Part I
Synopsis:
(Previous
history)
Mainz,
1602 AD
The
sun has already risen a few hours ago when Gabriel Laymann, a young novice of
the Dominican monks of Mainz, passed the gate to leave the monastery of his
work... Maybe he was honored for his great struggle during the last trial when
he attended to Else Vogler’s soul in devil’s hand, before she was fed to the
purifying flames. He didn’t know for sure, but it seem like the older monks
back in the monastery—especially his kind of mentor Jakob with whom he had had
the responsibility for Else’s soul together—liked the way he faced the
situation in the prison cell of the Vogler witch, who was denounced because of
being discovered reading heathen writings. Jakob must have been proud of him,
because he mentioned many times, how impressed he was by Gabriel’s
sensitiveness; how the one acted in all those situations, when the devil came
back into her body to talk through her mouth and when he drove out to come back
again... And although it was not easy to see the human being behind the hysteric
woman Gabriel had never forgotten that she once had been a human-being like
himself as well; until the old evil spirit had taken away her sanity.
So,
immediately he got the reward: Today he was sent on his own to the witches’
tower, where those who had lost the right way awaited what they deserved. For
the first time... But when he had opened the heavy wooden door to take a look at
the one, who was lying there on the cold, scanty straw covered stone floor, he
felt like a thunder striking down right into the back of his head. He looked
once, once more and finally couldn’t take his eyes away from his “client”
anymore: Anna Held! She was lying there looking up to him, and it seemed like
she was too weak to recognize him. To recognize her own stepbrother, that had
been like a real brother to her when they had been young children. When he had
had to leave her then at the age of nine to join the Dominicans, he had promised
her that they would surely meet again one day. But this way? Anna Held? A witch?
When he was a child, he had never thought that the devil would be able to
possess her ever. But of course he hadn’t known anything about witchcraft and
the old demon’s game then... Whatever it was, speaking over her lips to him,
it told him that she must have been innocent. Doubtless, a demon was not a demon,
if it disclosed its identity that fast. Sometimes it took weeks until it made
the body, in which it lurked, confess. But there had to be at least a little
chance, that her imprisonment was just a big mistake by law. Anyway, there was
just one way to find that out: Jakob! He would help Gabriel if there was
anything wrong going on. And he would find out IF there was anything-queer
business...
...
Carefully Gabriel opened the door and the shine of a few candles enlightened the
monastery hallway through the slit of the door from inside the library. Gabriel
had looked for Jakob during the whole late afternoon and early evening, but
since he couldn’t find him anywhere he determined on visiting him in the
library latter. Jakob was always open minded for any problem while he was
sitting there reading; and the chance to meet him there was quite good, because
he was there almost every night. So Gabriel set foot in the room and as the old
monk became aware of him, the latter immediately shut the book he was reading in
and put it back on the shelf; well, he threw it more than he put it and he threw
it more behind the shelf than on it. Did he want to hide anything? No way,
Jakob was one of these guys who could really sink into the still they read and
so he must have been really startled, when he realized that he was not alone in
the room.
None
the less the old monk listened consciously to Gabriel’s matter and promised,
that he would make Anna’s imprisonment and trial as comfortable for her as
possible, until her innocence—or guilt—would be proved. Furthermore he told
the worrying novice, that he would start investigations about the file to find
out if there was anything wrong. With some soothing words he left Gabriel, who
went back to his monk’s cell to find no sleep at all.
What
was going on around the novice? Of course, Jakob promised to help; but were his
words meant honestly? He acted so strangely, when Gabriel entered the library.
And why did he give a start at him surprising him reading? Maybe there was
something wrong with the book... Yes, the book, it could eventually bring some
light into Gabriel’s thoughts. And if not? At least it could be a heathen book
that Gabriel wasn’t meant to know anything about. Maybe it was one of the
satanic books, they confiscated from Else Vogler, the witch. Although he was
involved in the trial, he had never seen the books she was accused of having
read in. But how could it help him to free his stepsister Anna? Or... could it?
