TW: demons, mentions of death and certain phobias along the way

Universe(s): HermitVengers, an in-between where Marra's ship sails

[Inspired by PopCross Studios' [blank] as demons episodes, go check him out on YouTube]

"Demons.

You know what they are, don't you? Depending on the universe, they can be pure evil, chaotic, aggressively lawful.

Hm. But these... these are... fascinating. Awful... but fascinating.

Demons that feed from fears, insecurity, every little possible dark whisper in a creature's mind that may hold it back. That increases it, as if to farm off the poor soul that's encountered it.

There's four categories I've placed them in.

Fear, which feeds off phobias specifically. Some adapt to one phobia and target those with that fear.

Insecurity, which possess their victims and force them to spew their darkest thoughts and feelings and feast on them. Usually in front of others as well, hoping to increase the potency and return.

Sin, seeming to be based on the idea of the seven deadly sins. Odd thing about them is that some of them are quite friendly, and use their abilities in small doses to help humans they've grown fond of. The dose makes the poison, I suppose.

Mystery. They're a fourth class for sure, but... I can't be sure of what to name them. They isolate their victims, and drag them to the lowest point they can get. Then, they appear to take the body. I've yet to fully see what they do, and how they feed. And... I'm not sure if I do.

Most who encounter these demons don't make it out. The few who do... don't come back the same. Nobody would, after being so forcefully exposed to such an uncomfortable part of themselves.

But... what I find interesting and uplifting is watching those of stronger wills conquer these demons. Because that takes more than just physical strength or knowledge... it takes will, and some other qualities that are quite rare to find.

Hope to find out more.

- Marra"

As Marra read through the old entry, they couldn't help but feel nostalgic. Ah, the days when they frantically consumed as much knowledge she could get her hands on. He was still the same in that notion, if they were honest. But fae had... calmed down a bit since then.

"Gods help whoever has ended up dealing with them though... I still remember how awful they could be."

—

"I'm telling you guys, something's off." Phasma (AKA Bdubs) grumbled, following the two Void twins to the main living room. "I've been feeling it for a week, and you two have been acting off."

Venenifer (AKA Alex) paused for a moment. He knew what Bdubs was saying was true, but something in him forced him to shove the idea away. No, no, everything was fine. "Maybe you're just feeling stressed because of HYDRA being more active. We haven't sensed anything yet."

"Not like you'd tell me." Medeis (AKA Xisuma) grumbled, glaring at the floor.

Feeling worried and ignored, Bdubs groaned. "This is exactly what I mean! You're not listening and Suma keeps being a jerk for no reason! You don't think that's even a bit weird to you?!"

"No." The two said with an unusual amount of forcefulness, making Phasma step back a bit.

"... fine then! If you're both not gonna listen, then I'll handle it myself!" Bdubs glared at them both before storming off.

"There it is again..." Lupus (AKA Ren) muttered, staring at the window. "I swear I saw something."

Terro (AKA Zedaph) swallowed a lump forming in his throat. "Yeah... something doesn't feel right."

The two exchanged glances and both their expressions hardened a bit, mentally preparing for a fight. That's what usually came from these feelings, after all.

Silence.

"... If there's someone there, just come out." Lupus narrowed his eyes a bit, smelling something... rotting? It made him hold back a gag as he and Zed looked around and slipped out their weapons.

A loud crash startled them both as the glass windows shattered and a huge, awful thing flew inside and screeched. It looked like a large, rotting bat with clawed feet and a tail.

"What the-!? HEY-" Zed yelped as the beast snatched him up and snarled, leaping out the window and taking the Brit with him. "NO NO NO NO-"

He tried focusing on anything else: his clothes, Ren's distant yelling, the sun in his eyes- anything but the horrifying drop hundreds of feet down that made him nauseous with fear. The large bat fumbled a bit, making Zed's stomach drop and lose his ability to do anything but watch the buildings rush by.

And that's exactly what the demon wanted. Fear.

Ren ran as fast as his metahuman speed could carry him to Tony's lab, praying he or Mumbo would be there. In his rush, he quite literally ripped the door open.

"THERE'S A HUGE BAT DEMON THAT JUST SNATCHED ZED!?"

Crepitus (Doc) and Tony both jumped, looking away from their projects to stare at Lupus.

"Sorry, wha-?" Tony went to ask before being pulled out of his seat. "Whoa- Okay okay, I'll get to it! Bat demon, got Zed, where they heading?"

"Empire State, somewhere in that direction!"

Nodding, Tony darted off and tapped his watch to summon one of his suits, having to hop up to let the boots fly onto his feet. The nearest window opened up for him and he leapt out, rocketing off to find the demon and Zed. "FRIDAY, see anything on a screaming kid or a giant flying rat?"

But more things lurk in the shadows of the Tower. Much more.

—

Hehe :>

Sorry canon me! - Terro

You worry me /lh 

Anyway, have a great evening, day, night, whatever! :D - Ignis

And GOOOOOOODBYE! :D - Terro

- CinnabonSys (is back in the writing game, baby!)