Chapter Nine
It was hard to say who was the most surprised by this revelation. Arguably the least surprised was Man-At-Arms. He had already known the truth about Randor and Keldor, but like Randor had never mentioned it to anyone. He was slightly startled however that Randor had now chosen to reveal that which he had kept hidden for years.
Probably the one having the hardest time accepting it was He-Man. More accurately it was Prince Adam who couldn't believe what he was hearing, but had to keep his shock to a minimum in order to protect his own secret.
"Keldor is your brother?" he said aloud, as though voicing it himself would make it any easier to grasp.
"I'm not seeing the family resemblance," Glimmer said nervously in a weak attempt to lighten the mood.
"Well, half-brother to be more precise," Randor said. "We were both fathered by Miro, but we have different mothers. Keldor is the older brother. He was conceived before father even met my mother."
"So who was Keldor's mother?" Teela asked.
"A dark enchantress named Shokoti," Randor said. "Apparently she had once been an ally to the Council of Elders but had turned on them and attempted to take their power. I don't know the full details, but what I do know is she somehow seduced or enchanted Miro in order to conceive a child that would take the Elders' powers from them and rule in their place, but with Shokoti truly running Eternia in a sort of puppet master role."
"I'm not sure I understand her path of thought," Teela said, scratching her head.
"As I said, I don't know all the details," Randor shrugged. "Perhaps since Shokoti had failed to overthrow the Elders with her magic alone, and others had failed with warrior tactics, she plotted to create a warrior who combined the best of both aspects. At the same time she needed one she could trust and control, hence using her own son. What I do know is Shokoti raised Keldor to believe that he was descended from royalty that ruled Eternia before the Elders and therefore it was his birthright to take back the throne from them."
"The Elders became aware of what was happening when Keldor was still a child, too young to challenge them as of yet," Man-At-Arms said, picking up the story. "Miro and his men fought and defeated Shokoti once and for all. Miro then took his son Keldor and attempted to steer him in the right direction. At first it seemed he might succeed but Keldor never fully abandoned the notion that it was his birthright to rule Eternia. He also never took to his half-brother, apparently viewing him as a rival."
"I dismissed most of Keldor's hostility as sibling rivalry at first," Randor sighed. "It seemed we were constantly competing with each other. He would gloat vainly at his own successes while sneering bitterly at mine. Eventually I came to realize that what I thought was jealously was in fact hatred, though I never understood why. I had always shown my brother kindness and patience but he responded only with bitterness and contempt. It was only when Keldor began taking action against Eternia and the Elders that I was forced to take up arms against him."
"Everyone essentially knows what happened next," Randor continued. "Keldor set out across Eternia gaining new powers and armies to command. This eventually led to his fateful attack on the Hall of Wisdom which resulted in the wounds he is now dying from. The topic of my relation to Keldor is one that was kept out of circulation. In the years that followed my appointment as king there was much upheaval among the various races and domains, eventually leading of course to the Great Unrest. Many were uncomfortable with the departure of the Elders and my sudden coronation as leader of Eternia. Allies were important to find and maintain and the knowledge that I was the brother of the one that most blamed for the Elders disappearance was detrimental to that cause."
"I can understand that," He-Man said slowly. "I've had to keep secrets from friends for the greater good myself."
"So why are you telling us all this now?" Teela asked.
Randor's gaze turned back to Keldor's dying form. "I never intended it to remain a permanent secret. It just never seemed the appropriate time to say anything. Hardly seems to matter now though."
"Forgive my curiosity sire, but does the rest of your family know about this?" He-Man asked, though he already knew part of the answer.
Randor sighed. "I've never told Adam. It's not exactly an easy thing to break to him. I meant to someday, I just never knew quite how to say it. Marlena has always known though. One of the things Keldor and I once competed for was her affections."
He-Man was nearly bowled over by this news but it was Evil-Lyn who put voice to it first.
"Keldor and Marlena?"
"Purely one sided," Randor said. "Keldor showed obvious signs of attraction to her, but Marlena did not share such feelings for him. I fear the fact she chose me over Keldor only increased the rift between us." Seeing the conflicted expression on Lyn's face he added, "If it makes you feel any better this was before he had met you."
