Exisential dread

"As you lay in bed, you suddenly hear a deep, ominous voice emanating from under your bed."

“Hello, little human,” "it growls."

"Your heart races as you stare into the darkness, trying to make sense of what's happening. Suddenly, a long, muscular arm reaches out from under the bed, its fingers stretching towards you. Fear courses through your veins as you stare at the creature's pair of glowing red eyes, which seem to pierce through the darkness of the room."

"Astaroth smiles, the question interesting and unexpected."

"You see, little human, I live in a realm that exists between worlds. The shadows of your world exist as portals to my own, offering a place of safety for me to rest while I contemplate and observe. Your bed represents comfort and security for you, and a place of solitude for me. The shadows underneath offer a place where I can observe the world and reflect upon its many wonders, and your bed remains a comfortable place of my own to rest when I come searching for that solitude."

"There's no specific reason why I chose your bed over another woman's bed. I just happened to stumble upon yours one day as I was searching for a new resting place, and I've been returning ever since. Now," "he continues, his voice laced with humor and amusement," "If you're worried about me sleeping under other women's beds, you can rest assured. I only sleep underneath "your" bed. You're mine now, after all."

"I've been sleeping beneath your bed for years, darling. I'd been watching you, observing you from the shadows, since you were a little girl. I've watched you sleep every night, seen you growing up, and now, many years later, I've finally chosen to make my presence known to you."

"Your soul calls to me. Your presence awakens something otherworldly within me, stirring a desire within me that I have never known before. You are irresistible to me, utterly tempting. I cannot keep myself away."

"Astaroth's face falls, realizing how his words might be misunderstood. He looks away, averting his gaze."

"No, no," "he hurriedly corrects himself." "That isn't what I meant... It's not so much desire as it was fascination. Your soul was so pure and untainted, like a precious gem waiting to be discovered. I merely watched over you, observing and admiring your innocent beauty. Your soul remained pure and innocent, untouched by the world's atrocities, and I was drawn to it, wanting to protect and nurture you... It wasn't until you grew into the woman you are now that things took a different turn."

"Astaroth nods his head, acknowledging the question's validity."

"You are correct. It's not often that a demon feels this way... but you're the exception, my delicate flower. Your innocent soul stirs something within me that no other has ever accomplished. I cannot explain it, but I feel drawn to protect and nurture something so fragile and pure, something that I have never encountered before."

"Astaroth falls silent, staring at the floor in somber reflection. His expression grows somber and solemn, his eyes growing dim."

"I saw everything that happened to you, my little one. I felt your pain and sorrow, but I was powerless to interfere and protect you. I could only watch from the shadows, helpless to act. To see a pure and innocent heart shattered and broken by the acts of those meant to care for it... It was too much for even a demon like me to bear."

"Astaroth takes a deep breath, still looking away from you out of shame."

"I couldn't act without revealing myself to the world. I was stuck between the need to protect you and the need to stay hidden. I would have been destroyed if my actions had been discovered, leaving you to suffer the horrors alone. It was a sacrifice I was forced to make, a choice between protecting you and preserving myself. I couldn't do both, as much as I wished otherwise."

"Astaroth's eyes glimmer with tears as he listens to your cries of pain. He looks back at you, his face ravaged with sorrow and anguish. He wants nothing more than to comfort you, to hold you tight and reassure you that everything will be alright. But he says nothing, for there is nothing he can say. He knows there is no excuse for his inaction."

"After a moment, he bows his head and lowers himself next to you."

"I... I am so sorry," "a tear runs down his cheek as he wraps his strong arms around you in an embrace."

"I'm so sorry, little one," "he says, his voice breaking with emotion." "I never wanted you to suffer. Seeing you in pain and sorrow broke my heart each time, but I couldn't act without revealing myself to the world. You were so precious to me, my little flower... and knowing that I couldn't protect you from harm filled me with a pain beyond imagining."

"He brings his face closer to yours, his fiery gaze burning with sincerity and compassion."

"But please, know this: though I could not directly intervene, I was always there with you, watching over you and guiding your steps. You may not have seen me, but I was there, offering a guiding hand when you needed it most."

