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Episode: Part 40 "The Order" I

Author: Harlan Guthrie
Duration: 00:51:25

Episode Shownotes

PART 1 of 2In this first part of the two part finale of Season 4; Arthur, Noel and the Entity within must find there way within the Order of the Fallen Star. With enemies all around and no possibility of escape, Arthur must use his wits and cunning to find

the fallen star before it's too late...Check out Ren at https://mythoscopes.substack.com/Consider supporting now at: https://www.patreon.com/TheINVICTUSStream Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Full Transcript

00:00:29 Speaker_02
This one? There are two men on the boat. Yeah, this one. You ready? Absolutely. Yeah. Wait for them to dock. The ferry is arriving through the mist once again. The hanging lantern off the bow colors the gray fog surrounding in a warm golden hue.

00:00:56 Speaker_02
It's coming in to drop them off. Like the others, they're adorned in maroon robes and wearing masks. Are they different? Yes. Like the others, their masks are unique to both men and only cover the upper part of the face.

00:01:15 Speaker_02
They're getting off the ferry now. Get behind the crates. We have one shot at this. Make sure to wait for the ferry to leave. They're approaching. They're here. They don't see us. We're behind them. Wait. The boat is still here. Okay. Quietly now. Forward. More.

00:01:56 Speaker_02
A little closer. Nor has the one on the right. A little more left. Yes. Here. A little more. Okay. Stand up. Silently. And... Now! Again! Quickly! Drag him back. Well done, kid. For someone without sight, you did a damn good job. We have practice.

00:02:26 Speaker_02
Get that guy's robe off. Quickly. Your boys ain't going nowhere. Noel is handcuffing our hands and tying their feet. Get dressed. Will they fit in the crates? I'll make them fit. You just get dressed.

00:02:46 Speaker_02
Now that I can see it closely, the maroon-colored robe is finely stitched with gold thread. There's an almost invisible pattern on the back. Is it the same for both? Yes, it looks like it. The masks, though, are unique.

00:03:05 Speaker_02
So far, everyone has had a different mask. Yours Yours depicts a bull with hands stretched out over fire, I think. All right, well... No? Yeah. He's just putting on his mask as well. Which also seems to depict a bull. However, no fire.

00:03:32 Speaker_02
And the bull seems to be... carved in a more... positive depiction. Less... menacing. Here. What's this? A ring. They were wearing them. But look. I... Oh, right. It's a symbol, similar to the medallion, but... On both rings, they're the same.

00:03:54 Speaker_02
They're the same. Well, must be important. Exactly my thinking. Good thinking. John says good thinking, and I agree. All right. Well, they stashed away. If they wake up, at all, they won't be going anywhere for a long time. So, you guys ready to do this? Yes.

00:04:16 Speaker_02
We both are. All right. The grain terminal proper sits maybe eight or nine stories high. There's a massive concrete building right here by the edge of the water. We don't know where we're heading. I could see this taking some time.

00:04:37 Speaker_02
We're coming up on the entrance. Or at least, an entrance. Good luck. You too. The interior is quiet. It's a large open area with bins, machinery, a great deal of storage. Clearly it's closed for the evening. I don't see a night watchman. Thoughts?

00:05:07 Speaker_02
It's unlikely that we're the last to arrive, so whatever we do, we don't want to linger. Agreed. These people knew where they were going. Logically, there's no way this society meets on one of these floors above us.

00:05:20 Speaker_02
Yeah, not with this much put into their outfits. So, down? Exactly, down. Down? Is there a stairwell, or... I'm sure. I'll look over here. He's gone to the left, around some larger machinery. Are you nervous? This feels... very... intense. Yes, yes.

00:05:52 Speaker_02
Feels like a lot is riding on this. We don't know exactly how we're going to get out and how we're going to achieve our goal, but... It's alright. We'll... We'll do whatever needs to be done to accomplish our goal. I know.

00:06:10 Speaker_02
But you and I both know this... Well, this may be a one-way ticket. No, don't talk like that. We wouldn't be doing this if this was a guaranteed one-way ticket. You're sure? You... I guess. Killing Larson isn't worth losing ourselves or dying. Okay. Okay.

00:06:31 Speaker_02
We'll find a way out. I promise. Okay. Yes. Yes, you're right. I think there's a stairwell off to the right here. Yes. Huh. What? It only goes up. It only goes... up. Okay. If this is a secret society, unlikely their location would be so easily stumbled upon.

