The Four Corners of Darkness: The Adventures of Griffin and Karen Ep 4.5 Cont’d

In the heart-pounding last installment, “The Grimoire’s Whisper,” Griffin and Karen are hot on the trail of an ancient grimoire that could be their only hope to break free from the clutches of a sinister cult. With cryptic clues from an old blog post as their guide, they’re in a race against time to decipher the hidden messages and locate the powerful book. Can Griffin and Karen find the grimoire and unlock its whispered secrets before the cult’s dark shadow consumes them? Or will they be forced to make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of eternal life? The clock is ticking, and their next move could be their last.

Let’s continue their story…

I Won’t Spend Another Night Alone

Griffin pulled out his phone and opened the blog post that Karen had found earlier. He turned the screen towards Bruce and Jack, who leaned in to take a look.

“So, we’ve narrowed it down to these three ecolodges,” Griffin said, pointing to each one on the screen. Based on a blog post written by the couple whose footsteps we’re retracing, these would have been places they would have gone to lay low. They left a map in one of these resorts that leads to the Grimoire that is also buried near the lodge”

Bruce scratched his head. “It’s going to be like finding a needle in a haystack, mate.”

Griffin nodded in agreement. “Yeah, but we have to start somewhere. And I think I might know where to look once we get to the right ecolodge.”

“What’s that?” Jack asked, intrigued.

“I can explain it on our way there. Let’s get out of here”

[All four head back to Bruce’s Jeep and start driving]

“The couple left us a clue in their blog on where to find the map that leads to where the Grimoire is buried, and I think I’ve figured it out.” Griffin began explaining.

“The blog said the key to finding that map is in the song I Won’t Spend Another Night Alone, and i’ve spent the last 26 hours listening to that song on repeat.” Griffin said, his voice breaking slightly like a torture victim. “I think the map is hidden in one of the bedrooms of the lodge they were staying at.”

“The rest of the clue says, ‘We started at the beginning, now I won’t spend another night alone, and the key is here in the direction we will build our home’. I think what that means is that it is hidden in the most Southern room of where they were staying, and that map is hidden somewhere in the center of that room.”

“How do you figure that?” Karen asked, trying to follow the details of Griffin’s revelation.

“Well, after the night you and I had after that plant took root in us, I can imagine what the two of them were feeling. The chorus of the song made perfect sense once I realized that. He was talking about not spending nights alone in their bedroom.” Griffin clarified.

“oh! That does make sense now that you’ve explained it.” Karen agreed.

“You’re a real Sherlock Holmes aren’t you, mate,” Jack said, impressed by Griffin’s skills of deductive reasoning.

“I’m a man of many talents much like you, Jack”

After discussing their plan, Griffin and Karen made their way to the first ecolodge resort on their lists, posing as guests on vacation. Bruce and Jack mean while camped out nearby, giving Griffin and Karen a two-way radio just in case they needed them to rush in.

Griffin had a weird feeling he couldn’t shake that they had eyes on them. He thought he was just being paranoid, but it made it even more important for them to locate the Grimoire as soon as possible.

“G’day sir, Madam. How can we help you today?” Said the friendly attendant who flashed a warm smile at them.

“Yes, my name is Griffin and this is my wife Karen. We have a reservation today”

“Oh yes, Mr and Mrs. incognito. We’ve been expecting you.” The attendant said enthusiastically, clicking away at the computer.

“That’s pronounced Inconio. The G and T are silent.” Griffin said in an as a matter of fact tone.

“Terribly sorry, Mr. Inconio. If you give me a moment, I’ll get you both checked in.” responded the attendant in an apologetic tone.

“That’s not a problem. We’ll just wait right here while you get everything set up.” Karen said, pulling Griffin to the side.

“Incognito… Really? That’s the best you could come up with? You might as well have just told him we’re Mr and Mrs looking for a hidden book.” Karen said in a whisper, lecturing Griffin.

“First of all, Karen. You obviously don’t know the science of picking good undercover names. The more ridiculous it sounds, the less obvious it is.” Griffin responded, his explanation sounding more ridiculous with every word.

Karen closes her eyes in frustration. “You know, Griffin, you’re the smartest person I know. But sometimes I really wonder…”

“Wonder why I’m so brilliant?! Yes, I know.” Griffin interrupted. “Look, um, Aiden. Let me ask you a quick question.”

“Of course, sir. what’s your question?”

“How long has this ecolodge been here?”

“Well, this is our new location, it has only been open for five years. But our location ten minutes up the street has been open for over fifteen.”

“Hm, I see.” Griffin said, he and Karen exchanging glances.

“Actually, Aiden. Is there any way that you can check to see if there are any open Rooms at the other location?” Griffin asked flashing a warm friendly smile at the attendant. “And if possible, make it the room located at the most Southerly point of the property. I believe our friends stayed in that exact room a few years ago, we’re trying to relive their experience.”

