“Ah… Here it is.” Ellie stopped flipping through pages and began relaying what she uncovered. “According to this, as long as the mindflayer can maintain its grip on Meridia, she will not wake up… We weakened it by removing the minuscule helper, but she is still trapped until we can deal with it.” Eira’s jaw clenched as Lyne let out a yawn.

“Let’s go already, then!” chirped Lyne.

Eira shot her a dirty look then turned back to Ellie. “Lyne’s right. We’re wasting time.”

“Not exactly,” replied Ellie. “It says here we can use an incantation to help us track the mindflayer. It might catch on, but since it’s focused on Meridia, it might not even know you’re coming.”

Following the ritual, Eira and Lyne embarked to find the mindflayer and free Meridia from its grip. The dark caverns echoed with an eerie silence as they advanced, each step bringing them closer to the heart of the mindflayer’s domain. Tension thickened the air, and shadows seemed to writhe in anticipation.

Strange arcane symbols pulsated on the walls, revealing the mindflayer’s influence. Eira, drawing on her knowledge of mystical creatures, identified them as wards, signaling the duo to proceed with caution, saving Lyne from a particularly dangerous one.

The tunnels twisted and convoluted as they delved deeper, warped by the mindflayer’s malevolent presence. Finally, they entered a vast chamber, where the monster awaited, surrounded by an aura of malevolence. Its tentacles writhed as it focused its energy on Meridia.

Lyne didn’t wait to see what would happen. Rushing in, she leapt up and threw a punch, connecting with the back of the mindflayer’s head. Jolted away from its spell, the mindflayer shrieked out in pain, flailing as it regained its bearings in the real world.

Lyne, with nimble reflexes, dodged the onslaught and charged toward the mindflayer. Meanwhile, Eira, from a safe distance, drew her bow and steadily aimed it at the creature. She centered in on its heart, pulling back until the string began to release a slight whine, taut from the pressure.

The arrow found its mark, and the master mindflayer convulsed in its death throes. The oppressive atmosphere lifted, and the arcane symbols faded. Relief washed over Eira and Lyne.

Back at the medical room, the residual effects of the mindflayer’s psychic assault faded, and Meridia stirred from her unconscious state. Ellie tended to Meridia, giving her fluids, teas and potions, and tried to help her regain her strength and wits. The mindflayer’s effects would certainly be difficult to overcome, but soon, with her cohorts, Meridia would be back to health in no time.