Shadows of London: 3-13 The Saint's Demise

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Doctor Grey appears as planned. But why did things turn out like this?

Info

Style: No dress-up component Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1

Dialogue Choices

To unlock this stage:

• Either
  • Choose There's something else I need you to do in Shadows of London: 3-9 Return to the Opera House
  • and Play Shadows of London: 3-11 Shakespeare at Night
• or
  • Choose Would you do it? in Shadows of London: 3-9 Return to the Opera House
  • and then Choose Don't trust the Elder in Shadows of London: 3-11 Shakespeare at Night

Transcript

Expand for script.

• The sound of thunderous rumbles fills my ears. All I can see is darkness and rain.
• Something heavy weighs down on me, and the smell of decay and burnt stench fills my nostrils and mouth.
• For a few seconds, I find myself unsure of where I am and what's happened.
• I instinctively turn my head and come face to face with a pair of blank crimson eyes, staring at me intently.
• William Akerman: ...

• You: Ah!

• I let out a scream and kick my legs, desperately trying to escape from that terrifying face.
• Roger Evans: Caroline! Don't worry, he's already dead.

• You: Roger!

• Roger ruthlessly kicks aside the body that is weighing me down, freeing me from its grasp.
• Though rough, his action brings me a sense of security.
• I muster up the courage to take a closer look, and notice that the Elder's complexion has turned ashen... just like the Baroness.
• Roger Evans: See, there's no need to be afraid. Go find Priscilla.

• Roger Evans: I need to clean up this scene before anyone else arrives.

• My nerves haven't settled just yet. I flee the scene in a daze, trembling all over.
• Priscilla Barnet: Caroline! Are you okay?

• Priscilla hurriedly drapes a thick cloak over me. She gasps at the sight of my face and quickly pulls out a handkerchief to help me wipe it clean.
• The handkerchief, scented with soap, quickly becomes stained with something charred and black. I recognize it as rotting flesh and instantly feel a wave of nausea.
• You: It's okay, Priscilla. I'll do it myself.

• But she stubbornly continues to wipe my face, then throws the handkerchief into the distant pond.
• Priscilla Barnet: I keep telling my mother to stop buying these flashy and impractical Parisian goods, but she never listens.

• Priscilla Barnet: Finally, I've got an excuse to get rid of it.

• I chuckle briefly, knowing that Priscilla intentionally said this to alleviate my fears.
• You: Where is Doctor Grey?

• Priscilla Barnet: Uh, he's--

• Priscilla Barnet: ...what are you doing?

• She leads me around a corner, and the scene before us takes our breath away.

• Standing before us in the rain is not the Doctor Grey who saves lives, but Edward Grey, the vampire hunter exuding a chilling aura.
• His revolver is already loaded and his hand is steadily pointing it at his target.
• And his target is...
• Jesse Lindvall: Ah...

• Edward Grey: Mr. Savile, please step aside.

• Vincent Savile: ...

• Vincent stares at him cautiously. He does not move, but angles his body slightly to better shield Jesse.
• Jesse, who is under his protection, gasps for breath and trembles, occasionally emitting beast-like roars, as if his whole body is enduring unbearable agony.
• Edward Grey: I'm warning you again, Vincent. Step aside.

• Edward Grey: It can no longer control itself.

• Edward Grey: If you don't get out of the way, I won't mind killing two vampires at once.

• Vincent Savile: Jesse is just having some trouble adjusting to having been suddenly freed from his blood bond.

• Vincent Savile: Give him some time, and he will be able to control himself.

• Vincent says this calmly, while keeping his fingers pressed against Jesse's neck. It's clear that he's not entirely confident in his own words.
• You: (The Elder is dead and though Jesse was freed from his blood bond... Vincent was too.)

• You: (And he was bound for half a century!)

• I notice Vincent's other hand trembling slightly but he is trying hard to restrain it. He's clearly also suffering from being freed from the blood bond.
• A well-trained vampire hunter would never overlook this.
• Edward Grey: Vincent Savile, I admire your loyalty.

• Edward Grey: Evil must not be allowed to persist. Sins must be repaid. Its actions have crossed the line, and there must be consequences.
• Doctor Grey's voice is different from usual, as if it were a string that could snap at any moment. His finger tightens on the trigger.

• You: No! Stop!