Or shouldn’t he better try to free his stepsister? Wasn’t she maybe really
possessed by the Old Dragon? Whatever, Gabriel couldn’t sleep anyways and so
he thought that it was worth an endeavor to keep an eye on the book. Silently he
sneaked back to the library... And even if the book could be a potential danger
for its reader, Gabriel’s belief was surely strong enough to face and stand
any evil forces.
Old,
it seemed to be very old. And the smell made Gabriel know for sure: The book was
evil. Just evil! Fixed in the inner sleeve of the leather cover there was a
triangular plaque as big as a hand, which seemed to be made of a kind of metal.
He wasn’t able to understand most of the things in the book because he didn’t
know the language it was written in. Only a few scribles, someone had added
afterwards, probably a long time after the book itself had been written. But
although he could read those words he didn’t manage to get their meaning.
Many
ways lead to Rome. Seven times one way for all that leads to a world beyond our
imagination.
Whoever
might be able to understand it, Gabriel was not, wherefore he carried on leading
through the strange writing, hoping to find something else readable for him. And
he was rewarded for his efforts. Rearmost he found a letter put into the book,
which had been written by a certain Lugaid Vandroiy to—Else Vogler! And now
Gabriel knew what kind of book it was! But still he couldn’t get loose of it
and so he started to read the letter, although he didn’t feel very comfortable
while reading something probably very private, that obviously hadn’t been
destined for him.
Vandroiy
had wrtitten that he had heard from a Gaulish merchant, that the one had sold
the book to Else Vogler once. But the writer of the letter claimed to be the
rightous owner of the book that was stolen from him some time ago. And because
he wanted the book back he let her know, that he would be going to visit her
during the days around midsummer night to repurchase the book.
Gabriel
was a little bit confused, because he had expected something much more exciting
when he had thought of a witching book. Disappointed he put the book back to the
place he had taken it from and left the library to go to bed and have a little
rest notwithstanding that he couldn’t sleep a wink at all. Conceivably there
was a chance to find out something the next day.
It
had to be around eight o’clock in the morning when Gabriel stood at the
fountain to wash his fingers. But the black stains on his fingers didn’t
disappear, no matter how he tried. Was it the black death, creeping around
within the monastery walls? Gabriel was scared by the thought, but in the same
moment he forgot about his fears, because someone was calling him from behind
his back, so that the novice turned around. Jakob welcomed him heartfelt,
excusing himself for having behaved a little strange the night before. Gabriel
heaved a sigh of relief for his fatherly friend was not angry of him. And there
was no reason for the old monk to be angry just because the novice had entered
the libraby quite apart from the fact that he wasn’t able to guess that his
mentor was reading something maybe secret. But just in the same moment the old
one scowled. “You have been alone in the library without being allowed,” he
screamed and pointed at Gabriel’s black finger-tips. And now Gabriel knew what
the stains on his hands were. Someone had marked the book for no one should be
able to read inside clandestinely. “You have misused my trust and read in the
forbidden book. Go to the chapel... and pray for forgiveness,” Jakob clamored
in rage. “For the one and only may have mercy with the one, who has broken the
holy monastery law.”
That
was the last time the friar talked to Gabriel, because when Jakob joined the
mercenaries to arrest the novice kneeing in front of the altar, the old one just
stared at the floor, remaining in silence...
(AVANTASIA).
Summary
Act
1
Scene
1
Meanwhile
it must be night out in the streets of Mainz because only a very dim light falls
through the window in the wall on the cold stony ground of the prison cell
anymore. Gabriel sits on the floor, squatted down, hardly paying attention to
his cell-mate, who is pacing the floor impatiently, nevertheless they have
already spent some hours together in common imprisonment. All the time Gabriel
pulls his brain about what has happened during the past hours and the more
questions he asks, the more questions come to his mind.
