Chapter Two
Exactly nine years later, on August 2nd, 2025, in Wellington, we meet Detective Carl Johnson, sipping his morning coffee with his family. He was pondering their lengthy discussion from the night before about his over-involvement in work and neglect of his family.
Carl thought to himself, "She doesn't understand. It's all for our children, for justice. I can't let them grow up in this corrupt world and become monsters themselves. I'm investigating their crimes to prevent it."
His reverie was interrupted by a call from the police station informing him he had been assigned to interrogate a series of random murders plaguing the capital. The victims had no apparent connection. Initially, the detectives believed the killer was targeting corporate heads and prominent political figures, but the presence of children, women, and the poor, all killed in the same manner - crucified on an inverted cross with strange English symbols and ciphers - baffled them. There was no physical evidence, as if the killer were a ghost.
However, the authorities could no longer ignore the situation after the recent assassination of the American ambassador during his visit to the capital. This created tension in relations with America and forced them to take these cases seriously.
Carl Johnson, the world's most renowned detective at the time, was summoned and sent to the last three crime scenes, hoping to find something.
Carl said, his eyes gleaming with excitement, "Finally, some excitement, some mystery, some horror."
The first scene was the Washington family home, where the son and mother, Maria and James Washington, were found crucified and decapitated. The heads had been neatly severed at the base, and their fingers had been cut off. Overcome by the horror of the scene, one of the police officers vomited.
Written on the wall beside the bodies, in blood, was the phrase "J.W.M IS legend." The window was open, and there were no footprints near it, but at the bottom of the hill, there were some footprints and the tracks of a motorcycle that stopped at the end of the icy road.
The other crime scenes were similar, but the words differed. At the Hudson household, the scene was even more gruesome. The bodies of the children and their father were completely dismembered, as if the killer had used an axe or an electric saw, or had had time to dissect the corpses.
Detective Carl said, "A massacre like a battlefield." In that apartment, the Spanish phrase "¿Es la muerte su salvación?" was painted on the wall, meaning "Is death their salvation?"
The Hudson and Washington families did not have significant power or political connections, unlike the other prominent figures the killer had murdered in a suspicious manner. This killer later became known as the "Reaper of Wellington."
Detective Carl went to the third crime scene, where a member of the New Zealand Senate was found. The man's body was mutilated like the others, crucified on a cross that was not inverted this time. Written on the wall beside him was the Japanese phrase 死んでもいい,神々の怒りがあなたを貫くかもしれないから, meaning "You may as well die, for the wrath of the gods may pierce you."
Detective Carl found a connection between these crimes and a political organization that had been wiped out some time ago. Detective Carl said, "Perhaps this is the work of the Zero Phantom."
Officer Marcus: "But, detective, this organisation was eradicated a year and a half ago, and its leader is now imprisoned on Skull Devil Island under heavy guard."
Detective Carl: "Perhaps you should verify that."
Detective Carl: "The first symbol points to James William Moriarty, and wasn't the leader of that organisation obsessed with Moriarty?"
Officer Marcus: "You're correct, but that alone is not definitive proof of his involvement."
Detective Carl: "Just grant me some time."
We now shift the narrative to Waikato, two years prior, to glimpse Gabriel, who has since become a cybersecurity officer, and Rose, who now serves as a member of the board of directors for a company named Nexus Corp. Both of them work for the same company.
As for this company, Nexus Corp stands among the most renowned pharmaceutical and cosmetics firms worldwide. They developed a drug that is celebrated globally, said to cure ageing, most diseases, and even viruses originating from animals. Yet, the side effects of this miracle drug led to the death of 9% of its users.
We transition to Gabriel, for whom this marks his third day at the company, while Rose is considered a seasoned veteran in the workplace. Gabriel attempts to hack into the company's systems to uncover information, but Rose swiftly shuts his laptop and says:
Rose: "Oh no, no. Steady there, cowboy. You'll end up getting yourself fired."
Gabriel: What? Are you with them now?
Rose: It's not like that, you idiot. Don't imagine it's that simple.
Gabriel: But it seems you're thinking like me.
Rose: Yes, you buffoon. The only difference between us is impulsiveness. Meet me at 9 p.m. at The Grill Court restaurant, and I'll tell you everything I know.
Gabriel: Alright, boss.
Gabriel was excited about it; it was his first date with Rose. He put on a red suit with a white shirt and got ready to go. Gabriel left his apartment, and we notice a picture of Mason. When Gabriel closed his room door, he went out and took the bus to the restaurant. He arrived at the restaurant, which looked as elegant as the restaurants he had seen in stories and series about the Victorian era, which he was obsessed with. Upon entering the restaurant, the scene was like a vibrant painting. The crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling scattered their warm light on the walls decorated with intricate gold carvings. The polished oak floor reflected the shine of the gentlemen's and ladies' polished shoes. In every corner, white marble columns held arches adorned with
In every corner, white marble columns held arches adorned with exquisite sculptures.
The tables, covered in pristine white cloths, were adorned with silver candelabra holding candles that cast soft shadows on the fine porcelain dishes. The plates were decorated with gold rims, and the spoons and forks were inlaid with intricate engravings that reflected the mastery of hand craftsmanship.
