God Of The World Below

"I'll just have to try harder next time. Try something different, again. Hmmmm."

Now he was mentally going through the methods he has tried thus far and the ones he hasn't. Maybe he should amp up the dosage on the the sleeping pills one.

Or maybe mix some strong pills together WITH the sleeping pills? Or maybe --

Oh, wait. The other person is still here.

Now his attention went to Hades, head tilting to the side.

Hades merely stayed in his dark shadowed cover while listening to the man before him. He'd tried this all before? Truly? Well that was unexpected and terribly sad he thinks. Though he couldn't say he was much better given how he was sure to be better off dead himself. He was a monster after all, in agony all the time due to starvation, dehydration, and exhaustion, and genuinely hated himself.

The teen jolts from his own self-sabotaging thoughts when he's addressed by the taller man. He curls up a bit more in the shadows, hoping he appears human enough to not startle or scare the other with his inhuman features. Though the shadows could do nothing to hide his fearful body language and haggard apparel. It was pretty apparent the poor teen was homeless.

@ypokosmo-theos asked: "Are you dead?" - from his BSD verse

The question went unanswered for a moment. Two moments. Three moments. Four.

Dazai almost couldn't make out that he was being spoken to. Nor could he really believe that, yet again, he was STILL alive after such a wonderful attempt. This one had failed too? Drats.

A groan. Eyes slowly opening.

Now he sat up slowly and gave a heavy, yet slightly exasperated sigh.

"Unfortunately, it would appear as if I am alive. Bummer."

Eh? Bummer?? Had this guy really...? Well then... That was unexpected.

a collection of roleplay / writing prompts , lifting quotes from " the sounds of nightmares " podcast based in the little nightmares universe .

" the look on your face says there's more on your mind . "

" would you like to talk about it ? "

" how are you feeling today ? "

" do you remember your nightmares ? "

" i remember ... everything . "

" i'm not sure that's true . "

" i woke up somewhere i didn't belong . "

" i don't quite follow . "

" can you try to explain ? "

" you can't understand . not unless you were there . "

" hey ! where are we ?! "

" they aren't children . not at all . "

" my mind was divided , and that's not fair to you . "

" everything is going to get worse from here . "

" help me ! please help me ! "

" who brought me here ? "

" i'll do everything i can to help you . "

" there's nothing bad inside you . nothing . "

" we're in this together . "

" take your pick . "

" sweets for my sweet . "

" do you know a way out of here ? "

" what are you working on ? "

" we're friends . friends tell each other things . "

" i'll play with you . "

" don't overdo it . "

" you were right there ! don't tell me you did nothing ! "

" you're upset with me , aren't you ? "

" are you going to leave ? like all the others ? "

" whatever you desire , it's yours . "

" everyone needs someone . "

" don't leave me alone ! "

" are you still angry with me ? "

" i'll protect you . "

" i hate being alone . "

" i understand more than you think . "

" you mean to escape , don't you ? "

" you're being unfair . "

" i can't help you if you hide things from me . "

" why did you bring me here ? "

" what do you want ? "

" why didn't you tell me ? "

" you promised me . "

" i don't feel like talking . "

" you never listen . "

" we can face these monsters together . "

" i need you . "

" i have nothing more to give . "

" take my hand again . "

" you abandoned me . "

₊˚⊹ ㅤa collection of character analysis/headcanon questions to learn more about your character and your partners'! writing/headcanon prompts requested by anonymous. feel free to edit these as you see fit.

Taking care of them...

"Hey, it's okay. Show me?"

"What did they do to you?"

"Don't cry - I've got you."

"That's okay - get it all out."

"Deep breath, I have you."

"Sh, sh, I'm going to patch you up."

"I've got a bandage for you."

"This is going to sting, but we have to clean this."

"Oh - okay - we're hugging about this, okay."

"It'll all feel better in the morning."

"I can't believe someone would do this to you..."

"I'm going to protect you."

