Heroes Return VI: Book One London Chapter 1-2

 

Team Seven

London

Oni Society Revolt

1.       Sherlock Holmes

2.       Mycroft Holmes

3.       Doctor John Watson

4.       Lord Greystokes

5.       Nayland Smith

6.       Professor James Moriarty

7.       Mitsui ‘Ronin’ Ogata

 

016 9274530

 

Jimmy Loong

Nov 20th 2021

“A day of boredom to begin with…”

March 16, 2026

“A desire to resume on my affairs here.”

“Borrowed a couple of characters to spice up the tale. Charlie Song is one; adapted from Charlie Chen of that era.”

March 26th 2026

Still at it. I am going to explore in deeper into some characters here. \

May 11^th 2026

Still at it after some briefs moments of doing  something else.

July 15^th 2026

Concluded Book 1: London at 53,433 words. I did not reckon the tale will spin further than one book. So it moving it to Africa next then.

Cheers

 

1. 

 

“The oni (鬼(おに))…" The man, namely referred to as the professor, was seated there and smiled after removing the cigar from his lips.

“The—" "It is oni, Professor. I do not like to imply, but the correct name must be applied.” The one who spoke was an oriental figure in the western white-shaded three-piece suit and short-cropped hairstyle with the thin upper mustache above the upper lip. The oriental-looking figure was standing next to the seated figure identified as the professor.

There was a foursome discussion facing the fireplace on that late evening with the city of London covered with smog courtesy of the industrialization era. The discussion was held over a few glasses of whiskey, the single malt blend courtesy of the host.

“Yes, Doctor Mitsui Ogata. I am aware.” The man then known as Mycroft smiled. “Whatever, the oni is a yōkai in Japanese folklore. The ones before you tend to name it as a demon or ogre, by some. A reference to their beliefs, I am afraid it was.”

“However, it is the devil if you must ask me to compare the two entities.” Mycroft took a puff with the cigar. “Bloody resemblances there.”

The seated audience was four gentlemen formally dressed for an evening in town. The group was clustered in the plainly furnished office of the Foreign Office at London, facing the fireplace. The center for the empire's finest in the art of diplomacy and with an inducement towards intelligence, namely, political views.

“Mr. Holmes, I am…" One of the three gentlemen seated there with the well-tailored dark blue three-piece suit flicked the loose hair from his forehead. He maintained a short style, combed backward to reveal his forehead. He was a tall figure with a huge frame and polished shoes.

“Mycroft will suffice, my dear sir. My esteemed guest here is the minister of exchequer, Sir Frank Leeson, who is placed within the Parliament and would be honored if addressed as Sir Leeson.” The one attested to for his rank to be affirmed. “For me, Mycroft may suffice. Am I correct to state that is correct, Minister Leeson?”

The one named the minister was an elderly man in the dark tweed suit; he was summoned from his holiday in the countryside where he was on vacation, alongside his so-called mistress.

“I say, Mycroft. Why are we here?” The minister was getting agitated to be brought there to London after a grueling ride on the train. The only redemption of the works there was the train, which was efficient and, to some extent, comfortable to sit in, but at three hours, it was a darn tiring ride.

“I do apologize, Minister, but we do have to hear it all before I can comment.” Mycroft replied. He is the only one without a public designation but a rather hidden one as the agent of the government, only to report to one minister in the Parliament: the foreign affairs minister.

“Please proceed, Doctor Mitsui Ogata.” Mycroft put on the weak smile.

“I am to divert from the agenda and tell you of the Oni Society, which is mostly known for their fierce and evil nature manifested in their propensity for murder and cannibalism. Notwithstanding their evil reputation, oni possess intriguingly complex aspects that cannot be brushed away simply as evil. They are typically portrayed as hulking figures with one or more horns growing out of their heads. Stereotypically, they are conceived of as red, blue, black, yellow, or white-colored, wearing loincloths of tiger pelts and carrying iron kanabō clubs. A creature that instilled fear and danger from their grotesque outward appearance to their wild and strange behaviors and dangerous powers.”

“Most remarkable details, Doctor Mitsui Ogata.” Mycroft snapped out.

“A part of my academic training, to be precise and informative in my presentation.” The doctor smiled. “Pardon me for having diverted the topic of our meeting.”

“And our precise pointer to the purpose of his meeting.” The minister interjected once more. “Our main agenda, I meant.”

“I was advised that there was an urgent matter to discuss, which involved the few of us.” Mycroft shifted his seating position to cut in. “The Japanese empire raised a concern with us. The Empire is… rather known to all of you; we are in a precarious position in the Far East. To be exact, I am referring to the Japanese Empire.”

“The allies of ours have been……. Have a vested interest there, with our allies like the United States of America, Germany, and ..." Mycroft stopped to take a puff on his cigar.

“Spare us the historical lessons, Mycroft," Minister Leeson snapped. “Please get to the main matter.”

“The Empire is under threat there. As stipulated by the minister of foreign affairs and reported to me." Mycroft looked at the Minister. “The Empire's interest is……. Pardon me for the repetitious reference. The Foreign Affairs was given an alert…"“And what had that to do with the Exchequer?” Minister Leeson was agitated.

“Well, Minister… Sir. The threat involved in the treasury is an affront here.” Mycroft smiled. “It……"“May I intervene?” Doctor Mitsui Ogata cut in.

“Let me introduce myself once more. My name is Doctor Mitsui Ogata. I am affiliated with the Ministry of Treasury in Japan. Let me be brief here.”

“The relationship between the Japanese treasury and our Ministry of Finance has taken steps to regulate our treasury controls. With modernization, our focus is financial stabilization and the establishment of a modern banking system. We have established the Bank of Japan recently. Following severe inflation in the last years, the Japanese government moved to centralize control of the money supply. We adopted the Silver Standard with government-issued paper money convertible to silver, a stabilization effort aided by accumulating specie reserves.”

