November 25, 2025 • 21 mins
Warren admires his coffee shop while reminiscing over a visit from Jonah & Arista. It's set before these events and then in the end we tie a moment from Uriel's Apprentice to the here and now. As Sam awakens and delivers a message.
This however isn't the only went being sent, being delivered.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_01 (00:00):
The following podcast is a work of fiction.
All characters are the creationof Peter Williams.
Any resemblance to someoneliving or dead is purely
coincidental.
Thank you.
SPEAKER_02 (00:12):
I have heard that time weaves ribbons like
memories.
And in our story, there couldn'tbe more true, as certain people
weave in and out of time,weaving a thread, connecting a
moment until finally thetapestry becomes whole.
(00:34):
Today, we get a glimpse of thatas a spirit approaches a fire on
an autumn night.
Meanwhile, Warren seems toreceive a lot of guests for
someone who wishes to remain ahermit.
But this meeting is furtherback.
It's two years ago and sets uptoday's story, which of course,
(00:58):
I do need to remind you maycontain images of graphic
violence, child endangerment,adult situations, and naughty,
salty language.
Now, let's grab a bowl of potatobacon and cheta soup.
Hmm, sounds delightful.
(01:19):
And listen in with chapter five.
SPEAKER_01 (01:23):
Warren Stevens.
Warren Stevens, or I should sayour old friend, Detective Warren
Stevens, stood back to admirethe face of his coffee shop.
It wasn't that he particularlywanted to own a coffee shop.
He was a detective at heart, butthe years in between had taken a
(01:44):
toll on his body.
He looked closer to 70 thanmid-40s.
The only plus, he hadn't losthis edge.
He was strong, sharp, and awake.
His last job as detective hadnot been officially sanctioned.
Jonah had come to him two yearsago with his apprentice, if you
could call her that.
(02:05):
And like Warren, he looked worsefor wear.
He had lost his left arm inbattle, and although friendly,
Warren wasn't thrilled to seehim.
He had just settled into aburgundy-colored leather chair
nestled next to the fireplacewith a bowl of bacon cheddar
potato soup when he heard a rapat the cottage door.
Placing the bowl on a cast ironshelter attached to the brick so
(02:28):
that his food would remain warm,he pushes the old Afghan blanket
aside and opens the front door.
Oh, it's you, he scoffs, and hesees the amorous-colored eyes of
Jonah gleaming from beneath hisheavily hooded robe.
Next to him, how do I describethe girl next to him?
Piercing blue eyes andsilver-colored hair that came
(02:50):
down to her waist.
She was dressed in a light chainmill shirt and waistcoat.
Under it he could see thewhite-colored gambasum, and on
her right shoulder, a verydistinct emblem of the sacred
dawn.
A red flame layered on therising sun, a jewel-encase
scabbard hung at her side, and agold hilt lay atop.
(03:12):
This wasn't the Aus Delection.
He hadn't seen it or Sam sinceit had been used to unlock the
passageway to the otherdimension where Alex had waited.
He had seen her a few times inhis travels, but never partnered
with her again.
Once had been enough, butunfortunately the one thing they
had hoped for, the death ofCassandra, had not been
(03:34):
completed.
Immortal.
Perhaps she was right.
Perhaps she was.
I see you found the girl youwere looking for, Warren states
as he offers them entry.
It reminded him of the day hefirst met Jonah, when Jack
introduced Uriel and Jonah tohim.
Yes, this is Arista.
(03:55):
Jonah nudges her and she looksup at Warren, her eyes beautiful
gems of light.
She bows and enters the home.
She looks around as if seeingthe layers of events that have
unfolded here.
She runs her hand over thecoffee table before nestling
down on the rug to enjoy thewarmth of the fire.
I have some potato bacon cheddarsoup.
(04:19):
I always make more than I caneat because I always seem to
have unexpected company.
Jonah Arista graciously accept,and a few minutes later, Warren
returns with two orangepumpkin-shaped bowls filled to
the rim.
They eat mostly in silence,although Arista picks up the
melody playing in thebackground.
(04:39):
I recognize this, she says.
This is Chopin's raindrop.
Warren smiles.
Yes.
The raindrop prelude.
It reminds me of a simpler time.
I usually listen to it when I'mreading.
My friend Lucy plays a piano.
He loves this piece.
Lucy.
Warren asks.
(05:01):
Jonah takes a deep breath.
