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myriadsystem · 2 years

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Any systems out there that have maybe advice or anecdotes about non-corporeal alters, please if you feel comfortable sharing im in a tight spot and could use guidance:

So, I am a ghost. When we were little our hosts had always been human, during our teen years i co-hosted with a human. During our late teens/early 20s i was considered less of a co-host and more of just only being out when we interacted with our abuser, and the human co-host became the only host for a while. Since then that human is no longer host and isnt able to be considered co-host anymore (atleast not for the forseeable future until we get therapy and can unpack some stuff for her) and the role of host falls solely on me. The ghosty hostess with the mostess 😎

So basically tl;dr the first part, ive been in the body fairly often before but its only the last few months i have been here all the time with 'just me' (obv not including random switches/lurking but like i mean in a sense of the body primarily belonging only to me without a break.)

The body deals with a l o t of chronic pain.

Basically i had some thoughts recently where i couldnt tell if i could feel the body pains more these days just because i dont have a co-host/have someone to take it from me when its overwhelming, or because im becoming more connected with the idea of having physicality? Or the pain is just worse/increased because whatever is causing the pain hasnt been medically adressed and my condition has decreased. I have recently stopped taking my uh, 🍀 medication due to financial reasons and since not having it the body just feels worse and worse every day, i honestly didnt realise just how much it was doing for me in regards to just like. Allowing me to go for a tiny 10min slow paced walk without wishing to scream and howl in pain with every step. To let me function, essentially, on a physical pain management scale.

The last two ideas stress me out. I still feel like a ghost, not to get too personal but my ghost form wasnt formed out of a near death experience it was out of a need to have certain words and events 'go through me,' and a deep connected sense of lonelyness and abandonment like those things and people and places who are gone and forgotten. And i carry much trauma related to those feelings which i will not be going into detail about here. But the thought that i have been in this body so long by myself, and have over the last few years found friends and connections to other physical people i want to be around, couldve caused/be causing me to slowly become less ghost and more physically real? That scares and worries me. I still very much feel like i need to be ghost to stop us getting hurt in that way. I worry if i become corporeal, it will be easy for other people to hurt us in that same way again. I worry if i am corporeal that i will have to deal with the bodys physical pains much more intensely than i already do if i am so connected to it, and that i cannot do what i do best to allow painful things to pass through me. Like im made of nothing but smoke because i essentially am. Thats my entire reason for being. I worry if this is the case and im becoming a more physical embodiment of my former self that its out of my control and i dont get a choice. Because i would chose to stay ghost if i could.

The other option is also scary. The body is only 24 years old dude. It shouldnt hurt this much all the time over comparatively small tasks. Or no tasks. It shouldnt hurt this much just to be 'alive'. And if it is because the condition has progressed since the last time i was aware of the body for real and ive gotten worse? Thats almost too much to think about. How quickly is it progressing? Why cant i do anything to stop it? Why wont doctors do anything to stop it, or atleast identify it so i can work on managing it myself? Ive only ever split once (personally i mean not as a system) and the poor entity is full of medical trauma. It makes it so hard to keep going to doctors to keep begging them to take me seriously when they never do. Its so much pain and effort (let alone money) and exhaustion just to get to a doctor. Not even a specialist just a gp. Only for them to tell me every time that i brush my hair and dress nicely and usually wear makeup and i couldn't possibly be struggling in any way, especially physically. Its too much effort, more effort than its worth for that. So i dont really go to a doctor any more, but i need to, i need just one of them to take me fucking seriously. Because i have no good way of knowing if this pain seems so new and intense to me because im more 'real' (physical) than i ever was, or because there is more pain.

Both options suck

So yeah idk any ghostly entities or fluid/non-corporeal/shadow type alters, do you have advice how to tell if you might be becoming physical? Or those of you who used to be floaty who did transition into a more 'sturdy' being, what did it feel like? When did you know you werent the concept of see-through anymore? Do you prefer not having a graspable form? How has this change benefited your sys?

Idk i have a lot of questions just any sort of advice might be helpful here bc im having a rough time lately managing physical body pain in relation to the literal reason i exist and if i still exist like that.

#thats so fkn long im so sorry i so rarely post actual longform stuff on here but ive been thinking about lots lately #plus this is my blog i get to talk about my stuff here. this is my blog i have to keep reminding myself the social rules ive built myself #do not have to apply here. i can be a nuisance on my own damn blog if i wish #im also sorry idk how to do a readmore tho #i tried. i do not know if it will work its the first one ive done and i am on mobile app so im just reslly sorry if it doesnt work #and you get this huge text wall comin at ya #thats a lot of personal stuff i fe a bit weord abt posting so much private stuff openly but i needed to get these thoughts out #in a way where i can maybe get advice without judgement and not just a one sided journaling entry #personal #did #osdd #tw: death mention #tw: abuse mention #tw: drug mention #endos dni #tw: split mention #? idk what to tag as trigger warnings theres a lot of heavy implied stuff here but no actual real details i think #tw: ghosts #gross fuck you if you expect me to tw my fucking self but also. like i get it. i get not everyones cool with ghosts #bc theyre so often linked with deathy concepts #tw: trauma #tw: trauma mention #again not specifically with detail but i just dont wanna upset unprepared folks #next question for myself. if i click dont allow reblogs can people still reply? we will find tf out i suppose #if youre 'endo' you will be immediately blocked upon my finding this out or if youre just a dick about this post or my situation in general #im in a bad place. i have zero fucking tolerance for any kind of hate or even criticism right now. friendly discussions please only #im happy for you to share your stories if you think it relates or you might have insight into my situation #and im asking for advice so unless its very obviously unsolicited or unapplicable to situations like this(airy alters becoming less airy)#please feel free to share whatever you think might help or work within context #system

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peanut-tyrug · 4 months

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Pink City AU: Hunt for the Boxman

Chapter 2 - Breaking Boundaries

The idol-hunting trio tries to find out how to reach the Pink City’s outer plane. Only along the way do they begin to break the fundamentals of their own lives and world’s rules…

—

NOTICE: This AU is partially based on my ideas/interpretation. If anything appears to be inaccurate, I apologize. I tried to work with what little I had to make smth. I also took a few artistic liberties.

