The Mythic One

The Midnight Article was written by u/skraelNorth and posted to r/MidnightPaper.

The text of the Article was as follows:

THE MYTHIC ONE "The Mythic One" is a popular topic in the town named Talus, after the local lake called "Lake Talus". The Mythic One is the nickname for the topic of mysterious disappearances around Lake Talus. They say that tourists disappear mysteriously, or more specifically, the tourist groups that are led by Walter Defin. Many stories have been spun about this man. A popular one is that Walter Defin is not human, but is in fact, a demon.

We will refer to Walter Defin as Mr. Defin now.

We interviewed Mr. Defin, who, in turn, said "I have nothing to do with these disappearances. The stories woven by the media are false. Now if you have no other business with me, please leave me. The next tour will begin soon."

We asked a tourist from Mr. Defin's group their experiences.

Lake Talus, during the night time, seems to glow a deep red, or sometimes green. Some say it disappears into the stars, and comes back the next day.

The town is very strange itself. Everyone seems to be very happy, strangely happy. They have wide smiles, but they have a strange feeling.

Description:

"The Mythic One" is a Biological or Entity-Type Oddity the locals of the town of Talus blame for several unsolved disappearances in the area. It appears that locals have collectively decided that Walter Defin, a local tour guide, is the one responsible for all the missing people. The locals believe that Defin is not a man, but rather a demon called "The Mythic One."

Defin himsels denies these accusations, stating that he has nothing to do with the disappearances. However, given the fact that he has continued to give tours in the area despite the disappearances, suspicions aren't exactly unfounded. Still, it's possible that he is just unable to lose any clients despite the tragedies that have happened in the area.

Lake Talus itself glows "deep red" at night, and sometimes green. Some locals even believe that the lake itself disappears and travels into the stars, only to reappear at dawn the next day. The cause for these beliefs is unknown.

The town of Talus appears to be under the influence of some Oddity, as the Article states that they are "strangely happy." It's possible that the Oddity known as The Mythic One is influencing the locals' mood, making it so that they are complacent and therefore more vulnerable. This influence may also be the reason why Defin still continues to offer tours in the area, as the Oddity may be using Defin to supply a constant stream of tourists.

Why The Mythic One has taken so many people is unknown, as is what exactly it does to them. However, given the study of previous demonic entities, the most likely scenarios are that this Oddity uses the missing people as sustenance, as "fuel" for some unknown ritual, or simply as a source to supplement its own demonic power.