"Get some rest. I'm not going anywhere."

"You're safe now."

"I'm just going to wipe your face."

"When's the last time you cried like this?"

"There's nothing wrong with you, I promise."

"One day, you'll be okay. For now? It's okay to hurt."

"You want a hug?"

"I've got a blanket for you."

"Nice and cosy..."

"It's okay if you fall asleep."

"Just get some rest. You need it."

"Hey, I made you food."

"I know it's easy to forget to eat when you feel like this."

"You don't need to feel guilty."

"It wasn't your fault."

"Do you want a hot chocolate?"

"There's nothing better than a toasted marshmallow."

"I   dare   you   to   try."

"Do   you   always   get   close?"

"You’re   pushing   my   limits."

"Stop   looking   at   me   like   that."

"I’m   losing   control   here."

"You   have   no   idea,   do   you?"

"I   can’t   resist   you   anymore."

"Stay   back,   or   don’t."

"I   know   what   you   want."

"This   is   getting   dangerous   now."

"You’re   too   tempting   for   me."

"I   shouldn’t   want   this,   but…"

"I   don’t   play   fair,   remember?"

"Careful,   you’re   testing   me."

"You’re   just   making   it   worse."

"You’re   too   close   for   comfort."

"Do   you   always   push   buttons?"

"Stop   before   I   kiss   you."

"You’re   making   it   too   hard."

"I   can’t   stop   thinking   about   you."

"I   want   you   too   much."

"You   know   exactly   what   you’re   doing."

"I’m   not   playing   games   here."

"You’ve   crossed   the   line   now."

"Keep   pushing,   and   you’ll   regret   it."

"This   is   dangerous,   isn’t   it?"

"I’m   trying   not   to   care."

"Don’t   make   me   regret   this."

"You’re   playing   with   fire."

"You   don’t   know   what’s   coming."

"I   shouldn’t   be   this   close."

"We’re   getting   dangerously   close   now."

"I   can   feel   the   heat."

"Don’t   test   me   right   now."

"I   want   you   too   badly."

"Don’t   make   me   chase   you."

"You’re   distracting   me,   you   know."

"I   won’t   fall   for   this."

"I   want   you,   but…"

"What   do   you   want   from   me?"

"I’ll   never   give   in."

"I’m   trying   not   to   care."

"You’re   playing   with   my   patience."

"Don’t   make   this   harder,   please."

"I   can’t   stop   this   feeling."

"I’m   already   in   too   deep."

"You   won’t   walk   away   unscathed."

"You’re   walking   a   fine   line."

"I’m   trying   to   stay   calm."

Send them:

Perhaps fishing wouldn't have been the most exciting thing for the god, but somehow Hades had indulged him all the same when invited. The hero was determined to impress the other with a LARGE catch!

🌸｡*ﾟ+. Starter call | @ypokosmo-theos

Perhaps fishing wouldn’t have been the most exciting thing for the god, but somehow Hades had indulged him all the same when invited. The hero was determined to impress the other with a LARGE catch!

“I don’t think I ever asked you before…!” Link began, SCANNING crystalline waters for the best spot to set up. “Do you like fish?” Came the inquire, sapphires brightening shortly after whilst a victorious ‘Aha!’ escaped just under his breath. He had found a small gathering of fish just a few paces away, many of them looking quite HEFTY in size. This was his chance !!

It was strange that the hero that had freed and befriended him had asked him along for fishing of all things but Hades was amused and joined in the venture. Granted he held no interest in trying the activity as of now but would like to keep the man company. Especially since he seemed just so determined.

Emmet could not read the other, and then, again, he was never good at that sort of thing. He had only recenlty started to hold back his words and soften them, or pass that stop as Ingo had requested of him. To not break the hearts of young trainers, he had said. Emmet could understand it now. How deep the despair could be. How sharp the words cut.