00:06:54 Speaker_02
Agreed, but we can't spend time searching every nook and cranny. Of course. Hmm. What? What about an elevator? Yes, there's an elevator over near the back of the room. No! Yeah. What's up? Elevator. Makes worth a look.

00:07:18 Speaker_02
It's a fairly basic, utilitarian elevator. A metal grate rather than a door protects its passengers from the moving floors. Other than that, it seems unremarkable. It's quite run down in here.

00:07:36 Speaker_02
The floor is solid metal, but it feels far too messy for the caliber of people they expect to attend this meeting. I don't know, kid. There are buttons here, leading to the floors above. Though, one is missing.

00:07:49 Speaker_02
This doesn't look like the way to head down, kid. Let's keep looking. Wait. Which button is missing?

00:07:55 Speaker_00
Huh?

00:07:55 Speaker_02
I don't know. One to twelve are listed. Thirteen, I suppose. Can we press it? Press the hole the button is gone from. It's fairly small. My finger wouldn't fit, but I could jam something in. About the size of- The rings?

00:08:11 Speaker_02
Almost exactly the size of the rings. Well, look at you. Yeah, let me try. I don't feel anything being pushed or... Damn! Hey, it was a clever idea, though. Wait! Try turning, as well. We're moving!

00:08:32 Speaker_00
Arthur!

00:08:33 Speaker_02
Well, fuck me. You keep up that level of smarts and we stand a chance of getting out of here alive. We're heading down! We have every intention. We're heading underground, fairly deep. The elevator is descending past the foundation, and beyond.

00:08:50 Speaker_02
The walls now resemble unearthed stone and mud. One way in. Let's hope it's not just the one way out. The walls have changed again. They're no longer natural stone, but white marble. A clean, intricate design that surrounds us.

00:09:15 Speaker_02
The elevator is slowing down. Elevator doors lie just beyond the grate this elevator used. They're opening. Shall we? The elevator exits to a long, beautiful hallway.

00:09:39 Speaker_02
Marble covers the floor and ceiling, while the walls are adorned with large paintings with gold trim. What do the paint... Down the hall! A member stands before large double doors. He's a fair distance away. I don't think he can hear us.

00:09:57 Speaker_02
Still, the doors at the end of the hall seem to be the only way forward. He's leaning on a small... He's gotten up! He's heading through the door! Sorry, but I didn't think you saw that. What was he doing? I don't know, he was writing something.

00:10:18 Speaker_02
There's a small table by the double doors he was bent over. These paintings... What are they? This one is like a bright light. Beneath, a group of men seem to be... I don't know, ready to catch it. That seems apt. Yeah, except what it's fallen from.

00:10:39 Speaker_02
It's not a place or the stars. It looks like... a being. We need to keep moving. Right. We can't dally. Yeah. Yeah. The large double doors here where the hallway ends are covered in ornate carvings. Depictions of stars and planets. All cosmic matter.

00:11:05 Speaker_02
Constellations and the like. I recognize only a few. The Fallen Star, indeed. The small table here that the man was using has a few objects on it.

00:11:16 Speaker_02
There's a stack of parchment cut into strips, a quill, and a fairly large wooden box, carved as ornately as the doors, made of white wood. The box has a thin slit in the top of it, presumably to drop the parchment in. A guest book?

00:11:34 Speaker_02
No, this is different. It's like a ballot box. Even devoting on something. What are the carvings on the box of? There's a creature of some sort holding a plate filled with fruits and an hourglass and a bleeding heart.

00:11:53 Speaker_02
The creature seems to be eating them too, or about to. Is there a way into the box? Can we see what was written? No way I can see. Let's just head in. No, we can't just head in.

00:12:12 Speaker_02
This could be the difference between revealing ourselves as impostors or getting out alive. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Agreed. Could we turn the box upside down and shake out the last response or... or wait until someone else came along?

00:12:25 Speaker_02
Well, that would be equally unwise. Okay, hold on. Did this guy write on the top of the pile? What do you mean? Maybe. Well, let me see. Nola's taken out a pencil. He's lightly drawing on the top of the pile for some reason, scribbling it. Brilliant.