Luciana Ricci.
Apparently Arista and him becamefriends while I was recovering
at the tower.
I see, Warren replies, and thenthey all return to listening to
the soft melody before it moveson to Nocturne and C minor.
Warren places his empty bowldown and holds his hands as he
(05:22):
directs his attention towardsJonah.
I know by that look on yourface, Jonah.
This isn't a simple Hi, Warren.
How are you, visit?
So tell me, what brings you tomy door?
I have a job for you, or Ishould say, we have a job for
you.
Terrence also asked me to seekyour help.
(05:44):
Oh and how is the old professor?
Stry, sharp, and annoyed withme, Jonah responds.
Warren smirks and replies withheavy sarcasm.
Annoyed with you Who would everOh never mind?
Jonah frowns, not really amusedby Warren's snarkiness.
(06:06):
Look, I need your detectiveskills to find something I lost.
Not your arm, I hope.
Warren twists the knife, just alittle more to get his point
across.
Haha, funny.
No.
Jonah's face remains seriousdespite the remark.
Sense of humor?
Warren, please.
(06:28):
Sorry.
And finally, getting serioushimself.
SPEAKER_00 (06:33):
It's not Maggie, is it?
SPEAKER_01 (06:35):
Jonah closes his eyes and places his hand on his
empty sleeve.
A look of pain crosses his face.
No.
Maggie is alive.
She just didn't want you to seeher.
She's uh slightly embarrassedthat she's back to being a crow.
She's keeping her distance andwatches over the two of us as we
(06:56):
travel.
I see.
Then what?
Do you remember Ben Cullen?
Of course.
I still have nightmares aboutthat house.
And Devin Winters.
When I confronted Devin, I hadto use the apostles.
Yes, I remember.
(07:18):
You used them to encircle andentrap him.
Yes.
But Cassandra managed to stealone.
Wait, what?
How?
A creature like her should haveshe used Devin's unique mix of
human and demonic form to pullthe apostle Peter into the abyss
with him.
It's been missing since thatday.
(07:40):
We didn't catch it at first whenTerence realized he stealed the
demonic one away, but that onegot stolen.
Which leads me to the secondpart of the mission.
He hands Warren a picture.
It's a girl, roughly twelve, bythe look of the picture.
She has dark, chestnut-coloredhair and fierce, piercing green
(08:02):
eyes.
This is, Jonah begins, AliceMaxwell.
Yes.
I know her.
Warren frowns.
Quickly, tell me all you can.
Jona fills him in, and I can'ttell you what he said.
I do have a book to write andsell.
When finished, Warren givesJonah a sour look.
(08:22):
He hands Jona back the picture.
How long has she been missing?
Three days.
Caitlin thought she might havesnuck away to visit Grandma
Sherry in New Hope.
Warren smirks.
He thinks about it.
It was the flaw of her training.
The more exceptional shebecomes, the more likely a
target, and Emilus desperatelywants revenge.
(08:45):
You'll cover all my expenses.
Yes.
Okay, but I do have oneadditional fee.
Jonah raises an eyebrow andArista slightly smiles as if
knowing something ahead of thetime.
Warren gets up and hands him abundle wrapped in brown paper
and string.
What's this?
(09:06):
A gift from my former partner.
I'll need you to bring that tohim at McCluskey's.
Jonah frowns.
So I'm a delivery person?
You want my help, right?
I can't let Detective Donaldsonsee me.
At least not yet.
Jonah accepts the package, andhe and Arista step back out into
(09:28):
the night.
Warren spies Maggie in crow formin some branches just above the
driveway, well, more like dirtpath.
Keep watch over them, Maggie, hecalls out.
The next few years will becritical for him.
He wanted to say for them, buthe couldn't give Maggie more to
worry about.
Arista could take care ofherself, but Jonah and Maggie
(09:51):
had it rough.
In the next few years, all ofthis would conclude.
Of course, news stories andpeople will take stage, but for
his group, his friends, Twilightwas upon them.
And now, here he was, owner ofthe Wayward Brew.
He wanted to name it the GumshoeCoffee Shop, but Alex thought it
(10:12):
was a little silly.
All in all, it was his detectiveskills that had brought them
here.
Jonah didn't know that hislittle mission, to find the
apostle and Alice, would leadhim here.
And to Cassandra.
Her name made him shiver.
Even the most stout-heartedperson would feel their knees
either buckle or give in.
