THE SUMMONS
Adam pushes the Wind Raider to its limit as it streaks across the Eternian night sky. Below him the tree tops of the Evergreen Forest reveal the harmonic sounds of night. In the past five years this is a journey he's become accustomed to making. The Sorceress, as Grayskull's guardian, is usually the first to alert him of any impending dangers, and it's his duty to stand as the first line of defense against all things that threaten Grayskull and Eternia.
Of all the upheaval that entered his life the day he accepted those responsibilities the emergence of a telepathic link between himself and the castle's guardian is by far the most benign. Initially Adam found himself wary of the castle's mysterious occupant but with time he became accustomed to her aloof nature. Yet after all these years he still finds it hard not to become worried when her calls for assistance come, especially given the amount of distress her voice recently carried. It alarmed Adam how brief their connection had been and his imagination ran wild with ominous scenarios; each one more worrisome than the last. Adam tried for the third time to reach Man-at-Arms on the Raider's communicator but he was still unreachable. Adam's absence would become noticeable by morning and he would have liked that Duncan be aware of the situation before he's blindsided with inquiries about the Prince's whereabouts. Man-at-Arm's wisdom and guidance have always been invaluable and he would have also liked to have conferred with the older man about what he potentially could be getting himself into. Regardless, leaving a message, no matter how enigmatic it may be, would raise too many questions by the wrong people.
"It would be for the best that you don't speak about your time here with others, Prince Adam," the Sorceress had told him cryptically the day he returned victorious from his first confrontation with Skeletor.
In the beginning he wasn't quite sure how to react to news about the mysterious warrior who had seemed to appear out of nowhere, and it took him a while before he could strike a delicate balance between the awestruck adoration that ran rampant through the people and the suspicion that originated from some members of the military and the Eternian council. When Teela first questioned his indifference towards He-Man she took his response as jealousy and rebuked him for his seemingly uncharacteristic and petty behavior. That promptly told him that perhaps apathy wasn't the way to go when people praised the accomplishments of He-Man. It sent a poor message for a member of the Royal Family to be unconcerned with a man who had done so much in keeping his family safe. Man-at-Arms, having already established a relationship with the Sorceress but that was still unknown to Adam at the time, was well aware that the Prince's lineage prophesized a great future that would even surpass that of his own father. According to Duncan exactly how it would come to pass had been unknown up until the moment he saw He-Man arrive in the midst of a battle like a beacon from the Elders. Man-at-Arms instantly saw his young protégé inside the commanding warrior but he also understood some of the apprehension that his arrival had caused. As someone who works closely with He-Man, Man-at-Arm's opinion of the warrior carries a lot of weight in the kingdom.
After years of inactivity Skeletor struck at the heart of Eternos and a battle between his father and enigmatic sorcerer ended with the King abducted at the hands of one of Beastman's griffins. He-Man had helped win a decisive battle against Skeletor and rescued the King against impossible odds. Many, especially those who witnessed the events first hand, were accepting of their new ally. A few others were intimidated by his formidable presence and questioned his motives. They didn't appreciate He-Man's secretive and solitary nature. Where did he rest his head when not in combat? Did his loved ones reside within the kingdom? Did he even have any loved ones? Too many unanswered questions left those who always need to know the answers to everything apprehensive.
On the other hand, just the opposite was the case with the majority of the people in Eternos and of the other kingdoms on Eternia. Speculation about He-Man's origins began to have a life of its own. Was he the last surviving member of a band of isolated barbarians, only now emerging out of Eternia's forests or mountains and looking to bring honor to his fallen kin by defending Eternia? Or perhaps he's a visitor from another planet lost in the cosmos much like their beloved Queen? Whatever his origin, the people look at He-Man, with his larger than life presence, with a sense of wonder and trust. It's the way people look at his father, Man-at-Arms, or the Defenders and now they were looking at him in that way. As He-Man Adam has been able to play a more active role in the safety of Eternia that wasn't centered solely around diplomatic negotiations. Prince Adam uses his head resolving issues of state and He-Man steps in when threats like Skeletor are concerned. It should have been the perfect combination of the two but some days run more smoothly than others. This mission, Adam could sense, was going to be a rough one.
