[IC] Lords of the Underword

[KatherinWinter]

Griffin was that of a normal college guy until the morning he woke up to discover that he wasn't the only person in his head. He sought help immediately. He was afraid that he had schizophrenia or something. He ignored the voice in his head until he realized that the things he was telling him were real. He tested him first doctor. The doctor accused him of spying on him because he knew things that no one else knew. That is when he figured out that the voice in his head was telling him everyone's secrets. No secret was safe from him. When Griffin questioned the voice and he explained the secret behind his existence, how he had came to be inside his mind, and that he was not the only person out there who had received a being like him. Griffin immediately began seeking those people who's life had changed the same day as his had. He sent them an email inviting them to met his in a castle that had been in his family for centuries. The email he sent out read:You don't know me but I know you. In the last month your world has changed. One day you were alone in your head. The next you weren't. You saw doctors and did research but couldn't find the answers about what was happening to you. Soon you notice that the voice in your head isn't the only thing that has changed. You can now do something that no human can do. I am here to tell you that you are not alone. There are others like you. Others that have a voice that whispers to them and can do things that no one else can do. I have some answers. I am inviting all of those who has had these experiences to come to my castle where I will explain what I know about what has caused these changes.

[XxLyraxX]

Orion stared up at the castle with a doubtful expression. The place looked as old as could be and the person that was supposed to help them lived here? Not for the first time, Orion contemplated whether this was all a ruse or a trap but then how in the world did the mysterious person know about him, that voice that wouldn't leave Orion alone and always told him how hopeless everything was and why bother trying? Orion did his best to ignore him but his voice wasn't the full reason he had came here. He glanced down at the short, blonde girl by his side, Estelle noticing his gaze and giving him a soft smile. Orion didn't care if he never got rid of his voice but he would try everything in his power to help his twin. Orion didn't even know there was anything wrong with his twin until she asked their mother something and the woman started crying hysterically. It only got worse when Orion tried to calm her down and the woman started screaming that life was pointless. Not knowing what to do, the siblings called the police and soon their mother was in the hospital. That night, as they were staying over at their aunts, Estelle had come into Orion's room and confessed she was hearing a voice. Not multiple, just one and it was making her sad. As Orion looked into his twins tear-filled eyes, he knew he had to fine a solution.

And so here they were, in the middle of no where with the vague hope resting on the shoulders of some stranger they had never meet who might be able to help. Orion sighed and gently took his twins hand before leading her up the path to the front door.

Estelle looked up at her brother worriedly. She knew all he cared about was helping her, not even really thinking of himself but she just wished she could tell him it would all be alright. She could of course, if she wrote it down. Ever since she realized who this new guest was in her head and what she could do, Estelle had stopped talking. Misery was only able to use her power if people heard Estelle's voice and so now Estelle was a mute until they could find a solution to their problem. The girl let out a silent sigh as she looked up at the castle. It didn't look like much she would admit. But she clung to the frail hope that this person could help them.

[Grimoire Gaming]

Steam billowed from the cup of herbal tea beside her as Maya held her fingers over the keyboard. The computer screen shined bright in her blue eyes as she attempted to write a blog without sounding like a completely crazy person. Therapy had turned out to be a complete and utter failure, the therapist didn’t even want to see her anymore, he didn’t even give a reason! He didn’t have to though, she knew why he didn’t want to be around her, she made him feel uneasy, just like she did with all the others. People saw their greatest fears before them whenever she was around, and those fears always turned into plagues of nightmares.

