Chapter Two: "King Grayskull and Veena the Goddess"
The Ape-Clan built the fortress above the Abyss for a reason, but they were too busy with their petty rivalry with the Snake-Clan to really care. When their leader, the mighty King Grayskull, returned to the fortress, he was certain they would begin to ask him questions. But they didn't. Instead, King Grayskull had questions of his own.
"Strange things have happened, mighty King Grayskull," said Knon. "A man with no face and another man with three came here and forced us to work with them."
Grayskull grumped. "What happened after that?"
"We battled Ziola and the Snake-Clan, who were being aided by strangers as well. In the end, all of the strangers were gone, leaving only us."
Grayskull looked carefully at Knon. Grayskull was a huge man – eight feet tall and almost pure muscle. Blonde hair ran down to his mid-back. A thick hide of fur hung down his ankles. When he was a child, his father was welcomed into the Ape-Clan was given the position of King when all other leaders were killed. Grayskull simply took up the role and proofed to be even smarter than his father – and the rest of the Ape-Clan.
King Grayskull was on year-long pilgrimage to the northlands, where hoped to learn the secrets of channeling the great power that existed on Eternia. Magic. Hence the building of his fortress upon the Abyss. The center of the planet was said to contain more magic than anywhere else in the world.
"How was your pilgrimage, King?" asked Knon as they entered the throne room.
"Excellent. I have learned many secrets and I believe we now have the means of channeling vast forces of magic."
He pulled out one of two scrolls. The one had a circle set up behind a throne; two tablets sat on either side of the throne.
"The Great Eye," Grayskull whispered, voice full of wonder. "It uses the power of universe to tap into the center of Eternia's magic."
"Wondrous, my King."
"Indeed. I want it built . . . and quickly."
"Right away, my King. To smite the Snake-Clan, we must have the power of magic!"
"Wrong," Grayskull replied. "The time has come for the Snake-Clan and the Ape-Clan to set aside this war."
"My King! The Snake-Clan are led by Veena! The power she wields is unfair! She is dangerous!"
Grayskull shook his head, knowing that Knon would never understand. "She is not, Knon. Besides, there is a greater concern. During my pilgrimage, I have heard rumors that Serpos is moving. The last of the Gods is breathing terrible magic upon villages in the east. If Serpos is indeed striking against the world of Men, we must join with the Snake-Clan."
"My King, you must be jesting! The Snake-Clan is by all rights in league with Serpos!"
"Merely symbols, Knon. Tear away your fears and let us focus on building the Great Eye. If we will have any hope, it shall be in that."
Veena returned to the lands that belonged to the Snake-Clan. Much like King Grayskull, she too had been on pilgrimage. However, hers had been unsuccessful. She had of course senses the disruptions in time/space, but she had been unable to locate where they had occurred. She hoped to speak to Ziola about, the Snake-Clan's leader.
But it was upon finding the main village empty that Veena started to sense a dark and terrible evil at work.
The village was settled atop of a hill over looking a huge forest the stretched for many thousands of miles. In the moonlight, Veena could see very little. But as she continued to search the village, she became aware of a noise from the forest. Her wings fluttered behind her back.
She heard a hiss nearby.
"Who is there?" commanded Veena, energy sparking to life around her hands.
A creature appeared at the end of a row of teepees. She was a Naga and with thick green scales. "I am Vipera," the woman said. "Bitch-Daughter of Serpos."
"What business does Serpos have here?"
"You have committed an affront to my father by claiming to be the Snake-Clan and wearing that armor. The residents of this village have learned the true meaning of being Snake."
There was a rumble nearby. Veena sensed a wave of destructive thoughts. She took to the air and witnessed a mob of Snake-like people emerging from the forest. The entire village was transformed into Snake-Men.
"What terrible work has been done here," Veena gasped upon seeing them.
"My work," came a thundering, hissing voice. Veena turned and watched a massive Snake rose from the forest. "Veena, it has been so long."
"Serpos. I thought you were slumbering along the banks of the Blood River."
