บท 204: Brutal
(3rd Person POV)
The audience watched casually as Firfel's character made her purchase, assuming Karen simply had an interest in toys. But when she arrived home, everything changed.
"Happy birthday, Andy!" Firfel beamed, presenting the wrapped box to Rowan Bramble, fresh from his role as Ron in Harry Potter. The boy's eyes lit up as he tore through the wrapping.
"A Good Guys doll!" Andy bounced with pure childhood excitement, quickly freeing Chucky from his packaging. The doll's cheerful voice filled the room: "Hi, I'm Chucky. Wanna play?"
The scene should have been heartwarming - a mother's love, a child's joy. Instead, unease spread through the theater.
Not because the doll looked frightening - it didn't. The horror lay in watching this innocent moment, knowing what lurked behind those plastic eyes.
"This isn't what I expected," an elf whispered to his friends. "The trailer never showed this part."
His friend nodded grimly. "If it was just a possessed doll wreaking havoc in an empty house, fine. But a criminal's soul, pretending to be a child's toy?"
"Exactly," another added. "Imagine not knowing some murderer's spirit was that close to your kid. Playing with them. Watching them sleep."
The revelation shifted everyone's perspective. The trailer had shown Chucky in motion, suggesting straightforward supernatural chaos. Instead, they watched the doll maintain its innocent facade, leaving the audience to imagine what sinister thoughts might be passing behind that painted smile.
Parents in the crowd grew particularly uncomfortable. A demon mother pulled her daughter closer, while others exchanged worried glances with their partners.
Even the most hardened demons, who'd dismissed the possessed doll concept earlier, found themselves reconsidering.
A ghost throwing furniture was one thing - a criminal spirit manipulating their way into a child's trust was something else entirely.
The audience watched uneasily as the story unfolded. Firfel left Andy in his room to play, and when lunchtime came, the doll sat beside him like any ordinary toy.
The camera lingered on Chucky's lifeless-seeming eyes and fixed smile. A dwarf in the third row couldn't contain his frustration. "What's your game, you bastard? Why keep up this innocent act?" His outburst drew several nods of agreement.
The tension only grew as night fell and Andy took Chucky to bed. The haunting score crept back in as the camera slowly pushed in on the doll's face. Nervous whispers rippled through the theater.
"This is it - he's finally showing his true colors," someone murmured.
The music built to a crescendo as Chucky's face filled the screen. Even the demons who'd scoffed earlier found themselves leaning forward. Some of the younger demon children, who'd bragged about their bravery, quietly scooted closer to their parents.
Hearts pounded as the moment stretched out - and then nothing. Chucky simply blinked, his smile deepening as he watched Andy sleep. The scene faded to morning.
"Gods, I was holding my breath for nothing," a dwarf exhaled heavily.
His friend nodded. "Same here. Never thought I'd be this worried about some kid in a film. Chucky could've done anything right there."
Near the back, a group of demon students discussed the film's direction.
"Not exactly terrifying, but I can't look away," one admitted.
Another leaned in. "You think he's actually going to kill the kid?"
"Seems likely. Why else get this close to him?"
The speculation continued, but there was no denying Arthur had managed something unexpected - he'd made even demons invest in a child's fate.
The audience watched intently as Chucky's behavior grew more unsettling. During lunch, he sat motionless until Firfel turned away, then his head would slightly shift. At night, he'd appear in different spots around the apartment while Firfel watched TV.
She'd turn suddenly, find him perfectly still, then shake off the creeping sensation that the doll's eyes followed her movements. But the "coincidences" kept mounting - Chucky appearing in places no one had moved him to, Andy insisting the doll spoke to him, carrying on full conversations when they were alone.
Firfel's growing unease was palpable. Something about leaving Andy alone bothered her more each day, leading her to beg her friend to babysit. The audience tensed as Vivienne's character, Maggie, entered the picture.
At first, Maggie dismissed Andy's stories about Chucky talking. But as days passed, small things began to nag at her. Until that moment- Chucky approaching her, hammer in hand.
"Behind you!" someone shouted from the audience.