“It is the British influence on banking that we drew on for that.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata smiled.

“Thank you, then, for the compliment.” Minister Leeson smiled. “We had ours done since the late seventeenth century. From the Dutch, to be exact, where we learned the rudiments of treasury. We got it refined to a fine art since then.”

The Bank of England founded in 1694 manage the government debt during the reign of William III and Mary II. The bank allowed for a shift from relying solely on gold/silver to a credit-based system, enabling increased state spending. It was the structural blueprint that was heavily influenced by the advanced banking systems already operating in Amsterdam. This new system allowed England to finance its rapid industrialization and colonial expansion. “As you did, we are learning from your side now.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata smiled. “Japan is on the trail of expansion to be a modern nation. Unfortunately, that trail invoked rebellions and much time and violence.”

“We are too familiar with that.” Mycroft smiled.

“And what has that to do with the Empire here?” Minister Leeson cut in. “My tea is cold.”

"I'll get you one more then.” Mycroft offered to change the cup, but the minister stopped him.

“Doctor Mitsui Ogata, please continue.” The minister sat back on his seat. “We will assist in whatever manner is required.”

“Well, the trail led us to here. In England, we uncovered a network of intimidators, including criminal elements that are here to prevent our expansion. They are to disrupt our relationship.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata looked at Professor Moriarty and then to Mycroft. “They are called the Oni Society, by my government. Hence, I spoke of them.”

“Rebellious, you did mention.” Mycroft frowned on his expression. “Am I not right, Mr. Holmes, Sherlock Holmes? Do join us in the discussion.”

The one addressed as Sherlock was seated, leaning back in the high chair, revealing no expression with his unlit pipe on the lips. His seating position was by the tall lamp post there. He was with the same hairstyle as Mycroft, but his dressing was more of the general cut of the public with the grey tweeds and dark shoes. He had his hat resting on his left knee angled across his right leg.

“I much…" Sherlock spoke but was interrupted by Mycroft.

“Doctor Mitsui Ogata, I—" Mycroft cut in with a sense of impatience but was held back by Sherlock then, who took on his cue to continue speaking.

“Mycroft, I am sure the time allocated by the doctor to see us must be very generous of him.” Sherlock looked at the other, named as the Professor. “After all, he has information that will interest us. He, I believed, had the acumen of a person to hold interesting findings.”

Mycroft's expression was one of disdain for the presumption made.

“Yes, I do. I am not a sleuth but an academic, but the information told to me was most…how may I place it...crucial to the well-being of the Empire and to the well-being of this Parliament.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata smiled before he looked at the cigar on Mycroft’s hand. “Your cigar…"“Cuban ... I adored them since I was offered them some time back.” The doctor saw the agitated look on the minister and moved back to the reason he called for the meeting. “Pardon me, but seldom do we smoke cigars in Tokyo.”

“Where is that … Tokyo?" The minister interjected.

“It’s in the far east, a distance from Hong Kong and further still from Singapore.” Mycroft explained. The minister was of the isle, and his foreign knowledge was mostly his office notes and that of the mistress from the continent down south, the Congo to be precise, and she was then at the country home of his. His own family are in Lisbon on holiday, while he bemoaned the huge pile of work and needed to stay behind in London. Well, he was then.

“Please allow me to explain. My emperor sends me to caution… is that the right word?” The Doctor looked to Mycroft, who nodded back. “On our relationship.”

"Subtle, but you could say 'warning.'" Mycroft smiled and looked at the minister. “We are British, and words may come to us in many syllables.”

“Hai, as I was… saying, my emperor feels that it is his overture to tell you that a new threat is in London. He got the news from the Germans, who held some colonies in the other continents. I will say the threat is… dangerous and getting widespread.” The Doctor looked to Mycroft for affirmation. The other just gave a slight nod.

“Well, the Germans have their own issues there, and why would it affect us here?” The minister shrugged his shoulders at the concern. “We are in certain terms … friendly foes with them.”

“True to that, but the Oni Society is here now and soon there, and from here they will proceed to other continents. You must understand this. The Oni are considered wrathful … or bad demons.” The doctor explained. “They have a following of members in my country, Japan, and of late have expanded to greater China and to now London. They come here to spread their evil. They …….”

“That has to do with Mr. Holmes here.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata smiled. Mycroft looked to the other person. He resented the attendance of the other, but he was the brother who shared the same parent with him. They got off on the wrong side of the bed, although in different bedrooms, but the mythical link was brushed off them that day.

“Presumption is yours. I am no slough-armchair sleuth, as you may have assumed, but foreign spies have looked for me. The man there leaned forth to offer his right hand in friendship. “Once again, I am Holmes, Sherlock Holmes.”    

 

 

2 

 

“The infamous detective.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata took the offered hand with a firm grip. “I am honored to meet you here.”

“Do continue, please.” Sherlock Holmes motioned to the other, who then bowed to the request.

“One of your representatives, Ian Masterson… was recalled and was regretfully on his way back to Japan; his ship was lost at sea. He is presumably dead.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata looked at Mycroft. “He was bringing evidence of the Oni Society’s works here.”

“That is being investigated now…. The missing ship, I meant. It sank as reported nearby... Where is that infernal place...? I cannot recall.” Mycroft said. Undisclosed to the other, Ian Masterson was an operative under the Double Prefix Section, as was Mycroft.

“Most regrettably for Ian. I have known him since school days. He is not a Treasury man but more of a Foreign Office chap.” The minister sighed. “I heard from the newspaper, Mycroft, like many others. Please do continue, Doctor Mitsui Ogata.”

