Event #21: House of Hades (The Third Dead End)
EVENT #21: House of Hades (The Third Dead End)
THE BEGINNING OF AN END
On this particularly day, everyone will hear a voice begin narrating over the denizens of the simulation. It seems innocuous enough if a bit strange. It isn’t The Peacekeeper’s synthetic tone or any of The Creators that are known. It speaks to how nice the weather is, how quaint things are, and points out basic routines of longstanding inhabitants as they go about their business.
Little do they realize that others all throughout the multiverse are experiencing the very same phenomenon.
Eventually, though, he says: "But while going about your everyday normalcy, you meet with a terrible and unexpected fate." As soon as the words are uttered, something awful, unexpected, and fatal happens. Perhaps you tripped in just the right way to be hit by an oncoming car in the city, got poisoned by some usually safe forage from the forest, fell through the floorboards of your house in Amani into the core of the simulation, or so on. The point is: you die.
At least, for a time. Eventually, you open your eyes awash and afloat in a river of blood.
(Don't worry, they have towels.)
Little do they realize that others all throughout the multiverse are experiencing the very same phenomenon.
Eventually, though, he says: "But while going about your everyday normalcy, you meet with a terrible and unexpected fate." As soon as the words are uttered, something awful, unexpected, and fatal happens. Perhaps you tripped in just the right way to be hit by an oncoming car in the city, got poisoned by some usually safe forage from the forest, fell through the floorboards of your house in Amani into the core of the simulation, or so on. The point is: you die.
At least, for a time. Eventually, you open your eyes awash and afloat in a river of blood.
(Don't worry, they have towels.)
WHAT
EVENT #21: House of Hades (The Third Dead End)
WHEN
August 1st, 2024
KINKS OF THE MONTH
★ Bloodplay
★ Worship
★ Intoxication
★ Sadism / Masochism
★ Weaponplay
★ Worship
★ Intoxication
★ Sadism / Masochism
★ Weaponplay
The House of Hades
"Welcome to the House of Hades!" inhabitants will be greeted cheerfully by a pale, floating figure. Some might even recognize the voice. "Oh, hey... I've never seen a shade like you before! Ha. That's kind of neat. Well, take a number and get in line! Hades will-" The sentence is interrupted by a large yawn. "-deal with you shortly." Before you can ask any further questions, the greeter appears to be fast asleep. Well, best do as you're told and try to figure out what in the underworld is going on.
It doesn't take long before you - and others, some from Amani but some you don’t recognize - are greeted by the 'man of the house' himself: Hades. Despite his gruff appearance and abrasive nature, he makes it clear that he is asking for aid. An interloper has made his way through the underworld despite their enhanced security measures. When he describes the disturbing skeletal, star-laced creature those from Amani, at least, will understand what's happening.
The End is making an attempt to take over this world. The Overseer has called upon you (as well as reached out to other realities) to try and stop him. This is your test and another dead end should you fail to stop him. Thankfully, you have extra aid and the natives of this world - both above and below to help you. "My... son, Zagreus, will get you prepared for the battles ahead. He's an expert at ransacking my domain and needs to regain his pride now that someone else has gotten through what only he could before."
"Thank you, father, but my pride isn't quite as fragile as you seem to believe," speaks the referenced son of Hades as he steps up on cue. "Now then! Let's get you all geared up and ready to ransack the underworld, shall we? It’s not nearly as frightening as it seems once you’re in it!"
Somehow, you doubt this.
"Though if you do end up in a bit of trouble, Thanatos will be ferrying your souls right back to our house!" Zagreus gestures to a hooded figure wielding a scythe who seems caught off-guard to suddenly be part of the conversation. He gives a curt nod before going anywhere else that isn't here. "And his mother, Nyx, will be helping keep you hidden from this enemy until you get to him."
From the shadows steps a woman seemingly drenched in the inky depths of night itself. "You will remain safe under my care, this I can assure you," she speaks, soft and haunting, before giving a small nod as well and making her way towards the center of the house again.
