The Golden Path

Chapter 1
Scene 1: Prologue

Northern Scotland (Liam’s Village) (revised by Shinka-san)

Never had he imaged something like this could happen. Sure he had heard news about things of this nature, but he never thought it could happen to him. It was like his worst nightmare became reality; that terrible dream of losing his family and friends. How could an entire village be ripped away so easily? Human life is a fragile thing.

Liam was born the middle son of a middle class family in Scotland. His mother was a seamstress, his father: a carpenter, both of whom were popular in that little town. Liam and his family had always lived a normal, simple life. His older brother and sister always seemed to know that they would follow in their parents’ footsteps. Liam, on the other hand, had absolutely no clue what profession he would join.

At the age of twelve, Liam was apprenticed to an elderly historian. The old man had countless books on every subject imaginable and Liam learned much under his tutelage. In his youth as an apprentice, the old historian had once traveled to Africa. It was there that he learned of the various gods and goddesses of the African nations, and this information was quickly passed onto Liam.

However, when he was just fifteen years old, a plague tore through his hometown. Everyone, including Liam’s beloved teacher, died. Liam was left as the only survivor. The reason for his survival still evades him to this very day.

The poor boy was forced to live off of the old farms once owned by his former townspeople. Not wanting to take any chances, Liam burned the bodies of the dead and destroyed the infected buildings. For an entire year Liam searched through his teacher’s books and scrolls, desperately trying to find a way to bring his friends and family back. His teacher had once told him of an ancient Babylonian god who went by the name of Belial. It was said that Belial could grant wishes, and after Liam finally came across a scroll that would help him in his summoning of Belial, he immediately set to work.

After a week of gathering the necessary materials, Liam was ready. The boy preformed the sacred ritual, and Belial appeared before him in the form of a priest in a black robe, the hood over his head and an Ankh pendant hanging from around his neck.

“Who dares summon me from my rest?” the god asked in a hissing tone. Liam was instantly reminded of a snake.

“I… I do, my-my Lord Belial,” the young boy stuttered. Fear shook Liam’s body, but he forced himself to remember to address the god by his name. After all, an angry god was not something Liam wished to experience.

“And what is your purpose in doing so?” questioned Belial, looking down at the boy, a mere child, kneeling before him.

“I have a favor to ask of you, my lord,” Liam replied. Belial did not respond. “I beg of you, Lord Belial, restore this village. I cannot bear to live while my family and mentor are dead!” Tears streamed from Liam’s green eyes.

“And what do you offer as payment for such a request?”

“Anything, my lord, anything you ask! I will give you everything I have if it is what you wish. Just bring them back! Please, I beg of you!” Liam pleaded desperately.

Belial hardly seemed to give it a second thought. “Anything, you say? Fine then! Your soul now belongs to me, as it shall for the rest of eternity! You will be my Hand, my most trusted servant so long as you perform any task I request of you. Do you agree to this?” It was obvious the god believed the boy would surely refuse.

“Yes,” Liam wiped the tears from his eyes and looked up at Belial. “Master.”

A smirk crept onto Belial’s lips. He clapped his hands, hidden in his robes, and spoke one single word in Ancient Babylonian. Everything suddenly went black for Liam.

“The village has been restored.” Belial’s voice seemed to come from right next to Liam, yet appeared to echo from all around. “The plague shall not strike this place again. However, neither your family nor your teacher remembers you. To them, you never even existed. I give you these blessings though you did not ask for them.”

“Thank you, Master,” Liam answered, incredibly grateful for Belial’s generosity. “Your kindness is immense.”

For the next several thousand years, Liam served his master faithfully. In return for his unwavering service as a spy, assassin, and head of servants, Belial rewarded Liam in many ways. Amongst these rewards were Liam’s weapons: long silver daggers, and a silver gun; mysterious, magic-resistant clothing, inhuman strength, and eternal life. Over the many millennia that Liam served Belial, his looks never changed from that of a sixteen year old boy.