“Hai, as mentioned earlier, Ian Masterson was working on the Oni Society and had the needed evidence with him. He was…"

“May I?” Mycroft cut in on the doctor but was ignored.

“The Oni Society Clan came to our attention a decade ago, when one of our leaders was…killed and then another before we linked it to the Oni Society. We discovered more killings and threats since then. The Oni Society was claimed to be managed by a group of influential names, including the military. Since then, they have eliminated over a dozen leaders here and in the Far East and held to their influence over more.”

Doctor Mitsui Ogata looked towards Sherlock.

“They have targeted the top leaders, and even the emperor was threatened with a coup, but we… defeated it. That exerted a lot of pressure on them, and they decided to move to Greater China, including Manchuria, and down south to even Betawi and Singapore. They are building their strength there and looking to exert world dominance.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata gave the brief.

“Whatever happened to Fu Manchu? Nasty chap that one. I recalled reading of him.” Mycroft asked. “China is his domain. Our intelligence there did not report any power shift there.”

“Fu Manchu is still very much in power. He is… in exile, as to my knowledge," Doctor Mitsui Ogata explained. “In the Chinese sayings, there is no reason to have two tigers on the same mountain. Fu Manchu, to our knowledge, is working behind the scenes and with the Oni Society. He will await his turn to share the spoils.”

“So, the dragon hibernates while the demon runs wild.” Mycroft cut in. “Most intriguing. What has that to do with us here in London? I am sure Scotland Yard…"“No, Mycroft. Scotland Yard may not be able do it. I am sure there is more, Doctor Mitsui Ogata.” Sherlock voiced out the second time that evening. “If it were that simple, surely the doctor would not ask for an audience.”

“Emotions or deductive elimination, Mr. Holmes?” Mycroft smiled while brushing the ashes of the cigar from his sleeves.

“The Oni Society is not any criminal organization but a…." Doctor Mitsui Ogata was cut off.

“I have the urge to get the real issue.” Sherlock glared at Mycroft. "I've done my checks on the Oni Society. While your friend, Charles Amstrong, our PM, was arranging this meeting, I was in talks with the best in the field.”

“The better ones?” Mycroft looked to his brother. “I thought…"“Do not eat your hat there, brother. Scotland Yard is still ranked among the best.” Sherlock spoke without releasing his look at the doctor.

“I had received telegrams from the Far East offices and got the brief. The news I got was enough for me to further call on some reliable chaps in the other foreign embassies. I know not much of the Oni Society but am a bit intrigued. What is the supernatural trail there?”

“Supernatural?” Mycroft gasped out. “Are you talking of Dracula here? My old chap, they are from the Far East. Last I recalled Dracula was in Europe or thereabouts.”

“If I may, Doctor.” Sherlock, ignoring Mycroft, continued his look on the doctor.

“Yes, the Oni Society... they used demonic influence. They have many works that resembled the…normal methods of the criminals.”

“Garroting, or backstabbing. Beheading. Trust me, I have seen those, but there were reports speaking of sudden death, as in hypnotic induction, and madness for those who return. and …….” But Sherlock was cut off. And to him, that was rude, or he was on the trail that he deduced.

“Not of London exactly.” Mycroft cut in. “I think ours were more of slicing and removing organs. A surgeon’s art, perhaps.”

“Yes, there were some cases in which the deaths of the victims were more ritualistic or symbolic.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata gave out an apologetic smile. “It was never linked, but there were questions. The Oni Society threat was more… scary when they left the victim drained of their blood or impaled.”

“Tinge of Dracula. It was reported that he does all those killings that way.” Mycroft cut in as usual. “Do go on.”

“In some cases, there were also reports of beheadings.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata sighed. “To lose one’s head ... Beheading? We have done that many times at the Tower, or was it the Bastille? " Mycroft had the fearful expression on his face. “Razor-sharp katana blades, though.”

“There are claims of the survivors that when they went to Yomi. The Japanese word for the land of the dead.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata shuddered at the word. “They cannot cross over without their head.”

“What is the modus operandi of works by the Oni Society besides that?” Sherlock asked. “Unreported?”

Sherlock finds that his best informants came from the unofficial reports.

“The Oni Society believed in spreading their influence to the countries and your colonies, and that spread from China to Betawi. They have control of my country, but that was not enough. The extreme right had wanted to invade China and, from there, down the continent all the way to Betawi, but the emperor will not go for it. So, they proceed to controls on the leaders so that, when needed, the invasion will be done in a different method.”

“And now they came for us here.” Mycroft smiled. “We are a small isle and have done what others had not done: dominate half the world.”

“I will be blasted…" the minister blared. “I am going to report this to the parliament."

“Can we get back to the main issue here?” Sherlock looked at Mycroft. “Why are we here? Are we still on the treasury works, or not?”

“The Oni Society has marked us for ---removal.” The doctor admitted his role then. “Have you heard of the assassins? Not your ‘Hashishin,' the Middle Eastern clan of the Nizari Ismaili sect or the Thugge of India.”

“Not even the slightest.” The minister said then.

“Doctor, please stick to your academic subjects and do not speculate on the world of crime. I am told that it is not of your experiences.” Mycroft looked at the doctor. “Or my intelligence officers need to be removed too for failing to name you?”

“Do tell me, Doctor Mitsui Ogata? Would the Ninjas be working here for the Oni Society?” Sherlock asked.

“Bloody Ninjas? Surely, Shelly, you are not off your meds. Ninjas do not exist.” Mycroft stared at his brother.

“Hai, the assassin clan offered their services to the paying master, but they are not here. The Oni Society have their own assassins, the Dark Hand, and like the others, they move with stealth and kill with deadly moves.”

