Kingdom of Petra, Twenty-Five Years Ago
Malik left his room after hearing the loud scream and crying echoing through the palace. He was fully aware of the source of the noise, the death of the king, his brother, whom he had killed. With a scheme already forming in his mind to eliminate the king's wife and children, he hurried toward the king's hall. He saw this as the perfect moment to use the underground tunnel no one in the palace knew about, perhaps only a few. Malik was grateful for his luck as the bolt to the room gave way when he opened it.
He slipped inside quickly, ensuring the door was locked behind him. He had to be careful not to get caught. Malik looked around the king's inherited room, frowning with rising spite. The spacious chamber had a large bed dressed in royal bedspreads and wine-embroidered curtains hanging by the glass windows. Cupboards, shelves, and ornate decorations filled the room, all symbols of power and dignity. He was angry it had been refurbished and given to his younger brother instead of him.
Now realizing his purpose after inspecting the cupboards, Malik's eyes fell on the thick rug. He circled the room, searching for the underground door spoken of by the spirits of the forbidden temple. He tapped the ground with his feet, hoping to sense its location. When that yielded nothing, impatience took over. He pried at the rug, and on the first pull, he glimpsed the brown door fixed to the floor. Smirking, he dusted his palms and reached for the handle. A sudden knock startled him, making his heart jump. He rolled his eyes and blew out a frustrated breath, waiting for the knock to come again.
After a moment, he heard footsteps retracing and realized it was safe. Malik left the bolt and turned toward the wooden panel hidden beneath the thick carpet. He pried the lid open with effort, his face contorting with struggle. Finally, it snapped open loudly. A small, triumphant smile curved his lips as he peered into the darkness.
Cautiously, he reached down, feeling the hard surface, then pulled back. Stairs. Slowly, he descended, touching the walls for guidance. A red light suddenly appeared, stunning him. Following it, the light led him to the north wall, where the royal symbol was hidden. Touching it, Malik heard a rusty creak, and the door opened, revealing stairs descending even further. White and golden lights flowed as he moved down, the underground chamber more incredible than he imagined. Clean water flowed along rocky walls, and at the center, a large blue stone glinted, illuminating the room.
Malik approached the stone, noticing tiny inscriptions on the walls. He grasped the sapphire crystal, struggling at first, then pulling it free with force. Almost slipping, he regained his balance and smiled in victory. The floating light dimmed as he hurried up the steps, whispers urging him onward:
"Yesss, Malik… bring it immediately to us…"
Covering the stone with clothes, he placed it in his sling bag, satisfied with his second task. The third would secure the kingdom for him. Soon, he would be king, the greatest Petra had ever seen.
Malik lingered in his room, staring out at the sandstone cliffs and trees he would soon traverse. He struggled not to regret what he had done and was ready to leave his brother's lifeless body behind. He walked the palace halls toward Queen Linda, who cried bitterly, striking her chest over her husband's blood. Servants gave way as Malik entered, his hands behind his back.
"Why have you killed your husband, woman, and pretended otherwise? You've carried out your evil intentions!" Malik blurted, sending gasps through the hall.
Linda, face wet with tears, tried to comprehend his accusation.
"I overheard you talking about harming the king, your husband. You wanted to rule. Who did you hire to kill him?" Malik pressed, taking advantage of her weak position.
"I didn't kill my husband," she whispered, heart racing.
"And you made advances toward me, lusting after me." His words sparked an uproar. Linda tried to strike him, but Malik bit his lip to control his rage.
"The consequences are death," he continued. "Your plot to kill the king and cheat on him demands hanging!"
Shocked, the guards obeyed his commands. Queen Linda was dragged away while Malik turned to the officials, feigning sorrow.
Next, he entered the princes' room, where the two young boys slept. The maid looked up in surprise. Malik locked the door, drew his sword, and killed her silently. The children gasped, hands covering their mouths. He then forced them into the wardrobe, slitting their throats. Malik cleaned his weapon with cloth and blood, then secured the bodies in the wardrobe.
He returned to Linda's cell. She trembled, defiant yet powerless. Malik assaulted her, leaving her broken and ashamed. Afterward, he dressed her, leaving her alive only to humiliate her further.
Dressed in armor and carrying the glowing stone, Malik mounted his horse and rode toward the forbidden temple. The horse neighed loudly as he spurred it forward, traveling twelve hours through forests and cliffs before reaching the cave. Inside, whispers urged him on. He placed the stone on the heart of the rocky tomb. A force threw him aside, and he saw a demonic figure standing before him: tall, dark, with fiery golden streaks in its hair, twisted horns, and a long tail.
"I am Pluto, god of the Underworld, Master of Destruction, Wealth, and Power," the demon said. "Malik, you've unlocked evils sealed five thousand years ago."
Malik, shaking, realized he had freed forces he barely understood. Pluto praised him, explaining that the blood sacrifices were unnecessary, the stone was enough. Malik had stained his hands in vain, now fully a part of evil.
"You will rule Petra," Pluto said, "but you can never sire an heir. No matter your women, none will bear your male child."
Malik, horrified, understood the weight of his choices. Pluto vanished, leaving him to ride back to the kingdom, darkness stretching across the land. The heart of Petra now belonged to the Underworld, and Malik, the evil king, would reign over a corrupted land.
As he whipped his horse to speed toward the palace, the crown awaited him at dawn, the king feeling more powerful than ever. Darkness had claimed Petra, and the kingdom would never be the same.