(10:32):
He was the rare person to beable to stand against her.
How was she alive?
Even Warren didn't have a clueto that.
He just presumed it had to dowith Ekmalak.
She was even mocking them,mocking the Sacred Dawn and
mocking Maggie with his faux teashop.
It was more a magical gate andit could take the shape and form
(10:55):
of a tea shop.
Instead of using dark passagesor deep wells, it could
transport itself to whereverCassandra needed, and she needed
Zack.
The Kedric Order had concludedthat if they could grab a demon
eater, at the moment of birththey could fill him or her with
Ekmalak.
They had seen from Jonah thatthere seemed to be no limit on
(11:16):
what a demon eater could do orhold.
It was why they had gone afterAristotle.
They just never caught on to herdivine nature.
Only Warren knew, because he hadbeen in her presence.
I wonder if Jonah has figuredthat one out yet.
He asks himself as he unlocksthe shop door and wipes the
etched glass clean, the WaywardBrew Coffee Shop, selling
(11:40):
heavenly coffee and baked goods.
He checked the clock.
He still had a few hours beforeAlex returned home from school,
and judging by yesterday's tastetest, she wouldn't be bringing
tidings of joy when it came toZack.
The coffee, because of itsspecial powers, did not sit well
with someone who had beentransfixed or possessed.
(12:01):
Worse still, if they had sampledany of Cassandra's tea.
Maggie herself had lived on thatstuff for 14 years, not knowing
it was made from Cassandra's ownblood.
The problem both he and Alexwould have is a lack of weapons.
He could never wield Sam again,and for Alex, Sam was currently
(12:22):
unavailable.
Instead, he had a new weaponforged that it wasn't for him.
It would be the third such blademade.
The first was Macau's, theoriginal.
Then his grandfather's, the AosDeluxion, and now he opened the
wooden box he placed behind thecounter.
Red felt lined the inside of thecase, only enhancing his frosted
(12:46):
silver steel with a rose at thetop of the hilt as a handguard.
This blade was a littledifferent.
It was named Spiritus Day, orBreath of God.
He was told not to ask how itformed, but if he was right.
It was a blade that purelyexisted by thought.
He was also told not to tellthat to Alex, and to do what the
(13:09):
patriarchs of the church did, goand trust.
So he went and well, here he islooking at the marvelous blade.
He closed the box and wrapped itwith a red bow.
It was to be an early birthdaypresent, one he hoped he'd still
be able to give her in person,but he had a rat to hunt.
And if things go sideways, hetaped a letter onto the case and
(13:34):
placed the box and sword on hisdesk in his meager office, just
in case.
Now for the hard part.
He opens up a small closet andputs on his old trench coat and
fedora.
He double-checks himself in themirror, even donning a new tie
where he proudly displayed hisown sacred dawn pin.
(13:55):
Everything looked way too big onhim.
Turning towards his desk andopening a drawer, he pulled out
another box.
This one was 12x5 by 10.25 by4.35, his pistol security box.
Unlocking the combination, hepulls out the old Colt 45 he
received as a birthday presentfrom Geraldine Hicks.
(14:17):
Loading it and double-checkingthe safety, he places it under
his colt and into his holster.
He was ready.
Grabbing the Apostle Peter thatTerrence insisted he take and
shoving it into his coat pocket,the detective exits out the back
door and into the alley.
Yes, he had a rat to find, andthe alley offered him the best
cover that fit his mission.
(14:39):
But before all that, he had amessage to send.
He couldn't chance Alex seeingit.
She had a role to play, and sodid he.
It was a high-priority message,and if, God forbid, Alex gets
caught, it would only makematters worse in regards to
Zack.
He whistles like a bird, and afew minutes later, a bright red
(14:59):
cardinal lands on his forearm.
He looks directly in its eyesand says, Now is the time.
It's urgent you come.
Immediately.
The cardinal nodded and tookoff.
But the cardinal wasn't the onlybird that received that message.
Warren caught a glimpse of blackfeathers as a crow darted off as
(15:20):
well.
Damn it, Jonah! Don't getinvolved, Warren growls.
Like it or not, soon he'd havehelp and unwanted company.
Arista had gone off on her ownwhile Jonah was healing at the
tower.
Of course, she'd check in on himfrom time to time, but without
(15:41):
him, and at the time AliceKuchma wasn't ready yet, she had
to fill Jonah's role.