Adam's transformations into He-Man have always been like a bolt of lightning, particularly his first one. It was him but yet it wasn't. The sensations of him physically changing are indescribable. He was larger, stronger, and faster. But what exactly were his limits? Did he have any? Appearances can be deceiving even with the Sorceress proclaiming him the strongest man in the Universe. It caused Adam concern that all his acquired strength and agility might one day fail to be enough and innocent lives would suffer because of it. Those types of concerns remained with him, even when he shed his He-Man persona and carried on as Adam, Prince of Eternia. In actuality, they're magnified.
The people have such faith and trust in He-Man that at times Adam feels like his work as He-Man should take precedence over his needs as Adam. So preoccupied does he become with the importance of his duties as He-Man that his reputation as Adam has gone through some changes. Prince Adam was once an open book. Nowadays that has become tempered by a slightly more reclusive quality. Covert maneuvers became his specialty. It's not easy for the crowned prince, whose attention everybody wants, to slip out of a room unnoticed. Courtiers found it mysterious, Teela headache inducing, and his father...well, he prefers that his son would stick around.
To his relief Castle Grayskull appears before Adam over a the ridge that marks the boundary between the Evergreen Forest and the land that surrounds the castle. A break in the cloud cover allows the iridescent moonlight to illuminate the ancient structure. The giant skull facade, which at first sight can be both menacing and frightening, fills Adam with comfort. A sense of foreboding had settled into the pit of Adam's stomach since he'd left the Palace. He's grateful that he doesn't find Grayskull besieged by Skeletor and his followers. Grayskull is more than just brick and mortar. It is a symbol of Eternia's mystical past and the resiliency of everything that is good in the world, even in the face of so much darkness. As long as Grayskull stands all is right with the Universe.
Adam brings the Wind Raider to a hover, allowing a cloud of dust to erupt from underneath the transport. He lands it discretely behind the few rock formations that can be found not far from the entrance of the castle. Inhospitable grounds protect it from the uninitiated and the curiosity seekers. The terrain outside of Grayskull is devoid of any life. Outgrowths of jagged rocks are scattered between the edge of the Evergreen Forest and the castle itself. With the lights of the Raider now off the only light comes from the stars above and the two Eternian moons as they peek through the ribbons of cloud cover. Adam's boots on the gravel create the only sound in the noiseless night.
The knot in Adam's stomach grows bigger. Unlike other instances the castle drawbridge doesn't lower at his approach. With no other alternative Adam pulls the Sword of Power from his scabbard and holds it aloft, commanding the castle to lower its drawbridge. Lightning crackles in the night sky and the drawbridge of Castle Grayskull slowly makes its way down. With one last look at the Wind Raider and to the distance towards Eternos, Adam enters Grayskull and the castle drawbridge begins to retreat towards its initial position.
In the years since he became the champion of Grayskull Adam has been inside Grayskull on numerous occasions. Should an intruder actually make it inside several safeguards are in place to keep them from going anywhere of actual importance. Adam is certainly no intruder but right now he has to navigate his way out of the castle's illusions. Multiple corridors provide him with several options and only one is the right one. The correct corridor will lead him to the main hall of Castle Grayskull. The others will not. In almost every single one of his previous visits the pathway to the main chambers had been lit with a series of torches. It is there that the Sorceress often awaits him. Tonight, however, those torches are extinguished and Adam is left to navigate the maze that is Grayskull on his own. And while it doesn't try to hinder his progress the castle doesn't aid him either. Adam makes his way through the darkened corridors on instinct alone. Finally he sees it. A soft glow highlights a hallway at the top of the stairs. Adam recognizes it from his previous visits and he allows himself to breathe a small sight of relief. He only hopes that his difficulties have not adversely affected the Sorceress' well being.
The main chamber of Castle Grayskull is its centerpiece. Torches line the vast chamber room, illuminating it in a soft light that dances as the flames flicker on their perches. The room is sparse. Statues of Eternia's Elders dwarf all visitors and they peer down serenely from their positions along the columns that make their way to the throne. Adam looks towards the throne, which lies embedded in a skull similar to the castle's exterior, expecting to see the Sorceress awaiting him. Instead he finds the throne empty.
Adam's heart rate begins to increase. She isn't here, which means that she could be anywhere within the castle. Adam's eyes scan the hall looking for anything that might indicate the Sorceress' whereabouts or give him some indication of the problem that has caused her distress. As he nears the foot of the throne Adam spots something at its base and he runs up to it with concern when he realizes what it is. The Sorceress' staff, which never leaves her side, lies abandoned at the base of the stairs leading upwards towards her throne. Then he sees her, half hidden in shadows and slumped over on the castle floor; her expansive wings haphazardly lying around her.