He
tells his cell-mate his wholle story; why he – a monk – is in prison. And
although the stranger obviously won’t be able to help him, Gabriel feels a lot
better after talking about it all. In the conversation the stranger with a
foreign accent says, that somebody had waylaid him when he came to Mainz,
because he is the one, who once had signed the letter Gabriel has talked about.
Thereupon
the two converse the whole night long. The stranger reveals, that he is one of
the last druid in the entire world, a member of an ancient secret clan of Celts
in Ireland. And he corroborates, that the investigations of the young novice
have been nothing wrong at all (REACH OUT FOR THE LIGHT). And although the young
novice doesn’t understand very much of what the old gray bearded guy has been
talking about, the few things he can understand show him total new views of life
(SERPENTS IN PARADISE).
It
is the conscience asking Gabriel again and again what kind of animals they must
have bveen, torturing Else Vogler in such a hard way, because if Lugaid
Vandroyi’s words feature the truth, she has been probably innocent. The little
sleep Gabriel finds during the forthcoming night is no relaxing rest; nightmares
– sent by his conscience – haunt him every single moment he closes his eyes
daring to try to sleep... the trial of her who has been treated like a beast (MALLEUS
MALEFICARUM). Three days after common imprisonment Lugaid Vandroyi can make
Gabriel agree, that it doesn’t make any sense to give in to one’s fate and
wait for an administration of justice or – as it seems to happen – injustice.
And Grabriel realizes that Anna can’t be helped if he lies there in chains.
It
is easy for Vandroyi to see, that Gabriel is less afraid of death reaping him
than of reaping Anna. Both know, that they have to fleed, because in the eyes of
law Vandroyi is a heretic... and Gabriel a renegade. So in the third morning of
imprisonment they await the beadle to come as the one has done in the mornings
before as well to bring them water and a humble meal for the day. Gabriel’s
gaze isn’t able to follow Vandroyi feeling the beadle from behind the door,
that fast the old guy, who still bears his years well, acts. With effortless
ease the druid takes the key of the knocked out man (who stinks of wine somehow
which might explain a lot) to open first his own cuffs, then Gabriel’s.
Without knowing at all what happens Gabriel follows the hurrying cudgel-druid
throught the door. Breaking away from imprisonment... and from his hitherto
existing view of life (BREAKING AWAY).
There
is nothing Gabriel rather would do than running straight to the witch tower
where Anna is lying in chains but Vandroyi reminds him of the fact, that the
novice is not one of those who have imprisoned Anna. He is not a cleric anymore.
But a renegade, they would probably wait for already to lay him in chains again...
and the chance to flee then would be next to nothing. In the end Gabriel heeds
Vandroyi’s advice and agrees when the old druid demands to leave the town as
fast as possible...
Gabriel
doesn’t know how many paces they have gone during the day, but in the evening
of their fist day on the run he can hardly feel his ffet at all. And he feels
like a failure because Anna is still enchained. How he has hoped to meet her
again through all the years; now he has met her again but – according to his
constantly returning nightmare – like thoughts of Anna in chains – this
reunion should rather not have happened... (FAREWELL).
Scene
2 (meanwhile):
Carriage
wheels rumble across the pavement. Falk von Kronberg, bailif of Mainz, takes a
look out of the window and is very impressed by the façades of Rome and their
unending beauty and splendor. He has the advantage of joining prince-bishop
Johann Adam von Bicken's journey, because it has been no one but Falk, who has
conducted the trial of Else Vogler. The trial, during which they had confiscated
the book, the cleric train is bringing to Rome now. Including beside the bishop
of Mainz, Falk the bailif and a lot of mercenaries friar Jakob as well, one of
the best friends of the bishop, who has been always thankful for any advice of
the clever Dominican. Also Jakob seems to be impressed by Rome's splendor,
nevertheless his eyes don't feature the flashing, Falk's eyes do. Von Bicken is
just reading, it seems like he doesn't care about anything but the bible in his
hands and maybe the meeting with the pope, but why should he be surprised by the
streets of Rome, he might have been there a couple of times before...
