Several disappearances and unexplained events have been registered shorty after the commercialization of an ancient statue linked to some legends from a mysterious place called "Reich der Finsternis" in eastern Germany, there is no know route leadin...
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The demon in the bell tower
The agents were stunned to uncover the inner workings of the sect led by Mr. Holzmann and the extent of the disappearances they'd been investigating. However, they still didn't know how the network transporting prisoners to Reich der Finsternis operated—one that, by their reasoning, likely involved many more people across the continent who followed the Holzmann creed. They saw David Rowland as a potential source for more information, but right now, he and the other prisoners were resigned to their cruel fates, with no apparent hope of escape. Liz examined the locks carefully, and she and Bernard searched for a way to pick them, but they quickly realized it was futile. The cloaked figures could reappear at any moment.
Despite the dire situation, Liz did her best to stay optimistic, anxiously awaiting the German reinforcements who would escort the captives to safety—especially the injured woman who desperately needed medical attention. But they were unsure if Steffi Lenz, the medical officer, had survived the massacre orchestrated by Holzmann's executioner. Their immediate objective was to find Nick, who they had momentarily set aside while questioning David and the Swedish woman.
"What did Nick want from you?" Liz asked after a few moments, her eyes scanning the area they needed to secure.
David took a deep breath, struggling to keep his nausea in check from the stench of the dungeon. His throat tightened, but he forced himself to speak.
"The Holzmanns are looking for the chalice," he confessed with what little strength he had left, desperate to unburden his guilt. "We were also tasked with finding the relics shown in Anneliese Holzmann's photograph. When Charles Warren located it, the only thing by the statue was the crown," he continued, his eyes shutting as he tried to choose his words carefully. "That's when the investigation led his son and grandson here. I was just a guide. We found the blue gem in a church," he explained, "but Mr. Holzmann already had the other two—the ring. The crown was given to him along with the statue. The only relic they're missing now is the chalice. Our research suggests it's hidden somewhere near the Holzmann castle... in a location we haven't identified yet."
"Alright," Liz responded firmly, though her tone was gentle. "But that still doesn't answer what you handed over to Nick."
David sighed, his exhaustion palpable.
"Before all of this started, we came into Reich der Finsternis. It was like walking into an Amish community—no technology, no electricity, nothing. We managed to access the main library and tore out pages from some of the old books that we then used to guide our various expeditions. That's what I gave to Mr. Deisler."
After David's final revelation, Liz and Bernard exchanged a look, suddenly realizing that Nick was also involved in the search for the relics. It was a twist they hadn't seen coming.
"Is Nick working with the Holzmanns?" Liz asked, her gaze locked on David as she waited for his response.
"I don't know!" he cried out. "He came here, found me in the cell, freed me, and threatened to kill me if I didn't give him what he wanted."
