Somnium

Series Three, Episode Two - A Child At Heart

Series Three, Episode Two - A Child at Heart (August 9, 2013)

​Having both seen Charlie off, Vera and Edmund inspect the Tuesday mail. Noticing the date to be March 1, 2016, both express a fear that something may happen to the twins without Powership. Suddenly, a small envelope, labelled with a skull, falls from the pile, horrifying Vera - in it a list of the continents Africa, Europe and Asia, written on parchment in ink. The two discuss the unusuality of the situation, attempting to remain calm - as Edmund too discovers a photograph taped to the inside, of Nickey & Ari in coffins. Frantically worrying, Vera makes multiple attempts to contact Maya and Mina, though her requests fall short. Inspecting the photo further, they discover the initials J.M., and a phone number - a call to which results in a dead line. Tying it to the incident and the "cult of memory", the two hand the letter over to the police. Only moments later, a man enters with a similar letter. After minor discussion, they all leave - the man scaring Edmund as he talks of "venturing back into the Old World".

​June 8, 2008. Arriving to his sister's home in Greater London, Tristan is subject to the sight of an empty place. Deciding to see the sights, he walks the streets of the city, inspecting small differences between the UK capital and Novus Somnium. Following his self-inclusion in a commemorative march, Tristan returns to the home that night, making himself at home and falling asleep. The next morning, the man wakes to the smell of breakfast - startled by the appearance of his father, Henry. Discussing ten years of not speaking, Henry enquires more into Tristan's life and ambitions - to which he impresses his father by talking of his intention to court a woman named Maya. A sudden call to Henry interrupts the two, prompting a quick leave and finding a taxi. Within minutes, the two arrive at St. Thomas Hospital. As they rush in, Tristan and Henry find themselves in the room of Tristan's sister, Jess. Talking of her strength and want to leave, a nurse walks in with babies - Jess introducing her brother and father to her children, Leah and Laurence.

​With two days gone by, Maya admits to a feeling of separation and judgment in the underground tunnel "homes". In response, Juan approaches a group of men, introducing himself - and receiving stern looks as repayment. Pulled away by a young man named Yuen, the three are introduced to him and his wife, Lulu - warning them against "interacting with the scum of Underground T-19". As Maya and Mina bond with Lulu over their mutual experiences of life outside Torquebit, Juan explains to Yuen the situation, including the need to get to Aeternam, and search for Darcy Hedney's half-Power crystal. Later that night, the three join the couple; taking refuge in a secluded area of the tunnel expanse. As Lulu invites the group to use magic, Maya and Mina join her, while Juan cannot. Explaining the country's hate of magic stemming from a magical terrorism subculture called The Reclamation threatening the government, they appear intrigued. Early the next morning, Yuen excitedly tells Juan news - of them only having to wait two weeks before he can smuggle them out.

​Met by angry words upon Tony's early arrival home; Julie and Sophia discuss with him photos of a skull marking burnt into Laurence's back. As Maya's mother leaves the room, the others talk of Tony finding them through a website, and Julie calling their search one for the Lost Crystal, prompting him to correct her - saying to use its proper name, The Lockaway Crystal. Still angry, the man asks for his share in having eternal life, though she exclaims that they threw the crystal into the ocean months before - leaving him devastated. As Leah and Laurence come home from school, Tony introduces the two women as his cousin Julie and Aunt Sophia, and they bond over dinner. Later that night, Leah retires to bed, while her brother is immediately cornered by the adults. Calmly, they refer to him as "The End Goal". With all their questions concerning the crystal being unanswerabl, the child runs, choosing to cry himself to sleep.

​Going out for dinner in the evening, Charlie is forced by Edmund to comfort Vera, as he explains the situation. Inside the restaurant bill, the trio discover another skull and multiple photos of Vera over the years - only scaring her when she cannot remember the identities of others in the pictures. Whispering, Charlie comments that someone must want her memory to return. The three adults express their feelings to one another on the bus ride home, leaving Vera only less assured of safety when the men comment on their immense worry. In Torquebit, a knowledgeable Yuen explains half-Powership, both real and "crystallised", and that Nickey & Ari's condition comes from their 'tied birth'. Though they attemptto enquire more, UT-19 is suddenly overrun by militia. Using magic, Lulu hides the three, though Yuen is taken. The woman asks for Team Juan's help - stressing that only he can get them to Novus Somnium.

​August 22, 2013. Maya at his side, Tristan is brought before customs at Heathrow Airport. Giving his name repeatedly as Henry Mendorne, the officers only question him more, until he breaks down crying - revealing he is in London to deliver news of his father's death. Released, the couple ride motorbikes to Jess's home. As they arrive, Tristan tells Maya of her post-divorce depression and medically induced house arrest, with no communication. Suddenly, Maya scolds her partner, asking why he would want to hurt her more with news of Henry's death. Entering the house, the couple are excitedly approached by his twin niece and nephew - excited to meet him for the first time. While his girlfriend keeps the children entertained, Tristan calmly approaches Jess - who has clearly deteriorated mentally. Explaining Henry's death in a plane crash; Jess secretly and suddenly reveals a crystal. Through the tears, she asks that he take it and pass it on to Laurence upon her death. Angry, he refuses, yelling that he will not be involved in their mess. Snatching Maya away, Tristan forces her back to the airport. Horrified, Jess tells the kids that they must find him if she ever dies.

​Forced awake days later; Vander immediately yells at Darcy over serving the Mother. Offended, Darcy refutes his claims, resulting in an all-out argument - ending with the man assaulting him once more. As the child goes to leave, Vander reveals himself as her "Man on Fire" - warning him that she is dangerous and only wants what she struggled to get in her "old life"; the Darcy is only being used for her own gain. Confused, the teen questions his robbery of the Mother, to which Vander uncovers the cage - out of it coming a large, flaming phoenix. Revealing that he took a crystal which could call creatures deemed mythological, explaining the word truly meaning "too unstable for our world". Inspired, Darcy agrees to help him - as he reveals his cause is to stop a group called "The Reclamation". The next morning, Darcy wakes to great torso scars and pain - the Mother telling him in his mind that he will always be punished for delaying her cause.

>>Next time on Somnium<<

3.03 - The Entrusted

Angry, the Mother decides it best to face Darcy in person, and he is torn. In a further move, Leah decides her brother is too hurt. Thrown into conflict, Team Juan is faced with the worst in an effort to save Yuen.

Kyle's Note: This is the last episode until Tuesday 20/8. Hope you've enjoyed Somnium up until this point, and episodes will be weekly from now. Please leave comments & generate discussion.

Episodes will arrive between 6pm & 12am AEST on Tuesday evenings.