Old sins cast long shadows
After attaching his tail and throwing a dark cloak over the silvery material covering him from top to bottom, Tony Zark turned toward the newcomer, who had introduced himself as his son: “I’m ready. Let’s go! First, we’ll follow the rule and present ourselves before the Council of the Wise to hear whatever they have to say, and after that, it would be good if you tell me a bit more about our family…”
…Even the thought of Earth women made the males down here tense, sharpening their senses. Tony sifted through fragments of memory, Earthly and underground, and began to see the pattern. If humanoid reptiles had indeed shaped human order, it made perfect sense why, to this day, women were viewed as sexual objects, raised and encouraged to see themselves that way.
They moved swiftly through a wide corridor lit by a soft, pleasant glow streaming from the ceiling. Zark glanced over his shoulder once, then again. Something stirred in him — a primal instinct reached the surface, they already sounded like a sinister rumble or the terrifying blast of a trumpet. Zark turned once more, and his son explained to him that the workers from the deeper-level facilities, where the production centers and most of the laboratories were located, were finishing their work and returning to their homes, situated on the very level they were walking on now.
Here was also the chamber where the Council of the Wise assembled. It was the largest gallery at the center of the city, surrounded by the private homes of the consuls and counselors elected to be part of the Council of the Wise.
The elder of the Council was called “The Wise One” and lived on the top floors of a well-designed and organized structure that extended kilometers deep. If necessary — especially in times of danger — the entire population, made up of a hundred kin clans, could be relocated here: the safest place beneath the surface.”This was the safest underground location, housing the reptilian library and several administrative chambers. Everything was well organized and protected with the most modern technology. Each clan had comfortably arranged chambers, connected to this place by private tunnels from their homes. The system hadn’t been used for millennia, but was maintained in excellent condition. Various elevators connected this level to others, depending on the destination. On this floor, aside from the impressive structure, were most of the entertainment areas, private homes, training and learning halls, as well as the children’s incubators.
Strangely, no one was in sight. They walked alone, just the two of them, until from somewhere the echo carried a condemning remark aimed at Tony Zark:“Tony Zark”! What kind of name is that, you miserable thing! Are you a human or a proud reptilian? You deserve exactly what was given to you! Coward!”
Tony didn’t reply to the attack, but his son, with the impulsiveness of youth, roared with mind-shattering power: “The coward is you! Show yourself like someone worthy and come face to face with me, or do you not even have a tail to protect your honor, you pathetic excuse for a reptile!”
The boy was clearly insulted and angry, which showed that this race, despite everything, did have feelings, especially when it came to family or honor. Tony made a mental note to himself about the conclusion he’d just drawn, deeply convinced that this information would be useful to him in the future.
After two or three minutes, the pair found themselves in front of a beautiful hologram that imitated a massive, wrought antique door. The young man stepped forward and raised his wrist. In his clothing, at that exact spot, was embedded all the necessary information regarding his health status, birthplace, family status, and rank in the social system, as well as his workplace or learning institution. Access was granted instantly, and the hologram vanished. The two found themselves in a pleasantly warm chamber with soft lighting. It was a reception hall with an elegant glass table.
Not long after, a side door opened, and from it appeared a slightly smaller, reptilian being, tailless, with much softer features and a female body. Her shape stood out under the gentle bluish glow of the material she wore. Over her shoulders protruded the characteristic holographic shoulder tabs, indicating that this woman held rank and was clearly an important figure. She offered a slight, informal nod – the kind only someone of high rank could afford. In response, the newcomers lowered their heads with a respectful, formal bow.
She motioned them to come closer and placed her palm upon the glass desk to activate some program. Her fingers were bonier than a human woman’s, yet finished with a meticulous, well-maintained manicure. Zark knew he shouldn’t smile, but inwardly, he did, because he realized that the other vanity remains, regardless of the form, whether human or reptilian. After waving aside unnecessary files, the woman spoke:
“Welcome to my quarters. I am truly pleased that the transformation has been successful, as evidenced by the visible results. I won’t follow formalities and will speak to you as an old friend, whom you have been with over the past 150 years. Yes, we’ve known each other since childhood, and it just doesn’t feel right to act all important right now in short. We have a problem with the two female individuals – I suppose your son informed you. We need to act quickly, and this is a great opportunity for you to start proving yourself again. Since for this type of mission you’ll need access to different levels and information, I am restoring part of your authority as well as access to the sessions of the Consular Council, which goes hand in hand with the corresponding social status.”
