The nine walked past the War-room down the long hall towards the room where Zeus was imprisoned. The great silver door with the unbreakable memory lock was now wide open as if expecting their presence. The General had told them to come, for what he would not say. All in this group had wished that they would not return to the place where this nightmare had begun. After seeing the full power of the mighty Zeus only weeks ago, and the legions that follow him, they did not wish to be reminded of the small part they had played in releasing this great evil upon the Universe.
As they entered this large room, they noticed that it appeared darker than before, and an eerie humming noise vibrated throughout its walls. Suddenly, a large lightning bolt flashed in the corner sending a blue glow across the room. Then lightning began to dance from the ground to high ceilings above sending sparks into the sky above the purple mountain. Clouds began to form and darken the sky above. This lightning continued illumining the room with flashes of blue light every couple of seconds. Abruptly, a bright white light began to intensify. Each of the nine shielded their eyes and huddled together as the light became brighter than any light they had seen before. Then, the light dimmed, and the lightning continued to dance from the ground to the ceiling but with less power.
What they now saw in the corner of this large room, was a huge mechanical device that none of them had ever seen or anything similar. They saw that at the bottom of the device was a circular enclosed space covered in glass that had a diameter of twenty feet and was fifteen feet tall. Upon this glass were different holographic symbols that appeared to be the controls that worked this extraordinary machine. There was a giant glass door at the front of this enclosed space where someone or something would enter. Within this enclosed space was the source of this intense white light. The powerful vibration, and strong humming noise was also coming from this giant machine. As you looked up from the bottom, you could see large glass tubes that extended up past the ceiling where the lightning was dancing within. Large bluish crystals were found within the tube and sparks of electricity were shooting through each crystal. There were large white pillars that surrounded the bottom of the device that helped to hold it up. Each pillar had different writings and symbols that lit up and pulsated as the electricity shot up and down the glass tubes. Then, the General appeared before them and pointed his hand towards the large device.
“I give you, the Matter Shaper,” the General announced. His voice sounding deep and penetrating. All of them looked in awe upon this incredible machine except one.
“Your right about the name. It sounds awful.” The entire team stared at Gelio and rolled their eyes. “Didn’t you say there was another name that you call it.?”
“There was a nickname that some of us used.”
“What was that name?”
“That, I will save for another time,” said the General with a wink.
“Amazing!” shouted Dyamion. “I can feel the power pulsating even standing twenty feet away.”
“It is certainly a sight!” yelled Tharros.
“Many lives have been changed because of this technology,” stated Igetis. “Brilliant, but dangerous.”
“That it is,” said Rose as she too appeared from behind the machine .
“I do not know who can be trusted with such power,” said Atromitos.
“The maker of this technology certainly cannot, “commented Makarios. “It seems he has only used it to gain more power.”
“That is usually what happens to those that obtain such incredible power,” explained Dunamis. “They only want more.”
“If they only used it for good purposes,” said Filos, “then it would not be anything to fear.”
“There is always someone that cannot be trusted with this power,” supposed Gennai. “Then it is horrible for everyone else.”
“For that purpose,” explained the General, “is the reason I have brought you here.” All nine turned and looked at the General. A small grin showed on his face. He hesitated on saying anything further because he was still in shock on what he was planning to do. His mind was racing searching for an alternative plan but for some reason, this felt right. He gave a heavy sigh and said, almost whispering, “I want all of you to walk into the device and receive its power.”
“You must be joking,” stated Dyamion with a shock look on his wolf-like face.
“I am not,” said the General in a slightly hesitant tone. He then began to walk around and talk with his arms. “Ever since I have told you of this incredible power that this place holds, not one of you has asked how you might possess it. Even with everything that you have been through. The death of your families, the loss of your homes, even the loss of your freedom. Even with all that, you have not sought this power to take revenge and destroy your enemies.”
“It would be a lie to say that it has not crossed our minds,” explained Igetis.
“Yes, I know,” answered the General. “But now that I offer it to you, none of you are wanting to possess it. That, to me, is true power.”
“So,” chimed in Gelio, “because we do not want it, means we are the ones that should, have it?”
The General pondered on the question and with a nod of his head said, “Yes.”