"I have awakened to undo you and to bring about the downfall of mankind. I have changed those that swore loyalty to you. Changed now, they have no one else to turn to."
Veena turned to the now Snake-Men Snake-Clan. Ziola stepped out from the crowd.
"My lady Veena, no one else will accept us like this. Only Serpos will have us."
"That is a lie!" Veena shouted, but was suddenly aware of green flames roaring around her. Her wings gave out and the Goddess crashed onto the ground.
Serpos rose up high and looked down upon her with terrible red eyes. Vipera was laughing madly.
Veena unleashed a beam of white light from her hands. It struck Serpos and sent the Viper God reeling backwards, screeching. Veena's wings thundered and she was in the air in a flash. She could hear Serpos roaring far behind her, but Veena was faster than he ever could hope to be.
Hours later, Veena arrived at the site of another village. Much like the previous one, it appeared to be abandoned. However, upon closer inspection, she found a group of non-transformed warriors sitting around a small fire.
"Great Veena!" shouted the tribe leader.
"You are Ogac, correct?" asked Veena.
"Yes, my Goddess. Among your greatest warrior parties. Are you well?"
"I assume you know of the eastern village," she replied, not answering the question.
Ogac nodded. "All of them have been transformed, my Goddess, from the north to the south. We are all that is left."
Veena sighed heavily. "Then we must go to the Ape-Clan for help."
"Goddess, they are our enemies!"
"Choosing our enemies is a luxury we can afford to make any more. Gather your supplies. We must leave before the sun rises."
Two days of travel later and the group arrived at the Ape-Clan fortress. Veena stood in the shadow of the massive stone structure, looking for hope in the glares of soldiers in the towers.
"King Grayskull!" she shouted. "We are in need of your help!"
There was a deep and hollow silence for long moments as Veena and her clansman stood in waiting. Activity persisted in the towers and along the top of the fortress. She prepared herself for a confrontation, though a heat in her stomach told her that battle would make matters worse . . . especially for her.
The drawbridge clanged open and out walked King Grayskull, long hair flowing across his shoulders in the stale wind.
"Veena, Goddess of the Snake-Clan, what brings you to the Ape-Clan fortress?"
"Serpos . . ." she said, but the burning feeling in her stomach caught up with the rest of her body. She could feel her magic ripple. Everything went suddenly dark and Veena fell to the ground . . .
"You are awake. Good."
Veena's eyes slowly took in the sights before her. Her body felt rejuvenated and despite some sourness her limps, she felt in good health and in good spirits again. King Grayskull sat next to her and small tendrils of smoke rose between their faces.
"Grayskull . . ." she whimpered. "What happened?"
"Serpos poisoned you. I healed you best I could, but you yourself did the rest of the work."
She smiled a little. "We Gods and Goddesses heal quickly," she replied. "I am quite astonished just how you were able to help me. I heard you were a mighty warrior, but you knowledge and workings of magics were unknown to me."
"It is a fairly new art to me. I am currently learning just how to channel the power of Abyss."
Veena's eyes widened. "I had no idea that was why you built the fortress here."
"The power within Eternia is the key to bringing about great peace."
"And have you discovered a way to channel the power?"
"I believe so, yes. It is called the Great Eye of the Universe."
Veena slowly nodded. "I have heard of such a device, though it has never been constructed before. You are as wise as you are fair, King Grayskull. Join with me and together, we shall stand against the might of Serpos and his bitch-daughter, Vipera." Her smile grew wide then. "I will teach you great magics and together, we shall bring about thunder and lightning to Serpos."
And so the days did pass. Veena taught King Grayskull much in the art of magics and mysticism. He learned quickly of these things. As one would suspect, these lessons became a starting point for deep and undeniable feelings for each other. Soon it was that they were holdings hands and kissing. Within a years time, Veena and Grayskull married.
The rumor of Serpos grew time in their minds. Scouts reported the Viper God had moved across the great Desert and into the Heaving Lands of the east.
