Estimated reading time — 15 minutes

The following are a collection of journals and reports pertaining to a series of strange and tragic occurrences befalling the Carter Archaeology Institute.

Journal of Arnold Higgins, Archaeologist:

July 7th, 2025

Today is a major day for our beloved Institute. We recently translated an ancient journal of an Egyptian royal page and it makes reference to a sacred burial ground located in the black desert, west of the Nile. No discovery of any burial grounds or remains have been found in any of our records. We may have made the discovery of a lifetime. We will be putting together a dig job as soon as we are able. This is the moment I have waited for my whole life.

July 20th, 2025

For nearly two weeks we have dug in this horrible desert. All we have to show for our efforts are volcanic sands and men coming down with heat stroke. We have followed the directions in the ancient texts to the letter and have even noticed some of the landmarks described. We know we are in the right spot and yet we have found nothing. With each dumping of our hollow shovels my heart sinks deeper into melancholy. We can continue for a few more days at best however we may have to call the whole expedition a failure. Every day I get less and less sleep. A dastardly combination of heat and anxiety keeps me laying awake in my cot staring at the ceiling. When I do sleep I have horrible nightmares of being completely bound and unable to move. I hear horrible voices and a steady pounding all around me. I scream for help but it echoes in a vast chamber of darkness. I often wake up gasping for air. Part of me is looking forward to leaving, if for nothing else than the hope of these nightmares stopping.

July 21st, 2025

At 4am I was awoken from another horrible nocturnal vision with grim news. It seemed as though all of our night diggers had perished. I went to investigate the seemingly impossible matter and I was not prepared for what I saw. An entire tent full of corpses greeted me. They laid down in their cots staring up at the sky in a way that reminded me too much of my own insomnia. The men could only have been dead for a couple of hours at most and yet their skin had grayed considerably as if they had been gone for days. Their faces bore an eerie sense of calm that sent a shiver down my spine.

I asked our medic what the cause of death was and he merely shrugged at me. They could find no evidence of a gas or chemicals in the air that could cause such a mass demise. They dug at night so sun stroke was out of the question. Besides these were men that were born and raised in the desert, they knew how to take care of themselves. The only logical explanation he could think of was that they all suffered sudden heart attacks. The idea seemed absurd to the both of us however neither of us could provide another solution. We are sending the bodies home to their families. Hopefully the corner can provide more insight.

July 22nd, 2025

Since the death of our men, the mood in the camp has completely shifted. Everyone moves at a slower pace and no one works themselves too hard. The explorer in me is annoyed at the slow down but the man in me is in complete understanding. We all feel the loss terribly.

I have caught several men stealing glances at the setting sun and muttering a small prayer under their breath. I asked our guide what they were saying and he looked at me gravely. He said that they are praying. “Oh god protect us from these cursed lands.” I merely nodded and looked over the diggers. Their prayers would be granted. Before the sun sets tomorrow I will announce the end of the excavation. We are finished here.

July 23rd, 2025

Sometimes when you hang on to a glimmer of hope, fate blesses you more than you can imagine. As today is the last day of the dig, I wanted to throw my hand into the work. I picked up a shovel and dug alongside my companions. I hoped it might help with the low morale we all had been feeling. The work was taxing but it did indeed help ward off the feelings of failure I had been feeling.

I pressed my shovel down hard and the unthinkable happened. The sand around me started to cascade as a hole started to open up beneath my feet like a great mouth ready to swallow me. It was a ground collapse, I had read about them but never had the unfortunate fate of witnessing one until now. Before anyone could react I swallowed up and fell into shadow.

By the grace of God my fall was short, perhaps only about 10 to 15 feet. I fell upon a small pile of sand that protected me from injury. I sent a thankful prayer up that the fall didn’t kill me but now I was trapped in a dark pit. I could hear voices above me and instantly I felt trapped in one of my nightmares. I felt sheer panic rip through me, threatening to break my sanity in an instant. I took deep breaths and reminded myself that the men above would not leave me to die. Rescue would begin in minutes and I would taste the fresh air in no time.

My heartbeat returned to normal and I was able to get a hold of myself. I looked around trying to get a sense of my surroundings. The first thing I noticed was the odd temperature. Normally underground caverns were cold however down here felt even warmer than the blazing desert above. I took a step off my sand pile and was surprised to find the ground crunched beneath my feet. The sensation sent a chill down my spine. I remembered that I always carried my pocket lantern light so I grabbed it. I pulled the handles unleashing the blinding white light within. What I saw made my panic return in full force.

The ground was littered with bones. No bones was the wrong word. These were full skeletons. Dozens of skeletal bodies lay on the ground, all adorned in full military gear with weapons in hand. My fear was momentarily forgotten as I recognized that these were royal guards. By sheer dumb luck I have stumbled upon it, the lost royal burial ground, our operation was a success.