He still could not help but glance at the other for any indication of boredom or frustration. Any indication that these tracks also derailed, that he was alone again with his thoughts, with this pain. Unbearable. Worry had its sharp, white-knuckled grip over his heart. Every moment filled with the painful questions of varying degree: was he still alive? Could he still be saved? Where? Where did they take his twin brother?

He calmed down visibly at first, but then froze in his tracks. His heart skipped a beat, and started to go to the opposite direction, drumming, louder. And louder again. "A god took him," he repeated, like holding a handful of ice. Cold, sharp pain, but in clarity this time. No wonder he could not have found him sooner. No wonder all the private investigators gave up on the case. "A pokemon god." Who. Who could it be? Emmet did not believe in any gods! Was this his punishment? Then why did this misfortune fell on Ingo? Why?

"I know you speak the truth. But it.... It does not feel real. It shouldn't be... Me and my brother... We are not anyone famous. We are not particular good or righteous. We... We just serve our region as public servants, in a way. Helping people reach their destination. It was... It was Ingo's idea to never involve ourselves with what was going on outside. The fight between good and evil. We never took part in that." Which, Emmet vehemently opposed every time to no avail.

"Why him? What... What can I do to take him back from a god? This is why—" He does not finish the sentence, but it rang true in his mind. This was why gods should not exist. Powerful, arrogant tyrants, the lot of them.

Emmet could not read the other, and then, again, he was never good at that sort of thing. He had only recenlty started to hold back his words and soften them, or pass that stop as Ingo had requested of him. To not break the hearts of young trainers, he had said. Emmet could understand it now. How deep the despair could be. How sharp the words cut.

He still could not help but glance at the other for any indication of boredom or frustration. Any indication that these tracks also derailed, that he was alone again with his thoughts, with this pain. Unbearable. Worry had its sharp, white-knuckled grip over his heart. Every moment filled with the painful questions of varying degree: was he still alive? Could he still be saved? Where? Where did they take his twin brother?

He calmed down visibly at first, but then froze in his tracks. His heart skipped a beat, and started to go to the opposite direction, drumming, louder. And louder again. “A god took him,” he repeated, like holding a handful of ice. Cold, sharp pain, but in clarity this time. No wonder he could not have found him sooner. No wonder all the private investigators gave up on the case. “A pokemon god.” Who. Who could it be? Emmet did not believe in any gods! Was this his punishment? Then why did this misfortune fell on Ingo? Why?

“I know you speak the truth. But it…. It does not feel real. It shouldn’t be… Me and my brother… We are not anyone famous. We are not particular good or righteous. We… We just serve our region as public servants, in a way. Helping people reach their destination. It was… It was Ingo’s idea to never involve ourselves with what was going on outside. The fight between good and evil. We never took part in that.” Which, Emmet vehemently opposed every time to no avail.

“Why him? What… What can I do to take him back from a god? This is why—” He does not finish the sentence, but it rang true in his mind. This was why gods should not exist. Powerful, arrogant tyrants, the lot of them.

“Were there others taken by gods before? Why would they do that?”

Hades was keenly aware of the other’s building anxiety over the delay in his reply but, he’d wanted to be sure before he spoke. This was possibly the breaking point for this human, the final thread to snap that would send him into irreparable despair. Something, for reasons he could not discern now, he didn’t want to see transpire. Confused as he was by this he kept it well out of his body language.

Instead he waited for the reaction to his news, that a Pokemon god had taken this man’s twin. Snatched away from the life he’d known before into an unknown time or place. All this reminded him far too much of what the young Apollo had done once before but he knew that this Ingo was not in the miniature garden. The sun god had a very particular taste in humans to annoy and play ‘pranks’ upon.

“He could have been taken for any reason truly... It was likely spontaneous, a spur of the moment decision that fancied the whims of this god... I know personally of a rather youthful and easily bored god who once snatched a man from centuries ago just for his own amusement by placing him in a space where he cannot die nor escape from. I do not know this one’s reasoning but I will help you locate your twin.”