“I believe,” answered Igetis, “the General is saying that we are trustworthy possessors of this power because we will use the power for noble purposes and not for our own greed.”
“Exactly,” specified the General.
“Still,” questioned Tharros. “I am not certain that this is the plan that we should follow.”
“I agree,” stated Atromitos. “We know three of you that possess this power. You have done many mighty things for longer than fifteen-hundred years. You have had time to use and understand it. How can we even match that or learn to control it in such a short time?”
“I will train you,” said the General.
“This is a crazy idea!” shouted Makarios. “I am not going to walk into that thing! There is no telling what could happen to us! We are not like you!”
“I have to agree,” stated Filos. “I do not want to be responsible for that type of power. More importantly, suffer through the effects after stepping into the device. You told us how hurtful it can be. We may not survive.”
“Why?” questioned Gennai. “Why do you feel that this is what should happen? Why are you wanting us to take this huge risk?”
Igetis sensing the General’s feelings, said, “I do believe that he is about to tell us, and we are about to be shocked once again with another eye-popping story.”
The General only smiled for a small moment. Then he gave out a heavy sigh. “I will tell you, but I want you to promise me not to tell me that I am losing my mind until the story is complete.”
“No promises!” shouted Gelio. The General gave her a kind smile and she returned it with a smile of her own.
He then looked at Rose and she nodded to tell him that the story needs to be told. “On the night we returned to our home planet, I had a dream, or some would even say a vision.” The entire team began looking at each other as they were already in shock at what they were hearing. “In that dream, I met an individual that was dressed in white robes and who had long white vibrant hair and a large white beard. He did not tell me his name, but he told me that he represented, ‘Many’.” Now everyone was stunned, and no one could take their eyes off the General. “He told me that they were the ones that led Igetis and you to this planet.” The General looked at Igetis and he knew what the General was going to say next. “And they are the ones that placed the memories in Igetis’s mind.”
Everyone was now staring at Igetis, and he only stared at the General showing no emotion. He then gave his famous smile. “How interesting. I take it that there is much more to the story?”
The General nodded and continued, “In order for you to understand the next part of the story, I need to explain a little about what device Zeus took from Hephaestus.” The General paused to gather his thoughts, and all could see he was nervous about their reactions to this device. “There are many dark secrets that are found in this Universe and Zeus was one that searched far and wide for anything that he could use to strengthen his power and kingdom. He trusted in one of his brothers that found the same interest and together they found many. The darkest secret, he holds now and will use in the very near future.” All eyes were on the General and no one dared speak. “The Universe is infinite and constantly growing because of a power that none of us will fully understand. With this power, suns and stars began giving light, worlds were created, and life became real. I have never met anyone that possessed such power, until one representing all of them visited me that night. Now, I have a clearer knowledge of what power Zeus now holds.” The General paused wanting to recollect his thoughts. He looked around at everyone and could sense that many were confused. “You see, I did not fully understand what this device does until last night when my mind was open to a bigger picture of what the Universe is and why it is here. That me try to explain what I learned.” He paused and gave out a heavy sigh. “The Universe is separated into many realms and within those realms exist many worlds that are homes to many different species. For each realm, there is one that rules and blesses their creation with opportunities to learn and grow. As time has passed on, many species of different realms have connected, and these supreme beings have coexisted to nourish and strengthen their children. Now comes the darker side of this story.” Again, he paused and began to walk around the room, hoping they would understand what he was trying to explain. “With all that live, they must suffer death. Where they go after death depends on their actions in life. That place where they go when they are evil relates to the device that Zeus holds.”
“Hell!” yelled Gelio. “You are telling us that your father Zeus has a device that is connected to the fiery depths of hell?” Everyone held their breath, waiting for the General to answer but they already knew what he would say.
“Yes,” answered the General as everyone began to breathe again. Some were close to fainting. Rose, already knowing this story, also looked shocked because she was reminded of the dark secrets that exist. The General continued, “Since the beginning, all species and creatures that have been evil have been sent by their creators to a place that they earned for their evil actions in life. No one has ever been sent there that did not deserve to be there until Zeus discovered a way.”
Igetis stared in shock at what was said. He then asked, “Zeus found a way to open the doors to hell?”
