Nibiru Returns

by Tod Eten

  Aiden thought he could hear the sound of beating drums and laughter as well as the faint smell of food and beer.

  ‘But it was always raining and so cold! Yes I would have stayed longer, but it was just too cold for me’ he said sadly. ‘Food!’ Silenus exclaimed breaking his reverie ‘we need food!’ and with that he disappeared once more into the kitchen.

  ‘This wine is unbelievable! It’s like it’s been made by the gods’ Seth exclaimed in awe taking another sip from his glass.

  ‘It probably has’ Gagan retorted nodding his head towards the kitchen.

  ‘Yes and we had better take it easy’ Aiden said looking mainly at Seth who held his hands up in mock surrender.

  Silenus entered the room again this time bearing a tray of cheeses, fruit and bread which he placed before them. ‘Why have you all stopped drinking’ Silenus scolded them ‘come a toast to life and beauty’ Silenus said raising his glass and once more they all took a gulp of the fine wine. After taking another mouthful of wine Aiden again seemed to hear the distant sound of laughter and music and hoped that the pill that Aya had given them was really working. Silenus once more topped all their glasses up with more wine from the jug and sat down between the two girls.

  ‘So you have come to travel around these lands?’ Silenus asked Hoshi.

  ‘Yes it is a most beautiful place’ Hoshi replied with a smile.

  ‘Not nearly as beautiful as you’ Silenus repeated what he had said before smiling at Hoshi patting her knee gently. ‘But you are right! These are beautiful lands and here is the most beautiful place in all those lands’ Silenus said raising his glass in yet another toast. ‘Yes it is so beautiful that even the Gods made their homes here!’

  ‘What gods?’ Li asked.

  ‘Why all of them of course’ Silenus laughed

  ‘You mean like Zeus and Hera’ Li went on.

  ‘Yes Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Poseidon, the beautiful Aphrodite’ Silenus sighed ‘all of them even Dionysus! Did you know that it was Dionysus not Zeus that was the most powerful of the Gods’ Silenus said suddenly looking at Li.

  ‘But wasn’t Zeus the most powerful I thought he was the leader of all the gods!’ Gagan said in surprise.

  ‘That is what they want you to believe’ Silenus shook his head ‘In any case the gods they did not have leaders and Zeus was a boy compared to Dionysus. Just because Dionysus liked to have some fun now and again everyone thinks that that was all he did. But he was so much more than that’ Silenus said playfully taping the end of Li’s nose. ‘He was also a great warrior even the mighty Zeus was afraid of him! Yes even the mighty Zeus’ Silenus nodded repeating himself. ‘And Dionysus he was clever as well, more than you could say for Zeus ’

  ‘You said Zeus was a boy and now you say he was mighty he can’t be both can he?’ Seth asked topping up Selenus’s drink.

  ‘Well yes I suppose Zeus was powerful and maybe not so much a boy, but he was not so clever. He could never control that temper of his or his lust for that matter. It’s what got him killed in the end you know’ Silenus said tapping the side of his nose meaningfully.

  ‘He was killed, I thought he was a God, aren’t Gods immortal?’ Hoshi said confused.

  ‘Oh Gods can always be killed’ Silenus said turning his attention back to Hoshi once more. ‘Zeus was no exception. How did he die well that is a strange story! You see Zeus once had a good friend and ally called Tantalus. Many were the battles that they fought together and many were the times that Tantalus saved Zeus from certain death. But how did the mighty Zeus repay his loyal friend.’ Silenus said waving his now half empty glass at the group. ‘I’ll tell you how by secretly taking his friends wife as his lover! That is what this mighty Zeus did and poor Tantalus he knew nothing of this. His wife even bore a son and a daughter but they were not poor Tantalus’s of course. Anyway eventually the truth was revealed to Tantalus who wanted to confront Zeus straight away but his hand was stayed and a plan was hatched’ Silenus paused as he took another mouth full of wine. ‘So it was that Tantalus one day invited Zeus over for a meal at his home which Zeus of course accepted. When Zeus arrived for the meal he was disappointed to find that Tantalus’s wife and children were not there. Tantalus explained to Zeus that that they were away visiting their family which was a great disappointment for Zeus. But regardless Zeus sat down with Tantalus and a great feast of meats, cheese, fruit and wine was laid before him. Zeus whose appetite was always great ate the food with pleasure especially the meats which Zeus found to be succulent and tender. But Zeus noticed that Tantalus hardly ate a thing only picking at a few grapes now and again and asked why his friend was not enjoying the feast. Tantalus sadly explained to Zeus that his stomach was bad and that he was unable to eat though he wished he could, but he encouraged Zeus to continue eating. Zeus said he was sorry that his friend could not eat such delicious food for the meats were the best he had ever tasted.’ Silenus laughed. ‘So the meal continued until Tantalus making some excuses for his stomach left the room. Zeus continued to eat until no more food remained, it was then, only when Zeus had finally finished the feast that it was revealed to him that he had actually been eating his lover, Tantalus’s wife and the two children she bore him.’

