Artifact's Abode

Eye/Buried avatar they/them //TMA OC rp blog// Marks: Corruption, Desolation, Stranger, Hunt, Spiral

[artifacts-abode]

Hello all, you can just call me Artifact, you can't get my "name".

I'm NOT part of the Archives, but I do serve the Eye, so if you wish to, I dunno, trauma dump about some time a Fear messed you up I suppose I can listen.

I travel around a lot looking for more..... fulfilling stories {or creating them cough}, so I may take time to answer these...asks.

Oh and if you're Dark, Vast or Corruption, there's a chance I'll just Bury you and call it a day

(OOC: Hi! Mer here, main blog at @mernarf. If I ever need to talk OOC on this blog, I'll tag it as #Mer Rambles. I've never done this before, so bear with me lol. Oh and obvi ppl who rp as Dark, Vast, or Corruption avatars can send me asks and such. That would be a silly thing to put on a DNI list)

[artifacts-abode]

It’s been weeks, or… maybe months since Artifact encountered Eris in its domain. The memory never really faded, and neither did that damn pain in the back of their neck. If anything, it’s becoming more persistent over time.

They could swear they constantly see that thing in their peripheral vision, hear its grating voice in crowds… and every time, that dull pain accompanies the paranoia.

Did it mark them? No, it couldn’t have…

((HIIIIIII IT’S @3ris-d1st0rtionnn BACK AGAIN TO TORMENT YOUUUUU

Artifact lay on their shitty hotel bed with a frozen water bottle under the base of their neck in an attempt to numb it. The pain had come back. Again. It could have been from the liminal-ness that hotels had, some kind of memory of those stupid hallways surging back up as they walked the faded halls to their room, maybe they were imagining it! Maybe it was just some sort of ingrained memory, and their messed up brain had decided to make it real and then permanent. They couldn't possibly have been given another Mark, that would be five! Five was far too many, it was just absurd!

Besides, paranoia was an Eye thing, right? That Eris hated the Eye, it wouldn't Mark them with it. Why would the Spiral have anything to do with paranoia or hearing voices or seeing things that weren't there? Those definitely didn't have anything to do with madness, so they were fine. And they weren't lying to themselves at all.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Within the few hours Artifact had been lying there, the pain somehow transitioned into a migraine. Their ears ring, their vision blurs a bit around the edges, the colors in the ugly carpets and furniture look… a little too vivid.

A sudden shot of pain jolts Artifact back from their disconnected state. It feels like something opened a wound back there… like something… escaped? No, what were they thinking? Why were they thinking that?

A soft clicking noise can be heard from somewhere unseen, too close and too far at the same time. From somewhere outside, a pink-tinted light leaks under their hotel room door.

[artifacts-abode]

Their head feels like it was filled with cotton and then crushed, but they manage to sit up. It was probably irrational and not real, but they wanted to check the source of the pain, just to be sure. Wouldn't do to get blood on the sheets, they'd probably get charged more.

Artifact numbly lifted a hand to the base of their head. It came back bloody, and they stared at the crimson staining their fingers like it had personally insulted them.

No matter how much they stared, the blood remained infuriatingly real, and the pain remained, until their muddled thoughts decided it was probably a good idea to maybe do something about the blood.

Shakily, they stood. They had been certain their room had a bathroom in the room, but the door wasn't there. It must be in the hall, this must be one of those hotels that made the rooms share one restroom between a few rooms. Why had they come here, they hated hotels like this!

Artifact opened their room's door with one hand, the other supporting them on the wall itself as they tried not to fall. Just clean the wound you somehow got and you'll be fine.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

The hallways outside their room are uncomfortably silent. Everyone must be asleep… God, how late is it? All that can be heard is the fluorescent lights humming overhead, and even that noise sounds disturbingly familiar.

Another droplet of blood trails down Artifact’s neck. It feels strange, as if it’s moving in a direction that gravity just shouldn’t allow for. Is it somehow bleeding sideways?

Among the identical doors in the hotel hallway, one stands out. It’s painted darker, strangely weathered as if it was salvaged from a scrapyard or left to rot outside for a bit.

[artifacts-abode]

Artifact brought their already bloodstained hand to the wound to staunch the bloodflow as they walked to the door. If it looked different, it probably wasn't another hotel room, right? Should they just open it or knock?

"H-hello? Anyone there?"

They realized a few seconds after hearing the shaky voice that it was their voice, and they had, in fact, spoken. Well that was one way to possibly get someone's attention. Surely anyone here wouldn't begrudge helping someone that started bleeding for....some reason. Why were they bleeding again? It didn't matter, they just needed to get the bleeding to stop, clean the wound and then they could wonder about the cause when it stopped hurting.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Nobody responds.

The door creaks open slightly, revealing a short hallway that turns sharply to the left. This has to be the bathroom… but god, it’s built so strange. Probably normal for this cheap hotel though.

The annoying hum overhead sounds louder as Artifact approaches the door. Another drip of blood trails between their fingers, leaving behind an odd, residual sting.

[artifacts-abode]

Whoever built this place needs to get off the drugs, it's weird

"Helloooo, anyone there? Sorry to wake you but I'm bleeding-" Augh no you idiot you can't just go around announcing you're bleeding, just get in there and solve it yourself.

They walk through the door, clean hand braced against the wall as they curse the..whatever had injured them. What had it been? It had to have been something, the base of your head is not a normal place to get a puncture wound. If their head could just clear, maybe it would all make sense.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Hello?- Damn, are you okay?

A voice cuts through the uncomfortable silence. There’s a fair distance to it, and whoever it is doesn’t seem to be approaching from around that corner. If Artifact didn’t know any better, that voice would sound weirdly familiar… No, it has to be a coincidence.

You should really go see a doctor or something, call 911… Something like that. Who knows what could have gotten into you.

Their wording is odd. Why would they say that? What the hell did that mean?

[artifacts-abode]

"I don't know how I got hurt, and my phone is, uh-"

Had they left their phone in their room? Maybe they should just turn around and call 911, the mysterious voice was right.

But when they turned, the halls seemed unfamiliar, even though they had barely turned any corners to get here. Where..were they?

"Can you help me? I think something's wrong, my head feels weird and I don't know where I am."

Something was wrong. Just walk back to your room that's definitely still there, you didn't take that many turns, just remember your room number that is....

Shit.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

You sound confused.

The voice sounds weirdly amused for a split second, much to Artifact’s confusion.

Look, maybe you shouldn’t go back… You could get lost, and it’s best to not trust your mind when this kind of thing is happening.

The hallway behind Artifact looks a few inches longer than they thought… God, they really must be out of it.

I… I’ll try to take a look at it, just… follow my voice, okay?

[artifacts-abode]

"Where are you??" They turn every which way, searching for the source of the voice. "And who are you, what's your name?" Can I trust you? Their mind echoed, one of few clear thoughts they've had since the pain had started.

Something was up, but everything was too hazy to try Seeing, so trusting whoever this was might be their only chance to stop the bleeding and clear their head. Even if it was a really really bad idea.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Shit, you must really be confused… What do you mean, you don’t remember me?

The hallway turns to the left again… and again. And again. It seems to be built like a loop, but Artifact never feels like they’re entering the same place again.

I swear we’re getting you checked out once you find us.

So the person isn’t alone? Maybe they have help, maybe someone else is present…

[artifacts-abode]

"Am I supposed to remember you?" Something was familiar, the voice perhaps, but they couldn't put a face to the voice-

They were still bleeding, despite their attempts to stop it, and their head wasn't clearing. The sheer weirdness of this hotel wasn't helping, and Artifact was considering sitting on the tacky floor just to rest for a moment.

"Us? What do you mean 'us'?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

God, you don’t remember? You know us as a collective.

The voice almost sounds a little irritated now, unsettling Artifact. Do they actually care or not?

I know you can remember if you try hard enough! How about I give you a hint or something…

A bit of wallpaper appears to chip off the wall to Artifact’s right. The material underneath is painted black, covered in random paint splatters and holes.

Have you seen this anywhere? Take your time!

[artifacts-abode]

Something about it was familiar, the illogical hallways, the voice in the distance, the holes, in fact it was fairly similar to the whole ordeal with Eris a while ago-

Ah.

"You're an asshole, you know that?"

The fog still hadn't fully cleared but Artifact really thought they would have figured something like this out sooner, no matter how bad the pain was.

"Seriously, what is your problem, I was literally just trying to sleep! Am I really that fun to bully?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

…yes, aCtuaLLy :)

And there it is. Its fake “normal” tone slips entirely as the hallways morph into something more typical for its domain.

i P r O M i S E tHat’S NOt wHy yOu’Re hERe tHouGh! i’LL HolD tO My WOrd, jUsT tHis ONcE :)

God, that weird verbal smiley it does drives Artifact insane. How is it even doing that? Its painfully distorted form strides around a corner that clearly wasn’t there before, giving Artifact a weirdly… genuine smile. It sure seems giddy over something.

ThiNk oF THis aS a FoLLow-uP! A ChECkuP, mAybE! i CertAinLY SenT yOu oFF oN an I n T E r e s T i N g noTe LAst TimE, aNd I cAn TeLL thIngS aRe… DevELopinG!!¡

[artifacts-abode]

"What the fuck are you talking about. If this is about you possibly marking me you should know it's far from my first one, so it's not really that big of a deal. Or-wait.."

They reach up to the still bleeding wound that is suspiciously exit wound shaped.

"You didn't- Did you put a fucking bUG IN ME!?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

maAaaaAaAyBe-

It shrugs, putting on a sheepish expression.

yoU SeeMEd StrEsSEd, AnD i CouLDn’T jUst LeT yOu LEaVe wIthOUt sOmEOnE tO MakE SUre yOu’Re OKay :)

At least it’s not trying to hide the fact that its “excuse” is bullshit. It attempts to hold back a laugh, and on perfect cue, Artifact’s wound pulses with another sharp pain.

[artifacts-abode]

They winced as the pain shot through them.

"Riiiight. So why are you here. The thing... escaped, and I don't exactly feel like a flesh hive. Is it just to gloat? You seem like a gloating type."

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

iT’S doNe iTs PUrpOse :)

Eris giggles to itself, raising its hand as a strange centipede-looking creature crawls out of its jacket sleeve, leaving behind a trail of blood. So that’s the little bastard it put into Artifact.

i ShoULd Say, O n E EscApED. i WaS ConCErnEd yOu’D STarT ShoWinG SymPTomS BefoRE yOu goT HeRe… ThaT WouLDn’T be VerY FuN :)

[artifacts-abode]

"Ew."

The idea of having that many legs in them is repulsive, and the idea of sitting down is starting to sound good again. Preferably before passing out becomes an option.

"The hell you mean, symptoms. If you put more than one of those bastards in me I will find a way to kill you!"

It's an empty threat, and they both know it, but Artifact wants some semblance of control after everything that's happened.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, “ i “ DidN’T. NoT IntEntIonAllY :)

The hallway they’re in appears to tilt violently if Artifact looks far enough into the distance. The patterns in the walls and floor are moving again. Yaaay.

Just before Artifact feels the need to sit down again, another shot of pain causes their knees to buckle. The feeling has seemingly migrated from their neck to somewhere in their chest.

oH DeaR :)

Eris takes a step back, smiling widely. God, why does it have that many teeth?

[artifacts-abode]

They cry out in pain, barely catching themselves on their arms as they topple to the floor.

"What-what did you do!?"

It was all wrong, the pain was so bad it felt like they couldn't breathe, a problem they hadn't had since they began serving the Buried. There had to be another of those little leggy bastards in them, and they had to get rid of it, now, before it's too late

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

hMm? i DidN’T dO AnyThinG :)

It tilts its head, its vision burning holes through Artifact. It’s like it’s staring right into their soul.

mY HivE iS ITs Own AutOnOMouS EntIty, tHEy hAvE FreE WiLL! i Can’T TeLL tHem wHAt tO Do :)

Something’s under their skin. They can feel it, burning, twisting, trying to tear itself free.

[artifacts-abode]

"Well take it back! Get it out, I don't want them!"

They curl up on the ground, shaking as the pain from before they entered these halls again goes through their body.

"Get it outGetitoutgetitout-"

Artifact is clearly not in a good state, all this time they had blissfully disregarded any signs of something wrong, but the pain and the sight of one of the creatures that had previously been in their body was impossible to ignore. The psychological fear of the bugs, of the threat of becoming a flesh hive, was almost worse than the agony of having one in your body.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, tHat’S NoT ReaLLy On mE nOw, iS It? :)

It stares at Artifact expectantly, practically vibrating with… excitement? And quite literally so, its form is starting to jolt and blur around the edges.

Something twitches under Artifact’s skin. It wants out just as much as they do.

iT’S eiTheR tHiS oR LeTTinG The HallWaYs tAKe oVEr, aNd I waNt tHIs tO Be a LiTTle mOrE excItiNg :)

[artifacts-abode]

Somehow, the pain gets worse. It's moving now, and despite the fact the Eye shouldn't even be able to reach them here, they Know what the creature is doing.

It's in their chest, and now it's ready to leave.

A mixture of revulsion and fear passes through them as the skin breaks open. It's such a small gap between the clavicle and the throat, but it's still enough for the insect to painstakingly claw its way out.

Artifact weakly moves their head away from their chest as the old threat to blind them rings in their ears. The level of control Eris has over its swarm is not something they wish to test while weakened nor with their eyes in such close proximity to the creature tearing them open.

Unfortunately the movement has the unforeseen side effect of tearing the new wound further and they black out, coming back to themselves with the creature free of their body, an even newer bleeding wound, a raw throat, likely from screaming, and a wet face, from either blood or tears. Perhaps a mixture of both.

And yet despite it all, Artifact is relieved. They aren't a flesh hive, they don't hear the song of Rot in their ringing ears. If they weren't truly marked before they certainly are now, and yet the Corruption has not fully taken them.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

As Artifact comes to, they can just make out Eris’ form hovering over them. Is their vision blurry, or is it blurry? They can’t tell in the slightest.

The wound on their chest pulses with a dulled, yet persistent pain. Just imagining the state of it makes them feel nauseous, but as they look down at the stained carpet, they notice something unsettling.

The liquid pooling under them isn’t blood.

It’s something like liquid technicolor. Something that constantly shifts and cycles through color and texture. Something crawling with tiny neon insects.

oH DEar… I ThoUgHt yOu WOulDn’T WakE uP FrOm ThaT!¡ iT’s nOT a foRgiVinG phAsE tO EntEr :’)

[artifacts-abode]

"W-what-"

They try to push themselves up to a seated position and their arms give out again. Fine. They'll just stay here on the floor then.

"What are you talking about, why does my- why does it look like that!?" They gagged, closing their eyes just to avoid looking at the facsimile of blood.

"What did you do to me?"

Artifact would hug themselves if it wouldn't be pathetic. They can be pathetic when they get back to normalcy, because they are absolutely going to get out of here and they're going to be fine, maybe they'll just find some dirt and-no not burrow just...dig into it. Nothing bug related. Or burrowing, they're actually going to scrub that word from their vocabulary for a bit. Maybe they'll go visit their friend instead, hide under fifty weighted blankets and talk about random stuff with him until they both pass out. And maybe let him open all the doors for awhile.

Snapping back to the present, Artifact realizes they've been zoning out and in the process, slowly curling back in on themselves. Great, good job on the not looking pathetic there. You probably look like a kicked puppy. A psychedelic coloured kicked puppy.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

i DiD WHat WaS NecEssaRy :)

It shrugs, leaning on the wall. “Leaning” may be a generous term, though… Half of its body is bisecting the architecture.

oH, DOn’T TeLL uS You’Re nOt HavinG a GoOd TImE! i WeNt oUT oF My waY To InvItE yOU BacK, aNd THis iS HoW You ResPonD?¿ :’)

Its tone is nearly impossible to decipher, but it doesn’t exactly sound like it’s taking this seriously. After a few minutes it rolls its eyes sarcastically, pulling Artifact off the ground. Being in contact with it feels like their limbs are falling asleep… How unpleasant.

[artifacts-abode]

"Nothing about this was necessary. Whatever made you think I wanted to come back to this mind melting hellscape!? You put creepy bug things in my lungs!!! No I'm not having a good time!"

Ugh, they didn't want it touching them, but they also didn't think their legs would support them for long. Maybe they could kick it in the knees....no that wouldn't work. Dammit. Made them wish they had a lighter.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

i DiDn’T puT THeM TheRe :)

There it goes again with its weird pedantic… sarcasm? Explanations? Whatever it’s aiming for?

nOw PLeaSe, Don’T Go CoLLapSinG oN Me! OnE oF My WanDerERs GoT TraPpeD iN The GeoMetRy LasT WeeK ANd i Can’T hAVe tHaT hAppEnINg aGaiN!

Artifact can’t exactly see much of it from their position, but it feels like it has one extra arm? No, there are only two. Is it even holding them up, or are they just floating in space? They can barely concentrate on anything.

More doors have appeared on the walls, more than Artifact remembers. Doos leading into more doors leading into hallways that warp in on themselves into more doors.

[artifacts-abode]

"You pedantic little shit."

They make the likely unwise decision to ignore the increasingly ominous doors and madness trying to once again ensnare them and instead indulge in one of their favourite hobbies, complaining.

"Well sorry but some of us have corporal forms that don't particularly enjoy having centipedes in our lungs. You may have Yogsothoth's preferred body but I'm stuck with holes in me and my blood turning into a pride parade, so if I want to collapse I'll damn well do it. If you're so concerned about my health maybe you shouldn't have put BUGS IN ME and then brought me back into the Funhouse Mirror but Also Worms Edition dimension! And since when did you care if I collapsed anyway, is it just because it's less fun?! Can't make me scared for my life if I'm too busy bleeding out on the floor? I've been dealing with your dumbass paranoia, which is supposed to be Eye by the way, for literal months, was that just not enough fear for you?? What, you still hungry? I'm not your fucking fear generator, bug phobia or not."

That was....more than they had intended to say. Blood loss was a hell of a drug, apparently.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

ANd yOu CaLL M e PedAntIc?¿ Oh, DOn’T MakE mE LauGh :)

Eris’ form appears to dissolve behind Artifact somehow, sending them collapsing back down to the ground. It feels like a much longer fall than it should have been, and the floor is almost angling itself backwards…? Forwards?

weLL, yOu CAn’T ComPlaIN ThaT i LeT gO Of yOu :)

The patterns on the wallpaper shift and extend outward, taking on the creature’s form once again. What the hell is it gaining from this? Maybe it’s just showing off in some bizarre way… Typical Eris.

o R ExpECt mE To AnSweR YouR QueStiOnS. THis PlaCe TenDS tO Do thAt tO PeoPLe, yOu KNow!

[artifacts-abode]

"Personally I think that being of the Eye gives me the right to be pedantic, you're just annoying."

On one hand, they were happy Eris let go of them, and even happier their arms didn't give out, letting them actually sit instead of collapsing on the floor again. On the other hand, Eris was still there and being weird, which meant everything was awful and they needed a break from all the eyestrain and nonsense, a break they knew they would not get.

"They were rhetorical questions, I may be stupid but I'm not dumb enough to expect you to ever make any sense. And tends to do what, make them cranky? Cause it's really succeeding with me, you're doing a great job."

Should they maybe stop sassing the thing that basically holds their life on the line? Yeah, probably. Are they going to stop? Fuck no.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

noTHinG’s StoPpiNg yOu FroM LeAVinG, yoU KnOw. i Don’T SHarE mY DomAIn SpacE :)

Even if that was the case, how the hell would Artifact know which door lead out of this damn place? Or whether it was telling the truth… or how they’d get all these damn bugs and glowstick juice out of their body.

iT’S nOt LikE i’M TryInG tO MakE THis Any HArdEr fOr YOu, SiLLy!¡! yoU ShoUld R e a L L y LeaRn tO CatCh oN, bEinG doUbLe-MaRkED aNd aLL tHaT.

[artifacts-abode]

"Have you considered that perhaps, massive blood loss and having bugs exit my lungs might maybe make it harder for me to leave? Perhaps? That ever enter your mind? Or maybe the fact that this is still the Twisting Deceit and I don't have access to the Eye to get out of here without losing my mind? I know you're probably insane but I would like to avoid that, despite your best attempts to drag me down with you."

If Eris kept tricking them into its domain, they were actually going to carry a can of Raid around to spray it in the face with. All this bug bullshit was getting irritating.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

ALriGhT, fiNe. SuiT YouRSeLf.

It pouts cartoonishly and dramatically turns around, its torso appearing to pivot far before its legs do. In just a few steps, it’s already nothing but a speck at the end of the long hallway.

gOOd LuCk FIndinG YoUR waY OuT!¡ MaYBe yOuR NeW FriEnDS wiLL maKe THemSelVeS UseFuL!¡!!! :)

[artifacts-abode]

"Oh yeah sure, really showing how mature you are, great job."

They struggle to their feet, leaning heavily on the wall closest to them and cringing at the sight of their new blood colour(s).

"Thanks ever so much for the well wishes-I'm sorry my what?!?"

If five bajillion bugs suddenly appeared they were going to find a way to wring Eris's neck, creature of the Distortion or no.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Another annoying laugh echoes from where Eris once stood, disappearing down the hallway. God, Artifact just knows it’s somewhere, probably watching this and giggling away like it was some game, and… this is getting to be a lot.

A droplet of neon blood falls to the ground, almost in slow motion. It captures their attention for some odd reason as it soaks into the stained arcade-looking carpet… which begins moving. The patterns are moving.

Something twinges painfully behind Artifact’s eyes. Like it’s… trying to get their attention? How the hell do they know that?

[artifacts-abode]

Oh crap. Crap crappity crap crap crap. Why and how and what was behind their eyes. If it's another bug they're burning this not-place to the ground. They slowly shuffled away from the now-moving carpet, glaring at it. Even the carpet here had the potential for spookiness, absolutely delightful.

"Eris, I swear to the Fears and whatever gods there are if you put a third bug in me I'll pull a Desolation. Don't test me, I'll do it! Stop putting bugs in me!"

Had they...always known what this Distortion's name was? They had, right? Yeah, they probably heard it at some point, or the Eye told them, whatever. They had served the Eye for years, since when did sudden knowledge worry them?

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Either Eris is too far out of earshot or it finally learned to shut up for once. Either way, the carpet patterns are still moving, extending upward into tiny forms.

Goddamnit there are more of those stupid neon Cootie-looking bugs. Great.

The twitching inside Artifact’s mind starts up again, almost as if it’s signaling for them to watch or responding to their outrage. The hovering swarm disperses, a few stray creatures moving a little too close to Artifact… Observing, maybe?

The rest of the swarm forms into something like a loose line, drifting down the hallway before pausing. What the hell are they trying to do?

[artifacts-abode]

"Hello creepy little bug things born from my blood which isn't concerning at all, how do you intend to kill me?"

This was definitely going in top 10 concerning things they had seen, well, if they got out of Bugland alive. And what the everloving fuck was all the twitching about, if there was a bug in their head they swore...to do something, their good ideas and quick wit must has bled out into some of the bugs. Or their Head Bug ate it.

Wait, what had they been thinking about again? Right, right, glorious vengeance against Eris.

"Look if you're going to do something, just go ahead and do it, I am very tired, very cranky and I'm maybe going to succumb to blood loss in the next hour. Or is the blood loss what you want? Like a reverse flesh hive, instead of bugs in me I make bugs when pieces of me exit?"

Ok so that was a horrible way to explain it. How much had they lost anyway, it was making them stupid. Maybe they should keep their newly gay blood inside their body actually.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

The cluster of neon insects stays in place, and the high-pitched buzzing appears to modulate into something that almost sounds like… an annoyed sigh? It almost has the tone of Eris’ voice, if Eris’ voice was run through a washing machine.

A few of them appear to fly ahead down the hallway, and the rest crowd onto the nearest wall. It’s hard to exactly make out their form against the ugly wallpaper remnants and paint splatters, but it almost looks like an arrow… The damn bugs are turning themselves into neon signs, just as Artifact assumed they’d seen it all.

[artifacts-abode]

"You can't be serious."

The psychedelic insects were either one, pointing them towards an exit or two, directing them on a wild goose chase.

Unfortunately, their best chance of actually leaving was to follow the damn things. Wasn't like they could get more lost, so even if the creatures were leading them down the garden path, it made logical sense to risk it.

Sometimes they hated logic.

"Can't believe this is what my life has come to, I'm following a neon sign made of bugs formed from my blood in a nonsense hellscape. How simple! It'll be so easy to explain my new scars to people! 'How'd you get circular exit scars on the back of your neck and on your clavicle Artifact?' 'Oh well you see some BASTARD decided my internal organs needed more centipedes! Then my blood turned into a pride parade and spawned bugs, and I followed the neon sign they made like it's that fucking scene in Finding Nemo!' I am going to start buying six packs of Raid again, I swear."

Despite their constant complaining, Artifact began to stumble in the direction of the arrow, still keeping one hand against the wall. They weren't going back on the floor again dammit.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

In the midst of Artifact’s complaints, one fairly large insect flew right past their eyes, dangerously close to scraping them. Perhaps that was enough of a warning to not take them for granted.

The hallway spiraled on and on. Same ugly plywood walls, same arcade carpets, same stupid amount of doors… Until the swarm appeared to stop. The sudden electric buzz of a fluorescent light drew in Artifact’s attention… The door they seemed interested in was on the goddamn ceiling. This had to be some weird trick, Eris sending its little freaks to mess with them further, but… what if it wasn’t?