So, she wrote the blog entitled: "I don’t think I’m the only person in my head…”. Being a recent fine arts graduate, Maya had to take her fair share or English classes, so her blog was well-written and descriptive. Even so, giving it a proofread really solidified that fact that she was definitely losing her mind. Regardless of the possible negative consequences, Maya posted the blog and sent her most private thoughts out into cyberspace. With a deep exhale, she stepped away from the computer with the hopes that someone, anyone, would see her post and be able to offer guidance and support.

~~~ Some days later… ~~~

Maya busied herself by cleaning the shop and talking to the customers that stopped in. She had to make the conversations brief and keep moving, or else the voice would take over and cause trouble. Valerie, the older lady who ran the shop, was sitting behind the counter doing her daily crossword puzzle. For some unknown reason, Val was immune to whatever was wrong with Maya, maybe she was just too old to fear anything; Hell, the tough old broad didn’t even fear death itself anymore. Maya was just glad to have at least one friend still.

It was while Maya was gazing adoringly at Valerie, that her cell phone chimed with an e-mail notification. With the cleaning rag in one hand, Maya peeked at the e-mail with the other. It was titled: "I read your blog…". Maya continued reading with a mixture of curiosity and nerves swimming in her stomach. She was just over halfway through it when she dropped the rag and tears welled up in her eyes, ’I am here to tell you that you are not alone. There are others like you.’ She wasn’t prepared for the rush of emotion that the sentence had brought, and Maya struggled to wipe the tears away before Val could see them. She failed; Valerie looked up with worried eyes, but knew better than to pry.

When Maya had settled herself enough to speak, she said “Hey Val, could I maybe get some time off? I –” she looked up with a little more confidence than before. “I have to go to Scotland.” The old woman’s eyes widened only slightly before she nodded with a smile. “Of course, dear. You’re young; you should see the world before you end up stuck in one place like me! Especially if this trip will get you back to being your regular wonderful self.” Val’s voice was warm and kind and honest, she was like the grandma that Maya never got to have. “Thanks, Val, you’re the best!” Maya said before heading off to book a plane ticket.

~~~ Some days later (again)… ~~~

Scotland was one hell of a jump from Nevada, and that plane ticket didn’t come cheap, especially with such short notice. Thankfully, Maya lived a pretty basic, frugal, lifestyle and had stashed away a lot of the money she made from her art commissions for emergency usage. She figured taking a trip to Scotland in an attempt to avoid a loss of sanity counted as an emergency. And now, here she was, in the back seat of a taxi, driving down a dirt road in Middle-of-Nowhere, Scotland. The taxi driver kept flicking his eyes to the rear-view mirror, obviously uneasy. The cab pulled up to an ancient-looking castle and the cabbie spoke quickly, his voice shaking. “D-don’t worry about the fare, just please get out.” With a sad face, Maya stepped out of the cab and the driver spun away like a bat out of hell. Her dark purple hair was swept into a low side ponytail, but the wind still caught in its loose curls. Looking up at the castle, Maya didn’t realize until just now that she was –

“Scared? You should be.” The all-too-familiar voice sent shivers down her spine.

[decayedAngel]

Nathan would be awoken by an email, his eyes bursting open as he bolts up and holds his stomach, pain sweltering through it, he would look down, seeing blood soak through his shirt, he would lift it to see the damage whatever in his head has done to him, which it had been doing for such a long time now, seeing a faded scar he would breath heavily, wiping the sweat from his face, and looking to the laptop that laid open still on charge, the email blaring across the screen reading "You don't know me but I know you. In the last month your world has changed. One day you were alone in your head. The next you weren't. You saw doctors and did research but couldn't find the answers about what was happening to you. Soon you notice that the voice in your head isn't the only thing that has changed. You can now do something that no human can do. I am here to tell you that you are not alone. There are others like you. Others that have a voice that whispers to them and can do things that no one else can do. I have some answers. I am inviting all of those who has had these experiences to come to my castle where I will explain what I know about what has caused these changes. "

Nathan would stare, in disbelief mostly, before he would attempt to respond, feeling a pain in his fingers, not allowing him to move them, a voice in his head laughing demonically and saying sarcastically "That Arthritis is really getting to you huh!? BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Nathan grips his head and yells out, echoing through the empty apartment, he would slam shut the laptop, thinking over it again, before getting up and heading to the address, which coincidentally was only a few hours away from his current home.

He would drive for several hours, bruises and cuts appearing on his knuckles, arms, hands, neck, This demon would never leave him alone, not for a second, He would speak out loud to it, although hating his voice he enjoyed having someone to speak to, Even if they did torture him every day. "You know, I am finally getting help for you..To get you out." The Demon would let out a light chuckle, echoing off the walls of Nathan's head "You cannot get rid of me..I am apart of you..I make you who you are.." His voice would instantly give Nathan a throbbing headache, grunting he would respond "People change.."

