"Those who think the unreal is, and think the Real is not, they shall never reach the Truth, lost in the path of wrong thought."
--The Dhammapada 1:9
Insulted, hurt, defeated, robbed--such were the feelings that surged within my wounded soul. My name is Leonius Argentinus, and I am known throughout the lands as a great wizard. They call me, "The one who quenches fire by fire, and calms the wind by wind."
I wore the sacred yellow robe of purity, the symbol of truth and harmony. But Truth and Harmony has escaped my world since the arrival of that malevolent beggar, Melanthropos. His words laced with honey-milk, he has misled the ignorant commoners to believe that he is greater than I, Leonius the Pure.
I have seen him once, among his followers, dressed like a beggar--straw hat with a peasant's scythe in his hand, he donned robes blacked with soot. Supposedly a cheap imitation of the staff of power I have been given by my liege, King Rubedobarbos II the Just. He stood on a mound of mud (quite fitting for his sort of swine) and preached to his followers. I remember his pitiful sermon, word by word:
"He who is evil suffers in this world
and he suffers in the next world:
the man who does evil suffers in both worlds.
He suffers, he suffers and mourns when he sees
the wrong he has done.
He who is good is happy in this world
and he is happy in the next world:
the man who does good is happy in both worlds
He is glad, he feels great gladness when he sees
the good he has done.
The crowds of followers cheered to that sermon, some were prostrating on the earth. "He who is evil suffers in this world?" How could that be possible, evildoers live carefree--without restraint they pursue to sate their vanity. It is the doers of good, such as myself, that must tirelessly destroy evil--this is suffering.
Then I realized that Melanthropos was looking towards my direction, pointing his scythe towards my direction. I was hidden behind the foliage, so no one could see me, I was certain it was a mere coincidence that he was looking towards me--beside, he was more than 400 squares away. He orated,
"If a man puts on the pure yellow robe with a soul which
is impure, without self-harmony and truth, he is not
worthy of the holy robe.
As he said that, I ran back the kings palace. I entered my tower and ordered the guards to lock the gates for four-score days for meditation. I called my apprentices, Notos, Boleas, and Zepyros. I told them that a great threat to truth and harmony has come to us, and that Melanthropos has come to destroy the harmony of the Kingdom of His Majesty King Rubedobarbos II the Just.
Notos in his blue robe, Boleas in his red robe, and Zepyros in his white robe kneeled in front of me, and said, "We are loyal to you, oh Master of Truth and Harmony, we are loyal to you, and to your liege, His Royal Majesty King Rubedobarbos II the Just."
Since then, my three apprentices have left to destroy Melanthropos as I prayed for truth to aid them in their quest for Goodness. Now I await for their assured success.
I heard a knock on the doors to my tower, the voice of Boleas was heard, "Oh Master of Truth and Harmony, I return to you along with Zepyros, but Notos of the Blue Robe is no longer with us."
It was customary to not allow visitors in my tower during meditation, so I replied from behind the doors, "It is a shame to hear that my apprentice has fallen, but I am sure your act of vengeance along with his blood will be permanently be a part of the fabric of truth."
Boleas replied in a somber tone, "Nay master, Notos did not leave us by means of the sword or sorcery, but through Words. He has abandoned your way and joined Melanthropos, oh Master of Truth and Harmony."
I heard the voice of Zepyros, "Aye Master of Truth and Harmony, The Blue One has left us, and we have been unable to smite Melanthropos in the name of Truth and Harmony, and in the name of thy liege, His Royal Highness King Rubedobarbos II the Just."
My mouth was agape with anger, "Then return you must, apprentices. For there be no Harmony unless Melanthropos is destroyed. And destroy you must, the Blue One, for he has strayed from the path of Truth."
"Your words are wise, and we prostrate to your Truth and Harmony, we shall return to smite Melanthropos and Notos." Boleas said as he left.
A score of days have come to pass, and again I heard a knock on the gates to my tower.
The voice of Zepyros was heard, "Oh Master of Truth and Harmony, I return to you, but alas, Boleas of the Red Robe is no longer with us."
I replied from beyond the gates, "It is a shame to hear that my apprentice has fallen, but I am sure your act of vengeance along with his blood will be permanently be a part of the fabric of truth."
