Category Archives: Book 2 Rise of the Antichrist

Antichrist, Book 2 Rise of the Antichrist

2.19 The Word Became Flesh

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Book II: Chapter 19
July 11

A couple nights later I had my sleep interrupted again – this time with another vision of The Two Witnesses as the word became flesh before my eyes…

<Drip… drip… drip…>

<Drip… drip… drip…>

<Drip… drip… drip…>

I watched as a frustrated Enoch, despite his blindness, arose from the prison floor and tried to ferret out the source of the annoying drip. After a time, he did successfully locate the trickle, but unfortunately the crack in the cell’s ceiling was simply too high for him to do anything about.

<Drip… drip… drip…>

Ice cold rivulets splashed into Enoch’s maw – smelling of raw sewage they were far from refreshing. And so, backing away dejectedly, he slumped back down onto the pile of filthy straw that was his bedding and did the only thing he could – endure.

As for Elijah, he might as well have been a dead log. During this brief respite from their visions, I was certain that sleep, if the prophets’ could grasp it, was a welcome relief. (Even though my own was currently being interrupted!)

Turning my attention back to Enoch,  I wondered if he ever remembered that he was once a man of renown – and if so, would that knowledge cause him to curse his present condition? For the fact that he formerly enjoyed the favor of God but was now subject to a fate worse than Job seemed like a pretty raw deal to me. (After all, this was something I could definitely relate to). Or was Enoch foolish enough to believe he was going to be rewarded for this ‘righteous’ suffering?

<Drip… drip… drip…>

“Will this never end?” Enoch muttered, head hanging in misery. “Where is our savior?”

(Well I guess that answers my question).

Suddenly my vision shifted – torn from the prophets’ cell, I was again looking upon the man calling himself Ghaz al’ Ridwan Ma’bus. He was in his private quarters and again watching a webcam of the prophets, but this time he was not alone.

“Don’t worry, my friend, I’ll save you.” An unmasked Ma’bus replied to Enoch’s question, even though the prophet never heard him.

“What does he mean?” Mystery said. Not only was the woman not wearing any Covid personal protection, but she was wearing little else – climbing off the bed she clasped a wisp of silk around heras she came up behind her lover to look at his computer. “What will never end? The virus? The world? His revelations?”

“Who cares? He’s clearly not having a true vision, so it doesn’t matter.”

“How do you know he is not prophesying?” Mystery wrapped her arms seductively around the technocrat’s shoulders.

“Look at Elijah — he’s out.” Dr. Mab’us casually brushed off Mystery’s advances. “The Two Witnesses never reveal wisdom unless they both speak. So perhaps Enoch’s just complaining about the food?”

Mystery ignored her lover’s rebuff and chuckled along at his last comment before growing serious, “Benedict suspects something about all this, you know.”

“So?” The computer whiz turned dictator continued to stare at his webcam, allowing his mind to think of ways to improve the tech in the device.

“So, he never got around to asking about the prophets, nor how Alan escaped — but only because I got out of there before he could dig too deep.”

“He knows about all of it by now.”

“How? Did you tell him? Did he—“

Bates raised a hand, “Don’t forget the kind of power we’re dealing with. Joseph Ratzinger is no ordinary man. He is one of the Chosen.”

(A Chosen — Joe? Again, I’m as confused as you are).

And closing his computer screen, Dr. Ma’bus turned to look at Mystery, ignoring the temptation of her seductive body, “Benedict already knows that I have the witnesses. And as for Lazarus, surely Benedict knows that Mary came to my lair to rescue him… and that I let Mary succeed.” (Whoa, what’s that?)

“But he wasn’t happy to learn that you kept Alan’s Nail.”

“Of course not. He wants The Nails for himself – and he’ll stop at nothing to get them. I’m sure he’s already planning to influence Mary and John to bring him the other two.” (Hey, don’t bring ME into it!)

“But he won’t succeed.” Mystery smiled. “Alan’s nearly dead because of what Dr. Flipflop and you did to him to him with The Chair of Woe, and John is out of the game permanently.”

“On the contrary. Lazarus will be fine. John will repent. And Benedict will eventually get his hands on all three of The Nails.” (La, la, la, I can’t hear you!)

“What?” Mystery gasped – apparently wondering if she’d chosen the right side.

Bates seemed to know what she was thinking, “Dost thou have so little faith in me?”And before Mystery could stutter a response, he explained, “This is all part of MY plan, dear – just like with Covid. As for Lazarus, you know I only wanted to toy with him in The Chair — you know he is needed for something far more important… later. I knew that Mary would come to rescue him once she was informed by Gabriel. So by torturing Lazarus, I forced Mary to take him to the one person on earth who could cure him of the wounds I inflicted.”

“The Apostle John.” Mystery nodded.

(No, this is not happening! Please don’t let me just be a pawn. Don’t let all of my actions be predetermined! Quick, what am I thinking right now? What am I going to do next? See, YOU don’t know, right? And neither do I. So how can they?)

“Correct.” Dr. Ma’bus replied. “Mary had to take Lazarus to John. Given his resentment against Jesus, I’m sure John resisted getting involved, but I expect that Mary was quite convincing.”

Mystery smiled knowingly at that comment.

“Oh, not in the way that you are thinking.” Ma’bus explained, pulling Mystery over to lap and ripping away her coverlet. “John’s too old to care about this sort of thing.”(Hey, you’re wrong there). “And I’ve always wondered if he liked women anyway – after all his own gospel says that he is the apostle that Jesus loved. Ha!” (Now that’s a low blow. I’m not gay – not that there’s anything wrong with it — that lifestyle just doesn’t appeal to me). “And Mary doesn’t have your… talents. But the bottom line is that she has learned how to control minds – remember the havoc she caused here – my people are still suffering from her rampage. And I don’t doubt she would use that power on John too.”

(Wrong again — I did not agree to help because I was influe– Wait a second, DID Mary use her Psychic Probe on me?)

“But, even if John cures Alan,” Mystery asked, still sitting in the nerd’s lap, “how do you know they will go to Benedict? And why in Hell would they give him their Nails?”

“My dear, let’s not forget WHY these Nails exist in the first place.”

Mystery hesitated, “Er… ah… to destroy… you.”

