Demon Legacy: The Curse of the Amulet

The Lost Castle

As much as the captain read from the letter left by Professor Jack, it seems that the Chamber was somewhere deep in the castle. I guess the professor was in a state of panic that he left out the details about him and his team searching the castle but here we were, seeing the lost castle with our own eyes.

  We were inside a mountain. The light that was coming, came through an opening in the mountain helped us see the area. Ahead of us sat the castle. We took off our goggles to see the castle more clearly. It looked just like the Tower of London; however, the architecture is slightly different yet it hard to tell as most of the color have turned grayish the wall is covered with vine that growing different part of castle and with the silence made this castle appeared gloomy. It seemed ready to collapse; there were cracks among the walls. That fact it had remained hidden all those years without someone finding it until recently was surprising.

Near the exit of the cave, we look around to notice a small forest area covering some building and structure, presuming them being structure of the village house, some broken statue of pervious king, queen even knights. All of this, yet the professor never told us anything about it.

“This is quite peculiar, all of these structures yet nothing was mentioned to us by the professor, was that frighten that he missed this detail.” Parker asked while picking up a piece of the statue and watching it intriguingly.

“You might be right however I’m curious to know that how a such huge castle and city was built with a mountain, I have heard carving of castle on a mountain but not actual castle inside a mountain.” Alex asked whiling looking around the area.

“We could ask the professor once we find him and his colleague so if you all are done sightseeing, we should continue forward.” Captain Muller said firmly.

We walked on forward about 20 minutes until we reached the castle entrance, our pathway was clear, as the drawbridge had already been lowered. The water around the castle was filthy and foul, and there were some dead fish in the contaminated water. Looking at the structure a sudden feeling struck me as if I have been here before no that not it, it feels like I’m looking at someone else view, I shake the thought out feeling ridiculous but then again.

“Man, there is something wrong here, and I bet it is going to get worse once we enter,” I said.

Once we cross the drawbridge and pass the gate, we were welcome to the main reception area of the castle. Column aligned on both side of the room in a straight line with a white grayish marble flooring which had cracks, some even are ripped away. There was an open ceiling where light was entering while old ripped red carpet covered most of the grand staircase. There were some statues but due time and condition it hard to tell whether they were statue of the royal family or someone they have honor for performing their duty. I noticed that one statue had fallen yet what caught me that something was beneath it. I notify the captain about what I saw and he, Alex and Parker went to investigate it. They pick up the statue, removing the debris to discovery a body, one of the missing Colleagues Harry Oslin. Finn was called to examine the body, after few minutes he told us results “Well by looking at the body, I say he died by the result of a gunshot however his bottom part was crashed by the statue, so he was already have gone by then.” He spoke.

“What a horrible way to died.” Carl remarked sadly.

“Still, I’m not sure why kill himself, he could still had made it with help of the others.” Parker asked confused.

“Not sure but he might have a good reason.” I said calmly.

“In any case we should divide into two group to search the castle faster. Parker, you will go with Finn and Alex to right side of the castle while Carl and Derek will go with me to left side. You have walkie talky with you. Report any strange activity or even find any member of Jack team report back.” Our captain said firmly. With that went our separate to explore the castle for and find the rest of the missing Archaeologist. However, before we move any forward, we discover another body of archaeologist, John Phillips, cause of death seem like he fell off from the stairway due weak support rail handle. Our search just began and already we found two people deaths, does Jackson know that two of his colleagues are no more if so, does he want us to find the other? Well hope we do not find any more death bodies.

We came across the first floor which consist of various room, first few were bedroom next came a study room which we assumed was of the king, and like the state of castle was so the rest of the room. We kept exploring until we found nothing, so we advance on the next floor We found similar pattern as the first but one room we enter was some sort of gallery. The room was three meters tall and about seven meters wide. The white walls were quite dusty but still in good condition. There was quite a collection of statues and paintings of previous kings, queens, princes, princesses, and even some knights.

I examined a painting of the most recent royal family. The plate below it said, “King Edward, Queen Fiona, and their only child, Princess Rose, 1389.” King Edward was seated on his throne, resplendent in an indigo doublet, a crimson cloak trimmed with ermine and gold, and a bejeweled gold crown. The lavish fashion was at odds with his plain countenance, limp blond hair, dull black eyes, and a strong body gone soft and paunchy. The queen, who must have died not long after the painting was completed, sat at the king’s side. She wore a dark green gown of damask and velvet, which accentuated her frail form, milk-white skin, raven hair, and bright green eyes. Her twisted-cross pendant glittered with gemstones.

The princess was beautiful, with emerald eyes, wavy long black hair, oval face, white skin, and thin body structure emphasized by her elegant gown, a tightly cinched bodice—the same brilliant green as her eyes—over a flowing white chemise edged with black braiding. A silver rose necklace adorned her neck. According to the date written below the portrait, the painting was done in 1389, which would have been the same year in which Princess Rose had reputedly killed herself, according to the scientists’ research. Yet, in the painting she wore a contented smile, and appeared happy enough.

