And Blessed Be Thy Name

And Blessed Be Thy Name

Chapter 1
-From the Beginning-

Humans a h a horrid tendency of exaggerating the truth. He knew this first hand, from the silly creatures that had thoroughly lied about the situation in that book. Perhaps if someone had bothered to ask him to tell his side of the story, there would have been a speck of actual truth in the damn thing.

He would have told the world what Eden was truly like. The place truly was beautiful but boring enough to make one consider suicide. It seems that very little happens in paradisereforefore making it…less than perfect. His day consisted of lazing atop a high branch on his favorite tree.

It was a lovely tree with a slim ivory trunk and branches that seemed to reach for Heaven. Each spindly limb was adorned with near translucent green ls ans and light blue flowers. The fruit is bore were large, cherry red, and nearly bursting from the juice they contained. It was on those branches, among those beautiful leaves and flowers, that he sunbathed.

And that, he supposed, was the majority of his life at the time. No one bothered to speak to him, especially not the odd beings that walked upright and acted as if they owned everything in sight. They had nerve, naming things like it was truly their right. Of course, he had remained unnamed, most likely because he seemed below even the Almighty’s radar. Therefore, he was rather surprised when the voice first talked to him.

:Such a pretty little thing you are.:

He had jumped at first-or rather, the serpent equivalent of a jump—and looked about. He saw nothing save green leaves and blue flowers. A yawn overtook him after a moment, causing him to unhinge his jaw and bare fleshy pink fangs. A deep chuckle followed the action, sending chills through his slender body.

:Not a very becoming gesture but then again, what would a beast need with manners?:

For this, he could give no answer since his l ral range was limited to low hisses. Instead he peeked about the branches with bored curiosity, wondering briefly if God had realized he existed. That thought was squashed almost instantly though. He had been there for quite some time and no one—not even those annoying, furless monstrosities—had paid even the tree more than a passing glance. They acted as if just looking at it would unleash death and destruction upon their little paradise. Idiotic at best.

:Yes. They are rather stupid creatures. They are allowed to look to their heart’s content. Touching is a different matter. It is a shame really. They miss your beauty.:

Flattery had never meant much to him, and at that time he knew little of what it was, so he ignored the last comment. He instead pondered over what was meant by “touching” his tree—“his” because no other seemed to care for it. Why would anyone diom tom touching such a lovely thing?

:The same as the slightest wound from your teeth can cause the body to cease. You consider this tree to be yours yet do not understand its importance. May I…consider you mine, little one?:

If he had a voice, he would have asked what that meant but his formless companion seemed to already have privy to his thought. Curling about his perch, he cocked his head in silent wonder. Why would anyone want him? Not even God gave him a second thought, so why would this…*being* want something that even the Almighty would cast aside? He glanced to the side, catching sight of tan flesh in the distance. He recognized it as belonging to the larger of the furless creatures. :Man. Adam,: the deep voice rumbled in his head. :The other is known as Eve. I need to speak with her but it is quiet…difficult to do so. You see, they are weak things, pathetic really, and neither could survive seeing me in my true form. But perhaps if I could have use of another…:

If he had known then what he knew now, he might have ended the conversation there. But at the time he knew little of deceit and manipulation, knew nothing of pain and l”. l”. Perhaps they would still have been living in paradise, he in his lovely tree, if he had just ignored that lovely voice. Then again, there were plenty of fools to be found in Eden and any of them could have been used in his stead. He could have just said no but the next words were purred out so prettily.

:Your body, my sweet, would be of great use to me. You are small, limber, and they know nothing of you. They would find you a curiosity and your beauty would keep them enraptured. Such a help you would be, if you would allow it, of course.:

Those words sang through his head and down his spine, literally sapping the strength from his body. He would have agreed to anything at that moment, and in truth had, for his thoughts had become as listless as his body. The lightest of touches fluttered across his scales, laid upon his reptilian flesh by invisible fingers. His mind solidified enough to create one coherent thought—Nice.

