The Nemesis of Fire

The Nemesis of Fire

The narrative follows the experiences of a doctor and his assistant, who are summoned to a remote manor house by Colonel Wragge, a retired soldier. The colonel seeks help for a mysterious and dangerous situation involving his sister, Miss Wragge, who has been afflicted by strange occurrences linked to a fire elemental. The doctor, John Silence, is known for his unique abilities to address supernatural phenomena. Upon arrival, the doctor and his assistant learn about the colonel's troubling history with the Twelve Acre Plantation, a nearby wood where bizarre events have transpired, including the deaths of the colonel's brother and a gamekeeper under mysterious circumstances. The colonel describes sightings of strange lights, unexplained fires, and a pervasive sense of dread surrounding the plantation. The atmosphere in the manor is oppressive, and the colonel's sister is revealed to be an invalid, further complicating the situation. As the investigation unfolds, the doctor employs psychometry, using a letter from the colonel to glean insights into the troubling events. He senses a deep-rooted connection to ancient forces, hinting at a powerful elemental at play. The doctor and his assistant experience strange sensations, including an oppressive heat, which they associate with the elemental's influence. The narrative builds tension as the doctor prepares to confront the elemental. He suspects that the colonel's brother disturbed a mummy, which has awakened a fire elemental that now seeks vengeance. The doctor proposes a ritual to contain the elemental, requiring the use of freshly spilled blood to materialize the entity and confront it directly. As the night of the ritual arrives, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation and fear. The doctor, the colonel, and the assistant gather in the laundry building, where they perform the ritual. The colonel becomes possessed by the elemental, revealing its ancient connection to Egypt and the mummy. The doctor manages to control the situation, and the elemental is ultimately dissipated. In the aftermath, the colonel's sister is revealed to have been affected by the elemental's power, and the doctor emphasizes the importance of respecting the ancient forces at play. The story concludes with the characters reflecting on the events, the dangers of meddling with the unknown, and the lingering presence of the elemental's influence. The narrative explores themes of ancient magic, the consequences of disturbing the past, and the struggle between human will and supernatural forces.

By Algernon Blackwood · First published 1910 · Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Adventure · 4 chapters · 32,821 words

First lines

By some means which I never could fathom, John Silence always contrived to keep the compartment to himself, and as the train had a clear run of two hours before the first stop, there was ample time to go over the preliminary facts of the case. He had telephoned to me that very morning, and even through the disguise of the miles of wire the thrill of incalculable adventure had sounded in his voice.

"As if it were an ordinary country visit," he called, in reply to my question; "and don't forget to bring your gun."

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The Nemesis of Fire is listed on Textopian as a novel by Algernon Blackwood, dated 1910 CE.

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horror · supernatural · mystery · adventure · nature · psychological · suspense · occult · mythology · spiritual · dark · philosophical

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More by Algernon Blackwood