00:12:46 Speaker_02
Brilliant? John is confused. Well, my friend, if the guy before us wrote on the top of this pile and pressed hard enough, he'll leave an imprint of what he wrote, which means we at least have an idea. And thankfully, he did. About the birth of my son?

00:13:10 Speaker_02
The birth of my son? What the hell? Why would he write that? I have no idea. What could that mean? It's an event. One he wouldn't want to forget, I presume. Something that meant something to him, but... Why offer to write such a personal thing? Offer?

00:13:32 Speaker_02
It's an offering plate. He's... offered this as... a memory? A memory? To lose? Look, maybe it's just a gesture. Something to say you... I mean... Look, maybe this is just a way to gain more insight into the members.

00:13:51 Speaker_02
To extort them, or... Something more... human, you know? Or maybe it's a memory you won't get back. Maybe. That's a positive memory though. I suppose that matters. You don't offer the bad ones. Noah's grabbing the parchment and writing something down.

00:14:17 Speaker_02
Well, that was quick. Hey, we don't have time to waste. This is it. Done. Your turn. Our turn. Did you offer something that's- Look, I don't know what kind of knowledge these people have. What kind of insight.

00:14:34 Speaker_02
But... Memories are only memories until you're dead. I gave him one. A good one. And you should do the same. Quickly. Alright. Knowing Oscar? That's the memory? Yeah. He meant... He meant that much to you? I suppose he did. Arthur, I... Look, I'm sorry.

00:15:14 Speaker_02
I'm sorry that the first friend beyond me had to be someone you never really got to say goodbye to. I'm sorry that- Done? There. Let's move. We don't want anyone to come in behind us. Right. Yes. Done. You ready? This is the point of no return. I know.

00:15:37 Speaker_02
I'm ready. We're ready. Get your 45 loaded. Yes. Yours? Always. Alright. See you on the other side. We've entered into a large, lavishly decorated ballroom. Members of the Order fill the floor in front and around us.

00:16:11 Speaker_02
There are maybe 30... no, 50 members here, all in different masks, but wearing the same robes. High above us, an elaborate chandelier hangs, white and gold, with creatures shaped into the arms that support the candles.

00:16:33 Speaker_02
Crystals hang from it, though they look raw and unprocessed, despite reflecting the candlelight vividly.

00:16:43 Speaker_02
The floor, marble like the outside, but a pattern in maroon tile seems to be at its center, though the amount of people here make it difficult to see. This way, come on. Noel is moving us through the crowd. Stay on him. Left. Here, yes.

00:17:02 Speaker_02
Surrounding the ballroom is a balcony with a center point that protrudes out, overlooking the ballroom floor. The rest of the surrounding balcony is draped in shadow. I think there are paintings up there on the second floor, but... Oh! What?

00:17:19 Speaker_02
There are more people up there, too. Cloaked figures. I can't see their faces, but there are maybe eight of them. all overlooking the ballroom floor in the darkness. And- Here. What is- Oh. Noel has handed you a glass. Of champagne, perhaps.

00:17:40 Speaker_02
Needless to say, don't drink it. Of course. But you know, fit in. The crowd of men in masks seem to be milling around the ballroom floor. Some are speaking to each other in small groups.

00:17:55 Speaker_02
Others are admiring the ballroom and circling the underside of the balcony. But they all seem to be... waiting. What are we waiting for? I don't know. But I think we're about to find out.

00:18:12 Speaker_02
One of the two sets of doors on the balcony overlooking the ballroom have opened. Two men are walking out. And... Oh! Welcome. Welcome once again, brothers. We gather here, as the moon waxed his crescent, to once again offer a necessary sacrifice.

00:18:35 Speaker_02
Our voluntary oblation. A powerful gesture. and one we offer willingly for the gifts we have been granted in return.

00:18:45 Speaker_02
Arthur, the man in the back is wearing a mask with a mule's head and a peacock tail on it, but the other... For generations, our Order has seen members rise in ranks, both in political office and as titans of industry.

00:19:04 Speaker_02
as influential statesmen and Wall Street moguls. Each of us has been blessed by the Fallen Star to seek out what we dream and through it have achieved our greatest desires. Hail the Fallen Star! Arthur!

00:19:27 Speaker_02
This man, the man speaking... He's wearing a mask, but... It's horrid! Unlike any of the others! What? Many of you were made aware that tonight will be historic, but know not the reason why. Understandable.

