Saving Belzadar

A roar of thunder erupted. This time, it triggered an unwanted effect – rain.

Shivering and desperate to stay dry, Sarafeim wrapped the hooded cloak around his frigid body. With great effort, he reached a mud-covered hand up to a rock. He steadied himself, wedging his right foot into a tiny crevice in the massive wall of stone.

“I’m almost there. I can make it,” he said aloud. He tried not to look down at the ground hundreds of feet below. One false move would mean death. Sarafeim had climbed the perilous cliff for hours. Now, it was too late to go back.

In an instant, a bolt of lightning whipped through the sky and struck the boulder he clung to. The rock burst into shards of gravel in his hand. Helplessly, Sarafeim slid down the treacherous cliff. Jagged boulders cut and slashed his cloak, ripping it to shreds. A sharp rock thrust into his flesh.

He cried out in terror as he fell faster and faster. His body bounced off one piercing rock after another. Frantically, he tried to reach one of the protruding boulders in hopes of catching it and stopping the fall. He missed! He was going too fast.

With a thud, he hit a rock, flipped over it, and was airborne. As he flew away from the cliff, he dared to look down.

“No!” he shouted. The ground rushed toward him. He would surely die. He would smash to the ground in ten feet... nine feet...eight feet....he flapped his cloak, trying to mimic wings....seven feet....six feet ....five feet...four feet...the ground came faster and faster....three feet....

“Help!” he screamed. Then, he shut his eyes and waited for the impact....two feet....

Suddenly, Sarafeim halted in mid-air. He floated above ground as if suspended by invisible strings. Then, he lifted up...up...up. The ground moved further and further away. Confused, Sarafeim felt above him and then below him – nothing. A strange and magical force carried him upward. Picking up speed, he zoomed up the mountainside he had been climbing.

He wondered if he was being taken to his original destination...Flisathomus’s cave.

Minutes later, Sarafeim sailed over the top of the mountain and into a cave. Immediately, he was bathed in total darkness. A horrific smell filled his nostrils. It reminded him of a decaying rodent carcass after it rotted in one of the summer suns for days. The unbearable smell burned his nose as he moved further into the cave.

Occasionally, a loud, pain-filled moan erupted in the distance. At one point, he thought he felt something breathing on his neck. He tried to dismiss his thoughts as paranoid. Nonetheless, fear surged in his veins as he sped through the blackness.

Panicked, he suddenly felt the desire to escape. What if this had been a mistake? He tried to break free of the invisible clutch holding him. He struggled and struggled but with no luck. The magical grip was too tight. Defeated, he flew deeper into the ominous corridors of the dark, musty cave.

As suddenly as the flight had started, it stopped. The invisible fingers released Sarafeim. He dropped onto a stony surface. He looked around the shadowy space – nothing. Nothing but the ghastly smell, an eerie chill, and dead silence.

“Hello? Is anybody there?” he asked. His voice boomeranged off the walls of the cave. Suddenly, multiple pairs of evil green eyes popped up.

“Anybody else?” he asked, hopefully.

A pair of green eyes moved out of the shadows. Mysteriously, a muted light illuminated the cave revealing a monster with green eyes. It had the body of an elephant and four, huge claws, like a crab. The head resembled a bull’s with piercing horns and fire-shooting nostrils. The hideous smell of decay emitted from the creature. It cocked its’ head, leaned toward Sarafeim, and let out a long, frightful moan.

Suddenly, other green-eyed monsters surrounded Sarafeim. Fire shot from their noses. They moved closer to Sarafeim. His body temperature rose as the heat from the fire filled the rocky cave. The smell was unbearable.

The monsters lurched toward him. Frightened, he sunk beneath his cloak.

“Stop!” a voice roared in the cave. The monsters halted.

Magically, a shape morphed out of the rocky wall. It had two arms, two legs, a torso, and a head but the rest of it was very inhuman. Gray, gooey, clay-like skin drooped from its’ body. Purple eyes rested above two pebble-sized holes, which appeared to be nostrils. A larger hole sat beneath the smaller ones. When it spoke, words came out of the biggest hole.

It was Flisathomus, granter of wishes, possessor of evil.

“So, I see you have met my pets,” Flisathomus bellowed. “They are quite deadly. You are lucky I was here. They would have eaten you.”

Obediently, Sarafeim nodded underneath his hood. Flisathomus tilted his head and peered at him.

