I can resist anything but temptation. Oscar Wilde
And the devil, taking him up into a high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Luke 4:5 – 4:8
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Satan laughed out loud. To Sarah's ears it was a frightening sound, deep and terrifying at the same time, like the roar of a freight train suddenly upon you without warning. Sarial curled his lips in disdain, "What do I offer you Goblin King? You ask me that question as if I were a painted harlot selling my wares." Then he paused and smirked, "Well, perhaps I am."
Sarial unwound from the chair and quickly strode to the throne in one graceful fluid motion. Sarah had never seen anyone move like that, it reminded her of the strike of a snake. Sarial's eyes glittered as he looked into Jareth's soul and whispered, "The real question is what don't I offer you."
The throne room disappeared from around them and they were standing on a high mountain Aboveground. Sarial walked to the edge of a cliff and turned to face them. Majestically he spread his arms in ownership and pride, "Once I offered all this to one who was not worthy. I asked for so little in return, a token really," he dropped his arms and sighed, "just an acknowledgement of who I am.....but I digress."
Looking at Jareth with a serious expression Sarial pointed towards the horizon, "All this would be yours to do with as you will. Your power would be absolute, your reign unquestioned, even by me."
The fallen angel waved his arm and an ever-changing vision of matching armies appeared. He pointed to the flashing images and said in a low tempting rasp, "You would be a true military commander, a leader......almost a god."
Jareth stepped towards the vision, lifting his hand as if to touch it, "Armies of men....."
Sarial waved his arm and the vision changed to flashes of submarines, nuclear blasts, the launching of a space shuttle and formations of flying jet fighters. Sarial circled Jareth as he continued, "Not to mention the instruments and advanced technology of war and exploration. It's only in its infancy; it would flourish under your direction and superior intellect. Think of all the possibilities your rule would bring." Sarial stopped and watched Jareth staring at the sights and imagining what he could do, control, and accomplish under his leadership.
Sarah was frightened by the naked desire she saw on Jareth's face. She was about to say something when Sarial continued, "That's not all Goblin King," he said stepping between Jareth and the vision. "There's much more..look." The dragon stepped back and Jareth could see flashes of beautiful women of all nationalities wanting him, beckoning him with their bodies and lust. The women's images dissolved into pictures of palaces and riches hard to even imagine.
"As for the rules..," Sarial smirked, "the only rules would be the ones you made." Jareth saw a vision of Helena freed by the wave of his hand and Sonya restored to beauty at his mere thought. There were no rules; only his will. He was absolute power.
Sarah forcefully interrupted with a cynical tone, "And what is the cost of all this power?" Sarial answered her question never taking his eyes off Jareth, "All you have to do is claim me before God." Jareth narrowed his eyes. Sarial quickly responded, "Oh, I know what you're thinking...I would interfere, I would rule you. No, my worthy king, I would be completely in the background, a mere figurehead. I tire of involvement in the affairs of men." Jareth's eyes shifted back to the vision as Sarial looked meaningfully at Sarah and softly added, "I wish to do other things."
Sarah was momentarily stunned by Sarial's tender gaze, she couldn't seem to take her eyes away from his, she was drawn to the painful longing she saw in their depths. Suddenly she shook herself out of the trance and fiercely began to protest, "I don't think......"
The vision abruptly ended and Jareth found himself back in the throne room, alone. Fear seized him, where was Sarah? What had Sarial done with her? The Goblin King's face went dark with rage, "Sarial, I command you to bring Sarah here right now!" Echoes and silence were his only response.
Sarah was riding a white stallion through the Labyrinth; at least she thought it was the Labyrinth. The maze was wondrously impeccable with trailing flowers and healthy vegetation growing everywhere. The sky slowly changed colors in muted hues giving everything a surreal soothing glow. She noticed she was wearing an elegant midnight blue gown with her hair piled high on her head. Her steed was also elaborately decorated with silken crests, fit for royalty.
Sarah gasped when the castle came into view. Flags danced gaily atop a white marble palace that sparkled with the changing light. As she entered the Goblin City cheers rose from the inhabitants along with a chant, "Queen Sarah, Queen Sarah." She saw Hoggle, Sir Didymus and Ludo clapping and cheering in the crowd; she smiled and waved to them. Reaching the castle entrance footmen helped her from the horse and opened the front doors for her. Several human servants bowed and curtseyed at her entrance, "Welcome home Queen Sarah - good to see you madam – all the guests have arrived and are in the ballroom Queen Sarah."
She stood at the top of the stairway to the ballroom and saw Toby with her real mother and father. She knew history had been altered; her parents were always happily married and Toby was their second child. Unlike the depraved ball Jareth had conjured, the guests were unmasked and festively dressed for a royal ball. Toby ran up the steps to her and exclaimed, "Sarah I fought a real dragon and won! I have a pet unicorn, I can't wait for you to see it!"
Sarah allowed Toby to lead her down the stairs as her guests clapped and cheered. With tears in her eyes she embraced both her parents together, she couldn't remember when she was so happy. "What's wrong darling?" her mother smiled and dabbed at Sarah's eyes with a handkerchief. Sarah shook her head, "I'm just so glad to see you and dad." Her father chided, "You just saw us yesterday."
A waltz started to play and a deep male voice from behind her asked, "May I have the pleasure of this dance, my queen?" Turning she saw it was an elegantly dressed Sarial holding out a white-gloved hand. She allowed him to lead her to the dance floor and whispered, "What is all this?" As Sarial firmly grasped her waist his power surged through her making her tremble in his embrace. He looked into her eyes with the gentleness of a lover then slowly leaned to her ear, "I swear, nothing will ever hurt you or those you love again." She could not help being drawn to the deepest desires held in her heart or the one with the ability to make them real.
He slowly and gracefully led her through the waltz never taking his eyes from hers. She was stunned, how could he know what she wanted so badly, that which she would give anything to have? As if reading her thoughts he pulled her closer, "I have always known your heart Sarah. This is but a small part of all I want to give you. Ask and everything I have is yours."