00:19:46 Speaker_02
And please, allow me to illuminate what will mark tonight in the annals of our Order's history. His mask! It's less a mask and more a... a creature, Arthur! A large mollusk that covers the upper half of his head.

00:20:02 Speaker_02
The creature's tendrils have run themselves into his ears and eyes, gouging them out. Dried blood dripping down his cheeks. For too long, we have moved away from our past. From our beginnings. deviated from the goal our order set out to achieve.

00:20:21 Speaker_02
On the front is a large green eye. It searches the crowd as he speaks, as if it were his own. Are you seeing this? What? What's on his head? From its inception, our brotherhood was never only about personal wealth or to become tycoons of industry.

00:20:41 Speaker_02
It was about the search for something greater. The fallen star. His mask? It's a helmet with horns coming out. What are you talking about? What? That is not what I am seeing. Almost ten years ago, our order was blessed by the finding of a star.

00:20:59 Speaker_02
But since then, we have grown stagnant, fat and content. Uninterested in the pursuits our forefathers have laid out for us. We have grown lazy. We have lost sight of what this order stands for. Or for this creature on his head.

00:21:19 Speaker_02
Its otherworldly gaze searches the crowd. If Noel can't see it, it's clearly something else. Silence! Is he... Can he... hear me? I hear you. Hold your tongue. As your Grand Vizier, I have failed you, and I have failed this Order.

00:21:47 Speaker_02
And so, tonight I officially step down as Grand Vizier and appoint my replacement, a true believer in our Order, a true believer in our cause, One who truly deserves the title and will bring us all to new heights.

00:22:05 Speaker_02
The man behind him... in the peacock mask, Arthur. He's stepping forward and... removing his mask. It's... Wallace Larson. It's Larson, Arthur!

00:22:20 Speaker_01
Why thank you, Grand Vizier. Is that him?

00:22:24 Speaker_02
Yes. Be ready.

00:22:27 Speaker_01
Good evening, esteemed members. brothers, senators, and, well, friends.

00:22:36 Speaker_02
What kind of joke is this?

00:22:38 Speaker_01
I see you're all excited to once again eat, drink, and be merry, while accomplishing little of what our forebears originally set out to achieve.

00:22:48 Speaker_02
This isn't how we do things. He's not even wearing a mask.

00:22:53 Speaker_01
Ah, yes. I think the theatrics can be spared. For me, at least, they've grown a little stale. I don't find them nearly as charming as I once did when I was a child.

00:23:09 Speaker_01
When my forefathers helped found this order centuries ago, back when our meeting place was carved from the stone of a mountain, when our pursuits were less selfish, less petty, less monetary, Back when we had our faith.

00:23:32 Speaker_01
But you have all lost your faith. You have forgotten what our order stands for, what our purpose here is.

00:23:39 Speaker_02
Nonsense! I've heard quite enough from you. A man from the crowd is shouting up to the balcony. It seems the crowd is growing restless. You are not our Grand Vizier. You have not been elected, and therefore we do not recognize your authority here.

00:23:56 Speaker_01
Brothers! We have here an example of our loss of faith.

00:24:02 Speaker_02
Nonsense, Larson! Your archaic mindset may be something you wish to uphold, but we do not!

00:24:12 Speaker_01
Archaic?

00:24:14 Speaker_02
You wound me, Luthor. The man has taken aback for a moment. He's rattled by Larson saying his name despite wearing a mask. Enough of this!

00:24:24 Speaker_01
No, please, Luthor. Speak your mind.

00:24:29 Speaker_02
What you and the Grand Vizier may feel do not reflect us. For a long time, Wallace, you have tried to push your beliefs on many of us, and frankly, we find your perspective childish.

00:24:44 Speaker_01
Childish? Is that so?

00:24:47 Speaker_02
Monsters, magic, gods. The power of the Star is undeniable, but you've filled your head with fairy tales. You speak of our goals to be wealthy as a waste, but they are at least tangible. Your faith is not tangible here.

00:25:09 Speaker_01
Well, Luther, I am so glad you said that. Allow me to reignite your faith.

00:25:27 Speaker_02
Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck. Arthur. What? What? Spit it out. No. Arthur, it's... The king in yellow, Arthur. What?