“I could be in the London Tower with the full complement of guards, and yet, they will reach me?” The minister added in. “It makes that a national threat.”

“Do tell me more, Mycroft. When has your possible death provoked your need to stay alive? Sherlock displayed his rare sarcastic self.

“I would not mind the beheading by the proper means. King Charles I was beheaded in 1649, and so was Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat, in 1747. Beheading is for the nobility.” Mycroft recited the history of beheading. “I may be of the same blood.”

“And garroting is for the commoners; it is not yours. I hear you well, Mycroft. That was how most assassins do their victims. Or a bullet in the head?” Sherlock glared at the other.

“So, you do prefer the beheading or perhaps poison by the mix of arsenic? Someday, some writer will use that ingredient once too many times.” Mycroft took a bash at Sherlock’s reputation. “Not in London, but perhaps the French detective will like that. I much prefer the simple “Yes, London should have you in the closet, if my brother is ever—misjudged."

“So, do tell me.” Sherlock looked at the other. “Are you having me on? The man afraid to be removed?”

“Removal was not my real concern, but the threat was also on the minister here. That is the major concern.” Mycroft looked at the minister. “Our ministry offices.”

“Sir, we will provide additional guards. We will protect you.” Mycroft jumped to the defense upon seeing the minister's pale expression.

“I think you might be late.” Sherlock added in. “Minister, you are here and…"

“Oh my God! Mindy…" The minister was alarmed. “They will go for her.”

It was then that the alarms were off, but it was too late.  

 

A new tale starts ......

 Besides Preys and Predators, I have another running series named the Heroes Seven. In it, I combined the Holmes trio; Sherlock, Mycroft and Watson alongside some others to make up seven heroes. I had published them that were written. 

A reminder here; Doctor Watson is a retired assassin who specialise in daggers but had not used it since his retirement except on urgent needs. 

Sherlock is a genius but a cocaine addict. 

Mycroft being himself is a pain in the butt.

In the next tale in the series, I had included back; Lord John Greystokes who had in the last adventure lost his child, and Jane blames the Holmes for it. 

In this tale, I had some new characters; Nayland Smith from the FU MANCHU series; a tribute to the man, Dr. Fu Manchu was created by the English mystery and pulp fiction writer Sax Rohmer (the pen name of Arthur Henry Ward). He first introduced the sinister mastermind in the novel The Mystery of Dr. Fu-Manchu (1913) and penned over a dozen novels about the character until his death in 1959. Great series which I read when younger. 

I added in an element of the East; the samurai saga in the form of one named Doctor Ogata Mitsui, and elements of the samurai techniques. 

It was in the list of unfinished tales, and still remains as one. I had stopped here at Book 1: London, and will conclude soon when I am done with other unfinished tales. The next book will Bok 2: Congo. 

And above all, thanks for reading my tales. 

Tally Ho......

An update here

I have been busy with the new tale, Odysseus. I confessed I embarked on this at the end of June, although I have three other tales still incomplete. I was diverted by work and ... lack of ideas. I was reading as my usual tasks on the internet and found some ideas on the new tale. I am into 22K words now, and to be honest, it's only the beginning, and I still have a long way to go. 

Consider it my odyssey. 

Please bear with me in this. 

Happy Father's Day 2026....

Firstly, thank you for clicking on my blog. I am on the lam on the tales, but I will admit, I have just started on a new tale... I know I have three other tales pending... but this one kept on hammering in my head. It's the revised version of ODYSSEUS, or rather the new look into it, with a dash of TEMPEST and perhaps OTHELLO to it. 

It was all due to my mind flitting with images (not those, but of the above), and then I canned it in a new write; now it's at 6K words but built up. Yo, work comes first, but between that is raw writing (is that a word or an expression?). 

Tally Ho......

What does Odysseus have to do with Prospero and Othello? I am not telling for now, but let it build its own momentum. And it's not ancient Greek but a noir / steampunk version with moments of gods and goddesses (I hope). Hey, my tales take their own trail as they reach the points.

Why do this tale now?

When I started writing tales, I learned this lesson: a word a day or a passage a day—it does not matter as long as you can create the tale. It was like when I was doing sketches; a line or a full frame does its magic. 

Thank you, once again for clicking in. But please stay patience with me. I will be back. And HAPPY FATHER'S Day......

Time for a excursion of rest

 That is  the  finale of the Promethus tale ..... for now. There will be a last tale to be written later to complete the saga,  but for now, I have to say I need a break. Please excuse me on this. 

Till then, tally ho.

Cheers

Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 41 (Epilogue)

 

Epilogue 

 

Wandering in the corridors of the Uni, for one who does that, his earlier tasks were not much different from that in any dungeon. The musky odour and the dimly lit ambience lend a feeling that maybe also dead scholars walked the corridors at dusk.

“Professor Jekyl, where are you?” Victor Frankenstein had stepped into the topmost level of the building to seek out his mentor. He had climbed the stairs to what may be referred to as the attic, but in the huge building of the Uni, it was another floor level with several chambers.

“I am here.” The call was answered. Victor made his way to the chamber at the end of the corridor and knocked. He heard the opening of latches, and then the door was opened.

“It is Doctor Jekyll, and I am not a professor, well, at least to my personal ranking.” The man who stood there was not dressed like any academic person but more like a butcher with the apron over the chest. He is the unacknowledged expert on human interaction with science, a new field for which many denied his works, and out of respect, they gave him the rank of professor in the fields of human science instead.

“I will not accept this personification of my knowledge, as my works are above the scientific level in human but of the interaction of I. I am talking of assimilation, transformation, evolution……. As we all did from the primate to our current limited intelligence, which we had utilized to make ourselves, Homo sapiens, but I am looking above it. I am looking at Homo sapiens superior.”