Gabriel found Rose at one of the tables, wearing a dress that resembled Cinderella's. Rose stood like a marble statue, exuding confidence and elegance. Her soft, white skin, almost like porcelain, shimmered in the dim candlelight as if lit from within. Her cheeks had a light blush, as if she had just taken a sip of cherry liquor. Her deep, gray-blue eyes shone with an intelligent and mysterious look, framed by thick black lashes that added a touch of magic to every blink.
Her hair, styled with exquisite care, was twisted into an ornate bun adorned with small silver combs encrusted with gemstones, while strands of it flowed gently down her long neck like silk. Gabriel was very impressed with Rose; she resembled his favorite character, Vanessa Ives, from the series "Penny Dreadful," not only in appearance but also in personality. Gabriel reached the table and said to Rose:
Gabriel: I'm sorry, my lady, but have you seen a girl named Rose pass by here?
Rose said with a smile, "Sit down, you silly man."
Rose: "You must think this is a date, but I'm here to tell you a rather gruesome tale."
Gabriel: "I love your gruesome tales."
Rose: "Very clever. I'm here to tell you about our company. You've certainly heard of the drug 'Neuralis'."
Gabriel: "Yes, I did a lot of research on them before joining the company."
Rose: "That's not all. I'll make it short for you. The name of the CEO of this company is Mikhail Tchevenkov."
Gabriel said, after freezing in shock, "You must be joking. This can't be real!"
Rose: "Yes, it is real."
Gabriel: "From that family?"
Rose: "The Tchevenkov family descends from a noble lineage that originated in the Siberian region of Russia during the thirteenth century. Their ancestor, Ivanov Tchevenkov, was a military commander in the Russian Tsar's army, but he was known for his mysterious behavior and the strange rituals he practiced in secret. Legends say that Ivanov was the first to establish a devil-worshiping cult in Asia and Europe. It is said that he was a skilled sorcerer, master of all black magic, and that he was able to harness a powerful demon to serve his family. Over time, Ivanov disappeared and all news of his family vanished mysteriously, as if they had never existed."
Gabriel: "And what do we know about this company and its director?"
Rose: "She owns shares in most of the world's companies, and she's the driving force behind most cosmetics and pharmaceutical companies. It's also said that many employees have been disappearing, including your children when they joined the company. Surely you and I know what happened to them."
Gabriel: "Certainly, those poor souls. Does the Tchevenkov family have any power in the world or something like that?"
Rose: "Yes, they and eight other families, but I don't have information about them."
Gabriel said, looking surprised, he had actually been embarrassed to ask this question for a while, because he respected people's privacy:
Gabriel: "Rose, where did you get your information?"
Rose said, looking scared and tense: "Honestly, I have a friend from the Tchevenkov family named Eva Tchevenkov. She felt disgusted with her family and decided to create a secret political organization. One of her friends, I don't know his name, but he uses the pseudonym of the famous pirate Henry Every. He doesn't even show his face to the members and tells them the plans using a voice changer, but it's no longer secret now, to expose her and all the big heads in the world."
Gabriel: "Are you saying...?"
Rose: "Yes, they are "Zero Phantom". That's what I wanted to tell you. You must have figured out that I'm a member of this organization. We need a skilled hacker like you on our team."
Gabriel: "Give me three days to think about it."
What do you think Gabriel's response will be?
In any case, the dinner between the companions ended. It was supposed to be dramatic, but we don't always get what we want, and not everything we plan for happens. Gabriel extended his hand to Rose to help her up after paying the bill. This was the most expensive restaurant he had ever been to, but he was not a man who found value in money.
As Rose walked beside Gabriel, heading towards the exit, the air was warm around them, and the dim light from the lamps scattered gently on the ground. Their footsteps filled the place with a quiet sound, as if the world around them had stopped to witness those moments that no one had expected to turn into something worse.
Then, in an unexpected moment, drops of blood began to fall from the ceiling, one after the other, first on Gabriel's hand, then on the floor, then on the walls of the luxurious restaurant. There seemed to be no clear source for this bloody liquid, and everything in the place reflected a state of hidden panic, as if those drops were nothing but a warning of something approaching rapidly.
Then the blood began to fall faster, as if the ceiling itself had opened its doors to let the rain of blood fall, as abundant as if it were splashing from the veins of another world. The drops of blood fell on people's bodies, on the luxurious furniture, and on the hanging paintings that were gradually turning into distorted images, covered by the terrifying liquid that would not stop. It was as if everything in the restaurant had begun to sink into an ocean of blood.
Rose could not comprehend what was happening. Everything was descending into chaos, and every time she tried to move or speak, the blood covered the place more, until even her crimson red dress began to drip with blood as if it were part of the nightmare itself. The blood clung to it, gradually devouring it until it became the most terrifying part of the scene.
Rose stood dumbfounded, her gaze darting between the blood that was flooding the place, not knowing what to do or where to hide. Her heart was pounding, and her eyes widened in terror. Time and place were collapsing, and everything around her was disappearing in a torrent of blood.
