The Mare

晦
WRITTEN BY NEXNAP
ART BY ENDREYDEATH200
For the Eighth Writing Contest
Entity 324, informally referred to as The Mare, and euphemistically as 晦 (/huì/), is an elusive entity and possessive anomaly that resides within the Backrooms. 
DESCRIPTION
The Mare is one of the oldest known yet least documented entities within the Backrooms, generally depicted as a vaguely equine entity of sable color. Due to the overall elusiveness of its anatomy, it is considered infeasible to strictly define its physical appearance. Other depictions of the entity range from more reptilian forms to canine forms to ambiguous ones seemingly incompatible with animal appearances. Most older portrayals show the Mare donning a piece of worn cloth of reddish tint, riddled with fabric incisions, wrapped around its abdomen and loins, or abdomen and back. Recent sightings suggest the persistent presence of this accessory. Evidence of any non-ornamental purposes of said cloth remains largely inconclusive. 
While there are known photographs of the entity courtesy of unidentified wanderers and Major Explorer Group personnel, the conditions the entity manifests in make it difficult to record it in pure form, and it is theorized that photographs of the entity possess infohazardous properties. Symbolism is considered a prominent characteristic in its artistic depiction — the main method of its representation — which contributes to the problem of setting a definite physical portrait being improbable. Elements of illustration predominately include possessing many eyes sprawling across its body (sometimes lacking pupils), along with forked tongues (inspired by the entity's tendency to deceive wanderers), teeth, etc… Interestingly enough, the Mare appears to “latch onto” the form it is most recognized as in non-photographic appearances (e.g.; if the entity is thought of as a cervine creature, it will take a cervine form). Multiple social experiments were conducted throughout the years in an attempt to confine the being into a definite image for the sake of ease in handling, none of which have resulted in success, either due to unknown external stimuli or intransigence from the entity’s part.
As of the writing of this document, the Mare’s influence has resulted in a rough estimate of 561 casualties, 24 of which have been pronounced dead, in the last half-century.
BEHAVIOUR
The general consensus on The Mare's modus operandi is that it manifests its hostility through cataclysm and chain reactions rather than direct attacks. It operates via the visage of a human host, although in no recorded cases has the consciousness of a host been entirely subsumed. This is done through what can only be described as demonic possession, often the first step in any incident it causes. Exorcism is possible in these circumstances, but it may not work properly for various reasons. Many accounts describe the entity as a "spirit" due to its supernatural characteristics. There exists no known criteria that one is required to meet to fall victim to the entity; targets appear to be chosen haphazardly. It is held as a tradition among wanderers that certain ornaments can fend the entity off, although these claims remain largely unsubstantiated. 
A wanderer or group of wanderers may notice other signs of the entity's presence if it does not corporeally materialize. These include:
* Hearing faint sirens or humming in place of the constant buzzing of fluorescent lights.
* Experiencing spontaneous muscle spasms.
* Having compulsive thoughts of ambiguous nature.
* Temporary dissociation with motives, beliefs, or emotions currently held.
* Loss of taste.
* Aggression.
It remains unclear what the appropriate course of action one should take upon observing these signs is, but in some cases, fleeing seems to successfully nullify any potential danger. If no action is taken or if what happens shortly after is a mere error of destiny, the Mare does manifest eventually, with directly malevolent intentions. Possession of a wanderer occurs via direct supernatural penetration of the individual's body, at which point an immediate rupture of cognitive and mental functions may transpire, accompanied by a visible and persistent struggle of the unaffected portion of the victim's self-awareness. A metaphysical force almost always seems to be in charge of a controlled vessel's physical prowess, which is exerted either on the vessel itself or on nearby wanderers. Injuries retained from the calamity can be life-threatening. If a body is purified from The Mare's influence, chronic neurodegenerative conditions may inexplicably develop (or not) depending on the accuracy of the exorcism. In the case of such a scenario involving this particular entity, follow these steps attentively:
# Pin the subject possessed by darkness to the nearest wall. Hold tight and do not let go until the subsequent step is finished.
# Lightly strike the subject’s forehead thrice. If done correctly, this maneuver should result in the target gradually entering a dormant state.
# When the host appears to have fallen asleep, it is compulsory to let go of the body as soon as possible to avoid residual possession.
# Free your mind from distractions of any kind as preparation for the largely practical part of the exorcism.
# Approach the dormant body once you are ready. Seize an edged weapon such as a knife or a dagger.
# Carefully slit either the outer sides of the abdomen or chest, fleshy parts of the arms or legs, or the shoulders. Make sure no serious injuries are done.