Latter
they all find themselves sitting at a splendid set table. The bailiff doesn't
understand anything of what the others talk about, but he doesn't care. He just
enjoys all the courtly events in the Vatican, while Clemens IIIV, the pope who
has been a friend of the bishop of Mainz since long ago as it seems, leaves the
room to receive what he has been looking for for such a long time by the bishop
and his friend consultant Jakob:
The
last book with the last of seven parts of a seal, they need to bring the
complete seal to the center of the spiritual world. And as they have been
foretold by "unbelievably old, secret and holy documents", those who
can bring the seal of the seven holy books of illumination to the center of the
spiritual world will reach the ultimate wisdom, illumination and ultimate truth.
And wisdom means power (THE GLORY OF ROME).
So
the pope invites von Bicken and his friend Jakob, (who are both afraid what they
don't show), to join him in a world, "that people don't even know about its
existence" – a journey into another domain, in flesh and blood.
And
so the train of Mainz leaves Rome without Jakob and von Bicken, wondering about
why they don't join the way home, but doing so.
During
the following night pope Clemens, the bishop and Jakob sneak through the
obviously never ending hallways under Rome, going for the mission.
>A
secret mission, as Clemens tells both not to talk to anyone about it, since it's
a very special privilege for the guys from Mainz to join him. God usually doesn't
want people to see, what they will probably see tonight and he doesn't want
people to know about everything, wisdom should not illuminate the wrong ones'
minds because on earth there are too many people who don't have the strength to
face the whole truth. And as commanded by secret holy scripts, as Clemens says,
they must lock the world of ultimate wisdom forever after having received it.
After
having walked down endless hallways and unlocked countless doors, they arrive at
the wooden gate they've been looking for. Deposing the heavy sack he has carried
the pope takes out a triangulat plaque, as Jakob can recognize looking very
similar to the triangular plaque, he has seen on the cover of the book, they had
confiscated from Else Vogler once. God's satrap o earth, Clemens, takes the
plaque in his hands and with both hands he holds it against another plaque fixed
on the heavy door. And without using a key or pressing any door-handle it opens.
Heavy winds blow into their faces and although the pope tries to look very
relaxed, the other two – which are scared to death – can see, that Clemens
too doesn't feel comfortable at all. With mixed feelings they enter the room
behind the door; a step into the unknown... (IN
NOMINE PATRIS).
Meanwhile...
Gabriel
wakes up, headache pounding in his head and his body covered with abrasions. But
where is Vandroiy? Gabriel tries to remember:
Together
they had been escaping from the prison in Mainz and from those who are
interested in having them arrested. Vandroiy and he had been on the way to Rome
(well, to von Bicken's train on the way to Rome, because Gabriel had known, that
there was a train about to leave Mainz to go to Rome aroun that time, and
Vandroiy had guessed to know why...), when strangers – probably a gang o
brigands – assaulted them to leave them back alive for any reasons. Vandroiy
had wanted that book under any circumstances before it would have disappeared
behind the Vatican's walls, because – as he had explained – one must not
allow, that the leaders of one mighty organization could decide, who should have
access to the spiritual world. During their escape the druid had told Gabriel a
lot about the book. There existed six more of their kind and every single one
was the key to a gate, through which one could pass into the spiritual world in
flesh and blood. Although the access to that world should actually be a
privilege of the spirit. The entry with the body through these gates which were
spread all over the earth should be possible every time, for Avantasia – as
Vandroiy used to call the spiritual world – shouldn't become forgotten by any
generation. Weel, Avantasia has been open all the time for everyone's spirit,
but every single day more and more people forget about that world. And to
prevent form that, the books shall be there to go to Avantasia with the body –
to remember what it is about, and how to go there with the spirit and without
the gates and books...
