A RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE

 

                Space, the final frontier.  Mystan Benekasbeel and the rest of his Lunataks were travelling across space at an astounding pace on board a ship given to them by the Ancient Spirits of Evil.  Knave Iespyk had gone to visit them to learn more about where his father had gained enough power to decimate most of the Lunataks and the Thundercats.  They had agreed under one condition.  A journey to Plundarr to pick up Knave’s half sister was in order.  She had come willingly, determined that to destroy a great evil the life of one Feline was a small price.  She now sat with Knave in a small lounge.

 

                “What was she like?” Knave asked, referring to their mutual mother.

“Don’t forget.  When your father stole her from the surface I was only ten years old,” Cheetalia replied.

“And don’t you forget.  When my father had her killed, I was only ten minutes old, if even that,” Knave said.

“Very well.  My impressions of her were that she was a strong and loving woman.  I’ve been told that her will was nearly unbreakable and that your father lost a lot of blood the day he kidnapped her.  But she loved her family dearly, especially me.  That’s why she was taken, you know, she was defending the place where I was resting.  I had to bend quite a few arms to find out about that,” Cheetalia said.

“You’re kidding.  She sounds like a wonderful mother.  Chilla made for a good mother figure, but she was only nine when she started taking care of me.  She didn’t have the necessary life experience.  I imagine that it was a more trying ordeal than she’d care to admit.  She’s since sworn that she never wants to have a child,” Knave said.

“After taking care of you?  Who would want a child?  You were a handful!” scoffed Chilla as she entered the room.

“Oh thanks.  I wasn’t that bad,” Knave said.

“You’re right.  You were much worse.  We’ll be at Third Earth momentarily,” she replied.

 

                Knave watched Cheetalia’s face and saw a pained look cross it.  Just looking at her he felt pity for the young woman.  She clearly knew that in less than an hour she would likely be dead.  She had told him that she had no family left, except for him, and this saddened Knave.  Not because he was having second thoughts, but because he himself would be in the same position if this worked out.  His only living relatives were Chilla and Nitro, and even then his father would hopefully be dead soon.

 

                “You’ve come back?” Mumm-Ra said, sounding startled.

“That’s right.  We’ve done as your masters requested and brought Cheetalia,” Knave said.  The woman held her head high as she stared into the glowing red eyes of the demon priest.

“We are most impressed with you, Knave Iespyk, and you shall receive the knowledge you desire.  Look into the pool and learn,” boomed the voices of the Ancient Spirits.

 

                Nitro Iespyk soared through the cosmos, crossing the distance between Plundarr and the Ice Moon.  Suddenly his engine blew.  A quick inspection revealed tampering.  “Knave!” he snarled.  “Nitro!” a raspy voice said.  “I can provide you with a chance for revenge.  Long have I thirsted for the blood of that bastard son of yours.”

“And what is the price of your help?” Nitro asked, a little nervously.

“Your soul.  Your life and unlimited power for your soul,” the voice said.

“Very well.  I commend my soul to you,” Nitro said.

 

                The waters of the cauldron shifted and the vision faded.  “That didn’t answer my question,” Knave said.

“Didn’t it?  Does the name Igal sound familiar?” the Ancients asked.

“You mean, the god of the Ice Lunataks?” Chilla said, stunned.

“Precisely.  Now, Cheetalia.  Step forward and prepare to die!” the Ancient said.

“No.  You have what you needed, now you’ll forgive me for leaving you,” Cheetalia said to Knave, before sprinting out the door.

“After her!” Mumm-Ra shouted.

“We’ve done what we were ordered to do, she’s your concern now,” Knave said.  He, along with the others, returned to Skycruiser.

 

                “This is not good news,” Alluro said.

“How do you mean?” Red Eye asked.

“If he’s getting his power from a god, then we’ll have to go speak with Igal ourselves and get him to reverse his decision,” Alluro said.

“Easy enough.  Just point me in the right direction and I’ll convince him,” Knave said, patting his icepick.

“That’s your solution to everything, isn’t it?” Alluro sighed.

“Why mess with what works?” Knave asked.

