The Strange Cases of Detective Warren Stevens
The Strange Cases of Detective Warren Stevens
Connections
The Dead go from the Waste and back to the world of the living, Kudos to Master Melace!
And the Living, Walk among the dead as Alex, with Sam wander the Labyrinth.
Can they escape?
As we find that things are tied together in Chapter 19! Connections!
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, alex. And Sam go from the frying pan and into the fire as they try to save Harmony from the clutches of the labyrinth, while Henry, he begins to look at Mark like he's lunch. Mmm. Of course Malus finds this all very amusing, and of course so should we, perhaps. Maybe we should grab a bite or two as well. Maybe some fried zygote, or perhaps a rotting child inside of Henry's body? I'm sure they must be fermented by now. Mmm, ah, I just could use something more to eat. But before digging in on this Tentacle Tuesday, let me remind you that this podcast may contain images of graphic violence, child endangerment and, of course, course that naughty, salty language. Now munch away, my friends. Grab a tentacle or two while you're at it, as the dead shall walk amongst the living and the living shall walk among the dead.
Speaker 1:In Chapter 19, connections. In Chapter 19, connections, mark looked out through a broken, stained glass window and upon the desolation of the waste, the sun blazed and the harsh, dry ground smoldered under the intense heat. This sucks, damn that child Mark. Spit when the hell is Malus? He'd better not have left us out here to rot. Henry turned with an inquisitive look. Malus Mark, in his bitterness, had forgotten that Henry was unaware of the demon Malus. Sorry, master, malus is an ally that has helped me, helped us with our plans in regards to the Sacred Dawn. I see Henry closed his eyes and thought and you believe that he can assist us here? Yes, master, my acquaintance is quite unique. I see Henry repeated Mark, yes, master, how is it that you are acquainted with this? And here Henry motioned to the outer world, beyond the ruined church, this waste. Mark wondered that too. He didn't ever remember coming here, but somehow, perhaps instinctual, he knew of this place.
Speaker 1:Outside, they could hear the clicking of the mandibles of several zygots and fans. In case you don't remember, zygots are man-sized creatures, almost like humanoid flies. They seek out living creatures that fall into the waste, eating any poor souls that accidentally wind up there. And although neither Mark or Henry are quite living, they do have flesh and that will attract them. Now back to the story.
Speaker 1:Again, mark began to wonder if Malus had abandoned them as his had their usefulness come to an end. He couldn't see how Mark. Henry began to whine. I'm hungry, and what do you want me to do about it, master? He stopped. He could see the look in Henry's eyes. If he egged Henry on, he might eat him. You know, master, I knew eat those things, can I? I can't see why not.
Speaker 1:Henry's eyes lit up and flew open the unhinged doors. Immediately, several zygots turned their massive, misshapen, fly-like heads towards him, their mandibles clattering as drool pulled from their mouths. Eww, they look yucky. Henry moaned. Dammit Henry, I can't help you. Either eat them or or I could eat you. Oh, for fuck's sake, henry, I Well, isn't this sweet.
Speaker 1:Seeping through the floor and forming into a shadow and then solidifying into something man-shaped, but like Henry, it was clear he was no man. Henry, feeling threatened, backed up, who do you think you are To interrupt my? Henry began to say. And then Henry found himself clutching at the seams that held his flesh together. I am your benefactor, henry, thomas, and you should be showing me some respect and adulation. Malus's yellow eyes becoming more like flames I know you not. Henry coughed, spitting blood, being defiant. No, you know me not.
Speaker 1:Malus approached and, with one finger, picked Henry's body up off the floor. Malus locked his eyes with Henry and Henry began to see the truth that Henry was a mere pile of nothing, only given form by Malus, master. Henry's eyes became wide, his body a moving, twitching mass. That's better, malus sneered. As Henry fell back on the floor, he could still feel the individuals in his body rebelling, screaming in their silent torture for their release or death. Don't mind them, henry, they're just anxious and want out. Malus added and made a motion with his hand, as if he was tying the ends of a loose piece of sewn fabric, and the teenagers inside Henry stopped moving at once.
Speaker 1:Yes, master, I will serve you as I should. Good, now, mark. I am displeased by the doubts I've heard whispered in your thoughts. Master, don't Mark. Malus barked I need not your excuses, only your absolution, and to have you complete this job. Yes, master, of course I am yours, I am hers, I will serve to the end. Mark replied kneeling. Now, boys, this, this place, connects to the world above. It is a scar we can open and bring you out of the waste. It is why I placed my servant above, it is why I fed it, his servants to act like Jonah's arm, so that when Jonah eats it, it will sicken him and give you a chance to kill him. Finally, mark said yes, but remember to take his arm off first. I can't use it to bring back the lost souls that he damned inside to be extinguished and used as you wish, master. Both Mark and Henry spoke. I am going to bring you back to the world of the living now, malus said, as he cut open his hand and dripped black blood and started chanting while drawing what looked like a stone. Well, the church above trembled, the air cooled and Henry, mark and Malus moved across the gulf and back into the world of the living.
Speaker 1:Brutus and Mason stood near a larger tank. The tentacle inside churned, hungrily, thrashing, as if trying to move beyond its confines and to the hillside just beyond the doors. It could sense Jonah, it could smell the sweet, tantalizing flesh that had ensnared so many demons, the human that was akin to a Venus flytrap for them. They go, attack, try to possess, only to be eaten and used. That's right, my abomination. It's time Mela soothed it, running his hand over its spiny back, its mouth, moving like saw-like blades. Mason, yes, master, I must, as you know, go. Make sure you bring me Jonah's arm. Yes, master.