“Don’t be afraid to say it, love. After all, what you said IS the truth.” And here the flaccid man pushed Mystery off as he rose up and took on a pompous air, “These are the very nails by which Jesus of Nazareth was gloriously crucified nearly two thousand years ago. The holy spikes that pierced his flesh and sent him to the grave. Why, the beat-up iron still retains his blood! Enemy or not, I understand the power these instruments contain — they will be the glorious tools by which I complete the Armageddon Rite and thus stop the Nazarene’s Second Coming once and for all. Indeed, December 21st will mark the official beginning to my own reign upon this world!”

Although Mystery smiled back, it was clear she was still unsure.

“I sense your uncertainty. Care to see what the Nails can do?”

Mystery took a step back, grasping for her coverlet again, “Here? Now? No. I’m confident in what I already know about them from my father, and in what you’ve told me.”

“Ah, but I don’t think you are.” The dictator reached out and grabbed her by the hair! (Damn, this girl’s been taking a beating lately, huh?)

“Ghaz, no!” Mystery shrieked, unable to break his iron grip.

Spinning her around, the man slammed her into a chair and ripped her silk away again, “Don’t move!” As he spoke, his eyes rolled back – showing nothing but the whites – and his voice became rich with an ancient <power>. “Now you’ll get a taste of what I possess.”

Although Dr. Ma’bus’ demonic persona quickly receded, Mystery remained trapped in place, whilst the man tapped his watch to activate its communication feature, “Oh Jamir, be a good sport and bring me The Nail of Lazarus.”

(Can you say, ‘Yikes!?!’)

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20 – The Substitute
Book II Table of Contents
Antichrist, Book 2 Rise of the Antichrist

2.18 Two Beasts?

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Book II: Chapter 18
July 9

As my vision dragged on, Pope Benedict continued to strangle Mystery and I gotta say – it was a shocking sight!

So much for social distancing, huh?

I took a moment to ponder more on the possibility of TWO Beasts by remembering Revelation Chapter 13. Look it up with me, will you…

Did you read it? If not stop and go do that. It’s kind of important. Don’t worry, I’ll wait…Read Revelation 13 now…

Revelation Two Beasts

OK, so based on what you read, clearly you’ll agree that the first beast is to be a political figure, right? And surely Bill Bates as Ghaz al’ Ridwan Ma’bus now fits that description.

As for the second beast, I’ve always thought he would be a pseudo religious figure, but I never anticipated it being The Pope of the Catholic Church – I mean, that’s is Peter’s Rock we’re talking about!

Furthermore, both of the beasts I wrote about in Revelation were supposed to receive their power and authority directly from Satan. Surely, Jesus would not let Satan infiltrate the Church, would He? Would HE?!?

Two beasts – the Great Deceiver and the Great Imitator. Could they really be Bill Bates and Pope Benedict?

I was jarred out of my thoughts by Joe’s viciousness – still choking his adversary, Mystery’s face was now turning blue.

“Answer me!” The Pope roared, at last he releasing his grip on the woman’s neck, yet still holding her down with his weight.

<GAAAASP! GUUUULLLP!> Mystery sucked wind back into her lungs. Tears had been forced from her eyes while the Pope had strangled her and her mascara was smudged, yet even still her face was beautiful to behold.

“I told… you…” She struggled, “I followed… your directions.”

“You did not!” Joe’s eyes were wide in blood lust as he again placed his hands around the girl’s throat. “You failed me! You failed the world.”

But this time, Mystery would not be taken so easily, and before the Pope could get a grip, she brought her knee up hard – into his groin.

The Pope crumbled backwards in agony – smashing Mystery’s chair to splinters and landing in a heap on the ground.

Now it was Mystery who had the upper hand, and she stood over the Pope, “You’ll pay for this treatment, Joe! I was never yours to begin with. You of all people should have known that. From The Darkness I came, and to The Darkness I shall return. So why did you trust ME, Joe?” And pointing down at him, “It is YOU who are the Fool, for The Brotherhood has chosen — Bates as Ma’bus is The Chosen One. Therefore I serve him, Joe… And I always have!”

(Gee, miss a few Brotherhood meetings and the world changes beyond recognition. What gives?)

I watched as Mystery then walked a line over Joe and toward the door. Stopping for only a moment to pull out her compact, she fixed her makeup before straightening her dress and then exiting The Pope’s office.

For his part, Joe remained upon the floor, in silence.

After a time, one of his feline friends emerged from some hidden corner and began to lick the Pope’s forehead — as if caring for his wounds. At last, Joe opened his eyes – yet instead of revealing tears or lamentation, I could see that his eyes were bright, almost twinkling.

“Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.” Reaching up to pet his cat, he snickered, “Ah, things are going just as I planned, Deter, my love. And so the game continues — I believe that is check to you, Dr. Ma’bus.”

(Arg, all this intrigue is giving me a headache! Just who is helping who?)

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19 – Word Became Flesh
Book II Table of Contents


Book 2 Rise of the Antichrist

2.17 A Papal Interview

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Book II: Chapter 17
July 7

It’s not often when I actually want my revelations to continue, but today I did because I was curious to know more about the relationship between Pope Benedict and Teri Abbracciavento.

Or as you and I now know her – Mystery of Revelation.

“You’re hiding something.” The Pope calmly averred to his guest. He was sitting unmasked in his high backed chair behind a massive desk that was itself situated upon a raised dais in the middle of his office – all of which allowed him to look down upon any visitors seated before him.

“Oh, I wish you’d close those drapes so I don’t have to stare into the sun behind you.” Mystery complained as she removed the face mask she’d been wearing in the foyer to comply with the Vatican’s Well-Health requirements. “It’s not creating the halo effect you’re looking for, so can we lose the charade in my case?”

A momentary tightening of the jaw was the only perceptible sign of Joseph’s irk, yet outwardly he smiled as he pressed another button on his desk – causing the heavy curtains to close.

The room grew noticeably darker, yet Joe made no effort to turn on any lights, “I’d imagine you’re more comfortable with the lights off, my dear? After all, from The Darkness you came, and to It you shall ret—“

“Spare me the dramatics, please, Joe. I already told you I appreciate the praise for the Ki-Moon mission – although that was a pretty easy job. And yes, my father is doing well at the chateau you secured for him. But this meeting was supposed to be about BAVI and what we’re going to do next.”