She returned to his side brieflywhen he was finally ready to go
forth again, but it had become abad mix.
She was no longer an apprentice,and that became evident very
quickly.
It was about a year ago she andJonah were camping.
(16:02):
It was late autumn, and she wascarrying the Aeos Delektion.
Jonah had his hood pulled overhis face and was meditating on
his next move.
And then she sensed it.
A spirit approached them, andthe sword lit up like a torch.
Arista presented it to thedarkness, and a very unsure
spirit emerged at the edge ofthe camp.
(16:24):
It was and wasn't Sam Kozlova.
Arista turned to Jonah and hepulled down his hood, his eyes
ablaze, but upon seeing thefiery girl, they cooled and
returned to a deep amersynth.
Well, Sam, it's been a longtime.
SPEAKER_00 (16:41):
You know me?
SPEAKER_01 (16:43):
That's right.
The order of things are a littledisjointed of you.
I remember correctly.
You just woke up and you're atthe Cafe Solfecio.
Sam's eyes flashed the way theyalways did when connecting
herself to herself.
She was in the sword, she wasplaying in the field with Mr.
Alistair at the tower, she wasguiding a young acolyte, and she
(17:05):
was also here.
Anyway, I believe you have amessage for me.
SPEAKER_00 (17:11):
Yes.
Gorshin wanted to let you knowthat an ancient evil that you
thought you had killed hasappeared in the abandoned town
of Galena.
I see.
SPEAKER_01 (17:22):
Then it's almost time.
Sam didn't answer him.
She couldn't.
She did find it curious to seethe very blade she was attached
to in the hands of Aristotle.
That's okay, Sam.
I know you can't answer, but Ido have one favor.
When you get back to whereyou're going, you're going to
(17:43):
meet a young man just outsidethe town of Rift.
Stick with him.
He'll need you.
That Sam faded and returned toJonah in the past.
For her, it was just beginning.
It made Jonah a littlemelancholy.
Mr.
Alistair, Caitlin, Terence, andall the things they did
together.
(18:03):
The next day, Jonah and Aristamade haste to Galena.
After doing a little research,they found out exactly what was
going on.
A crew of ghost hunters hadentered the town to be more
specific, its abandonedsanitarium.
They were young, arrogant, anddidn't really believe in the
spiritual realm.
They got more than theybargained for, and now he and
(18:26):
Aristotle would have to dealwith it.
Ichalantros.
Jonah grumbled, a big, powerful,yet stupid monster from the
waste.
Jack Stevens had killed it,banished it to the waste, where
it escaped once again to attackJack's great, great, great, and
I could say great a few moretimes, grandson Warren.
(18:49):
Now, he had arisen once more.
We should probably come at itfrom both sides.
That way we could corner it.
Sounds like a plan, a thunderousvoice echoed from over his head.
What are you doing here?
You're being hunted, Jonah.
And it's not safe for you here,McCal says.
(19:11):
So what?
I have Aristotle back me up?
Yes.
But honestly, she doesn't needyou here.
Are you benching me?
Not benching.
Something is coming.
And I suspect you need to goback to the tower.
And when the time comes, you'llknow.
(19:32):
Cal, please! No, Jonah.
It's time to hand over thereins.
Just for now, and trust me, thismay also be best for Maggie.
Jonah listened, and poorEchantros.
If he thought Jack or Jonah hadbeen bad, Arista pasted him.
But that was then this wasdifferent.
(19:55):
Now Arista was bathing in a deeppool amongst some old runes.
Although cool, the air and thewater were just warm enough.
Stepping out of the pool, shestood in the gleaming moonlight.
It caressed her, illuminatingher so that if you did see her,
she'd appear more like afragment of light standing by
the pool itself.
(20:16):
A light breeze kicked up and hereyes turned towards its
direction.
A red cardinal flew on the wind,and she extended her hand out
and it landed on her indexfinger.
Hello, little friend.
I believe you have a message forme.
It peeked and bobbed its head asit relayed Warren's message.
(20:36):
I see, she replied.
It was a sad message, animportant message, and she would
need to heed its call.
But first, she had a friend andsome children to visit.
SPEAKER_02 (20:51):
Arista.
Still mostly an unknown in thesestories.
Even though we had a whole storyjust around her name.
Go figure.
She replaced Jonah.
She has kicked ass and takennames, and now, now she's being
called someplace she doesn'twant to go.