Zepyros replied in a somber tone, "Nay master, Boleas did not leave us by means of the sword or sorcery, but through Words. He has abandoned your way and joined Melanthropos, oh Master of Truth and Harmony."
Zepyros continued, "Aye Master of Truth and Harmony, The Red One has left us, and we have been unable to smite Melanthropos in the name of Truth and Harmony, and in the name of thy liege, His Royal Highness King Rubedobarbos II the Just."
My mouth was agape with anger, "Then return you must, apprentice. For there be no Harmony unless Melanthropos is destroyed. And destroy you must, the Red One along with the Blue One, for they have strayed from the path of Truth."
"Your words are wise, and I prostrate to your Truth and Harmony, I shall return to smite Melanthropos, Notos, and Boleas." Zepyros said as he left.
A score of days have come to pass, and again I heard a knock on the gates to my tower.
I heard the voice of Notos the Blue Robed One, "Oh Leonius Argentinus, speaker of holy words, I have come to ask you to join me and my master, Melanthropos the Unhewn One."
I replied in spite, "Oh Blue One, Betrayer to Truth, for what purpose have you to wish that I join thy master of falsehood?"
In a somber tone, Notos replied, "I ask you to join us, for I love thee--for hate is not conquered by hate, hate is conquered by love. This is the eternal law for Truth and Harmony."
In fury, I flung open the gates, Notos stood in surprise as I raised my staff of power. "You have been lost to the path of falsehood, Blue One. My love for thee is bygone, and within my heart, only hate is reserved for thee--for hate could only be destroyed with greater hate."
I swung my staff of power at Notos, my rune of rage warmed as flames leapt from my staff, and Notos was burnt to sinters. I closed the gates to my tower and resumed my meditation.
A score of days have come to pass, and again I heard a knock on the gates to my tower.
I heard the voice of Boleas the Red Robed One, "Oh Leonius Argentinus, speaker of holy words, I have come to ask you to join me and my master, Melanthropos the Unhewn One."
I replied in spite, "Oh Red One, Betrayer to Truth, for what purpose have you to wish that I join thy master of falsehood?"
In a somber tone, Boleas replied, "I ask you to join us, for many do not know that we are here in this world to live in Harmony. Those who know this do not fight against each other."
In fury, I flung open the gates, Boleas stood in awe as I raised my staff of power. "You have been lost to the path of falsehood, Red One. My love for thee is bygone, and within my heart, only hate is reserved for thee--for harmony could only be brought by smiting falsehood."
I swung my staff of power at Notos, my rune of flowing warmed as torrents swept from my staff, engulfing Boleas and pulling him into the abyss. I close the gates to my tower and resumed my meditation.
A score of days have come to pass, and again I heard a knock on the gates to my tower.
I heard the voice of Zepyros the White Robed One, "Oh Leonius Argentinus, speaker of holy words, I have come to ask you..."
I replied in spite, "Oh White One, Betrayer to Truth, for what purpose have you returned, or do you wish to meet the fate of your brothers?"
In a somber tone, Zepyros replied, "I have returned to ask of you a favor, oh wise one."
In fury, I flung open the gates, Zepyros stood in surprise as I raised my staff of power. "You have been lost to the path of falsehood, White One. My love for thee is bygone, and within my heart, only hate is reserved for thee!"
I swung my staff of power at Notos, my rune of darkness warmed as shadows leapt from my staff, dragging Zepyros into the void. Zepyros screamed, "I only wished to inform, that I learned how to smite Melanthropos and proselytize my brothers..." and disappeared into the void.
I stood dumbfounded as I realized what I have done, a voice suddenly called from behind me, a familiar voice--"
"If a man speaks many holy words but he speaks and
does not, this thoughtless man cannot enjoy the life of
holiness: he is like a cowherd who counts the cows of his master."
"Whereas if a man speaks but a few holy words and
yet he lives the life of those words, free from passion
and hate and illusion - with right vision and a mind
free, craving for nothing both now and in the hereafter -
the life of this man is a life of holiness."
I stood with my back against the voice, I was afraid to turn back. I know it was Melanthropos. I replied, "And you call yourself the holy man, using words of honey-milk to seduce my apprentices, leading to their deaths?"