Another thing: THE PINK CITY AND IT’S CHARACTERS DO NOT BELONG TO ME!! IT BELONGS TO GOOSEWORX!! Some canon lore for The Pink City has also been implemented in this story. This is just an AU/story I made based on it. If you’d like to check out The Pink City series itself, check it out here!

—

TRIGGER WARNING: This fic contains flashbacks/callbacks to traumatic experiences, panicking, a split personality, mentions of drugs, grieving, mentions of rituals/speaking to the dead, organ removal, a cult, caps, and swearing. If you aren’t comfortable with these things, please don’t read this.

Hoonis, Elain, and Dento walk down the street, discussing what they could do to find the Elders… more so Dento and Hoonis are discussing it.

…Elain is too busy being stuck in her head…

She can’t help but think about meeting the Elders again…

…Don’t think about it…

“…Maybe some kind of ritual?” Hoonis suggests.

Dento shakes his head. He and Elain are committed to doing good and helping the general public, but not to the point that they’d sell their souls for it. They’re young and have lives to live.

“How about one of the ghost board things?” Hoonis suggests again.

Dento shakes his head. He’s heard those things are fake. They’re also for speaking to the dead, not unfathomable horrors that they aren’t capable enough to properly comprehend.

“A seance?”

Again, Dento shakes his head. Seances are also for speaking to the dead. It’s not what they need.

“Then what are we to do?” Hoonis asks.

Elain is snapped out of her head when she hears the question. She taps Hoonis’ shoulder.

Hoonis turns to face Elain. “Hm? Do you have something in mind?”

Elain nods. She then pretends to open a book. She looks to Hoonis, trying to see if he’ll get it.

“…A book?” Hoonis questions. “A— a library?”

Elain nods.

“…Hm.” Hoonis hums. “We could give it a shot. There could be something on these beings there, right?”

Elain nods.

As the trio walks, Dento checks his phone. He notices the time.

It’s 3:00 am.

They need sleep.

Dento taps Hoonis’ arm. Hoonis looks to Dento. “What is it?” He asks.

Dento shows Hoonis the time. His eyes widen in shock. “Oh! We need sleep!” Says Hoonis. “You two can head back to your apartment, if you want.”

Elain then taps her phone screen. Hoonis notices.

She wants his number.

Hoonis looks over to Elain. “You want my number? I’d be glad to give it to you! We can be more in touch!”

Elain nods. Hoonis and Elain exchange phone numbers. Dento does the same.

The trio then seperates, heading to their homes.

—

Elain sits her room, dressed and ready for bed.

Although, she isn’t really wanting to get in bed just yet. She’s texting Dento.

'You doing okay?' Dento asks.

'Yea' Elain responds.

'You sure?' Dento asks.

'Yes' Elain responds.

Think happy thoughts…

Doing good for the city, going out to the beach, getting boba with Dento…

…Dento…

…When you hurt, I hurt…

No. Stop thinking about all that.

You’ll be okay.

'Alr, let me know if you need anything' Says Dento.

'I will' Says Elain.

'Gn Elain' Says Dento.

'Gn to you too Den' Says Elain.

Elain sets her phone down and gets herself in bed. She sets her head down on her pillow and closes her eyes…

…Darkness…

…Peaceful, terrifying darkness…

It’s almost agonizing.

As Elain begins to drift off, she can’t help but hear something…

…Whispers…

…All too familiar whispers…

“JOIN THE CREED.”

They become more and more prominent.

She can’t see a thing.

She can only hear the whispers.

…Calling to her…

Elain jolts awake. Her breathing quickens. She sits in her bed, staring into the darkness.

…Oh, no…

It’s gonna be a long night…

Elain lies back down.