A distressed whisper escapes Adam's lips, "No." In an instant he is by her side. Adam carefully turns the Sorceress over trying to be mindful of not jostling her too much.
"Sorceress?" He asks, unable to mask the concern in his voice.
Her eyelids flutter as she fights to regain consciousness. When she does two large green eyes look around unfocused and lightly hazed.
"Sorceress, are you all right? What happened?"
Despite being held by him her eyes continue to dart around, completely unaware of Adam's presence, but at the sound of his voice her eyes are sharply redirected towards Adam. On her face Adam now sees a mixture of worry and excitement. Given her recent unconscious state she grabs his upper arm with a surprising vice grip and fiercely says, "She's alive Adam. You must find her."
Taken slightly aback by her words Adam barely responds in time to help the Sorceress lift herself off the floor. "Time is of the essence. She could be lost to us forever," she rambles on, with her wayward staff back in her possession. She's made her way to the foot of her throne. Gone is the weary woman Adam had found unconscious on the castle floor. In her place is the Sorceress of Grayskull like he's always seen her--strong and clearly planning something.
"Sorceress you're not making any sense. Who's alive? How--"
Adam stops short when he sees the look of surprise on the Sorceress' face. He follows her gaze to the far corner of the chamber. A long, stone pedestal stands half hidden in the shadows. He remembers that pedestal. Five years ago he stood before it unsure and a little frightened, with the Sorceress' words of encouragement in his head urging him to accept Grayskull and his alleged destiny.
He can still remember the emotions that ran through him the first time he held the Sword of Power in his hand. The sword was firm in his grip. He still doubted the Sorceresss claims that he could protect Eternia against the reignited threats of Skeletor but he was certain that the moment felt right.
The groove that held the Sword of Power is empty, just as he'd left it all those years ago, only this time the pedestal held another sword and Adam was absolutely certain that hadn't been there before. The fire from the torches animates the jewel at the center of the sword. If it wasn't for that jewel it would be an exact duplicate of his own sword.
"Whose sword is that?" He asks hoarsely. When had his mouth gone dry?
"She-Ra's," the Sorceress says simply.
The similarity between the name and his own alter ego doesn't escape Adam. "Who is She-Ra?"
"She is the light," she replies as she walks around the pedestal, effectively putting it between the two of them. "The Sword of Protection, they were always meant to work together. Two champions, cut from the same cloth."
"Two champions? Why is it that this is the first time I'm hearing of this?"
"Grayskull stands at the center of the Universe, Adam. There are many things that it sees but there are also things that it cannot. She was one of those things. A child of Grayskull, spirited away during dark times and thought to be lost forever. Take the Sword of Protection. Use it to find its rightful owner, Adam. Fully grown she is capable of wielding it. She is someone with the capacity for great goodness, much like yourself."
"How will I find her?" He asks still very much amazed with the revelation.
"Trust your instincts and do not doubt them. They will lead you to the one you seek."
"Sorceress I need more than that. You say she was a child but surely she's no longer that. Who is she? Why haven't I heard of this abduction before if she's so important?"
"Adam please you're wasting time," She says with rising urgency. "You have to find her now. I promise you that you'll get your answers."
"All right," Adam says with a sigh, "Let's get started." He had come to Grayskull expecting to see Skeletor at the castle's doorstep and instead he'll find himself on a quest for a missing person.
"Hold out your hands," the Sorceress commands.
He does just that and with a wave of her hands the Sword of Protection disappears from its groove and reappears in his outstretched hands. The jewel in its center holds his attention momentarily before he places it in his scabbard with its twin.
Without a word the Sorceress turns and walks out of the main chamber and down a nearby hallway. Adam follows obediently until they reach one of the hallways housing several of Castle Grayskull's dimensional portals. Intricately carved wooden doors provide the only barrier between Eternia and worlds unknown.
"I don't know where this leads to but she will be there. Of that I'm certain."
A wave of the Sorceress' arms opens one set of double doors.
"Be careful Adam. She's at a crossroads...a point of no return. Only you can do this. And remember, what the eye sees and the heart knows can sometimes be two different things."
With apparently nothing left to be said and far less information than he would have hoped Adam bows slightly in deference towards the Sorceress, walks through the strange doorway, and disappears into parts unknown.
