Thousands of Years ago in Snake Mountain…
King Hiss, the feared and formidable ruler of the Snake Men was enraged while he dragged a younger Snakeman, hissing with displeasure.
His ever-loyal serpent subjects watched while this was going on, half of them with great sympathy while the others showed no compassion for the youngling. But no one dared to oppose their king, for his rule was law and he decreed that all who were not true Snake Men were lessers, food to be enjoyed for all eternity. Yet, it was this one snake that dared to think differently and, even worse, defy the law of King Hiss. To make things even more insulting to the current leader of the Snake Men was that it was his own blood, his own little sibling.
"Brother… you have shamed me for the last time… not only have your ideals reached the ears of our brethren but now your weakness has even the morsels dare question our strength!" King Hiss scolded coldly to the boy, "I have endured your meekness for far too long! Now, you placed us all in danger! You are going to act like a real Snake Man whether you like it or not!"
"B-But he needed my help, and I don't see why-?"
SMACK!
The Snake Men flinched when King Hiss slapped his brother! Even those who agree with King Hiss couldn't stomach the abuse of what he brought upon the prince! But they continued to believe it was for the best for all of the Snake Men and for the future of the empire.
"DON'T EVER QUESTION ME AGAIN, CHILD! TIME IN THIS PRISON WILL TOUGHEN YOU UP!" King Hiss Declared as the cell was opened and shoved the boy inside.
It was dark, dusty, and empty with no windows, no light, and not a sign of joy anywhere.
"Ow!"
He looked up while his crumpled form was overshadowed by his brother.
"You will stay in here." He coldly hissed, "I will rectify your mistake."
He then slammed the door and left the boy…
Present time in the Snake Pit…
That was long ago and now they were all in a prison, by the vengeful brother of Zeelahr, Zodak.
But it felt like not much time had passed. Even though they knew time kept moving forward, they all remained the same, thanks to the power of the prison. There was no hunger, no thirst, no need for anything and yet it was all maddening for them, especially King Hiss. His older brother blamed him for this and decided that the snake boy must be cast to the edge of the void with Rattlor, forcing him to learn the cruel ways his brother does things. He was bruised and battered while Rattlor continued to spar with the boy.
"Get up, Prince Serpentine!" The snake man hissed at the boy, who continued to whack his tail at the young teenage Snake Man.
"I'm trying… I'm-."
"Not good enough! You are not to rejoin your brethren until you act like a Snake Man and stop using that disgusting human form!" Rattlor boomed with rage as the boy shakenly rose up, trying to catch his breath as best as he could.
He appeared to be an albino-haired, pale-skinned, crimson-eyed human with a snake for a tail in a cloak and it agitated the general.
"But-it hurts right now-!"
"Get back up!"
"But-."
"NOW!"
While Rattlor's commands howled in the emptiness of the void, something happened.
The door opened.
"Our time has come." He breathed then he looked at the boy.
He then used a rock to pin his tail.
"You are to stay here until King Hiss decides your fate!" Rattlor ordered then climbed up the walls in a hurry!
While he did, Serpentine decided he couldn't continue with this life! This pain! His brother was right, he was no true Snake Man, only a coward, a weak little thing. He couldn't bear to live like this anymore, couldn't bear to be a burden… a waste of space. He needs to leave, go somewhere he can belong, and find a better life.
Then, almost as if someone took pity on him, the rock was blown away and he was free.
This was his chance.
He camouflaged himself and climbed!
He climbed and climbed and climbed and climbed and climbed…
Serpentine yelped in pain but kept going!
He climbed and climbed and climbed and climbed and climbed…
The snake boy was tired but did not give up!
He climbed and climbed and climbed and climbed and climbed…
He could see the light; he could see freedom!
He climbed and climbed and climbed and climbed and climbed…
He was going to get out!
He climbed and climbed and climbed and climbed and climbed until…
He was freed from the void and his brother! But then was accidentally walked into a battle! Serpentine was quick and made sure not to be seen! He slithered past the battle, passed Zodak and Rattlor then hurried out of the chamber room! Luckily, he knew his brother's fortress well and there was a secret escape hatch for him to escape the Darkened Hemisphere and to the jungle. Only he and King Hiss knew of this passage and so not even Rattlor could find him.
He made it to the tunnel and kept running until he made it to the end, then he opened the door and revealed his freedom. The secret passage was overgrown as it revealed a world of light and beauty. Serpentine wept with joy, never thinking he would ever see the foliage again. But now he was here, in exile but free from the burdens, the pain, and the disappointment of his brother. He didn't need to be a snake man anymore, he didn't have to kill or hurt anyone.
He can be himself, whoever that is…
Serpentine then walked out of the exit and began to find his new home among the trees, leaves, and animals.
"I'm free."