"So wait, let me guess this straight, Phillip Witterbane is this Belos dude who took control of the place you guys are from," Indy said, still reeling in the shock that he had, "And that vine that grabbed the man's leg was you and you did it by magic?"
"Yeah, each of us has a special talent that we tend to focus on. Though some of us witches tend to combine one talent with another," Willow explained.
"So how come none of your friends were able to fight back against Phillip or Belos or whoever he wants to be called?" Indy asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
"Because he tricked the people of the Boiling Isles into thinking that the Day of Unity was that. A day of unity was supposed to be when all of the covens joined together to live in peace. The Emperor's coven put these symbols on each witch or magic user's arm as they enter the festival," Hunter explained, drawing the symbol on a napkin. Indy took out his reading glasses and examined the symbol. "This is what he used to drain the life force out of everyone."
"That still doesn't explain how you mention that Belos got killed by this Collector thing, but yet he is still alive to send men after you lot," Indy said, taking off his glasses.
"That still confuses us too. We saw the Collector killing Belos like he was just some kind of bug," Luz said.
"And who is this Collector?" Indy asked.
"We do not know who or what the Collector is. All we know was that Belos learned the draining spell from him and he is a powerful being," Amity explained.
"Powerful how?" Indy pressed.
"Imagine a child, both physically and mentally, having the powers of a god. That's how powerful the Collector is. He was able to just move the moon away from the sun as if it was a toy car," Luz said, feeling a shiver down her spine.
"Jesus Christ," Indy said, realizing how deadly this can be.
"Exactly," Luz said.
The group was at a café on 42nd street, eating and talking about who Belos was. When the police arrived on the scene, Indiana explained to them what happened and why there were dead bodies in the alleyway. The police understood it was self-defense, so they did not press anything further.
"So, Indy, when are we going to this Rome place?" Gus asked.
"Tomorrow morning. I was able to book us some plane tickets for tomorrow, so after breakfast, we will be able to go to the airport," Indy explained.
"What is the plan when we get there? How are we going to find these Tablets?" Amity asked.
"Well, Janus was always known as the god of passageways and life events. Not only that, but the Romans believed that he was a guardian of sorts between Heaven and Earth. Now, the legend of the tablets, states that during one of these festivals, the Romans believed that they received a gift in the form of two tablets inside the temple of Janus. Now in myths and legends, it was stated that the temple of Janus is located in the city called Janiculum, which was also known as the city of Janus. In other myths, they use the name Janiculo or Janiculan Hill, which has the same meaning. Now, if we would connect these myths to the present day, the city of Janus is located on the west of what is modern-day Rome. Now, what I am planning to do is take a look at this temple, see if we can get any hints on where these tablets might be," Indy explained.
"It's that simple?" Hunter asked, surprised.
"Not really, no," Indy said, "If these tablets do exist, not only would we be looking for them, but the Nazis would be too. I have a feeling those cult members are on the same trail."
"Who are these Nazis?" Amity asked.
"Let's just say, they are a big thorn in my side," Indy said.
"What do you mean by that?" Willow asked.
"Ever since they have gotten to power, their leader, da Fuhrer, has been very interested in the occult. That is why I had to look for the Ark of the Covenant, among other things," Indy explained, "Just when we get to Rome, do stick together."
"Don't worry, we can handle ourselves," Gus said.
"That is not what I am worried about. You see, ever since you kids arrived here, weird stuff has been happening and now with the introduction of this Belos dude, let's just say I don't have a good feeling about this," Indy explained.
The group was finishing up their meal when the waitress arrived with the check. After paying for it, Indy took the Boiling Isles kids back to Brody's place so they can get ready for the long journey ahead of them. While the kids were packing up, Indy and Brody were talking a bit.
"I heard about the scuffle down on 35th street," Brody said.
"Yeah, you were right about more people looking for the tablets. The Luz kid almost freaked when she heard a name that one of the assailants said," Indy explained.
"What was the name?" Brody asks curiously.
"Belos. Apparently, Phillip Witterbane and Belos are one of the same people," Indy said.
The archeologist walked towards his friend's bar area, pouring himself a drink. He offered to pour Marcus a drink, but the college dean denied his request.
"There was another thing I learned. Apparently, this Belos guy gets killed by this entity called the Collector," Indy said, taking a sip from his cup.
"The Collector?" Brody asked.
"The kids don't know who or what this entity is, but they seem very frightened by him. One of them, Luz, mentioned that this Collector squashed Belos like a bug and moved the moon like a toy car," Indy explained.
"Interesting," Brody said, putting his hand on his chin.
"Yeah, well, here is the scary part. They describe this Collector as a god with the mentality and physicality of a child," Indy said.
