The Strange Cases of Detective Warren Stevens
The Strange Cases of Detective Warren Stevens
The Right Way, The Wrong Way and Melace's Way
Jonah sets off to face Mark, Henry and IT, as in the piece of Ickyatsu.
Silus decides to lend... a hand to Melace, well perhaps a little more than that!
Chief Donaldson waits impatiently but Alex... doesn't return
Alex goes to place no human should ever travel, she goes to the Labyrinth.
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. Jonah sets his heart in stone. He doesn't see a way out and he wants to ensure us of our future. Silas finds out that he's going to lend more than a hand to Malus as he teleports to Malus's chamber. And Alex, she's been a busy little beaver, hasn't she? But going after a distant voice, one you can't see. Are you sure it isn't a trap, as we shall see on this Tentacle Tuesday, the well-orchestrated plan that will do more than lay the foundations for this story's climax. I mean, can you believe there's only four more chapters left after this? Ah well, of course I need to give you the qualifying warning that this podcast may contain images of graphic violence, child endangerment and, of course, that naughty, salty language. Now grab your tentacles for this Tuesday's chapter, chapter 18, the Right Way, the Wrong Way and Malus' Way. Jonah grabbed at the black stone called the Heart of Hope. He had hung the pendant around his neck after Terrence had given it to him at the hospital. He turned and he looked back at Arista, who was now sound asleep in her chambers. Sleep well, miss Arista.
Speaker 1:Closing the door, jonah began to make his way to the top of the tower, briefly stopping at Maggie's old room Lighting a candle and unlocking the door. He stepped in her smell still hanging in the air. Dust had begun to cling to her things and he made his way towards her writing desk. He picked up an old 8x10 silver picture frame and looked at it. It was of the old crew Terrence Caitlin, mr Allister, sam, maggie and himself. It had been taken just after Uriel had committed herself to allowing Jonah to becoming her apprentice. Although Mr Allister had done most of the work, placing the pitcher down, he undid the clasp at the back of the frame, slowly exposing the picture. He picked it up and gave it one last glance before folding it and placing it in his robes. Looks like I'll be joining you guys soon, he said before pushing the chair back, blowing out the candle and locking the chamber door behind him. He had thought about giving the Heart of Hope pendant to Arista, but decided against it Once more. Max One last time, just you and I.
Speaker 1:He finished his climb to the top of the tower and activated a hidden Solomon Gate. He knew of the church Silas had mentioned and activated a hidden Solomon Gate. He knew of the church Silas had mentioned. It was no base, but it was abandoned. It was an obvious trap and he knew it would be three on one. He knew it would be Mark Henry and if he was right, it would be there also the piece of Ikyatsu. Could he eat it and defend against the others If he had Sam? But he didn't, and while he couldn't use Sam, she would have been a great distraction for it. What he didn't know and couldn't know was that Sam, sam was back with Alex. The sky around the tower was pitch black midnight. I'm ready, master Keeper, as you wish. The old gatekeeper replied, and with that Jonah was transported to New Athens.
Speaker 1:Jonah stepped out onto an overgrown hillside and eyed the crumbling church. The only thing that remained from his glory days was the steeple. The symbol of the word had snapped off and lay upside down on the ground near the steps, pausing. For a moment he turned back towards the large creature that kept the gate passages free from the Cadric Order. I suppose this is the last time I will see you, old friend. Perhaps Only the word Adone and the Spirit will know the course of things that may come. Hmm, jonah, thought to himself. He went to turn back to inquire further, but as usual, the gatekeeper was gone. The ground trembled and Jonah turned his attention to the crumbling church once again. Burn it, he said out loud, and the bandage on his arm completely lit in blue flame. Disengage the seal, he said, and his left hand went completely ablaze in blue. The silver cross that had been embedded in his palms since he was six fell off and back onto a physical chain. Lifting it up with his now pitch-black arm, he hung it over his neck and next to the Heart of Hope, he heard what sounded like a chime or a bell, as if the two pieces were talking to each other. Odd, he thought. Fine, you two keep each other company, me, I've got work to do. He started walking down the hill and towards a field, his entire arm pulsing, cracking with power. Okay, Mark Henry, it's time we finished this.
Speaker 1:Silas himself had left hours earlier, but not to get help for Jonah, but to report in. He was still smiling from ear to ear as he found himself in the chambers of Malus, a stone, well-shaped room with a pool laying on the far side. Steps ran up towards the edge and two brutish-looking lower-class demons stood on either side of the blood-red altar. As he approached the altar, both lowered their large battle axes blocking his ascent. I'm here to see the master. Silas grumbled at them.
Speaker 1:Maelus, no, accept anyone, you dolts. I was told to come here. He said that he had a special request of me. The two looked at each other and nodded you be Silas? Yes, Come forward and prostrate yourself at the altar. The larger one insisted Fine, but you're holding me up. Malus will be infuriated if Jonah gets away it. Okay, read forward and grab the statue in front of you. Fine, this is absurd. Silas did as they said reached forward and grabbed the strange looking obelisk in front of him, and one of the guards tied his hands together. Hey, malus demanded that.
Speaker 1:The pool began to churn and Malus rose from within its depths, standing like a charred shadow with sickly yellow eyes. He stepped out, barely in the physical shape of a man, the ground hissing underneath his steps. Barely in the physical shape of a man, the ground hissing underneath his steps. Silas, so good of you to come. Malus hissed. Master, I am pleased to serve you.
