The Tower of Walgoth Episode 6

The following takes place following: The Tower of Walgoth Episode 5

The grand halls of Walgoth Monastery buzzed with the quiet hum of morning activity. Sunlight streamed through the tall, arched windows, casting long shadows on the wooden floors. The monks moved with practiced grace, their robes whispering against the ancient wood.

Travers, Hilda, and Greta gathered on the wide balcony, marveling at the morning view. The landscape, now bathed in the golden light of dawn, was even more breathtaking. Widdlington sparkled in the distance, and the lake shimmered like a jewel.

Hilda: "Zis is even more beautiful in the morning!"

Greta: "Ja, it’s like a painting! Waldonia is such a magical realm! Isn't it fantastisch, Herr Travers?"

Travers nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. He had noticed Herb’s absence. He scanned the balcony and the hall beyond.

Travers: "Where’s Herb?"

Hilda (shrugs): "Ve haven't zeen him zince last night."

Travers: "Hmmm… I’ll go check on him. See he’s alright after the climb we’ve had."

Travers made his way across the wide open halls. When he failed to see Herb, he began to search through the labyrinthine corridors of the monastery. The wooden walls seemed to close in around him, and the air grew cooler and more still. He reached what looked like a library—a vast room lined with shelves that reached up to the high ceiling, filled with volumes of, presumably, ancient Waldonian lore.

As he passed through several aisles, he spotted a familiar Hawaiian shirt. It was Herb, skulking around in the shadows. Travers approached him quietly, his steps light and almost inaudible.

Travers: "Hey, Herb!"

Herb jumped slightly and turned around quickly, his eyes wide with surprise.

Herb: "Oh... hey, Travers... You startled me...(muttering under his breath) Huh... so that's what that feels like... No wonder they don’t like it when I do it."

Travers: "What are you doing creeping around in this place? I didn’t take you for a bookworm."

Herb: "Oh yeah! I love books... I was just, uh... Ah, there we are!"

Herb quickly grabbed a book off the shelf and started skimming through the pages with feigned interest. Travers glanced at the book cover and arched his eyebrow. The title was "Baby Boom: Witherfield's Most Fertile Woman by Sarah Louise Platt." Herb's face flushed as he noticed the title.

Herb: "I have a soft spot for this kind of thing. It’s a little embarrassing. You won’t tell the girls, will you?"

Travers eyed him skeptically.

Travers: "Uh... No...Anyway, we were wondering if you'd join us for a photo on the balcony. It's a beautiful morning, and the view is amazing."

Herb rubbed his eyes and shook his head.

Herb: "I saw it early this morning. I think I'll stay here for a while. The direct sunlight really hurts my eyes after being in the dark for days. I need some time to acclimate. Maybe later..."

Travers: "Alright. Well, I guess there's no rush. We can get the photo later."

Herb: "Yeah, sure..."

Herb gave a noncommittal shrug as he scanned the library’s vast collection.

Leaving Herb to his books, Travers wandered the halls of the monastery. A nagging sense of unease returned. Herb’s odd behavior had been a temporary distraction, but now he was acutely aware of the tower’s constant swaying. The creaking of the wooden structure under the strain of the wind made him feel ill. Despite being a goblin and invulnerable to falling damage, he had an intense aversion to heights. He kept a generous distance from the balcony edge and felt a strong gust of wind that made him think the tower might topple over. His legs turned to jelly, and he barely managed to scramble back to the center of the large hall before collapsing on the floor.

Hilda and Greta, meanwhile, were eagerly exploring. They had delivered their note from the class and were now keen to learn everything they could about the monastery. They roamed the halls, chatting with the monks, who were mostly welcoming and happy to share their knowledge. They had just stepped into the large hall to find Travers rolling up into a ball on the floor.

The girls and a nearby monk rushed to his aid.

Hilda: "Herr Travers! Are you alright?"

Travers: "It's going to fall down... It's going to fall down..." Travers rambled to himself.