But two years after their marriage and the union of the Ape-Clan and the Snake-Clan, word reached the King and Goddess-Queen that Serpos was once more on the move. For in that time, the united clans had known love and prosperity. But Veena awoke one winter morning and knew that Serpos was looking upon the united clans with a eye on jealousy and hate.
"I can feel his breath upon my neck," she spoke to Grayskull, sitting at the edge of their bed. "I can sense his eyes upon us."
"Then . . . we must see him destroyed," Grayskull replied, running his large hands across her green shoulders.
"You speak of something that I can not do."
"You are a Goddess."
She looked to him. "Once long ago, the Gods and Goddesses destroyed each other until only Serpos and myself were left. I vowed never to kill another. I know you understand my feelings, Grayskull. You quiver at the thought of killing a fellow human."
Grayskull nodded. "But I would, if given no other choice or if the man was wicked."
Veena sighed and looked her bare thighs. "I still can not, Grayskull. For you must understand that there is another reason for my stubbornness in this matter. I am pregnant with your child, my love."
Her body was suddenly overcome by his massive arms and his lips pressed onto hers. For they were both filled with great joy at this news.
But such joy was swallowed by grief and guilt. Serpos decimated the entire Crystal Palace and cast it into the sea. The rage of Serpos was too great to ignore now. So it was that Grayskull was struck with a plan.
Among the mightiest of forces in the universes were that of Good and Evil. It was obvious that the love that he and Veena shared was countered by the hatred that was wrought about by Serpos. Upon the completion of the Great Eye, Grayskull knew what had to be done.
The finest metals in all of Eternia were brought to him. Only by channeling the power of Eternia could these materials – Eternium, Cordite, and other irons – being forged into the kind of weapon that Grayskull hoped to make. So, with the Great Eye of the Universe finished, Grayskull stood ready.
"Are you certain this is what you wish to do?" asked Veena.
"Yes, my love," Grayskull answered.
The tablets were brought up next Grayskull's throne. The Eye was unlocked and opened up, looking out upon the cosmos. When the moons came to their apex, energy pulled between the center of Eternia and universe. Grayskull, standing before the Great Eye, was imbued with this power.
Veena watched as her beloved husband and king became a God himself – an equal. She could sense within him an intense moral struggle as to whether or not to use his new found power for the will of Good or Evil. She had no idea, but it was her love that kept him in a normal state of mind.
Burning with his great power, King Grayskull went to work. A forge burned from his bare hands and using a mighty hammer, he went work on a great blade. Using the forces of evil that seeped off of Serpos, he forged the blade with an amount of Evil in the forms of Darkness and Deception. Channeling the power of Good that he felt with his family, he forged within the blade also the will of Protection and his very own Power.
The sword was cooled and when the night of his ascension and his forging ended, King Grayskull shrugged off the power that the Great Eye had given him.
"Such power is not for such as I," he told Veena.
"It matters not, my love," she told him. "For a part of you has been joined with this sword. Tell me, mighty King Grayskull, what shall you call it?"
"It wields the very power of Eternia and the Universe. It contains within it great Good and terrible Evil. It is a mastery of many things. Therefore, I shall call it the Master Sword."
Days later, upon the top of Mount Imperium, King Grayskull bid each other their good byes.
"I shall stand upon here," she said to him, her belly growing with their child. "I will wait for you."
Sighing, he kissed her upon the cheek. "I can not guarantee my return, Veena. But if I die, know that it shall be for the betterment of all."
She sought to beg him stay, but she did not. King Grayskull and Veena kissed one final time before the mighty warrior set off with Ogac and Knon for the east.
Their destination was the Heaving Lands, where Serpos made his home. Specifically, along the Blood River, which flowed through the Heaving Lands until reaching Blood Falls. An hour from the Heaving Lands, King Grayskull turned to his faithful companions.
"This trial is mine alone to face, my friends. Upon the end of the battle, come and find me. If I am dead, bring me body to Veena. Above all, secure the blades of the Master Sword. It alone is more powerful than I could ever hope to be."
