From Inside the Darkness

Arista steps back outside of time as the others join together for one last goodbye.

THIS IS THE FINAL CHAPTER.  DO NOT START HERE.

Thank you all for listening

Transcript

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Fiction Disclaimer And Warnings

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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

Zack Takes Alex’s Hand

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you. Zack takes the hand of Alex, understanding that this may be his end.

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How?

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What can accepting one's mistake cause something more powerful than anything we have to offer affect a monster like Ekmalok? Before we can reveal that, I need to remind you that this podcast may contain images of graphic violence, adult situations, child endangerment, and for the last time, naughty, salty language. Now, a hand is grasped and a life is lost, and the story comes to its end with chapter 18.

The Demon Eater Awakens

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From within the darkness. From inside Ekmalak, a voice screamed, No! As Zack reacted to the first touch of the spirituous day, as it acted like an illuminary, and for anyone who has truly looked at themselves, it hurt. It dug into all of his dark thoughts and deeds, not in an accusing way, but showing options, showing alternatives, showing corrections offered and refused. As Alex had told him, he would need to accept all of this. He could feel a well of tears grow from withinside him as they poured out, filling the emptiness with his own sorrow. And then, seeing Alex struck down the floor, he cries, Alex! Alex, the only one these last few years to ever be kind to him. Alex, the only one to fight for him. Even knowing what he had done, she kept trying to reach him. Whether it was the weight of his own sorrow or something else, he felt something break inside him. This action was too much and deep inside the darkness of his own mind, something broke through, and inside the darkness of Ekmalak, Zack the Demon Eater, finally awakened. Now, now I understand you might be thinking, how does this help? How does someone who can consume darkness and convert it into God's might help an already drowned boy? Well, anyone who's ever eaten too much will tell you that it's a very unpleasant experience. And that is exactly how Zack's unique body reacted. Overwhelmed by the darkness of Ekmaloch, it began to push him out, reject him, vomiting out his very essence into a swirling mass of chaos. Ekmaloch tries to reconstitute himself into a human form as Zack's body repels him, even thinking about entering the fallen body of Alex Kuchma, who lay fallen by Zack's feet. Unable to control his own actions, Zack grabs the rose-shaped hilt and yanks the blade back out of Alex and turns it on himself. Blue light explodes through every pore of Zack as the blade cuts through him, and a mix of black and red blood stains the handle. Ekmalak, stunned by the actions of Zack, moves backwards, not realizing his proximity to the ancient gate. A multitude of hands reap forth from the strange stones and grab at the demonic spirit like chain, yanking him backwards and towards the opening gate, the sounds of the lost, the fawn crying, calling him. He gives Zack an empty smile as the void pulls him back in. This doesn't end me, boy. This only double is the inevitable!

Arista Returns Ekmalak To The Void

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Amista takes form from the plane a second time. A strainful blow ignites around Alex's Zack as she does so. She shakes her head and walks towards the fallen one with open arms. I, Amister Speaks, I was given life on the day of the fall as a pathway to redemption, a pathway that burns and purifies, a pathway that helps shed regret and offers healing. I will place you back into a deep sleep at Malak, where I will sing to you an endless lullaby, because I, because he loves all his children, even the lost, to remind you of the truth that even now you are loved, love that can't be understood, love that can't be accepted, can burn worse than any flames and torment the soul that doesn't understand its own purpose or value. And with that, Ekmalak is returned to the void. But the story isn't quite over yet. Zack's body, pierced with the spiritual day, collapses to the floor. Alex lies broken against the gate. She sees the blade dissipate inside Zack as if it never cut or pierced him. Instead, only Arista stands where it had lay. Arista places her hand on Zack's forehead and then she slowly turns towards Alex. I'm sorry I couldn't intervene right away, she says. Like she had done with Zack, she comes over and places her hands on Alex and heals her body. They had to believe they had won to make themselves vulnerable to you, to me, and that overconfidence. Alex nods. While she understands it doesn't take away the pain of losing another person she loved. Alex looks at Zack. What about him? I can't imagine he'll be able to live a normal life after having Yes, Arister responds. You're quite perceptive. Several figures appear outside the mausoleum, and Arister calls to them. It's safe to enter, Mr. Donaldson. Rich and Marco slowly step into the dimly lit tomb, followed by a limping Jonah shouldering a battered but living Maggie. Jonah and Maggie look across the mausoleum in complete surprise as Marco immediately checks on the silent and still Zack. Well, this is quite the reunion, Arista says. Maggie in human form stumbles over and puts her arms around Arista. It had been years since she could give Jonah's apprentice a hug. Arista turns to Marko. Thank you for saving her. I am glad to see that you finally reconcile the darkness within you. But I do have a new mission I would like both you and Maggie to undertake, if you are willing. It was then Jonah realized something very important. He had never been Arista's master. If anything, she had been his. Why? Why did you hide all this from me until now? Jonah asks. Because you had to make your decisions and reconcile yourself before I could reveal myself to you, Jonah. He goes silent and wonders, what is it he and Maggie can do now? You and Maggie have had an extremely rough existence, and he, through me, has asked a lot of you please, ask. I am willing to serve once more, Maggie states, and Jonah smiles and nods, and adds one condition. I too would like to continue to serve. And if Maggie is willing, I'd like to do it as her husband. Maggie blushes and turns to Jonah, flinging her arms around him. Arista laughs. I think that's a yes. And honestly, that would work perfectly for my new task. Marco helps dress Zack and brings him to Arista. As Alex noted, the weight of Ekmanak on Zack was too much. It destroyed his mind. And he now stands before you like an infant, an empty slate. Would you please take him to the tower and reteach him and give him the love that was stolen from him by Cassandra? Maggie and Jonah look at each other. Neither had had much of a family. Jonah driven from his at 14. Maggie stripped of hers as a small child. Jonah looks at Arista with concern and surprise. No more demon hunting? He asks. No. As a matter of fact, I think you will find that ability has ceased to exist. Jonah closes his eyes. Silence. No more demonic voices. No more demonic power surging through him. He was simply a man. Zack too will never manifest again. I simply suggest the tower, because it is everything you need to be happy, and you will not need to care about the worries of the world anymore. Jonah looks at Maggie and laughs. I I guess I'm retired. Arista turns to Alex. Alex, you become quite the woman and leader. This world will still need the sacred dawn, and it will still need someone to help and guide it. That sword, while no longer a manifestation of me, will still carry my love and will. Will you please carry it? Be my light in the darkness? Yes. Alex says without pause. And Marco. Yes, ma'am. Don't make the same mistake Jonah made. Rich laughs, knowing exactly what she means. And Alex blushes a little as well. Arista turns to the ancient gate. Now, I will keep my promise. Won't you be lonely? Alex asks. No. I am a thought, a word, a fragment of him. I am in the garden waiting for you. At the steps of heaven. I am here with you now, and I am singing in the darkness. An endless possibility to bring love and hope to the world, Jonah adds. Arista places her hand in the kitchen gate. It glows bright blue, and it and her disappear.