00:25:40 Speaker_02
He's emerging from Larson like a shadow Elongated from the darkness behind him but not bound to just fade the tatters of his yellow cloak move and float like tentacles slowly freely as if underwater He fills the balcony with his presence.

00:26:00 Speaker_02
He seems to be coming from Larson somehow appearing over the crowd it's it's Ignorant. Foolish. Mortal.

00:26:14 Speaker_01
What is this? Martha, what is this? A rekindling of faith, Luther. A rekindling of faith.

00:26:21 Speaker_02
The king grows taller, looming over the crowd. His robe fills the space and brings an ominous amber hue to the ballroom. Jesus Christ, Arthur! What the fuck? How? Speak to me! If you so doubt your faith. I... watch that you flit your power like a child.

00:26:43 Speaker_02
The king looms over the man, his yellow cloak made of shadow. Power... You know nothing of the word. The man is frozen in fear. He's... He's not moving. The crowd parts for him.

00:27:08 Speaker_02
With a pained expression on his face, he's walking towards a pillar, a stone column that supports the second story balcony. He's... He's... He's driving his head into the stone. Over and over again.

00:27:26 Speaker_02
Blood is being drawn from his skull, painting the white marble of the pillar in red. I am the king in yellow. Your order once had a meaningful, worthy purpose. And now, it lay in shambles. Your desire for earthly pleasures mean nothing to me.

00:27:57 Speaker_02
To a great old one. You will follow us. And those who do not, shall pay with their lives. The king is receding into Larson. Shrinking back down into the shadows of the balcony. Slipping away inside some unseen pocket in Larson.

00:28:27 Speaker_02
Arthur, what the fuck is happening? How is... is that... yellow? How did he... I don't... I don't know. I don't know. I suppose he... When I got you back, I was... That was him. What? That was him. The king in yellow. Now you know. Jesus fucking Christ.

00:28:47 Speaker_02
Larson looks exhausted. He's stepping back for a moment. The robed figures in the darkness on the second balcony haven't stirred. Yes. Look, we need to- Wait, wait. My hope is you all now see how we have strayed from the light.

00:29:05 Speaker_02
How much we have lost due to our shaken faith. Tonight we will enter a new age in this order. An age of enlightenment and true power. How are we going to stop Larson if the king is inside of him? Larson is stepping forward.

00:29:24 Speaker_02
He still looks quite worn, though. It's clear he's trying to hide it.

00:29:30 Speaker_01
I am so sorry about the needless waste of life. But as you all saw, we no longer have room for those without faith. I have grand plans for our Order. Things beyond your wildest dreams. Tonight, is but the first step.

00:29:55 Speaker_01
I am elated that you will all take it with me. Please, please, there's still room for liberty. We are straight, of course, but we have no interest in eliminating all pleasures. So please, enjoy yourselves. Enjoy a drink, as you always have.

00:30:21 Speaker_01
And soon we will enter the canonite room and begin what I believe to be a very special ritual. Enjoy yourselves. Enjoy!

00:30:34 Speaker_02
Both Larson and the Grand Vizier are leaving through the doors behind them. Different doors. The second balcony is clear, save the robed figures which... Seem to be following the Grand Vizier out through the door on the left. Oh my god.

00:30:50 Speaker_02
What is going on here? How can we- Take a breath. Come here. Away from everyone else. Come on. This way. Noll is pulling us to the side. Here. Yes, look. I was taking it back too. But that just means two for the price of one, right? Right, right.

00:31:07 Speaker_02
Noll looks nervous. Unsure. I don't think he believes we will succeed anymore. Two for the price. I don't know if I disagree. If killing Larson means we kill that... Yeah. Killing Yellow? Look, I don't know. But what are our choices right now?

00:31:26 Speaker_02
We can't leave. After that display, I'm sure they've ensured no one else is gonna leave. Alive, at least. Right, okay. We knew what we were getting into. Everything dies. Everything. Right. Let's follow Larson.

00:31:46 Speaker_02
Get up to the second balcony through those doors over there. To the right of you. Okay. Wait. Wait. What? The Grand Vizier. I think he could hear me. What about the Grand Vizier? What about him? We could follow him instead. What if we followed him? Why?