Monk: "The tower? No, Mr. Travers, I can assure you it's quite safe." The monk helped Travers to his feet.

Monk: "This tower has been standing for over a millennium. You will get used to the swaying in time. Just take deep breaths." Travers attempted to calm himself but suddenly remembered the legend that this place was allegedly built by Waldo... Waldo, the CEO of Goblin Brand...Travers started to hyperventilate.

Travers: "No, Mr Monk. You are speaking out of turn… What the hell was I thinking, coming up here? This rickety old tower built by a cheap, crooked maniac... This is madness... I gotta get down... This is all Ed's fault."

Hilda: "Nein. Please, Herr Travers. Do not be zat way. You must take courage from Ed. Not curse zim..."

Greta: "Hilda is right. Do not be so rash... Please stay, for us... Ve are a team!" Travers, noticing their concerned faces and the distracting view of their cleavage as they kneel down to comfort him, managed to take his mind off his anxiety for a moment. He took a deep breath and sighed.

Travers: "Okay... Okay, I'll stay...”

****

Several days had passed since Travers agreed to stay at Walgoth Monastery. The monastery's routine had begun to feel familiar, though the sense of unease lingered.

The morning sun bathed the balcony in a warm, golden glow. Hilda and Greta had taken advantage of the serene morning to sunbathe topless, their relaxed laughter carrying through the still air. Their carefree attitude had attracted a group of monks, who, despite their vows of discipline, couldn't help but watch from the edge of the hall, their curiosity piqued by the unusual sight.

Meanwhile, Travers was in the middle of a guided meditation session with Brother Anselm, a patient and wise monk dedicated to helping him reach a state of "Edlightenment". Brother Anselm's calm voice filled the room, a stark contrast to Travers' restless fidgeting.

Brother Anselm: Focus on your breath, Harris. Inhale deeply, exhale slowly. Let go of your worldly concerns."

Travers, sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, struggled to comply. His mind wandered to a million places.

Travers: "How am I supposed to focus when my ass hurts from sitting like this?"

Brother Anselm: "Edlightenment requires perseverance and discipline. Try to—"

Their session was abruptly interrupted by frantic cries echoing through the hall. Brother Anselm and Travers exchanged curious glances before quickly rising and hurrying toward the source of the commotion.

They arrived at a corridor near the dining hall to find a group of monks huddled around a gruesome scene. A mutilated corpse lay in the corner, the body of a monk savagely torn apart. Blood pooled on the wooden floor, and deep claw marks were visible on the walls and the monk's body.

Herb was already there, examining the body with an uncharacteristically serious expression. He glanced up as Brother Anselm and Travers approached, trying to maintain his usual nonchalance but unable to fully hide his concern.

Brother Anselm: "What happened here?"

One of the monks, pale and trembling, replied.

Monk: "We heard screams and found him like this. It looks like some kind of beast attacked him."

Travers: "A beast? In the monastery?"

Herb, still crouched by the body, examined the claw marks closely.

Herb: "These wounds... they're too precise for a wild animal. Too...deliberate..."

Herb paused and stood up straight.

Herb: "Whatever did this knew exactly how to kill efficiently...I reckon..."

Brother Anselm: "This… This is... unprecedented."

Travers watched Herb carefully, noticing a flicker of something in his eyes—a hint of knowledge that Herb wasn't sharing.

Travers: "Herb, do you know something about this?"

Herb: "Not exactly. But I've seen wounds like these before, in... books... We should focus on finding out what did this and ensuring it doesn't happen again."

Suddenly, a commanding voice cut through the murmur of the gathered monks. It was Brother Thaddeus, a senior monk known for his leadership and wisdom. He stepped forward, his expression stern yet composed.

Brother Thaddeus: "Brothers, sisters, we cannot allow panic to spread. We must act swiftly and decisively. First, we will secure the monastery. Patrols will be doubled, and no one is to travel alone. Brother Anselm, you will lead an investigation into this tragic event."