[artifacts-abode]

They stared at the ceiling in disbelief.

"Are you kidding me. What do you want me to do, climb up to it like fucking Spider-Man!? I am neither Web nor Vast, thank goodness, I can't just float!"

Ok there had to be some way to get up there. They weren't going to try too hard, since technically the blood bugs could still be leading them down the garden path, but they did want to know what could be behind that door that made the reverse mosquitos interested in it.

Maybe it was Eris and they could try punching it in its approximation-of-a-face. Maybe it was an exit. Maybe it was just millions of centipedes, who knew! Certainly not them!

Bugs weren't known for making staircases with great structural integrity though, so that was out. Maybe try climbing the multitudes of doors like the world's worst rock climbing wall? Not that they were...good at rock climbing. They'd put that in "if I get desperate" and try to find an easier way to get up to the ceiling.

"Hey Eris, do you wanna do me a solid and, I dunno, flip the hallway? Would be nice and chaotic, right up your proverbial alley."

Yes, the chances of Eris ever doing anything to help them was low to non-existent, but dammit they were going to exhaust every option before they tried climbing on doorknobs.

[artifacts-abode]

It’s been weeks, or… maybe months since Artifact encountered Eris in its domain. The memory never really faded, and neither did that damn pain in the back of their neck. If anything, it’s becoming more persistent over time.

They could swear they constantly see that thing in their peripheral vision, hear its grating voice in crowds… and every time, that dull pain accompanies the paranoia.

Did it mark them? No, it couldn’t have…

((HIIIIIII IT’S @3ris-d1st0rtionnn BACK AGAIN TO TORMENT YOUUUUU

Artifact lay on their shitty hotel bed with a frozen water bottle under the base of their neck in an attempt to numb it. The pain had come back. Again. It could have been from the liminal-ness that hotels had, some kind of memory of those stupid hallways surging back up as they walked the faded halls to their room, maybe they were imagining it! Maybe it was just some sort of ingrained memory, and their messed up brain had decided to make it real and then permanent. They couldn't possibly have been given another Mark, that would be five! Five was far too many, it was just absurd!

Besides, paranoia was an Eye thing, right? That Eris hated the Eye, it wouldn't Mark them with it. Why would the Spiral have anything to do with paranoia or hearing voices or seeing things that weren't there? Those definitely didn't have anything to do with madness, so they were fine. And they weren't lying to themselves at all.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Within the few hours Artifact had been lying there, the pain somehow transitioned into a migraine. Their ears ring, their vision blurs a bit around the edges, the colors in the ugly carpets and furniture look… a little too vivid.

A sudden shot of pain jolts Artifact back from their disconnected state. It feels like something opened a wound back there… like something… escaped? No, what were they thinking? Why were they thinking that?

A soft clicking noise can be heard from somewhere unseen, too close and too far at the same time. From somewhere outside, a pink-tinted light leaks under their hotel room door.

[artifacts-abode]

Their head feels like it was filled with cotton and then crushed, but they manage to sit up. It was probably irrational and not real, but they wanted to check the source of the pain, just to be sure. Wouldn't do to get blood on the sheets, they'd probably get charged more.

Artifact numbly lifted a hand to the base of their head. It came back bloody, and they stared at the crimson staining their fingers like it had personally insulted them.

No matter how much they stared, the blood remained infuriatingly real, and the pain remained, until their muddled thoughts decided it was probably a good idea to maybe do something about the blood.

Shakily, they stood. They had been certain their room had a bathroom in the room, but the door wasn't there. It must be in the hall, this must be one of those hotels that made the rooms share one restroom between a few rooms. Why had they come here, they hated hotels like this!

Artifact opened their room's door with one hand, the other supporting them on the wall itself as they tried not to fall. Just clean the wound you somehow got and you'll be fine.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

The hallways outside their room are uncomfortably silent. Everyone must be asleep… God, how late is it? All that can be heard is the fluorescent lights humming overhead, and even that noise sounds disturbingly familiar.

Another droplet of blood trails down Artifact’s neck. It feels strange, as if it’s moving in a direction that gravity just shouldn’t allow for. Is it somehow bleeding sideways?

Among the identical doors in the hotel hallway, one stands out. It’s painted darker, strangely weathered as if it was salvaged from a scrapyard or left to rot outside for a bit.

[artifacts-abode]

Artifact brought their already bloodstained hand to the wound to staunch the bloodflow as they walked to the door. If it looked different, it probably wasn't another hotel room, right? Should they just open it or knock?

"H-hello? Anyone there?"

They realized a few seconds after hearing the shaky voice that it was their voice, and they had, in fact, spoken. Well that was one way to possibly get someone's attention. Surely anyone here wouldn't begrudge helping someone that started bleeding for....some reason. Why were they bleeding again? It didn't matter, they just needed to get the bleeding to stop, clean the wound and then they could wonder about the cause when it stopped hurting.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Nobody responds.

The door creaks open slightly, revealing a short hallway that turns sharply to the left. This has to be the bathroom… but god, it’s built so strange. Probably normal for this cheap hotel though.

The annoying hum overhead sounds louder as Artifact approaches the door. Another drip of blood trails between their fingers, leaving behind an odd, residual sting.

[artifacts-abode]

Whoever built this place needs to get off the drugs, it's weird

"Helloooo, anyone there? Sorry to wake you but I'm bleeding-" Augh no you idiot you can't just go around announcing you're bleeding, just get in there and solve it yourself.

They walk through the door, clean hand braced against the wall as they curse the..whatever had injured them. What had it been? It had to have been something, the base of your head is not a normal place to get a puncture wound. If their head could just clear, maybe it would all make sense.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Hello?- Damn, are you okay?

A voice cuts through the uncomfortable silence. There’s a fair distance to it, and whoever it is doesn’t seem to be approaching from around that corner. If Artifact didn’t know any better, that voice would sound weirdly familiar… No, it has to be a coincidence.

You should really go see a doctor or something, call 911… Something like that. Who knows what could have gotten into you.

Their wording is odd. Why would they say that? What the hell did that mean?

[artifacts-abode]

"I don't know how I got hurt, and my phone is, uh-"

Had they left their phone in their room? Maybe they should just turn around and call 911, the mysterious voice was right.

But when they turned, the halls seemed unfamiliar, even though they had barely turned any corners to get here. Where..were they?

"Can you help me? I think something's wrong, my head feels weird and I don't know where I am."

Something was wrong. Just walk back to your room that's definitely still there, you didn't take that many turns, just remember your room number that is....

Shit.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

You sound confused.

The voice sounds weirdly amused for a split second, much to Artifact’s confusion.

Look, maybe you shouldn’t go back… You could get lost, and it’s best to not trust your mind when this kind of thing is happening.

The hallway behind Artifact looks a few inches longer than they thought… God, they really must be out of it.

I… I’ll try to take a look at it, just… follow my voice, okay?

[artifacts-abode]

"Where are you??" They turn every which way, searching for the source of the voice. "And who are you, what's your name?" Can I trust you? Their mind echoed, one of few clear thoughts they've had since the pain had started.

Something was up, but everything was too hazy to try Seeing, so trusting whoever this was might be their only chance to stop the bleeding and clear their head. Even if it was a really really bad idea.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Shit, you must really be confused… What do you mean, you don’t remember me?

The hallway turns to the left again… and again. And again. It seems to be built like a loop, but Artifact never feels like they’re entering the same place again.

I swear we’re getting you checked out once you find us.

So the person isn’t alone? Maybe they have help, maybe someone else is present…

[artifacts-abode]

"Am I supposed to remember you?" Something was familiar, the voice perhaps, but they couldn't put a face to the voice-

They were still bleeding, despite their attempts to stop it, and their head wasn't clearing. The sheer weirdness of this hotel wasn't helping, and Artifact was considering sitting on the tacky floor just to rest for a moment.

"Us? What do you mean 'us'?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

God, you don’t remember? You know us as a collective.

The voice almost sounds a little irritated now, unsettling Artifact. Do they actually care or not?

I know you can remember if you try hard enough! How about I give you a hint or something…

A bit of wallpaper appears to chip off the wall to Artifact’s right. The material underneath is painted black, covered in random paint splatters and holes.

Have you seen this anywhere? Take your time!

[artifacts-abode]

Something about it was familiar, the illogical hallways, the voice in the distance, the holes, in fact it was fairly similar to the whole ordeal with Eris a while ago-

Ah.

"You're an asshole, you know that?"

The fog still hadn't fully cleared but Artifact really thought they would have figured something like this out sooner, no matter how bad the pain was.

"Seriously, what is your problem, I was literally just trying to sleep! Am I really that fun to bully?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

…yes, aCtuaLLy :)

And there it is. Its fake “normal” tone slips entirely as the hallways morph into something more typical for its domain.

i P r O M i S E tHat’S NOt wHy yOu’Re hERe tHouGh! i’LL HolD tO My WOrd, jUsT tHis ONcE :)

God, that weird verbal smiley it does drives Artifact insane. How is it even doing that? Its painfully distorted form strides around a corner that clearly wasn’t there before, giving Artifact a weirdly… genuine smile. It sure seems giddy over something.

ThiNk oF THis aS a FoLLow-uP! A ChECkuP, mAybE! i CertAinLY SenT yOu oFF oN an I n T E r e s T i N g noTe LAst TimE, aNd I cAn TeLL thIngS aRe… DevELopinG!!¡

[artifacts-abode]

"What the fuck are you talking about. If this is about you possibly marking me you should know it's far from my first one, so it's not really that big of a deal. Or-wait.."

They reach up to the still bleeding wound that is suspiciously exit wound shaped.

"You didn't- Did you put a fucking bUG IN ME!?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

maAaaaAaAyBe-

It shrugs, putting on a sheepish expression.

yoU SeeMEd StrEsSEd, AnD i CouLDn’T jUst LeT yOu LEaVe wIthOUt sOmEOnE tO MakE SUre yOu’Re OKay :)

At least it’s not trying to hide the fact that its “excuse” is bullshit. It attempts to hold back a laugh, and on perfect cue, Artifact’s wound pulses with another sharp pain.

[artifacts-abode]

They winced as the pain shot through them.

"Riiiight. So why are you here. The thing... escaped, and I don't exactly feel like a flesh hive. Is it just to gloat? You seem like a gloating type."

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

iT’S doNe iTs PUrpOse :)

Eris giggles to itself, raising its hand as a strange centipede-looking creature crawls out of its jacket sleeve, leaving behind a trail of blood. So that’s the little bastard it put into Artifact.

i ShoULd Say, O n E EscApED. i WaS ConCErnEd yOu’D STarT ShoWinG SymPTomS BefoRE yOu goT HeRe… ThaT WouLDn’T be VerY FuN :)

[artifacts-abode]

"Ew."

The idea of having that many legs in them is repulsive, and the idea of sitting down is starting to sound good again. Preferably before passing out becomes an option.

"The hell you mean, symptoms. If you put more than one of those bastards in me I will find a way to kill you!"

It's an empty threat, and they both know it, but Artifact wants some semblance of control after everything that's happened.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, “ i “ DidN’T. NoT IntEntIonAllY :)

The hallway they’re in appears to tilt violently if Artifact looks far enough into the distance. The patterns in the walls and floor are moving again. Yaaay.

Just before Artifact feels the need to sit down again, another shot of pain causes their knees to buckle. The feeling has seemingly migrated from their neck to somewhere in their chest.

oH DeaR :)

Eris takes a step back, smiling widely. God, why does it have that many teeth?

[artifacts-abode]

They cry out in pain, barely catching themselves on their arms as they topple to the floor.

"What-what did you do!?"

It was all wrong, the pain was so bad it felt like they couldn't breathe, a problem they hadn't had since they began serving the Buried. There had to be another of those little leggy bastards in them, and they had to get rid of it, now, before it's too late

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

hMm? i DidN’T dO AnyThinG :)

It tilts its head, its vision burning holes through Artifact. It’s like it’s staring right into their soul.

mY HivE iS ITs Own AutOnOMouS EntIty, tHEy hAvE FreE WiLL! i Can’T TeLL tHem wHAt tO Do :)

Something’s under their skin. They can feel it, burning, twisting, trying to tear itself free.

[artifacts-abode]

"Well take it back! Get it out, I don't want them!"

They curl up on the ground, shaking as the pain from before they entered these halls again goes through their body.

"Get it outGetitoutgetitout-"

Artifact is clearly not in a good state, all this time they had blissfully disregarded any signs of something wrong, but the pain and the sight of one of the creatures that had previously been in their body was impossible to ignore. The psychological fear of the bugs, of the threat of becoming a flesh hive, was almost worse than the agony of having one in your body.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, tHat’S NoT ReaLLy On mE nOw, iS It? :)

It stares at Artifact expectantly, practically vibrating with… excitement? And quite literally so, its form is starting to jolt and blur around the edges.

Something twitches under Artifact’s skin. It wants out just as much as they do.

iT’S eiTheR tHiS oR LeTTinG The HallWaYs tAKe oVEr, aNd I waNt tHIs tO Be a LiTTle mOrE excItiNg :)

[artifacts-abode]

Somehow, the pain gets worse. It's moving now, and despite the fact the Eye shouldn't even be able to reach them here, they Know what the creature is doing.

It's in their chest, and now it's ready to leave.

A mixture of revulsion and fear passes through them as the skin breaks open. It's such a small gap between the clavicle and the throat, but it's still enough for the insect to painstakingly claw its way out.

Artifact weakly moves their head away from their chest as the old threat to blind them rings in their ears. The level of control Eris has over its swarm is not something they wish to test while weakened nor with their eyes in such close proximity to the creature tearing them open.

Unfortunately the movement has the unforeseen side effect of tearing the new wound further and they black out, coming back to themselves with the creature free of their body, an even newer bleeding wound, a raw throat, likely from screaming, and a wet face, from either blood or tears. Perhaps a mixture of both.

And yet despite it all, Artifact is relieved. They aren't a flesh hive, they don't hear the song of Rot in their ringing ears. If they weren't truly marked before they certainly are now, and yet the Corruption has not fully taken them.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

As Artifact comes to, they can just make out Eris’ form hovering over them. Is their vision blurry, or is it blurry? They can’t tell in the slightest.

The wound on their chest pulses with a dulled, yet persistent pain. Just imagining the state of it makes them feel nauseous, but as they look down at the stained carpet, they notice something unsettling.

The liquid pooling under them isn’t blood.

It’s something like liquid technicolor. Something that constantly shifts and cycles through color and texture. Something crawling with tiny neon insects.

oH DEar… I ThoUgHt yOu WOulDn’T WakE uP FrOm ThaT!¡ iT’s nOT a foRgiVinG phAsE tO EntEr :’)

[artifacts-abode]

"W-what-"

They try to push themselves up to a seated position and their arms give out again. Fine. They'll just stay here on the floor then.

"What are you talking about, why does my- why does it look like that!?" They gagged, closing their eyes just to avoid looking at the facsimile of blood.

"What did you do to me?"

Artifact would hug themselves if it wouldn't be pathetic. They can be pathetic when they get back to normalcy, because they are absolutely going to get out of here and they're going to be fine, maybe they'll just find some dirt and-no not burrow just...dig into it. Nothing bug related. Or burrowing, they're actually going to scrub that word from their vocabulary for a bit. Maybe they'll go visit their friend instead, hide under fifty weighted blankets and talk about random stuff with him until they both pass out. And maybe let him open all the doors for awhile.

Snapping back to the present, Artifact realizes they've been zoning out and in the process, slowly curling back in on themselves. Great, good job on the not looking pathetic there. You probably look like a kicked puppy. A psychedelic coloured kicked puppy.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

i DiD WHat WaS NecEssaRy :)

It shrugs, leaning on the wall. “Leaning” may be a generous term, though… Half of its body is bisecting the architecture.

oH, DOn’T TeLL uS You’Re nOt HavinG a GoOd TImE! i WeNt oUT oF My waY To InvItE yOU BacK, aNd THis iS HoW You ResPonD?¿ :’)

Its tone is nearly impossible to decipher, but it doesn’t exactly sound like it’s taking this seriously. After a few minutes it rolls its eyes sarcastically, pulling Artifact off the ground. Being in contact with it feels like their limbs are falling asleep… How unpleasant.

[artifacts-abode]

"Nothing about this was necessary. Whatever made you think I wanted to come back to this mind melting hellscape!? You put creepy bug things in my lungs!!! No I'm not having a good time!"

Ugh, they didn't want it touching them, but they also didn't think their legs would support them for long. Maybe they could kick it in the knees....no that wouldn't work. Dammit. Made them wish they had a lighter.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

i DiDn’T puT THeM TheRe :)

There it goes again with its weird pedantic… sarcasm? Explanations? Whatever it’s aiming for?

nOw PLeaSe, Don’T Go CoLLapSinG oN Me! OnE oF My WanDerERs GoT TraPpeD iN The GeoMetRy LasT WeeK ANd i Can’T hAVe tHaT hAppEnINg aGaiN!

Artifact can’t exactly see much of it from their position, but it feels like it has one extra arm? No, there are only two. Is it even holding them up, or are they just floating in space? They can barely concentrate on anything.

More doors have appeared on the walls, more than Artifact remembers. Doos leading into more doors leading into hallways that warp in on themselves into more doors.

[artifacts-abode]

"You pedantic little shit."

They make the likely unwise decision to ignore the increasingly ominous doors and madness trying to once again ensnare them and instead indulge in one of their favourite hobbies, complaining.

"Well sorry but some of us have corporal forms that don't particularly enjoy having centipedes in our lungs. You may have Yogsothoth's preferred body but I'm stuck with holes in me and my blood turning into a pride parade, so if I want to collapse I'll damn well do it. If you're so concerned about my health maybe you shouldn't have put BUGS IN ME and then brought me back into the Funhouse Mirror but Also Worms Edition dimension! And since when did you care if I collapsed anyway, is it just because it's less fun?! Can't make me scared for my life if I'm too busy bleeding out on the floor? I've been dealing with your dumbass paranoia, which is supposed to be Eye by the way, for literal months, was that just not enough fear for you?? What, you still hungry? I'm not your fucking fear generator, bug phobia or not."

That was....more than they had intended to say. Blood loss was a hell of a drug, apparently.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

ANd yOu CaLL M e PedAntIc?¿ Oh, DOn’T MakE mE LauGh :)

Eris’ form appears to dissolve behind Artifact somehow, sending them collapsing back down to the ground. It feels like a much longer fall than it should have been, and the floor is almost angling itself backwards…? Forwards?

weLL, yOu CAn’T ComPlaIN ThaT i LeT gO Of yOu :)

The patterns on the wallpaper shift and extend outward, taking on the creature’s form once again. What the hell is it gaining from this? Maybe it’s just showing off in some bizarre way… Typical Eris.

o R ExpECt mE To AnSweR YouR QueStiOnS. THis PlaCe TenDS tO Do thAt tO PeoPLe, yOu KNow!

[artifacts-abode]

"Personally I think that being of the Eye gives me the right to be pedantic, you're just annoying."

On one hand, they were happy Eris let go of them, and even happier their arms didn't give out, letting them actually sit instead of collapsing on the floor again. On the other hand, Eris was still there and being weird, which meant everything was awful and they needed a break from all the eyestrain and nonsense, a break they knew they would not get.

"They were rhetorical questions, I may be stupid but I'm not dumb enough to expect you to ever make any sense. And tends to do what, make them cranky? Cause it's really succeeding with me, you're doing a great job."

Should they maybe stop sassing the thing that basically holds their life on the line? Yeah, probably. Are they going to stop? Fuck no.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

noTHinG’s StoPpiNg yOu FroM LeAVinG, yoU KnOw. i Don’T SHarE mY DomAIn SpacE :)

Even if that was the case, how the hell would Artifact know which door lead out of this damn place? Or whether it was telling the truth… or how they’d get all these damn bugs and glowstick juice out of their body.

iT’S nOt LikE i’M TryInG tO MakE THis Any HArdEr fOr YOu, SiLLy!¡! yoU ShoUld R e a L L y LeaRn tO CatCh oN, bEinG doUbLe-MaRkED aNd aLL tHaT.

[artifacts-abode]

"Have you considered that perhaps, massive blood loss and having bugs exit my lungs might maybe make it harder for me to leave? Perhaps? That ever enter your mind? Or maybe the fact that this is still the Twisting Deceit and I don't have access to the Eye to get out of here without losing my mind? I know you're probably insane but I would like to avoid that, despite your best attempts to drag me down with you."

If Eris kept tricking them into its domain, they were actually going to carry a can of Raid around to spray it in the face with. All this bug bullshit was getting irritating.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

ALriGhT, fiNe. SuiT YouRSeLf.

It pouts cartoonishly and dramatically turns around, its torso appearing to pivot far before its legs do. In just a few steps, it’s already nothing but a speck at the end of the long hallway.

gOOd LuCk FIndinG YoUR waY OuT!¡ MaYBe yOuR NeW FriEnDS wiLL maKe THemSelVeS UseFuL!¡!!! :)

[artifacts-abode]

"Oh yeah sure, really showing how mature you are, great job."

They struggle to their feet, leaning heavily on the wall closest to them and cringing at the sight of their new blood colour(s).

"Thanks ever so much for the well wishes-I'm sorry my what?!?"

If five bajillion bugs suddenly appeared they were going to find a way to wring Eris's neck, creature of the Distortion or no.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Another annoying laugh echoes from where Eris once stood, disappearing down the hallway. God, Artifact just knows it’s somewhere, probably watching this and giggling away like it was some game, and… this is getting to be a lot.

A droplet of neon blood falls to the ground, almost in slow motion. It captures their attention for some odd reason as it soaks into the stained arcade-looking carpet… which begins moving. The patterns are moving.

Something twinges painfully behind Artifact’s eyes. Like it’s… trying to get their attention? How the hell do they know that?

[artifacts-abode]

Oh crap. Crap crappity crap crap crap. Why and how and what was behind their eyes. If it's another bug they're burning this not-place to the ground. They slowly shuffled away from the now-moving carpet, glaring at it. Even the carpet here had the potential for spookiness, absolutely delightful.

"Eris, I swear to the Fears and whatever gods there are if you put a third bug in me I'll pull a Desolation. Don't test me, I'll do it! Stop putting bugs in me!"

Had they...always known what this Distortion's name was? They had, right? Yeah, they probably heard it at some point, or the Eye told them, whatever. They had served the Eye for years, since when did sudden knowledge worry them?

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Either Eris is too far out of earshot or it finally learned to shut up for once. Either way, the carpet patterns are still moving, extending upward into tiny forms.

Goddamnit there are more of those stupid neon Cootie-looking bugs. Great.

The twitching inside Artifact’s mind starts up again, almost as if it’s signaling for them to watch or responding to their outrage. The hovering swarm disperses, a few stray creatures moving a little too close to Artifact… Observing, maybe?

The rest of the swarm forms into something like a loose line, drifting down the hallway before pausing. What the hell are they trying to do?

[artifacts-abode]

"Hello creepy little bug things born from my blood which isn't concerning at all, how do you intend to kill me?"

This was definitely going in top 10 concerning things they had seen, well, if they got out of Bugland alive. And what the everloving fuck was all the twitching about, if there was a bug in their head they swore...to do something, their good ideas and quick wit must has bled out into some of the bugs. Or their Head Bug ate it.

Wait, what had they been thinking about again? Right, right, glorious vengeance against Eris.

"Look if you're going to do something, just go ahead and do it, I am very tired, very cranky and I'm maybe going to succumb to blood loss in the next hour. Or is the blood loss what you want? Like a reverse flesh hive, instead of bugs in me I make bugs when pieces of me exit?"

Ok so that was a horrible way to explain it. How much had they lost anyway, it was making them stupid. Maybe they should keep their newly gay blood inside their body actually.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

The cluster of neon insects stays in place, and the high-pitched buzzing appears to modulate into something that almost sounds like… an annoyed sigh? It almost has the tone of Eris’ voice, if Eris’ voice was run through a washing machine.

A few of them appear to fly ahead down the hallway, and the rest crowd onto the nearest wall. It’s hard to exactly make out their form against the ugly wallpaper remnants and paint splatters, but it almost looks like an arrow… The damn bugs are turning themselves into neon signs, just as Artifact assumed they’d seen it all.

[artifacts-abode]

"You can't be serious."

The psychedelic insects were either one, pointing them towards an exit or two, directing them on a wild goose chase.

Unfortunately, their best chance of actually leaving was to follow the damn things. Wasn't like they could get more lost, so even if the creatures were leading them down the garden path, it made logical sense to risk it.

Sometimes they hated logic.

"Can't believe this is what my life has come to, I'm following a neon sign made of bugs formed from my blood in a nonsense hellscape. How simple! It'll be so easy to explain my new scars to people! 'How'd you get circular exit scars on the back of your neck and on your clavicle Artifact?' 'Oh well you see some BASTARD decided my internal organs needed more centipedes! Then my blood turned into a pride parade and spawned bugs, and I followed the neon sign they made like it's that fucking scene in Finding Nemo!' I am going to start buying six packs of Raid again, I swear."

Despite their constant complaining, Artifact began to stumble in the direction of the arrow, still keeping one hand against the wall. They weren't going back on the floor again dammit.

[artifacts-abode]

It’s been weeks, or… maybe months since Artifact encountered Eris in its domain. The memory never really faded, and neither did that damn pain in the back of their neck. If anything, it’s becoming more persistent over time.

