Eerie Tales #1: Eerie Tales, #1

By Jessup Carnavon

Eerie Tales #1, featuring the best in dark fantasy, horror, and sword and sorcery! In this issue:

"The Speakeasy of Secrets": in the shadow-draped halls of the DeLacroix mansion, Professor Necrofelis and Miss Coffin are entwined in a deadly game of power and deception. The Heart of Shadows beckons, its dark allure threatening to consume them all.

"The Last Diner on Route Nowhere": a mother and son's road trip takes a detour into dread at a seemingly ordinary diner. The eerie staff and otherworldly menu lead them to a decision that will end in a feast for one.

In the first installment of the serial "Shadows of Arktos": Elranna, a fisherwoman, finds herself in the clutches of the cruel Queen Hymtralla.

"The Campaign":  discover how the clash between the free-spirited teens and the traditional country club ladies escalates into a battle of beliefs, with heavy metal and Dungeons & Dragons at the heart of the controversy.

In the first installment of the serial "Voyage to Shadow Island": Alex stumbles upon a mysterious book that reveals the existence of Shadow Island, a fragmented dimension filled with dark fairy tales and twisted beings. His obsession with the island leads him on a journey beyond the veil of reality.

"Whispers of the Mystic Grove": Zephyr the cheetah and Bramble the bear unite in a daring quest to steal a legendary treasure from the serpent wizard Ssylar, facing enchanted guardians and testing their speed and strength against dark magic.

And in the full-length epic, "The Anthem of Achamudz": Discover the chilling journey of a college freshman whose terrifying dream of the monstrous Achamudz sets off a chain of events that could unravel the fabric of reality.

 

Wonder and terror await!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessup Carnavon
• Release date: Apr 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224302925

Book preview

Table of Contents

1. THE SPEAKEASY OF SECRETS

2. THE LAST DINER ON ROUTE NOWHERE

3. SHADOWS OF ARKTOS: CHAPTER 1

4. SHADOWS OF ARKTOS: CHAPTER 2

5. SHADOWS OF ARKTOS: CHAPTER 3

6. SHADOWS OF AKRTOS: CHAPTER 4

7. SHADOWS OF ARKTOS:CHAPTER 5

8. THE CAMPAIGN

9. VOYAGE TO SHADOW ISLAND: CHAPTER 1

10. VOYAGE TO SHADOW ISLAND: CHAPTER 2

11. VOYAGE TO SHADOW ISLAND: CHAPTER 3

12. VOYAGE TO SHADOW ISLAND: CHAPTER 4

13. VOYAGE TO SHADOW ISLAND: CHAPTER 5

14. WHISPERS OF THE MYSTIC GROVE

15. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 1

16. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 2

17. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 3

18. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 4

19. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 5

20. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 6

21. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 7

22. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 8

23. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 9

24. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 10

25. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 11

26. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 12

27. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 13

28. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 14

29. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 15

30. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 16

31. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 17

32. THE ANTHEM OF ACHAMUDZ: CHAPTER 18

1. THE SPEAKEASY OF SECRETS

Under the watchful eye of the crescent moon, Professor Necrofelis and Miss Coffin approached the imposing iron gates of the DeLacroix mansion, an opulent relic hidden within the overgrown embrace of ivy and shadow. The mansion, a masterpiece of gothic architecture, loomed like a specter from the past, its windows flickering with candlelight.

Professor, Miss Coffin whispered, her voice a blend of excitement and apprehension, are you certain we should trust this invitation? It’s most unusual for Madame DeLacroix to seek outside help.

Necrofelis adjusted his monocle, his gaze fixed on the towering facade. My dear Miss Coffin, curiosity has always been our guide, and where it leads, we must follow. Besides, Isabella DeLacroix is not one to be ignored.

The gates creaked open as if responding to his words, and they proceeded along the gravel path, their steps echoing in the still night. The grand entrance awaited, its doors flanked by gargoyles that seemed to scrutinize the newcomers.

Inside, the mansion was a world apart, brimming with antiques and velvet draperies that whispered tales of forgotten eras. They were greeted by a butler, his face as expressionless as the marble statues lining the hall.

