Three Realms

Three Realms By Sarah Wylde

Third Realm

Within the Earth there are three realms. There is the realm of the physical, where mankind dwells. The other two are not seen with the corporeal, as a matter of fact, most do not know it exists. They have no idea who is walking through their lives, surrounding them at all times. Those who can and will influence for the good and those who will manipulate to steal, to kill, and to destroy.

In the third realm, the walls are made of crushed dreams, lies, betrayal, and pain. They are held together by fear and slime instead of mortar. They lie in the shadows and bask in the place where no light can be seen. They work in absolute deception, twisting and offering false hope to those who are open to their schemes.

In one of the highest chambers sits a disfigured prince. He lost his former beauty and through hate he plots with his underlings against mankind. Wanting at the very least to stripping men bare, leaving them helpless and hopeless with only sour and putrid possibilities filling their souls. As he looks at the territory he is in charge of, a wicked smile fills his perverse face. “Yes, indeed, things are going well.” He says to himself.

A great darkness hovers over the map and he sees some of his handiwork has paid off. Allowing him and his cohort more opportunity to work within the Earth and secure their future. Unfortunately, he is interrupted by some unexpected visitors.

“A moment sire.” Asks one of his minions.

“Not now! Can’t you see I am working?” he growls causing the minion to cower in fear.

Ignoring the poor minion, the company slithers past him and pushes their way through the clandestine group. Quickly they pull their leader aside. They will not be denied.

“How much longer must we waittt?” asks the black mamba.

“Yesssss, how much longerrr?” hisses the adder.

“A promise wasss given to our ancestor long ago and it has yet to be keptttttt.” Whispers the cobra.

“We gave you what you wanteddd. We had a deallll.” Said the ring-necked snake.

Beginning to wrap his way around the fallen doyen the boa constrictor chimes in. “We delivered them into your handsss in the first age of man and have been waiting every sinccccce.”

Not impressed with their audacious move, the prince attempts to walk away, but now he sees that each of the forked tongue reptiles have positioned themselves so they could not be ignored.

The cobra is now able to look its master in the eye and says, “Yesssss! As you can see, it cost ussss muchhh! We beguiled the woman and delivered both into your handssss. When will you keep the end of your bargainnn?”

With a scorn look the dark prince seizes the venomous serpent and tosses it aside. “You are fools if you think you can intimidate me!” Quickly he brushes them aside. “As your ancestor was told in the beginning of the first age, it is not just about mankind. Their fall was just part of a larger plan. We are determined to succeed! We will have victory over HIM!”

“So, you sayyyy.” Says the ring-necked snake. “However, we have yet to see this come to passsss. We have been wondering for quite some time if we believed a lie ourselvesssss.” All the company nod in agreement.

“Do you wish to cancel our pact?” asks the leader. “I can make that happen?” he sneers as he snaps his fingers.

In horror, the group recoils, but the cobra dances forward and says, “Of course nottt. Not unless it is within your power to reinstate us to our former selvesss as it was so in the beginningggg. But letsssss be realistic; we both know, you are incapable of such thingsssss.

Anger and wrath further darkened the prince’s face. “Don’t toy with me!”

“Or you’ll whattt?” hisses the black mamba boldly. “Send a flooddd? Manipulate the heavens and the earthhh? Twisting them and ussss into compliancccce. We both know HE will not allow itt!”

With a flick of his ramshackle wings, the dark prince pitches the quorum across the room ending their desire for further discussion. They were grateful that someone else came into the chamber to distract their leader while they made their hasty retreat.

Keeping his head down, the cloaked person asks, “Master? You called for me?”

“Yes! Two hours ago!”

“Please do not be angry. I was still at work setting things up as you requested.”

“And? Is everything in place for the takeover?”

Falling back from his head, the cloak reveals a man’s face. His outward appearance is almost handsome, but inwardly, his soul is like a blackish tar wrapped up in deceit and writhing in rebellion.

“Almost. I need more help. There has been resistance.”

“What kind of resistance?” asks the master.

“There are two people in particular. They do not fall to the deception nor succumb to the seduction.”

With disdain, the general prince asks, “What do you need for me to do in order to see your task through?”

Almost begging, the man asks, “Can’t you send some of your minions to keep them off my back?”

Whirling around, his dilapidated wings begin to overshadow his demented features as he spews out his answer, “Can’t you use your words and open doors for us to come through them? Think man! I can only do what you give us permission to do! You must decree and declare in order for us to accomplish our work. The portals will not open without your consent!”

Humbling himself, but angry at the rebuke, the man kneels down before the doyen and swears he will do what he can and as he goes to leave, the clanking of a heavy chain attached to his right ankle is heard against the stone floor. Its weight seems to the man even heavier than before, but the man doesn’t mind, it is part of the trade off for the power he walks in.

As the door closes hard behind the man, the prince demands the room, and in the moment of silence, he wearily sits on his throne. He never thought it would take so long for his Master’s plan to dominate mankind and overthrow the first realm. He fully expected to have victory even though he knows the truth of the matter. They will never win. It was declared so from the Highest, Himself.

Looking at his fallen state, he began to wallow in self-pity. But it is short lived. Suddenly his inner chamber is flooded with his commanders, and they are screaming at the top of their lungs. “Incoming!”

A bomb bursts though the shadows. Its penetrating light of the rainbow literally blinds those in the room. The pain is so intense that it leaves them rolled up into balls scrambling for cover. Then, several missiles bombard the room blowing up the chamber and, in the confusion, the dark prince should have guessed, but he is so overwhelmed, that he does not see or hear the brigade that has infiltrated his palace.

They are led by a prince of the first realm, the Captain of the Host, and without fanfare, they tear down this principality leaving nary a scrap of the structure left. Afterwards, they set their eyes on their next conquest higher up in the heavenlies, greater than this one. It too will not be able to withstand the onslaught that the Host will inflict.

As the floor crumbles from beneath his feet, a portal opens, and the dark prince escapes into the realm of men until he can rebuild again.