[LadyTale]

When Morana received the email, her eyes widened imperceptibly. How did you get this address? She typed furiously. This was not good. If some random person knew her top-secret personal email address... that meant bad things.
You know what you should do. Once again, the voice spoke up, sounding like a coffin lid closing. Find them and kill them.
Sounds good to me. Morana worked on finishing the email. Whoever you are, I'm giving you one chance to explain yourself. I'll visit you, I suppose, but if I don't like what I find, you won't like what I can do. Goodbye. She hit send and closed the laptop. Two days later, she was on a flight to Scotland.

----------------------------------

So this is the place. Morana looked up at the castle and rolled her eyes. Some people.
Remember, show no mercy.
With the voice's reminder lingering in her thoughts, Morana walked towards the castle.

[Dark Cloud]

Vicar received the email on his computer at the stroke of midnight, he hadn't slept for a few days and he had been becoming very aggressive with his peers mainly because of the voice in his head, but he had now locked himself into his dorm with only the voice to keep him company.

The email said that there were others like him, and that this Griffin person knew what it is like.

Vicar didn't even have second thoughts about leaving his life behind to find a place where people could help him.

He called up a taxi and packed his bags and by 1:00 in the morning he had disappeared, many think probably dead.

---

Vicar sat on the stone steps of the small castle, he was waiting for someone else to approach the steps because he saw the distinct forms in the misty haze of the air he saw more people looking at the castle.

"Probably tourists!"

Vicar thought to himself.

"Or Victims..."

The voice rumbled in his mind, the voice was male and sounded monstrous and vicious, Vicar put his hand on the temple of his forehead, and restrained himself from running at the people.

The voice had been almost getting the better of Vicar learning when to try and trigger his anger.

But Vicar was also learning to be patient so he sat on the flagstone steps and hummed to himself trying to calm himself, the voice cackled at him.

"You try to resist, but why not embrace my presence Vicar I could help you do things, and make you better than everyone else..."

Although tempting Vicar shook his head vigorously and he stood up carrying his suitcase and his travel bag up the steps and to the door, Vicar raised his clenched fist to the door and pounded on the door angrily, his eyes bloodshot and ringed with bags from sleep deprivation, he leaned against the door waiting for the sound of approaching footsteps, then he would step away from the door for now he composed himself.

[Schorl]

The short young lady known as Katherine woke up with a dizziness in her brain. Her vision blurred as she paced over to her mirror, looking at her face. Once her vision stopped blurring, she had noticed that she fell asleep with her makeup on. The old eyeliner and mascara had spread about her face, and down her cheeks. With that, she could conclude that she had cried last night. It all hit her like a brick when she remembered. They lied. All of them. They didn't value your company, they only saw you as that pitiful girl with silvery hair and stood at only 4 foot 11 inches tall. "They didn't like you anyway. Stop crying this instant," she heard it say. This voice was deep and she couldn't tell if it was a feminine or a masculine one. Suddenly, her phone buzzed. She picked it up frantically and read what it said. A castle? In Scotland? Like hell she'd be going to Scotland on such a short notice! But she had to... if it meant meeting others with her disability. Being able to finally understand...

---

It took her a day or so to finally gather up her things to get to Scotland, and getting to the airport was a pain in the ass, dealing with her demon was a pain, too. But finally, after such a long time prepping up, she had come into view with the castle. It was big, made of old stone brick, and gave off an ancient, or even haunting aura. "That man over there cheated on his wife. He refuses to admit it," the voice snickered as it gestured to a middle-aged man and his wife around the castle, inspecting it. Katherine didn't need or want to know that. She rolled her eyes and slowly stepped up toward the castle.

[Dark Cloud]

Vicar saw a women approaching from the corner of his eyes and he straitened up and leaned on a wall near the doors as he watched the lady approach.

"You should grab her by the hair and bash her head against the stone steps until she..."

"Shut up!"

He angrily muttered to himself as he rubbed his temples with his hands, he tried to look respectable for the lady who approached the castle.