Somehow
Vandroiy must have felt that all the books were nearly in one hand and a scary
vision had caused their hurry on their way to Rome: Human beings can be that
egoistic when it comes to power and influence, that they are even willing to do
harm to whole peoples and races. And if the seals are brought to a certain
ominous tower, the darkest place in the center of Avantasia, the spiritual world
will be locked forever, so Vandroiy has said.
Although
it made no sense to Gabriel at first, he begins to realize it is a fact: People
are interested in killing the quest for truth in their contemporaries' minds to
get a bigger influence on them. And: more power over them; to make them be
spineless marionettes. Acting so the "controllers" totally ignore the
point that even their own leaders' followers would forget about Avantasia some
generations later. But if they are conscious of that or not – Gabriel slowly
realizes, why Vandroiy needs to get back the book...
Well,
Vandroiy... Has he been abducted? Right when Gabriel wants to look for him, the
druid appeares with a lot of herbs in his hands to tender their wounds with them.
Vandroiy explains what Gabriel has guessed: They had been abducted by a gang of
brigands and miraculously they just had been knocked out and not killed by them.
Vandroiy looks sad since he seems to know that there is no chance to catch up
with von Bicken's carriage-train to Rome anymore, as long as the train has left
Mainz punctually. If the book would be handed to the pope, he would immediately
go to Avantasia and the scary vision, that Vandroiy once had, would come true.
There is just one chance to prevent from that as Gabriel will come to know soon...
But
before he can ask him a question, the old druid reveals Gabriel another plan:
An
inner voice tells the old druid, that somewhere not far away there is a glade in
the forest, an old spiritual place where they can continue their mission in a
different way. And while they walk through the woods he tells Gabriel about his
intentions:
At
the spiritual place they look for, where ancient powers and forces of the earth
come together to a point of intersection, Vandroiy wants to try to make Gabriel's
spirit transcend to Avantasia... a dangerous act for Gabriel. He explains he
can't go himself because he will watch over Gabriel's spiritless body (for sure:
soldiers of Mainz must search for the two escapists and although there is just a
little risk they could find them – if that would happen, he had to call
Gabriel back immediately). But he will stay in contact with Gabriel's soul over
there in Avantasia and communicate with him. And although everything sounds very
strange and unbelievable to Gabriel, somehow he trusts in teh old guy's words (well,
somehow he has no chance to do anything else, because... yes... oh, Anna...).
A
few minutes later they are standing at a glade in the woods in the center of a
circle of large stones, as Lugaid tells Gabriel, that old friends of the druid
over there, creatures of Avantasia, will give him a new body for his visit in
the other domain. He just wants to free his stepsister – now he's so far away
from her and now about to leave this world?! Godfather – who can ask that much
from a little novice, WHO?
And then Gabriel falls asleep – and transcends...
Act
2Scene 1
Gabriel wakes up having a little headache again, and feeling strange somehow.
And it takes him a little while until he realizes it is him but not really him,
but still him in a way. When he looks down his body to his feet and touches his
nose, he knows that his body is not the body he's been used to living in. But
his mind, his soul... That's'definitely him.
Maybe he would have wondered a lot more about the fact he looks different than
he usually does, but there are more circumstances to take his thoughts off his
own; his environment: Blue sky, far domains, beautiful mountains at the horizon.
Yes, indeed, it is the first time he sees and feels how beautiful nature is (A
NEW DIMENSION).
In this moment a little man appears form behind to welcome him to
Avantasia-Regrin, the dwarf, as he introduces himself. He leads Gabriel to the
capital of Avantasia, the elves's town Sesidhbana, where they talk to Elderane,
the prince of the elves and head of Avantasia. He explains Gabriel who and what
they are (INSIDE).
