Chapter 46: Venus in Retrograde?

Ripley's POV

There was something less alarming when learning about a death cult centered around an obscure goddess when you learn about it in a self made forest. The leaves called out to her, vines whispering through the room. The little black capped chickadee had been an unexpected addition, but when it had appeared at the window, she couldn't resist letting it in.

"They seem to be attempting to bring about the end of the world, so that their goddess, Venus, can be restored. It requires a sacrifice. Someone has to become the 'false goddess.' I think that might be what they're trying to do to you. There are some transcripts that mention a transfer of power. I'd hazard a guess that they might believe they could gain some of your power through the sacrifice." August closed the book and looked to Jake and Ripley.

Ripley stared back at him.

Years of work.

Years of running.

The lives of her parents.

Summarized in a paragraph.