I Love Azathoth

The next morning, Jonah woke to find Aza sitting cross-legged on the desk chair.

"Good morning, Beloved!" Aza sang, her tone entirely too cheerful for someone who apparently didn't need sleep. "I've got the perfect idea for your first adventure."

Jonah, still groggy, rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stretched. "Perfect idea, huh? Should I be worried?"

"Only if you hate fun," she teased.

After freshening up and dressing in a blue shirt paired with green overalls at Aza's suggestion, Jonah found her waiting for him in the living room. "Alright," he said, adjusting the straps of his overalls. "What world am I going to first? And why these clothes? I look like I'm about to go plumbing."

Aza giggled behind her hand, clearly enjoying his confusion. "First of all, those clothes are very appropriate for where you're going. Trust me, you'll see. Second, you're not actually going to another world just yet."

Jonah frowned, tilting his head. "Wait, what? I thought the whole point was—"

Before he could finish, a voice from behind made him yelp. "What she means," Yog interrupted with a smirk as she seemingly materialized out of thin air, "is that your first little adventure won't be in some far-off dimension. Not yet, anyway. Think of this as a warm-up."

Jonah turned to glare at Yog, clutching his chest. "Do you have to do that?"

"Absolutely," she said with a grin. "Now, to explain without spoiling the surprise—let's just say we borrowed a certain location from one of your favorite fictional worlds and brought it here. You'll figure out the why by the end of your adventure."

Aza stood and approached Jonah, her smile softening. She reached up to brush a strand of his dark hair away from his face before leaning in to kiss him, her lips warm and inviting. "Just promise me one thing," she murmured.

"What's that?" Jonah asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"When you get back, spend some more time with me. A real date this time, since we haven't had one yet." she said, her voice dropping into a sultry tone as she leaned closer. "And when you're ready...I'm going to rock your world."

Jonah felt a shiver run down his spine, his face heating at the promise. All he could do was nod before she kissed him again, leaving him breathless.

"Alright, lover boy," Yog said, clearly amused as she drew her katana and slashed the air in one smooth motion. A glowing portal opened, swirling with faintly golden light. "Time to get going. I'll make sure you don't trip over yourself too badly."

Jonah stepped toward the portal, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. Before stepping through, Yog handed him a map and a flashlight. "You'll need these," she said, giving him a mock salute as he disappeared through the portal.

The world beyond was dark and shadowy, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and faint decay. Jonah clicked on the flashlight and unfolded the map. Scrawled across the top in ornate letters were the words:

"Your Mansion."

Jonah squinted at the map, something about the title tugging at his memory. "Why does that sound familiar?" he muttered to himself, but with no other choice, he followed the path marked on the map through the dense forest.

Eventually, the trees gave way to a clearing, and Jonah froze. Perched on a hill before him was a massive, looming mansion, its gothic architecture silhouetted against the flickering glow of distant lightning. The towering structure seemed both ominous and oddly nostalgic.

"Okay...definitely spooky," Jonah muttered, tightening his grip on the flashlight as he approached.

The wrought-iron gates of the courtyard creaked loudly as he pushed them open, stepping onto the overgrown cobblestone path. The air felt heavier here, almost charged with an unseen energy. He reached the front doors, their dark wood scarred and weathered with age.

"Alright," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of the wind rustling the trees behind him. "Here goes nothing."

The doors groaned as he pushed them open, his flashlight beam slicing through the darkness within. Dust hung thick in the air, and the faint scent of mildew reached his nose. The grand foyer spread out before him, its high ceilings and winding staircase giving the space an almost regal air, despite its decrepit state.

Jonah stepped inside, the sound of his shoes echoing eerily. He shone his flashlight across the walls, taking in the faded wallpaper and cracked plaster. Everything about the place felt...off, but also strangely familiar.

"This place..." Jonah whispered, his brow furrowing as he tried to place the nagging sense of déjà vu. "Why does this feel so...so familiar?"

His voice trailed off as he ventured deeper into the mansion, the creak of the door swinging shut behind him signaling that there was no turning back now.

The grand double doors in front of Jonah were barricaded by sharp, thorny vines that pulsed faintly, as if alive. He instinctively took a step back, the sinister energy they emitted making his skin crawl. With no way forward, he turned and ascended the creaking staircase to the second floor. The steps groaned under his weight, each sound echoing eerily in the otherwise silent mansion.

