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A few members of the Hive recall old tales of a Demon's name holding power over them. This seems hard to believe, given Theo and Dolly seem nice enough, but no one is that friendly. Or trusting enough to give something that has hold over them to strangers.
You fire up a list of questions as you let Donhumras'bal take the lead, each stride forcing you to take four extra steps to keep up, and that's with the hindrance of your body's miserable movement.
<inquiry>Do Demons have any particular weaknesses we can use?
>"Ah!!"
JJ cries out as Dolly's head rotates on its joint, greeting the two of you with a broad dark smile-
>"Bein' stabbed! Some have more specific stuff, but that's diff'ren Demon to Demon."
<further inquiry>Is there a way to come back here if we leave? What do you mean by having Hell inside of this Unit already?
>"Gates only show up when somethin' wacky happens to upset the Remmin'juice balance, either Topside or Hellside. If'n you both get out, I doubt we'll be meetin' again. As for you...
>"S'only natural. Git your hands all dirty-like with Demon guts and them guts'll stain. Your arm shot that up a lot, but even if ya tore it off, you can't really undo 'Infernal Infection'."
So killing Demons doesn't just release Remnant, it also disperses some of it into you. That explains a lot of the extreme violence the Hive was able to perform in a slow as molasses body in the past, but that also means the Hive isn't getting a full return on Remnant forced out of monsters.
>"...So that's why kids are more efficient."
JJ says to herself, and you realize she was on the same line of thinking.
Dolly scoops a bit of ash from the ground, watching it slowly pour off her claws as you continue the roulette of questions. She doesn't seem to mind, frankly she seems worryingly carefree.
<final inquiry>Why were you submerged when we arrived?>
>"Oh, I guess robots wouldn't have to bathe, then."
Dolly gives you the closest she can to an amused look, which is mostly a head tilt, before giving a shrill laugh, one that would induce tinnitus in any organic being.
>"Jess' kidding. This water is special, gonna get technical fer a sec'. The Gate o' fire is at the bottom, the water ‘sperses the heat or all we'd have is a big ol' inferno here. Demons usually got jobs t'do, mhmm, but their natural states are gnashing and vicious, passing the Lake cools 'em off.
>"Let's 'em focus. Clarity an' all that mumbo jumbo. Ol' Theo was ne'er much of a killer, but I am, and still get urges I can't well satisfy. So Theo watches while I nap down there, come back up level-headed."
<statement>Like Demon Xanax.
>"No idea what the heck that is, but sure!"
Dolly stands by the dock, and points(as best she's able) to the water.
>"'Ere she is, just smash that bottle on th'wood an' hope for the best. Chances are they'll notice the Soul of thah livin' this close."