:I will ask you once more,: it purred. :Will you help me?:

No, now that he thought about it—thousands of years later—he could never have denied this being. He knew it then, unconsciously perhaps, but he did. So again he answered yes, his thoughts beginning to reform intelligent notions and idea. Enough to wonder just how his body was going to be used, what would be said through him?

He ’t h’t have much time to think as a low warmth filled his belly before spreading throughout his entire body. The sensation of being touched grew, making him shudder and mentally moan. He trembled, wreathed, as what felt like a thousand skilled hands stroked over his slender form. His mind sang with pleasure, something he knew little of at the time, and it frightened as much as intrigued him. Pressure built behind his amber eyes as his vision blurred, ebony tongue flicking out to taste the warming air with abandon. He felt hot, engulfed and enflamed by something he did not yet understand. The pressure built as low words filled his mind, soothing away the bare hints of fear. White noise filled his head before a pure fire filled his veins and his senses screamed in something akin to joy. And throughout it all, he had barely sensed the presence entering his sated subconscious.

~~~~~~

Days later, the voice still hummed in the back of his mind, having lazy meaningless conversations while he sunned. It greeted him in the mornings and sang him to sleep at night. During the day, it told him about Adam and the other, about God and Heaven and love. Never did it explain why it needed to speak with the other—:Woman. Eve,: the voice whispered in his mind—nor why this conversation had not taken place yet. But in truth he did not care for he was not alone anymore.

The sun had risen and fallen many times before the voice made use of him. It had waited quietly in the back of his mind until the woman had tarried to close to the tree. In seconds, his mind was seized by its presence, being manipulated in ways that were almost painful though he was being gently pushed into his subconscious. Suddenly, he looking down upon paradise, separated from his body, watching as Eve lingered near the tree. He saw flashes of red and black among the leaves, slithering about the ivory branches until the sharp claws of stubby legs dug cruelly into the trunk. :That is me,: he told himself in childish wonder, watching as the long black body with the red stripe down the back clutched at the tree. And when his mouth opened, it has not a hiss that erupted from his throat but full-fledged words.

“My, my, Lady Eve, where have you got to now? Come to see me pretty tree?”

At this, the furless beast looked shocked for no animal had ever spoken to her. She eyed the serpent curiously, reaching out to touch his scaled flesh before a show of fangs halted the action.

“Careful, Malady. I do not take kindly to strange caresses. I am bound to strike before I think better of it. But please do not think me impolite. I lived for so long in this tree alone, among its pretty leaves and luscious fruit. Perhaps you would like a taste of one.”

“I think not,” she replied as she cocked her head. “We were told not to eat from this tree, all but this tree. It is not allowed.”

The voice chuckled through his body, causing a shiver to move through Eve’s naked form. From above, detached, he truly studied her for the first time. Her skin was tan and her eyes green like the rich grass. Her long wavy brown hair fell over her back and along per pert breast. She was pretty, perhaps, for a human but she held little beauty in his eyes.

She had come closer to the tree, close enough for the being in his body to wrap about her shoulders. It moved through her hair, nung hng her neck before reaching her shell-like ear.

“What are rules but useless restrictions? What harm would taking one bite do? Why should you not eat from my lovely tree? Its fruit is delicious and sweet. How wonderful it would feel sliding down your throat.”

Blood poured where his front claws had slid into the soft flesh. Eve seemed to take no notice of this, to enthralled by the lovely low voice that crooned to her. He almost felt sorry for her, knowing that she would not win the argument. This being was not familiar with being denied.

“I should not but…what would a single mouthful hurt? Surely, He will not get that angry,” she muttered as she eyed the lush red fruit warily.

“Yessss. Only a bite. Only a nibble is all I ask. How you will love it!”

Her pupils dilated in heady pleasure as the voice seduced her senses. Stepping closer to the tree, she reached towards a branch and touched a single soft leaf. Her hand next moved to one of the pale flowers, fingering its petals with childish curiosity. The creature in his body whispered encouraging words into her ear, lapping at it with a forked tongue. Hesitating, her fingers grasped the smooth red skin of the fruit, deftly plucking it from branch. She cupped it in her palms, eyeing it carefully as she turned it in her hands. His possessed body cooed sweetly beside her before partially slipping down the length of her arm.