“With his brother, they found many writings and scrolls that told of times since the beginning. Many realms were formed to give all a place to live where they could learn, grow, and be nourished and strengthen during and after life, but there were also realms created to imprisoned those that were evil in life where they would spend their eternities after their death,” explained the General. “Separated from all to live eternities in a place that justifies their evil deeds in this life. Zeus thought of what better punishment for all those that would not bow and worship him.” The General bowed his head, and all could see that this story brought back horrible nightmares. “He worked night and day searching old texts, trying to discover the Universe’s dark secrets. After years of searching, they came across three individuals that helped them find the answers that they were searching for. These individuals helped them create a power to which briefly opened a portal in which they could send whomever to this evil realm. It was a backdoor that only swung one way. They could send whomever they wish to hell, but they could not bring anyone out.”
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“Until now?” asked Igetis.
The General only nodded and many jaws hit the floor and eyes appeared to bulge out of their heads. Makarios fainted and others ran to assist him. Igetis could only arch his head, at the shock of realizing the power that Zeus possessed.
“How many did he condemn to that awful place?” asked Tharros with tears in her eyes.
“Millions,” the General answered shocking all except Rose who could only bow her head. “Anything that he could not control, be it any species, creature, beast, he would send the poor soul to a life of damnation. There to live their afterlife with all the creatures and species that harmed and tortured many in this life.”
“Where did this terrifying device come from?” asked Dyamion. “Who built it and why does he want to use it?”
The General walked back to the Matter Shaper that still was pulsating and buzzing. He placed a hand on the machine and closed his eyes and looked to be pondering on what to say next. He then opened his eyes and said, “When Zeus first introduced what the Matter Shaper is capable of doing, I thought that peace would come to so many because of the power that it brought to everyone.” The General then turned and bowed his head. “He then hid this power from everyone except those he trusted most. He wanted this power only for himself and for those that believed he was their master.” He then raised his head and looked at the entire group with fear in his eyes. “There were millions that fought against him, not wanting to bow before him or let him rule over them. For that he took away their homes and punished them for rejecting him. For many, death was not enough. Damnation was the only justifiable punishment.” The General then scratched his chin, thinking about what to say next. “After many years had passed and Zeus had built Olympus to be the biggest galaxy in the entire Universe, he began to speak of visions that he had seen. He called them prophecies of future events. They showed him suffering a punishment like no other and that visitors have spoken to him, telling him that he will be punished for his crimes. We, of course, thought he was crazy much like most of you think I am with what I am telling you.” Most smiled at this comment, but others showed no emotion, too terrified of what they were hearing. “Zeus thought that supreme beings or other gods were coming to take away his kingdom, so using the knowledge that he had learned and with his brother’s help and those three other individuals, designed the device he has now, and they instructed Hephaestus to build it. Once it was complete, they planned to open the gates of hell so that he may use them as an army to fight against all, even these supreme beings.” Everyone, except Rose, showed faces of pure shock. “When Hephaestus learned of what this device could do after he had built it, he came to us and that is when we were able to devise the plan to imprison Zeus for what we thought would be forever.”
“Wow!” yelled Gelio. “Open the gates of hell is what this device can do. I was thinking it was a big powerful weapon of some sort. Never would I have guessed that it opened the gates…of…hell.”
“Yes,” said Gennai. “That sounds…unbelievable. Do you have proof that it works?”
The General pointed to the Matter Shaper behind him. “That is your proof. This galaxy is your proof. The poor souls that he damned is your proof.” The General then sighed and said, nearly whispering, “I was also told that it will work in my dream.”
“This is not possible!” shouted Filos. “No one has such power! No one can damn souls to hell!”
“I have to agree,” said Atromitos. “How can anyone create something to open up hell?”
“Yet,” said Igetis. “We stand looking at a device that gives you incredible powers like living for thousands of years. We stand on the most beautiful planet that I have ever seen in a galaxy that is bigger than ever. All of it, created from the mind and hands of Zeus. A power that we do not understand. What makes us not think that he could not create something to do such evil.”
