EPISODE 10: Return From Nowhere
It’s well after midnight...thunder rumbles as a storm rages. Rain batters the roof of Black Manor. In the West tower, while Banerjee and Veera were learning of the stranger’s identity...on the other side of the estate, Joseph waited quietly in Reginald’s former study, doing absolutely nothing. He was assisting in the search for answers regarding Orem, and the Book of Amar. But as Banerjee and Veera left, the pursuit was put on hold. Aimlessly wondering around the room, Joseph shuffles papers and organizes unread journals -- idle hands, as they say...
A fly lands on top of the stack. Joseph swats the insect away, knocking the pile over. Sending papers and diaries to the ground. On the floor, Joseph gathers Orem’s writings and notes. Picking up a page with lines of Latin scribbled out, boredom and curiosity piques his interest. His eyes scan, mouth moves, silently reading. But as he finishes the last word, Joseph disappears in a black puff of smoke...
As the page floats to the floor, Joseph re-appears on the other side of the room, wearing a look of pure astonishment. Rushing back over he scoops up more notes and a candle.
In the far corner is Orem’s makeshift bed. Joseph makes himself comfortable, looking through the writings. Another fly BUZZES him. He swats at it. Settling in further, Joseph leans against Orem’s dingy pillow...and his eyes suddenly widen. He turns, feeling the cushion -- there’s something inside. Ripping the fabric open reveals the heavy, leather-bound Book of Amar.
Joseph stares at the thick volume...he shouldn’t be holding it, he should hurry and get the others. But the tangled vines of temptation wrap around his mind. What’s one little peek? Cracking the grimoire, a dark vapor billows from the pages. Dozens of flies buzz around, as the eerie smoke wraps itself around Joseph, enveloping him. Then, as he inhales, the shadowy mist enters his body through his mouth.
Joseph arches his back, looking up at the ceiling as if he’s about to scream, but can’t. The veins in his neck rise. His body trembles, being possessed by some dark, otherworldly power.
His pointed eyes drift back to the book. The pages flutter, turning of their own accord under the influence of some spectral will. Stopping on a section with deliberate intent, titled - PORTAE TENEBRARUM, “The Gates of Darkness”.
Joseph recites the invocation, slowly, clearly...
JOSEPH: Regnum lucem a tenebris...
A bright light suddenly glows in front of him. The air, the environment, existence itself bending.
JOSEPH: Libera qui quaero...
The glow crescendos to a blinding flash. As the light fades, Orem Black falls back into this world. His appearance is similar to when he disappeared, despite long hair and a matted, unkempt beard...but there’s something different about him.
JOSEPH: Orem?!
As Orem’s eyes adjust to his surroundings, he looks up at his old friend.
OREM: Joseph...I was told you’d bring me back. I never thought I would live to see the day.
JOSEPH: You disappeared in the parlor earlier this evening. Don’t you remember?
OREM: That was lifetimes ago.
On the other side of the estate, talking with Broderick Zayne...Veera suddenly feels a disturbance, through his mind’s eye.
VEERA: We must get to the study immediately!
Downstairs, Fredrick Frost makes his way through the shadowed foyer of Black Manor, his cane tapping softly against the marble floor with each step. He’d come to aid in the investigation of Orem’s disappearance, but the hour had grown late, and weariness now clung to his bones. He longed only for the quiet of his own hearth.
Sudden sound from above draws Fredrick’s attention. Footsteps, rapid and unsteady, echo down the east staircase. Joseph appears, descending in haste with Orem close behind. Fredrick's brow furrows...
FREDRICK: Joseph...Orem?
Joseph clutches the book tightly to his chest. His eyes widen as he spots his father standing at the entrance.
JOSEPH: Father...what are you doing here?
FREDRICK: Son, what is that you have in your hands?
Joseph turns away, attempting to hide the book.
OREM: We seek no trouble from you Master Frost--
FREDRICK: --Quiet young man, you’ve caused enough chaos...
JOSEPH: Father, please. You must let us pass.
But Fredrick grabs Joseph’s arm, his look volleying between Joseph and Orem.
FREDRICK: My carriage awaits, we must leave at once before anyone else knows what’s happened.
But from the west staircase, Banerjee, Veera, and other members of the Order of Wormwood, emerge. Seeing the trio attempting to leave, Veera, using his powers, holds his hands to his temples, willing the large entry doors to slam shut, cutting off their escape. But Orem answers, shooting strong blasts of energy from his hands Banerjee and Veera to scramble for cover. Behind them Hui Chen, and other “HAND” members mobilize. The two sides square off, casting bolts and gleams of magic back and forth. Hearing the supernatural battle, Broderick Zayne peeks out from atop the stairs.
But Orem, having had enough, and marked by malevolent power, unleashes violent bursts of raw dark energy. The chamber trembles. Stone cracks. Sections of the ceiling crumble and collapse. Zayne is crushed under falling rubble. One by one, Orem turns his fury on the others. Blasts tearing through the hall, hurling bodies. Some are left stunned, others fall lifeless. Banerjee reacts conjuring a forcefield around he and Veera -- but he’s not powerful enough to shield them from Orem’s supernatural attack.
Orem, soul burning red...and with a thunderous clap of his hands, the air splits. Time staggers. For a heartbeat, all is still...then an intense wave hits Banerjee and Veera with a painful surge of energy.
As reverberations of the blast fade, Veera and Banerjee are gone, no trace left. The remaining members of the Order lie scattered across the chamber, defeated. Seizing the moment, Fredrick steps forward from the shadows, ushering Orem and Joseph through the shattered corridor, to his waiting carriage outside, making their getaway.
For Banerjee and Veera, there’s only blackness. Cast into the abyss by Orem’s dark magic. A faint shimmer, Veera begins to take shape. He stumbles forward, his voice small against the endless hush.
VEERA: Uncle Banerjee? Can you hear me?
To his left, the darkness bends...a pale light flickers, soft and steady, radiating from Banerjee’s outstretched palm.
VEERA: Uncle, are you alright?
BANERJEE: I’m fine. Still in one piece.
VEERA: We’re in the void...how do we escape?
BANERJEE: My hope is the Order can piece together what Orem’s done. But we shouldn’t count on that.
VEERA: As we were brought here, I projected what was happening to Master Chen. I hope he heard me. I hope he survived...
BANERJEE: That’s my boy. Keep broadcasting your thoughts.
Veera turns back...there are unnerving sounds...things stalking the darkness all around them.
BANERJEE: Pay no mind. It’s meant to wear us down. Stay focused.
But staring into the unending black, Veera wears an uneasy look.
TO BE CONTINUED…