(21:14):
Why?
What is it that she sees thatholds such sadness?
Maybe we'll get a better ideawith chapter six Luciano Ricci.
The following podcast is a work of fiction.
All characters are the creationof Peter Williams.
Any resemblance to someoneliving or dead is purely
coincidental.
Thank you.
SPEAKER_02 (00:12):
I have heard that time weaves ribbons like
memories.
And in our story, there couldn'tbe more true, as certain people
weave in and out of time,weaving a thread, connecting a
moment until finally thetapestry becomes whole.
(00:34):
Today, we get a glimpse of thatas a spirit approaches a fire on
an autumn night.
Meanwhile, Warren seems toreceive a lot of guests for
someone who wishes to remain ahermit.
But this meeting is furtherback.
It's two years ago and sets uptoday's story, which of course,
(00:58):
I do need to remind you maycontain images of graphic
violence, child endangerment,adult situations, and naughty,
salty language.
Now, let's grab a bowl of potatobacon and cheta soup.
Hmm, sounds delightful.
(01:19):
And listen in with chapter five.
SPEAKER_01 (01:23):
Warren Stevens.
Warren Stevens, or I should sayour old friend, Detective Warren
Stevens, stood back to admirethe face of his coffee shop.
It wasn't that he particularlywanted to own a coffee shop.
He was a detective at heart, butthe years in between had taken a
(01:44):
toll on his body.
He looked closer to 70 thanmid-40s.
The only plus, he hadn't losthis edge.
He was strong, sharp, and awake.
His last job as detective hadnot been officially sanctioned.
Jonah had come to him two yearsago with his apprentice, if you
could call her that.
(02:05):
And like Warren, he looked worsefor wear.
He had lost his left arm inbattle, and although friendly,
Warren wasn't thrilled to seehim.
He had just settled into aburgundy-colored leather chair
nestled next to the fireplacewith a bowl of bacon cheddar
potato soup when he heard a rapat the cottage door.
Placing the bowl on a cast ironshelter attached to the brick so
(02:28):
that his food would remain warm,he pushes the old Afghan blanket
aside and opens the front door.
Oh, it's you, he scoffs, and hesees the amorous-colored eyes of
Jonah gleaming from beneath hisheavily hooded robe.
Next to him, how do I describethe girl next to him?
Piercing blue eyes andsilver-colored hair that came
(02:50):
down to her waist.
She was dressed in a light chainmill shirt and waistcoat.
Under it he could see thewhite-colored gambasum, and on
her right shoulder, a verydistinct emblem of the sacred
dawn.
A red flame layered on therising sun, a jewel-encase
scabbard hung at her side, and agold hilt lay atop.
(03:12):
This wasn't the Aus Delection.
He hadn't seen it or Sam sinceit had been used to unlock the
passageway to the otherdimension where Alex had waited.
He had seen her a few times inhis travels, but never partnered
with her again.
Once had been enough, butunfortunately the one thing they
had hoped for, the death ofCassandra, had not been
(03:34):
completed.
Immortal.
Perhaps she was right.
Perhaps she was.
I see you found the girl youwere looking for, Warren states
as he offers them entry.
It reminded him of the day hefirst met Jonah, when Jack
introduced Uriel and Jonah tohim.
Yes, this is Arista.
(03:55):
Jonah nudges her and she looksup at Warren, her eyes beautiful
gems of light.
She bows and enters the home.
She looks around as if seeingthe layers of events that have
unfolded here.
She runs her hand over thecoffee table before nestling
down on the rug to enjoy thewarmth of the fire.
I have some potato bacon cheddarsoup.
(04:19):
I always make more than I caneat because I always seem to
have unexpected company.
Jonah Arista graciously accept,and a few minutes later, Warren
returns with two orangepumpkin-shaped bowls filled to
the rim.
They eat mostly in silence,although Arista picks up the
melody playing in thebackground.
(04:39):
I recognize this, she says.
This is Chopin's raindrop.
Warren smiles.
Yes.
The raindrop prelude.
It reminds me of a simpler time.
I usually listen to it when I'mreading.
My friend Lucy plays a piano.
He loves this piece.
Lucy.
Warren asks.
(05:01):
Jonah takes a deep breath.
Luciana Ricci.
Apparently Arista and him becamefriends while I was recovering
at the tower.
I see, Warren replies, and thenthey all return to listening to
the soft melody before it moveson to Nocturne and C minor.