Lyn stuttered and gaped at him in surprise that he would think something like that mattered to her. But then she thought to herself, if it didn't matter why was she disturbed to learn of Keldor's early attractions? And why did she actually feel better to know it was before they had met? She actually knew the answer but couldn't bring herself to admit it.
"Excuse me," Glimmer said. "Look again, I know I'm the outsider, and not that this story isn't interesting, but don't we have an Evil Horde to stop?"
"She's right," Randor said. "Which reminds me, We got a report in from the Royal Infantry. They've discovered something strange about the Horde Troopers. Apparently they are nothing more than empty suits of armor. Or at least nearly empty. RIO Speed said that one he fought had a single bone in the armor and when he broke it the trooper collapsed as if dead."
"Well at least I know I don't have to hold back any," He-Man said. "But what manner of being are they then?"
"Demonic puppetry."
Everyone turned with a start as the voice had come from Keldor. It was weak and garbled but he was still alive and conscious. Evil-Lyn flexed her arms and suddenly the metal strands binding her vanished in a plume of smoke.
"For the record," she said as she approached Keldor's side, "I could have done that at any time, but I knew you'd never have brought me here unless you thought I was restrained."
Ignoring her for the moment Man-At-Arms focused on Keldor. "You know what these soldiers are?"
"They undoubtedly were once living soldiers," Keldor went on slowly. "but they have long since passed on during their years of imprisonment in Despondos. Hordak is using demonic puppetry magic to animate and control his army."
"Like how you control your skeleton warriors?" Teela said.
"Not exactly," Keldor said, with surprising patience. "The spells are two different forms of the same basic magic. Each has advantages and disadvantages over the other. The animate dead spell I use to create my skeleton warriors requires an intact corpse to be of any use. The dead body becomes life like, able to move and think to a degree. But unlike a raise dead spell which returns a dead spirit to its body and restores it to life, the animated dead contains no soul, no actual personality or spirit."
"Demonic puppetry on the other hand allows the caster to use a mere portion of a body to bind part of a soul to a host such as a doll or in this case a suit of armor. The advantages to this is it only requires something as simple as a bone, a strand or hair, or even a bit of blood. One body can be used to make several puppets. The problem is they are entirely dependent on the puppet master. Unlike the animated dead, they are incapable of individual thought. The controller must use their magic to direct the puppet's every action. They will do no more or less than directly ordered to."
"That explains why they stopped marching when I cut off Hordak's hand," He-Man said. "I broke his control."
"Yes," Keldor nodded weakly, "but because Hordak lived and the troopers remained intact they simply stopped moving. When your man broke the bone in that trooper he severed the link binding the piece of soul to the armor. In essence he cut the puppet's strings."
"But Hordak hasn't been staying with his army yet they're still marching and attacking," Teela pointed out.
"Yes but the Horde mages have been staying with them," Man-At-Arms countered. "And we've noticed their hands glowing with energy. They must be acting as the puppet masters for now."
"That would make sense," Randor agreed. "But I don't understand why Hordak would choose to use demonic puppets over animated dead. It would seem less advantageous."
"As I said, animate dead requires an intact body, or at lest a whole skeleton, to be of use," Keldor said. "I can only assume for whatever reason he did not have enough intact bodies to produce a suitably sized army. The Horde has been in Despondos for a long time perhaps they simply decayed too much."
"But why would his soldiers be dead of age yet Hordak and his main generals don't seem to have been affected by the years?" Teela asked.
"I think I can answer that one," Glimmer said. "According to Etherian legend at least Hordak himself is an eternal. Meaning he will live forever unaffected by time as long as he isn't killed by unnatural forces."
"Like an enemy's blade," Evil-Lyn said.
"Right," Glimmer said, not bothering to show any of the hatred she felt towards Lyn. "Now it's been said that Hordak is able to give part of that power to others. He can make his soldiers eternal like himself. He only does this with his most trusted and loyal warriors however. Since he apparently has to give up part of his own power to do so. And if he should die those he made eternal would stay so."
"So he's not about to do it unless he's sure they won't turn on him," Randor nodded.
"There's one other thing," Glimmer said. "There's a price for this power. When Hordak grants a soldier eternal life he takes away a piece of their soul and keeps it in his own body. That way he can use it to inflict pain or death on anyone who does try to defy him. Of course this is another reason why not all of Hordak's soldiers receive eternal status. Many are unwilling to subject themselves to having their soul severed. Not only for what Hordak can do with it, but also because splitting a soul can be like splitting a mind, a person's very essence. In other words it can result in insanity. Someone who's soul has been ripped apart will often no longer be the person they once were."
