Horned Serpent

The **Horned Serpent**, also known as **Hanodaganears**, is a metaphysical entity that transcends the traditional three-dimensional structure. It is directly accountable for the heinous massacre of numerous immigrants and the abrupt proliferation of Special Trees. Furthermore, it holds indirect responsibility for the American Government's opposition towards it, the creation and behavior of the Air Force One Angel, and ultimately, the catastrophic events that lead to the world's demise. These reasons establish the Horned Serpent as the ultimate embodiment of evil within the The Monument Mythos universe.

## Story

In the 18th century, a significant event occurred when George Washington, who later became the first president of the United States, encountered a remarkable tree. Curiously, as he struck the tree with his hatchet, something extraordinary happened—the tree came to life. It engulfed Washington, pulling him beneath the ground and into the mysterious Horned Serpent Metastructure, where a profound transformation awaited him. In this astonishing realm, Washington underwent a metamorphosis, blooming into a transdimensional anomaly gifted with boundless power and all-encompassing wisdom. Subsequently, he remained hidden underneath the surface of the Earth, emerging as its true and unseen ruler, embodying both a burden of omnipotence and a tranquil slumber.

Washington ingeniously orchestrated his first action by penetrating Ferdinand de Lesseps' subconscious, exerting telepathic influence over the architect to construct the Suez Canal. He persistently invaded his dreams until Ferdinand ultimately acquiesced.

In 1870, a remarkable discovery occurred when one of Washington's limbs emerged, uncovering his true identity as the founding father of the nation. Acknowledging the potential threat posed by this appendage, the US Government made the decision to confine him, not in an ordinary prison, but in an exceptional location capable of curbing his powers—the pedestal of Lady Liberty. From that time onward, this extraordinary being, known as the Horned Serpent, resided within the statue's confines.

President Ulysses S. Grant spent four years requesting different sizes for the pedestal from the French architects, in order to accommodate the appendage, after they had been working on the Statue of Liberty for several years. The architects were strongly encouraged by the U.S. ambassador to take these requests into consideration. In 1889, during an interview, Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, one of the architects, finally commented on the peculiarities of the structure.

In 1949, the U.S. made "extensive renovations" to the pedestal, aiming to "enhance access for maintenance" and "install engines to aid future departure." These goals centered around accommodating the newly named "Libertylurker" limb.

During the summer of 1954, immigrants passing through Ellis Island were struck by a horrendous stench. Furthermore, a disturbing sight met their eyes as some immigrants were escorted by government officials to the Statue of Liberty's pedestal, never to be seen again. These unfortunate individuals were believed to have been victims of the infamous Libertylurker. As a consequence, the immigration systems for Ellis Island were ultimately shut down a few months later in November.

In 1972, Maize Machines made a pivotal decision to collaborate with the Department of Defense in order to initiate a groundbreaking system aimed at controlling the immense power of True Forces of Mass Destruction. This ambitious endeavor was named "Project Horned Serpent," with the objective of harnessing the Serpent either for their own purposes or to safeguard the interests of the United States. For a span of eight years, the project remained operational until an unforeseen attack struck Maize at an undisclosed location.

After maintaining a state of near normalcy for thirty-one years, in 1985, the statue astonishingly started to reveal its concealed appendage by utilizing the axle and wheel mechanisms. This event marked the initial sighting of the Libertylurker. Subsequently, a team of surveyors known as cthonauts were commissioned to investigate the space beneath the monument's pedestal, leading them to discover a gateway to the Horned Serpent Metastructure. Prior to a sudden flash that promptly terminated the recording, the cthonauts successfully captured the entire area on video, showcasing the endlessly repeating stacks of Trees within the Metastructure. With the unveiling of the Libertylurker, a significant section of the Horned Serpent emerges concurrently from the pedestal of the Statue of Progress.

While exploring a Maize plant, Maya Wray Arnoldson and Nathaniel Arnoldson, both ADA members, unexpectedly uncover a hidden cave using a blueprint. Upon entering, they are met with an eerie stillness as the lethal electrical abilities of the Serpent have left everything lifeless. Braving this ominous atmosphere, they come face-to-face with a menacing segment of the Horned Serpent.

On February 22nd, 2022, a catastrophic event occurs as a result of the clash between the Air Force One Angel and the Statue of Freedom, leading to severe damage on Earth's crust. This event unleashes the Horned Serpent which initiates the collapse of reality. Simultaneously, special trees spread across the universe and transform into Cornerworlds, where those who survive the incident become interdimensonal creatures known as the Cornerfolk. This event is commonly referred to as the "Great Division". Soon after, Richard Nixon, newly awakened, manages to escape from within the Serpent's body.

Despite the significant defeat of the Horned Serpent, it would ultimately result in a devastating loss, leaving an entire reality in ruins. Furthermore, even with the Serpent's demise, its memory would persistently endure. The D-Day Knight would frequently wear a horned helmet to obscure his true identity. Astonishingly, this helmet was none other than the terribly disfigured skull of George Washington himself.

In a splinter timeline that emerged after the Great Division was reversed by the Angel, who ultimately emerged victorious over Freedom, the Serpent remains imprisoned within the Earth. This outcome was decided when the Angel engaged in a profound discussion with Cthonaut A, leading the Angel to disperse themselves into a myriad of particles. These particles, now coursing through the very fabric of time, provided the means for the Angel to manipulate the past. Utilizing this newfound ability, the Angel was able to subtly rewire their past self's neurons, prompting the former Angel to willingly succumb to defeat at the hands of Freedom. As a result, the liberation of the Serpent was effectively prevented.

## Trivia

* The Metastructure and the Horned Serpent are interconnected, implying that George Washington paradoxically attained his own apotheosis as the Horned Serpent due to its abstract essence.
* Washington's precise age remains unknown, but based on his hypothetical birth year of 1732, mirroring his real world counterpart, he would be approximately 291 years old in the context of the current Monument Mythos.