Issue 6

**Issue 6** is the sixth issue of *Bitter Root* and was published February 19, 2020. The sixth issue is included in the second collected edition, *Bitter Root: Rage & Redemption*.

## Synopsis

The critically acclaimed series returns! Loved ones once thought lost forever have returned, though the bliss of this family reunion doesn’t last for long. Cullen has changed, and everyone is concerned. But they’ll need all the help they can get, as a new threat has arrived on Earth...

## Plot Summary

In Barzakh, Cullen, his father, and Nora all fight the creatures in the realm, but begin to find it increasingly difficult and are eventually overwhelmed; with this, Cullen's father is struck down and killed. Cullen is desperate to return to Earth through the portal, citing that he never wanted to stay in Barzakh for this long, but Nora warns him that they must stay behind and protect Earth from the demon Adro.

In Harlem, Doctor Sylvester has managed to sneak away from the fighting between the Jinoo and the Sangerye family. He is injured and can no longer sustain his monstrous form any longer. Before long, he is approached by the demon Adro, who claims to be a reincarnation of the recently deceased Miss Knightsdale; Doctor Sylvester is confused but learns to accept this as the truth when it becomes clear that Adro knows about his history with Miss Knightsdale. Adro extends her hand and offers to help him with his quest under the guise of her new persona.

Meanwhile back at the Sangerye establishment, Ma Etta is mixing the roots while being watched by Nora. Ma Etta is worried that all of the time Nora spent in Barzakh might have somehow impacted her and wants to keep an eye on her; Ma Etta needs to be sure that her soul is still pure. As the two talk about Blink and her eagerness to fight, Nora remarks that mixing the roots never was her thing either. Ma Etta brings Cullen up and tells Nora that she is worried his time in Barzakh has changed him somehow.

As the situation escalates and the Jinoo problem becomes worse, a meeting is called between the representatives of the monster-fighting families from around the city. Whilst Enoch and Cullen try to advocate for cooperation, the members remark that the Sangerye family have a reputation for recklessness and a strange way of doing things — this has drove a wedge between the families. Furthermore, the families worry about Enoch's involvement given the result of his actions back during the Red Summer.

Back in Harlem, Blink, Berg, and Ford continue to fight the Jinoo. Berg is feeling better, and is back to his old self; Ford remarks that half of the time he doesn't understand what Berg is talking about, and the three laugh. Unfortunately, however, Berg still seems off and after the fighting is done, he admits that he doesn't quite feel himself and perhaps he hasn't been cured of the affliction caused by Miss Knightsdale.

Adro takes Doctor Sylvester to visit a site of a little boy's lynching in Georgia. She reminds him of the time the two met in Tulsa and tries to remind him of the pain and grief he felt when his children died during the Red Summer. Doctor Sylvester looks around at the pain, grief and helplessness of the community and Adro promises them peace, but it is unknown at what cost this comes.

## Characters

### Sangerye Family

* Etta Sangerye
* Blink Sangerye
* Cullen Sangerye
* Ford Sangerye