The Brothers Tuerl & The Staffs of Zeus

by Bryson Strupp

  Chapter 36-Arjante Pitao

  The brothers’ minds were swirling when they reached the castle. How could all of these things be happening to them? How did their situation go from making complete sense, after the tales slowly began to unravel, to making absolutely no sense at all? Why did it all have to change so quickly? Why couldn’t they just be normal?

  When they landed outside of the castle gates, André began purposefully walking towards the gate, only to have both Irgen and Idus yell at him to stop. He turned around and blankly stared at them.

  “WHAT HAVEN’T YOU TOLD US YET? HOW IS THIS XENOPHON STILL ALIVE? AND HOW DOES EVIL FIT INTO ALL OF THIS?” André stared blankly back at their red, puffing faces. Finally he spoke:

  “There is much that I have not yet told you. I apologize, but you must be patient for it is a long tale, transcending thousands of years. As for how Xenophon is still alive, I don’t know how he still lives on. It was said he became immortal after the death of his brothers, but few if any have laid eyes on him since then, consider yourselves lucky.”

  “That he would come and protect you and give you advice, is something which most certainly has never happened before. And as for what the evil and the devil has to do with this, it is trying to prevent you from accomplishing whatever you were foreordained to do, which may even cause a small, or great overthrow of his power in this world. But be of good hearts, you have Xenophon to watch over you, trust, and you will be protected.”

  “But how can there be the Greek gods and the Devil?” Idus’ temper had cooled down a little and his heated remark brought a small joyful glimmer out of his father’s eyes.

  “Ahhh… Now here is something which no one has ever been able to totally discover. It has been hotly debated for many, many years. Your grandfather set out looking for the tracks of the brothers just for that purpose, to discover who or what the gods really were, but he failed. While tracking Irgen, he was ambushed by Tenebri. How they found him, I’m not sure, but he could not escape and whatever truth he had found on his last journey I will never know, but before he left, he told me one thing about Idus’ trail. He said that it seemed that everywhere he checked, the gods appeared to be immortal, and yet extremely mortal.

  It seemed that almost every tale he encountered told of a god becoming injured. He said that it appeared to him, that the gods could live forever, but could still be killed by another, which meant that they could not then be gods, but if they weren’t completely immortal, what were they? He set off on his last quest to have his question answered, but it was not too be.” He finished his last sentence with incredible difficulty- “I never saw him again.” He stopped short and glanced at his sons.

  “I have searched since then for an answer to that question. What were they? And I think I have found the answer. You see engraved in almost every web of mythology lies a group of people known as the…” He beckoned them to come near him, and he spoke in an exceedingly quiet whisper. “Known as the--Elves.” He hissed the last word, and the twins almost didn’t catch it.

  “The---”

  “SHhhhhhh!!!” André looked around hastily at the dark blanket of night which surrounded them. “That is something that I have only told one other soul; don’t ever say it aloud, especially outside the castle walls as I have just done. It is a long shot, but I think I am right. Now let’s go inside the castle, we’ll talk in one of the towers.” He turned hastily, and almost ran inside the castle gates. The brothers followed, looking a little disconcerted.

  They went straight for the Water Tower, all of them running at a breakneck pace now, as if the Devil himself were on their heels. André quickly created the passageway and they all disappeared hurriedly down it. Once the passageway had closed behind them, André slowed down, trying to calm his senses. Finally he turned to the twins and spoke again.

  “I guess tonight is a night for firsts. That is the first time I have spoken like that outside the castle, things are changing, among other things.” He flashed his bright smile before continuing. “As for what you said about how mythologies can coexist, I don’t know, but I believe that these ‘Elves’ have been sent here by some higher being for the purpose of helping, and protecting us. How Xenophon came to become one, if he even is one, I don’t know, but his body has changed to a point where he can no longer die. I do not believe that he has become like the elves in their sense of partial immortality. I think he has become something altogether different from the elves, but who can tell?

  I think it’s time to finish the tale of the brothers. Now you realize just how intertwined your very lives will be with theirs which ended those many years ago. Listen closely to the end of this tale.

  After Alecto’s challenge, it is said that Irgen and Idus decided to sit behind their walls of stone. They thought they would be protected from his wrath. Indeed they had already mobilized their populace for war; while neither Alecto nor Xenophon had even started fitting an army, but more than that, they had one other trick up their sleeve which they thought would bring them certain victory if a battle was fought.