…Think happy thoughts… think happy things…

…Then it’ll all go away…

~~~

Hoonis lays in bed, staring up at the dark ceiling.

…He wonders how Bep is doing.

How she feels after that show…

…All of what she said…

…Darles wasn’t like that, was he? Hoonis refused to believe it…

…No way in hell was he an unloving father who wanted nothing to do with his own kids… a father who never supported his kids… a father who…

…Hoonis’ mind had trailed off.

…He could never help but think of his own father…

His unloving, uncaring father…

…No way in hell…

—

Hoonis slowly wakes up, blinking a bit. He rises up in his bed and stretches. He spots his phone and picks it up. It’s 12:00 pm. He decides to text Elain.

'Hi!' Hoonis texts. 'Are you ready for our adventure today?'

He waits a bit.

…No response.

Maybe she’s still asleep.

Hoonis exits his messages and stares at his Home Screen for a bit.

…He could give Bep a call.

He opens his contacts and taps the contact for Bep he had left there. He never deleted it.

His phone rings. He waits for an answer.

The ringing continues.

Keeps going…

Until it stops.

Bep didn’t pick up.

Hoonis sighs in disappointment… then his phone buzzes.

It’s a text. From Bep.

'Leave me alone' The text reads.

Hoonis stares at the text, full of guilt.

…He lays on his back and sighs before getting up.

—

It’s the next day.

Elain slept okay.

…Eventually.

She picks up her phone and looks at the time.

…It’s 2:00 pm.

She also sees texts from Dento.

'Hey' Says Dento. 'You gotta get up'

She also spots some texts from Hoonis.

'Hi!' Says Hoonis. ‘Are you ready for our adventure today?'

…Shit.

She overslept.

…It’s not really unusual for Elain. She’s not very good at being organized or having a routine.

Her eyes widen. She rushes out of bed, not even giving herself time to stretch. She smacks open her door, and hurries to prepare herself for the day.

After scurrying out of the bathroom, she heads back to her room and slaps her Bounty Hunting gear on and grabs her phone. After that, she almost slips into a small kitchen.

She stops.

She sees Dento sitting at the dining table. He had been waiting for her.

Along with some food he had cooked. He made breakfast.

Dento looks to his phone. He types.

Elain’s phone buzzes. A text from Dento.

'I heard all that noise' Reads the text. 'We aren’t really in a rush'

'Sry' Elain responds.

'You’re okay' Says Dento. 'Now eat. Don’t want your breakfast getting cold'

Elain sets herself down next to Dento. As she prepares to eat, Dento taps her shoulder. She looks over to him.

Dento looks to Elain and turns his head. Are you okay?

Elain thinks…

She nods.

Think happy thoughts. Happy things.

Dento nods back.

He almost feels as if he doesn’t need to ask her that as much as he does, since she’s so insistent that she’s okay.

However, that’s what friends do.

You keep an eye on each other.

They make a good team.

—

Elain and Dento walk over to Hoonis’ apartment. It’s not far off from their own, they found out after Hoonis spilled his address to them through text.

As the duo approaches the door and Elain prepares to knock, Hoonis suddenly swings open his door, almost smacking Elain across the face.

“Good morning, good people!” Says Hoonis. He quickly takes notice of the duo in front of his door. “Hello! Are you ready?”

Elain and Dento nod, not really displaying the same kind of enthusiasm Hoonis is.

“Great!” Says Hoonis. “I’ll be leading us to the library! It’s a long way away! Come on!”

Hoonis quickly steps past the Bounty Hunters and makes his way downstairs. Elain and Dento quickly follow suit.

—

It’s been a few hours since the trio had set off. A bit longer than Hoonis expected.

It’s 5:00 pm.

Yet, they’re still walking.

“I didn’t realize it would take this long.” Says Hoonis. “I thought we’d be there by 4 at most!”

The three continue to walk, not really certain of how to keep on with the conversation.

As they walk, Hoonis’ phone buzzes. A text from Elain.

'Hru?' Reads the text.

“Oh!” Says Hoonis. “I’m good! How’ve you two been today?”

Hoonis’ phone buzzes again.

'Good' Reads a text from Dento.

'👍' Reads the text from Elain.

“Wonderful!” Says Hoonis, not looking up from his screen.

As he walks, Hoonis suddenly bumps into someone.

“Ah!” Hoonis yelps as he stumbles back.

The other slips back a little. He almost falls. “Watch where you going!” He says. “If you young people weren’t always on your DAMN PHONES, you’d see where you’re going!”

“I’m sorry, sir!” Says Hoonis.

“Malarkey, that’s what it is!” Says the man. “How about you good read a book every once in awhile! Your local librarian is losing money out here!”

Before Hoonis can speak up again, realization hits the three of them.

…This man is a librarian.

As the librarian begins to walk off, Hoonis speaks up.

“Wait!” He says. “We’re actually heading for the library!”

The librarian turns his head. “…Really?” He asks.

“Yes!” Says Hoonis. “…Are you on break?”

“…I don’t have to be.” Says the librarian. “Is there any particular book you’re looking for?”

Hoonis looks around before whispering to the librarian. “…Do you have any books on Gods?”

“…Hmm. I may have something piled up.” Says the librarian. “I think I remember someone dropping a book discussing such things. I’ve kept it since.”

“Oh! Good!” Says Hoonis. “Do you mind finding it for us?”

“I most certainly can!” Says the librarian. “Follow me.”

The librarian then leads the trio to the library, which really wasn’t very far from where they just were.

“I didn’t realize we were that close…” Says Hoonis.

“I was just preparing to leave when I had met you three.” Says the librarian. “But I’m perfectly fine with helping those who desire knowledge from the printed word!”

The librarian heads up a small staircase leading to the library’s entrance. He opens the door, allowing the trio to peak inside.

The library’s interior appears to be slightly run down. Cob webs are scattered on the floor and roof. Chandeliers light up the area, making it dimly lit.

“Ooh.” Says Hoonis. “Fancy!”

“Shh!” The librarian hushes.

“…Sorry.” Hoonis whispers.

The Bounty Hunters glance around. Elain is amazed by it. Dento, on the other hand, is slightly weirded out by it.