• I rush forward without hesitation and shove the muzzle away.
• The bullet whizzes to the muddy ground, splashing up dirty water.
• Edward Grey: What are you doing, Miss Rayes?

• You: What are you doing, Doctor Grey? Are you really going to shoot Jesse?

• You: Look at him! It's Jesse, who you've taken care of and protected!

• Edward Grey: ...No, it isn't.

• You: !

• Veins bulge on Doctor Grey's neck, as if he's fighting against himself with all his might.
• Edward Grey: That vampire has crossed the line and must be eliminated.

• His cold unblinking eyes are fixed on Jesse. The mechanical and inhuman expression on his face terrifies me.
• You: Calm down, Doctor Grey. The Elder is dead, and your mission is now complete.

• Edward Grey: My mission?

• He shifts his gaze towards me, his eyes finally filled with emotions... namely hatred and anger!
• Edward Grey: I am not your subordinate, Miss Caroline Rayes. Please do not arbitrarily decide my mission.

• Edward Grey: When you asked Mr. Evans to deliver a message to me, did you think I would just be a knight subservient to your beck and call?

• You: I, I didn't...

• Edward Grey: There are certain things you shouldn't say to me. I've warned you before.

• Edward Grey: Why must I be forced to fulfill my duties?

• He suddenly turns his revolver on me. The gun barrel, which has already been fired twice, is still smoking hot, and I can feel its heat even from an inch away.
• Priscilla lets out a short scream. My vision is then blocked by a dark shadow.

• Vincent Savile: Don't touch her!

• Vincent once again buries my face into his icy chest and swiftly carries me away from the revolver's range.
• I hear another gunshot, followed by Jesse's tearful plea.
• Jesse Lindvall: Edward! Edward—please, listen to me!

• The sound of the two struggling together is accompanied by Doctor Grey's heavy breathing and Jesse's painful gasps.
• Until suddenly, tall flames instantly seize everyone's attention.

• The carriage is on fire, and the horses have been set free.
• Roger jumps down from the carriage, patting the dust off his hands with satisfaction.
• The flames shoot up high, burning fiercely. This isn't a normal fire at all.
• Vincent Savile: Brimstone fire...

• You: Brimstone fire?

• Vincent Savile: It's fire produced by setting undying blood aflame. It's the only way to destroy a vampire's body.

• I look at the carriage again. All that's left is its frame.
• You can still vaguely see something charred within, but it has long lost its human form.
• Roger Evans: See that? It's gone now.

• You: ("It"?)

• I suddenly notice that Roger and Doctor Grey are using the same eerie pronouns.
• Roger Evans: Whether it's Irad the Elder, the leader of the London clan, or William Akerman, the head of the vampire hunters...

• You: ("Vampire hunter"?)

• Roger Evans: It's gone, Edward Akerman.

• You: (Edward Akerman?!)

• Everything seems to click together in my mind. We all instinctively turn our gaze towards Doctor Grey, who stands frozen in place.
• At this moment, Doctor Grey looks more like someone who's been just freed from a blood bond than Jesse does.
• He gazes at the chaotic flames, his face cast in constantly shifting shadows, as if his features are also distorted.
• Immediately, the wicked brimstone fire dims and transforms into ordinary flames, which are swiftly extinguished by the night rain.
• The firelight fades, and everything becomes even darker. I can barely make out Doctor Grey's face, only able to hear his deep voice.
• Edward Grey: Let go of me, Jesse.

• Jesse Lindvall: Edward...

• His voice is no longer as unusual as before. It has regained the rationality and calmness that I am familiar with in Edward Grey.
• But at the same time, it feels distant and alienated.
• Priscilla Barnet: What's going on, Roger? Why did you call him Edward Akerman?

• Priscilla Barnet: And you, Doctor Grey! You actually pointed a gun at Caroline! Are you out of your mind?!

• You: Priscilla, please, let's not talk about this right now.

• Roger Evans: No, Caroline, I think now's a good time to talk about all of this. It's time to wrap this all up.

• Roger appears to be speaking to me, but his sharp gaze remains fixed on Doctor Grey.
• Roger Evans: I mentioned before that I spent a few months at Pastor William Akerman's almshouse, working as his assistant.

• Roger Evans: But I wasn't the first child to hold such a position.

