Nightmare Parasite

**Nightmare Parasites** (also known as **Arătare Parasites** and incorrectly designated as **God Spines**) are creatures created from pieces of Nightmares being fused with those of parasitic organisms imported from Earth, developed in Kurayami facility [REDACTED].

## Development

The parasites were among the many attempts to create a homegrown Nightmare as part of Project Pandora initiated by Kurayami, taking blood samples from an unspecified Nightmare and injecting them into parasitic organisms. The most prominent organism used in these trials was Cysticercosis. Normally this parasite is ingested while still in it's egg form, and the the larvae travels through the bloodstream to form cysts in numerous organs, which include the muscles and brain. However, when injected with Nightmare blood, the creatures grew to about 18 inches (the same length as the spine in an adult human) with numerous centipedal legs that resembled a ribcage. In this form they are highly aggressive, attempting to infect any suitable organism within reach. As a result they were put into stasis and continued to be studied. Due to the potential of these parasites as controllable bioweapons, they continue to be developed. The hope is to use them to exert control over certain organisms, such as Revenants, Afflicted, and to grow their own Nightmare under the control of humans.

Several variants of the parasite were produced, the only ones known at the moment being the Type 1 and 2. The Type 1 originates from the initial Cysticercosis specimens that were injected with Nightmare Blood. The Type 2 were a byproduct of the Type 1's apparent infection ability.

## Parasite Stages

Alpha Specimen (Type 1):

Stage 1: TBA

Stage 2: TBA

Stage 3 (incompatible host): TBA

Stage 3 (compatible host, theorized): TBA

Beta Specimen (Type 2):

Stage 1 (Initial Infection): The Beta Specimen (or Type 2) is created when a subject implanted with the Type 1 manages to infect another individual through one of it's methods. At an early stage, the newly acquired parasite will begin moving through the blood stream and take residence in the hosts spine, allowing it to connect and slowly take over the brain. At this early stage, the parasite is quite dependent on it's host along with their nutrient intake, which allows the parasite to slowly fuse itself with the spinal cord, almost acting as it's newly acquired vessel. The host will mostly be unaware of any changes, aside from some possible soreness developing in their back. If a host is particularly sensitive or happens to be very incompatible at an early stage, they'll likely develop migraines along with an exceptionally increased appetite.

Stage 2 (Thrall (Pale/Plague)): Around this time the parasite has fully fused with the spine and has started to have more of an effect on the brain. The host will gradually start losing everything that made them what they are, displaying a decreased interest in interaction with uninfected humans. They will also start growing through a process that resembles a worsen form of muscle atrophy, which the parasite seems to use it order to fuel itself, turning the skin pale, exposing dark veins all across the body, and making the host appear extremely malnourished (this stage has been given the "Thrall" designation alongside other creatures of similar background and purpose). As a result, their previous hunger will be exasperated greatly to the point where they ravenously attack any living creature and attempt to consume them. Humans seem to be the preferred target, but the infected subject will eat just about anything at this point, even down to small scraps. It seems that the parasite pumps a chemical into the brain that makes the subject unaware of everything their body and mind are going through, though some blows to the skull do seem to "snap them out of it" briefly. Due to the pain/knowledge of what's happening, they may beg for you to kill them or run away.

Stage 3 (incompatible host): Once the parasite's growth is complete, they will make the host collapse in pain before emerging from their back, often by bursting out, though they can be pulled out as well, leaving the decrepit corpse behind. At this point the parasite can move on it's own, it's form resembling the host's spinal cord twisted to suit it's purposes. The ribs being discard with spider like legs replacing them, the segment previously connected to the occipital bone acting as it's pseudo "face", that can have tendrils emerge that seem to have previously been the spinal nerves. These play a new role that will be discussed later. The tailbone has been refitted to serve as the tail of the creature, as well as a weapon and grabbling/infection limb.

In this stage the parasite will typically seek out uninfected hosts and latch onto to their face, from there it'll use it's newly formed legs to hold on as it attempts to cut the target's head off with it's tail. Even if it is unsuccessful, the attack will leave scars on the victim's face.

Alternatively, it could choose to instead enter the target's body either by crawling through their mouth and down their throat, or by slicing their back open and severing the spine. From there it'll start to consume and replace the spine, and officially take the host's body as it's own. From there it can blend in for a while, interacting with the brain in order to appear uninfected to others. It can then infect others by making it's tail come out of the hosts mouth so it can shove down the throat of it's target and infect them with the advanced strain. However, the body only lasts so long in this state, and will eventually break down similarly to Stage 2, so the parasite will have to eventually exit the body in order to find a fresh one to repeat the process. This form of creature is known as a Scythe Strain.

Stage 3 (compatible host/high favorability, observed): TBA