Warren places his empty bowldown and holds his hands as he
(05:22):
directs his attention towardsJonah.
I know by that look on yourface, Jonah.
This isn't a simple Hi, Warren.
How are you, visit?
So tell me, what brings you tomy door?
I have a job for you, or Ishould say, we have a job for
you.
Terrence also asked me to seekyour help.
(05:44):
Oh and how is the old professor?
Stry, sharp, and annoyed withme, Jonah responds.
Warren smirks and replies withheavy sarcasm.
Annoyed with you Who would everOh never mind?
Jonah frowns, not really amusedby Warren's snarkiness.
(06:06):
Look, I need your detectiveskills to find something I lost.
Not your arm, I hope.
Warren twists the knife, just alittle more to get his point
across.
Haha, funny.
No.
Jonah's face remains seriousdespite the remark.
Sense of humor?
Warren, please.
(06:28):
Sorry.
And finally, getting serioushimself.
SPEAKER_00 (06:33):
It's not Maggie, is it?
SPEAKER_01 (06:35):
Jonah closes his eyes and places his hand on his
empty sleeve.
A look of pain crosses his face.
No.
Maggie is alive.
She just didn't want you to seeher.
She's uh slightly embarrassedthat she's back to being a crow.
She's keeping her distance andwatches over the two of us as we
(06:56):
travel.
I see.
Then what?
Do you remember Ben Cullen?
Of course.
I still have nightmares aboutthat house.
And Devin Winters.
When I confronted Devin, I hadto use the apostles.
Yes, I remember.
(07:18):
You used them to encircle andentrap him.
Yes.
But Cassandra managed to stealone.
Wait, what?
How?
A creature like her should haveshe used Devin's unique mix of
human and demonic form to pullthe apostle Peter into the abyss
with him.
It's been missing since thatday.
(07:40):
We didn't catch it at first whenTerence realized he stealed the
demonic one away, but that onegot stolen.
Which leads me to the secondpart of the mission.
He hands Warren a picture.
It's a girl, roughly twelve, bythe look of the picture.
She has dark, chestnut-coloredhair and fierce, piercing green
(08:02):
eyes.
This is, Jonah begins, AliceMaxwell.
Yes.
I know her.
Warren frowns.
Quickly, tell me all you can.
Jona fills him in, and I can'ttell you what he said.
I do have a book to write andsell.
When finished, Warren givesJonah a sour look.
(08:22):
He hands Jona back the picture.
How long has she been missing?
Three days.
Caitlin thought she might havesnuck away to visit Grandma
Sherry in New Hope.
Warren smirks.
He thinks about it.
It was the flaw of her training.
The more exceptional shebecomes, the more likely a
target, and Emilus desperatelywants revenge.
(08:45):
You'll cover all my expenses.
Yes.
Okay, but I do have oneadditional fee.
Jonah raises an eyebrow andArista slightly smiles as if
knowing something ahead of thetime.
Warren gets up and hands him abundle wrapped in brown paper
and string.
What's this?
(09:06):
A gift from my former partner.
I'll need you to bring that tohim at McCluskey's.
Jonah frowns.
So I'm a delivery person?
You want my help, right?
I can't let Detective Donaldsonsee me.
At least not yet.
Jonah accepts the package, andhe and Arista step back out into
(09:28):
the night.
Warren spies Maggie in crow formin some branches just above the
driveway, well, more like dirtpath.
Keep watch over them, Maggie, hecalls out.
The next few years will becritical for him.
He wanted to say for them, buthe couldn't give Maggie more to
worry about.
Arista could take care ofherself, but Jonah and Maggie
(09:51):
had it rough.
In the next few years, all ofthis would conclude.
Of course, news stories andpeople will take stage, but for
his group, his friends, Twilightwas upon them.
And now, here he was, owner ofthe Wayward Brew.
He wanted to name it the GumshoeCoffee Shop, but Alex thought it
(10:12):
was a little silly.
All in all, it was his detectiveskills that had brought them
here.
Jonah didn't know that hislittle mission, to find the
apostle and Alice, would leadhim here.
And to Cassandra.
Her name made him shiver.
Even the most stout-heartedperson would feel their knees
either buckle or give in.
(10:32):
He was the rare person to beable to stand against her.
How was she alive?
Even Warren didn't have a clueto that.
He just presumed it had to dowith Ekmalak.
