The Marksman is dressed in a red robe and a hood. He speaks with a marked Polish accent into the microphone: "I would like to thank all of you ... all Americans ... for your generosity in helping the people of Poland against the Nazi oppressors. This wonderful generosity has been enough to fill this vast auditorium to raise funds for the political refugees of my country, and the other countries in Europe." He holds up the wooden longbow and quiver of arrows which he carries. "My friends and I in this international delegation of masked archers ... as well as some other special guests ... hope to give you an amazing enough show to pay you back in some small way."
As the audience applauds, actress Ramona Reed takes the microphone. "From Keystone City, to Star City, to the wild west, we have quite an assemblage of talent here for you ... and in my own small way I will do my best to represent Hollywood and keep up with them!" She waits for the cheers to die down, "Now, let me greet the rest of the folks you've all come here to see."
"From the Squadron of Justice ... Golden Arrow ... " she looks confused as she sees the young boy accompanying him, but recovers quickly in response to a whisper from the Marksman "... and Golden Arrow, Junior!"
"From the Seven Soldiers of Victory ... the Spider and the Bolt!"
"From the All-Star Squadron ... and I hope you won't forget about me when you see this pair of beauties ... the Tigress and Diana the Huntress!"
She steps off the podium and walks to greet the entering heroes, ducking out of the audience's sight as she does so. Her twin sister waits for her behind the wings. "I warmed them up for you Linda," Ramona Reed says and gives the other girl a wink, "Now go out and impress the heck outta them with 'my' archery skills!"
Linda Reed beams and gives the other woman a playful sock to the shoulder, "My pleasure, sis," and surreptitiously walks out to join the party.
For the next thirty minutes, the octet of archers amaze the crowd with displays of precision and a variety of trick arrows. The audience is distracted by the sudden sound of low-flying aircraft above the stadium, and with gasps and cheers they greet two members of the Blackhawks and a member of the Phoenix Squadron, trailing a multitude of colored banners behind them. The banners are released, and a flurry of arrows pin several of them to the auditorium walls, resulting in a representation of the red and white Polish flag, and a red, white, and blue shield representing the American flag.
The Blackhawks circle back down, rope ladders descending ... the Spider and the Tigress climb onto the wings of the plane piloted by Zegota Januszatis ('Zeg'), Golden Arrow and the Marksman balance atop the wings of the plane piloted by Stanislaus Drozdowski ('Stan'). As the planes circle each other in the air above the auditorium, the mounted pilots continue their stunts, arrows meeting arrows in tossed targets and explosive combinations.
As the evening wears on, Linda Reed ducks backstage again, and Ramona Reed takes over the announcer's stage to thank the audience for their attendance. Later, as the archers assemble in the meeting room under the auditorium, they are joined by the trio of errant flyers.
The Spider looks up from where he is sitting with the Marksman. He scratches his head and addresses the youngest of the pilot. "I know the Blackhawks, of course, but you, lad?"
The boy gives him a mock salute. "I am Josef," he says with a Polish accent, "I am with the Phantom Eagle's Phoenix Squadron ... though I heard the call of course to help my countrymen in this, ah, venue."
Seeing Josef and Golden Arrow Junior as they mingle in the crowd, Diana the Huntress thinks perhaps she erred in not bringing her young friend Billy Kirby to meet these other fine youths. She swirls the glass of wine in her hand absently, taking a small sip and then wrinkling her nose. "'tis not so fine for one accustomed to Bacchus' own grapes," she mutters to herself. She focuses finally on the Tigress and Linda Reed, and meets them with a smile. "It does my heart proud to share yon stage with two such skilled archeresses, and I am most pleased to make thine acquaintance."
The Tigress smiles politely, a little uneasy around the woman who reminds her so much of Gudra, the Valkyrie member of Axis Amerika whom she'd encountered before.
Golden Arrow Junior grins widely, "I'm just pleased as punch to meet all of you, too ... I'm not even a real sidekick, I just helped Golden Arrow out on one case ... it was like a dream come true to actually be here and help out."
