A chill in the air. Whispers on the breeze.

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

Many things have been on the minds of the crew lately, and many things have happened.

There is, however, one happening which might go completely unnoticed by all but the most astute members of the crew.

Lately, all across the ship, in different rooms at different times, there is a strange feeling of unnaturalness. It happens slowly, so slowly one could hardly notice the change until it was entirely there.

The air, normally temperate and vaguely humid, begins to become chilled and dry.

The faint sounds of voices can be heard, whispering as if conspiring together, just far off enough to be unintelligible.

The shapes of objects in the area seem to subtly change, forming almost impossible angles if one watches long enough.

The last, and perhaps most noticeable to some, is the feeling of being observed. Not in the same way Stacy watches over the crew, but rather as if something is looking directly into you, straight into your soul.

Eventually, these feelings will fade, moving on to some other part of the ship.

However, they do seem to last long enough for one to attempt to investigate, should someone manage to work up the will to remain in the area long enough.

Comments

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

In the Engineering department, Allen waits a few minutes to determine that his sudden biological reaction was triggered by an external source and not internally generated, and abruptly stops working on Paco's robo-arm to pick up his omnicom and begin scanning the room.

"I extend no invitation, am not afraid of you, and am taking readings as we speak."

He eyes the video screen, twiddling with a few more dials as he logs all the data he can gather.

"And I have to say, I haven't seen readings like these before. You can give me your information yourself, or I can gather it on my own, but either way, you're on my radar."

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

My, how touchy.

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

"Touchy? No, no, this isn't touchy. This is inquisitive." Allen turns a dial. "With a healthy dose of caution."

He does not look up from the screen of his omnicom, where data is assembling to be interpreted, which tells him a lot more than his eyes do at present. "So what's up? Hanging around out of boredom, or here with a goal in mind?"

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

I seek those prepared to face the coming darkness.

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

"Yeah? What are you gonna do when you find them?"

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

Offer them my aid.

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

"Allright. Mind if I ask you a few questions in the name of understanding and possibly preventing the coming of said darkness?"

Because those things rarely are good, but "darkness" does not necessarily equal evil.

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

You would be remiss if you did not.

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

"You're the expert."

The button Allen hits on his omnicom is not a tape recorder, but a direct link to his cerebral hardware to record his stream of thought during a conversation. Better than a tape recorder for recording a spiritual voice.

"'Coming Darkness.' Please elaborate."

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

It is an ancient abomination, a dark god, bound within the city.

Soon, it shall awaken.

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

"To do what?"

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

I believe the foremost on its list of intentions is to free itself from its prison.

After that, it will attempt to corrupt or devour the souls of the crew to regain its strength, afterwords setting out upon its true agenda.

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

"Which is?"

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

Knowing others of its kind, likely to spread death and misery across all realities, or something similarly unpleasant.

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

Allen breathes out, shifts his eyebrows.

"Consider me against it." He adjusts one more dial on his omnicom. "How do we prevent its release, and should the worst happen, get rid of it?"

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

Preventing its release is impossible at this point. I and one other being are currently attempting to hold it back to grant your crew time to prepare.

The only way to be rid of the threat is to perform a powerful exorcism ritual.

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

"Go on, I'm recording."

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

The rite will need to be performed when the creature begins physically manifesting, as that will be when it is weakest.

Though only one participant is necessary for the rite, it requires an incredible amount of energy, be it psychic, spiritual, or mystical in nature. I intend to lead the rite, and have others channel their energy through me.

There is little direct danger from participating in the rite for anyone other than myself, though the effect it has on the surrounding area can be...unpredictable.

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

"Please elaborate on the point 'unstable.' Also, can you provide proof that you're telling the truth, and that by participating in this rite we'll be binding something we want to bind, and not, say, a friend, or unleashing the very thing we intend to bind, or something similar?"

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

As the beast attempts to physically manifest, I will weaken the walls of reality.

Then, using both the power channeled through me by the other participants as well as knowledge of the creature's true name as will hopefully be learned by your crew-mate Roxie, I shall force the daemon back into the Immaterium.

Should we succeed, then I would once again seal the walls of reality, using the final incantations of the rite to strengthen them to prevent any more tears.

The daemon is definitely malevolent. Your crewmate Roxie has encountered its minions within the astral plane of the ship, as well as the being that is currently holding it at bay.

As for whether or not I am actually unleashing the beast...well, it certainly is difficult to prove such things to an absolute, since the rite uses similar techniques and ideas as a summoning ritual.

It is your choice to believe me or not.

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

"Leela mentioned something about something nasty in Escherville a while back. Any relation, and who is currently holding it at bay?"

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

The area of the ship known as Escherville is where the daemon currently resides, yes. The structure it is held within resembles a warped cathedral of some kind.

The being I spoke of is named Aang. He is the Avatar of his world, a reincarnation-cycle empowered with mastery over elemental forces, duty-bound to ensure the balance of his world.

Several of the crew members are comrades of his, he has told me.

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

"You make a convincing bid."

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

I would hope so.

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

"Anything else I should know?"