“That sounds amazing! Of course, sir. Give me a moment to check the system”

“That was great thinking Griffin. You just saved us a bunch of wasted time.” Karen whispered to Griffin under her breath.

[The Attendant taps away at the computer keys while Griffin and Karen stand off to the side having a seemingly innocent intimate conversation.]

“Great news, Mr & Mrs. Inco_g_ni_t_o. That room is available and I have gone ahead and checked you into it. Just head on over, they will be expecting you.”

“That sounds amazing, Aiden. You’ve been terrific. We’ll be sure to add that to our review.” Griffin said, slipping Aiden a folded $50 bill before taking Karen’s hand and walking off.

We found it!

Griffin and Karen made their way down a winding path to the southernmost end of the ecolodge property, their anticipation growing with each step. Finally, they arrived at a charming little cottage-style cabin, surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers.

Excitement coursing through him, Griffin inserted the key into the lock and pushed open the door. Inside, the room was tastefully decorated in natural tones, with a comfortable-looking king-sized bed taking up most of the space.

It was a charming space with vintage decor and a cozy atmosphere. Karen let out a soft gasp of appreciation, and Griffin couldn’t help but smile at her reaction.

But he quickly shook off the distraction and went straight to work. Moving with purpose, he began searching the room for any clues that might lead them to the map they so desperately needed.

As he pored over every inch of the room, Karen watched him with a mixture of admiration and concern. “You’re sure it’s here, Griffin?” she asked, her voice soft and questioning.

“I’m positive,” he replied, not looking up from his search. “According to the riddle, it’s in the center of the southernmost room, and this definitely looks like the place.”

Finally, after what seemed like hours, Griffin’s persistence paid off. He knelt down beside the bed and ran his fingers along the underside of the vintage frame. And there it was – a small map, carved into the wood carefully hidden away.

“Karen, I found it!” Griffin exclaimed, flipping over on his back and pulling himself under the bed. “This is it – the key to where the Grimoire is buried!”

Karen hurried over to the bed and joined Griffin underneath it, peering at the map, which was small but detailed. It showed a winding path through the jungle about two hundred yards from the edge of the property, specifying the number of footsteps to take at each turn.

It’s a small map, carved into the wood. Exactly what they needed to find the Grimoire.

“Griffin, you’re a genius!” Karen exclaimed, trying to throw her arms around him forgetting they were under the bed, hitting her head on the underside of it.

“Ouch, that sounded like it hurt. Are you ok, Karen?” Griffin chuckled in amusement and concern.

“Yes, I’m fine. I just got a little excited.”

Griffin grinned at Karen, feeling a sense of satisfaction at having solved the riddle and finding the map. They were one step closer to finding the Grimoire and ending their nightmare.

Griffin quickly took out his phone and snapped a photo of the map, making sure to capture all the details. He knew they couldn’t risk losing the map or damaging it, so having a digital copy was crucial.

He turned to Karen with a grin. “Let’s call Jack and Bruce and let them know we found the map.”

Karen nodded, a look of excitement on her face. “Yes, let’s do that!”

[Griffin and Karen pulled themselves from underneath the bed, Griffin reaching into his bag for the two-way radio.]

“Bruce, this is Griffin. Come in, over.” He spoke into his two-way radio.

“Hey, Griffin. What’s up?” Bruce’s voice crackled through the radio.

“We found the map! Meet us at the entrance to the property, next to the jungle in five minutes.”

“Copy that, we’re on our way. See you in five!”

Griffin and Karen quickly made their way to the entrance of the jungle and waited for Jack and Bruce. When they arrived, Griffin showed them the map on his phone and explained how they decoded the riddle.

“Nice work, Griffin,” Bruce said, looking impressed.

Jack nodded in agreement. “Now let’s find that Grimoire.”

Using the map, they followed the winding path through the jungle, counting their footsteps as they went. After about twenty minutes, they arrived at a spot where the map indicated they should dig. They quickly got to work, digging into the soft earth.

It didn’t take long before they hit something hard. With excitement, they uncovered the object and realized it was the Grimoire.

Griffin carefully picked it up, unwrapping it from its multiple layers of cloth. The book was all black with a leather cover, and a hexagram on the front with a Rams head in the center.

“We did it,” said Karen, with a sense of accomplishment in her voice.

“Almost, Karen.” Griffin replied, flipping open the book to take a look. “I think this is where you come in Jack, this all looks like gibberish to me”

“Aye, mate. Let me take a look” Jack replied, taking the book from Griffin and scanning over the pages.

Severed Entanglement

As Jack skimmed through the pages of the grimoire, he let out a low whistle. “This book is definitely written in Dhurba alright,” he said, looking up at Griffin and Karen.