Raising the rich fruit to her lips, she bit into the firm sweet flesh. Its flavor burst across her tongue as she worked the small piece in her mouth. She savored the taste before swallowing. The bit of fruit slid down her throat, leaving a tingling sensation in its wake.

Thunder clapped overhead, startling Eve out of her taste-induced haze. The being that possessed his body, however, showed no signs of fear. Instead, it peered behind her in the distance, the deep purple of its eyes glowing as a lightening streaked across the sky.

“What is this?! I fear the sky will open up and swallow us whole!”

:Her perhaps,: the being whispered to him, :but not you or I.: Aloud he said, “It is nothing but a storm. Ignore it. Tell me, would your husband not enjoy a piece?”

The rich voice calmed her nerves but only enough that she was no longer terrified. Her green eyes were still wary of the strange weather, of the creature draped across her upper body. “I think not,” she whispered. “Father is angry now, I’m sure. It would not do to have Adam feel His wrath as well.”

“And why not? I doubt His anger is so great that he would do more than chastise. The fruit of my tree is worth a stern lecture, is it not? Besides, was it not He who said that you must share things equally? Is that not why werewere made after Lillith’s descent? You are expected to be a better wi--” A large bolt of lightening interrupted the being, striking incredibly close to Eve’s feet. All three saw it for what it was. A warning.

He mentally hissed, wondering how this creature would get away with angering the Almighty. Quailing at the thought of what his own punishment may be for taking part in…this, he sought to crawl back inside his body and once more take control. Laughter barked over whatever link he held with the formless entity. :Not yet, not yet. She can still be convinced.:

And as if to prove its point, it wrapped tightly around Eve’s neck and glared into her eyes. “Your Adam deserves something utterly delectable, does he not? It is your job as wife to give him such.”

It should have been impossible. Si-min-minded though she was, she should have put up more of a fight. Should have fought harder so that perhaps she would get off lightly for her disobedience. But instead she fell easily under his spell, childish mind bending to his will. A small smile graced her full lips before raising her arm to allow the creature in his body to slither back into the alabaster tree. She turned away, a song on her lips, and went in search of her husband.

“I will take leave of your body now. I think you for letting me have use of it. You will be greatly rewarded once this is all over.”

:And what exactly is ‘this’. What have you done? I have done it all.:

“I, my dear, have set loose a wave that will change existence as we know it. I am doing what I was created to do,” it purred over their link before relinquishing control. He felt disoriented after returning to his body and would have fallen out of tree if he had not been so tightly wrapped about a limb. In the distance, he could see Eve pressing the fruit into Adam’s hands, saw the man bite into it. The thunder grew louder, the storm wilder, and a chuckle rang in the back of his mind. “And so it is done.:

Suddenly—and centuries later he would still swear it was cued—all grew silent and the sky went completely black. The quiet was a thousand times more terrifying than the noise. Fear coursed through all of their veins, though at least he had his invisible companion for comfort. The two on the ground had only themselves and already they were fighting. It would have been funny, seeing them at each other’s throats, if he was not sure that the Almighty was throwing a temper tantrum overhead.

:This was not a good idea.:

:And why is that?: questioned the voice, tone almost condescending. :You do not even know what this is. No, I seriously doubt it. Calm yourself. Those two on the ground will take the brunt of His anger. No need to worry so.:

A shrill cry interrupted whatever his reply was going to be. He looked up in time to Eve scurrying away from a tall willowy creature. It seemed aglow inside, almost as though it were a being of pure orange light that hovered several feet above the ground. Long feathery shards of light sprang from what he assumed was its back, shaping into large undefined wings. He both feared this creature and loved it, cringing from it as much as he wished to be embraced by it.

