The Coming From the Shadows Series
Previous Instalments:
- T.I.C: The Legacy A Lost War – The Rise of the Imperium: A Dark Legacy Unfolds
- T.I C: Jesse – The Imperium Chronicles: A Hunter’s Vengeance
- T.I.C: The Seeds of Servitude – The Seeds of Servitude: A Dark Tale of the Imperium
- C.F.T.S / T.I.C: The Dying Fire of Resistance – The Imperium’s Dark Chronicles: Dying Fire of Resistance
Connected Content:
- The Halls of Power – Behind the Curtains of Power: The Dark Game of Political Intrigue
- Oppression and Vulnerability – Cathryn’s Struggle: Defiance Against Darkness
- Oppression and Vulnerability II – Cathryn’s Struggle: Defiance Against Darkness II
- The Seeds of Rebellion – The Journey from Timidity to Rebellion: Lydia
- Peace Shattered – A Night of Violence: Shattered Peace
- The Journey’s Beginning – Facing the Imperium: A Mother’s Fight for Her Child
- The Imperium’s Chronicles: A Tale of Resistance
- T.I.C: Struggle between Duty and Fascination – Cult of the Minotaur: Secrets of Betrayal and Rebellion
Coming From the Shadows
The Imperium’s Dark Chronicles:
Cathryn
Introduction:
21st of December, 1890 A.D.
The Smythe Estate, Along the Mouth of the River Thames
08:37 A.M
It was four hours since Lydia had entered the world; four hours since Cathryn felt the tearing and burning, the reopening of wounds acquired through that year; her body was a battlefield; Cathryn, initially raised as a ‘Hunter’ – a mysterious and disorganised Anti-Cultist group that, since Medieval times, had fought against the Shadowy organisation; the Imperium – Cathryn had come from a family who had survived the purging of their remnants in the Northwest of England; East of Lancaster, an event that coincided with her own birth on the 21st of December of 1872.
Since then, she has continued to train, to learn; but orphaned at 15 when the Cultists finally caught up to her family, it left Cathryn traumatized, having witnessed her parents deaths from her place of hiding, she would be rescued however by Anne Smythe; the woman who would become Cathryn’s adoptive mother figure; though, Anne was unaware of the building situation once Cathryn had come to live amongst the Smythe Family in their Private Estate.
In 1887 after being rescued; Cathryn would encounter George Smythe; the Head of the Smythe Family and its Business Empire, but also, the Leader of the Cult of the Minotaur; one of the many voices that made up the Imperium’s Council since its creation as far back as Ancient Greece.
Cathryn developed an immediate infatuation for him; finding his allure and power to powerful of a draw; George though, he saw an opportunity, and seized upon it; subtly he began to manipulate her, prepare her as she grew older, allowing her to continue her training as a ‘Hunter’ even encouraging it, seeing the potential of Cathryn to eliminate his own rivals.
By 1889 on December the 21st; George made the final push, offering a command disguised as a question; Cathryn accepted a marriage proposal only to late realise it was a ‘Command’ she couldn’t refuse.
In the January of 1890 the marriage became a rushed affair; Cathryn felt the dawning of her mistake catching up; but, it was already too late; with her marriage came the true horrifying nightmare, twisting things around to force Cathryn into accepting his physical advances regardless of her being ready or not.
Things would quickly escalate to physical abuse; Anne, after Cathryn desperately try to seek help, was exiled by George – later, during a particularly dangerous escalation, Cathryn suffered a miscarriage due to George’s violence.
Emotionally and Physically broken things would continue to spiral, until there was a brief respite of connection with American Cultist; Isabelle Mason – a woman still fresh from childbirth that could see Cathryn’s physical, mental and emotional exhaustion – seeking to help her, she and her husband were forced from the Smythe Estate by George.
Eventually; Cathryn would discover herself pregnant again that would culminate in the birth of twins; Elizabeth, the first being born late into the hours of December 20th, followed by Lydia on December 21st.
Chapter 1:
Misery and Faint Hope
As Cathryn laid on the bed; her long, Raven-Dark Hair a tangled mess around her as she; her Silvery-Grey eyes wide, though, she barely registered anything, her focus was inwards, lost in a labyrinth of her memories – from her childhood to her present, things seemed strange, like what she could remember was a lie, she was trying to remind herself of where she came from, what she represented; even in spite of all the humiliation she had been forced to endured shortly after her first miscarriage back in the March, how George had paraded her when she could barely move, having forced her to attend a Cultist meeting in London.
