A dying fire, an hollow victory, a strength of will...
Summary[]
The journey to transport the Blackstone goes awry. Through a series of flashbacks, the ultimate fates of Sir Vale, Alia, and Antoine are revealed. In the present, Arthur sits by the fireside with Lillith. They learn more about Lillith’s distaste for humanity, her desire to acquire the Blackstone, and what the Blackstone is meant to do.
Synopsis[]
Later, Arthur and John sit near a campfire. Antoine is nearby and deathly ill; they do not believe he will survive the night.
Lillith appears and refers to Arthur as her favorite, referencing Scratch. She takes on Scratch’s form as she speaks. Lillith mocks him, pondering how all of Arthur’s friends seem to have died. Arthur does not humor her and reveals that she’s been torturing them for two weeks.
In flashback, we learn that all of the party’s food has spoiled and the carriage wheel has broken. Arthur and John briefly consider searching the carriage for the Blackstone, but the carriage is locked by a key that only Antoine has. While they fetch the wheel, they spot a small locked chest.
Sir Vale and Arthur replace the wheel while Antoine stays with Alia. He questions Arthur’s interest in the Blackstone and warns against his curiosity. Lord Evrard has seen the Blackstone inflict madness on people in the form of an unnaturally wide smile. They are themselves, but violent and merciless. The Blackstone nevertheless holds appeal because it is also a key.
Abruptly, they’re attacked by unseen assailants, and Sir Vale is wounded.
They return to the campfire with Lillith. Arthur accuses her of poisoning their food, killing their horse, and attacking them. Lillith only denies attacking the party. She asks when Arthur will retrieve the Blackstone; in asking, Arthur realizes that she is just as incapable as Kayne to retrieve the stone for herself. Lillith asks if Arthur fulfilled Sir Vale’s dying request. Arthur confirms that he did.
Lillith tells him that Mother Darkness has been manipulating him, he has always been her favorite, and asks why she would want to hurt him. Arthur denies this, briefly revisiting Lillith’s history as Scratch: trapped in Edward William Allan’s house and, later, in Hattie’s body. She reminds Arthur that she saved him from the Butcher.
When Lillith asks what happened to him, Arthur confirms that the Butcher died. Lilith cryptically claims that not all things that are dead or gone and not all things that are gone are dead.
Arthur recalls seeing distorted glass in Sir Vale’s last moments, which led him to believe Lillith was nearby. In a flashback, Arthur and Antoine try to convince Sir Vale to rest. His injured leg is infected and growing worse. Sir Vale believes that the wound is lethal. Something in the air is targeting his wound and his will.
He demands that Arthur protect the Blackstone at any cost. As Antoine prepares the horses to leave, Sir Vale asks that Arthur kill him now, while he is still himself. Arthur goes to tell the others about Sir Vale’s dying wish. John notes the lantern glass is warped.
In the present, Lillith asks if it felt good to kill Sir Vale. Arthur describes it as necessary, again refusing to get her the stone. She reminds Arthur that Sir Vale wasn’t the only one stricken by illness, and asks who was next.
They observe Antoine’s shallow breathing – he still lives, for now. Lillith explains more about the Blackstone: it is one of three keys. The Blackstone, the Graystone, and the Crimstone. Lillith denies that it is the cage, and Arthur knows they belong to Azathoth.
Lillith has two of the Stones: the Graystone and the Crimsonstone, the spirit and soul of Azathoth. The Blackstone is the flesh. She claims she wants the stones for power, but Arthur does not believe her. He points out more of her lies: not poisoning Vale or Antoine and not being the cause of Alia’s dreams.
In a flashback, Arthur asks Alia if Antoine will recover. Alia explains that Antoine is going to die. Arthur briefly despairs how they will make it through the swamp, with only he and Alia. Alia tells Arthur that the Day of Wrath is near and comes in the form of a pale woman (Lillith). She spurs Arthur on to hope.
