Sam Ethol: The Voodoo Prince

Golden watch

During Stevie’s visit to his estranged father, Sam learns the terrifying conduction between him and the golden watch now reduced to pieces.

“What’s the story with that watch?” Sam asked.

“That watch once belonged to your other grandfather, Donald Styng.”

“The serial killer Voodooist?”

“Yes,” Benjermin said. “That watch was enchanted by cypress to act as a talisman for the final battle of the thrown.”

“What thrown?”

“The thrown of the voodoo king.” Nelson answered.

“Every four centuries, the thrown of the voodon shifts out of balance with the mortal plane.”

“You ever heard of Parabola?” Onika said, to Sam.

“Yeah,” Sam replied. “Some made up paradise for Halloween characters. My uncle used to tell me it was just a myth.”

“The myth is real Samuel.” Benjermin said.” Parabola is a separate dimmers on home for folklore.”

“Folklore?”

“It’s a general term for supernatural creatures including spell casters.” Onika added.

“Parabola was forged to contain the most lethal supernatural entities so not to bring Armageddon on earth.”

“Then why are there voodooist and other folklore here in New Orleans?”

“New Orleans is one of the few places in this world that has restricted territory for the supernatural. True vodon is homed and nurtured here so that voodoo itself remains unbound by other forms of magic.”

“So voodooist can’t practice their magic outside this city?”

“A rare few who are deemed the title. “Spi boy” are the only acceptation.”

“Unfortunatly, that’s you.” Nealson glared at his cousin while folding his arms.

“Quit being jealous, Nelson.” Onika said.” It’s not like he chose to be the Spi boy.”

“I keep hearing that word.” Sam said. “What does that word mean?”

“It means that you are one of the few voodooist that can use their magic outside of New Orleans without being sanctioned.”

“It also means that you are the only one who can challenge cypress for the thrown of vodon.” Benjermin said.” If cypress his or one of his followers defeats you to a battle of the death, they gain full dominion over voodoo itself.”

“His followers?”

“Cypress has no physical form. He needs a host to take the thrown from the voodoo king & queen.”

“Which is why you need to train to master your voodoo till we can find cypress’s followers and eliminate them before they can merge with cypress.”

“Who is the voodoo king and queen now?” Sam asked.

“For the time being, I am the voodoo king of New Orleans.” Benjamin said. “My stamina to hold it, however, is dying and must be passed down to the newly betrothed voodooist.

“Who are they?”

Nelson walked over to Onika and begrugdely held her hand.

“It’s us, Sammie.” Onika sighed.” Nelson and I are engaged.

A unyielding knot formed in Sam’s neck after hearing the uneasy news.

“You two are getting married?” Sam asked.

“My king, May I have a word with Sam alone?”

“Of course.” Benjermin said as he signaled Nelson to follow him in the mansion.

“Sammy, I…” Onika suffered.

“So you two are getting married. That’s…..great.

" it's just a platonic set up , "

" what is that supposed to mean?, " Sam asked while scratching his head. 

Before she could answer, Onika clutched her head in agony.

" What's wrong?," 

" It's your uncle. He's been attacked," 

Onika pulled out two marbles, conjuring a portal before grabbing Sam's wrist and pulling him through.

In seconds, Sam and Onika appeared in Chris's house which had been scorched and vandalized.

" Uncle Chris, " Sam yelled as he frantically tore through the debris. 

Just as Onika was about to help him, she heard a sigh of pain from the other room. 

" Sammy, over here, " 

The two voodooist rushed in the other room, finding the sheriff under a mountain of debris as they dug him out. 

" Sheriff, are you alright ?, " a Onika said as she looked around the room and saw a strange symbol burned into the ground. 

" A few broken ribs," Chris said. " I was coming hop to get more files drone this case and out of nowhere, I was attacked by some kind of magically blast," 

"Don't worry. I can heal you, " 

Onika rose her hands offer the sheriff's body and unleashed a pink eerie plasma around his body.

“This is not good.” Onika uttered as Chris's body began to heal. Whoever sent this were panther has some seriously, powerful voodoo.”

“Did you see the symbol on the floor?” Sam said. It looked like the same one that the styngs had.”

“That can’t be a coincidence.” Chris said as Onika finished her incantation.

“What do you mean?”

“The same symbol showed at the Chow Pow after it was cleared from the public.”

“You don’t think that…” Onika hesitated.

“LaToya might be behind this.” Chris feared.

“Are you serious?” Sam yelled. “My mom didn’t do this. She couldn’t have.”

“I can’t promise that, Son.” Chris said. “I hate to jump to that conclusion but given her family’s history….”

Sam squeezed his fist tighter as his heart rate pumped furiously inside his chest.

“Don’t you think this is crazy to assume from your own sister?”

“Sam, please.” Chris walked to Sam’s side with one arm wrapped around his stomach and the other on his nephew’s shoulder. “You saw how she attacked you back at the ward. Even if she didn’t mean too, her current mental condition might be clashing with her connection with the voodoo.”

“I hate to agree with your uncle but…” Onika uttered.

Before she could continue a ring came from the sheriff’s phone.

" Sorry, kids. I have to take this . Talk to me.”

Chris’s face took on a daunting expression as he listened to the call much to Sam and Onika's concern.

"Thanks for telling me, Felicia. I’m on the way.”

Chris hung up the phone with an uneasy weight layed on his shoulders.

“What’s wrong?” Sam asked.

“LaToya has escaped ”