Speaker 1:Silas expressed in a hopeful tone that Malus would release him, embrace him, praise him for all the things he had accomplished. I know, I see, and I am very, very happy, maelus said in a mocking tone. Silas not picking up on that starts pleading with him. So why? Why this master, these ropes being pulled prone in front of you? Oh, I am sorry, don't mind my sevens, they're just following my edicts. I, I really don't understand, master, silas said, confused, frustrated. Remember when I said I may need something from you? Yes, silas said. And how did you respond? Malus pressed I'd give you anything, you asked. Silas solidified and Malus nodded to his bodyguards. Bingo. Malus said Brutus, would you?
Speaker 1:The one demon took a position slightly to the left of Silas. What's going on? I, he heard the axe rise, fall and searing pain shot across Silas, my arm. He screamed. Blood sprang. Mason, take care of that wound. We wouldn't want Silas to bleed out. Yes, master, fuck, fuck, fuck, why? Silas screamed.
Speaker 1:Malus picked up the limb and licked the bloody stump. You see, silas, if I just take the key and go get the girl, how would you explain to them your escape? I, silas, the arm proves. You defended yourself and I took the key with your arm. It would be strange if I just showed up at the tower without a means to get there. Silas finally understood His arm and blood would trick the key long enough to allow Malus to access the tower grounds. He wasn't going to be the one to obtain. The girl Arista wasn't going to be his. She was going to be for Malus gritting his teeth as Malus tied off his wound. Master, I am honored to have been of service. I know Silas. I know Maelus turned back towards the pool carrying both the arm and key.
Speaker 1:Boys, go ahead and chuck our friend Silas back through the void. Hopefully he lands at Bishop Rock's door. I'm sure he'll be intrigued by how you escaped, as you will, master. They untied the pain-riddled Silas and dragged him back to the circular stone portal he had come through. Without the key he would no longer have the divine presence and there was a chance that the keeper would sense a betrayal he committed. If that happened…. Master, is there any other way? Silas pleaded. Of course there is, silas, but my way is the best way. With that, brutus and Mason lifted his body, tossed him into the portal's entrance and watched it as it activated. No one knew where he'd end up. He had served his purpose. If he did wind up at the seminary, there'd be a chance that they'd believe him and of course, that would continue to make him useful. If not, c'est la vie.
Speaker 1:Rich Donelson paced vigorously at the front of the fireplace as the cleanup crew did its work. Where is she? She had been gone for over three hours. Oh God, what if she got trapped by Mark or Henry? Damn it. Why can't I use the gate and go after her? He knew the answer. On the last one, alex had used Sam to divert a bullet he had shot into the control. Did that mean on the other side they couldn't come back? Lord, I hope not, chief, you're wearing a hole in the floor. An officer called out yeah, I know you got any cigarettes Now, chief, you know I quit. My wife would have my head if I didn't. Yeah, mine too. She gets pissed every time I light up. But incoming. Someone shouted and the fireplace began to glow. Weapons up, but keep those safeties on unless I signal otherwise.
Speaker 1:Donaldson called out, the guns raised into a ready position and a soul figure stumbled out of the fireplace, grasping at his left arm, silas. Donaldson called out Don't shoot, don't shoot. Silas, practically tripping over himself and into Donaldson's arms. Help me, I need a medic Stat. Donaldson called out Chief. Chief, you need to warn him who. Donaldson demanded Jonah. They took my arm, the key to the tower. They're after his apprentice, that girl Girl Apprentice.
Speaker 1:While he knew about Jonah and had worked with him in the past, he hadn't seen Jonah since Warren got stuck on the other side. Listen, silas, right now I need to get you to a hospital. Whatever Jonah's gotten himself into is his problem. But, chief, I don't want to hear it, silas. Donaldson snapped. It will fall on my shoulders if I'm wrong. Perfect. Silas thought this fool had set up his excuse. He'd need to push a little more to make it convincing. Silas, sliding off the stretcher, begins to stumble forward. No, chief, we must warn him. Incoming Chief. We've got another signal forming in the fireplace. Get him out of here. Weapons up.
Speaker 1:They dragged Silas out as another lone figure emerged. He was lying on the floor looking up into the room with his hand up. It was Henry Bell. Henry Donaldson called out Where's the kid, where's Alex? I don't know? He cried. She helped me get in, smiled, stepped back. As the gate activated she said to tell you she's sorry. Shit, someone get him help, someone get this gate back online and someone get me a fucking cigarette. Alex carried Henry to the gate and placed the old man on the floor. Aren't you coming? I am, but I hear someone calling me. I can't explain it. Henry, I'm going to send you and go look for whoever's calling me, but Tell Chief Dunstan I'm sorry.
Speaker 1:The gate activated and Alex stood alone in the burnt-out room. Sam, did you hear it? Yes, alex, can we get to her? I can try, but it won't be easy. It's not a normal passage for me, but but I can do it. Sam replied Okay, sam, let's go.
Speaker 1:Alex, before we do, I need to tell you that place. That place will make this room with skin seem like a walk in the park, joy. So out of the frying pan and into the fire, huh. Alex said with a heavy sigh. If anyone had ever told her she'd be traveling across worlds, across time, across realities a few years ago, she would have laughed. She took Sam by the hilt again, stepped back into the teleportation ring and said let's go.
Speaker 1:The room shifted, the wind howled and reality split. As time peeled away, sam engulfed Alex in fire. As he stepped into a dark vortex, they could hear voices calling, begging, pleading for help. What is this place, sam? It's called the Labyrinth. Your mom had once been drawn into it when you were in the other dimension. It's why I was able to bring you here. I see, help me. A voice called out, a familiar voice, a voice of someone in horrible pain. It was the voice of Harmony Collins. As Jonah prepares for battle and Arista sleeps, malus has now obtained the key he needs to attain her. Meanwhile, what of Alex? She's entered the labyrinth. Will she be able to find Harmony? Rescue her? Well, there's only one way to find out. Tune in next week for Chapter 19, connections.