Brother Anselm: “Yes, Brother Thaddeus. We will start immediately."

Brother Thaddeus: "We must also ensure the safety of our guests. Inform them they are to stay close to the main hall and avoid wandering the corridors alone. Especially the females..."

Brother Anselm nodded again.

With the plan set in motion, the monks dispersed to their assigned tasks, the air thick with tension. Travers, despite his fear, felt a growing determination. The dark secrets of Walgoth Monastery were beginning to surface, and he was right in the middle of it.

****

Days passed, and the serenity of Walgoth Monastery was shattered by a growing wave of fear. The initial shock of the first murder had since given way to a series of similar gruesome deaths. Monks whispered of a demon from the depths, sent to test their resolve. The ancient halls, once filled with the peaceful hum of daily life, now echoed with panic and suspicion.

In an attempt to restore order, Brother Thaddeus had called for an assembly of monks and all visitors in the main hall. The room was filled to capacity, the monks’ faces pale with fear and exhaustion. Some openly wept, while others cast furtive glances at the dark corners of the hall, as if expecting the demonic assailant to leap from the shadows at any moment.

Brother Thaddeus stepped forward, his presence commanding despite the underlying tension.

Brother Thaddeus: "Brothers and sisters, we find ourselves in a time of great trial. There have been rumors and speculations about the nature of these attacks, but let us address the facts… Yes, we have now lost five of our brethren, and yes, the nature of their deaths is deeply troubling. Alas, we have yet to find any suspects during the course of our investigations. But I implore you all, let us not succumb to fear. We have faced challenges before, and we have always emerged stronger."

A murmur of unease rippled through the crowd. Brother Thaddeus raised a hand, calling for silence.

Brother Thaddeus: "Our priority is to ensure the safety of everyone within these walls. Patrols will continue to be doubled, and no one is to travel alone. We are investigating these incidents with utmost urgency, and we will uncover the truth."

A monk near the front, his face flushed with anger, stood up and started shouting.

Monk 1: "This is punishment! Ed has sent a demon to test us because we have lost our way! We must offer a sacrifice to Ed in order to save our community from certain death!"

A number of monks cheered in support. Another monk, standing nearby, dismissed the claim with a wave of his hand.

Monk 2: "Nonsense! This isn't some divine punishment. It's because we allow tourists in here! One of the visitors is clearly the killer! I told you all for years that letting outsiders in was a mistake..."

The hall erupted into chaos as monks began shouting over one another, their fear and frustration boiling over. Brother Thaddeus raised his voice, trying to restore order.

Brother Thaddeus: "Silence! Brothers, we must not turn on each other in these times of crisis! I know the temptation, but we shall not give in to fear..."

Monk 1: "Easy for you to say! None of the senior monks have been killed..."

Travers stood at the back of the hall, flanked by Hilda and Greta. The anxiety in the room was palpable, and even Brother Thaddeus's calm demeanor could not fully dispel it, and it was clear he was losing the audience. Travers leaned in to whisper to the girls.

Travers: "I've got a bad feeling about Herb. He's not here, and he's been acting strange ever since we got to the top. He never goes out in the sunlight, always skulking around in the shadows and the library."

Hilda: "You zink he has something to do with zis?"

Travers: "Maybe. I don't know. But something's off, and he seems to know more about these killings than he's letting on. We need to find out what."

Greta looked conflicted.

Greta: "Herb has been different, ja. But accusing him of zese murders... it's serious. He seems so kind. I cannot believe it… He saved Hilda’s life."

Travers: "I know, but we can't ignore the signs. Just... stay alert. We need to figure out what's really going on."

Brother Thaddeus continued his address, unaware of the conversation taking place at the back of the hall.

Brother Thaddeus: "There have been reports of monks leaving the monastery, unable to face the fear. This is understandable, but abandoning our home will not solve anything. We must stand together, united in our faith and determination."