“Haven’t we been discussing that for the last 45 minutes? And yet YOU who are the one not being forthright with me.”

“You can read me like a book – or so you believe.” Mystery smiled. “Well if you are correct, then what is it that I am hiding?”

“You have avoided my questions about Professor Zarus.”

“What is there to tell? You told me to ensure that he was safe.”

“I told you to bring him to me!” Joe slammed his fist onto the desk.

“It wasn’t safe here.”

“But it was safer to bring him to BAVI?” Joe took a deep breath and sat back in his chair – he looked at Mystery for a long time without saying a word.

(Well this at least solves one mystery for us – BAVI is clearly Bill Bates nee Ghaz al’ Ridwan Ma’bus, right?)

Meanwhile I saw Benedit get up and walk over to his sidebar, poured himself a tall glass of Barenfang – sans ice – and then returned to his seat.

He did not offer Mystery a drink.

(Good for you, Joe!)

Looking at his guest, Pope Benedict took a long pull of his liquor and let out a big sigh. “Mystery, so help me God, you are playing a game you cannot win. If you try to double cross me, I will not only see that you burn in Hell – which is already a given – but you’ll lose your promised riches in this life too. Is that what you want?”

Straightening her shoulders and raising her chin high, Mystery gamely replied, “I merely want what is coming to me. No more. No less.”

“Oh, you’ve got that coming, sister. Don’t worry.”

“In any case…”

“In any case, I do not understand why you used The Brotherhood’s resources to deliver Zarus to BAVI.”

(Hmmm, that’s news to me. Like I said before, perhaps if I had attended some of the more recent Brotherhood meetings I’d be more up on current events – interesting).

“I only did as I was told.”

“Not by me! I told you to bring Zarus to Rome.”

“That plan is still in progress.”

“So who told you to take Zarus to BAVI first?”

“I can’t answer that question.” Mystery looked down at her lap.

Another nod to ponder, another sip on his drink,. “Interesting. Yet, no matter. I’ll let you can keep your secrets, Mystery – for now.”

But then, Joe’s voice grew darker, “It’s not a sin to expel a demon. With that in mind, dear, I ask you — why should I even let you walk out of my office alive?”

(Wow, now this was clearly a side of my friend that I had not seen before!)

Yet Mystery didn’t even flinch. “We both know that you cannot complete your plans without me.”

Joe finished his drink, “You’d better hope that’s STILL the case, eh?” And before Mystery could reply, he added, “But let’s get to the heart of the matter — Zarus is secondary — it’s his prized possession I really need.”

(Oh no, not you too, Joe).

“Oh that…” Mystery snickered.  

“Yes?”

“Well, it seems… there’s been a change of plans there. You see, although Alan himself will be coming to you, his Nail won’t.”

“What good is Zarus to me without The Nail?”

(This is looking worse for you, Joe. Whose side are you on, anyway?)

“That’s between you and BAVI. My mission, in your very words, was to ‘deliver Alan Zarus’ to you and, as I said, that is still in progress.”

“You, demon-whore!” Joe snarled, slobber running down the side of his mouth. “You know Zarus is worthless to without The Nail. Mystery, you have failed me!” And he arose from his seat and moved menacingly towards her.   

Mystery made no move to stop him — for she appeared certain that the Pope was all bark and no bite.

It must have come as a surprise then when Joe viciously grabbed her by the throat and pulled her out of her seat!

Spinning her around and slamming her back against the desk, Joe continued choking her, “You knew it was Zarus’ Nail I wanted. You knew I needed all three. And yet you dare to defy me? Why?”

(OK, I am as confused as you are. I was certain that Ma’bus was The Beast – hell, Ma’bus himself said he was Satan’s Son! But what about Joe?)

My God, is there more than one Antichrist?!?

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18 – Two Beasts?
Book II Table of Contents
Book 2 Rise of the Antichrist

2.16 The Rock of Peter

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Book II: Chapter 16
July 9

Two days later, Miriam was still sitting beside Alan’s bed as he recovered – amazingly she was going so without any of her personal protective equipment on!

Meanwhile, I was having a beer on my back porch – Heavy Seas Loose Cannon – one of my favorite IPAs. Like so many other brews it was no longer being manufactured by the original brewery since Heavy Seas and pretty much every other microbrewery (and all other small businesses for that matter) had been destroyed by the forced lockdowns early on in the Covid plandemic. Luckily for me, being the alchemist that I was, I was easily able to replicate the recipe for all the beers I liked so I could brew them on my own. (Hadn’t you been wondering where I got all my beer from? Well now you know).

As for Alan, I knew he was out of the woods by now so I could relax a bit. And since I couldn’t just sit there and listen to Miriam whine (that woman is like a canary – she never shuts up), I planned to spend my time on the porch blasting away the sound of her yapping with a Cannon… or three.

Naturally, The Lord picked this as yet another occasion to send me a vision…

“Another day, another dollar.” I saw an unmasked Benedict say to himself as he watched a rather strange man leave his conservatory.

I recognized the other gentleman immediately – for there could only be one man bold enough to sport such garb: a flamboyant outfit highlighted by a Venetian mask over his face – like all other masks, it didn’t work against Covid, but at least Marrollo’s looked interesting.

I knew exactly who he was: Cardinalate Giovanni Marrollo — an eccentric but high-ranking member of the Vatican.

High-ranking indeed, for Marrollo was the current President of the Pontifical Commission, making him the de facto CFO of the Vatican). He was also one of the driving forces behind the messaging Pope Francis used to talk up the benefits of the United Nations Agenda 2030 and Great Reset one-world government plans.

“How many of those crazy masks does that man have?” Joseph wondered aloud once Marrollo was gone, “More importantly, can I still call him my friend?”

Knowing now why The Lord had given me this vision, I realized that the Pope had reason to be concerned — for although Marrollo had helped Joseph Ratzinger to get elected as Pope Benedict XVI, surely Joseph was not foolish enough to believe that Marrollo had done this merely out of the goodness of his heart.

