COVENANT KEEPER: Prophecy of the Raven

Chapter 16: A Light Within The Darkness

As the darkness crawled towards me, a strange sense of clarity washed over me. In the midst of the encroaching shadows, I realized with a start that this was the vision Simon had warned me about back at the Church of Solomon—the moment when I would willingly allow the darkness to consume me.
For a brief moment, I hesitated, feeling the weight of uncertainty and fear pressing down upon me. But then, amidst the coming darkness, a flicker of understanding ignited within me. This was not a moment of surrender, but rather a test of faith—a chance to confront the darkness head-on.
With newfound resolve, I closed my eyes and lowered my head. I began to pray silently as I allowed the darkness to swallow me like a tidal wave as everything suddenly fell silent.
Within the void, where the only light came from the symbols glowing faintly all throughout. Memories of those i had failed flashed through my mind, each one a painful reminder of the battles I had fought and lost.
I thought of Rebecca, who I was unable to keep safe from the darkness that sought to claim her.
I thought of Daniel, who's promise to keep his sister safe ended in failure.
I thought of the woman we attempted to save from demonic possession back at the abandoned concrete bridge, her soul taken by the demon that has consumed her.
Finally, I thought of Simon whose heroic sacrifice left nothing behind except a shadow flickering upon the wall of the factory.
Suddenly, the glowing symbols surrounding me within the endless darkness began to blink out and disappear, leaving me within an absolute void where I couldn't tell if my eyes were closed or open.
Within the now absolute darkness, I found a moment to reflect on my own shortcomings, on the weight of responsibility that rested upon my shoulders. But as the cold chill of the darkness seeped into every fiber of my being, I felt a profound sense of peace wash over me—a peace born not of surrender, but of acceptance. Of forgiveness.
I opened my eyes as my Star of David talisman began to glow. Faintly at first, it gradually grew brighter and brighter until it could be seen through the pitch of that endless darkness. Through the light that shone from my talisman, within the darkness, I could see the face of an impeccably beautiful and well-endowed woman with platinum blonde hair, fair skin, and bright blue eyes. This was the face of Lilith herself, the mother of demons.
She smiled a genuine, caring smile. One of those smiles that couldn't possibly hide a single ounce of malice. But I knew it was deceitful.
I held my hand up in front of my face, the ring of Solomon facing Lilith within the darkness, glowing and vibrating with its divine power. I didn't speak any of the words it whispered to me. Not this time. No, this time, I did it all myself.
"In the authority of the wise King Solomon, I command you, Lilith, to obey me. Hear my prayer!" I declared, my words ringing out with a clarity that belied the weight of the moment, "I bind the demon grouping known as Lilit, Lilith, Lamie, and all spirits known as Lilu, lilitu, Irdu lili, and Ardat lilit."
With each syllable, I could feel the power of ancient prayers coursing through me, fueling the chains of holy light that shot forth through the inky darkness, wrapping around Lilith's arms, binding her essence.
"I bind the spirits of lust and temptation, of pride and rebellion. The spirits of child sacrifice and accusation that desire to rule over all nations," I continued, my voice steady despite the enormity of the task.
Another chain of holy light shot through the darkness and shackled Lilith. The combined power of my talisman's protection, of the ring of Solomon's divine energy, and the Holy Spirit within me fueled my determination.
"Lilith, mother of demons, she-demon fiend who refused to comply nor obey Adam," I thundered, my voice echoing through the darkness, "Obey me now. I banish you in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST!!!"
My words reverberated with power, carrying the weight of centuries of faith and conviction. As the final syllable fell from my lips, Lilith was thrown back into the darkness as that same darkness surrounding me trembled, giving way to a blinding burst of light and warmth that consumed Lilith after I spoke the final word of my prayer, "Amen."
The darkness suddenly shattered like glass, leaving behind only echoes of Lilith's presence.
I found myself back in the factory building. The light of the rising sun shone through the windows of the factory. The cultists surrounding the room were now all unconscious. I fell to my knees, exhausted, focusing on my breathing. It was done. The antichrist and leader of the cult of Lilith were defeated, and Lilith herself was successfully prevented from fully entering into our world. For if I - no, we, were to have failed, there was no telling what kinds of chaos and calamity Lilith and the antichrist could have wrought.
With the darkness finally overcome, the biblical prophecy foretelling the coming of both the antichrist and Lilith having come to fruition, an evil destiny thwarted, I took Rebecca home for the final time and returned to my hallowed sanctuary on the outskirts of the city of Detroit.