  ‘That is horrible!’ Hoshi gasped.

  ‘I am afraid that the Gods think little of such matters’ Silenus said waving his hand. ‘Anyway on learning that he had eaten his lover and his two children Zeus flew into an insane rage killing everyone in the house. He then went in search of Tantalus who had already fled earlier. Zeus soon found Tantalus’s trail and set off in pursuit. All day did he follow the trail that Tantalus had laid until by night he did finally catch Tantalus in a remote valley little realising the trap that he was in. Zeus shouted at Tantalus that he would make his death a long and painful one but as he was about to attack Tantalus the mighty Zeus was struck from all sides and the trap was sprung. So it was that Zeus fell to the ground all his limbs broken and so it was that Tantalus was the one standing over the defeated Zeus and it was Tantalus that most cruelly tortured Zeus. Slowly Tantalus cut Zeus open and began removing his organs and only by dawn did Zeus finally die.’ Silenus finished looking at the shocked faces of the group.

  ‘But that’s a terrible story!’ Hoshi exclaimed.

  ‘Story!’ Silenus said with a raised eyebrow.

  ‘So you are saying you believe this really happened?’ Hoshi asked innocently ‘These are just myths and legends I thought and I have never heard that one before’

  ‘Yes myths and legends of course’ Silenus said as if having a private joke with himself.

  ‘I have never heard of Zeus being killed before either’ Gagan agreed.

  ‘There are many stories as you say but which ones are true and which are false?’ Silenus chuckled.

  ‘You said that all the Gods lived here so does that mean Mount Olympus is actually here somewhere?’ Seth now asked again filling Silenus’s glass.

  ‘Mount Olympus bah’ Silinus said in disgust, ‘do you know how cold it is at the top of a mountain. No not a good place to live unless you are a God of frosts or snow or something silly like that! No the Gods made their homes around here as this was the centre of the world’.

  ‘So have any other Gods been killed?’ Hoshi now asked.

  ‘Oh yes many gods and goddesses have been killed but many more still remain’ Silenus answered.

  ‘But if they can be killed then they are not gods are they!’ Li now said.

  ‘Well of course they are my child’ Silenus said condescendingly ‘their power and strength compared to that of humans are enormous making men nothing more than mere ants. Yes gods they certainly are!’

  ‘So they are still around then?’ Gagan asked.

  ‘Of course’ Silenus said taking another gulp of wine.

  ‘So where are they now then?’ Hoshi asked her curiosity aroused.

  ‘Why everywhere’ Silenus said waving his wine glass in the air,’ most of them have left this area
now and gone all over the world, but some are here still they just remain hidden.’

  ‘Of course they do’ Gagan said sarcastically.

  ‘But enough of this’ Silenus said ignoring Gagan’s comment ‘Let us drink, a toast to the gods where ever they may be!’ Silenus said raising his glass once more as did the others and they all took another gulp of their drinks.

  ‘I told you I had many great times in your Britannia but the festivals and feasts I had here were even better the music the wine’ Silenus took another sip from his glass. ‘The women!’ Silenus raised his glass at Hoshi and LI. ‘Yes we had much pleasure’ and Silenus started to paint a picture with words about the parties he had had, how the drummers would play a rhythmic beat and then the other musicians would join in playing pipes and lyres and how the music, like a drug, would take a hold of the people who would start to dance.