Scene 2:
Regrin and Elderane tell Gabriel what is going on in Avantasia. Ancient evil
forces have mobilized a strong army raging in Avantasia, spreading terror,
letting nobody pass through the tower, the center of the dream world, except the
ones with the seven parts of the seal. Na eternal war between philosophy and
decay, between spirit and stupefaction, mental life and death. Gabriel is told
his mission will be to join the human beings who must have entered Avantasia (as
they have been informed about) and take back the seal to prevent all the nice
creatures from being forgotten and vanishing (SIGN OF THE CROSS).
It will be his mission, since holy laws of Avantasia forbid Avantasians to turn
violent in human business.
With a strange flying machine, the scared (and more and more wondering , but
less and less trying to know) novice is brought to the way that leads to the
tower and dorpped at the place, where a few hours later the three clerics pass
by. Not recognizing him because of the new way he looks he joins them, telling
them he is the one to show the way to the tower.
Meanwhile Vandroiy gets interested in na old question he always had. What is the
secret of the tower? Why does Avantasia get locked when the seals reach the
tower? But Elderane, who is in contact with Vandroiy (as Gabriel as well) doesn't
want to talk about the secret, because he thinks that sometimes it's better for
mankind not to know everything.
And Gabriel?!? He wonders all the time about how the hell he could help Anna in
running through a world, of whose existance he hasn't known until a few hours
ago. But deep inside his mind he can hear Vandroiy talk to him, who constantly
exhorts him to heed Elderane's orders and finally get back the seals. And slowly
the young novice begins to realize what is really going on-or not...
War is everywhere, as far as Gabriel can see. Like thousands of ants soldiers of
the united forces of Avantasia fight against the black armies. On his mind he
always hears Lugaid talking to him, so far away in the material world and yet so
close, telling him to steal the seal away from the three clerics.
Vandroyi keeps asking Elderane-who has returned to Sesidhbana after having
dropped Gabriel-for the name of the voice speaking from inside the tower,
waiting for the three clerics all the time, but the elf doesn't answer to the
druid. All that the latter knows is that the spiritual world would be lost if
the Avantasia-invaders would manage to throw the seal over the tower's wall the
spiritual world would be lost.
And as they stand in front of the tower, Gabriel worries about how he could
steal the seal away-even though if the others don't know that he is he. But if
he'd take the seal then, they would know and then he would have a whole army
against him. That makes no sense to the novice.
There they stand and when the pope starts talking to the force in the tower
Gabriel and Vandroyi come to know the true reason why the clerics have brought
the seal to the tower. Obviously they haven't known what they have done since
they have trusted in forged documents without knowing, guessing to read holy
documents. Documents which have promised to bring them ultimate illumination,
Jesus Christ. And only when the voice in the tower starts to scream louder,
demanding the seal and becomes impatient, Vandroyi realizes that it was
something hardly to believe that Elderane has tried to cover. And when Vandroiy
asks again for the secret of the tower the elf gives in to his request and
starts to talk:
Thousands of years ago three magicians of the universe had created seven gates,
seven books and seven parts of a seal. They knew there would be mankind some day
and they knew that mankind had to go through bad times, but as well that human
beings could be light and love of creation. When the seven gates were built and
the seven books wisdom with the seven parts of the seal were handed to the seven
peoples of the world they spoke:
Our work in the name of mother earth is done. Now it's mankind's turn. May
Avantasia remain in eternal beauty; may the human peoples comprehend each other
and utilize the possibilities if the planet.
When the earth had been without form, and void; and the darkness had been upon
the face of the deep, they had damned their father to the tower. Their father,
they had broke with, because he had wanted to bring chaos into earth. The tower,
a prison he could only escape from if mankind would lock Avantasia some day, in
bringing the seal to the tower. Until then the magicians' father could just
possess those who have given up their spirits and souls anyway.
