Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Summary: Morpheus finally arrives at Epiales’ sanctum, ready to fight tooth and nail for your freedom. Unfortunately, as Epiales had told you before, that’s what the Prince of Nightmares had planned on all along.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Part 6 is finally here! *throws confetti* I was trying SO HARD to write this part a certain way, and it just…wouldn’t happen. I think Epiales himself was blocking me because my original idea didn’t let him show off his evilness™ to its fullest extent…bastard T_T I ended up having to completely change my approach, but thank goodness it finally came together! Enjoy.

Characters:

• Morpheus (M): The Sandman, son of Hypnos. Sarcastic, swears like a sailor, but secretly has a heart of gold beneath it all. He’s desperate to save the Listener from Epiales, and is no longer trying to hide the fact that he cares about the Listener.
• Epiales ("Ip-ee-al-ees") (E): A Daemon, a creation of Hypnos. Has the power to induce & feed off of nightmares. Arrogant, manipulative, sinister, creepy af. Calls himself a “god”/Morpheus’ brother (though he’s actually neither). Holds a deep grudge against Morpeus for Hypnos’ alleged “favoritism”. Wants to make the Listener his, both for revenge and because the Listener’s nightmares are delicious.

CW: hooo boy here we go Themes of domination, possession, & control; demons; discussions of violence and torture; sadism; non-consensual sleep magic; non-consensual imprisonment; magical imprisonment; use of bindings; revenge; unconscious Listener; mild violence; threats; manipulation; characters sacrificing themselves for one another

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: Epiales’ sanctum. There are reclining couches sitting around a table, ancient-Greek-style. There is also a large, carved stone chair to one side, resembling an eerie throne. Epiales is reclining on one of the couches, the sleeping Listener beside him.

M: GRAAAAH!

\loud crashing noise; splintering/breaking of rock and wood\**

Morpheus enters the room and sees the Listener.

M: Starlight!

E: \chuckle** Would you look at that, my sweet? It appears our guest has arrived. Just in time.

M: Starlight! Starlight, are you okay!? (to Epiales) What the f*** did you do to them!? Wake them up!

E: Shhhh. Keep your voice down. Their current nightmare is a particularly delicious one, after all. It would be a shame to wake them too soon.

M: You bastard! Let them go!

E: Hello to you too, brother. Welcome to my humble little home. I’m sorry it took me so long to have you over…we’ve both been so terribly busy, haven’t we?

M: Did I stutter!? Let. Them. Go! NOW!

E: Well, now…that’s rather rude, isn’t it? Here I went to all the trouble of putting together a nice little party—after all, we haven’t seen each other in so long.

M: What the hell is this!? Some sort of daemon ritual!?

E: (mock hurt) \gasps** I’m offended, brother. True, I suppose I’m a bit out of practice with hosting, given that I usually take my meals in bed...but I thought I’d covered the basics. A proper table, couches, even silverware. You were always telling me I should be more civilized. And yet, it seems that my efforts go unappreciated, just like always. It’s terribly unfair…wouldn’t you agree, my precious?

M: Get your filthy claws off of them!

E: Now, now. There’s no need for hostility. Why don’t you have a seat? I’d offer you mine, but I’d hate to disturb our Sleeping Beauty.

M: Shut the f*** up! If you think I’m gonna stand around listening to your bulls*** all day, you've got another thing coming. This is your last chance. You’ve got ten seconds to let them go, before I drive this thing straight through your heart!

E: \clicks tongue** Dear me…it seems Father’s temper is rubbing off on you. I’d advise you to restrain yourself, brother. I’d hate to have to do anything drastic...we wouldn’t want our precious mortal caught in the crossfire, now, would we?

M: Starlight!? Starlight, can you hear me!? Come on, wake up! Please! Come on—you can do it! I know you can!

E: (laughs) Oh, now, this is just delightful! Please, by all means, keep going. You won’t be able to wake them, any more than a pebble can wake the sea. No one escapes the abyss of my slumber.

