Into the Darkness

"Into the Darkness" is the twelfth episode of *Daniel Kravitz, Chosen One Volume 2*, and the twenty-fifth installment of the series overall. It was performed during Show XXXVI on June 9th, 2018 at MadLab theatre in Columbus, OH. It was released as podcast episode 178.

Written by Jerome Wetzel

Directed by Nick Arganbright

Previous episode: "On a Boat"

Next episode: "Pit of Despair"

## **Story**

The episode begins in the wee hours of the morning at Oxford University in England. Daniel Kravitz, Rufus Reginald Rochester, and Grezit the Green approach the building through which they intend to enter the U.L.P.'s secret, cavernous, underground headquarters. They realize as they talk that Ragina has given them the slip, and moments later, see that Alexis Augustus Armentrout has done the same, casting suspicion about the two suspicious members of their party. Grezit vows revenge involving poop baskets.

Rufus wonders if it's wise to proceed, as both Ragina and Alexis know their plan, and it's unknown where they went. Daniel says at least Abby Reynolds is safe, as he lied about her whereabouts, and not even he knows where she's hiding. Determining there is no other choice, the three creep into the empty academic building, making their way to a portal through which they must pass single-file. Daniel and Grezit enter without issue, but it closes and locks before Rufus can follow them, separating the trio.

Meanwhile, Alexis has entered another way and made it all the way to Cyril Davies' office, where Cyril is waiting for him, having purposely let him pass through. Cyril hopes Alexis has come to join them, but when Alexis declares that he stands with Daniel, Cyril is unsurprised. Alexis had hoped Cyril had a reasonable explanation for his actions and that they could talk through it like reasonable human beings. Cyril laughs at Alexis' naivety and locks him in a heavy, metal cage.

Unthreatened, Cyril calmly explains that the group intends to kill the Chosen One and start over with a more malleable representative, having underestimated Rufus' damage to Daniel and overestimated Alexis' ability to counter it. Alexis returns that Daniel is the finest Chosen One he's ever read about and that Cyril doesn't know what he's dealing with. Cyril does at least partially, though, because of Alexis' detailed reports, which the younger man now regrets. Cyril only regrets that he didn't recruit Alexis sooner, and promises him an honorable funeral. Alexis swears he would never have joined.

Back in the corridors, Grezit and Daniel are completely lost. They had assumed Rufus would lead them and hadn't bothered to pay attention to the mentor's directions. Daniel suggests splitting up and Grezit reluctantly agrees.

At the same time, Rufus finds another interest, only to be confronted by Rupert Pryce holding a gun, Rupert having predicted Rufus' approach. Rupert admits he had lost $5 to Cyril when Rufus survived the monsters, and Bertram Oswalt Babbit had bet Rufus would buy it even sooner in their office pool. Rupert expresses sadness that when Bertram went to punish Henri for losing Rufus, Bertram didn't return.

Rufus is defiant, promising Rupert that they won't get away with the financial crimes for personal monetary gain. Ruper admits to skimming, but asserts that he and Cyril have guaranteed financial independence for the U.L.P. for generations. Rufus returns that they skimmed more than a little, and the murdering their own and covering it up was even worse. Ruper says that all of Rufus' possible allies are gone, with every remaining member of the U.L.P. now loyal to the leadership, now that Alexis is out. Rufus is slightly surprised to learn Alexis didn't turn, though less so than Rupert. He's disappointed Alexis didn't just die in the line of duty, given his loyalty.

Instead of killing Rufus, Rupert says he's taking him to Cyril's office so Rufus can see his group fail - if Daniel even makes it to the office, doubtful since the U.L.P. has studied Daniel and his allies closely.

In a dark corridor, Daniel and Grezit run into one another, having been going in circles. They soon realize their misdirection has been purposeful as a force of between twenty and thirty U.L.P. members attack with weapons and spells. While Daniel is immune to magic, Grezit is not. But that doesn't stop the Gahroo, whose claws and mace have been dulled, along with Daniel's ax, from standing by the Chosen One's side in battle one last time.

The two are hit over and over again and keep falling, but always rise up, more slowly each time. It gets desperate, and it appears they will die, when suddenly Daniel sends out a wave of energy that stuns every enemy at once. The U.L.P. members fall, and Grezit wants to kill them as soon as the magic dissipates, but Daniel stops him.

Outside, Ragina is casting a spell. Abby interrupts, demanding to know what Ragina is doing. Ragina says she doesn't think Rufus' plan will work, and she's using the invasion as a distraction to bring down the whole building and bury all within. Abby realizes Ragina means literally burying and gets upset about the collateral damage, but Ragina insists this is the only way; Daniel and the others will die with or without the spell. Abby lunges at Ragina and the two roll on the ground.

Back underground, Cyril is surprised to see Daniel and Grezit make it to his office. Rupert is there, too, with Rufus now sharing Alexis' cage, which still isn't enough to make Daniel like Alexis. Cyril offers to let Daniel and Grezit walk out now, promising that the U.L.P. will leave them alone and wait for another Chosen One to continue their plans. But Rufus and Alexis must stay to be dealt with internally. Daniel refuses, claiming to have the upper hand. Rupert turns the tables when he orders a very much alive Josh Wallace into the room!

Cyril says the group healed their friend, and there's not a mark on Josh. Alexis looks on in wonderment, insisting the U.L.P. doesn't have the power to do such a thing, but Josh insists that he's real. Cyril and Rupert sweeten the pot for Daniel by offering to let Josh leave, too. But if Daniel doesn't accept, they will kill Josh in front of them all over again. Josh begs Daniel to save him, calling death "so dark."

A rumbling noise startles them. Rupert sums up all of their feelings with a "What the bloody hell was that?"

To be continued...

## **Guest Stars**

* Amanda Iman as Ragina
* Keith Jackson as Cyril Davies
* Virgil Von Hartzel as Rupert Pryce

## **Trivia**

* Dan Condo's Bertram Oswalt Babbit was planned to be a part of this showdown, but the actor was unavailable for the finale two episodes of the volume. As such, too important to be left out unmentioned, he was said to have been killed off-screen.