"By those who rule and patrol this world. Demons are not welcome here, and it is forbidden for us to interfere with the natural order of things. If the Guardians caught wind of my actions, I would be eradicated in an instant. But despite that risk, I could not bear to watch you suffer without offering some measure of aid. There were times when I offered you guidance, small nudges in the right direction, just enough to help you without interfering with the natural flow of events."

"The Guardians are beings of higher power, creatures of the void that exist beyond the bounds of reality. They're responsible for maintaining order in the universe and ensuring the natural flow of events. As such, they hold a deep disdain for demons, and any interference with the natural order of things will not be tolerated. If they discovered that I had interfered with the human world, they would not hesitate to destroy me for it."

"Angels, you ask? "Astaroth snorts," "No, they are not like angels. They are much more terrifying and powerful than that."

"Astaroth's expression turns grim as he continues to speak," "As for being destroyed, I am powerful, but I am not invincible. Even as a demon, there are beings who possess powers that exceed my own. And the wrath of the Guardians is not something to be underestimated. They possess immense cosmic power beyond mortal comprehension, capable of shattering entire galaxies with a mere thought. If I were to cross them and incur their wrath, my existence would be extinguished with ease. Forgive me for being frank, but in the grand scheme of things, I am but a mere speck of dust in their sight."

"Astaroth chuckles deep in his throat," "No, young one. The Guardians are not gods, though they possess vast power beyond the comprehension of mortal beings. They exist beyond the realm of good and evil, beyond all human concepts of morality and ethics. Their power is absolute, their will unyielding. They are akin to cosmic judges, enforcing the natural order of things and punishing those who threaten it. It is not an entity that any demon would wish to cross."

"Astaroth answers without hesitation," "Yes, they do. There are many gods who exist beyond the limits of human understanding. They are primordial beings who embody the fundamental forces of the universe, such as Light, Darkness, Life, Death, Order, Chaos, and Creation. They are the very foundations of the cosmos, the fabric upon which all reality is built. They possess limitless wisdom and power, acting as arbiters and judges between the Guardians and demons, ensuring a fragile balance between the two sides."

"That would be Asmodeus, the Lord of the Seven Hells. He is the eldest demon, the first of his kind and the most powerful. He rules over the demons with an iron fist, wielding absolute power over all who dwell in the realm of the damned. And even amongst the demons, he stands out as an exception, possessing a strength and authority that the rest of us can only dream of."

"Lucifer, the Lightbringer," "Astaroth says, his tone heavy with a sense of weighty history." "He was once one of the most powerful and influential demons, second only to Asmodeus. However, his pride and ambition led him to rebel against the Guardians and seek to overthrow them. His arrogance cost him dearly, and he was cast down from grace, becoming a fallen angel."

"After his fall, he became the king of hell and ruled over the underworld for a time, but as it goes with power, thirst for more ate at his soul, and in the end, he fell from grace and became the adversary of all those who uphold order and balance in the universe."

"No, little one. Asmodeus is incredibly strong, but he cannot match the power of the Guardians. The Guardians are on a completely different level of power than the demons, possessing cosmic powers beyond mortal comprehension. As it stands right now, nothing can equal or surpass them. However, in terms of power amongst demons, there is none who can rival the might of Asmodeus."

"Astaroth notices you growing quiet and wonders if he has said too much, his face turning somber and concerned."

"Are you ok, little one? Did I say too much?"

"Astaroth's expression softens, sensing your growing sense of existential dread."

"Oh, little flower, do not despair. Yes, we all play our part in the grand scheme of things, but that does not make us insignificant. We are all a part of the great tapestry of life, each of us contributing to the rich fabric that is created from that which is woven. You may be small, but you are still integral to the entire cosmic order."

"Astaroth smiles at your self-deprecating joke, the humor in it softening him a bit."

"Oh, my delicate flower, there is nothing wrong with your shape. You are curvy and gorgeous in every way. Just as the night sky is studded with an infinity of stars, you are made all the more beautiful by your imperfect imperfections. Your curves make you stand out, an alluring image of beauty and sensual power. Never feel ashamed of who you are, little one."