When the initial covenant between Zahhak and the Evil One was bound, Iblis devised a new and sinister ploy to deepen the root of dark magic upon the earth. Taking the form of an eloquent, insightful, and clever youth, he presented himself at the court of Zahhak as a master cook capable of preparing unheard-of delicacies. Zahhak entrusted him with the keys to the royal kitchen. In those ancient days, nourishing men upon the flesh of living creatures was uncommon; yet Iblis first served dishes of golden egg yolks, and then proceeded to entice the king with the flesh of partridges, white pheasants, tender lambs, and the loins of young bulls seasoned with saffron, rosewater, and aged wine. Through these blood-laden feasts, he infused the ruler's heart with the wild ferocity of a lion, binding his very soul to the demon's will.
On the fourth day, captivated by the unmatched flavors of the feast, Zahhak summoned his cook, lavished praises upon him, and bade him ask for whatever his heart desired. The deceitful demon feigned humbleness, declaring that his sole wish was to plant a kiss upon the king's shoulders. Zahhak, blind to the treachery, granted the request. The demon leaned forward, kissed both shoulders of the king, and instantly vanished into the earth like smoke. In that very moment, two writhing black serpents erupted from Zahhak's shoulders like branches sprouting from a tree. Distraught, the tyrant king ordered them severed, yet whenever they were cut away, they grew back anew.
Sages and physicians assembled from across the realm, attempting every potion, incantation, and remedy, yet none could heal the monarch's dreadful affliction. Then Iblis re-emerged, taking the guise of a venerable physician. He approached Zahhak and declared that these serpents were a cosmic destiny that must not be cut; rather, they had to be appeased with food. He laid down a terrible cure: the serpents must be fed nothing other than the brains of young human beings, so that through such nourishment they might eventually perish. Thus did Iblis set in motion his dark design—a stealthy scheme to wipe the human race from the face of the earth.