The Relic

In the depths of the Brazilian rainforest, anthropologist John Whitney witnesses an enthralling Aboriginal tribal ritual. The dancers are in a deep trance, and Whitney feels an inexplicable connection to their performance, especially after consuming a mystical potion prepared by the tribe's witch.

While under the influence of the potion, Whitney encounters a native adorned in traditional attire and face-paint. Overwhelmed by the vision, he gasps, recognizing the figure as Kathoga, marking a significant moment of shock and revelation.

Desperate to return home, Whitney arrives at a commercial dock where the ship Santos Morales is about to leave. Unable to convince the captain to unload his crates for the Chicago Natural History Museum, he resorts to stowing away on the vessel.

Once on the ship, Whitney discovers to his horror that his crates are filled with nothing but rugs. This revelation plunges him into despair as he contextualizes the loss of his valuable specimens meant for the museum.

Six weeks later, the Santos Morales arrives in Chicago with a grim air surrounding it. Police, led by Lt. Vincent D'Agosta, have cordoned off the ship, veiling a mystery that deepens as the crew has vanished without a trace.

During their investigation, D'Agosta and his team make a shocking discovery of severed heads hidden within the ship's bilge. This grisly finding ignites D'Agosta's superstitious beliefs, as he clutches a 'lucky bullet' against this looming menace.

The Museum of Natural History is buzzing with excitement as preparations for an exhibit on superstition are underway. Dr. Margo Green learns from curator Dr. Ann Cuthbert that she is competing for a vital grant against her colleague Greg Lee.

Intrigued by some recently arrived crates from Brazil, Margo engages with Dr. Albert Frock. She discovers the crates contain leaves tied to the mystical potion, prompting her to analyze them in hopes of uncovering their secret properties.

During a school excursion, two boys stumble upon a horrifying sight in the museum: the decapitated body of a security guard hidden in a basement stairwell. This shocking discovery forces authorities to confront the possibility of an active killer.

Armed with grim new information, D'Agosta and his team delve deeper into the investigation. Forensic evidence reveals that the security guard's brain had missing parts, leading them to suspect a terrifying predator is at large.

As the museum's grand gala approaches, Margo connects the enigmatic leaves to the hypothalamus, hinting at a deadly mutant creature. Panic ensues when a search through the museum's underground tunnels reveals a lethal presence lurking there.

During the highly anticipated gala, all hell breaks loose as the legendary Kathoga strikes, trapping guests and police within the museum. The atmosphere turns chaotic as attendees scramble for safety amid the looming terror.

In the middle of the turmoil, Margo and D'Agosta come to the grim realization that they are battling the mythical Kathoga, a creature steeped in dark rituals. They urgently seek a way to combat this threat before it claims more victims.

In a desperate bid for survival, Margo concocts a daring strategy to incinerate the Kathoga using flammable chemicals in the lab. She manages to find refuge in a water-filled container, narrowly escaping the creature's wrath.

The dark tale of John Whitney and the Kathoga leaves a lasting impact long after the chaos subsides. The echoes of this terrifying encounter reverberate through the museum, haunting those who witnessed the terror within its walls.