The same could be said for the way Marrollo helped Joe to orchestrate his pseudo-retirement. And naturally everybody who was anybody knew that Marrollo was the man who had installed Pope Francis as the new figurehead so that Joe and Marrollo himself could wield the real power behind the scenes – and out of the public eye. It was a matter of course that Joe had therefore always repaid Marrollo by appointing him to a host of gaudy positions within Vatican City.

But was that enough to make them even in Marrollo’s mind?

I never thought so and clearly Joe was now wondering the same.

“I’ve taken more care of Marrollo than anyone else.” Joseph grumbled. “I made sure he has continued membership in The Congregation of Bishops, The Pontifical Council for Culture, and the Administration of the Apostolic See. But now he wants me to make him The Confuto Penitentiary – giving him power of not only The Apostolic Archives but also access to the Sacra Crypta?”

(When Joe mentioned that Crypta, I knew that it should have jogged another memory, but he kept yammering on and I couldn’t think straight… perhaps that 3rd beer had something to do with it?)  

“If I let Marrollo secure the Penitentiary,” Joe’s words interrupted my thoughts again, “Then, coupled with his other commissions, he would effectively control all of the Vatican’s wealth… and all of its secrets.” And his face went white at the implication. “No single person has ever held all that power.”

Joe continued his musings, “But alas, how can I refuse Marrollo? Ah, there is the question indeed. For he obviously believes he holds all the cards.”

And I watched as The Pope pondered a few moments more, before concluding, “Sadly for Marrollo, he is incorrect. Oh, I’ll let him continue to think he is pulling the strings… for now. After all, I just need another five months and then it’s all a moot point. And if he does turn out to be a traitor, I’ll be the first to remind him that he who digs a pit, often falls into it himself!”

And with that thought, the Pope smiled as he pressed the contact on his desk that communicated with his Secretary. “Ah, Georg, who is my next appointment?”

The pope’s personal secretary Reverend Monsignor Georg Ganswein had followed him into retirement – having no idea that the venture would end up requiring more hours of him than less! He replied wearily, “Your Excellency, that would be Miss Teri Abbracciavento, and she is waiting here to enter at your convenience.”

Pope Benedict’s eyes flickered wide only for a moment, before steeling himself for this next ordeal. Sitting higher in his chair, he advised, “You may show her in, Georg.”

(Well, well, it seems this vision just got a lot more interesting – I was about to witness the ol’ Joe getting another opportunity to deal with the devil’s mistress. Strange bed fellows indeed, eh?)

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17 – A Papal Interview
Book II Table of Contents
Alchemy, Book 2 Rise of the Antichrist

2.15 Lazarus Rises…Again

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Book II: Chapter 15
July 7

“I am the Mercury of the Wise.” I intoned.

“The Water that does not wet the hands.” Miriam chanted back again, continuing to do what I instructed her as part of our rite to save Alan.

The Nigredo had been going for nearly eighteen hours….

Yet still an unmasked Alan lolled helplessly in his chair, with his eyes glazed over and his body dead to the world.

When I told Miriam that things would get ugly, I wasn’t lying – for Alan went through hell during our ritual.

First there were the convulsions – wrenching physical spasms that forced his body into inhuman contortions – they were almost as bad as the spasms people experience after taking their Covid vaccines (key word: almost as bad)

Then there were the Voices – terrible ravings about unspeakable atrocities – all spilling out of Alan’s mouth, even as his face took on horrible visages to match his words.

(Miriam had to cover her eyes more than once during this stage of the putrefaction and as I stole a glance at her during one of Alan’s more gruesome Voices, I wondered – was she recalling <whispers> of her own demonic possession from a time long past?)

I had no time to ponder further about her, because suddenly Alan tried to break loose from his ties! Were it not for the heavy straps that I’d used to bind him to his chair, he might well have succeeded in harming himself or one of us. As it was, I had just enough time to douse him with a foaming liquid from one of the flagons I had on hand – and although the container was marked with a skull and crossbones, by the time Miriam saw that infamous warning mark, it was too late – for I had already used the potion.

The result: Alan was immediately immobilized.

Although I had saved us from his ravings, as the hours passed, Miriam and I realized that there was something worse than the voices or the physical abuse — The Silence.

For nearly twelve hours, Alan did nothing.

He said nothing.

His once beautiful face now the unrecognizable mask of a man tortured from the inside out.

If I had not constantly been checking his breathing, I would have been certain he was dead.

But such was not the case.

And then, suddenly there was an instant in which Alan’s eyes were not glazed — as if his soul had reached to us across the depths.

But the moment quickly passed and once more Alan was gone.

Confused, Miriam broke the silence, “Did he…? Was that…?”

“You saw correctly.” I advised calmly. “Lazarus is coming back from the dead… again.” I chuckled, enjoying both my pun as well as the scientific curiosity of this whole experience.

I then forced an effervescent liquid down Alan’s throat and followed this up by dousing him with a special powder.

And finally it happened…

Wonder overtook Miriam as we watched Alan transform.

First the bruises and awful marks disappeared from his body.

Then Alan’s frame cast off its slouch, even as his face released the bonds of their internal struggle.

And finally, Alan’s eyes cleared of their haze once and for all.

Tears welled up in Miriam’s eyes, “Oh, John… I mean, Azoth… you did it!” But under her breath, I heard her say, “For the Lord is good and His love endures forever.” Finally she reached down to Alan, “I knew you wo—“

<GAAAASSSSP!> Alan convulsed again and began gulping for air.

Miriam shrank back. “What’s happening?”

“Stand back, you fool. The rite was not over yet!” And ripping Alan from his bonds, I heaved him upon my back and raced towards the door. “Come on, we have to submerge him in the tub, otherwise, he’ll suffocate!”

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16 – Rock of Peter
Book II Table of Contents
Alchemy, Book 2 Rise of the Antichrist

2.14 The Philosopher’s Stone

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Book II: Chapter 14
July 7

OK, so the cat’s out of the bag – yes I became an Alchemy Master in order to try to kill myself.

Big deal.

Has it worked yet?

Obviously not.

Meanwhile, Miriam pleaded, “I don’t want your help if it means you’re trying to kill yours—“

“Don’t worry,” I interrupted her, while wheeling Alan over to one of my workbenches. “I won’t be needing the Ebon Essence for this procedure.”

