The narrative describes an adventure in the Paris catacombs, pursuing the mythical Philosopher's Stone, a substance believed to grant eternal life. The protagonist, Scarlett, is an archaeology professor who believes the Philosopher's Stone is hidden in the catacombs.
Scarlett and her companions, including her ex-boyfriend George and cameraman Benji, follow clues to a tombstone, which they translate and discover is a message leading them to the Philosopher's Stone. The stone is said to be located beneath Nicolas Flamel's tomb in the catacombs.
To reach the tomb, they must navigate through the catacombs, which are a network of tunnels used as a cemetery. The only legal way to visit the catacombs is through a guided tour, but this only covers 0.5% of the catacombs. The illegal way does not cost money, but it comes with a fine if caught by the police.
The group decides to enter the catacombs illegally, despite the dangers, including water, narrow tunnels, and potential attacks. They follow a series of tips, such as dressing appropriately, not being too loaded, carrying a backpack and flashlight, and wearing boots that cover their legs completely.
During their journey, they encounter various challenges and dangers, including a cursed tunnel, a graffiti of a friend named Papillon who disappeared years ago, and a dead child. They eventually reach the chamber where the Philosopher's Stone is hidden.
Unfortunately, the stone they find is a fake, and they must return to the chamber and replace it with the real one, which is nothing more than themselves. They successfully confess their sins, jump into a well, and emerge in a street in Paris, having survived their journey through the catacombs of Paris.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
- Scarlett is an archaeology professor who wants to find the philosopher's stone, a substance that can grant eternal life.
- She visits her ex-boyfriend George, who knows Aramaic, and translates the tombstone of Nicolas Flamel, a famous alchemist who supposedly created the stone.
- They find out that the stone is hidden under Flamel's tomb, which is in the catacombs of Paris, a network of tunnels that were used as a cemetery for millions of people.
- They hire Papillon, an illegal explorer of the catacombs, and his team to guide them through the forbidden area.
- They enter through one of the most popular prohibited entrances on the abandoned train tracks of Paris, but they are chased by the police and have to hide in the tunnels.
- They encounter many dangers and strange phenomena in the catacombs, such as satanic rituals, cursed tunnels, a piano, a phone, and a friend of Papillon who disappeared years ago.
- They realize that they are in hell, following Dante's Inferno, and they have to confess their sins and take a leap of faith to escape.
- They find the philosopher's stone under Flamel's tomb, but it turns out to be a fake one. The real one is Scarlett herself, who has faith and knowledge.
- She manages to heal George, who was bitten by Satan, and they escape through a sewer to a street in Paris.