“Let me lead you to my counter.” Says the librarian in a whispering. “I have that book locked up tight back there.”

The librarian leads the trio to his counter. As they walk, the trio glances at the long and large book shelves. Various colors and and covers catch their eyes.

“Here we are.” Says the librarian as they approach the counter. “Wait here.” He walks behind the counter and into a backroom.

The three wait. Dento looks around a bit. He takes a peek behind the librarian’s desk.

“What’re you doing there?” Whispers Hoonis.

Dento looks back. He takes out his phone and types. He’s texting Hoonis.

Hoonis’ phone buzzes. Dento’s text.

'I don’t entirely trust him' Reads the text. ‘He’s got an air to him I don’t like'

“He seems like an innocent man.” Whispers Hoonis.

'Not to me he doesn’t' Responds Dento.

Before Hoonis can retort, the librarian returns. “Here.” He says, handing Hoonis the book they needed. “Let me know if you need anything.” He then walks back to his desk.

“Thank you.” Says Hoonis. The trio heads to a table nearby.

Dento looks over to the librarian. He glares at him. The librarian doesn’t appear to be paying attention.

…His evildoer senses are tingling…

…Although, he seems innocent enough…

But every bad guy is like that. Bounty or not.

Elain and Hoonis look at the book’s cover as Dento eyes the librarian.

“'Ghosts and Gods: A Book on the Unfathomable'.” Says Hoonis. “That’s an interesting title.”

Elain nods. She looks over to Dento. He’s still eyeing the librarian.

As Dento continues to look on at the librarian, his phone buzzes.

'You don’t trust him' Says a text from Elain.

'No' Says Dento.

'You think that man is an evildoer?'

'Yes' Says Dento. 'He’s got an untrustworthy air. And we know every bounty is like that'

'You’ve got a point' Says Elain. 'But he hasn’t acted too weird or anything. Maybe just keep an eye on him?'

'Sure' Says Dento. He turns back to the librarian while Elain looks back to Hoonis, who is soaring through the book.

“I’ve heard of most of these.” Says Hoonis. “I think I’ve covered some…” He turns to Elain. “Have you ever seen Ghost of the Year?”

Elain shakes her head, a no.

“That’s a shame. You should!” Hoonis says in a whisper. “It’s a good show, and I host it!”

Hoonis continues to look through the book. Many ghosts, ghouls, and other beings catch their eyes.

Eventually, Hoonis stops at a particular page. “Aha!” He whispers. “Here!”

The heading on the page reads: 'The Elders of Lost Eyes'.

Elain stares at the page, eyes wide.

…Keep your mind off it.

“Look at this!” Says Hoonis. He begins to read the paragraph underneath the artist depiction of the creatures, long dark pillars with various eyes. Among other depictions, such as more 'human' looking creatures with heads, shoulders, and a single pair of eyes on each head.

Just like the creatures Thlouretta saw.

'Not much is know about these beings, as there aren’t many witnesses. Although, from the few who have allegedly seen or heard these creatures amongst odd whispers, these creatures appear to show interest in expanding their 'Creed'. We would know more, but with each new witness of these beings comes a new disappearance. We may never know more about these Elders if more witnesses keep suddenly falling into a missing status.'

“…Odd.” Says Hoonis. “…There doesn’t appear to be any information on how we can see them, though…”

Elain can’t help but stare.

Suddenly, a sharp pain enters her head. She feels the back of her head.

…Somsthing’s impaled it.

She takes out what’s stabbed her.

…A dart.

…A tranquilizer dart…

She quickly begins to feel dizzy. She looks over the the librarian’s desk.

He’s still there.

…If it wasn’t the librarian who shot at her…

…Then who…?

Before she can even get up to warn the others, Elain begins to pass out. Her head slams onto the table, snapping Hoonis out of his reading and Dento away from the librarian.

“Elain?” He asks. He looks over to see Elain with her head down, unconscious.

“Excuse me.” Says a voice from behind.

Hoonis turns. “Hm?” He hums. Dento also turns back.

They look on in shock.

They see a two cloaked figures behind them, each of them have a bat in hand.

“I thought there wasn’t supposed to be any noise in a library.” Says one figure.

Suddenly…

*WHACK*

…Darkness.

—

…

…The trio slowly comes to.

They look up to see large trees covering up the sky. The sun has set. Each of them attempt to look over to each other. They all appear to be lying down. Tied up.

“…W-where are we?” Hoonis asks.

The trio looks around. Torches are scattered around a small clearing.

They’re in the woods.

Suddenly, rustling is heard from nearby shrubs. The trio tries to look over to spot the cause of the sound.

From the bushes, a cloaked and hooded figure emerges, holding his hands up in the air. “Friends!” He shouts. “They have awoken!”

From the bushes, more cloaked figures emerge, all talking amongst each other. They circle around the tied up trio and look down upon them.

The tied up idol hunters face the supposed leader. “Where are we!? What happened!?” Hoonis asks.

“It appears you don’t remember.” Says the leader. “Unfortunate. Perhaps they hit you too hard…”

Dento listens in on the voice… it’s familiar…

…Too familiar…

The leader then brings down his hood to reveal a familiar face.

The librarian.

“You!?” Hoonis shouts. Elain looks in shock.

Even though Dento, anticipated something was up with the man, he still was in shock. He didn’t know that man was a—

…Oh.

The librarian then puts his hood back up. “Never mind introductions, my dear sheep!” He says. “They require sacrifices— can I get an amen?”

“Amen.” The cult says in unison.

“…Dear, God…” Says Hoonis. “A cult leader!”

Besides that…

…Who was this 'They'…?

“…They will be pleased with your arrival.” Says the librarian. “Especially you.” He looks over to Elain.

Elain begins to panic again.

…No.

Don’t think about it.

…Don’t…

“Friends!” Says the librarian. “Bring them to the World’s Edge! The Elders shall ask, and they shall receive!”

The cult members then huddle and pick up the captives and carry them through the woods.

…Elain continues to keep her mind off things…

Don’t think about it.

Do. Not. Think. About. It.

…But, it’s difficult.