Miriam tried to stay out of the way as I poked and prodded Alan. My examination lasted for some time so I won’t bore you with the details. Eventually I advised, “It won’t be easy. Only The Nigredo can save him now.”  

“Ah, OK? I guess. But what is this Nigredo?”

“You might know it as The Putrefactio. It means the blackening, the putrification, the INDIVIDUATION.”

“John, er, Azoth, I don’t understand. I’m not an alchemist!”

“Cool your breeches, sister. Basically I have to perform a Rite upon Lazarus that will first putrefy his body and then purify him from the inside out – it’s the only way to burn out the impurity left from The Chair of Woe.” And after a pause, “It will not be a pretty sight.”

“Meaning?”

“You may want to go back to my house and wait.”

The color draining from her face, Miriam gritted her teeth, “No.”  

“Suit yourself.” I turned my back on her and got to work.

Yet before I could get started, Miriam sheepishly asked, “Does this ritual involve The Philosopher’s Stone?”

At that I laughed – I mean, I truly laughed – it was a rich, heartfelt laugh the kind that I had not experienced in decades and damn it felt good!

“What’s so funny?” Miriam asked, perturbed.

“Is that the extent of your knowledge of Alchemy?” I smiled, as if talking to a child. “Do you think The Stone is truly a great mystery?”

“You mean it’s just a legend?”

“On the contrary, The Philosopher’s Stone — the substance called the Philosopher’s Stone — is quite real. And yes, you can use it to turn inexpensive metals into gold.” Raising a hand, “Before you ask, those three chest there are filled with gold ingots. All at least a thousand years old from back when I amused myself with this trick. Ah, but who needs gold anyway?”

(Do YOU want that gold? If so, come on by and you can have it. Grab my cure for Covid while you’re here. They’re both waiting for you – that is, if you dare to try to find my house).

“But I’ve also heard that the Philosopher’s Stone was believed to be an elixir of life. Some say that with it, one could achieve immortality. I was hoping you could use it to save Al-”

My eyes narrowed at that. “Don’t trouble yourself with that vein — I buried those secrets long ago.” And because this was a touchy subject for me, I changed it, “As for Alan, he requires but one step along the path of The Opus Magnum – ‘The Great Work’ — The Nigredo is the first step of this path.”

“How many steps are there?”

“Four.”

“Well, after working on this craft for over a thousand years, I’ll bet you have completed them all, right?” Miriam tried to be encouraging.

Yet my face grew hard, “That’s no concern of yours, Mary. Now step back and give me space to work!”

(And don’t YOU go asking about that either — the fact is that I have NOT yet completed The Opus, but I am damn close! Yet before my life is over I WILL complete The Rite…and become a god! )

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15 – Lazarus Rises… Again
Book II Table of Contents
Alchemy, Book 2 Rise of the Antichrist

2.13 Call Me Azoth

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Book II: Chapter 13
July 7

In an effort to stop Miriam’s complaints, I finally agreed to help our friend Alan.

In order to do that I had to bring him to my private workshop — which was actually a just detached garage, a short walk away from the house.

From the outside it probably looked like any other barn one might find in upstate Pennsylvania.

Yet the inside was quite unlike anything you’ve seen – for I am an Alchemist — not just any amateur experimenter trying to turn metal into gold, mind you, but a full-fledged Alchemy Maestro, perhaps the greatest of them all!

(I know, I know, I probably should have told you this sooner, but remember, I tend to forget quite a bit in my old age. What’s that — what else have I forgotten to tell you about? Ha, now that’s a good question!)

“Once inside these walls you shall call me Azoth.” I instructed Miriam, as I fiddled with the multitude of locks that barred the door. “Additionally we’re going to take that stupid mask off Alan and you’re going to remove that silly outfit your wearing.”

“Wha-?” Miriam stammered, backing away. “I…I can’t…er…what about the vi-vi-virus?”

“Miriam, you fool, you’re immortal!” I raged at her. “You can’t die from any virus – much less a made-up one that’s never even existed! How stupid are you, girl? You know as well as I that Covid was just a PLANdemic carried about by globalists to get everybody vaxxed, chipped, and monitored as part of the United Nations Agenda 2030 creation of a world-wide police state. Do I really need to explain all this to you?”

Miriam began to bawl, physically shaking as her mind was clearly resisting what she knew to be true even as the #FakeNews propaganda she’d allowed herself to be force-fed these past few years surely told her I was lying.

I merely waited for events to play out.

In the end, Miriam caved. Yet even as she removed her pandemic garb she gave in to a new fear. “Ah, John, er, excuse me, Azoth… we’ll not be doing anything sacrilegious in there, right?”

“Do you want my help or not?” I screamed at her, doing nothing to hide my disgust.

Miriam cried again, but looking down at Alan, she struggled to regain control as she said, “I’m sorry, Azoth. Please, let’s hurry inside.”

“How does it feel to be the one who is manipulated, eh, Mary?” I chuckled.

Miriam didn’t reply. Instead I heard her mutter, “You, O Lord, are a compassionate God, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness.”

I smiled to myself as I opened the final lock, before pulling the door ajar the door to let Miriam pass inside first – even though she was woman of the world who had seen quite a bit during her long life, as she entered my workshop I could sense her surprise at the sights before her.

To say the oversized garage was over-stuffed was an understatement – for although the 30 x 20 foot interior was a healthy area, I had nearly every available spot crammed with something. A giant furnace dominated the far wall – pipes leading out from it in all directions – some carrying exhaust to the outside, others hooked up to trailing pipes that led off to smaller furnaces or connecting to heating beakers both large and small, and still others going down into the floor. (What’s their purpose? Sorry, that would take too long to explain. Just sit back and listen please).

I watched as Miriam noticed the multitude of glass bottles – how could she miss them? – for more than anything else, jars of all shapes and sizes filled my laboratory. In fact, one of the 30-foot walls was lined completely with a massive, custom-made shelving unit and every space was filled — giant bottles containing preserved animal parts, smaller decanters bubbling with strange liquids, and tiny phials glowing with mysterious crystals. These and more were stored on the shelves – and everywhere else about the room too.