It wasn’t hard for the deity to sense the deepening darkness growing in the man before him. How close was he to breaking? He could almost taste the madness that this man was facing and was growing evermore curious about what exactly he’d gone through to reach this state. What exactly had he lost to break him to this point? The god of darkness was rather intrigued now, wanting this mystery to be solved. Perhaps it was his own growing influence over this man that drew him to this cave to begin with? He couldn’t be sure yet.

Hades watched the human put away those strange balls and cants his head a bit in interest. Perhaps the world has changed far more than he assumed. Strange how this man had assumed that they would be able to protect him should the god have been a hostile enemy. Another curiosity to add to this bizarre human. Perhaps later he could ask so that mystery would be solved as well. For now, he waited ever patient as the other stepped forward and spoke up. Tell him the truth was it? That would be no problem.

“Ask away young one, gods can only speak truths.”

He tilts his head thoughtfully at the poster produced from the other’s pocket. Was it a self portrait? No... While subtle the god could see the differences between the image and the man bearing it. Twins then. It was confirmed when Emmet speaks again and further affirmed at the removal of the mask. Sure, the man before him looked worse for wear than the one in the poster but it was easy enough to see.

“Though you shall not like my answer but I have not seen this man... He still yet lives. Where, though, is another matter entirely. Given you are here in such a remote part of the world though tells me you have exhausted most leads."

Hades knew this answer would break the man before him further and something in him disapproves of this. It was true however that this Ingo was not yet buried within the earth and still walked it somewhere, still linked so with his twin. While yes he was so close to losing his mind and completely falling into his realm of darkness he did not wish to see such a fighting spirit broken so completely. After a few more seconds of silence the god comes to a decision and takes just a few more steps closer to the other, gaze far softer than before and smile more sympathetic.

“I have decided to offer my aide young one... Tell me more the circumstances of his disappearance so I may discern the truth for you.”

Emmet felt his blood freeze at the answer--the words, used so nonchalantly: gods can only speak truths. This should have made him laugh! This was madness! A person claiming to be a god! Then why... Why did he start to cry? Was it the descend to madness being proved to him that broke him so? Or, despite every logical thought of him, the hope he saw in the higher being. Someone who could help him more than humans could.

Gods should't have existed. It was not right that a being could be more powerful than a human. It was sickening inequality. It was madness. Yet...

( Did his morals and principles matter anymore? )

At the first part of the answer, the confirmation that Emmet lied to himself would not be coming, that Ingo was not seen by the divine before him-- Emmet hitched a breath, covering his mouth as he felt the onset of panic. Of chaos within. How many times could his body stand to watch his hopes shatter?

"He lives?" Emmet blurted out, a broken chuckle leaving him. "They said I should not hope for his return. Three years. No men vanish into thin air with nothing by his side and makes it. Not often enough for me to hope for a miracle, they said." Tremors passed his body in uncanny resemblance to a hearty laughter. Tears trailed down the sickly pale face that had an etched sorrow.

( God, he was a mess. )

"I did exhaust most leads. I have worked with people whose jobs should bring him back to me. I have gone out of my way to reach to people who were experts, and they only said it was a cold case, in the end. I... It shouldn't have been possible. But I did it all. I did all because I know he would do even more for me." Emmet offered a pained, too tense smile at the other. "I am not meant to be on my own. I had never been alone. I have derailed the moment he was taken away."

When there were steps toward him, Emmet froze in his tracks--the urge to throw his hands and protect himself, the despair of knowing it had never worked before.

The soft gaze was unexpected. Emmet knew better, but still relaxed, the strong stance broken into him hugging himself in self-soothing manner.

He nodded at the request. "Thanks. I... I will do anything to earn your assistance. I will. I..." Emmet took a deep, shaky breath, trying to find a response not automated. "It has been three and half years, to be exact. We were supposed to work that day. He left early--I think. It is all a blur, but that makes people less likely to search for him, or to take me seriously. We are verrrry close. We had our good days, and bad days, but we come out of them stronger. We work together, and live together. He was not only my brother, but also my only family. He... He would never leave me like this."