And with that, Grayskull walked into the Heaving Lands alone.
"What bussssinesss does the Ape-King have here upon the shores of the Blood River?" questioned Serpos as soon Grayskull was in sight.
"I have business with you, Serpos. Your evil has plagued Eternia long enough. I have come to defeat you."
"What hope have you against one such as I?"
Grayskull's mighty fists slammed against the ground. It shuddered and the Heaving Lands quaked. Much to his own surprise, Grayskull found his strength to be ever greater now that he had the Master Sword. Rocks and boulders fell onto Serpos, but the great snake was unfazed.
Serpos smashed into King Grayskull, but the warrior moved fast and leapt onto Serpos face. He dug the Master Sword into Serpos' cheek and there seemed to be a burst of lightning as Good and Evil collided. Serpos roared and shook. Grayskull was thrown clean off of Serpos and landed near the Blood River.
Grayskull stood slowly up, but was suddenly engulfed with green flames. Serpos laughed madly as vile and terrible power burned into King Grayskull. But as he struggled against the attack, King Grayskull felt part of himself joining with the Master Sword, as if part of his very spirit had been poured into it that night he forged it.
"The power . . . of Eternia . . ." he muttered, the Master Sword starting to glow silver in his hands. He felt a deep and intense connection with the Master Sword increase. Power flowed between he and his blade and King Grayskull felt a rush power.
Strength returned and he raised the Master Sword to Serpos. A pulse of golden light exhausted the green flames and a blast of silver lightning shot from the tip of the Master Sword. It struck Serpos square in the head. Serpos went wild, his tail flaying out of control. The Heaving Lands were smashed to bit.
"I HAVE THE POWER!" shouted Grayskull, lightning fuming from the Master Sword.
Serpos, in a valiant effort to destroy King Grayskull, summoned all of his power. Grayskull could feel a terrible cold pull in to Serpos. Power sizzled on Serpos' scales. The Snake God roared loudly and unleashed pure evil power on King Grayskull.
King Grayskull thought of all the good within him – his love of Veena, his hope for the future, his loyalty to his people – and channeled it in all in one final assault. As the forces of Good and Evil collided, the ground shook, a terrible storm was unleashed, and power unlike any the world had seen exploded. The Heaving Lands collapsed into a valley.
In the end, it was King Grayskull that stood the victory. His power – his love, his goodness – overcame that of Serpos. In the final moments of battle, Serpos climbed to a new spire of stone next to the Blood Falls. It was there, issuing forth one final roar, that Serpos died.
King Grayskull was killed that day, though a part of him lived. For his love and power had grown so strong in those last minutes of war, that he was forever joined with the Master Sword.
Ah, but the Master Sword itself was broken into four shards. As the smoldering of the new valley began to cool, Ogac and Knon retrieved the four shards and the broken body of King Grayskull.
They need not tell Veena the Goddess that King Grayskull was dead. For as she stood upon Mount Imperium and sensed the incredible energy vibrations, she knew that she had lost her husband and the father to her child. She wept there upon the mountain. Her tear became the Bitter Rose and Mount Imperium was suddenly covered in such Roses; it was renamed Rose Mountain. On the mountain, part of her spirit remained in constant sadness, for the Goddess was slowly flaking away.
There were affairs that needed to be attended to, but Veena felt that they were unnecessary until after the birth of her child. After her son, Roget, was born, Veena began to understand the nature of everything that had to be handled. Though Roget was young and the heir to the united clans, she feared that perhaps it was best if she was not part of his life.
The Snake-Men were afoot, led by the bitch-daughter Vipera, self-proclaimed Goddess of Venom. In addition to that, though, Veena felt as though the time of Gods was at long last coming to an end. Serpos was the last to fall of her brethren, leaving just Veena now.
"What shall we do now?" asked Ogac one evening after Roget's birth. "Our enemies far to the east are numerous."