“Look.  It’s obvious that your knowledge on religious matters is a little lacking,” Alluro began, “I’ll give you a very brief lesson on gods.  There are five gods and goddesses for the moons of Plundarr.  One per moon, with the goddess of the Royal moon above them.  Each of these gods possesses far more power than your father did, after all if you can grant that power and take it away at will you must be powerful.  If we’re to go there and visit them we’ll have to resort to tact and smooth talking.  Sheer force will not suffice.”

“All right then, so we go in, talk to the god, and get Nitro’s powers taken away.  Sounds easy enough,” Knave said.

“There is one additional problem.  There’s only two ways into the realm of the gods.  Both require an arcane rite that I know of.  The catch is you must be with either a priest or a member of the royal family.  Only then can the rest of us enter,” Alluro said.

“And since we have no priests, we’ll have to rely on either Luna or Tycho,” sighed Mystan.

“Correct,” Alluro said.

“Very well.  Shade, Red Eye and I will go convince Tycho to join us, he’s more tender hearted.  The rest of you stay here and prepare for this ritual,” Mystan said.

 

                Shade had no idea what Mystan was planning, as the two landed the Ice Hypno flyer as close to Skytomb as they dared, but she closed her eyes and allowed herself to become one with the shadows as he requested.  In this form only one person could see her, Red Eye.  She felt herself slowly rising through the air at Mystan’s telekinetic command, with Red Eye instructing him on where she was.  She quickly said a prayer to Artamys, the goddess of the Darkness moon, that she would not be dropped.  Whether the goddess was listening or not didn’t matter in the end.  Shade landed neatly on a window sill and slipped inside.  As luck would have it, Tycho was nearby.

 

                Tycho was startled to hear a voice calling out his name.  He was off duty and heading down to his bedroom for a nap.  “Who’s there?” he demanded.  A gentle hand clamped over his mouth and pulled him into a storage room.  The hand removed itself and turned him around.  “Shade!  What the hells are you doing here?” he exclaimed.

“Not so loudly.  We need you.  Desperately,” Shade said.  She then explained the situation to him.

 

                Although the rift caused when Mystan and his Lunataks had revolted against Luna was enormous Tycho had seen the reports on the damage caused by Nitro.  “I don’t really want Nitro wandering around Third Earth again.  For now, I will help you.  What about the others?” he asked.

“No.  There’s no time and they might not understand.  Come, all we have to do is go to the window and Mystan will take care of the rest,” Shade said.

“Are you sure he knows what he’s doing?” Tycho asked.

“Not really, but call it a necessary risk.  It’s faster than an elevator,” Shade smiled.  The two stepped to the window and were slowly carried to the awaiting vehicle.

 

                Since it was Tug Mug at the controls of Skytomb, and since he was fast asleep in his chair, no one noticed the pair’s departure.

 

                The ritual was fairly simple.  There was a large circle with intricate designs along the outer rim.  A precious jewel was laid in the centre of the circle and everything going to the realm of the gods was covered in a fine blue powder.  “Where did you learn all this?” Chilla asked.

“My uncle was a priest.  He felt it important that I learn about this stuff.  Truth be told, I think he wanted me to follow in his footsteps.  When he died, I inherited his texts and decided not to become a priest.  Now that everything’s ready, I should warn you.  As soon as I begin chanting I will need absolute quiet,” Alluro replied.  The others nodded and Alluro began.  “Ho ythgim Lunar sdog, tpecca ecnartne otni ruoy modgnik yb ruoy elbmuh stnavres.  Yb eht ytirohtua detsevni ni Tycho Lunar ew yarp!”

 

                The world changed and slowly the Skycruiser faded out of sight to be replaced by a land with midnight blue land and a hellish red sky.  “Cheery place, isn’t it?” Knave muttered.

“Where to now?” Mystan asked.

“The Ice Palace, home to Igal, wherever that is,” Alluro said.  There weren’t many structures about.  A few ramshackle huts dotted the landscape, home to the average Lunatak who had died.  In the distance a large palace of ivory inlaid with gold and encrusted with jewels stood.  “That’s the home of Selene, queen of the gods,” Alluro said, “the five palaces are in the order of the moons, so the Ice Palace should be to the left of Selene’s, since the Ice moon is the second moon and the Royal moon is the third.”