# Apply an aqueous substance (or saliva, as an alternative) to the slit area.
# Keep calm and embrace chances of losing your loved one to mitigate psychological impact on your behalf. Be patient. If the operation is successful, the victim will wake up free from malevolent influence.
The Mare, impalpable by nature, does not favor anyone who attempts to physically engage with it, nor does it favor the ongoing effort to document it. The insistence on suitably elucidating its actions and motives despite its progressive aggravation has resulted in ethical concerns among Major Explorer Group recruits, although none of the ensuing allegations have been fully addressed.
The Mare appears to have adopted cannibalistic tendencies towards non-human entities. There is at least one recognized instance of the being physically feeding off of the carcass of an unidentified creature (presumed to have been a Jantler). The idea that this behavior provides it any form of sustenance is debatable, albeit dismissed by many. Other reports exist, but are of low credibility or are inauthentic.
ADDENDA
Excerpt 1 - From "Twenty Years And One" by Abdurrahman ibn Sufyan (pseudonymously, 1999; translated from Arabic)
"Perhaps there is no eviler example of a plague that has befallen the part of mankind destined to walk [the Backrooms] than the Mare, cursed is it and its kindred. It sways the minds [...] and corrupts the souls [...] and whispers words so foul to [its hosts]. I knew no remedy to its influence and I sought refuge from it every day, for I feared that the suffering this scourge would bring upon me if I ever met it will be dire. In my dream, I saw the black irises of a thousand eyes like perfect voids amidst a congregation of snow-white sclerae. They circled around the muzzle of a shadow, a lucid and enormous shadow, lit by a warm light from a place from above which I never dared tilt my head to look at. [...], then everything phased through the ground below me as needles through water. I woke up in a cold sweat that day. [...]"
EXPEDITION LOG 324-A
[ON.]
324-A-α: OK, it's on. How do I look? (324-A-β: Looking good–) Looking fresh? Looking sassy?
324-A-γ: Nice, OK. Who's doing it this time?
324-A-δ: May I volunteer?
324-A-α: I'll pass the baton to... Epsilon. Go ahead. Introduce us.
324-A-ε: Huh? Right, umm– [clears throat] Expedition Log 324-A, the date is June 7th, 2005. We're a group of five recruits affiliated with the Major Explorer Group, and we are currently tasked with an expedition of... "profound investigative purposes." (324-A-γ: Who the fuck wrote this?) Shhh! Our subject is Entity 324, hence the log's title, and according to the prototype document I have here, it seems to be a scarcely documented entity with metaphysical characteristics, so we expect this mission to be challenging, if not impossible. Is that good?
324-A-δ: Good enough. 
324-A-α: Let me see. [enumerating] I've got the camera. Beta's got the flashlight, don't turn that on too much. Gamma has the supplies. Delta has the journal. And the docs are with Epsilon.
324-A-β: I got to be the flashlight holder. Do you know how demeaning that is?
324-A-δ: They'd never let you live that down.
324-A-γ: You got to hold the head of one of those freaks last time we did something like this. These two occasions cancel each other out at the very least.
324-A-α: How much are we supposed to trek?
324-A-ε: They told me it's not a matter of distance. You know how they say that when you go out looking for something around here, you get it? It doesn't sound realistic and it probably isn't, especially with this environment, but it's worked for us and worked for others, so it'll work for us again.
324-A-β: Well said.
[DATA OMITTED FOR BREVITY.]
324-A-α: Can I get a beard shot? [The camera zooms in on 324-A-β's neck line.]
324-A-β: Lovely. What are we hunting again?
324-A-δ: It's... not hunting. Unless you're a Ghostbuster, you don't hunt ghosts, right? 
324-A-ε: It's not a ghost we're dealing with. Not superficially, at least. It's some sort of... thing.
324-A-α: Thing?
324-A-ε: Thing.
324-A-γ: Like... pseudo-fauna?
324-A-ε: Like a demon. A demon that's apparently so scantly seen we don't even know if it has a definite form. Apparently not, though, if those dark fables from a while back are any hint.
324-A-γ: Are these things even real?
324-A-α: Oh yeah, they're so real. And they lurk just around the corner. And they'll bite you if you're not careful.
324-A-β: I have seen truly wonderful things in this place. [324-A-δ chuckles.] This is just gonna be another pretty discovery for us enthusiastic little travelers.
324-A-ε: You're being sarcastic, right?
324-A-β: Yes.
[SILENCE.]
324-A-γ: Tell us more about 324. [324-A-γ checks supplies and adjusts her glasses.]
324-A-ε: Do you really wanna hear it? It plays out like a... like a... you guess it.
324-A-α: Like schizophrenic Shakespeare?
324-A-β: Like a King novel.
324-A-δ: Like some kid wrote it.