A figure enters from the back of the room. "There have been many dreams," he says cryptically. He is clad in black, with a medieval-style cloak and cowl which obscure his features. Any further words are silenced as the newcomer finds himself facing a half-dozen arrows, pointed in his direction.
"Stand down," says the Marksman. "This is a countryman ... he's one of the Three Shadows, who were an international team of freedom fighters during the war." He stands to greet the man as the others lower their weapons. "I had thought you all dead, or in hiding," he says softly.
The man looks around the room and visibly breaths a sigh of relief, "There are still Nazis who have not been brought to justice," he says. "But I am not here because of that ... do you know the legend of Kraklow?"
Zeg speaks up, "It sounds familiar ... he was an 18th century evil wizard? I know there are stories of his long imprisonment ..."
"He is no longer imprisoned, and no longer a dream or folklore," says the man. "He has cast his eye over our land, besieging it with horrible creatures, and we need the skill of the Marksman to help us."
"Not the Marksman alone," says Diana. "I have fought many horrible creatures over the centuries, and I will stand by your side ... as will all of those here, by the will of Jupiter."
Golden Arrow Junior puts his hands together. "Wow," he says, "this is like being a member of the Squadron of Justice ... I can't hardly wait." He looks up as he feels a hand on his shoulder.
"I reckon not, Bob Tilden," says Golden Arrow. "This is no game for amateurs. I promised your folks I'd return you home safely and I mean to do just that." The boy's complaints are drowned out by the hero's implacable gaze.
"Horrible creatures, eh?" The Bolt extinguishes his cigar and picks up his quiver, sliding it over his shoulder. "I've never been a monster hunter before; it'll be something new for me. Let's go."
Josef sidles up to Golden Arrow Junior. "Don't worry about it," he whispers, "They're always trying to crowd us kids out of the fun. I got room in my plane for you." The other boy's eyes glitter and they square the deal with a quick handshake.
As the archers arm themselves, the Spider narrows his eyes at Linda Reed. "I hate to play nursemaid like my compatriot Golden Arrow here, but really Linda ... you're good with a bow, but this isn't a movie set we're going to be flying to."
Linda Reed hoists her quiver over one shoulder, ignoring him. "Reed's a stage name," Ramona Reed pipes in. "Our birth name's Juspeczyk ... and any threat to our birth country is our business as much as any of yours. We owe you a debt from the time you helped us once before, Spider, but don't stand in Linda's way this time."
The Spider raises his arms in a gesture of surrender as the team of archers heads back to the lot which functioned as an impromptu air field. Bob Tilden lurks out of sight, clambering into a hatchway in the base of Josef's plane. As the planes pass over the Atlantic, he stares goggle-eyed at the vast ocean below, far afield from the small town he calls home.
As the planes stop to refuel on Blackhawk Island, the pilots and archers consult a map over coffee. "According to the information my countryman gave me," says the Marksman, "it's here in Lwow, in what is now the Ukraine ... the birth place of King Stanislaus ... from whence the wizard has been operating, and sending his creations into our land."
As the others consult on strategy, Josef wanders off, sneaking a plate of food and a glass of milk to Bob Tilden. "How are you holding up in there, friend?"
The other boy looks around, seeing the empty airfield, and clambers out of the hold, stretching his back. "A little cramped, but this is the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me! I never thought that one time I warned Golden Arrow about an ambush by that racketeer, the Brain, would lead to this. Heck, it was the newspapers that called me 'Golden Arrow, Junior,' not me."
Josef hears a sound behind him, "Better get back inside, I think they're coming back out."
Bob Tilden empties the glass quickly, and grabs the sandwich as he climbs back into the plane. "Thanks pal! See you on the other side!"
As the others enter the airfield, Stan puts his hand on the Josef's shoulder. "How are you, lad?" he asks in their native tongue.
