Hunger Domain

Individuals who become subjects of Asterion's Domain cease to be connected to Nephis' Longing Domain, resulting in the disappearance of their corresponding flames of longing. This disappearance does not necessarily coincide with death; instead, it can indicate a transfer of allegiance, with former subjects of the Longing Domain becoming servants of Asterion.^[4]

Subjects of Asterion's Domain differ from those merely infected by knowledge of Asterion's name. They function as true sleeper agents who serve the Dreamspawn directly. These individuals have shown no outward signs of disloyalty to the Human Domain, have not undermined their comrades, and continue to behave in an entirely normal manner. Their presence has been described as deeply concealed, with no observable abnormal behavior.^[4]

The extent of Asterion's Domain infiltration is significant. Identified subjects were spread evenly among various human armies, indicating that Asterion's influence had penetrated deeply and widely. This distribution made targeted removal ineffective, as the corruption could not be easily isolated or excised.^[4]

Detection of subjects of Asterion's Domain was achieved indirectly. Nephis' inability to sense certain individuals' flames of longing—despite their survival and activity—served as the primary indicator. By focusing her healing Aspect on specific high-conflict regions and identifying wounded Awakened who did not receive her healing, Sunny and Cassie were able to narrow down potential candidates. Further monitoring and Cassie's abilities confirmed several of these individuals as genuine subjects of Asterion's Domain.^[4]

Once identified, these subjects could be captured without resistance. One such Awakened thrall was taken by the Shadow Clan and confined for interrogation.^[4]

Asterion's Aspect centered on mental and spiritual manipulation, allowing him to sense and influence the thoughts and emotions of others, as well as feed on them to grow stronger, at least within the scope of his Dormant, Awakened, and Ascended Abilities.^[5]

His influence can spread like a memetic virus, where mere exposure to his name infects people with his power, producing varied effects that range from no visible symptoms, to compulsively uttering his name, to having one's thoughts and actions entirely altered, creating agents of the Dreamspawn within the human world. Some individuals appear to be consumed completely by his power, falling under total control and possibly becoming avatars, described as mere extensions of Asterion rather than true individuals.^[5]

His influence was associated with the Hunger Domain, which was growing silently and disturbingly fast, while Asterion himself was becoming more powerful with each passing day.^[6]

The name of the Dreamspawn, Asterion is described as possessing the power to spread. Once an individual learns the name, it roots itself in their mind, compelling them to repeat it unconsciously in conversation. This repetition causes further transmission, as anyone who hears the name also becomes a carrier. There is no cure existed since the name functioned as an idea that acts as a virulent virus.^[7]

His power spread through human thought, as he was both a man and an idea—specifically, an expression of his Supreme Will. Exposure to the idea of Asterion was inherently dangerous, as merely learning of it could result in infection, making conventional methods of ideological warfare ineffective against him.^[8]

Asterion also operated through sleeper agents and cult-like organizations, such as the Church of the Moon, which spread his influence covertly. These groups posed a dilemma, as openly suppressing them risked undermining public faith in the Human Domain. His thralls and followers therefore had to be dismantled carefully, quarantined, or isolated. This revealed another strategic trap laid by Asterion, forcing his opponents to choose between decisive action and the risk of weakening humanity's collective belief, which was both their greatest vulnerability and their greatest strength against him.^[8]

Despite this, Asterion's power was not absolute. Not all individuals exposed to the idea of him became thralls, indicating limits to his ability to subjugate others. Observations showed that resistance to his influence depended partly on mental resilience and even more strongly on an individual's mental state, particularly the strength of their belief in Changing Star and the Human Domain. Because of this, efforts were focused on limiting exposure to his name and influence, strengthening belief in the Human Domain, and isolating his thralls to prevent further spread.^[8]

• Asterion's Thralls were the conduit of his Domain.^[9]