Episode 4: The Crimson Warning
Aarav stood frozen in the doorway, staring at the woman before him. Maya Collins was soaked from the storm, her black raincoat dripping, her breath short.
"You must be Aarav Mehta," she said again. "I've been trying to reach you. We need to talk. Now."
He nodded slowly and stepped aside, letting her in. The manor seemed to react to her presence — the candlelight flickered, and a sudden groan echoed from upstairs.
"This place doesn't like visitors," she said, glancing around.
Aarav offered her a towel, and she began drying her hands. Her eyes scanned the room sharply, noting every detail — the diary on the table, the open box, the pendant.
"So you've already found it," she whispered.
"The Eye."
The Revelation
They sat in the study, the storm still raging outside. Aarav poured hot tea as Maya unfolded a weathered journal from her bag. On the front, in black ink, was written:
"The Crimson Eye: A History of the Forgotten Cult of Ravendale."
"My grandmother used to work in this house as a maid," Maya began. "She died before she could tell me everything. But she left behind notes, and I've been researching ever since."
She opened the journal and pointed to a symbol: the same eye with thorns that Aarav had seen in the pendant.
"The Crimson Eye was a secret cult formed by Ambrose Blackthorn. They believed they could open a gate to the other side — to eternity — through a ritual involving sacrifice, mirrors, and blood."
Aarav leaned in.
"Eleanor tried to stop them. She hid the pendant. She left warnings in her diary."
Maya nodded.
"Yes. But it's not that simple. The Crimson Eye wasn't just Ambrose. Others in the town were involved. Some say they still are."
The Warning
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed from upstairs — like furniture had been thrown.
Aarav and Maya froze.
"That came from the attic," Aarav said.
"We're not going up there," Maya replied sharply. "Not yet. Not without a protection sigil."
"A what?" Aarav raised an eyebrow.
Maya opened her journal again and showed him a drawing — a circle with four ancient symbols, each representing a guardian element.
"It's part of an old warding ritual. Not powerful magic, just… protection against possession, voices, manipulation."
Aarav hesitated. "So you believe this is real?"
She looked him in the eye.
"You do too. Otherwise, you wouldn't have opened that box."
Just then, a gust of cold air swept through the room, extinguishing the candle.
From upstairs, something whispered:
"You're too late…"
A Message in Blood
Aarav lit the candle again. When the flame returned, both of them stared in shock at the wall.
A message had appeared in dripping red letters, as if scrawled in fresh blood:
"THE BLOOD MOON RISES."
Maya whispered, almost to herself:
"No… it can't be so soon…"
Aarav's voice was steady, but his hands trembled.
"What happens when it does?"
Maya looked at him. Her answer chilled him to the core.
"That's when the gate opens. And if we don't stop it — the dead won't stay dead anymore."