  As Aiden listened to Silenus saying these things it seemed to him that the room itself began to darken and the images that Silenus spoke about seemed to spring to life before his eyes. Aiden could see many men and women each wearing animal masks as they danced around a huge bonfire to the strange haunting music. As the music got slowly faster so the dancers became more and more excited jumping and whirling in the air in time to the beat of the drums. Now the music seemed to become even more powerful and the dancers even more frenzied started to tear the clothes from their bodies. Soon the dancers were completely naked save for the animal masks they wore. Round and round the dancers whirled touching and holding one another. Something in Aidens head told him that this was all wrong. Like an itch it became more and more irritating for him. This is not right the itch said to him. You are in a dream wake up! Finally obeying its command Aiden shook his head clearing the images that swam before his eyes and suddenly he was back in the room. He could see that the rest of them including Silenus seemed as if they were in some sort of waking dream all of them had strange smiles on their faces their eyes open yet unseeing. Aiden realised that this must be the work of Silenus and that Aya was wrong it was not just the alcohol that they had to worry about for Silenus could also somehow play with their minds. As Aiden was trying to work out what to do next both Hoshi and Li got up as if a trance. Hoshi went across to Gagan and Li over to Seth each girl taking their respective partners hands and gently pulled them to their feet. They then with their arms wrapped about one another started dancing to music that only they could now hear. Aiden watched them as they danced uncertain what to do, then he remembered the other pill that Aya had given him. Aiden walked over to Silenus who like the others also seemed to be in a trance and taking his wine glass from his unresisting hand he went back to where the large jug of wine stood on the table. With his back turned to Silenus he slipped the pill that Aya had given him into the old man’s drink and topped it up with more wine and turning round he nearly dropped the glass in shock when he found Silenus standing right there behind him. Silenus stared at Aiden curiously.

  ‘Wine?’ Aiden said trying to hide his shock and handed the now full glass back to Silenus who took it without saying a word. Silenus stared hard at Aiden expressionless. Thinking of nothing better to do Aiden topped up his own glass and raising it in salute to Silenus took a drink and much to Aiden’s relief Silenus also took a sip of his wine.

  ‘This is the best wine I have ever tasted’ Aiden said thinking of nothing better to say,

  ‘Thank you, I make it myself you know’ Silenus said taking another sip seeming to relax a bit more. ‘Yes I must say I make good wine’ Silenus said taking another gulp of wine and smacking his lips in pleasure. But tell me about yourself I am curious you seem different from the others’ he indicated the two couples wrapped in each other’s arms. ‘You have no girl friend or boy friend?’ Silenus asked looking searchingly once more at Aiden.

  ‘Well not any more’ Aiden stammered slightly embarrassed and found himself thinking about Sally ‘I did have a girl friend not long ago’ he added.

  ‘Ah yes’ Silenus said brightening up ‘you have a broken heart no!’

  Aiden shrugged his shoulders not really sure how to reply.

  ‘It happens to us all, yes that is it, that is what I see in your eyes. There is a great sadness in you. You must have loved her greatly. Was she killed was it some great tragedy or did she find another?’ Silenus said looking as if he would start to cry. ‘No don’t tell me I can see that it is too painful for you’ Silenus continued before Aiden could say anything. ‘Love she is a beautiful thing but she is tragic as well. Look at them’ Silenus said pointing at his friends who were by now gazing deeply into each other’s eyes as they danced slowly together ‘see how they love each other, but it will not last’ Silenus shook his head sadly. ‘No it will not last! They will find other lovers or they will die or worse grow old and ugly!’ Silenus took another sip of his wine. ‘But that is how it is meant to be how could love exist if it were not so! You’ Silenus pointed at Aiden, ‘you will find love again and you will lose it again it is the way of life. So do not be sad be glad for love is still there waiting for you. A toast to love’ Silenus demanded raising his glass and Aiden obediently followed his example and they both emptied their glasses. ‘Come more wine the day is young is it not’ Silenus said filling both their glasses again. ‘This is a party after all, come sit with me my legs grow weary standing here’ Silenus said leading Aiden back to seat where he had been sitting with the two girls.