Vandroiy is scared as he hears this. Again and again he tells Gabriel to take
the seal, which is still in the pope's sack. Because somehow the latter doesn't
trust in the promises made by the secret documents under the Vatican anymore,
since they don't feel something illuminating at all. Slowly he pulls the seal
out after a while, while the "holy" power is getting more and more
impatient and doesn't soud that "holy" at all. Like von Bicken, Jakob
stands next to the pope getting more and more afraid of the screaming deep
voice. He goes one step back as he struggles and as he tries to cling to the
pope's robe he makes the one struggle as well. Without thinking twice Gabriel
knows it's his turn now, picks up the seal from the dusty ground and starts to
run. Faster and faster through the dark soldiers' armies. Gabriel doesn't think;
he just keeps on running, running and running (dodging and side stepping through
the enemy's lines as Lothar Matthaus through the defense of the opponent in his
best years... Yes, dear listener, and I wouldn't be Tobias Sammet if I hadn't
written something like that anywhere!!!). Running and running until a few
minutes later a shadow appears from behind to grip his shoulders and pull him in
the air...
When the elves' flying machine drops him in Sesidhbana he at first wonders how
he could have been that fast in a human body, but then he remembers that he has
no human body here in Avantasia, and maybe that's what has saved his life (THE
TOWER).
Back in Sesidhbana Gabriel is praised by the Avantasians, but he can't enjoy it
at all. He has failed, what that all worth-without her-who is still imprisoned.
Still waiting for help from a fool, who failed in freeing her, oh Anna...
TO BE CONTINUED...
Part
II
Synopsis:
This
summary continues where the story had been interrupted at the end of Avantasia
part one. It leaves out some details and it is kept as brief as possible for
better understanding of the story and less confusion amongst the listeners. Some
of the tracks are quite symbolic and can stand on their own as well. No one (especially
those who are in touch with good lawyers) was particularly meant to be offended,
lyrics are free for individual interpretation. The full detailed story is far
too long and because it would be beyond the scope of this booklet we tried to
concentrate on the basic pillar.
ACT
2
Scene
3:
While
Gabriel has been taken away from the battlefields around the tower, bringing
back the seals, the three clerics – pope, bishop and Jakob – cannot believe
they have failed. The voice in the tower screams and swears and the three become
afraid of “God’s” wrath.
During the following days, while being in Sesidhbana Gabriel realizes more and
more about what is going on and about the importance of what he’s done. How
much influence the dark force in the tower has on its unsuspecting servants,
reaping souls of those who believe without calling anything in doubt; perhaps
not intentionally but still… (THE SEVEN ANGELS).
Spending
some time in Sesidhbana, the beautiful part of Avantasia, Gabriel decides to get
to know more about the spiritual world, this beautiful non-materialistic part of
existence. (NO RETURN).
After
having talked to Elderane about his desire, Gabriel gets told that he may find
the answers to his questions at the Tree of Knowledge and as a reward for his
help the elves offer him to bring him to the Tree of Knowledge, to get answers
and views that may help him, but might confuse him as well. Whatever the truth
may be like. Driven by an inner longing for wisdom and truth and of course
curiosity he accepts. When he finally stands in front of the tree he finds a
lovely but quite cynic being that confuses Gabriel even more than anything he
had ever been before. (THE LOOKING GLASS).
Sometimes
you have to plunge into troubled waters to come purified. (IN QUEST FOR).
After
telling Gabriel carefully that there is no reason to break down because of not
being able to understand everything, while he still shall try to open his eyes
as wide as possible to learn as much as possible, new views reveal something to
Gabriel.
The
lake which the tree is standing next to begins to become choppier. The sky turns
darker and the waves get bigger. Immediately the lake seems to come alive.
Screaming faces appear in the waves and Gabriel cannot believe his eyes when he
hears Jakob’s voice yelling at him while Gabriel recognizes a young face in
the waves looking a bit like Jakob, but much younger. A moment later he realizes
that it’s not Jakob’s younger brother, but Jakob himself in his early years.
(THE FINAL SACRIFICE).
Scene
4:
Meanwhile
the three clerics rove aimlessly through the wastelands of Avantasia, searching
for the guy who stole the seals and wondering if their roaming through that
“kind of hell” is just God’s punishment for their failure. Being quite
aware of and not seeing anything bad about the fact that some people know more
than other people…For some it may be better to know less and just believe.