They could swear they constantly see that thing in their peripheral vision, hear its grating voice in crowds… and every time, that dull pain accompanies the paranoia.

Did it mark them? No, it couldn’t have…

((HIIIIIII IT’S @3ris-d1st0rtionnn BACK AGAIN TO TORMENT YOUUUUU

Artifact lay on their shitty hotel bed with a frozen water bottle under the base of their neck in an attempt to numb it. The pain had come back. Again. It could have been from the liminal-ness that hotels had, some kind of memory of those stupid hallways surging back up as they walked the faded halls to their room, maybe they were imagining it! Maybe it was just some sort of ingrained memory, and their messed up brain had decided to make it real and then permanent. They couldn't possibly have been given another Mark, that would be five! Five was far too many, it was just absurd!

Besides, paranoia was an Eye thing, right? That Eris hated the Eye, it wouldn't Mark them with it. Why would the Spiral have anything to do with paranoia or hearing voices or seeing things that weren't there? Those definitely didn't have anything to do with madness, so they were fine. And they weren't lying to themselves at all.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Within the few hours Artifact had been lying there, the pain somehow transitioned into a migraine. Their ears ring, their vision blurs a bit around the edges, the colors in the ugly carpets and furniture look… a little too vivid.

A sudden shot of pain jolts Artifact back from their disconnected state. It feels like something opened a wound back there… like something… escaped? No, what were they thinking? Why were they thinking that?

A soft clicking noise can be heard from somewhere unseen, too close and too far at the same time. From somewhere outside, a pink-tinted light leaks under their hotel room door.

[artifacts-abode]

Their head feels like it was filled with cotton and then crushed, but they manage to sit up. It was probably irrational and not real, but they wanted to check the source of the pain, just to be sure. Wouldn't do to get blood on the sheets, they'd probably get charged more.

Artifact numbly lifted a hand to the base of their head. It came back bloody, and they stared at the crimson staining their fingers like it had personally insulted them.

No matter how much they stared, the blood remained infuriatingly real, and the pain remained, until their muddled thoughts decided it was probably a good idea to maybe do something about the blood.

Shakily, they stood. They had been certain their room had a bathroom in the room, but the door wasn't there. It must be in the hall, this must be one of those hotels that made the rooms share one restroom between a few rooms. Why had they come here, they hated hotels like this!

Artifact opened their room's door with one hand, the other supporting them on the wall itself as they tried not to fall. Just clean the wound you somehow got and you'll be fine.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

The hallways outside their room are uncomfortably silent. Everyone must be asleep… God, how late is it? All that can be heard is the fluorescent lights humming overhead, and even that noise sounds disturbingly familiar.

Another droplet of blood trails down Artifact’s neck. It feels strange, as if it’s moving in a direction that gravity just shouldn’t allow for. Is it somehow bleeding sideways?

Among the identical doors in the hotel hallway, one stands out. It’s painted darker, strangely weathered as if it was salvaged from a scrapyard or left to rot outside for a bit.

[artifacts-abode]

Artifact brought their already bloodstained hand to the wound to staunch the bloodflow as they walked to the door. If it looked different, it probably wasn't another hotel room, right? Should they just open it or knock?

"H-hello? Anyone there?"

They realized a few seconds after hearing the shaky voice that it was their voice, and they had, in fact, spoken. Well that was one way to possibly get someone's attention. Surely anyone here wouldn't begrudge helping someone that started bleeding for....some reason. Why were they bleeding again? It didn't matter, they just needed to get the bleeding to stop, clean the wound and then they could wonder about the cause when it stopped hurting.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Nobody responds.

The door creaks open slightly, revealing a short hallway that turns sharply to the left. This has to be the bathroom… but god, it’s built so strange. Probably normal for this cheap hotel though.

The annoying hum overhead sounds louder as Artifact approaches the door. Another drip of blood trails between their fingers, leaving behind an odd, residual sting.

[artifacts-abode]

Whoever built this place needs to get off the drugs, it's weird

"Helloooo, anyone there? Sorry to wake you but I'm bleeding-" Augh no you idiot you can't just go around announcing you're bleeding, just get in there and solve it yourself.

They walk through the door, clean hand braced against the wall as they curse the..whatever had injured them. What had it been? It had to have been something, the base of your head is not a normal place to get a puncture wound. If their head could just clear, maybe it would all make sense.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Hello?- Damn, are you okay?

A voice cuts through the uncomfortable silence. There’s a fair distance to it, and whoever it is doesn’t seem to be approaching from around that corner. If Artifact didn’t know any better, that voice would sound weirdly familiar… No, it has to be a coincidence.

You should really go see a doctor or something, call 911… Something like that. Who knows what could have gotten into you.

Their wording is odd. Why would they say that? What the hell did that mean?

[artifacts-abode]

"I don't know how I got hurt, and my phone is, uh-"

Had they left their phone in their room? Maybe they should just turn around and call 911, the mysterious voice was right.

But when they turned, the halls seemed unfamiliar, even though they had barely turned any corners to get here. Where..were they?

"Can you help me? I think something's wrong, my head feels weird and I don't know where I am."

Something was wrong. Just walk back to your room that's definitely still there, you didn't take that many turns, just remember your room number that is....

Shit.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

You sound confused.

The voice sounds weirdly amused for a split second, much to Artifact’s confusion.

Look, maybe you shouldn’t go back… You could get lost, and it’s best to not trust your mind when this kind of thing is happening.

The hallway behind Artifact looks a few inches longer than they thought… God, they really must be out of it.

I… I’ll try to take a look at it, just… follow my voice, okay?

[artifacts-abode]

"Where are you??" They turn every which way, searching for the source of the voice. "And who are you, what's your name?" Can I trust you? Their mind echoed, one of few clear thoughts they've had since the pain had started.

Something was up, but everything was too hazy to try Seeing, so trusting whoever this was might be their only chance to stop the bleeding and clear their head. Even if it was a really really bad idea.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Shit, you must really be confused… What do you mean, you don’t remember me?

The hallway turns to the left again… and again. And again. It seems to be built like a loop, but Artifact never feels like they’re entering the same place again.

I swear we’re getting you checked out once you find us.

So the person isn’t alone? Maybe they have help, maybe someone else is present…

[artifacts-abode]

"Am I supposed to remember you?" Something was familiar, the voice perhaps, but they couldn't put a face to the voice-

They were still bleeding, despite their attempts to stop it, and their head wasn't clearing. The sheer weirdness of this hotel wasn't helping, and Artifact was considering sitting on the tacky floor just to rest for a moment.

"Us? What do you mean 'us'?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

God, you don’t remember? You know us as a collective.

The voice almost sounds a little irritated now, unsettling Artifact. Do they actually care or not?

I know you can remember if you try hard enough! How about I give you a hint or something…

A bit of wallpaper appears to chip off the wall to Artifact’s right. The material underneath is painted black, covered in random paint splatters and holes.

Have you seen this anywhere? Take your time!

[artifacts-abode]

Something about it was familiar, the illogical hallways, the voice in the distance, the holes, in fact it was fairly similar to the whole ordeal with Eris a while ago-

Ah.

"You're an asshole, you know that?"

The fog still hadn't fully cleared but Artifact really thought they would have figured something like this out sooner, no matter how bad the pain was.

"Seriously, what is your problem, I was literally just trying to sleep! Am I really that fun to bully?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

…yes, aCtuaLLy :)

And there it is. Its fake “normal” tone slips entirely as the hallways morph into something more typical for its domain.

i P r O M i S E tHat’S NOt wHy yOu’Re hERe tHouGh! i’LL HolD tO My WOrd, jUsT tHis ONcE :)

God, that weird verbal smiley it does drives Artifact insane. How is it even doing that? Its painfully distorted form strides around a corner that clearly wasn’t there before, giving Artifact a weirdly… genuine smile. It sure seems giddy over something.

ThiNk oF THis aS a FoLLow-uP! A ChECkuP, mAybE! i CertAinLY SenT yOu oFF oN an I n T E r e s T i N g noTe LAst TimE, aNd I cAn TeLL thIngS aRe… DevELopinG!!¡

[artifacts-abode]

"What the fuck are you talking about. If this is about you possibly marking me you should know it's far from my first one, so it's not really that big of a deal. Or-wait.."

They reach up to the still bleeding wound that is suspiciously exit wound shaped.

"You didn't- Did you put a fucking bUG IN ME!?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

maAaaaAaAyBe-

It shrugs, putting on a sheepish expression.

yoU SeeMEd StrEsSEd, AnD i CouLDn’T jUst LeT yOu LEaVe wIthOUt sOmEOnE tO MakE SUre yOu’Re OKay :)

At least it’s not trying to hide the fact that its “excuse” is bullshit. It attempts to hold back a laugh, and on perfect cue, Artifact’s wound pulses with another sharp pain.

[artifacts-abode]

They winced as the pain shot through them.

"Riiiight. So why are you here. The thing... escaped, and I don't exactly feel like a flesh hive. Is it just to gloat? You seem like a gloating type."

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

iT’S doNe iTs PUrpOse :)

Eris giggles to itself, raising its hand as a strange centipede-looking creature crawls out of its jacket sleeve, leaving behind a trail of blood. So that’s the little bastard it put into Artifact.

i ShoULd Say, O n E EscApED. i WaS ConCErnEd yOu’D STarT ShoWinG SymPTomS BefoRE yOu goT HeRe… ThaT WouLDn’T be VerY FuN :)

[artifacts-abode]

"Ew."

The idea of having that many legs in them is repulsive, and the idea of sitting down is starting to sound good again. Preferably before passing out becomes an option.

"The hell you mean, symptoms. If you put more than one of those bastards in me I will find a way to kill you!"

It's an empty threat, and they both know it, but Artifact wants some semblance of control after everything that's happened.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, “ i “ DidN’T. NoT IntEntIonAllY :)

The hallway they’re in appears to tilt violently if Artifact looks far enough into the distance. The patterns in the walls and floor are moving again. Yaaay.

Just before Artifact feels the need to sit down again, another shot of pain causes their knees to buckle. The feeling has seemingly migrated from their neck to somewhere in their chest.

oH DeaR :)

Eris takes a step back, smiling widely. God, why does it have that many teeth?

[artifacts-abode]

They cry out in pain, barely catching themselves on their arms as they topple to the floor.

"What-what did you do!?"

It was all wrong, the pain was so bad it felt like they couldn't breathe, a problem they hadn't had since they began serving the Buried. There had to be another of those little leggy bastards in them, and they had to get rid of it, now, before it's too late

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

hMm? i DidN’T dO AnyThinG :)

It tilts its head, its vision burning holes through Artifact. It’s like it’s staring right into their soul.

mY HivE iS ITs Own AutOnOMouS EntIty, tHEy hAvE FreE WiLL! i Can’T TeLL tHem wHAt tO Do :)

Something’s under their skin. They can feel it, burning, twisting, trying to tear itself free.

[artifacts-abode]

"Well take it back! Get it out, I don't want them!"

They curl up on the ground, shaking as the pain from before they entered these halls again goes through their body.

"Get it outGetitoutgetitout-"

Artifact is clearly not in a good state, all this time they had blissfully disregarded any signs of something wrong, but the pain and the sight of one of the creatures that had previously been in their body was impossible to ignore. The psychological fear of the bugs, of the threat of becoming a flesh hive, was almost worse than the agony of having one in your body.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, tHat’S NoT ReaLLy On mE nOw, iS It? :)

It stares at Artifact expectantly, practically vibrating with… excitement? And quite literally so, its form is starting to jolt and blur around the edges.

Something twitches under Artifact’s skin. It wants out just as much as they do.

iT’S eiTheR tHiS oR LeTTinG The HallWaYs tAKe oVEr, aNd I waNt tHIs tO Be a LiTTle mOrE excItiNg :)

[artifacts-abode]

Somehow, the pain gets worse. It's moving now, and despite the fact the Eye shouldn't even be able to reach them here, they Know what the creature is doing.

It's in their chest, and now it's ready to leave.

A mixture of revulsion and fear passes through them as the skin breaks open. It's such a small gap between the clavicle and the throat, but it's still enough for the insect to painstakingly claw its way out.

Artifact weakly moves their head away from their chest as the old threat to blind them rings in their ears. The level of control Eris has over its swarm is not something they wish to test while weakened nor with their eyes in such close proximity to the creature tearing them open.

Unfortunately the movement has the unforeseen side effect of tearing the new wound further and they black out, coming back to themselves with the creature free of their body, an even newer bleeding wound, a raw throat, likely from screaming, and a wet face, from either blood or tears. Perhaps a mixture of both.

And yet despite it all, Artifact is relieved. They aren't a flesh hive, they don't hear the song of Rot in their ringing ears. If they weren't truly marked before they certainly are now, and yet the Corruption has not fully taken them.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

As Artifact comes to, they can just make out Eris’ form hovering over them. Is their vision blurry, or is it blurry? They can’t tell in the slightest.

The wound on their chest pulses with a dulled, yet persistent pain. Just imagining the state of it makes them feel nauseous, but as they look down at the stained carpet, they notice something unsettling.

The liquid pooling under them isn’t blood.

It’s something like liquid technicolor. Something that constantly shifts and cycles through color and texture. Something crawling with tiny neon insects.

oH DEar… I ThoUgHt yOu WOulDn’T WakE uP FrOm ThaT!¡ iT’s nOT a foRgiVinG phAsE tO EntEr :’)

[artifacts-abode]

"W-what-"

They try to push themselves up to a seated position and their arms give out again. Fine. They'll just stay here on the floor then.

"What are you talking about, why does my- why does it look like that!?" They gagged, closing their eyes just to avoid looking at the facsimile of blood.

"What did you do to me?"

Artifact would hug themselves if it wouldn't be pathetic. They can be pathetic when they get back to normalcy, because they are absolutely going to get out of here and they're going to be fine, maybe they'll just find some dirt and-no not burrow just...dig into it. Nothing bug related. Or burrowing, they're actually going to scrub that word from their vocabulary for a bit. Maybe they'll go visit their friend instead, hide under fifty weighted blankets and talk about random stuff with him until they both pass out. And maybe let him open all the doors for awhile.

Snapping back to the present, Artifact realizes they've been zoning out and in the process, slowly curling back in on themselves. Great, good job on the not looking pathetic there. You probably look like a kicked puppy. A psychedelic coloured kicked puppy.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

i DiD WHat WaS NecEssaRy :)

It shrugs, leaning on the wall. “Leaning” may be a generous term, though… Half of its body is bisecting the architecture.

oH, DOn’T TeLL uS You’Re nOt HavinG a GoOd TImE! i WeNt oUT oF My waY To InvItE yOU BacK, aNd THis iS HoW You ResPonD?¿ :’)

Its tone is nearly impossible to decipher, but it doesn’t exactly sound like it’s taking this seriously. After a few minutes it rolls its eyes sarcastically, pulling Artifact off the ground. Being in contact with it feels like their limbs are falling asleep… How unpleasant.

[artifacts-abode]

"Nothing about this was necessary. Whatever made you think I wanted to come back to this mind melting hellscape!? You put creepy bug things in my lungs!!! No I'm not having a good time!"

Ugh, they didn't want it touching them, but they also didn't think their legs would support them for long. Maybe they could kick it in the knees....no that wouldn't work. Dammit. Made them wish they had a lighter.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

i DiDn’T puT THeM TheRe :)

There it goes again with its weird pedantic… sarcasm? Explanations? Whatever it’s aiming for?

nOw PLeaSe, Don’T Go CoLLapSinG oN Me! OnE oF My WanDerERs GoT TraPpeD iN The GeoMetRy LasT WeeK ANd i Can’T hAVe tHaT hAppEnINg aGaiN!

Artifact can’t exactly see much of it from their position, but it feels like it has one extra arm? No, there are only two. Is it even holding them up, or are they just floating in space? They can barely concentrate on anything.

More doors have appeared on the walls, more than Artifact remembers. Doos leading into more doors leading into hallways that warp in on themselves into more doors.

[artifacts-abode]

"You pedantic little shit."

They make the likely unwise decision to ignore the increasingly ominous doors and madness trying to once again ensnare them and instead indulge in one of their favourite hobbies, complaining.

"Well sorry but some of us have corporal forms that don't particularly enjoy having centipedes in our lungs. You may have Yogsothoth's preferred body but I'm stuck with holes in me and my blood turning into a pride parade, so if I want to collapse I'll damn well do it. If you're so concerned about my health maybe you shouldn't have put BUGS IN ME and then brought me back into the Funhouse Mirror but Also Worms Edition dimension! And since when did you care if I collapsed anyway, is it just because it's less fun?! Can't make me scared for my life if I'm too busy bleeding out on the floor? I've been dealing with your dumbass paranoia, which is supposed to be Eye by the way, for literal months, was that just not enough fear for you?? What, you still hungry? I'm not your fucking fear generator, bug phobia or not."

That was....more than they had intended to say. Blood loss was a hell of a drug, apparently.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

ANd yOu CaLL M e PedAntIc?¿ Oh, DOn’T MakE mE LauGh :)

Eris’ form appears to dissolve behind Artifact somehow, sending them collapsing back down to the ground. It feels like a much longer fall than it should have been, and the floor is almost angling itself backwards…? Forwards?

weLL, yOu CAn’T ComPlaIN ThaT i LeT gO Of yOu :)

The patterns on the wallpaper shift and extend outward, taking on the creature’s form once again. What the hell is it gaining from this? Maybe it’s just showing off in some bizarre way… Typical Eris.

o R ExpECt mE To AnSweR YouR QueStiOnS. THis PlaCe TenDS tO Do thAt tO PeoPLe, yOu KNow!

[artifacts-abode]

"Personally I think that being of the Eye gives me the right to be pedantic, you're just annoying."

On one hand, they were happy Eris let go of them, and even happier their arms didn't give out, letting them actually sit instead of collapsing on the floor again. On the other hand, Eris was still there and being weird, which meant everything was awful and they needed a break from all the eyestrain and nonsense, a break they knew they would not get.

"They were rhetorical questions, I may be stupid but I'm not dumb enough to expect you to ever make any sense. And tends to do what, make them cranky? Cause it's really succeeding with me, you're doing a great job."

Should they maybe stop sassing the thing that basically holds their life on the line? Yeah, probably. Are they going to stop? Fuck no.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

noTHinG’s StoPpiNg yOu FroM LeAVinG, yoU KnOw. i Don’T SHarE mY DomAIn SpacE :)

Even if that was the case, how the hell would Artifact know which door lead out of this damn place? Or whether it was telling the truth… or how they’d get all these damn bugs and glowstick juice out of their body.

iT’S nOt LikE i’M TryInG tO MakE THis Any HArdEr fOr YOu, SiLLy!¡! yoU ShoUld R e a L L y LeaRn tO CatCh oN, bEinG doUbLe-MaRkED aNd aLL tHaT.

[artifacts-abode]

"Have you considered that perhaps, massive blood loss and having bugs exit my lungs might maybe make it harder for me to leave? Perhaps? That ever enter your mind? Or maybe the fact that this is still the Twisting Deceit and I don't have access to the Eye to get out of here without losing my mind? I know you're probably insane but I would like to avoid that, despite your best attempts to drag me down with you."

If Eris kept tricking them into its domain, they were actually going to carry a can of Raid around to spray it in the face with. All this bug bullshit was getting irritating.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

ALriGhT, fiNe. SuiT YouRSeLf.

It pouts cartoonishly and dramatically turns around, its torso appearing to pivot far before its legs do. In just a few steps, it’s already nothing but a speck at the end of the long hallway.

gOOd LuCk FIndinG YoUR waY OuT!¡ MaYBe yOuR NeW FriEnDS wiLL maKe THemSelVeS UseFuL!¡!!! :)

[artifacts-abode]

"Oh yeah sure, really showing how mature you are, great job."

They struggle to their feet, leaning heavily on the wall closest to them and cringing at the sight of their new blood colour(s).

"Thanks ever so much for the well wishes-I'm sorry my what?!?"

If five bajillion bugs suddenly appeared they were going to find a way to wring Eris's neck, creature of the Distortion or no.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Another annoying laugh echoes from where Eris once stood, disappearing down the hallway. God, Artifact just knows it’s somewhere, probably watching this and giggling away like it was some game, and… this is getting to be a lot.

A droplet of neon blood falls to the ground, almost in slow motion. It captures their attention for some odd reason as it soaks into the stained arcade-looking carpet… which begins moving. The patterns are moving.

Something twinges painfully behind Artifact’s eyes. Like it’s… trying to get their attention? How the hell do they know that?

[artifacts-abode]

Oh crap. Crap crappity crap crap crap. Why and how and what was behind their eyes. If it's another bug they're burning this not-place to the ground. They slowly shuffled away from the now-moving carpet, glaring at it. Even the carpet here had the potential for spookiness, absolutely delightful.

"Eris, I swear to the Fears and whatever gods there are if you put a third bug in me I'll pull a Desolation. Don't test me, I'll do it! Stop putting bugs in me!"

Had they...always known what this Distortion's name was? They had, right? Yeah, they probably heard it at some point, or the Eye told them, whatever. They had served the Eye for years, since when did sudden knowledge worry them?

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Either Eris is too far out of earshot or it finally learned to shut up for once. Either way, the carpet patterns are still moving, extending upward into tiny forms.

Goddamnit there are more of those stupid neon Cootie-looking bugs. Great.

The twitching inside Artifact’s mind starts up again, almost as if it’s signaling for them to watch or responding to their outrage. The hovering swarm disperses, a few stray creatures moving a little too close to Artifact… Observing, maybe?

The rest of the swarm forms into something like a loose line, drifting down the hallway before pausing. What the hell are they trying to do?

[artifacts-abode]

"Hello creepy little bug things born from my blood which isn't concerning at all, how do you intend to kill me?"

This was definitely going in top 10 concerning things they had seen, well, if they got out of Bugland alive. And what the everloving fuck was all the twitching about, if there was a bug in their head they swore...to do something, their good ideas and quick wit must has bled out into some of the bugs. Or their Head Bug ate it.

Wait, what had they been thinking about again? Right, right, glorious vengeance against Eris.

"Look if you're going to do something, just go ahead and do it, I am very tired, very cranky and I'm maybe going to succumb to blood loss in the next hour. Or is the blood loss what you want? Like a reverse flesh hive, instead of bugs in me I make bugs when pieces of me exit?"

Ok so that was a horrible way to explain it. How much had they lost anyway, it was making them stupid. Maybe they should keep their newly gay blood inside their body actually.

[artifacts-abode]

It’s been weeks, or… maybe months since Artifact encountered Eris in its domain. The memory never really faded, and neither did that damn pain in the back of their neck. If anything, it’s becoming more persistent over time.

They could swear they constantly see that thing in their peripheral vision, hear its grating voice in crowds… and every time, that dull pain accompanies the paranoia.

Did it mark them? No, it couldn’t have…

((HIIIIIII IT’S @3ris-d1st0rtionnn BACK AGAIN TO TORMENT YOUUUUU

Artifact lay on their shitty hotel bed with a frozen water bottle under the base of their neck in an attempt to numb it. The pain had come back. Again. It could have been from the liminal-ness that hotels had, some kind of memory of those stupid hallways surging back up as they walked the faded halls to their room, maybe they were imagining it! Maybe it was just some sort of ingrained memory, and their messed up brain had decided to make it real and then permanent. They couldn't possibly have been given another Mark, that would be five! Five was far too many, it was just absurd!

Besides, paranoia was an Eye thing, right? That Eris hated the Eye, it wouldn't Mark them with it. Why would the Spiral have anything to do with paranoia or hearing voices or seeing things that weren't there? Those definitely didn't have anything to do with madness, so they were fine. And they weren't lying to themselves at all.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Within the few hours Artifact had been lying there, the pain somehow transitioned into a migraine. Their ears ring, their vision blurs a bit around the edges, the colors in the ugly carpets and furniture look… a little too vivid.

A sudden shot of pain jolts Artifact back from their disconnected state. It feels like something opened a wound back there… like something… escaped? No, what were they thinking? Why were they thinking that?

A soft clicking noise can be heard from somewhere unseen, too close and too far at the same time. From somewhere outside, a pink-tinted light leaks under their hotel room door.

[artifacts-abode]

Their head feels like it was filled with cotton and then crushed, but they manage to sit up. It was probably irrational and not real, but they wanted to check the source of the pain, just to be sure. Wouldn't do to get blood on the sheets, they'd probably get charged more.

Artifact numbly lifted a hand to the base of their head. It came back bloody, and they stared at the crimson staining their fingers like it had personally insulted them.

No matter how much they stared, the blood remained infuriatingly real, and the pain remained, until their muddled thoughts decided it was probably a good idea to maybe do something about the blood.

Shakily, they stood. They had been certain their room had a bathroom in the room, but the door wasn't there. It must be in the hall, this must be one of those hotels that made the rooms share one restroom between a few rooms. Why had they come here, they hated hotels like this!

Artifact opened their room's door with one hand, the other supporting them on the wall itself as they tried not to fall. Just clean the wound you somehow got and you'll be fine.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

The hallways outside their room are uncomfortably silent. Everyone must be asleep… God, how late is it? All that can be heard is the fluorescent lights humming overhead, and even that noise sounds disturbingly familiar.

Another droplet of blood trails down Artifact’s neck. It feels strange, as if it’s moving in a direction that gravity just shouldn’t allow for. Is it somehow bleeding sideways?

