The Right Hand of the Devil

Many people, when they read The Kingdom and the Crown for the first time, assume that Malystryx represents the devil himself. The only thing wrong with this assumption is that it's wrong. The end of the book and The Elements and the Exodus reveal that Malystryx is merely a pawn in the hands of much more adept and sinister foes.

Malystryx started out as the Crown Prince of the Vagan Kingdom. At the time his name was Zulacon. In rebellion against established tradition, he abandoned his rights and duties to the throne and joined a revolt that would culminate in a massive civil war under his leadership.

During the greatest battle of the war, he fought with his brother, the new crown prince, and by means of godly intervention was defeated. Then he and his followers were cast off and cursed, becoming the Uhuu-malush. The Uhuu-malush then turned against him and made him out to be the reason for their destitution. They drove him away and chased him, threatening to kill him. Taking refuge in the mountains, he wandered and searched for ways to sate his wounded pride until he came in contact with the king-demon Shunul.

With promises of power and dominion Zulacon sold himself to Shunul, becoming a servant and being renamed Malystryx. Part of the price was the sacrifice of his own body by means of dark magic. From then on, Zulacon Malystryx became the right hand of the devil, so absorbed into the darkness and the will of his master that he oft times claimed Shunul's goals and actions as his own.

From chosen Vagan prince to Right Hand of the Devil, the life of Zulacon is a sad tale; but it is an important one as well. Without Malystryx, the course of history would have been very different for Uhuu-malush and Vagans alike.

What do you think about Malystryx and his life story? I wanna hear and read your thoughts. Does anyone have any good fan art of him? That would be a fun thing to see too. Please leave a comment.