The Devil's Mirror

Prologue

14th Century Europe-

The devil was curling his talons when he emerged from the stone floor, the red skin that coated his body shining like fresh oxygen-rich blood in the firelight. A black and shadowy cloak draped over the devil's shoulders, just barely covering the skin that stretched tight across stark bones.

"Why have I been summoned here?" The dark red figure asked, his voice like scraping nails against a chalkboard. The man sitting across the room from where the devil knelt shuddered, goose flesh rippling across his arms.

"I wish to make a deal." He replied, taking a breath and lifting his chin in a show of defiance.

The red eyes set deep inside a cruel skull at the top of the devil's body flashed at the show of arrogance from the man. Before it was noticed however, the devil replaced it with a nonchalant look with which he began inspecting the talons protruding from his fingers, feigning disgust when he found bits of grime.

"And what might be that be?" the devil inquired, his eyes rolling in their sockets as if the idea of a deal held no appeal whatsoever.

"I have lost so much in recent years, almost everything I've ever owned, aside from the crumbling manor around us, and my family but for one child. And now I fear as the world crumbles so will I." The man admitted. "In a few days' time, we will have no choice but to leave and I fear that would be just as bad as staying."

The devil scoffed, but when given a look of disdain from the man, waved him to go on with a casual flutter of his fingers.

"I want to be the wealthiest, most successful person in the entire world. I want not need for anything." The man said, a grin creeping onto his face just at the thought of such possibilities.

Again, a sarcastic eye roll from the devil when the man finished his words, it seemed clear that he had heard these kinds of requests before.

Before the devil could utter a word, the man opened his mouth again. "And," he hesitated before nodding to himself, "I want to live forever."

The devil jerked his head back up from his nails with a curious look. "Now that, my dear friend, comes with a price."

The man, now obsessed with the idea of being immortal and insanely wealthy, waved his hand lazily. "Name it."

The devil thought for a moment, tapping a long black nail against his chin. His cruel deep ruby lips curled into a seemingly innocent smile. "For the rest of your," he hesitated, "immortal life, I want you to take the soul of every person who wishes to steal from you."

The man's brow furrowed, his expression confused,"Take. Kill?" he questioned.

The devil nodded," Yes. I may be the devil, but I enjoy cruel justice at the hands of others."

The man, shrugged, apparently pleased with the nature of the deal. "I will do so for the remainder of my days, however long they may be." He stuck his hand out to shake the devil's hand.

The devil curled his lip, and shook as well, but just as their hands departed one another, he opened his mouth to say something. "One more thing." He announced.

A wrought iron-framed mirror appeared, hanging on the wall to the right of the devil's form.

"This mirror will remain with you as a reminder to always honor our deal."

The man nodded quickly, trying to brush off the devil now that he had his deal wrapped up.

"Yes, yes, of course."