Chapter 2: Otherside

He regained consciousness and noticed his body was enveloped in a strange feeling ( am I dead.) He thought. His body was hot and a coarse feeling washed over him, he slowly opened his eyes to see he was surrounded by sand he lifted himself to his knees to see that he was dropped into the middle of a desert. He sat there for a moment and then started to laugh “Hahaha, I guess it really worked. Where am I? Is this Vegas?” he said to himself. He tried to get up but then collapsed back to the ground (what the hell.) He thought. He looked down to see that he was exceedingly thin and his skin was sticking to his bones. (I guess I’m not as invincible as I thought. used all the energy I had to survive through that. I can barely move… Im not dying in some damn desert I’ve still got my revenge.) He thought. with all his will he struggled to his feet and scanned his surroundings as he looked he saw something in the distance it looked like a person waving at him. He strained his eyes to get a closer look but they disappeared, he started heading that way. “Who was that, why would they be waving at me.” he said to himself. He continued in the direction that the person was for what seemed like hours until finally he saw something. “Water!” He said. He started to laugh and his energy seemed to come back as he hurriedly went over to the oasis he fell into the water and began drinking.

[Well, you were certainly thirsty.] A voice from behind him said. startled he quickly turned around to face him, as he looked at the man he became shocked and bewildered. He had Blonde hair and blue eyes a medium build and a bright smile. “Who the hell are you, and why do you look like that.” He said. [Oh come on now, you don’t recognize me.] The man said. “Of course I do, why do you look like me.” He replied. The man started to laugh. [Because I am you silly. I’m inside your head.] The man said. “What?!” He says and then lets out an exasperated sigh. “So I’ve finally lost it. No, people who are crazy don’t know they’re crazy. Right?” He said looking inquisitively at the man. [No. They do] The man replied. [Look it’s ok, your only friend was a lizard for… god knows how long, and then BAM! dropped right into the middle of a desert all alone. you’d have to be crazy NOT to hallucinate a friend or two.] It said. “Ha, so you’re just a hallucination because I’m so close to death.” He replied. [Sure.] It shrugged. “How did you know this was here if you’re not real?” He asked. [can’t you smell it.] It said. “Smell what?” He replied. [The water.] It said gesturing behind him. He turned towards the water and took a deep breath. He widened his eyes in surprise. “It does have a smell. How was I able to smell water so far away.” He said. [You’re not human anymore.] The voice said. “And why are you… Why do you look like me before I was turned into this.” He said. [I don’t know, maybe you’re projecting what little humanity you have left onto me.] It said. “That’s heavy.” He replied. It shrugged [Or maybe I'm not. Maybe you’re just insane.] It said.

“Well. you found the water, how about some food.” He said. The hallucination looked at him and then looked up at a tree, he looked up as well and saw that there was a coconut in one of the palm trees at the oasis. “How do I get it.” He says. It walks up to the tree and attempts to knock on it but his hand goes through, he shrugs turns back to him, and says [That parts all you.] He sighs “Alright.” He gets back up to his feet and moves over to the tree. the tree grew at a curve so he could walk across it to get the coconut, he climbed up and started shimming along the trunk very carefully. “Stupid tree, why do you have to make this hard.” he said. [Fun fact.] His hallucination begins. [Did you know that palm trees are a type of grass.] it says. “Can I turn you off, and I already knew that.” he replies. [Now don’t be like that, if I went away you’d be all alone.] It says. He shimmies his way to the end of the tree reaches out for the coconut and grabs one and manages to pull it off he scots back into a stable position lifts the coconut above his head with both hands and slams it down onto the trunk he did it a few more times and it cracked open. he drank the water inside and started to eat away at the sides of the coconut, as he did his body started to fill back out, and some of his strength returned. He finished the coconut and looked down at his body to see that he looked slightly healthier he shimmied back to the top of the tree grabbed the rest of the coconuts and ate them all. Once finished he felt almost back to normal. “Ahh, I feel great now.” he said as he stood on top of the tree and started looking around. “Now we just need to find New Vegas.” he said. [Uh, ya, I don’t think this is the Mojave.] It said. “What, then where are we.” he said. [Judging by all the dunes were probably in the Sahara.] it said. “What! we could be wondering for weeks.” he said. [Ya…] it replied. he kept scanning the horizon to see if he could spot anything. and saw something “What is that?” he said his hallucination jumped up and looked too. [That doesn’t look like a sandstorm.] It said. “Might as well go check it out.” He replied. they started making their way over to what they saw as they drew closer they could tell that it most certainly was not a sandstorm but what looked like a thick green mist, that seemed to be held back by strange giant snake statues.