"Right, then! Just come this way," encourages Zagreus with heated heels sparking along the floor as he picks up the pace. "Don’t mind the mess, sorry, I wasn’t exactly expecting guests," he says as people are shuffled through his bed quarters to the training grounds beyond.
"Now, the real fun begins!"
It doesn't take long before you - and others, some from Amani but some you don’t recognize - are greeted by the 'man of the house' himself: Hades. Despite his gruff appearance and abrasive nature, he makes it clear that he is asking for aid. An interloper has made his way through the underworld despite their enhanced security measures. When he describes the disturbing skeletal, star-laced creature those from Amani, at least, will understand what's happening.
The End is making an attempt to take over this world. The Overseer has called upon you (as well as reached out to other realities) to try and stop him. This is your test and another dead end should you fail to stop him. Thankfully, you have extra aid and the natives of this world - both above and below to help you. "My... son, Zagreus, will get you prepared for the battles ahead. He's an expert at ransacking my domain and needs to regain his pride now that someone else has gotten through what only he could before."
"Thank you, father, but my pride isn't quite as fragile as you seem to believe," speaks the referenced son of Hades as he steps up on cue. "Now then! Let's get you all geared up and ready to ransack the underworld, shall we? It’s not nearly as frightening as it seems once you’re in it!"
Somehow, you doubt this.
"Though if you do end up in a bit of trouble, Thanatos will be ferrying your souls right back to our house!" Zagreus gestures to a hooded figure wielding a scythe who seems caught off-guard to suddenly be part of the conversation. He gives a curt nod before going anywhere else that isn't here. "And his mother, Nyx, will be helping keep you hidden from this enemy until you get to him."
From the shadows steps a woman seemingly drenched in the inky depths of night itself. "You will remain safe under my care, this I can assure you," she speaks, soft and haunting, before giving a small nod as well and making her way towards the center of the house again.
"Right, then! Just come this way," encourages Zagreus with heated heels sparking along the floor as he picks up the pace. "Don’t mind the mess, sorry, I wasn’t exactly expecting guests," he says as people are shuffled through his bed quarters to the training grounds beyond.
"Now, the real fun begins!"
CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
Once past Prince Zagreus' messy bed quarters and to the training grounds beyond, everyone will be given their choice of weapon. It's up to you what feels best or what you're strongest in! This won't have any influence on how successful one is or not in their attempts to break out of the underworld, they're all equally powerful Infernal Arms.
PICK A WEAPON
"Stygius" (Stygian Blade) ![]() |
Lore "...Stygius, the Blade of the Underworld, must have been among the finest weapons ever wielded, back when it was whole..." |
Attack Style The blade's default attack pattern is a three-swing long combo consisting of a mixture of wide and directional swings. The special creates a small burst around you after a short jump, and leaves you stationary for a short time. |
"Varatha" (Eternal Spear) ![]() |
Lore "...It must have been a sight when Lord Hades wielded Varatha the Eternal Spear versus the Titans, driving back those fiends into the depths, together with the help of his Olympian brothers and sisters..." |
Attack Style Repeated long-range stab attacks that can be charged to unleash a spin attack dealing high damage in a wide radius. The special throws the spear, which will damage enemies along its path until it stops. Activating special again recalls the spear, which will deal damage on the way back. |
"Aegis" (Shield of Chaos) ![]() |
Lore "...Aegis, the Shield of Chaos, predecessor to the very Aegis wielded by Lord Zeus and by Athena, his most favored daughter... the Lord of Thunder defended his brothers and sisters using that very shield when, together, they conspired to drive the Titans back into the lowest reaches of the Underworld..." |
Attack Style The main attack is a single swing that hits in an arc and knocks enemies back. Holding the attack button will block damage from the front, while charging the "Bull Rush". Releasing this will perform a shield bash forwards, dealing damage to enemies hit. The special throws the shield, which bounces between enemies and objects before returning. |
"Coronacht" (Heart-Seeking Bow) ![]() |