She was even mocking them,mocking the Sacred Dawn and
mocking Maggie with his faux teashop.
It was more a magical gate andit could take the shape and form
(10:55):
of a tea shop.
Instead of using dark passagesor deep wells, it could
transport itself to whereverCassandra needed, and she needed
Zack.
The Kedric Order had concludedthat if they could grab a demon
eater, at the moment of birththey could fill him or her with
Ekmalak.
They had seen from Jonah thatthere seemed to be no limit on
(11:16):
what a demon eater could do orhold.
It was why they had gone afterAristotle.
They just never caught on to herdivine nature.
Only Warren knew, because he hadbeen in her presence.
I wonder if Jonah has figuredthat one out yet.
He asks himself as he unlocksthe shop door and wipes the
etched glass clean, the WaywardBrew Coffee Shop, selling
(11:40):
heavenly coffee and baked goods.
He checked the clock.
He still had a few hours beforeAlex returned home from school,
and judging by yesterday's tastetest, she wouldn't be bringing
tidings of joy when it came toZack.
The coffee, because of itsspecial powers, did not sit well
with someone who had beentransfixed or possessed.
(12:01):
Worse still, if they had sampledany of Cassandra's tea.
Maggie herself had lived on thatstuff for 14 years, not knowing
it was made from Cassandra's ownblood.
The problem both he and Alexwould have is a lack of weapons.
He could never wield Sam again,and for Alex, Sam was currently
(12:22):
unavailable.
Instead, he had a new weaponforged that it wasn't for him.
It would be the third such blademade.
The first was Macau's, theoriginal.
Then his grandfather's, the AosDeluxion, and now he opened the
wooden box he placed behind thecounter.
Red felt lined the inside of thecase, only enhancing his frosted
(12:46):
silver steel with a rose at thetop of the hilt as a handguard.
This blade was a littledifferent.
It was named Spiritus Day, orBreath of God.
He was told not to ask how itformed, but if he was right.
It was a blade that purelyexisted by thought.
He was also told not to tellthat to Alex, and to do what the
(13:09):
patriarchs of the church did, goand trust.
So he went and well, here he islooking at the marvelous blade.
He closed the box and wrapped itwith a red bow.
It was to be an early birthdaypresent, one he hoped he'd still
be able to give her in person,but he had a rat to hunt.
And if things go sideways, hetaped a letter onto the case and
(13:34):
placed the box and sword on hisdesk in his meager office, just
in case.
Now for the hard part.
He opens up a small closet andputs on his old trench coat and
fedora.
He double-checks himself in themirror, even donning a new tie
where he proudly displayed hisown sacred dawn pin.
(13:55):
Everything looked way too big onhim.
Turning towards his desk andopening a drawer, he pulled out
another box.
This one was 12x5 by 10.25 by4.35, his pistol security box.
Unlocking the combination, hepulls out the old Colt 45 he
received as a birthday presentfrom Geraldine Hicks.
(14:17):
Loading it and double-checkingthe safety, he places it under
his colt and into his holster.
He was ready.
Grabbing the Apostle Peter thatTerrence insisted he take and
shoving it into his coat pocket,the detective exits out the back
door and into the alley.
Yes, he had a rat to find, andthe alley offered him the best
cover that fit his mission.
(14:39):
But before all that, he had amessage to send.
He couldn't chance Alex seeingit.
She had a role to play, and sodid he.
It was a high-priority message,and if, God forbid, Alex gets
caught, it would only makematters worse in regards to
Zack.
He whistles like a bird, and afew minutes later, a bright red
(14:59):
cardinal lands on his forearm.
He looks directly in its eyesand says, Now is the time.
It's urgent you come.
Immediately.
The cardinal nodded and tookoff.
But the cardinal wasn't the onlybird that received that message.
Warren caught a glimpse of blackfeathers as a crow darted off as
(15:20):
well.
Damn it, Jonah! Don't getinvolved, Warren growls.
Like it or not, soon he'd havehelp and unwanted company.
Arista had gone off on her ownwhile Jonah was healing at the
tower.
Of course, she'd check in on himfrom time to time, but without
(15:41):
him, and at the time AliceKuchma wasn't ready yet, she had
to fill Jonah's role.
She returned to his side brieflywhen he was finally ready to go
forth again, but it had become abad mix.
She was no longer an apprentice,and that became evident very
quickly.
