A Paradise Lost

To Catch a Traitor

Abhelik exalted himself among the giants.

“My dear giants. Let us all commemorate the death of our beloved King Mahlik. He drowned last night during the storm.”

The giants were silent. They didn’t want to believe what Abhelik just told them. They always knew how badly he wanted to steal Mahlik’s crown.

“I know it is hard for us to lost a beloved king but be of good cheer my dear giants. I am still here to lead you. I will make our land great again and we will rise above the rest.”

The giants were still silent. They were sad and skeptical about the death of their beloved king. They didn’t want to have Abhelik as their king. They knew how wicked and barbaric he was.

The giants suspected that it’s either Abhelik killed their beloved king Mahlik or hid his body somewhere. They were silent until one brave soul finally spoke up.

“How did you know that King Mahlik drowned? Why didn’t you pull his body out from the water so that we can mourn for him?” Sedhrik asked who served as Mahlik’s right hand and closest friend.

The giants started murmuring to each other.

“I also wondered where were you when your friend drowned?” Abhelik cunningly threw the question back to Sedhrik.

Sedhrik was taken aback by Abhelik’s cunning response. He needed to be careful on his next response. Otherwise, his fellow giants might accuse him of killing their king and they might turn their wraths towards him.

“You haven’t answered my question yet.”

“You answer my question first! Aren’t you Abhelik’s right hand and closest friend? Aren’t you suppose to watch over him? Since he drowned, it only means that you either don’t care for our king at all or you intentionally neglected your job so that he will die a natural death without arousing suspicion. Isn’t it not your intention, Sedhrik?”

Sedhrik couldn’t hardly believe as to how Abhelik cleverly turned the table against him. He could feel the tension knotting around his stomach.

“What are you going to do if our King dismisses you after a day’s hard work?” Sedhrik pointed to one of the giants.

“I’ll go to sleep?”

The rest of the giants concurred.

“How about you, Abelhik? Aren’t you not going to sleep if the king dismisses you?”

“I will go to sleep of course. But I’ll keep my senses alert at all times to make sure that the king is safe and sound. Aren’t you even sick with worry when you haven’t seen the king this morning?”

“Oh, if you only knew how worried I am when I didn’t see the king this morning. How did you know that our King died from drowning? Why didn’t you bring his body in front of us so that we can mourn for him?”

“Oh, this is the main purpose why I gathered you all together today. I would like to organize a formal burial for our beloved king. I need your help to carry his body out from the sand. I apologize if I didn’t bring his body in front of you. You know how big his body is compared to mine. I cannot carry him all by myself. Due to the sudden death of our king and as the king’s half brother, I am next to the throne. So from now on, I am now your new king. And you should call me King Abhelik!”

The giants were silent. They couldn’t accept Abhelik as their new king. They wanted to appoint a new king but not him. It would be a big mess if Abhelik would sit as their king. His ideals were barbaric.

“Why are you silent?! You should give allegiance to your new king! Death will be the punishment to anyone who will be disloyal to the crown. I want you to show your loyalty to your new king by bowing down and worshipping me!”

Abhelik raised his hands up to the sky.

“We, the strongest among the creatures of the earth should rule the world!”

Mahlik could not take it any longer. He was appalled by Abhelik’s ambition to rise into power and rule the world. He grabbed a fish net made of rope and threw it on Abhelik’s body.

Mahlik went out from his hiding place while Abhelik was trapped in a fishing net. The giants were surprised to see their king alive. They were relieved because Abhelik failed to take the king’s position and rule over them.

“My King.” Sedhrik bowed in front of King Mahlik. “Please forgive me if I failed to protect you last night.”

“It’s not your fault, Sedhrik. Remember, I dismissed you early last night.”

Miguel Lopez didn’t regret that they helped Mahlik. He was a gentle giant.

“What are we going to do with Abhelik who attempted to steal your throne?” Alekh asked, the oldest among the giants.

“What do you want to do with the throne snatcher?” King Mahlik asked his fellow giants.

“Burn him alive!” One giant shouted.

“Burn Him Alive! Burn Him Alive!” Everyone shouted in unison.

“If that’s exactly what you want, who am I to refuse.” King Mahlik gave in to the wishes of his giants.