Hope's Light

Chapter 16

by Erisian

Book 6

Chapter Sixteen - Grace

Over thirty demons and souls genuflected before me.

And I had no idea how to respond.

Hope's Light

Chapter 15

by Erisian

Book 6

Part Four

Chapter Fifteen - Continuance

Time, fluid in its speed across all realms, inexorably moves forward with each advancing page.

Upon the fundament do towers rise, gleaming with marbled perfection in the undying shine radiating eternally from above. Multitudes of angels, working hand-in-hand and wing-to-wing in the fulfillment of the plans laid out by their cherished Architect, constructing the channels which culminate at the focal point, at the tallest tower of all:

The Throne.

Kitchen Area:
Shelly and Clair were busy making pumpkin muffins and banana nut muffins for the buffet line. They had already made over forty muffins and were glad they were selling like hotcakes. Shelly looks at the Clair standing next to her.

“You're really good at cooking, Clair. Do you have formal training as a cook?” Shelly was curious because it was like Clair knew how to do everything without a lot of explanation. It took her several tries under Pamela’s tutelage to learn the proper way to read a measuring cup and such.

Feminist Genie in the Lamp

Hope's Light

Chapter 13

by Erisian

Book 6

Chapter Thirteen - Traces

“Alright dude, how’s this supposed to work?”

Nick and I were standing on the tower’s rooftop. A wide variety of antennas, all made of clumped bundles of wire or actual dishes pointed at distant targets, surrounded us. The power and signal cables, hardened against the ridiculous heat from the uncomfortably close burning sky, coiled about like massive snakes having a grand ol’ party.

A party we’d intruded upon, though we had done our best not to trip over anyone.

After the intense confrontation with Seraphina, Akari was acutely aware of the need to elevate her training. Despite her ability to maintain control during the duel, she understood that she must be fully prepared if Seraphina were to push her even harder in the future. This realization fueled her as she returned to her early morning sessions with Instructor Kael, her determination unwavering as she strived to master the delicate balance between power and control.

Hope's Light

Chapter 11

by Erisian

Book 6

Chapter Eleven - Stand

I spent a few more minutes, there in the now-empty hall. Tsáyidiel remained quiet, allowing me space to think. While the idea of returning to give Krux the grief he so greatly deserved appealed, the entire quest to find the Apostle no longer felt as urgent.

Oh, I still wanted to know if this demon had information that could lead to my other friends, and also wanted to find out just exactly who he was to be saying things in my name. But from what Cassius had just told me, other priorities had become much more important.

And thus decision became action.

Hope's Light

Chapter 10

by Erisian

Book 6

Part Three

Chapter Ten - Keepers

Layers unfold as the Book advances chapters, and intervals beyond time nevertheless speed forward.

Past further iterations of Light’s expansion, past concept of boundary enforced by the one called to such purpose, past moment of blood and sacrifice, of pain and birth.

Hope's Light

Chapter 9

by Erisian

Book 6

Chapter Nine - Instincts

It had been less than a sleep’s turn since I’d arrived in Hell, and already I’d witnessed three murders. Four, if including Pierre’s self-sacrificing suicide. Technically they were already dead to begin with, but once reduced to a compact stone that was it for their spirits. From everything I’d been told, that was the last one-way trip a soul could take.

Short of jumping into the Abyss, anyway.

The escape attempt is on, their chances may not be all they appear to be... The losses may be too much to handle.

Themed Birthday Party
A Vignette
By Maryanne Peters

Alison would never have been able talk me into it, but it was my father’s input that settled it.

“You aren’t making enough effort to get on with my wife,” he said. “And don’t keep on calling her Alison. She is your mother now. Call her Mom.”

Composite
A Short Science Fiction Story
By Maryanne Peter

Which of us died? It must have been her. Yet she seemed to be uninjured. The sight of her body looking so perfect staring at me in disbelief from the mirror. It was just the arms and the shoulders and the chest that seemed out of place, and as it turned out, the heart and the brain, and the spinal cord.

Hope's Light

Chapter 7

by Erisian

Book 6

Chapter Seven - Coffee

The ride through the paved cavern tunnels was short but bumpy as the transport’s suspension had clearly died a squealing death at least ten to twenty firestorms ago. I’d been locked into position in the middle of a squad again, though this time opposite me wasn’t a cranky diminutive devil blowing smoke but rather a sullen swamp-green demon similarly shackled into place whose inner rage boiled and simmered.

As evident by the constant glares of resentment and brewing rebellion he kept shooting across the aisle whenever he thought I wasn’t paying attention. My sympathy meter didn’t move much in response, I was too busy being happy that they’d given me a bright orange prison jumpsuit.

Hey, it would never have won any fashion shows but it certainly beat being naked.

Hope's Light

Chapter 6

by Erisian

Book 6

Chapter Six - Potatoes

“Why does one without need seek passage?”

The grey-cloaked spirit towering over me stood thirty-feet tall. With sandals straddling slowly rocking parallel top decks of a slender felwood boat, the voice boomed out from under a deep and shadowed hood. If the barren expanse behind had any features other than scattered ancient bone, the sound would have echoed mightily - but as things were it simply resounded loudly from above.

And given the message, I’d barely started this undercover investigation and already my cover was blown. Joy.

Since you read this on BCTS you are familiar with my situation.

I wore a skirt to school ONE day to see what would happen. At the time I was known as Toby. Well, it was supposed to be only one day. Things snowballed. Being tagged as a girl. Cheerleading, ballet, standing up to bullies, assigned to the girls’ locker room. Even a boyfriend. Ending up as the popular girl, slayer of bigots, savior of damsels in distress (perhaps not the last). The Prom Queen ruling the school.

Hope's Light

Chapter 5

by Erisian

Book 6

Part Two

Chapter Five - Plans

Brightness sweeps away the Book’s words and echoing voice entire.

All is light, and Light is All.

Infinite yet singular, timeless yet growing, perception expands.

Perception of existence, perception of pattern.

A vision of glory beyond all glory, depth beyond all depth, and purpose beyond all purpose.

From this vantage, a locus forms. A pivot through which the Light’s perception shall guide, reach, and measure.

A pivot through which to recognize Self.

A pivot through which to Act.