John Carter 2: The Gods of Mars
Chapter 11: Issus, The Goddess Of Life Eternal
The next day, we see John Carter and the others along with the Barsoomian Tigers finally reaching the lair of the Goddess of Barsoom. While the tigers choose to stay behind, the five managed to find a passageway inside the lair by using the medallion that John Carter still has in his hands a three days ago when he took it from another Thern back on Earth.
The five went inside the lair and sees an entrance to the throne room only a few more miles away from them.
"If we have to get to Issus, we'll rest for a while after we get about... half a few miles away", said John Carter.
"Are you sure about this, Carter?", asked Thuvia, "You see, I'm... actually nervous about seeing Issus herself. What if she kills me if I bring blasphemy to such a lair as this?"
"She won't, Thuvia because you know why?", asked John Carter, "We're not Therns and Matai Shang told me that they're myths and legends, but he's wrong. They're real and we have to show this medallion to Issus as proof and the only key to defeat Matai Shang."
"What if she won't accept it?", asked Dejah Thoris.
"Looks like we'll have to find out", said John Carter, "Follow me. Woola, go back to the tigers. We'll be back in a few minutes."
Woola nodded his head in agreement and the barsoomian dog went back to where the Barsoomian Tigers are at while the four walked a few miles away from the passageway after it closes on them. Nearly four minutes later, they decided to rest for a while before they would have to keep going.
"Are you three ready for this?", asked John Carter.
"We are", said Dejah Thoris and she, Sola, and Thuvia looked at each other to make sure that they're ready to meet the Goddess of Barsoom herself.
"Let's do this", said John Carter and nearly three minutes later, they now enter the lair of the Goddess of Barsoom, filled with blue colors and a ray of light shining on the blue medals that lay ahead of them. As the walls with Thern markings everywhere glow withing the darkest spot of the lair, the four walked a bit slowly towards the throne. Without hesitation, the four bowed respectfully to a shadow that lurked behind them and as they turn around, they couldn't believe their eyes. They happen to be standing next to an old wrinkly woman with a Thern marking on her face and Thern clothing that she's wearing (identical to the other Therns' clothing, but its blue coloring is much darker compared to theirs) in an old cave that existed for a few years on Barsoom. John Carter could not believe his eyes as well, but it was. It happens to be none other than Issus, the Goddess of Barsoom.
"Unbelievable", said Dejah Thoris.
"It's her", said John Carter.
"Yes", said the old woman, "I am Issus, Goddess of Life Eternal on Barsoom. John Carter of Earth, state your reasons why you have come back to Barsoom."
"I know you have heard of my name, O' great goddess", said John Carter, "and I'm sure you must know that... I have come back for obvious reasons. Matai Shang, leader of the Therns, had his knowledgement of where I came from."
"You mean, Earth?", asked Issus.
"Yes, O' great Issus", said John Carter, "Before I can tell you the reasons, I need to know. Does Matai Shang and the other Therns have immortality so they can't die?"
"They do not have that kind of power, John Carter, for I have seen what they can do without their powers", said Issus, "Matai Shang, however, only served me for a millenium and for that, I have given this medallion to him. The one that you have in your hands."
"Then, the reason why I came back is because I foiled his attempt to conquer all of Barsoom", said John Carter, "We need your help and we need to know how to stop Matai Shang."
"There is but only one way to defeat Matai Shang", said Issus, "You must get rid of this medallion, but it will not kill him. It will strip him of his powers along with the other Therns' as well. You must destroy it or else Matai Shang will be powerful and will soon rule all of Barsoom. You are this world's last hope, John Carter of Earth, for if you fail, no will defeat Matai Shang. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Goddess of Barsoom", said John Carter, "I understand what we must do now. Thank you, Issus. Let this be the day that I shall never forget that I have met you for the very first time in person."
"And this day shall not be unremembered", said Issus, "Farewell, John Carter of Earth, and take your friends with you on this nearly impossible mission."
John Carter and the other three walked out of Issus's lair before we see Woola chilling out with the Barsoomian Tigers.
"So, did she tell you of what must be done to Matai Shang?", asked the Barsoomian Tiger leader.
"We have to go to someplace far away", said John Carter, "Somewhere that we've discovered something that was important to Dejah years ago."
"Wait a minute", said Sola, "The River of Issus. The same place where you two discovered the Ninth Ray of Barsoom."
"Of course", said Dejah Thoris, "That is where we must go. Carter, I shall go with you just in case something dangerous happens to you."
"Sola, you and Thuvia stay with the Tigers", said John Carter, "In case Matai Shang and the other Therns arrive here, we'll be there to help you."
"Be careful, Dotar Sojat", said Sola and Woola sticks out his tongue while making a huff in the process.
"You can come with us, Woola in case there's anything you can do for us", said John Carter.
"Just a moment, John Carter", said Thuvia, "Even if you and Dejah can get rid of this medallion to that place, I'm afraid that..."
"That what? We may not be able to defeat Matai Shang?", guessed John Carter, "Thuvia, I'm Barsoom's last hope to get rid of the Therns and bring peace to all of Barsoom and I need you to trust me on this. Dejah, too."
Thuvia looks at the barsoomian tigers of Barsoom and the two for a while and agrees on what John Carter and Dejah must do.
"I still doubt it, but you are brave and listening your instincts makes you even greater than any man here on Barsoom", said Thuvia, "Good luck."
John Carter and Dejah Thoris got on Woola and the martian creature ran as fast as he could while Thuvia and Sola stayed with the barsoomian tigers. Meanwhile, we see Matai Shang seeing the distance and sees Sola and Thuvia with the tigers of Barsoom.
"Carter and the princess must've disappeared out of our sights", said Matai Shang, "Phaidor, can you sense Carter and see where he happens to be going?"
Phaidor uses his medallion before she closes her eyes to see Carter and Dejah along with Woola traveling towards the River of Issus, the same place where the two discover the secrets of the Ninth Ray which was part of their plan to destroy Helium and conquer all of Barsoom.
"They're heading towards the river of our Goddess", said Phaidor.
"It cannot be", said Matai Shang, "Take the troops with you to make sure that those two do not escape that river."
"Yes, father", said Phaidor and teleports herself with the Black Pirates of Barsoom before they rode on their separate light cycles out of the ship, now going after the earth man and the princess of Barsoom.
I can't believe I did two chapters all in one day. Great, isn't it? Anyway, I'll try and keep the story going before I graduate in my fourth year (I'll come back to high school next year since I'm working on job assessments, but I'm getting ahead of myself), so until then, enjoy and leave out some reviews, please! :)