The Metal Opera Pt. I - Story

SYNOPSIS


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 scribes, 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 written 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 righteous 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 library 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 fingertips. 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...

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 on 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 had spent some hours together in common imprisonment. All the time Gabriel puzzles 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 cellmate his whole 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 druids 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 been, torturing Else Vogler in such a hard way, because if Lugaid Vandroiy’s words feature the truth, she has been probably innocent. The little sleep Gabriel finds during the forthcoming nights 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 Vandroiy 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 Gabriel realizes that Anna can’t be helped if he lies there in chains.

It is easy for Vandroiy to see that Gabriel is less afraid of death reaping him than of reaping Anna. Both know, that they have to flee, because in the eyes of law Vandroiy 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 Vandroiy’s felling the beadle from behind the door, that fast the old guy, who still bears his years well, acts. With effortless ease the druid take the key of the knocked out man (who stinks of wine which somehow might explain a lot) to open first his own foot cuffs, then Gabriel’s. Without knowing at all what happened Gabriel follows the hurrying cudgel-druid through the door. Breaking away from imprisonment… and from his hitherto existing view of life (BREAKING AWAY).

There’s nothing Gabriel rather would do than running straight to the witch tower where Anna is lying in chains but Vandroiy 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 Vandroiy’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 first day on the run he can hardly feel his feet 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 never had happened… (FAREWELL)


Scene 2 (meanwhile):


Carriage wheels rumble across the pavement. Falk von Kronberg, bailiff of Mainz, takes a look out of the window and is very impressed by the facades 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 bailiff 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 his 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…

Later 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 rooms 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 seven parts of a seal. They need to bring 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 f 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 no to talk to anyone about it, since it’s a very special privilege from Mainz to join him. God usually doesn’t want people to see what will probably see tonight and he doesn’t want the people to know about everything. Wisdom should not illuminate the wrong one’s 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 countries doors, they arrive at the wooden gate they’ve been looking for. Deposing the heavy sack he has carried the pope takes out a triangular plaque, as Jakob can recognize looking very similar to the triangular plaque he has seem on the cover of the book they have confiscated from Else Vogler once. God’s satrap on 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 have been escaping from the prison in Mainz and from those who are interested in having them arrested. Vandroiy and him have been and the way to Rome (well, to von Bicken’s train on the way to Rome, because Gabriel has known that there was a train about to leave Mainz to go to Rome around that time, and Vandroiy had guessed to know why…), when strangers – probably a gang of brigands – assaulted them to leave them back alive for any reasons. Vandroiy had wanted that book under any circumstances before it had 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 he book. There existed six more of their kind and every single one was the key to a gate, through each 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 with 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. Well, 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 from that, the books shall be there to go to Avantasia with the body – to remember what is it 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 first, he begins to realize that 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 appears with a lot of herbs in his hands to tend theirs 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 look sad since he seems to know 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 by the pope, he would immediately go to Avantasia and the scary vision that Vandroiy once had would come true. There is just once 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 druid that somewhere not far 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 at a point of intersection, Vandroiy wants to try to make Gabriel’s spirit transcend to Avantasia… a dangerous act for Gabriel. HE explains that he can’t go by himself because he will watch over Gabriel’s spiritless body (for sure, soldiers from 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 for Gabriel, somehow he trusts in the 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 see 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…
(AVANTASIA)

ACT 2


Scene 1:


Gabriel wakes up, having a little headache again, and feeling strange somehow. And it takes him a little while until he realizes that 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 his body is not the body he has used to live in. But his mind, his soul… that is 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 of his own; his environment: Blue sky, far domains, beautiful mountains at the horizon. Yes, indeed, it’s the first time he sees and feels how beautiful life is (A NEW DIMENSION).

In this moment a little man appears from behind to welcome him to Avantasia – Regrin, the dwarf, as he introduces himself. HE leads Gabriel to the capital of Avantasia, the elves’ 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’s going on in Avantasia. Ancient evil forces have mobilized a strong army raging in Avantasia, spreading terror, letting nobody pass through to the tower, the center of the dream world, except the ones with the seven parts of the seal. An eternal war between philosophy and decay, between spirit and stupefaction, mental life and death. Gabriel’s is told that 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 dropped at a 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 that he is the one to show the way to the tower.

Meanwhile Vandroiy gets interested in and 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 (and 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 to hell he could help Anna in running through a world of whose existence he hasn’t know 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.

Vandroiy keeps asking Elderane – who has returned to Sesidhbana after have 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.

And as they stand in front of the tower, Gabriel worries about how could he steal the seal away – even though 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 then the pope starts talking to the force in the tower. Gabriel and Vandroiy come to know the true reason why the clerics brought the seal to the tower. Obviously they haven’t know what they have done since they have trusted in forged documents without knowing, guessing to read holy documents. Documents which had 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, Vandroiy realizes that it was something hard 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 someday 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 where built and the seven books of 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 the 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 of the planet”

When the earth had been without form, and void, and the darkness had been upon the face of the deep, they have damned their father to the tower. Their father, they had broken with, because he had wanted to bring chaos to the earth. The tower, a prison he could only escape from if mankind would lock Avantasia someday, in bringing the seal to the tower. Until then the magicians’ father could just posses 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 sound that “holy” at all. Like von Bicken, Jakob stand 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 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 soldier’s armies. Gabriel doesn’t think; he just keeps on running, running and running (dodging and sidestepping through the enemy’s lines as Lothar Matthäus through the defense of the opponent in his best years… Yes, dear listener, 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 in 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 al all. He has failed, what’s all that worth – without her – who is still imprisioned. Still waiting for help from a fool, who failed in freeing her, oh Anna…