Various tables piled up with unusual tools, hulking chests locked tight, and storage containers overflowing with materials took up much of the rest of the space.

Each with a purpose only I knew.

A bit further inside, I saw that Miriam noticed The Three Pillars. An important alchemy construct, the two outermost posts had a shelf jutting out towards the inside pillar — upon the shelves, each of the pillars held a bulbous carafe which in turn had a long nodule connected to a tube. The tubes of the carafes connected to pipes that were attached to additional tubes that intersected the middle pillar, and then eventually emerged to connect to a similar pair of carafes at the base – yet rather than being supported on shelves attached to the outside posts, these glass jars were situated upon smaller furnaces that were continuously heating the liquids inside the flagons. I knew that Miriam had no idea as to the purpose of this apparatus, and I wasn’t about to tell her (or you!)

As you might expect, my workshop was not without its share of books too. From heavy tomes to delicate scrolls, my fetish with books played out here even more than it did in the living room of my house. I followed Miriam’s eyes with pride as I saw her espy the volume that was my most prized possession – a large stone tablet, shaded emerald green, sat reverently upon a podium in the very center of the room.

Although the engraved text was large enough read even from afar, it was written in a language that I knew that even Miriam did not understand. (If YOU want to know more, do some research — look for references on any of the following: The Emerald Tablet, or The Tabula Smaragdina, or The Secret of Hermes. See, I do give up some secrets).

Next, I could see Miriam captivated by the fact that nearly every wall surface was covered with Symbols; even the floor was covered in a giant glyph – a circle inside a square, inside a triangle, inside a humongous circle, the outer edges of each shape touching the inner edges of the ones they were housed within. As for the symbols on the walls, in one area, I saw Miriam note a collection of four triangles, representing the four basic elements: upright triangle for “fire,” pointing down for “water,” pointing down with horizontal line dissecting for “earth,” and pointing up with horizontal line dissecting for “air.”

“Ah… Azoth,” Miriam found her voice again, “what does the circle with the dissecting lines represent?”

“That one  is Quintessence.”

“Pardon me?”

“You might know it as Aethyr.”

“Oh, The Fifth Element — but I thought that was just a legend?”

“Hardly!” I snorted. “Quintessence is much more than a folk tale. Unlike the other elements, it has no physical qualities – it’s neither hot nor cold, wet or dry. It is incapable of change and yet always changing. It controls light and matter. It is the space between – but in a LIVING way.”

“Interesting.” Miriam was clearly impressed by my knowledge (and rightly so). Yet I noticed that she changed her tune a bit, when she asked meekly, “But, Azoth, I thought that Einstein’s Relativity dismissed aethyr?”

Aethyr – The Space Between?

“Wrong! Einstein attempted to dispute the existence of aethyr in his Special Theory of Relativity, yet even then his negative proof relied mainly upon an Occam’s razor – postulating that the existence of aethyr was not necessary to explain the gaps in the universe. However, later in life he corrected himself in the commentary to his General Theory of Relativity – wherein he admitted the logical need for aethyr.”

“Ah, John, did YOU have anything to do with his changing viewpoint?”

“No comment.” I smiled. (What, you think Einstein got all his grand ideas on his own?)

“What about all the other symbols you have painted here?”

“Miriam, I can’t sit here and give you a crash course in Alchemy!” However I couldn’t stop myself from hastily pointing out, “This is Tria Prima. Here are the Seven Planetary Metals. Over there are the Mundane Elements and opposite those are the alchemical compounds. This chart shows the Twelve Core Alchemical Processes as related to The Zodiac. Got it?!”

“And those different colored roses? Is this place also a greenhouse?”

“Don’t be a fool – my lab is hardly a garden! The roses have their place in my work and the colors have meaning. Red means ‘passion.’ White – ‘purity.’ Yellow – ‘compassion.’ Orange – ‘optimism’ (and before YOU comment, it’s true, I don’t have many orange roses on purpose!). Blue – ‘promise.’ And the ones gilded with Gold mean ‘Perfection.’”

“And…” Miriam hesitated, “The Black ones?”

I paused a moment, wondering if I should speak the truth. In the end, I didn’t care enough to fight…

“The Withered Roses offer Death.”

“And you said you use these roses in your work?”

“I extract their essence as the backbone of certain experiments.”

“But why would you ever need the Black ones? Unless…”

And Miriam looked at me in horror, suddenly realizing that my most important secret of all…

I was experimenting on myself!

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14 – The Philosopher’s Stone
Book II Table of Contents
Book 2 Rise of the Antichrist

2.12 Ozymandias The Great

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Book II: Chapter 12
July 7

“What do you want me to do?” I asked Miriam — who’d been pleading with me from the moment she arrived, over three hours ago.

“John, I’m at my wits end,” She replied. Miriam was still wearing her pandemic safety garb – disposable Hazmat suit, gloves, booties, and facial shield over her Nano Mask. She looked ridiculous in the getup but I knew she wore it around me because she knew I was a Covid-denier and thus likely infested with the virus. After fiddling with her mask, she barked at me. “John, all you do is sit there in your Laz-E-Boy with your arms folded and a sour expression on your face? Put down your beer and look at Alan!”

“This isn’t any ol’ brew, it’s a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale – only the finest beer in the world!” Even as I said it, I could see Miriam glowered behind her mask and face shield, so I slowly lowered my glass and glanced at Alan as she requested – I had to admit, he looked pretty bad as he lolled mindlessly in his chair – especially with that stupid mask Miriam on him.

Before I could comment more, Miriam was on me again, “You’re probably the only person in this world who can help. I need you to save him, John. Bring Alan back to us!”

“And then I suppose you’ll want me to help you to save the world, is that it? Let’s solve the Covid crisis once and for all, turn back the clock on our Climate disasters, give everyone unlimited money without making them work, and while we’re at is solve world hunger too. How does that sound? We’ll feel so good about everything in life. The sun will always shine, and unicorns will fly out of my butt when I pray? Is that what you want? ”

“Ugh, I don’t understand you?” Miriam whined. “Why have you given up on our mission? Why have you forsaken our Lord?”

