GOTHARMONY: Episode 1
The first episode of Gotharmony, published exclusively on substack
Gotharmony is fictional series set back in the Regency Era where gothic music was deemed evil. Its full of romance, betrayal, and mystery.
“You said I had the eyes of a wolf, search them and find the beauty of the beast”
OVERTURE (1791)
Aurelius
«This time I'll save myself, maybe I'll wake up for once»- Evanescence,
“Belphira" That's what they named us. It was a combination of bel which was associated with Belial a known demon and phira which was derived from intera meaning infernal or hellish. Belphira was a connotation that was given to all born children who were associated with any form of gothic music. They were considered cursed and marked for death by most of the town folk.
I knew this because my mother had been one herself. She’d told me stories of how people would chase her down the street, screaming at her to go back to wherever she came from. People were afraid of our kind. Afraid of the things we could do. She could play and death would follow. No matter where she went, no matter how many times she tried to move away, it always happened.
I was just like my mother. Only five years of age but could play and sing making my audience bleed through every opening to death. I had never even touched someone and they died, just like that. But it wasn’t intentional. It just happened. Like it was, Just like that. But my mother told me it wasn't the end. When one died, they would come back stronger than ever.
That's why I loved the music so much. That was why I wanted to study it further and become better at it. Because then maybe, just maybe I wouldn’t kill anyone anymore. Maybe I could make my music beautiful enough not to hurt anyone around me. Maybe I could be happy again. I always had to hide away. Always had to run away from everything. My mother did it and now I always had to do it too. The only thing different about me was that I didn’t want to leave.
I couldn’t.
Not yet. Not until I figured out what was happening to everyone around me. Why did I keep killing? How did I stop it? What was causing it? There were so many questions running through my mind that I could barely think straight. There was no way I was to run, not like my mum did. I wanted to find answers. Answers that would help me understand myself and figure out what was really happening around me.
The only problem was, there weren’t very many places left in the entire world to look for those answers. And if there were, then surely, they would be filled with other Belphiras. But if they were, then why hadn’t I heard anything about it? Where were all these people hiding? Or rather, where were they coming from? Weren’t they supposed to be rare?
Maybe if my mother didn't die by my hands, i would care less about being a Belphira and more about finding the answers to my problems. But no, I was stuck. Stuck in a cycle of fear and self-loathing that threatened to consume me whole. All because of something that I couldn’t control.
Something dark engraved in my being, my voice when I sung, my strings when I played the lyre or when i let my fingers li ger on the keys of the dusted pianos in my fathers cottage. Something that made my blood boil and turn red as it spilled out of my fingertips.
I was sick of feeling guilty all the time. Sick of feeling alone. Sick of having to lie to people just so they don’t hate her.
It was unfair. Unjustified. Cruel.
I deserved better. Everyone did.
And I needed to find a place where I could feel safe. A place where I could learn how to control myself and finally live without fear.
A place where I belonged.
LONDON (1813)
Verity
“This haunted heart, this aching soul, we're walking through a world unknown" - Within Temptation.
The year was 1813 , The fog hung heavy over the winding streets of London, casting a veil of mystery over the city scape. In the distance, the sound of horses' hooves echoed against cobblestone alleyways as carriage after carriage passed by, each carrying its passengers towards their destination. Being an early morning , the bustling crowds of Londoners had already begun their daily routines, weaving in and out of narrow passageways and squeezing themselves onto packed streets.
As the sun rose higher above the horizon, the air began to clear just enough for passersby to glimpse towering buildings lining the streets. Each building bore its unique architecture style, ranging from grand mansions adorned with intricate stone carvings to smaller houses painted bright colors to stand out from the crowd. The owners rushing outside to grab themselves a copy of the Garazo paper, one of the unique papers in London at the time. It was a mix of society news, sports and all. Most Londoners would be glad to start their day after a cup of tea and a great look into it. It was a routine .
Despite the cold winter weather, the city seemed alive with energy and activity. People hurried along sidewalks, bundled up in coats and scarves, while vendors hawked their wares from stalls lining the roadsides. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the aroma of roasted meat coming from nearby restaurants.
At nightfall, gas lamps illuminated te streets, casting eerie shadows across brick walls and caressing windowsills. Shadows danced along the pavement as pedestrians strolled down dimly lit alleys, seeking refuge from the chill outside. For some, though, the evening held promise; perhaps a chance encounter with someone new awaited them around every corner.
All in all, London during this period offered a rich tapestry of sights, sounds, and experiences, making it one of the most fascinating cities in Europe. Its diverse population and vibrant culture made it a hub for art, literature, politics, and commerce alike. From its sprawling parks to its bustling markets, there truly was something for everyone in this great metropolis.
However, amongst all this beauty, there was a strange phenomenon going on. Many people started hearing songs that sounded hauntingly beautiful and soothing. However when they went to listen to them closely, they found nothing but empty air. Some even reported seeing figures of women dressed in white dresses floating near them as they sang. They later discovered that these women were actually ghosts who had died tragically and now wandered aimlessly searching for peace.
Some said that the music was so powerful that it could make listeners forget their own names and memories. Others claimed that it had the power to heal wounds and illnesses. Still others believed that the music contained hidden messages meant to guide lost souls back home. Whatever the case may be, one thing was certain – the music played by these mysterious figures was unlike anything anyone had ever heard before.
Others claimed that the music came from the university of Gome well known as Gotharmony. It was said that the university had been founded centuries ago by three sisters, daughters of the legendary goddesses of music, who had sought refuge in the wild and untamed lands of the Obsidian Crest. They had created the university as a sanctuary for those who shared their passion for gothic music, a place where they could study and perfect their craft free from the constraints of society.
Apart from that , the university itself held many secrets of its own, whispering tales of strange occurrences and unexplained phenomena that haunted the halls of Gotharmony. Some said that the campus was built atop the ruins of an ancient castle, long abandoned by its inhabitants after a series of gruesome murders took place within its walls. Others claimed that the university was founded by a group of witches, who used its location as a portal to summon forth demons from the depths of hell.
Others believed that Deep within the ivy-covered walls of the university lies a secret chamber, where the echoes of a tragic past still reverberate. Legend has it that centuries ago, a renowned maestro's pursuit of musical perfection led him to madness. Making a pact with dark forces, he traded his soul for immortal fame, only to be bound to the chamber for eternity.
His restless spirit guards its entrance, his mournful lamentations chilling passersby. Some claimed to hear his final composition, a symphony of despair, echoing through the ages. Students felt a ghostly presence, warning of the chamber's dangers. Yet its secrets remained hidden, a reminder of music's timeless power and the perilous pursuit of perfection.
However despite the dangers associated with venturing into such unknown territory, brave individuals continued to seek out these elusive songsters, hoping to unlock their secrets and discover the true nature of their enchanting melodies.
There will be weekly installments of Gotharmony, bonus chapters and behind the scene material. Let's chat . See yah soon.
Oh I can't wait to see where this goes. Beautiful imagery
I just got hooked on this. Can't wait for next week. I want moreeeee😭