"That's quite a story," said Prue. "But I don't understand why the knowledge is forbidden. A lot of cultures have similar type stories. Even the United States began because of something like that."
"At first," said Percy, "it was forbidden because of shame and regret. All everyone wanted to do was simply forget about what had happened. Much like the divisiveness that can occur within some families. The so-called 'black sheep' that no one ever talks about.
"But it soon became evident that the powers wielded by the Elders and the Whitelighters was substantial. The Elders felt that if the Whitelighters ever learned of their true history, a similar occurrence might happen. So it was decided that only the story of the Founders forming the Elder Council would be passed on to new generations of Whitelighters. Call it selective honesty. What the Whitelighters learn is essentially true. It's just not the entire truth."
"You said something about Damonculous being vanquished," said Prue.
"Yes," said Percy. "Damonculous was one of the most powerful of the Gray Council. It took the combined might of nearly a dozen other members to stop him. Their power virtually vaporized him. It was thought he had been vanquished. Apparently that supposition was wrong."
"Why has he waited this long to reappear?" Leo asked. "If this happened all those thousand years ago where has he been all this time?"
"I don't know," said Percy. "Maybe it's taken him this long to reconstitute himself. Maybe he simply moved through time and this is where he appeared. Maybe it is only now that he has been able to access his magic again. I don't know why he has waited for so long. I only know that he is very dangerous."
"So what does he want?" Piper asked. "Has he come back for revenge?"
"I doubt it," said Percy. "He mentioned something about needing the power of an Elder. In truth, he probably needs the power of several Elders. I can guess what his plans are. If he can get enough power, he can open a portal to the realm where the remaining Gray Council is imprisoned. If that happens, he will be able to return them to the mortal plane where their power will be restored to them. And I have no doubt they will finish what they started all those millennia ago. They'll wipe out the human race."