These memories were more fresh, more recent compared to the life she once had, within the space of a year; whatever fiery determination she once had, it was little more than a flickering flame beginning to peter out – but, something snapped her back to reality; a wail, sharp and desperate had pierced through the fog of her mind; one of her daughters.
She couldn’t tell which, her senses, dulled by the pain and exhaustion made it difficult; it took a great amount of effort to even force herself up, movements sent a jolt of pain through her body; she had to move, they needed her.
Stumbling forwards; she had to reach for the bedside table to steady herself before moving forwards; the cries intensified, a cacophony of infant distress; she finally recognised the pitch, it was a little higher, more frantic in note; Lydia.
Carefully with shaking hands, Cathryn reached forwards, she gently lifted Lydia up – the child felt so fragile, impossibly small and light; Cathryn cradled her close, whispering soothing words that barely even registered in her own ears, it was as if by instinct; Lydia, she began to settle, her cries softening into slight whimpers – Looking down to the small child, Cathryn stared, her mind a whirl of different things, but, a concern on the future came to the forefront; what would their future be.
Slowly, Cathryn gently placed Lydia back down just as the elder twin began to cry, as if sensing her sisters absence; calming once Lydia was gently back beside her.
Cathryn gently eased herself down to the floor, her hand resting against her forehead; at this rate, she recognised, she wouldn’t be able to protect them, silent sobs shook her weakened frame.
The Mason Estate, Wyoming
Benjamin stood by the crackling fire of his study; he looked at the recent letter crinkled in his hand; outside, he could hear a howl of the Wyoming winds, it was a fitting soundtrack to the turbulent emotions churning within.
Leaving his study; Benjamin found his wife; Isabelle in the back parlor; a room bathed in the soft glow of lamplight; at present, she was nursing their youngest daughter; Erin, her face serene her long black hair stood in contrast to the pale and ghostly ethereal presence she so often carried “Isabelle” his said; his voice low
Gently turning her head, her pale blue eyes met Benjamin’s emerald green eyes “Yes Benjamin?”
“The reply has come through” he told her, his tone soft as he held the letter up “From Victor in regards to George Smythe and Cathryn”
Isabelle’s expression tightened; she had poured her heart out into her plea, she had described within vivid detail of the state Cathryn was in; the blatant abuse, the physical exhaustion and yet even that, George had ignored to enforce Cathryn serve the evening meal during that visit in Late-April; that meeting that led to Isabelle and Benjamin encounter Cathryn.
“Officially…” Benhamin began, pausing for emphasis “Victor has stated you are to stand down; any effort to assist Miss Langdon are to cease; officially”
He watched as anger flashed in Isabelle’s eyes; a dangerous glint he knew all too well; she was a fiercely loyal woman, the feelings of compassion and empathy, more present with the American ‘Brothers and Sisters of Liberty’ Cultist side of the Imperium was a stark comparison when being compared to the British; Cult of the Minotaur, but for Isabelle; these emotions were amplified by motherhood and her own past; and the very injustice of Cathryn’s situation clearly wounded Isabelle deeply.
He raised his hand, anticipating her approaching outburst “But…, hear me out….” He said “it is only ‘Officially’, that word here is key; Victor has granted us permission to act outside of the Imperium’s record, we can approach George Smythe’s cruelty in anyway we see fit, all restrictions are lifted, unofficially, we have his sanction to begin whatever plan we wish”
Isabelle’s surprise was palpable “What?”
“This situation is delicate; but, he has…, thankfully, seen a benefit to himself which is behind his wording; as you know Isabelle; George’s power and money are overshadowing Victor’s official position as the imperium’s Elected leader; and he would very much like his role to fall back in his own control” Bejamin explained, slowly approaching her, purposely trying to avoid disturbing their daughter as Isabelle’s attention returned to Erin for a moment to check on her – the movement, with Erin no longer nursing, shifted Benjamin’s attention, being respectful to his wife as she adjusted her top before he continued
As Isabelle gently cradled her daughter; her eyes returned back to Benjamin as he continued “Because of this delicacy and potential damage it could cause should the Imperium leadership be seen sanctioning the actions of one Cultist group to attack another, we are to handle the matter discreetly, they want deniability; but, essentially, we can do as we please”
Isabelle considered this for a moment, her brow furrowed “Then…, we can do whatever is needed”
Nodding, Benjamin slowly kneeled down beside the chair, looking at Isabelle carefully a moment, his eyes then drifting to their daughter and smiling as he moved his left hand to stroke her face gently; his gaze then returned back to Isabelle “We can do anything we deem necessary” Benjamin told her “So…, I intend to track down the remaining Hunters that George’s father; Elias, had tried to purge”
Isabelle’s looked at him with shock “The…, Hunters…, you would work with our enemy?”
