The Gathering Darkness (the Connor series) - Dirk B. (Page 39 of 57)

Cool find. I'm reading a book called Infiltration about the overthrow of the Catholic Church from within. The plot, cooked up by Freemasons, seeks to lead young clergy astray by placing sympathizers in seminaries. Once they've infiltrated those seminaries, they'll produce errant priests, bishops, cardinals, and, finally, an ultraliberal Pope. This plot has been in the works since the early nineteenth century. The book claims Freemasonry is actually Satanism in sheep's clothing. The similarity to my book is surprising. Fortunately, it's not fiction. If I had found this book a couple of years ago, I might have made Freemasonry a key part of my book's conspiracy. It's too complicated to change it now, though.

I toured the site. Looks cool

Well, shit. A key reason I introduced physical demons in my story was to minimize human-on-human violence. I figured it'll be more palatable to my target audience who don't like gratuitous violence. Making the bodies dissolve instantly is part of making them seem less human. I was thinking I should change the priest who flops to the pavement in chapter 16 into a demon, but if I use demons for some of the Antichrist's followers within the Church, then why not make them all demons? Seems reasonable, except demons are easy to spot - just sprinkle everyone in the Church with holy water. If they dissolve, you have a demon. So it begs the question, why would the Antichrist use humans for some positions and demons for others? I had been trying to use demons primarily for low-intelligence killers, with few speaking roles. Until I remembered tonight that the chief exorcist from chapter 11 was a demon. In fact, the reason they know demons are susceptible to holy water is because Connor doused the exorcist with it. So clearly demons can be intelligent. So why would the Antichrist have used a demon as chief exorcist to begin with? Why not a human follower for that role too so he wouldn't be susceptible to holy water?

This all sounds rather tangly... why not just forge ahead with the violence and simply don't draw attention to it?

I suspect the market you're after is already nervous about the guns. They probably asked Spielberg to edit the guns in ET into walkie-talkies because though the guns weren't fired, the mere presence of them on the screen was too much.

I remember reading about him making this change. Since it's a kid's movie, I didn't see anything wrong with it.

As for the demons, what fun is a supernatural thriller without demons? They melt, rise out of the body, roar, and charge at the detectives. Also, demons with bodies can have sex, which is important for Satan, who is believed to be the father of the Antichrist. It's the humans followers I'd love to get rid of.

Needs more navel gazing.

Dreamt of a weapon tonight called the arser. Had to add it to my spreadsheet for Galaxy Tales. :-)

Posted a short story for the mythical creature contest. It's Animal Farm "off its meds".

Okay. Much better dialogue between Romano and Beneventi below. I decided Beneventi is a ghost, not merely a figment of Romano's guilty conscience. As before, no one else can see or hear Beneventi, unless Beneventi wants them to. Also, I decided he doesn't read minds. It's more fun if Romano keeps getting caught talking to him. For added enjoyment, Beneventi can manipulate his environment. Also, it turns out his eternal punishment is to spend forever with Romano. There is a way out, but he's not allowed to tell Romano what it is. Should be fun.
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Romano was about to get up, when the man turned his head and faced him. Antonio Beneventi. Romano closed his eyes and muttered, “Go away.”
Beneventi rose, approached Romano, and said, “I’m not going anywhere. My place is with you — until the end of time, if necessary. I’ll follow you to the darkest ratholes on the planet.” He shrugged. “I don’t have a choice really. You see, you’re my punishment.”
Romano arched an eyebrow.
“That’s right. It’s not enough that I’m in Hell. Turns out Hell consists of spending an eternity with you. Ironical, isn’t it? But, believe me, if I have to suffer, then you will, too.”
Romano began second-guessing his decision to accompany Connor on this trip, as requested by Nnamani. Although Romano didn’t consider himself a threat to the boy, Romano knew he wasn’t a well man. He glanced at Connor. The boy needed someone along he could trust.
Beneventi followed Romano’s gaze. “His wellbeing isn’t the real reason you’re here, is it?”
Romano’s eyebrows shot up. Beneventi was reading his thoughts.
“No, Gregorio, I’m not reading your mind. I’d need a microscope to find it. But you’re predictable. You always were. The real reason you’re here with all your baggage in tow is that you think he might really be Christ.” Beneventi laughed. “And you’re going to follow him around like a puppy, carrying his water, hoping at the end he’ll feel so grateful to you he’ll grant you three magic wishes.”
Romano glared at Beneventi.
“Don’t give me that look. I’m right. And we both know what your first wish will be, don’t we?”
Romano said nothing.
“You want him to rescue me from an eternity of suffering.”
“Yes,” Romano whispered.
Beneventi covered his heart with both hands. “How noble of you. Or is it? Fess up. What you really want is for him to save you from an eternity of guilt.”
Romano stared straight ahead.
“Hah! I’m right.”
Romano looked him in the eyes. “Leave!”
“Who are you talking to, Father?” Connor asked.
“Oh, uh, just thinking out loud.”
Beneventi whispered menacingly, “Together forever, Gregorio. That’s us.”
“You’re not real!” Romano hissed.
“Oh?” Beneventi smacked Romano’s tray from underneath, spilling his water bottle.
Romano jumped, then watched, mouth open, as Beneventi returned to his seat.

test

Did you test pass?

Good grief. Today I stumbled upon a website (https://www.jeffbondono.com/TouristInRome/index.html) that appears to document every major tourist attraction in Rome. I haven't had a chance to go through it much, but it also includes some Vatican locations; not sure if it includes all of those I would care about. Had I found this many years ago, it could have saved me a ton of work. The pages I looked at even had pictures of each attraction, which would have been infinitely easier than me trying to dig through pics on Google images trying to distinguish real pics from those that are simply mislabeled, which happens a lot!

Now if only there were a comparable site for the Holy Land.

Thanks. I can't remember if I saw that Holy Land website or not. I bought the book for it though, among others.