"He who lives only for pleasures, and whose soul is not
in harmony, who considers not the food he eats, is
idle and has not the power of virtue - such a man is
moved by evil, is moved by selfish temptations, even
as an ancient tree is shaken by the wind."
I turned back, soul raging with anger, "How dare you accuse me as an evildoer!"
Then my eyes met his eyes, which gazed into me as if seeing through my soul.
Melanthropos raised his Scythe, his black robes flowed with the breeze of the night. "Thy vanity was the death of your apprentices, oh Servant of Rubedobarbos II the Just, thy hate has brought upon them their doom, for hate can not defeat hate, it only feeds it as oil nourishes fire until its flames blind their own creator."
"Nonsense, Champion of Falsehood! Eye to eye, tooth to tooth, hate to hate, fire to fire, that is the Truth, the Law, the bringer of Harmony!" I yelled as I prepared to smite him with my flames of indignation.
Melanthropos stood there, standing like a scarecrow--ready to be burnt by my fire. Flames leapt from my Staff of Power and engulfed Melanthropos. I grimaced as my flames of truth destroyed falsehood.
"Even as rain breaks through an ill-thatched house, passions will break through an ill-guarded mind..."
The voice of Melanthropos echoed as I saw a golden form emerge from within the smoke of my flame. Melanthropos hovered in the air, wearing a radiant yellow robe. He gazed down at me, his eyes were filled with the compassion of a father.
"I am the Master of Truth and Harmony!" I screamed as I called forth the powers of my runes, fire, water, and darkness. The red, blue, and black spheres of power all coalesced above me, and I raised my Staff of Power, commanding the destruction of Melanthropos. The spheres turned into spears and entwined as it shot at Melanthropos. As my Three-Colored Spear of Truth sot at Melanthropos, he raised his scythe and swing through the air--and the spear of Truth stopped mid air.
"I am thy darkness, Leonius Argentinus. Thy untruth shall be your own undoing." Melanthropos said.
My Spear of Truth suddenly shot back at me, piercing through my torso, I tasted blood in my mouth. The torrent of blood made it impossible for me to scream, but I saw Melanthropos float towards me with his scythe. His compassionate eyes signaled the end of my suffering. And all went dark as he swing his scythe of mercy.
The End
The man returned his quill to the inkwell as he reclined in his chair. He let out a deep sigh as he threw his head back.
He gazed at the ceiling of his cabin--the ceiling was rife with cobwebs and dust. One shelf was located high up with no way to get up there. A few boxes were placed on the shelf, hidden in the darkness.
The man grunted as he stood up and donned a coat, he threw a muffler around his neck as he exited his cabin.
The air was cold outside--the man tucked his shoulders in as he walked down the steps from his porch. He walked in the darkness in this village littered with bricks and splintered wood. He navigated through the debris as if he had the path memorized...
After a brief trek, the man arrived at a tavern, the tavern was silent. The man entered the tavern, and a voice called to him, "It's you, I'm ready to close for the night!." An old man stood behind a bar. He turned back and reached to a shelf from where he took three bottles of wine.
"There you go, 30 potch," the old man pushed the bottles towards the man and held an open hand towards the man.
The man gave 30 potch to the old man, "thanks," he said as he left the tavern. A voice called from behind, "you're welcome..."
As the man left, he saw a figure standing in front of the tavern, a farmer with a scythe, wearing a straw hat. The man fell backwards into the tavern door as his eyes widened in surprise.
"Sorry Leon, did I scare you old man?" the figure spoke.
The man looked up, still shaken, "what are you doing here Blackman," the man's eyes were staring at the figure's scythe.
"Whaddya mean Leon, I live' ere ya know, strange codger you are. Hey, need help?" Blackman said as he extended his hand.
The man stood up without taking Blackman's hand -- "Thanks," he said.
"Hey, you take care now, old man," Blackman smiled and his moustache moved with laughter, his red hair was unkempt. Blackman slammed the man in the back as he walked into the tavern, "'night Leon!" He said.
The man, Leon, walked back to his cabin with his three bottles of wine.
"I am not Leon, I am Leon Silverberg... I am a Silverberg, a SILVERBERG," he muttered to himself as he disappeared into the darkness of the ruined village.
