Matsuo Shin and The Twilight of The Gods
Matsuo Shin and The Twilight of The Gods is story 9 in the continuing adventures of Matsuo Shin.
<Matt, please provide some links to the legend about the ring or the siegfried operas in this section. Most people don't know them and will need the background for this story. I also left you some queries near the end which need to be addressed.>
Summary
Invited to attend a conference of Archeology and Anthropology, Matsuo and Sir Reginald headed out to Cambridge University. After making a presentation on "Polynesian Languages and Their Origins: The South Seas Super Language," and greeting some old friends (Professor Sasha Sanders from Matsuo Shin and The Final Chapter and Professor Aido Mubarak from Matsuo Shin and The Secret of the Dead), Matsuo spotted what appeared to be a familiar face in the crowd. As Reginald had already left to visit his daughter, Matsuo decided to follow the man himself. Unbeknownst to him, Matsuo was also followed by a large man in a black trench coat and hat.Catching up with the man in his office, Matsuo was astonished to discover he was the true Henry Jones, Jr., aka Indiana Jones. As Jones explained, the films, novels, and TV series were all based on his life with small embellishments added in and other facts removed, such as the Holy Grail bestowing true immortally upon those who drank from it. However, much to his disappointment and dismay, Matsuo found Jones completely disillusioned by the world around him and his place in it. Having abandoned active archeology, Jones had retreated to Cambridge, the one place where "no one would notice [him]."
Before the conversation could get any farther, the two professors were interrupted by the arrival of the trenchcoated man, who identified himself "Herr Schmidt." He inquired after the location of the original Nibelungelied manuscript. While Jones scoffed that no one has the original manuscript, Schmet insists that he heard otherwise. Matsuo felt Schmidt's deceptive thoughts, and silently warned Jones. Schmidt suddenly pulled out a gun, insisting that Jones tell him the location of the manuscript, or he would kill Matsuo. Before Jones could answer, however, Matsuo telekinitically caused a book to slam into the back of the German's head, tripping him forward just in time for Jones to punch him out. While Matsuo sensed several other armed men arriving, Jones noticed the ring on the unconcious Schmidt and quickly took it. Climbing out of the window (with some difficultly), Jones and Matsuo made a break for Matsuo's hotel.
At the hotel, Matsuo caught Jones looking at the ring, which had an unusual design on it. Jones identified it as belonging to a member of the Thule Society, which had assisted the Nazis in their rise to power. When Matsuo asked if Jones really did have the original Nibelungelied manuscript, Jones acknowledged that he did, but had lent it out. Since the manuscript was obviously what the society wanted, Matsuo asked what their next move was. Putting on his fedora, Dr. Jones replied that they were going to Stockholm.
Meanwhile, in South America, a phone call from Schmidt was answered by a tall, pale man with a false eye. When Schmidt reported that Jones didn't have the manuscript, the pale man, known as Herr Weiss, told him they already had someone on the tail of the doctor and his accomplice. He then orders Schmidt to rejoin him in South America so they may wait and prepare.
Arriving in Stockholm, Matsuo and Jones made their way to the University of Stockholm, where Jones had sent the manuscript for study. Meeting with Professor Veska, Jones and Matsuo were introduced to young researcher Hannah Skalda, who was in charge of the main work on the manuscript. The girl was immediately enamored by Jones and clumsy tried to impress him with her knowledge of the manuscript, such as the differences between what is written in it and the more well known version in the Wagner operas.
While they were shown the manuscript, one of Herr Weiss' henchmen watched, disguised as a custodian. Jones didn't seem to find anything out of place when he and Matsuo translated it, something which Hannah confirmed from her own study of the manuscript. However, Matsuo spotted a small, odd pattern in the illumination on the page and upon magnification, finds a tiny Latin word scribbled into the letter. They continued to find words hidden in each illumination of the work. Dictating the words to Hannah, Jones was able to translate the phrase: "The words of dragons lick the gates of the red walls." While thiking over this phrase, they quickly realized that "red walls" was most likely the name of an area or city. Jones suddenly realized what it meant and asked Hannah for a map of Germany.
While Hannah was busy getting the map, Matsuo asked Jones about the ring, something which surprised him, as he had not told Matsuo about it at all. Showing it to him, he revealed it belonged to members of the Thule Society, an old German society that had once worked with the Nazis in their rise to power. When Matsuo inquired about what interest they would have in the manuscript, Jones in turn asked him what was in the manuscript that anyone would want. This train of thought was interrupted by a scream from Hannah.
Running to her, Jones and Matsuo found her held at gunpoint by the custodian, who threated to kill her. Jones, however, had his whip inside his coat, and used it to disarm the agent while Matsuo rushed forward to knock him over with a solid right hook. Jones then attempted to get information out of the agent as to what the Thule society is after while Matsuo saw to Hannah. However, the agent took a hidden cyanide capsule and died. Hannah had been researching something in a book, as something about the words from the manuscipt had reminded her of something. Looking down at the book, Matsuo and Jones realize they must reach the city before the Thule Society does. Matsuo suggested that Hannah go with them to keep her safe, something Jones didn't appear too keen on. However, all three set out for their next destination--Rothenburg.