Vivienne spun around, terror flooding her face at the sight of Chucky's now-animated form. "A possessed doll?!"
She bolted, but Chucky pursued with an unnervingly steady pace.
Vivienne cast her low-level magic, but the spells fizzled harmlessly against Chucky's form. His high-pitched laughter echoed through the apartment.
"Hehehehe, little girl, your magic has no effect on me," Chucky taunted, his doll face twisting into a sinister grin. "I've used a forbidden voodoo spell on this body - it nullifies low-level magic! I'm just buying my time, and soon, even mid-level and top-level magic won't be able to touch me!"
"Who are you?!" Vivienne's voice shook with fear.
"Hehe, you don't need to know!" Chucky's creepy laugh sent chills through the theater.
The revelation hit the audience hard, especially the demons who'd dismissed Chucky as harmless.
The knowledge that this doll could resist magic - and was growing stronger - changed everything. Suddenly, their earlier confidence about simply locking the doll away didn't seem so practical.
The camera cut away, but the sickening sound of hammer meeting flesh made the audience flinch. Chucky had caught Maggie, and the wet thud of repeated blows echoed through the theater.
Demon children clung to their parents. Even adult demons, who'd faced real supernatural threats, felt a chill as Chucky used mid-level magic to levitate Maggie's broken body and fling her from the apartment window.
"Cruel..." muttered an elderly monkey demon, his 120 years of life having never prepared him for such violence.
The demons who'd dismissed the film earlier now sat rigid with tension. Their perspective shifted dramatically as Chucky orchestrated more deaths - first manipulating Andy to visit his former accomplice, then brutally murdering the man.
The suspense peaked when Firfel discovered something terrifying about the doll - its magic core compartment was empty. The doll was moving without any power source.
"Get away from it!" a demon shouted at the screen as Firfel confronted Chucky. The audience held their breath as the doll attacked, trying to strangle her before she managed to throw him off and escape.
The story escalated as Mike Norris discovered Chucky's true identity. While his men searched for the doll, Chucky sought out his voodoo mentor to learn how to escape his plastic prison. The mentor's death added another victim to his growing list.
Terror gripped the audience as Chucky's ultimate goal became clear - he needed Andy's body to escape the doll. His rampage continued through a hospital, leaving more bodies in his wake as Andy barely escaped.
The final confrontation had everyone on edge. Karen and Mike faced off against Chucky, armed with guns designed for cursed beings. When their shots blasted away the doll's exterior, revealing actual flesh underneath, shocked whispers filled the theater.
"How does a doll have real flesh?" someone asked, but the question was lost in the tension as Chucky, despite multiple hits, kept advancing.
When magic immobilized Mike, he shouted desperately, "The heart! Shoot his heart - it's the only way!"
Karen's first shot missed, drawing Chucky's twisted laugh. But her second shot found its mark, finally stopping the murderous doll.
The entire theater seemed to exhale at once, the tension of the past minutes finally breaking.
The audience believed it was the end of Chucky, but as the eerie theme played and the camera lingered on Chucky's lifeless eyes, a nagging feeling crept into their minds—it wasn't over.
"Could it be that... it's still alive!?" someone in the crowd exclaimed, their voice breaking the uneasy silence. A ripple of alarm spread through the theater as others whispered nervously.
Finally, the ending credits rolled, and a collective sigh of relief escaped the audience. Whether they were elves, humans, or demons, they couldn't deny the intense emotional rollercoaster the film had taken them on.
---
The screening test of Child's Play at the Hellfire Theatre was an overwhelming success. Audience members raved about the film, eagerly recommending it to their friends.
As the premiere date for the Horn Kingdom and neighboring realms approached, excitement reached a fever pitch. The following day, the film premiered nationwide and internationally, achieving record-breaking success.
Contrary to initial reports from demon realm critics who doubted the horror genre could impress their kind, Child's Play shattered expectations, earning an astounding $24 million on its first day in the demon realm alone.
---
Headlines soon followed:
"Child's Play: A New Masterpiece by Arthur Pendragon Takes the Demon Realm by Storm!"
"Arthur Pendragon Makes History Again with His Bold Vision."
