This Present Darkness

The quiet college town of Ashton, seemingly idyllic, begins to feel a chilling undercurrent. Whispers of strange occurrences, subtle shifts in behavior, and an unsettling atmosphere permeate the air. Unseen by human eyes, a sinister plot unfolds, orchestrated by a powerful demon named Lucius and his legion. Their aim is to seize control of Whitmore College, and through it, the entire community, weaving a web of deception and spiritual darkness.

Marshall Hogan, the new owner and chief editor of the Ashton Clarion, finds himself drawn into this growing unease. His young reporter, Bernice Kreuger, is falsely arrested on trumped-up charges after innocently photographing a clandestine meeting at the annual summer festival. When she's released, her camera's film is mysteriously destroyed, igniting Marshall's journalistic instincts. Together, they begin to investigate, peeling back layers of local corruption, from suspicious financial dealings at the college to the influence of a secretive "Universal Consciousness Society" led by the charismatic psychology professor, Juleen Langstrat.

As Marshall and Bernice delve deeper, they uncover that prominent figures in Ashton - the police chief, several college regents, and even a pastor of the liberal United Christian Church - are entangled in this shadowy organization. The Society promotes New Age philosophies, subtly luring townspeople into practices like meditation, which are, in truth, pathways for demonic influence and possession. Marshall's own daughter, Sandy, a student at Whitmore, unwittingly becomes a target, illustrating the seductive and detrimental effects of these deceptive ideologies.

Meanwhile, another battle rages in the unseen spiritual realm. The angel Tal, a formidable captain of the heavenly host, arrives in Ashton, tasked with protecting the faithful. He and his angelic warriors engage in fierce combat against Lucius's demonic forces, their clashes mirroring the struggles playing out in the physical world. Invisible to human sight, these celestial beings fight for the souls and minds of Ashton's residents, their strength and effectiveness directly tied to the prayers of a small group of believers.

This faithful group, known as "The Remnant," gathers under the guidance of Pastor Hank Busche and his wife, Mary, at the Ashton Community Church. Hank, a man of unwavering faith, finds himself regularly confronting demonic manifestations and leading his congregation in fervent prayer. Their persistent intercession provides strength and strategic advantage to Tal and his angels, allowing them to push back against the encroaching darkness.

As Marshall and Bernice's investigation intensifies, they face increasing opposition, including false accusations of murder and adultery, and Marshall's own arrest. Their quest for truth becomes a perilous journey that tests their resolve and, for Marshall, ignites a newfound faith. Their stories converge with Hank's, as they begin to piece together the terrifying reality of the spiritual war being waged for their town.

In a climactic struggle, both human and angelic forces are pushed to their limits. The combined efforts of Marshall's journalistic exposure, Bernice's unwavering pursuit of justice, and most critically, the ceaseless prayers of Hank and The Remnant, empower the angels to mount a decisive counterattack. The spiritual warfare culminates in a dramatic showdown where the power of prayer breaks through the demonic strongholds, allowing light to penetrate the present darkness that had threatened to consume Ashton entirely.