Eyes closed, the great beast of Death Forest bathed in the shining rays of the sun. This was the only opening of the dark canopy in the entire forest, or at least the only place he has ever found. Making this wide clearing as valuable as the river that runs through it. For many days, he has not moved, digesting his latest victim. A stag almost on the verge of assenion, nobody wants one of those uppity, holier than thou stags becoming strong enough to challenge for his domain.

Shifting in his position around the layered stone platforms, rising up in a spiral, he blearily opened his eyes. Taking in the surrounds for the beauty it was. Vibrant greens of grass, pinks and blues of flowers, and even the reflection of the yellow sun far above from the surface of metals and crystalized ground jutting out. Around his bed, the stone was encircled by the river that eventually found itself a second path out towards the other end of the forest.

As any good ruler, he had attempted to follow the river as far as possible, but found it immensely difficult to keep track of a river that runs under the earth every few miles. He followed its trail for hundreds of miles without end until, finally he lost it as the river ran under an unusual hill that vibrated with power. He made sure to not bother who ever occupied that area. Hundreds of miles is enough for the current time, once he grew strong enough he would return and uncover its secrets.

Finally, just a bit away from this all stood a think tree he marveled at everytime he noticed it. It was almost impossible for it to stand, yet through winds that tore off the great trees of the forsaken forest from their roots, this tiny thing stood unwavering. Without any mana signature, it was a most perplexing object. But, just as he thought again on the trees wonders, the same memory he has been plagued with hit him with enough force to create a frown on his unchanging visage.

~~~

“Little snake, I know you're there,” the old woman said, a mischievous smile on her face. She wore a plain beige robe and a head scarf that covered her hair from the terrible weather.

The occupants of the room had just vacated, and he expected her to leave with them like every other time. Walking closer to him, she blocked his only way out of the room. His mind begged to explode in action and escape to survive another day, but the old hag of a woman began to leak her aura. It caused his body to catch, freezing without the ability to move. Tongue flicking out in anxiety, his head swiveled back and forth waiting for any chance to escape.

“C’mon little snake. Come here, I promise I won't hurt you. No, I want to tell you your future,” the old woman said as she waved him towards him, her cane clinking on the floor every step.

Future? His future? Why would she want to foretell his future? What does she gain from this? Or is it nothing but a trap to lure him out. That must be it, never had anyone wished to speak to him, only those that would harm him, desiring his blood for power.

“Don’t be foolish. I’ve helped everyone and anyone that has entered my home, and you’ve been living here without my consent for quite some time. Haven’t you?” the old woman said, her smile never once wavering.

“Sss, W-what do you want?” the snake said.

“Didn’t I already say that? I want to tell you your future,” the old woman said with a displeased frown.

Feeling like a child berated by their mother, something he despised but unexpectedly welcomed, he slithered over. Head lowered, and slowly moving forward, he made sure to keep his muscles tense to escape just in case this was really a trap. For a few months, he had called this place home, thinking the old woman to be senile. Eating her food and drinking from her pure water, a luxury he didn’t know existed until then, he had fattened up and prepared for an evolution. That was something he welcomed with open arms.

But, as the days continued to pass and he getting ever so close to it, his curiosity could not take it anymore. Every single morning, from the time the sun rose till its zenith, people would wait for their turn to speak with her. Many a time, harrowing sobs would echo within the building, and in others they would leave dancing and sing in joy. What could possibly cause such varying expressions?

That he found on the day he dared to get close enough to actually hear the words spoken. Of course they were nothing but whispers, but a single word was constantly repeated every single meeting. The one word he had to make sure he heard correctly.

Oracle.

Stopping right in front of her, he his body almost left his soul in its place as her hand swiftly landed on his head. But instead of the death grip he expected, he got nothing more than pats and a very much enjoyable head-rub. Her wrinkled, yet soft hands, gliding back and forth on his head. Without noticing it, his tongue slithered out in absolute bliss.

Stolen novel; please report.

“There we go, little snake. Now, come with me, my old bones can’t stand the strain of standing for too long. Ah, age catches up to us all doesn’t it, even if I’ve dodged its withering effect for so long,” the Oracle said, he old voice tinged with regret he could not understand.

Following her to the puffy and soft pillows she routinely sat on, he slithered onto her lap, nudging her for more attention and those heavenly head scratches. But, instead of giving him what he wanted, she stared deeply into his eyes. A sad smile formed on her face as her eyes became pitch black. For a second he felt nothing, but a sudden jarring sensation pulled his very soul. Light erupted from his eyes and mouth showering the room in its effect. All the while, the Oracle had tears running away from her crows-feet and down her wrinkled face.