While staring at the painting I heard Carl call out to me, I turned away from the painting going back to my group, but something bothers me especially the princess even though I was able pinpoint her feature, but the painting was to so be worn out it hard to see her look properly but she look familiar to me but I couldn’t remember right now.

While I stood wondering, I heard the whispering voice again. “Please! You must leave! You are not safe! Run!” I ignore it and catch up with the other, passing through another hallway, and entered a space with shattered windows, glass scattered around the floor, ripped curtains, and a hole in the floor and in the ceiling above it. A broken chandelier dangled.

“What the hell happened here?” said the captain, astonished. Before we could go any farther, a gust of wind blew through the window, causing the massive chandelier to sway. Carl and I were beneath it, and if I had not pushed him out of the way, we either might have been seriously injured or killed.

“Great save, Derek. That was strange. Let’s all be extra careful,” said the captain.

“Are you all right?” I helped Carl stand up.

“I’m fine, Derek,” he said, shaking my hand. However, that was not the end, soon another wind blow causing rest of the chandelier fall but we were prepared and move toward the right where the statute block most the glass shard while cover our face with our arms. Soon it stopped and we stepped out to see the mess.

“What just happened?” Captain asked while looking at the chaos that occurred few minutes ago.

“I’m even not sure myself Captain.” I said baffled.

“Whatever it was it has stopped for now, let move forward quickly.” The Captain said. I was looking at the broken sherd when I heard Carl speaking to me “Thanks for saving my life. I wonder where that wind came from. It felt cold and evil.”

I nodded in agreement. We walked up to the captain while still perplexed of what just came about in that corridor. The next room was the armory room. It was the almost same size as the gallery, but wider. The room contained many weapons and battle accessories, including shields, swords, spears, armor, axes, and other items. Most was covered with dust and spider web, some even looked old and rusted. The door at the other end of the room opened suddenly, and we all raised our guns to defend ourselves. It turned out to be Finn with Alex.

“Report, Finn!” the captain said.

“Captain Muller, as instructed we investigated the right area of the castle, we found several bedrooms along with kitchen, some servant quarters and even a library but when we tried to open the door, it wouldn’t budge.” Finn reported back.

“The library door wouldn’t open? I find it hard to believe given the state of castle, it should break down with ease.” I asked confused.

“Well, that funny part, of the all the room we search that door looked brand new as if nothing happened, time seem to cease for it.” Finn said amazed.

“Well, this proves some true word of the university student. Someone is here and have been maintaining that library.” Carl said pointing out the fact.

“You are right Carl, maybe that woman that was mentioned must be responsible but where is she, I haven’t seen any sign that indicate that someone was living here.” Captain said festered.

“By the way, where is Parker? Shouldn’t he be with you guys?” I asked why I notice that Parker wasn’t with them.

“Right, my brother went ahead saying that he will look……...” Alex stops talking when we hear our walkie talkie go off “This Parker speaking, do anyone read me, over” Parker said over the talkie.

“This Captain Muller speaking, what your status Parker, over.” The captain said.

“Captain, I have found one of the missing colleagues of Professor Jackson in one parlor room on the second floor of the right side of the castle. Over.”

“Well done, Parker, bring the person of the armory room, if I’m right it should where be straight from where you are, we are waiting for you, over.” The captain said.

“Copy that, over” Parker said ending the call.

“Well, this is some good news, we found at least one of colleague alive” Carl said excitedly.

“Don’t get too excited Carl, we may have found her, but we don’t know what her condition is, when Parker come to us, and Finn examine her then we know the truth.” Alex said calmly.

I agreed with Parker, we might have found one of the colleagues, but we don’t know what state she might be in. While waiting I notice from my eye corner a shadow moves into the empty room. I inform my captain about what I saw and asking him to check it out. With permission, I move cautiously toward the direction where I saw the shadow moved with a gun in one hand while the other hold a torch. I came near the room standing beside the door while leaning, I pushed the door slightly, positioning my light to aim the room while preparing my gun. When I saw something moving, I swiftly enter the room with my light pointing above my gun but there was nothing here, yet I was certain that I saw something moving the room. I investigated the room and realized that this room isn’t any ordinary room, it was too grand to be a servant or guest room which mean, I am standing in the princess room or what used to be it. The room was designed according to the time with lilac purple color wall with hint of gold ornament in each Connors of the wall sidling down like vine however it remains dirty stain where the ornament looks rusty and broken in pieces on the floor. In the center of the room was poster bed with white curtain riffling showing holes and tear in the cloth. The wooden bed look that it is about to break, and the mattress is completely cover with web cobs and dust. On the left side of the room stand a fireplace with decoration on the stand cover with dust and web cobs.