:Indeed. That is the power of my dear brother. Make not a sound, not a whisper, not a hiss. He will hear. He is at all times vigilant.:

The lithe figure raised its right arm, a sword of pure fire appearing in its hand. “You have eaten from the Tree of Knowledge,” it stated in a quiet yet echoing voice that whispered across the senses. “You, Adam, have disobeyed our Creator and Father. What have you to say in your defense?”

“It was the woman that gave me the fruit! The woman that told me that it would cause no harm! Punish her not I!”

The look of horror on her face echoed the voice in his mind. :Coward. Pathetic creature.: Aloud, Eve growled out this thought. “Look at you, groveling upon the floor! Have you lost your courage or were you not created with a spine? Stand tall, husband, and accept your fate! Even you can do that much.” She snorted and faced His messenger. “Yes, I am the one that offered the fruit but it too was offered to me. And who was so willing to share this sin? The serpent that sleeps in the tree itself! If we are to be punished, so must he!”

The being snorted and shook its ethereal head. “You, woman, will have no say in this matter, but all involved will be punished.”

It glided towards the tree, reaching it before the serpent had time to get to a higher branch. Its featurelfaceface lifted towards him and though it had no eyes, he could feel its gaze burning into his flesh. Wriggling under the silent scrutiny, the serpent feared what would be done to him. His companion’s presence had fled at the approach of this creature. He had been left alone to face his fate.

“Serpent, you as well must face His wrath.” There was mirth in that airy voice. Cold anger bloomed in his tiny heart. “You are right. This is not the time for laughter but I cannot help my amusement.”

Before he could react, it snatched his slender body from the tree. He was held an inch below the neck, the rest of form left to dangle and grasp a nothing. His flesh singed under its slender fingers. It was pure instinct that made him strike, sinking his fangs into outlandish being’s arm. If he could shriek, he would have.

“Calm yourself, little one. It will not be so bad. And you should have more faith in my brother. He has not abandoned you,” it whispered to him. Turning, the next words were spoken for all to here. “You, helper of Lucifel, are doomed to travel the world upon your belly, eating dirt for the rest of eternity. Forevermore, you and the children of Man’s loins shall be enemies. He will crush your head and you shall strike his heel.”

It released him, letting him drop to the ground with a soft thud, secretly using its powers to cushion the impact. He would have been relieved if not for the pain that still coursed through his veins, growing more intense before settling in his stout limbs. Legs burning, he writhed against the grass until agony and exhaustion stole his energy.

The serpent almost did not notice the grinding and contorting of his bones. He wondered if it was the creature’s doing or his companionthe the sudden numbness that consumed him. Wondered silently if he really needed the stocky appendages as they retracted into his lithe body. Wondered what it must look like but mist had formed before his eyes, leaving only a blurry illusion of his surroundings.

He only heard the rest of the altercation. “An altercation,” he would laugh to a stranger a millennia or two later, “that caused all you lazy fucks to be here!” From what he could remember, the woman’s punishment had somet to to do with pain and the man’s—“The prick!” he would crow—dealt with land and…well, pain. Pain, the serpent decided, was a recurring theme.

The woman was forced to bear children, an act full stress and agony. An act that tried her entire being and pushed her very body to the limit. And because she was headstrong, she was forced into servitude under her husband’s watchful gaze. But she was compliant and accepted her punish with nary a word.

Her husband, on ttherther hand, acted like sniveling idiot. The being had let him off considerably light once one thought about. He could imagine the being glaring down at Adam, heard him tell the man in an annoyed voice that he should be glad that his punishment was not more extreme. The serpent could only agree. Tending fields, though as pain inducing as it may be, seemed rather lenient when compared to squeezing out a baby.

The serpent saw nothing save one thing, the fog lifting long enough to view the scene quite clearly. The sealing of Eden. He had witnessed it being closed from the world. Saw as another airy light creature appeared, took the sword from the first, and thrust it deep into rich earth of the entrance. He had little reason to believe that it was not still there, standing as a fiery gate between paradise and the terrors of reality. He fell asleep with the sight still burintointo his retinas.