Emmet dared to return the gaze, though his was more exhausted and hesitant. Scared. "His belongings were found scattered. I was unconscious, laying near them. At our usual route to work. I presume... I presume we were attacked. I cannot remember. But whatever took place that day, Ingo left without his friends, his Pokemon. His bag, his phone, his everything. No one would leave without them. That's why I don't think he left of his own accord."

Emmet felt his blood freeze at the answer–the words, used so nonchalantly: gods can only speak truths. This should have made him laugh! This was madness! A person claiming to be a god! Then why… Why did he start to cry? Was it the descend to madness being proved to him that broke him so? Or, despite every logical thought of him, the hope he saw in the higher being. Someone who could help him more than humans could.

Gods should’t have existed. It was not right that a being could be more powerful than a human. It was sickening inequality. It was madness. Yet…

( Did his morals and principles matter anymore? )

At the first part of the answer, the confirmation that Emmet lied to himself would not be coming, that Ingo was not seen by the divine before him– Emmet hitched a breath, covering his mouth as he felt the onset of panic. Of chaos within. How many times could his body stand to watch his hopes shatter?

"He lives?” Emmet blurted out, a broken chuckle leaving him. “They said I should not hope for his return. Three years. No men vanish into thin air with nothing by his side and makes it. Not often enough for me to hope for a miracle, they said.” Tremors passed his body in uncanny resemblance to a hearty laughter. Tears trailed down the sickly pale face that had an etched sorrow.

( God, he was a mess. )

“I did exhaust most leads. I have worked with people whose jobs should bring him back to me. I have gone out of my way to reach to people who were experts, and they only said it was a cold case, in the end. I… It shouldn’t have been possible. But I did it all. I did all because I know he would do even more for me.” Emmet offered a pained, too tense smile at the other. “I am not meant to be on my own. I had never been alone. I have derailed the moment he was taken away.”

When there were steps toward him, Emmet froze in his tracks–the urge to throw his hands and protect himself, the despair of knowing it had never worked before.

The soft gaze was unexpected. Emmet knew better, but still relaxed, the strong stance broken into him hugging himself in self-soothing manner.

He nodded at the request. “Thanks. I… I will do anything to earn your assistance. I will. I…” Emmet took a deep, shaky breath, trying to find a response not automated. “It has been three and half years, to be exact. We were supposed to work that day. He left early–I think. It is all a blur, but that makes people less likely to search for him, or to take me seriously. We are verrrry close. We had our good days, and bad days, but we come out of them stronger. We work together, and live together. He was not only my brother, but also my only family. He… He would never leave me like this.”

Emmet dared to return the gaze, though his was more exhausted and hesitant. Scared. “His belongings were found scattered. I was unconscious, laying near them. At our usual route to work. I presume… I presume we were attacked. I cannot remember. But whatever took place that day, Ingo left without his friends, his Pokemon. His bag, his phone, his everything. No one would leave without them. That’s why I don’t think he left of his own accord.”

…“Should I continue? I… I am sorry. So sorry. Sorry. I ramble. Can’t help it.”

It was almost pungent just how broken this man was, how he was breaking further at just the mere thought that this was another false lead. While he could hardly understand all the pain and emotions this man was feeling there was one thing that did ring true with him. The feeling after being separated from one’s family. It was only Hades that seemed to recall the time before they were assigned their realms by the universe but he did miss the times he could live with his brothers. A time before history and man were ever in the picture.

Rather than dwell on those passing thoughts he focuses instead on the story told to him and parsed through all the details in his mind. At least one minor mystery was solved. Those balls seemed to house the creatures of the earth called Pokemon. Some time must have passed then for those capture devices to have changed so much. However that was not what he was focusing on. No, it was the term ‘taken’. It was rare that humans could vanish so completely and still live unless... Hm. There was another case he could think of that this happened but surely it was a different being. After all, Apollo’s scent and light did not cling to this human like it would have had he appeared before him, nor did either of his brothers’.