“For you; Yes” Benjamin stated firmly “I would work with anyone to achieve something that you felt strongly about; remember the phrase; ‘The Enemy of my Enemy is my Friend’, so, I shall find them, provide them funding, let them loose upon George’s Cultists”
Isabelle kept staring; she couldn’t believe it “You…, would fund them?”
Raising his hand; he gently traced his fingers along Isabelle’s soft cheek, nodding “I saw how much it pained you to see that young woman in that state; how much you so desperately wanted to help her; and, I am more than willing to support any effort you deem necessary to help her; we’re in this together Isabelle; we always have been and always will be”
Isabelle gently leaned her head into his touch; her eyes softening “Thank you Benjamin” she said softly
Chapter 2:
A Breaking Point
24th of December, 1890 A.D.
The Smythe Estate, Along the Mouth of the River Thames
Despite still being in recovery following the birthing of twins, with exhaustion still clinging to her like a shroud; George, in his casual cruelty wasted little time in getting Cathryn back to work, it only further served to be a reminder of how little George truly cared for her – she had little choice, struggling as her body protested.
The Manor, as vast as it was; it’s upkeep a significant drain; for three days from Dusk till Dawn, Cathryn cleaned, cooked and tended to what seemed like endless needs of the household, all while still struggling to breastfeed her twin newborns, or even get a moment of peace.
Her body just couldn’t keep up; screaming in constant protest; her body foggy with sleep, she’d begun making mistakes, catching herself with knives, tripping along stairs; but, she pushed on, in an ever increasing delirium she had convinced herself the more she does, he would finally change – she just needed to work harder, that maybe he’d finally begin to properly love her and see value.
One evening though within late hours of the evening; Cathryn finally succumbed to exhaustion; collapsing.
She had been carrying a stack of clean linen towards her bedroom; the weight of the fabric mirrored her soul though; she couldn’t even cross the threshold of the door to her room before her body simply gave up; her legs buckling beneath her as she crumbled to the floor with a thud, the linen unravelling and scattering about.
Eventually, due to the raw and desperate cries of the twins as they went unattended began to echo through the silent hallways; Jacob, the ever-loyal Butler of George Smythe, finally found her.
Jacob was a typical quiet and loyal individual, ever observant and held an increasing pity for Cathryn due to everything he had observed; horrified by the sight, he was quick to check on her; kneeling down to make sure she was actually alive before shouting out; his voice bellowing out into the Manor’s empty hallways.
Peggy; a woman that had previous been close to George in their younger days, who had brought William; Her and George’s Seven-Year old Child, into the world; she had suffered similar abuse to what she had witnesses Cathryn enduring, though acknowledge Cathryn seemed to get a much harsher and brutal treatment; she had initially only been brought to the Manor to serve as a possible rival, something that George had hoped would breed jealousy; though, it never did.
Peggy was a non-nonsense kind of woman, she had learnt to harden as a direct result of what George had done to her; it helped hide the kindness beneath the surface; upon discovering Jacob with the collapse Cathryn, she widened her eyes, moving towards them, assisting with getting Cathryn to her bed before taking charge; Jacob, feeling it would be breach of respect, left Peggy to change Cathryn’s attire during her unconscious state before moving onto the twins, tending the two screaming newborns.
William, ever the curious little boy eventually wandered onto the scene, he looked a little confused as he found his mother tending to the twin girls; his face displayed his utter confusion. But he sensed something wasn’t right, his eyes drifting to the still form of Cathryn.
Eventually, the Estate’s Private Doctor would arrive with Jacob; whereupon checking over the unconscious girl shifted his attention towards Jacob “I would suggest a complete rest” he told him, Jacob shifted his gaze towards Peggy for a moment before escorting the Doctor from the room.
