The Rescued and The Lost.

Silus spins more lies
Jonah makes a bad decision?
while Arista prepares for the consequences to come.
Meanwhile, Harmony languishes in darkness
and Alex, rescues Henry.

Transcript

Speaker 1 0:00

The following podcast is a work of fiction . All characters are the creation of Peter Williams . Any resemblance to someone living or dead is purely coincidental . Thank you , silas has arrived at the tower . He brings the news . Jonah is waiting for the news . Malus has laced with lies . Meanwhile , harmony languishes in darkness , tormented by her own failures .

Speaker 2 0:28

And Henry put on some pants please .

Speaker 1 0:32

Ah well , I guess that's not easy to do when you're trapped in your own failing body . And before we begin today's chapter , let me remind you that this podcast may contain images of graphic violence , child endangerment and , of course , naughty salty language Now grab your tentacles as we step beyond the veil and see the truth in all of this with chapter 17, .

Speaker 2 1:01

The Rescued and the Lost 17 , the Rescued and the .

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Lost . Jonah hadn't slept well in weeks and , although the training with Arista had been going well , his heart and his mind could not focus , and Arista did her best to help him refocus , as she no longer needed an obstacle course but one-on-one training . One night , as they sat watching the sunset , he brought up his own training under Mr Alistair . While how you use your abilities is a little different than my own , keep in mind that the enemy will be watching and researching how to destroy you . For instance , mr Alistair , like you , would attack my left arm . He did this to increase my defense and also train me in how to use the other aspects of my talents .

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Jonah , he said to me , if the enemy does ever find a way to cut off your arm , they will believe that they have destroyed you and your abilities , and let them believe that your arm is only a conduit and the mark on your hand was only placed there when you were young to seal your power so that you wouldn't lose control . I see she responded . Yes , jenna replied the same way that he needed to learn how to refocus his own powers after ekmalak took his horns . Our power is more defined by our connection to our souls , and I suspect that you have a deep connection to yours . So the only way to interrupt my connection is by , yes , death . They will focus on your head , your heart , with me they'd rather take my arm , hoping I'll despair .

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And now , with you losing Maggie , they may believe that's even more likely , arista said , seeing the turmoil in Jonah's heart . Yes , he replied . Is that why Bishop Brock asked you to back away for a time ? Not just to train me , but to get your mind straight , I suspect so , kid Kid , is she really that ? She may look to be around ten , but her eyes suggest she's more like Jack Stevens , ageless .

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Have you been able to do that ? Get your mind straight .

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Aris , depressed , hoping he'd be honest with her . Yeah , he lied and she knew he was lying . She could see that he wasn't eating or sleeping much . Plus , jonah added with a casual laugh I'm not worried , I have you watching my flank , master , jonah . Her thought was cut off as the perimeter alarm went off . It sounds like we have a visitor . Jonah said getting up . He didn't see Arista frown . Her thought was cut off as the perimeter alarm went off . It sounds like we have a visitor .

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Jenna said getting up . He didn't see Aris to frown . She knew his heart and knew the events that must unfold . She was here to assist , to witness , and Silas found himself dumped on a field miles from the tower . The sun was already setting and he wondered if it was too late in the day to make it in time . Perhaps I should settle in . But to his pleasure and surprise , the key he wore continued to pulse , giving light to his steps . Aren't you a handy tool ? He said to himself , and he followed it through a wooded path . He sensed so many eyes were upon him . He'd have to be masterful here in order to prevent his discovery . And yes , he was being watched .

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The woods had gone silent , so all he could hear was the rushing of a stream . He crossed it and reached a field of grass that stretched like a yellow sea until it reached the base of the tower . He could catch glimpses of things from before A little red-haired girl playing tag with Mr Alistair . That name stuck in his craw . Demons like him . He hadn't stepped on the grass when a streak of silver came at him through the tall grass . Oh , he thought she's quite fast . Malus may have underestimated her strength and speed of growth . He was just about to hail her when he realized that someone was standing behind him . Ah , mr Silas , I see you've returned . It was Jonah's voice .

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Taken back , silas turned his attention from the girl . Yes , good evening , master , jonah . What news do you bring me ? Arista arrived . As the words left Jonah's lips , he sensed a slight hint of frustration . No surprise from Arista that Jonah had arrived before she did . You had asked for news of Mark . Yes , go on , jonah encouraged . He winked at Arista , his little way of saying I am still the master , you know .

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He and Henry Thomas made an attack on the lab stationed at the old Thomas residence . Is the Kuchma girl , okay ? Jonah asked , his brow furrowed . Unknown sir , I was unable to access the residence due to a large police force encamped at the site . I see , I do know where they're going .

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Silas added this was the part that Malus had asked him to relay . Well , tell me Jonas snapped , annoyed that Silas had held back the information . Sorry , they had headed to a small church outside New Athens . I hear it's abandoned and possibly the site for their operations . I see Jonas said , closing his eyes contemplating an action .

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Silas , yes , my lord , go back to Bishop Brock and relay this message . The knight has taken the rook , sir . It's a chess term , silas . A code he will understand . Currently , I don't believe you're permitted to know that code . I guess not . Silas agreed it was hard not to A gate and now a code he didn't know . He wondered what other secrets the Sacred Dawn still had hid from him . Not that that mattered . Jonah wasn't aware of the trap Maelus had set . That's okay . Go tell him he will send support . Whatever you do , don't delay .