Evil-Lyn turned back to Keldor. Slowly she placed her hand over his and spoke in a voice that was barely a whisper, "That's what happened to you isn't it?" The subject had been touched on before. Years ago Kronis had pointed it out, right before the events which led to him becoming Trap Jaw. He had told Skeletor plainly that he was not the man he had once followed that he had become flawed and irrational. Skeletor had naturally met these claims with hostility and Lyn had actually agreed with Kronis. (though not to where Skeletor could hear) and even expressed shock and disappointment when Trap Jaw had pledged his loyalty again to Skeletor after the way he had been mistreated.
The more she thought about it, the more Evil-Lyn realized it was this drastic change to his personality that had led her to turn her back on Skeletor. Before he became Skeletor Keldor had been loyal to his allies, her above all. It was Skeletor who had betrayed her, Skeletor who she hated. But now as she looked at him, despite his face melted away to a skull visage, she didn't see Skeletor. She saw only Keldor. She saw only the man she once had, and now realized she always would... love.
"Lyn we brought you here because you said you might be able to help Keldor," He-Man said. "Can you or not?"
"I'm not sure," Lyn confessed. "The damage is worse than I expected. But I shall do what I can. It may take some time though. If there's going to be any chance of defeating Hordak you had best go on ahead and not wait."
"It pains me to admit you're right," He-Man sighed. "But I still don't trust you enough to leave you here alone."
"I'll stay and keep an eye on her," Teela offered.
"Me too," Glimmer said. "My powers aren't recharged enough for me to be much help to you on the battlefield yet, but I should be able to help keep her in line. If my magic's not enough I can always resort to other methods," she added balling her hand into a fist.
Evil-Lyn shot her a nasty glare, obviously contemplating retaliation for the earlier blow to her jaw, but instead addressed He-Man again.
"If I might make a suggestion, you may want to find yourself a change of clothes first. In its present state your armor leaves less to the imagination than your old outfit did."
He-Man hadn't been giving any real thought to his outfit but now that he looked down at himself he realized she was right. His snake armor was of no use to him anymore, particularly since now even his gauntlet claw was broken. Though if Hordak had been able to destroy it he couldn't see what would make a suitable replacement.
Man-At-Arms seemed to pick up on this as he said, "Well I have something in my lab that may help there."
"Are you all right Adam?" Man-At-Arms asked once they were at his lab, away from the others. He-Man had actually not turned back into the young prince, but Duncan addressed him as such because he could tell it was that side of his personality which was troubled.
"As well as can be expected I suppose," He-Man said. "I've just found out my arch enemy is actually my uncle."
"I realize this must be a tremendous blow," Duncan sighed. "And the timing is certainly not the best for a revelation of this magnitude. I hope you understand why your father chose to keep this hidden."
"You knew all along and never told me either."
"It was not my place to," Duncan said simply. "That was a matter entirely up to Randor. Your mother could have told you without consulting him I suppose, but I was not going to betray his secrets to you anymore than I would betray yours to him."
"That raises a few points," He-Man sighed. "Part of me wants to be angry, but another part of me says I have no right to be. How can I feel upset and betrayed about my parents keeping secrets from me when I'm keeping one from them? I can't help but wonder also, how angry and betrayed will they feel if or when they learn the truth about me?"
"I'm afraid I can't answer that," Duncan said, laying a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. "That's a bridge you'll have to cross when you come to it. Remember how Randor said it hardly seemed to matter that anyone knew about Keldor now. There is still ample reason why it would be too dangerous to tell anyone about your double identity yet."
"You're right as usual," He-Man nodded. "Of course now I'll have to keep two secrets since father doesn't know he's actually told Adam about Keldor."
"I'm sure we can work around that," Duncan laughed. "We'll worry about that later. Right now we should focus on what we really came in here for."
Pushing aside some tools and machinery Man-At-Arms directed He-Man over to a covered object and pulled away the tarp. Underneath lay a shiny metal piece of body armor. Silver with an orange emblem on the front, it was only enough to cover the torso but He-Man knew if Duncan had made it, then it had to be more than it appeared. The fact that it sat atop a power battery was another clue.