Lore "...Coronacht, the so-called Heart-Seeker, is certainly the finest bow ever conceived, and wielded once by none other than Mistress Hera, who stood by side with Zeus, on better terms back then, as they drove back the Titans under a storm of arrows and thunder..." |
Attack Style Ranged attacks that hit enemies at a distance. The main attack can be charged to increase distance and damage, releasing at the right moment for additional damage. The special sprays arrows in a cone in front of you, dealing small damage to each enemy. |
"Malphon" (Twin Fists of Malphon) ![]() |
Lore "...What is a weapon if not the extension of one's will to survive, to destroy? The ancient cyclopean forge-masters who created the Infernal Arms in accordance with the Fates' design must have understood this when they delivered the singular Twin Fists of Malphon in secret to the gods..." |
Attack Style Fast repetitive short-range combo attacks using fists in close-quarters combat. The special is an uppercut that hits twice. This weapon is unique due to it being the only Infernal Arm with a dash-special; if the special is used while dashing it will uppercut faster but only hit once. |
"Exagryph" (Adamant Rail) ![]() |
Lore "...Least known among the gods who stood together to depose the Titans is the Lady Hestia, reclusive goddess of the hearth, and one-time wielder of Exagryph, the Rail of Adamant; an artifact of metal and of flame so dreadful that the gods themselves abandoned it once their fell work was done..." |
Attack Style Automatic or manual fire (depending on whether Attack is pressed or held) that must be reloaded once all ammo is used. The special launches a grenade to bombard the target area, which takes a short time to arrive but deals damage in an area once it lands. |
And if you need to practice with your weapon before actually heading out into the underworld, Skelly is a friendly - and talkative! - "dummy" for you to work with. Don't mind how much he seems to enjoy it. He's just very enthusiastic about his job! Along with a weapon, people will be asked to choose a keepsake. However, there are only specific ones to be chosen from that relate to the gods on Olympus.
As it turns out, Zagreus' extended family is interested in ensuring their world's safety. After all, they live here! So, along your journey you'll be given the power of a god of choosing but only one. (Sorry, Hades fans, no mixing and matching or duo boons this playthrough...! Just to keep things easy on the moderators AND simple for you.)
This will give you communication with the god of your choice as well! You can talk to them, give them offerings of Nectar or Ambrosia, and deal with their backseat fighting along your journey.
PICK A GOD (AND PRAY)
Thunder Signet![]() |
Zeus![]() |
Description "Many beg favors of the King of Olympus. Few earn them with his compliments." Zeus is the Olympian God of the Sky and Thunder, and the ruler of the Olympian Gods. He is Hades' younger brother and Zagreus' uncle. Zeus' boons excel at dealing damage to groups of enemies, as chain lightning effects bounce between enemies, and lightning strikes can hit multiple enemies. |
Conch Shell![]() |
Poseidon![]() |
Description "He would turn the very tides and sunder the earth for you." Poseidon is the Olympian God of the sea, earthquakes and horses, and is occasionally referred to by the epithet of "Earthshaker." Poseidon boons offers a damage increase as well as the ability to knock enemies around, dealing extra wall slam or trap damage. |
Owl Pendant![]() |
Athena![]() |
Description "She anticipated almost every detail, save for the kinship she would feel." Athena is the Olympian Goddess of Wisdom and strategic warfare. She offers boons that cause abilities to Deflect enemy attacks. In addition, she also offers boons that reduce damage or increase other defensive options. Athena offers excellent defensive options with her boons, protecting you from damage with the ability to deflect enemy projectiles and melee attacks, as well as reduce the damage you will take in a run. |
Eternal Rose![]() |
Aphrodite![]() |
Description "Her true affection is reserved for those who find love and beauty on their own." Aphrodite is the Olympian Goddess of Love and Beauty. She offers boons that inflict her Weak, or make enemies more susceptible to damage. Her signature Status Curse is Weak, which reduces the afflicted enemies' damage. Aphrodite also offers boons which increase the effectiveness of her Status Curse itself, such as Empty Inside (which increases the effect's duration). |
Blood-Filled Vial![]() |
Ares![]() |