Outside the carriage, they help Antoine unload supplies. John notices Antoine scratching at his chest, as if hiding something there. While Arthur helps him, Antoine explains that the Blackstone is a key to Azathoth’s cage. He does not reveal anything more.
In the present, Lillith and Arthur discuss Lillith’s dreams. Not only has Arthur experienced one, Lillith claims, but so has one of his companions. She also implies that Antoine was keeping secrets from Arthur. She asks if he would still choose to trust Antoine, to which Arthur responds in the affirmative.
They note that Antoine is still nearby, while Arthur sits with the dying fire. Arthur re-iterates his belief that the fire wasn’t there for comfort. Lillith speaks about Arthur’s history: how much he has endured and lost. Lillith offers to end the pain: she will bring back whoever Arthur wishes, and heal those who have been hurt (including Antoine and Alia).
Arthur asks if Alia was a threat to Lillith. Lillith suggests that Alia had always been imprisoned and enslaved; through Lillith’s actions, Lillith claims to have freed her. Arthur disagrees.
In a flashback, Arthur and Antoine try to wake Alia. They cannot. Overnight, roots have grown over her sleeping form, and she is trapped fighting a nightmare. Antoine suggests leaving Alia behind, which upsets Arthur.
He asks what she wrote last night. Antoine claims that she gave a map, but refuses to share any more details. When Arthur expresses frustration, Antoine further reveals that if the Blackstone is used, then everything would end.
They leave behind supplies for Alia and move on.
In the present, Arthur accuses Lillith of causing Alia’s nightmares. Lillith disagrees and states she gave Alia a peaceful end. While Arthur still takes issue with Alia’s death, Lillith defends her actions by stating that Alia was a husk of a woman. Humans, in Lillith’s eyes, are so insignificant that murder is an irrelevant concept. Arthur might be her favorite, but he is her favorite insignificant.
Arthur refuses yet again to retrieve the Blackstone and points out the inconsistencies in Lillith’s belief. She states humanity is insignificant, but speaks as if Arthur matters. He wonders if her anger with humanity is her own, or more about who taught those beliefs to her. Arthur believes the version of her that seems to care is more truthful, but wonders why the daughter of Kayne would care about anything.
In a flashback, Arthur and Antoine struggle to unstick the carriage. The wheel splits in two. Arthur starts to rage while John tries to act as the voice of reason. It has been two weeks since they left the castle.
Noting that Antoine’s condition is worse, John suggests taking the chest and leaving Antoine behind. They will need to take the map from Antoine. Agreeing, Arthur approaches and wrestles the map from Antoine – but it is blank.
Antoine explains that the blank paper is the map. They are taking it nowhere, because there is nowhere safe enough for the Blackstone. The journey was meant to take as long as possible. Alia told Antoine to keep Arthur in the dark about this, until he understood what Alia was trying to teach him. Arthur realizes they have no solution for the Blackstone problem, only pushing the ball forward. Antoine agrees, and loses consciousness.
Arthur decides to start a fire and wait for Lillith.
In the present, Lillith asks why Arthur is here. Arthur reveals he has no clever plans up his sleeve. The fire, like the journey, was always doomed – but still worth making. Arthur does not intend to give up. This is his purpose, even if it ends with one final “fuck you” to Lillith.
Overhead, the rain stops, and the fire is not doused. Lillith stomps out the fire herself. John describes the beautiful stares ahead, and they both marvel at the beauty of the lights that cannot be so easily put out.
Arthur again refuses to retrieve the Stone. Lillith threatens to enter Arthur’s dreams and make him. Arthur enjoys the starlight with John and challenges her to do what she must.
Votes[]
- Chapter 251: I did [235] / I did not [123]
- Chapter 252: Antoine [202] / Alia [167]
- Chapter 253: Continue to Trust [301] / Begin to Doubt [49]
- Chapter 254: Get the Stone [25] / Stay By the Fire [292]
- Chapter 255: No vote.