At the top, he found another set of double doors. He gripped the ornate handle and tried to turn it, but the door was locked tight. Jonah frowned. "Of course. Classic spooky mansion rules—locked doors everywhere."

A sudden, faint sound from the foyer below caught his attention. It wasn't the wind or the creak of wood; it was something…other.

Jonah froze for a moment, his ears straining. The sound came again, a faint ethereal hum that made his chest tighten. Against his better judgment, he descended the stairs, his flashlight beam bouncing along the walls.

When he reached the foyer, his eyes widened. Hovering in midair was an orange, shimmering apparition. It floated aimlessly, a faint, pulsating glow surrounding its formless body. 

Before he could react, the apparition seemed to notice something else. With a hollow, unearthly hum, it dropped a small golden key onto the dusty floor, then floated back up to the second floor and phased through the locked double doors before vanishing entirely.

Jonah stood rooted to the spot, his heart pounding in his ears. It took him several seconds to process what had just happened.

"Okay...definitely not a dream... you think considering who my girlfriend is I'd have a better tolerance for spirits if that's what that was." he muttered, bending down to pick up the key. Turning it over in his hand, he inspected it, the ornate design feeling strangely familiar. A flicker of recognition nagged at him, but he couldn't quite place it. "I think I know where I am...but let's be sure."

Steeling himself, Jonah ascended the stairs again and approached the locked doors. He inserted the key into the keyhole, the old metal clicking as it turned. With a deep breath, he gripped the doorknob, twisted it and slowly pushed the door open.

The hinges creaked, revealing a parlor room bathed in shadow. Dust coated every surface, and the air smelled stale. Jonah stepped inside, his flashlight scanning the room. Faintly, the walls and furniture reminded him of something, but the familiarity was just out of reach.

Suddenly, an orange ghost materialized before him, its glowing form with big yellow eyes swirling into existence with a ghastly wail.

"AHH!" Jonah shouted, stumbling backward and landing hard on the floor. His flashlight clattered beside him as he scrambled to push himself away from the ghost, which floated closer, its eerie hum intensifying.

Before it could reach him, the unmistakable sound of a vacuum roared to life. Jonah blinked as the ghost jerked backward, drawn toward the nozzle of the strange contraption.

"Hold still, you slippery specter!"

Jonah's gaze darted to the source of the voice: a short, elderly man with wild white hair, swirly glasses, and an oversized device strapped to his back. The man strained as he tugged at the vacuum's hose, trying to drag the ghost closer.

The ghost let out a high-pitched shriek, twisting and pulling against the suction. It dragged the man around the room with it until with a spin, it wound up a spectral punch and slammed its translucent fist into the old man's face, sending him sprawling onto his back.

"Ugh, not again!" the man groaned, fumbling with the device as the ghost let out a taunting laugh before spiraling and vanishing out of sight.

Jonah scrambled to his feet, grabbing his flashlight as he hurried to the old man. "Are you okay?"

The man sat up, rubbing his face. "Ouch! These ghosties are getting feistier by the day. I swear, I'm too old for this ghost-catching tomfoolery," he grumbled, dusting himself off as he got to his feet.

Now standing, the man barely reached Jonah's shoulder. He adjusted his glasses and looked him over with curiosity. "Anyways, Nice to meet you. I am Professor E. Gadd. What's a young feller like you doing in this haunted heap?"

Jonah opened his mouth to respond, but a low, guttural moaning interrupted him. The two of them turned to see three orange ghosts materialize in the air, their glowing forms moving ominously as they began floating toward them.

"Uh-oh," E. Gadd muttered, fumbling to ready his vacuum again. "This doesn't look good. Alright, youngster, no time to explain—follow me, posthaste!"

Jonah didn't need to be told twice. The two bolted out of the room, the ghosts' shrieking laughter echoing behind them as they fled into the dark corridors of the mansion.

[TIMESKIP]

Jonah found himself standing outside the gates of the ominous mansion, now accompanied by the eccentric professor. The air was still thick with a sense of foreboding, but the flickering lanterns around the area gave the outside a slightly less sinister atmosphere.

"So, Jonah's your name, eh?" E. Gadd said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "I have a feeling our meeting wasn't just by chance. Destiny, perhaps! Either way, well met, my boy!" He extended a hand, which Jonah shook with a faint smile.

