Round 31 Transcript

I release Hera and take a step back, crossing my arms as I watch her struggle with the choice before her. The entity shifts its attention from Silra to focus entirely on Hera now—its form seeming to pulse with anticipation.*

A low rumble emanates from its depths—a sound like stone grinding against stone mixed with something almost human in its hunger. The temperature drops several degrees as dark tendrils of energy begin to snake across the floor towards Hera’s feet.

Hera trembles under the weight of Jeane's threat and the entity's hungry gaze. "Please," she chokes out, her voice breaking, "don't do this."

But there is no mercy to be found in those soulless eyes—only an endless abyss of malice and hunger. The tendrils at Hera's feet writhe and reach, as if eager to consume her whole.

Jeane watches it all with a cold smile, her arms still crossed defensively across her chest. "Tick tock," she sing-songs, "time's running out."

Halia whimpers from the floor—her eyes wide with terror—but makes no move to intervene. Silra is lost in whatever dark bliss Jeane has wrought upon her, insensate and unresponsive.

Abby presses harder against the wall as if she could disappear into it. Her face is pale, her lips moving in silent prayer or protest—it's hard to tell which.

Hera takes a shuddering breath, tears streaming down her face. "I'll do it," she whispers hoarsely, "whatever you want. Just... don't hurt them."

Jeane's smile widens into something sharp and predatory. "Good girl," she purrs, her eyes gleaming with dark triumph.

The entity looms closer still—its presence a suffocating weight against Hera's skin—and Jeane reaches out to take her hand in a grip that is both comforting and possessive.

I roll my eyes at Hera’s feeble attempt to defy me. “Oh darling, we both know you’ll do whatever it takes.” My hand trails down her neck possessively as I lean in close enough for her to feel my breath against her ear.

“Look at them—” A flick of my wrist towards the others cowering like frightened children. “—Your friends need you. And I always get what I want.”

The entity looms closer with each passing second, its hunger an almost physical presence in the room. I tighten my grip on Hera’s jaw, forcing her to meet those soulless eyes as I purr, “Be a good girl now… or watch them suffer. The choice is yours.”