Before she could comprehend or escape, Gabriel felt the weight of her body as she collapsed into his arms, falling unconscious to the ground. The young man took her, terrified for his beloved, to Huber Hospital. When she awoke from her faint, she asked Gabriel:
Rose: "Gabriel, what happened to me?"
Gabriel: "You fainted, but don't worry, the doctor says it was just a drop in blood pressure."
Rose: "How? Didn't you see all that blood pouring down on us?"
Gabriel: "It seems it was just a hallucination, the place was normal."
After the ordeal, the doctor insisted that Rose would need to stay in the hospital for two days. Gabriel went to her room, finding her asleep. He gently kissed her forehead, a fleeting gesture of tenderness, and left, closing the door behind him with deliberate care. The weight of her words lingered in his mind like a haunting melody.
Seeking solitude, Gabriel made his way to Auckland Harbour under the shroud of midnight. The port was eerily silent, its vast expanse bathed in the cold, pale glow of moonlight. Not a soul stirred. Only Gabriel sat at the edge of the pier, a lone figure against the infinite abyss of the sea. In his hand, he held a cluster of pebbles, idly tossing them into the dark waters below. Each ripple that broke the surface seemed to echo his spiraling thoughts.
He muttered to himself, his voice trembling with uncertainty:
"What am I to do? This organisation... it is dangerous beyond comprehension, implicated in countless assassinations. Is this truly worth the risk? Can I really hope to change this world, to save it from the intellectual decay that threatens its very core? Can I bring down this cursed company and the Chevchenkov family once and for all? Or am I simply chasing shadows... seeking vengeance for my only friend, the one person who ever understood me? Without him... without Rose... I'd be utterly alone."
His words dissolved into the stillness, and he clutched his head in anguish.
"And even if we destroy the Chevchenkovs and their empire, there are seven more families—seven more hydras to slay. Enemies without end. Perhaps it would be better to die in peace, like any ordinary man who lived and perished on this earth. I... I simply don't know anymore. I don't know."
His despair was abruptly interrupted. Through the veil of his thoughts, he saw it: a ship, ancient and otherworldly, emerging like a phantom from the mist. It was a vessel that seemed to defy the laws of reality itself, a relic of another age. Its tattered sails fluttered against the still air, and the hull bore the scars of centuries lost to time. A ghastly green fog surrounded it, clinging to its frame like the spectres of the damned. It was as though the Flying Dutchman itself had materialised before Gabriel.
The crew was no less horrifying. A host of skeletal figures moved about the deck, their empty eye sockets glowing with an unholy light. At their helm stood a figure clad in a weathered coat that bespoke authority and dread. This captain of death surveyed Gabriel with a gaze that pierced his very soul. The ship's insignia—a sigil of dread—felt hauntingly familiar, as though Gabriel had seen it somewhere before in the fragmented recesses of his memory.
The skeletal captain let out a bone-chilling laugh, the sound like the creaking of ancient timbers:
"Ahoy there, matey! I wouldn't advise venturing to that house. No man sails willingly into hell itself."
Gabriel, trembling and struggling to find his voice, stammered:
"What... what house are you speaking of? What is happening here? For God's sake, what are you?!"
One of the skeletons stepped forward, holding in its bony grasp a still-beating human heart. With a sickening crunch, it crushed the organ, tossing the remains toward Gabriel. The captain cackled once more, his voice reverberating like a funeral dirge:
"This is not advice, little man. It is a warning."
The ship began to recede into the mist, the green fog enveloping it until it vanished as if it had never been. Gabriel, now consumed by terror, turned and ran, his heart pounding like a war drum. He sprinted blindly along the empty harbour until a frail, weathered hand caught his shoulder.
"Easy now, lad, easy. What's gotten into you?" an elderly man asked, his tone calm but laden with curiosity.
Gabriel gasped for breath, his voice quivering as he replied:
"Did... did you not see it? That ship—it came from hell itself!"
The old man frowned, his weathered face creasing further.
"Ship? What ship, son? There's no ship here. Not at this hour."
Before Gabriel could respond, the old man's body convulsed violently. Flesh tore apart with a sickening squelch as his skull and spine erupted from his form, leaving his shredded remains to fall lifelessly to the ground. The skeletal remains turned to Gabriel, blood dripping from its bony visage, and in a voice that echoed with the fury of the damned, it hissed:
"Perhaps I did see them after all. Ha... ha... ha! Hear our warning, Gabriel. Do not go to that house. No mortal man can face what lies within!"
Gabriel collapsed, the world spinning into oblivion. When he awoke, the old man stood over him, shaking him gently.
"Are you alright, lad? You were talking to me, and then you just fainted."
Gabriel bolted upright, panic etched into every feature.
"The ship! Did you see it?"
The old man shook his head, a bemused smile on his lips.
"No ships come here at this hour, my boy. Perhaps you've had one drink too many,
Gabriel thanks the old man and goes on his way. In the background, we can see the old man smiling a strange smile, then vanishing as if he had never been there at all. The place is filled with The fog and Shadows as Gabriel walks through a scene that is both terrifying and magnificent.
End of chapter and beginning of hallucination