Chapter Seven

"Misleading Forces"

He-Man clutched his sword as he ran, Teela by his side. Running away from a fight - especially when friends were involved - was something both them absolutely hated to do. But there was no other choice, was there? No. Not a one, really.

They weren't sure as to how long they had been running - hours, maybe even days? - but it wasn't long until something very familiar occurred. The very ground beneath gave way. Immediately, their minds flashed back to when they found the Sword of the Ancients.

Teela and He-Man (then, as Adam) went tumbling down in a similar manner less than a year ago and ended up in audience before the Ancients themselves. This time, they hoped it would take them to center of Eternia. Teela grasped onto He-Man as they continued to free-fall into the darkness. Rock walls passed them by and a sudden heat began to overtake them.

"Teela," He-Man muttered as the young woman pressed up against him in mid-fall.

And then everything went black.

***

Locus walked away from the mouth of Snake Mountain, his seeing stone left at the edge on its pedestal. He walked through the dark corridors of the fortress of evil, thoughts racing towards the victory that would surely be arriving by day's end.

"Skeletor," he addressed, walking into the throne room. Skeletor was arguing with King Hiss, as expected. Hiss turned to Locus and grunted.

"What is it?" asked Skeletor, standing up from his throne.

"The time has almost come. What is your status?"

"Word has been sent out. All those willing are ready to join us," Skeletor replied. "The power of the Spirit of Evil?"

"As I said, the time has almost come. All of the pieces are moving into position. The Light Hemisphere shall be transformed by night fall."

King Hiss scoffed. "I hardly believe that."

Locus looked at the master of the Snake Men. "Oh?"

"I have learned, Locus, that often times the power of good will become triumphant if we are overconfident. At this moment, especially, are we blinded by overconfidence."

"Ah. I see now your misgivings," Locus replied, nodding. "Not to worry, King Hiss of the Snake Men. There are plans upon plans occuring now as we speak. Trust me. All will come to manifest soon."

King Hiss shook his head in disbelief. "If that is what you say, Locus."

"It is what I say. My master has yet to be proven wrong."

At this, King Hiss remained silent. He had been a support of this plan for a good while, but now it felt like it was falling apart. No. He didn't see victory coming. Only foolery that will end in defeat. There was a great cost now, though. Many of the people of Eternia were at each other's throats. This sort of tampering would send the planet into complete and total chaos. Perhaps, then, it would be best to strike and take charge of things then.

After this plan failed, of course. And it would fail.

***

Malik sat in deep thought in the innermost corridors of Stone Mountain. His thoughts swirled and overlapped, processing the struggle at the heart of Eternia. He was suddenly filled with doubts of this mission, this quest. There was something not adding up here. Malik had been so certain before, as the undertaking first began. But now . . .

No. Something WAS wrong. He knew it now.

But what . . . what could it . . .

"No," he said, eyes snapping open. "NO!"

Malik ran from his chamber and into an exterior one, where Kareen was busy writing in a book. She looked up, shocked to her lover in such a panic. "What is it? Malik, what's going on?"

"I'm a fool!" he shouted, reaching for his staff. "I'm a damn fool, Kareen!"

"Why? What happened?"

"The Sword the Ancients! It's a trap! It's a - "

But before Malik could finish, a massive thunderbolt came crashing from the heavens and rammed right into Stone Mountain, silencing both Malik and Kareen.

The Spirit of Evil's control was growing tighter.

***

When Teela and He-Man came to them, they took immediate notice of their surroundings. Far above them was a gigantic hole - the same one they had apparently just fell down through. In front them was a gigantic iron chain that led into the wall. Next to where the chain met the wall was a door. The door was marked with runes of the Ancients and was quite tall and wide.

He-Man and Teela stepped forward and into the door. After a little while walking through a tunnel, they reached the center of Eternia.

It was here that the pair saw a sight that would remain with them forever. Procrustus, a large, human-looking giant made out of rock, with four huge arms - was held in bounds of flame. The flames were flowing from the Sprit of Evil.

The Spirit of Evil looked much like a man, except with a large upper body and was comprised of nothing but fire. Except for two red eyes that shone out from the rest of his face. He turned to He-Man and Teela as soon as they entered.

"He-Man . . ." hissed the Spirit of Evil.

Instinct drove He-Man then. He launched forward, his Sword of Power swinging at the Spirit of Evil. For a strange moment, the Spirit of Evil seemed fearful. He stepped back, cringing before the might of the champion of Grayskull. For the Spirit of Evil saw the kindness and good will within He-Man's heart; the drive of Prince Adam fueling He-Man forward. And so, when He-Man slammed the Sword of Power into the Spirit of Evil, the being let out a thunderous cry.

He fell backwards, stumbling across the gigantic chamber. The power of good stored within the forged blade was too much for him. But the Spirit of Evil was learning and adapting for each swipe He-Man made against him . . .

Teela stood back as the flames of the Spirit of Evil's body seemed sliced for a brief second, then rejoined after the Sword of Power slid through. She waited for her moment. He-Man leapt up and threw the Power Sword into the air, and it struck against the bonds that held Procrustus.

"Free!" shouted Procrustus, standing to full size. The large titan-like Ancient thundered forward and slammed against the firery being. His four arms rammed against the Spirit of Evil's body and he held him against the wall. "He-Man! Attack!"

He-Man smiled and leapt over Procrustus' shoulder, Power Sword poised for a stab that would hopefully end this madness.

"Fools . . ." hissed the Spirit of Evil. "It is done."

A great beam of energy fired from the Spirit of Evil's eyes, smashing against Procrustus. Procrustus stumbled back, and He-Man fell as well. As He-Man fell, though, the Spirit of Evil fired a second energy beam. He-Man fell to the ground, unconscious.

Teela stepped forward.

"Spirit of Evil! I, Teela daughter of Duncan - Captain of the Eternos Royal Guard - and bearer of the Sword of Ancients - have come to stop you and your mad schemes!"

She unsheathed her mighty sword, the runes on the blade glowing bright blue. Teela ran forward, sword out and ready to end this confrontation. Seeing He-Man laying there fueled her passion to stop the Spirit of Evil.

Teela leapt up into the air, the fabled Sword of the Ancients up and ready to -

The Spirit of Evil smacked her away, the sword clattering to the chamber floor. "Now . . . it ends . . .," said the Spirit of Evil. He picked up the Sword of the Ancients. Their runes glowed red then, instead of blue.

"NOOOO!" shouted Teela.

But it was too late.

Before anyone could react, the Spirit of Evil lurched towards the still-weak Procrustus - and stabbed him. Procrustus let out a terrible groan as large cracks appeared all over his body. There was a terrible light and then an awful rumble.

In a thunderous moment, Procrustus was gone. Four gauntlets fell to the bottom of the chamber and the Spirit of Evil dropped the Sword of the Ancients and reached for them. Almost immediately, the gauntlets were on his wrists.

Teela leapt for the Sword of the Ancients and lifted it into her hands. "This isn't done! I'll kill you!"

"No, you can't!" shouted He-Man, pulling her back. "Kill him and Eternia will split apart!"

"Noooo!" yelled Teela.

"We have to get out of here!"

The two ran back towards the tunnel. The entire chamber filled power as the Spirit of Evil took Procrustus' place at the center of all Eternia.

It was over.

Evil had won over good.

COMING SOON - 'PROPHECY & CHANGE - BOOK TWO: SUNDERED'