  They had created another clan, and named it the Tenebri. Why that name, because it was created in darkness, and it literally means the dark ones. And in their dark secret realm they had furtively built another great citadel bigger and stronger than their other cities, it was built to last throughout the ages of the world, and those who became Tenebri were kept under a solemn oath to never reveal where it was or who was in the order. Indeed this secret fortress, forged eons ago has managed to remain quite hidden from the world, although we Knights have begun to hone in on where it is, its location will be important to you, we must know where it is, but all will be revealed with time.

  I will say that Alecto somehow found out about this fortress, and in turn went and built his own after he issued the challenge. The very fortress he built was this castle in which we are right now. He named it the White Citadel, to show all that would come within its walls that it was built to stand as a pure sentinel, watching over the clans forever. It is still here, kept and protected by our own small order, for we have found over the years that it is quality, not quantity that decides the fate of battles.

  Well over the next three days, Alecto and Xenophon mustered their own armies, and then it came time for the fulfillment of the challenge. Their great hosts of men marched forth from Atlantis and Petros. They say such a mighty host had never issued forth to do battle. The glint of the sun off their armor was said to blind even the birds in the sky. The mighty host of green and blue strode forth to do battle against their very friends and brothers. They reached Menoeceus and once again Alecto rode ahead in his chariot, in open view, challenging his brothers again, but this time threatening that the sword of justice was about to fall upon them.

  In reply the numerous men inside the city’s walls began to hail Alecto by raining arrows down on him, but as much as they tried, no arrow seemed to be able to strike him. He rode around the wall seven times before issuing his command to his men to begin the assault on the walls.

  It was a terrible day. The great hosts of Earth and water broke like a flood upon the walls. Xenophon is said to have only played one part in the battle. He is said to have waited until his brother issued the command, and then he demolished all of the city’s walls by himself. It was a monumental task, one which only he could accomplish, for the walls were said to be protected by a magic of such that no hole could appear in the wall, and no mage could break parts of the wall. It is said that only by bringing down the entire wall as a whole could it have any possibility of being destroyed. Xenophon took the task upon himself, he destroyed the walls, annihilating all who had been firing their bolts at his brother, Alecto, but the force to do it was said to have been so great, that even the great Xenophon could not withstand it. He blacked out, and was taken off the field, back to Petros, and took no more part in the battle. That being said, however, without him, the allied armies
of earth and water would have failed-but he did not receive the honor of being the savior of the battle. That can by no means go to anyone but your ancestor Alecto.

  After the walls collapsed, the mages went to work. Clouds covered the sky, lightning rained down; water flowed into the city as fire erupted, trying to blaze it back, and large rocks pelted violently from the sky crushing large groups of fire and air mages. Many took to the sky, and many fought on the earth. It was a battle of such ferocity that it has never been equaled to this day. It is said that the hosts of water and earth fought as though they were the very sword of justice, and they looked as though they were about to rule the day. They crushed all who stood in their way, and then, just as the great armies of fire and air were said to be turning to run, Irgen and Idus appeared. It is said that their coming was like the coming of Thor himself. A large black thundercloud enveloped the sky as the two of them rode menacingly into battle upon two great black winged beasts. Their coming was said to have been so terrifying that their mere appearance scattered half of the host of earth and water..

  They appeared clothed in the black armor of the night, and the loud clash of iron rang behind them as the black-clad Tenebri army flowed menacingly behind their mighty coming. Lightning flashed incessantly in the sky as Idus released his full fury. The earth seemed to erupt with fire as Irgen joined the fray. The Tenebri had joined the battle.

  The mighty hosts of water and earth felt their hearts quail inside of them at the sight of this new onslaught, whereas fire and air took heart at seeing the fury of their leaders. The tide of the battle turned and it is said at this moment, of dire need, Alecto took a mighty chariot of war from a large man with a trident and rode forth to meet the horrendous foe. He commenced dueling with both Irgen and Idus. It is said that even then hearts quailed. His people thought it was a hopeless battle and without Xenophon, Alecto was doomed to failure, but others say that Alecto rode forth with such a determined look of conquer or be conquered on his face that his men took courage.