The man was jeered off the podium, but he was retained in his standings with the uni. His works were questionable, but it was the era of discovery, and no university wanted to be second in the listing.

“Pardon me, Doctor.” Victor Frankenstein stepped in. The chamber smelled of dead meat and chemical stench.

“Are you my new associate? Associate Professor Frankenstein. Your reputation……”

“Pardon me again, Doctor. My reputation was over-exasperated with malicious intents by others.” Victor smiled. “I am a man of science, and ……”

“You…… well, claimed to have developed……” Doctor Jekyll was cut off.

“Created a monster, whereas all I did was continue the work of galvanizing.” Victor corrected the other. “I did not ……. Create any monster. I was trying to understand the works of …….”

“Prometheus, perhaps. Our interpretation of that. A branch of that.” Doctor Jekyll laughed. “Short of us cohabiting with the… experiments, we are doing what the boundary of science had been expanded to new advancements.”

“The orgasm in the lovemaking.” The doctor laughed louder. “I do have to admit that I am a selfish lover. For me, I am done, and it is done. I move on. I am one of the obvious. I do not follow but lead to venture into unexplored frontiers.” Doctor Jekyll motioned to his table laden with bottles of chemicals and tubes. “Our body is made of chemical compositions. If we are further understanding it, we need to work on the chemical’s interaction; hence, my work involved human interaction in science.”

“Doctor Jekyll, I am to……” Victor was cut off.

“Multiple orgasm… It may be there, but I must achieve it.”

“Doctor Jekyll, I……”

“To work with me. Two miscreants of the works on the ……. Dead……. Of the three volunteers I had, two died and one was brain dead. I am a madman by their view.” Doctor Jekyll laughed. “Are you to be my next volunteer? No ladies will work with me. They feared I would violate them on the table… or on the floor.”

“Doctor Jekyll, I……”

“Chronic masturbation was mine much earlier. I thought of it to get the specimens.” Doctor Jekyll looked at the table. “I do admit the stains are still there.”

“No, Doctor. I was hoping… well, I asked to be your assistant.” Victor smiled. “I had submitted my application some months back, and it was only last week that I got approved.”

“You are not to the maid, Sir. Nor will I bend you over… and take from you any specimens. I believe that your ……. Presence back to your town of recent days. The newspapers had a good day with your exploits, though you made it to page three instead of the front page. I think the Ripper beholds it gruesome there.”

“What’s so fascinating about a mutilated body? We do that daily at the morgue.” Doctor Jekyll sighed. “I wondered if the mortician ever pays the family for the services he rendered on the dead. The darned man must be a Scrooge. He took his millions there into there … and not a dime paid out.”

“Maybe the Ripper is collecting them…” Victor interjected with sarcasm.

“A man of humor. I am beginning to like you.” Doctor Jekyll smiled. “Do you know that the chemicals in our head make us smile?”

“Smiles are caused by feelings of joy and pleasure when the brain releases good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Key triggers include seeing loved ones, receiving kindness from strangers, enjoying simple pleasures …… Victor smiled.

“101 Medicine. I smiled when I spurted out. I will say, here are my millions.” Doctor Jekyll laughed and then shifted the subject. “You ignited their interest in you… these professors and what not, but with no available positions… the others will not touch you with a ten-foot pole, except mine…. Seven, to be exact; they placed you in or with me.” Doctor Jekyll smiled. “The Theology Society has an influence on who is who in the Uni. I do wonder if they hold any gangbang at all.”

“The Theology Society?” Victor was surprised.

“Yes, the Theology Society. They are the Uni's main sponsor and one of mine. They may be named that, but their real interest is the works of ours. They liked to be the ……. To explore will be the better term, the new frontier.”

“Welcome to my lab, Associate Professor Frankenstein. I need your services to work on the physiology of my chemical interaction. Viola, we may create a new breed of human.”

The new creation amounted to new findings, and Lauren Spielsdorf approached her father, Rudolf, who was watching the mansion where his daughter was before they left to battle more demons.

“It looked bad.” Rudolf sighed. “Maybe we should not have……”

“Left, Father?” Lauren looked at the mansion that was in ruins there. The demons may have left them when they took off, but Beelzebub had returned to damage the mansion soon after.

“The demon master took out his wrath on the mansion. He could not get my power and decided to showcase his anger here,” Lauren said. “We cannot do much here. The mausoleum is buried under the rubble. Our only task is to battle Beelzebub and rescue Mother’s soul. Once that is done, I will return here to rebuild the new coven.”

“Coven …… Lauren, have we not suffered enough?” Rudolf was upset.

“Father, my fate is with the coven. As were her mother and her mother.” Lauren looked at Rudolf. “You wedded a ……”

“A witch? No, I did not. I wedded a lovely lady who gave birth to you. I did not…….”

“You cannot deny the lineage, Father. I am who I am.” Lauren sighed. “I have to hold the……”

“Why not Annabelle or ……. Carmilla?” Rudolf asked.

“Annabelle did not have a daughter. Carmilla was without any children. It may be preordained to us. I am to be the next leader. I am …”

“You are my daughter. I do have a say on the matter.” Rudolf looked at her.

“It may be so, in my growing… behaviour, but I am grown. I am ……. I have been …….” Lauren looked away.

“Cursed?” Rudolf was upset.

“No, not cursed. I am blessed. I hold the means to ……. I can call on spells, which are now inside of me. I do not know how, but it is inside of me now. I can suppress the demon master. I can make this a better place.” Lauren said.

“Then leave me out. I am to battle the demon my way.” Rudolf turned to leave. “My inner demon too.”

The cries of Lauren did not stop him, and he mounted the horse to ride away.  She saw Sven had followed the father, and she was alone.

