Epilogue or Dreams and...

and thus this arc comes to end.
I leave you with some answers
some questions
and a little bit of hope!

Transcript

Dream's End

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 , alex has gone home , but her story is far from done , as she has received an invite to the cottage to see an old friend . Sam has once again returned to the Café Solfeggio . She will help Caitlin , she will help Harmony watch over them and Caitlin's grandchildren in particular . Lastly , it seems Silas had finally come under suspicion . But none of these things are part of today's story .

Speaker 1 0:43

Today we return to the tower Arista , jonah and oh . Before we do , let me remind you that this podcast may contain images of graphic violence , child endangerment and naughty salty language . Sadly , today I don't believe there's any of that Naughty salty language . Sadly , today I don't believe there's any of that . Now , hold on to those tentacles a little bit longer as we conclude this arc with Chapter 22 , epilogue or Dream's End .

Speaker 1 1:20

Before we end this story , we first need to go back Back a year before the events of Arista begin . We find ourselves on a lush seminary ground , students milling about , laughing , preparing for their classes . A lone figure moves among them , wearing a forest green hoodie covering her face and features . She enters the hall , climbing the stone steps and makes her way to an open desk area . She enters the hall climbing the stone steps and makes her way to an open desk area . Surprised not to see Secretary Fritz toiling over some paperwork , she decides to approach the office door .

Speaker 1 1:51

Bishop Brock , meanwhile , sits behind his desk sipping coffee while flipping through a large file . He hears a knock at his door . Come in . He calls out and slowly the door opens and Joan Hollander slips in . Joan , the bishop says , standing up , what do I owe the pleasure , hello bishop , do you have a few minutes ? He can see her face is lined with concern and motions for her to sit in one of the red leather chairs . Bishop Bill , please ? She looks at him nervously , smiles while wringing her hands and restarts the conversation . Bill , the dreams are back .

Speaker 1 2:28

She almost said the last part as a whisper . You mean like when Jonah was turning 14 ? Yes , the bishop or Father William Brock had been involved with the Hollander family since before they took him maggy . He knew of their unusual life , I guess you could call it , and he himself had been a member of the Sacred Dawn since he was about 17 . But that's another story , maybe for another day . What are they about ? Do they have to do with Jonah again ? She was already shaking her head . No , no , maggie . Maggie , yes , and it's hard to make out , but it's okay . Please tell me .

Speaker 1 3:10

Bishop Brock says , trying to calm Joan down . I see her holding Joan's hand and then feathers scattered in every direction , as if she begins to cry . I can't say the rest , bill . I love that woman as if she was my own child . Tom did too . Yes , yes , I know . He leaned back thoughtfully in his chair before opening a desk drawer and pulling out an envelope with Joan's name on it . This was delivered to me a few days back . It seems someone knew you were coming to see me .

Speaker 1 3:44

She opens the letter and it reads Joan , give this to Maggie . It holds a promise , was all the notes said , and pouring out of the envelope , on a gold chain , was a beautiful black heart-shaped pendant . A promise , she asked . Looking at the beautiful stone , it reminded her of Jonah's left arm , obsidian colored , but it felt alive in her hands . It's what the note says . The bishop replied . I don't know to what end or who , but it seems that someone is working behind the scenes putting things in place . In place for what and when ? Should I give this to her . Joan asked pleadingly . I don't know , I guess it's up to you . Joan began to get up feeling a little better about things . She was wondering who could be working behind the scenes and what were they trying to accomplish . By the way , joan the bishop , said as she began to exit his office yes , bill , do you know what the name of that pendant is ? No , how could I ? Joan replied it's called the Heart of Hope .

Speaker 1 4:55

Jonah slept fitfully as Arista did her best to watch over him . She could see the shadow that kept its distance but constantly watched him . It's okay , arista said . I won't hurt you . If you had meant any harm to him , you would have already tried , but the shadow would not approach . Was it afraid , ashamed ? When Arista left the room , she could sense it move near him , hovering over him , but as soon as she approached it would once again back away .

Speaker 1 5:32

It had already been three weeks since Arista had returned here to help Jonah . She had done as asked and delivered a message to Alex . Such a sweet girl , such potential . Mikal , meanwhile , had been using the hidden Solomon Gate to bring medical aid and , of course , a few friends . They had thought about taking Jonah to the cafe , but decided that life there would be difficult enough just to get Harmony back on her feet .

Speaker 1 5:51

In the early morning , arista would sit and read to the shadow , hoping to connect , hoping to reconstitute the person so damaged by the world and others . That darkness was the first form it remembered and thus wrapped itself in . Finally , one morning , bishop Brock arrived and it was the first time the shadow had reacted to anyone other than herself . He paused , looked at the shadow but said nothing . He smiled to himself A promise fulfilled , I see . And he wondered what direction it would take her and how long before she regained her true form .

Speaker 1 6:25

Arista , before I leave today , can we sit and have a cup of coffee ? Yes , that would be nice , she replied . The bishop approached Jonah and put his hand on his forehead . He's running a fever . Yes , his body's trying to figure out how to maintain the demon energy exposed when he lost his arm . Yes , that body's trying to figure out how to maintain the demon energy exposed when he lost his arm . Yes , that would make sense , bishop . Yes , arista , he once told me that Mr Alistair trained him to fight as if he lost his arm , so I believe he'll be okay .

Arc's Hope and Promise

Speaker 1 6:57

They left the room and sat down at a table set for thirteen . Arista brought out a tray with coffee , biscotti and yes , cookies . Upon seeing them , the bishop laughed . I hope I haven't spoiled you , miss Arista . She smiled no , but I do enjoy these . Taking a sip , he began to tell her of Joan , the visit and the heart of hope . Arista , of all people , needed to know .

Speaker 1 7:23

As they talked , jonah finally woke up from his fitful dream . He scanned the room and saw no one Looking over the bandaged stump . He frowned I see , I lived after all . He lay back down , exhaustion still clinging to him . He wanted to sleep , to dream , to dream of a girl surrounded by black feathers that had picked him up , the girl that assured him I've got you , as she flew him here home , because it always began with dreams Dreams of friends , dreams of family , dreams of loved ones lost but not forgotten , and dreams of black feathers . And . And thus this arc Arista comes to an end with hints of the coming story , hints of possibilities and hopes hanging in the balance . We hope you enjoyed this podcast and we ask that you look for the next one , if all goes well , probably next September with Warren Stevens , finale .