I looked over the bodies littering the floor with my mind asking a million questions a minute. Why would these men be down here? And why so many? Did they die in the line of duty guarding something? If so then what? I lifted the light and found my answer. Several bodies had fallen over a large object in the center of the room. My mind exploded with joy and I ran towards the pile. When I arrived my suspicions were confirmed, it was a sarcophagus but unlike any I had ever seen. It was not made of gold but instead the blackest of obsidian. The exterior was decorated with countless markings and hieroglyphics that I couldn’t quite make out in the darkness.

I placed my hand upon the smooth surface of the box and all at once several things happened that I still can not explain. The first was that the obsidian was not just warm to the touch but scorching hot. I felt searing pain like I had never known and even saw smoke rising from my palm. A strange and unnatural gust of air burst through the room. You may call me crazy if you like but I swear it came from the sarcophagus itself. As the air touched the skeletal warriors it seemed as though centuries of decay caught up with them at once and they instantly turned to dust.

I stood there panting and cradling my injured hand. I could not believe the horror I just endured. Thankfully the sight of a rope being lowered into the hole brought me back to my reality. I called up to the men and told them that I found something down here that we need to excavate. I debated on asking for more ropes but I peered at my blackened palm and told them to bring the strongest cables we possessed.

They pulled me out and the sunshine had never felt so good on my face. However, out of the tomb I felt a strange coolness. Excavation of the sarcophagus took some time because l demanded that no one touch it with their hands, gloved or not. It was sunset by the time we managed to get it to the surface.

We all stood looking at our bounty. In the light of the red sun it was even more beautiful than I imagined. The cold black surface was pristine, not even a fleck of dust or sand marred its surface. It was masterfully crafted to the slightest details. The markings I saw were drawings of a man in a mighty headdress standing before several horrifying creatures. In the sky was a dark, formless mass with 5 eyes. The name plate bore hieroglyphics that I didn’t recognize. Our guide took a look over it and shrugged. He said it was a rough translation at best but it said “Sealed within is Takair, general of the maw.”

The name meant nothing to me but that made me more excited than ever. We have made a brand new discovery and history is being made at this very moment. I wanted to open the casket then and there but unfortunately it had been forged shut and sealed with the strongest materials available at the time. There was simply no way to open it with any tool we had here, without causing extensive damage. I’ve called in a plane and will be accompanying it personally back to the institute.

Flight attendant log July 23rd, 2025

We arrived in Egypt late this evening and picked up Dr. Higgins and his cargo. We have begun the flight back to the states. The doctor looked extremely pale and unwell so I asked him if there was anything I could do for him. He said no and that he just needed some rest. I took his word for it but I could see the blackness of his hand and the way he cradled it. He has me worried.

I was on my way back to the cockpit to check on the pilots when I thought I heard a thumping sound coming from the cargo hold. I knew this to be impossible, for the only people on board were the pilots, Dr. Higgins and myself. I decided to go down and check on the situation.

The cargo hold was completely empty save for the black sarcophagus. It had been bound tightly in chains and was completely immobile. A strange and unnerving feeling had come over me. I knew it was impossible as I could see the whole empty room but I could swear that I felt eyes on me. Perhaps it was my imagination but I also thought I could hear faint whispering that I could not make out. The whole thing gave me the creeps so I turned to go upstairs. That was when I noticed something odd. The refrigerator where we kept the inflight drinks was leaking. When I opened it I noticed all the canned drinks had burst open and the liquids were boiling over. The stupid thing must be extremely broken. I’ll have to let the captain know as soon as I can.

July 24th, 2025.

We are beginning our final landing approach and I am truly relieved. The feeling of not being alone is ever present. As well it would seem as though Dr. Higgins is indeed not well. He is breaking out in an intense fever. Not only that but the black burn on his hand seems to be spreading and has started traveling up his arm. I have never heard of a burn doing that and the captain is worried that he could be suffering from intense infection. The doctor has protested but we are insisting that he be taken to the hospital the moment we land. I pray that he will be okay.

Professional journal: Dr. Lilian Carl, Carter Institute.

July 24th, 2025

It has finally arrived. I received word yesterday from Dr. Higgins that an unearthed sarcophagus was coming to the institute via plane. I could barely contain my excitement. I was hoping that Dr. Higgins would join me in the opening, however I was informed by the flight crew that he was rushed to the hospital presenting a fever. I wish him a speedy recovery however I cannot postpone opening a find of this magnitude. I’m sure he will understand.