“Do you understand what it says?” Karen asked, her eyebrows raised in anxious anticipation.

“Aye, The book speaks of a ritual that can be performed after drinking an elixir made from the flower of the Aurorafolia dracaena plant,” Jack explained. “this ritual can make someone immortal.

Griffin’s eyes widened with excitement “What else does it say?” he asked, hanging on Jack’s every word.

“There’s some part of it here that I can’t understand, but another part speaks of a terrible price to pay. And at another part here It says that ‘what giveth life also taketh away’.”

Karen shivered involuntarily, feeling a chill run down her spine. “I think that’s our answer. But what is the thing that giveth?” she asked.

[Griffin suddenly turns around scanning the tree lines, the feeling of someone watching suddenly passing over him again.]

“I’m not sure,” Jack says doubtfully, doubling his focus on the text trying to decode it. “I’ll have to sit down with it for a couple of hours in a bit more light to see if I can understand the rest of it.”

Griffin, Karen, Bruce, and Jack purposefully made their way through the thick jungle, feeling relieved and excited to have found the Grimoire and being one step closer to getting their answer. However, their celebration was short-lived. As they made their way back to the Jeep, they heard rustling in the bushes ahead.

Suddenly, members of the Secret Cult appeared out of nowhere, surrounding them like shadows with weapons drawn. Before anyone could react, they were overpowered, bound, gagged, and knocked unconscious.

The cult members took them back to their lair in the Daintree Forest, where the ritual was first performed on Griffin and Karen.

Griffin, Karen, Bruce, and Jack were held captive in a dark room, unable to move or speak. They could hear the cult members chanting in a foreign language and the sounds of something being prepared.

After what felt like hours, the cult members came into the room, first grabbing Griffin and Karen and pulling them into separate rooms. Then they took Bruce and Jack into the main room they were setting up, both men forced to their knees with hands bound behind them.

Griffin was dragged into a small room, barely big enough to fit him and the cult member who had taken him there. The room was dimly lit with a single torch flickering on the wall.

The cult member pushed him onto his knees from behind, as Griffin struggled to stay upright. Fear gripped him, knowing that he was now at the mercy of these people.

A tall, hooded figure appeared in front of him, holding a knife that looked like it was carved out of wood into a deadly blade. The figure spoke in a deep, guttural voice.

“The time has come for you to complete the ritual,” the figure said. “But to do so, you must make your sacrifice.”

Griffin’s heart pounded in his chest. He had known that there would be a sacrifice but hoped they would have found the key to save them before ending up in this exact spot.

“We have not yet decided on our sacrifice,” Griffin said, trying to keep his voice steady.

“The sacrifice is of one that you love,” the figure said.

“I know, but we have not yet decided. We need more time!” Griffin said angrily and pleadingly.

“Time is up. The sacrifice has been decided.” said the hooded figure “To complete the ritual, the person you will sacrifice is the one you love the deepest. Your sacrifice will be Karen.

Griffin’s eyes widened in horror, his heart dropping out of his chest into the pit of his stomach.

“What did you just say, you bastard.” Griffin said, his words on fire with an intense fury.”That will never happen, you hear me, you sick fuck.”

“If you do not make this sacrifice, you will be killed, and Karen will be tortured until she begs for death,” the figure continued. “Then we will torture her some more, and after that, we will kill her too.”

Griffin felt sick. He couldn’t let this happen, but how could he save her? Either way, she would die, and one way she would suffer.

“You will burn in hell for this,” Griffin said, his voice ribbed with anger.

“I won’t be going there any time soon.” The figure said with a deep evil chuckle.

In the next room, Karen was being told the same thing. She would have to sacrifice Griffin, or she would be killed, and Griffin would be tortured mercilessly before they also kill him.

Her heart broke into a thousand pieces in her chest, each piece of her broken heart bleeding with the thought of Griffin dying.

“Why does it have to be him? I will choose someone else, I swear. Just give us a little more time.” Karen said, giving one more plea to the hooded figure.

“Your time is up, and this is how it must be done.” the figure explained coldly “Step one is to arouse something in the deepest part of the soul only possible through the passionate connection of two spirits. Step two is to sever that connection so one of those souls absorb the life force of the other.”

“This is demented! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?” Karen shouted and squirmed in her restraints like a bounded tigress.

“You are being given a gift, Karen. You will come to appreciate it in time.” the hooded figure replied apathetically.

Griffin and Karen were brought into a large hall filled with the members of the Secret Cult. They stood facing each other in the middle of the room, each holding a wooden ceremonial dagger behind their backs. Karen’s heart was racing as she looked into Griffin’s eyes. She could see the fear and pain in his eyes, and it was tearing her apart. She didn’t know how she was going to do it.

