The Witching Hour

Chapter 24 - Gale

The air is thick with an oppressive weight, the sky above a churning maelstrom of dark clouds and crackling lightning. I stand on a precipice, my heart racing, the Netherese Orb embedded in my chest thrumming with volatile energy. Each beat is a painful reminder of the impending doom.

Beside me, she stands with her eyes soft and filled with a tenderness that pierces through the chaos. Her gaze gives me strength, and for a moment, I believe I can do this. But then, her expression shifts, a cruel smirk curling her lips. She starts to laugh, the sound growing louder and more maniacal until it fills the air, drowning out the cacophony of the storm.

'Do it,' she mocks, her voice dripping with scorn. 'Destroy it all, Gale. What are you waiting for?'

My heart races, the betrayal cutting deeper than any physical wound. I see Astarion beside her, his arm around her waist, their fingers intertwined. She turns to him, and they share a passionate kiss, a twisted parody of love and intimacy.

I stagger back, the pain of their betrayal searing through me. I force myself to look away, my gaze falling upon a monstrous, pulsating mass that suddenly dominates the landscape—the Elder Brain. Its grotesque form writhes with sinister tendrils, a horrific embodiment of madness and destruction.

As I climb the root leading to the brain, each step feels like a lifetime, memories of Mystra flood my mind. Her ethereal beauty, her whispered promises of eternity, and her ultimate abandonment. She left me when I needed her most, and now, the weight of my mistakes presses down on me.

Reaching the top, I stand before the brain. With a final, shuddering breath, I close my eyes and think of all I've lost, all I've sacrificed. One tear escapes, rolling down my cheek, a solitary testament to the pain and regret that have shaped my journey.

I channel the orb's power, feeling it surge within me, a tempest of arcane energy ready to unleash. As I activate the orb, a blinding light engulfs everything, erasing the surroundings in an instant of cataclysmic brilliance. The darkness follows, a void swallowing me whole.

I wake with a start, drenched in sweat, my heart hammering in my chest. The room is dark and still, the only sound, my ragged breathing. I sit up, trying to steady myself, the remnants of the nightmare clinging to my mind like shadows.

As my heartbeat begins to slow, I hear a soft sound beside me—Remeyra, shifting and whimpering in her sleep. Beads of sweat gather on her brow, and she looks agitated, almost on the verge of tears. Her distress is palpable, and it tugs at something deep within me.

I lean closer, concern overriding my own lingering fear. 'Remeyra,' I whisper softly, reaching out to touch her shoulder. 'Remeyra, wake up. It's just a dream.'

She doesn't budge, her whimpering only growing more intense. I shake her gently. 'Remeyra,' I say a bit louder, worry creeping into my voice.

Still, she doesn't respond. Her agitation escalates, and I feel a pang of desperation. 'Rem,' I plead, my voice breaking slightly. 'Rem, wake up. Please.'

At last, her eyes fly open, wild and panicked. She jerks up, her fist swinging towards me instinctively. I catch her wrist just in time, holding it firmly but gently. 'Rem, it's me,' I say urgently.

Her eyes focus on me, and for a moment, there's nothing but raw fear in them. Then, slowly, recognition dawns. She stops struggling, her body relaxing as she realizes where she is.

I loosen my grip on her wrist, brushing my thumb over her skin in a soothing gesture. 'It's alright,' I murmur, my voice steady and calming. 'It was just a nightmare.'

Her breathing slows, the tension draining from her body. 'I know...' she whispers, her voice barely audible.

'We all have them," I offer her a gentle smile, letting my hand fall away, giving her space.

Tears gather in her eyes, and for a brief moment, she looks vulnerable in a way I've never seen. But she quickly shakes the feeling away, her eyes darkening as she watches me stand to return to my spot on the floor.

'Gale?' she says, shyly this time, her voice but a whisper, unsure.

'Hm?' I turn to face her, my curiosity piqued by the softness in her tone.

She takes a deep breath, as if she's preparing for whatever she is about to say. Then her words roll of her lips 'We could pretend.'

My own words, returning back at me, but hearing them has me momentarily stuck looking at her. And it's not because I hesitate but because I'm not actually sure I heard her right.

My heart pounds against my ribs and after a minute of what feels like an eternity, I take the risk of getting punched in the face, and climb into bed next to her.

She doesn't protest. Instead, she shifts slightly, making space for me. The bed is just large enough for the two of us, and as I settle beside her, I can feel the warmth of her body, a comforting contrast to the cold reality of our separate nightmares.

We lie there in silence for a moment, the only sound our breathing as it gradually syncs. The faint moonlight filters through the window, casting a soft glow on the room. I glance at her, noticing the way her eyes flutter as she tries to hold back more tears.

Without thinking too much, I make a bold move. Unsure if I'm going to get stabbed for it, I gently wrap my arm around her, pulling her closer to me. My heart beats so loudly that I'm sure she can hear it. Hells, I'm sure the whole inn can hear it.

Initially, she tenses at my touch, but gradually, she relaxes into my embrace. I settle behind her, our bodies close, her back against my chest. Her warmth against me makes me wonder if I'll ever be able to fall back asleep.

I gently brush her hair with my free arm, smoothing stray strands away from her face and tucking them behind her ear. 'Is this ok?' I whisper, my voice tinged with uncertainty. She doesn't respond immediately, but I sense her nod slightly, her breath hitching before she takes a deep, steadying inhale.

I gaze at her, illuminated softly by the moonlight filtering through the window. Her features appear ethereal, softened by the gentle glow, and for a fleeting moment, I find myself captivated by her beauty. Her hazel eyes, usually guarded and sharp, now carry a vulnerability that draws me in—an openness that echoes my own turmoil.

I keep looking at her until my eyelids grow heavy and sleep finally embraces me. A soft smile paints my face as I fall into my slumber.

This is me acting natural.