(continued)

My assistants and I have spent the better part of the last few hours trying to open the casket. All of our efforts have been in vain. It amazes me that such primitive methods of sealing can overcome our modern advances. I’ve requisitioned a powerful acid to break the seal. If this doesn’t work I am going to visit home depot to purchase their heaviest sledge hammer and smash that bastard open. I’m sorry for the unprofessional cursing. It’s this blasted heat in the building. I’m going to have to contact maintenance and tell them to fix the damn AC.

Maintenance log: Mark Welker. July 24th, 2025.

I got a very impatient request from Dr. Carl about the apparent heat in the building. Personally I don’t know what she is talking about. I went down to the AC controls and the thing is working perfectly in every damn room. My hypothesis: Pre-menopause.

Medical report: Arnold Higgins

The patient was admitted to hospital with a severe third degree burn to right hand. The burn spread rapidly and fever over 105 degrees persisted in defiance of medication. Blood tests reveal severe blood infection coursing through his body. We have applied broad spectrum antibiotics but it does not seem to be providing any relief. Amputation of the right arm may be necessary. The patient seems to be suffering from fever induced delirium. He keeps screaming about a 5 eyed beast and telling someone named Lilian to not open the casket. We have sedated the patient for the time being and are hoping the patient responds to treatment.

Professional Journal: Dr. Lilian Carl. July 24th, 2025

(Continued)

I arrived back in the lab to a horrible sight. My entire research team was on the floor convulsing rapidly and thrashing about. I called 911 immediately and they just took them all away. The fire department did an inspection of the area and discovered no gas leak. My working theory is that the acid got into the air and caused them to convulse. However if this event has a silver lining it is that they succeeded in their mission and the sarcophagus is open. I know my superiors will not like this but I plan on examining the mummy myself. The work is calling to me and I will not wait until morning.

Medical report: Dr. Sloan, St. Mercy Hospital. July 24th, 2025. 11pm

We have had a large collection of patients brought in from the Carter Institute. They are all exhibiting signs of having seizures. They also mumble nearly incoherent words about some sort of “rising”. From what the paramedics were told at pick up, the group had just opened some sort of Sarcophagus from Egypt. I am aware that we also received another patient who had just returned from a dig in the same country. I believe that the cases are all linked and they may have contracted an infectious disease. Though I admit I have never heard of one that spreads that quickly. Regardless I have chosen to quarantine all patients for the time being until we can run some tests.

Transcribed from audio recording of examination of mummified body:

This is Dr. Lilian Carl, it is 11:30pm and I am beginning the exam of the sarcophagus and its inhabitant. I am using a metal bar to open the lid and.. hello handsome. The subject is measuring about 6 ‘4 and the skin is charcoal gray. The wrappings have strangely rotted away and yet the flesh is near perfect condition. Whoever performed the mummification job, I hope they were paid well because this is the greatest specimen I have encountered.

The body is clad in jet black armor with gold brims. It looks like it is made of the same obsidian as his casket. He was clearly an honored warrior but if that was the case then why all work to seal him up? In his hand is a scimitar that by God looks still sharp as the day it was forged. On the head is a very ornate golden battle helmet. A set of 5 colored jewels are embedded into the front. I am no expert but they look authentic. I have seen less refined royal crowns.

I am examining the flesh now and Jesus… The muscles are soft to the touch and yet firm underneath. It feels like he died yesterday. The body isn’t even cold, in fact it is almost radiating heat. What the hell is this thing? Perhaps I was a little too eager to perform this exam. I believe I will close off the area and come back tomorrow with…wait what the hell was that? I know I am not crazy, the subject’s hand just jerked….

*Sounds of metal scraping followed by a female scream can be heard. Silence*

Medical Log: Dr. Sloan 11:52pm

Something horrible is wrong. I went to check on my quarantined patients only to discover they were gone. The plastic seal has been torn to shreds and the room was completely empty. We alerted security and they swept the building to no avail. We are searching the local area and hope to recover them soon. Something nagged at the back of my mind. Sometimes people in delirium will try to return to a normal life. I immediately grabbed the phone and called the Carter Institute however the line appears to be out of service. I have a terrible feeling that I can’t escape. Dear God let us find them.

Personal Note pad of Mark Welker found stuffed under shelf in supply closet at Carter Institute:

My name is Mark Welker and these are my final words. I don’t know why I am doing this but someone needs to know the truth no matter how unbelievable. It all started just after midnight. I had finished my nightly rounds. Several pieces of equipment seemed to break and all in the last hour. I fixed what I could but I refuse to work overtime for these people. I was heading for the door when the night security guard Phil stopped me. He said that the phones just went down and needed me to take a look at them. Normally I wouldn’t have cared but I knew that we had good doctors in the hospital and we would want communication open.