M: Starlight—it’s gonna be okay! I’m gonna get you out of here, I swear! Do you hear me!?

E: Oh, trust me; they can. In fact…they’ve been hearing your voice for quite some time.

M: What the hell is that supposed to mean!?

E: \dark chuckle** Oh, yes. They’ve heard you scream, groan, beg for mercy. They’ve heard your anguished gasps, as your life bleeds away…your desperation, as you plead for them to leave you, and save themselves…and your fading whispers, as your body goes limp…over and over again, with each and every nightmare. Who knew the death of one's beloved could provide so many delectable courses?

M: (RAGE) You BASTARD!

E: Ah, ah, ah—not another step!

M: Or what!?

E: Really? I would have thought it was obvious.

M: If you so much as touch them again, I’ll make you wish Father had never even thought of creating you!

E: Oh, I don’t think you will. Not if you care about your precious Starlight.

M: Don’t f***ing play with me! You wouldn’t kill them. Not after you went to all this trouble to snatch them from me!

E: True…I wouldn’t dream of killing them. However…we both know there are worse fates.

M: What do you mean!?

E: Listen—can't you hear it? That's the sound of their mind screaming, praying I’ll let them wake up. It would be a shame if it never happened.

M: What!?!

E: Like I said, no one escapes my abyss. While you were busy being Father’s lapdog, I had the chance to explore the deepest recesses of their mind. I’ve seen their most intimate thoughts, their darkest fears. With a wave of my hand, I can give them a nightmare to last for all eternity. A vision so terrifying, it will leave their pathetic mortal mind in pieces, as they scramble for an escape that never comes. I can feed on them for all of time, while you are left with nothing but an unconscious, trembling shell. So, if you ever want to see their pretty eyes again, I suggest you be a good boy, and listen.

M: Come on. You really think I'm gonna fall for your tricks!?

E: Perhaps you're right. Perhaps it is a trick. But, then again...perhaps not. Are you really willing to take that risk?

M: What do you want, then!? Just f***ing spit it out already!

E: Before I do, perhaps you’d like to put down your blade, and join us? As I said before, I mustn’t disturb my pet, but not to worry. I made sure to save you another seat, right over there.

Morph looks around, and sees the carved stone chair.

M: (recognizes it; shocked) What the hell!?

E: Indeed. Lovely, isn’t it? Only the best for my dear brother. Sculpted by Hades himself…a throne worthy of a prince.

M: That’s—but—no way! How the hell did you get that!?

E: Well, it’s not like Hades was using it. He hasn’t had much call for a chair of living stone, ever since Theseus escaped. It seemed like such a shame for a work of art like that to be left sitting empty.

M: (realizes what Epiales is getting at) …You rat bastard.

E: Come, now. It’s been so long since you and I have had the chance to catch up. I’ve been just dying to hear all the latest news from Father’s mansion. So, let me ask you one more time…won’t you put down your weapon, and take a seat?

M: If I do, you let them go. Understand!?

E: (laughs) Perhaps I will. Who can say? But I can say for certain that my patience is quickly running out. It’s really quite simple: unless you want them trapped in their own mind for eternity, you’ll do as I ask. Now.

M: …Fine! You win.

\slithering noises, accompanied by the crunching of stone, as the chair comes to life, binding Morpheus where he sits. Note: this is a real myth; look up “Pirithous and Theseus”\**

M: \cries out in pain**

E: (triumphant laugh) Finally!

M: (voice strained; teeth gritted with pain, which lasts through the rest of his bound lines) Come on! What are you waiting for!? F***ing wake them up already!

E: Always so impatient. Very well...as you wish.

\magic sounds, as Epiales waves his hand\**

The Listener’s eyes fly open with a gasp.

E: Welcome back, my sweet. My, my…that may have just been my best work yet. I’m surprised you were able to withstand it…it seems your mind is even stronger than I thought. It makes me wonder just how far I can go...how much I can push it, before it snaps. No matter—we’ll have plenty of time for that later. For now, I have a surprise for you.

