The Serpent Must Die
A downloadable book
When Kaev comes back to life, awoken by adventurers on a quest to save the world, it initially assumes that the upcoming end of the world is none of its business. Unfortunately, Kaev knows someone who is deeply invested in such an event- and considering Kaev needs to find her to fulfill an old promise, it has no choice but to join these adventurers on their journey to kill the god of Destruction currently laying waste to the world.
Of course, there is the slight issue that this god happens to be Kaev itself... But hey, so long as these adventurers don't find out who Kaev truly is, there is no reason for things to go awry, right?
A 15k words-long novella.
CONTENT WARNINGS: This book contains graphic depictions of violence & injuries, as well as scenes of body horror which may be triggering or disturbing to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.
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Development log
- The paperback is now available!66 days ago
Comments
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A fantastic exploration of many perspectives on life, love and choice. I cried a little on the first read, and I suspect this gorgeous little story will wring more tears out of me in re-read after re-read.
"My mother tongue is that of the stars singing as the world put itself together."
The Serpent Must Die, evoking themes and characters explored in Verse's earlier works Lion in Human Hide, May The Moon Shine Upon Camlann, and To Skin a Lindworm, discusses curses, aromantic marriages, and blessed violence. For Rikaeven, marriage is the crossing of a continent to find another who you are bound to by contract. Marriage is the cancerous cycle of bloodshed, teeth, and tearing down your counterpart. Marriage is the crafting of a new body through steel, or clay, or molded flesh. It is an irrevocable change of circumstances. The rhythm of recurring story beats is satisfying and fits the pacing very well. I also adored the depiction of healing magic as a weapon - the horrific nature of endless growth, which brought to mind a babirusa's tusks piercing their skull. Violence is described like a dance, and the narrative follows suit.
"I spend most of my time dead. There is very little benefit to worshiping me."