The Leviathan’s shadowy form billowed through the deep woods, seeking new prey. The great head reared high out of the smoke with its fiery jaws gaping wide; the eyes glinting in their blank sockets like two red-hot coals from an ancient hearth. Its body writhed and twisted as it searched for a suitable victim’s soul to feast on, but it saw nothing worthy of satisfying its appetite.

Human hosts had become scarce on this nearly-deserted planet, and trying to convince the few souls left to succumb to his will had proven difficult. So it continued searching—searching down the length of the forest, through the hills where the forests grew thickest, then back towards the decrepit city of Atlantis where a few men still dwelt. There were some who might be lured by the thought of immortal life; but they were few, and the Leviathan could not afford to wait long. It must feed soon!

Then the beast sensed something near at hand. A man—a lone wanderer going about his business. The Leviathan loped over the hillside and emerged into a meadow where a solitary figure was squatting close to a little stream that flowed around the base of the hillock. The poor fellow did not seem to notice anything amiss; he merely sat there, staring intently at a piece of wood on which he traced symbols in the soft mud.

As the great beast neared him, the man looked up suddenly. He was a middle-aged man of average height, with a roundish face and short brown hair shot with grey. His clothes were drab enough to indicate poverty, yet clean and well kept. From the way he stared vacantly, however, it would have seemed that he had not noticed the approaching monster at all.

The creature halted just beyond the range of the man's vision and watched him, waiting for some sign or movement to break the stillness. The man showed no alarm, however, nor even any curiosity concerning the strange apparition. Now and again he picked up bits of broken wood and tried to fit them together—a habit the monster found peculiarly uninteresting.

At length the man rose slowly to his feet and stretched. Then he turned away and walked across the clearing and disappeared among the trees. For a moment the creature stood watching him, but after several minutes it seemed to have lost interest. It began drifting back along the course it had taken when first entering the woods.

By now the sun had passed its zenith and sank low in the western sky, bathing the meadows and woods with a warm radiance. At times the Leviathan paused to absorb the gentle rays of the dying light, which it felt nourished its waning vitality. But often it moved swiftly through the shadows, intent only on finding another host.

For most of the day the beast had seen nothing of interest. Finally, though, it came to a clearing near the edge of a small lake. Here a single cottage crouched amid the surrounding brush, half concealed by tall trees. Two dim figures were visible outside the door. One was a woman—young and pretty. She was crooning to herself over a child she held cradled against her breast. The other was a young boy, perhaps twelve years old. The mother gazed at the lake while the boy wandered back and forth between the house and the water.

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The beast lingered for a while, gazing at the children. They seemed to be alone here in the shadow of the forest. Perhaps they could be tempted into performing some act of worship. The Leviathan lowered its great head and sniffed cautiously at the air. There was no scent of fear or aggression about the house, so it decided to approach closer.

It took a winding path through the trees, keeping well out of sight. After a time, it became aware of the sound of voices coming from inside the dwelling. The mother sang softly to the child, then stopped abruptly. The boy had been standing near the entrance, looking up at the sky, but now he ran off into the bushes. The mother followed him, calling his name.

Now the creature emerged from the cover of the woods and approached the house. The front door opened as it approached, and a young girl stepped out. She was quite pretty, with a slight build and smooth skin. Her dark eyes peered into the dusk, taking in everything around her. As the Leviathan drew near, her eyes went wide and she screamed.

With sudden speed the monster bounded forward and seized her by the throat.

“Yield thy soul unto me!” the creature demanded.

But the girl refused and kicked wildly. The monster let go, and she staggered backward. Gasping for breath, she clutched at the door frame and stared at the thing before her.

A boy had come running out of the bushes. The monster caught him in mid-stride and flung him to the ground with one sweeping motion. He rolled over and lay still, staring at the monster with horrified eyes.

Then the mother appeared, clutching her infant to her bosom. The monster raised its head toward her, and she shrank back in terror.

"Yield thy soul unto me!" the Leviathan rumbled. "I shall grant thee eternal life."

Now the boy struggled to his knees, heedless of his brother's fate.

"Please," he gasped. "Let my brother go. I'll do what you ask."

The monster regarded him coldly.

"Thou art a weakling, unworthy of the gift of immortality. However, since thou dost offer thy life willingly, I may accept it; and if thou hast fulfilled the conditions required, then thou shalt live forevermore."

The boy nodded, and the monster released his brother. The simple nod was enough of a confirmation. The Leviathan moved toward the boy as the white flame of his soul erupted from his chest.

“No!” his mother screamed, “You can’t take my little boy!”

Despite her plea, the beast opened its gaping jaws to reveal its flaming mouth and sucked in the smoke emanating from the boy’s soul. The creature grew larger as it consumed the smoke, feeling its vitality strengthen and replenish. Then it withdrew its head and the flames dissipated.

The mother fell to the ground, clasping her hands together and weeping uncontrollably. Then she looked up and saw the Leviathan hovering over the remains of her son. The monster swayed to and fro, then settled down, breathing heavily. It was satisfied.

For centuries, the Leviathan had been wandering across the world Zion, feeding on its inhabitants until there remained very few. It had roamed all over the planet, leaving behind it a trail of death and desolation.

The boy raised his head, his eyes now devoid of life. His mother stood with a flicker hope remaining in her eyes, until the boy spoke his next words.

“I will do thy bidding, Master.”

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