• Roger Evans: Pastor William's foster son, whom he had placed great hopes on, ran away, so he had no choice but to find someone else.

• Roger Evans: I'm not the one he really wanted to train, nor the one who discovered the almshouse's secret.

• Roger Evans: It was you, Edward Akerman. You are the vampire hunter who knew about all this evil from the very beginning.

• Jesse Lindvall: !

• Jesse trembles, looking at Doctor Grey in disbelief.
• Jesse Lindvall: Vampire hunter... Edward, you...

• Doctor Grey lowers his revolver.
• Jesse is still clinging onto his jacket, but Doctor Grey coldly snatches it out of his grasp.
• He keeps his gaze lowered, never once glancing at Jesse.
• Edward Grey: Yes, William Akerman was my foster father. But he passed away thirteen years ago.

• Edward Grey: What I killed tonight was no human, but a vampire Elder who took a human's body as his vessel. I have a clear conscience.

• Edward Grey: Monsters like vampires should have never come to exist.

• You: Doctor Grey!

• It certainly is his duty to kill vampires as a vampire hunter. But to say this in front of Jesse!
• You: How could you... How dare you!

• Anger burns within me like brimstone fire, almost consuming my sanity. At this moment, Jesse's calm voice suddenly restrains me.
• Jesse Lindvall: It's okay, Caroline. At least I finally understand.

• Jesse Lindvall: Why did Edward did that back then.

• You: Back then?

• Jesse takes a step back, a hint of a self-deprecating smile on his face. He turns to look at the pile of ashes, where no traces of bone now remain.
• Jesse Lindvall: The Elder was right. I have nowhere to go. Nowhere to go...

• ???: Save me... Save me... Let me out!...

• ???: What on earth is happening...

• Edward Grey: ...

• Jesse Lindvall: ! Urgh! Finally... Edward! Thank goodness...

• Edward Grey: ...

• Jesse Lindvall: Is this a graveyard? Why am I in a graveyard? Wait, I think I remember being...

• Jesse Lindvall: Ugh! I'm in pain... so thirsty.... my throat feels like it's on fire!

• Jesse Lindvall: I want some water, Edward. Do you have any? Just a little bit will do!

• Edward Grey: ...

• Jesse Lindvall: Edward? What's wrong with you... I feel terrible. Could you get me some water?

• Jesse Lindvall: ...Edward?

• Big brother... I feel terrible. Is there any water?
• It feels like I'm on fire... Could you get me some water?
• Those young pleas echo in his ears once again. That voice... it's the one he hears when he's alone, when the night's dark and dawn has just broken.
• He's been haunted by this voice for many years now, until he met a frail and sickly man with golden hair, and his nightmares came to an end.
• But in the end, fate had the same plans.
• Jesse Lindvall: Edward?

• Don't call me by my name.
• Jesse Lindvall: What's wrong? You look pale.

• Don't look at me like that.
• Jesse Lindvall: Edward... Are you crying?

• Stop pretending to be him, you monster!

• William Akerman: I did not expect this.

• Jesse Lindvall: ...

• William Akerman: A silver bullet? Did you encounter a vampire hunter? Just a neonate and you've already had such terrible luck.

• William Akerman: No, I take that back. You're lucky. The bullet didn't hit anything vital.

• William Akerman: Did you dodge it or were you spared?

• Jesse Lindvall: ...

• William Akerman: You should understand by now that you have nowhere to go. There is no place for you in the human world.

• William Akerman: But I will always be magnanimous. ...Are you thirsty, my poor child? Your throat must feel like it's on fire.

• William Akerman: Open your mouth. You'll feel better soon.

• Jesse Lindvall: !

• William Akerman: Come on, my dear child.

• William Akerman: Follow me, pledge your loyalty to me, and obey me. Come share in the glory of the Blood Clan with me, Jesse Lindvall.

• Everything has grown quiet. All I can hear is the sound of raindrops and crackling embers.
• It takes a long time before I hear my own voice.
• You: Why...

• My body seems to have lost the strength to stand. Vincent supports me with his cold hands.
• His chest, devoid of warmth, steadies me, allowing me to utter the words that follow.
• You: If... if you had helped Jesse back then... things wouldn't have turned out like this...

• You: Jesse didn't have to be bound to the Elder... He could live peacefully among humans...