Tony Zark only listened while his son let out a guttural sound of approval. He was clearly pleased that his father’s public standing was slowly improving. He wasn’t a consul, but he was becoming the only reptilian without high rank granted access to the sessions. The right to attend such meetings was based on origin, rank, and titles. It was almost a lineage-based position. If you were born the son of a consul, the chance of becoming one yourself was 90%; if you were born a common soldier, then your children carried that in their genes as well. The remaining 10% were granted as a chance for exception to the rule – an opportunity to prove oneself, if the necessary qualities or ambition were present. Not long after, the conversation shifted toward the details of the mission, and then to the successes of the younger reptilian, who now, in a gesture of satisfaction, lightly tapped his tail on the floor. The visit ended with the addition of several epaulets to Zark’s material. He remained motionless because he placed no meaning at all in this act. Whatever he wanted, he used to get without relying on social status. It had been so when he was Antonio, and it remained so now. In that regard, nothing had changed. They bid farewell again with a downward nod of the head, after which the Wise One departed.
“You know, my boy, part of me was surprised that the Wise One isn’t a man. The other part… already knew, somehow. Strange, but let’s not forget that two essences are twisted together inside me. What is the name of that clever woman, with an obviously exceptional status and family line, considering she leads the Council?”
“That is your closest childhood friend, but it seems you don’t remember that moment. Her name is Aselin. When the lower castes hear “the Wise One Aselin,” they imagine a man. Only the Council and a few members of select families – including ours – know that Aselin is a female individual. A pure-blood reptilian with a lineage tree stretching over 25 centuries. Raised in the traditions, customs, and perceptions of our group. A long time ago, long before her father …passed on his title, Aselin had honored you with the privilege of being her first and last intimate partner who actually meant something to her. After taking office, of course – like any reptilian – she satisfied her sexual appetite, but only to that point. Clearly, she has decided it is still too early to think about offspring. You know that females undergo drastic changes after the hatching of the first eggs and become significantly more aggressive. According to her, that would cloud the ability to make proper decisions. She will probably consider having children once she finds the right husband, someone who will support her and take care of them while their children are still young. Right now, there are only rumors – and naturally, numerous suitors – but none of them knows why she pushes them away after one or two nights.I already explained the reason. Personally, I wouldn’t even dare approach her, even though I worship her. However, she must choose and point to me – otherwise, my honor and dignity would be compromised. All I can do is hope…”
About five minutes later, crossing through a beautiful green garden that thrived under artificial light, they once again arrived at the entrance of the multi-level quarters, beautifully and evenly carved into the stone of the earth. The hologram recognized its owner and granted access. This was clearly Zarkon’s home. Upon entering, the young reptilian detached his tail, followed by Tony with the same gesture. Immediately in front of them appeared a female figure, who greeted them politely though reservedly and took their tails to pass them on to the support staff. She then bowed in respect to the ones who had entered, rose, and brought her forehead to the young man’s, changing the expression on her face.
“Welcome home! I’m glad to see you. Before I serve you, I’d like to express my pleasure that you’re home again. Zarkon told me your new name is Tony Zark. Welcome, Tony Zark! I’ve prepared your favorite dishes so we can honor this day properly. Human or reptilian – I am your first wife, and it is my duty to stand by you, especially since when I chose you, you accepted me without caring about the norms and behavior of our group. I am the daughter of a common clerk in the Council’s offices, and if it had been someone else, he wouldn’t even have looked at me. But not only did you respond to my invitation, you also lifted me up in society! I would never even think of leaving you now, when you are confused and torn within yourself!”
