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It was dark.
The air felt heavy, but too thin. Warm, but with a creeping chill. Everything, and nothing, all at once.
The ground felt solid, but like it was going to collapse under Avery's feet. It felt dusty, but sleek and clean too. Everything, and nothing, all at once.
The darkness of the cave gave way to a eerie yellow light, emanating from a large set of golden doors. It felt unsettling, but comforting. Everything, and nothing, all at once.
His breathe hitched, green goo dripping from his skin as he stepped forward. Everything in him, everything in that book, was telling him not to venture further. But those thoughts seemed to dissipate in nothing.
A slight sigh exits his mouth, he rested a simey hand against the door, and pushed it open.
There was a shape. A massive yellow hooded figure. A being who’s sheer saturation contrasted with the unrelenting darkness. It’s back was turned to Avery, the deep yellow cloak swaying despite there being no wind.
“Hello…?” avery whispered, voice almost too quiet to be heard. But it heard it.
It’s voice sounded rasp yet smooth. Like honey with gravel stuck in it. And it seemed to be coming from all sides, yet nowhere at the same time.
“How…peculiar…You and I are not meant to cross paths yet. You are….early.”
It paused between words, almost as if it was endlessly pondering. Choosing words with care. Trying to be simple.
“What are you…?” The slime-boy stepped forward, trying to sneak a peek at the front of the towering creature.
A large clawed hand escaped the confines of the robe. This inky black skin absorbing all light, yet relfected it aswell. The hand gently covered Avery’s eyes, the carefullness almost comical for a being of it’s stature.
“Do not look, My Animōsus. Your mind must remain clean.”
“Huh..?” Avery furrowed his brow, confused. He heard the sound of something tearing, then some sort of fabric being wrapped around his eyes. When he opened them, all he saw was yellow. The being had made a blindfold from it’s own robe. Odd. “Remain…clean..?”
“It's…best not to question it…too thoroughly…”
“Alright then….what are you…?” Avery looked up at the imposing creature, or atleast he assumed he was, considering he couldn’t see.
“My existence would be too… complicated to explain, my Animosus….”
Avery, ever the bold one, huffed. “Try me. I’ll have you know I had the highest grade in my human ecology classes in high-school.”
The being let out a breathe. Whether a sigh or a breathy laugh wasn’t clear. “I’m afraid your…”Human Ecology” doesn't cover my existence, dear animosus.”
“Whatever. Now what are you, and why do you keep calling me that.”
“Hmm. You are a stubborn one. Very well.” It made an amused sound. “I am all, yet none. I am both the air you breathe and the ground you walk, yet not. I am in everything, and everyone. I am knowledge, I am faith, I am everything, yet nothing. All at once.”
Avery felt the creature shift, the very ground trembling. The being continued. “But you may call me Hastur, my dear animosus…” A large claw pressed against his gooey chest.
“And what does animosus mean….Hastur?” The slime-boy tested the name. It felt foreign, yet right.
“It translates to “Brave One.” As you are, and I commend you for it…”
Avery’s cheeks shifted to a light blush colour, and the being let out another amused sound. It never truly laughed, rather it’s breathing changed depending on it’s emotions.
“Why can’t I look at you?” The question seemed to just rush out of his mouth, he didn’t even think it beforehand.
“Your mind my remain clean. My gaze will….dirty it.” It paused, as if purposefully leaving stuff out.
Avery thought for a brief moment, before rummaging through his inventory bag. “Bingo!”
The slime-boy pulled out a carved pumpkin.
The being let out a puzzled noise.
“A…..pumpkin…?”
“Yeah! You can wear it! Well- If it’ll fit..”
“Hmm…”
Avery felt the pumpkin being lifted from his hands, then the being shifting.
“I suppose this will do, my animosus…”
The blindfold fell from Avery’s eyes by itself, turning to dust on the black floor.
He looked up at the creature. In all it’s tall, yellow glory.
“You’re…very yellow.”
“I suppose”