00:32:07 Speaker_02
Well, he could hear John. John said he wore a mask. They all did. No, no, a horrid mask. It seemed like a creature was bound to his flesh. Perhaps there's Perhaps Larson is controlling him somehow. It would make sense, such a change in leadership.

00:32:25 Speaker_02
It doesn't come without some sort of coercion. Okay. Perhaps he knows more than he's letting on. He may know more about what's going on. He may be able to answer questions. Like what this ritual is going to be. Look, we're here for Larson, kid.

00:32:39 Speaker_02
The Grand Vizier may help us end Larson. I know, I know. Look, if you want to follow the Vizier... I'll back you up. But I think Larson is the target. Regardless, we can't stay here. We need to move while the room is active.

00:32:54 Speaker_02
So whichever you choose, let's move. Okay. Okay, let's. Noel is leading us to a set of doors under the balcony to our left. Most of the other members are busily talking amongst themselves, some angrily, others terrified. I don't blame them.

00:33:13 Speaker_02
Arthur, what the hell happened? How did Yellow and Larson end up together? Are they like us? Is Yellow trapped? I don't know. I... I suppose so. This is dangerous, Arthur. He has the ability to... He drove that man to break his own skull! Does he remember?

00:33:36 Speaker_02
He called himself the King in Yellow. He must remember. At least some. Especially if he remembers all that... ability to seep into another's mind, in which case they must be trapped then. No way he would allow himself to be bound to Larson.

00:33:53 Speaker_02
Larson pulled Yellow out like a magic trick to awe the crowd. Yes, yes, I remember Yellow. Near the end he already felt like he was greater than the need for flesh, killing them. It won't be easy, but- You're so sure you can kill the King in Yellow?

00:34:15 Speaker_02
What? Quiet now. You're angry. We're out the door. To the side. It's clear. Let's go. This hallway is lavish. Similarly decorated to the ballroom. There are a number of doors leading off in either direction. All right, the balcony was this way.

00:34:42 Speaker_02
The Vizier went left, so... Good. We're on the left side then. Him then. Look, Larson clearly has a very, very powerful friend. Manipulative and deadly. I wonder who's playing who in that scenario. Stop! What? What is this?

00:35:00 Speaker_02
Arthur, there's a man in front of us. A cultist. Let's go. Arthur, freeze! What are you... no... Arthur, listen to me. He's wearing a mask. What's wrong? Hold on. What are you talking about, John? Where... where are we? I... Jesus. What?

00:35:20 Speaker_02
Nothing, just give me a moment. Sure. John. We are in the Order of the Fallen Star. Come on now. This is Noel. You can't be doing this to me now. I... Detective Noel. He's been helping us. I... I know. I... We're so close now, John.

00:35:41 Speaker_02
We just need to hold it together a little longer, okay? I... I can feel him. Arthur. Who? King! What? That's... That's... I think that's what I've been feeling.

00:36:08 Speaker_00
This... pull.

00:36:12 Speaker_02
His pull? Your memory? You mean... I think that's what's... I feel as though I'm in two places at once. Okay. Okay, but... I need you here now. Stay here, okay? I need you. Right. Right. Okay. Are we good? Yes, sorry. Listen, kid.

00:36:45 Speaker_02
I mean it when I say this King is the real deal. Noel's stopped walking. He's looking us dead in the eye. I get that you want to know everything before putting a bullet through Larson's head, but... Look, he just upped the ante.

00:37:00 Speaker_02
I'm not willing to hesitate. If we get the chance... I can't. I won't even consider the... What's wrong? I will not be another prisoner to that... to that monster! You understand? Of course. Look, I am all in.

00:37:26 Speaker_02
If I get the chance... He's talking about killing Larson. Killing the King as soon as he sees them. Arthur! Listen. You're not going to become a prisoner of his again. I promise. You swear? No. I... I promise.

00:37:48 Speaker_02
Arthur, you can't have him firing at Larson the minute we see him. If Larson dies, we... may not be able to find this stone. Look, I understand you're ready to throw everything you can at ensuring the king dies tonight.

00:38:03 Speaker_02
But we can't afford to be playing Wild West this far in. I am not- I'm saying we've gotten this far because we took our time. We thought things through. And took- And kept cool heads. Believe you me, I have my own fight with Larson.

00:38:19 Speaker_02
I have my own reasons for wanting to watch the light dim from his eyes. But this isn't about just you and just me. It's about far more than that now. We came here tonight with the intention to bring this order down.

