CYOA: The Orc and the Tower Part 19

(Thank you all for your patience! This is a bit longer than my normal CYOA updates because I had too many ideas😅 I even had to commission the help of my friend to do the last couple illustrations, so special thanks to Iggy🐸 for filling out this update💚 Enjoy!

Apologies if there are typos, I'm very tired. 😅)

You and the goblin agree to use your individual strengths to aid Paier as she performs her magicks.

The goblin assuming the role of enchanting entertainer as you utilize your superior physicality to comfort and restrain Carab.

The sound of cascading, dripping water is joined by Paier’s voice as she begins muttering incantations or perhaps merely muttering to herself, you aren’t quite sure.

As Paier begins to remove the chains one by one, you set to work comforting the large creature.

The humid air becomes more stifling with the increased heat from Paier’s work so you and the goblin shed unnecessary garments.

Carab’s pained, shuddering spasms require you to use your entire body’s strength to subdue them.
Though their labored breathing increases, you sense them relaxing under the rhythmic pressure of your hands.  

Your task is made pleasantly slippery by the natural slickness covering Carab’s body.

As you become engrossed in your movements Carab squirms and sucks in air through their teeth with a quiet hiss. You hear Paier’s encouraging voice issuing from somewhere from above “You’re doing fine, Carab you big brute, jussst relax…”

The goblin’s pattering steps diminish slightly as it appears she’s involved Carab’s tentacle-like hair in her dance, entrancing the Bell Being in her movements.

You grip suddenly tighter as Carab sharply intakes a breath as their body becomes momentarily rigid, only relaxing again as one of their bonds falls to the floor with a dull, metallic clatter. The sound echoes up into the spiraling mists above you as Carab groans.

“Eeasssy now, jussst a few more,” comes the consoling voice of Paier.

“I’m tr-trying” returns Carab in a plaintiff moan, their breath coming out in a hiss as another chain tumbles onto the floor.

You hear the goblin’s voice issuing forth encouragement between gasping breaths caused by her own exertions. 

You begin to feel a throbbing shudder rise through Carab’s body beneath you once again. Your own body tenses in response as you strain to keep the pale form from shaking Paier loose from above you, even as their other tentacles thrash and foam in the pool. 

Just as you think you can endure no more, your sweat-slicked muscles are finally released from their efforts when, with a decisive-sounding clang, Carab is given a final release from the magical bonds. You all lie on the floor, exhausted.

A triumphant-looking Paier declares, “I hope I didn’t make you ssssuffer too greatly.” 

Carab exhales deeply, giving a shudder as the last piece of chain hits the floor and their manacles unclasp. The impact of the chain is followed by an eerily distorted chime and the crash of the bell reverberates through the chamber. 

The bell, split in two, lies shattered on the floor, it feels as though the very tower shakes with the bell’s final tolling.

“I cannot thank you enough for freeing me.” Carab speaks between gasps. “I have no desire to see the wizard, but I will take you as far as the door at the top of this chamber before I leave this tower for good.”

As Carab ferries you up the slickened walls of the chamber you hear a rumbling groan reverberating through the walls, accompanied by a tinkling cascade of small stones, tumbling past you into the murk below.

Paier’s voice betrays her uneasiness as she asks, “Carab…doessss the wizard yet live? The tower feelsss…weakened.”

 “I don’t know. The last I saw of the wretch was when he defiled your likeness.” Carab says, gesturing at the statue of Paeir. “He did not seem like himself. Perhaps under the influence of his time spent with the old tomes of Mesmera.”

Paier hisses the name back “Mesmera! That demon and his obsession with entrapment and power sssiphoning sorceriess. I should never have shown the wizard those booksss, I told him they were filled with twisted, half truths but he would not lisssten to me.”

“Not even to you, his ‘Little Ember?’ ” Carab taunts. 
Paier turns a baleful look at the smirking creature and retorts, “perhaps I should have left you in chains so the wizard could continue to sssuck your magic dry.” 

Carab grins impishly and chuckles, “Oh calm down, you’re starting to smoke,” playfully fanning an un-amused Paier with their immense hand. “Besides we are nearly there. Mind your steps, the tower does feel weaker since you released me.”

Water vapor drifts in the air obscuring the statue below as Carab'ss many tentacles amble over the lip of the walkway near the roof of the chamber, depositing you, Paier and the goblin at a narrow, shadowed staircase leading to the room above.

Your ears prick up to listen with your keen hearing for a clue of what’s to come. You hear…