“Sisters, I will be back.” Lauren mounted her horse. She saw then the short figure standing at the side.

“Hello, Lauren. I am Rumpelstiltskin. I am a distant cousin of Beezer. You may not know him, but he is ……. Dead, as in perished.” The figure looked at Lauren.

“The reason I ……” The figure jumped to the side when Lauren set the spell of fire there.

“Hold on! I am not your enemy, nor did I mean you any harm.” The figure rubbed the dirt off his clothes. “You are powerful, witch. And these clothes are expensive. It is not like I have a lady to weave the cloth for me every day.”

“Who are you?” Laurne asked.

“Rumpelstiltskin. Normally, I hid my name and waited for the others to name me, but I will make an exception here.” The figure approached Lauren. “Both of us hold a grudge against Beelzebub.”

“Yep, he is the clown master you met. I was in the attic of the third building, but I was weaving the spinner then. Good help is rare nowadays.” The figure sighed. “Anyway, Beelzebub… the demon expelled my distant cousin. He was then in the service of one named Elizabeth Muriel.”

“I told him not to do it, but he was a distant cousin, so I did not try harder to convince him. It may have reduced the related cousins at the gatherings, but fewer persons meant less to share.” The figure smiled. “It was not that they were taller than me, but their girth doubled my waist. I had to rush for my meds.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Lauren was getting agitated.

“Hold your horses, lady. I am here to offer my assistance to you. I have a score to settle with Beelzebub. And I know where I can find him. No three wishes to call for there. Call it pro bono assistance.”

“Pro bono?” Lauren asked.

“Yea, in Latin that means for the good of the public. I am no attorney but a good inhabitant here.” The figure did a cutesy towards Lauren. “Shall we ride, my lady?  You will not be alone from now on.”

Alone was not in the thoughts of Mary. She had lain beside Henry in the basement. She closed her eyes and heard the explosion. It was deafening, but she felt assured. She held onto Herny’s left hand and waited for what was next.

Nothing.

Nothing happened.

Mary opened her eyes and saw the crisscross of the beams over her. The two beams had an overlay over their bodies. It shouldered the layer of flooring that would have buried them but created a burial chamber for them.

“Henry, we are together now.” Mary said.  

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to the tale

 

At 67,230 words, I am closing the chapter on Modern Prometheus III. The Modern Prometheus" refers to a creator whose ambitious, pioneering efforts—particularly in science or technology—result in unforeseen, disastrous consequences, mirroring the Greek myth of Prometheus, who was tortured for bringing fire to humanity. 

When I embarked on this tale, I did not imagine that I would be doing a sequel, and now that it is done, I find myself stretching to do another.

How did we end up here?

I spent a lot of time writing about the master, the mistress, and the others, like the Spielsdorf. Mary was mentioned in some words. Then came the new characters, Helsing and the Warlock, the Wiccan. I gave a relevance to the other characters, sort of explaining them from the previous tale. Sort of putting life like their origin into the characters.

One major idea was to have Mary ‘die’ with Henry, and that took some time to write…… It was like sex; you need to build up to it, the orgasm… hahahaha… Or have yours and turn it over to the side.

And then came the battle at the lunar eclipse. It did not occur to me about the lunar eclipse earlier, hence my earlier blank thoughts on how to consolidate the characters to that town, besides Victor’s return to see Mary; ten years was a long time. The runes were the power token, and the idea came to assimilate it to the Blood Moon.

Fine, the next sequel……. Hidden in the recess of my mind, but some new characters came alive in my mind just in recent days.

This tale is based in the late 1800s, where certain tales took place.

Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

The Ripper

The Helsing is not done yet with the High Council on their failure.

What of Abel and Kane or was it Cain? In the Bible, one died.

Beelzebub, the villain, was mentioned casually but will need to be brought to the fore.

Rumpelstiltskin, the comic relief. Why this character? Honestly, I do not know.

And……

Merrlyn, or Merlin, is my favourite and always the dark horse. Wherever there are demons, I like him to be there.

Before I lay off my fingers on this tale.

Elizabeth Muriel and Mary Annabelle: mad mother or insanity in the family

Lilith—who is she? Which? Or more.

Dolores, growling and the wolf pack

And Brown, I removed his death from beneath the Menhirs.

On the orbit, the Theology Society; Ms. Poem is taken from the LYDIA POET character, who is really my character.

Elementary, Holmes? I doubt so…….

Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 40

 

40.

 

Ms. Poem stood there at the window of the Uni building for the legal fraternity. She was looking at the yard, where the incident took place. The menhirs were removed, and the burnt area was covered with planks, while flower pots were laid on top of it. Students and members of the faculties were seen rushing from the yard to their respective work areas.

It had already been two weeks since the incident at the yard. She recalled there were several bodies laid into the bonfire.

The dean and the mortician: an odd couple indeed. Some of the other faculty members are unimportant to be named.

The inspector was one, and there was an elderly lady.

The fallen menhir was raised, but nobody was beneath it.

“Madame Dean, are you ready to address the newspaper on the incident?” The trusted aide of hers asked. “I could tell them ……”

“No, Alice. It is time to unveil the truth,” Ms. Poem said. In her mind, the truth was how you tell it—cunningly—to the ones that will listen. She is a member of the legal profession.

Her thoughts went back to Elizabeth. The lady had remained secluded. The newspaper had hounded her, but she refused to see them. She was attended by Dolores and the new friend, Lilith.

“I will ensure she gets her privacy.” The new inspector arrived to take over with five constables. He was posted by London.

“Thank you, Inspector Queens.” Ms. Poem smiled then, when she felt that matter was settled.