"Very nice," He-Man nodded. "So what does it do besides look good?"
Man-At-Arms flipped a switch activating the power battery then stepped back. "Go ahead, strike it with your sword."
He-Man shrugged and delivered two blows across the armor leaving sizable dents. Even with his super strength he had expected it to hold up better and was about to mention this to Duncan when he was stuck silent in shock. The two dents suddenly mended themselves returning the armor to its perfect state without so much as a scratch to indicate it had been damaged.
"I'm sure you remember when Tri-Klops sent that army of reforming and replicating bone warriors after us," Duncan smiled. "I've been studying the technology and devised a way to convert it into self repairing battle armor. I had originally planned to equip everyone with it but there are a few problems. Hence I only have this prototype.
He-Man's initial pleasure fell at this. "What kind of problems?"
"The main problems occurred in converting the nano-tech from bone, which was too brittle to serve as proper armor, to a metal that could. The alloy had to be strong enough to actually provide some measure of protection while still being mailable enough to be reshaped in the repair process and lightweight enough to actually be worn. Ultimately I found such an alloy, but it's too costly to be mass produced."
"I see," He-Man said. Looking at the battery attached to the armor he asked. "How much power does this need to work?"
"A lot," Duncan sighed. "That's the other problem. Tri-Klops' bone nanites needed less than my metal ones so he was able to provide it in energy waves from his remote, but these..." he gestured to the large battery.
"Not exactly a power source easily carried into battle," He-Man nodded. "I could handle the weight but it would be cumbersome in a fight. Plus if it were damaged the armor would become useless at a very inopportune moment."
"Right," Duncan said. "Fortunately I discovered an alternative during one of Orko's 'helping' sessions." He rolled his eyes at this and He-Man knew what he meant. Orko had an intense curiosity about Man-At-Arms' inventions, hailing from a world where technology was scarce, and often liked to try to help. Unfortunately this usually involved him using his magic which had disastrous results.
"Yes," Duncan nodded, indicating this time had been no different. "But for once some good came out of it. The nano-tech can be powered by magical energy. In theory while you're wearing the armor it could be powered by Grayskull's magic. Of course I'm not sure what effect, if any, it would have on you and your powers."
"Only one way to find out," He-Man said and removed the last few tattered strands of metal that had been his snake armor. He paused for a moment in reflection then donned the new suit. The snake armor had served him well as long as it could, but it was time to move on.
He-Man noticed the armor seemed to loose some of its shine when he took it off the battery but once he had it on he knew what to do. Raising his sword he called out his familiar, "By the power of Grayskull!" and not only did the armor shine like new but He-Man himself felt revitalized as the scratches and bruises he had obtained from his fight with Hordak and the ordeal in the Fright Zone vanished. The power of Grayskull had essentially recharged him as well.
"Any adverse feelings?" Duncan asked.
"No, I'm fine," He-Man said. "I'd say it's working perfectly."
"Well we won't really know for sure until we see how it handles in battle," Duncan said. "I was hoping to run through some test simulations before you went into actual combat with it, but we don't have much choice."
"The real question is, even with this armor, will I be able to stop Hordak? King Grayskull was a more experienced fighter than me and he died in the process."
"I believe you have what it takes," Duncan said. "the problem is can you bring yourself to do what you must?"
"What do you mean?" He-Man asked. "Are you saying you think I'll have to give up my life too?"
"I certainly hope not," Duncan said. "And no I do not think so. Your defeat of Serpos leads me to that conclusion. You can overcome Hordak, but you must do something you will not like."
"You're hesitating to tell me what I need to know," He-Man said. "Just come out and say it."
"He-Man, you have always shown yourself to be a noble and kind hearted warrior. You do not abuse your great power and have shown more than mercy to enemies that would gladly destroy you. Even today you have struggled to help save the life of your greatest foe. I admire and respect that about you. You've made me very proud. But I'm afraid you cannot afford to fight that way this time. King Grayskull was a more experienced fighter than you and that's why he understood that in war it is sometimes necessary to do the unpleasant for the greater good."
He-Man knew what Man-At-Arms was saying but it still hit him hard when the actual words were spoken.
"For the sake of all Eternia, you have to kill Hordak."