Jonah glanced around, taking in the strange surroundings. "So…where exactly are we?"

E. Gadd's face lit up with pride as he swept his arm toward a peculiar, boxy structure behind him. "Why, you're standing in the shadow of scientific genius! This here is Professor E. Gadd's Ghost Research Laboratory—affectionately known as The Lab to folks who don't like syllables!"

Jonah raised an eyebrow at the eccentric name but nodded politely. "Cool place."

"Cool indeed!" E. Gadd replied with a chuckle. "Why, this is where I've spent decades perfecting my ghost-catching technology. You've just met the finest researcher of spectral phenomena in existence!"

Jonah suppressed a grin. He already knew who this man was, thanks to countless hours spent as a kid playing Luigi's Mansion. It was clear now: Aza and Yog had somehow brought this Mansion and man and ghosts into existence, only they exist in his world now instead of the Mario one... that must be what Yog implied earlier. 

When the professor asked why Jonah had come to the mansion, Jonah hesitated. He couldn't exactly explain the truth about Aza—or why he was here in the first place. Instead, he showed E. Gadd the map he'd been given.

E. Gadd squinted at it, scratching his head. "So…you won this mansion in a contest you didn't even enter? Sounds fishy to me! I've been living around here for decades, and let me tell you—that mansion only appeared a few days ago! I'd wager my best gadgets those spirits are playing tricks on you, my boy!"

Jonah couldn't help but chuckle at how similar E. Gadd's dialogue mirrored his personality in the game. But he needed a plausible excuse to head back into the haunted halls.

He quickly came up with an idea. "Actually, I'm not here for the just the mansion. I'm looking for someone—my girlfriend, Aza. She went inside before me and hasn't come back."

E. Gadd's demeanor instantly changed. "Your girlfriend went in there?! Oh, heavens above, that's no good! She doesn't stand a chance against those ghosts without help. You've got to go after her!"

He began pacing, muttering to himself. Finally, he turned back to Jonah with a determined gleam in his eye. "Alright, here's the plan: I'll teach you how to handle those pesky phantoms. With my gear and guidance, you'll be able to rescue her in no time!"

[SCENE SHIFT: E. Gadd's Training Room]

Jonah stood in a brightly lit chamber within The Lab, now wearing a red-and-black vacuum-like contraption strapped to his back. In his hand was a device that looked suspiciously like an old-school Game Boy.

E. Gadd's voice crackled through the small screen of the device. "That, my boy, is the Poltergust 3000! A marvel of engineering, if I do say so myself. It's specially designed to suck up pesky ghosts and all sorts of other oddities. Go ahead, give it a test run!"

Jonah flicked a switch, and the Poltergust hummed to life. He aimed it at a dusty corner and watched as cobwebs, loose paper, and dirt were pulled effortlessly into the nozzle.

"Not bad, huh?" E. Gadd continued. "Now, listen carefully: ghosts are tricky customers. You can't just punch 'em or throw a shoe. No, sir! They're intangible, mysterious beings that require a certain finesse to catch. That's where your flashlight comes in!"

Jonah raised the small flashlight strapped to his wrist.

E. Gadd explained, "Ghosts don't like light one bit. Shine your flashlight on them suddenly, and they'll be stunned just long enough for you to start vacuuming. Easy-peasy!"

Jonah smirked to himself, thinking about how Aza could likely obliterate any ghost with a snap of her fingers. Still, he decided to play along.

"Alright!" E. Gadd said enthusiastically. "Time for some hands-on practice! I've got a few of those pesky orange spirits captured here in the lab. Get ready to wrangle 'em!"

With the flick of a switch, the lights in the room dimmed, and three glowing orange ghosts emerged from trapdoors in the floor. They floated lazily at first but quickly honed in on Jonah, their ghoulish moans filling the room.

Jonah took a deep breath and waited, keeping his flashlight off as the ghosts drifted closer. At just the right moment, he flicked it on, catching two of the ghosts in its beam. They froze, momentarily stunned, their forms flickering like static.

"Now's your chance!" E. Gadd's voice encouraged.

Jonah quickly switched from the flashlight to the Poltergust, the vacuum roaring to life as it latched onto the nearest ghost. The spectral form resisted, thrashing violently as it was pulled backward. Jonah dug in his heels, gripping the vacuum nozzle tightly like a lasso.

