Sanctum Arcanum

by Alexander Kautz

  “Dear Lord in heaven. Please don’t let it all end here, not now and like this…..”

  There was a sudden and sharp pain in my breast, the breath coming in short and desperate gasps! I felt the strength begin to fail me, thoughts coming through a heated and dizzying haze. The pain came again! Gasping, I now slid to my knees and fell from off the couch! Oh dear God—have mercy! It was my heart—my accursed heart!

  The fear had all been too much, the breath being stolen from my lungs as I now fought for each and every desperate gasp! That’s when it happened: I heard the roar of an engine and sensed the brightness of head-lights! Rich had returned for us, and completely unaware of the deadly threat, would blindly run directly into the ravenous nightmare!

  My thoughts raced like lightning, memories of Caitlin, Rich and Maya. All that we had ever shared and loved being lost as we both died confronting this horror! And then, through the darkness and fearful memory, my own words returned. It was something I had recently said to Rich during a conversation, a promise that I intended to keep, “I will never abandon you….”

  Knowing the consequences and realizing that my end would soon come, I decided in favor of his life over my soul! But not without a fight! I could hear his heavy steps upon the front stairs, and then his movements in the door.

  Grabbing at a large candy dish from the table before me, my words came in little more than a whisper, and while gasping with the attempt, “If you are with me still Marlowe, I beg, call upon your service again…” And with that I smashed the crystal candy dish upon the stone hearth, slicing my hand and splattering blood, “For he who controls the blood of another—controls his soul. I sign this pact, and seal our deal forevermore….”

  I had written with a finger upon the hearth and with my own blood, a signature that seemed to vanish the moment it had been done!

  Rich had stumbled into the hall while racing toward the main room, but fearing for his life, I now opened my eyes and faced the unknown! What I saw there was not a single thing, but the compilation of many! It appeared as a huge, wild and fur-covered mass! It walked upon what seemed a multitude of spider-like legs, the feet being more like ogres’ hands with huge and gnarled claws! From long necks it bore massive wolf heads, all of them containing pale and countless eyes that stared straight into my soul! Their mouths were agape with forked tongues, and bore endless rows of razor sharp teeth like that of a shark!

  I felt something, a hand reaching from out of that shadow-haunted mass. Icy claws breaking through my breast and taking hold of my heart! The breath now left me as the world became a swirling, spiraling and horrid dream! I knew that my life was now ending, my true fear being for my friend and our souls!

  I prayed, pleaded to God above and even cursed all the devils in Hell! I wished for nothing more than just the opportunity, ability to protect and save my unfortunate friend! And then there came a strange stillness, a bright blue and burning light. A symbol from out of the darkness that caused the horrors to retreat from before the blinding sight! Out of the frozen shadows came the distant and mournful call of a raven! A sound that had haunted me throughout life, signifying death, had forever broken my heart!

  The enormous bird came crashing through the barricaded window, the splintering boards and crystalline shards exploding inward and showering the room! It called out in defiance, its eyes blazing with an unholy red fire! Raising my arms to the heavens in a final plea of mercy, the enormous black bird soared across the room as we collided! I felt its shadow cross into my body, its flame scalding my failing heart and desperate soul! I shuddered and shook as every nerve and blood vessel screamed! Every inch of my flesh and internal organ aflame, I thought that I had died and was cast into Hell! But then, inhaling deeply as my lungs were freed to breathe, the shooting pains in my breast subsided as I stood tall and straight!

  I felt a strong and familiar presence, calming and without fear. And opening my eyes once again, stared upon the unspeakable thing. It hung suspended just inches away from my face, a massive accumulation of twisting shadows, inhuman and horrendous shapes. But the blackness had suddenly receded, as all things now shimmered and shone with a living glow. The terror drifting like a dark cloud, it stood out unnaturally against the luminescent veil of the living world.

  “It exists as a demon from the abyss that, escaping the eyes of the angels, still wanders the darkened earth.--,” Marlowe had whispered once more from out of my thoughts, the fear and fascination taking firm hold, “Stand now against the shadow—and fear nothing that dwells therein.….”

  Without apprehension I had stood and looked back into the horrendous thing. All time seeming suspended as the world appeared as a ghostly image from all around. I was no longer aware of Rich or concerned for my own life.

  “Cast aside all hope! Your life and soul are forfeit and shall forever burn--,” The demon that was patient 1366 had returned, “Here then and upon fields of blood and fire does it all end…..”

  It was formed of blackness, a horned angel with midnight wings and eyes of pale fire! It stood between me and the unspeakable thing that thrashed wildly in the darkness beyond. Pointing an accusing finger, it uttered blasphemies as it hissed, “Bow down, tremble before the master of your fate….”

  I had just stood and stared back, its words of little consequence, my only desire being to vanquish this evil and send it back to the abyss from where it had crawled out.

  “Vile toad, be gone—linger not in this place lest ye be destroyed.” The boy child that I had known as Marlowe’s demon now appeared, and gestured with a hand in warning.

  “What treachery is this? It cannot be!” The demon 1366 hissed, its eyes burning with confusion, betrayal and absolute rage! “I shall hunt you until the ends of eternity and beyond!!”