  Whatever effect his actions had on his men, he went forward boldly. He went forth with no fear in Achilles’ blazing golden armor. It is said he shone like a lighthouse amidst a hurricane. One man, sent to face and crush the darkness. The clash between the two foes defies all understanding. Light and darkness collided, and great and terrible was the collision thereof. During the ensuing battle, it is said that Alecto darted like a blue devil amidst the rapid claps of thunder and roar of the flame which surrounded him.

  Great cracks of thunder rent the air, as Idus blasted enormous thunderbolts at his brother. To Alecto’s surprise, during the battle lightning no longer issued from the sky but seemed to flow directly out of Idus. As the battle intensified Alecto began throwing up threw up great mounds of dirt in front of him to deflect the lightning’s fury. It struck the mound and consumed it with ravenous hunger before disappearing into the air around it. As it disappeared; however, long tongues of flame erupted from Irgen’s hand. Alecto threw up walls of water and a hideous hissing sound filled the air as the fire disintegrated in the walls of rushing water.

  The battle continued like this for hours, with the one single light amidst the darkness holding firm, but as the battle dragged on, Alecto realized he could not win. It took all his energy to just stave off defeat. He found his brothers kept him so busy that he was always defending himself from attacks. He could find no opportunities to attack, no time to turn the tide of the battle. He felt his own strength begin to wane, and felt defeat was inevitable. Fire and lightning grew increasingly closer to his body, finally he was struck by a small bolt of lightning, and he toppled out of the sky towards the earth.

  Cackling laughter rent the now heated air, as the hosts of darkness mocked the pitiful downfall of their rival. They laughed so hard, that they did not notice the splash of water as Alecto fell into water someone had conjured. The water disappeared as Irgen and Idus descended from the sky to take one last look at the fallen hero. As they approached the now dry mound, they found a large man holding Alecto in his arms. A large green robe covered his mighty body, and a large golden trident gleamed threateningly in his hand.

  He looked up, and a trumpet sounded above him. Suddenly the darkness disappeared, stunning all with the brilliant light of the waning crescent moon. The brothers backed up in fear as the sky filled with whinnies from an endless concourse of horses. Soon it was full of chariots of fire flying through the air towards Irgen and Idus. Fear shone on their faces, but only for a moment. They went skyward again and summoned all their forces to them. Here in the air, they would make their stand against the very gods themselves.

  The pounding of hooves against the silent air filled many of the forces of darkness with terror, but any who fled, were struck down by a quick flash of lightning. The forces of Water and Earth joined the assault of the gods. They flew forward, and the chariots broke upon their foes. Swords flashed in the night sky. The scythes of the chariots cut unforgivably through the men. The deadly golden arrows of Apollo hissed stealthily through the air, bringing death to all who were unfortunate enough to come into contact with them.

  The brothers could not control their armies after the onslaught. Most of their forces turned and fled, but a few of them stayed and bravely fought the terrifying battle with the gods who were said to be invincible.

  The fighting intensified as light illuminated the darkness. Both sides were said to have fought like dragons, and indeed many of the fire warriors were, but they could not slake the thirst of the gods for war. Eventually the brothers were separated and their remaining forces formed two circles around them. The forces of the gods surrounded the two circles. It appeared the tide of the battle had turned. Zeus himself was said to have issued the final order of no quarter before the attack commenced on Irgen and Idus’ tiny forces, but they were not done yet, they had one trick left up their sleeve. As the chariots flew towards the small circles, a huge fire erupted around Irgen’s circle; it grew taller and taller until coming together in the form of a wolf’s head. The wolf’s mouth opened and its frenzied mouth bore down mercilessly upon the attackers. As it did so, lightning burst out of Idus’ circle, in all directions. It danced here and there among the attackers felling all who got in its way. The attackers fell back in dismay and disarray. Many of the gods themselves were said to have fallen during this final onslaught, the rest fled fearing for their immortal lives.

  The damage was done, the battle was over. Water, Earth and the gods fled defeated from the battlefield, leaving Alecto’s body as a prize for the forces of darkness. Irgen and Idus descended once more towards Alecto’s proud body, but amazingly enough they found that Poseidon had not left the body. He stood, defiantly carrying the glittering body in his arms. Idus landed nimbly on the ground and strode toward Poseidon, giving him the command that he give up his brother’s body or die. Poseidon looked thoughtfully at Idus before softly laying Alecto on the ground, and saying:

  “He was never yours to claim!” A hush fell upon the three of them at the boldness of Poseidon,

  “He was never ours to claim?” Hissed Idus menacingly.