[Dmessenger]

A crowd of people were standing outside a pub in Scotland as they watched a fight going on. It was Leonardo against three other men and Leo was winning. He didn't know why but he couldn't refuse the challenge, it made him excited he wanted to beat it no matter the cost. He had been doing his best to fight the voice but every time he was challenged a voice in his head would say "say yes, do it, beat the challenge" he didn't know where it came from but only that he was having trouble fighting it. He had traveled to Scotland because of the email sent to him in his small ocean side home on the cape. He got a ticket since he had won a lot of money because of all the bets that he had been taking because of this new voice in his head. He finally finished off the three guys and quickly grabbed his stuff and rode off on his newly won motorcycle. He arrived at the castle soon enough and said "hopefully I'll finally get some answers" then he heard the voice say or more challenges" The voice sounded like someone who was starving and craving food very badly.

[LadyTale]

Morana walked up to the door with a businesslike manner, no less than three guns and twelve knives hidden on her person. The shoulder bag she carried held another gun, a can of pepper spray, and a taser. Some might call her paranoid, but in her line of work, there was no such thing. She nodded to the people already at the door.
Kill them. The voice said. As usual, there was no strong emotion to it.
Nil mortifi sine lucre. She thought back. No killing without payment.

[hagroden]

Ved
He moved briskly, with purpose, his fingers fiddling in his pocket with a pair of brass-knuckles he had received from his grandfather on his 16th birthday.
"You're a man now kid, and a man in this family won't be caught dead without one of these."
He hadn't gone a month without using the bittersweet present in over five years. That was the day he first started hearing the voices.
"You really think this fucking psycho will help? Bitch probably doesn't have a clue what she's talking about."
He said aloud, in the strained, deep voice of his demon.
"Yeah well at least I'm fuckin trying, last attempt you made put me in a hospital for Schizophrenia."
Wrath kept quiet after that, it wasn't a fond memory for either of them, being locked away for over a month getting pumped with meds that only blurred their vision. He slipped his fingers through the slots in his brass knuckles, keeping his hands in his white and green hoodie pockets. He looked down in contempt as he saw dust settling on his otherwise spotless combat boots. He Polished these damn things twice a week and had lost his polishing kit on the flight to Scotland, resulting in the horrible idea of not being able to clean them for an indefinite period of time. With the crunching of gravel at his feet, he came into the vision of the castle and vice versa for the other, presumably possessed, members.

[XxLyraxX]

Seeing as the twins were the first to arrive, they stood by the door and watched as more and more people showed up. At first Estelle wondered what they were all doing there but then she realized that they must also be possessed by the demons. She wondered which one which person had and shyly pressed against her brothers side as the crowd at the door grew. She hoped this mysterious person had answers because these people might not take coming out her for nothing kindly. You know this wont work, why try. We're going to be stuck like this forever. A depressed female voice echoed inside her head, a wave of sadness washing over Estelle. The girl clenched her fists and stubbornly pushed the voice and the unwanted feeling away. She tried her best to ignore Misery but it didn't help that the demon made Estelle feel sad and depressed as well. She blinked the tears away that were gathering in the corners of her eyes and grasped the sleeve of her brothers long-sleeved shirt. She then took out her white board in case she needed to use it and quickly scrawled a message before showing her twin. Do you think this will work? Orion gave her a smile and a nod. "Of course it will. I promise." He said softly to her. What are you saying? You know this will never work, what's the point? Shut up. Orion told Hope as his blue eyes ran over the gathering crowd.

[decayedAngel]

Nathan stares at all of them, before sinking against a wall, Pain saying little at this moment, so he sanctioned it and was left on his own to ponder his thoughts, before Pain would let out a sickening screech inside his head, causing him to gasp and grab his ears, one of them leaking blood, he would groan, trying to stay calm around the others, Pain saying with an exasperated laugh "See that old guy with his wife? Let's see how he goes with Stage 4 Cancer!" The old man screeching out in pain, and gripping his stomach "In his stomach, Might I add." Nathan would try and speak within his mind to Pain, before saying quietly, in an angry, pained voice "St-..Stop...Now...Please.." Pain would cause Nathan to bash his head against the wall, causing another groan to leave his body, the old man fine now, the pain subsided from his body.

Pain would respond in a sarcastic tone "Happy?" Nathan replying with a mutter of "Go fuck yourself.." Pain would let out a chuckle, causing Nathan to clench his eyes shut, on the verge of tears, his head pounding, his ears slowly stopping bleeding, his teeth grinding together.

