Picking immediately where the previous story ended, Aubrey informs Jago and Litefoot that the passenger Mr. Riverstock was discovered in his cabin ripped to shreds.
Captain Mercer orders Aubrey to keep Riverstock’s cabin under strict lock and key. Unfortunately as they are still far from any port, they will have to wait before they can report the crime, which is a problem considering the murderer is still aboard and it could be days before they dock anywhere. Mercer allows Jago and Litefoot to inspect the remains of Riverstock and instructs Aubrey to assist them (but the Infernal Investigators know he’s just there to keep watch over them). Mercer leaves to calm the passengers while Aubrey opens the cabin door…
Jago, Litefoot and Aubrey enter the cabin to find it in a gruesome mess. Litefoot looks at Riverstock’s remains. He concludes that no man could’ve done such a horrendous act and a beast did kill him. He thinks back to Quick’s telegram regarding the body in the Thames and deduces that the two are connected. Jago stumbles across what appears to be a strange machine in the corner of the cabin. Fowler knocks on the door and Aubrey lets him into the crime scene. He sees Jago and Litefoot studying the strange machine and snaps at them not to touch it. The Infernal Investigators deduce Fowler knows what it is and demand he explain. Fowler explains that the device was used by Riverstock to generate the time-bending fog. He mutters that they were so close, but the beast killed him, which confirms Litefoot’s suspicions that the murderer isn’t human. Aubrey urges Fowler to explain what is going on. Fowler explains that several years ago, he discovered a gateway to another world…
Several years ago, Fowler and Riverstock were part of an expedition at sea. Their ship became accosted by fog and wind. Fowler explains that there were only two places on Earth where wind and fog can co-exist at once…and they were in neither of those places. Once the fog had cleared, they had discovered land ahead when they should’ve been in the middle of the ocean far from any civilisation…Riverstock suggested that they head ashore to investigate, but as soon as they landed on the shore, they were confronted by tribespeople. Thankfully, the natives were friendly enough and treated the expedition to a feast in the shadow of a huge metal temple, but a communication barrier prevented both parties from fully understanding one another. The expedition managed to learn through signs and drawings that the metal temple fell from the sky. The tribespeople took the expedition inside the temple and showed them their prized possession – a strange artifact that they claimed was protected by a demon. The next morning, the expedition left the tribe on good terms…for a moment. Moments later, a scream came from the jungle and the tribespeople suddenly began to chase after the expedition. Most of the expedition managed to get aboard and cast off. But not long after leaving the island, the fog engulfed the ship again and deposited it near another land. This time, it was the coast of Greece. But then they realised why the native tribespeople turned violent…one of the crew had stolen their sacred artifact. Not long after this realisation, the crew started to die violently one by one. By the time they reached Greece, only a few crewmembers were left alive, including Riverstock and Fowler…
The Infernal Investigators deduce that Riverstock’s death was a targeted attack. They further deduce that the body that Quick had discovered was also part of the expedition as that person was murdered in the same manner. Fowler theorises that the only way for the killings to stop is to return the artefact…and he shows them a strange, abstract-looking piece of machinery – the artefact. It all becomes clear to the Infernal Investigators now. Riverstock and Fowler developed the strange scientific apparatus to recreate the fog in hopes that it would lead them back to the island to return the artefact! But the question is…why onboard the Fata Morgana? Fowler irritably explains that between him and Fowler, they had little money to spend on their own expedition, so they had to use a commercial cruise as their guinea pig – something which he feels great remorse for. Fowler leaves to take what he feels will be his last breath on the outer deck…
Jago and Litefoot follow Fowler to the outer deck to get more answers. They theorise that if the monster is still onboard, they can find it and try to fight it. Fowler explains that the beast isn’t technically onboard, it appears when the fog appears. Jago and Litefoot decide to rally the passengers into the dining lounge so they can defend themselves from the creature when it appears…
Unfortunately, the passengers don’t seem to buy into the story of a vicious beast stalking the ship and leave to go about their business. Moments later, the sound of gunshots followed by screams of terror fill the ship. The creature has struck again and torn the Major to pieces. Litefoot states that he has a plan, he and Jago will get Riverstock’s fog machine up and running and try to use it to send the ship to the island the artefact originated from to return it. It’s either this plan…or everyone dies.