  “You have become great Idus and Irgen, so great that I can no longer defeat you, but in so doing, you have missed out on the more important things of life. Power goes with death Idus, and Glory fades Irgen, but love never faileth.”

  “Stop being philosophical old man, give him up, or defend yourself!” Irgen leapt forward, sword in hand, but as he did so, a ring rent the air as Alecto leapt to his feet and drew his sword, stunning even Poseidon. The two swords collided violently in the air. And then Alecto did something which changed the course of history. He chose his fate and muttered those fateful words which are still etched on his sword to this day.” He stopped and pulled out a small scroll hidden in the clutter on the table before them. He unrolled it and pointed at the words written on it:

  “’Arjante Pitao!’ It is a saying that inv
okes the deep magic. It means “Blood sacrifice”. All deep magic is invoked with the one saying, because it always takes a willing sacrifice from the one invoking it. That is why the deep magic is so dangerous because it does what is desired, but once invoked, the magic takes control of itself, and if necessary, will take the blood sacrifice that was put forward, and that is what happened. As Alecto uttered those words the earth shook, lightning rent the sky, fire raged violently from the mountains surrounding them and water issued forth from the brothers’ bodies. All three brothers fell to the earth, stone dead, and not one of them ever returned. Many believed at the time, and still believe that Alecto’s fate was worse than death. Whether it was or not, Alecto chose for himself, it was he that decided to use it. He willingly sacrificed himself, that we might live in peace, a peace which has never come.” André sighed.

  “That is the story, with the exception that after the battle, Poseidon took Alecto’s artifacts and hid them in this castle’s Water Tower. Xenophon disappeared, the clans appointed new leaders, with Alecto’s son being Water’s new leader and it seems that the Tenebri who melted away after the battle, appointed their own leader, and somehow survived Earth and Water’s meticulous search for them. The gods disappeared after the battle never to meddle in mortal affairs again, and since then, there has been a division, not only between Alecto and Xenophon’s clans, and Idus and Irgen’s, but a division has also existed between so called light and darkness. The division between what has been called right and what has been called wrong…between the Tenebri and the Knights.

  A few generations later, Aristotle took it upon himself to record the events those many years ago. His writings are still found in this very tower on these very tables. He was a great man, but he was still human, his flawed theory of the universe shows that. He lived a full life, but in the end, he was brutally murdered in the Tenebri’s attempt to gain control of the priceless artifacts; however, they did not understand that only descendants of Perseus could wield such powerful weapons. The young man who killed Aristotle was said to have gone mad after leaving the tower, and since then Alecto’s artifacts have disappeared, although I’m curious Idus…What things did the young man steal?”

  Idus tried to remember his dream after all the events of the previous nights, “Um… He came out with a bundle, and he opened it and he took the sword, and the staff.”

  “Is that all?” André looked confused, “but that means that the armor is still hidden in this tower somewhere.” He thought for a second before adding: “Ah, we’ll search for it another time, for as far as I know, my line contains the last surviving descendants of Perseus. Irgen was thought to have had a daughter, but no one can be completely sure. We are the last.

  We have waited for ages, for a leader to emerge, who will once again unite us. We were wrong in waiting for that leader. He does not exist.” He looked directly at the two of them, “It is the two of you we were waiting for, it is leaders who will save us. It is the two of you who will once again bring peace to our order. Now you know the story,” he sighed before striding back towards the stairwell, “let’s get some rest.” They walked out of the tower towards their beds, but just as they were entering the citadel, Irgen looked back longingly at the fluttering blue flag, wondering how he would ever be able to emulate what his mighty ancestor Alecto had done. His father turned around and noticed him staring back at the flag. “That flag is a lasting banner to the courage of your ancestor. A wise man once said ‘Although the flame of liberty will cease to shine the ember will never expire.’ That ember lives on in all of us. He freed us from his brothers’ tyrannical rule, his light no longer shines, but it lives on in you! The time has come for the ember to burst into a living flame again!” And with that he turned and ducked his head as he crossed the threshold of the mighty citadel’s gates.