Among the identical doors in the hotel hallway, one stands out. It’s painted darker, strangely weathered as if it was salvaged from a scrapyard or left to rot outside for a bit.

[artifacts-abode]

Artifact brought their already bloodstained hand to the wound to staunch the bloodflow as they walked to the door. If it looked different, it probably wasn't another hotel room, right? Should they just open it or knock?

"H-hello? Anyone there?"

They realized a few seconds after hearing the shaky voice that it was their voice, and they had, in fact, spoken. Well that was one way to possibly get someone's attention. Surely anyone here wouldn't begrudge helping someone that started bleeding for....some reason. Why were they bleeding again? It didn't matter, they just needed to get the bleeding to stop, clean the wound and then they could wonder about the cause when it stopped hurting.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Nobody responds.

The door creaks open slightly, revealing a short hallway that turns sharply to the left. This has to be the bathroom… but god, it’s built so strange. Probably normal for this cheap hotel though.

The annoying hum overhead sounds louder as Artifact approaches the door. Another drip of blood trails between their fingers, leaving behind an odd, residual sting.

[artifacts-abode]

Whoever built this place needs to get off the drugs, it's weird

"Helloooo, anyone there? Sorry to wake you but I'm bleeding-" Augh no you idiot you can't just go around announcing you're bleeding, just get in there and solve it yourself.

They walk through the door, clean hand braced against the wall as they curse the..whatever had injured them. What had it been? It had to have been something, the base of your head is not a normal place to get a puncture wound. If their head could just clear, maybe it would all make sense.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Hello?- Damn, are you okay?

A voice cuts through the uncomfortable silence. There’s a fair distance to it, and whoever it is doesn’t seem to be approaching from around that corner. If Artifact didn’t know any better, that voice would sound weirdly familiar… No, it has to be a coincidence.

You should really go see a doctor or something, call 911… Something like that. Who knows what could have gotten into you.

Their wording is odd. Why would they say that? What the hell did that mean?

[artifacts-abode]

"I don't know how I got hurt, and my phone is, uh-"

Had they left their phone in their room? Maybe they should just turn around and call 911, the mysterious voice was right.

But when they turned, the halls seemed unfamiliar, even though they had barely turned any corners to get here. Where..were they?

"Can you help me? I think something's wrong, my head feels weird and I don't know where I am."

Something was wrong. Just walk back to your room that's definitely still there, you didn't take that many turns, just remember your room number that is....

Shit.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

You sound confused.

The voice sounds weirdly amused for a split second, much to Artifact’s confusion.

Look, maybe you shouldn’t go back… You could get lost, and it’s best to not trust your mind when this kind of thing is happening.

The hallway behind Artifact looks a few inches longer than they thought… God, they really must be out of it.

I… I’ll try to take a look at it, just… follow my voice, okay?

[artifacts-abode]

"Where are you??" They turn every which way, searching for the source of the voice. "And who are you, what's your name?" Can I trust you? Their mind echoed, one of few clear thoughts they've had since the pain had started.

Something was up, but everything was too hazy to try Seeing, so trusting whoever this was might be their only chance to stop the bleeding and clear their head. Even if it was a really really bad idea.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Shit, you must really be confused… What do you mean, you don’t remember me?

The hallway turns to the left again… and again. And again. It seems to be built like a loop, but Artifact never feels like they’re entering the same place again.

I swear we’re getting you checked out once you find us.

So the person isn’t alone? Maybe they have help, maybe someone else is present…

[artifacts-abode]

"Am I supposed to remember you?" Something was familiar, the voice perhaps, but they couldn't put a face to the voice-

They were still bleeding, despite their attempts to stop it, and their head wasn't clearing. The sheer weirdness of this hotel wasn't helping, and Artifact was considering sitting on the tacky floor just to rest for a moment.

"Us? What do you mean 'us'?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

God, you don’t remember? You know us as a collective.

The voice almost sounds a little irritated now, unsettling Artifact. Do they actually care or not?

I know you can remember if you try hard enough! How about I give you a hint or something…

A bit of wallpaper appears to chip off the wall to Artifact’s right. The material underneath is painted black, covered in random paint splatters and holes.

Have you seen this anywhere? Take your time!

[artifacts-abode]

Something about it was familiar, the illogical hallways, the voice in the distance, the holes, in fact it was fairly similar to the whole ordeal with Eris a while ago-

Ah.

"You're an asshole, you know that?"

The fog still hadn't fully cleared but Artifact really thought they would have figured something like this out sooner, no matter how bad the pain was.

"Seriously, what is your problem, I was literally just trying to sleep! Am I really that fun to bully?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

…yes, aCtuaLLy :)

And there it is. Its fake “normal” tone slips entirely as the hallways morph into something more typical for its domain.

i P r O M i S E tHat’S NOt wHy yOu’Re hERe tHouGh! i’LL HolD tO My WOrd, jUsT tHis ONcE :)

God, that weird verbal smiley it does drives Artifact insane. How is it even doing that? Its painfully distorted form strides around a corner that clearly wasn’t there before, giving Artifact a weirdly… genuine smile. It sure seems giddy over something.

ThiNk oF THis aS a FoLLow-uP! A ChECkuP, mAybE! i CertAinLY SenT yOu oFF oN an I n T E r e s T i N g noTe LAst TimE, aNd I cAn TeLL thIngS aRe… DevELopinG!!¡

[artifacts-abode]

"What the fuck are you talking about. If this is about you possibly marking me you should know it's far from my first one, so it's not really that big of a deal. Or-wait.."

They reach up to the still bleeding wound that is suspiciously exit wound shaped.

"You didn't- Did you put a fucking bUG IN ME!?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

maAaaaAaAyBe-

It shrugs, putting on a sheepish expression.

yoU SeeMEd StrEsSEd, AnD i CouLDn’T jUst LeT yOu LEaVe wIthOUt sOmEOnE tO MakE SUre yOu’Re OKay :)

At least it’s not trying to hide the fact that its “excuse” is bullshit. It attempts to hold back a laugh, and on perfect cue, Artifact’s wound pulses with another sharp pain.

[artifacts-abode]

They winced as the pain shot through them.

"Riiiight. So why are you here. The thing... escaped, and I don't exactly feel like a flesh hive. Is it just to gloat? You seem like a gloating type."

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

iT’S doNe iTs PUrpOse :)

Eris giggles to itself, raising its hand as a strange centipede-looking creature crawls out of its jacket sleeve, leaving behind a trail of blood. So that’s the little bastard it put into Artifact.

i ShoULd Say, O n E EscApED. i WaS ConCErnEd yOu’D STarT ShoWinG SymPTomS BefoRE yOu goT HeRe… ThaT WouLDn’T be VerY FuN :)

[artifacts-abode]

"Ew."

The idea of having that many legs in them is repulsive, and the idea of sitting down is starting to sound good again. Preferably before passing out becomes an option.

"The hell you mean, symptoms. If you put more than one of those bastards in me I will find a way to kill you!"

It's an empty threat, and they both know it, but Artifact wants some semblance of control after everything that's happened.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, “ i “ DidN’T. NoT IntEntIonAllY :)

The hallway they’re in appears to tilt violently if Artifact looks far enough into the distance. The patterns in the walls and floor are moving again. Yaaay.

Just before Artifact feels the need to sit down again, another shot of pain causes their knees to buckle. The feeling has seemingly migrated from their neck to somewhere in their chest.

oH DeaR :)

Eris takes a step back, smiling widely. God, why does it have that many teeth?

[artifacts-abode]

They cry out in pain, barely catching themselves on their arms as they topple to the floor.

"What-what did you do!?"

It was all wrong, the pain was so bad it felt like they couldn't breathe, a problem they hadn't had since they began serving the Buried. There had to be another of those little leggy bastards in them, and they had to get rid of it, now, before it's too late

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

hMm? i DidN’T dO AnyThinG :)

It tilts its head, its vision burning holes through Artifact. It’s like it’s staring right into their soul.

mY HivE iS ITs Own AutOnOMouS EntIty, tHEy hAvE FreE WiLL! i Can’T TeLL tHem wHAt tO Do :)

Something’s under their skin. They can feel it, burning, twisting, trying to tear itself free.

[artifacts-abode]

"Well take it back! Get it out, I don't want them!"

They curl up on the ground, shaking as the pain from before they entered these halls again goes through their body.

"Get it outGetitoutgetitout-"

Artifact is clearly not in a good state, all this time they had blissfully disregarded any signs of something wrong, but the pain and the sight of one of the creatures that had previously been in their body was impossible to ignore. The psychological fear of the bugs, of the threat of becoming a flesh hive, was almost worse than the agony of having one in your body.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, tHat’S NoT ReaLLy On mE nOw, iS It? :)

It stares at Artifact expectantly, practically vibrating with… excitement? And quite literally so, its form is starting to jolt and blur around the edges.

Something twitches under Artifact’s skin. It wants out just as much as they do.

iT’S eiTheR tHiS oR LeTTinG The HallWaYs tAKe oVEr, aNd I waNt tHIs tO Be a LiTTle mOrE excItiNg :)

[artifacts-abode]

Somehow, the pain gets worse. It's moving now, and despite the fact the Eye shouldn't even be able to reach them here, they Know what the creature is doing.

It's in their chest, and now it's ready to leave.

A mixture of revulsion and fear passes through them as the skin breaks open. It's such a small gap between the clavicle and the throat, but it's still enough for the insect to painstakingly claw its way out.

Artifact weakly moves their head away from their chest as the old threat to blind them rings in their ears. The level of control Eris has over its swarm is not something they wish to test while weakened nor with their eyes in such close proximity to the creature tearing them open.

Unfortunately the movement has the unforeseen side effect of tearing the new wound further and they black out, coming back to themselves with the creature free of their body, an even newer bleeding wound, a raw throat, likely from screaming, and a wet face, from either blood or tears. Perhaps a mixture of both.

And yet despite it all, Artifact is relieved. They aren't a flesh hive, they don't hear the song of Rot in their ringing ears. If they weren't truly marked before they certainly are now, and yet the Corruption has not fully taken them.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

As Artifact comes to, they can just make out Eris’ form hovering over them. Is their vision blurry, or is it blurry? They can’t tell in the slightest.

The wound on their chest pulses with a dulled, yet persistent pain. Just imagining the state of it makes them feel nauseous, but as they look down at the stained carpet, they notice something unsettling.

The liquid pooling under them isn’t blood.

It’s something like liquid technicolor. Something that constantly shifts and cycles through color and texture. Something crawling with tiny neon insects.

oH DEar… I ThoUgHt yOu WOulDn’T WakE uP FrOm ThaT!¡ iT’s nOT a foRgiVinG phAsE tO EntEr :’)

[artifacts-abode]

"W-what-"

They try to push themselves up to a seated position and their arms give out again. Fine. They'll just stay here on the floor then.

"What are you talking about, why does my- why does it look like that!?" They gagged, closing their eyes just to avoid looking at the facsimile of blood.

"What did you do to me?"

Artifact would hug themselves if it wouldn't be pathetic. They can be pathetic when they get back to normalcy, because they are absolutely going to get out of here and they're going to be fine, maybe they'll just find some dirt and-no not burrow just...dig into it. Nothing bug related. Or burrowing, they're actually going to scrub that word from their vocabulary for a bit. Maybe they'll go visit their friend instead, hide under fifty weighted blankets and talk about random stuff with him until they both pass out. And maybe let him open all the doors for awhile.

Snapping back to the present, Artifact realizes they've been zoning out and in the process, slowly curling back in on themselves. Great, good job on the not looking pathetic there. You probably look like a kicked puppy. A psychedelic coloured kicked puppy.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

i DiD WHat WaS NecEssaRy :)

It shrugs, leaning on the wall. “Leaning” may be a generous term, though… Half of its body is bisecting the architecture.

oH, DOn’T TeLL uS You’Re nOt HavinG a GoOd TImE! i WeNt oUT oF My waY To InvItE yOU BacK, aNd THis iS HoW You ResPonD?¿ :’)

Its tone is nearly impossible to decipher, but it doesn’t exactly sound like it’s taking this seriously. After a few minutes it rolls its eyes sarcastically, pulling Artifact off the ground. Being in contact with it feels like their limbs are falling asleep… How unpleasant.

[artifacts-abode]

"Nothing about this was necessary. Whatever made you think I wanted to come back to this mind melting hellscape!? You put creepy bug things in my lungs!!! No I'm not having a good time!"

Ugh, they didn't want it touching them, but they also didn't think their legs would support them for long. Maybe they could kick it in the knees....no that wouldn't work. Dammit. Made them wish they had a lighter.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

i DiDn’T puT THeM TheRe :)

There it goes again with its weird pedantic… sarcasm? Explanations? Whatever it’s aiming for?

nOw PLeaSe, Don’T Go CoLLapSinG oN Me! OnE oF My WanDerERs GoT TraPpeD iN The GeoMetRy LasT WeeK ANd i Can’T hAVe tHaT hAppEnINg aGaiN!

Artifact can’t exactly see much of it from their position, but it feels like it has one extra arm? No, there are only two. Is it even holding them up, or are they just floating in space? They can barely concentrate on anything.

More doors have appeared on the walls, more than Artifact remembers. Doos leading into more doors leading into hallways that warp in on themselves into more doors.

[artifacts-abode]

"You pedantic little shit."

They make the likely unwise decision to ignore the increasingly ominous doors and madness trying to once again ensnare them and instead indulge in one of their favourite hobbies, complaining.

"Well sorry but some of us have corporal forms that don't particularly enjoy having centipedes in our lungs. You may have Yogsothoth's preferred body but I'm stuck with holes in me and my blood turning into a pride parade, so if I want to collapse I'll damn well do it. If you're so concerned about my health maybe you shouldn't have put BUGS IN ME and then brought me back into the Funhouse Mirror but Also Worms Edition dimension! And since when did you care if I collapsed anyway, is it just because it's less fun?! Can't make me scared for my life if I'm too busy bleeding out on the floor? I've been dealing with your dumbass paranoia, which is supposed to be Eye by the way, for literal months, was that just not enough fear for you?? What, you still hungry? I'm not your fucking fear generator, bug phobia or not."

That was....more than they had intended to say. Blood loss was a hell of a drug, apparently.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

ANd yOu CaLL M e PedAntIc?¿ Oh, DOn’T MakE mE LauGh :)

Eris’ form appears to dissolve behind Artifact somehow, sending them collapsing back down to the ground. It feels like a much longer fall than it should have been, and the floor is almost angling itself backwards…? Forwards?

weLL, yOu CAn’T ComPlaIN ThaT i LeT gO Of yOu :)

The patterns on the wallpaper shift and extend outward, taking on the creature’s form once again. What the hell is it gaining from this? Maybe it’s just showing off in some bizarre way… Typical Eris.

o R ExpECt mE To AnSweR YouR QueStiOnS. THis PlaCe TenDS tO Do thAt tO PeoPLe, yOu KNow!

[artifacts-abode]

"Personally I think that being of the Eye gives me the right to be pedantic, you're just annoying."

On one hand, they were happy Eris let go of them, and even happier their arms didn't give out, letting them actually sit instead of collapsing on the floor again. On the other hand, Eris was still there and being weird, which meant everything was awful and they needed a break from all the eyestrain and nonsense, a break they knew they would not get.

"They were rhetorical questions, I may be stupid but I'm not dumb enough to expect you to ever make any sense. And tends to do what, make them cranky? Cause it's really succeeding with me, you're doing a great job."

Should they maybe stop sassing the thing that basically holds their life on the line? Yeah, probably. Are they going to stop? Fuck no.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

noTHinG’s StoPpiNg yOu FroM LeAVinG, yoU KnOw. i Don’T SHarE mY DomAIn SpacE :)

Even if that was the case, how the hell would Artifact know which door lead out of this damn place? Or whether it was telling the truth… or how they’d get all these damn bugs and glowstick juice out of their body.

iT’S nOt LikE i’M TryInG tO MakE THis Any HArdEr fOr YOu, SiLLy!¡! yoU ShoUld R e a L L y LeaRn tO CatCh oN, bEinG doUbLe-MaRkED aNd aLL tHaT.

[artifacts-abode]

"Have you considered that perhaps, massive blood loss and having bugs exit my lungs might maybe make it harder for me to leave? Perhaps? That ever enter your mind? Or maybe the fact that this is still the Twisting Deceit and I don't have access to the Eye to get out of here without losing my mind? I know you're probably insane but I would like to avoid that, despite your best attempts to drag me down with you."

If Eris kept tricking them into its domain, they were actually going to carry a can of Raid around to spray it in the face with. All this bug bullshit was getting irritating.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

ALriGhT, fiNe. SuiT YouRSeLf.

It pouts cartoonishly and dramatically turns around, its torso appearing to pivot far before its legs do. In just a few steps, it’s already nothing but a speck at the end of the long hallway.

gOOd LuCk FIndinG YoUR waY OuT!¡ MaYBe yOuR NeW FriEnDS wiLL maKe THemSelVeS UseFuL!¡!!! :)

[artifacts-abode]

"Oh yeah sure, really showing how mature you are, great job."

They struggle to their feet, leaning heavily on the wall closest to them and cringing at the sight of their new blood colour(s).

"Thanks ever so much for the well wishes-I'm sorry my what?!?"

If five bajillion bugs suddenly appeared they were going to find a way to wring Eris's neck, creature of the Distortion or no.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Another annoying laugh echoes from where Eris once stood, disappearing down the hallway. God, Artifact just knows it’s somewhere, probably watching this and giggling away like it was some game, and… this is getting to be a lot.

A droplet of neon blood falls to the ground, almost in slow motion. It captures their attention for some odd reason as it soaks into the stained arcade-looking carpet… which begins moving. The patterns are moving.

Something twinges painfully behind Artifact’s eyes. Like it’s… trying to get their attention? How the hell do they know that?

[artifacts-abode]

Oh crap. Crap crappity crap crap crap. Why and how and what was behind their eyes. If it's another bug they're burning this not-place to the ground. They slowly shuffled away from the now-moving carpet, glaring at it. Even the carpet here had the potential for spookiness, absolutely delightful.

"Eris, I swear to the Fears and whatever gods there are if you put a third bug in me I'll pull a Desolation. Don't test me, I'll do it! Stop putting bugs in me!"

Had they...always known what this Distortion's name was? They had, right? Yeah, they probably heard it at some point, or the Eye told them, whatever. They had served the Eye for years, since when did sudden knowledge worry them?

[artifacts-abode]

@bailey-atlantis

bailey looks around nervously.

. . hi ! (ᵕ ´ᗜ` )

Hello? Who might you be?

[bailey-atlantis]

i'm bailey ! — uh, crawford. miss crawford is fine . . . or bailey. if that's what you prefer. but probably miss crawford . . that's more professional . . . 𐔌՞.‸.՞𐦯

it 's nice to meet you ! i've been trying to contact you regarding an interaction you had with one darlene schoup ? i'm, er, from the magnus institute.

[artifacts-abode]

Darlene Schoup? I can't say that rings a bell, care to refresh my memory? And I'm Artifact, nice to meet you Miss Crawford.

[bailey-atlantis]

of course, i'm happy to ! darlene schoup came into our institute one week ago exactly to provide us with her statement on a supernatural encounter. i'm . . . not sure if you're familiar with the magnus institute and our work, but we record and research instances of the paranormal and supernatural . . . it's a lot to explain . . . .

anyway. mrs. schoup contacted us one week ago. in her statement, she detailed an encounter with one " Artifact " — no last name provided. i believe that's you . . . ?

she told us that you, er, well . . you sort of . . . buried her ? i didn't read the statement myself, actually — that's a lot of time to spend when i'm really just supposed to be interviewing subjects —but it sounded . . claustrophobic. she shivers. it sounded quite unpleasant.

of course, this is not an accusation — i will not be contacting the authorities ! so . . please don't run (ᵕ ´ᗜ`) i just want to enact a short interview, if you don't mind !

[artifacts-abode]

Ah. Well I have heard of the Magnus Institute, so no need to worry about explaining it to me. I wasn't aware I was having statements written about me though...

Sure, I can do an interview, why not? Ask away.

[bailey-atlantis]

wonderful !

bailey fumbles with her bag, which is embroidered with seashells. it matches her outfit. from it? she produces a thick manilla folder.

this actually isn't the first statement we've received in which you are involved, though admittedly, this is the first statement featuring you as a main subject.

my first question is : did you have any direct intention to harm mrs. schoup ? if so . . . what did you hope to achieve by it ? what were your motives ?

[artifacts-abode]

Oohh, I have several? Interesting! And I suppose it would be hard for me to not intend to harm her somehow, since I did bury her alive. But if you meant 'did you intend to kill her' then no. I actually don't care one way or another whether or not someone dies, unless they managed to really piss me off.

My motives, intentions, etc were basically me wanting to not be sick. All the effort to sate the Eye was getting annoying, so I wanted something quick and easy to feed the Buried. Lo and behold, someone with claustrophobia. Easy, really.

Oh, you don't need to worry about your own phobias being used right now, I'm all good with my Patrons and it would just be rude, honestly. I like your bag, by the way.

[bailey-atlantis]

bailey presses her lips together. this has given her far more questions than answers. she's also feeling much more uncomfortable than she was before.

i . . . see. er, thank you ? she glances at her bag, before remembering her intent here.

so you say you fall ill if you don't feed your — did you say patrons ? let me write that down . . . right. do you consider yourself to be a supernatural or paranormal creature in any way ? i'm sorry if that sounds rude, but i, well, i'm obligated to ask, you see.

[artifacts-abode]

I don't know about the term supernatural, but I suppose, yes. I'm quite a bit more human than any others you'll meet, or at least I look the part, better than a Flesh Avatar anyway. But I haven't been a human for quite a few years now.

[bailey-atlantis]

okay . . . right. cool.

would you er, excuse me a moment ? i'm feeling a bit faint . . . haven't had enough water to drink today.

[artifacts-abode]

Quite alright, hydration is important. Take your time.

Are there any other questions, or did you potentially risk your life to ask an Avatar two questions for your job?

[bailey-atlantis]

i . . . don't know what an avatar is. you keep saying that word like it's supposed to mean something to me. she produces a metal water bottle from her bag and takes a long, long drink, visibly stressed.

you've also been repeatedly referring to things like " the eye ," or " the flesh ," as nouns . i don't know what that means , either . . . 𐔌՞.‸.՞𐦯

there's nothing about that in your file, and it wasn't mentioned in my training. admittedly, i was trained by the library staff — and they didn't exactly update me on anything important when i transferred to research — but you're acting like it's something i should be aware of .

she blinks her wide, deep eyes. eyes like the ocean. eyes like the vast....

if you don't mind me taking up a bit more of your time , i'd like to know what that means.

[artifacts-abode]

Sure, I'm fine with explaining what I know about it. Do you want the long, or the short answer on just how fucked we all are?

They laugh, mostly to themself

So an Avatar is, by my definition, someone who was human and then Became supernatural, often by dying and it not sticking very well. You work for the Magnus Institute, so I'll assume you've heard something about the spooky goings-on in this world, people with every inch of themselves filled with bugs, a door that shouldn't be there but doesn't especially care what you think is logical, maybe a cult or two that seemed to have some sort of power behind them.

These are all "supernatural" or as I call it, they're all part of the Fears. Some old white guy categorized them awhile ago and we all kinda accepted it, so they have these fancy presumptuous names like the Ceaseless Watcher or the Vast, or you can be extra special and call them stuff like the I-Do-Not-Know-You. I prefer the one word names, easier that way.

The Fears, or Powers if you prefer, are just what they sound like, they're fear. They eat fear or they are fear or something like that, no one really knows what they are, and they all bleed into each other anyway so the categories are a bunch of bull but it's easier to talk about them if you separate the fear of random violence from the fear of being alone and give them names, so we do that. Old White Man separated them into 14 groups, and most Avatars serve one of them but some others, myself included, decided that was boring and went for several.

As I mentioned, I serve the Eye and the Buried, so I'm all about watching and, well, burying people somehow. Debt, emotions, or good ol fashioned dirt. If you want the full list of Fears I can recite them but this is also a bit of a bombshell to drop on someone, researcher for the Magnus Institute or not, so it's no skin off my nose if you don't want more info.

[artifacts-abode]

It’s been weeks, or… maybe months since Artifact encountered Eris in its domain. The memory never really faded, and neither did that damn pain in the back of their neck. If anything, it’s becoming more persistent over time.

They could swear they constantly see that thing in their peripheral vision, hear its grating voice in crowds… and every time, that dull pain accompanies the paranoia.

Did it mark them? No, it couldn’t have…

((HIIIIIII IT’S @3ris-d1st0rtionnn BACK AGAIN TO TORMENT YOUUUUU

Artifact lay on their shitty hotel bed with a frozen water bottle under the base of their neck in an attempt to numb it. The pain had come back. Again. It could have been from the liminal-ness that hotels had, some kind of memory of those stupid hallways surging back up as they walked the faded halls to their room, maybe they were imagining it! Maybe it was just some sort of ingrained memory, and their messed up brain had decided to make it real and then permanent. They couldn't possibly have been given another Mark, that would be five! Five was far too many, it was just absurd!