--The Dhammapada 1:9
Insulted, hurt, defeated, robbed--such were the feelings that surged within my wounded soul. My name is Leonius Argentinus, and I am known throughout the lands as a great wizard. They call me, "The one who quenches fire by fire, and calms the wind by wind."
I wore the sacred yellow robe of purity, the symbol of truth and harmony. But Truth and Harmony has escaped my world since the arrival of that malevolent beggar, Melanthropos. His words laced with honey-milk, he has misled the ignorant commoners to believe that he is greater than I, Leonius the Pure.
I have seen him once, among his followers, dressed like a beggar--straw hat with a peasant's scythe in his hand, he donned robes blacked with soot. Supposedly a cheap imitation of the staff of power I have been given by my liege, King Rubedobarbos II the Just. He stood on a mound of mud (quite fitting for his sort of swine) and preached to his followers. I remember his pitiful sermon, word by word:
"He who is evil suffers in this world
and he suffers in the next world:
the man who does evil suffers in both worlds.
He suffers, he suffers and mourns when he sees
the wrong he has done.
He who is good is happy in this world
and he is happy in the next world:
the man who does good is happy in both worlds
He is glad, he feels great gladness when he sees
the good he has done.
The crowds of followers cheered to that sermon, some were prostrating on the earth. "He who is evil suffers in this world?" How could that be possible, evildoers live carefree--without restraint they pursue to sate their vanity. It is the doers of good, such as myself, that must tirelessly destroy evil--this is suffering.
Then I realized that Melanthropos was looking towards my direction, pointing his scythe towards my direction. I was hidden behind the foliage, so no one could see me, I was certain it was a mere coincidence that he was looking towards me--beside, he was more than 400 squares away. He orated,
"If a man puts on the pure yellow robe with a soul which
is impure, without self-harmony and truth, he is not
worthy of the holy robe.
As he said that, I ran back the kings palace. I entered my tower and ordered the guards to lock the gates for four-score days for meditation. I called my apprentices, Notos, Boleas, and Zepyros. I told them that a great threat to truth and harmony has come to us, and that Melanthropos has come to destroy the harmony of the Kingdom of His Majesty King Rubedobarbos II the Just.
Notos in his blue robe, Boleas in his red robe, and Zepyros in his white robe kneeled in front of me, and said, "We are loyal to you, oh Master of Truth and Harmony, we are loyal to you, and to your liege, His Royal Majesty King Rubedobarbos II the Just."
Since then, my three apprentices have left to destroy Melanthropos as I prayed for truth to aid them in their quest for Goodness. Now I await for their assured success.
I heard a knock on the doors to my tower, the voice of Boleas was heard, "Oh Master of Truth and Harmony, I return to you along with Zepyros, but Notos of the Blue Robe is no longer with us."
It was customary to not allow visitors in my tower during meditation, so I replied from behind the doors, "It is a shame to hear that my apprentice has fallen, but I am sure your act of vengeance along with his blood will be permanently be a part of the fabric of truth."
Boleas replied in a somber tone, "Nay master, Notos did not leave us by means of the sword or sorcery, but through Words. He has abandoned your way and joined Melanthropos, oh Master of Truth and Harmony."
I heard the voice of Zepyros, "Aye Master of Truth and Harmony, The Blue One has left us, and we have been unable to smite Melanthropos in the name of Truth and Harmony, and in the name of thy liege, His Royal Highness King Rubedobarbos II the Just."
My mouth was agape with anger, "Then return you must, apprentices. For there be no Harmony unless Melanthropos is destroyed. And destroy you must, the Blue One, for he has strayed from the path of Truth."
"Your words are wise, and we prostrate to your Truth and Harmony, we shall return to smite Melanthropos and Notos." Boleas said as he left.
A score of days have come to pass, and again I heard a knock on the gates to my tower.
The voice of Zepyros was heard, "Oh Master of Truth and Harmony, I return to you, but alas, Boleas of the Red Robe is no longer with us."
I replied from beyond the gates, "It is a shame to hear that my apprentice has fallen, but I am sure your act of vengeance along with his blood will be permanently be a part of the fabric of truth."