It was like wrangling a wild animal. The ghost tugged and spun, but Jonah held firm, the Poltergust's suction slowly overpowering it. With a final wail, the ghost was sucked into the device, vanishing with a faint pop.

"Ha! Not bad for a beginner!" E. Gadd cheered through the Game Boy device. "Keep at it!"

Jonah grinned and turned to the second stunned ghost, repeating the process. By the time he'd caught all of them, he was panting slightly but felt a sense of accomplishment.

E. Gadd's voice buzzed with excitement. "Well done, lad! You've got the makings of a fine ghostbuster!"

Jonah gave a small laugh, adjusting the Poltergust on his back. "Thanks, Professor. Let's hope this works as well in the mansion as it does here."

E. Gadd then asks "How about a little cool down in my gallery? I'm quite proud of it you know." 

[SCENE SHIFT: E. Gadd's gallery] 

E. Gadd led Jonah into a dimly lit gallery lined with elaborate golden frames. Most of the frames were empty, their glass panes either shattered or conspicuously absent, leaving only faint traces of where paintings once hung. A few still contained spectral images, but they were faded and barely discernible, as if the ghosts had only just been contained before escaping.

The professor stopped in front of the largest frame, adjusting his glasses with a sigh. "This here is what's left of my pride and joy—my ghost gallery. I used to have 21 masterpieces hanging here, each one a captured spirit transformed into art! You see, I once invented a machine that could turn ghosts into paintings. Ingenious, if I do say so myself! It was a good way to both contain them and make unique artwork." 

Jonah crossed his arms, intrigued. "Ghost paintings, huh? Sounds pretty wild. But...what happened to them all?"

E. Gadd's expression darkened, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Ah, disaster, my boy. It all went belly-up when I caught a particularly nasty one—Boolossus. That fiend was no ordinary ghost! A massive, hulking monstrosity made up of multiple Boos. It was my most challenging catch, but I managed to seal it in a painting. I thought I'd won...until King Boo got wind of it."

Jonah pretended he didn't know about him. "King Boo? That's a thing?"

"Oh, yes. And not just any thing—he's the leader of the Boos and a vengeful one at that! He rallied his ghostly forces, broke into my lab, and used my own machine to free Boolossus. They even freed all the other spirits I'd captured! Every single one of my paintings—gone."

Jonah winced. "That sounds brutal."

"It gets worse!" E. Gadd said, his voice rising. "To top it all off, those scoundrels built that accursed mansion in front of my lab overnight. A direct challenge, plain as day! Now it's crawling with ghosts, more than I've ever seen in one place before."

Jonah took a moment to absorb the story. Hearing about it firsthand made it all feel so much more real than he'd ever imagined while playing the game. "Man, that's rough. But...it explains a lot."

E. Gadd gave him a sideways glance. "Oh? And what's that supposed to mean?"

Jonah grinned sheepishly. "Nothing, nothing. Just thinking out loud."

As they wandered back toward the lab, Jonah fiddled with the device E. Gadd had handed him earlier—a compact, colorful contraption that bore an uncanny resemblance to an old-school Game Boy.

"So, this thing...it's basically a portable ghost gadget?" Jonah asked, turning it over in his hands.

E. Gadd puffed out his chest proudly. "Ah, yes! That's my Game Boy Horror. It's more than just a communicator—it's a multi-functional marvel! It can store items thanks to a special hammerspace tech I invented, display maps of the mansion to help you navigate, and even scan objects for clues or hidden ghostly activity."

Jonah smirked, impressed. "That's...actually really cool. You built all this yourself?"

"Of course!" E. Gadd replied with a grin. "No one understands ghost research quite like ol' E. Gadd. Now, don't underestimate that little gadget—it'll be your best friend next to the Poltergust in that haunted deathtrap." 

Jonah nodded, slipping the Game Boy Horror into his pocket. "Got it. Thanks, Professor."

[SCENE SHIFT: Back to the Mansion Foyer]

With the Poltergust 3000 strapped firmly to his back and the Game Boy Horror in hand, Jonah re-entered the mansion. The air felt colder this time, and the distant sound of creaking wood set his nerves on edge. Still, with his new equipment and the professor's advice, he felt ready for whatever awaited him.

