EPISODE 6: Books of Magic
Texts of magic are nothing new...but the title of the grimoire mentioned to Orem Black, by the reanimated corpse of General Collie...“The Book of Amar”, was particularly intriguing, if not telling.
The history of that book is storied...Long ago, Satan appeared in his earthly form to a Sumerian scribe named Amar, promising unimaginable wealth and power in exchange for dictating a narrative from the Dark Prince. Over the course of 13 years, Satan delivered his intimate knowledge of the Universe, the properties of physical alchemy, conjurings, and spells, which Amar drafted in written form.
By the end, 7 Processions, prophecies rumored to bring about the end of the world, were cryptically spelled out in over 900 pages of arcane and mystical magic. The guide would be used by those seeking gifts of the supernatural. While seemingly obscure in overall statement, the actual text warned of great power that would come from using the thousands of spells and enchantments in the book.
The incantations and invocations, all of the darkest origins, were intended to tempt and dare those versed in prophetic practices to figure out the meanings of the Processions. The genius of the book was also a verbal and audible contract for the soul of anyone who pushed to discover its secrets.
Upon completion of the original text, the volume was copied dozens of times by other scribes working under Amar, whose own status in the kingdom began to grow because of his deal with the Devil. Copies of the book were then passed along, moving throughout early history via various trade routes. Soon, in nearly every large population, rumor existed of a manuscript that promised unimaginable powers to those who could understand it – The Book of Amar.
By the 1st Century BCE, Latin had become a widely accepted written language throughout Europe, with most important texts dating back to pre-history being translated. The book found its way into the hands of a skilled cryptographer who copied the ancient Sumerian version into a readable Latin volume titled “De Diabolo” or “Of Satan”. Other bastardized and copied forms of the book included the “Illusio Somnia”, the “Illusion of Dreams”, and the “Venit Dies” or “The Coming Days”.
Even the sweeping grasp of Christianity and the rising Catholic Church could do nothing to stop the spread of the text, which became a staple for witches, alchemists, and anarchists in early Europe. However, the Latin version, which served as the basis for subsequent copies, had a fatal flaw in deciphering the Processions. The cryptographer who originally decoded the Sumerian copy took numerous liberties with the translations, including the omission of the final Procession and the miscopying of many of the invocations, rendering some important spells useless.
There were also hundreds of unfinished versions that included only half of what the original texts had. But still enough usable and real magic contained within the pages that the books continued to be copied in growing languages. And there were still dozens of intact Sumerian and pre-Latinized copies of the manuscript unaccounted for.
To Orem, he felt the Universe was opening his eyes, revealing to him that true magic existed, despite his father’s shortcomings. Even more intriguing was the reanimated general who told him to find The Book of Amar. It was obvious he was possessed by some dark force. Uttering Orem’s name, implanting in him that destiny was fatefully speaking to him directly from the afterlife, was compelling...but it was also evident Evil was purposefully positioning and propelling Orem towards a shadowy path. Placing son and father on opposite sides in a burgeoning battle between light and dark.
Not wanting to deny his fate, Orem turned to his father for help to find the book, but Reginald attempted to dissuade him at each turn. Orem relented, all the way up to the day his father died. And a conversation at Reginald’s deathbed would prove divine in a more prophetic way than either father or son could ever imagine.
October 17th, 1888, Reginald was frail, wasting away. His body ravaged by years of alcohol abuse, his organs, failing. Orem returned to London upon receiving the news of his father’s deteriorating condition. Seated next to Reginald’s bedside, Orem would be there in body, but would keep an emotional distance.
REGINALD: Orem, I feel my life slipping. Have all the arrangements been made with my estate?
OREM: Yes, Father. Now, I need to know--
REGINALD: --And you’ll be staying on to join the Order?
OREM: For the last time, no.
REGINALD: Son, please.
OREM: You know I can’t. Fate has a higher calling for me.
REGINALD: But you’re needed here.
OREM: When you leave this world, my link to this place is…severed.
REGINALD: The Order is your birthright, to become a Knight of Wormwood, in line to ascend to the post of Master under Banerjee. There are many things you need to learn.
OREM: The Order is yours, not mine. I seek something greater.
REGINALD: The book? Why must you persist with this foolishness? What you’re looking for is here. Please, speak with Banerjee.
OREM: I will not have this argument with you. Not now. I’ve no desire to be some two-bit illusionist. I’m talking about destiny.
REGINALD: Don’t be ignorant. What you think you saw doesn’t exist the way you want it to...and not in some book.
OREM: Says the man who’s surrounded himself with a false menagerie of ridiculousness. You run a cult of liars who act as if their secret meetings are so important. I’m speaking of true magic.
REGINALD: You cannot gain magic powers, you must be born with them…There’s something I need to tell you. About Banerjee...and some of the others.
OREM: Why? Why are you doing this?
REGINALD: Banerjee is a powerful mystic.
OREM: I’m not a child. You cannot trick me into staying.
REGINALD: If you truly witnessed something in Africa, if you weren’t hallucinating from the loss of blood, then whatever power you described that boy as having was ingrained, not gained. (coughs) Any book that promises power is dangerous. Seeking magic that’s not your own will be the end of you.
Reginald grips his chest, writhing in pain. Orem leans over, looking deep into his father’s eyes.
OREM: Father, you’re heart isn’t the only thing failing. Your mind is slipping too...
Orem reaches into his pocket and pulls a silver locket on a chain that once belonged to his mother, Diane.
OREM: Tell me what I want to know, or everyone will find out what your dirty little secret...The Order of Wormwood will crumble. And everything you’ve fought so hard to protect will have been for naught...For the last time, what do you know of the Book of Amar?
Reginald looks at Orem, and with the strength he has left, motions for his son to come closer.
REGINALD: (whispers) Broderick Zayne...Find him, and you find your precious book.
OREM: This isn’t another one of your deceits?
REGINALD: I swear on your mother’s grave.
OREM: Swear on yours.
REGINALD: On my grave, son.
Finally satisfied, Orem puts the locket back in his pocket.
OREM: Thank you, Father. May you find peace in the next life.
Reginald died not an hour later. And after his services, Orem would quietly leave London in search of his destiny.
TO BE CONTINUED…