The Tale of the Immortal Zahhak

The Temptation of Zahhak

Zahhak was the son of Merdas, a wise and noble king who ruled over the kingdom of Persia. As a young prince, Zahhak was known for his charm, beauty, and intelligence, but his soul was restless and filled with unfulfilled ambition. Despite his father’s guidance, Zahhak could not be content with a life of peace and prosperity. Instead, he yearned for something more—power, wealth, and glory that would make him a legend.

One evening, as Zahhak wandered the palace gardens lost in thought, a mysterious figure emerged from the shadows. Cloaked in darkness, the stranger's eyes glowed with an eerie light. “Prince Zahhak,” the figure hissed, “I can grant you the power and immortality you desire. But you must be willing to make a sacrifice.”

Zahhak, intrigued and blinded by his ambition, agreed without hesitation. The stranger revealed himself as Ahriman, the embodiment of evil, who then convinced Zahhak to kill his father and seize the throne. Ahriman promised that this act of treachery would be the first step towards becoming an immortal king, destined to rule the world.

With a heavy heart masked by greed, Zahhak carried out the heinous act, murdering his father in his sleep. As he took his seat on the throne, Zahhak felt a surge of dark power flowing through him. He had made his choice, and the path ahead was now set.

The Curse of the Serpents

As a reward for his loyalty, Ahriman appeared before Zahhak once more, offering him even greater power. This time, the devil presented Zahhak with a feast prepared with the finest ingredients from all over the world. The prince feasted with greed, and as he took the last bite, he felt a sharp pain in his shoulders. Before his eyes, two serpents emerged, coiling themselves around his neck, their eyes glowing with the same malevolent light as Ahriman’s.

Horrified, Zahhak tried to cut them off, but to his despair, the serpents regenerated instantly. Ahriman laughed as he revealed the true nature of the curse: “These serpents are now a part of you, Zahhak. They will feed on human brains, and only then will they be satisfied. This is the price you pay for the power you sought.”

Zahhak was enraged, but he quickly realized that the serpents brought with them an unimaginable strength. He felt invincible, his wounds healed instantly, and his senses became sharper than ever before. As news of Zahhak’s new power spread, fear and chaos swept through the land, and many kingdoms submitted to him without a fight.

The Reign of Terror

With his newfound power, Zahhak began a reign of terror that lasted for years. His empire expanded, swallowing neighboring kingdoms, and his influence reached every corner of Persia. He built a grand palace, where each day his servants would bring two young men to feed the serpents that rested on his shoulders. The people of Persia lived in constant fear, and any who opposed Zahhak met a brutal fate.

Despite his power, Zahhak was haunted by dreams of rebellion. Night after night, he saw a young hero, wielding a mighty mace, who would one day rise to challenge him. The visions troubled Zahhak, and in a desperate attempt to prevent this prophecy from coming true, he ordered his soldiers to scour the land and eliminate anyone who might pose a threat to his rule.

The land grew barren under Zahhak’s tyranny, and the people despaired. Yet, even in these dark times, whispers of hope began to spread. There were rumors of a secret movement forming in the shadows, led by brave souls determined to overthrow the tyrant and restore peace to the land.

The Birth of Feraydun

One day, a young boy named Feraydun was born, and the wise men of Persia foretold that he would be the one to challenge Zahhak and bring an end to his tyranny. Upon hearing of this prophecy, Zahhak became enraged and ordered his soldiers to find and kill the child. But Feraydun’s mother, with the help of a cow named Purmaeh, hid her son deep in the mountains, where he grew strong and skilled in the ways of combat.

As Feraydun matured, he learned of Zahhak's atrocities and swore to fulfill the prophecy. His heart burned with a sense of justice, and he trained tirelessly, honing his strength and courage to prepare for the inevitable confrontation with the Immortal Zahhak.

The Battle for Freedom

Years passed, and Feraydun became a young man, strong and fearless. Word of his bravery spread throughout Persia, and many people began to see him as their only hope against Zahhak. One day, Feraydun decided it was time to confront his destiny. He gathered a band of loyal warriors and marched toward Zahhak’s palace, determined to end the tyrant’s reign.

The battle was fierce and relentless, with Zahhak's forces clashing against Feraydun's warriors. The earth shook, and the sky darkened as Feraydun and Zahhak finally faced each other. Zahhak’s eyes burned with fury, and the serpents on his shoulders hissed as they prepared to strike. But Feraydun was not afraid.

With a mighty swing of his mace, Feraydun struck Zahhak across the chest, sending him crashing to the ground. But Zahhak, being immortal, rose once more, laughing as he revealed his true form—giant and terrifying, with his serpents now transformed into massive dragons.

Feraydun, undeterred, fought on, striking blow after blow. Finally, he managed to bind Zahhak with chains forged by the gods themselves. He dragged Zahhak to Mount Damavand, where he imprisoned the tyrant deep within the mountain’s core, sealing him away for eternity.

The Return of Peace

With Zahhak defeated, Persia was finally free from his reign of terror. The people rejoiced, celebrating the courage and strength of Feraydun, who had brought light back to their darkened world. As the new king, Feraydun ruled with wisdom and kindness, guiding Persia into an era of prosperity and peace.

Over time, the legend of Zahhak became a cautionary tale, a reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of making deals with darkness. Though Zahhak remained imprisoned within Mount Damavand, the people knew that they must always remain vigilant, for evil could rise again at any moment.

Epilogue: The Legacy of Zahhak

Years passed, and Zahhak's story became myth, told by elders to the young as a lesson of hubris and the pursuit of power at any cost. Yet, deep within the heart of Mount Damavand, the Immortal Zahhak still stirred, his rage undiminished by time. The serpents coiled around him, whispering of the day when he would break free and reclaim his throne.

And so, the tale of the Immortal Zahhak lives on, etched into the soul of Persia. A story of power, ambition, and the enduring spirit of a people who stood against tyranny, and a hero who dared to challenge fate itself.