Otherwise things would maybe get out of order. (NEVERLAND).
Scene
5:
Meanwhile
Gabriel determines to – no matter how much he wants to go home and help Anna
and how much he misses her – comply with the entreaty of the “young” Jakob
and free the part of his soul that might have been stolen from him slowly but
surely years ago which is being imprisoned under Rome now. (ANYWHERE).
Back
in Sesidhbana Gabriel talks to Elderane about his ambition to free Jakob’s
soul.
Elderane
doesn’t want Gabriel to waste his life, but finally tells him all that he
knows about the hallways under Rome, knowing quite well that freeing those souls
under Rome could help the Avantasian’s in their war against the armies of the
dark force that take all their power by sucking it out those souls. Elderane
tells Gabriel what to take care of, about a beast in stone guarding a golden
chalice filled with the souls that had been reaped during the ages, the chalice
with all the souls that give strength to the evil force in the tower.
Although
being warned Gabriel and Regrin take one of the seals to unlock the gate from
Avantasia to Rome and depart for another journey.
Having
arrived in Rome the two pass the gate to the materialistic world to sneak
through the endless hallways under the city until they arrive at a big hall with
an unbelievably huge chalice in the centre. With their combined effort they
manage to knock down the chalice and they feel immediately that something
magical is filling the room. Millions of souls escape from the chalice, through
the building in all directions.
It
takes a few moments until one of the walls starts to move and the beast carved
into the wall comes alive; chasing as many scared souls as possible back into
the chalice while trying to catch Gabriel and the slow short-legged dwarf, the
latter with success. While Gabriel reaches the gate back to Avantasia and locks
the door behind himself, wondering if Jakob’s soul managed to come free, the
dwarf doesn’t make it and gets killed by the beast. But although Gabriel feels
responsible for Regrin’s death and although he doesn’t know if Jakob’s
soul has been rescued, he has been a success for Avantasia. Back in Sesidhbana
he is told, that a lot of power has been taken away from the dark forces due to
their loss of many souls which also has an influence on the battle that rages
around the dark tower. (CHALICE OF AGONY).
That
evening Gabriel is sent back into the world of flesh and blood into his body
that is still lying next to Lugaid.
ACT
3
Scene
1:
Both
sleep one more night to free Anna in Mainz the morning after. Since Lugaid has
been supported by Gabriel all the time and Anna must be in prison still, he
commands Gabriel to set off to the druid’s home. It may be too dangerous back
in Mainz and so Gabriel is given instructions how to make it to Ireland. The
druid promises to do everything he can to free Anna. Not really pleased but
accepting the druid’s authority Gabriel follows the instructions.
Scene
2:
Together
with some men he hires in a tavern Lugaid returns back to Mainz working out a
plan to free Anna.
During
one of the following nights, when they arrive at the tower, Anna’s prison,
they find an open door. Jakob is already there, willing to free Anna. The monk
is really confused about what he is doing, a thousand thoughts and questions on
his mind, feeling reborn and fresh and yet confused and sad. Lugaid tells Anna
about Gabriel and where the one has been sent by him in brief words. There is no
chance to say a lot because from outside they hear voices and noises. As they
help Anna to climb out of one of the little windows in the wall, Lugaid runs to
the door to take a look out there. In that moment Falk and some men step in and
knock down the druid out of their way. The druid dies. Someone must have seen
something and called the bailiff. After looking around for a moment the bailiff
takes his rapier and strides quickly into the direction of Jakob, who takes one
of the iron tools next to him to defend himself. Blinded by rage, being like
hypnotized and not paying attention the bailiff gets the iron plunged into his
chest… (MEMORY).
Although
even during this night guards and soldiers haven been turning Mainz upside down
to find the fugitive, Anna has not been found by them anymore…
Scene
3 – End:
(INTO
THE UNKNOWN)