READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
Cataclysm. My original purpose in isolating tharton was to
obtain a crystal that would generate the Tenth Barsoomian
ray."
"I have not heard of the tenth ray," interrupted Zithad.
"What is its nature?"
"It is a psychic ray," replied Tario. "With it my race could
have worked such wonders as man could not dream, but Issus
was jealous of our power after that and prevented me from
experimenting further. The Great Star of Issus even gave her
miraculous seeming power over her subjects. That the
Hekkadors did not discover the secret of the precious tharton
crystal in their own Holy Diadem is their own loss."
Ranas Ghol looked again at Sardon Dhur. "If you would
have this 'Holy Alliance' of yours succeed, you must allow
Tario to use the Star of Issus."
"Ah! Lend it to him—yes! But it is sacred property and
may not be taken permanently from our holy order," said
Sardon Dhur.
Zithad frowned. "Just what will you be able to do with it
Tario?" he asked.
"I am not sure," replied the Lotharian, evasively. "But we
shall see when the time comes."
"And now," said Ranas Ghol, " we come to the second
suggestion. It is that you should study carefully the ancient
Legend of Issus. In that legend is a prophecy. Do you remember?"
"I do!" exclaimed Zithad, a feverish glow of fanaticism
lighting his eyes.
"Good! The you should tell it to us, for the First Born
were the original guardians of the genuine goddess, herself.
But before you do, let us clarify one thing. Who was the
original Issus?"
Silence. Each man looked at the other.
"We do not know," sid Zithad. "Do you? All I recall is that
she was of the Thern race."
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