324-A-ε: All of the above. Peep this, it says this thing eats but it doesn't need sustenance. It possesses you. It... spits into your heart. [324-A-γ: Ew!] I know. Abysmal.
324-A-β: Oh no. You know what this reminds me of?
324-A-δ: Stanley?
324-A-β: Stanley.
324-A-α: Don't remind me. I had to "handshake" that thing but it didn't have hands so it reached out with its ears and they were slimy. Uncomfortably slimy.
324-A-ε: I don't know who or what that is but I'll spare myself the answer. You guys want me to read more of this?
324-A-γ: Go on. I'm kinda invested, actually.
324-A-ε: Uh oh. The dumbasses handed me the print and forgot to translate this account. Do any of y'all know Arabic?
324-A-α: I had some courses in elementary, let me see. Beta, can you hold the camera for me?
324-A-β: Gladly. Yes!
[Faint talking from team members as 324-A-β wanders around, recording. He comes back several seconds later.]
324-A-α: Oh wow. This is bad. Some dude spent twenty-one years here. He probably got out though, it's all in past tense.
324-A-γ: What does it say?
324-A-δ: Does it mention the thing?
324-A-α: He didn't directly encounter it, but in his nightmares he did. Apparently. Dreams are really symbolic. This seems incoherent but... too coherent for a dream.
324-A-γ: What does it say?
324-A-α: The Mare is a plague... it tortures people... I saw a shadow in my dream... I saw eyes...
[DATA OMITTED FOR BREVITY.]
324-A-ε: Do you think we're recruited by a corrupt organization?
324-A-α: Slow your tongue, gal. This is supposed to be going to... them. Remember?
324-A-ε: Sorry, but I couldn't care less. I wouldn't be saying it if I didn't have these stupid documents on me.
324-A-γ: I wouldn't call it an "organization", just a bunch of people trying to form a coherent body in order to survive in the innards of an infinitely stronger place.
324-A-δ: But do they care about our survival? They seem fine with sending us out to face Nyarlathotep but freak out when a Hound is in their base. Like it only matters to them when it's about their survival.
324-A-β: Isn't that just human instinct? I never knew any of you before I came here. I would prioritize my life over that of a bunch of strangers.
324-A-ε: OK, fair. But ethically, is that right?
324-A-α: No, but like... how do I say this...
324-A-ε: Hm?
324-A-α: Ethics pale in the face of infinity. Infinity is what we're incarcerated in right now with little hope to see our families again. Infinity is what surrounds us day and night, if that cycle is even relevant anymore. Infinity is–
324-A-γ: Slow down, not the time. I found a door!
324-A-α: Oh, I love doors.
324-A-δ: Neat.
[Footage shows 324-A-α: struggling to open the door for about 33 seconds, before it opens forcefully in his face.]
324-A-α: Ow! That'll leave a mark. [324-A-β: walks into the room, a dimly lit chamber with visibly similar wallpaper and tiles to that of the rest of Level 0. The rest follow after him.]
324-A-δ: Yikes, smells like reverse perfume in here. Smells like puberty. You think something lived here?
324-A-β: Flashlight. [He attempts to turn it on.] Fuck! I think the batteries are dead. You got anything there, Gamma?
324-A-γ: No, but I see a light switch. [She reaches out to a distant rocker switch affixed to a nearby wall, flicking it on and promptly activating the weak fluorescent lights above. Behind her, the rest gasp and shout.]
324-A-α: Oh God! Oh my God!
324-A-δ: What the fuck is that?!
324-A-ε: The Mare! The Mare! [The camera inconsistently focuses on a dark equine entity which rhythmically gallops around.]
[Footage distorts. A deafening siren is heard, cutting the audio for several seconds. The Mare is seen approaching.]
[OFF.]
hello there little ones
i have missed you all dearly
five of you sheep stepped into uncharted territory
and thus, paid the price
the first of them i took his arm
the second of them i took his leg
the third of them i took her eyes
the fourth of them i took his tongue
and the fifth of them, her body
mind swayed
corrupted
i told her i can help her
and then i expunged her
the other four i took their lives
five carcasses in my room
forever asleep
no awakening
but the prelude is not done yet
send me more, lest i starve
and remember the plight of those before you
and the plight of those who will arrive after you
your parents, your descendants, your colleagues, yourself
and every step you took in this hell
and dread the arrival of a raging flood
the flood that will take you all by storm
for all the crimes i made you commit
the flood that drowns you and your ancestors
for all the blood i made you shed
i am a forerunner of the flood
i will be its loyal steed
i am a perennial herald
overseeing from outside
my presence is a sign of dark times
and my absence, a sign of times yet darker
yours truly,
♞
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Category:Entities
Category:Dangerous
Category:Zoomorphic