//------------------------------// // Mind Games: Hall of Screams // Story: Labyrinth of Madness // by Speven Dillberg //------------------------------// Hall of Screams Aeron awoke to find himself surrounded by a large, gray, mass. He stared at it for a moment before he realized it was just a wall. Standing up, he looked around to see he was in a narrow hallway. He also saw none of the others were with him. Not even Dash. “Well... Time to go, then,” He said to himself as he began to walk down the narrow path. So, Aeron, have you been thinking as usual? Kata spoke softly. “You mean about your offer? Yes. It has been chilling out in the suite that I call my mind. It has wine accompanying it,” Aeron held back a laugh as he responded to Kata. Don’t try to be sly with me, Aeron... Kata growled angrily at his response. “Here I thought you were intelligent...” Aeron sighed. “I guess I was wrong. Yes, you nitwit, I have been thinking about your offer.” Well, what’s it going to be? When you arrive at the wonderful challenge, will you leave this maze and let these fools die? Or will you stay? Kata laughed coyly in the recesses of Aeron’s mind. “I don’t know. It’s a hard choice and I don’t feel like choosing now. When the time comes, I’ll assess what has all happened so far and choose based on the other’s actions,” Aeron responded simply. “As for now, I’m going to find my way out of this damn hallway until I find them again.” Boy, you sure are boring. You know how you’re scared of high pitched noises? Well, if you don’t choose now, I’ll let you deal with that, Kata threatened Aeron as he stopped in his tracks. So, yes or no? “I don’t care,” Aeron said simply, continuing to walk. Suit yourself, The snapping of fingers was heard the immediate, ear splitting screams echoed throughout the maze. Aeron did his best to push through them, covering his ears and applying pressure to keep the noise to a minimum. But it was of no use. The screams continued to increase their pitch, keeping a high octave. Aeron became unsettled as it continued. “Make it... Stop...” Aeron grunted as the pain seeped through him, blood dripping from his ears. Enjoying it, Aeron? Kata laughed menacingly. The man soon found himself on the floor, shaking violently with anxiety and sickness. He vomited slightly onto the ground and his eyes were becoming bloodshot. The screams raced through his mind, searching for his tick. Searching for the last grip of sanity he had left. We’ve found it... High-pitched screaming barreled through Dash’s ears as she awoke. She quickly sat up and covered her ears, wincing in pain. Slowly looking around, she found that she was in a long, bright, corridor, with neon red painting smeared across the walls. “Uhg... Can’t think with this screaming...” The moment Dash spoke those words, the screaming stopped and the pain vanished from her ears. “Huh. What luck?” She slowly stood on her hooves, trotting down the narrow pathway. Whilst Dash was trotting along, the light coming off of the paint was burning itself into her sight. Irritating her, she tried to not stare at it directly, looking down at the ground instead. As she did so, the squelching of flesh and the gushing of liquid bounced through her ears. “What th-” Dash raised her head to see an array of different combinations of numbers lined themselves against the walls. “N-” Four... a silent voice from her right interrupted her. Scared, she pushed up against one of the walls and the numbers slide onto her coat. “No! Not this again!” She yelled, trying to shake them from her fur. You can never evade me, Hastur. You are mine forever. A deep and monotonic voice spoke to the panicking pegasus. “No, stop this! Please!” Dash begged, only to have the voice laugh menacingly. You’re so weak... To think you killed Jaime... “What did I ever do to you? Just leave me al ” Dash screamed in pain before she could finish. The numbers upon her fur became more physical and tightly squeezed her body. Stop trying, Hastur. You will be bound to my will, and serve me forever. You will be a great replacement for Jaime... “N-... No...” Dash struggled to move and speak as the numbers tightened their grip on her body. So worthless. To think you were a threat to me. Give me your answer, Aeron. Yes or no. I don’t see the problem with that! Kata laughed as the screaming continued and blood trickled down the black man’s face. “Make... It... Stop...” Aeron slowly spoke while his body involuntarily quivered. Uhg, you’re such a waste, Kata’s fingers snapped and the screaming stopped. Once it did, Aeron let go of his ears and vomited on