“Take off your cloak. Let me see what creature has interrupted my precious sleep. And I must warn you, I hope you are worth it because I hate to miss a nap.”

Shuttering, Sarafeim removed his hood. Flisathomus was not prepared for what he saw.

It was Sarafeim, one of the twin royals from Belzadar. Shock turned to rage as Flisathomus recognized his identity.

“I hope you have not come to bargain on behalf of your father,” Flisathomus shrieked. “I will not leave Belzadar. This mountain is my home and your father will not force me out!”

Sensing his time was running short, Sarafeim spoke quickly.

“My father is dead. He betrayed me. Now, I want revenge. I have come seeking your help.”

Interested, Flisathomus listened. However, he was not convinced that this wasn’t a trick.

“Explain,” he said.

Forgetting his fear, fury boiled through Sarafeim when he spoke.

“When my twin brother, Stephenos, and I were born, my father declared that he would divide the kingdom of Belzadar between us after his death. Last week, he died. That was when I discovered...” He stopped speaking, his face pinched with anger.

“Discovered what?” Flisathomus prodded.

“He gave me the North Country!” He yelled. “It is worthless! It is only a fourth of the kingdom. And it is nothing but swamps, forests, fields, and this mountain.”

He paused for a minute and stared at the floor. Flisathomus waited for him to speak again. Meanwhile, his monstrous pets lurked about in hopes their master would make this human their afternoon snack. Finally, Sarafeim spoke once more.

“It’s all _his_ fault!” he declared.

“His?” Flisathomus asked.

“Stephenos,” Sarafeim said. His voice was laced with hate. “I despise him! I want him to suffer!”

“And what do you want from me?” Flisathomus asked.

“I want you to help me, Flisathomus. Help me get revenge.”

Stroking his pointy chin, Flisathomus peered at Sarafeim. Slowly, a forced smile parted his cracking lips.

“Yes, I will help you.”

“You will?” Sarafeim asked eagerly. “What can you do?”

“Do? I can give you everything you want – an entire kingdom of your own, a species to rule, and your own castle. But most of all, I can give you what you crave most – power. With that power, you can cause a great deal of suffering.”

Sarafeim’s eyes sparkled with visions of ruling his own magnificent kingdom. That would show his greedy brother.

“You will be the most respected leader in our world. All of Belzadar’s citizens will quiver when they see you. The mention of your very name will force them to bow.”

It was too much for Sarafeim. He wanted it so badly. Victory was within his reach and he would have it.

“I want it all,” he said.

“But there is a small detail. You must agree to two things. One, you will answer to me and must obey my commands,” he said. “And two, you will declare me successor to the land you reign in Belzadar. That means, I will eventually rule the North Country.”

“Uh, I don’t know...I...” Sarafeim hesitated. He wasn’t sure this was a good idea.

“If you are not serious about gaining power, then don’t waste my time. I don’t have to...”

“I’ll do it,” Sarafeim said.

That was all Flisathomus needed to hear.

“Good,” Flisathomus said with great satisfaction. “Come with me. It’s time to give you a life like one you couldn’t possibly imagine.” Sarafeim drooled at the thought.

Flisathomus guided him down a corridor. The pets grunted with disappointment. It was obvious this human would not be their snack. Grumpily, they snapped at each other.

“Step into the Transformation Cave,” Flisathomus said with a toothy smile. Trying not to appear concerned, Sarafeim obliged.

“What’s going to happen to me in here?” Sarafeim asked.

“This is where I will transform you. When you emerge, you will be completely different, I promise. Stay right where you are. I will return momentarily.”

“Alright,” Sarafeim said. After Flisathomus disappeared, he looked around the Cave trying to imagine a transformation happening in such a tiny place.

As promised, Flisathomus returned within minutes. He carried a large basket with a lid. Sarafeim noticed there was something different about him. He wasn’t smiling anymore. He looked evil.

Without speaking, Flisathomus set the basket at Sarafeim’s feet.

“What’s this?” Sarafeim asked. He did not want Flisathomus to hear the fear that now raced through every inch of his body. Looking up, Flisathomus smiled at him. But there was nothing friendly about that smile. Refusing to say a word, he turned and walked out of the cave.

Puzzled, Sarafeim gazed at the basket. Suddenly, it began to move! It shook and writhed. Something was trying to get out. Mesmerized, Sarafeim stared at the basket as it continued to viciously thrust about.