Hades remains quiet while the other rambles, listening but thinking and focusing at the same time. He knew for a fact that the link between these two was still in tact, weak and fragile as it was now. However if he was not upon the land then where. Surely he wouldn’t be in the miniature garden... that had been created solely for another and it wasn’t Apollo that committed this crime.

“No need for apologies... This information has been insightful. There is a reason no human could ever find your brother for it was a god that took him. It is not common but does happen at times. What eludes me is which one would deign it fit to do so and where they took him. None of my kin have appeared before you save I so it must have been a Pokemon...”

How long had the god slept this time? How many years had passed? He knew not this answer and didn’t feel inclined to try and discover it. It mattered not after all. Nothing will have changed so drastically that he would be surprised by it. Certainty in his mind about this is what he felt as he’d begun to exit his deep grotto within the ancient cave system. He’d left it a few times already just to investigate but always he returned to his home before too long.  Hades paused near the entrance to the tunnel that led to his grotto, feeling a great amount of darkness approaching. Someone close to losing their mind he imagined. That was a bit of a surprise actually since normally humans would send those so close to madness to their doctors to try and heal them. So then, what was this one doing so far out in the wilderness he wondered. Hearing the command nearly has him giving out a chuckle but not quite. It was more an exhale of amusement. “No one has tried to order me to do something in millennia. Intriguing...”

Deciding to investigate this person further, the deity stepped forward from the shadows of the cave. What Emmet would see is a lithe pale man with hair long enough to pool around his feet though it was neat and clean as if dirt was repelled by it. His clothing, if you could call it that, was form fitting black that had long fluffy fur on the shoulders, a deep V-neck went to the man’s waist but it looked as if the ‘clothes’ were a part of the man. A pair of obsidian black eyes peered out at Emmet, taking in all his details with an amused smile on his face. However, all this was nothing compared to the strange man’s horns and ears, features which seemed to shift and change in appearance as if they were shadows from a tree in motion from the wind. “You are a bold one, I will give you that. So then, I am here, what ever shall you do now?”

There was someone after all. The unrest within his soul got worse instead of lessening--the itch to do something, be useful in whichever way possible -though it would be futile- was almost overwhelming.

( God, he was losing his mind. )

Millenia? Emmet was used to taking words literally. Too literally, in fact. But with every "I will call you once I have a tip", and every "I care about your brother", every lie, every pleasantry that was never truly meant--he was inclined not take it at face value now. Not anymore. It felt like a bleeding wound upon his very soul, for a humans such as he who valued the truth and even chose to make it his name, "Emmet", he could not even believe in the words spoken without doubting, without bracing himself for lies in every turn.

With the person he challenged stepping out of the shadows, Emmet's stomach churned--his eyes narrowed. The peculiar clothes were not with a criminal organization attached. The appearance was far from normal, even of those with the fashion that deemed normal a mortal enemy. So, why? Why did he still take a step forward, and attach the pokeballs back to his belt--his only defense, really, with how spent and exhausted the trainwreck of a body was. A state so tragic that back in his mind, he had to laugh.

Had he always been this weak? Nothing on his own. Nothing even when he should have fought with everything he had.

The amused smile, though horrifying given the circumstances, also calmed him enough not to head straight into the tracks of a battle.

"You, I have not questioned. Maybe, you will be the only one that can tell me the truth. I am looking for someone." Emmet took another step forward, and reached to his pocket to open a poster that had been neatly folded--too new, possibly printed on that day. Every day ended with tears ruining the poster of the day, and to the pieces it would go as his hope went up in flames.

The missing poster had the picture of someone with the same grey hair, and same, unique sideburns the exhausted form had shared. Someone in black clothing, frowning through the picture--was he disappointed that Emmet was failing him yet again? ... Of course. Of course he was. Emmet darted his eyes away from the judging gaze of the photograph.

