Cervato - Rise of the Phoenix (Part 2 of Cervato's Saga)

The Reason

Returning to the Accord's camp deep within Brisban Wildlands was the next logical course of action.  After agonizing over the choice a couple days, and free of any interference from the demon, Baset, Cervato eventually promised her family and Marcus a short return after informing her allies of her current status.  Despite Baset's influence, she needed to see those who were the most precious to her beyond her son.

Dandy had been the first to inform Cervato of Mandel and Penelope's misadventures in their futile search for her within the Mists.  Immediately, she marched towards the room containing the mesmer and abruptly opened the door.  How many days had it been since she had seen him?  The way his eyes opened wider in slight surprise before taking on a demeanor like he had been patiently waiting for her all this time.  The world closed in around her as she adopted tunnel vision, being drawn towards the injured Mandel, and resting her hand within his.

Vaguely, she remembered stating the obvious of his injuries, "You're hurt..."  Though clearly her focus was upon something else.  Oh, how many words had she been planning to convey to this man and now her voice was lost?  Why were her lips struggling to explain her sudden reappearance instead of pressed to his?    Did he know that his gaze was the reason she suddenly felt feverish?  Could he tell the effect he was having upon her? 

Instead of an intimate reunion between lovers, the moment was interrupted by another coming around a separate partition wall, wrapped nearly head to toe in bandages, the shock so horrifying it caused Cervato to scream in surprise!  Penelope Valmont had also been subject to injury upon taking a small group into the Mists with her in a search for Cervato.  The commotion drew in Kihrae, Tolyrn, and Mercer to which Cervato was forced to explain herself to the best of her ability.

Yet, the truth was unable to be fully expressed.  Baset proved that she was always present, lying in wait for the appropriate time to take hold of Cervato's body and use her form as the vessel for what she wanted.  Meeting Marcus and becoming bound to Baset was conveniently left unexplained and no matter how Cervato tried to fight against the lies, the demon overpowered her.

Torture.  Being unable to speak freely, knowing every action was to be used against her, was almost too much.  Every conversation from Mercer to Penelope was constantly being monitored, each with Baset's observations or criticisms filling her mind.  Every person was marked on how useful they would be based on the demon's greed for power, lust, and wealth.  It was enough to drive Cervato to tears, as the emotionally weighted pain in her heart thrived at Baset's call.  The physical pain soon followed, a small punishment should she not obey immediately.  How much longer could she withstand such atrocities from the selfish demon?

She needed to at least accomplish three simple tasks before falling prey to Baset's whims.

1. Find Arvanna and tell her about Marcus, who heavily resembled their lost ally, Atlas Oak.

2. Apologize to Penelope for losing the sword her friend had tirelessly had worked upon.  Artemis had ensured the blade was lost within the Mists forever.

3.  Tell Mandel the truth.