  And then, without hesitation Marlowe’s demon had hissed, “No—you shall for eternity burn…” And before another utterance could be exchanged, Marlowe’s minion motioned with his hand, the house shaking, boards bursting from beneath the demon!

  The blackness becoming blinding through belching smoke and blue ethereal flames, tendrils and clawed hands took hold, dragging the shrieking demon down into the smoldering coals! There was a suffocating stench of Sulphur, rotting flesh and burned hair. The howls, screams and unearthly sounds that echoed from out of that burning pit were deafening!

  The boards had resealed as though knitting their own fiber, the stillness returning as though nothing had ever happened! There had not even been any acknowledgement between us as the boy now vanished, leaving me alone to face the thing that still hung before me, dwelling in the darkness!

  “Take hold of the key---,” Marlowe instructed, his voice calm but echoing certain resolve, “The flame that awakens the guardian from out of the abyss….”

  “The Grim--,” I had thought aloud and with certain doubt, “But it only guards graveyards and the souls of the departed….”

  “It answers to the beckon call of the lost--,” Marlowe replied, “Those taken unrightfully and before their time. Take hold of the sacred flame—and set them free….”

  I now felt something burning, and peering down, discovered the cane. Taking it up, I saw the hound’s eyes that shone blue, and remembering the curse, delivered three strokes, tapping it firmly upon the floor!

  Just as it had done before, a great roar now came, the thunderous echo of unnatural gates, opening through space and time! The shadows recoiled to that unearthly sound! It was the bellowing echo of a thousand church-bells, the call of the guardian to death’s gates, the Churchyard Grim, Hells Hound! The world now trembled and the old manor house shook, the evil thing barred passage from escape as stood before it with raised hands!

  It shone with a blue light which burned like a holy fire! Restraining, binding the nightmare from slipping back into the shadows again, the bells tolled louder, the night becoming blindingly bright! And as I stood before the horrifying monster, it shuddered and convulsed, vomiting something out. As through the chaos
and horror I saw father Delaney once again! He wandered from out of its shadows, his form shining bright. Behind him followed his two companions, both seeming startled, lost as to what had happened! And then Gregory and both girls! Clinging to their father, they stared aghast while still appearing in shock!

  Others now also appeared, strangers and faces that I had never known. All of them obvious victims through time of the ghastly thing which now released their souls in desperation! Father Delaney had turned and looked sadly upon me, as though knowing the sacrifice, he mournfully bowed.

  He had guided the ghostly figures of those who had been lost in that place, leading them away as they faded into the silence of eternity’s final embrace. As they vanished from this world and into the next, the shadow demon appeared to have grown smaller, weaker as it thrashed desperately to escape!

  “For an age it has plagued these grounds, murdered and fed upon unwary souls--,” Marlowe’s voice whispered from out of the abyss, “Stand strong, fear not this thing as its time here now also ends… Behold—as comes the Grim….”

  The hound came in the form of a massive black dog! Its eyes blazing with hell-fire as bursting through the hearth, it fell upon the vile and vaporous thing! I had been cast backward in the sudden violence of the assault. The cane falling from my hand as the hound pursued the abomination, passing through the wall and into the frozen night!

  “Not all that you see or seems evil is your enemy—though a demon now comes to be your blessing.” Marlowe spoke in a barely audible tone, “In flames must this place be consumed—and none shall ever be permitted to return.”

  “I am grateful to you, my blessing and curse--,” I muttered into the stillness of the night, “I am now in your debt indefinitely, and at your service for all time….”

  “You serve a debt to none--,” Came the somber reply, “Demon or angel—the decision remains yours to choose…. In due time….”

  From out of the blackness a pale young boy now appeared. Marlowe’s demon had knelt in the shadows, just staring with those bright and burning, blue eyes. I knew that it had only appeared in that shape as not to terrify me with its true form.

  “Together are we now bound through destiny and time--,” Marlowe whispered from deep within my soul, “No longer a mere mortal man, but a being with two souls and a demon at your beckon call. But, beware of your own desires, choose all things well. It will affect, afflict all around you with the passage of time and your curse, immortality….”

  The world now moved like a prism of flowing colors from all around. The demon silently slipping back into the shadows, where it drifted in the darkness as the physical world returned.

  I lay silently, the world fading back into its former shades, and peering upward, looked directly into Rich’s face. He knelt over me, his eyes filled with tears. Tightly holding my hands upon my breast, he whispered, “Hold on my friend—I’ll get you out of this place….”

  Although I had been weak, I managed to walk while being assisted by my friend. We struggled out and into the blinding, bitter cold. I had halted him near the plow’s passenger door, and pointing, said, “We must burn it to the ground—and leave nothing but ash. Not just for our own sake—or the evidence of what has happened here. We have to prevent some other poor soul and his family from buying, or renting this accursed place.”

  “What about the thing---,” His eyes were filled with fear and doubt, “We were lucky enough just to get out of that place. We really shouldn’t be going back in there.”

  “Please—trust me.” I had taken hold of his arm. In the blinding flurries I pleaded, “It’s still out there somewhere—but far from the house. We need to do this—there is no other choice.”