It was about a year ago she andJonah were camping.
(16:02):
It was late autumn, and she wascarrying the Aeos Delektion.
Jonah had his hood pulled overhis face and was meditating on
his next move.
And then she sensed it.
A spirit approached them, andthe sword lit up like a torch.
Arista presented it to thedarkness, and a very unsure
spirit emerged at the edge ofthe camp.
(16:24):
It was and wasn't Sam Kozlova.
Arista turned to Jonah and hepulled down his hood, his eyes
ablaze, but upon seeing thefiery girl, they cooled and
returned to a deep amersynth.
Well, Sam, it's been a longtime.
SPEAKER_00 (16:41):
You know me?
SPEAKER_01 (16:43):
That's right.
The order of things are a littledisjointed of you.
I remember correctly.
You just woke up and you're atthe Cafe Solfecio.
Sam's eyes flashed the way theyalways did when connecting
herself to herself.
She was in the sword, she wasplaying in the field with Mr.
Alistair at the tower, she wasguiding a young acolyte, and she
(17:05):
was also here.
Anyway, I believe you have amessage for me.
SPEAKER_00 (17:11):
Yes.
Gorshin wanted to let you knowthat an ancient evil that you
thought you had killed hasappeared in the abandoned town
of Galena.
I see.
SPEAKER_01 (17:22):
Then it's almost time.
Sam didn't answer him.
She couldn't.
She did find it curious to seethe very blade she was attached
to in the hands of Aristotle.
That's okay, Sam.
I know you can't answer, but Ido have one favor.
When you get back to whereyou're going, you're going to
(17:43):
meet a young man just outsidethe town of Rift.
Stick with him.
He'll need you.
That Sam faded and returned toJonah in the past.
For her, it was just beginning.
It made Jonah a littlemelancholy.
Mr.
Alistair, Caitlin, Terence, andall the things they did
together.
(18:03):
The next day, Jonah and Aristamade haste to Galena.
After doing a little research,they found out exactly what was
going on.
A crew of ghost hunters hadentered the town to be more
specific, its abandonedsanitarium.
They were young, arrogant, anddidn't really believe in the
spiritual realm.
They got more than theybargained for, and now he and
(18:26):
Aristotle would have to dealwith it.
Ichalantros.
Jonah grumbled, a big, powerful,yet stupid monster from the
waste.
Jack Stevens had killed it,banished it to the waste, where
it escaped once again to attackJack's great, great, great, and
I could say great a few moretimes, grandson Warren.
(18:49):
Now, he had arisen once more.
We should probably come at itfrom both sides.
That way we could corner it.
Sounds like a plan, a thunderousvoice echoed from over his head.
What are you doing here?
You're being hunted, Jonah.
And it's not safe for you here,McCal says.
(19:11):
So what?
I have Aristotle back me up?
Yes.
But honestly, she doesn't needyou here.
Are you benching me?
Not benching.
Something is coming.
And I suspect you need to goback to the tower.
And when the time comes, you'llknow.
(19:32):
Cal, please! No, Jonah.
It's time to hand over thereins.
Just for now, and trust me, thismay also be best for Maggie.
Jonah listened, and poorEchantros.
If he thought Jack or Jonah hadbeen bad, Arista pasted him.
But that was then this wasdifferent.
(19:55):
Now Arista was bathing in a deeppool amongst some old runes.
Although cool, the air and thewater were just warm enough.
Stepping out of the pool, shestood in the gleaming moonlight.
It caressed her, illuminatingher so that if you did see her,
she'd appear more like afragment of light standing by
the pool itself.
(20:16):
A light breeze kicked up and hereyes turned towards its
direction.
A red cardinal flew on the wind,and she extended her hand out
and it landed on her indexfinger.
Hello, little friend.
I believe you have a message forme.
It peeked and bobbed its head asit relayed Warren's message.
(20:36):
I see, she replied.
It was a sad message, animportant message, and she would
need to heed its call.
But first, she had a friend andsome children to visit.
SPEAKER_02 (20:51):
Arista.
Still mostly an unknown in thesestories.
Even though we had a whole storyjust around her name.
Go figure.
She replaced Jonah.
She has kicked ass and takennames, and now, now she's being
called someplace she doesn'twant to go.
(21:14):
Why?
What is it that she sees thatholds such sadness?
Maybe we'll get a better ideawith chapter six Luciano Ricci.
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