Josef grins, "Just tired of listening to the grownups talk, thought I'd get something to eat in the fresh air."
Stan nods, "Get aboard lad, time to fly with the Blackhawks."
Hours later, the trio of planes arch over the skies of Eastern Europe, finally landing outside the crumbling castle. The international association of freedom fighters dismount, and Golden Arrow scowls as he sees Bob Tilden among them. "I thought I told you to stay home!"
The boy shrugs, "I hitched a ride. Heck, you needed my help before, I figured you might do this time, and you really didn't think I'd turn down a chance to use the archery skills you taught me?"
Golden Arrow turns on Josef. "You encouraged him in this, didn't you? Look, just because we met that one time in Fawcett City, that doesn't mean you have the right to ... "
He is quieted by a hand on his shoulder, and he turns to look at the Spider. "I think we have something else to worry about." He nods as they are approached by a tall old woman, dressed in a white robe reaching to her feet, and carrying a sharp sickle in her hand; she is accompanied by seven great black dogs.
"Poludniowka," the Marksman whispers.
Diana shakes her head in dismay, "No, she ... "
The woman speaks, her voice cracked and aged. "A riddle. Answer me this riddle, and you shall possess the contents of this castle. Fail to answer it, and your lives are forfeit."
The Tigress scoffs, "Our lives are forfeit already. Riddle away, old lady."
Poludniowka dances, acting out her words as she chants
I AM A STAG; of seven tines
I AM A FLOOD; across a plain
I AM A WIND; on a deep lake
I AM A TEAR; the Sun lets fall
I AM A THORN; beneath the nail
I AM A WONDER; among flowers
I AM A WIZARD; who but I
Sets the cool head aflame with smoke?
Poludniowka kneels, whispering the words quietly, they almost have to strain to hear her:
I AM A SPEAR; that roars for blood
I AM A SALMON; in a pool
I AM A LURE; from paradise
I AM A HILL; where poets walk
I AM A BOAR; ruthless and red
I AM A BREAKER; threatening doom
I AM A TIDE; that drags to death
I AM AN INFANT; who but I
peeps from the unhewn dolmen arch?
Poludniowka walks from one of them to the other, her eyes staring directly into theirs as she asks:
I AM THE WOMB of every holt
I AM THE BLAZE on every hill
I AM THE QUEEN of every hive
I AM THE SHIELD for every head
I AM THE TOMB of every hope.
The Bolt shrugs, "I was hoping for something shorter. Wait, I've got one for you," he quietly raises his bow, "When is an archer a harper?"
Poludniowka sneers, and looks up behind her at the castle ramparts, at an elderly, grey-haired man. "Too little, too late," says Krakow, "I have the measure of you 20th century men." He gestures magically, "Let the virgins tear out their hair, the matrons lacerate their face, and the old women rend their garments."
As he gestures, he summons forth from the bowls of the castle, grotesque creatures out of legend. As if from some hidden well the long-dry moat surrounding the castle begins to fill with water and Topielec, a balding old man with long green hair, a fat belly and puffy cheeks, a high cap of reeds on his head and a belt of rushes 'round his waist, dives into it. The adventurers form an impromptu circle with their backs to each other as the other creatures attempt to surround them.
Poludniowka's dogs run in through the circle to harry them, and Stan and Zeg draw their Colt .45 automatics and begin to pick them off. Their mistress howls and swings at them with her sickle.
Dziwozony is a good-looking woman, tall in stature, with a large, square head and a thin face, and long, thick, disheveled black hair. She has long fingers, and what one sees of her body is hairy. In her eyes one senses a cold and callous heart, yet also one filled with a passionate sensuality. She sways up to Linda Reed and the Tigress, and as the latter fires her crossbow, Dziwozony turns invisible and steps to the side. As the two women scan the horizon she places her fingertip atop the Girl Archer's head, and begins to turns her round and round.