He scratches his head “Don’t remember seeing this on the History Channel.” he says. [I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.] It said. “Ya…” He replied. “These statues had to have been made by someone, maybe they’re in there.” He said. [In there?] It points. [I don’t think we should go in there.] It said. he looked around. “Only thing we can do.” He said. His hallucination gulped. [Alright.] It said shakily. after a moment they walked into the mist, they took a few steps in and it completely enveloped them blocking the sun and darkening their surrounding. “Ok, never mind!” he said. As he turned around and started to run back but he wasn’t able to leave the mist “What’s happening!” he said. [I don’t know, I don’t know!] it said in a panic. the hallucination shrieked. [Your arm! Your arm!] it said frantically. he looked at his arm to see the mist was eating away at it. “Oh shit!” he exclaimed as he started frantically wiping his arm. “it’s not coming off!” he said in a panic. “We gotta get out of here, or I’m dead!” he said. [But what do we do!] it said. “I don’t know. just keep running!” he said. they both started running in a random direction. the mist was slowly growing over him his right arm was completely enveloped by it. [Wait, do you smell that.] it said. “I’m being eaten. Of course not!” he said. [That way. I smell water.] It said. they started running towards the smell after a minute of running they saw a light in front of them “Sweet salvation!” he exclaimed. They ran towards the light and made it out of the mist. they both breathed a sigh of relief, he lifted his arms triumphantly “Oh..!” he exclaimed “It’s still eating my arm.” He said. [uh… shake it off or something.] it said. “I’m shaking, I’m shaking!” he said. [Woah! It’s working, it’s slowly retreating.] It said. “Oh ya, look at that. ill keep shaking.” He said. After a minute of shaking the mist shrunk down to a miniscule size. “I’ve been shaking for a while but it won’t go away.” he said. [Well, at least we can keep it at bay.] it said.

After the frantic battle, they finally take a moment to assess their surroundings it looks like a village all the buildings are made of sandstone and plants are growing all over them, some expensive-looking dyed cloth is set as canopies, and in the distance, there is a giant building carved into a cliff face the entire village is surrounded by the green mist like a barrier. they look at the house closest to them and notices that clothes are hanging on a wire. “Looks like someone’s home, how about we say hello.” He said. [Ya, why not.] It said. they got up and started walking over to the house “Umm… I’m right here.” a voice said. they both looked over. to see a woman standing to the side staring at them. (oh, she’s pretty.) he thought. She had fair skin and black hair, and her amber eyes reflected the light making her look very bright and sweet. [uh…] It said. “What’s wrong with you.” He said. [Look at her feet.] It said. “she doesn’t have feet idiot… wait.” He said. he looked down to see that her lower body was that of a snake. Her long black tail coiled around her. After a short pause, he composed himself. “Hello,” he said. and gave a small wave. “Yes, hello.” she replied. he noticed that she was staring at him, he followed her gaze to realize that she was staring at his exposed parts. he quickly covered it up “Haha, sorry. I’ve been wandering around the desert naked for a while so I got used to it I think.” he said. “Oh, um that’s alright. here.” she said as she plucked a sheet off the wire and handed it to him. “Thanks.” he said. “I’m sorry but.” she paused. “What is it.” he said. “Will you marry me!” she said excitedly. he paused for a moment and looked at his hallucination and he started shaking his head, he turned back to her looking expectantly “Yes!” he said back happily. A giant smile went over her face and she picked him up and hugged him. [What! No! No! Why did you say yes, who asks a stranger for marriage? She’s crazy!] it said. “This is my chance at happiness, at long last. I could start crying.” He said. [Oh right. I forgot myself for a second.] It said.

