Chapter 22: Return to the Theater
Seeing the others puzzled, Gideon Black explained calmly:
"This is one of Mary Shaw's hiding spots. I'll perform a few more exorcism rites here."
Olivia immediately understood—this priest's "quirk" had kicked in again.
Technically, his method wasn't wrong, but going straight for the source and destroying Mary Shaw's core would clearly be more efficient.
Still, she could empathize. After last night's ordeal, even she had been shaken—Gideon must have been terrified.
So Olivia once again handed him a few protective charms.
Luen, watching this, reached into his pocket as well.
The experience from the night before had taught him a vital lesson: exorcism was dangerous.
From now on, he would stick close to Olivia at all costs.
After the group departed, only Gideon and Huang Ren remained at the cemetery.
Gideon first set up a demon-binding formation around the area. Then, he approached Mary Shaw's grave.
Anyone familiar with American horror tropes would know—even if a monster was defeated, if something remained, like a corpse struck by lightning... they could still come back.
So just relying on a simple rite wasn't enough.
The safest solution?
Dig up the grave.
A strange glint flashed through Gideon's eyes.
—
An hour later, Gideon dusted his hands off, satisfied with his work.
Huang Ren leaned against a mound of dirt, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"So... where to now?"
Gideon rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
According to the original story, Mary Shaw had three lairs: the puppet theater, the cemetery, and the Ashen family estate—specifically the young mistress, who had sacrificed herself to become Mary's vessel.
The first two were dealt with. That left just one.
So the two set off toward the Ashen family manor.
—
Soon, they arrived at a towering Gothic mansion.
Knock knock.
Gideon rapped gently on the door.
It was opened by a young woman with golden curls and striking beauty.
"Oh—it's you. Come in," Ella said, recognizing Huang Ren.
"Edward was just about to ask about the funeral arrangements."
Gideon had to admire her acting skills.
If he hadn't already known Edward Ashen was dead, even he might have believed her.
"Sorry to intrude," Gideon smiled politely.
But as soon as she turned her back, he reached into his robes and pulled out a small stone.
Huang Ren stared in surprise.
Then Gideon, eyes locked on Ella's neck, reached out silently...
---
Meanwhile, at the Puppet Theater...
Olivia and the others arrived at the haunted venue.
For safety, they'd left Henry and his wife behind.
The moment they entered, Olivia shivered.
The place felt even colder than before—eerier, somehow.
All three of them sensed... someone—or something—was watching.
"Let's split up and look for puppets. If you find anything, alert the others," Olivia suggested.
It sounded reasonable.
But Luen immediately shook his head like a rattle drum. No way was he going solo again.
Jamie wasn't quite as fearful, but seeing Luen's reluctance, he looked toward Olivia and stayed quiet.
With a sigh, she abandoned the idea of splitting up.
After ten minutes of searching, they reached the backstage area, where a narrow corridor led into a side room.
Olivia remembered it clearly—this was where those two priests had hauled in gasoline last time.
She had checked it before... but found nothing useful.
Now, entering again, they saw familiar sights: broken puppets, old schematics on the floor.
It all seemed the same—until Olivia spotted something new.
Fresh puppet parts. Recently crafted.
Following the trail, the group found a hidden chamber.
Along one wall stood a wooden cabinet filled with dozens of lifelike puppets.
As they stared at the puppets... the puppets stared back.
The air grew thick with tension.
Olivia quickly pulled out her exorcist's Bible.
But before she could read a word, a fake puppet head flew from the darkness and knocked the holy book from her hands.
Immediately, the three were flung around the room by an unseen force.
Luen was slashed by a flying shard of glass—blood trickled down his arm.
Jamie, airborne, hurtled toward a jagged iron rod—seconds from being impaled through the skull.
At the last moment, Olivia yanked him aside.
Now holding a sacred relic, she blocked the force that was attacking them.
She regrouped the team, pulling Luen back.
Just as they caught their breath, everything in the room began levitating and launched itself at them in a chaotic barrage.
Unable to hold their ground, they retreated—racing toward the iron bridge prop they'd used to enter earlier.
"You all deserve to die!"
Mary Shaw's voice echoed throughout the theater.
Without hesitation, the trio scrambled up the bridge.
But they didn't notice the bolt on one beam—slowly unscrewing itself.
Olivia's foot slipped, and she saw it.
Her heart stopped.
Click.
The bolt dropped.
Weightlessness.
She instinctively stifled a scream—bracing for collapse—
—but the bridge only wobbled, then steadied.
She looked up and saw one end had been reinforced with bricks.
A memory flashed: Gideon, hammer in hand, pounding nails into the set.
He had reinforced the bridge.
"Thank God..."
Wasting no time, Olivia scrambled up and pulled the others to safety.
Meanwhile, deep inside the theater, Mary Shaw was stunned.
She realized something was wrong.
"Damn it!"
Furious, she hurled a rod at the bridge—but it only left a dent and revealed a charm nailed to the base.
---
The group neared the exit.
Luen staggered, pale and weak.
"Please... tell my father I didn't disgrace him," he whispered.
"No—we're getting you to a hospital," Olivia said, panicked.
But the town was still a ways off, and the nearest hospital even farther.
Suddenly, she remembered something.
In Jamie's confusion, Olivia sprinted to a nearby pile of debris and dug through it.
Moments later, she pulled out a first-aid kit.
One Gideon had buried earlier, just in case.
Jamie was in awe. Was this woman a mage?
Olivia silently thanked Gideon's foresight and quickly treated Luen's wounds.
But even as she worked, a thick black mist oozed from the theater walls.
She tried to raise her relic—only to find it had gone inert.
Mary Shaw was back—with her puppets.
---
Not long after...
"Hey! Luen! Jamie! Wake up!"
Olivia groaned, slowly turning her head to look around.
The three of them were bound to chairs.
Surrounded by wooden scaffolds stacked with tools.
Olivia tried to remember—after inhaling the black mist, her consciousness had faded.
Now she was here.
A chilling laugh echoed through the room.
Olivia turned—and saw Mary Shaw.
"You destroyed my children," the spirit hissed.
"Now, you'll take their place."
She picked up a knife and approached the unconscious Luen.
"No..."
Olivia thrashed in her restraints, eyes wide with terror.
The cold blade pressed against Luen's face.
The chill made him stir.
He opened his eyes—and gasped.
"Ah..."
Too stunned to scream, he instinctively shut his mouth tight—his pants already soaked.
Mary Shaw gripped his head, lining up the blade.
Luen squeezed his eyes shut in despair.
But just before she struck...
A sound.
From outside.
Music?
Brass fanfare. Deep strings. A gentle, rising melody.
Mary Shaw blinked.
She recognized it—it was the Fourth Movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony: Ode to Joy.
A celebration of humanity, unity, and love.
But to an evil spirit like her...
It was unbearable.
Grating, vile, infuriating.
At the theater entrance, Gideon Black placed a speaker on the doorstep.