Jendzyna, a creature with the face of a woman, the body of a sow, and the legs of a horse, begins an eerie keening. She tilts her head and directs her song to Golden Arrow and the two younger heroes, who find themselves unable to maintain their focus. Their eyes start to droop and they find it difficult to hold their bows as she begins to lull them to sleep.
Topielec claps his hands and jumps out of the water like a fish, startling the Marksman as he leaps on the champion of Poland.
Pan Wieszczy, a creature with white skin, followed by visible fangs, bald head, and very long fingernails, transforms into a giant bat, and flies over to the Spider and the Bolt. As they ready their aim he turns into mist, transforming into human form at point-blank range to seize hold of their bows with powerful hands.
Pan Martwiec smiles as he approaches Diana the Huntress. He is impeccably dressed in a tuxedo and cape of a bygone age. His slicked back hair and sharp teeth bespeak evil. "The face and form of a goddess," he says, his voice pleased. She begins a retort when his hypnotic eyes draw her under his will, and a strong hand rises up to stroke the woman's exposed neck and shoulder left bare by her toga.
Zeg finishes off the last of the dogs, and Poludniowka's sickle rakes Stan across the cheek, drawing blood. "By gar! I've had the last of you, hag!" He grabs her wrist and pushes her away from him, firing his gun at her sickle, which shatters. As the old woman backs away, Stan examines the broken weapon. "It's clay ... ?" he says, wonderingly. From afar, Kraklow gestures and lightning bursts from the sky to strike the Blackhawks. "I call on Perun the Thunderer to defeat my enemies!"
Linda Reed falls to the ground, and the Tigress follows her progress with a smirk, "You were told this is no game for amateurs, you dizzy dame." Tracking the direction from which the Girl Archer fell, she directs her crossbow and watches with satisfaction as a streak of blood appears, floating in the air, accompanied by an angry cry.
Jendzyna continues her keening, and slowly canters over to the squadron of justice. She tilts her head again, and approaches Bob Tilden. She tenderly kisses him and then, angling her head slightly more, works her mouth around his left eye, plucking it out with her teeth. Working it back into her mouth with her tongue, she swallows with a contented expression.
The Marksman finds it difficult to get a grip on his slippery foe, as the pair wrestle on the ground. Topielec angles the two of them back in the direction of the moat, and they plunge into the water.
The Spider and the Bolt find their bows yanked from their grip, and Pan Wieszczy chuckles balefully. He bares his teeth, and the Spider reaches back into his quiver, withdrawing a spider seal and striking it deep into his opponent's throat. "I read somewhere that silver and vampires don't mix," he quips as the other crumbles into ash. "I guess it was right."
Pan Martwiec's teeth pierce through the skin of Diana's throat when a spider seal bursts through his chest, and as the huntress comes back to alertness, he too crumbles into ash. She shakes her head to clear it. "Thank you Spider, 'tis time for us to take charge of this battle." She raises her bow, "Foul monster," she says, and an arrow pierces through Jendzyna before the creature can continue its obscene meal.
As she falls, her prey snap out of its sleepy trance, and Bob Tilden howls in agony, clutching his eye. Golden Arrow kneels down to comfort his scion, glaring angrily at Josef. "I ... I had no idea ... " the other boy confesses guiltily.
Dziwozony moves quickly towards the Tigress, but the telltale bleed follows her as her prey backs up, and fires again and again at the area surrounding the wound. Finally, the other woman falls to the ground as the wounds bring her down.
The Marksman grabs ahold of Topielec's cap and belt, finally tossing his opponent out of the water. As he scrambles up to confront the other, the creature is felled by arrows from the Spider and the Bolt.
The Marksman shudders as he picks up his bow, and glares angrily up at Kraklow. "Too many friends lost in this battle," he says, shuddering at the burnt bodies of the Blackhawks. "It's time to end it."
A flurry of arrows from Golden Arrow, the Marksman, Linda Reed, the Tigress, Diana, the Spider and the Bolt arch towards the evil wizard. Many embed themselves in his flesh, and he steps back. "That ... hurt me," he grunts, "You shall pay for that affront. I shall summon someone to make you pay.
