I grasped my head and howled in pain, behavior unbecoming of one trained in Neo Sparta but this was a sensation I had never felt before. It was as if some being was burrowing into my very brain and taking control from the inside.

At this time, as Laya and the children worked hurriedly to decipher the scroll, I felt myself lose control of my body. I could see my actions unfold yet had no bearing upon them. An unsettling experience indeed!

Meryn and Sir Lance spoke soothing words to me, assuring me I was among friends, but the thing occupying my mind was no friend to any of us!

Rowan the Seer coaxed the cutlass from my grip just as I lost control. I could hear the children squabbling over the exact translation of the scroll as I saw my hand draw the secret dagger I kept for the throats of potential assassins. The Illithids were not only in control of my mind, but knew of the dagger as well. What other information have they stolen from us?

I struck out at my own party with blade and staff! Meryn proved herself quite the shield maiden as she kept me at bay along with Vorn the Viking and Sir Lance. I felt their blades clatter against my plate armor. I watched as the Necromancer Geth watched in apparent amusement of the situation yet made no moves. I saw myself attack again and again, intent on slaughtering my comrades and destroying the scroll before it could be activated.

Meryn and Lance mostly stayed their blades in hopes that the scroll would free me from the grasp of the Illithid mind attack, but Vorn struck out at me with ferocity. I can respect that he would kill me in that moment, for this mission was more important than any one person.

Just as I felt my armor give way, exposing a gap that Vorn could seize for the final blow, I saw an acolyte stand and recite the scroll. I saw a flash of light and the ley lines swirling around myself and those present. I felt the presence in my mind banished and dropped to my knees...