The thoughts plague her mind. She can’t seem to shake them off this time. No matter how hard she tries…

The thought of it all…

The drugs. The Elders. The eyes. The pain. The confusion.

…Everything…

It feels so fresh in her mind, just as it was when it first happened.

Just thinking about seeing those eyes again is driving her nuts. She wants to forget it ever happened… although, she can’t.

Dento looks over to Elain, concern glossing his eyes.

Don’t think about it.

You’ll be fine as long as it’s not constantly on your mind. Eating at your mind like termites. Slapping your very soul across the face until it’s bleeding.

You don’t have to tell him as long as you aren’t thinking about it.

You’ll be okay.

Stay optimistic.

Elain nods to Dento.

…Dento almost feels uncertain about Elain.

Suddenly, the trio begins to fall.

They’ve been thrown over a cliff.

They fall. Hoonis’ shrills of terror smacking their heads like a ball in a pinball machine.

As they fall, however…

They rise.

They shoot past the cliff they had been dropped from and into the sky…

Into the atmosphere.

Into the stars.

Into the great beyond.

Hoonis’ screams become inaudible once they reach the outer limits of the world.

Past various lights and voids, all of them a terrifying sight to behold. They pass by planets, asteroids, solar systems with no sun. All of what the world hasn’t explored shoved into a few a minute trip.

The trio then enters a small hole with a large court house in the middle of it.

Elain begins to panic even more…

…You’ll be fine…

Stop thinking about it.

The trio enters the court house. Hoonis’ screams also become audible again. As they pass large white pillars and deeper into the court house, Dento kicks Hoonis’ leg, getting him to stop screaming.

“Ow! What’s the big idea!?” Says Hoonis. “Is that not a natural reaction to getting shot through space!?”

Suddenly, a loud buzzer goes off.

The rope tied around the trio unravels. Dento and Hoonis get sent downward.

Oh, no…

Hoonis and Dento stand next to each other. “What’s happening!?” Hoonis questions.

Two mouse cursors appears. They hover over the men’s bodies and click them. The cursors pull…

And the top layer of their bodies pop off, revealing their internal organs. Each one not an organic organ, but a shape one. Like something out of a cartoon.

“…AAAAAAAAAAHH!!” Hoonis shouts.

The cursors hover over the organs until stopping on their hearts and clicking it. The hearts are removed and odd creature appears off to side. It gobbles up their hearts in one bite. Their covers are then slapped back onto their bodies.

Hoonis and Dento are then brought back up to Elain’s level. Both are terrified. Hoonis especially.

The trio then begins to hover forward.

They enter a large void-like room. Large, shadowy pillars coated with colorful eyes look upon them. Above the pillars appear three eyes, which slowly open as the trio enters. The eyes look down upon them. The trio takes in the sight.

The Elders of Lost Eyes.

The trio is horrified.

…Elain especially.

…Don’t think about it…

“THEY ARE HERE.” Says the pillars. “SHE IS HERE.”

“THEY SEEK HIM.” They say again. “SHE SEEKS HIM. HE SEEKS HER.”

“BRING THEM TO HIM.” They say, echoing.

The phrase repeats.

“BRING THEM TO HIM.”

The trio then blasts upward. They shoot past the Elders and into another dark room. They’re all set down, and are able to stand. There’s a floor here.

…Silence.

Then…

“Hey, there!” Says a peppy, high pitched voice. “You seem confused! Allow me to introduce myself!”

Out from the shadows, clacking footsteps are heard.

The trio looks into the shadows.

Out from the shadows, a very familiar man emerges.

…Or, at least, a man who is very familiar to Hoonis.

A spindly man dressed in a magenta suit, paired with a teal bow tie and yellow undershirt comes out of the shadows.

And the most defining feature he has…

Elain looks in shock.

…A cube head…

…No, a box head…

“I am Darly Boxman!” Says Darly. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance! We’ve been waiting for you!”

Elain and Dento are completely frozen in shock.

Hoonis, on the other hand…

He looks on in utter excitement and shock. He begins to tremble as excitement takes over his brain and body.

He couldn’t help but squeal.

“AAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAH!!!” Hoonis laughs maniacally. “I’VE BEEN WAITING TO MEET YOU ALL MY LIFE, DARLES NEMENI!!”

As Hoonis races toward Darly, The boxman lifts an arm into the air. Hoonis is brought into the air. He looks on at the other man in confusion.

“Ah, ah, ah!” Says Darly. “I don’t go by that anymore! Call me Darly!”

“I never knew you could be so committed to your character!” Says Hoonis. “But why don’t you go by Dar—“

Darly pulls Hoonis close and shushes him. “That’s not important.” He says. “Anyway, thank you!”

“Y-you’re welcome!” Says Hoonis.

Darly then looks back over to the Bounty Hunters. “Oh, interesting outfits!” He says. “That reminds me, I wonder how the times have changed down there. He hasn’t been there in years, not like he needs to.” He chuckles.

…What does that mean?

Elain and Dento are suddenly lifted into the air and paired with Hoonis.

“Look at you all!” Says Darly. “So moldable! I could just completely alter your code to fit my own image!”

The trio are suddenly coated in a bright blue aura. Their forms begin to alter and break apart. The aura eventually fades, revealing the trio now with different body types or limbs.

Darly continues to repeat this process of change.

Each time getting more and more painful. Each time Hoonis’ shrills gettting worse and worse.

Elain can’t help but think of the sheer pain she had to experience…

…Stop it… stop thinking about it…

Darly eventually lets go of the trio and sets them down. They fall to their knees and take a breather.

Hoonis looks up to Darly. “What was that for!?” He asks, still trying to recover and catch his breath.

“Oh, I just like doing that!” Says Darly. “Why not do it when you’re a God?”

…A God…?

“…What…?” Hoonis questions. “…I never found anything like that in my research…”

“That’s because that old, burnt out coot went missing!” Says Darly. “…It appears you all have some catching up to do!”

Shadowy tendrils rise up from the ground and stab the eyes of the trio, causing them to see visions…

