The Lock of Demeas

Inspired by Spooktober Prompt #22: Lock

Such a tiny thing. And yet the cause of so much despair. Listen closely. You might even hear the echos of suffering lingering within.

— Arjuna Hade, Illigaran Treasure Hunter

Excerpt from the personal writings of Arjuna Hade, Illigaran treasure hunter:

It is not often that I write down a warning like this. In my long career, I have come across many objects claimed to be cursed and unholy. Every single time, these claims turned out to be false, many times mere fantasy to make a treasure seem more appealing. For once it does seem like the claims hold truth, however.
The object in question is a lock, one of the type often found on the doors of sheds. It is no more than 5 centimeters in both height and width, made from iron and of an unassuming design. The only noticeable detail is a small sign carved into the upper right corner, slinking around the edges like a climbing plant.
For those who know, the sign holds terror beyond measure for it marks this object as the Lock of Demeas. A doombringer from ancient times, it has driven its owners into madness and suicide. It binds them. Draws them in. Makes them forget friends, family, food and water. Until only the item itself remains. Then the true horror begins.
What exactly it does is unknown, for no one that experienced it remained coherent enough to leave a description. The victims will emerge days after succumbing fully, wild beasts just as likely to tear others apart as they are to rip into their own body. Over the centuries, over a hundred people have fallen victim, all points in a line of horror that crosses continents.
I cannot let the possibility remain that someone may find and sell this in my stead. Which is why I have hidden it and made no note of its location. Should even that not be deterrent enough, let me state with utmost seriousness: DO NOT SEARCH FOR IT. DO NOT TRY AND ACQUIRE IT. FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR SOUL.

Arjuna Hade was the only person to ever escape the Lock of Demeas. And he paid dearly for it.

— Illigaran Mohed

Item type

Jewelry / Valuable

Tragedy in a Name

The lock gets its name from the very first, at least going by official record, man who owned it. King Demeas of Afena, a Thenian city-state, procured the item sometime in the late 9th century DA. For over a year, he was seen carying the lock with him, even becoming fixated on it in the middle of a speech more than once. In the end, Demeas went mad and burned himself and the city he ruled to ashes. The only thing to survive amongst the flames was the tiny lock which has since born the name of its unfortunate owner.

by ivan stan