Evil-Lyn grunted in frustration as the monitoring equipment indicated Keldor's condition worsening. She had successfully removed the acidic elixir from his flesh, though it was admittedly very little very late. Keldor's face was completely gone revealing only a skull visage, however she had stopped the damage from spreading any further.
A thin area of sickly green flesh separated the grisly yellow bone from the blue skin of the sides and back of his head. She had cut off all nerve reception in this area so that he would not be able to feel any pain from the lost or damaged area any more. Granted she wasn't expecting him to suddenly jump out of bed and start dancing around the room, but his condition should have stabilized. Instead it was deteriorating.
"Are you sure you got all of that stuff out of him?" Glimmer asked. "I mean maybe some of it dripped into his mouth or nose and is eating away at his insides."
Evil-Lyn was about to tell her off when she realized Glimmer may have actually been on the right track. Grabbing a mirror off the bed stand she held it close to Keldor's face, (or at least his face area) and letting his breath hit the glass. Then, turning the mirror over, she waved her fingers in a spell which soon caused small droplets of green elixir to rise and form together. They were smaller than a raindrop but it was enough to tell her what she needed to know. And what she feared.
"He has inhaled some of the elixir as a vapor," Lyn sighed. "It's mixed with the air in his lungs and undoubtedly has thusly been passed into his blood turning it into a veritable toxin."
"Can you extract it?" Randor asked
Lyn shook her head. "Not without dealing his body incredible stress. As weak as he is now the shock would kill him anyway."
"You know," Teela said, "I can't believe I'm about to suggest this, but he mentioned a raise dead spell before. Maybe you could..."
"First of all," Lyn cut her off, "I think it's safe to assume Keldor's soul is destined for damnation once it leaves the mortal world. Raising a soul from the underworld requires very powerful and complicated dark necromancy. Even if I could accomplish this, as was mentioned earlier for anyone paying attention, the magic requires an intact body. Keldor's body is so badly damaged that he would just immediately die again."
"Then there is no hope?"
Lyn stood silent for a moment then slowly she reached up and removed the small skull pendant that sat on her breastplate. A small trinket that could easily be overlooked, but that she had in fact been carrying for years. She had been saving it to use herself in an emergency, but now she knew it was Keldor who needed it.
"I have one more option left," Evil-Lyn said slowly. "I'm not sure if it will work. I've never dared try this spell before as the components are so rare and failure is fatal to the recipient. Even if it does work... well suffice to say there are those who would prefer death."
"What is it?" Randor asked suspiciously.
"If I told you," Lyn said, "you would never allow it. But it is not your permission I value to proceed." She leaned in close to Keldor's ear and whispered so low that no one else could hear. A moment later she moved her head to listen to his response, which was also too soft to be audible. Apparently he had consented though as Lyn opened a latch on the skull pendant and poured a powdery substance out into a goblet of water.
"Usually wine is preferable, but time is of the essence so this will have to do," Lyn said closing the pendant and placing it on Keldor's chest. "Really the liquid doesn't affect the spell, but it is better to mask the unpleasant taste. You must swallow every bit."
Holding the strange concoction in one hand, Lyn held her other hand over the skull pendant and began her spell. The others had trouble understanding the words but as best they could make out she chanted:
"Fa Lack Tor Ree Fa Lack Tor Ree
Azalin Nagash Belpheron
Fa Lack Tor Ree Fa Lack Tor Ree
Araj Xykon Celedaen
Morda Zanthus Lyran
Varsoon Fa Lack Tor Ree!"
With the incantation complete the eye sockets of the pendant glowed for a moment and the potion began bubbling. Slowly Lyn held Keldor's head up and poured the liquid into his mouth being careful not to let a single drop go to waste. Keldor made a slight noise of disgust at the taste but she would not stop.
"You must swallow it all!" she reminded him. It was a struggle, but eventually she managed to get every last drop into him then gently laid his head down and took a small step back. At first nothing happened but then the monitoring equipment started acting haywire as his vitals went chaotic. Despite his weakened condition Keldor shot up, let out a gruesome cry, and reached out as though trying to grasp something. But then just as quickly he fell back silent and still, and all the equipment flat-lined.
No one said a word. They all just stared or bowed their heads in silence. It was only Evil-Lyn who noticed, with a mixture of pleasure and concern, that the eyes of the skull pendant were now pulsing with an otherworldly glow.