Elain isn’t liking it one bit…

…No. Don’t think it…

'The man who you know as Darles was a desperate man, willing to do anything to make himself popular.' Darly narrates as a depiction of Darles on his knees begging appears. 'Even make a deal with the Devil.'

Eyes begin appearing around Darles. The vision fades.

'The Elder’s interest in the man piqued, and they helped him.' Says Darly. 'They gave him success. He got power. Fame. Ascension. All of what he wanted… All for a price…'

A new vision appears: Darles surrounded by eyes within a dark mass looking upon him.

'If they helped him, he had to join them…' Says Darly. 'And such a hungry man took the bait.'

The mass surrounds Darles, trapping him within it.

'And now, Darles and Darly have become one.' Says Darly.

Darles pops out of the mass, a box now replacing his dual-triangle head.

'He had achieved God-hood, he ascended, just as he wished.' Says Darly.

The tendrils then pop out of the trio’s eyes. They each fall to the ground.

'Now look at him! Look at me!” Says Darly, floating in the air. “He can do anything! He HAS everything! Just as he had wished for!”

“But what about his friends? His family?” Hoonis asks.

“…What?” Darly asks.

“Thlouretta? Bep?” Hoonis asks. “What about them? Does he miss them?”

“Why would that matter?” Darly asks. “He has everything he wanted!”

“But they loved him.” Says Hoonis. “They miss him… well, maybe Bep doesn’t miss him outwardly— but still, doesn’t he still love them too?”

“As Darly Boxman went on, he became hellbent on it!” Says Darly. “All he wanted was to ascend! For his show to succeed! He didn’t care about them!”

“There must be more to it! Thlouretta spoke of how kind and caring he was! He was never like this until work on his show started!” Says Hoonis. “…And I remember hearing a voice one night, someone calling for help… it sounded like Darles… he’s still in there… in your head.”

Darly isn’t sure of how to continue.

“…Tell me, Darles.” Says Hoonis. “Tell me you loved Bep like your daughter. Tell me that you were a kind and caring man. Tell me that you aren’t a piece of shit father.”

Elain and Dento look to each other. They’re surprised that Hoonis is acting so stern about this. He spoke with such passion they had never heard from him.

Darly pauses.

“…Please.” Says Hoonis, desperately.

…Darly hesitates…

…He then begins to float back down to the ground. He tries to pry the box off of his head.

It takes some time, but the box is removed.

…Darles looks up, pain in his eyes.

Hoonis looks back, desperately anticipating the truth.

“…I loved Bep with my life.” Says Darles.

Hoonis’ eyes widen a bit. Elain and Dento rise to their feet, surprise in their eyes.

“…I-I was a good man. Thlouretta and I were great friends… and I… I let it all go.” Says Darles. “…I threw it all away for a stupid show, for fame… I ruined my life, and for what? To be in constant suffering with this parasite clinging to my head…?”

The trio stares at the man as he vents.

“I never wanted this… I didn’t want those who I cherished to leave me— I didn’t…” Says Darles as he falls to knees. “…What in God’s name did I do to myself…?”

Faint sobs can be heard as Darles lowers his head. Before anyone can approach him, he lifts his head to the box he had set down.

Darles then proceeds to pick up the box. He squeezes it slightly.

“My STUPID lust for YOU, GOT ME HERE!!” Says Darles. “I AM HERE BECAUSE I JUST HAD TO WANT FAME!! I LOST WHAT I LOVE BECAUSE OF MY STUPID ACTIONS!! …I FUCKING HATE YOU!!!”

Darles then proceeds to stand back up and throw the box into the void next to him. He falls to his knees again and begins to sob.

Hoonis then tries to approach the sobbing man, only for Elain and Dento to restrain Hoonis and pull him away.

“Wait!” Says Hoonis. “We can help him!”

The duo pulls Hoonis back further.

There isn’t a point in helping a man that’s lost his mind.

Hoonis struggles to escape the duo’s grip, but they’ve got a tight hold on him. He tries his hardest to pull away from them, until he eventually pops out of their hold. He rushes over to Darles and begins to hesitate…

…After a bit, Hoonis gets down on his knees and sits beside the sobbing man.

“…I’m a horrible friend…” Says Darles through his sobs. “…I’m a terrible father…”

“…I don’t think you are one.” Says Hoonis.

“…Why not?” Darles asks. “I sacrificed who I loved for this. I hurt people. People I cherished. And now look at me… I’m broken man. Why try to waste your time with me when I can just send you all home?”

“Because I want to help you.” Says Hoonis.

“What about what I just said do you not get?” Darles asks. “There isn’t anything you nor I could do about this… I’m stuck here, and I can’t leave. I took the bait, and this is my punishment.”

“…I can try. We can try.” Says Hoonis. “We can help you become a better man.”

“No.” Says Darles. “I doubt I can change. I’ve ruined so much… just leave me be…”

Nearby, a small portal opens on the ground. It leads back to the Pink City.

“You can change! We can get you back home, help you let this go!” Says Hoonis desperately.

“You can’t break a contract with the Devil just like that.” Says Darles.

“But, I don’t want to leave you!” Says Hoonis. “I’ve wanted to learn from you all my life!”

“Are you dense?” Darles asks. “Why learn from a man who ruined his life chasing after fame? …Just leave.”

Elain and Dento step to Hoonis and pick him up. They drag him toward the portal.

Hoonis desperately tries to escape the duo’s grasp, but to no avail. Darles keeps his head to the ground.

The trio eventually trips into the portal. Hoonis yelps as they fall.

Once the trio is gone, the portal in the floor closes.

Darles sits there, alone, and on his knees.

“…I am nothing…” Says Darles. “Nothing but a puppet…”

…Darles then begins to chuckle a bit.

“…Hehehe… he is nothing… you are nothing…” Says Darles… or really, Darly. “…Is this not what you wanted, Darles? You wanted fame, so why don’t you embrace it?”

“…You stay away from me, you fucking leech.” Says Darles, sounding more like himself.

…He and Darly are in a predicament…

“Oh, no, that won’t do!” Says Darly. “I thought we were friends!”

“We may have been, but we aren’t anymore.” Says Darles. “I want you to leave me alone.”