Veena sighed. "This place is not as it once was," she told him. "The power that Grayskull unleashed here has bonded with the walls, ceilings and floors. The very empowered spirit of Grayskull lingers here, though subtle. I believe that as time goes on, it shall only grow stronger."
"What do you suggest we do?" Knon asked.
"This fortress must now become a castle. Home to the greatest power on Eternia – the power of Grayskull."
"Castle Grayskull?" asked Knon.
Veena smiled a little. "Yes. And to that end, this place must be the epitome of mystery and fright. No one must enter here unless otherwise allowed to."
"How should we do that, Queen-Goddess Veena?" Knon questioned.
"A skull," said Ogac. "In the front of the fortress. A massive skull."
Knon grinned. "I concur."
Veena approved and the pair walked off immediately, preparing the construction of such a thing. Months passed and in time, the fortress was slowly being converted into Castle Grayskull. Many of the clansmen were leaving the fortress, heading south into the Fertile Plains. Their chambers were converted into storehouses of things of wonder and magic. Veena spent long hours of the night writing scrolls and drawing up maps – as well as tending to Roget. Some of the chambers had even become storehouses for mystical tomes and artifacts.
The skull stood in front of Castle Grayskull, looking menacing and threatening. Many had even started referring the drawbridge as the jawbridge.
But despite all these changes, Veena still felt within her a need to release herself from these bindings. And though she so loved Roget, she feared what the effect of having a Goddess for a mother would have on the boy. Plus, she worried that Vipera would seek vengeance upon her family by striking at Roget. It was said she wandered in the wilderness of the Vine Jungle with her pet, Pythor.
So it was that Veena moved quickly to tend to her affairs. First, among all things, was the fate of young Roget. She placed him in the care of Ogac and his wife, Lonel, and then set them upon a village far to the south of Grayskull.
The night before they were due to leave, Veena visited her son as he slumbered.
"Oh, my boy, forgive me," she pleaded softly. "Though I love you more than words can say, I fear for your safety and your life if you remain here. If you find your thoughts of me turning ill, I understand, but I beg of you to please know that it was all for the better." She sighed and kissed him softly on his brow. "Some day, you shall be the leader of these people. Now know that there is power in your blood and all those that share it shall find destiny here, at Castle Grayskull. I love you, Roget. I hope you never forget that."
Roget never saw his mother again and she was forced to turn her gaze from him in the hopes of him never being endangered. As the days rolled on and on, Veena knew that she needed to find a keeper of Castle Grayskull, to protect its vast powers and secrets. Knon was sent out into the Vine Jungle and a young teenager named Lindy.
Lindy's village was destroyed by Vipera and Pythor. Veena trained and tutored Lindy in the ways of magic. However, in these days, bitterness hung in the heart of Veena.
"There must be a code of conduct, Lindy," Veena told her one day. "For though the gifts you shall receive will bring you great magic, you must remain at your post. Once every twenty years, you will be able to walk among mortals – as Grayskull shall vanish to gather its strength and to tighten its binding with the universe. However, you must remain a virgin for as long as you hold the role of Sorceress. Should you become with child during the time when you are mortal and should this child be female, then the daughter is fated to become the Sorceress. If it is a boy, then you can not be its mother."
Though it pained her greatly, Lindy had known nothing but tragedy and feared having someone she was close with.
"There will come a time when you must be willing to release yourself from the bindings as Sorceress of Grayskull. When that times comes, seek out a replacement for whom you know shall have great potential, strong will, and pure spirit."
Not long after bringing Lindy into her apprentice-ship that Veena was faced with what to do with the shards of Grayskull's Master Sword.
"They should be thrown into the Abyss," she said mildly.
"No, my lady," argued Knon. He was among the few that visited Grayskull anymore. "There is a great strength in these shards yet."
"Lindy? What are your thoughts?" asked Veena of her apprentice.
"You told there was still great evil in the world. These shards can combat that evil, correct? Maintaining them is important."
"Shards are but pieces of a blade. What shall I do?"