  ‘Do you think those girls are beautiful’ Silenus asked Aiden once they were seated.

  Aiden looked at the girls and then back to Silenus ‘well yes they are very nice’ Aiden answered hesitantly.

  ‘Would you like them for yourself?’ Silenus asked with a mischievous smile his words now slightly slurred ‘they like you, do you know that?’

  Aiden looked once more at the two girls who were now both staring meaningfully at him and not their partners.

  ‘As I said they both like you, maybe you like them yes?’ Silenus smiled.

  ‘No no that is OK’ Aiden answered quickly.

  ‘I understand, it is still too early for you! We should drink then, that is what we should be doing, who needs love anyway!’ Silenus said his words becoming more slurred and very slowly he fell back fast asleep. Aiden looked at the old man who was now happily snoring away beside him and tried to gather his thoughts. Looking up Aiden saw that his friends had stopped dancing. Whatever spell that had been over them was now broken and they now stood some distance apart from each other looking extremely sheepish about what had just happened.

  ‘Come on’ Aiden said taking command ‘let’s get the hell out of here he’s out for the count’ Aiden pointed to the snoring Silenus and with that they all quickly made ready to leave’

  ‘Should we not make him comfortable’ Hoshi said looking at the way the old man was lying and taking his unspilt glass of wine that he still held off him.

  ‘Good idea maybe he will sleep longer’ Aiden agreed and gently they moved the old man’s unresisting body so that he was lying comfortably and placed a cushion underneath his head. As Aiden moved Silenus a curious looking object on a gold necklace around the old mans neck caught his eye, a sort of large stone cross with a loop at the top. Aiden had seen this symbol before. He tried to remember what it was and then it came to him, an Ankh! It was an Ankh an ancient Egyptian symbol. But there was no time for him to take a longer look as time was getting short. Leaving the happily snoring Silenus they quickly made their way back to the clearing where they had first met the old man. Looking at his watch Aiden saw that it was already early afternoon where had the time gone he wondered.

  They followed the trail once more as it made its way up the hillside and several minutes later they came across the cave.

  ‘Remember what Silenus said’ Gagan stopped them, ‘What if there is a bear in there?’

  ‘Wait over there’ Seth said and bending down he picked up a hand full of rocks and cautiously walked towards the cave. Stopping some distance away he
began throwing the rocks into the cave entrance which clattered with a loud noise as they struck the stone floor of the cave. Seth tensed ready to flee but nothing happened. Wanting to be certain he threw a few more rocks and still nothing happened. By now the others had come out of their hiding place and stood beside him.

  ‘Well I guess it’s empty’ Seth said.

  Telling the others to stay where they were Aiden and Seth slowly approached the cave and taking out a flashlight each they stood at the cave mouth and shone their torches inside revealing the large empty space within.

  ‘It’s empty’ Aiden called back to the others and soon they were all inside the cave.

  ‘Aya said there is a passage somewhere’ Gagan said moving towards the back of the cave the wall of which looked completely solid. The others joined him and only after a few minutes of careful searching Li finally found a recess in the cave wall behind which a small passage way wide enough for one person ran behind the back of the cave. The passage ran on for about ten paces then turned at right angles and headed deeper into the hillside. After another twenty paces they emerged into what must have been a man made chamber for it was perfectly square in shape and had a small stone alter in the middle. The walls were covered in ancient writings and hieroglyphics.

  ‘OK’ Aiden not wanting to waste any more time took out the piece of paper that Aya had given him. ‘We need to look for this symbol’ Aiden showed them all the symbol again, strangely enough the symbol had a small ankh at its centre just like the one around Silenus's neck.

  ‘This will take forever’ Gagan said his flashlight illuminating the myriad inscriptions that covered the every wall from ceiling to floor.

  As Gagan had observed the walls were indeed covered with inscriptions and they kept coming back to Aiden to look once more at Aya’s diagram to refresh their memory. They had been searching for some time when Aiden looked at his watch and was shocked to see that they had already been in there for nearly an hour now and still there was no sign of Aya’s symbol. Aiden began to worry about the time and Silenus, how long would the old man remain asleep he thought to himself.