“You think I have forsaken Him?” Now it was my turn to get angry. “What kind of a fool are YOU, Miriam? Take off your mask and open your eyes! It’s been nearly 2,000 years since He left. Yet He said He would fulfill His mission to us DURING our lifetimes? What a crock! If anyone has been abandoned it’s US!”

“John,” Miriam replied quietly. “Don’t forget that our lifetimes are still going. There is still time for Him to fulfill His promises. You just need to have faith. Remember, He said ‘I go to prepare a place for you. I will come ba–“

“Don’t throw that verse back in my face — I wrote that! And yet apparently I was deceived, because what I wrote is NOT true.”

“How can you say that?” Miriam’s eyes were wide in fear – I guess she didn’t realize how disillusioned I’d become these last few decades. “Your gospel is the most beloved of all. YOUR words have changed the world – for the better. Look at all the many millions who have been saved directly because of how you were able to capture the essence of The Teacher. You are the greatest Fisher of Men of us all, John.”

“What good has it done me? I am supposedly ‘the Apostle that Jesus loved.’ Yet what did it get ME? Am I with Him in paradise? No, instead He gave me this… wonderful curse of immortality. But with a worn out body to enjoy it in! Why? To sit here and see the world decay as a bunch of globalists turn us all into digital cattle? I’m tired of everything. I’m tired of waiting! When is He coming back? When?”

“I… I don’t know. But we can’t give up now. The Final Battle is on.”

“Don’t count on me. I’m done fighting.”

“Shall we accept the good from God but not the trouble?” Miriam tried to negate my words. Then, glancing at Alan, “John, regardless of how you feel about Our Lord, I’m asking you, as a friend, please help Alan. He needs you.”

“Take him to a doctor.” I waved her off. “Medicine has advanced quite a bit and they worship at the altar of Science now. These men like Dr. Flipflop and his ilk fancy themselves as gods and aren’t afraid to tell you so.”

“You know they can’t help him. He needs YOU, John.”

“Why ME?”

“Alan was forced to endure The Chair of Wrath!” Miriam screamed – as if I didn’t already know. “He is trying to kill himself from the inside out!”

I let Miriam’s words hang in the air for a moment as I pretended to ponder the situation – even though I had no intention of helping. But then…

Wait a second, old man. I thought to myself. Alan IS trying to kill himself — and he very well might succeed!

Once I made that connection, things changed for me.

I couldn’t bear to let Alan escape this life – not without me too!

“Interesting.” I nodded, playing it cool for Miriam, even though my scientific curiosity was now raging.

The moment lingered as I tried to convince myself that what I was about to do was worth the risk.

Miriam waited anxiously, tending to Alan, and I could sense that she was praying urgently inside her mind.

“Arg! I should be asleep already,” I blurted at last, “lying with the kings of the earth, men who built monuments for themselves, but which are now lying in ruins. Let me just be like Ozymandias — dead and forgotten and covered over with sand.”

I continue my rant for a bit, however Miriam didn’t bat an eye.

Tired of it all, at last I gave in to her, “Fine. You have your wish – bring him to my workshop.”

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13 – Call me Azoth
Book II Table of Contents
Book 2 Rise of the Antichrist

2.11 The Chair of Wrath

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Book II: Chapter 11
July 4

Sadly, The Blackness dissipated – taking the sweetness of death with it.

Eventually I realized that Miriam (and I) were merely back in the hallway – outside of Acedia.

I had no idea how she had been able to escape the room – and pull me with her.

“Praise God!” Miriam gasped, and in her desperation she allowed herself to take off her face mask and risk breathing the air in the hallway outside the Chairs of Woe in order to try to help her body recover faster.

As she sucked at the air, Miriam knew she had to keep searching – for time was running out on Alan — thus, after a few more breaths, she refitted her mask and then approached the next door.

“Ira.” Miriam whispered the word, obviously fearing what the Chair of Wrath might torment her with. “Alan must be inside one of these last three rooms, else all of this was for naught!”

I’ll be honest with you, I was mentally exhausted, and even though I knew it was fruitless, I tried to end this vision — it didn’t work.

Next I tried using my mind power to stop stop Miriam from going inside another room – that failed as well.

Unable to resist, I thus accompanied Miriam’s mind into yet another Room of Woe…

Immediately we were assaulted with scenes of uncontrolled Hate and Anger!

Then Gunshots rang out to our left and we saw a man murdered – the assailant’s face a visage of blood lust.

I heard Miriam gasp and I sensed her desperation when she said, “My hope is in You, Lord.”

At first, Miriam’s prayer seemed to work because the room then morphed to show us a fairly tame scene: people arguing about whether masks worked to stop Covid, but then the pro-mask group got angry and raged that the anti-maskers were ‘murderers’ for not wearing their masks. (I wasn’t all that shocked by this scene since I’d witnessed it for years now).

Next we saw a parliament scene, with politicians arguing about Vaccine Passports and Freedom Passes — their impatience boiled over into anger and suddenly a fight broke out.

After that we saw a group of #MAGA supporters being violently assaulted by an Antifa mob (well that’s nothing new, right?). Next it was black-clad police wearing United Nations Armed Forces garb hauling groups of people they’d nabbed as anti-vaxxers off to Re-education Camps (I assumed to be forcibly vaxxed and chipped). Then we was some sort of armed assault at the US-Mexico border

But then, suddenly the transgressions of the room grew in intensity again – giant violent protests, group suicides, and even large scale genocide as a result of various pieces of biometric code being activated within the mRNA Covid vaccines that people had been taking for years.

Before we could resist, our senses became overwhelmed — powerless to stop this madness, soon my own blood began to boil and I too became angry.

Hate! Ire! Rage!

All built up inside me and I knew Miriam must have felt the same happening to her. Yet just as Miriam must have realized she needed to escape this room too, suddenly we saw… ALAN!

He was locked within The Chair of Wrath — his face a mixture of torment, rage, and sadness. The sight of him made me even more angry and I wanted to run over and beat his face into more a pulp, yet before I could act, I realized that Miriam had vanished.

That made my anger shift to her — insane with rage at her decision to abandon Alan, I unloaded a round of curses on her name and beat the floor in wrath.

But Miriam proved me wrong again – apparently she had reunited her body and mind, because I saw her break through the doorway and force her way physically back into the room.

