The Demon's Solace

I have conquered everything. The land, the sea, the sky, all seemingly indomitable forces of nature have been conquered by me, the sole victor of this world. I was at the very top of the food chain, not even a man of the same species as I could defeat me. No, I was now a completely different being.

I sat on my luxuriously embellished throne of gold, jade, and otherworldly treasures one can only dream of obtaining, resting my hand on my chin and crossing my legs regally. I smirked arrogantly, and pridefully, swinging my leg from left to right.

At one moment, I was relaxing in my chair.

And another, I was prancing around maddeningly. I was skipping through the halls of the castle, my equally-as-embellished shoes clicking on the neatly polished tile floor. The sound echoed off from me to the surrounding walls, to me again.

What induced this sudden change, one may ask?

I want an answer to that question too.

As I danced all alone to a waltz tune, I breathed out a heavy, shaky sigh. As I moved fervently, I have come to the realization, yet again, that I was alone. But alone isn't a good enough word, no, lonely would definitely be a better fit. I am lonely.

I was getting a bit tired now. Not physically, of course. It just got boring.

Suddenly, the castle door was kicked open. A loud 'BAM!' sounded. That too echoed off the vacant castle walls. Now there were two of us. I felt a slight relief that there was now someone here. This can spawn another question: 'Why?', that I also don't have an answer to.

"How dare you...!"

What pure hatred. I halted my vacuous dancing and glanced over at the new arrival. A young blond man around six feet in stature. His figure was that of a mighty lion, a shining sun, a ray of hope in this desolate world.

At this moment, I should be keeping my composure. I was the great conqueror, the mighty demon lord after all! A grin crept up on my oh-so-devilishly-handsome face, my sharp canines leaving an impression of danger and savageness, my eyes curving up into teasing crescents—this was the face that has become known throughout these lands—the face of the so-called 'Demon Lord' Astaroth.

But ironically enough, I was no 'Demon Lord', let alone an actual demon.

"Are you here to express your grievances to me?"

"SHUT UP! YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!"

"What an uncouth man you are," I teased. I sat back on my throne aloofly in the same position as before, pretending the 'demon' everyone curses. That was to be my role for life—wait...

...when did it even start?

It's been so long that it had become hard for me to recall my younger years. I vividly recall a vow I made—' never forget this moment, no matter how much pain or suffering you have endured!' Oh, back then, I was so naive! I let out a quiet giggle. One quiet enough for me to subconsciously think "Ah, he won't notice, but loud enough that it immediately contradicted my thoughts.

I snapped out of my daze. What was he saying again? He was blabbering his grievances, I'm sure...I don't have any business in something so trivial.

"YOU THINK THIS IS ALL A JOKE?! WHY?! Why?...why...?"

"YOU ARE A DEVIL! YOU ARE SCUM!"

He drew his sword, charging in for the kill.

Wait, 'devil', 'scum'...I got it! The reason for my misery, the reason for everything—wait! No, no...my memories are running away from me yet again! Why?! What is the true reason?!

I ruffled my long, shoulder-length hair frantically, in a futile struggle to recall something that has been gone for good. What a faulty brain I have! It was as if every thought connecting to those forgotten memories was blocked, unable to move forward into its natural succession.

My fumbling has only gotten more desperate. Please, please! Come back! I was just there, I swear! I was so close...

I was mumbling nonsense to myself like a lunatic.

But then, the sword pierced.

I looked down. It has appeared to pierce my chest Hahaha...what a funny joke that is! Me, being stabbed straight through? The almighty? The strongest in this world?! HAHAHAHA!

But then, I felt something in my mouth. Something sticky, something metallic, something revolting. I vomited up the lump in my throat, coughing, spewing crimson. Ah...how long has it been since I've bled? It was, in a twisted sense, just so, sweetly nostalgic.

But I have done the greatest feat of all!

I have accomplished it!

There is nothing else for me here...

"End me!"

I smiled maniacally, staring him straight in the eyes.

"Now! Do it now!"

I pulled his hands toward my neck, now covered in blood.

"I have reached it! The zenith! I don't ever want you to let go of my neck until I die, got that?!"

Without hesitation, he gripped harder, and harder. Ugly veins bulged out from his hands to his arms, creeping up to the sides of his face, boiling with an insurmountable rage. I could feel his long, unkept fingernails scraping by the sides of my neck, my body stiffening up, and my airways straining tighter and tighter.

It was... exhilarating. It was exciting. It was the greatest anticipation of my long-lived life. Even my instincts to live, to grasp onto that blond man's arms and pull him away were overhauled, replaced with the strongest will to taste death.

"Please remain this way!" I wanted to call out to him. I wanted to implore him, compliment him even!

At this point, I was unable to clearly process what was happening in front of me. His words became almost incoherent, transforming into meaningless mumbles and blabbers. Today shall be the final day, a day to be celebrated, a day to be cherished forever, with this man at its center.

A hero.

Haha...I've never thought I'd praise someone like this, let alone call them a "hero."

I want to do so many things...

My skin started to blue.

My neck was decorated with hideous bruises. However, despite my body screaming in agony, I was at peace. I am at peace.

I could feel my airways collapsing now. So that's it...?

This feeling...it's so comforting.

I am alone.

I am alone.

I am alone.

My consciousness has been fading in and out for some time now.

I had a feeling, this would be the last time I'd ever opened my eyes...in this world.

'Forgive me, everyone...'

That was the last thought I ever had.

I didn't know it at the time, but what a gentle expression I had when I finally submitted to the cusps of death.