Tony listened attentively, and ever since he’d been here – like this – he preferred not to speak unnecessarily, but to observe, in order to build a sense of this world that was both his and yet so foreign. It was more than clear that he-the old Zark–had been a wise and respected reptilian, but the shouts on the street directed at him also meant that this society, too, had the hypocrisy of cowards, just like it was up above with the humans. The powerful of the day were worshiped until they were replaced with new ones, after which no one even remembered them. Worse still, among humans, intellect had no value, and ancestral values had been almost entirely erased as a moral foundation of society. De facto, Hell was on Earth, not beneath it, as some religions taught, religions composed of too much and confusing information, dogmas, and, for the most part, unnecessary or misunderstood and copied customs.
In Orthodox Christianity, there was a day on which a man was celebrated as a saint because he had killed “the evil dragon” and “saved” the poor people from evil. Still, the dragon had likely sacrificed himself so as not to violate his own moral code. Sometimes, misunderstanding and the difficulty in grasping something new are perceived as evil. It’s very likely that this story was never fully told and was wrongly passed down from generation to generation among humans. Perhaps it was the good dragon who was slain, not the one who sneaks in quietly, masked in human skin, slowly, systematically, cunningly, and patiently imposing his rules and tyranny. In stark contrast, humans were extremely impatient, whether due to the brevity of their lives or the limitations their own minds imposed on themselves. This made humans an even easier prey for anyone who knew their weak points. Greed, envy, love of silver – this behavioral model had been introduced by someone or something. Who was it that pointed out to humans that gold was among the most precious elements? Who established the order that if you have more than someone else, you’re more significant? How was such a system even woven into their previously elementary understanding of the surrounding world?
Clearly, in exchange for knowledge, humans were forced to deliver gold to their teachers. A fair trade – yes – but one that had altered and mutilated the well-designed “divine project.”This turning point and the punishment of the teachers is a well-known myth in the holy books of most human societies. And if a people had no such book, then oral tradition had preserved the memory of the almighty being who brought prosperity in exchange for gold.
***
The table was set with care, not just as a gesture of welcome, but as a reflection of tradition. The reptiles did everything with purpose, even meals. Most of the dishes centered on meat, cooked, cured, and spiced, alongside a selection of mushrooms in muted, earthy tones. Meat wasn’t just preferred – their bodies demanded it. A golden-hued liquid stood beside each plate, its scent faintly floral, its texture thick and strange. It served a purpose, too: to temper one of their more primitive urges. After they saw themselves through alien eyes, the reptiles began to understand – their customs weren’t just strange, they were repulsive. And in a world where trade meant survival, reputation was a form of currency. Of the more advanced alien life forms, none even possessed material bodies to maintain or nourish. They considered the physical existence to be an extremely primitive manifestation of the spiritual essence, one that consumes the greater part of the soul’s designated time to sustain it. After the dinner, which Zarkon also attended, everyone withdrew to their private quarters. Tony was taken to a specially prepared sleeping chamber. He didn’t see any signs of female reptilian accessories, which hinted that the personal side of his family life had reached a more neutral and calm phase, at least with the woman who had introduced herself as his wife.
Tony sat in a comfortable chair and gazed toward the beautiful gardens, which were well-maintained and a common element of underground life. From his son, he had learned that the city received its oxygen from the Earth’s atmosphere through a combination of ancient ventilation channels and modern climate systems. He missed the sun and the scent of Earth’s air. Everything here was well-structured; the transportation systems were ecological, and the inhabitants were more polite. But deep in his soul, Tony was still human. And the fact that even as a reptilian, he had secretly climbed to the surface hinted that he had a weakness for nature up there.
