The Dark Society

110

For a time, Samantha beheld the evil that'd defiled her father and sister. And despite resisting herself, the deities' beckoning had continued. On the surface, Saint Anthony's appeared desolate, shadowed by the ominous darkness.

In contrast, the manicured landscape dispelled the shrine's unholy ambiance. This notwithstanding, she felt her father's presence and resolved to find him. An impulsive decision considering his potential. Nevertheless, she'd enter the cathedral, unnerved but hopeful.

At random, large candle stands blazed, enhancing the decorum. Certainly, Saint Anthony's retained a dark charm, and despite her absence, Katherine's aura was everywhere. At intervals, Sam advanced towards the central altar, where the sanctum darkened still, and a lone cauldron smoldered in the distance.

As intended, countless details appeared veiled, but the presence of her father's accounts stood distinct. It was then that weaknesses felt exposed, and desires stood thwarted. In addition, a profound stillness had fallen, and as fists clenched, Sam again embraced her inner anger.

Undoubtedly, he was her father, but liable for the destruction of Saint Ann's, while intending to enslave her mother and sister. In which case, Sam clutched the medallion, and pleaded for Katherine's wisdom.

Since returning, Harold eventually discovered the truth of everything, and sentenced Luen and Steele to crucifixion for crimes against the sect. As a result, they'd fled, hoping to avoid the sovereign's rage.

Thus far, Samantha hadn't bared witness, but the reality of her father's deeds stood clear. So much so, an onslaught of memories surged while nearing the podium. It was here that the first of his accounts sat open, and upon sifting passages, the causes for penance stood revealed. Weakened and laboring for breath, she'd struggled to cope, but if instincts served, Harold would soon appear. Until then, Sam began reading, hoping to make sense of everything.

From an early age, uncertainty, resentment, and deprivation were conflicts that facilitated the progression of anger. Albeit, with the turn of each page, the tales about Harold's actions became discredited, and his actual message seemed evident.

No matter what, the coven wars, predicted for centuries, were at hand, and as much as Harold desired unity, the sect stood divided. On that ground, the strength of the emerald again emerged, invigorating Samantha's sense of mastery.

On a global scale, covens were again rising. Although, Harold and Saint Anthony's stood prepared, now that a twenty-year insurgence was eradicated, and a new regime established. By all accounts, Sam was the first heir and destined to succeed her mother.

But as it stands, Katherine and Harold held opposing viewpoints, and due to the lingering animosity, the coven remains vulnerable. On that premise, Sam caressed the bindery, again thinking of her mother, while also taking a sadistic pleasure in what she represented.

In the end, Katherine and Harold meant more to each other than anyone realized. In which case, Sam retreated into a place her father knew well: the museum. Incrementally, the stone door opened, unveiling an extensive ancestry of dates, eras, and locations. But once more, it'd be the ancestors portrait resting on the back wall that again drew attention.

Except, unlike before, she stayed fixed on Harold's harsh but dominating appearance. All told, he remained regarded as Saint Anthony's true sovereign despite the emergence of an unforeseen darkness. For that cause, Sam retreated to the throne room, expecting to find the last obstacle between herself and total absolution: her father. 

As one might expect, silence ruled the moment, but if notions proved true, Harold was here, waiting. Above all, this hoped to be a grand reunion: a father and daughter together again after decades apart.

Yet despite the anticipation, Anna's advice again resonated. It was therefore, Sam gravitated to the throne and set the ledger upon its velvety cushion. In doing so, passageways sealed, imprisoning her within the confines of this diabolical creation. For some reason, as the torches dimmed, she smiled, because she, like Harold, was being lured, and with each passing second, becoming less prone to resist.

By this time, the air had become colder, and Harold's essence was everywhere. But, like the ghost Sabrina described, he was yet to appear, so Sam caressed the throne, pondering a life-changing choice. Finally, she felt relieved, because no matter the decision, it'd be the right one.

At some point, she thought of Jennifer, and as much as she tried to forget, she couldn't. Again and again, she'd sworn to shield her, but Samantha now stood on the precipice of darkness, alone. Given that, tears streamed and limbs trembled, because with the sounds of imminent steps, and after twenty years of feigning, he'd found her.