“Why?” Darly asks. “You made that deal, now you’re stuck with me! It’s like you said, you can’t break the Devil’s contract just like that!”

“…Leave me alone, you wretched piece of shit…” Says Darles.

“Oh, dear!” Says Darly. “…I think you need a helping hand!”

Suddenly, approaching clicking sounds are heard. Darles looks up.

He sees his box head, covered in a dark ooze. It’s crawling with it’s six shadowy, spider-like limbs.

It’s quickly approaching Darles.

Before Darles can even react, the box head lunges onto Darles’ face, trying to attach itself to him.

Darles screams and quickly rises to his feet. He attempts to pull the box off of his head, but to no avail.

“GET OFF OF ME, YOU FUCKING PARASITE!!” Darles screams, his hands mounted to his head, trying to remove the creature from him.

“You know I can’t do that!” Says Darly.

Darles continues to struggle with the beast as it slowly crawls it’s way onto his head, attaching to it like a leech.

Darles falls to his knees again and struggles to combat the creature’s hold on him, both mentally and physically.

From the center face of the box, seven vibrant eyes sprout and slowly open.

Darly begins taking hold of the poor man’s body. He takes a look at his hands and slowly rises to his feet.

“I think you need this, don’t you think?” Darly asks himself. “What else do you need, I wonder…?”

Darly begins thinking to himself… before something comes to mind.

“…I know!” Says Darly. “You need a refresher just to show you what great power they gave you!”

—

The trio falls plummets from the sky, Hoonis still squirming in Elain and Dento’s arms.

“I could’ve helped him!” Says Hoonis as the trio falls.

The hunters eventually slam into the pavement. The citizens walking around jump and quickly take notice of the large hole made in the road. They all begin grouping around the hole and gazing upon the still bodies within it.

The three slowly rise and massage their temples. Hoonis looks up to the sky and no longer sees a way back to Darles.

“…I could’ve helped…” Says Hoonis. “He can change…”

Dento looks to Hoonis and pats his back. He then looks over to Elain.

…She doesn’t look well.

Elain knows he’s looking at her.

…Stop thinking about it.

You’ll be fine.

Dento reaches an arm over to her.

Before, he can reach her though…

*BANG*

Dento stops. Everyone looks around.

*BANG*

Nothing is around them. Nothing.

…The only place they haven’t looked…

…Up.

Everyone looks up to the sky.

…Not much happens.

Until…

*BANG*

The sky explodes apart. A large hole in the sky appears. And oddly enough, it begins to bug and glitch out…

The civilians begin to panic and run away. The trio remains in the hole, not moving a muscle.

From the hole in the sky hovers an approaching figure. The figure quickly approaches the Pink City, and stops right in front of the hole in the road.

The trio stares in disbelief.

Darly.

Although, his box head is covered in a black, dripping substance. At the sides of the box, spider-like legs remain. And for the man’s face; vibrant, multicolored eyes. They could bring utter fear to anyone who dared to look upon them.

“Hey there, everybody!” Says Darly. “Welcome back to the show! Did you miss me?”

No one seems to answer. Only screams are heard as the civilians scramble to their homes.

“I’m sorry for my sudden intrusion, but it’s come to my attention that a friend of mine needs a lesson in being grateful for the power they’ve been given!” Says Darly. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to show you all what a REAL God looks like!”

Darly raises his hands, and out from the hole in the sky, shadowy tendrils shoot out and charge toward any unsuspecting civilians. The tendrils attack and hit at the civilians. Many are shot around against walls or slammed into the road.

The more the civilians are attacked, the more 'glitched out' they become. Slowly becoming horribly distorted and broken.

Darly then looks down into the trio still stuck in the hole.

“Oh, look at the menagerie!” Says Darly. “I’ve seen you before! You look like you’d be fun to play with! Especially YOU!”

Tendrils shoot toward Elain and grab her wrists and ankles. She begins to get dragged back. Dento grabs onto her. Both of them quickly get dragged out of the hole and toward Darly.

Dento pulls at Elain, trying to free her from the tendrils. He looks to Elain, she looks back.

Dento’s expression shows that of desperation.

'Don’t you let go!'

Hoonis then begins to struggle out of the hole to reach the Bounty Hunters. He can barely get back up.

Dento’s feet dig into the pavement as Elain gets dragged back. Both ends are tugging so hard, that Elain feels her body could be snapped in half.

“Ooh! We’ve got a fighter!” Says Darly.

The tendrils then begin to tug at Elain even harder. So much so, that Dento can barely hold on anymore.

In a snap, Dento’s hands give out, no longer able to hold on to Elain. Elain is shot up into the sky, completely disappearing from Dento’s view in a matter of a seconds.

Dento can’t help but watch as his dear friend is sent into the sky.

Lord knows if she’ll ever return.

Dento remains on his knees. He lays his head down as tears fall from his eyes. He silently sobs, his chest heaving, even if no audible sound is heard from him.

Hoonis is eventually able to climb out of the hole in the road. He spots Dento sitting alone, Elain nowhere to be found.

“Where’s Elain?” Hoonis asks as he approaches the sobbing man.

Dento doesn’t answer.

“…I’m sorry.” Says Hoonis. “You don’t have to tell me.”

Hoonis looks up to the sky. Dento does the same.

…Tendrils shoot out from the sky hole and quickly launch themselves toward the city.

Toward the duo that watches the sky above.

Hoonis and Dento spring up and quickly try to evade the approaching tendrils, trying to pass the hole in the road without falling in.

Once they pass the hole, the two stay fairly far apart. They run off, trying to find somewhere to hide.

As Dento runs, the sound of something approaching him catches his attention.

Too late, however.

A tendril smacks Dento on the back of his head. The force of the hit slams him into a nearby wall.

He falls unconscious before he even hits the floor.