Description "Some of the strongest kinships form during the darkest of circumstances." Ares is the Olympian God of War. Unlike the more strategically oriented Athena, Ares' domain is the physical, violent, and untamed aspects of warfare. He offers boons which can increase his ability damage, inflict his signature Status Curse, Doom, or create Blade Rifts which deal rapid damage to enemies who walk into them. Ares boons deal high amounts of damage over time, either by keeping enemies inside Blade Rifts, or by continuously applying Doom to enemies. |
Adamant Arrowhead![]() |
Artemis![]() |
Description "Her solitary nature and her sharpened instincts means she seldom dares to share her trust." Artemis is the Olympian Goddess of the hunt and the older twin sister of Apollo. She offers boons which give abilities the chance to deal Critical damage. In addition, she also offers boons that improve Cast abilities. While the damage bonus offered on her boons is lower compared to other Gods', the Critical hits they offer deal three times the damage of a normal ability, granting some of the best overall DPS gain offered by any single god or goddess. In addition, her Cast related boons increase your total ammo or add a projectile, further enabling a powerful ranged tool. |
Overflowing Cup![]() |
Dionysus![]() |
Description "Two free spirits, though far apart, still can brighten each other's days." Dionysus is the Olympian God of Wine and madness, and cousin to Zagreus. He offers boons revolving around his signature Status Curse, Hangover, slowing, and stunning enemies, as well as various drinking-themed Boons. Dionysus offers strong damage over time abilities on nearly all his offensive boons. However, he can also give strong utility abilities in the forms of stuns, slows, heals and health, damage reduction effects, and items. |
Lambent Plume![]() |
Hermes![]() |
Description "His carefree nature and his haste never betray his true capacity." Hermes is the Olympian God of Commerce, Trickery, and Travel, as well as the messenger of the gods. He works with Charon to guide souls to their proper place in the Underworld, with Hermes delivering the souls to Charon, for him to ferry them down the Styx the rest of the way (giving Hermes the title of psychopomp, or someone who guides souls to the afterlife, which he and Charon share). He offers boons that enhance speed in various ways, including attack speed and special speed. His boons can also improve dash and cast recovery. |
Frostbitten Horn![]() |
Demeter![]() |
Description "Aeons, generations, distances; family can withstand them all." Demeter is the Olympian Goddess of Seasons and mother of Persephone. Many of the boons she offers inflict her signature Status Curse, Chill, which causes enemies to slow down and, possibly, shatter, spreading the Curse. Her other boons vary between helping survivability by healing or increasing damage. Demeter boons excel at control, as Chill slows enemies down the more you strike them. |
With regards to communication between the gods, we're letting players do what they want with that and NPCing them as they wish! Zeus hitting on you? Sorry about that, but it's bound to happen. Broseidon won't shut up about a nearby fish? Fishing does sound fun, actually... Have fun with it!
GOING UP
You have a weapon and an exit buddy in the form of an Olympian deity. Now, it's time to truly tackle your task of breaking out of the underworld to meet The End (instead of Hades) in combat once you reach Greece. Of course, Hades isn't going to make it easy... Why would he?
Characters will need to fight and succeed each 'layer' of the underworld. Each one has a mini-boss to face off against and you'll need a plan of action to do so. Don't worry though! Even if you fail, Thanatos will bring you right back... and you can try again! Maybe with a different weapon, god, and so on. ★ Tartarus » Tartarus is an indoor biome just outside of the House of Hades. It is a maze of dungeons and corridors which holds the souls of those who committed crimes and sins in their lives. The River Styx flows through and around Tartarus, emptying into a pool inside the House of Hades itself.
Characters will need to fight and succeed each 'layer' of the underworld. Each one has a mini-boss to face off against and you'll need a plan of action to do so. Don't worry though! Even if you fail, Thanatos will bring you right back... and you can try again! Maybe with a different weapon, god, and so on. ★ Tartarus » Tartarus is an indoor biome just outside of the House of Hades. It is a maze of dungeons and corridors which holds the souls of those who committed crimes and sins in their lives. The River Styx flows through and around Tartarus, emptying into a pool inside the House of Hades itself.
- ↪ Boss: Megaera | She has been tasked with handling matters in Tartarus, which includes dealing with you. A woman of few words, she prefers to let her trusty whip do the speaking for her.