In Riverstock’s cabin, the Infernal Investigators struggle to figure out how the machine works. They discover the plans and notes for the machine, which makes understanding the machine much easier. They discover the notes have a series of coordinates for a place called home, so Litefoot uses them to test the machine. Litefoot activates the machine and starts to pump out huge puffs of fog into the room. Jago stumbles through the fog trying to find the portside window, unfortunately he stumbles over the fog machine and it falls to the ground in pieces. With the machine broken beyond repair, their hopes of returning the artefact are completely dashed…
The Infernal Investigators walk onto the outer deck to take in the air and think of a new plan. Jago notes how when they activated Riverstock’s machine, it was daylight…but its night time now…which means the machine worked! They look out into the distance and see a coastline and lights…the home setting had brought the ship to London!
The Fata Morgana docks in London. Captain Mercer decides to disembark the cruise at London given the circumstances. With the cruise coming to a close, Lady Danvers reminds Jago of their discussion on Kiibu’s island, but Jago wearily tells her that he is merely not interested in her, even going as far as stating that Danvers’ high society associates would make a scandal of her. Danvers finally sees sense and decides that they should just be friends for now. Litefoot arrives and informs Jago that Fowler and Aubrey have disappeared. Litefoot assumes that with the beast chasing the artefact, Fowler is most likely leading it away from the ship…question is where is he going? The Infernal Investigators fear the worst and believe he may be running through London with the creature in hot pursuit, which means the whole of London is in danger! Jago tells Litefoot he knows what to do…they need a policeman! Thankfully, he knows just the man…
Jago and Litefoot leave the Fata Morgana and head back into London to find Quick. They head for the police station. As they walk through the streets, Litefoot begins to wonder if Fowler was being entirely truthful about the circumstances on the ship. He explains that neither of them witnessed the killings, nor the beast in question…so what if Fowler IS the beast? Litefoot theorises that he is either possessed by a demonic creature or he contracted an infection that altered his DNA…
The Infernal Investigators arrive at the police station and ask the desk sergeant to tell Inspector Quick that they’ve returned from their cruise and need to see him as quickly as possible…
Inspector Quick meets with the Infernal Investigators and reminds them of the savaged body the police fished from the Thames, which further adds credibility to Litefoot’s claim of Fowler being the beast as he could’ve killed before boarding the ship. The question of motive is still unclear but if Fowler is truly the monster, then it has no possible motive and is following basic instinct. Quick tells the duo he has his officers on the lookout for Fowler and Aubrey, but suggests that they get another set of ears to the ground…and who better than someone who hears a great deal of gossip than Ellie at the Red Tavern!
Jago, Litefoot and Quick meet with Ellie at the Red Tavern. She doesn’t seem surprised when Quick informs her that their adventures on the Fata Morgana have brought a monster back as well. They ask Ellie to keep an eye and ear out for Aubrey and Fowler. Suddenly, they hear a police whistle and one of Quick’s officers rushes into the Tavern to tell him another body has been discovered torn apart. The trio dash out the Tavern to the scene…
Elsewhere in London, Aubrey is fretting over the deaths, but Fowler doesn’t seem fazed stating that they need to keep ahead of the creature and figure out how to fight it. They hear a police whistle in the distance behind them and assume they’ve found another body savaged by the creature.
The Infernal Investigators and Quick discover the body. Litefoot confirms that this was the work of the creature. Quick tells the duo that he’s received a message stating that one of his officers have seen two men that fit the description of Fowler and Aubrey and they set off in pursuit.
Meanwhile, Fowler is investigating an alleyway and instructs Aubrey to keep watch on the street. Aubrey watches in horror as a low mist begins to form before him…
In the alleyway, Fowler begins to sense the creature’s presence. His suspicions are proven correct when he hears Aubrey screaming in terror at the alleyway entrance. Fowler rushes back to the entrance and finds Aubrey still alive, but incredibly frightened as he confirms that he did encounter the creature. With the creature closing in on them, Fowler tells him that they should keep moving…
After running a while longer, Aubrey tells Fowler that they should stop running and face the creature head on. Fowler agrees and decides that their final stand will be inside…the Red Tavern. Fowler decides they should have one last drink before their battle and they enter the pub. Fowler fires his shotgun into the air and shouts for all the patrons to evacuate before the demon arrives, but he gets laughed at in response. Fowler warns the patrons that whoever is still in the pub in ten seconds will be shot! This instruction comes across quite clearly to the patrons, and the Red Tavern clears out immediately. Fowler orders Ellie to stay behind and pour them some brandy. Ellie stands her ground and tells them she knows of their affiliation with Jago and Litefoot. Suddenly, a mist begins to seep into the Tavern…Fowler tells Ellie that they should barricade the doors and any openings to keep the demon out!