What got my attention was the dressing table with a huge oval mirror hanging on the wall. I walk up to the table to see a jewelry box with perfume, comb, and other ornament cover in dust and dirt. When I pulled the drawer of the table, I notice something that is wrapped in a sheet. I took it out unwrapped it to discover a book, more precisely a diary. Opening it I notice most of writing have been smudged or some sentences are left incomplete, I flip the paper to find something until I came across the last page where the princess written her last entry. I can’t read the time and date, but I read what she has written.

“This is it, the moment that I have been waiting for, after month of planning I will be finally reunited with my belove Arthur, away from the king and that monster. I must give my thanks to Elric even though he is the King most trusted advisor, yet he knows what is more important this foolish marriage or true love. I just fear that if that monster or the King find out his involvement, he wouldn’t be spared. I pray that God have heard my prayer that I will escape from this castle unnoticed, and I will be free. I’m sorry King you stop being father once you started to follow that foul creature order. However, despite this I must let you know that I love you and always will. Take care and goodbye.”

The princess was planning to escape from this arrangement marriage and be with her lover so question now is whether she was successful or had she failed.

“What cause to runaway from this marriage? Was the person really horrible that you call him a monster.” I asked myself.

Then I felt it, a cold chill run down my spine, looking up I stepped back, startled by the reflection in the mirror, instead seeing my own, I saw a woman reflection instead. I move cautiously toward the mirror trying to understand what I was seeing but before I could do anything I felt it, the cold whisper of sadness and desperation “It wasn’t a person it was a monster, a demon with vengeful intentions” The voice said next to my ear. I turn around in shock, frightened by the nearness of that person pointing my light to find any source of the person presence, turning back I was face to face with a woman glowing with bright light, I cannot understand anything, where is everyone else? They should notice this bright light “no one can see you nor me, I place a veil over this room that no one can interpret us.” The woman said quietly her voice echoing in the room.

Without any fear I spoke out loud “Who are you? What have you done? Are you the woman that that college student saw”? The woman nodded in agreement.

“Tell me are you responsible for the disappearance of the people that came here?” I asked calmly but it just shrugged which annoyed me “What do you mean by that?” I asked a little more confident.

Then I heard sound of whimper, I realized that the woman was is about to cry, I wanted to comfort her but then she spoke “I am practically responsible for those people dismissed, I’m not strong enough to stop it.” She said crying.

“What do you mean, is there another person involved?” I asked confused.

“You can’t defeat it with your current state, you don’t know anything about, it better you leave without that cursed amulet.” She said sadly.

“What do you mean? Look, my team” “it better you and your team leave before it’s too late” The woman intervened and with a flash bright light she vanished.”

While trying to comprehend what just happened, I heard Carl voice ring into the room “Hey Derek, what taking you so long, did you find something?” Carl asked as he enter the room.

“No… I didn’t find anything.” I said calmly but from the inside I want to tell everyone what I have witness.

“Well anyway, I want to let you know that Parker have come back with one of the colleagues, you should come now.” Carl informed me.

“Alright, let go.” I said turning away from the room and entering the hallway however I certain now that this is no ordinary mission, we were over our head, yet they wouldn’t believe me, at least I should convince them just to find just the professor and rest of his colleague and leave this place. We reached the group to find Finn examine a female body, I assume it was Cecilia, the data analysis of the group.

Finn stood up and give his overview “Well after checking her I have concluded that she slips into a comatose state.” He spoke.

“Comatose state? Is that even possible? At a place like?” Alex asked shocked.

“It might be due to the death of her colleague that might trigger that state?” Parker said thoughtfully.

“Well, if that the case what about the bruise around her neck and arm?” Finn said pointing out to Cecilia body.

“You didn’t mention any bruise before Finn, why are you telling us now?” I asked confused.

“To be honest, I wasn’t sure when I first saw them but then I thought about it” he said while leaning back to Cecilia body, he removes her upper scarf and jacket sleeves to show us the marking “No doubt that these are bruises but by what, I don’t know yet.” He said pointing out the bruise.

When I looked at the bruise, my blood froze, these aren’t any ordinary bruise that could be done by human hand, these look like large abnormal animal mark with sharp claw, remembering the woman warning, I realized what have cause these marking and the reason behind Cecilia state. I stood up trying to understand what happening here when I heard the captain speak “Well in case let put her somewhere safe until we find the Professor and gather the rest of the colleague bodies in one place.” We all nodded in agreement and put Cecilia in the room that I went into moment ago.

When we returned to the hallway the captain asked Finn group whether he saw anyone else.

“Captain Muller, “we search every room in the area, but we found no sign of the Professor” Finn told firmly.

“Damn! Where could have they gone?” I could see the frustration in the captain’s eyes. We were all confused. “Is there a lower level? Dungeons or anything? According to letter, the amulet was originally hidden somewhere ‘deep in the castle,’ right?”

 “Sir we wanted to check the rooms below, but the door leading there wouldn’t budge. Even with the three off us pulling it, it wouldn’t open,” said Alex.

“It might work if all six of us try and pull the door open. Maybe we’ll find them down there,” said the captain was right. For the first time we dared to feel optimistic. But then the nightmare began.