But amidst the praise came controversy:
"How Did Child's Play Become a Success? Critics Claim Arthur Used Forbidden Voodoo Spells to Possess the Doll."
"Was the Doll's Realism Too Good? Allegations of Soul Transfer Could Lead to Hellfire Studio Facing Charges."
These alarming reports called for an immediate response from Arthur and his studio. Failing to address them risked a ban on the film's screenings.
Hellfire Studio quickly released an official statement:
"The doll was indeed possessed, but not by a voodoo master. Instead, it was animated by ghosts who are employees of Hellfire Studio, working hard behind the scenes to bring Chucky to life."
While the statement dispelled allegations of illegal voodoo practices, the revelation that ghosts were involved shocked the industry. It seemed even in clearing his name, Arthur Pendragon knew how to keep the world talking.
บท 205: Late-night program
(3rd Person POV)
The revelation that Hellfire Studio employed ghost workers sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, drawing immediate skepticism.
A studio executive at Underground Films looked up from the reports, shaking his head. "Ghosts as workers? How is this even possible? Those little troublemakers wouldn't let anyone order them around."
"Yeah, I doubt Hellfire Studio really has ghost workers. It's just not possible," another executive chimed in.
"That exiled prince must be hiding the truth - he's either using forbidden voodoo spells or hired a criminal voodoo mentor," a third demon executive suggested.
The studio head nodded from his seat at the table. "That has to be the explanation. Otherwise, how could the horror film have such impact?" He paused thoughtfully. "I doubt the exiled prince could manage voodoo spells himself, so he probably paid a substantial sum to a voodoo mentor who agreed to be filmed as the doll."
The other executives nodded in agreement. They couldn't believe "Child's Play" could terrify demon audiences without employing genuine forbidden voodoo magic.
The idea of ghosts possessing dolls for acting seemed particularly far-fetched. Not only did the concept of ghost employees strain credibility, but spirits capable of possession were exceptionally rare.
The mischievous ghosts that typically haunted the demon realm lacked such abilities - they couldn't possess objects or people. Ghosts with that power were ancient beings, practically extinct in modern times, known only from historical accounts.
Not only Underground Films, a major studio from Morningstar Kingdom, but critics and renowned directors worldwide expressed deep skepticism about Hellfire Studio's ability to employ ghosts as workers.
The idea that Arthur could somehow tame ghosts - entities known for their chaotic and uncontrollable nature - struck most industry veterans as preposterous.
A small minority of industry insiders who'd witnessed Hellfire's production process defended Arthur's claims about ghost employees. However, their voices were quickly drowned out by the overwhelming chorus of doubts from major studios and prominent critics.
The controversy reached such intensity that media outlets began camping outside Hellfire Studio's headquarters, desperate to question Arthur about his alleged ghost workforce. When reporters finally cornered him, his response was characteristically cryptic.
"If you want to know the truth behind Child's Play's success, tune into Hellfire Network tonight," Arthur stated calmly. "I'll present evidence that we never employed forbidden voodoo mentors or whatever else the rumors suggest. That's all."
The reporters pressed him about the widespread skepticism, but Arthur merely repeated his instruction to watch Hellfire Network's new program starting at 10:00 PM.
His announcement left the media both intrigued and frustrated. Everyone knew television networks were restricted to broadcasting between 5:00 AM and 10:00 PM - yet here was Arthur, claiming he'd air a show at that precise cutoff time. The reporters couldn't decide if he was playing them for fools or had something genuine planned.
Still, Arthur's track record suggested he wouldn't risk his reputation with empty promises. More pressingly, Arthur needed to provide concrete proof about his ghost employees, or authorities would ban Child's Play despite its massive success. The stakes were particularly high given the film's unprecedented impact across multiple kingdoms.
Just three days into its release, the film had already achieved something remarkable - terrorizing audiences not just in the demon realm, but throughout the human territories, elven kingdoms, and even the traditionally stoic dwarven realms.
News of Arthur's announcement spread rapidly across Horn TV networks, igniting viewers' curiosity. As 9:50 PM approached, nearly five million people waited eagerly for Hellfire Network's unprecedented late-night program.
