Summary: A few nights after meeting the Sandman, you’re settling into bed, when you hear a voice calling to you. At first, you think it’s Morpheus, but his voice didn’t make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Then, as you feel your body freeze, your skin going cold and clammy, you realize it’s something, or someone, far more sinister...but it's too late.

Part 1

CW: themes of domination, possession, & control; sleep paralysis; demons; nightmares; sadistic character; non-consensual hypnosis

Usage:

• OK to record & monetize, as long as you give me credit in the video/audio description as the scriptwriter! I would also love to listen to the recording when it’s done–please send me the link on Reddit! Paywalling is okay; however, if you paywall, you must make it possible for me to listen to the finished product.
• Gender-flipping and small tweaks are okay (e.g., changing pronouns, leaving out/changing curse words), but no large edits are permitted.
• Feel free to use music or insert sound effects if you’d like. Any sound effects given are suggestions–use at your discretion. *Sound effects in bold, set apart by asterisks\*
• Any dialogue or reactions given by the Listener are purely for the benefit of the VA, to help them feel like they have something to respond to while they’re acting. Listener reactions in italics.
• Please let me know if you have any questions!

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SETTING: The Listener’s bedroom. Epiales (pronounced “Ip-ee-AL-ees”), a Nightmare Daemon, has been inducing nightmares in the Listener nearly every night for awhile, in order to feed on their fear and anguish. Tonight, he has returned to try and feed on the Listener again.

(soft, gentle, creepy) Ah…there you are, my sweet. Look at you, tucked up in your little bed, all snug and cozy. The very picture of peace.

The Listener looks around. “...Morpheus?”

\chuckle** Oh, my…now isn’t that interesting? How could you know his name, I wonder? Why, it almost sounds as though you were expecting him…but that would be impossible. After all, it’s forbidden to reveal ourselves to the mortals. Surely, my perfect little brother wouldn’t have gone against the rules? Not that I can blame him…after all, just look at you. Such a perfect specimen. That delicate face, so soft, so beautiful, even when it’s twisted with fear. And that enticing form, laid out before me, like a sacrificial offering. You would inspire anyone to abandon reason.

The Listener tries to move, but finds their body paralyzed.

What’s wrong, my sweet? Ah…finding it hard to move all of a sudden? Are your limbs locked in place, your body frozen, like a victim of Medusa’s gaze? \chuckle** My apologies. I often have this effect on mortals. It makes it easier, you see. Not that I can’t feed on a thrashing, writhing form, but I just find it so inelegant. No…I much prefer my victims to be still. There’s something intoxicating about it…seeing your sleeping forms lying motionless, as if at peace, when inside, your minds are actually screaming, begging for release from the horror of my visions. If I’m especially lucky, the paralysis takes hold early, sending your fear spiraling even before you fall asleep…a little appetizer, if you will.

The Listener desperately calls out for Morpheus.

You can call his name all you want, but alas, I’m afraid your dear Sandman is busy tonight. No doubt he’s bounding around like a dog, obediently fulfilling his duties, as usual. But don’t worry…I'm sure we’ll have lots of fun, just the two of us.

“Who are you!?”

Who am I? \chuckle** Ah, yes; forgive me. Where are my manners? I am Epiales [“Ip-ee-AL-ees”], god of nightmares, son of Hypnos, and the most powerful of the Oneiri [“OH-nee-ree”]. Would you like me to show myself? I suppose I could indulge you…after all, if our precious prince already broke the rules, why shouldn’t I? Very well…if you insist.

\Sound effect—eerie gust of wind, as Epiales appears\**

Behold. You should be grateful—not many have ever had the privilege to gaze upon my true form, in all its glory.

The Listener is silent, frozen with fear.

Speechless, are we? Am I just that handsome? Come, now…don’t be shy. Tell me, which part of me appeals to you the most? My horns, curved like the blade of a scythe? My claws, as eager to caress as they are to kill? Or perhaps my eyes…as deep and dark as a moonless night? \chuckle** What, were you expecting someone more human-looking? I know my dear brother enjoys using a mortal form, but he’s always been somewhat lacking in imagination. It’s sad, really.

“You’re—you’re brothers?”

Oh, yes…did he not tell you he had a brother? Certainly, he told you about our father. Of course he did…oh, he pretends not to care, but beneath that aloof facade, he’s like a starving dog, desperate for the merest scrap of approval.

“Father? Y-you mean Hypnos?”

