upon the deeps parts of hell, the tallest of heavens. and the dirtest mud lands walked a man who's legend told a different story then he is.
his name, bandit. a gambler who arose from a mud scrap a couple years back, they earned name for themselves by being the "win it all or lose it all" type of man. Winning many games with pure skill and luck.
and his luck was beyond what was possible for any normal person.
bandit beat wizard after warlock after mob boss, even challanging the king, soon they felt the money as not enough. whats better then money? power.
so they fought for power rather than gold. earning even some servants under them. As a following grew with his legend.
He soon grew powerful enough to challange demons of the underworld. down there in that dark place, is where souls are delt best and power is given to the strong and lucky.
and bandits luck was on fire, burning like a blaze in his hyena like nose.
but throughout the years he felt the power he gained started to change him. his skin was covered in scales and horns protruding from their head in a goat like fashion.
the heat of hell not being a sweat anymore. he was turning into a monster..
but that didn't discourage him. it wasnt enough, so he challenged more. and more, and more.. and more.
untill one day he sat in his bar, shinning glasses and remembering what it was like back then.
all the mud.. the dirt, the people who helped. those who didnt, they wanted to go back.. help them- and make the others pay.
but that couldnt stop him. he had a job to be done. Only once he won it all would he go ba-
"ring" surprised by the entered women bandit set down the glass he was shining
he hair was red like fire, her humonoid shape wasnt abnormal here but for her to be in the higher ring was abnormal. her aura was not one of a human but not that of a demon either.
she sat down by the bar and leaned on the bar table, looking at bandit while bitting their lip
bandit asked in a tired voice "what do you want?"
"a game is all" she said back in a high pitched voice. "heard you were good yea?"
"A game you say, which game? poker, blackjack? maybe go fish sweet heart?" he said back as they materialize a deck of cards and walk over to them. drink in hand as they slam down the bottle with two cups sliding down next to it.
she giggled and responded "only if you want, but one thing. my price is high, I don't play games for nothing. win it all or lose it all, great quote I've heard around these parts. You know it at all?"
bandit sighs as he recalls his first game he learned. one he held dear to his heart, he hadnt played it in over a century. time really does fly huh.
"not even going to tell me your name first before you try flattery, the game is.. black.jack" bandit said, regretting not picking the one from back then. but instead what he's best at.
"oh the name is not important. i know your the lucky bandit and thats all i need" she says as they pour themselves a drink and sips it while swirling the glass, coughing at it with a disgusted face "ew, thought hell had better stuff then this" she continued
"the name is important. as you can see i dont deal in money. also if you dont like it then bring your own!" he retorted, as he shuffled the deck, a contract laid down as it forms from a pocket dimension as it stretches across the bar hitting the floor with its length.
"you want my soul? hahaha, you have to be a mad man. well, so the rumors are true. fine then, a game of life and death it is" as they sign the paper and finally say "the names Madeline, Madeline of mero"
"pleasure to make a game with you, maddy" bandit said as they lay down the cards for a cut, as they play the game..
it came close, entering the last dealing of cards, madeline showed them a confident 21. she smiled as if she had won
and as bandit got a 17, one last chance. lady luck would give him a 4! he saw everyone he crushed. he felt the flood of power, the money. the riches. but. the smile on her face was disgusting. her confidence overcoming.
he had delt with other confident people in the past but this was different. he felt cold.. the music stopped-
The card flipped to be a 5.
He would know her name well, a legend brought to an end.
The one who never loses lost.
he got so close.. the shine glittered on his tongue. but she bit it off. a demon born from the heavens.
he soon would knew very well, as now his life.. is now just a game to her.
-fin, the end by Towri