“Richard, Richard Queen. I am of service.” The tall frame of the Inspector stood to attention. They had met outside at Elizabeth’s house. “I was brief on the situation.”

“Have you ever dealt with monsters and … witches?”

“Yes, Ms. Poem. In my line of work, I had seen many types of …… monsters and … demons will be how I described the others. I will be retiring in some years to come and will take my son, Ellery, with me.” The Inspector smiled. “Far from here.”

“The tropics? Or Europe. Italy is nice.”

“Not for Ellery. He will be fine perhaps in …… New York. There are monsters there, but they are…… human-inspired. I capture them here, and one day, maybe Ellery will do the same there.” The inspector smiled.

“Is that how you view your life, Sir?”

“Ms. Poem, I will not deny that as my true existence. I am the third generation of law enforcement. My father was a bobby ……. A peeler they were also named then... walking the port area of London. His father was a Frontier Officer on the Indian continent, managing relations with tribal leaders, using the Jirga (tribal council) to settle disputes, and conducting military expeditions if necessary.  We are bred to do enforcement.”

“What of the daughters?” Ms. Poem asked.

“None. The family heirs were all lads like my son.” The Inspector smiled. “I will be doing my task now.”

That was the brief dialogue of their meeting.

“Madame Dean, I thought you wanted to know.” Alice had not stepped from the dean’s chamber. “I got news of…… Elizabeth Frankenstein. She sold the house and moved to the Frankenstein’s … or rather the cottage there.”

Ms. Poem nodded. That will need some investigating later. On that day, she had arrived at the mansion and saw the massive explosion that collapsed the mansion. The whole structure was in ruins. They could not dare to approach it, for fear of further collapse. They then returned to the town.

“There is a letter for you.” Alice handed the letter over. Ms. Poem studied the seal on it. She knew that seal well and opened it to read the letter.

“Madame, we received your report. Congratulations on your new rank. We summarize that the issue is resolved and admit it is inconclusive as such. However, we have taken remedial steps to correct it. You may focus on the task there, subdue the euphoria of the monster, and suggested that you also pursue your legal academic learning.”  

“Excellentia in operibus.”

At that moment, the Helsing family was in the monastery near the ancient Hadrian's Wall. Abel was treated by the monks there, expertly taught in the healing arts going back to the age of the Picts. Kane had shut himself in the library, immersed in the works there. He had refused to speak on the incident at the cottage.

“I am concerned about Kane.” Doctor Helsing took to his solitude with the elderly monk there. “It was my mistake to bring them along. They are not ready. Not yet.”

“I doubt anyone will ever be ready, Doctor.” The monk said. “The tasks we do are unique. We hold no commandments on how we are to serve, but we trust our instincts here.”

“I have, as my family had done. We served the High Council, but… could we question their motives? Never had.” Doctor Helsing sighed. “I lay my life, my son’s life, for them.”

“Motives are self-motivation,” the monk said. “We hold no motive here in this holy place. We only seek salvation. This monastery is built over a Pict sacrifice temple.

“The Picts?” The doctor smiled. “I had not met any. I had met the nomadic tribes and some rare settlers like the Veps at the steppe, but….”

“Do you know the Picts once before held their beliefs on forms of polytheistic, nature-based paganism before converting to Christianity around the 4th century? What made them do so?”

“Persecution? Or was it salvation?” The doctor said.

“These walls existed long and may hold the tale for it, but it will not tell.” The monk looked to the walls of the monastery.

“Was I right to ……. Forego the monster?” Doctor Helsing changed the subject. “You may know of my… encounter with the monster?”

“Monster? Our mind definition is …. Truly fixated on what we do not know means it shall be called …….” The monk was cut off then.

“Unbelievable to many?” Doctor Helsing chuckled. “I have seen many unbelievable things.”

“Did the Romans then? They viewed HIM as a demon and crucified him. Yet he lived on in us as the son of God. Not every action of ours is determined by …… it was an act then of our soul. Our inner soul tells us what was needed. Was it wrong, or right? That we may know when we faced HIM. The unbelievable becomes believable.”

“You are not any monk.” Doctor Helsing smiled.

“Nor are you any man. Please accept our ……. Disbeliefs here.” The monk took his leave of the doctor.

“Your name, sir?” Doctor Helsing asked.

“Merrlyn the Old.” The monk replied. “Some called me Merlin. I have lived a long time.”

“For a while, I thought you said Merlin of the Round Table.” Doctor Helsing chuckled.

“Oh, that fabulous wizard. He is an inspiration, but I hold my own.” Merrlyn smiled. “I do have a wand.”

“Нека ѓаволот почива во пеколот (May the devil rest in Hell.) Merrlyn waved his right hand and then laughed. “I must admit my incantations are for children at parties. I have not pulled a dwarf from my long hat, but a rabbit I had.”

“You are a magician, Merrlyn.” The doctor smiled.

“An uncertain magician who roams the dark passages of this monastery.” Merrlyn laughed louder. “Where the demons may be interned before leaving for Hell.”

 

 

 

Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 39

 

39.

 

Meanwhile, Laurren had transported the ones that gathered around her to the cottage. There was Victor, the Helsing father and son. Rudolf was standing leaning on the rifle with Sven, and there was Mary, who felt confused to be there. Abel was there at the cottage tending to a group of horses, saddled and ready to be ridden.

“I am ……” Lauren collapsed on the ground from the effort. While everyone was trying to gather themselves, Kane rushed at Lauren with the crossbow levelled at the new witch.

“You are a witch! You deserve to die!” Kane held the bow to his shoulders. His right index finger was at the trigger. The shot came, and his aim was off. The iron arrow hit the cottage wall, barely hitting Abel, who was standing there holding the rifle as a clutch to hold himself. Kane fell to his side and looked at the one who shot him. He was shot in the right shoulder from the rear.

