Zushakon, Zu-che-quon

[HK Bells (online text)]: According to the Johann Negus translation of the Book of Iod, Zushakon is a being who dwells deep beneath the earth near the Pacific coast. He is not one of the Old Ones from other worlds, but rather has always dwelled in earth's hidden blackness. When earth and the stars have died, he will rise again and spread his dominion over all. Meanwhile, he can be called to earth's surface before his time. Sometimes he manifests during an eclipse. The coastal "brown ones" (Mutsune indians) know how to summon him through the use of spells and deep-toned sounds. But if he is summoned, he brings silence, darkness, and death. Zushakon also causes severe eye irritation and causes a compulsion to claw out one's own eyes. "No name hath He, for He is the ultimate doom and the undying emptiness and silence of Old Night." However, the Mutsunes refer to him as Zushakon.

During the building of Mission San Xavier in 1775, Mutsune shamans helped to cast the bells for the mission. When the bells were rung by the unsuspecting missionaries, Zushakon manifested and brought black night and cold death. Many people were possessed by Zushakon and attacked. However, the Spaniards eventually prevailed and were able to hide the bells in a cave. Junipero Serra left a document directing anyone who found the bells to send them to the Spanish king.

In modern times, the bells were rediscovered and restored to the mission. When the bells were struck, a major earthquake occurred and all light was suddenly obscured, leaving the people nearby in total darkness. A party led by Denton was able to stop the bells ringing, and light returned. Soon after, the bells were smashed and their fragments buried secretly. Two months later, during a solar eclipse, another of the party's members (Arthur Todd) was overcome again by Zushakon, and clawed out his eyes before shooting himself.

Aka: Zu-che-quon; Dark Silent One.

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