Like all things, the reading finished leaving the snake confused and the Oracle breathing hard and sweat drenching her robe. Looking up with an effort to move her head, she tried to hide the tears, but that was almost impossible.

“What’s your name, little snake?” the Oracle said.

“I-I don’t have a name,” the snake said, lowering its head. That was the final thing it needed before it can embark on its evolution, yet, no matter how hard it tried it didn’t know how to get one.

“That won’t do, no it won’t. I can give you one if you’d allow me,” the Oracle said.

Staring at her for a while, his mind in turmoil. It couldn’t be that easy, no there has to be some intricate ritual where he has to sacrifice a dragon’s heart of something. Not just a random old lady giving you a name, well, now that he thought about it, maybe you needed an Oracle to give you a name. If so, then he definitely hit the jackpot. He discovered the head-scratch and that Oracles gave out names, today was turning out to be a great day. Nodding exaggeratedly he, he got an old giggle and a cough in return.

“Let’s see… Senzard sounds nice doesn’t it. Its derived from two words, Sen meaning conqueror and zard referring to the word Zardious. Or Serpent Defender,”

Senzard, that sounded amazing! He would be the greatest conqueror ever to live up to his name, though he didn't know about being any type of defender. As he continued to dream of his soon to be great exploits, the Oracle interrupted his thoughts with a tap to the head.

“But, that isn't why we sat here. Your future is… important, filled with struggle and battle. But, you overcome it all,” the Oracle said as her eyes began to glaze.

“A little snake slithering across the lands,

Stronger he becomes against all foes and odds,

Past the mountains, forests, and sands,

None shall triumph against his bite,

Poison and strength pushing him to great heights,

Yet, his strength is naught but his doom,

Kin of the Everflame doth arrive,

And with thee does death bloom,

No path forward except one,

Eternal Servitude, that he cannot outrun,

Traveling to a land forsaken,

Where monsters and titans call home,

A domain, from the numberless hands of gods must be taken,

Only then would you met he,

Of two worlds does he belong,

His path ever so long,

A battle with the gods of one hundred limbs you shall have,

Death all but guaranteed,

Only under his thumb will you live and there will you forever be,

Remember little one, no matter your size, you will only survive in his hands.

~~

Returning to the present, he shook his head. When the time comes, when ever that is, he would be forced to make a difficult decision. One he has yet to find an answer to. Would he give his life to hold on to the last vestiges of freedom he calls his own, or does life equate to more. Is living in servitude actually living? Is it worth the costs to live under someone else's absolute rule.

This very question has been plaguing him for the past six centuries, yet no matter how much time he gives to think of a choice, he finds himself unwilling to have either outcome. Freedom, but death. Life, but eternal servitude.

Yawning, he squeezed the stone under him as much as possible, stretching to get rid of the last vestiges of sleep. As he did so, a presence entered his external perception. Staring at the place where the being was forming, he bristled with indignation. It took two whole minutes for the horrible guest to finally arrive, by then Senzard was seething with anger.

“What brings you to my domain without permission?” Senzard bellowed in wrath, his body untangling as his head rose up. Read to strike with lightning fast speeds.

“Calm your horses, Snake,” the unwanted guest said, brushing away the dust that collected on his bare chest and long, white skirt. His blonde hair all tousled up into a million knots.

“I am a messenger, that's all,”

“A messenger? From whom?” Senzard demanded.

“That is not my place to sa-”

The man was abruptly cut off as Senzard tore through the space between them without a second notice. Stopping only a few feet in front of the man, his mouth open and ready to devour the insolent fool. The messenger flailed his hands as he fell backwards. Landing with a thump.

“Woah! W-wait! I am oathbound! Oathbound, I swear!” The messenger said in panic.

“Hurry then, mouse sent as a messenger by an unknown entity. I have better things to do then waste it listening to your incessant blabbering,” Senzard spat.

“T-the one-hundred limbed ones were set free!” The messenger said stuttering his words.

“What!” Senzard yelled in the messengers face.

“What did you say!” Senzard repeated.

“The one hundred limbed ones were set free! That's it, I swear! Can I go now?” The messenger said.

Senzard slowly retracted back to his spot as the messenger took the opportunity to escape. His body faded away as he left the domain. Wrapping around the stones, he placed his head on himself, his mind in turmoil. This is too soon, far too soon! He has yet to come to a decision and those bickering titans were already set free.

What would he choose freedom but death, or life but eternal servitude?

Roaring to the heavens, making the quiet forest shake in vibrations, Senzard didn't know what to do.