“Why did you shoot me?”

“We had enough of the killings, Kane.” The doctor stepped towards his son. He was holding the handgun that he kept in the shoulder holster. “You are……”

“I am doing what is our task.” Kane’s left hand was on his wound. “Have you forgotten your role?”

“No, I have not.” The doctor looked from Kane to Lauren. “She saved us all.”

“We must leave now,’ Rudolf called on Lauren.

“And I think we are to do so.” Doctor Helsing approached his injured son, Kane. “I need to get you to a doctor. Let us collect Abel.”

The Helsing family took to the horse assigned for them and rode off.

“Master, I will take Henry with me.” Mary walked to the cottage. Sven stopped her.

“I will go with you.” Sven told Mary. “We will……”

“No. I will not take Henry far. We will …… I will lie beside him.” Mary looked at her master. “The last years I have been in hiding and trying to be near Henry and… Father. I know this. I will never be the same like … Lauren or Mary Annabelle. I will always be the monster….”

“Do not say that, Mary. You are ……” Victor cut in. “I can … revive Henry.”

“Do not console me, Master. I am a…a creation. Yours and always be.” Mary looked at Victor. “I was given life by Carmilla. You heard that from her too. It was not you.”

“I will never be like Pinocchio. Nor are you Geppetto. That fable is not to be created here. This frame is yours, but not the… soul inside.” Mary sighed. “Mary Annabelle is yours; frame and soul. She is beautiful.”

“So are you.” Victor approached Mary. “Let me help. I can recreate the experiment. I got the generator…….”

“Do not deceive yourself, Master. I am glad to be here… with you and… Sven and Henry. But the journey had to end. Like the tenure of life, I must …… die.” Mary then looked towards Sven.

“I will be with Henry. He will not be alone. We will be fine.” Mary looked at Henry. “We will go away. Maybe to the creek. Henry likes it there.”

“No, I can bury you at the grave where Henry was.” Sven stepped up to Mary.

“It will not be safe. They will find and dig us up. I may not be dead. I will …… fight them, and it will be like now. We must not be found.” Mary looked back at Victor. “We must go.”

“Wait.” Victor looked to Sven. “We have a basement at the mansion. You can hide there with …… Henry. We will seal the entrance.”

“No, Master. They will still find it, and our peace will be over.” Mary sighed. “We will be leaving.”

“Wait, Mary.” Sven stepped to the creation. “What if we bury you with the mansion over it?”

“I do not understand.” Victor looked at Sven.

“I have two barrels of gunpowder.” Sven told Victor. “It was brought by me some years back, when I wanted to …clear some deep-rooted old trees.”

“And also, to load my rifles.” Sven looked at Mary. “I was to protect her.”

“I can collapse the mansion over both of you. They will not dig you up.” Sven looked to the mansion. “It will be your……”

“Yes, bury us. I am contented to be buried with Henry.” Mary looked at Sven. “Bury us deep.”

“Mary, you ……” Victor looked at her and was trying to find the words for her.

“I am already dead. My body is a mixed anatomy of whom I am not to know. It may be my head and brain, but what was my name? It does not matter. All I want now is to be with Henry. He gave me a name.” Mary then carried Henry in her arms. “Let us do it.”

Sven rushed to gather the two barrels, while Victor stood there still stunned.

“It is their wish, Victor… Sir.” Lauren approached Victor. “Let us give …. Them that wish. Get the other horses to the lab. We do not want to spook them. We need to leave fast later.”

Rudolf assisted Sven on the task. They laid the gunpowder at the areas near the basement where it will collapse the mansion walls. Victor had then led Mary to the basement. He opened the heavy door and led her in.

“My father had planned this for… if we ever needed it, it was to hold ourselves inside, but instead of it… it was a mausoleum. I had used the design to build my lab, with the generator and the cold chamber. As a kid, we used to play here or stay hidden from my father. He once locked us in for two days and earned Mother’s wrath.”

The basement was bare of furnishings and held some empty shelves.

“Soon after Mother’s death, my father had this place cleared out. He wanted to bury Mother here, but her body went missing. We never knew why, but now when …… Carmilla explained it; I can understand.” Victor sighed. “You can stay here now, Mary. With Henry by your side.”

Victor took his leave of the basement and met Sven with Rudolf.

“It is done. She is inside.” Victor struggled to say the words. “May she …… No, they rest in peace.”

“Lauren, we must go now.” Rudolf looked for his daughter. “Where is she?”

Rudolf saw his daughter had walked towards the mansion.

“Lauren, we must go,” Rudolf told her.

“It will not be enough. I need to bury them deep. Lauren raised her arms and called on the spell that will add destruction to the mansion.

“It is done, Father. It will work itself into the walls and then collapse within itself with the explosion. Let us leave.” Lauren turned to approach her father. The horses were already hitched and waiting for them.

“I am not leaving,” Sven said. “I will stay behind to light the gunpowder.”

“Not needed.” Lauren said, and called on the spell, which knocked Sven off his feet.

“Pick him up, and ride now.” Lauren told Victor. “The mob is almost here. And ride hard.”

Lauren stood there and looked at the mansion. She spent some days there, and then it was the final resting place for the creation. And her lover. She raised her arms once more, and the spell was cast. She rushed to the horse that was for her.

“We ride, Father.” Lauren mounted the horse. “We have to get back to our mansion to secure the sister’s mausoleum and then to rescue Mother.”

Rudolf mounted his ride and saw the flames of fire at the windows of the mansion. He galloped off to follow his daughter. They rode for a short distance and then heard the explosion.

“Rest well, Общий.” Rudolf snapped his heels on the horse to ride faster. He was leading the horse on which Sven was laid across.