Chapter Four: "Validation"
"You claim to be from the future," He-Ro stated as he rode Battle-Beast along the path that headed north.
"Yes. And we have come back in time to save your life," He-Man began. "There is another time traveler, sent from our time period, that has come to kill you."
He-Ro grunted. "And I am supposed to believe this?"
"Believe what you want to."
"I will. The fact of the matter is, until the Sorceress and the Elders figure you two out, I'm not believing anything you say."
"Prepare your apologies, then," He-Man told him.
He-Ro shrugged him off, and just led them forward. After a few minutes of silence, the group came upon the Field of Grayskull. And both She-Ra and He-Man paused before moving onto the castle. Standing between the edge of the Evergreen Forest and Castle Grayskull was a huge statue of man that seemed strangely familiar.
The statue was tall, the man bulging with muscles. His hair flowed back from his shoulders. He wore what seemed to be a fur cape. In one hand, he held the Staff of Power. In the other was the Sword of Power on one side of the blade and the Sword of Protection on the other.
"Who . . . who is that?" asked She-Ra.
He-Ro perked an eyebrow. "You don't know?"
Both of them shook their heads. He-Ro laughed, the sound echoing neatly into the air. He waved his hand at the statue nonchalantly. "That's King Grayskull!"
"King . . Grayskull?" wondered He-Man. "I've never heard of him."
He-Ro grinned. "There's my proof, then. You don't even the source of our - "
He-Ro! There is no time for explanations! the Sorceress suddenly shouted. Bring He-Man and She-Ra inside immediately!
Once more they continued onward. As they came towards the now-open drawbridge, He-Man began to notice small differences in the fields that had been erased by time. There seemed to be the remains of massive wall circling the castle. Most of it was gone now, wore away by weather and war. Battle-Cat sniffed here and there, smelling away at the past that was now the present.
They entered into the Castle Grayskull and as soon as they entered the foyer, they dismounted, leaving their trusty companions behind. He-Ro held his Staff of Power high and then opened the doors to the throne room. The throne room was, as expected, unchanged. Some of the doors didn't look as old and there usual musty feel was gone - but it was the same.
The Sorceress stood and He-Man had to remind himself that this was not their Sorceress.
"He-Ro, welcome," the Sorceress greeted.
"Greetings."
He-Man and She-Ra stepped forward. "Sorceress of Grayskull, I am He-Man."
"And I am She-Ra."
"And greetings to you, future champions of Grayskull."
He-Ro grunted. "Sorceress . . ."
"He-Ro, you must learn to control yourself. You give in to your impulses too easily. The blades they bare are from the future. The ones from this era are sitting in the Hall of Secrets. Would I not know? Would I not tell you? I am the Sorceress of Grayskull, He-Ro. It is my task to watch over this place and what resides within."
He-Ro sighed. "Forgive me, Sorceress."
"You will learn your lessons in time. That is . . . if your mission is complete." The last part was directed at He-Man and She-Ra.
"We hope."
He-Ro considered them a moment, his trust finally starting to appear. He suddenly began to realize that these were not his enemies after all. These were his allies. Perhaps even . . . his saviors. It was hard to swallow, these two strangers. However, all he had to do was remember the circumstances in his life. Were they not fantastic?
"He-Ro, you must take them the Central Tower to see the Council of Elders."
"Of course, Sorceress."
He-Man paused. "You are Kodac Ungl?"
The Sorceress considered He-Man's words, then slowly nodded. "Indeed I am. Though it has been . . . quite a while since I have heard that name."
"The Sorceress of my era is your successor."
The Sorceress perked an eyebrow. "I wonder what would have prompted her to reveal such information."
"A threat known as - "
"No more, He-Man. Yes, I am one of the many keepers of Castle Grayskull. There were more that bore my name in the past and there will be more in the future."
Oddly, She-Ra doubted that. She couldn't quite figure out why, but she found she doubted that there would another Sorceress beyond their own. While she felt compelled to say something, she didn't. It wasn't the time. They had other responsibilities right now.
"Good journey to you all," the Sorceress bid them as the trio exited Castle Grayskull.
"We ride south east, towards the Sands of Time," He-Ro instructed them. Behind them, the drawbridge closed up.
"Yes. We know," He-Man replied, mounting Battle-Cat.
He-Ro paused, then nodded. "Yes. I suppose you do. Onward, then. But be on your guard. There are Snake-Men afoot. She-Ra, isn't it? Why don't you take the skies with your flying horse and keep an eye out for us?"
"Flying horse?" scoffed Swift-Wind.
"Easy, Swifty," She-Ra said, bemused. "Up now."
As She-Ra took the air, He-Man caught her eyeing the statue of King Grayskull once more. He knew as she did that when they returned to their era (if everything had repaired itself), they would have to ask about him.
He-Ro studied He-Man as both Battle-Beast and Battle-Cat began to pick up speed. "You two are . . . ?"
"Twins."
"Ah. I knew that when I first saw you. Just wanted to make sure I was right." He sighed. "I apologize for what happened. I'm . . . a little ill tempered. And at times like these, when the war goes warmer every day, I tend to have a short fuse. Tell me, He-Man, will this war ever end?"
He-Man was about to answer, but stopped mid-way. The image of He-Ro's death in Snake Mountain came to his mind and halted his words. Instead, he only nodded a little.
"Yes, but I can't say anymore."