Besides, paranoia was an Eye thing, right? That Eris hated the Eye, it wouldn't Mark them with it. Why would the Spiral have anything to do with paranoia or hearing voices or seeing things that weren't there? Those definitely didn't have anything to do with madness, so they were fine. And they weren't lying to themselves at all.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Within the few hours Artifact had been lying there, the pain somehow transitioned into a migraine. Their ears ring, their vision blurs a bit around the edges, the colors in the ugly carpets and furniture look… a little too vivid.

A sudden shot of pain jolts Artifact back from their disconnected state. It feels like something opened a wound back there… like something… escaped? No, what were they thinking? Why were they thinking that?

A soft clicking noise can be heard from somewhere unseen, too close and too far at the same time. From somewhere outside, a pink-tinted light leaks under their hotel room door.

[artifacts-abode]

Their head feels like it was filled with cotton and then crushed, but they manage to sit up. It was probably irrational and not real, but they wanted to check the source of the pain, just to be sure. Wouldn't do to get blood on the sheets, they'd probably get charged more.

Artifact numbly lifted a hand to the base of their head. It came back bloody, and they stared at the crimson staining their fingers like it had personally insulted them.

No matter how much they stared, the blood remained infuriatingly real, and the pain remained, until their muddled thoughts decided it was probably a good idea to maybe do something about the blood.

Shakily, they stood. They had been certain their room had a bathroom in the room, but the door wasn't there. It must be in the hall, this must be one of those hotels that made the rooms share one restroom between a few rooms. Why had they come here, they hated hotels like this!

Artifact opened their room's door with one hand, the other supporting them on the wall itself as they tried not to fall. Just clean the wound you somehow got and you'll be fine.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

The hallways outside their room are uncomfortably silent. Everyone must be asleep… God, how late is it? All that can be heard is the fluorescent lights humming overhead, and even that noise sounds disturbingly familiar.

Another droplet of blood trails down Artifact’s neck. It feels strange, as if it’s moving in a direction that gravity just shouldn’t allow for. Is it somehow bleeding sideways?

Among the identical doors in the hotel hallway, one stands out. It’s painted darker, strangely weathered as if it was salvaged from a scrapyard or left to rot outside for a bit.

[artifacts-abode]

Artifact brought their already bloodstained hand to the wound to staunch the bloodflow as they walked to the door. If it looked different, it probably wasn't another hotel room, right? Should they just open it or knock?

"H-hello? Anyone there?"

They realized a few seconds after hearing the shaky voice that it was their voice, and they had, in fact, spoken. Well that was one way to possibly get someone's attention. Surely anyone here wouldn't begrudge helping someone that started bleeding for....some reason. Why were they bleeding again? It didn't matter, they just needed to get the bleeding to stop, clean the wound and then they could wonder about the cause when it stopped hurting.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Nobody responds.

The door creaks open slightly, revealing a short hallway that turns sharply to the left. This has to be the bathroom… but god, it’s built so strange. Probably normal for this cheap hotel though.

The annoying hum overhead sounds louder as Artifact approaches the door. Another drip of blood trails between their fingers, leaving behind an odd, residual sting.

[artifacts-abode]

Whoever built this place needs to get off the drugs, it's weird

"Helloooo, anyone there? Sorry to wake you but I'm bleeding-" Augh no you idiot you can't just go around announcing you're bleeding, just get in there and solve it yourself.

They walk through the door, clean hand braced against the wall as they curse the..whatever had injured them. What had it been? It had to have been something, the base of your head is not a normal place to get a puncture wound. If their head could just clear, maybe it would all make sense.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Hello?- Damn, are you okay?

A voice cuts through the uncomfortable silence. There’s a fair distance to it, and whoever it is doesn’t seem to be approaching from around that corner. If Artifact didn’t know any better, that voice would sound weirdly familiar… No, it has to be a coincidence.

You should really go see a doctor or something, call 911… Something like that. Who knows what could have gotten into you.

Their wording is odd. Why would they say that? What the hell did that mean?

[artifacts-abode]

"I don't know how I got hurt, and my phone is, uh-"

Had they left their phone in their room? Maybe they should just turn around and call 911, the mysterious voice was right.

But when they turned, the halls seemed unfamiliar, even though they had barely turned any corners to get here. Where..were they?

"Can you help me? I think something's wrong, my head feels weird and I don't know where I am."

Something was wrong. Just walk back to your room that's definitely still there, you didn't take that many turns, just remember your room number that is....

Shit.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

You sound confused.

The voice sounds weirdly amused for a split second, much to Artifact’s confusion.

Look, maybe you shouldn’t go back… You could get lost, and it’s best to not trust your mind when this kind of thing is happening.

The hallway behind Artifact looks a few inches longer than they thought… God, they really must be out of it.

I… I’ll try to take a look at it, just… follow my voice, okay?

[artifacts-abode]

"Where are you??" They turn every which way, searching for the source of the voice. "And who are you, what's your name?" Can I trust you? Their mind echoed, one of few clear thoughts they've had since the pain had started.

Something was up, but everything was too hazy to try Seeing, so trusting whoever this was might be their only chance to stop the bleeding and clear their head. Even if it was a really really bad idea.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Shit, you must really be confused… What do you mean, you don’t remember me?

The hallway turns to the left again… and again. And again. It seems to be built like a loop, but Artifact never feels like they’re entering the same place again.

I swear we’re getting you checked out once you find us.

So the person isn’t alone? Maybe they have help, maybe someone else is present…

[artifacts-abode]

"Am I supposed to remember you?" Something was familiar, the voice perhaps, but they couldn't put a face to the voice-

They were still bleeding, despite their attempts to stop it, and their head wasn't clearing. The sheer weirdness of this hotel wasn't helping, and Artifact was considering sitting on the tacky floor just to rest for a moment.

"Us? What do you mean 'us'?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

God, you don’t remember? You know us as a collective.

The voice almost sounds a little irritated now, unsettling Artifact. Do they actually care or not?

I know you can remember if you try hard enough! How about I give you a hint or something…

A bit of wallpaper appears to chip off the wall to Artifact’s right. The material underneath is painted black, covered in random paint splatters and holes.

Have you seen this anywhere? Take your time!

[artifacts-abode]

Something about it was familiar, the illogical hallways, the voice in the distance, the holes, in fact it was fairly similar to the whole ordeal with Eris a while ago-

Ah.

"You're an asshole, you know that?"

The fog still hadn't fully cleared but Artifact really thought they would have figured something like this out sooner, no matter how bad the pain was.

"Seriously, what is your problem, I was literally just trying to sleep! Am I really that fun to bully?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

…yes, aCtuaLLy :)

And there it is. Its fake “normal” tone slips entirely as the hallways morph into something more typical for its domain.

i P r O M i S E tHat’S NOt wHy yOu’Re hERe tHouGh! i’LL HolD tO My WOrd, jUsT tHis ONcE :)

God, that weird verbal smiley it does drives Artifact insane. How is it even doing that? Its painfully distorted form strides around a corner that clearly wasn’t there before, giving Artifact a weirdly… genuine smile. It sure seems giddy over something.

ThiNk oF THis aS a FoLLow-uP! A ChECkuP, mAybE! i CertAinLY SenT yOu oFF oN an I n T E r e s T i N g noTe LAst TimE, aNd I cAn TeLL thIngS aRe… DevELopinG!!¡

[artifacts-abode]

"What the fuck are you talking about. If this is about you possibly marking me you should know it's far from my first one, so it's not really that big of a deal. Or-wait.."

They reach up to the still bleeding wound that is suspiciously exit wound shaped.

"You didn't- Did you put a fucking bUG IN ME!?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

maAaaaAaAyBe-

It shrugs, putting on a sheepish expression.

yoU SeeMEd StrEsSEd, AnD i CouLDn’T jUst LeT yOu LEaVe wIthOUt sOmEOnE tO MakE SUre yOu’Re OKay :)

At least it’s not trying to hide the fact that its “excuse” is bullshit. It attempts to hold back a laugh, and on perfect cue, Artifact’s wound pulses with another sharp pain.

[artifacts-abode]

They winced as the pain shot through them.

"Riiiight. So why are you here. The thing... escaped, and I don't exactly feel like a flesh hive. Is it just to gloat? You seem like a gloating type."

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

iT’S doNe iTs PUrpOse :)

Eris giggles to itself, raising its hand as a strange centipede-looking creature crawls out of its jacket sleeve, leaving behind a trail of blood. So that’s the little bastard it put into Artifact.

i ShoULd Say, O n E EscApED. i WaS ConCErnEd yOu’D STarT ShoWinG SymPTomS BefoRE yOu goT HeRe… ThaT WouLDn’T be VerY FuN :)

[artifacts-abode]

"Ew."

The idea of having that many legs in them is repulsive, and the idea of sitting down is starting to sound good again. Preferably before passing out becomes an option.

"The hell you mean, symptoms. If you put more than one of those bastards in me I will find a way to kill you!"

It's an empty threat, and they both know it, but Artifact wants some semblance of control after everything that's happened.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, “ i “ DidN’T. NoT IntEntIonAllY :)

The hallway they’re in appears to tilt violently if Artifact looks far enough into the distance. The patterns in the walls and floor are moving again. Yaaay.

Just before Artifact feels the need to sit down again, another shot of pain causes their knees to buckle. The feeling has seemingly migrated from their neck to somewhere in their chest.

oH DeaR :)

Eris takes a step back, smiling widely. God, why does it have that many teeth?

[artifacts-abode]

They cry out in pain, barely catching themselves on their arms as they topple to the floor.

"What-what did you do!?"

It was all wrong, the pain was so bad it felt like they couldn't breathe, a problem they hadn't had since they began serving the Buried. There had to be another of those little leggy bastards in them, and they had to get rid of it, now, before it's too late

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

hMm? i DidN’T dO AnyThinG :)

It tilts its head, its vision burning holes through Artifact. It’s like it’s staring right into their soul.

mY HivE iS ITs Own AutOnOMouS EntIty, tHEy hAvE FreE WiLL! i Can’T TeLL tHem wHAt tO Do :)

Something’s under their skin. They can feel it, burning, twisting, trying to tear itself free.

[artifacts-abode]

"Well take it back! Get it out, I don't want them!"

They curl up on the ground, shaking as the pain from before they entered these halls again goes through their body.

"Get it outGetitoutgetitout-"

Artifact is clearly not in a good state, all this time they had blissfully disregarded any signs of something wrong, but the pain and the sight of one of the creatures that had previously been in their body was impossible to ignore. The psychological fear of the bugs, of the threat of becoming a flesh hive, was almost worse than the agony of having one in your body.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, tHat’S NoT ReaLLy On mE nOw, iS It? :)

It stares at Artifact expectantly, practically vibrating with… excitement? And quite literally so, its form is starting to jolt and blur around the edges.

Something twitches under Artifact’s skin. It wants out just as much as they do.

iT’S eiTheR tHiS oR LeTTinG The HallWaYs tAKe oVEr, aNd I waNt tHIs tO Be a LiTTle mOrE excItiNg :)

[artifacts-abode]

Somehow, the pain gets worse. It's moving now, and despite the fact the Eye shouldn't even be able to reach them here, they Know what the creature is doing.

It's in their chest, and now it's ready to leave.

A mixture of revulsion and fear passes through them as the skin breaks open. It's such a small gap between the clavicle and the throat, but it's still enough for the insect to painstakingly claw its way out.

Artifact weakly moves their head away from their chest as the old threat to blind them rings in their ears. The level of control Eris has over its swarm is not something they wish to test while weakened nor with their eyes in such close proximity to the creature tearing them open.

Unfortunately the movement has the unforeseen side effect of tearing the new wound further and they black out, coming back to themselves with the creature free of their body, an even newer bleeding wound, a raw throat, likely from screaming, and a wet face, from either blood or tears. Perhaps a mixture of both.

And yet despite it all, Artifact is relieved. They aren't a flesh hive, they don't hear the song of Rot in their ringing ears. If they weren't truly marked before they certainly are now, and yet the Corruption has not fully taken them.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

As Artifact comes to, they can just make out Eris’ form hovering over them. Is their vision blurry, or is it blurry? They can’t tell in the slightest.

The wound on their chest pulses with a dulled, yet persistent pain. Just imagining the state of it makes them feel nauseous, but as they look down at the stained carpet, they notice something unsettling.

The liquid pooling under them isn’t blood.

It’s something like liquid technicolor. Something that constantly shifts and cycles through color and texture. Something crawling with tiny neon insects.

oH DEar… I ThoUgHt yOu WOulDn’T WakE uP FrOm ThaT!¡ iT’s nOT a foRgiVinG phAsE tO EntEr :’)

[artifacts-abode]

"W-what-"

They try to push themselves up to a seated position and their arms give out again. Fine. They'll just stay here on the floor then.

"What are you talking about, why does my- why does it look like that!?" They gagged, closing their eyes just to avoid looking at the facsimile of blood.

"What did you do to me?"

Artifact would hug themselves if it wouldn't be pathetic. They can be pathetic when they get back to normalcy, because they are absolutely going to get out of here and they're going to be fine, maybe they'll just find some dirt and-no not burrow just...dig into it. Nothing bug related. Or burrowing, they're actually going to scrub that word from their vocabulary for a bit. Maybe they'll go visit their friend instead, hide under fifty weighted blankets and talk about random stuff with him until they both pass out. And maybe let him open all the doors for awhile.

Snapping back to the present, Artifact realizes they've been zoning out and in the process, slowly curling back in on themselves. Great, good job on the not looking pathetic there. You probably look like a kicked puppy. A psychedelic coloured kicked puppy.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

i DiD WHat WaS NecEssaRy :)

It shrugs, leaning on the wall. “Leaning” may be a generous term, though… Half of its body is bisecting the architecture.

oH, DOn’T TeLL uS You’Re nOt HavinG a GoOd TImE! i WeNt oUT oF My waY To InvItE yOU BacK, aNd THis iS HoW You ResPonD?¿ :’)

Its tone is nearly impossible to decipher, but it doesn’t exactly sound like it’s taking this seriously. After a few minutes it rolls its eyes sarcastically, pulling Artifact off the ground. Being in contact with it feels like their limbs are falling asleep… How unpleasant.

[artifacts-abode]

"Nothing about this was necessary. Whatever made you think I wanted to come back to this mind melting hellscape!? You put creepy bug things in my lungs!!! No I'm not having a good time!"

Ugh, they didn't want it touching them, but they also didn't think their legs would support them for long. Maybe they could kick it in the knees....no that wouldn't work. Dammit. Made them wish they had a lighter.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

i DiDn’T puT THeM TheRe :)

There it goes again with its weird pedantic… sarcasm? Explanations? Whatever it’s aiming for?

nOw PLeaSe, Don’T Go CoLLapSinG oN Me! OnE oF My WanDerERs GoT TraPpeD iN The GeoMetRy LasT WeeK ANd i Can’T hAVe tHaT hAppEnINg aGaiN!

Artifact can’t exactly see much of it from their position, but it feels like it has one extra arm? No, there are only two. Is it even holding them up, or are they just floating in space? They can barely concentrate on anything.

More doors have appeared on the walls, more than Artifact remembers. Doos leading into more doors leading into hallways that warp in on themselves into more doors.

[artifacts-abode]

"You pedantic little shit."

They make the likely unwise decision to ignore the increasingly ominous doors and madness trying to once again ensnare them and instead indulge in one of their favourite hobbies, complaining.

"Well sorry but some of us have corporal forms that don't particularly enjoy having centipedes in our lungs. You may have Yogsothoth's preferred body but I'm stuck with holes in me and my blood turning into a pride parade, so if I want to collapse I'll damn well do it. If you're so concerned about my health maybe you shouldn't have put BUGS IN ME and then brought me back into the Funhouse Mirror but Also Worms Edition dimension! And since when did you care if I collapsed anyway, is it just because it's less fun?! Can't make me scared for my life if I'm too busy bleeding out on the floor? I've been dealing with your dumbass paranoia, which is supposed to be Eye by the way, for literal months, was that just not enough fear for you?? What, you still hungry? I'm not your fucking fear generator, bug phobia or not."

That was....more than they had intended to say. Blood loss was a hell of a drug, apparently.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

ANd yOu CaLL M e PedAntIc?¿ Oh, DOn’T MakE mE LauGh :)

Eris’ form appears to dissolve behind Artifact somehow, sending them collapsing back down to the ground. It feels like a much longer fall than it should have been, and the floor is almost angling itself backwards…? Forwards?

weLL, yOu CAn’T ComPlaIN ThaT i LeT gO Of yOu :)

The patterns on the wallpaper shift and extend outward, taking on the creature’s form once again. What the hell is it gaining from this? Maybe it’s just showing off in some bizarre way… Typical Eris.

o R ExpECt mE To AnSweR YouR QueStiOnS. THis PlaCe TenDS tO Do thAt tO PeoPLe, yOu KNow!

[artifacts-abode]

"Personally I think that being of the Eye gives me the right to be pedantic, you're just annoying."

On one hand, they were happy Eris let go of them, and even happier their arms didn't give out, letting them actually sit instead of collapsing on the floor again. On the other hand, Eris was still there and being weird, which meant everything was awful and they needed a break from all the eyestrain and nonsense, a break they knew they would not get.

"They were rhetorical questions, I may be stupid but I'm not dumb enough to expect you to ever make any sense. And tends to do what, make them cranky? Cause it's really succeeding with me, you're doing a great job."

Should they maybe stop sassing the thing that basically holds their life on the line? Yeah, probably. Are they going to stop? Fuck no.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

noTHinG’s StoPpiNg yOu FroM LeAVinG, yoU KnOw. i Don’T SHarE mY DomAIn SpacE :)

Even if that was the case, how the hell would Artifact know which door lead out of this damn place? Or whether it was telling the truth… or how they’d get all these damn bugs and glowstick juice out of their body.

iT’S nOt LikE i’M TryInG tO MakE THis Any HArdEr fOr YOu, SiLLy!¡! yoU ShoUld R e a L L y LeaRn tO CatCh oN, bEinG doUbLe-MaRkED aNd aLL tHaT.

[artifacts-abode]

"Have you considered that perhaps, massive blood loss and having bugs exit my lungs might maybe make it harder for me to leave? Perhaps? That ever enter your mind? Or maybe the fact that this is still the Twisting Deceit and I don't have access to the Eye to get out of here without losing my mind? I know you're probably insane but I would like to avoid that, despite your best attempts to drag me down with you."

If Eris kept tricking them into its domain, they were actually going to carry a can of Raid around to spray it in the face with. All this bug bullshit was getting irritating.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

ALriGhT, fiNe. SuiT YouRSeLf.

It pouts cartoonishly and dramatically turns around, its torso appearing to pivot far before its legs do. In just a few steps, it’s already nothing but a speck at the end of the long hallway.

gOOd LuCk FIndinG YoUR waY OuT!¡ MaYBe yOuR NeW FriEnDS wiLL maKe THemSelVeS UseFuL!¡!!! :)

[artifacts-abode]

"Oh yeah sure, really showing how mature you are, great job."

They struggle to their feet, leaning heavily on the wall closest to them and cringing at the sight of their new blood colour(s).

"Thanks ever so much for the well wishes-I'm sorry my what?!?"

If five bajillion bugs suddenly appeared they were going to find a way to wring Eris's neck, creature of the Distortion or no.

[artifacts-abode]

@bailey-atlantis

bailey looks around nervously.

. . hi ! (ᵕ ´ᗜ` )

Hello? Who might you be?

[bailey-atlantis]

i'm bailey ! — uh, crawford. miss crawford is fine . . . or bailey. if that's what you prefer. but probably miss crawford . . that's more professional . . . 𐔌՞.‸.՞𐦯

it 's nice to meet you ! i've been trying to contact you regarding an interaction you had with one darlene schoup ? i'm, er, from the magnus institute.

[artifacts-abode]

Darlene Schoup? I can't say that rings a bell, care to refresh my memory? And I'm Artifact, nice to meet you Miss Crawford.

[bailey-atlantis]

of course, i'm happy to ! darlene schoup came into our institute one week ago exactly to provide us with her statement on a supernatural encounter. i'm . . . not sure if you're familiar with the magnus institute and our work, but we record and research instances of the paranormal and supernatural . . . it's a lot to explain . . . .

anyway. mrs. schoup contacted us one week ago. in her statement, she detailed an encounter with one " Artifact " — no last name provided. i believe that's you . . . ?

she told us that you, er, well . . you sort of . . . buried her ? i didn't read the statement myself, actually — that's a lot of time to spend when i'm really just supposed to be interviewing subjects —but it sounded . . claustrophobic. she shivers. it sounded quite unpleasant.

of course, this is not an accusation — i will not be contacting the authorities ! so . . please don't run (ᵕ ´ᗜ`) i just want to enact a short interview, if you don't mind !

[artifacts-abode]

Ah. Well I have heard of the Magnus Institute, so no need to worry about explaining it to me. I wasn't aware I was having statements written about me though...

Sure, I can do an interview, why not? Ask away.

[bailey-atlantis]

wonderful !

bailey fumbles with her bag, which is embroidered with seashells. it matches her outfit. from it? she produces a thick manilla folder.

this actually isn't the first statement we've received in which you are involved, though admittedly, this is the first statement featuring you as a main subject.

my first question is : did you have any direct intention to harm mrs. schoup ? if so . . . what did you hope to achieve by it ? what were your motives ?

[artifacts-abode]

Oohh, I have several? Interesting! And I suppose it would be hard for me to not intend to harm her somehow, since I did bury her alive. But if you meant 'did you intend to kill her' then no. I actually don't care one way or another whether or not someone dies, unless they managed to really piss me off.

My motives, intentions, etc were basically me wanting to not be sick. All the effort to sate the Eye was getting annoying, so I wanted something quick and easy to feed the Buried. Lo and behold, someone with claustrophobia. Easy, really.

Oh, you don't need to worry about your own phobias being used right now, I'm all good with my Patrons and it would just be rude, honestly. I like your bag, by the way.

[bailey-atlantis]

bailey presses her lips together. this has given her far more questions than answers. she's also feeling much more uncomfortable than she was before.

i . . . see. er, thank you ? she glances at her bag, before remembering her intent here.

so you say you fall ill if you don't feed your — did you say patrons ? let me write that down . . . right. do you consider yourself to be a supernatural or paranormal creature in any way ? i'm sorry if that sounds rude, but i, well, i'm obligated to ask, you see.

[artifacts-abode]

I don't know about the term supernatural, but I suppose, yes. I'm quite a bit more human than any others you'll meet, or at least I look the part, better than a Flesh Avatar anyway. But I haven't been a human for quite a few years now.

[bailey-atlantis]

okay . . . right. cool.

would you er, excuse me a moment ? i'm feeling a bit faint . . . haven't had enough water to drink today.

[artifacts-abode]

Quite alright, hydration is important. Take your time.

Are there any other questions, or did you potentially risk your life to ask an Avatar two questions for your job?

[artifacts-abode]

@bailey-atlantis

bailey looks around nervously.

. . hi ! (ᵕ ´ᗜ` )

Hello? Who might you be?

[bailey-atlantis]

i'm bailey ! — uh, crawford. miss crawford is fine . . . or bailey. if that's what you prefer. but probably miss crawford . . that's more professional . . . 𐔌՞.‸.՞𐦯

it 's nice to meet you ! i've been trying to contact you regarding an interaction you had with one darlene schoup ? i'm, er, from the magnus institute.

[artifacts-abode]

Darlene Schoup? I can't say that rings a bell, care to refresh my memory? And I'm Artifact, nice to meet you Miss Crawford.

[bailey-atlantis]

of course, i'm happy to ! darlene schoup came into our institute one week ago exactly to provide us with her statement on a supernatural encounter. i'm . . . not sure if you're familiar with the magnus institute and our work, but we record and research instances of the paranormal and supernatural . . . it's a lot to explain . . . .

anyway. mrs. schoup contacted us one week ago. in her statement, she detailed an encounter with one " Artifact " — no last name provided. i believe that's you . . . ?

she told us that you, er, well . . you sort of . . . buried her ? i didn't read the statement myself, actually — that's a lot of time to spend when i'm really just supposed to be interviewing subjects —but it sounded . . claustrophobic. she shivers. it sounded quite unpleasant.

of course, this is not an accusation — i will not be contacting the authorities ! so . . please don't run (ᵕ ´ᗜ`) i just want to enact a short interview, if you don't mind !

[artifacts-abode]

Ah. Well I have heard of the Magnus Institute, so no need to worry about explaining it to me. I wasn't aware I was having statements written about me though...

Sure, I can do an interview, why not? Ask away.

[bailey-atlantis]

wonderful !

bailey fumbles with her bag, which is embroidered with seashells. it matches her outfit. from it? she produces a thick manilla folder.

this actually isn't the first statement we've received in which you are involved, though admittedly, this is the first statement featuring you as a main subject.

my first question is : did you have any direct intention to harm mrs. schoup ? if so . . . what did you hope to achieve by it ? what were your motives ?

[artifacts-abode]

Oohh, I have several? Interesting! And I suppose it would be hard for me to not intend to harm her somehow, since I did bury her alive. But if you meant 'did you intend to kill her' then no. I actually don't care one way or another whether or not someone dies, unless they managed to really piss me off.

My motives, intentions, etc were basically me wanting to not be sick. All the effort to sate the Eye was getting annoying, so I wanted something quick and easy to feed the Buried. Lo and behold, someone with claustrophobia. Easy, really.

Oh, you don't need to worry about your own phobias being used right now, I'm all good with my Patrons and it would just be rude, honestly. I like your bag, by the way.