Zepyros replied in a somber tone, "Nay master, Boleas did not leave us by means of the sword or sorcery, but through Words. He has abandoned your way and joined Melanthropos, oh Master of Truth and Harmony."
Zepyros continued, "Aye Master of Truth and Harmony, The Red One has left us, and we have been unable to smite Melanthropos in the name of Truth and Harmony, and in the name of thy liege, His Royal Highness King Rubedobarbos II the Just."
My mouth was agape with anger, "Then return you must, apprentice. For there be no Harmony unless Melanthropos is destroyed. And destroy you must, the Red One along with the Blue One, for they have strayed from the path of Truth."
"Your words are wise, and I prostrate to your Truth and Harmony, I shall return to smite Melanthropos, Notos, and Boleas." Zepyros said as he left.
A score of days have come to pass, and again I heard a knock on the gates to my tower.
I heard the voice of Notos the Blue Robed One, "Oh Leonius Argentinus, speaker of holy words, I have come to ask you to join me and my master, Melanthropos the Unhewn One."
I replied in spite, "Oh Blue One, Betrayer to Truth, for what purpose have you to wish that I join thy master of falsehood?"
In a somber tone, Notos replied, "I ask you to join us, for I love thee--for hate is not conquered by hate, hate is conquered by love. This is the eternal law for Truth and Harmony."
In fury, I flung open the gates, Notos stood in surprise as I raised my staff of power. "You have been lost to the path of falsehood, Blue One. My love for thee is bygone, and within my heart, only hate is reserved for thee--for hate could only be destroyed with greater hate."
I swung my staff of power at Notos, my rune of rage warmed as flames leapt from my staff, and Notos was burnt to sinters. I closed the gates to my tower and resumed my meditation.
A score of days have come to pass, and again I heard a knock on the gates to my tower.
I heard the voice of Boleas the Red Robed One, "Oh Leonius Argentinus, speaker of holy words, I have come to ask you to join me and my master, Melanthropos the Unhewn One."
I replied in spite, "Oh Red One, Betrayer to Truth, for what purpose have you to wish that I join thy master of falsehood?"
In a somber tone, Boleas replied, "I ask you to join us, for many do not know that we are here in this world to live in Harmony. Those who know this do not fight against each other."
In fury, I flung open the gates, Boleas stood in awe as I raised my staff of power. "You have been lost to the path of falsehood, Red One. My love for thee is bygone, and within my heart, only hate is reserved for thee--for harmony could only be brought by smiting falsehood."
I swung my staff of power at Notos, my rune of flowing warmed as torrents swept from my staff, engulfing Boleas and pulling him into the abyss. I close the gates to my tower and resumed my meditation.
A score of days have come to pass, and again I heard a knock on the gates to my tower.
I heard the voice of Zepyros the White Robed One, "Oh Leonius Argentinus, speaker of holy words, I have come to ask you..."
I replied in spite, "Oh White One, Betrayer to Truth, for what purpose have you returned, or do you wish to meet the fate of your brothers?"
In a somber tone, Zepyros replied, "I have returned to ask of you a favor, oh wise one."
In fury, I flung open the gates, Zepyros stood in surprise as I raised my staff of power. "You have been lost to the path of falsehood, White One. My love for thee is bygone, and within my heart, only hate is reserved for thee!"
I swung my staff of power at Notos, my rune of darkness warmed as shadows leapt from my staff, dragging Zepyros into the void. Zepyros screamed, "I only wished to inform, that I learned how to smite Melanthropos and proselytize my brothers..." and disappeared into the void.
I stood dumbfounded as I realized what I have done, a voice suddenly called from behind me, a familiar voice--"
"If a man speaks many holy words but he speaks and
does not, this thoughtless man cannot enjoy the life of
holiness: he is like a cowherd who counts the cows of his master."
"Whereas if a man speaks but a few holy words and
yet he lives the life of those words, free from passion
and hate and illusion - with right vision and a mind
free, craving for nothing both now and in the hereafter -
the life of this man is a life of holiness."
I stood with my back against the voice, I was afraid to turn back. I know it was Melanthropos. I replied, "And you call yourself the holy man, using words of honey-milk to seduce my apprentices, leading to their deaths?"
