What would it take to change a man?
The dead man woke.
The man was confused. How had he escaped death? What was this magic? Was this destiny or luck? Did he have no say in his life? He looked around. He saw evidence that the forces of good and evil had witnessed something here. What did they witness? His demise no doubt. Surely, they celebrated his destruction… so why was there breath in his lungs again?
The man’s eyes fell upon her, Chance. She was lovely. Just the look of her stirred an excitement within him. It was not the tingle of sexual pleasure, but rather the thrill of risk. The very air about her seemed alive with abandon. No apologies, she was herself. With just a glance, he knew that she was reason he lived.
Chance came to the man. Without even speaking, he understood now. She had offered him a chance. Surely, there was no guarantee that he would live again. His life was the result of her gamble on him. Did she win? Did she influence the game? He felt her yearning for him to use this opportunity for good. He knew her desire for him. He rose up and walked away. He would do what only he could. He would live his life anew.
The gods and devils knew nothing of the outlier’s risk. In their minds, the man was dead and the threat was gone. And maybe they were right, or maybe they were very wrong. Only time would tell.
It did not take long before there were rumors of a new man in town. He was an unusual sort. The risks this man took to help others was almost heroic! One day he could be found in the darkest alleys nursing the downtrodden to health. Another day he was found working harder than any other man in town, only to give his wages to feed the hungry. There was call for help, the man answered. There was a robbery in progress only to be thwarted by this unusual man. The orphans looked to him as a father. The widows felt the safety he provided. Where there was a need, he sought to meet it.
Chance smiled to herself. This was why she took risks!
For months this continued. Soon it was a year. After that, several years. The man always chose to give of himself to help those around him. The evil in that town was quiet. Peace and love were welcome and spread freely. The power of just one man!
A rumor spread amongst the devils. There was a town protected by a mysterious man who did only good. Some of the demons even claimed he was a god. Still, none dared risk entering the town themselves. The town itself seemed to emanate his presence. The people, the buildings, the streets, and the walls: they were all affected by this man. The feeling at it’s core was uncertainty. The darkness likes the power of knowing they can overtake their victims. They were not creatures that played variables.
There was one demon, one demon who could navigate uncertainty. She was mysterious and unchecked. She gave inspiration and craving to those she touched. She could create wild desire. When she set a fire, there was no escape. All who invited her to dine were overcome by her wine. She was Lust.
Lust ventured to the city. She announced her arrival immediately for she knew how to get the man’s attention. She walked through the city touching men, women, and children alike. She gave them lustful desires. She gave them permission to act as they please. She enticed them to do as they will without regard to the consequences or the person they acted upon. Theft, murder, rape, violence: the evil spread. The winds carried the cries of those affected and the devils heard the anguish. Many more devils began to mount their assault.
The man felt Lust’s presence. He would not allow his people, the people he protected, to fall prey to this evil. He purposed this in his heart. Still, Lust was stronger than his purpose and many people were falling as he made his way to Lust.
Lust was wildly entertained by an adulterous couple as the man approached her. He was unaffected by her power. So strong had he become that he was able to deflect her sphere of influence. He was more than a man. He was more.
He took her by force. He grabbed her long black hair and dragged her from the city. Her screams were a warning to the droves of evil approaching the city. As he pulled her away, her influence was drawn from the people of the city. She was no longer a seductive demon. She was afraid of this man. The rumors were true. There was a greatness guarding this city. This great man. He was unrestrained good. She could not bring him down. She was powerless against him. All the forces of evil were powerless against this…
Man? He was still a man. And no man can resist all evil.
Once outside the city the man flung her powerless form away. He cursed her. He cursed the evil that desired him. He proclaimed himself the protector of this city. He threatened all who trespassed. She heard him. She knew she could not seduce this man. He had control of himself. Or did he?
Lust looked at the man. Their eyes met. In that contact she offered him a piece of herself. It was not sexual lust. He would not succumb to the basic desires of man. She saw him as who he was. The protector. A man of power. She offered him something she had reserved for some time. She sent him the desire of Bloodlust.
The man felt something different. Almost a war within himself. He wanted to protect his people but he felt that the only way to do that would be to kill Lust. She must not come back. She couldn’t be allowed to exist. She must be extinguished. He walked slowly to her.
She looked into his eyes… Did accept her offer?
The man brought his full force down upon Lust. She could not resist his strength. She gave up immediately. Her spirit escaped her body without hesitation.
The man lifted himself and turned towards the city. He walked away from the demon’s lifeless form. He had defeated evil. He won. The taste of victory was on his lips. The taste was sweet and invigorating. The taste was success. The taste was blood, the blood of Lust herself. He savored it for a moment…
And the man wanted more.