25th of December, 1890 A.D.
The following day upon George’s return, he was approached within the Study; his presence filling the room as Jacob approached with a grim expression “Sir, there is something you should know regarding Miss Cathryn”
Shifting his gaze a moment was he was pouring himself a glass of whiskey; his expression clearly bored “Yes, what is it?”
“She…, has collapsed, sir” Jacob announces carefully “Currently, she is unconscious; your Doctor has checked on her, and he has suggested she rest; properly…”
George waved his hand dismissively, interrupting “Get her awake and back to work; she can’t lie around all day Jacob, beside; we have guests coming; family, it is meant to be a time of celebration…”
Jacob hesitated; he knew the risks as he took a deep breath “Sir, she is in no condition to work; she can’t stand, she is too exhausted, she at present, is not even capable of looking after her twins”
George paused, catching up with something; looking over to Jacob “Wait…, did you say unconscious?” his interest was now piqued; Jacob slowly nodded his head
George slowly acknowledged as he nodded his head; his icy-blue eyes seemingly thoughtful for a moment, while he didn’t care for Cathryn’s wellbeing – his ack of care was obvious, he’d finally achieved what he’d wanted; she was out of commission, broken and now presented no threat; a sly grin curved his lips “Very well…” he said; his voice now devoid of emotion “Let her rest; have Peggy attend to the twins for the time being”
Jacob slowly bow relieved; it was a small victory; but a victory nonetheless as he left the room.
Upstairs, Cathryn lay on her bed in her unconscious state – though within that state of utter vulnerability, Cathryn found herself somewhere strange; she felt as though the reality she found herself within was real, the gently breeze of the wind against her skin, the scent of the grass filled her nostrils; as she took in her surroundings, she found herself in some kind of empty field.
“Confused” a voice called out
Chapter 3:
The Crossroads
As Cathryn awoke in a place other than her bed; she was utterly confused, shifting her haze around the empty field she had found herself in, the last thing she remembered was carrying linen before everything went dark; the air now was crisp; they sky above a brilliant blue with fluffy clouds “Confused?” a voice called out; clearly feminine causing Cathryn to spin around quickly and back up.
As Cathryn’s eyes landed onto the one who spoke; she found herself staring at a woman barely as tall as she was, and despite how human she looked; she seemed so otherworldly, the aura she carried was something strange, Cathryn couldn’t place what it was.
This woman before her simply stood stock still; unmoving as she watched Cathryn; her otherworld aura and beauty radiated from her; her long dark hair flowed with the gentle breeze; and her eyes – violet in colour, they seemed to hold a serene calmness, yet, despite that innocent appearance, Cathryn felt there was something powerful about her.
Cathryn backed away; she began questioning if she was dead, tears beginning to fall down her face; matching her, the environment shifted; the sky darkened, rain began to fall “No child” the woman said soothingly “You are simply in a place called ‘the Crossroads; that is all” she told her gently; explaining how she had awoken here due to the extreme state of her desperation
As she introduced herself; she made a simple gesture; a flick of the wrist – telling Cathryn her name was ‘Elpis’ while sending Cathryn’s mind into a series of flashes, reminding Cathryn of who she is; from her parents desperate flight in 1872, Cathryn’s upbringing in Kings Langley to the orphanhood she experienced following the deaths of her mother and father in 1887 and subsequent adoption by Anne Smythe following everything she went through between 1887 to 1889 as her relationship with George developed, her actions as she trained with ‘The Monk’ how she continued to try the life she had been raised as ‘a Hunter’ and eventual submission to George to their marriage and everything he’d put her through within just one year; including the reminder of her miscarriage and then the birth of the twins first of the 20th, with Elizabeth and the second twin; Lydia on the same day as her own birthday.
Elpis slowly approached Cathryn as she stumbled, collapsing back onto the floor; she then eased herself down to her knees in front of her; reaching out a tentative hand and stroking Cathryn along the face “You have been through so much young one” she told her softly “But, your twins need you, that is what sent you here; sent you to me, you have been so close to becoming lost, I am not going to let that happen; he won’t destroy you”
“What…, what are you?” Cathryn stammered, staring at Elpis
“That doesn’t matter child; you wouldn’t really be able to comprehend me, just think of me as your protector at your most desperate moment” Elpis said gently
Written By: Westley H.
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