As he stepped further into the foyer, his eyes caught a flicker of movement near the grand staircase. There, standing gracefully in the dim light, was a woman with fiery red hair cascading down her back. Her large, draconic wings folded elegantly behind her, and her tail swayed lazily, the pointed tip catching the light.

She turned, her glowing amber eyes meeting Jonah's, and her face lit up with a bright smile. "Greetings, my King. I am honored to finally meet you."

Jonah blinked, startled by the formal tone. "Uh…'my King'? Wait—did Aza send you?"

The woman's wings shifted as she gave a slight bow. "My service to the gods is of my own will. But the Queen spoke highly of you, and so I've been assigned to aid you in your adventures. I am Infetsa, Half-Dragon of Glyu-Uho, and I am here to ensure your safety."

Jonah tilted his head. "Half-dragon of...what now?"

Infetsa straightened, her wings unfurling slightly as she began to explain. "Long ago, there was a war at Glyu-Uho between the Elder Gods and Great Old Ones. It wasn't a war involving all of them, but enough to shake the very fabric of existence. When the lifeblood of fallen gods soaked into the realm, it created...things. Beasts of chaos and power." She gestured to herself. "Dragons were born of that carnage. My father was one such dragon."

Jonah scratched the back of his neck. "Okay, so...you're like a byproduct of a cosmic war?"

"In a sense," Infetsa replied cheerfully. "I am also the product of mortal hubris. When I was born, my people thought sacrificing me would appease Azathoth. It turns out, Nyarlathotep told them something...untrue."

Jonah rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that seems right from what I know. So, what happened?"

Infetsa's smile didn't waver. "I became part of the divine fold. And now I am here to serve the gods in any way they see fit, including being your companion. My King, it is my greatest joy to assist you, whether that means working tirelessly by your side or simply being your pet."

Jonah blinked. "Pet? Uh…yeah, let's not go there."

She giggled, her tail swishing. "As you wish. My primary role is to support you. I won't fight your foes in this Mansion for you—that would ruin the purpose of this adventure—but I'll handle anything else you need. And, if you grow hungry, my King, you may...partake of me."

Jonah's eyes widen comically. "Partake...of you?"

Her smile widened as she extended her tail toward him. "My tail, for instance. If you're ever in need of sustenance, you may eat part of it. It will grow back, and I assure you—I'm quite delicious."

Jonah took a step back, holding up his hands. "That's...uh...good to know. But I think I'll pass for now."

Infetsa's grin didn't falter. "Whenever you're ready, my King. The offer is always open."

The lights in the room flickered to life and Jonah finally got a full view of Infetsa. That was when he realized...she wasn't exactly dressed modestly. She wasn't dressed at all actually... he could see her boobs and everything on full display.

Jonah turned bright red and quickly averted his gaze. "Uh...you're not cold or anything, are you?"

Infetsa tilted her head in confusion. "No, my King. My body temperature is naturally high, like most dragons. Why do you ask?"

He spotted a white sheet draped over a nearby mirror and quickly grabbed it. Fashioning it into a makeshift dress of sorts, he approached her. "Here, just...wear this, okay? It's a human thing. I'd feel a lot better if you had some actual clothes on."

Infetsa studied his expression for a moment, then smiled softly. "If it pleases you, my King, I shall wear it." She allowed him to drape the sheet over her and tie it securely, her tail flicking with amusement. "You are quite kind, Jonah."

Once settled, Infetsa clapped her hands together, her wings flaring slightly. "There is one more thing I was instructed to do for you. The Queen said you would appreciate this...though I admit, I don't fully understand why. Would you like to save your game?"

Jonah froze, then let out a loud laugh. "Save my game? Seriously? Yeah, sure—go for it."

Infetsa struck a theatrical pose, her voice rising with dramatic flair. "Your game has been saved!"

Jonah couldn't help but grin, shaking his head. "Aza really thought of everything, huh?"

He adjusted the strap of the Poltergust 3000 on his back as he and Infetsa finished their brief conversation at the base of the stairs. Despite her cheerful demeanor, he could tell Infetsa was carefully observing him, perhaps even assessing his resolve.

"Are you sure you'll be all right on your own, my King?" she asked.