“Hehe, so husband. What’s your name?” she said. [No way that sentence was uttered.] It said. “J…” he paused. (My name is J something. What is my name? I forgot, what should my name be then) he thought for a moment and then it came to him the only friend he had in his new life. “Komodo.” he said with a smile. “Oh, what a nice name. I’m Layla.” she said. [Oh, names. I want a name.] it said. “uh.. how about Hal.” he said. [Hal… for Hallucination.] Hal said. “Yep.” Komodo replied back with a smile. Hal sighed [Fine.] He said. “Komodo, who have you been talking to.” Layla said. he looked back at her with a shocked face. “uhh.. just myself, sorry I’m quite lonely.” He said. “Awww. Not anymore.” She said as she picked him up to hug him again. Komodo melted in her arms. “You’re just the sweetest thing.” He said hugging her back. She put him down and smiled at him sweetly. “So, I got a little caught up in all this and forgot to ask but. uhhh. You have a snake body. Is that real.” he said. “Yes, have you never seen a Lamia before.” she said. she brought the end of her tail to his face and started tickling him with the end “See.” she said. “Haha, ya.” He laughed. [Wow. We really aren’t in Kansas anymore.] Hal said. “And why exactly did you want to marry me? A complete stranger.” he said. “Oh well, that’s because you’ve been mist marked and I think you’re handsome and… other reasons.” she said blushing. “What does mist marked mean.” he said. “Well this village is surronded by the mist wall. No one can enter the village without the mist eating them, only those the mist deems worthy. It will let pass and it marks them.” she points to the spot on his arm letting off a small amount of the mist. “So there are others who have this weird mist thing.” he said. “Well, No. You’re the only one I’ve ever seen to have the mark. That’s why I was so forward I didn’t want anyone else to snatch you up.” she said. “Well, I didn’t know I was so special.” he said. “You are very special, let’s go see the village elder so we can get our marriage commemorated. Come On!” She said. she grabbed his arm and started pulling him along through the village. He didn’t notice before but there was a body of water in the middle of the village that had a snake statue pouring water from it and multiple other snake women were bathing in the waterfall. “Ah, no looking. Im your wife so you can only look at me.” she said, as she covered his eyes with her hands, she continued leading him through the village with his eyes covered.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Ok we’re here.” she said. she uncovered his eyes to see Hal’s face right next to his [What is happening right now?] Hal said. Komodo shrugged and looked past Hal to see the large building that was carved into the cliff face. greek-style pillars held up the triangular roof that jutted from the cliff “Let’s go, I’m so excited.” she said. She led him into the building. The inside was laid out like a giant hall the walls adorned with tapestries and tables full of candles. The floor had a red carpet laid out that led to a throne that was on the far end of the hall. A snake lady was sitting on the throne glaring at them as they approached. “Madam Tasha, I would like to marry this man. Would you commemorate the wedding.” Layla said. “Marry him?” she gave Layla a confused look. Komodo waved at her with a big smile. “Oh yes, marriage. And here I thought you would be a misfit your whole life but you actually found a man, that’s wonderful.” Tasha said. “Just follow me, and ill take you to the wedding hall.” she said. they followed her down a hallway behind the throne it was dark and dimly lit by candles placed in carved-out slots in the wall. “Alright here we are.” She said. She stepped aside to reveal what looked like a dungeon there were multiple cages along the far wall straw littered the room and multiple rats ran from them as they stepped in. Tasha pushed him further into the room. “Hurry up now and get in.” Tasha said. “What.” Komodo says angrily as he turns around to see Tasha smiling smuggling and Layla refusing to meet his gaze. “Oh don’t resist. We want you to impregnate us all and then sacrifice you, doesn’t that sound nice.” She says. She snaps her fingers and mist starts coming from multiple holes in the wall it starts to accumulate into a shape and then materializes four snake women wielding spears. “It’s not like you have much choice anyway.” Tasha says. “Fancy.” Komodo replies “But, you see” he says sternly “I’m finally free. And I’m not letting anyone hold me captive again!” He says angrily. He becomes filled with rage and The spot of mist on his arms starts to flare and slowly spread over his arm. “And what exactly can you do.” Tasha replies. “Kill you.” Komodo responds. he then lunges at Tasha’s throat but the snake warriors smack him back with their tails he falls back. “Try not to kill him we need him alive, for now.” Tasha says. the snake warriors grab him and sink their fangs into him injecting their venom. he grabs two of their heads and pulls them off him he then sinks his sharp teeth into one of their throats and rips it off he throws her to the ground and then plunges his claws into the other one’s stomach cutting straight through her and coming out the other side. the other two let him go and jumped back “The paralysis isn’t working.” One of them said. Tasha looked at the dead and dying warriors on the ground in shock “Kill him! Kill him now!” she said.

