The Puppeteer (Adam Booth) has taken refuge in a deserted warehouse to make much needed repairs to his puppets and theatre. His solace is interrupted by Tony (Jonathan Hooley) who is also looking to take refuge. From what? We can only guess from his blood stained clothes and drawn weapon, to be reasons far more sinister than the puppeteer's. As the two wait it out the puppeteer, not being one to resist an opportunity to perform a show, convinces Tony to be his audience; after all he has been doing this for 400 years.

The puppeteer's stories all stem from the same source, The Mortus Illumina; a book written many moons ago that serves as a ledger over time of the foolish and the ignorant. He chooses to tell Tony the story of Mary (Susie Benton). There's a lesson to be learnt from this tale but will Tony choose to hear it?

Mary's story is a twisted affair. Trapped in a violent relationship in which she stays only through pride. She takes an easy way out when her neighbour and confidant Rico (Paul Holden) introduces her to a mysterious figure clad in black who helped Rico with his gambling affairs.

A meeting in the most dead end bar of town ensures the deal is done. Seduced into selling her soul by a mysterious figure dressed in black, Mary's deal is quickly and simply done. She will take her violent boyfriend's life and in return will receive five years of happiness, at the end of which she must take her own.

At the end of the five years , Rico takes his life with ease. Mary, who believes she is smarter than the powers that be, takes refuge in a convent. Will she really be safe?

The mysterious black clad figure is Veil (Darrell Brockis), ruler of the Deadlights realm; a world that has fallen into decay; as he chose to sleep for two thousand years. He needs 5 souls to ensure the survival of Deadlights. He already has four and Mary is the fifth. He is going to ensure that he will get her. By any means.

But other forces are at work here too. The right for a world to sit in the hands of a celestial being is a fiercely fought affair. Not all want Veil to succeed.

Mortus Illumina is a mixture of live action, animation and puppetry.