• You: Why did you abandon him, Edward Grey?

• Vincent Savile: Caroline!

• If it weren't for Vincent stopping me, I would have rushed right up to Doctor Grey.
• Vincent Savile: Caroline, calm down! There's no point in pursuing these matters now—

• Edward Grey: Why, you ask, Miss Rayes?

• Edward Grey gazes at me with indifference.
• Edward Grey: Because humans and vampires are enemies by nature. I've told you this countless times, but you still don't understand.

• Edward Grey: You are obsessed with some sporadic actions, holding on to childish dreams, and believe that the power of love and will can overcome instinct.

• Edward Grey: To tell you the truth, I absolutely despise such romantic gambles.

• You: What romantic gambles—

• Edward Grey: Do you still remember your coachman?

• You: !

• Edward Grey: The police officer who got killed by ghouls while trying to protect you. The noble youths turned by the Baroness.

• Edward Grey: The victims of the graveyard incident. Ordinary people who are treated as livestock by vampires. Lone travelers attacked late at night.

• Edward Grey: Are they not innocents, Caroline Rayes?

• His roar forces me to take two steps back. My lips tremble, and I find myself unable to argue back.
• Edward Grey: Vampires shouldn't exist in this world. Without them, there would be no such victims!

• Edward Grey: Yet you told me that "you believe in a person's character more than what "species" they are", as if it's easy for them to suppress their instincts.

• Edward Grey: Can you survive if you go without food or drink? Why are you so certain that vampires can survive without drinking blood?

• Edward Grey: Even if you've met one or two "saints" among vampires, can you really assume that all of them are?

• Vincent Savile: That's enough, Edward Grey.

• Vincent Savile: Please refrain from stating such opinions as facts. Both you and Caroline are humans.

• Vincent Savile: Whether you believe, out of naivety, that we can control our instincts easily, or insist that we cannot...

• Vincent Savile: To us vampires, all of this is nothing more than human arrogance driven by wishful thinking.

• His words are calm and low, carrying a nonchalant air as if he has witnessed the vicissitudes of the world for centuries.
• Vincent Savile: I don't blame you. You're a vampire hunter, so it's only natural for you to slay us. That's your calling.

• Vincent Savile: Of course, we vampires won't just sit idly by and wait to be killed.

• Vincent Savile: Yes, the war between humans and vampires may never end. But...

• Vincent Savile: You have no right to prevent humans and vampires from mingling and coexisting.

• Vincent Savile: Just like how Caroline's parents once did.

• I look up at Vincent. His lowered gaze gives me infinite trust and affirmation.
• He said my views were naive, but his bitter smile and longing proves that he is willing to join me in this naivety.
• Humans and vampires... mingling and coexisting.
• That was the dream my parents pursued, and paid for with their lives.
• Chaotic footsteps sound in the distance, interspersed with familiar sharp whistles.

• Priscilla Barnet: Scotland Yard!

• You: Why are they here?

• Roger swiftly pulls me out of Vincent's arms and hands me over to Priscilla decisively.
• Roger Evans: Move quickly!

• Vincent Savile: ...

• Momentarily confused, I look to Vincent for help. He glances at me before turning to speak with Roger.
• Vincent Savile: I'll entrust Caroline to you.

• Roger Evans: Right. Don't worry.

• Vincent immediately grabs Jesse's shoulders.
• Jesse Lindvall: Eh?

• Roger Evans: It's best if you insignificant vampires don't show up in front of Scotland Yard. Otherwise, they'll blame you for everything.

• Roger Evans: Would you rather stay and have them send you to the professors at King's College London? Where you'll be studied and sliced up for research?

• Jesse Lindvall: But...

• Roger Evans: This isn't what you want to see either. Right, Edward Grey?

• You: Huh?

• I nervously turn my head towards Doctor Grey, and it dawns on me that he's always kept his revolver loaded.
• In other words, if he truly intended to kill them, he wouldn't have needed to keep talking. He could have simply pulled the trigger.
• Edward Grey: I'll start shooting if they're still here after three seconds.

• Jesse Lindvall: ...

• The moment Jesse stops struggling, Vincent forcefully pulls him away from the alley.
• Police Officer: Don't move! Hands up where I can see em!

• The police bark out stern warnings, the dark barrels of their guns all pointed directly at us.