In an instant, the lid popped off. Dozens of black creatures slithered out of the basket. Snakes!

The snakes spilled out by the hundreds. 200....300...400... The snakes kept coming. Leaping over the snakes, Sarafeim ran toward the Cave’s entrance.

The second he reached the entrance, a copper door with bars slammed shut. He was trapped with the snakes! Desperately, Sarafeim shook the bars.

“I demand you let me out of here!” he commanded. Flisathomus just stood there, looking at him with a sinister grin.

“Let me out!” he yelled at the wicked being before him.

500...600...More and more snakes poured from the basket.

A snake slid up Sarafeim’s body and sunk its fangs into his arm. He pried off the snake as venom spewed from the holes in the creature’s hollow teeth.

Another snake bit into his ankle while one snuck above him and dropped on his head.

“I want out of here, _now_!” he ordered.

“It’s too late!” Flisathomus lunged toward him. His face was inches from Sarafeim’s. Only the bars separated them. “We have a deal.”

“The deal’s off!” Sarafeim shouted back.

“You weren’t listening,” he said, his eyes turning from purple to red. “It’s too late. This is your destiny!”

Then, he stepped back and extended out his arms.

“Flama Dala. Flama Dala la sucred sacra ma, Sarafeim!” Flisathomus chanted in a language foreign to Sarafeim.

Suddenly, a surge of light flashed inside the Transformation Cave. Just as quickly, the floor started to boil. Sarafeim and the snakes stopped moving.

“Flama Dala. Flama Dala la sucred sacra ma, Sarafeim! Flama Dala. Flama Dala la sucred sacra ma, Sarafeim!” Flisathomus continued to chant.

The light pulsed as a deafening funnel of wind swept through the Cave. Sarafeim and the snakes spun round and round and round.

“What’s happening?” Sarafeim screamed. He couldn’t see anything. Flisathomus’ chanting grew louder and more prevailing.

“Flama Dala. Flama Dala la sucred sacra ma, Sarafeim a fa the Serpent King!”

A bolt of lightning shot through the Cave. Sarafeim screamed as a rush of pain stung his body. He felt like he was being pricked with hundreds of sharp needles. Looking down, he couldn’t believe his eyes. The snakes were crawling _into_ his body! He clawed at the snakes but they continued to slither under his skin.

“What’s happening to me?” 300...400... Every single snake slid into him...425....450...500...

Light flared, the noise roared, the floor bubbled, and Flisathomus chanted. Sarafeim yelled for help. But there was no one to hear his screams.

590...595...598...599...600! After the last snake had penetrated Sarafeim, his body began to melt. No greater pain had ever been felt by any human.

Flisathomus watched with glee as Sarafeim morphed with the snakes. He laughed as Sarafeim’s legs evaporated. In their place, a snake’s tail appeared. Sarafeim’s human skin flaked off as scales grew out of his pores. His thick hair fell out as molted snakeskin sprouted on the bald head.

A giant explosion erupted in the Cave. Then, silence. The only thing left in the Transformation Cave was Sarafeim and a basket.

The sound of the creaky, copper door sliding back on its hinges engulfed the Cave. Flisathomus walked inside the Cave and looked down at the creature heaped on the floor. At first, he didn’t see him moving.

Then, he saw his body start to shake. What was he doing?_ _He realized he was trembling. _Humans are so weak_, he thought as he rolled his eyes. But now, Sarafeim was more reptile than human.

“Get up!” Flisathomus kicked his new tail. Still sore from the Transformation, Sarafeim let out a yelp.

“Ssstop!” When Sarafeim spoke, his voice hissed. He gasped.

“What’sss wrong with me?” he cried. “What have you done to me, Flisathomus? Why am I hisssing?”

“You imbecile. Haven’t you figured it out by now?” Flisathomus asked, exasperated. Humans really were the most primitive of creatures.

“You have morphed with the snakes. In fact, you’re more snake than human. Personally, I think it’s an improvement,” Flisathomus said.

“No! No! It can’t be!” Sarafeim screamed.

“You don’t believe me? See for yourself.” He flicked his wrists. Magically, a giant mirror appeared in mid-air in front of Sarafeim. Reluctantly, Sarafeim lifted his head. Staring back at him was a hideous monster. That couldn’t be him! His upper body was still shaped like a human’s with a head, shoulders, arms, hands and a torso. However, he was covered with yellow and grey striped scales intermixed with diamond-shaped blotches. His eyes were now slanted slits with beady, black pupils. Small, diagonal holes had replaced his ears. And his lower body was even worse. He tried to move his legs but the snake-like tail attached to his scaly torso lifted instead.