(Amazingly there wasn’t any security system to stop her – did Bates and Flipflop assume that no one would be crazy enough to break IN to this room?)

Regardless of how easy it was for Miriam to get IN to the room, her prospects for getting Alan OUT was going to be the real challenge as The Chair of Wrath immediately punished her with the its evil aura. At the same time I projected my own hate onto her as well.

For her part Miriam struggled to get Alan released from his bonds — to no avail.

In his poor condition Alan could do nothing to help her — he was simply too far gone.

Miriam’s desperation grew and I could <feel> her faltering.

Sensing an opportunity, before she could call upon God to help, I threw my every last mental effort against her – trying to destroy her.

But instead of being harmed by my mental assault, Miriam instead appeared to grow stronger – her body in intensity and she attacked the bonds that held Alan.

I raged at her even more yet Miriam was now seemingly immune to all my abuse and the power of the room no longer affected her either.

Instead it was as if she was filled with a newfound strength — and as she finally got Alan free, she forcefully dragged him out of the Chair of Wrath, and then physically carried him out of the room!

I don’t know how she managed to do all this and I found it incredibly disturbing –especially since she didn’t trigger any alarms and nobody from Ma’bus’ guards or servants was on hand to stop her.

As she escaped, I found my own spirit ripped out of the room as well – although I struggled to stay, I was powerless to resist – for my vision was tied to Miriam and thus I was forced to endure watching her.

I witnessed her leave quite a path of destruction within Ghaz al’ Ridwan Ma’bus’ palace as she made her escape with Alan – ruthlessly immobilizing anyone who got in their way (whether it was the effects of the Chair of Wrath on her, or else simply carelessness in using her powerful Probe, or perhaps a combination of all of the stresses of the day, the end result is that many suffered at Miriam’s hands).

In fairly short order, she and Alan were able to escape Ma’bus’ complex and emerge back into Baghdad proper. Miriam then stole a Jeep and used it to get them to an unregulated located in the mountains outside the UMAN border. Eventually they made their way to a place of relative safety in Germany.

As I saw this unfold I found it pretty fishy that Miriam had a fairly easy time at every border checkpoint – why didn’t her Freedom Passes ever trigger an alert about where’d she’d just come from? It made no sense, but before I had time to ponder further, my vision flickered…

When my Sight cleared, I was once more looking at Miriam in the present day of July 4.

She was masked, gowned, gloved, and caring for Alan in that tiny flat, with the German news on in the background.

Still comatose, I now understood that Alan was struggling within the battleground of his mind. Fool that she was, I noted that Miriam had also put a face mask on Alan too (in her stupidity she apparently didn’t realize this was only going to make Alan’s condition worse, but what can you do – there is no arguing with these pro-maskers). Meanwhile, I watched as Miriam continually talked to Alan, trying to help him to understand that he could escape from the prison of the Sin that held him. Yet so far, her efforts were fruitless.

Time was running out.

Miriam surely knew that Bates was after them by now and he WOULD find them.

Action was required, and it was clear what Miriam was about to do.

“Be still before the Lord, wait patiently for him.” She tried to reassure herself. “We need help. We need a miracle! We need… John.”

It was inevitable. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I knew it was going to happen…

Miriam was coming to me!

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12 – Ozymandias the Great
Book II Table of Contents
Book 2 Rise of the Antichrist

The Trap is Sprung (10)

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Book II: Chapter 10
July 4

My vision of the past continued – fresh off a success at resisting the Room of Greed, Miriam (and I) eagerly took on the next room.

I could sense Miriam’s confidence growing now and at first it seemed that her faith was justified — for not much was happening inside the room called Acedia first.

We saw examples of overwhelming laziness and indifference. Some people were simply unwilling to take action – either to help themselves or others no matter the potential reward or danger. Others had fantastic talents that were readily apparent, yet they too refused to act in order to share their gifts. Potential was left untapped. Grace left undone. And although unfortunate, Miriam was unaffected — in fact she almost allowed herself to be amused.

The bizarre scene inside Acedia

For my part, I was content to just let my mind languish for a bit. I actually began to feel a kind of peace – I must say, it was pretty nice.

However, we both failed to notice when the allure of the room began to <change>.

Soon we began to witness examples of melancholy, apathy, and depression. We saw others trapped in a world of joylessness — refusing to allow themselves to enjoy the Goodness of God. (I felt myself drawn to this crowd).

“Sloth” by artist Steven Burkett

We began to feel a sense of spiritual apathy – with images of the faithful being discouraged from their religious work.

Tristitia (Sadness) was confronting us — for Acedia was historically more defined by spiritual discontent than by mere physical laziness – yet too late did we remember this important fact!

“Tristitia & Dolor”

I could tell that Miriam felt an uneasiness of spirit and she began to grow restless, but I paid little attention to her because of a sudden I could sense my very soul being sucked into the room.  

Miriam tried to remove herself from the room… but I wouldn’t let her take us out.

I forcefully resisted her in the spirit world — for now I realized that I didn’t want to ever leave!

Panicked, Miriam called upon God to help her.

But no deliverance came.

And I rejoiced as Doubt (in the form of my spirit) assaulted her.

Do you really love God with all her heart? I shouted at her as a mysterious voice from within the Room.

With all your mind?

With all your strength?

With all your soul?

I tried to trick Miriam into remaining here forever.

In the past, I knew her answers to all my questions had been “YES!”, but using the power of this room, I convinced Miriam that now she didn’t know for sure. I told her that her love for God was trickling away – that which had ever sustained her was seemingly insufficient… draining… absent.

What good is your mission? I asked. If The Scriptures are truly divine, do they really need YOUR actions to be fulfilled? Surely, if they were true, then God would fulfill them regardless of what YOU do? Haven’t you worked long enough? Two millennia? Certainly you deserve a chance to rest for a bit!

I could sense Miriam’s desire to allow herself to perhaps just sit down and rest a bit.

No, to lie down. I encouraged. To sleep.

To be.  Yes, to just Be.

Just Beeeeeeeee.

“The Nightmare” By Fuselli

Suddenly The Blackness engulfed us…

(Was this The End I had for so long been hoping for?)

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11 – The Chair of Wrath
Book II Table of Contents