The two warriors grabbed their spears and plunged them into him “Ha, how do you like that.” she said. Komodo grabbed one of the spears and snapped it off at the head, he pulled the spearhead out of him and yanked the end the snake warrior was still holding toward him at the same time and then sunk the spearhead into her chest. the last warrior pulled her spear out and jumped back “Just Die!” Tasha said. she then conjured fireballs in her hands and started throwing them at him until the entire room was engulfed in flame. As she looked at the burning room she laughed “That monster has to be dead now.” she said. “Did it get hot in here, or is it just me.” Komodo said as he picked himself off the ground, completely engulfed in flame his skin charred black and melting off of him as he stepped closer. The look on both Tasha’s and the warrior’s face was shock and fear. He ran at the last snake woman he swiped his claws at her but her upper body became mist, she pushed him back with her tail and stabbed him with her spear but before she could pull it out he grabbed it and pushed it further through himself and tried to grab her. She saw the grab coming and quickly turned into mist, but Komodo’s arm which was completely wrapped in the mist by now was able to grab her in this form. With his hand on her neck he ripped her throat out, as he did she shifted back into a physical form and fell to the floor her throat in Komodo’s hand.

He pushed the spear out of his body and picked it up. He then turned to Tasha. “You’re turn.” he said. he ran at her, she was frozen in shock and fear she screamed as he ran toward her and tried to run away down the hall. He stabbed the spear into her tail pinning her to the ground and ran up behind her and raked his claws across her throat she then fell to the ground choking on her blood. He turned and went back to the room and saw Layla cowering in a corner he slammed his fist into the wall. “Layla. You manipulative bitch.” He said. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I didn’t want to! I had to! I didn’t want to be an outcast anymore! I’m so sorry! Please! Please don’t! Please don’t kill me! Please!” she says hysterically with tears streaming down her face. Komodo walked towards her with bloodlust in his eyes. She tried to push herself away but she was already against the wall, as he got near her he heard a voice [Stop.] Hal said. “Why.” Komodo responded. “B-Because I’ll never betray you again. I’ll do anythi-” Layla was interrupted by Komodo “Quiet!” he screamed. “I’m sorry!” she said. [Because she’s desperate, She’s an outcast, and you know exactly how that feels.] Hal said. “She’s just lying.” He said. [All those women bathing looked at her with disdain and Tasha even called her a misfit.] Hal said. “Why should that matter? She could’ve done the right thing! She didn’t, she used me!” Komodo said. [She didn’t have a choice.] Hal said. “She did!” he exclaimed back. [Did you have a choice when you were running around the streets stealing food and eating from the garbage to survive!] Hal said. Komodo looked taken aback. Memories of his younger years flooded back to him, lost and alone orphaned and homeless. All his friends would sell him out for a few bucks but he could never get mad at them, he only got mad that he fell for it. That’s just how it was. “That’s not the same thing, she lives in a nice house I saw it.”Komodo said. “No I don’t” she said. Komodo turned to her “What.” he said. “That wasn’t my house, I was just passing by when you ran out of the mist.” She said. Hal looked at her with a sly smile and Komodo looked at her with a shocked look [She seems familiar, eh? Let her go.] Hal said. Komodo started to chuckle to himself “She played me.” he muttered to himself he then turned and walked away. “T-Thank you.” She said. “Ummm… w-wait.” she stammered out. Komodo turned and looked at her, she held out her hands and conjured water that poured over him putting out the fire that engulfed him. “Thanks.” He says as he turns and walks down the hallway. As he exited the hallway into the main room he saw the other women looking excited. “Aww, that’s cute, you girls got all excited for your gangbang, huh?” he said. the women looked at him with bewilderment and shock “Where is Tasha.” One of the women said. “Oh Tasha, right she’s…let me go get her for you.” he said. he ran back into the hallway where Tasha’s dead body was, ripped her head off, and went back to them. He walked out into the main room and lifted the head he grabbed her jaw and started to puppet it up and down and in a mocking voice says “Hello, everybody it’s me Tasha.” Komodo laughed at the shocked faces in the crowd “Well, was there something you wanted to ask her.” Komodo said. The woman looked at the head with terror. He walked over to the throne and sat down on it he put her head on the armrest and tried balancing it there but it fell off and rolled down the small amount of steps that led up to the throne. “Oh, well.” He said. “So, I’m going to need one of you to go fetch me some traveling clothes and a bag with some supplies and some food. Oh and sorry about the nudeness my clothes got a little burnt.” he said. “We’re not going to listen to you!” the same woman spoke out. “Are you serious?” Komodo says as he gestures to Tashas’ severed head. The woman’s posture shrinks down “We’ll do what you say.” She says and leaves along with everyone else.