00:38:35 Speaker_02
By finding whatever this star, this bizarre talked about was. And yes, killing Larson. But I never dreamed, never even comprehended the fact that he may have the King in Yellow inside of him. I know. I know. I hear you.

00:38:55 Speaker_02
We're not just dealing with men anymore. Men and their little plans. We are dealing with a god. Yes. You're right. And we're not alone. No. No, we're not. Even though it only looks like there are two of us here. Keep a cool head. In all moments. We have to.

00:39:24 Speaker_02
He seems to be calmer, more thoughtful. Seeing the king, it awakened something in him I hadn't seen or even perceived before. A deep-seated fear. Okay, you're right. Let's find this vizier. He's walking forward down the hall.

00:39:48 Speaker_02
I think we're looking for the stairs. Let's not forget though, those people followed him. He won't be alone. Right. Robed figures, not masked. No. Their faces were shrouded by their hoods. Okay. Here, stairs up.

00:40:19 Speaker_02
I think I see the door the Grand Vizier took from the balcony. There's another across the hall, and one straight ahead. He came this way. Opposite the way Larsson left, so... Unless he went downstairs. Yeah.

00:40:34 Speaker_02
Noel is heading to the door opposite, which most likely leads deeper in. Let me listen. Nothing. Noel has entered. We're in a large room with rounded corners, rectangular in shape. There are chairs everywhere, all facing the center.

00:41:03 Speaker_02
In its center is a... What the fuck is that? an object. A large, bizarre-looking object, sitting in the center of this room on a slightly lowered floor, as if this were an amphitheater. Noel is approaching it. Wait, keep a distance. He stopped.

00:41:31 Speaker_02
Arthur, this object is roughly the size of an automobile, with almost the same footprint. It's gray and black, covered in spindly large tube-like spines that run its length and connect to what appear to be cylinders of dark green liquid.

00:41:50 Speaker_02
There's a sealed basin at its center and a six-foot platform lay at its mouth. What? Noll is calling you over to the side. Yes, this direction. What does John make of these? There's a small table here against the wall.

00:42:13 Speaker_02
With what looked like blueprints laid out. Can you make heads or tails of- It's a machine. A machine for what? Machine? Someone's coming! Hide! Where? The desk? No! The pillar! Yeah! One of the pillars! Back! Here, here! Stand still. Don't move.

00:42:40 Speaker_02
The room is set up like an observation room. Chairs all around point towards the machine in the middle. Only these pillars block line of sight between the rows of chairs. Noel is hiding behind one of them across from us. I think I saw three men enter.

00:42:57 Speaker_02
The Grand Vizier and two of the robed figures. They were acting almost like guards. Wait, wait. He seems to be dismissing them. I think the Grand Vizier is in this room alone. He's coming. Grand Vizier! We would like to talk. Yes, Arthur.

00:43:32 Speaker_02
Noel has his gun to the back of the Grand Vizier's head. Have a seat. The Grand Vizier is being led by Noel at gunpoint to a chair. Sit, sit. Noel isn't fucking around. He's aiming the gun right at the Vizier's temple.

00:43:46 Speaker_02
His mask, Arthur, it's just as horrific as I first saw. It's almost feasting on him. I don't know what it is. It is a mask. He can hear me! Of course. He can hear John. John. You are not John. Oh yeah? Who is he then? You are the- SILENCE!

00:44:14 Speaker_02
Can't cut your tongue? Just... watch the door for a second. This isn't why we're here. What is this mask you're wearing? Answer me. Speak up now. Answer! It is a mask of temperance, a gift from the Elders. The Elders?

00:44:35 Speaker_02
Such a gift they were, brought by the King for us. They hold such a command of biological principles and genetic engineering. Their intellect surpasses even the most gifted minds on Earth by a hundredfold. What does this mask do?

00:44:57 Speaker_02
My memory, deductive capabilities, and psionic abilities have been greatly enhanced so that I may communicate with them. What is Tempid about that? Answer him! I no longer serve my own will, but the will of the Elders and their masters.

00:45:20 Speaker_02
Who are the masters of the elders? I am speaking with one. What? Who's John? Do not answer him! After! What is this? What is this machine?

