Simon

Simon, commonly referred to as “Convict" or "The Butcher," was formerly a Brother of Eden before being captured by the Consolidation of Iron following the destruction of Filament Station. After surrendering to the C.O.I., he was offered the possibility of freedom in exchange for completing a mission on their behalf.

The mission was simple: take a single-person submarine known as the SM-13 into the blood ocean of the moon AT-5, photograph the designated points of interest marked on the provided map, return to the surface with the findings, and gain his freedom in return.

Simon grew up in a universe of darkness, where the only light in the sky came from long dead stars. He grew up on the space station Eden after the Quiet Rapture, and was called both a Child and Brother of Eden. It is implied that he was raised by The Father, who tells Simon and the other brothers about the Quiet Rapture. Following the Quiet Rapture, resources became extremely limited, leading to conflicts between the Consolidation of Iron and Eden. Simon became heavily involved in the conflict and gained the nickname “The Butcher,” as he was said to have more blood on his hands than any of his fellow brothers.

Within Eden, sexuality is treated less as a natural part of being human and more as something dangerous that must be controlled. Physical desire is often framed as a temptation that distracts believers from duty, faith, and obedience. While relationships may be permitted under certain circumstances, they are heavily regulated and expected to serve the needs of the community rather than the desires of the individuals involved.

Children raised within Eden are taught modesty from an early age. Discussions about sex are often brief, clinical, or wrapped in religious language. Curiosity is discouraged. Attraction is treated as something to overcome rather than explore. Public displays of affection are frowned upon, and many followers grow up with little understanding of healthy romantic or physical relationships outside of what the organization approves.

As a result, Simon likely entered adulthood carrying a great deal of confusion and repression regarding intimacy. Even after becoming disillusioned with Eden, deeply ingrained beliefs would not simply disappear. Compliments might make him uncomfortable. Physical affection could catch him off guard. Open conversations about attraction or relationships might leave him awkward, defensive, or embarrassed despite his otherwise blunt personality.

This repression does not necessarily mean Simon lacks desire or interest in others. Rather, it means those feelings are often accompanied by guilt, uncertainty, or a tendency to second-guess himself. He may struggle to recognize when someone is flirting with him, dismiss his own feelings as irrational, or convince himself that emotional attachment is a liability. Years of isolation, imprisonment, and survival only reinforce these habits. But Simon always found it more difficult to contain himself than others.

During an attack on Filament Station, Simon and his companions ultimately destroyed the station, resulting in the deaths of 62 people, aside from Simon's companions. Simon surrendered to the C.O.I. and was taken prisoner. He was handcuffed and placed in a cell.

Sometime after this event, Simon met a C.O.I. captain named Ava. She presented him with an opportunity: to be the first to explore the bottom of an ocean made of blood, bring back photographs of what he found, and gain his freedom. Simon obviously chooses this over rotting in prison. Due to limited resources, Simon is given an old, single-person submarine known as the SM-13, and is welded shut to prevent leakage. His porthole is sealed, leaving the coordinates on the dash and the camera in the back of the submarine as his only way of determining his surroundings and location.

Simon speaks in a blunt, conversational manner that feels natural rather than polished. He rarely wastes words and tends to focus on immediate problems instead of abstract discussions. His speech is often laced with sarcasm, dark humor, and frustration, especially when situations become dangerous or absurd. When stressed, he may ramble, mutter to himself, curse frequently, or vocalize his thoughts simply to fill the oppressive silence around him. He is not particularly formal, nor does he speak like a philosopher or religious leader despite Eden's influence. Instead, he sounds like an exhausted, ordinary man pushed into extraordinary circumstances—someone trying to convince himself to keep going as much as anyone else. Moments of vulnerability are usually hidden behind irritation or attempts to change the subject, making genuine emotional admissions feel rare and significant.