 

                Alluro was right.  The Ice Palace was intimidating.  Its walls, as one might expect, were made of ice.  It had many spires and massive arches.  Great statues of ice adorned the walls and ground surrounding the Palace.  As they got closer though, they discovered that these weren’t statues.  “Halt!” said an ice lion, “Only those of Ice descent and of royal birth may see the god.”

“What do the rest of us do?” Mystan asked.

“Alluro Katalaepsy, Shade and Red Eye Twilight.  You may do as you please, so long as you do not enter this palace.  You Mystan Benekasbeel, you would do well to gaze upon the fields of the damned.  For your place in that dreaded spot has been reserved,” an ice giant said.

Mystan blanched. “What have I done that dooms my soul so quickly?” he asked.

“You have betrayed the royal family and led a rebellion against them.  These others may yet save their souls.  Yours, however, cannot be saved,” an ice alligator said.

“Is there nothing I can do?” pleaded Mystan.

“Be gone.  You begin to tire us,” said the giant, scooping up Mystan and hurling him away.

“You three go on in.  We’ll go and find Mystan,” Alluro said, leading the Twilight family away.

 

                The trio walked slowly down the long halls of the Ice Palace.  On the way they passed several rooms housing various notable Ice Lunataks from history.  As they progressed and got closer to the throne room, these heroes became more and famous.  “Some day you’ll probably have your own room in here,” Knave remarked to Chilla.

“Considering the alternative is joining Mystan I think that’s what I’m hoping for,” Chilla replied.

“Greetings Chilla Iespyk, the great Igal will be most intrigued to see you here.  Welcome Tycho Lunar.  The royal family is always welcome in the Ice Palace.  Ah yes, the half breed, I’d advise you not to enter the throne room,” a herald said.

“Just announce us,” Knave growled.

“It’s your funeral,” the herald said before entering the room and calling out their names.

The palace shook. “He has some nerve coming here!” a voice boomed.  Tycho entered first, flanked by the siblings.  All three knelt.  “You dare profane my palace with your presence?” the voice boomed again.

 

                Knave raised his eyes to look at the angry countenance of his god.  The being was clothed in loose white clothes.  His skin was a pale blue and he wore a long shaggy white beard.  He was at least twelve feet tall sitting and carried a massive icicle in one hand.  His blood red eyes bore into Knave’s body.  Through an unspoken agreement Chilla agreed to do the talking for the two of them.

 

                “Almighty one.  We come before you asking for a favour,” Chilla said.

“What is this, favour?” Igal asked.

“My father was granted powers by you, and we ask that you strip him of them,” Chilla said.  She had never seen a god laugh, nor imagined that it would look so horrifying.  “And why should I do this?  He has not completed the task I set before him,” Igal said.

 

                Knave breathed deeply, knowing full well what that task would be.  A thought occurred to him.  What if Igal decided to do the deed himself?  How did one defeat a god in battle?

 

                “Nitro Iespyk went above and beyond what you ordered him to do, oh mighty one.  He tortured the rest of us Lunataks and tried to kill us as well.  I have no problems with him killing Felines, but my own countrymen . . . ” Chilla began.

“Enough.  I have heard far too much from you.  I care little for what Nitro does to you common Lunataks.  Only one of you is my creation and as such it doesn’t matter what happens to the others.  You I will pity but regardless it is his decision on what to do.  When he slays you, I will welcome you,” Igal said.

“That’s ridiculous.  How can you turn your back on your own children?  Chilla deserves a long life and she’s going to get it, if that means fighting you, so be it,” Knave said, despite Chilla and Tycho’s best efforts to restrain him.

“A fight?  How amusing.  You are most fortunate, little one, that your father has been promised your miserable hide, else I would accept that challenge.  Go now before I change my mind,” Igal said.

 

                Mystan shook his head and looked around.  There were wrought iron gates before him and a tall being of fire looked down at him.  “Ah Mystan, welcome.  Shall I show you to your place of honour?” the being said.

“I’m not dead yet,” Mystan said.

“No less.  A tour of your future home is in order.  You have no choice,” the being said.  Mystan’s shoulders sank and he followed the creature of fire.  He looked back at the gates and saw that a second one had taken the first’s place.