A young monk stood up, his voice trembling.

Young Monk: "What if it really is a demon, Brother Thaddeus? How can we fight something like that?"

Brother Thaddeus: "We fight it with our faith, our unity, and our courage. This monastery has stood for centuries, and it will continue to stand. But we must be vigilant. We must trust in each other. First, we must ascertain what is responsible before we can figure out how to fight it."

As the assembly continued, the underlying tension remained, but Brother Thaddeus's words offered a small measure of reassurance. Travers, Hilda, and Greta exchanged worried glances, the seeds of doubt and suspicion growing ever stronger.

****

Travers, Greta, and Hilda moved quietly through the shadowy corridors, their footsteps echoing softly against the ancient wooden walls. The tension in the air was palpable as they discretely followed Herb at a distance, trying their best to keep up with him as he seemed to glide through the darkness with unsettling ease. They didn’t know where he was going, but he looked like he was searching the area for something.

They watched as he turned a corner. When they hurried to catch up and rounded the same corner, they found the corridor empty. Confused, they stopped and looked around.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind them.

Herb: "Are you following me?"

They turned to find Herb standing there with a curious half smile, his tone light but his eyes serious.

Travers: "Well, um… ahem. We uh, want to know what you're up to, Herb. The fact of the matter is, you've been acting out of turn ever since we got to the top of the tower. We’ve all noticed and are concerned."

Herb's smile faded, and he sighed.

Herb: "I see. Look, I understand your concerns. We're all under a lot of stress, and...”

Before he could continue, a group of monks emerged from the shadows, their faces twisted with fear and anger. One of them, evidently the group leader, stepped forward.

Monk Leader: "Herb Saunders... You are under arrest..."

Travers looked at the monks in surprise.

Travers: "You were following us?"

The leader monk nodded.

Monk Leader: "We were already had suspicions about him. Then one of our brothers overheard your conversation in the hall… Something about curious behavior, an apparent aversion to sunlight..."

Herb: “Oh, great...”

Herb raised his hands in a placating gesture.

Herb: "Wait a minute, it’s not what you think..."

But the monks, driven by panic and suspicion, closed in on him. They grabbed his arms, attempting to restrain him.

Monk Leader: "Then perhaps we should continue this conversation on the balcony. I'm sure we shall be able to understand the situation better under the warm glow of Ed's almighty sun... "

Herb (shaking his head): "That would be a bad idea."

The monks tightened their grip.

Monk Leader: "Enough talk! Let's get him outside."

Herb sighed deeply, then his expression hardened.

Herb: "Alright...Guess we have to do this the hard way."

In an instant, his demeanor changed. His brow furrowed, casting wrinkly arches that shadowed his now fiery, glowing eyes. His canine teeth extended into sharp fangs. With a sudden burst of strength, he hurled the monks aside as if they were ragdolls. Hilda and Greta gasped in shock, and Travers's eyes widened as he recognized the transformation.

Monk Leader: "He's a monster!"

Travers: "He's a vampire!"

Herb, now fully revealed in his true form, looked at Travers with a mix of regret and determination.

Herb: "It's true, but I'm not here to harm anyone. I'm here to help... I'm trying to stop the real killer..."

But the monks were relentless. Herb had no choice but to leap high into the air, his powerful legs propelling him into the rafters above. He disappeared into the darkness, leaving Travers, Hilda, and Greta standing amidst the chaos.

As the monks continued to search for Herb in vain, Travers turned to the girls, as he began to anxiously try to look at his own neck to check for bite marks.

Travers: "An Ed damn vampire! With us the whole time..."

Greta shook her head, her eyes wide with fear and disbelief.

Greta: "I can't believe zit..."

Hilda: "Ja. I don't understand zit. He saved my life..."

Travers: "I'm not sure that proves anything. He probably just wasn't going to let such an enticing snack go to waste. Wanted to save you for later..."

The Waldoverse continues in The Tower of Walgoth Episode 7