~~~

Dento slowly begins to come to. He blinks a bit before slowly rising up.

He looks around.

Nothing.

Nothing but darkness.

As he turns his head, he spots someone.

Someone familiar.

Elain.

Elain sits alone, head down. She looks as if she’s ashamed.

Dento quickly gets to his feet and rushes toward his partner. As he approaches her… he hears something…

“SHE WAS NOT READY.” Says an unknown voice.

Dento stands nearby his friend, confused. He glances around, looking for the source of the voice.

“SHE WAS NEVER OKAY.” The voice says again.

Suddenly, out from Elain’s head, a vapor appears. From the vapor emerges a collage of shapes. Shapes and colors…

Shapes and colors that would remind one of stress. Of anxiety. Of fear. Of something underlying that is left without acknowledgement.

The collage takes up the void. Only Elain and Dento remain.

“HER MIND WAS NOT READY.” Says the voice again. “SHE IS CURSED WITH A TERRIBLE BLINDNESS.”

“A BLINDNESS YOU FELL FOR.”

“A BLINDNESS SHE FELL FOR.”

“NEITHER OF YOU…”

“NEITHER OF YOU ARE SAFE FROM WHAT SHE CAUSED TO HAPPEN TO HERSELF.”

As Dento glances around, he begins to hear a different voice…

'I’ll be okay.'

'I’ll be fine.'

'I’m okay.'

'Stay optimistic.'

The phrase, 'Stay optimistic', continuously lingering within the void.

“HER OPTIMISM IS A CURSE.” Says the other voice.

“A CURSE YOU BOTH MUST BEAR WITNESS TO.”

Dento glances around again.

…Was this true…?

…Or some kind of trick…?

As he glances, he notices Elain slowly raising her head. She stares at Dento with horribly desperate eyes.

He stares back.

…A new phrase lingers.

'I’m sorry.'

'I am so, so sorry…'

…Elain.

She’s speaking through her thoughts.

…Those thoughts of desperate optimism…

…They were hers…

And she never said a word…

Leaving both of them in the dark…

If she had said something…

She wouldn’t be stuck in the sky. The city wouldn’t have been put in danger…

…He should’ve known she’d be this ignorant.

Dento suddenly feels himself being pulled away. He quickly exits the colorful amalgamation of stress, barely able to hear Elain’s thoughts.

~~~

Dento jolts awake. He quickly rises. He glances around.

…He’s in his home. On the couch.

…Someone took him home…

“Dento?” Calls a voice from a nearby hall. “You okay?”

Dento turns over to the hall. He sees his sister, Danina, peer out from the hall. She notices her awakened brother and rushes toward him.

“Oh, thank God, you’re okay!” Says Danina, hugging her brother. “Some guy was carrying you, we just got you and took you home… what even happened?”

Dento thinks about who the hell could’ve been carrying him…

Hoonis.

…He’s grateful for him.

Dento can only hope Hoonis is okay.

Dento then begins to think about how to answer Danina’s question.

“…It’s a long story, isn’t it?” Danina asks.

Dento nods.

“Alright. Oh, also, I want to make sure,” Danina begins. “You aren’t hurt, are you? Mom looked at you, but I want to hear from you.”

Dento thinks…

…Not exactly…

Not only did he lose his friend, he’s had to learn about how she functions. Her ignorance. His ignorance…

…Sometimes, he hates how Elain works…

—

Elain sits alone. Alone within a dark void. Stuck in the sky. Unable to leave.

Not certain of how to leave.

…She feels awful.

…If only she had said something…

Realized how ignorant she was…

She didn’t want any of this.

She had set out to be a Bounty Hunter to bring good to the city. Bring down ne'er-do-wells and serve them sweet justice. All she wanted was to do good… not bring the city down to destruction and ashes…

All of this. All of it…

Is it not all her fault?

If she hadn’t decided to go on this goose chase. If she had said something. If she had taken better consideration into the inner workings of her head…

The city wouldn’t be crumbling.

People wouldn’t have been getting hurt.

A practical God (hopefully) wouldn’t have been unveiled unto the city.

Dento wouldn’t have—

Dento…

He wouldn’t have been hurt…

Mentally hurt…

…When you hurt, I hurt…

…

…What has she done…?

“Oh, dear!” Says a voice.

Elain turns her head, glancing around. She quickly rises to her feet.

…It’s familiar…

…Darly.

“Over here, dear!”

Elain turns.

Darly hovers behind Elain, staring down upon her with his seven vibrant eyes. His look paralyzes her, freaks her out.

…He looked awful.

Darly then bends down a bit. His box head hovers off of his shoulders and toward Elain. It stares into her eyes and pierces her soul.

“You’re tired, aren’t you?” Darly asks.

The box head slams back into its rightful place on Darly’s shoulders. He continues to stare Elain down.

“Have you thought of an answer yet?” Darly asks.

Elain thinks…

She was tired.

Tired of these thoughts. Tired of the guilt. Tired of the stress

She nods.

“I thought so!” Says Darly. “…Why don’t I lend you a hand?” He puts out a hand.

Elain stares at Darly in disbelief.

…Why would she make a deal with him?

“…Hmm…” Darly hums. “Perhaps you need a refresher!”

Suddenly, familiar visions and whispers fill Elain’s head.

“JOIN THE CREED.” The whispers yell. Over and over. The phrase echos.

Visions of what she’s seen. What she’s experienced. What she’s faced. All of it hits Elain like dodgeballs.

Elain curls up into a ball and wraps her arms around her head.

She wants it to go away. That’s all she wants.

…But it appears she can’t get it to go away on her own anymore.

“You want this all to go away, yes?” Darly asks. “Then why not make a deal?”

The whispers are unending. The visions are infinite.

“I need an answer!” Says Darly.

…Why not make a deal, when you can no longer face these issues on your own?

Elain looks up to Darly. She stares into his eyes before slowly and hesitantly bringing out a hand.

“There we are!” Says Darly.

Darly takes Elain’s hand. The visions and whispers quickly fade.

Nothing happens for a moment.

…Until Elain starts feeling a buzzing sensation on her hand.

She stares at the hand Darly had taken. The buzzing feeling doesn’t go away. The feeling travels up her body. She begins to feel numb…

Not only that.

…Her head feels fuzzy…

She can’t think straight.

Her thoughts become indescribable. Her consciousness feels as if it’s slipping.

…She almost feels dead…

Her body and mind are numb. She can barely think cognitively.

Almost like some kind of zombie.

Elain’s body has become that of a glitchy, buggy mess. Her body can’t keep a proper shape, as it often bugs out and loses a proper form. Her eyes void of sentience, glistening in a bright blue.

Darly chuckles. “Haha! Look!” He says. “You’re like me now!”

Powerful.

Exactly what Darles wanted.

A hungry person very easily and quickly takes the bait.

- END -

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