READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
Sardon Dhur's brows arched. "Thern!" he exclaimed. "But
I thought—"
"That she was of the First Born? No," replied Ranas
Ghol. "But you have established my point. The original Issus
was white."
Tario frowned, trying hard to recall facts out of distant
antiquity which eluded him just beyond the veil of memory.
For once, his sharp eyes failed to notice something that was
important to him. He did not see Derlas Kor and several
other Zumorians look at him intently and then apparently
relax when it became evident that he could not remember.
"Now," sid Ranas Ghol. "The Legend of Issus, if you
please, Zithad. Actually, it is misnamed, as a legend, you
know. It is really a prophecy, from beginning to end."
The Dator of the First Born appeared to be entranced.
As though from a catechism learned as a child long ago, he
recited, almost chanted—"Fire and destruction shall fall upon
the worlds of man. One world shall die. One shall know a
twilight of life. Two shall live, and one of these shall harbor
Issus. But eons must pass while the twilight world shall struggle
to survive, and a false Issus shall rise up, and great shall be her
evil power. The she, too, will pass, and there shall follow a
twilight of religion..until the true and eternal Issus shall return
to her own world...”
He stopped, staring at his audience.
"Go on," urged Ranas Ghol.
"Yes," said Tario, a new excitement lighting his eyes.
"Now that I recall, there is more, Zithad. Go on!"
The Dator, almost fearful of his own emotions, continued.
But—her glory will only be complete when her mate,
Tharos Pthan, Guardian of Heaven, shall emerge from the body
of a great white ape and place upon her head the original Holy
Diadem which supports the Great Star of Issus, twice the size of
a man's eye. And it will be a time of miracles when even
animals shall speak, and the final period of the peace and glory
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