“I agree with Igetis,” said Tharros. “Our eyes have been opened to so many secrets that we never thought possible. We have seen his power firsthand and seen what these two are capable of doing,” she pointed at the General and Rose. “Something tells me that this is true.”
“I have seen things in the last few weeks that I never thought possible,” explained Dyamion. “Technology far more advance than anything I have seen before. Different species with powers to shoot lightning bolts from their hands or create weapons out of nothing or perform acrobats that seem impossible to perform. We have seen them destroy objects and rebuild the same objects multiple times within seconds and we have actually met individuals that we thought were gods.” He ran his hand through his rough fur. “If they say that a device exists that can open a door to hell, then I have to believe them no matter how unbelievable its sounds.”
“So, what is the plan?” asked Filos. “Have us step into this device, become like you and stop Zeus from using this device?”
“That has to be the plan,” answered Geilo. “No fool is going to sit back and let an irrational powerful being open the gates of hell and allow whatever is in there out to the real world. That would be completely crazy.”
The General only smiled and Rose knowing what he had to say, gave a light laugh. “This is where you tell me that I have lost my mind,” joked the General. Everyone’s faces showed shock once again. “In my dream, I was told to allow Zeus to open the gates of hell and we are to stop whatever comes out.”
Makarios fainted again, Tharros began shaking her head in disbelief, Dyamion’s face was filled with incredible shock and the rest began throwing out sentences like “Are you Crazy!”, “How Stupid are you!”,” That would be Idiotic!”,” That would be completely Foolish!”.
The General held up his hands and they stopped talking, but they were still frantic with what they just heard. “And it does get worse than this.” Everyone, except Rose, held their breath waiting for the General to speak. “There is not one door or gate.” Eyes were beginning to widen, jaws were falling open, some were feeling faint again. “There are seven and each door or gate needs to be opened.”
Chaos erupted. Foul language was heard. Shock and disbelief were seen on everyone’s faces. After a few minutes of pure madness, Igetis told everyone to calm down and then looked at the General and at Rose. He then calmy asked, “Why?”
The General walked over to Igetis and looked at his large transparent eyes. “This individual told me that we will learn to understand why it must be allowed.” Igetis’s face showed no emotion. “My thoughts on why, and I feel great peace with this answer, is to free the millions of souls that Zeus damned to that awful place and to give redemption to others.”
“We all have read stories,” explained Igetis, “of awful things that are found there. Large creatures. Horrible monsters. Evil species. Is that all true?”
“I am afraid so,” answered the General. “That is why this individual said they sent you here.” Igetis’s face showed confusion. “You were all chosen to help us fight against Zeus and to stop whatever comes out through those doors.”
“Why us?” asked Tharros. Her face showing great shock along with all others.
“I think you already know that answer,” said Rose. “It is because of everything that you have been through. It has prepared you for this moment.”
“This is madness!” yelled Atromitos. “You believe that we have been led here for a special purpose!” Her face showed anger and her breathing sounded erratic. Everyone could tell that she was not pleased with the explanation. “You believe our homes were destroyed to teach us a lesson!”
Rose put up her hands in an apologetic gesture and gave a heavy sigh. “That was not my intention.” She walked over to Atromitos and stood a few feet from her. “When evil destroys homes and worlds. When it takes away everything that we have worked for and tells us that we now serve it. When our freedom is no more. We need someone to stand and fight against those that have done this.” She paused to see her reaction and when Rose saw that she was listening and reacting positively, she continued, “I am not saying that you were born for this purpose or that supreme beings created you to accomplish this. I am saying that because of your willingness to stand up and fight back, you are being given a gift to accomplish this. Because you know the hardships and pain that comes when you lose everything. You can be that leader to everyone that needs a hero at this time. You are their strength.”
Atromitos’s face now showed compassion but there was still fear. “I do not know if I can be who they need me to be. Learning to live with a new power, training to fight monsters and evil creatures, all of this sounds extremely difficult.”
“Yes, it will be difficult,” explained Rose. “But you can handle it and you will be that hero that we all need at this time.”
“How can you be so certain?” asked Dyamion. “You barely know us. How do we know that this is what we are supposed to do? Because of a vision that your brother had. You are asking us to put all our trust in you, so that we can help save the…Universe.” His face now showed denial and confusion. “Sounds like the most farfetched story that I have ever heard.”