  He had hesitated briefly, then nodding, retrieved a can of gas from the back of his truck. I had followed behind him as we had hurried back into the house.

  He doused the inside of the kitchen and main floor, and then drenching the furniture and draperies, tossed the gas can into the hearth! It had gone up like a bundle of match-sticks as we had raced toward the front door. The flames roaring while pursuing us as the whole place now filled with smoke. We had burst from out of the house, coughing and almost falling from the steps and into the deep snow. The windows blazing brightly behind us as the fire now took hold of the enormous old house. The night came to life from all about us as the fire now reflected from off the snow, long and enormous shadows creeping and dancing demonically as the flurries filled with fiery smoke

  Quickly wiping his prints and all evidence from the city’s truck, he left it running right where he had parked. We had gotten into NR1 and slowly pulled away from that place as an inferno now consumed the house! The flames reaching high into the dark heavens from behind us, reflected in the billowing smoke. The drifting snow was a crimson veil in the carnage as we traveled out and onto the road. As we followed the path that he had previously made with the plow, from somewhere within the inferno resounded an unearthly and terrifying howl! It pierced the ears and mind alike, tearing through thoughts as we gasped, looking back in horror!

  There was something enormous and black hanging from just above the blazing chaos. It was a shadow that deeper than all other shades, had no place among the brilliant glow of the raging flames! It had first appeared to have been some dark and indistinguishable form, which I now thought to have recognized as a demon, dancing within the fire.

  Rich had spun toward me, the chaos and fear of what we had just seen reflected in his startled gaze. But he had never uttered a single word, just turned and hurriedly raced up the road leading back into town….

  Chapter Fifteen

  The fire department had attended what remained at the scene. By the time that they had arrived, it was little more than ashen brick and blackened timbers. We had reported the accident, and loss of Gregory, his two daughters, several gentlemen who had stopped to assist and the town’s beloved priest. As for poor Laura and little Colleen, they were still in a state of shock due to the entire event and were presently uncertain as to what they had actually experienced or seen. Subsequently, their statements were quite brief and for the most part remained unclear.

  Our names had caused a little suspicion, having appeared on some private police profile. But, after having contacted the investigating officer, Detective Raymond Emerson, they had soon allowed as to leave on our own recognisance.

  We had returned from the police station, and escorted Laura and young Colleen back into the Porter’s house, where we had all been graciously welcomed and made comfortable as guests for the night.

  Both of us had called home and informed our wives of our imminent return. We had refrained from sharing the details, seeing no purpose in upsetting them without being there to properly explain. It had been quite apparent that they both had their suspicions, but we explained that as far as the investigation was concerned, that there were still some details to resolve.

  “Also—I just wanted to mention--,” Caitlin cleared her throat and quietly said, “Merlin has been acting very strangely. He ran out of your office this evening, and raced straight into our room and under the bed.”

  “Maybe something startled him--,” I pondered briefly, “Did you go in to have a look?”

  “I peeked in the door and poked my nose around.” She sounded distant and slightly disturbed, “The only thing that I had noticed was that the cloth had fallen off your golden sphere.”

  “It’s rather sensitive to sunlight. The mineral tends to lose its brilliant color when exposed. Did you go in to cover it back up?”

  “Well, I suppose that you cloth must have slipped down behind the desk.” She quietly explained, “So, I used a tea towel from the kitchen and wrapped it so that it would not happen again. But, Michael—something happened tonight, when I went into your room.”

  I had been leaned against the kitchen counter while using the Porter’s telephone in private, but now felt vulnerable for some reason. Speaking in a low tone, I replied to my distressed wife, “S
omething happened? What do you mean, sweetheart—are you alright?”

  “I’m just fine—but I had that feeling again, the same as I had before. The distinct impression that someone or something was watching me, from somewhere inside the room….”

  “I’ll be home soon, my love--,” I promised, “And we’ll get busy building that cottage on the property. Once we get everything moved out of the house, I’m certain that everything will be just fine.”

  “I hope that you’re right, sweetheart. But then again, maybe I’m just nervous being here alone?”

  “Alone?” I had questioned the thought, “What about Eva and old Norman?”

  “They went to bed hours ago.” She explained, “Eva’s getting older, you know. She doesn’t stay up as late as she did before.”

  “I’m sorry, darling—the thought never occurred to me.”

  “It’s alright. I called Maya after that little incident—and we shared a late dinner together, since she was also alone.”

  “You’ll both have plenty of company again, very soon.” I looked at the kitchen clock and noticed the time, “But this is a long distance call, darling, I shouldn’t ring up their bill too much.”

  “Alright, sweetheart, I understand.” She sighed deeply, and though obviously frustrated, spoke sweetly as she said, “Just please come home safe—and soon.”

  “We should have matters cleared up here within a day and then be on our way straight back,”

  “Did you find what you were looking for?” She sounded frightened.

  “I’m a lot closer to finishing that book now, if that’s what you mean? Listen, sweetheart, I’ll see you when I get home. I promise that we won’t be much longer, okay?”

  “Alright, be careful and see you soon, my love, till then.”