Nearby, The Infernal Investigators and Quick watch the commotion as the Red Tavern patrons rush out in a panic. Quick flags down a panicked patron who tells him a man with a shotgun ranting about a demon kicked them all out. Litefoot deduces that its most likely Fowler and Aubrey. Quick peeps through the window and spots Fowler and Aubrey barricading the main door. Unfortunately, he also spots Ellie behind the bar…
The trio try all manner of entry to no avail as Fowler has either barricaded or locked it. Jago tells them that there’s one place they haven’t tried…the beer cellar! The trio open the outdoor cellar and Jago explains that he remembers there’s a trapdoor that opens from the cellar to behind the bar. It’s their most likely way in! Quick leaves Jago and Litefoot to gain entry while he leaves to gather as many officers as he can find.
With the mist building up inside, Fowler tells Aubrey to prepare for the battle ahead. Aubrey is ever apologetic to Ellie for the circumstances. Suddenly, the door beneath the bar opens and Jago and Litefoot emerge, much to Ellie’s relief. Fowler isn’t budging however and remembers the moment he saw the beast kill the Major on the Fata Morgana, he had mentally steeled himself. Litefoot catches his slip of the tongue and realises that Fowler can’t be the beast. Aubrey begins to panic further and slips up another vital bit of information – Fowler ordered the artefact to be stolen from the tribespeople. Fowler reveals that Aubrey was in fact his right-hand man on the expedition. But this turns their entire theory of Fowler being the beast on its head! Fowler isn’t the beast…Aubrey is!
Outside the Red Tavern, Quick rallies his officers and gives them their instructions. Suddenly, a large cloudy phantom with a hideous face full of pointed teeth glides towards the Red Tavern growling loudly. It starts to thrash madly at the doors of the Red Tavern until it breaks down the door…
Fowler loads his weapon and prepares for his final stand. Litefoot hastily explains to Ellie the circumstances that caused the demon to appear. Ellie suggests that Fowler simply return the artefact to the creature. Fowler shows the artefact to the demon and tries to give it up, but the demon continues to thrash madly. With no other choice and his shotgun useless, Fowler realises that the creature won’t stop until everyone who angered it is dead, and so he walks towards the creature and is savagely ripped to pieces. In a last-ditch effort, Litefoot remembers that Fowler ordered the artefact stolen, so whoever stole it in the first place must be the one to return it. Unfortunately, all of Fowler’s crew are dead…except for Aubrey. Aubrey grabs the artefact and walks towards the creature, declaring himself the one behind its theft. He tells the creature that if it wants it, it should take it. He walks into the creature’s gaseous form and screams in a mixture of terror and pain. With his death, the demon quickly dissipates into nothing…
Inspector Quick and his men enter the Red Tavern and see the dead body of Aubrey on the ground. Jago and Litefoot sadly commend Aubrey’s sacrifice at the last moment. Quick inspects Aubrey’s body and informs the group that he’s still alive! With that revelation, Aubrey awakens from his brief coma, much to everyone’s relief.
Ellie serves the Infernal Investigators and Aubrey a drink but looks around at the mess the demon created in its wake. Quick excuses himself and awaits their next infernal mystery. Aubrey prepares to leave as someone needs to help Captain Mercer explain the inexplicable events to the authorities. He leaves the heroes on good terms and they offer their services to him should he need them. After Aubrey has left, Jago still believes he knows Aubrey from somewhere before, but before he can dwell on it, Ellie remembers that she has a letter addressed to the Infernal Investigators that was left behind the bar. She retrieves it and hands it over to Jago. Jago quickly reads through the letter and discovers that its from a man called Carruthers Summerton, an author who has been keeping close tabs on their infernal investigations. The letter even namedrops some old enemies such as Doctor Tulp and the Colonel! Summerton requests that he be permitted to write a book about their mysteries and adventures! Litefoot has reservations about the idea, but Jago is excited by the prospect of their adventures being publicised and the royalties the pair can cash in on! Litefoot quickly comes around and agrees they should at least meet with him. He even envisions a title…The Adventures of Litefoot and Jago! Jago quickly shoots down that title and suggests… The Adventures of Jago and Litefoot!