[bailey-atlantis]

bailey presses her lips together. this has given her far more questions than answers. she's also feeling much more uncomfortable than she was before.

i . . . see. er, thank you ? she glances at her bag, before remembering her intent here.

so you say you fall ill if you don't feed your — did you say patrons ? let me write that down . . . right. do you consider yourself to be a supernatural or paranormal creature in any way ? i'm sorry if that sounds rude, but i, well, i'm obligated to ask, you see.

[artifacts-abode]

I don't know about the term supernatural, but I suppose, yes. I'm quite a bit more human than any others you'll meet, or at least I look the part, better than a Flesh Avatar anyway. But I haven't been a human for quite a few years now.

[artifacts-abode]

@bailey-atlantis

bailey looks around nervously.

. . hi ! (ᵕ ´ᗜ` )

Hello? Who might you be?

[bailey-atlantis]

i'm bailey ! — uh, crawford. miss crawford is fine . . . or bailey. if that's what you prefer. but probably miss crawford . . that's more professional . . . 𐔌՞.‸.՞𐦯

it 's nice to meet you ! i've been trying to contact you regarding an interaction you had with one darlene schoup ? i'm, er, from the magnus institute.

[artifacts-abode]

Darlene Schoup? I can't say that rings a bell, care to refresh my memory? And I'm Artifact, nice to meet you Miss Crawford.

[bailey-atlantis]

of course, i'm happy to ! darlene schoup came into our institute one week ago exactly to provide us with her statement on a supernatural encounter. i'm . . . not sure if you're familiar with the magnus institute and our work, but we record and research instances of the paranormal and supernatural . . . it's a lot to explain . . . .

anyway. mrs. schoup contacted us one week ago. in her statement, she detailed an encounter with one " Artifact " — no last name provided. i believe that's you . . . ?

she told us that you, er, well . . you sort of . . . buried her ? i didn't read the statement myself, actually — that's a lot of time to spend when i'm really just supposed to be interviewing subjects —but it sounded . . claustrophobic. she shivers. it sounded quite unpleasant.

of course, this is not an accusation — i will not be contacting the authorities ! so . . please don't run (ᵕ ´ᗜ`) i just want to enact a short interview, if you don't mind !

[artifacts-abode]

Ah. Well I have heard of the Magnus Institute, so no need to worry about explaining it to me. I wasn't aware I was having statements written about me though...

Sure, I can do an interview, why not? Ask away.

[bailey-atlantis]

wonderful !

bailey fumbles with her bag, which is embroidered with seashells. it matches her outfit. from it? she produces a thick manilla folder.

this actually isn't the first statement we've received in which you are involved, though admittedly, this is the first statement featuring you as a main subject.

my first question is : did you have any direct intention to harm mrs. schoup ? if so . . . what did you hope to achieve by it ? what were your motives ?

[artifacts-abode]

Oohh, I have several? Interesting! And I suppose it would be hard for me to not intend to harm her somehow, since I did bury her alive. But if you meant 'did you intend to kill her' then no. I actually don't care one way or another whether or not someone dies, unless they managed to really piss me off.

My motives, intentions, etc were basically me wanting to not be sick. All the effort to sate the Eye was getting annoying, so I wanted something quick and easy to feed the Buried. Lo and behold, someone with claustrophobia. Easy, really.

Oh, you don't need to worry about your own phobias being used right now, I'm all good with my Patrons and it would just be rude, honestly. I like your bag, by the way.

[artifacts-abode]

@bailey-atlantis

bailey looks around nervously.

. . hi ! (ᵕ ´ᗜ` )

Hello? Who might you be?

[bailey-atlantis]

i'm bailey ! — uh, crawford. miss crawford is fine . . . or bailey. if that's what you prefer. but probably miss crawford . . that's more professional . . . 𐔌՞.‸.՞𐦯

it 's nice to meet you ! i've been trying to contact you regarding an interaction you had with one darlene schoup ? i'm, er, from the magnus institute.

[artifacts-abode]

Darlene Schoup? I can't say that rings a bell, care to refresh my memory? And I'm Artifact, nice to meet you Miss Crawford.

[bailey-atlantis]

of course, i'm happy to ! darlene schoup came into our institute one week ago exactly to provide us with her statement on a supernatural encounter. i'm . . . not sure if you're familiar with the magnus institute and our work, but we record and research instances of the paranormal and supernatural . . . it's a lot to explain . . . .

anyway. mrs. schoup contacted us one week ago. in her statement, she detailed an encounter with one " Artifact " — no last name provided. i believe that's you . . . ?

she told us that you, er, well . . you sort of . . . buried her ? i didn't read the statement myself, actually — that's a lot of time to spend when i'm really just supposed to be interviewing subjects —but it sounded . . claustrophobic. she shivers. it sounded quite unpleasant.

of course, this is not an accusation — i will not be contacting the authorities ! so . . please don't run (ᵕ ´ᗜ`) i just want to enact a short interview, if you don't mind !

[artifacts-abode]

Ah. Well I have heard of the Magnus Institute, so no need to worry about explaining it to me. I wasn't aware I was having statements written about me though...

Sure, I can do an interview, why not? Ask away.

[artifacts-abode]

@bailey-atlantis

bailey looks around nervously.

. . hi ! (ᵕ ´ᗜ` )

Hello? Who might you be?

[bailey-atlantis]

i'm bailey ! — uh, crawford. miss crawford is fine . . . or bailey. if that's what you prefer. but probably miss crawford . . that's more professional . . . 𐔌՞.‸.՞𐦯

it 's nice to meet you ! i've been trying to contact you regarding an interaction you had with one darlene schoup ? i'm, er, from the magnus institute.

[artifacts-abode]

Darlene Schoup? I can't say that rings a bell, care to refresh my memory? And I'm Artifact, nice to meet you Miss Crawford.

[artifacts-abode]

@bailey-atlantis

bailey looks around nervously.

. . hi ! (ᵕ ´ᗜ` )

Hello? Who might you be?

[artifacts-abode]

It’s been weeks, or… maybe months since Artifact encountered Eris in its domain. The memory never really faded, and neither did that damn pain in the back of their neck. If anything, it’s becoming more persistent over time.

They could swear they constantly see that thing in their peripheral vision, hear its grating voice in crowds… and every time, that dull pain accompanies the paranoia.

Did it mark them? No, it couldn’t have…

((HIIIIIII IT’S @3ris-d1st0rtionnn BACK AGAIN TO TORMENT YOUUUUU

Artifact lay on their shitty hotel bed with a frozen water bottle under the base of their neck in an attempt to numb it. The pain had come back. Again. It could have been from the liminal-ness that hotels had, some kind of memory of those stupid hallways surging back up as they walked the faded halls to their room, maybe they were imagining it! Maybe it was just some sort of ingrained memory, and their messed up brain had decided to make it real and then permanent. They couldn't possibly have been given another Mark, that would be five! Five was far too many, it was just absurd!

Besides, paranoia was an Eye thing, right? That Eris hated the Eye, it wouldn't Mark them with it. Why would the Spiral have anything to do with paranoia or hearing voices or seeing things that weren't there? Those definitely didn't have anything to do with madness, so they were fine. And they weren't lying to themselves at all.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Within the few hours Artifact had been lying there, the pain somehow transitioned into a migraine. Their ears ring, their vision blurs a bit around the edges, the colors in the ugly carpets and furniture look… a little too vivid.

A sudden shot of pain jolts Artifact back from their disconnected state. It feels like something opened a wound back there… like something… escaped? No, what were they thinking? Why were they thinking that?

A soft clicking noise can be heard from somewhere unseen, too close and too far at the same time. From somewhere outside, a pink-tinted light leaks under their hotel room door.

[artifacts-abode]

Their head feels like it was filled with cotton and then crushed, but they manage to sit up. It was probably irrational and not real, but they wanted to check the source of the pain, just to be sure. Wouldn't do to get blood on the sheets, they'd probably get charged more.

Artifact numbly lifted a hand to the base of their head. It came back bloody, and they stared at the crimson staining their fingers like it had personally insulted them.

No matter how much they stared, the blood remained infuriatingly real, and the pain remained, until their muddled thoughts decided it was probably a good idea to maybe do something about the blood.

Shakily, they stood. They had been certain their room had a bathroom in the room, but the door wasn't there. It must be in the hall, this must be one of those hotels that made the rooms share one restroom between a few rooms. Why had they come here, they hated hotels like this!

Artifact opened their room's door with one hand, the other supporting them on the wall itself as they tried not to fall. Just clean the wound you somehow got and you'll be fine.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

The hallways outside their room are uncomfortably silent. Everyone must be asleep… God, how late is it? All that can be heard is the fluorescent lights humming overhead, and even that noise sounds disturbingly familiar.

Another droplet of blood trails down Artifact’s neck. It feels strange, as if it’s moving in a direction that gravity just shouldn’t allow for. Is it somehow bleeding sideways?

Among the identical doors in the hotel hallway, one stands out. It’s painted darker, strangely weathered as if it was salvaged from a scrapyard or left to rot outside for a bit.

[artifacts-abode]

Artifact brought their already bloodstained hand to the wound to staunch the bloodflow as they walked to the door. If it looked different, it probably wasn't another hotel room, right? Should they just open it or knock?

"H-hello? Anyone there?"

They realized a few seconds after hearing the shaky voice that it was their voice, and they had, in fact, spoken. Well that was one way to possibly get someone's attention. Surely anyone here wouldn't begrudge helping someone that started bleeding for....some reason. Why were they bleeding again? It didn't matter, they just needed to get the bleeding to stop, clean the wound and then they could wonder about the cause when it stopped hurting.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Nobody responds.

The door creaks open slightly, revealing a short hallway that turns sharply to the left. This has to be the bathroom… but god, it’s built so strange. Probably normal for this cheap hotel though.

The annoying hum overhead sounds louder as Artifact approaches the door. Another drip of blood trails between their fingers, leaving behind an odd, residual sting.

[artifacts-abode]

Whoever built this place needs to get off the drugs, it's weird

"Helloooo, anyone there? Sorry to wake you but I'm bleeding-" Augh no you idiot you can't just go around announcing you're bleeding, just get in there and solve it yourself.

They walk through the door, clean hand braced against the wall as they curse the..whatever had injured them. What had it been? It had to have been something, the base of your head is not a normal place to get a puncture wound. If their head could just clear, maybe it would all make sense.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Hello?- Damn, are you okay?

A voice cuts through the uncomfortable silence. There’s a fair distance to it, and whoever it is doesn’t seem to be approaching from around that corner. If Artifact didn’t know any better, that voice would sound weirdly familiar… No, it has to be a coincidence.

You should really go see a doctor or something, call 911… Something like that. Who knows what could have gotten into you.

Their wording is odd. Why would they say that? What the hell did that mean?

[artifacts-abode]

"I don't know how I got hurt, and my phone is, uh-"

Had they left their phone in their room? Maybe they should just turn around and call 911, the mysterious voice was right.

But when they turned, the halls seemed unfamiliar, even though they had barely turned any corners to get here. Where..were they?

"Can you help me? I think something's wrong, my head feels weird and I don't know where I am."

Something was wrong. Just walk back to your room that's definitely still there, you didn't take that many turns, just remember your room number that is....

Shit.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

You sound confused.

The voice sounds weirdly amused for a split second, much to Artifact’s confusion.

Look, maybe you shouldn’t go back… You could get lost, and it’s best to not trust your mind when this kind of thing is happening.

The hallway behind Artifact looks a few inches longer than they thought… God, they really must be out of it.

I… I’ll try to take a look at it, just… follow my voice, okay?

[artifacts-abode]

"Where are you??" They turn every which way, searching for the source of the voice. "And who are you, what's your name?" Can I trust you? Their mind echoed, one of few clear thoughts they've had since the pain had started.

Something was up, but everything was too hazy to try Seeing, so trusting whoever this was might be their only chance to stop the bleeding and clear their head. Even if it was a really really bad idea.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Shit, you must really be confused… What do you mean, you don’t remember me?

The hallway turns to the left again… and again. And again. It seems to be built like a loop, but Artifact never feels like they’re entering the same place again.

I swear we’re getting you checked out once you find us.

So the person isn’t alone? Maybe they have help, maybe someone else is present…

[artifacts-abode]

"Am I supposed to remember you?" Something was familiar, the voice perhaps, but they couldn't put a face to the voice-

They were still bleeding, despite their attempts to stop it, and their head wasn't clearing. The sheer weirdness of this hotel wasn't helping, and Artifact was considering sitting on the tacky floor just to rest for a moment.

"Us? What do you mean 'us'?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

God, you don’t remember? You know us as a collective.

The voice almost sounds a little irritated now, unsettling Artifact. Do they actually care or not?

I know you can remember if you try hard enough! How about I give you a hint or something…

A bit of wallpaper appears to chip off the wall to Artifact’s right. The material underneath is painted black, covered in random paint splatters and holes.

Have you seen this anywhere? Take your time!

[artifacts-abode]

Something about it was familiar, the illogical hallways, the voice in the distance, the holes, in fact it was fairly similar to the whole ordeal with Eris a while ago-

Ah.

"You're an asshole, you know that?"

The fog still hadn't fully cleared but Artifact really thought they would have figured something like this out sooner, no matter how bad the pain was.

"Seriously, what is your problem, I was literally just trying to sleep! Am I really that fun to bully?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

…yes, aCtuaLLy :)

And there it is. Its fake “normal” tone slips entirely as the hallways morph into something more typical for its domain.

i P r O M i S E tHat’S NOt wHy yOu’Re hERe tHouGh! i’LL HolD tO My WOrd, jUsT tHis ONcE :)

God, that weird verbal smiley it does drives Artifact insane. How is it even doing that? Its painfully distorted form strides around a corner that clearly wasn’t there before, giving Artifact a weirdly… genuine smile. It sure seems giddy over something.

ThiNk oF THis aS a FoLLow-uP! A ChECkuP, mAybE! i CertAinLY SenT yOu oFF oN an I n T E r e s T i N g noTe LAst TimE, aNd I cAn TeLL thIngS aRe… DevELopinG!!¡

[artifacts-abode]

"What the fuck are you talking about. If this is about you possibly marking me you should know it's far from my first one, so it's not really that big of a deal. Or-wait.."

They reach up to the still bleeding wound that is suspiciously exit wound shaped.

"You didn't- Did you put a fucking bUG IN ME!?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

maAaaaAaAyBe-

It shrugs, putting on a sheepish expression.

yoU SeeMEd StrEsSEd, AnD i CouLDn’T jUst LeT yOu LEaVe wIthOUt sOmEOnE tO MakE SUre yOu’Re OKay :)

At least it’s not trying to hide the fact that its “excuse” is bullshit. It attempts to hold back a laugh, and on perfect cue, Artifact’s wound pulses with another sharp pain.

[artifacts-abode]

They winced as the pain shot through them.

"Riiiight. So why are you here. The thing... escaped, and I don't exactly feel like a flesh hive. Is it just to gloat? You seem like a gloating type."

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

iT’S doNe iTs PUrpOse :)

Eris giggles to itself, raising its hand as a strange centipede-looking creature crawls out of its jacket sleeve, leaving behind a trail of blood. So that’s the little bastard it put into Artifact.

i ShoULd Say, O n E EscApED. i WaS ConCErnEd yOu’D STarT ShoWinG SymPTomS BefoRE yOu goT HeRe… ThaT WouLDn’T be VerY FuN :)

[artifacts-abode]

"Ew."

The idea of having that many legs in them is repulsive, and the idea of sitting down is starting to sound good again. Preferably before passing out becomes an option.

"The hell you mean, symptoms. If you put more than one of those bastards in me I will find a way to kill you!"

It's an empty threat, and they both know it, but Artifact wants some semblance of control after everything that's happened.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, “ i “ DidN’T. NoT IntEntIonAllY :)

The hallway they’re in appears to tilt violently if Artifact looks far enough into the distance. The patterns in the walls and floor are moving again. Yaaay.

Just before Artifact feels the need to sit down again, another shot of pain causes their knees to buckle. The feeling has seemingly migrated from their neck to somewhere in their chest.

oH DeaR :)

Eris takes a step back, smiling widely. God, why does it have that many teeth?

[artifacts-abode]

They cry out in pain, barely catching themselves on their arms as they topple to the floor.

"What-what did you do!?"

It was all wrong, the pain was so bad it felt like they couldn't breathe, a problem they hadn't had since they began serving the Buried. There had to be another of those little leggy bastards in them, and they had to get rid of it, now, before it's too late

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

hMm? i DidN’T dO AnyThinG :)

It tilts its head, its vision burning holes through Artifact. It’s like it’s staring right into their soul.

mY HivE iS ITs Own AutOnOMouS EntIty, tHEy hAvE FreE WiLL! i Can’T TeLL tHem wHAt tO Do :)

Something’s under their skin. They can feel it, burning, twisting, trying to tear itself free.

[artifacts-abode]

"Well take it back! Get it out, I don't want them!"

They curl up on the ground, shaking as the pain from before they entered these halls again goes through their body.

"Get it outGetitoutgetitout-"

Artifact is clearly not in a good state, all this time they had blissfully disregarded any signs of something wrong, but the pain and the sight of one of the creatures that had previously been in their body was impossible to ignore. The psychological fear of the bugs, of the threat of becoming a flesh hive, was almost worse than the agony of having one in your body.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, tHat’S NoT ReaLLy On mE nOw, iS It? :)

It stares at Artifact expectantly, practically vibrating with… excitement? And quite literally so, its form is starting to jolt and blur around the edges.

Something twitches under Artifact’s skin. It wants out just as much as they do.

iT’S eiTheR tHiS oR LeTTinG The HallWaYs tAKe oVEr, aNd I waNt tHIs tO Be a LiTTle mOrE excItiNg :)

[artifacts-abode]

Somehow, the pain gets worse. It's moving now, and despite the fact the Eye shouldn't even be able to reach them here, they Know what the creature is doing.

It's in their chest, and now it's ready to leave.

A mixture of revulsion and fear passes through them as the skin breaks open. It's such a small gap between the clavicle and the throat, but it's still enough for the insect to painstakingly claw its way out.

Artifact weakly moves their head away from their chest as the old threat to blind them rings in their ears. The level of control Eris has over its swarm is not something they wish to test while weakened nor with their eyes in such close proximity to the creature tearing them open.

Unfortunately the movement has the unforeseen side effect of tearing the new wound further and they black out, coming back to themselves with the creature free of their body, an even newer bleeding wound, a raw throat, likely from screaming, and a wet face, from either blood or tears. Perhaps a mixture of both.

And yet despite it all, Artifact is relieved. They aren't a flesh hive, they don't hear the song of Rot in their ringing ears. If they weren't truly marked before they certainly are now, and yet the Corruption has not fully taken them.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

As Artifact comes to, they can just make out Eris’ form hovering over them. Is their vision blurry, or is it blurry? They can’t tell in the slightest.

The wound on their chest pulses with a dulled, yet persistent pain. Just imagining the state of it makes them feel nauseous, but as they look down at the stained carpet, they notice something unsettling.

The liquid pooling under them isn’t blood.

It’s something like liquid technicolor. Something that constantly shifts and cycles through color and texture. Something crawling with tiny neon insects.

oH DEar… I ThoUgHt yOu WOulDn’T WakE uP FrOm ThaT!¡ iT’s nOT a foRgiVinG phAsE tO EntEr :’)

[artifacts-abode]

"W-what-"

They try to push themselves up to a seated position and their arms give out again. Fine. They'll just stay here on the floor then.

"What are you talking about, why does my- why does it look like that!?" They gagged, closing their eyes just to avoid looking at the facsimile of blood.

"What did you do to me?"

Artifact would hug themselves if it wouldn't be pathetic. They can be pathetic when they get back to normalcy, because they are absolutely going to get out of here and they're going to be fine, maybe they'll just find some dirt and-no not burrow just...dig into it. Nothing bug related. Or burrowing, they're actually going to scrub that word from their vocabulary for a bit. Maybe they'll go visit their friend instead, hide under fifty weighted blankets and talk about random stuff with him until they both pass out. And maybe let him open all the doors for awhile.

Snapping back to the present, Artifact realizes they've been zoning out and in the process, slowly curling back in on themselves. Great, good job on the not looking pathetic there. You probably look like a kicked puppy. A psychedelic coloured kicked puppy.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

i DiD WHat WaS NecEssaRy :)

It shrugs, leaning on the wall. “Leaning” may be a generous term, though… Half of its body is bisecting the architecture.

oH, DOn’T TeLL uS You’Re nOt HavinG a GoOd TImE! i WeNt oUT oF My waY To InvItE yOU BacK, aNd THis iS HoW You ResPonD?¿ :’)

Its tone is nearly impossible to decipher, but it doesn’t exactly sound like it’s taking this seriously. After a few minutes it rolls its eyes sarcastically, pulling Artifact off the ground. Being in contact with it feels like their limbs are falling asleep… How unpleasant.

[artifacts-abode]

"Nothing about this was necessary. Whatever made you think I wanted to come back to this mind melting hellscape!? You put creepy bug things in my lungs!!! No I'm not having a good time!"

Ugh, they didn't want it touching them, but they also didn't think their legs would support them for long. Maybe they could kick it in the knees....no that wouldn't work. Dammit. Made them wish they had a lighter.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

i DiDn’T puT THeM TheRe :)

There it goes again with its weird pedantic… sarcasm? Explanations? Whatever it’s aiming for?

nOw PLeaSe, Don’T Go CoLLapSinG oN Me! OnE oF My WanDerERs GoT TraPpeD iN The GeoMetRy LasT WeeK ANd i Can’T hAVe tHaT hAppEnINg aGaiN!

Artifact can’t exactly see much of it from their position, but it feels like it has one extra arm? No, there are only two. Is it even holding them up, or are they just floating in space? They can barely concentrate on anything.

More doors have appeared on the walls, more than Artifact remembers. Doos leading into more doors leading into hallways that warp in on themselves into more doors.

[artifacts-abode]

"You pedantic little shit."

They make the likely unwise decision to ignore the increasingly ominous doors and madness trying to once again ensnare them and instead indulge in one of their favourite hobbies, complaining.

"Well sorry but some of us have corporal forms that don't particularly enjoy having centipedes in our lungs. You may have Yogsothoth's preferred body but I'm stuck with holes in me and my blood turning into a pride parade, so if I want to collapse I'll damn well do it. If you're so concerned about my health maybe you shouldn't have put BUGS IN ME and then brought me back into the Funhouse Mirror but Also Worms Edition dimension! And since when did you care if I collapsed anyway, is it just because it's less fun?! Can't make me scared for my life if I'm too busy bleeding out on the floor? I've been dealing with your dumbass paranoia, which is supposed to be Eye by the way, for literal months, was that just not enough fear for you?? What, you still hungry? I'm not your fucking fear generator, bug phobia or not."

That was....more than they had intended to say. Blood loss was a hell of a drug, apparently.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

ANd yOu CaLL M e PedAntIc?¿ Oh, DOn’T MakE mE LauGh :)

Eris’ form appears to dissolve behind Artifact somehow, sending them collapsing back down to the ground. It feels like a much longer fall than it should have been, and the floor is almost angling itself backwards…? Forwards?

weLL, yOu CAn’T ComPlaIN ThaT i LeT gO Of yOu :)

The patterns on the wallpaper shift and extend outward, taking on the creature’s form once again. What the hell is it gaining from this? Maybe it’s just showing off in some bizarre way… Typical Eris.

o R ExpECt mE To AnSweR YouR QueStiOnS. THis PlaCe TenDS tO Do thAt tO PeoPLe, yOu KNow!

[artifacts-abode]

"Personally I think that being of the Eye gives me the right to be pedantic, you're just annoying."

On one hand, they were happy Eris let go of them, and even happier their arms didn't give out, letting them actually sit instead of collapsing on the floor again. On the other hand, Eris was still there and being weird, which meant everything was awful and they needed a break from all the eyestrain and nonsense, a break they knew they would not get.

"They were rhetorical questions, I may be stupid but I'm not dumb enough to expect you to ever make any sense. And tends to do what, make them cranky? Cause it's really succeeding with me, you're doing a great job."

Should they maybe stop sassing the thing that basically holds their life on the line? Yeah, probably. Are they going to stop? Fuck no.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

noTHinG’s StoPpiNg yOu FroM LeAVinG, yoU KnOw. i Don’T SHarE mY DomAIn SpacE :)

Even if that was the case, how the hell would Artifact know which door lead out of this damn place? Or whether it was telling the truth… or how they’d get all these damn bugs and glowstick juice out of their body.

iT’S nOt LikE i’M TryInG tO MakE THis Any HArdEr fOr YOu, SiLLy!¡! yoU ShoUld R e a L L y LeaRn tO CatCh oN, bEinG doUbLe-MaRkED aNd aLL tHaT.

[artifacts-abode]

"Have you considered that perhaps, massive blood loss and having bugs exit my lungs might maybe make it harder for me to leave? Perhaps? That ever enter your mind? Or maybe the fact that this is still the Twisting Deceit and I don't have access to the Eye to get out of here without losing my mind? I know you're probably insane but I would like to avoid that, despite your best attempts to drag me down with you."

If Eris kept tricking them into its domain, they were actually going to carry a can of Raid around to spray it in the face with. All this bug bullshit was getting irritating.

[artifacts-abode]

It’s been weeks, or… maybe months since Artifact encountered Eris in its domain. The memory never really faded, and neither did that damn pain in the back of their neck. If anything, it’s becoming more persistent over time.