The cult members began to chant, their voices filling the room, as they circled around the two.

Bruce and Jack were still held to the side, bound and on their knees, watching the scene with a sense of helpless horror.

Karen’s heart was racing in her chest as she looked into Griffin’s eyes. She couldn’t bear the thought of sacrificing the person she loved most in the world.

Griffin was equally conflicted. He had always been afraid of death, but he couldn’t bring himself to harm Karen, even if it meant gaining immortality.

The chanting grew louder, and the tension in the room was palpable. Suddenly, the hooded figure stepped forward and spoke in a loud, commanding voice.

“Untie their hands” the figure commanded, wearing a red robe that stood out among the other members. “Begin”

As their hands became free, revealing the identical dagger each held, Griffin began to discern the truth of their situation. They both were told the same story. One of them needed to die at the hands of the other to complete the ritual, or they both would.

As Griffin and Karen stood facing each other staring deep into each other’s eyes, exchanging unspoken words only they could hear. Griffin suddenly smiled and spoke to Karen.

“I never would have thought this is how we would end. But then again, we’ve always been a bit dramatic in the way we do things, haven’t we, Karen? Griffin said, smiling with a deep soft muffled chuckle.

Karen stood looking back at Griffin, listening to his words one last time, tears streaming down her face.

“It’s alright, Karen. I want you to know that I love you, and the time we’ve spent together has been some of the happiest moments of my life.” Griffin said in a soft voice with a calm reassuring smile across his face, “I want you to go on living for the both of us.”

Karen hung her head whimpering, looking down at the dagger in her hand. She was overwhelmed by the emotions surging through her body, her heart breaking even more with each word Griffin said.

Suddenly, she lifted her head as if hit by one of Zeus’ lighting bolts, her eyes wide with revelation. Griffin had no idea what to make it, seeing a sudden flicker of hope in her eyes.

“I will not go on living without you, Griffin” Karen said, and with a sudden unexpected move lunged at the unsuspecting member in the red robe, plunging the dagger into his chest.

As Karen pulled the dagger out of the hooded figure’s chest, the room erupted in chaos. All the cult members started wincing in pain, falling to the ground one after the other, their bodies becoming mummified. Karen looked around in horror, watching as the people around her turned to stone. The only member that remained alive long enough to speak was Raven.

Raven stumbled over to Karen, her body shaking with the effort to stay standing. She placed a hand on Karen’s shoulder, looking into her eyes with a mix of sadness and relief.

“My fiancé and I were in the same position as you, ten years ago.” Raven said, her voice weak but full of emotion. “We managed to steal the Grimoire, but they found us before we could get it translated. I wish I had done the same thing as you, Karen. Thank you for ending this.”

“There are three other chapters of this cult that must be stopped. One in each hemisphere. You have to find them and put an end to their reign.” Raven continued, the life in her voice slowly fading.

Karen nodded, her mind racing with the enormity of what had just happened. Raven gave Karen one last smile before closing her eyes and taking her last breath. She became mummified like the other members, her body transforming into a stone figure of herself.

Karen turned to Griffin, who was still standing in the middle of the room, looking around in disbelief.

“Griffin,” Karen said, taking a step towards him.

Without a word, they embraced each other tightly, holding on as if their lives depended on it. Karen buried her face in Griffin’s chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart against her cheek. It was a moment of pure happiness and relief, a feeling that they had not shared in what felt like an eternity.

As they pulled away from the embrace, Karen looked up at Griffin and smiled, her eyes shining with tears of joy. Griffin looked back at her, the two locked into each other’s gaze as if they wanted to remain right there.

“Karen, I can’t believe it. You did it. How did you know that would work?” Griffin asked, his smile widening as he looked deeper into Karen’s eyes.

Karen took a deep breath, composing herself before speaking. “I remembered the passage from the grimoire that Jack read earlier about what giveth life also taketh away. I figured the ceremonial dagger was also made from the Aurorafolia dracaena tree.”

Griffin’s eyes widened in realization. “That’s amazing, Karen. You saved us all.”

Karen smiled weakly, feeling the weight of everything that had happened settling on her shoulders. She knew there was still much to be done, but for now, she was just grateful to be alive, to be standing here with Griffin.

As they pulled away from each other, Griffin turned to Bruce and Jack, who were still tied up in the corner of the room. He quickly made his way over to them, untying their ropes and helping them to their feet.

“Let’s get out of here,” Griffin said, his voice firm and resolute. “this nightmare is over.”

Together, the four of them made their way out of the lair, leaving behind the stone figures of the cult members, a testament to the power of the ancient magic they had just defeated. As they emerged into the sunlight, Karen looked up at the sky, feeling a sense of hope and possibility she hadn’t felt in a long time. They had done it, and they would do it again if they had to. Together, they could conquer anything.