There was someone after all. The unrest within his soul got worse instead of lessening–the itch to do something, be useful in whichever way possible -though it would be futile- was almost overwhelming.

( God, he was losing his mind.)

Millenia? Emmet was used to taking words literally. Too literally, in fact. But with every “I will call you once I have a tip”, and every “I care about your brother”, every lie, every pleasantry that was never truly meant–he was inclined not take it at face value now. Not anymore. It felt like a bleeding wound upon his very soul, for a humans such as he who valued the truth and even chose to make it his name, “Emmet”, he could not even believe in the words spoken without doubting, without bracing himself for lies in every turn.

With the person he challenged stepping out of the shadows, Emmet’s stomach churned–his eyes narrowed. The peculiar clothes were not with a criminal organization attached. The appearance was far from normal, even of those with the fashion that deemed normal a mortal enemy. So, why? Why did he still take a step forward, and attach the pokeballs back to his belt–his only defense, really, with how spent and exhausted the trainwreck of a body was. A state so tragic that back in his mind, he had to laugh.

Had he always been this weak? Nothing on his own. Nothing even when he should have fought with everything he had.

The amused smile, though horrifying given the circumstances, also calmed him enough not to head straight into the tracks of a battle.

“You, I have not questioned. Maybe, you will be the only one that can tell me the truth. I am looking for someone.” Emmet took another step forward, and reached to his pocket to open a poster that had been neatly folded–too new, possibly printed on that day. Every day ended with tears ruining the poster of the day, and to the pieces it would go as his hope went up in flames.

The missing poster had the picture of someone with the same grey hair, and same, unique sideburns the exhausted form had shared. Someone in black clothing, frowning through the picture–was he disappointed that Emmet was failing him yet again? … Of course. Of course he was. Emmet darted his eyes away from the judging gaze of the photograph.

“Have you seen this man? Subway Boss Ingo. He is from Unova, last seen in Nimbasa City. He…” Emmet took off his mask– cracks in his skin darkening the corners of the sickly smile on his face. “He is my twin brother. We are identical twins. So you might have seen me, but it may not be him that you saw–it’s… It is verrrry complicated, at time. Please stay on the line. I… I need to know.”

It wasn’t hard for the deity to sense the deepening darkness growing in the man before him. How close was he to breaking? He could almost taste the madness that this man was facing and was growing evermore curious about what exactly he’d gone through to reach this state. What exactly had he lost to break him to this point? The god of darkness was rather intrigued now, wanting this mystery to be solved. Perhaps it was his own growing influence over this man that drew him to this cave to begin with? He couldn’t be sure yet.

Hades watched the human put away those strange balls and cants his head a bit in interest. Perhaps the world has changed far more than he assumed. Strange how this man had assumed that they would be able to protect him should the god have been a hostile enemy. Another curiosity to add to this bizarre human. Perhaps later he could ask so that mystery would be solved as well. For now, he waited ever patient as the other stepped forward and spoke up. Tell him the truth was it? That would be no problem.

“Ask away young one, gods can only speak truths.”

He tilts his head thoughtfully at the poster produced from the other’s pocket. Was it a self portrait? No... While subtle the god could see the differences between the image and the man bearing it. Twins then. It was confirmed when Emmet speaks again and further affirmed at the removal of the mask. Sure, the man before him looked worse for wear than the one in the poster but it was easy enough to see.

“Though you shall not like my answer but I have not seen this man... He still yet lives. Where, though, is another matter entirely. Given you are here in such a remote part of the world though tells me you have exhausted most leads."

Hades knew this answer would break the man before him further and something in him disapproves of this. It was true however that this Ingo was not yet buried within the earth and still walked it somewhere, still linked so with his twin. While yes he was so close to losing his mind and completely falling into his realm of darkness he did not wish to see such a fighting spirit broken so completely. After a few more seconds of silence the god comes to a decision and takes just a few more steps closer to the other, gaze far softer than before and smile more sympathetic.