They could swear they constantly see that thing in their peripheral vision, hear its grating voice in crowds… and every time, that dull pain accompanies the paranoia.

Did it mark them? No, it couldn’t have…

((HIIIIIII IT’S @3ris-d1st0rtionnn BACK AGAIN TO TORMENT YOUUUUU

Artifact lay on their shitty hotel bed with a frozen water bottle under the base of their neck in an attempt to numb it. The pain had come back. Again. It could have been from the liminal-ness that hotels had, some kind of memory of those stupid hallways surging back up as they walked the faded halls to their room, maybe they were imagining it! Maybe it was just some sort of ingrained memory, and their messed up brain had decided to make it real and then permanent. They couldn't possibly have been given another Mark, that would be five! Five was far too many, it was just absurd!

Besides, paranoia was an Eye thing, right? That Eris hated the Eye, it wouldn't Mark them with it. Why would the Spiral have anything to do with paranoia or hearing voices or seeing things that weren't there? Those definitely didn't have anything to do with madness, so they were fine. And they weren't lying to themselves at all.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Within the few hours Artifact had been lying there, the pain somehow transitioned into a migraine. Their ears ring, their vision blurs a bit around the edges, the colors in the ugly carpets and furniture look… a little too vivid.

A sudden shot of pain jolts Artifact back from their disconnected state. It feels like something opened a wound back there… like something… escaped? No, what were they thinking? Why were they thinking that?

A soft clicking noise can be heard from somewhere unseen, too close and too far at the same time. From somewhere outside, a pink-tinted light leaks under their hotel room door.

[artifacts-abode]

Their head feels like it was filled with cotton and then crushed, but they manage to sit up. It was probably irrational and not real, but they wanted to check the source of the pain, just to be sure. Wouldn't do to get blood on the sheets, they'd probably get charged more.

Artifact numbly lifted a hand to the base of their head. It came back bloody, and they stared at the crimson staining their fingers like it had personally insulted them.

No matter how much they stared, the blood remained infuriatingly real, and the pain remained, until their muddled thoughts decided it was probably a good idea to maybe do something about the blood.

Shakily, they stood. They had been certain their room had a bathroom in the room, but the door wasn't there. It must be in the hall, this must be one of those hotels that made the rooms share one restroom between a few rooms. Why had they come here, they hated hotels like this!

Artifact opened their room's door with one hand, the other supporting them on the wall itself as they tried not to fall. Just clean the wound you somehow got and you'll be fine.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

The hallways outside their room are uncomfortably silent. Everyone must be asleep… God, how late is it? All that can be heard is the fluorescent lights humming overhead, and even that noise sounds disturbingly familiar.

Another droplet of blood trails down Artifact’s neck. It feels strange, as if it’s moving in a direction that gravity just shouldn’t allow for. Is it somehow bleeding sideways?

Among the identical doors in the hotel hallway, one stands out. It’s painted darker, strangely weathered as if it was salvaged from a scrapyard or left to rot outside for a bit.

[artifacts-abode]

Artifact brought their already bloodstained hand to the wound to staunch the bloodflow as they walked to the door. If it looked different, it probably wasn't another hotel room, right? Should they just open it or knock?

"H-hello? Anyone there?"

They realized a few seconds after hearing the shaky voice that it was their voice, and they had, in fact, spoken. Well that was one way to possibly get someone's attention. Surely anyone here wouldn't begrudge helping someone that started bleeding for....some reason. Why were they bleeding again? It didn't matter, they just needed to get the bleeding to stop, clean the wound and then they could wonder about the cause when it stopped hurting.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Nobody responds.

The door creaks open slightly, revealing a short hallway that turns sharply to the left. This has to be the bathroom… but god, it’s built so strange. Probably normal for this cheap hotel though.

The annoying hum overhead sounds louder as Artifact approaches the door. Another drip of blood trails between their fingers, leaving behind an odd, residual sting.

[artifacts-abode]

Whoever built this place needs to get off the drugs, it's weird

"Helloooo, anyone there? Sorry to wake you but I'm bleeding-" Augh no you idiot you can't just go around announcing you're bleeding, just get in there and solve it yourself.

They walk through the door, clean hand braced against the wall as they curse the..whatever had injured them. What had it been? It had to have been something, the base of your head is not a normal place to get a puncture wound. If their head could just clear, maybe it would all make sense.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Hello?- Damn, are you okay?

A voice cuts through the uncomfortable silence. There’s a fair distance to it, and whoever it is doesn’t seem to be approaching from around that corner. If Artifact didn’t know any better, that voice would sound weirdly familiar… No, it has to be a coincidence.

You should really go see a doctor or something, call 911… Something like that. Who knows what could have gotten into you.

Their wording is odd. Why would they say that? What the hell did that mean?

[artifacts-abode]

"I don't know how I got hurt, and my phone is, uh-"

Had they left their phone in their room? Maybe they should just turn around and call 911, the mysterious voice was right.

But when they turned, the halls seemed unfamiliar, even though they had barely turned any corners to get here. Where..were they?

"Can you help me? I think something's wrong, my head feels weird and I don't know where I am."

Something was wrong. Just walk back to your room that's definitely still there, you didn't take that many turns, just remember your room number that is....

Shit.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

You sound confused.

The voice sounds weirdly amused for a split second, much to Artifact’s confusion.

Look, maybe you shouldn’t go back… You could get lost, and it’s best to not trust your mind when this kind of thing is happening.

The hallway behind Artifact looks a few inches longer than they thought… God, they really must be out of it.

I… I’ll try to take a look at it, just… follow my voice, okay?

[artifacts-abode]

"Where are you??" They turn every which way, searching for the source of the voice. "And who are you, what's your name?" Can I trust you? Their mind echoed, one of few clear thoughts they've had since the pain had started.

Something was up, but everything was too hazy to try Seeing, so trusting whoever this was might be their only chance to stop the bleeding and clear their head. Even if it was a really really bad idea.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Shit, you must really be confused… What do you mean, you don’t remember me?

The hallway turns to the left again… and again. And again. It seems to be built like a loop, but Artifact never feels like they’re entering the same place again.

I swear we’re getting you checked out once you find us.

So the person isn’t alone? Maybe they have help, maybe someone else is present…

[artifacts-abode]

"Am I supposed to remember you?" Something was familiar, the voice perhaps, but they couldn't put a face to the voice-

They were still bleeding, despite their attempts to stop it, and their head wasn't clearing. The sheer weirdness of this hotel wasn't helping, and Artifact was considering sitting on the tacky floor just to rest for a moment.

"Us? What do you mean 'us'?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

God, you don’t remember? You know us as a collective.

The voice almost sounds a little irritated now, unsettling Artifact. Do they actually care or not?

I know you can remember if you try hard enough! How about I give you a hint or something…

A bit of wallpaper appears to chip off the wall to Artifact’s right. The material underneath is painted black, covered in random paint splatters and holes.

Have you seen this anywhere? Take your time!

[artifacts-abode]

Something about it was familiar, the illogical hallways, the voice in the distance, the holes, in fact it was fairly similar to the whole ordeal with Eris a while ago-

Ah.

"You're an asshole, you know that?"

The fog still hadn't fully cleared but Artifact really thought they would have figured something like this out sooner, no matter how bad the pain was.

"Seriously, what is your problem, I was literally just trying to sleep! Am I really that fun to bully?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

…yes, aCtuaLLy :)

And there it is. Its fake “normal” tone slips entirely as the hallways morph into something more typical for its domain.

i P r O M i S E tHat’S NOt wHy yOu’Re hERe tHouGh! i’LL HolD tO My WOrd, jUsT tHis ONcE :)

God, that weird verbal smiley it does drives Artifact insane. How is it even doing that? Its painfully distorted form strides around a corner that clearly wasn’t there before, giving Artifact a weirdly… genuine smile. It sure seems giddy over something.

ThiNk oF THis aS a FoLLow-uP! A ChECkuP, mAybE! i CertAinLY SenT yOu oFF oN an I n T E r e s T i N g noTe LAst TimE, aNd I cAn TeLL thIngS aRe… DevELopinG!!¡

[artifacts-abode]

"What the fuck are you talking about. If this is about you possibly marking me you should know it's far from my first one, so it's not really that big of a deal. Or-wait.."

They reach up to the still bleeding wound that is suspiciously exit wound shaped.

"You didn't- Did you put a fucking bUG IN ME!?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

maAaaaAaAyBe-

It shrugs, putting on a sheepish expression.

yoU SeeMEd StrEsSEd, AnD i CouLDn’T jUst LeT yOu LEaVe wIthOUt sOmEOnE tO MakE SUre yOu’Re OKay :)

At least it’s not trying to hide the fact that its “excuse” is bullshit. It attempts to hold back a laugh, and on perfect cue, Artifact’s wound pulses with another sharp pain.

[artifacts-abode]

They winced as the pain shot through them.

"Riiiight. So why are you here. The thing... escaped, and I don't exactly feel like a flesh hive. Is it just to gloat? You seem like a gloating type."

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

iT’S doNe iTs PUrpOse :)

Eris giggles to itself, raising its hand as a strange centipede-looking creature crawls out of its jacket sleeve, leaving behind a trail of blood. So that’s the little bastard it put into Artifact.

i ShoULd Say, O n E EscApED. i WaS ConCErnEd yOu’D STarT ShoWinG SymPTomS BefoRE yOu goT HeRe… ThaT WouLDn’T be VerY FuN :)

[artifacts-abode]

"Ew."

The idea of having that many legs in them is repulsive, and the idea of sitting down is starting to sound good again. Preferably before passing out becomes an option.

"The hell you mean, symptoms. If you put more than one of those bastards in me I will find a way to kill you!"

It's an empty threat, and they both know it, but Artifact wants some semblance of control after everything that's happened.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, “ i “ DidN’T. NoT IntEntIonAllY :)

The hallway they’re in appears to tilt violently if Artifact looks far enough into the distance. The patterns in the walls and floor are moving again. Yaaay.

Just before Artifact feels the need to sit down again, another shot of pain causes their knees to buckle. The feeling has seemingly migrated from their neck to somewhere in their chest.

oH DeaR :)

Eris takes a step back, smiling widely. God, why does it have that many teeth?

[artifacts-abode]

They cry out in pain, barely catching themselves on their arms as they topple to the floor.

"What-what did you do!?"

It was all wrong, the pain was so bad it felt like they couldn't breathe, a problem they hadn't had since they began serving the Buried. There had to be another of those little leggy bastards in them, and they had to get rid of it, now, before it's too late

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

hMm? i DidN’T dO AnyThinG :)

It tilts its head, its vision burning holes through Artifact. It’s like it’s staring right into their soul.

mY HivE iS ITs Own AutOnOMouS EntIty, tHEy hAvE FreE WiLL! i Can’T TeLL tHem wHAt tO Do :)

Something’s under their skin. They can feel it, burning, twisting, trying to tear itself free.

[artifacts-abode]

"Well take it back! Get it out, I don't want them!"

They curl up on the ground, shaking as the pain from before they entered these halls again goes through their body.

"Get it outGetitoutgetitout-"

Artifact is clearly not in a good state, all this time they had blissfully disregarded any signs of something wrong, but the pain and the sight of one of the creatures that had previously been in their body was impossible to ignore. The psychological fear of the bugs, of the threat of becoming a flesh hive, was almost worse than the agony of having one in your body.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, tHat’S NoT ReaLLy On mE nOw, iS It? :)

It stares at Artifact expectantly, practically vibrating with… excitement? And quite literally so, its form is starting to jolt and blur around the edges.

Something twitches under Artifact’s skin. It wants out just as much as they do.

iT’S eiTheR tHiS oR LeTTinG The HallWaYs tAKe oVEr, aNd I waNt tHIs tO Be a LiTTle mOrE excItiNg :)

[artifacts-abode]

Somehow, the pain gets worse. It's moving now, and despite the fact the Eye shouldn't even be able to reach them here, they Know what the creature is doing.

It's in their chest, and now it's ready to leave.

A mixture of revulsion and fear passes through them as the skin breaks open. It's such a small gap between the clavicle and the throat, but it's still enough for the insect to painstakingly claw its way out.

Artifact weakly moves their head away from their chest as the old threat to blind them rings in their ears. The level of control Eris has over its swarm is not something they wish to test while weakened nor with their eyes in such close proximity to the creature tearing them open.

Unfortunately the movement has the unforeseen side effect of tearing the new wound further and they black out, coming back to themselves with the creature free of their body, an even newer bleeding wound, a raw throat, likely from screaming, and a wet face, from either blood or tears. Perhaps a mixture of both.

And yet despite it all, Artifact is relieved. They aren't a flesh hive, they don't hear the song of Rot in their ringing ears. If they weren't truly marked before they certainly are now, and yet the Corruption has not fully taken them.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

As Artifact comes to, they can just make out Eris’ form hovering over them. Is their vision blurry, or is it blurry? They can’t tell in the slightest.

The wound on their chest pulses with a dulled, yet persistent pain. Just imagining the state of it makes them feel nauseous, but as they look down at the stained carpet, they notice something unsettling.

The liquid pooling under them isn’t blood.

It’s something like liquid technicolor. Something that constantly shifts and cycles through color and texture. Something crawling with tiny neon insects.

oH DEar… I ThoUgHt yOu WOulDn’T WakE uP FrOm ThaT!¡ iT’s nOT a foRgiVinG phAsE tO EntEr :’)

[artifacts-abode]

"W-what-"

They try to push themselves up to a seated position and their arms give out again. Fine. They'll just stay here on the floor then.

"What are you talking about, why does my- why does it look like that!?" They gagged, closing their eyes just to avoid looking at the facsimile of blood.

"What did you do to me?"

Artifact would hug themselves if it wouldn't be pathetic. They can be pathetic when they get back to normalcy, because they are absolutely going to get out of here and they're going to be fine, maybe they'll just find some dirt and-no not burrow just...dig into it. Nothing bug related. Or burrowing, they're actually going to scrub that word from their vocabulary for a bit. Maybe they'll go visit their friend instead, hide under fifty weighted blankets and talk about random stuff with him until they both pass out. And maybe let him open all the doors for awhile.

Snapping back to the present, Artifact realizes they've been zoning out and in the process, slowly curling back in on themselves. Great, good job on the not looking pathetic there. You probably look like a kicked puppy. A psychedelic coloured kicked puppy.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

i DiD WHat WaS NecEssaRy :)

It shrugs, leaning on the wall. “Leaning” may be a generous term, though… Half of its body is bisecting the architecture.

oH, DOn’T TeLL uS You’Re nOt HavinG a GoOd TImE! i WeNt oUT oF My waY To InvItE yOU BacK, aNd THis iS HoW You ResPonD?¿ :’)

Its tone is nearly impossible to decipher, but it doesn’t exactly sound like it’s taking this seriously. After a few minutes it rolls its eyes sarcastically, pulling Artifact off the ground. Being in contact with it feels like their limbs are falling asleep… How unpleasant.

[artifacts-abode]

"Nothing about this was necessary. Whatever made you think I wanted to come back to this mind melting hellscape!? You put creepy bug things in my lungs!!! No I'm not having a good time!"

Ugh, they didn't want it touching them, but they also didn't think their legs would support them for long. Maybe they could kick it in the knees....no that wouldn't work. Dammit. Made them wish they had a lighter.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

i DiDn’T puT THeM TheRe :)

There it goes again with its weird pedantic… sarcasm? Explanations? Whatever it’s aiming for?

nOw PLeaSe, Don’T Go CoLLapSinG oN Me! OnE oF My WanDerERs GoT TraPpeD iN The GeoMetRy LasT WeeK ANd i Can’T hAVe tHaT hAppEnINg aGaiN!

Artifact can’t exactly see much of it from their position, but it feels like it has one extra arm? No, there are only two. Is it even holding them up, or are they just floating in space? They can barely concentrate on anything.

More doors have appeared on the walls, more than Artifact remembers. Doos leading into more doors leading into hallways that warp in on themselves into more doors.

[artifacts-abode]

"You pedantic little shit."

They make the likely unwise decision to ignore the increasingly ominous doors and madness trying to once again ensnare them and instead indulge in one of their favourite hobbies, complaining.

"Well sorry but some of us have corporal forms that don't particularly enjoy having centipedes in our lungs. You may have Yogsothoth's preferred body but I'm stuck with holes in me and my blood turning into a pride parade, so if I want to collapse I'll damn well do it. If you're so concerned about my health maybe you shouldn't have put BUGS IN ME and then brought me back into the Funhouse Mirror but Also Worms Edition dimension! And since when did you care if I collapsed anyway, is it just because it's less fun?! Can't make me scared for my life if I'm too busy bleeding out on the floor? I've been dealing with your dumbass paranoia, which is supposed to be Eye by the way, for literal months, was that just not enough fear for you?? What, you still hungry? I'm not your fucking fear generator, bug phobia or not."

That was....more than they had intended to say. Blood loss was a hell of a drug, apparently.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

ANd yOu CaLL M e PedAntIc?¿ Oh, DOn’T MakE mE LauGh :)

Eris’ form appears to dissolve behind Artifact somehow, sending them collapsing back down to the ground. It feels like a much longer fall than it should have been, and the floor is almost angling itself backwards…? Forwards?

weLL, yOu CAn’T ComPlaIN ThaT i LeT gO Of yOu :)

The patterns on the wallpaper shift and extend outward, taking on the creature’s form once again. What the hell is it gaining from this? Maybe it’s just showing off in some bizarre way… Typical Eris.

o R ExpECt mE To AnSweR YouR QueStiOnS. THis PlaCe TenDS tO Do thAt tO PeoPLe, yOu KNow!

[artifacts-abode]

"Personally I think that being of the Eye gives me the right to be pedantic, you're just annoying."

On one hand, they were happy Eris let go of them, and even happier their arms didn't give out, letting them actually sit instead of collapsing on the floor again. On the other hand, Eris was still there and being weird, which meant everything was awful and they needed a break from all the eyestrain and nonsense, a break they knew they would not get.

"They were rhetorical questions, I may be stupid but I'm not dumb enough to expect you to ever make any sense. And tends to do what, make them cranky? Cause it's really succeeding with me, you're doing a great job."

Should they maybe stop sassing the thing that basically holds their life on the line? Yeah, probably. Are they going to stop? Fuck no.

[artifacts-abode]

It’s been weeks, or… maybe months since Artifact encountered Eris in its domain. The memory never really faded, and neither did that damn pain in the back of their neck. If anything, it’s becoming more persistent over time.

They could swear they constantly see that thing in their peripheral vision, hear its grating voice in crowds… and every time, that dull pain accompanies the paranoia.

Did it mark them? No, it couldn’t have…

((HIIIIIII IT’S @3ris-d1st0rtionnn BACK AGAIN TO TORMENT YOUUUUU

Artifact lay on their shitty hotel bed with a frozen water bottle under the base of their neck in an attempt to numb it. The pain had come back. Again. It could have been from the liminal-ness that hotels had, some kind of memory of those stupid hallways surging back up as they walked the faded halls to their room, maybe they were imagining it! Maybe it was just some sort of ingrained memory, and their messed up brain had decided to make it real and then permanent. They couldn't possibly have been given another Mark, that would be five! Five was far too many, it was just absurd!

Besides, paranoia was an Eye thing, right? That Eris hated the Eye, it wouldn't Mark them with it. Why would the Spiral have anything to do with paranoia or hearing voices or seeing things that weren't there? Those definitely didn't have anything to do with madness, so they were fine. And they weren't lying to themselves at all.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Within the few hours Artifact had been lying there, the pain somehow transitioned into a migraine. Their ears ring, their vision blurs a bit around the edges, the colors in the ugly carpets and furniture look… a little too vivid.

A sudden shot of pain jolts Artifact back from their disconnected state. It feels like something opened a wound back there… like something… escaped? No, what were they thinking? Why were they thinking that?

A soft clicking noise can be heard from somewhere unseen, too close and too far at the same time. From somewhere outside, a pink-tinted light leaks under their hotel room door.

[artifacts-abode]

Their head feels like it was filled with cotton and then crushed, but they manage to sit up. It was probably irrational and not real, but they wanted to check the source of the pain, just to be sure. Wouldn't do to get blood on the sheets, they'd probably get charged more.

Artifact numbly lifted a hand to the base of their head. It came back bloody, and they stared at the crimson staining their fingers like it had personally insulted them.

No matter how much they stared, the blood remained infuriatingly real, and the pain remained, until their muddled thoughts decided it was probably a good idea to maybe do something about the blood.

Shakily, they stood. They had been certain their room had a bathroom in the room, but the door wasn't there. It must be in the hall, this must be one of those hotels that made the rooms share one restroom between a few rooms. Why had they come here, they hated hotels like this!

Artifact opened their room's door with one hand, the other supporting them on the wall itself as they tried not to fall. Just clean the wound you somehow got and you'll be fine.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

The hallways outside their room are uncomfortably silent. Everyone must be asleep… God, how late is it? All that can be heard is the fluorescent lights humming overhead, and even that noise sounds disturbingly familiar.

Another droplet of blood trails down Artifact’s neck. It feels strange, as if it’s moving in a direction that gravity just shouldn’t allow for. Is it somehow bleeding sideways?

Among the identical doors in the hotel hallway, one stands out. It’s painted darker, strangely weathered as if it was salvaged from a scrapyard or left to rot outside for a bit.

[artifacts-abode]

Artifact brought their already bloodstained hand to the wound to staunch the bloodflow as they walked to the door. If it looked different, it probably wasn't another hotel room, right? Should they just open it or knock?

"H-hello? Anyone there?"

They realized a few seconds after hearing the shaky voice that it was their voice, and they had, in fact, spoken. Well that was one way to possibly get someone's attention. Surely anyone here wouldn't begrudge helping someone that started bleeding for....some reason. Why were they bleeding again? It didn't matter, they just needed to get the bleeding to stop, clean the wound and then they could wonder about the cause when it stopped hurting.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Nobody responds.

The door creaks open slightly, revealing a short hallway that turns sharply to the left. This has to be the bathroom… but god, it’s built so strange. Probably normal for this cheap hotel though.

The annoying hum overhead sounds louder as Artifact approaches the door. Another drip of blood trails between their fingers, leaving behind an odd, residual sting.

[artifacts-abode]

Whoever built this place needs to get off the drugs, it's weird

"Helloooo, anyone there? Sorry to wake you but I'm bleeding-" Augh no you idiot you can't just go around announcing you're bleeding, just get in there and solve it yourself.

They walk through the door, clean hand braced against the wall as they curse the..whatever had injured them. What had it been? It had to have been something, the base of your head is not a normal place to get a puncture wound. If their head could just clear, maybe it would all make sense.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Hello?- Damn, are you okay?

A voice cuts through the uncomfortable silence. There’s a fair distance to it, and whoever it is doesn’t seem to be approaching from around that corner. If Artifact didn’t know any better, that voice would sound weirdly familiar… No, it has to be a coincidence.

You should really go see a doctor or something, call 911… Something like that. Who knows what could have gotten into you.

Their wording is odd. Why would they say that? What the hell did that mean?

[artifacts-abode]

"I don't know how I got hurt, and my phone is, uh-"

Had they left their phone in their room? Maybe they should just turn around and call 911, the mysterious voice was right.

But when they turned, the halls seemed unfamiliar, even though they had barely turned any corners to get here. Where..were they?

"Can you help me? I think something's wrong, my head feels weird and I don't know where I am."

Something was wrong. Just walk back to your room that's definitely still there, you didn't take that many turns, just remember your room number that is....

Shit.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

You sound confused.

The voice sounds weirdly amused for a split second, much to Artifact’s confusion.

Look, maybe you shouldn’t go back… You could get lost, and it’s best to not trust your mind when this kind of thing is happening.

The hallway behind Artifact looks a few inches longer than they thought… God, they really must be out of it.

I… I’ll try to take a look at it, just… follow my voice, okay?

[artifacts-abode]

"Where are you??" They turn every which way, searching for the source of the voice. "And who are you, what's your name?" Can I trust you? Their mind echoed, one of few clear thoughts they've had since the pain had started.

Something was up, but everything was too hazy to try Seeing, so trusting whoever this was might be their only chance to stop the bleeding and clear their head. Even if it was a really really bad idea.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Shit, you must really be confused… What do you mean, you don’t remember me?

The hallway turns to the left again… and again. And again. It seems to be built like a loop, but Artifact never feels like they’re entering the same place again.

I swear we’re getting you checked out once you find us.

So the person isn’t alone? Maybe they have help, maybe someone else is present…

[artifacts-abode]

"Am I supposed to remember you?" Something was familiar, the voice perhaps, but they couldn't put a face to the voice-

They were still bleeding, despite their attempts to stop it, and their head wasn't clearing. The sheer weirdness of this hotel wasn't helping, and Artifact was considering sitting on the tacky floor just to rest for a moment.

"Us? What do you mean 'us'?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

God, you don’t remember? You know us as a collective.

The voice almost sounds a little irritated now, unsettling Artifact. Do they actually care or not?

I know you can remember if you try hard enough! How about I give you a hint or something…

A bit of wallpaper appears to chip off the wall to Artifact’s right. The material underneath is painted black, covered in random paint splatters and holes.

Have you seen this anywhere? Take your time!

[artifacts-abode]

Something about it was familiar, the illogical hallways, the voice in the distance, the holes, in fact it was fairly similar to the whole ordeal with Eris a while ago-

Ah.