In homes across the kingdom, families gathered around their televisions. In one such household, a husband looked up from his evening paper as his wife mentioned the upcoming show. "Hellfire Network's starting a program at 10 PM? Interesting. No one's ever broadcast that late before."
"I know," his wife replied, settling onto their couch. "But it's Hellfire - they've never let us down. I'm actually excited to see what they've planned."
Her husband checked the clock. "Just ten minutes now. Wonder what Arthur's got up his sleeve this time."
Meanwhile, at Hellfire Studio, the final touches were being added to an elegant new set. Warm lighting illuminated a polished desk adorned with subtle magical ornaments.
Behind it, a cityscape backdrop sparkled with enchanted stars. Comfortable guest chairs were arranged nearby, while a band setup occupied one corner of the stage. The gleaming letters above read "Tonight Show with Rocky Montclair."
Arthur watched the crew's preparations from backstage. This program had been months in development, with Rocky - his old friend - carefully chosen as host. Though initially reluctant, the elderly demon's natural charm and wit had made him perfect for the role.
Originally planned as a groundbreaking addition to Hellfire's lineup, tonight's premiere would serve an unexpected dual purpose. By featuring his ghost employees as the first guests, Arthur could both validate their existence and launch what he hoped would become the network's flagship evening program.
'Perfect,' Arthur thought, watching the final preparations. He'd prove his critics wrong while simultaneously revolutionizing television entertainment - exactly the kind of efficiency he preferred.
Arthur spotted Rocky adjusting his suit in the dressing room mirror and approached his friend. "How do you feel?"
Rocky turned, shrugging his shoulders. "Honestly? Quite eager. Been preparing for weeks, rehearsing the style you wanted for the show."
"That's great. I have high hopes for you," Arthur nodded approvingly.
"Still don't know what's going through that head of yours," Rocky sighed. "This program's bound to fail. Nobody's even awake at this hour."
Arthur chuckled. "We have more potential viewers than you think. Plenty of people stay up around this time."
"Yeah, right," Rocky countered. "Maybe a handful of Horn Kingdom night owls, or some vampire demons back in Morningstar Kingdom. And they're only awake now because they're curious about your ghost worker claims and this mysterious new program."
"If this high-budget experiment of yours flops, don't blame me, kid," he added with a warning tone.
"Of course," Arthur smiled, understanding Rocky's doubts. After all, this world had no real reason for people to stay awake past 10 PM. Everyone had their routines - work, school, daily obligations - and television had only recently given them a reason to stay up until that hour. Beyond that, when broadcasts ended, people simply went to sleep.
A late-night show was completely uncharted territory. No TV network had even considered programming for those dark hours, making Arthur's venture all the more revolutionary.
The clock struck ten, and the show began broadcasting live. Rocky sat confidently behind his desk, his vampire features striking under the studio lights.
"Good evening, Horn Kingdom!" Rocky's rich voice filled the studio. "I'm Rocky Montclair, and welcome to the very first episode of what I'm told will be a nightly conversation with interesting people - assuming I don't stake myself from exhaustion first." He flashed his fangs in a grin as the small audience chuckled.
"Tonight's guest is someone you all know - the exiled prince himself, though to me he's just the bratty kid who somehow convinced me to host this ridiculous late-night show." The audience's laughter grew. "Please welcome the mastermind behind both this show and my current sleep deprivation - Arthur Pendragon!"
Arthur emerged, waving to the cameras as applause filled the studio. He settled into the guest chair with easy confidence. "Thanks for having me here, Don Vito."
The audience erupted in laughter - Rocky's portrayal of Don Vito Corleone in Demonfather had become legendary.
Rocky's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Well, you can thank yourself for that one, Michael. After all, who else would you book as your first guest but yourself?"
More laughter followed - Arthur's own role as Michael Corleone was equally iconic. The chemistry between the two actors, forged during their Demonfather days, was already making the show feel natural and engaging.
---
---
---
For advanced chapters, go check my p@treon.com/NewComer714.
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
200+ การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
145 หินพลัง 
ความคิดเห็นย่อย