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.

Speaker 1 1:05

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.

Speaker 1 1:54

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.

Speaker 1 2:48

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.

Speaker 3 3:18

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

Speaker 1 3:21

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.

Speaker 1 3:52

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.

Speaker 1 4:30

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.

Speaker 1 5:12

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.

Speaker 1 5:42

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.

Speaker 1 6:03

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.

Speaker 1 6:28

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.

Speaker 1 7:09

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.

Speaker 1 8:15

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.

Speaker 1 9:31

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.

Speaker 2 10:47

where are you?

Speaker 1 10:49

I need you.

Speaker 2 10:52

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?

Speaker 1 11:24

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.

Speaker 2 11:38

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

Speaker 1 11:43

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

Speaker 2 11:51

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

Speaker 1 12:00

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

Speaker 2 12:05

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.

Speaker 2 14:04

How that? Thing?

Speaker 1 14:06

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

Speaker 2 14:13

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

Speaker 1 14:19

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.

Speaker 2 15:12

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.

Speaker 1 15:22

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.

Speaker 3 15:56

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.