia steps back, nodding to you.

“You must go in alone. Good luck, master.”

You look back at the girls, and give them a smile, before walking towards the doorway. You step through into a familiar, rough hewn hallway, with a faintly glowing red light at the end. As soon as you enter, you hear a voice in your mind once again.