Page 143 of Eternal Obsession

Fabian Snowstrom.

I was overwhelmed, feeling my mind and spirit opening up to such a profound experience. I paced the room, pondering on all that had happened in the last few nights. My world of torment and my conflict with Orpheus now seemed a million miles away. I would have to return soon and take up the fight again with Orpheus, but it was here in this mysterious castle that I would learn the skills I would need to defeat him.

Would this two-hundred-year-old trial soon be over?

My thoughts wandered to Alex and Catherine, trapped within that awful building in London. Time was of the essence. I found my next book, Man’s Law of Equalization. Written on the white card were instructions to read a paragraph within the text.

The most fundamental and basic law is that of equalization. Until you have accepted this, you cannot move on. Man, woman, and child are created equal. The physicality of form is nothing other than a facade. When one comes to view himself as equal to, not better or worse in any way to, others, then one has succeeded on this first stage along life’s journey.

For we are one—not separate in any way, other than by our mind and thoughts. Nature does not separate itself in any way, except in our perception of it. Therefore, mankind does not separate in any way, except in our perception of it. We are all one. We come from the same and will return to the same. To discover the true essence of being is the way of truth. You are truth.

I read the inscription in the margin of the book, written in Fabian’s handwriting. What moves mountains and turns water into wine? it read.

“Faith,” I said and walked through the aisles, looking for the book most relevant to the question. I peered out the windows again, wondering how long I had spent in the library.

The large, richly bound Bible stood out among the many books that surrounded it. As I removed it from the shelf, a white card fell from between the pages. I picked it up, quickly reading the familiar florid.

Dearest Jadeon,

I know what it is that you fear the most. Have you the faith to face it? Do you have the faith to enter the light and become one with it? If so, when the dawn arrives, remain within the room until I come for you. I shall, of that you can have no doubt. I will not make you do anything you are not ready for. I will not take you anywhere where you are not prepared to go. Trust is all I ask. You must let go of the ‘I,’ Jadeon—your ego. You must examine your fears, move through them, face and embrace them. For they are but illusions. Give in to the truth and accept what is real. For only when you live in truth can you find the happiness and fulfillment you so desire.

Yours Forever and Eternal,

Fabian Snowstrom

I was unsettled by the letter. Facing my fear would most certainly kill me. I was crestfallen, having gotten so close. And yet here was the final stage. How dare Fabian ask such a thing? This stranger was asking me to risk my life for an audience with him. A glint on the stained glass hinted that the morning sun neared. If I were going to back out, it would have to be soon.

Dispirited, I thought of Alex and Catherine imprisoned within Belshazzar’s. I rallied myself, willing to do anything, even die if it bought their freedom. My faith was imperative. Resigned, I pulled one of the four leather-bound chairs back from the table and sat down, fighting my exhaustion.

Fabian had promised to come for me. I chose to believe him.

Chapter Fifty-Nine

ORPHEUS

Blake and Ingrid stared at the many files and books on Ingrid’s coffee table. They sat back on her couch.

“Okay, so run it by me again,” Blake said.

“What we have believed to be myth all this time is in fact real,” Ingrid said.

“Ingrid, you know I always run with your ideas, but this time . . .”

“I’ve seen things when I visited St. Michael’s. Jadeon Artimas had artifacts that pertained to him. I’ve never once seen him eat anything, and every time it gets light he’s nowhere to be seen.”

“Come on, Ingrid.”

“And he’s always one step ahead of me . . . me!”

“Maybe you’ve finally met your match,” said Blake.

“Trust me on this, Artimas is . . . different.”

“Different how?”

“Look, I discover something⁠—”

“What . . . are you holding out on me?”