That’s right. We are both sons of the great Hypnos. (venomous; seething) And yet, unlike my dear brother, I am cursed to wander the earth, while he reclines on velvet couches in Father’s mansion. While he is spoon-fed from a silver platter, I must toil in the fields of sleep for my own sustenance!

Ah, but, every so often, I’m lucky enough to find someone like you, my sweet. Though I must say, you outshine them all. Never before have I met someone whose fields of sleep are so wonderfully fertile. The bounty of terror and anguish that you produce is beyond compare. It’s like the finest wine…richer and sweeter than honey, more delectable than the pomegranates of Hades. \inhales** Yes…I can almost taste it now. I wonder what sort of delicious misery you’ll have in store for me tonight?...

“No! NO! Let me go! Let me go, please!”

Oh, shhhh, shhhh. Hush now, my precious. It will only be worse for you if you resist.

“NO! You can’t! I can't dream!”

\laughs** Oh, you poor, sweet thing. I'm afraid it's useless to lie. You can dream for me, little one. You can, and you will. Now, just relax. Unlike my dear brother, I don’t even need a bag of sand to put you to sleep. No…a mere glance into my eyes will be enough to drag you down into slumber. Look at me, my sweet. The sooner you surrender, the sooner it will all be—

“No! You can’t! Morpheus made it so I can’t dream at all!”

Hmm? He—he what?

"He did! He gave me dreamless sleep!"

Oh, really? He gave you dreamless sleep? No...surely not. Why would he stick his neck out for a mere mortal? You’re just grasping at straws.

“I’m not lying! It’s true! I swear!”

Well, I suppose there’s one way to find out.

\Sound effect—whoosh, as Epiales descends on the Listener\**

If he truly has given you a reprieve…I should be able to smell his magic on you. (close, creepy) Mmm…your fear is even stronger up close. It’s like perfume. Now…hold still.

Epiales inhales deeply, before he gasps.

What!?

There's a pause. When he finally speaks, he’s seething, his words crackling with barely-contained rage.

...So, it’s true, then, is it? That bastard. That interfering, self-important little thief! He dares to try and deprive me of you!? My precious mortal… \evil laugh** Oh, he has no idea what he’s just done. He presumes to bring his forces to my shores...well, if he wants a war, then, by our Father’s name, I shall give him a war!

Brief pause, while he regains control.

My apologies…it seems we’ll have to postpone our little tryst for the time being. I know, you must be absolutely devastated…but luckily, this latest trick of his isn’t permanent. It should last for another day or two, at most. Once his protection has faded, then, there will be nothing standing in our way.

Hmm? Oh, my poor, sweet human. Are you hoping he’ll protect you? He and I may be as different as night and day, but we do have one thing in common…we’re both selfish bastards. He'd never risk making Father even angrier. Dogs like him live and die by their masters’ rules. A wild beast like myself, however, obeys no laws.

The Listener trembles, their body still paralyzed.

\chuckle** Hmm…I may not be able to quench my thirst tonight, but perhaps we could still have a little fun. Why don’t we practice you surrendering to me? After all, the sooner you learn to obey, the easier it will be once that pampered prince's tricks aren’t in the way. Yes…you remember what to do, don’t you? That’s right—look at me. Look me in the eyes, my sweet. Gaze into their endless void.

Yes...that's it. You can try to look away, but still, you feel them drawing you in, like the tide pulling back from the shore. No, no, no...don’t fight it. It's useless to try and resist. Just keep looking, staring into my eyes. Hear their darkness calling to you. Yes...let it wash over you, pulling you down. Just staring, falling deeper, and deeper. Drifting down, further and further, with each and every word that I say. Now...relax, my sweet. Yes...that's it. Just relax. Your mind is going blissfully blank, your thoughts floating away, evaporating like the morning mist. Feel the weight of your body, as you sink down deep. Yes...sinking further and further, into the soft, inky darkness. Sink for me, little one. Yes...just sink. \chuckle** Oh, look at you, struggling to keep your eyes open. They seem so terribly heavy. Why not let them close? It's alright. Why keep fighting, when you know you're bound to lose? Just give in, my sweet. Close your eyes.

The Listener's eyes finally slide closed, as the last of their strength is exhausted.

Ah...there we go. Doesn't it feel wonderful to submit? To surrender control, and let someone else take the reigns? Yes...I know it does. Keep sinking for me, my sweet. Keep sinking, deeper and deeper. Let the darkness embrace you, as you surrender to my power. That's it. Now…sleep for me, my precious. Yes...sleep. Enjoy what little remains of your respite...for soon, you'll be mine.