The Coming From the Shadows Series
Coming From the Shadows: Lydia
The Imperium Chronicles: The Crete Disaster
Introduction:
March, 1909 A.D.
South of Saint-Maurice, Switzerland
The crisp air whipped around George Smythe as he stood on the precipice of a decision – his face was a picture of simmering rage; while his eyes were focused on Morgan; the American Cultists, the man that dared to touch what George deemed to be his ‘Property’ – his estranged wife; Cathryn.
Cathryn, an emotional wreck, she had been broken completely down by Morgan’s manipulations – having fallen once again into submission; just as with George, Cathryn had gone from fierce anti-cultists to submission – once a domestic-slave to George – Morgan’s manipulation had drawn her back into a submissive role; if it had not been for Lydia, Morgan would have succeeded completely.
George had allowed Cathryn to escape with their twin daughters, Morgan’s younger sister; Erin and Cathryn’s adopted daughter; Norina – but, Morgan; he was rooted in place.
Chapter 1:
March, 1909 A.D.
Somewhere within France
With Morgan in captivity, George brought him from the mountains to the Imperium’s hidden facility nestled within France far from the prying eyes of anyone who might interfere with the secretive Imperium’s plans and operations – Morgan was now George’s prisoner – he had plans to make Morgan regret ever touching Cathryn.
Morgan was a dishevelled mess; but, he was defiant, refused to back down even when tortured – the torture was not even for any valuable information, it was purely for George’s pleasure, intending to bring Morgan as much pain as possible, but the more Morgan endured, the more frustrated George became.
George circled Morgan with a predatory gleam in his eyes; George was a physically powerful and intimidating figure, his control over the Cult of the Minotaur was unquestioned, and his powerful influence allowed him to control even the Imperium’s inner circle of power.
Stopping, George looked into Morgan’s eyes, his eyes narrowed “You dared to touch what belongs to me?” he hissed, his voice a low growl “You dared to defile what is mine!”
Morgan remained stoic; his expression unreadable, he refused to give George any satisfaction of a reaction; he knew the game well, how these power dynamics worked; any display of fear would only fuel George more.
“She belongs to me Morgan” George continued; his voice rising “She always has, and always will; whatever you intended, whatever you said; it will be a forgotten memory once I reclaim her”
The Guards stood outside the door winced as they heard the sounds of agonising screams rip out from the room behind them.
Regardless of how much torture Morgan endured, he refused to break – displaying an unusual amount of strength George had not come across before; Morgan had begun his plotting – he may have lost Cathryn for the time being, but he intended to claim her.
Morgan developed his plan; it was a slow, insidious plan that would take time to unfold – he would observe, he would learn and exploit any opportunity, he would bide his time.
But, he soon found things where never going to be as easy as he first assumed – the Imperium’s facility was a fortress, guarded by zealots of the Imperium’s differing Cultists groups; every movement he made was monitored, every conversation overheard – escape seemed impossible.
Doubt began to creep in; it gnawed at his resolve; had he underestimated George?; would he ever escape? – he didn’t know.
Though it was his thoughts of reuniting with Cathryn that renewed his resolve to escape; one way or another, he was going to escape the Imperium’s facility and with George’s presence becoming less and less, the main concern was no longer present.
Eventually the day came; it was a desperate gamble; a chaotic blur of adrenaline and calculated risk – he used the knowledge he’d gained to evade guards and disable alarms – navigated a labyrinth of corridors, fought when necessary, using hardened skills to incapacitate his pursuers.
Despite injuries; he would escape – bursting out into the night air – a taste of freedom after so long within captivity, once George found out of his escape, he knew it would mean he would never stop his hunt, but, for now at least, Morgan had a head start and he intended to use it.
Chapter 2:
18th of December, 1911 A.D.
Crete
It had been 2-Years since he has watched Cathryn go, since his imprisonment – now, he was seeking both freedom and purpose, travelling away from France, he found himself arriving to Crete, he was no longer a representative of the Imperium – he had broken his loyalties from the Brothers and Sisters of Liberty – the American Cult he had grown up within.
He had no clue where to begin searching for Cathryn, and he had no clue what he intended to do – all he was aware of, was he had his freedom, he was a changed man; far more cynical, more ruthless and determined to survive.
As Morgan walked along the mountainous passage, the evening wind whipped past him, the scars of his imprisonment visible as lines on his face, his eyes were hardened.
He was lost in his thoughts when it happened.
A deafening explosion shattered what had been a serene silence; quickly, his head shot upwards, black plumes of smoke rose up into the sky, his curiosity and primal instinct drew him to its source like a moth to a flame.