The Listener looks around, and screams. “MORPH!”

M: Starlight—Starlight, listen to me! You’ve gotta get out of here! Come on, go! Run!

“No! Are you crazy!? I can’t leave you!”

M: No! Just GO! Get back to the palace! Father—he’ll protect you. Just go! Please!

The Listener runs over, trying to break his stone bindings.

M: What the—? What are you doing!? Are you even listening!? Come on! You won’t be able to free me! Just f***ing GO!

E: Oh, my precious mortal. I’m afraid your dear Morph is correct. You’d sooner be able to move Olympus than break those bindings. That stone will be his prison, until I say otherwise. No…I’m afraid you’re both at my mercy now.

M: NO! Let them go, you bastard! You have me now! It’s what you wanted from the start! Do what you want with me; I don’t care! Just let them go!

E: (cackles) Would you look at that, my sweet? Isn’t it amazing how love can turn even a god into a fool? Though, in your precious prince’s case, I suppose there wasn’t much to work with from the start…he was always a nothing more than a selfish, spoiled, fawning brat.

“You BASTARD,” the Listener chokes out.

E: Shhhhh…hush, now. It will be alright. Tell you what...I'll even let you help me decide what to do with him first. Should I send for the Furies, to tear him to ribbons? Or perhaps I should leave him out for the Eagle of Caucasus…I’ve heard that the creature has been starving ever since Prometheus escaped from his chains. Or, better yet, perhaps I’ll simply keep him here…and let him enjoy the show. After all, what better punishment than for him to watch me break you? Yes…I want him to see you writhe; hear your every whimper. I want him to witness the moment when your spirit finally crumbles, when you beg me for mercy. I want to hear him scream, when he realizes you are mine.

“Please,” the Listener says suddenly.

E: —Hmm? What was that?

“Please! Please, stop!”

E: “Please?” No…surely not. Can it be? Is that feisty spirit of yours finally starting to crack?

M: NO! Starlight! Are you crazy!? What the f*** are you—!?

E: Silence! I’m sorry, my sweet. I don’t think I heard you. What did you say?

“Please, don’t hurt him!”

E: \dark chuckle** My, my…isn’t this interesting? I must say, it’s delightful to hear you beg. Let’s say I agreed to show him mercy. What would you be willing to do for me in return? How far would you be willing to go, to protect your precious Morph?

“I’ll…I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll be yours. Just, please!”

E: You’ll be mine? Oh, really? Well, then…why don’t you prove it?

M: NO! STARLIGHT! NO!—

E: SILENCE!

M: \sounds of pain**

E: Now, then…where were we? Ah, yes. Come here, my sweet. Yes…very good. (inhales) Mmm…there’s that anguish and fear I know so well. There’s a new flavor, though, isn’t there? Sorrow. Then, it’s true. You really are giving up.

“Please! You have to promise you’ll let him go! No tricks!”

E: Don’t worry, my sweet. I swear on our Father’s name, if you will be mine, then your precious prince goes free. After all, him living for all eternity, knowing that you chose another? Spending the rest of his days in crushing guilt, knowing that somewhere out there, you’re suffering in his place? I couldn’t ask for anything more.

“What…what do I have to do? How do I prove it?”

E: Oh, it’s very easy. All you need to do is just what you’ve done before. Yes…that’s right. If you wish to seal the bargain, all you need to do…is look into my eyes. Go on, my precious. That’s all it takes. Surrender, and he’ll be free. Yes…surrender…and look into my—

Suddenly, the Listener straightens up, flinging the entire contents of Morpheus’ sandbag at Epiales. They stole the bag from Morph’s cloak, when they were trying to free him from his bonds.

