"You pride yourself on wisdom, brother, but you see only half the truth. You like to believe that you represent everything good and noble and true while I represent everything false, demeaning, and wrong. You teach the primacy of the soul, the beauty of the light, the power of intellect, but without shadows the light would become unbearable, without emotions there could be no intuition, and though you propose that the body is a prison for the soul, I know the value of both. We are not the same, you and I, but we are closer than you think."
"Lies! Foolishness and lies! Can you speak anything but? Leave. Get off of my land, before you and your mindless followers incur my mighty wrath."
"Dear brother, child like I of Zeus, you forget yourself. Not only do you deny the ancient laws of hospitality, which even we Gods are subject to, but you think that just because you have been in charge of Delphi for these many years you somehow own her - as if anyone could own the earth. Before we Gods existed, this was the sanctuary of the Mother. If you are not careful, it will be hers again."
The Pythia's face scrunched up, and she let out an angry yell. "You have been warned, O impure one, and now it is too late. The anger of dread Apollo be upon you!"
And as the Pythia shouted her curse, lightning shot across the clear blue sky and there was an answering rumble of thunder from the earth. Under their feet the earth began to move, rolling and shaking violently, and steam and ash rose up from giant clefts that opened in the ground. Rocks and boulders started to fall from the mountain above them and winds, sounding like the howling Erenyes, swooped down upon the gathered band. The violence scared the followers of the God, and they began to run about, madly searching for a safety that was not to be found on the mountain cliff. Many were not fast enough to evade falling boulders, and others tripped and fell into the gaping holes that opened up under them. Others were burned by the steaming vapors of the earth, or struck with lightning from the sky.
But Dionysos was not moved. He stood there, staring down the Pythia, the winds pulling at his robes and his long hair. The Pythia cackled and said, "Do something, God. Save your followers if you can."
Dionysos lifted the thyrsos that he was carrying, and the winds stopped. He lowered the wand and struck it against the ground three times and the earth stopped shaking, the fissures closed, and the vapours disappeared. Dionysos lifted his wand again, and let out a great shout. The sound was terrible, and the priests clutched at their ears to stop the sound. Dionysos continued the shout, and dozens of birds who nested in the hills nearby came flying forth. The birds struck the followers of Apollo, wounding them viciously on their way to the temple. When the birds reached the temple, they flung themselves at it, and did whatever kind of damage they could. Dionysos lowered his staff, striking the earth with it again, and gave another call. This time a herd of animals poured forth from the forest around the temple, and the small creatures aided the birds in their attack against the temple. As the animals continued to come, an endless stream of living flesh, larger creatures joined them. Wolves and panthers from the hills and deer and rams came down and none of the creatures fought each other. They worked together to attack the temple, scratching at walls, pulling down the holy implements, and ransacking the treasury. The priests and temple attendants tried to stop the animals but they were no match for them, and were easily turned aside by the the fierce creatures.
Copyright Sannion, 06/25/02
All Rights Reserved
Posted with permission
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