Madame DeLacroix is expecting you, he intoned, leading them through a labyrinth of corridors to a lavishly decorated drawing room. There, before a roaring fireplace, stood Isabella DeLacroix. She was the epitome of 1920s glamour, her sleek black dress hugging her figure, her dark eyes sparkling with an enigmatic allure.

Professor Necrofelis, Miss Coffin, how delightful to finally meet the minds behind the legends, Isabella purred, extending a gloved hand. I trust the night treated you kindly?

Indeed, Madame, Necrofelis replied, bowing slightly. Your invitation was most intriguing. What is it that you seek from us?

Isabella’s lips curled into a sly smile as she motioned for them to sit. Direct and to the point, I like that. I require your expertise for a matter of... delicate retrieval. An artifact of considerable power and questionable legacy is rumored to reside within the walls of a certain speakeasy in downtown New York.

Miss Coffin leaned forward, her interest piqued. What sort of artifact are we talking about?

The Heart of Shadows, Isabella said, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. An ancient relic believed to possess the ability to command the very essence of darkness. Its powers are not to be taken lightly.

And you wish us to retrieve it? Necrofelis asked, his mind already racing with the possibilities and dangers such an object presented.

Precisely, Isabella confirmed, her eyes gleaming. I would, of course, make it worth your while. The DeLacroix resources are quite... extensive.

The professor exchanged a glance with Miss Coffin, sensing the weight of the decision. Madame DeLacroix, we accept your commission. But be warned, we operate on our own terms and the path we tread is often fraught with peril.

Isabella’s smile widened, revealing a hint of victory. Excellent. I had no doubt you would accept, Professor. After all, how could you resist the allure of the unknown?

As the details of the plan were laid out, the night grew deeper, and the shadows in the corners of the room seemed to dance with anticipation. The adventure was set, and the stakes were higher than ever.

*

The speakeasy, known only to the initiated as The Velvet Chalice, was nestled in an unassuming alleyway in downtown New York. Its entrance was concealed behind a nondescript door, guarded by a man whose eyes held centuries of secrets. Tonight, it thrummed with an undercurrent of arcane energy, its usual clandestine ambiance transformed into a grand masquerade ball, where the occult elite of the city converged.

Disguised in ornate masks, Professor Necrofelis and Miss Coffin melded into the throng of masked revelers. Necrofelis wore a mask of an Egyptian pharaoh, his suit tailored to match the grandiosity of his guise, while Miss Coffin donned the guise of a raven, her dress a cascade of shimmering black feathers that rustled softly with each step.

Remember, Miss Coffin, we must blend in yet remain vigilant. The Heart of Shadows is close, Necrofelis whispered, his eyes scanning the room for signs of the artifact.

The speakeasy was a labyrinth of decadence and mystery, with velvet curtains separating various chambers where guests engaged in whispered conversations, their words laced with magical jargon and cryptic references. Chandeliers cast a dim glow, illuminating faces hidden behind masks of mythic creatures and historical figures, their identities shrouded in anonymity.

As they navigated through the crowd, Miss Coffin’s attention was drawn to a series of symbols etched discreetly along the molding of the room’s ornate ceiling. Professor, look above. Those symbols, they’re not mere decorations. They’re part of a larger sigil. I suspect it’s a map or a clue to the relic’s location.

Necrofelis peered upwards, his keen eyes tracing the intricate designs. Astute observation, Miss Coffin. This is no ordinary gathering. It’s a conclave of the occult, and these symbols are the key.

They danced, not just to the haunting melodies played by a masked quartet but with the very essence of danger itself, each step and turn a calculated move to observe and decipher the hidden truths around them.

At one point, Necrofelis found himself partnered with a woman whose mask bore the silver likeness of a moon goddess. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, seemed to pierce through his disguise. Your aura is unfamiliar, sir. Pray tell, under which star were you born?

Without missing a beat, Necrofelis responded, Under the star that favors the bold and curious, madam. And I venture to say, you were born under a moon that reveals only what it must.

A flicker of amusement crossed her eyes before she drifted back into the crowd, her suspicions momentarily assuaged.

Meanwhile, Miss Coffin engaged in a dance with a tall figure clad in a mask of Anubis. Your garb is most fitting for a night such as this, she remarked, steering the