“Nearly ten years ago,” began Igetis, “I remember sensing the coming of an enemy so fierce and unstoppable that my planet’s government needed to work with other planets in order to combine our resources so that we would be ready for when they attacked.” Igetis smiled and looked at Dyamion. “We both know the final outcome of that story. They told me that what I was sensing was extremely farfetched and not possible.”
Dyamion shrugged his shoulders and seemed confused on what to say next. After a few moments he spoke, “Yes, but you truly believe that we are here for this purpose of being given…” he stumbled on what to say next and then blurted out, “godlike powers and then go to war with what other species to believe is a god? You have to admit that this is completely out of the ordinary.”
“I agree,” answered Igetis. “But for what other purpose are we here?” Igetis looked around at the rest of the team. “Our eyes have been opened to many secrets these last few weeks that we thought were not possible. We are currently standing in the presence of Aphrodite, the god of Love. All of us have read stories and texts on her life. We have learned about what she did over thousands of years ago and the mighty battles she won. We have even seen with our own eyes the power she possesses.” He pointed at the General. “There stands the mighty Perseus! My father would tell me stories all the time of what Perseus did and the great warrior and leader he was. There were churches that preached his teachings to many thousands of my people. I have met many others that taught those same teachings. He was a hero for many.” Igetis then looked at the General and smiled. “And it appears that he will be the hero for us at this most crucial time. A time where the whole Universe is in peril, and we must help anyway we can.”
“I wish I had your confidence,” responded Filos. “I am so terrified, that I do not know what to think.”
“I am scared as well, my friend,” admitted Igetis.
“Me too,” said Dunamis. “But I have a strong feeling that Igetis is right. A little while ago, I sat and talked with Hephaestus for over an hour. It was powerful and uplifting. Everything that I hoped it would be. From a very young age, I was taught to trust in Hephaestus and his strength. It was what my people relied on for hope and guidance. Now that I see him injured and that he was so near death, I asked the hard question, of how can we rely on someone that cannot overpower our most fearful enemies?” Dunamis gave a heavy sigh. “He said that ‘to many I am a god, but even I do not have the power to overcome all evil in this Universe. Even gods need help’.” Dunamis smiled and then continued, “I asked how I can help. He told me that this evil is spreading everywhere, but that the good outweighs the evil. It is just the good do not know where to turn. They need a noble leader for them to follow that has the power to fight for them and then evil will fall.”
“Well said, Centaur!” said the General. “I can already see why you were chosen.” Dunamis only bowed his head, embarrassed by what was said, but also glad.
“So, now what?” asked Gennai after a few moments passed of nobody talking. “Is this truly what we are supposed to do? Are we supposed to follow in the steps of the Mighty Perseus and Aphrodite and enter into this machine and have it change us into one of them? We do not know if we will even survive.” No one spoke so Gennai continued, “To me this sounds insane, but compared to everything else that has happened the last few weeks, it actually sounds like the perfect thing to do.” He looked at the other eight in his group. “The only question we have to ask ourselves now is who goes first?”
“I will go!” shouted Tharros at the surprise of everyone. The General and Rose nodded their heads in approval and Igetis could only smile. Everyone else looked concerned.
“Are you sure?” asked Dyamion. “I don’t want to see you get hurt…or worse.”
“I second that,” said Gennai.
Atromitos walked up and put an arm around Tharros. “You do not need to do this to prove that you are a leader or that you are strong. We already know this.”
“Thank you everyone,” responded Tharros. “But I truly feel that we are here for a purpose, and I am starting to believe that walking into the light is why we are here. Plus, I want to kick some Kraken butt.” Everyone smiled at the comment and Tharros began to walk up to the General.
“Igetis is the one that brought us here,” said Gelio half joking. “Why don’t we make him go first?”
Tharros paused and looked at Igetis. His sly smile met hers. “If Tharros wants me to go first, then I will go.”
Tharros shook her head. “I believe that it needs to be me.”
“That is my belief as well,” answered Igetis.
The General took Tharros by the hand and they both walked up the steps towards the machine called the Matter Shaper or what some called “the Godmaker”.