[Dmessenger]

Leo walked up to the door where the others were. He could feel Defeat getting riled up in his head. "let's beat them all up and take their stuff for prizes, they all will be worthy challenges." Leo thought back to him "will you shut up, I hope this guy can help me get rid of your annoying ass voice." Defeat responded "yeah right, like this guy is going to know anything"

[Schorl]

With her heels clicking on the ground around her, she made her way nearby the castle's entrance. She asked herself a question... How was she to tell these tourists and the people suffering like her apart? Perhaps she'd find someone eventually. Meanwhile in her head, she could hear Lies going off about the man she had seen earlier with his wife. "Big fat dirty cheater. LYING to his wife. I hope their relationship falls apart. I need it to, She simply must find out." Lies snickers, and makes Katherine halt herself, almost getting her to turn around, to go back to where the couple was, to rat the man out for his lies. "S-stop it...!" She heard herself say. She stood as still as a rock as she heard Lies bombarding her with insults. "You want them to go unsettled!? How dare you! You're probably a cheater, too, aren't you? No wonder Justin didn't like you. You wench, you brat, you stupid fucking prima donna whore," Katherine's eyes widened, and she moved to lean on one of the walls near her, her vision blurring once again.

[hagroden]

Ved
He approached the girl leaning against the wall, normally it wasn't very appropriate to come near a total stranger, but he approached her nonetheless, his hand gently resting on her shoulder, leaning in and whispering.
"Demons are assholes, whatever yours is saying, ignore them."

[KatherinWinter]

'Violence, Death, Nightmares, Defeat, Lies, Wrath, Misery, Hope, and Pain are here.' The demon in his head announced. Griffin nodded. He headed towards the door. He was glad to have company. He was tired of being alone. Now that he knew that he wasn't the only one with a demon he was hoping the others would be willing to stay here. Together they could find a way to live with the demons without destroying themselves or the world. He took his tablet out as he reached the door. He typed a message before he opened the door. He nodded to all the people gathered there. Then he pressed the play button on his text-to-speech app. "Welcome to my castle. My name is Griffin. I have much to tell you. Please come inside. I have set up a table with refreshments in the great room. Follow me and I will share what I know." He turned and headed back into the castle leading the way to the great room.

[decayedAngel]

Nathan would push himself up, staring at his hand, seeing no blood he would sigh, grabbing his head, and pulling up his hood, moving inside quietly, Pain quiet as he suddenly feels the presence of Secrets, laughing loudly causing Nathan to stumble slightly, his steps being heard throughout the empty castle, he would stare around the large room, Pain yelling out, expecting it to echo in the room "HELLLOOOO!" Just causing Nathan to fall into a seat and grab his head.

[Dark Cloud]

Vicar stopped leaning on the wall and then grabbed his bags dragging them inside then leaving them in a the north western corner of the great hall, he looked at Griffin and followed him wondering why exactly he had the tablet to communicate.

He turned looking at the other eight people who had gathered here, he flashed a small smile at everyone then made his way to the great hall.

Vicar entered the room to find a man slumped in a chair, Vicar took a seat across from him.

"You could lunge at him and choke him to death!"

Vicar frowned then once again put a hand on his temple.

@decayedAngel

"You here because the email as well?!"

He asked the man who sat across from him.

[XxLyraxX]

Estelle was surprised when the door opened and revealed a person about her age. She didn't know why she had expected an older person, maybe because of where this mysterious person was currently residing? Estelle was also surprised when the boy pushed a button on his device and a monotone voice began speaking. Was he born unable to talk or was his demon rendering his speechless like hers was? Either way she hoped this person could help them. Orion, after staring at the boy for a few moments, gently grabbed his twins hand and lead her inside. They took a seat at the table, Estelle laying her white board and marker on the wooden surface. Violence, Death, Nightmares, Defeat, Lies, Wrath, Secrets and Pain. It has been a long time. You'll want to watch out for them, especially Secrets. He'll reveal all your darkest and deepest kept secrets within the blink of an eye. But enough about them, why don't you say hi for me? The voice snickered slightly and Estelle frowned, hands clenched into fists so hard her nails were digging painfully into her palms and leaving marks but if she focused on the pain she was able to barely drown out Misery.