Back in South America, Herr Weiss received news of Jones and Matsuo's movement to Germany. Realizing that they will have to route the two archeologists, Weiss ordered Schmidt to intercept them.
In Rothenburg, Matsuo stayed with Hannah while Jones tried to find the words the message mentioned, with plans to meet up in the town square if anything went wrong. Wandering off with Hannah, Matsuo reflects to her on his feeling of awe at working with Jones, as it was he who inspired him to begin his work as an archeologist. However, he was now questioning the decision after meeting the broken, disillusioned man he has become. Hannah suggested that maybe he should do his work not because of Jones, but because it's who he wants to be.
As they walk through one of the city gates, Matsuo's eyes suddenly caught something on one of the walls: a carved series of words in an old language. Realizing what they've found, Matsuo had Hannah write it down to translate later. When they rushed to find Jones, however, Matsuo realized that they were being followed by men on bicycles. Grabbing a bicycle from a citizen, Matsuo and Hannah led the two men through the city, one man crashing over the city wall and tumbling into the valley. Riding on, the two found themselves in a dead end, the other man pulling out a gun on them. As he pulled the trigger, a gunshot rang out and the man slumped over, shot in the back. It was Jones, now wearing his familiar fedora and leather jacket.
Having told Jones about the inscription they'd found, Matsuo and Hannah asked him to translate it. Reading it over, Jones translated it as "The Curse of Kiemhild lies where the tale ends." Matsuo asked Hannah where the story originally ended: it ended in the town of Worm, specifically the cathedral. Heading for the train station, they were unaware that Schmidt had overheard their conversation and alerted Herr Weiss of their location. Weiss complimented Schmidt on his actions, and indicated that he is already on his way to Worm.
On the train, Hannah got some sleep while Matsuo wrote everything down in his journal. When Jones expressed that he knew that Matsuo wasn't everything he claimed to be, Matsuo told Jones his story, including his psychic powers. When Jones commented that Sophia would have loved to meet him, which confused Matsuo. Changing the subject, Matsuo wondered if Jones is still disillusioned. Jones stated that his time as an archeologist is over, but hoped others would take over where he left. Before they could get any farther in the conversation, Matsuo realized the train had stopped. Checking out the window, Jones found the car had been detached from the rest of the train, and they were surrounded by uniformed commandos. Herr Weiss and Schmidt walked up and told the archeologists that they would indeed be arriving in Worms--but not alone.
In Worms, Herr Weiss and Schmidt led Matsuo, Jones and Hannah to the Worms Cathedral, along with a group of disguised commandos. Once in the church, Weiss demanded they show him where the "Curse of Kiemheld" was hidden, or he would have Hannah killed. Remembering the words stating the curse "lies where the story ends," Matsuo realized it also speaks of the end of every story--that is, death--which must be in the cathedral's crypts. In the crypts, Jones was able to find a hidden catche in a sarcophagus, revealing a hidden group of stairs. Descending, the group found themselves in an ancient, dank tunnel, on the sides of which are written ancient runic symbols.
Eventually, the group came to large stone door, the front of which has a carving of the World Tree on it and more runes. When Hannah was forced to translate it, they discover it states that only the blood of a warrior can open these doors. Herr Weiss whispered an order to Schmidt, who took out a knife, approaching Jones with it. However, he slit one of the commando's throats instead, letting the blood flow along the ground and up into the door. When the blood touched the top of the tree, the doors slowly opened, the group made their entry.
Beyond the door was a huge stone room, where a huge, gnarled root had grown up from the center of the floor. Surrounding the root was what appeared to be a dragon skeleton. Dangling on the top of the root was a golden bracelet. Herr Weiss chuckled to himself, saying the bracelet is the Ring of Siegfried. As he removed it from the root, he described how it had been hidden years ago after Siegfried's death, how it could amplify the will of the wearer as well as bring great unending wealth and that with it the Thule Society would gain the power of gods and create a new Fourth Reich on Earth. Putting the bracelet on, he demonstrated its powers by making Schmidt commit suicide by shooting himself in the head.
When Weiss tried the same on Jones, Matsuo and Hannah, however, Matsuo uses his own powers to cancel it out. Taking out a gun, Weiss said he would kill them the old fashion way, but as he does this, the dragon skeleton awakened and took up the old man, tearing him in half. Taking this chance, Jones used his whip to grab one of the commando's guns and kills the man, while Matsuo uses his powers to slam the others hard against the wall. Hannah's screams quickly reminded them the dragon was about to attack them. Thinking quickly, Matsuo got the bracelet and threw it into the dragon's mouth. As the creature catches it, it screams in fury as it descends deep into the earth, the roots covering it up. As if on cue, the entrance began to close, forcing the three to retreat. They got through the doors just in time, and turn to find the door had vanished completely.
Jones and Matsuo returned Hana to Stockholm, although she was disappointed, and return to Cambridge, where Matsuo finished telling Jones all about his previous experiences. However, he must return home himself. Before he leaves, however, Jones gives Matsuo his fedora, saying that he finally found the person to continue where he had left off. Matsuo is awe struck, but agrees to keeping it, saying he is proud to continue Jones' legacy.
Items Discovered
- Ring of Siegfried - Lost
