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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Confessions and suspicions
After Anika's mother's final words, a sepulchral silence hung in the air, lasting more than a minute. The faint chirping of birds among the trees was the only sound to break it. Sadness etched itself onto Steffi's and Tobias's expressions, and even Jake—usually quick with a witty comment—remained uncharacteristically solemn. His silence showed that, despite his irreverent nature, he grasped the weight of the situation. Nick swallowed hard. Though his face betrayed no emotion, the glimmer in his eyes hinted at the maelstrom of thoughts swirling in his mind.
Liz, already familiar with the tragedy of the so-called Henoth massacre, now saw the event through a darker lens. It wasn't merely an expression of the Holzmanns' wrath—it had been part of their relentless hunt for someone. Little Anika's peculiar demeanor seemed connected to what she had endured. From their first meeting, Liz had noticed the girl's unnerving detachment from death, as if such grim realities barely registered with her.
"Poor child," Steffi murmured softly, her sadness reflected in her gentle tone. Liz, for once, struggled to find the right words to convey what she felt.
"Exactly," Judith sighed. "Anneliese's relics grant the Holzmanns immense power—enough to fuel a ritual of this magnitude. Believe me, their strength is even greater now. But Anika... she remains the final piece." Judith's gaze drifted momentarily toward the building where the sisters were caring for the girl, then returned to the group. "As long as Mr. Holzmann and his family remain, peace will never return to this place. With the tools we have, we must end this story once and for all."
Her voice dropped slightly as her eyes flicked toward the garden's edge. "I see your colleague is coming back."
Indeed, Andreas was approaching with his usual air of seriousness. This time, though, something in his expression signaled he carried news no one would welcome.
"Follow me," he said firmly to his fellow officers, then turned to the Americans. "You too. This is important."
Before leaving, Andreas addressed Judith with a nod. "Haben Sie vielen Dank, Frau Melzer."
"Bitteschön," she replied, stepping aside to let them proceed.
The German officers, who had been listening intently, followed Andreas toward a camp set up at the perimeter. The group that remained after the Holzmanns' attack was not large. Liz and Jake were the only Americans to join them.
They arrived at a tent where a middle-aged man stood waiting. He wore the same uniform as the German officers, his short gray hair and nearly clean-shaven beard adding to the sharp angles of his square face. His glasses and stern demeanor lent him an air of unassailable authority. Though Liz didn't recognize him, she quickly understood his importance when the others lined up and addressed him with respectful formality.
"Willkommen, meine Damen und Herren," he greeted in a commanding tone, not lifting his eyes from a spreadsheet. He called out the officers' surnames, his voice brimming with discipline. Each responded promptly with a crisp "Bin dabei." Liz caught a few names: Berger, Deisler, Fritz, Lenz.