"I can't do it Duncan," He-Man said. "No matter how evil Hordak is, I just cannot take a life."
"If you can't finish the job yourself," Duncan sighed, "take him down enough so I or someone else can finish the job."
"How is that any different than if I do the task myself," He-Man scoffed. "I'll still be knowingly sending someone to his death."
"Let me ask you this," Man-At-Arms said, taking a different approach. "If you had to go after a known murderer or someone guilty of high treason, would you try to capture them alive?"
"Of course I would!"
"Yet you know fully well that such crimes carry a sentence of death," Duncan pointed out. "You'd still be sending someone to their death."
He-Man was about to protest when he saw the truth in these words. "Are you certain we couldn't simply banish him again somehow?"
"He would only return again," Duncan said. "It may take years. It may not even be in our lifetimes, but would you really want to submit future generations to him? Besides, where would we send him? I'm not about to open a portal to Despondos and I don't believe anyone else is either.
"No he must be stopped once and for all. I'm not saying you need to kill all of the Horde, but Hordak himself is far to powerful and dangerous to allow his evil to continue. He has caused massive irreversible damage to Eternia already. Dozens of Eternian lives have been lost today, likely thousands in the past, and from what your new friend Glimmer says, countless other worlds have suffered his tyranny. If he's not stopped forever he will undoubtedly go after still more."
He-Man nodded in understanding. He realized Duncan was right, but it was still shocking to hear his friend and mentor, the man who had taught him his greatest lessons in life, now asking him to kill.
"He-Man there is no shame in being merciful," Man-At-Arms said. "It is not weak to value life. Indeed your empathy is one of your greatest strengths. But it is because of that value of life that you must make this choice. Countless innocent lives are at stake. You can save them all, by taking one life that is anything but innocent."
Before He-Man could say anything to that Man-At-Arms' communicator went off. "Father," Teela's voice came out, "It's over. Lyn wasn't able to save him."
Before now the death of Skeletor might have been welcome news, but now Man-At-Arms couldn't help feeling at least a tinge of remorse. If nothing else he was hoping to rely on him as a backup plan. He knew that if He-Man could not bring himself to finish Hordak, Keldor would not hesitate.
"What will you do now?" he asked He-Man softly.
He-Man took a few deep breaths and finally answered, "For Eternia, I will do whatever I can."
"What should we do with Evil-Lyn?" Teela's voice called out.
"Well, as much as I don't trust her, I'm certain that she wants to stop Hordak. Perhaps we should..."
Before he could finish a new sound came over the communicator. It started low then grew louder and louder. It was a sound they all knew well but hadn't expected to ever hear again. A sinister evil laughter that could only come from one being. Except that it shouldn't anymore.
Teela's shocked cry rang out, "What in Eternia?!" but then was immediately followed by a large explosion like noise and the communicator went dead.
"Teela? Teela!"
Man-At-Arms and He-Man wasted no time and raced back to the medical ward as fast as they could. Entering the room they found the place in shambles. Equipment was shattered or knocked over, and pieces of the walls were cracked and broken. Teela and Glimmer were helping Randor to his feet, looking a little dazed themselves but otherwise fine. There was no sign of Evil-Lyn or Keldor's body anywhere.
"Is everyone all right?" He-Man asked.
"We're okay," Glimmer said. "I think that blast was just meant to incapacitate us for a moment."
"I guess Evil-Lyn decided not to stick around," Man-At-Arms muttered.
"It wasn't her," Teela said, her voice trembling. "It was Skeletor!"
"I thought you said he was dead!"
"He was!" Randor said. "We saw him die. All his vitals flat-lined. But then suddenly he started to laugh and he rose up as though fully revived. He blasted us back before we could do anything and then both he and Lyn vanished."
"So apparently she was able to save him after all," Man-At-Arms said.
"That's just it Duncan," Randor stuttered, still in shock. "Up until he vanished Keldor was still attached to the monitors and they all were registering negative. He appeared to be alive but the equipment detected no signs of life."
Glimmer turned to He-Man shaking her head in disbelief. "Is it always this crazy around here?"
He-Man said nothing. He simply looked around trying to make sense of everything. He had no idea what was going on or what would happen as a result, but he couldn't shake the feeling that their problems had just gotten dramatically worse.