"Which means…" Brody said, knowing the answer.
"That if the Nazis are able to take control of this entity, who knows what damages can be done to the world," Indy said.
The two scholars felt a cold chill in the room as they were imagining the chaos that would be unleashed in their world. The wind was howling outside, as the windows to Brody's house flew open. Indy closed and latch them, but the ominous feeling never left the room.
"If the Nazis are able to get their hands on these tablets, then who knows what hell will they bring to our world," Brody said, solemnly.
"Not only them but this cult of Belos too," Indy said.
The journey from New York to Italy was uneventful, other than the surprised looks from the witches of the Boiling Isles. The group was outside of the bustling airport, waiting for Indy's friend, Jack Shannon. After a while, Jack finally arrived, driving in a nice Italian car.
"Hey Indy, long time no see," Jack said, getting out of his car and giving his buddy a hug.
"Same to you, Jack," Indy said, giving Jack a hug back.
Jack then turned his eyes towards the kids who Indy brought along. "So these are the kids you were telling me about?" Jack asked.
"Yup, kids meet Jack Shannon, one of the if not the best damn musicians in the world," Indy said, introducing Luz and her friends to Jack.
"Aww, Indy, you don't have to do that," Jack said, getting embarrassed at the statement.
"It's true," Indy said.
Jack chuckled at Indy, with Indy joining in. Once everyone got into the car, Jack was driving out of the airport and into the magnificent city of Rome. As they were driving, Luz saw the wonder in her friends' eyes as they were taking in the sight of the beautiful city. These witches from the Demon Realm have never seen anything so amazing and beautiful before, especially something that was human-made.
"So, Indy, I took a look at the site that you told me about," Jack started as he was driving through the street.
"And?" Indy asked.
"Well, apparently the Nazis didn't get the memo that the allies have taken back this country," Jack said, "They have been looking at the site with great interest."
"Shit, anything else I need to know about?" Indy asked.
"Yeah, apparently the Nazis and you guys are not the only ones looking for these tablets. There is this group of robed figures also looking for it. Haven't seen them yet, but I overheard some of those goose stompers talking about them," Jack said.
"Yeah, I know. Met a few of them back in New York. They call themselves the Cult of Belos. They worship Phillip Witterbane, who is also named Belos. Supposedly this Belos dude is supposed to be dead, however by a pure chance of fate, he is alive. Or so these people say," Indy explained, referring to the Cult.
"Didn't Phillip Witterbane disappear ages ago?" Jack asked.
"That is what historians have written, but apparently these kids have told me that Phillip used to rule their land and try to kill its inhabitants," Indy answered, "But that was before he was supposedly killed."
"Damn, and let me guess, this Cult of Belos are not the friendliest of the bunch are they?" Jack asked.
"No, they are not. If they or the Nazis get their hands on these tablets, who knows what they might do with it," Indy explained.
The group arrived at the ruins of the Temple of Janus. Getting out of the car, the Boiling Isles witches looked on in amazement at the size of the temple that stood in front of them. Luz was standing behind them, watching with a smile of glee. Indy and Jack were getting their bags out of the car, making sure that all of their supplies were working.
"How can something so big, look so beautiful," Hunter said loudly.
"Trust me kid, this is only the beginning," Indy said with a smile, as he walked inside the temple.
The rest of the group followed, as Indy walked towards the statute of Janus. The statue was towering over the group, scaring the young witches still. Indy was shining the light on the statue, looking at it curiously. He then shined it down on the base of it, seeing some writing on it.
Walking towards it, Indy was reading what the scripture said. "For thou who looks for the gifts of Janus, must prove thyself. For he who doesn't will not learn the gifts that thy god has bestowed upon thee," Indy read aloud.
"What does that mean?" Willow asked.
"I don't know," Indy said, "But we should look around the temple to see if we can find any hints."
The group dispersed, looking around to see if they can find any clues relating to the riddle. Walking around, everyone was shining their lights around the temple, kneeling and just overall looking around. While searching, Amity noticed some writing on the floor that was in a strange language.
"Um, guys, I think I found something," Amity said, kneeling down.
The rest of the group regroup with the young Blight as she was making out what the words were trying to say. "There is some writing here, but it seems that I can't make it out," Amity explained.
Looking at the words, Luz read, "Nam tu, qui flesti uxorem, cantasti quod regem flevisti."
"For thou who wept for his wife, played a tune that made a king wept," Indy translated.
"Huh?" Hunter asked in confusion.
"It's a riddle," Luz said, "It talks about the tale of Orpheus, more specifically the myth where he had to rescue his wife from Hades, the God of Death."