Kraklow gestures magically, "Who shall it be? Yesza, the king of the gods, to strike you from on high? Lyada, the god of war, to decapitate you for your weakness? Dzydzilely, goddess of love, to drive you to madness with lust? Nyja, the god of death, to take you direct to Hades? Dzewana, the virgin huntress, to impale you with her arrows? Marzyana, goddess of the harvest, to plow you into her fields? Or perhaps Podoga, the air-god, to hurl you to the skies?"
In response to a second flurry of arrows, as he falls to the ground he says, "No ... I summon Zywie! Zywie the Destroyer!"
An eerie blue radiance envelops the earth of the forest, the ground rising and falling like waves on a storm-tossed ocean. Fissures appear from which issue plumes of steam and leaping tendrils of electrical force - huge sections of earth break free and are hurled skyward. The ground begins to vibrate and heave as the weird latticework of radiance expands and begins crawling towards the archers.
A form begins to rise at the epicenter of the massive, wrenching convulsion. Tons of earth are displaced, rising, crumbling, the surrounding air thins rapidly, growing hot and stifling. A giant hand emerges as the swelling mound of earth rises higher and still higher.
With a sudden immense explosion which throws tons of earth into the skies, a milk-white bull bursts from the ground The air echoes with its deafening bellow, a sound which dwarfs the thunderstorm. Riding the bull, balanced upon one foot, the other angled at the knee, is a towering, terrible woman who has four arms, four faces and three eyes, wearing the skin of a tiger and a snake twined around her neck, wearing serpents round her head and skulls for a necklace, attended by a host of demons and imps. In one of her four hands the goddess holds a drum, the second offers an olive branch, the third contains a tongue of fire, while the fourth hand points downwards to her uplifted foot. She dominates the horizon with her presence.
"Monster hunters," the Bolt mutters to himself, as the archers address their aim to the woman who towers over them. She glances downwards and the third eye, in the center of her forehead, releases a lethally destructive blast of blue light, disintegrating Diana the Huntress.
Golden Arrow gasps, "No ... not another one ... " and the archers scatter, taking aim again at Zywie.
Josef himself picks up the wounded Bob Tilden, carrying him quickly back to his plane, seeking safety. As he runs, he glances upwards, "The moon," he shouts back to his allies, "the moon is falling!"
A white sphere of light descends to the ground, and a silver figure emerges from it ... bearing the shape of Diana the Huntress in a form which matches Zywie in size. Zywie gasps, "Dzewana ... "
Diana stands before the other. "Thou didst but destroy my robe of concealment, which allows me to walk amongst mortals in their own guise. This man," she nods to Kraklow, "hast greatly affronted me. His life is forfeit."
Zywie nods, "So shall it be." She turns towards the man he as attempts to run into the interior of the castle, and the demons and imps which attend her fly forward to drag him, screaming horribly, down into the earth from which the goddess came.
Diana looks down at her companions. "I am sorry, my friends," she says as she kneels down, "So long a time spent amongst mortals, I didst forget my true self."
The Tigress growls at her, "So you're a goddess is that it? can't you bring Stan and Zeg back to life? and heal poor Bob Tilden?"
Diana shakes her head sadly. "I can see that thou hast been touched by the gods. But I am no goddess of life and healing ... only of hunting. I came here because I was glum at the wars that Ares had wracked upon you mortals. But the war hast ended, and 'tis time for me to return home." With those words, she fades from view.
The Marksman shudders in disgust. "I ... I am sorry, my friends. I did need your help against Kraklow, but the price you paid ... "
The Spider sighs. "We've all faced war and come out through the other side, Baron Povalsky. The Blackhawks knew that, and as for Golden Arrow's little friend .. .innocents often are the ones to suffer in war."
Linda Reed wraps her arms around herself with a shudder. "I think this is enough of the adventuring life for me. I'll stick to the movies. Let's go home."