Strange as IT Seems

Chapter 23: Sweet Dreams are Made of These

"We meet again..." IT says in a cheeky voice and then lets out a chuckle similar to those pesky human clowns. The three deadlights dim themselves to a soft blue colour to allow its visitor to feel as comfortable as possible. It was as if IT was welcoming a guest into his home... or rather his domain

However, the noise emanating from the entity had an otherworldly quality to it, deeper and raspier, much more sinister than the standard laughter of a human. While the Flayer found such expressions of joy positively irritating and maddening coming from his prey, there was something about these deadened lights that was even more aggravating than it wants to wraps its fleshy tendrils around the orbs and squeeze the life out of them... if it had life. Why this thing enjoyed a human-like form was a mystery, especially something meant to bring laughter and joy to the tiny children.

The Flayer continued to float in the same black void where both beings had first encountered each other, pleased that it had not shifted into one of its greatest fears.

"Tell me, is the reason for your return is that you have considered my little proposal?" IT chuckles again.

The Mind Flayer communicates nothing, not wanting to give the other entity the satisfaction, but what IT had proposed sounded like a good idea...

...

Flashback to approximately a week ago, although time has little meaning in this beyond.

"Perhaps we could help each other..."

"How might we go about doing so?" the Flayer had asked.

"What sort of abilities do you possess?" the Deadlights inquired.

"More than you can imagine," it says in an almost smug manner, feeling great pride in its abilities.

Suddenly, the blue lights began to spin in a circle, forming an almost perfect circle and illuminating the space with a bright and eerie blue light. The Mind Flayer floats backwards, unsure of what is occurring, a flicker of fear enters its mind.

Just then a large geyser of water erupted from the center of the blue circle, spraying the Flayer. Again, the reining being of the Upside Down recoiled in horror, let out an inhuman shriek and attempted to flee. It tried to find a way back to its world, where everything was safe and dry, but could not. It floated in random directions to avoid one of its greatest hatreds, but the powerful stream of water remains fixed on its bodies and tentacles, no matter where it moved.

"You cannot escape what you fear... You are in my domain... you have no power here" a booming voice echoed, it was as loud as thunder and seemed to shake everything around the two entities.

"HOW DARE YOU!" the Flayer had shouted. It attempted to stay strong in the face of adversity, but water suddenly became flames and caused searing pain to its tendrils.

Another monstrous roar of pain erupted within the seemingly soundless and inescapable void.

The flames surrounded the monster from all angles and the pain within was too great to be described in any human terms.

"STOP! STOP!" the Flayer begged, finally giving in to its greatest fears.

All of a sudden, the fire vanished and the two were left in the dark. The circle of blue lights became three solid orbs again and remained still, it seemed to have proved its point well.

"You may be powerful, but you are far from an omnipotent being, as I have learned from my millions and millions of years on this planet... everything has a weakness, no matter how small or insignificant...such things can be used for exploitation... and fear..."