"I see you know your stuff, kid," Indy said, impressed.
"I loved mythology in school," Luz said, blushing a bit.
"That still doesn't explain how we can solve it," Hunter said.
"Well, it kinda does. All we need to do is to sing the same song that Orpheus sang to Hades," Luz said.
"Well, what is this song that this Orpheus sang?" Hunter asked.
"I don't know," Luz said, "But there might be something here that can help us with that hint."
Luz walked over to the middle of the temple, seeing if she can find anything related to the song. Music notes, instruments, anything. But she couldn't find it. Although, while Luz was trying to figure it out, Jack was glancing over at the ruined pillars, looking at them carefully. He noticed that each pillar had a letter on it. This gave Jack an idea as he ran out of the temple, leaving the group confused. Coming back, he had his cornet on him, as he buzzed on his mouthpiece.
"Hey Jack, I don't think it's the right time to play a tune for us," Indy said.
"I think it is, Indy," John said as he blew the notes on his horn creating a haunting, yet beautiful tune. After playing the short ballad, the group felt the ground shaking as the statue began to rise, revealing a hidden door.
"How did you know that will work?" Gus asked, amazed at what he heard and saw.
"There were letters on the pillars that resemble notes," Jack said, "So I decided to give it a try on my horn."
The group walked through the open passageway. Unknown to them though, someone or something is watching them. Indy lit a match to a torch as the group walked down the ancient stairway towards another door. Looking at this door, Indy saw some more markings etched into it.
"Utque superi coelo vixerunt, tuque Titanes Tartareo capiuntur," Indy read.
"As the gods lived in heaven, the Titans are trapped in Tartarus," Luz translated.
"Titans?" the Boiling Isle kids all asked in shock.
"They were the birth givers of the 12 gods and goddesses," Luz explained.
Indy was shining the torch across the door, illuminating it. On one side was a wall drawing of sorts portraying heaven and the gods in their might. On the other end was Tartures, where the arms of each Titan were reaching out. Looking at them both, Indy noticed that there was a little hole on the heaven side. Looking around the room, Indy was looking for something that can fit into the hole. Something sphere-shaped. Walking around, everyone else was confused at what Indy was looking for.
"Check around for a shiny ball of sorts," Indy ordered, "Something to fit into that hole."
Everyone nodded in agreement, looking around the room for something of the sort that Indy described. Looking high and low, side to side, no one found anything. Although, while looking, Indy saw a lever on the far right side of the door. The lever was hard to reach, even if someone jumped. Indy thought of something as he took out his whip. With a loud crack sound, Indy used his whip to wrap around the lever, pulling it down. There was the sound of a heavy door being moved as a secret door opened up to reveal a shiny, yet mystical orb. Indy grabbed this orb and placed it into the hole, causing the door to shudder.
The door opened, revealing a dark catacomb filled with coffins and skeletons. The gang felt a cold chill in the air as they walked inside the catacombs. Walking past coffins and skeletons, the gang came across another door. The door this time around had the phrase, "Sicut vita principium est, mors est finis" etched on it.
"As life is the beginning, death is the end," Indy translated.
"What does that mean?" Amity asked.
As soon as the purple hair witch said that, the entrance door rumbled to a close, trapping the group. Indy started to have an ill feeling about this situation as he took out his pistol.
"Kids, stay close to me," Indy said.
As the door closed, the group was left in silence. Then, as if by magic, the coffins started to open, revealing the skeletal remains of Roman Legionnaires. Indy fired a shot off of his pistol, hitting one of the undead soldiers, which did nothing. Indy then put away his pistol and tried his whip, seeing that it is quite effective against the undead.
As Indy was using his whip, Willow was casting a spell that allowed vines to wrap around the skeletons breaking them easily. Amity was using the clay that was on the floor to create avatars to fight for them, which she was surprised she was able to do. Gus created an illusion, making the skeletons think that each of them is a part of the living, while Hunter was zipping through, destroying each skeleton. As a skeleton was about to strike Willow, Hunter zipped by and rescued her, holding the young girl in his arms.
Although each skeleton was being destroyed, they started rebuilding and regenerating themselves as if they were not destroyed.
" Indy, I hope you have a plan to destroy them," Shannon said, trying to fend one of the soldiers off of him.
"I'm thinking, I'm thinking," Indy said, stunning another soldier with his whip.
As the small fight was going on, Luz noticed that one of the skeletons, who she believes is to be the Captain, has a gem lodged inside his eye socket. Realizing that this gem is what might be giving the skeletons life, she called out to Indy.
"Hey Indy, I think I have an idea on how to stop them," Luz said.
"What is it?" Indy asked.