The reptile Zark didn’t like humans, but he didn’t hate them either. He believed that perhaps, when their time came, they would “grow up” and become wiser. In some ways, they were closer to the Creator – naively pure, childlike, obedient to instructions. The trouble was, they were following the wrong instructors – those striving to become the sole masters of both the lower and upper world. For their covert goals, they spared no one and nothing, and were not afraid to compare themselves even to the Creator. His thoughts were cut off when, without a sound, the hologram faded to reveal the mistress of the house – and now she was in her husband’s quarters. Zark raised his eyes and saw the completely naked, unadorned body of his wife, who intended to offer her hospitality also in bed. Her figure was firm, almost like that of a young girl, because pregnancy left no visible marks or changes on female reptilians. The eggs were “birthed” at a relatively small size and completed their development in well-heated incubators.” The hatchlings did not require nursing because their biology demanded that they begin eating solid food immediately after birth. The babies were miniature replicas of their parents, already capable of walking and eating like mature individuals. This part of their evolution had not changed, due to the need for rapid adaptation to their surroundings and possible survival in the face of danger. Thus, the mothers’ bodies suffered almost no damage. Each female could have young every 2 to 3 years, depending on her traits, and give birth to only one egg at a time. Two were rare, and even rarer was for two babies to hatch from one egg. This was because, usually, if they were twins, the stronger individual, being a predator by nature, would consume its sibling. It was believed that the twin-born Zark and Zarkon had been exceptionally gifted and broadly developed even at the moment of their conception, so that they did not allow either of them to be harmed during the incubation period. This pair was bonded for life, not only by identical DNA, but also in their mental abilities and communication. Telepathy wasn’t impossible for reptilians, but it wasn’t common behavior either; only twins could do it, and not all of them. It was a matter of personal choice, but among the hundred known clans in this group, only Tony Zark and Zarkon had this quality. Something rumbled and buzzed inside Tony’s head until he clearly heard his brother’s voice in his mind:
“Hey, I wasn’t sure if with the new, changed essence we’d still be able to have our little fun – talking telepathically – and that’s why I haven’t insisted until now. It was hard to reach you, but the reptile in you has awakened – thank the stars! Listen carefully! I know I’m probably the last creature who should meddle. Still, it’s absolutely necessary for you to follow my instructions, so you can present yourself properly and slowly be accepted back among us…You must not reject her. You’ll offend her. And not just that – she has to report to the Council of the Wise how you handled yourself, and whether she finds you changed. I know – this sounds insane from a human point of view, but for reptilians it’s completely normal. We are extremely sensitive when it comes to sex – that’s our weakness!”
At that line, Tony laughed mentally and replied:
“Not just you, my friend – not just you, considering the pleasure that’s created… definitely not just you!”
The conversation continued quickly:
“Listen – the rules of the game here are different and brutal compared to the human point of view. Have you ever seen how snakes mate? They look like they’re fighting – twisted into each other, and the whole thing resembles a rumble more than love…It’s a clash of instincts…Well, it’s more or less the same here. I know it’s strange, but I’ll guide you this time – and once you remember, it’ll all come back easily. The basics are more or less the same as with humans…”
Tony felt uneasy, but had no choice but to listen to his brother. After all, if Zarkon had wanted to destroy him, he’d have had a thousand chances by now. He took off his material covering and, following the given instructions, quickly approached his wife, then, as instructed, pulled her roughly toward him so he could inhale the scent of the skin on her neck. Every marriage and mating ritual began this way. The explanation was that aromas and scents deeply affected reptilians, making them hyper sexual. Very soon, Tony Zark discovered this for himself and no longer needed anyone’s instructions. Zarkon understood and withdrew silently. Reptile or not, the male nature didn’t need too many explanations.
He woke up in the morning and found the room in complete chaos. He remembered what had happened the previous night – he had made love to his wife. Physically, he felt amazing, and the calm sleep of his partner showed that she had no complaints either. Almost immediately after him, she opened her eyes and smiled:
“You were incredible, Tony Zark! I’ve never felt like that before! This mixture between human spirit and reptilian body should be prescribed to every husband or lover,” she laughed. “Yes, we were a bit wild — but what else could’ve been expected…”
At these words, Tony remembered how he had literally grabbed her and thrown her onto the bed, unable to control his needs and desires…According to Earth standards, it would be considered outright rape. Suddenly, he froze. A flash shot through his brain – a memory of seeing Marayah in a similar position with her attacker. He remembered everything clearly. He had to find Diona and Marayah at any cost. What had happened to them? Hopefully… They were okay.