Someone had been seen in the caves, a rumor passed. Whether it would be real or not, useful or not, dangerous or not mattered not to Emmet. It was a lead, as empty as any he had all these years. Every single day, an agony. Every single day, the probability of Ingo returning safe and sound decreased.

And Emmet could do nothing but watch, trapped in this hourglass against his will; the sand suffocating him and any hope he clawed and thrashed so hard to hold onto.

The clothes cut out of the identifying stripes and symbols of the gear station hung onto his thin, malnourished body loosely as Emmet drew near the cave. The mask hiding the smile that was nailed onto his face. His hair, a mess, but not enough to hide the sunken, lifeless eyes he carried.

Even if this was not a lead, it would be someone doing something illegal. Someone fair game to take out his frustrations on. Anything to take his mind off the misery, of the torture of waiting around useless.

Haxorus and Eelektross kept a summon away, as he stormed the cave, reflective eyes piercing the darkness.

"Face me, and no harm will come to you. I have questions," Emmet addressed the emptiness reflected in his soul, his voice as low as the slight growl in it let him. "Try me, and you won't like it."

When did he become so cold? He knew not.

Starter for @ypokosmo-theos

Someone had been seen in the caves, a rumor passed. Whether it would be real or not, useful or not, dangerous or not mattered not to Emmet. It was a lead, as empty as any he had all these years. Every single day, an agony. Every single day, the probability of Ingo returning safe and sound decreased.

And Emmet could do nothing but watch, trapped in this hourglass against his will; the sand suffocating him and any hope he clawed and thrashed so hard to hold onto.

The clothes cut out of the identifying stripes and symbols of the gear station hung onto his thin, malnourished body loosely as Emmet drew near the cave. The mask hiding the smile that was nailed onto his face. His hair, a mess, but not enough to hide the sunken, lifeless eyes he carried.

Even if this was not a lead, it would be someone doing something illegal. Someone fair game to take out his frustrations on. Anything to take his mind off the misery, of the torture of waiting around useless.

Haxorus and Eelektross kept a summon away, as he stormed the cave, reflective eyes piercing the darkness.

“Face me, and no harm will come to you. I have questions,” Emmet addressed the emptiness reflected in his soul, his voice as low as the slight growl in it let him. “Try me, and you won’t like it.”

When did he become so cold? He knew not.

Only thing for sure: he would not leave without some answers.

How long had the god slept this time? How many years had passed? He knew not this answer and didn’t feel inclined to try and discover it. It mattered not after all. Nothing will have changed so drastically that he would be surprised by it. Certainty in his mind about this is what he felt as he’d begun to exit his deep grotto within the ancient cave system. He’d left it a few times already just to investigate but always he returned to his home before too long. 

Hades paused near the entrance to the tunnel that led to his grotto, feeling a great amount of darkness approaching. Someone close to losing their mind he imagined. That was a bit of a surprise actually since normally humans would send those so close to madness to their doctors to try and heal them. So then, what was this one doing so far out in the wilderness he wondered. Hearing the command nearly has him giving out a chuckle but not quite. It was more an exhale of amusement.

“No one has tried to order me to do something in millennia. Intriguing...”

Deciding to investigate this person further, the deity stepped forward from the shadows of the cave. What Emmet would see is a lithe pale man with hair long enough to pool around his feet though it was neat and clean as if dirt was repelled by it. His clothing, if you could call it that, was form fitting black that had long fluffy fur on the shoulders, a deep V-neck went to the man’s waist but it looked as if the ‘clothes’ were a part of the man. A pair of obsidian black eyes peered out at Emmet, taking in all his details with an amused smile on his face. However, all this was nothing compared to the strange man’s horns and ears, features which seemed to shift and change in appearance as if they were shadows from a tree in motion from the wind.