Climbing higher, is movements became more cautious – his eyes scanned the landscape for signs of danger, but, by the time he reached the site of the devastation; whatever had been happening had clearly come to an end, bodies were scattered – but, he recognised the insignia of the uniform; they were part of the Cult of the Minotaur – George’s Cultists.
Morgan checked carefully for survivors; collecting a knife from one of the fallen along with a revolver; now, he thought – he has weapons once again.
Moving with more cautions he let his eyes drift towards a cave entrance – he hesitated for a moment, but decided to plunge into the darkness, the air inside the cave was thick, smoke and dust wafted through, it was suffocating, and the deeper he moved into the cave the harder it was to breath.
Eventually though, he found his way to a large open chamber – a gaping hole at its centre with thick plumes of smoke billowing into the air.
The Crater, Crete
Cathryn Langdon clung to a crumbling ledge within the crater – her fingers dug into the loose earth, her shoulder screamed in protest, a sharp, agonising reminder of her near-fatal fall, she had just barely stopped herself plunging into the abyss – her breath were ragged gasps; her body trembled with exhaustion and fear, her eyes scanned for any sight of her estranged husband “George…” she croaked, her voice barely audible “George?”
There was no response; only eerie silence from deeper within the crater; she had no clue how far it went, but, she was certain George was not going to have survived, she felt a wave of despair washing over her; it might have been a moment of weakness, George may have been cruel to her – but to let him die…, she just felt nausea; feelings of guilt – she tried desperately, but William’s action had led her and George to falling, she had not been able to keep her grip of his wrist, and when she had latched onto the nearest thing to save herself, George had continued to fall into the darkness.
Slowly, she forced herself to begin climbing, ever now and again she felt her foot slip forcing her to stop and barely cling to the loose earth – adrenaline fuelled her, she had to get out of the crater or risk falling to her death; she needed to reunite with her daughters, she remembered gunshots ringing out when she fell, she didn’t know what to expect if she could reach the top; but she needed to keep pushing.
Cathryn’s muscles screamed in protest; but she continued to climb.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she reached the top, pulling herself up letting out a pained groan as she managed to drag herself over the top – collapsing down she gasped, her body trembled as she writhed in pain.
Then, a movement drew her attention; she looked up – her silvery grey eyes locked onto Morgan – she remembered what he had been doing 2-Years prior; how he’d been trying to manipulate and turn her into something she wasn’t – tried making her passively dependent on him – he stood over her looking at her with a surprised expression.
He looked different though from what she remembered; harder, more weathered – but, she knew that intensity within his green eyes.
She wasn’t able to speak, she was unable to move; she just lay at his feet, vulnerable and exposed.
Chapter 3:
Morgan knelt down beside her, his face was unreadable – gently though, he reached out, his hand hovered a moment over her face before softly stroking her hair; Cathryn flinched “Your still as beautiful as I remember” he finally said
Cathryn remained silent; she didn’t know what was going to happen; their last interactions were not good memories for her to think about – though, despite the memories, his touch was surprisingly gentle – he seemed more hesitant than 2-Years ago.
Morgan could see how weak she was; how much she would struggle if he tried getting her to her feet, so, he resolved to try something different, he moved, repositioned himself, gently lifting her head as he raised her upwards; he had positioned ne arm below her lower back and the other positioned so her head was resting against his shoulder much to her confusion as he cradled her – he began moving, he was deliberately slow, trying not to cause her discomfort as he began walking.
He remained silent; carrying Cathryn away from whatever carnage he had missed – taking her back out to the mountainous passage.
By nightfall, after so much walking, despite his muscles now crying in protest at him; he had carried Cathryn down the passages, found a lodging house where he could finally place Cathryn down on a bed.
Instead of remaining though; he turned, made his way towards the door to let her rest “Morgan” she said, her voice hoarse
He stopped, glanced back towards her his green eyes locking with her silvery-grey – Cathryn studied him carefully, she noted the lines etched in his face, the haunted look in his eyes, she could see he had suffered and endured a lot of pain, the scars were visible “What happened to you?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper
Morgan hesitated a moment “I have spent Two Years in an Imperium’s prison Cathryn…, it wasn’t easy” he then paused, watching her carefully “Rest Cathryn; you need it, I will be in the next room”
He then turned, leaving the room – letting Cathryn have privacy so she could rest and have time with her thoughts – as Cathryn lay back, her mind was racing, Morgan was free – he had found her, but…, he rescued her; something had changed, would he try again?, or…, had it changed him – what did he intend to do now that she was essentially at his mercy – she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Written By: Westley H.
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