\sound of scattering sand; a cloud of dust; magical sounds\**

E: —Ackpth! (sputters) What the—!? What is this!? (rage) You little wretch! I should’ve KNOWN you had some foul trick up your sleeve! You really think sand will work on me? (dangerous) Oh, just you wait. You think I’ve made you suffer before!? Trust me, my pet, when I’m through with you, you'll wish you’d never—

Suddenly, Epiales starts to feel the effects of the sand, gradually falling asleep over the course of his next lines.

E: —that you'd never—you...what? (realizes what's happening) No…NO! Curse you!...You conniving little brat! I will not…I will not be...undone so easily! I…I'll…I’ll destroy you! Both of you…! You'll be…you’ll be…mine…I'll...\groan**

\thud, as Epiales collapses\**

\slithering/crackling noise, as the stone chair releases Morph\**

M: \groan of pain/relief** Oh, s***. (heavy sarcasm) Well, that was fun.

"Morph!? Are you alright!?"

M: Starlight!

\impact, rustling of fabric as he hugs the Listener\**

M: Starlight—oh, f***. Are you okay!? Did he hurt you!?

The Listener shakes their head.

M: \relieved exhale** Thank the gods. That f***ing bastard...I'm gonna feed him to Cerberus headfirst. I'll strap his a** to Sisyphus' boulder and push it back down the hill myself!

The Listener collapses against him, shaking like a leaf.

M: Hey, hey. Shhhh—it’s okay. It’s okay. I’ve got you. Shhhh…just breathe. Here—do it with me. (He breathes in and out, guiding the Listener, before they continue the conversation.) How the f*** did you pull that off, back there? How'd you manage to get my sand?

The Listener explains.

M: You grabbed it when you were trying to free me? Wait, so—when you offered yourself up for me—was that your plan all along? Just...throw the sand?

“Yeah. I wasn’t sure if it would work, but I had to at least try.”

M: Gods… (sarcastic) Great. Awesome. No way in hell that could've gone wrong.

“Hey, I could say the same about you!”

M: What do you mean, you could say the same about me? I knew what I was doing! That chair is built for mortals, not gods. I could’ve gotten out of it eventually. I mean, probably. But that’s not the point. Even if I couldn’t have gotten out, I—I wouldn’t have wanted you to—look, just don’t f***ing try and sacrifice yourself for me again, okay!?

“Don’t. Don’t say that about yourself, please! You are absolutely worth it. But maybe we should save this argument for later.”

M: \sigh** Alright, alright…point taken. We can talk about this later, once we’ve dealt with this piece of s***.

“How long will the sand keep him asleep?”

M: I have no idea. It’s meant for mortals, not daemons, so probably not long. Whatever we do, we gotta do it quickly.

“What should we do???”

E: I don’t know. We could…try and take him back to the palace, I guess. Father would probably grind his a** into stardust, especially considering how much he likes you. But, even Father were to imprison him, or give him some other kind of gods-awful, Hades-style punishment…I don’t trust him not to escape. He already snuck into the mansion to grab you. Apparently, he even managed to steal an entire f***ing throne from Uncle Hades. He's bound to break free eventually. When that happens, we’ll be right back at square one.

“Wait!”

M: Huh? What is it?

“What about the Lethe!?”

M: The…river Lethe? (It suddenly hits him like a brick) Wait—holy s\**!* That’s IT! Gods, why didn’t I think of that!?!? You’re brilliant!

“You said once that you fell in, and lost your marbles for almost a month. If it affected you, then—”

M: Right! If it affected me, that time I fell in, it’ll definitely affect him, too. Probably for longer, since no matter how much he whines about it, he’s still not a god. If we wipe his memory, then hopefully, that’ll be the end of it. You’ll finally be free!

“Then what are we waiting for!?!”

M: Damn right—what are we waiting for? Okay—I’ll grab him, and you grab my other arm.

“Let me know if I’m holding on too tight.”

M: \chuckle** Don’t worry—you can hold on as tight as you want. You’ve earned it. Ready? Okay—here we go.

\magical/poof sounds, as they disappear\**