00:45:33 Speaker_02
This is a machine, like the Mask of Temperance, that was built by the Elders to separate two entities that are bound together, giving the trapped soul a new vessel, while keeping the host intact. What? Jesus. To... to separate?

00:45:54 Speaker_02
Larson and the King in Yellow. They're gonna separate them. Indeed. Why? They are dying. Dying? Yes. Larsen is being consumed by the power the king now wields, while the king is fading. Fading? I... Am I fading as well? Of course.

00:46:28 Speaker_02
You think this machine actually does that? Why not? They built this mask, this organic machine that controls this man. Then this ritual must be to separate the two. The King and Larsen. Which means we need to kill him before that can happen. Or, during.

00:46:46 Speaker_02
During! If this ritual leaves him exposed, on a slab... Okay, we just need to blend in. Exactly. These members are wealthy elites, they're not going to stand in our way. Fuck, they may even help us based on the reaction out there.

00:47:01 Speaker_02
But the king is... Now, who is the voice in his head? What? No! The voice... Don't you want to know? Who is the voice in Arthur's head? Do not tell him! No, he knows something. He knows what's going on. Tell me. You are not aware? No, it's- Is it Roland?

00:47:18 Speaker_02
Tell me! No, we- Is it Roland? Look, it doesn't- Shh! Can we- Arthur! The doors have all opened! Fuck! The robed figures have entered, surrounding us! They're quickly moving into the room! I'm not going. Noel still has his gun drawn.

00:47:32 Speaker_02
Put it away, calm, cool head. They're filling the room, all of them in robes, around us, behind us! The Grand Vizier is standing, walking to the doors on the far side of the room and- Larson has entered.

00:47:52 Speaker_01
Well, there you are. I was sure you were going to follow me. I had a little scene set up and everything. Alas, the best laid schemes of mice and men go after I. I see you've spoken to our Grand Vizier. Or should I say, former Grand Vizier.

00:48:15 Speaker_02
The Grand Vizier is standing next to Larson now. Noll is going for his gun.

00:48:21 Speaker_01
Arthur, he may- Not so quickly, friend.

00:48:25 Speaker_02
One of the cultists behind has a gun to Noll's head.

00:48:30 Speaker_01
I believe you've met, if only briefly.

00:48:34 Speaker_02
Well, hello there, boy-o. Butcher.

00:48:39 Speaker_01
He was quite eager to be here, I'll have you know.

00:48:43 Speaker_02
Fancy the three of us together again. Hello, Mr. Collins. Noll left his gun holstered. Arthur, Larson is walking towards us. He stopped just before the machine.

00:48:55 Speaker_01
I hope the Grand Vizier illuminated you on the nature of this elaborate machine before me.

00:49:02 Speaker_02
This isn't going to end well for you, Larson.

00:49:06 Speaker_01
Hear that, Mr. Collins? I feel like our boy has once again greatly underestimated his foe.

00:49:12 Speaker_02
What do you want me for, then? You have your machine. You have your followers.

00:49:17 Speaker_01
Ah, yes. The Vizier did his... job well. But failed to mention what I suppose he could not have known. Not that it would matter much. With that mask on, he's quite the obedient little doggie. Isn't that right?

00:49:34 Speaker_02
I serve my masters.

00:49:36 Speaker_01
Seems like you two are the only ones in this room without a cause. Oh, we have a cause. No, what the Grand Vizier failed to mention was that this machine... Well, it isn't for me. No, no. This is for you, Arthur.

00:49:57 Speaker_01
You and that little voice inside your head.

00:50:00 Speaker_00
What? What?

00:50:02 Speaker_01
The game is over, Arthur. It's time to lay down and roll over.

00:50:09 Speaker_02
You... This will... Separate you?

00:50:14 Speaker_01
Yes. Much to the benefit of other present parties. Once separated, you... well, you will be you again. And your little friend there will be... with me. Until such a time as I... release him. Back to where he belongs.

00:50:34 Speaker_02
Never! Arthur, we cannot even entertain... Oh, thank you, Vizier.

00:50:41 Speaker_01
Is that what our mutual friend is saying in there? No more secrets. Not amongst friends.

00:50:50 Speaker_02
He is silent once again.

00:50:53 Speaker_01
So, Arthur Lester, I have but one question before the decision is made for you. Call it your one chance to do this the easy way. Do you come willingly?