Episode 7 of Archive 81 commences with an enigmatic glimpse of the comet, Kharon, a celestial visitor whose trail of destruction once crashed onto Earth, only to be uncovered in 1774. Its aftermath left behind traces of a rare mineral, Kharonite, which might unravel the mysterious occurrences that have perplexed us throughout the season.
Inside the house, Dan awakens, his mind clouded with doubt. His nightmares, filled with grotesque visions of black mold, spur him back to the city, specifically to the LMG headquarters. He strides in, determined to confront Virgil and demand explanations.
Virgil reveals that his team found Dan collapsed at the house, worn out. They brought in experts to revive him, insisting that everything he encountered in the basement was a mere illusion. Dan stands firm in his conviction, yet they've recorded every move he's made — the shattered monitors, the damage he's caused. Facing the prospect of a lawsuit, Dan is compelled to stay silent, accept the money, and refrain from further investigating this cult. With few alternatives, he retreats to his apartment, defeated.
However, Dan is not easily deterred. He remembers the memory card from Bellows' video log, tucked away in his coat. When Mark arrives, they exchange their findings. Dan shows Mark the video, revealing that Bellows might not have been insane after all. Mark, too, has something to reveal — a trove of information from his "William Crest collection."
Since Evie Crest's untimely demise, Mark has delved into the Vos Society, uncovering its fascinating origins. The Society traces back to World War I, founded by Jonah, Lukas, and Iris Vos. Together, they utilized a mysterious tome called the "Baldung Book of Shadows" in their endeavors. Their aim was to summon a supreme being from another dimension, Kaelego — the demon we've encountered before, manifested in stone.
Remarkably, Iris Voss is the same woman depicted in Annabelle's paintings, a revelation that shocks San. The narrative shifts back to New York, 1924. A strange melody emanates from a music box clasped in Iris's hands, as she interviews a new maid, Rose.
Rose, a forlorn orphan, struggled with the sorrow of losing her parents, drowning in despair. Iris, with a gentle yet determined voice, promised that she would reunite Rose with her beloved parents. She further proclaimed that Rose possessed the ability to embrace an entire universe within her, a power that was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
A mysterious package materialized in the hallway, drawing the attention of the three siblings. They eagerly opened the wooden box, and their eyes widened upon beholding the strange demonic statue, Kaelego. Alongside Jonas and Lukas, they admired the statue as if it were "the embodiment of their wildest dreams."
Iris wore a necklace identical to the one Cassandra had adorned in previous episodes, and she disclosed to Rose that night that its origins traced back to the comet. There was an urgent attempt to bridge the gap between this "god" and their reality, but beyond a few haunting images and a foreboding ambiance, it seemed the endeavor had fallen short.
However, an ominous sight awaited them. Black mold flourished around the house, creeping its way through every corner. Rose valiantly attempted to eradicate the infestation, but Iris halted her efforts, her gaze fixed on the mold's circular patterns. She interpreted these patterns as a manifestation of the other world seeping into theirs.
"Isn't it breathtaking?" Iris exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with wonder as she urged her maid to let the mold proliferate unchecked. Rose, unaware of the impending danger, was left to fend for herself.
The scenes of the snuff film flashed through our minds, its tragic ending looming over Rose. But she, unaware of the future, remained blissfully ignorant. That night, a woman named Emma seized the demonic tome and pleaded with Rose to flee with her. As the lights flickered on, Iris emerged from the shadows, her face etched with resolve. She addressed Emma as a Baldung and listened intently as the woman pleaded for reason. Emma warned that they had made a grave mistake, emphasizing that the remaining Baldung must ensure that the horrors of the other world never be unleashed. The black mold, she cautioned, was a harbinger of doom, not a benevolent omen.
With deep concern for Emma's impending destruction of the sacred manual, Jonah, without hesitation, aimed his weapon and struck her down, ending her life. Rose, standing by in utter disbelief, was gently ushered to bed, while Jonah was instructed to gather as much blood as he could for the ritual. Little did Rose know, she was destined to be another victim. Iris appeared that night, her face masked with disdain as she handed Rose a necklace, urging her to adorn herself with the new gift.
With Emma's blood collected, the siblings prepared for their ultimate sacrifice. However, Lukas drew a line in the sand, refusing to participate in this heinous act. The remaining members gathered in the basement, where the horrors of the past unfolded before them once again. As the blood flowed down the statue and Rose was sacrificed, Iris cried out, "Two worlds as one!" As Rose's life ebbed away, a brilliant white light erupted from the ceiling, engulfing them all in a blinding haze. This was the genesis of the devastating fire that devoured the Vos mansion.
Returning to the present, Dan realized they must seek out witnesses who were present during Melody's recordings. The name that both he and Mark concurred upon was Annabelle. She had been residing in Rockwell, undergoing treatment all this while. When they appeared, Annabelle greeted them with a questioning smile. "What took you so long?" she asked, as Dan was ushered inside. On her walls hung numerous portraits of Melody, who was apparently awaiting them in the other world, just as Iris had done. Dan knew he had to find a way to bring her back.
