The line outside Hellfire Theatre wrapped around the block, demons and other creatures chatting excitedly as they waited for Horn City's exclusive screening of "Child's Play."
Unlike Arthur's usual kingdom-wide premieres, tonight's showing was a test screening at just this one theater. If anything, the limited release had only made people more curious.
The theater's entrance featured a massive poster of what looked like an ordinary children's doll, except for its unsettling smile. Groups of friends pointed and debated whether it was creepy or just trying too hard.
"No way this actually scares anyone," Thorak said, leaning against the wall next to his girlfriend. "I mean, come on - we're demons. My little sister summons spirits for fun."
Lyra rolled her eyes. "You always say stuff before Arthur's films. Remember Harry Potter? 'Oh, it's just for kids,'" she mimicked his deeper voice. "Then you wouldn't stop talking about it for a month."
"That was different," Thorak defended himself. "But horror? For demons? My old apartment was literally haunted and the ghost just kept reorganizing my furniture to mess with me. More annoying than scary."
Lyra had to laugh at that. "Okay, fair point. My cousin's an exorcist and half the stuff she deals with is just bored spirits causing trouble."
"Exactly! And look - Arthur's never done a test screening before. Even he must know this is a stretch."
Around them, other demons shared similar doubts. After all, most of them had grown up with ghosts in their homes. While the wealthy could afford artifacts to ward off spirits or hire Solarus exorcists, most demons just learned to live with the supernatural nuisances, treating them more like annoying roommates than actual threats. Making something that could genuinely frighten demons was like trying to impress a dragon with a campfire.
Still, as the doors finally opened and everyone filed in, there was an edge of excitement in the air. Arthur had a way of surprising people, and everyone wanted to see what he'd come up with this time - even if they didn't think it would actually scare them.
The theatre hummed with anticipation as the audience found their seats. Demons, elves, dwarves, and humans of all ages filled the rows - children bouncing excitedly while their parents tried to keep them settled, elderly couples leaning close to whisper observations, teenagers jostling each other as they argued about what to expect.
The lights dimmed gradually until darkness enveloped the theater. The familiar logos of Righteous Film Studio and Hellfire Studio appeared on screen, then faded to black.
In the darkness, an unfamiliar melody began to play - haunting piano notes that seemed to creep through the air like frost spreading across glass.
What they didn't know was that the eerie theme was no ordinary composition—it was "Tubular Bells," a chilling remnant from Arthur's previous life, its haunting tones now repurposed to twist the atmosphere with dread.
The opening credits emerged from the darkness, each name materializing in blood-red letters that seemed to drip down the screen.
"Child's Play by Arthur Pendragon" appeared first, followed by the cast: "Firfel Evergreen as Karen Barclay," "Vivienne Westwood as Maggie Peterson," "George Pendragon as Mike Morris," and "Johnny Devilkin as Charles Lee Ray."
Thunder cracked as the scene opened on a storm-drenched night. Police sirens wailed through the downpour as patrol cars pursued a battered vehicle weaving dangerously through the streets.
Behind the wheel sat Johnny Devilkin - instantly recognizable to the audience as Tom Hagen from the Demonfather films.
His face was twisted with desperation as he fought to control the skidding car. The chase ended abruptly when his vehicle slammed into a tree, the impact sending him lurching forward. Blood trickled from his mouth as he stumbled out into the rain.
"Hold on," a demon whispered to his elf companion, "isn't that Tom Hagen? Did Michael finally turn on him? Is this some kind of Demonfather spin-off?"
The elf chuckled softly. "Different movie entirely. Look at the credits - he's playing someone named Charles. Though I have to admit, seeing him on the run from police does feel familiar."
The audience watched intently as Johnny, drenched and desperate, scanned his surroundings. His eyes locked onto a toy store's neon sign flickering through the rain.
Without hesitation, he stumbled toward it. Magic crackled around his hands - raw and uncontrolled - before the locked door exploded inward with a spray of splinters.
The scene cut to police officers discovering the abandoned car, led by George in his role as Detective Mike Morris. Rain pelted their uniforms as they examined the wreck.
"Listen up," George's voice carried the weight of experience. "Charles isn't your average criminal. He's mastered mid-level magic - one wrong move and we'll be scraping ourselves off the pavement." His fellow officers exchanged grim looks before nodding.
"Over here!" An officer's shout drew their attention. "The toy store's been breached!"
Inside the store, Johnny frantically searched for escape routes as flashlight beams cut through the darkness. The audience held their breath, many silently hoping Tom Hagen's alter-ego would somehow slip away again.
Instead, Johnny began an incantation - words that seemed to slice through the air itself. The audience leaned forward, expecting some dramatic escape spell. Lightning suddenly blazed through the store windows, striking Johnny directly. His body convulsed once before crumpling to the floor.
Shocked murmurs rippled through the theater as police discovered Johnny's scorched remains. But as they filed out of the store, the camera lingered on a "Good Guys" doll box. The doll's vacant plastic eyes suddenly flickered with intelligence, its painted smile taking on a sinister edge.
Blood-red text splashed across the screen: "Diddy/Puffy/Daddy as Chucky"
The doll's grin widened impossibly, and understanding dawned across the audience.
In the front row, Professor Ambrose adjusted his spectacles. "A soul transfer spell," he mused, professional interest piqued. "Highly forbidden, of course, but the magical theory is fascinating. I've only read about such things in ancient texts..."
His academic analysis was cut short as the doll's eyes seemed to stare directly into the audience, that innocent smile promising something far from childish entertainment.
The doll's eerie stare prompted varied reactions throughout the theater. While humans, elves, and dwarves shifted uncomfortably in their seats, most demons remained unimpressed.
"A living doll?" a human whispered, pulling his jacket tighter. "That's terrifying."
A demon next to him let out an amused snort. "Really? That's what scares you? It's just a possessed toy."
"Exactly," another demon chimed in, lounging casually in his seat. "If he'd turned into a ghost, sure, that might be annoying - can't even punch those. But a doll?" He chuckled. "Just toss it in a box and be done with it." ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ novèlfire.net
Their self-assured commentary died down as the scene shifted from the stormy night to a bright, cheerful morning.
Firfel appeared on screen as Karen, stepping into the toy store. The audience's reaction was immediate - she had that effect on people, whether playing Kay Adams-Corleone in Demonfather or Arwen in Lord of the Rings.
More than a few male demons sat up straighter, earning sharp elbows from their partners. One particularly mesmerized boyfriend yelped at his girlfriend's jab, catching her frown. 'Great,' he thought. 'I'll be hearing about this later.'
Other attached males suddenly found the ceiling fascinating or became intensely interested in their snacks, trying to avoid similar relationship complications.
The audience was so distracted by Firfel's presence that the significance of her shopping almost slipped past them.
"Oh damn," a young demon muttered, realization hitting. "She's buying that cursed doll, isn't she?"
"Obviously," his neighbor sighed. "It's a horror film - what else would she buy?"
The predictability didn't seem to bother anyone though. After all, the real question wasn't what would happen, but how Arthur would make it interesting - especially for an audience of demons who considered possessed dolls about as threatening as a misbehaving pet.
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