Speaker 1:Malus pulled out the cold, swollen arm of Silas, the key still firmly in its fingers, he placed it around his own neck. Mark and Henry made way for their master and Malus opened the forbidden portal to the tower. The key squirreled with a blue light, but Malus could still see that it was trying to force the gateway back closed. Sorry, he said sarcastically, I have made my way and now I will end yours. He stepped into the portal and he could hear the hissing air around him. He had finally, after thousands of years, hear the hissing air around him. He had finally, after thousands of years, made his way to the tower. He would obtain for himself this new threat, this Arista.
Speaker 1:Meanwhile, mark and Henry made their own moves as Mason smashed a tank, unleashing the creature, the Tentacle of Ikyatsu. The Tentacle didn't wait either. It smashed through the church doors and plowed its way towards the Demon Eater, the senseless thing trying to regain what it had lost, not even knowing it itself was a mere fabrication, not a true piece of Ikyatsu, but manufactured for this very purpose Distract Jonah, so that Mark and Henry could maim and then finally kill Jonah Hollander. The tunnels made no sense, none, and if it wasn't for Sam's light and presence, alex would have found herself lost in the darkness. This was no place for the living. It actually attacked the person psychically, showing the to purify it, but to darken it, twist it and eventually mold it into something Ekmalak could use.
Speaker 1:How are you holding up, sam asked. Alex barely managed a horse, I'm okay, Hold me Echoed again through the corridors, but it gave her no sense of direction. This is getting us nowhere, alex said, leaning against the walls, which instantly reached out to try to grab her and hold her to the spot, but Sam ignited, driving them off. But shit. Alex said yeah, there's no resting here. How did Mom escape this, alex inquired. Jonas sent Maggie in to guide her out. Well, I have you, sam, I trust you will lead me through this.
Speaker 1:Alex took a deep breath and began to steady herself again and move forward. Wait, she caught something, or at least it rang in her head like an afterthought, something similar to when you realize something after doing it. Sam, ready yourself again, alex. What are you planning? I'm gonna lean in again, but this time burn the entire wall behind me. When I briefly touched the wall, I felt something. I didn't register it at first because I got frightened when they grabbed at me, but I see. Sam replied Ready, ready.
Speaker 1:Alex leaned in again and once more the wall began to grow fleshy, finger-like tubes that began to surround Alex. Oh word, this is gross, alex said, as one tried to grab her mouth and fully open it so they could fill her with these fleshy tubes. Hang in there, sam, said. Alex did. She bit her lips, closed her eyes and, whoosh.
Speaker 1:Sam's flames came hot, searing the things around her and searing into the wall behind her, cooking it so that it began to thin. Alex felt the wall give her way behind her and they fell backwards and into another hallway. That reminded Alex of the inside of someone's mouth, the pinkest flesh, yellow and white pussy-looking veins. And there on the floor, intermingled with the flesh growing around her body, was Harmony Collins. She did not move, but the flesh around her responded to Sam's light and fire, forming two strange bipedal monstrosities, eyeless creatures with gaping mouths.
Speaker 1:Sam, I've got them, alex, follow my lead. Sam responded. As she lit up again and, with guidance, alex parried and thrust through the creatures that lashed out at them, but as she cut them down, more formed it became an endless mass of hungry flesh. Damn it. They must know I'm exhausted. Yes, I'm sure they do. But what do we do? Alex asked Jump over them, alex, and get between them in. Harmony Got it. Sam pushed out a continuous flame as Alex jumped over the creatures, burning them to stumps and landing just in front of the unconscious Harmony Alex, be brave for a moment. You're going to need to stand without me for a few minutes. Oh word what. The creatures began to grow, stitching themselves out of the walls and floors. As the heads began to form, alex felt Sam's presence vanish.
Speaker 1:At this, alex thought back to her own training. There are two things to always remember, alex. Her teacher told her Love and trust. If you hold on to those, even in the darkest place, you can go beyond this mortal frame of yours and connect directly to your true self and to the creator. Focus your mind, she whispered herself. Feel the spirit that courses through your body. She took a deep breath and a new light began to form around her, a light of her own making. The very spirit that had formed her, given her life, was now emanating through every part of her own body. Sam sensed it and smiled.
Speaker 1:Alex wouldn't need her much longer. She'd be able to stand on her own, using the gifts buried away inside her. She had been sent back for this very thing. For this very moment, she was to draw out those things. And then, once more, she'd have to wait. A new master would come. She was promised that, promised she'd have to wait. A new master would come. She was promised that, promised that she would never be alone.
Speaker 1:In the meanwhile, sam's spirit poured over Harmony Collins. Harmony, she called out who are you? A distant voice answered Someone to bring you home. Bring you home I. I can leave. You have not been forgotten. Harmony, come see my light, see his light, which shines from me to you.
Speaker 1:Harmony could see a distant blaze in the darkness. At first she was afraid to move towards it because it could see, she could feel herself being exposed to it. And yet, daughter, come, the voice called. It wasn't Sam's. It was a deeper, richer voice that made her very soul and heart ache.
Speaker 1:Come, harmony, awakened, to see Alex glowing with a deep white fire. Alex, it's about time you woke up. Alex retorted Sam, are you back? Yep, then, in the words of Han Solo, let's blow this thing and go home. Sam smiled. She would miss Alex, but this was the way of things for her. She engulfed both Harmony and Alex and took them both home. So, it seems. Our little Alex has become quite strong, but is that enough? And Harmony has been rescued, but will she be okay? For the labyrinth is something more than a place to get lost in. And Malus, the door is finally open. You're off to see the wizard. Oh, sorry, wrong story. You're off to capture Arista. Will it truly be that easy? For I have it from a very good source that Arista is not quite human herself as we turn the page in chapter 20, a Bitter Pill to Swallow.