Jonah offered her a reassuring smile, though he couldn't completely hide the flicker of nervousness in his eyes. "Yeah, I've got this. Besides, you said you wouldn't fight my battles for me, right?"

Infetsa's wings fluttered slightly as she gave an encouraging nod. "Indeed, but I will be nearby if you need me. Good luck, Jonah."

With a deep breath, Jonah climbed the stairs and approached the double doors leading to the parlor. The polished brass handles felt cold under his touch as he steeled himself. "Here goes nothing," he muttered before pushing the doors open.

The room was cloaked in shadow, illuminated only by flickering purple candles placed haphazardly along the walls. The air was thick with an unearthly chill, and the faint scent of burning wax mingled with the stale aroma of dust and decay. Jonah stepped inside, his footsteps echoing faintly against the wooden floor.

His gaze swept the room as his fingers brushed over the Poltergust's controls. "Okay, Jonah," he whispered to himself. "Just follow the plan. Light, then vacuum. You've got this."

Spotting the nearest cluster of candles, he raised the nozzle of the Poltergust and flipped the switch. A powerful gust of air extinguished the flames, plunging the room into utter darkness.

For a moment, all was silent. Then, the sound came—a low, eerie chuckle that echoed through the parlor. Jonah froze, his heart hammering against his ribs as the portraits lining the walls began to tremble. Whispered voices hissed from the shadows, their words sharp and mocking.

"WHO put out my candles?! You, Mr. Green-and-Blue man?"

Jonah turned in the direction of the voice, his flashlight scanning the dark void. "I'm not green and blue," he muttered under his breath, trying to maintain his composure.

Another voice joined in, deeper and more menacing. "Well, dark rooms are dangerous around here... yesss..."

"They LOVE the dark," a third voice hissed, laced with sadistic glee. "And now THEY will get you! Bloo-Heh!"

"May you wander lost in the darkness forever," a chorus of voices intoned, each word dripping with malice. "ARE you afraid of the dark, little man? ARE YOU?!"

Suddenly, orange ghosts materialized from the shadows, their twisted grins glowing eerily in the pitch-black room. They hovered menacingly, circling Jonah like predators toying with their prey.

Jonah felt his stomach churn as a cold sweat ran down his back. His grip tightened around the Poltergust, and his thumb hovered over the flashlight's power button. The fear gnawed at him, threatening to paralyze him, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to breathe.

He couldn't let fear control him—not here, not now.

The edges of his lips curled into a determined grin. "You wanna scare me? Fine. But if you think I'm going down without a fight, you've got another thing coming!"

Jonah flicked the flashlight on, sending a beam of light slicing through the darkness. The orange ghosts screeched and recoiled as the sudden brightness stunned them. Jonah seized the moment, switching the flashlight nozzle for the Poltergust's vacuum.

With a roar of machinery, the Poltergust came to life, and Jonah directed its powerful suction toward the nearest ghost. The creature thrashed and wailed as it was dragged toward the nozzle, its resistance fierce but futile. Jonah braced his legs and leaned back, wrangling the ghost like if it was a beast.

"Gotcha!" he yelled triumphantly as the ghost's form compressed and was sucked into the Poltergust's containment chamber with a satisfying pop.

Another ghost lunged at him from the side, its fist swiping dangerously close. Jonah ducked, spinning on his heel to blind it with his flashlight. The ghost staggered, disoriented, and Jonah quickly captured it with the vacuum's relentless pull.

The remaining ghosts regrouped, their eyes narrowing as they floated menacingly above him. Jonah wiped the sweat from his brow, his grin unwavering. "Come on, is that all you've got?!"

The battle continued, Jonah moving with surprising agility despite the Poltergust on his back as he danced between the ghosts' attacks. Each time he stunned one with his flashlight and sucked it into the Poltergust, his confidence grew.

Finally, the room fell silent once more. Jonah stood in the center of the parlor, breathing heavily, his clothes slightly disheveled but his spirit intact. The last of the orange ghosts had been captured, leaving only the faint hum of the Poltergust in the still air.

"Not bad," he muttered, lowering the vacuum nozzle. "Not bad at all."

As if in response to his victory, the room's overhead chandelier flickered to life, casting a warm, golden glow over the parlor. Jonah took a moment to catch his breath, gazing around the now-lit room with a sense of accomplishment.

(TO BE CONTINUED)