[The Serpent of Hert]
The Serpent of Hert, sealed beneath the earth, is the most terrifying of monsters. Day after day, darkness wears it down, and endless silence drags it into the abyss.
After the first millennium, it thinks: If anyone can break my seal, I'll promise them countless treasures of gold and silver and a noble title. But no one comes to the place where it is imprisoned.
After the second millennium, it thinks: If anyone can break my seal, I'll let them leave the place of my confinement alive, and leave this forest alive. Still, no one comes.
After the third millennium, it thinks: If anyone can break my seal, I'll devour them, dissolve their flesh and bones, and make them one with me. But no one ever comes.
After countless millennia, the force of the seal slowly fades, nearing nothing. The gods can no longer restrain the maddened Serpent of Hert. Just as the monster is about to wreak havoc on the world and bring death to every living thing, a human steps into the place of its confinement.
The human brings with him the scent of rain, and the earthy fragrance of soil drifts inside. His voice is soft and clear, tinged with apology. "Sorry to bother you. It's raining so hard outside, and I've lost my way in the forest. Could I shelter here for a while?"
The Serpent of Hert agrees. The moment it sees the human, it changes its mind.
In the millennia to come, if someone comes to its place of imprisonment and carefully reaches out to touch its ruined statue, to brush its scales, then the monster will offer up its heart and give all its loyalty and love.
All to keep the human by its side...
[The Caged Monster]
Far across the continent, the Arthur Empire flourishes, with a mighty army and a powerful king. As the king grows increasingly capricious, money and power corrupt his heart. He develops a sudden lust for war and plunder, leaving countless dead in his wake.
The palace, piled high with gold and treasures, is lavish and decadent, a place of endless indulgence. But no one could guess that beneath it, in the dark underground, a caged monster is being kept.
The monster feeds on blood. It has a mouth full of sharp teeth, a bizarre shape, and a massive body. A group of madmen revere it, place it on a throne, and worship it as a god.
To control this powerful monster, the king keeps blood slaves and feeds it human blood. It is confined in a cage, and its mind is no more developed than a child's, leaving it unable to escape.
The Arthur Empire conquers the country of Bilia. Once a prince of a noble nation, he is reduced to a prisoner and made one of the blood slaves.
He grows up in this cold palace, his movements restricted. Every day, he burns incense, cleanses his body, and offers his blood. Then, as an adult, Bilia accidentally wanders into an underground castle.
The monster in the darkness opens its scarlet eyes, its fangs sharp as it prepares to hunt the little rabbit who has entered its territory. But then it smells that familiar, sweet blood. It stops frightening the small creature, trembling and in tears, lowers its head, and murmurs an ancient phrase.
It calls the human boy:
Mother...
(Text archived.)
A collection of stories about obsessive redemption
Uke-focused anthology
Theme: Love grows wildly and without restraint