A New Mission And Retirement

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Jonah and Maggie help Zack out of the mausoleum and down towards the abandoned vehicles. Oh, Jonah Rich calls out. I wanted to ask you. It wasn't yours, was it? Jonah bows his head. No, Rich. Then he he's really gone, isn't he? Rich concludes. Yes. Damn it, he half laughs. Well I guess he lied to me. How so? He promised me we'd have a drink at McCluskey's when all this was over. McCluskey's, Jonah whispers. And Alex grabs Marco's arm. Let's go. Let's all of us go. Let's have one last drink together. And don't worry, Jonah. We'll all help with Zach when we get there. You and Max can relax a bit too. And they did. They packed up and later that November 1st, they sat together and added another name to the plaque on the wall. Here's to our friend and colleague, Detective Warren Stevens, Rich declares. Alex as always rings the bell and then picks up a glass of bourbon neatly placed before her and next to a cupcake with a single candle.

One Last Drink And A Goodbye

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Who? She looked around the bar. It was crowded, and though her little group had their own section, she didn't think anyone knew or remembered it was her birthday. Marco, it had to be him. She approaches him and slaps him on the back. What? He replies, surprised. Alex holds up the cupcake. You remembered. You're right, I did. He pulls a present out of his pocket and then looking at the cupcake. But that isn't from me. She catches a figure moving across the crowd and grabs Rich. Son of a the two race to catch the man that seemingly waltz through the people and out the door. He's wearing a fedora and a familiar trench coat. They see him exit and rush out onto the street and call after him at the same time. Warren! The man stops. His eyes twinkle and he turns to them and smiles. Hello, Alex. Rich. How? He smirks and shimmers. Like my grandfather, I stepped outside of time. Although, yes, I'm gone. The same way that Sam and Jack too have passed. But I am a loop unto myself. And I did promise you that I would come back and say a proper goodbye. Alex rushes forward and hugs him. Rich just shakes his head. Thanks, old friend. Thanks for everything. My pleasure. Now watch over them, won't you, Rich? Alex steps back, tears in her eyes. Can't you stay? No, I'm certain I am probably breaking a few rules just by being here. But it was worth it. Happy birthday, Alex. Remember, everything I have now is yours, including that nice cozy cabin by Sim's Divide. He fades. Rich grabs Alex and they return inside to their waiting friends. Laughter and a few more drinks before parting ways. Eventually, Marco finds a courage and he and Alex start to date. And Arista? Arista stings beautifully in the darkness, calling people home, giving them new lives and chances. Because Aldone loves all his children, even the lost ones, and he wants them all to come home. This is the end of my story. The end of Detective Warren Stevens and other strange tales. Thank you for listening. Arista returns to her unique purview, existing outside of all, in hopes of healing what broke long ago in Ekmaloch's heart. While Jonah and Maggie return to the tower outside of time to raise the now orphaned Zack Taylor. Lastly, Alex now leads the Sacred Dawn into a new age, and unlike Jonah, will take a chance on burgeoning love.

Series End And Next Stories

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This concludes the series in podcast form. You may, if you like, pick up Acolyte on Amazon, which stems from these stories, eventually to be followed by Paladin and the Empty Child. We thank you for listening and hope you have enjoyed the story. Lord Beotra, out