"You're an asshole, you know that?"

The fog still hadn't fully cleared but Artifact really thought they would have figured something like this out sooner, no matter how bad the pain was.

"Seriously, what is your problem, I was literally just trying to sleep! Am I really that fun to bully?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

…yes, aCtuaLLy :)

And there it is. Its fake “normal” tone slips entirely as the hallways morph into something more typical for its domain.

i P r O M i S E tHat’S NOt wHy yOu’Re hERe tHouGh! i’LL HolD tO My WOrd, jUsT tHis ONcE :)

God, that weird verbal smiley it does drives Artifact insane. How is it even doing that? Its painfully distorted form strides around a corner that clearly wasn’t there before, giving Artifact a weirdly… genuine smile. It sure seems giddy over something.

ThiNk oF THis aS a FoLLow-uP! A ChECkuP, mAybE! i CertAinLY SenT yOu oFF oN an I n T E r e s T i N g noTe LAst TimE, aNd I cAn TeLL thIngS aRe… DevELopinG!!¡

[artifacts-abode]

"What the fuck are you talking about. If this is about you possibly marking me you should know it's far from my first one, so it's not really that big of a deal. Or-wait.."

They reach up to the still bleeding wound that is suspiciously exit wound shaped.

"You didn't- Did you put a fucking bUG IN ME!?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

maAaaaAaAyBe-

It shrugs, putting on a sheepish expression.

yoU SeeMEd StrEsSEd, AnD i CouLDn’T jUst LeT yOu LEaVe wIthOUt sOmEOnE tO MakE SUre yOu’Re OKay :)

At least it’s not trying to hide the fact that its “excuse” is bullshit. It attempts to hold back a laugh, and on perfect cue, Artifact’s wound pulses with another sharp pain.

[artifacts-abode]

They winced as the pain shot through them.

"Riiiight. So why are you here. The thing... escaped, and I don't exactly feel like a flesh hive. Is it just to gloat? You seem like a gloating type."

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

iT’S doNe iTs PUrpOse :)

Eris giggles to itself, raising its hand as a strange centipede-looking creature crawls out of its jacket sleeve, leaving behind a trail of blood. So that’s the little bastard it put into Artifact.

i ShoULd Say, O n E EscApED. i WaS ConCErnEd yOu’D STarT ShoWinG SymPTomS BefoRE yOu goT HeRe… ThaT WouLDn’T be VerY FuN :)

[artifacts-abode]

"Ew."

The idea of having that many legs in them is repulsive, and the idea of sitting down is starting to sound good again. Preferably before passing out becomes an option.

"The hell you mean, symptoms. If you put more than one of those bastards in me I will find a way to kill you!"

It's an empty threat, and they both know it, but Artifact wants some semblance of control after everything that's happened.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, “ i “ DidN’T. NoT IntEntIonAllY :)

The hallway they’re in appears to tilt violently if Artifact looks far enough into the distance. The patterns in the walls and floor are moving again. Yaaay.

Just before Artifact feels the need to sit down again, another shot of pain causes their knees to buckle. The feeling has seemingly migrated from their neck to somewhere in their chest.

oH DeaR :)

Eris takes a step back, smiling widely. God, why does it have that many teeth?

[artifacts-abode]

They cry out in pain, barely catching themselves on their arms as they topple to the floor.

"What-what did you do!?"

It was all wrong, the pain was so bad it felt like they couldn't breathe, a problem they hadn't had since they began serving the Buried. There had to be another of those little leggy bastards in them, and they had to get rid of it, now, before it's too late

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

hMm? i DidN’T dO AnyThinG :)

It tilts its head, its vision burning holes through Artifact. It’s like it’s staring right into their soul.

mY HivE iS ITs Own AutOnOMouS EntIty, tHEy hAvE FreE WiLL! i Can’T TeLL tHem wHAt tO Do :)

Something’s under their skin. They can feel it, burning, twisting, trying to tear itself free.

[artifacts-abode]

"Well take it back! Get it out, I don't want them!"

They curl up on the ground, shaking as the pain from before they entered these halls again goes through their body.

"Get it outGetitoutgetitout-"

Artifact is clearly not in a good state, all this time they had blissfully disregarded any signs of something wrong, but the pain and the sight of one of the creatures that had previously been in their body was impossible to ignore. The psychological fear of the bugs, of the threat of becoming a flesh hive, was almost worse than the agony of having one in your body.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, tHat’S NoT ReaLLy On mE nOw, iS It? :)

It stares at Artifact expectantly, practically vibrating with… excitement? And quite literally so, its form is starting to jolt and blur around the edges.

Something twitches under Artifact’s skin. It wants out just as much as they do.

iT’S eiTheR tHiS oR LeTTinG The HallWaYs tAKe oVEr, aNd I waNt tHIs tO Be a LiTTle mOrE excItiNg :)

[artifacts-abode]

Somehow, the pain gets worse. It's moving now, and despite the fact the Eye shouldn't even be able to reach them here, they Know what the creature is doing.

It's in their chest, and now it's ready to leave.

A mixture of revulsion and fear passes through them as the skin breaks open. It's such a small gap between the clavicle and the throat, but it's still enough for the insect to painstakingly claw its way out.

Artifact weakly moves their head away from their chest as the old threat to blind them rings in their ears. The level of control Eris has over its swarm is not something they wish to test while weakened nor with their eyes in such close proximity to the creature tearing them open.

Unfortunately the movement has the unforeseen side effect of tearing the new wound further and they black out, coming back to themselves with the creature free of their body, an even newer bleeding wound, a raw throat, likely from screaming, and a wet face, from either blood or tears. Perhaps a mixture of both.

And yet despite it all, Artifact is relieved. They aren't a flesh hive, they don't hear the song of Rot in their ringing ears. If they weren't truly marked before they certainly are now, and yet the Corruption has not fully taken them.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

As Artifact comes to, they can just make out Eris’ form hovering over them. Is their vision blurry, or is it blurry? They can’t tell in the slightest.

The wound on their chest pulses with a dulled, yet persistent pain. Just imagining the state of it makes them feel nauseous, but as they look down at the stained carpet, they notice something unsettling.

The liquid pooling under them isn’t blood.

It’s something like liquid technicolor. Something that constantly shifts and cycles through color and texture. Something crawling with tiny neon insects.

oH DEar… I ThoUgHt yOu WOulDn’T WakE uP FrOm ThaT!¡ iT’s nOT a foRgiVinG phAsE tO EntEr :’)

[artifacts-abode]

"W-what-"

They try to push themselves up to a seated position and their arms give out again. Fine. They'll just stay here on the floor then.

"What are you talking about, why does my- why does it look like that!?" They gagged, closing their eyes just to avoid looking at the facsimile of blood.

"What did you do to me?"

Artifact would hug themselves if it wouldn't be pathetic. They can be pathetic when they get back to normalcy, because they are absolutely going to get out of here and they're going to be fine, maybe they'll just find some dirt and-no not burrow just...dig into it. Nothing bug related. Or burrowing, they're actually going to scrub that word from their vocabulary for a bit. Maybe they'll go visit their friend instead, hide under fifty weighted blankets and talk about random stuff with him until they both pass out. And maybe let him open all the doors for awhile.

Snapping back to the present, Artifact realizes they've been zoning out and in the process, slowly curling back in on themselves. Great, good job on the not looking pathetic there. You probably look like a kicked puppy. A psychedelic coloured kicked puppy.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

i DiD WHat WaS NecEssaRy :)

It shrugs, leaning on the wall. “Leaning” may be a generous term, though… Half of its body is bisecting the architecture.

oH, DOn’T TeLL uS You’Re nOt HavinG a GoOd TImE! i WeNt oUT oF My waY To InvItE yOU BacK, aNd THis iS HoW You ResPonD?¿ :’)

Its tone is nearly impossible to decipher, but it doesn’t exactly sound like it’s taking this seriously. After a few minutes it rolls its eyes sarcastically, pulling Artifact off the ground. Being in contact with it feels like their limbs are falling asleep… How unpleasant.

[artifacts-abode]

"Nothing about this was necessary. Whatever made you think I wanted to come back to this mind melting hellscape!? You put creepy bug things in my lungs!!! No I'm not having a good time!"

Ugh, they didn't want it touching them, but they also didn't think their legs would support them for long. Maybe they could kick it in the knees....no that wouldn't work. Dammit. Made them wish they had a lighter.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

i DiDn’T puT THeM TheRe :)

There it goes again with its weird pedantic… sarcasm? Explanations? Whatever it’s aiming for?

nOw PLeaSe, Don’T Go CoLLapSinG oN Me! OnE oF My WanDerERs GoT TraPpeD iN The GeoMetRy LasT WeeK ANd i Can’T hAVe tHaT hAppEnINg aGaiN!

Artifact can’t exactly see much of it from their position, but it feels like it has one extra arm? No, there are only two. Is it even holding them up, or are they just floating in space? They can barely concentrate on anything.

More doors have appeared on the walls, more than Artifact remembers. Doos leading into more doors leading into hallways that warp in on themselves into more doors.

[artifacts-abode]

"You pedantic little shit."

They make the likely unwise decision to ignore the increasingly ominous doors and madness trying to once again ensnare them and instead indulge in one of their favourite hobbies, complaining.

"Well sorry but some of us have corporal forms that don't particularly enjoy having centipedes in our lungs. You may have Yogsothoth's preferred body but I'm stuck with holes in me and my blood turning into a pride parade, so if I want to collapse I'll damn well do it. If you're so concerned about my health maybe you shouldn't have put BUGS IN ME and then brought me back into the Funhouse Mirror but Also Worms Edition dimension! And since when did you care if I collapsed anyway, is it just because it's less fun?! Can't make me scared for my life if I'm too busy bleeding out on the floor? I've been dealing with your dumbass paranoia, which is supposed to be Eye by the way, for literal months, was that just not enough fear for you?? What, you still hungry? I'm not your fucking fear generator, bug phobia or not."

That was....more than they had intended to say. Blood loss was a hell of a drug, apparently.

[artifacts-abode]

It’s been weeks, or… maybe months since Artifact encountered Eris in its domain. The memory never really faded, and neither did that damn pain in the back of their neck. If anything, it’s becoming more persistent over time.

They could swear they constantly see that thing in their peripheral vision, hear its grating voice in crowds… and every time, that dull pain accompanies the paranoia.

Did it mark them? No, it couldn’t have…

((HIIIIIII IT’S @3ris-d1st0rtionnn BACK AGAIN TO TORMENT YOUUUUU

Artifact lay on their shitty hotel bed with a frozen water bottle under the base of their neck in an attempt to numb it. The pain had come back. Again. It could have been from the liminal-ness that hotels had, some kind of memory of those stupid hallways surging back up as they walked the faded halls to their room, maybe they were imagining it! Maybe it was just some sort of ingrained memory, and their messed up brain had decided to make it real and then permanent. They couldn't possibly have been given another Mark, that would be five! Five was far too many, it was just absurd!

Besides, paranoia was an Eye thing, right? That Eris hated the Eye, it wouldn't Mark them with it. Why would the Spiral have anything to do with paranoia or hearing voices or seeing things that weren't there? Those definitely didn't have anything to do with madness, so they were fine. And they weren't lying to themselves at all.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Within the few hours Artifact had been lying there, the pain somehow transitioned into a migraine. Their ears ring, their vision blurs a bit around the edges, the colors in the ugly carpets and furniture look… a little too vivid.

A sudden shot of pain jolts Artifact back from their disconnected state. It feels like something opened a wound back there… like something… escaped? No, what were they thinking? Why were they thinking that?

A soft clicking noise can be heard from somewhere unseen, too close and too far at the same time. From somewhere outside, a pink-tinted light leaks under their hotel room door.

[artifacts-abode]

Their head feels like it was filled with cotton and then crushed, but they manage to sit up. It was probably irrational and not real, but they wanted to check the source of the pain, just to be sure. Wouldn't do to get blood on the sheets, they'd probably get charged more.

Artifact numbly lifted a hand to the base of their head. It came back bloody, and they stared at the crimson staining their fingers like it had personally insulted them.

No matter how much they stared, the blood remained infuriatingly real, and the pain remained, until their muddled thoughts decided it was probably a good idea to maybe do something about the blood.

Shakily, they stood. They had been certain their room had a bathroom in the room, but the door wasn't there. It must be in the hall, this must be one of those hotels that made the rooms share one restroom between a few rooms. Why had they come here, they hated hotels like this!

Artifact opened their room's door with one hand, the other supporting them on the wall itself as they tried not to fall. Just clean the wound you somehow got and you'll be fine.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

The hallways outside their room are uncomfortably silent. Everyone must be asleep… God, how late is it? All that can be heard is the fluorescent lights humming overhead, and even that noise sounds disturbingly familiar.

Another droplet of blood trails down Artifact’s neck. It feels strange, as if it’s moving in a direction that gravity just shouldn’t allow for. Is it somehow bleeding sideways?

Among the identical doors in the hotel hallway, one stands out. It’s painted darker, strangely weathered as if it was salvaged from a scrapyard or left to rot outside for a bit.

[artifacts-abode]

Artifact brought their already bloodstained hand to the wound to staunch the bloodflow as they walked to the door. If it looked different, it probably wasn't another hotel room, right? Should they just open it or knock?

"H-hello? Anyone there?"

They realized a few seconds after hearing the shaky voice that it was their voice, and they had, in fact, spoken. Well that was one way to possibly get someone's attention. Surely anyone here wouldn't begrudge helping someone that started bleeding for....some reason. Why were they bleeding again? It didn't matter, they just needed to get the bleeding to stop, clean the wound and then they could wonder about the cause when it stopped hurting.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Nobody responds.

The door creaks open slightly, revealing a short hallway that turns sharply to the left. This has to be the bathroom… but god, it’s built so strange. Probably normal for this cheap hotel though.

The annoying hum overhead sounds louder as Artifact approaches the door. Another drip of blood trails between their fingers, leaving behind an odd, residual sting.

[artifacts-abode]

Whoever built this place needs to get off the drugs, it's weird

"Helloooo, anyone there? Sorry to wake you but I'm bleeding-" Augh no you idiot you can't just go around announcing you're bleeding, just get in there and solve it yourself.

They walk through the door, clean hand braced against the wall as they curse the..whatever had injured them. What had it been? It had to have been something, the base of your head is not a normal place to get a puncture wound. If their head could just clear, maybe it would all make sense.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Hello?- Damn, are you okay?

A voice cuts through the uncomfortable silence. There’s a fair distance to it, and whoever it is doesn’t seem to be approaching from around that corner. If Artifact didn’t know any better, that voice would sound weirdly familiar… No, it has to be a coincidence.

You should really go see a doctor or something, call 911… Something like that. Who knows what could have gotten into you.

Their wording is odd. Why would they say that? What the hell did that mean?

[artifacts-abode]

"I don't know how I got hurt, and my phone is, uh-"

Had they left their phone in their room? Maybe they should just turn around and call 911, the mysterious voice was right.

But when they turned, the halls seemed unfamiliar, even though they had barely turned any corners to get here. Where..were they?

"Can you help me? I think something's wrong, my head feels weird and I don't know where I am."

Something was wrong. Just walk back to your room that's definitely still there, you didn't take that many turns, just remember your room number that is....

Shit.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

You sound confused.

The voice sounds weirdly amused for a split second, much to Artifact’s confusion.

Look, maybe you shouldn’t go back… You could get lost, and it’s best to not trust your mind when this kind of thing is happening.

The hallway behind Artifact looks a few inches longer than they thought… God, they really must be out of it.

I… I’ll try to take a look at it, just… follow my voice, okay?

[artifacts-abode]

"Where are you??" They turn every which way, searching for the source of the voice. "And who are you, what's your name?" Can I trust you? Their mind echoed, one of few clear thoughts they've had since the pain had started.

Something was up, but everything was too hazy to try Seeing, so trusting whoever this was might be their only chance to stop the bleeding and clear their head. Even if it was a really really bad idea.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

Shit, you must really be confused… What do you mean, you don’t remember me?

The hallway turns to the left again… and again. And again. It seems to be built like a loop, but Artifact never feels like they’re entering the same place again.

I swear we’re getting you checked out once you find us.

So the person isn’t alone? Maybe they have help, maybe someone else is present…

[artifacts-abode]

"Am I supposed to remember you?" Something was familiar, the voice perhaps, but they couldn't put a face to the voice-

They were still bleeding, despite their attempts to stop it, and their head wasn't clearing. The sheer weirdness of this hotel wasn't helping, and Artifact was considering sitting on the tacky floor just to rest for a moment.

"Us? What do you mean 'us'?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

God, you don’t remember? You know us as a collective.

The voice almost sounds a little irritated now, unsettling Artifact. Do they actually care or not?

I know you can remember if you try hard enough! How about I give you a hint or something…

A bit of wallpaper appears to chip off the wall to Artifact’s right. The material underneath is painted black, covered in random paint splatters and holes.

Have you seen this anywhere? Take your time!

[artifacts-abode]

Something about it was familiar, the illogical hallways, the voice in the distance, the holes, in fact it was fairly similar to the whole ordeal with Eris a while ago-

Ah.

"You're an asshole, you know that?"

The fog still hadn't fully cleared but Artifact really thought they would have figured something like this out sooner, no matter how bad the pain was.

"Seriously, what is your problem, I was literally just trying to sleep! Am I really that fun to bully?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

…yes, aCtuaLLy :)

And there it is. Its fake “normal” tone slips entirely as the hallways morph into something more typical for its domain.

i P r O M i S E tHat’S NOt wHy yOu’Re hERe tHouGh! i’LL HolD tO My WOrd, jUsT tHis ONcE :)

God, that weird verbal smiley it does drives Artifact insane. How is it even doing that? Its painfully distorted form strides around a corner that clearly wasn’t there before, giving Artifact a weirdly… genuine smile. It sure seems giddy over something.

ThiNk oF THis aS a FoLLow-uP! A ChECkuP, mAybE! i CertAinLY SenT yOu oFF oN an I n T E r e s T i N g noTe LAst TimE, aNd I cAn TeLL thIngS aRe… DevELopinG!!¡

[artifacts-abode]

"What the fuck are you talking about. If this is about you possibly marking me you should know it's far from my first one, so it's not really that big of a deal. Or-wait.."

They reach up to the still bleeding wound that is suspiciously exit wound shaped.

"You didn't- Did you put a fucking bUG IN ME!?"

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

maAaaaAaAyBe-

It shrugs, putting on a sheepish expression.

yoU SeeMEd StrEsSEd, AnD i CouLDn’T jUst LeT yOu LEaVe wIthOUt sOmEOnE tO MakE SUre yOu’Re OKay :)

At least it’s not trying to hide the fact that its “excuse” is bullshit. It attempts to hold back a laugh, and on perfect cue, Artifact’s wound pulses with another sharp pain.

[artifacts-abode]

They winced as the pain shot through them.

"Riiiight. So why are you here. The thing... escaped, and I don't exactly feel like a flesh hive. Is it just to gloat? You seem like a gloating type."

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

iT’S doNe iTs PUrpOse :)

Eris giggles to itself, raising its hand as a strange centipede-looking creature crawls out of its jacket sleeve, leaving behind a trail of blood. So that’s the little bastard it put into Artifact.

i ShoULd Say, O n E EscApED. i WaS ConCErnEd yOu’D STarT ShoWinG SymPTomS BefoRE yOu goT HeRe… ThaT WouLDn’T be VerY FuN :)

[artifacts-abode]

"Ew."

The idea of having that many legs in them is repulsive, and the idea of sitting down is starting to sound good again. Preferably before passing out becomes an option.

"The hell you mean, symptoms. If you put more than one of those bastards in me I will find a way to kill you!"

It's an empty threat, and they both know it, but Artifact wants some semblance of control after everything that's happened.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, “ i “ DidN’T. NoT IntEntIonAllY :)

The hallway they’re in appears to tilt violently if Artifact looks far enough into the distance. The patterns in the walls and floor are moving again. Yaaay.

Just before Artifact feels the need to sit down again, another shot of pain causes their knees to buckle. The feeling has seemingly migrated from their neck to somewhere in their chest.

oH DeaR :)

Eris takes a step back, smiling widely. God, why does it have that many teeth?

[artifacts-abode]

They cry out in pain, barely catching themselves on their arms as they topple to the floor.

"What-what did you do!?"

It was all wrong, the pain was so bad it felt like they couldn't breathe, a problem they hadn't had since they began serving the Buried. There had to be another of those little leggy bastards in them, and they had to get rid of it, now, before it's too late

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

hMm? i DidN’T dO AnyThinG :)

It tilts its head, its vision burning holes through Artifact. It’s like it’s staring right into their soul.

mY HivE iS ITs Own AutOnOMouS EntIty, tHEy hAvE FreE WiLL! i Can’T TeLL tHem wHAt tO Do :)

Something’s under their skin. They can feel it, burning, twisting, trying to tear itself free.

[artifacts-abode]

"Well take it back! Get it out, I don't want them!"

They curl up on the ground, shaking as the pain from before they entered these halls again goes through their body.

"Get it outGetitoutgetitout-"

Artifact is clearly not in a good state, all this time they had blissfully disregarded any signs of something wrong, but the pain and the sight of one of the creatures that had previously been in their body was impossible to ignore. The psychological fear of the bugs, of the threat of becoming a flesh hive, was almost worse than the agony of having one in your body.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

weLL, tHat’S NoT ReaLLy On mE nOw, iS It? :)

It stares at Artifact expectantly, practically vibrating with… excitement? And quite literally so, its form is starting to jolt and blur around the edges.

Something twitches under Artifact’s skin. It wants out just as much as they do.

iT’S eiTheR tHiS oR LeTTinG The HallWaYs tAKe oVEr, aNd I waNt tHIs tO Be a LiTTle mOrE excItiNg :)

[artifacts-abode]

Somehow, the pain gets worse. It's moving now, and despite the fact the Eye shouldn't even be able to reach them here, they Know what the creature is doing.

It's in their chest, and now it's ready to leave.

A mixture of revulsion and fear passes through them as the skin breaks open. It's such a small gap between the clavicle and the throat, but it's still enough for the insect to painstakingly claw its way out.

Artifact weakly moves their head away from their chest as the old threat to blind them rings in their ears. The level of control Eris has over its swarm is not something they wish to test while weakened nor with their eyes in such close proximity to the creature tearing them open.

Unfortunately the movement has the unforeseen side effect of tearing the new wound further and they black out, coming back to themselves with the creature free of their body, an even newer bleeding wound, a raw throat, likely from screaming, and a wet face, from either blood or tears. Perhaps a mixture of both.

And yet despite it all, Artifact is relieved. They aren't a flesh hive, they don't hear the song of Rot in their ringing ears. If they weren't truly marked before they certainly are now, and yet the Corruption has not fully taken them.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

As Artifact comes to, they can just make out Eris’ form hovering over them. Is their vision blurry, or is it blurry? They can’t tell in the slightest.

The wound on their chest pulses with a dulled, yet persistent pain. Just imagining the state of it makes them feel nauseous, but as they look down at the stained carpet, they notice something unsettling.

The liquid pooling under them isn’t blood.

It’s something like liquid technicolor. Something that constantly shifts and cycles through color and texture. Something crawling with tiny neon insects.

oH DEar… I ThoUgHt yOu WOulDn’T WakE uP FrOm ThaT!¡ iT’s nOT a foRgiVinG phAsE tO EntEr :’)

[artifacts-abode]

"W-what-"

They try to push themselves up to a seated position and their arms give out again. Fine. They'll just stay here on the floor then.

"What are you talking about, why does my- why does it look like that!?" They gagged, closing their eyes just to avoid looking at the facsimile of blood.

"What did you do to me?"

Artifact would hug themselves if it wouldn't be pathetic. They can be pathetic when they get back to normalcy, because they are absolutely going to get out of here and they're going to be fine, maybe they'll just find some dirt and-no not burrow just...dig into it. Nothing bug related. Or burrowing, they're actually going to scrub that word from their vocabulary for a bit. Maybe they'll go visit their friend instead, hide under fifty weighted blankets and talk about random stuff with him until they both pass out. And maybe let him open all the doors for awhile.

Snapping back to the present, Artifact realizes they've been zoning out and in the process, slowly curling back in on themselves. Great, good job on the not looking pathetic there. You probably look like a kicked puppy. A psychedelic coloured kicked puppy.

[3ris-d1st0rtionnn]

i DiD WHat WaS NecEssaRy :)

It shrugs, leaning on the wall. “Leaning” may be a generous term, though… Half of its body is bisecting the architecture.

oH, DOn’T TeLL uS You’Re nOt HavinG a GoOd TImE! i WeNt oUT oF My waY To InvItE yOU BacK, aNd THis iS HoW You ResPonD?¿ :’)

Its tone is nearly impossible to decipher, but it doesn’t exactly sound like it’s taking this seriously. After a few minutes it rolls its eyes sarcastically, pulling Artifact off the ground. Being in contact with it feels like their limbs are falling asleep… How unpleasant.

[artifacts-abode]

"Nothing about this was necessary. Whatever made you think I wanted to come back to this mind melting hellscape!? You put creepy bug things in my lungs!!! No I'm not having a good time!"

Ugh, they didn't want it touching them, but they also didn't think their legs would support them for long. Maybe they could kick it in the knees....no that wouldn't work. Dammit. Made them wish they had a lighter.