Vhactith
Vhactith [VAWK•TETH] is an anomalous entity that is found outside of the deep reaches of the Mega Star Grid network. It features characteristics that challenge well documented scientific understanding, making studying its nature rely mostly on theory. It has been described as a floating figure with what seems like a hood and a beak shape nostril protruding from the hood. It's torso appears to be covered in a coat-like exterior made of webbing and membrane. Vhactith contradicts the way gravity and propulsion is understood. It is assumed that it has a way to manipulate gravitational fields in order to appear to float around. Some studies seem to suggest that the creature maybe be based on a naturally occurring phenomena such as dark matter.
Vhactith is able to produce a visible opaque gaseous fume, often referred to as "Vhactith's Gift"; a term coined by a cult known as the Gathering of Vhactith. These fumes temporarily alter the atmosphere surrounding Vhactith while its presence lingers. Inhaling the fumes results in its nanoparticles entering the bloodstream through the respiratory system, ultimately targeting the brain. Autopsies show traces of the microparticles in the brain. The effect of these microparticles is the constant production of adrenaline at extreme levels.
Vhactith's Gift causes permanent changes in the victim causing them to loose essential survival behaviors such as hunger, fatigue, pain, and aversion to danger. The victim's neural structure is rearranged, resulting in the victim being in a constant state of survival. It is an approximate explanation for why they possess a relentless drive and near immunity to exhaustion or pain triggered by Vhactith's Gift, until their body experiences complete physical collapse.
After death, Vhactith's Gift has a residual effect on the body and nervous system. The excess adrenaline continues to affect the body as well. Despite the brain having shut down post-death, the corpse will continue to perform functions, although very basic, until rigor mortis sets in. The nanoparticles in the fumes might also contribute to the continued motor activity causing the corpse to continue moving.
Victims who leave Vhactith's presence prematurely suffer catastrophic neural and systemic collapse. The sudden cessation of adrenaline-driven survival overrides causes the body to process all neglected pain and hunger at once, triggering a lethal state of shock. The resulting agony compels survivors to seek immediate death, as their brain and body are unable to cope with the accumulated stress. Victims who attempt to evacuate the vicinity of the fumes after initial exposure will experience extreme neural collapse. The body will cease the production of adrenaline almost immediately, causing the nervous system to go into a lethal state of shock. The victim will go into astonishing agony seeking immediate death, as their entire body cannot handle the sudden and accumulated stress. Minimal exposure to Vhactith's Gift is enough to trigger the permanent effects of the nanoparticles. The main difference is that the body will experience all of the pain as not enough adrenaline is forcibly produced by the fumes to null the effects of the nanoparticles causing havoc in the brain.
There is no documented motive for why Vhactith exists. It does not possess curiosity, nor need.
The Gathering of Vhactith began as an effort to observe the entity. They have slowly developed a morbid interest in experimenting with different subjects by leading them towards the entity and see the effects, despite the outcome being the same.