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Arista and I will be facing something much worse than Mark and his new fiend friend . Aye , aye , master , jonah . Silas smiled , bowed and waved to Arista before turning to leave . If this worked out , she would soon be his . At least that's what he believed . Jonah turned to Arista with a different plan . Arista yes , master , I want you to stay here . Master , I suspect there's more to this than meets the eye . If I'm right , they're using this as a means of snatching you while I'm in combat and distracted . That shouldn't matter , master Jonah . I'm strong enough to watch With a deep , sorrowful look . Jonah stopped her in midstream . Word forbid , I fall . We will need you more than ever . Please stay here , master Arista . I plan on using everything I have to take them down . That may be risky . If I lose control , you'll be in greater danger from me than whatever they can throw at me .

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Arista didn't like this plan . She was completely against Jonah going alone , but she was bound by her orders . She was not to interfere . As you wish , master . It was a choice she knew he'd come to regret . And yet Harmony found herself in a very dark corridor . Wind and voices howled at her , and with every step , the corridor twisted , going deeper . She could hear voices , voices of those she had taken in the past , from the time she was called Violet , my love .

Speaker 2 8:50

I need to be with you . That's right , john . Me and only me . Forget your wife , yes . Forget your children , yes , I want you , john .

Speaker 1 9:07

Yes . Or when she was known as Vicky Vixen . Give her a hand , ladies and gentlemen . You'll never see such a luscious woman as Vicky . She spied a young man in the audience watching her with such an intensity . That's right , my boy . All eyes on me . He was a virgin . She could sense it , smell it .

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Those were always her greatest prize getting someone to forfeit their innocence . The road of selfish desire . It could lead someone down a very dark path , yes , but the images that she was shown next were not of the young man pursuing his lust , but BAM Taking his life . And while the master would be pleased by this act , in her current state as Harmony Collins , that action tore at her like nothing else . All the things he could have done , all the people he could have loved , damaged , and she , she was the one responsible . Was it worth it ? A ghostly apparition formed , accusing , asking her I'm sorry , harmony whispered as the figure turned , revealing where the gunshot wound had torn through his head . I'm lost in darkness because of you , it stated . Harmony cried . It didn't matter how much she reformed , her sins were too great . Then came the image of Henry alone crying on a bed . Came the image of Henry alone crying on a bed Harmony .

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where are you ?

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I need you .

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I'm here , love , harmony , I am desperate . I need you so badly . The blood's worn off , I can't walk . And they know , harmony , they know , please , wherever you are , I'm here , love . She called again Harmony , I'm so cold . The skins , the books , the lost children . Was it worth it ?

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The voice came again . I'm here . She pounded on the walls trying to get Henry's attention , but the vision faded . A deep laugh sounded again .

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Did you really think you'd escape me , Harmony ? It was him .

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I did escape you . I am someone new oh really ?

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Then why are you here , harmony ? Why are you all alone , wandering lost ?

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It matters not , ekmalak , I may wander here , but I know .

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Know what your Henry is discovered . Jonah is about to die and I will obtain the Arista girl and use her to take my form in the Earthrealm . Liar , she screamed . Of course I am . What else would I be ? After all , I am the master of lies .

Speaker 1 12:34

The voice went silent , the halls dark . The voices grew louder and Harmony realized where she was . Harmony was in the labyrinth . The chances of escaping here Small , if not none at all . No one knew she was here . No one could rescue her . She would soon become one of the shadows that walked here . She was truly lost . Alex opened the door and stepped back . The smell of decay that met her nose was beyond putrid . Sam , you don't want to know ? Sam suggested . At least tell me . That's not . No , he's alive . He's in the next room . The flies scattered as she walked through the room . Who's there ? A trembling voice called out Henry . No answer . The spirit of Sam fully manifested , giving Alex support and guidance Follow me , alex . Sam pointed towards a door and a knob turned . Henry gazed at them . He was in his boxers . The device that had given him the illusion of that thing had been destroyed . Alex , he croaked . All he could see was the light , the sword cast off illuminating Alex . Yes , henry , I'm sorry , I failed . It's okay . We , I came to get you .

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How that ? Thing ?

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That pull-up , can you walk ? Alex asked . Henry shook his head no , no .

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Harmony's blood wore off late yesterday . I I suspect she's in trouble .

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Alex . Alex said nothing . She would have to put Sam away so she could carry Henry out . Henry , I'm going to carry you how ? No offense , kid , you're Just a girl . She smiled . I have some special help , I can manage . Henry , embarrassed by his attire I'm a little underdressed for this . Alex sighed I've seen worse . Come on , climb on . Henry reluctantly climbed on . He could hear Alex whisper something as he did . So , jack , sam , give me your strength . And even so , it wasn't easy . The oppressive evil sapped up both their souls , tormenting them with doubts , fears , wants and mistakes . Ignore them . Alex said out loud to Henry it's hard .

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Henry said they keep showing me , showing me all of Harmony's sins , as if they're trying to hurt her by showing me the wrong she's done .

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For Alex it was different . For Alex , it was the loss of her dad , the fragile state of her mom , and the voices accused her of brashness at thinking herself something special . It hurt . She didn't like the things they said . Sam , still here . Alex , good , I need , I need help Please . How I don't I need help Please , how I don't know Something , please . A second voice came , one she didn't recognize .

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I've got this one , Sam , Please Let me . I am hope for all those who are hopeless . I am eyes for all long to see . In the shadows of the night , I will be your light . Come and rest in me . Do not be afraid . I am with you . I have called you each by name . Come and follow me . I will bring you home . I love you and you are mine .

Speaker 1 16:57

And we couldn't see Sam or Jack , but he could hear the faint singing . It encouraged them as they went past the pool , past the remnant of the sewing machine , past the burnt books and finally back home . Arista seems to know something , and Silas he thinks he knows something , and Jonah is about to unleash everything he's ever learned . I mean , what could go wrong ? To find out , you'll need to tune in next week with Chapter 18 , the Right Move , the Wrong Move and Malus' Move .