Flash Fiction is a short story within the limit of 500 words or less.
Once when the oasis still bloomed with its promise of fertility and prosperity, a civilization stood there in the middle of the desert. A resting chamber for the travelers who dare to venture to places they are not supposed to, a welcoming hand for those who had been in the harsh mercy of the sandstorm, and the unending flow of crisp fresh water for those who thirst for different desires. North. South. West. East. People used to stream within the city, bringing various cultures, writings, cuisines, products, odd patterns, and designs. There amidst the swirling colors, the city and its inhabitants produced a new exquisite color that represents the realms altogether.
The snake pit is located deep into the desert, in the middle of that city with its vibrant color. Like the image of a snake eating its own tail marked the gate of the pit, unending and chained as one, the fate of the city and the snake pit is tied. It has always been like that since the dawn of time. So ancient that no one can even remember why. Everybody knows though the one portal that led to all destinations is through the belly of the pit. And there is only one rule for the travelers to gain access to the portal in and out: to present the city with a snake. Those snakes then would be stored in the snake pit. Thrice a year the portal would be closed and the match would be held in the pit. The last three snakes on the arena will become an offering for the desert on the last day of the third festival.
A mysterious traveler arrived one morning just after the stand storm calmed down. Worn out cape and veiled face, nobody truly captured his face. Nobody really recalled from which gate he arrived. Nobody can tell south from north or west from east from which he arose. But the traveler, unlike all the other travelers who treat the city as an intermediary place, came specifically with no other destination in mind rather than the city itself. He asked to be led to the pit and presenting his city gift, a snake with a pair of horns on each of its eyes and milky faded scales. He also asked for a seat in the tribune to watch his gift competing in the match.
As the match began, all the snakes were let loose in the arena of the pit. The traveler's snake buried its body into the ground and meandered underground while the other snakes snarled to intimidate before eating each other. However, towards the end of the match, the horned snake suddenly arose from below with the ominous rattle of its tail. Baring its fangs, it swallowed all the other snakes. No snakes left from north, west, south, and east. As it swallowed those other snakes, strangely, its body grew larger and larger. Until after the last snake it swallowed, its body had circled the pit completely.
The crowd cheered upon seeing this marvelous creature, a truly fine offering they got this year. However, the cheer quickly turned into shrieks of fear when the slim pupil of the snake caught the sight of the crowd. It did not stop with devouring the other snakes. In fact, it swallowed the whole city. That day, the city's well all dried up. It is said the travelers from afar could see the city shrouded in a dust storm-like shadow even until now.
The snake pit is located deep into the desert, in the middle of that forgotten city that has long lost its color. Abandoned and in ruin, it now serves only one purpose to fill: to transport between realms. However, those who yearn to use the portals of the city must face the horned beast. If any could triumph over it, if there is even any, it is said that the portal would grant them the ultimate gateway: the grand escape. It could be true, it could not be true. Only the one who desires all with nothing left to hold them back might find out.
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NOTE: I personally hate snakes. Lol. They only appear in my nightmares. When I wake up from such dreams, I always find my body stiffened or my toes curled. It is kind of physically painful to wake up in that state. I had this one nightmare I vividly remember about me trapped in a worn-out building with snakes flooding the lower floor and the surrounding area. The snake flood rose higher and higher, so I had no other choice but to climb higher and higher. But by the time I reached the highest floor, a window suddenly broke and a giant snake eye is staring at me through it. So terrifying lol. Does snake scare the bejesus out of you too?
This piece is ssssslightly longer than 500 words. I wonder whether this can still be called a flash fiction lol. Do you like this story? Originally, I wanted to create this as the origin story for my other flash fiction.
Kindly check the said flash fiction here: Grand Escape
I for once would like to see a snake battle royal.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed to imagine some people does have the ability to watch such scene without flinching. Yikes.
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