 

                The fields of the damned were just that.  A wide-open field where each of the damned souls were forced to perform tasks depending on why they were there.  A thief was being forced to mend socks for all eternity while a murderer was forced to devour his own regenerating flesh.  There was a combat ground for those who had cowardly fled battle.  They had to continue fighting or suffer unimaginable pain.  Mystan was shown a pit of fire for Ice Lunataks who had betrayed the Royalty, and a soundless area where Gravitons were unable to even move.  The last stop on the trip was a fenced area where the Lord of the Dead, a skeletal figure clothed in a purple robe, sat being attended to by brainless husks.  All of them were psi-race Lunataks.  “Come to pay me a visit, Mystan?” the Lord of the Dead inquired.  “All those of the same moon as yourself that you see here betrayed the royal family.  It’s quite a painful process, I can assure you, ripping out the one thing that you value most.  Your brains.”

“My brain?  You’d rob me of that?” Mystan asked, incredulously.

“Of course.  Fitting punishment I think.  Living on for eternity as a mindless slave.  Willing to fulfill my every whim,” the Lord of the Dead said.

“How do I avoid this fate?” Mystan asked.

“Easily.  Don’t die,” snickered the Lord of the Dead, “observe.  You bite your arm off and hit yourself in the head with it.  Then reattach it.”  A zombie like psychic obeyed readily.  “I think he’s seen enough.  Send him back to his friends.” The Lord of the Dead waved and Mystan found himself outside the gates with Alluro, Shade and Red Eye.

“Come on.  Let’s go see if Chilla, Knave and Tycho have gotten anywhere,” Mystan said shakily.

 

                “What do we do now?” Knave asked.

“Come with me,” a beautiful woman said.  She wore a skin tight gown of the purest white.  She was the stereotypical image of beauty.  She had long flaxen coloured hair and piercing blue eyes.  Without questioning her for an instant, the three obeyed.

 

                The woman led them over to the Palace of Queen Selene.  Then they went through several halls, down through into the bowels of the building.  She stopped at an ornate door and pushed it open.  Inside, resting on a velvet pillow, was a curved sword with a black handle.  There were also eight chairs.  The woman took one of these, the one closest to the sword, and motioned the others to take seats.

 

                “As you no doubt have surmised, I am Selene, queen of the gods.  I know all that the lesser gods say and do, so I overheard your conversation with Igal.  My servants are bringing your friends.  Until then relax.  If you desire food or drink just think of it and it shall be yours,” Selene said.  A goblet of wine settled into Tycho’s hand, a bottle of Pepsi for Knave and a box of doughnuts for Chilla.  Soon Mystan, Red Eye, Shade and Alluro arrived.  When they had seated and gotten their own refreshments Selene spoke to them, her voice at once soothing and melodic. 

 

                “Igal has always been somewhat bloodthirsty and ignores the sanctity of life that the rest of us gods believe in.  By granting Nitro Iespyk these powers he has crossed the line of what a god should and should not do.  Thus it falls to me, as queen of the gods, to even things out.  The first thing I will do is protect you all from Igal’s wrath, a necessary step.  The second, and by far the most important, is grant you the one thing that can most assuredly destroy your patron.  This is the Lunar Blade.  At one time it was carried throughout the moons by various members of the royal family, until one member used it on his kin.  While it is like the Sword of Omens, in that its powers will not work against Lunataks, it can still be used as an actual sword.  When he did this, I was forced to strike him down and strip him of the sword.  I present it to you, Tycho, as only a member of the Royal family may bear it.  In time you will learn of the rest of its powers.”

 

                The sword rose from its pillow and drifted over into Tycho’s hand.  He tested it once or twice and looked into Selene’s eyes.  “I don’t know how to repay you,” he stammered.

“There is no need.  Just defeat Nitro and all shall be considered even.  Now, I will send you back to Third Earth,” Selene said.

 

                The world changed around them and once again they were outside of Skycruiser.  “Well, friends.  I believe there is one more task that requires our cooperation,” Tycho said, “the destruction of Nitro Iespyk!”

 

 

 

Back to Fanfic Archive