"I suppose I understand. To be honest, He-Man, I thought we were facing Rohana'Rota."
He-Man started, his face stricken with and shock and automatic fear. Very few texts remained from before the First Age - the time of Preternia. Rohana'Rota was chief among the survivors. It told of the final days of Eternia . . . and a battle that would determine the fate of the universe. Rohana'Rota also tied heavily into one other phrase left over from Preternia: Remoh Nos Vorta. It translated from the tongue of the Ancients to 'Masters of the Universe.'
A term very often used to describe He-Man, She-Ra, and the many others of his time.
"Are you alright?" asked He-Ro.
"Uh, yes. It's just . . . not very often I hear that phrase."
"Well, I tell you what, I am more than happy to know that there will be days beyond these. He-Man . . . what is your real name?"
"Adam. Prince Adam of Eternos."
"Eternos . . . then that means . . . you're my heir."
He-Man nodded and smiled. "Indeed it does, Grandpa."
"Wow. I didn't even know I was a father and already I have a pair of generational grandkids running around me."
Both of them laughed heartily.
"It's gotta be quite the eye-opener."
"It is, it is. Tell me, now, He-Man, is there still love in your era?"
"Of course. I actually have this girl right now . . ."
"Ah. And what is her name?"
"Kathryn."
He-Ro smirked. "A wonderful name."
"For a wonderful lady."
"Excellent." He-Ro's smile faded. "This is an incredible responsibility we carry, isn't it He-Man?"
"It is, yes."
"You know, I sometimes find it hard to even get up in the morning. I'm tired of the fighting. I'm just looking for peace."
He-Man sighed. "I understand. I really do. But you need to know that what you're doing will be affecting the generations to come. Peace on Eternia is something we fight for. As much as a paradox as that is."
"I suppose. I must say, though, having you two here makes me feel like this is worth it."
"Thank you."
"No. Thank you."
He-Man was happy about this. Despite their exceedingly rough start, the two were getting along just fine. It was at this point that She-Ra joined them. They all came to a rest at the edge of the Dessert.
"And what about you, Princess?" asked He-Ro. "What's your real name?"
"Adora."
"Anyone waiting for you back home?"
"Only the Rebellion, He-Ro."
He-Ro gave her a quizzical look. "Rebellion? Against who?"
"Against Hor - "
"She-Ra," He-Man cut in immediately. 'We can't say too much' his expression told her. She nodded a little.
"Against whores?" asked He-Ro.
"Against the forces of evil. I'm afraid I can't go into detail."
"Say no more. I understand."
Quite suddenly, the visage of an old man wearing white and blue robes appeared to the group. Eldor, leader of the Council of Elders.
He-Ro! You and your heirs must come to the Great Towers immediately! The Snake-Men are rallying for an attack!
He-Ro turned to He-Man and She-Ra. "Ready?"
"Of course," He-Man replied. He had heard about Eldor from his father a number of times. To see him in person was a bit of a surprise. Not an unwelcome one. However, his bemusement left him when he saw the look on She-Ra's face.
And he remembered.
The battle that He-Ro was assassinated in was at the Great Towers.
"All right. Let's go," He-Man said, leaping onto Battle-Cat.
"He-Ro, turning this battle, we can not leave your side."
"Think this is where I'll be killed?"
"Maybe."
From atop the Central Tower, Eldor turned to the Light Warriors. "He is coming," Eldor addressed the second in command, the Avion named Talon. "And he comes with help."
"Excellent. In the meantime, the Snake-Men are building in the eastern dunes. We'll set up our line of defense facing that direction."
"The war has only gotten worse," He-Ro told He-Man and She-Ra as Battle-Beast, Swift-Wind, and Battle-Cat ran east as their legs could take them. "King Hiss maintains a firm hold on the Sands of Fire. His alliances with the Reptons and the Goblins have led to the southern Santalucia Mountains falling into his domain."
"How can he maintain such a heavy array of land and still be able to strike Eternos?" asked She-Ra.
"He has weapons. Very powerful weapons - unlike anything I've ever seen before. They can create quakes and lightning. They are iron, but unleash spears of . . . well, I'm not sure, but they blow everything they touch to bits."
He-Man squinted in confusion. "What does he call these weapons?"
"Lasers."
He-Man's eyes widened and he turned to She-Ra. Her expression was the same. Lasers? Here? Now? How was that possible?
Those thoughts were dashed as the group reached the edge of a cliff that marked the beginnings of the Sands of Times. It was there that He-Ro saw something that cast a large doubt. An army of Snake-Men were heading out from the west.
"Oh no."
"What is it?" asked He-Man.
"The Snake-Men are heading out from the west. The Light Warriors won't be expecting an attack from that direction. That means . . ."
"King Hiss will bring his forces in from the east first, then from west and clamp down on the Great Towers," finished He-Man.
"What are we going to do about?" asked She-Ra.
"You guys up for taking on a whole army?" He-Ro asked, smiling and pulling out the Staff of Power.
"Always," He-Man returned, unsheathing the Sword of Power.
"This feels right, doesn't it? This won't change the timeline. I can just tell," She-Ra added, lifting up the Sword of Protection.
"Good," He-Ro stated. "Then that means I don't even need."
He-Man smiled. "Oh, we'll see about that, gramps."
He-Ro laughed, then pointed at the marching army. "Onward then, fellows champions of Grayskull, to battle and to victory!"