"You see the gem on that one skeleton?" Luz asked, still fending off against another skeleton.
"Yeah, I see it," Indy said as he took out his revolver.
Aiming down the gem, Indy was able to pull the trigger and managed to shoot the gem off of the skeleton. This caused the skeletons to collapse into a cloud of dust as the doors to the entrance opened wide. Everyone regained their breath as they made their way into the final room. As they walked, Indy picked up the gem he shot off and put it in his bags, thinking it might be of value later on.
The final room was massive in size as there was a sea of gold and treasure laying around. From gold, to rubies, to emeralds, to even chalices, this room, that Indy determined, was the treasure room for Janus. Standing at the front of the room was another statue of Janus. The statue was much taller than the one in the temple, as the children of the Boiling Isles felt very overwhelmed seeing the giant of a god looking at them.
"Is this what a god of your realm looks like?" Amity asked, amazed at the size.
"Sometimes, other times they may just look like a monster," Luz said. She then noticed that the statue was holding two stone tablets, one on each hand.
Indy saw this too, and approached the statue carefully. Picking up the tablets, Indy notices the heavy weight on it. He looked at the tablets in childish glee, realizing the legends are true. He saw the words on the tablets, which was all in latin. Reading them, Indy notices that these tablets does not explain how to travel between realms, but is actually a map.
"This…this is a map," Indy said.
"What?" Luz asked as she walked towards Indy.
Grabbing two pieces of wax paper out of his pocket, Indy shaded an imprint of both of the tablets onto them. Putting the paper back into his pocket, Indy pointed to the tablets, reading them out aloud. "Look, this says Per Oceanum, which means across the ocean. Here it says, Ubi minotaurus semel vagetur, which means where the minotaurs once roamed. And here it states, Minervam quondam terram, which means the land that Minvera once roamed. It also says, Sanguinem qui deis fusus est invenies, which means you will find the blood that was spilled by the gods," Indy explained.
"So these tablets did not tell these humans about how to travel between worlds?" Gus asked.
"Unfortunately no. However it does give us a location to where we might find this blood of the gods," Indy said.
"Blood of the gods?" Hunter asked.
"That means, the equivalent of Demon Blood is God's blood," Luz said.
The group froze when they heard clapping from behind them. Turning around, Indy saw a group of armed Nazi agents, pointing their guns at them. In the middle was a young man, with a scar across his face, and an eye patch on his left eye. He had oily black hair that was brushed all the way back. His good eye was cold as he looked at the group.
"Guttentag, Herr Jones," the man said, with a wicked smile, "Congratulations should be in order for helping us find these tablets."
"You must be Heinrich, one of Hitler's top archeologists," Indy said, "You seemed much shorter in person."
"Very humorous of you Dr. Jones, but I'll be taking these tablets off of your hands," Heinrich said, ordering a guard to snatch the tablets away from Indy's hands.
Indy put the tablets on the ground in front of him. Once the guard was in range, Indy kicked him in the face, making the guard tumble back. He then attempted to reach for his gun but was stopped by one of the agents.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Herr Jones," Heinrich said.
Indy put his hands up in surrender, with the same guard getting back up and picking up the tablet. Before he picked them up, the guard smacked Indy with the full force of his hand, almost knocking the archaeologist back. Indy shook his head, trying to clear it. "What's your game?" Indy asked, rubbing his chin and looking at Heinrich.
"Well, to make sure that Germany wins this war. After the Battle of Normandy, de Fuhrer wanted to ensure his victory in this war. And after hearing about de strange events in de U.S, we became quite interested," the man explained.
"And you think these tablets will help you?" Indy asked.
"You see Dr. Jones, these tablets tell of a way to travel between worlds, conquer other worlds like God has told us to. To get a stronger, more obedient army," the man explained.
"So that you goose stompers will win the war. Ha, what a vivid imagination. And what makes you think this won't backfire?" Indy asked.
"Because, I have made a deal that allows us to succeed," the man said.
"In a world where Germany is losing land and allies, who made a deal with you?" Indy asked.
"All in good time, Herr Jones, but for now it is time for you and your friends to say good night," the man said.
"What do you…?" Indy said before he smelled sleeping gas. He noticed that agents, including the man, put on gas masks.
Indy was trying to stay awake, but the gas was too much, causing him to stumble back, falling down on his back. Looking around, he saw Shannon lying unconscious on the ground. He also notice that the kids were dropping like flies, sleeping soundly.
"You son of a…," Indy was about to say until he fell asleep due to the gas.
"Until we meet again, Herr Jones," the man said, leaving the room. The agents followed the man, carrying their unconscious prisoners on their backs.