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Chapter 21 - Afterword

Hello, and thank you for reading my story.

Echoes In The Parish is a story that's close to my heart—one that's on my mind constantly. I had a lot I wanted to say here at first, but as I sit down to revise and reformat, I think I'd rather just tell you a bit about myself.

My name is Jordan Lewis. I'm 24 at the time of writing this, and this is my first self-published work. My favorite writer is Rod Serling (the creator of The Twilight Zone), and one of my biggest dreams is to have my own anime one day. A few of my top anime are Fairy Tail, Vinland Saga, Darling in the Franxx, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, and Sgt. Keroro.

As for the story—yes, this will be a series. Volume 2 is already in the editing phase and picks up months after the events of Volume 1. There will be new characters, new settings, and a lot of character reflection. I know you probably have a lot of questions. Don't worry—all will be made known in time. Just keep reading, I won't leave any major questions unanswered.

Though Noir is the main character, this isn't just his story. He shares the spotlight with a cast of others as the events of the past begin to unravel. That's why the narrative shifts around—from character to character, place to place, and moment to moment. What started as an action story became something more personal. I wanted it to mean something. That's why we don't just focus on Noir—we explore everyone. Their struggles, their history, and their heart.

Originally, this was going to be an action-packed story where the protagonist had a power typically associated with villains—voodoo. But as I dug deeper into what voodoo really is, that idea evolved. The story grew alongside my understanding, and now, in addition to being action centered, it's a coming-of-age tale with drama, mystery, and Southern Gothic elements as well—a blend of fantasy and the supernatural set in a world inspired by New Orleans, haunted by legacy and loss. Yes, that's a lot, but like my favorite game, Hunt: Showdown, it all blends together so very well.

If this story resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you. Reviews, shares, or even just kind words—anything to let me know someone's reading and connecting with what I've created. It all goes a long way.

To my friends, family, and anyone who encouraged me to keep going—thank you.

If you've ever felt stuck between who you are and who you're supposed to be, this story is for you.

More to come soon.

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