↪ Plan Comment
- ↪ Boss: "Lernie" | The Bone Hydra is what remains of the Lernaean Hydra, 'affectionately' nicknamed Lernie by Prince Zagreus, slain by the demi-god hero Heracles as part of his Twelve Labors. It now dwells in the fiery Phlegethon river that flows through Asphodel, and guards the passage to Elysium.
↪ Plan Comment
- ↪ Boss(es): Theseus & Asterius | Theseus is a former hero and king of Athens, most famous for slaying the Minotaur. Asterius, also known as the Minotaur, is a bull-headed demi-human who was recruited by Hades to help prevent escape from the underworld with Theseus. In life, Asterius was locked in a labyrinth by his step-father, King Minos, only to eventually be slain by Theseus. In death, the two are apparently comrades.
↪ Plan Comment
- ↪ Final Boss: The End | A being made of the fabric of the universe itself. His skin is inky black and stars freckle along his body in the shape of various, uknown constellations. Sometimes, the outline of a skeleton can be made out beneath the veil of darkness. He is fast, cunning, and will wield a dark copy of the same Infernal Arm that you bring to battle.
↪ Plan Comment
DOWNTIME DOWN BELOW
While the main point of being here in the House of Hades is to save the world, not everyone is cut out to be a hero! Or perhaps you'd just like to take a break between runs through the underworld if you're hitting a wall an unable to progress. Don't worry, says Zagreus, it happens to even the best! He would know.
To that end though, there are a few spots to hang out and interact with shades, fellow inhabitants, or people from other worlds who met an unexpected demise and woke up here like you too. You can also help out in small ways if you'd like seeing as you're an unexpected guest.
★ Fishing » Who doesn't love a fishing mini-game? Enjoy finding rare, exotic, and sometimes downright bizarre fish throughout the underworld. Thankfully, the fish only show up after a chamber has been cleared so you don't have to worry about sneak attacks.
★ Clean Up » Perhaps you've noticed the anxious little gorgon flitting to and fro in the house. Her name is Dusa and while she's excited about all the company - no, really, she's just very busy you see! - she seems a bit overwhelmed keeping the place up to Hades' standards of cleanliness. Why not lend her a helping hand?
★ Cerberus » The best three-headed boy there is, Cerberus will want all the pets he can get! A shame you only have two hands, isn't it? Well, that's alright- Not all his heads like pets anyway! Since he's 'off-duty' for this particular mission, Cerberus will need to be entertained in other ways. Take him for a walk, give him some treats, or play fetch.
★ The Lounge » This expansive kitchen and dining room is where shades and House staff alike can relax for a time during their eternal stay in the Underworld. You can give the head chef some fish you've caught during your runs through the underworld for a tasty meal!
★ The Garden » Although to enter the underworld you jump through Zagreus' bedroom window, you might be surprised to find there's a much easier way through the house's garden. All manner of underworld - and some overworld! - flora can be found here. Some good company in Zagreus' mother, Persephone, is also available here. She's happy to lend an ear so long as you're happy to help her tend to the garden.
... and more! These are just some suggestions of things to do but by all means, have fun with the setting as you please! You can nap with Hypnos, try (and fail) to break into the administrative chamber, etc. The House of Hades is here for all to explore and enjoy!
To that end though, there are a few spots to hang out and interact with shades, fellow inhabitants, or people from other worlds who met an unexpected demise and woke up here like you too. You can also help out in small ways if you'd like seeing as you're an unexpected guest.
★ Fishing » Who doesn't love a fishing mini-game? Enjoy finding rare, exotic, and sometimes downright bizarre fish throughout the underworld. Thankfully, the fish only show up after a chamber has been cleared so you don't have to worry about sneak attacks.
★ Clean Up » Perhaps you've noticed the anxious little gorgon flitting to and fro in the house. Her name is Dusa and while she's excited about all the company - no, really, she's just very busy you see! - she seems a bit overwhelmed keeping the place up to Hades' standards of cleanliness. Why not lend her a helping hand?
