The Devil's Smile

. Caveat Lector . Reader Beware .

• Some names and events are borrowed from various sources, including religious texts and other similar literature.  The author maintains that these are used entirely in fictional situations, and in the context of this story, should thus not be taken as truth.

• The author does not represent any religious group or sect through this work of fiction.

• Any other similarities found in the plot to written history and real world occurrences are either coincidental or used for fictional purposes.

He lived among them, but was not quite like them.  He was a drifter in two worlds - yet it felt like he belonged in neither of them.

He was but a mere mortal. Until he met him.. And then it was like waking up from a dream - and finding out that he has to descend into the darkness in order to find his heaven.

And so the stage is set..  For the mortal who dreamed of heaven; For the demon who could not escape his hell; For the angel who clipped his wings; And for the Devil.. who wore so many masks, he has now lost his identity.

{ Foreword }

He sighed.

"Bored already?" his companion asked.

He gazed out into the darkness that was occasionally broken by the lightning storms in the distance.  He could not remember how long he'd been here.  Only, he knew that it was now time to move on. 

He picked up his satchel filled with gold and diamonds and other precious gems.  He was attracted to the luster and brilliance of them, and these were the only things he bothered to carry around with him wherever he went.

He heard scuffling noises behind him, and he turned around to quirk an eyebrow at the man.  Well, he wasn't exactly a man, he was a being from this world he'd wandered in. Humans from earth had a name for otherworldly beings like him.  Demons, yes. That was the term.

The demon gave him a wry smile. "I might as well come with you. It would be a great change of pace.  You've managed to scare off all my prey, after all."

He smirked.  He could almost hear the unspoken words of the demon before him.  And I still haven't taken the most difficult and the most beautiful prey there is.

He gave a noncommittal shrug. "Up to you.  As for me, I've been wanting to see what changes the human world had taken throughout the centuries I have not visited."  Around him, the surrounding area trembled and fissures began to appear on the ground, reflecting the brewing excitement he felt within him.

The demon almost frowned.  He'd been trying to hold this mysterious figure's interest for decades now, but he knew it was futile.  He didn't know how old the man was, or if the concept of age even applied to him.  Even now, his features revealed smooth skin and glittering eyes.  All he knew was that if he even had any hope of claiming this beautiful creature as his own, he had to persevere.. He'll follow him to the ends of all the worlds, known or unknown, if he must.

And so he shall.  And heaven and hell be damned if anyone were to get in his way.