#virus reader

You were one of the lesser known eldritch entities.

Other eldritch beings saw you as soft and too mortal for your status.

But can they blame you? Ever since you started existing you were craving to be loved and tried to understand mortals because entities like the King in Yellow were far too boring and stubborn. Although, sometimes his chosen vessels interested you.

Just like today, when you managed to spot his newest victims before they even met him. It was a rare occurance but that meant you had a chance.

Before they could descend towards the King, you decided to open a hole underneath them. It served as a portal to your "garden", as you called it. Really, it was a world that just had a pink-ish sky, matching clouds all around and some unique creatures floating around like Allays, bearing a much cuter and much tinier resemblance to you. You could control the world and your little minions fully but you did expect them to need more convincing since you did just kidnap them...

Don't be afraid, I had wished to save you from your fates!

You knew that message would probably not do you any favours, given that you were still a strange entity to them. An eldritch being warping itself into a form they could comprehend to gain their trust but struggling to find a size that can still make you feel bigger without it seeming threatening.

Most were afraid or disturbed in the past, be it from your form or behaviour, but you always tried to learn from the mortals that slipped from your grasp and adjust to one day convince someone to stay in your world. To stay with you.

But first meetings never get easier. There just isn't one way to introduce mortals into your realm without them feeling alarmed.

<TheMostMayo> This would be creative for a bedwars map but I doubt we're all that safe <D3rlord3> It kind of reminds me of the Aether I could have it look like the Aether too if you'd prefer.

You were aware how risky it was but you let the world shift around the two, disconnecting land between islands and spreading them across the expanse. You hadn't seen much of the Aether itself but heard enough from previous victims visitors to get a rough idea. Floating islands, winged creatures, the whole deal. You didn't know how to make the winged creatures though so you had to settle with only changing the world itself.

But one goal was clear; You could not let them leave.

It was maybe after an hour of you trying to have your chibi-duplicates offer them various items to convince them to stay which only seemed to satisfy Avery but Derek's refusal made you a little nervous. Were your offerings not good enough? Did he not like the world? Was he bored?

<D3rlord3> Can we ask questions?

You were puzzled. Of course you'd be happy to answer any questions they had and were already going over all your explanations for the questions previous guests had asked.

'They couldn't leave because another entity was after them.' 'You just want them to be comfortable in your "garden".' 'They weren't the first and won't be the last.' 'You were fascinated with mortal beings and want to understand them.'

<D3rlord3> What are you?

Now that... Made you pause. So much so that even your mini-clones stopped to look taken aback. No one's ever asked you to describe yourself. You even hesitated to answer because how do you explain your existence to a being that shouldn't normally be able to comprehend your true form?

I'm

The word lingered in chat but the two seemed to patiently wait for an answer as your unease washed over you. How much of the truth would be too much? How much would you reveal before they inevitably tried to leave?

I'm something completely different from you. A being that could drive you insane from trying to understand its true form. However, I have crafted myself a form that will be easier on your minds and eyes. I am a being that seeks something rooted in your very existence.

Yeah, that should do, right? Surely that's enough to-

<TheMostMayo> But why us? There's lots of others out there? <D3rlord3> And why can't we leave?

Did they try to leave?! Oh no, oh no no no- That won't do!

PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME

I CAN'T DO THIS AGAIN

I CAN'T BE ALONE AGAIN

The messages flooded out of you before you could stop them. A blinding panic having lured you out of hiding to teleport in front of them, your towering frame shaking from the thought of loneliness. You were desperate not to lose another guest and them logging off would mean the King could follow them again! You couldn't let that happen!

I beg of you I will do anything but I can't let him get to you I can't take being alone again I just need more time to understand you

They could hear your faint cries through their headphones. It sounded nothing like a human crying but that was all the more convincing they would need to believe you.

<TheMostMayo> Is someone after us? I'm sure we can figure something out to help you as you helped us! <D3rlord3> Who is it?

You debated telling them but not telling them now would be suspicious and push them away, somethingyou couldn't afford at the moment.

The King in Yellow. He sought a new vessel and you two were fated to be tortured for it if I hadn't brought you here. His realm is closed off to me just as mine is closed off to him so I had hope that if you stayed, he would eventually grow bored and leave you be. But I also wanted to avoid alarming you with telling you everything right away. You mortals are quite interesting and hard to understand because you all react so differently to the same situations.

Your form beyond their sight shivered in anticipation and you caught yourself mimicking the nervous behaviours you had witnessed from previous guests. Maybe it was your obsession with mortals that had an influence over your own behaviour now but their lack of reaction gave you a sense of confidence. Maybe they would accept you even just a little longer?

<TheMostMayo> Then maybe we could stay a little longer!

<TheMostMayo> And if we need to, we could probably just avoid making a new world or even leave minecraft running if you really need us to stay

<D3rlord3> Although it would be better if we could actually shut off the game and save more on the energy bills

You were far too excited, swooping down to meet them in the form of a player model only twice their size with blocky wings you modeled yourself for a prettier look. Plus, moving the wings sometimes helped with feeding your craving for human admiration. Their screens did glitch a bit from how your model moved outside of the game's limitations to hug them with way too fluid movements all around but they didn't seem to fight back upon seeing the excitement in the chat.

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you

I promise I'll make sure you won't forget it and I'll wait patiently if you promise to return even after the King gives up!

Anything you want, I'll do it!

It was odd, being hugged by a much larger entity and just having to accept that they've become your friends now and there was no going back since you seemed determined to protect them... Yeah, maybe they shouldn't mentioned how much your behaviour reminded them of a dog...

A... Big and... Eldritch one but... Well...

At least now you had some friends to tell you what the real world was like? Though you might want to hold onto the thought of choosing a vessel to see it for yourself... Wouldn't want to stop to the same level as the King with his foolish plans...

At least your patience awarded you a cute a new form to interact with them outside of the game and learn even more about humans. Were they playing it safe or actually trusting you?