A blow from the shaft of a spear sent Janno reeling towards the toiling slaves.

Get to work . . . and work till you drop!

He’s the youngest we’ve had for many a year. He’ll last longer than most of them do.

So Janno joined the army of wretched creatures who were driving a tunnel through the massive wall of rock.

And to think that the people of Elekton have been condemning themselves to this for a thousand years !

And then—he heard his own name whispered . . .

Janno . . .

By the stars!—Peric!

He recognised the wise old Peric who had taken the journey of no return a year previously.

Keep working! . . . I never thought to see you in this accursed place, Janno. A lad of your age . . .

I came here by accident, Peric. But I don’t understand . . . can this really be the beautiful land of Hellas?

Moving slowly, and pretending to work all the way, Peric led Janno to where a tunnel had been pierced in the rock wall.

The beautiful land of Hellas exists, but not for us . . . look down there!

Janno gazed with wondering eyes. Through the tunnel he could see a vast underground landscape, and a city whose domes and towers were studded with precious metals and stones . . .

Hellas belongs to the Zerds—and we are their slaves. For a thousand years, the people of Elekton have laboured to keep those brutes in ease and comfort!

Peric, we’ve got to escape. We’ve got to return and destroy the legend of Hellas!

This has been going on for a thousand years, and everyone who has come here has had the same idea . . . But there is no escape, Janno . . . you have made the journey of no return!

Meanwhile, back in the city of Trigan, Keren came to a decision. He presented himself before the captain of the Air Fleet.

You say you can no longer fly—why is this?

I killed my best friend in the air, captain. I shall never be able to take the controls of an atmosphere craft again . . . never . . . and I ask my name to be taken from the roll of pilots.























It’s the only way . . .

In the months that followed, the memory of the tragedy preyed on the boy’s mind. Imagining himself spurned by all, he would sit on the banks of the River Pyx . . . gazing into the fast-flowing waters.

Finally, he went to Trigo.

Lord Trigo. It is my wish to take the journey of no return and join Janno if he still lives!

You are young, Keren . . . the land of Hellas is a place for men who have lived the best part of their lives.

But Keren was determined to go. He ordered a richlyjewelled Hellas boat to be built for his journey to the legendary land.

. . . And when it was ready, he set out on the journey of no return, down the mysterious river.

The current bore him to the vast cavern mouth that gaped to receive him, and he turned to take his last look at the sky.

Farewell, life . . .

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 240 on 20 August 1966.