“No!” he yelped. Unable to look at the horrific sight in front of him, he buried his head in his arms. Flisathomus snapped his fingers and the mirror disappeared. He kicked Sarafeim’s tail once again which spastically rattled.

“You tricked me!” Sarafeim accused.

“No, I did not! I promised you power and power you will have,” Flisathomus said. He then flicked his wrists again. Suddenly, a scepter shaped like a snake appeared next to Sarafeim.

“As long as you hang this scepter fifty feet above your throne, you will have magical powers and control over your very own species,” Flisathomus announced.

“W-w-what sssspecies?” Sarafeim managed to spit out.

“The Reptile Species!” Flisathomus said. He proudly explained that he had transformed an army of normal reptiles into reptiles the size of humans, capable of speaking. These enlarged reptiles would be his to rule.

“I don’t want to control the Reptile Ssspeciesss!” Sarafeim wailed as drops of sweat turned into bugs crawling down his face.

“You are too late once again. Sarafeim, from this day on, you will be known as the Serpent King, leader of the Reptilian Army. Now, it’s time for you to see your kingdom. Get up!”

“No! I want to die!” Sarafeim howled.

“Not until you have served your purpose. Now, get up!” Violently, Flisathomus yanked at his arm and lobbed him onto his tail.

Unable to balance himself on the long extremity, Sarafeim flopped back onto the ground.

“You’ll get used to walking, or should I say, slithering on your new tail. After all, snakes have been doing it for centuries. I’m sure even you can figure it out.”

Unwilling to wait for Sarafeim to learn how to move on his new tail, Flisathomus scooped up a chunk of his snakeskin hair in one hand and snatched the scepter in the other. Angrily, he dragged Sarafeim out of the Transformation Cave into the darkened adjoining chambers.

As a spotted rogut scurried by, Sarafeim impulsively whipped out his pointy tongue, curled it around the rodent’s neck and coiled it back into his mouth. With a crunch, he swallowed the rodent whole. He didn’t know what had caused him to do that! All he knew was that he couldn’t control his urge to eat the furry beast.

They reached the main entrance to Flisathomus’ cave. Outside, the wind gushed and hail pelted in the foreground of a murky green sky. Flisathomus dangled Sarafeim above the edge of the cliff.

“Look down, Serpent King!” Sarafeim did as he was told. Confused, all he saw was a dingy swamp. Then, inexplicably, the water swirled and peeled away from the center of the swamp. Suddenly, a massive castle arose from beneath the swamp’s marshy surface. But this castle wasn’t magnificent like the one back home. With its’ five spiral towers that stuck out like a witch’s claw and stones made of fish corpses, this castle looked diabolical.

“There it is. Your new home. A castle fit for a king – a Serpent King, that is.” Flisathomus said.

“I c-c-c-can’t live there!” Sarafeim declared from his perch hundreds of feet above the castle. He so desperately wanted to go back to his real home.

“Oh, but you c-c-c-can and you will!” Flisathomus mocked. “And you will build up your Reptilian Army. And when the time is right, we will take over Belzadar!”

“I don’t want to. I...I...I...have changed my mind,” Sarafeim said. With that, Flisathomus lifted Sarafeim up until their eyes aligned.

“It doesn’t matter what you want. You answer to me!” he roared. Sarafeim quivered. Smiling, Flisathomus brought his tone down to nearly a whisper.

“Besides, after years of living under a swamp, you’ll grow to hate your brother and his citizens more deeply than you can possibly imagine. Now, begone!”

Flisathomus released his grip.

“No!” Sarafeim’s voice echoed around the land as he fell toward the castle in the swamp. His body spiraled down, down, down!

“Don’t forget your scepter!” Flisathomus said as he flung the scepter after him.

Sarafeim fell faster, faster, faster toward his doom. He landed with a thump on the floor of the swamp. The scepter settled beside him.

Suddenly, an avalanche of pungent water pummeled his body as it poured into the swamp bed. Reluctantly, Sarafeim grabbed the scepter and slunk inside the walls of the castle before the water could engulf it. After Sarafeim closed the door, a transparent waterproof air bubble enclosed the castle. The water quickly filled in the swamp around the bubble, sealing Sarafeim’s fate as the Serpent King.