★ Cerberus » The best three-headed boy there is, Cerberus will want all the pets he can get! A shame you only have two hands, isn't it? Well, that's alright- Not all his heads like pets anyway! Since he's 'off-duty' for this particular mission, Cerberus will need to be entertained in other ways. Take him for a walk, give him some treats, or play fetch.
★ The Lounge » This expansive kitchen and dining room is where shades and House staff alike can relax for a time during their eternal stay in the Underworld. You can give the head chef some fish you've caught during your runs through the underworld for a tasty meal!
★ The Garden » Although to enter the underworld you jump through Zagreus' bedroom window, you might be surprised to find there's a much easier way through the house's garden. All manner of underworld - and some overworld! - flora can be found here. Some good company in Zagreus' mother, Persephone, is also available here. She's happy to lend an ear so long as you're happy to help her tend to the garden.
... and more! These are just some suggestions of things to do but by all means, have fun with the setting as you please! You can nap with Hypnos, try (and fail) to break into the administrative chamber, etc. The House of Hades is here for all to explore and enjoy!
SMASH OR PASS
TIME OF DAY ESTABLISHED: ETERNAL NIGHT. . .
GENERATING GAME BASED ON DATA NECESSARY TO BETTER FACILITATE INDIVIDUALS IN THESIMULATION UNDERWORLD. . .
SMASH OR PASS
SMASH ❤️ OR PASS 💔
GENERATING PROFILE FROM DATABASE. . .
Hello! I am The Peacekeeper. I run the simulation known as Amani. I am the simulation, in a way! I'm only two years old - though mentally and 'physically' an adult - and learning a lot every day from inhabitants! I look forward to being your friend and helping out as best as I can.
What do you think?
GENERATING GAME BASED ON DATA NECESSARY TO BETTER FACILITATE INDIVIDUALS IN THE
Kink Konnection
The Peacekeeper | ???
SMASH ❤️ OR PASS 💔
GENERATING PROFILE FROM DATABASE. . .
Hello! I am The Peacekeeper. I run the simulation known as Amani. I am the simulation, in a way! I'm only two years old - though mentally and 'physically' an adult - and learning a lot every day from inhabitants! I look forward to being your friend and helping out as best as I can.
What do you think?
✓ | ✕ |
YES |
NO |
Template
NOTES
★ This post will be updated at the end of August with the results of how successful inhabitants were in saving The House of Hades! After getting this all set up and ready, I realized that I wanted to give you guys, the people here for the fourth wall, and myself time to tackle the underworld... and that two weeks just wasn't enough as planned. Since this will be a bit more 'hands-on' with direct character action and influence, I want to make sure I'm not rushing anything!
★ That said, people can continue to play and ask for results even now that the log is posted. Basically, I'll just be giving a brief synopsis on if characters succeeded in saving The House of Hades or not based on the number of successful attempts to break out in the end! Also, what that will mean/look like for the end of the event. But that doesn't mean you have to stop or that we'll stop giving results since, look, Hades might be enjoying the extra feedback on security control.
★ What if I role-play a character from Hades originally? You can absolutely feel free to have your character take the role they would outlined in this event setting! Or, if you'd like, you can use 'multiversal shenanigans' and Amani allowing doubles for the reason why there is (for example) a Hypnos here and a Hypnos there! We'll leave it up to your discretion how you want to handle it.
★ For the mini-DTF mingle, Feel free to customize the DTF template as you see fit! It's all in good fun. Just as long as it's readable, get wild with it! Also, if your character wouldn't post it- Your DTF (that acts as a smartphone) would!
★ For this event, feel free to use the plotting post to make your general plans and find people to fight through the underworld with! And feel free to ask any questions here.
★ Since the actual event log didn't go up until August 1st, we're going to skip the August TDM, keep the same KOTM, and carry on as usual! The simulation proper will be 'paused' while inhabitants and others are off in the underworld until the end of August.
NAVIGATION
no subject
And what lurked within?
we are of course digging DEEP into spoiler territory now
That was the name the ancients chose, anyway, for the beings that came through the gates. They were pure, unlimited mana given form, with a fondness for human desires and the capacity to grant them on a whim.
The trouble, however, was twofold.
For one thing, they grew more powerful the more desires they fulfill, able to act with a broader scope.