"He who lives only for pleasures, and whose soul is not
in harmony, who considers not the food he eats, is
idle and has not the power of virtue - such a man is
moved by evil, is moved by selfish temptations, even
as an ancient tree is shaken by the wind."
I turned back, soul raging with anger, "How dare you accuse me as an evildoer!"
Then my eyes met his eyes, which gazed into me as if seeing through my soul.
Melanthropos raised his Scythe, his black robes flowed with the breeze of the night. "Thy vanity was the death of your apprentices, oh Servant of Rubedobarbos II the Just, thy hate has brought upon them their doom, for hate can not defeat hate, it only feeds it as oil nourishes fire until its flames blind their own creator."
"Nonsense, Champion of Falsehood! Eye to eye, tooth to tooth, hate to hate, fire to fire, that is the Truth, the Law, the bringer of Harmony!" I yelled as I prepared to smite him with my flames of indignation.
Melanthropos stood there, standing like a scarecrow--ready to be burnt by my fire. Flames leapt from my Staff of Power and engulfed Melanthropos. I grimaced as my flames of truth destroyed falsehood.
"Even as rain breaks through an ill-thatched house, passions will break through an ill-guarded mind..."
The voice of Melanthropos echoed as I saw a golden form emerge from within the smoke of my flame. Melanthropos hovered in the air, wearing a radiant yellow robe. He gazed down at me, his eyes were filled with the compassion of a father.
"I am the Master of Truth and Harmony!" I screamed as I called forth the powers of my runes, fire, water, and darkness. The red, blue, and black spheres of power all coalesced above me, and I raised my Staff of Power, commanding the destruction of Melanthropos. The spheres turned into spears and entwined as it shot at Melanthropos. As my Three-Colored Spear of Truth sot at Melanthropos, he raised his scythe and swing through the air--and the spear of Truth stopped mid air.
"I am thy darkness, Leonius Argentinus. Thy untruth shall be your own undoing." Melanthropos said.
My Spear of Truth suddenly shot back at me, piercing through my torso, I tasted blood in my mouth. The torrent of blood made it impossible for me to scream, but I saw Melanthropos float towards me with his scythe. His compassionate eyes signaled the end of my suffering. And all went dark as he swing his scythe of mercy.
The End
The man returned his quill to the inkwell as he reclined in his chair. He let out a deep sigh as he threw his head back.
He gazed at the ceiling of his cabin--the ceiling was rife with cobwebs and dust. One shelf was located high up with no way to get up there. A few boxes were placed on the shelf, hidden in the darkness.
The man grunted as he stood up and donned a coat, he threw a muffler around his neck as he exited his cabin.
The air was cold outside--the man tucked his shoulders in as he walked down the steps from his porch. He walked in the darkness in this village littered with bricks and splintered wood. He navigated through the debris as if he had the path memorized...
After a brief trek, the man arrived at a tavern, the tavern was silent. The man entered the tavern, and a voice called to him, "It's you, I'm ready to close for the night!." An old man stood behind a bar. He turned back and reached to a shelf from where he took three bottles of wine.
"There you go, 30 potch," the old man pushed the bottles towards the man and held an open hand towards the man.
The man gave 30 potch to the old man, "thanks," he said as he left the tavern. A voice called from behind, "you're welcome..."
As the man left, he saw a figure standing in front of the tavern, a farmer with a scythe, wearing a straw hat. The man fell backwards into the tavern door as his eyes widened in surprise.
"Sorry Leon, did I scare you old man?" the figure spoke.
The man looked up, still shaken, "what are you doing here Blackman," the man's eyes were staring at the figure's scythe.
"Whaddya mean Leon, I live' ere ya know, strange codger you are. Hey, need help?" Blackman said as he extended his hand.
The man stood up without taking Blackman's hand -- "Thanks," he said.
"Hey, you take care now, old man," Blackman smiled and his moustache moved with laughter, his red hair was unkempt. Blackman slammed the man in the back as he walked into the tavern, "'night Leon!" He said.
The man, Leon, walked back to his cabin with his three bottles of wine.
"I am not Leon, I am Leon Silverberg... I am a Silverberg, a SILVERBERG," he muttered to himself as he disappeared into the darkness of the ruined village.