In Season 1, Episode 4 of the Netflix series Castlevania: Nocturne, titled “Horrors Rising From the Earth,” Abbot Emmanuel (played by Richard Dormer), the secret Forgemaster, plans to solidify his alliance with the Vampire Messiah by arranging a meeting with Drolta Tzuentes (played by Elarica Johnson). The episode opens in Machecoul’s abbey dungeon, where “Edouard” (played by Sydney James Harcourt) is held captive. A Nightcreature attempts to dissect “Edouard” for study until an intrigued Emmanuel questions why he disobeyed him because a Nightcreature’s purpose is to obey their Forgemaster. “Edouard” refuses to respond, prompting Emmanuel to mentally torture the former Saint-Domingue maroon, revealing his twisted, demonic form.
At the Renard Household, the protagonists discuss their investigation, suspecting that the Forgemaster is likely at the Abbey because they tracked the Nightcreatures there the previous night. Maria (played by Pixie Davies) initially believes Abbot Emmanuel is the Forgemaster’s accomplice. However, Maria’s mother, Tera (played by Nastassja Kinski), disagrees, as she still sees the Abbot as a good person since he helped her find a home in Machecoul. On the other hand, Richter (played by Edward Bluemel) and Annette (played by Thuso Mbedu) discuss Edouard’s transformation into a Nightcreature. The conversation shifts to an argument about how to raid the Abbey and assassinate the Forgemaster. Richter argues for a well-thought-out plan to avoid repeating the losses they experienced at the chateau. Annette, on the other hand, arrogantly believes they can handle the threats because she, Tera, and Maria can use magic. The argument escalates, but Maria manages to calm the situation, and Tera offers to accompany them due to her past connection with the Abbot.
At an inn, Olrox (played by Zahn McClarnon) and Mizrak (played by Aaron Neil) discuss the Abbot’s alliance with the Vampire Messiah. Olrox believes the alliance will easily fracture due to Bathory’s deceitful nature. Mizrak believes in the Abbot but is hesitant in his faith due to the Abbot’s status as a Forgemaster, who creates Nightcreatures from the tortured souls of Hell. Olrox asks Mizrak about the demon with whom the Abbot made a deal for the Infernal Machine and the Forgemaster book and tools. The Aztec Vampire is concerned that the Abbot might have made a deal with a powerful demon with their agenda in exchange for a price the Abbot will pay. Olrox explains to Mizrak that there are different demons in Hell, some of which are vulnerable to manipulation, while others were once gods and still possess immense power. Mizrak dismisses Olrox’s explanation, firmly stating his unwavering faith in one God, whom he has served faithfully for most of his life. Mizrak leaves Olrox as the knight returns to his duties at the Abbey to oversee the alliance between the Vampire Messiah and the Abbot. From the inn’s window, Olrox sarcastically remarks that God will not protect Mizrak from what is to come.
In the Abbey, Abbot Emmanuel meets with Drolta, accompanied by the Marquis (played by Jonathan Roumie), to discuss their alliance. This alliance centers around crushing the Revolution and the “Godless Mob” associated with it. Emmanuel despises the Revolution for dismantling the Church and its influence in France, to the point where he is willing to ally himself with France’s vampiric leaders and the Vampire Messiah to see the Revolution overthrown. In other words, the Abbot wants France to return to its pre-Revolution status quo. Emmanuel mentions that he has eighteen Nightcreatures from the corpses the Marquis supplied him, but Drolta insists that the number needs to increase to ensure their long-term goals come to fruition. To verify the Nightcreatures’ suitability as soldiers, Drolta requests a tour of the Abbey’s cellar to inspect the monsters and the Infernal Machine personally.
Olrox infiltrates the Abbey and encounters an imprisoned “Edouard,” inquiring about why the Nightcreature is in a cell. “Edouard” does not know his identity and desires his freedom, much to Olrox’s amusement. Olrox also investigates the Infernal Machine and reads the Forgemaster book to understand how the machine operates and which demon Emmanuel made a deal with. Intrigued, Olrox steals the Forgemaster book to study its contents further.
Tera leads Richter, Annette, and Maria into a secret passageway to the Abbey’s cellars. During their journey, Tera poses a moral dilemma to Annette, asking if she would kill someone she loves, even if that person became a monster. Believing Tera is talking about Edouard, Annette insists that he could never become a monster. In truth, Tera was talking about Emmanuel, but she chose not to correct Annette during their conversation. They reach the cellar and confront the Nightcreatures there. The group also faces against Emmanuel, Mizrak, Drolta, and the Marquis. During the confrontation, Richter decapitates the Marquis, and Drolta duels with Annette, Tera, and Maria. Annette tries to kill “Edouard” to free him from his Nightcreature state, but she fails due to her ongoing fight with Drolta. Richter’s attempt to kill Emmanuel is interrupted by Olrox, whose appearance and voice trigger Richter’s traumatic memories of Olrox murdering his mother. Seeing Olrox again terrifies Richter, causing him to flee the Abbey in panic. Annette and the Renards also retreat, overwhelmed by Drolta and the Nightcreatures. After the dust settles, Olrox meets with Drolta, who treats him with more respect and courtesy than she had shown to the Abbot, recognizing Olrox as a powerful vampire in the Americas. Olrox departs from the Abbey, and Drolta instructs the Abbot to replace the deceased Nightcreatures following the recent confrontation. The episode concludes with Maria and Annette puzzled by Richter’s sudden departure. However, Tera realizes that the vampire who frightened Richter was Olrox, the same vampire who had killed his mother.
The Forgemaster Book Page: A Demon that Resembles “Edouard”
In Castlevania: Nocturne Season 1, Episode 4, directors Sam Deats and Adam Deats, along with writer Clive Bradley, presented an engaging duel and conflict between the protagonists and the antagonists in the Abbey’s cellar. What’s most intriguing is the unique nature of the Nightcreature “Edouard,” who yearns for freedom. Olrox’s comment that “Edouard” possesses a human soul suggests that the Infernal Machine transforms human corpses into demonic creatures, and the souls used are those of the original bodies’ hosts rather than souls from Hell. Another noteworthy detail is a page in the Forgemaster book that Olrox reads, featuring an image of a demon with wings covering its eyes, reminiscent of how “Edouard” conceals his eyes with his hands. Since wings covering the eyes are a common attribute of angels rather than demons, one might speculate whether the demon that made a deal with the Abbot was a fallen angel who became a demon following Lucifer’s rebellion.
An alternative theory could stem from Olrox’s statement that the most powerful demons in Hell were once gods themselves, originating from other mythological pantheons or sects. The demon in question might be Galamoth, who resembles the Egyptian God Sobek. Galamoth appeared in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, one of the games that helped inspire the production of Castlevania: Nocturne, hinting at the possibility of Galamoth’s return with a potential new backstory and motivation.
Rating: 9/10