Khol / ymthah

Khol is a tall man whose presence is impossible to overlook. He towers over most people, yet his height appears neither awkward nor excessive; on the contrary, his physique seems remarkably well-proportioned. Broad shoulders, a sturdy chest, powerful arms, and long legs create the image of a man possessed of great physical strength - though he makes no effort to flaunt it. He bears no resemblance to an athlete or a warrior; rather, his build is naturally robust, as if it had always been that way. Every movement radiates confidence, composure, and absolute control over his own body.
His skin is very fair, almost porcelain-like. It appears smooth, clear, and entirely free of blemishes. This unusual paleness makes it seem as though sunlight has never touched his face. Yet, this pallor does not suggest ill health; rather, it evokes an otherworldly quality-something too perfect for an ordinary human. Khol’s face has soft, pleasing features. His cheekbones are subtly defined, his chin is neatly shaped, and his nose is straight; his lips are thin and almost always curved into a faint, barely perceptible smile.
The most striking feature of his appearance is his eyes. Large, dark, and attentive, they remain fixed on the person he is speaking to. His gaze feels heavy- not because of aggression, but because of its intensity and duration. Khol rarely looks away, watching as if trying to memorize every detail of the person before him. At times, it seems he notices things that remain hidden from others. Strong emotions rarely show in his eyes; they remain calm, deep, and inscrutable.
His long, coal-black hair reaches down to his waist. It is thick, soft, and slightly wavy, sometimes falling to cover part of his face or one eye. Khol pays little attention to his hairstyle—his hair falls naturally, without any elaborate styling, yet it always looks clean and well-groomed. A few strands almost constantly frame his face, softening his features even further.

His hands are large and strong. His long fingers appear neat and well-groomed. Despite the impressive size of his palms, all his movements remain cautious. He handles objects carefully, as if afraid of breaking them, and his touch is always surprisingly gentle. Even with his obvious physical strength, Khol never gives the impression of being capable of causing pain with a thoughtless movement.
He prefers simple and comfortable clothing. Most often, these include loose sweaters, soft cardigans, plain shirts with rolled-up sleeves, T-shirts, and dark trousers with a belt. Studded bracelets and silver rings can be seen on his hands.
Khol's gait is calm and surprisingly quiet. Despite his tall stature and strong build, he moves almost silently. His steps are rarely heard, and every movement seems smooth and measured. He never rushes or makes sudden gestures. One gets the impression that he's constantly careful not to disturb the surrounding silence.
His voice is low, soft, and very calm. He speaks quietly, slowly, and clearly, never raising his tone even in tense moments. There's no irritation or rudeness in his speech. On the contrary, every word is patient and caring, as if Khol is always trying to reassure his interlocutor. It's this calm manner that often leaves a more powerful impression than any loud emotions.
There's something about Khol that can't be explained by his ordinary appearance. At first glance, he seems simply handsome and friendly, but the longer one is around him, the more one feels an inexplicable unease. His presence fills the room with a strange silence.

Khol and Phoebe's friend.
Calmer and more reasonable than Phoebe.
Often the voice of reason in the group.
He is alive and still in touch with Khol.

Khol's friend.
Sociable, energetic, and much more open than him.
Often initiates conversations and tries to "stir up" Khol.
She died.

His presence becomes apparent before Khol himself is visible. The air around him becomes heavy and cold, the room is plunged into an unusual silence, and the shadows seem to move in his wake. Even while remaining motionless, he gives the impression of a being whose existence is not governed by the usual laws of the world. This image most closely matches what is shown and implied in the novel: Hol is not a classic monster with claws, fangs or horns, but a huge, humanoid, almost formless Creature of the Darkness, who remains calm, rational and biased towards his lover.

When the human shell no longer conceals his true nature, it becomes clear that he is no longer human.
Khol's body dramatically increases in size, becoming significantly taller and more massive. His silhouette elongates, but lacks proportions—in fact, it appears frighteningly solid, as if this very shape is his true identity. The skin beneath his clothing darkens to a rich, jet-black color, following the light perfectly. It doesn't resemble fur or scales—rather, a smooth, dense surface, devoid of its usual texture.
His face is like white snow. It retains its original contours, yet it becomes almost impossible to distinguish. His smile remains the same, but now looks not comforting, but alarmingly, even motionless.
His limbs lengthen. His arms become disproportionately long and relatively long, ending in long-fingered palms. Despite his size, every movement remains incredibly fluid. He makes almost no sound when he walks, as if his weight is insignificant. In the darkness, his silhouette is difficult to discern. The boundaries of his body seem to constantly dissolve into the surrounding shadows.
His hair has grown longer, but the same color. Some strands are magnetically attached to the ceiling.
Despite his terrifying appearance, Khol does not transform into a mindless beast. His movements remain calm and controlled. He continues to speak in the same quiet voice, displaying the same care and attentiveness as in his human form. It is this combination of inhumanity and gentle manners that makes his true form particularly terrifying.

And when he cooks, he wears an elegant apron, a soft pink. It's perfectly clean, as if he'd just bought it. He promised you that if he got it dirty, he'd kill himself.