I reluctantly went upstairs. I saw the light was flickering in the lab. I remember thinking there was another thing I would have to fix in the morning. It’s funny how trivial those problems seem now. I got to the phone lines and they weren’t just out, they were destroyed. The phone and the internet lines were ripped right from the wall and shredded to pieces. A wave of fear I have never known rushed through me. Who would do such a thing and above all why? These were questions that I decided I didn’t want to know the answer to and I wasn’t sticking around to find out. I turned down the hall and fled as fast as I could.

I passed the lab room and the flickering lights brought me back to reality. Dr. Carl was still here. I didn’t always like the woman but I didn’t want to see anything happen to her. I pushed in the door and found the lab trashed. “Dr. Carl, are you here?” I called out but received no answer. That black coffin was in the center of the workable. I knew I shouldn’t but curiosity got the better of me and I looked in. The damned thing was empty.

That was when I saw Dr. Carl on the floor rocking back and forth. “Lily, we need to get out of here. Come with me now, please!” Dr. Carl stood up and slowly turned. What I saw nearly browned my pants. Her skin was pure gray and she looked like she had aged several years in an hour. However that was not the worst part, it was her eyes or lack thereof. Where her eyes should have been were two empty black holes that oozed blood.

She looked (if a thing like that could look) at me and a sinister smile formed on their face. Then she spoke and her voice had an echo underneath that was much deeper, much darker. “He has risen. Takair, general of the maw. The harbinger of Orkathis. The waters will boil and the deserts will burn. The mighty Ra will turn and hide. In his place five new suns will ignite and at last the master will come. He will need soldiers, he will need an army.”

I knew what she was about to do before she did it. I turned and ran as she leapt at me. I felt her abnormally long nails scrape my back but I managed to avoid her. I kicked the huge box on the table and managed to knock it on top of her. She let out an inhuman banshee-like scream. I didn’t stop for pity. I took off down the hall at full speed.

I got into the lobby but what I saw stopped me in my tracks. Someone, no something had grabbed Phil by the neck and held him several feet in the air. The creature had gray skin and wore armor. It was well over 6 feet and impossibly strong to be lifting Phil with one hand. His other hand was placed over Phil’s face. At first it seemed like nothing was happening but then Phil began to scream in agony. I watched as several lumps appeared in various parts of his body.

What happened next was almost unwatchable. All at once Phil’s liver, brain, heart and eyes burst from his body. Phil went limp and the organs floated towards the beast’s open hands. The creature took them and began unhinging his jaw. I had to shove my hand in my mouth to stifle my scream as the beast dropped the organs in his mouth and ate them.

The hand opened and dropped Phil’s body. The body should have crumpled to the floor but instead Phil landed on his feet and stood. The wounds on his body seemed to close but the trails of blood remained. The sockets of his eyes turned black. I don’t mean they were vacant, I mean turned black as ash. It was as if he body had filled with darkness itself. He looked upon his murderer and gave a small bow. Phil spoke in some foreign language I didn’t recognize. The beast responded in the same tongue and smiled.

It was time for me to go. I moved to turn and run but my shoes squeaked on the linoleum floors. Both men turned to me and the creature smiled. He pointed at me and yelled. I didn’t need a translation to know what those words were. I didn’t waste a moment to turn and run. I could hear Phil giving chase with heavy footsteps. With 20 years of smoking and red meat under my belt I knew I would not be able to avoid him for long. I went into the stairwell and leapt straight down the gap. I landed on the basement floor with a mighty crack. I didn’t know if my foot was broken but at that moment it didn’t matter. If I didn’t move then and now something much worse would befall me than a broken bone.

I limped down the hallways that were nearly pitch black. I reached a 4 way hallway and suddenly I became aware that I was not alone. I could still hear Phil thumping on the stairs so I knew it wasn’t him but something moved in that darkness. I quickly grabbed my flashlight and shone it down the hall ahead. There at the end of the hall were Dr. Higgins and the lab assistants. They all bore identical gray skin and pitch black eyes. Dr. Higgins’ arm had turned completely black.

They spoke in unison and all with that same dark echo as Dr. Carl. “Join us. Enlist. Live forever.” They began slowly shuffling towards me like a… well dammit like a mummy. I turned down the other hallway and moved as fast as I could. I knew with my bum foot I could not hope to outrun anyone. My only hope was to hide and pray. I found the small supply closet and locked myself in. It is here where I remain writing this final warning.

I do not know what forces were awakened in that desert. I do not know what plans these creatures have but I know they won’t end here. I don’t know what awaits me but I know I will not escape. If you see me then shoot and shoot to kill. I hear the heavy footsteps outside and the chemicals in the room are starting to boil. Tell my wife, I’m so sorry I won’t be….

When police arrived at the institute they found the place abandoned. None of the previously mentioned staff were found. They along with the sarcophagus remain missing.

Credit: Tenac