Veena thought on this long and hard. Finally, with no answers, she turned to the ones her brethren turned to so long ago – the Cosmic Enforcers. Her mind reached out into the stars and she summoned among them one of their greatest agents.
"My name is Zodak."
Veena looked him up and down. "I am Veena, Goddess-Queen of Castle Grayskull."
"Yes. I remember you," Zodak replied. "The others Gods have fallen or faded?"
"War has destroyed them," Veena answered sadly. "Tell me, Zodak," she said showing him the shards, "what shall I do with these? They are imbued with the forces of both Good and Evil. Shall I toss them into the Abyss? Shall I reforged the sword that they once were united to form?"
Zodak looked upon the shards and didn't answer for a few very long moments. A pang of doubt struck Veena, but before she could say anything, Zodak answered.
"Four shards for four swords," said Zodak. "Two for Good, two for Evil."
And so, the swords were reforged by Veena herself. She created two of the blades with the love of her family in mind – the Swords of Power and Protection. She could sense the power and will of her departed husband within those shards and his love and bond told her that someday, someone in their bloodline (if they were worthy and pure) could channel the great power of Grayskull – both King and Castle. The two others swords – Darkness and Deception – were forged as counters for the other pair, but would hopefully never end up in the hands of those that could properly wield them.
The hammer that forged the blades had, during its work, becoming empowered as well. Veena used her magic to transform it into the Staff of Power. It sat along with the four swords in what was now called the Hall of Secrets.
So it was, months later, that Vipera learned at last of Castle Grayskull and sought after it. She released Pythor into the wilds of the Vine Jungle and set out after Castle Grayskull. Veena saw this in a object she called the Mirror of Vision and decided to confront her first.
"This shall be my final task her on Eternia," Veena said. "Though part of me lingers atop of Rose Mountain, it is with Vipera that I shall thrust my last with."
Lindy nodded. "What shall I do?"
"The time of the Gods has ended, Lindy. You are now the Sorceress of Grayskull. Behold!"
A large block in the floor moved away and into was poured the very power of Veena. After long moments of power being released into the empty space, Veena stepped back, looking weaker.
"The Pool of Power," she declared. "From which, you may draw strength. Enter it and become transformed!"
Lindy entered it. There was a burst of light and energy and when she walked out, she was indeed transformed. She had great power and she wore now the garb of the Sorceress.
"Good journey, Lindy, Sorceress of Grayskull."
Veena then departed Castle Grayskull.
"Blood for blood!" shouted Vipera as she was approached by Veena. "Your husband killed my father!"
"He did not wish to, but he had to do it because there was no other choice," Veena replied.
"There is no more talk on this matter. The day has come for you to die and for the Goddess of Venom to reign!"
"I think not."
Despite her words, Veena made no visible move towards Vipera. Instead, her body began to glow silver. Green lightning fired from Vipera's fingers, striking Veena. Veena's body was suddenly overcome in the glow and it seemed to vaporize. Vipera grinned, uncertain as to exactly what had just happened.
She was not victorious.
Veena, in a spirit form, shot from her vaporized body and slammed right into Vipera. Vipera screamed as her rival ripped through her. White lightning came from various directions, each one hitting Vipera with such intense ferocity.
"I shall not kill you," Veena said as the lightning continued to smash into Vipera's body. Veena was rising out Vipera's body, her wings spread wide, her ghost-like hands atop of Vipera's head. "I am taking far from here. Let there also be a curse upon you, bitch-daughter. For if you should break from the dimension I am taking you to, you can not ever claim a body that is not of man-flesh."
Vipera would have sought to defy Veena, but for all her strength, she could not move. There was yet another rapid series of lightning blasts . . . and both of them were gone.
Time went on and on. The days of Preternia found their way into the First Age. Roget was proclaimed king of the United Clans. As his line of children grew longer and longer, they settled a plateau declared it called Eternos. Lindy would eventually pass on the mantle of the Sorceress to a woman named Eika, who could handle the loneliness and eventually passed it on to Velera.
The world went on.