the floor again, some of the blood from his face mixing in the acidic mess. Gross, Kata laughed as she watched Aeron’s agony. “Why is Why does it matter what my decision is...?” Aeron had trouble speaking, his body quivering, and his mind slowly deteriorating in front of the goddess. Because, I want to know now what you’ll choose. So I can laugh at you or those other fools, Kata chuckled. “I won’t do it... if Dash is left behind...” Aeron stated very slowly. Oh, boy, you people and your ‘attachments’. Wait, isn’t that your line? Kata mocked and let a giggle trail off from her voice. “Dash is the only thing I care about besides my own personal survival...” Aeron slowly stood up, placing a bloody hand against a wall. “Let her come with me, then I’ll say ‘yes’.” Uhg... Dad, do I have too? Kata groaned but Aeron gave no response. God damn, fine. I’ll let your stupid pegasus friend come along with you. Assuming you can find her and stop her from going insane. Or are you the one insane? Aeron raised a brow at the question. “What does that mean?” Well, you don’t think I’m that stupid, do you? I know screaming drives you nuts. It’s why you don’t like anyone crying. It’s why you went insane on those super mutants over at the crazy Gary vault, Kata laughed softly. It’s why you try so hard to avoid conflict. You don’t want to hear the screaming. I know how you tick, Aeron. Far better than you do. Aeron stood there silently for a moment. A few thoughts on whether or not what she said was true passed through his head, but, he ignored it. Instead, he slowly walked along the corridor in hopes to find his pegasus friend. Pathetic, Kata laughed silently, leaving the bleeding man to his own devices. Dash struggled to move or even lift a hoof for the numbers gripped tightly around her like a vice. Although the resistance was strong, Dash continued to move; albeit slowly. “Let... Me... Go...” She struggled to speak, breathing harshly. No. You are mine. Accept it. The voice echoed through her ears, only for her to shake her head. Not speaking another word, her body tensed up and Dash ceased to move. The pegasus collapsed to the ground, taking slow, hard, breaths. Giving up? “No...” The mare croaked, pushing herself back to her hooves. Do you know how much time you’re wasting with your resistance? Accept it, Hastur. “Stop... Calling me... That!” Dash grunted and forced through the grip upon her. The more she forced the vice, the easier it was for her to move, and the less strain she found affecting her body. The numbers were slowly easing up on her as if she was wiggling out of bindings. How are you resisting this? This is supposed to be your doom, Hastur! The voice bellowed with fury. “Because... I... Can...” The pegasus replied as the numbers began to lose their grip upon her. Rainbow Dash screamed wildly and grunted through the vice until the numbers snapped off of her body. The neon colours plastered onto the walls faded and all that was left was a dim light. Breathing heavily, Dash sat on her haunches to rest and recuperate. The voice appeared to be gone, but, she couldn’t be sure. “You still there...?” She called out. After a few moments of silence, she sighed with relief. “Rainbow Dash?” A voice called from behind Dash. She turned around to see Aeron holding his signature combat knife. “Aeron!” The pegasus slowly stood up and trotted towards him with a smile on her face. “Good... I found you...” Aeron said softly, his grip tightening around the hilt of his blade. “I’m glad you did,” Dash said softly as she finally reached him. “I just experienced the worst thing in my life.” “Did you?” The man questioned. “Yeah... Those numbers were back and that creepy god guy was constantly taunting me.” “Well, I am glad you are okay, Rainbow Dash,” Aeron spoke softly and his eyes wandered across her form. “Is something wrong, Aeron?” She asked, tilting her head in confusion. “You never talk like that.” Aeron’s eyes avoided Dash’s and moved upwards to look down the corridor. Within his field of vision, he could see lines of blood trailing all the way to the pegasus below him. From those lines, he could see the mangled corpses of foals and human children plastered on the floor and walls. “Did yo ” Aeron looked down to no longer see Rainbow Dash, but, that of a ghoulified pegasus attempting to pounce on him. “Fuck!” Aeron quickly kicked the ghoul away from him, causing it to fall to the ground with a rasping hiss. “Of course it’s all a lie. Time to finish this shit off.” Aeron walked closer to the creature, his knife in hand and a look of determination on his face.