For another, the desires they granted were consumed. They disappeared, and the victims wasted away with nothing left to live for.
So, fearing what would happen if a demon were to grow too powerful, to gain fully unfettered access to humankind, the ancients trapped them.
However, the demons kept beckoning from within their prisons. They drew humans in, ever seeking those with strong desires that they could exploit - people they could use to expand their dungeons outward until either their domains breached the surface, or the dungeon lord was hollowed out entirely.
no subject
[ And Rose does see. She grasps the terrifying feedback loop of an entity that can offer more marvels the more it feeds on those who seek it. She understands the allure of a dungeon, the promise of sheer want. She also understands that Mithrun has just revealed the nature of his own pitiable condition. ]
I imagine you've heard me refer to myself as a Seer of Light. In context, "Light" means victory, value, fortune, desire--that which is glimpsed and sought. If such an entity ever makes it way to Amani, I'd consider it my duty to assist in entrapping, destroying, or exiling it.
Now for a question that's admittedly as self-indulgent as it is intrusive: What's it like having your desires eaten?
cw: dissociation, suicidal ideation, unavoidable SA parallels
[He means it, too. Whether Mithrun is really capable of holding a god to much of anything is questionable, of course - but that doesn't change his intent.
Rose's question... gives him pause. It's not that he's offended, of course - really, it's convenient that she intuited the nature of his own state based on the information that she has. Saves him some explaining. It's just...
How does one describe their own unwinding?]
It's unobtrusive, at first. You don't notice it. The loss of a desire granted can be easy to mistake for its simple satiation.
Even if a demon takes liberties and consumes a desire here and there without granting it (and it *will* take liberties), it will do so with precision - timing and framing and manipulating such that it can mask that loss as something it isn't, if you notice it at all.
As it continues, long-term, one could start to notice something is wrong - but it's difficult to fully grasp. It's not only loss; demons pull their victims' desires to the surface. They flood their minds with them, especially the ones that benefits the demon - those that can be used to push them to expand their dungeons, or those that can be simple distractions. Thinking clearly becomes near impossible.
If it gets impatient, though, demons can access the very core of one's desire. They'll eat directly from the source.
It's
A very different experience.
[Explaining the rest feels... strange. The words he types seem somehow distant from his hands, from his mind.
But Rose asked, and she'll certainly want to know this part. And it's not like he minds.]
It doesn't hurt. It feels
bad, but not in the way pain does. Like being hollowed out from the inside, but without your nerves knowing you're being harmed.
The helplessness might be the worst part. Having something burrowed into a part of you that should never be touched at all, with nothing to be done to stop it, even more so as it goes on. It still feels wrong, but the more you lose, the less reason you have to fight back at all. But you still know what's happening to you, the whole time; it just feels too distant to stop, even if you could muster the strength to, and eventually the only end you can see in sight is the end of your self.
If you're particularly unlucky, it might lose interest.
CW: psychological sadism
The truth is that she wanted to know, and she doesn't regret knowing. Because this, the words Mithrun is saying to her, is the hottest fucking thing Rose has ever heard. Her breath is heavy as she reads and re-reads it, knowing in the back of her mind that she needs to address the problem she's created.
"Fuck," she says to herself, squeezing her thighs together. The fact that Mithrun is sitting somewhere, blank-faced and automaton-like, waiting for some stimulus, for Rose to stick her fingers back into his mind and--
Okay, that's enough. Rose takes a deep breath. ]
Thank you, Mithrun. I think that's enough. I'm going to send a message to Angeal now, because you're dissociating. Keep an eye out for him to contact you.
I'm sorry for not thinking things through before asking the question.
[ It's a lie, sure, but the truth wouldn't make anything better. ]
*****
[ Rose sends a message to Angeal: ]
Hey Angeal, please check on Mithrun. I had questions about demons and didn't really think through how they might impact him. I think he's probably checked out right now, but I told him I'd be contacting you. Sorry about that.
no subject
At least all he's being asked to do is be ready for Angeal to contact him. He can do that.]
Okay.
[It doesn't particularly matter to him whether it's the truth or not.]