A Demon's Tale, Part 1

So many humans say they don't want to die. That they'd like to live forever. Not one of them knows what that really means.

To live forever is to never find rest or peace. It is to accumulate eons of pain, guilt, and regret without ever putting it down. Nobody with a conscience was ever supposed to live forever. That privilege was bestowed on the mortals. I don't know why. As far as I know, even the angels aren't privy to the secrets of creation.

Demons and angels, both, are creatures of purpose. They do not fear, they do not regret. They neither become corrupt nor repent of their actions. That was my life from when I was “born” until the curse that brought me to where I am today. Or a blessing, as the source was an angel, but for my kind there could be no worse fate.

I was once what the men of older times called a succubus. A demon of sex and temptation, changing my shape to play on mortal's whims and lead them to dark paths. I reveled in it, as I was made to. I knew nothing else. I also excelled at it, becoming a beacon, a leader to others of my kind. I once led an army, commanding demons and damned souls to the further and further corruption of mankind.

One day, we took down one of the greatest prey of all: a greater angel, of the highest echelons of heaven's ranks. I had never even seen one with my own eyes before that day, but every instinct told me that it was my enemy. It took no urging to propel my subordinates to strike at it. We never thought to question why it had come to the abyssal realm where we lived.

It fought, but it lost. There in our place of power, there could be no other fate. I had the privilege of delivering the final blow. I stared into its glowing white eyes and felt nothing but pride and hatred. In return, its gaze was full of things that I did not understand. Could not understand, not then.

Only now do I realize that its look was a look of pity.