— A Chain of Fatal Anomalies —
A palpable chill lingered in Michael's voice as he recounted the young monk's description of the abbot's death. "The master's body... it was coiled with nine venomous snakes."
Silence hung heavily in the room for a moment. Suppressing my own sense of dread, I broke the quiet. "And the construction site? What happened after that?"
Michael took a deep breath, his voice leveling out but gaining a heavier, more somber tone.
"After I came back, the incidents started piling up." He paused. "The first was the excavator operator who saw the giant serpent. They found him dead on the site... with half of a serpent still protruding from his mouth, its body slack and glistening with saliva."
Clara drew a sharp, quiet breath and edged closer to her mother.
"The police arrived and pulled the other half from his throat," Michael continued, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "According to the officers... the part they pulled out was still moving."
An involuntary shiver passed through everyone present.
"Then the second driver," Michael went on. "He claimed he dreamt his wife was being assaulted. He rushed home and actually found someone attacking her. He fought the man, but was kicked down a flight of stairs... died on impact. The third was even more bizarre—said to have died from a sudden heart attack. Thirty-three years old, and supposedly in perfect health."
He looked up, meeting my gaze. "All three were excavator operators. Not all died on the site, but the pattern... it's too peculiar to be coincidence."
"What about the other workers?" I asked.
"The workers are terrified," Michael said with a grimace. "Word spread that the land is sacred, that building the reservoir angered the spirits dwelling there, and this is their retribution. With so many deaths, the panic was palpable. I had to shut down the operation. I couldn't justify risking more lives for a project."
He glanced at his phone on the table, shaking his head in resignation. "But the government officials call every few days, demanding updates. Today is January 8th. hey insist it's an officially approved 'lucky date' to resume work. I've made excuses, but the call I just received... it was an ultimatum. If work doesn't restart by January 16th, they'll find another contractor."
He sighed, his voice sinking lower. "I've already excavated nearly ten meters deep. I've sunk everything I have into this project—money, manpower, favors. If I walk away now, I'm finished.I won't even have the money to pay the workers. Selling our house might not cover the debts."
He rubbed his temples. "And beyond the financial ruin... my reputation in this line of work would be finished. I'd have made powerful enemies."
Finished, Michael looked drained. His wife reached over and gave his shoulder a gentle, comforting pat.
After a moment of heavy silence, he spoke again, contrition in his tone. "I know this isn't the appropriate setting for this... and if I needed to ask for your help, I should have come to you formally. But I'm just... I'm at my wit's end."
"Please, don't mention it," I interjected gently. "You're Clara's family, which makes you family to me as well. Speak freely. There's no need for formality."
Michael offered a weak, grateful smile. "Of course, of course. I don't consider you an outsider."
---
— A Seal Beneath the Site —
It was then that Edward, who had been listening intently, turned to me. "Rhan, we were just discussing who to approach about this matter. And then you arrived... as if fate intervened. Do you think... could you take a look? The compensation, of course, would be as per your usual terms."
"This isn't about money," I said, shifting my focus back to Michael. "Uncle Michael, I have another question. When that large serpent vanished, did it burrow into the earth, or did it slither away above ground?"
"It burrowed. Disappeared into a large hole in the ground."
I nodded slowly, pieces clicking into place. "I suspect the appearance of the snakes was a warning. That site might be suppressing something. The snakes were a sign, telling you to stop digging. First the smaller ones, then a larger one as you went deeper. The fact that so many manifested... whatever lies beneath must be formidable."
"Suppressing?" The word caused a ripple of surprise among them.
"Yes," I continued measuredly. " In ancient times, people with occult knowledge often sealed away dangerous entities deep within the earth or in mountain caves. Based on your account, that seems a distinct possibility."
"So... does that mean the project is impossible? That I can't proceed?"
Instead of answering directly, I posed another question. "Uncle Michael, you mentioned the site is a dam reservoir. How long has the water been there? Has it held water since ancient times?"
"Yes," he confirmed. "According to the local elders, that place has always been a source of water, irrigating the surrounding fields for generations."
A thoughtful look crossed my face. "That makes sense. The constant presence of water likely helped stabilize whatever containment was in place. Now that the reservoir is dry, the system maintaining the seal is failing. In other words, whether you develop the site or not, whatever is sealed there is likely nearing its release. The water itself was probably part of the containment."
Michael paled. "So regardless of what I do, this... thing... is coming out?"
"Based on my interpretation, yes. But of course, theory and reality can differ. I'd need to see the place for myself to be sure."
"You're right. We won't know until we see it for ourselves." A spark of hope ignited in Michael's weary expression. "Rhan, does this mean you'll..."
"I can go and take a look. Whether I can deal with it or not, I'll only know after the assessment."
"Good! That's excellent!" Relief washed over Michael. He impulsively reached for his teacup as if to toast, then remembered it wasn't alcohol. Setting it down, he turned to his wife. "Fetch my bottle of whiskey. I must share a proper drink with Rhan."
"Uncle Michael, the drink can wait," I said, raising a hand. "We should leave after the meal. Matters like this are best dealt with swiftly. Every day we delay increases the risk. We have no idea what's truly confined down there."
The gratitude in Michael's eyes was unmistakable.
Just then, Clara spoke up softly, a hint of shyness in her voice. "Dad... I'd like to go with Rhan and Uncle Michael. I want to see what's really happening there."
All eyes turned to her. After a beat, Edward chuckled. "Ha! This girl. Want to go? Then go! Who am I to stop you?"
Clara's mother nudged her husband with an elbow, shooting him a glance before turning a reproachful yet fond look his way.
"What kind of talk is that? This is serious business, not a sightseeing trip. We should ask Rhan's opinion."
She then faced me, her expression warm and apologetic.
"Rhan, our Clara has always been too curious for her own good. We might have sheltered her too much, and now at her age, she's eager to experience the world. It might do her good to accompany you and learn something... but would her presence be a hindrance?"
I looked at Clara. Her eyes were wide with hopeful anticipation. The situation undoubtedly held danger, but their words made their wish clear. It would be discourteous to refuse. "A hindrance, no. But there could be genuine danger involved."
"That's life," Edward stated plainly, his tone philosophical. "No one gets through it on a perfectly smooth road. A few bumps and scrapes, a little hardship—it's all part of the journey. If she doesn't face challenges now, how will she weather the storms of the wider world later?"
A rather enlightened perspective for a father, I noted. Many would shield their children from any potential harm.
So it was settled. Clara would come with us. We would depart right after the meal.
Once we finished eating, I made a call to Jasper, telling him to get ready. He'd be coming with us.