The Beast and The Rose

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It was a dark night, the distant sound of rolling thunder loud throughout the empty castle. The only occupant, a lone farmer’s son, huddled under a grand table. He had come across the castle only hours before when the first signs of the storm could be seen on the drifting clouds. The woods that surrounded this castle and stretched for miles would surely mean his death if he didn’t seek shelter. So when he had seen the crumbling towers the naïve youth had assumed it a blessing from God and entered, bowing his head and giving thanks.

But it was not God who arranged for this.

The boy was almost to sleep when the storm came upon the castle, torrent rain and the crash and roar of thunder. Though it all, the knock on the door was unmistakable however, and for some reason he could not fathom fear gripped his chest painfully. Hesitating, he only stood when the knocking continued without ceasing. Carefully creeping to the door he finally pushed it open, reveling an old woman cloaked in dark fabric and holding a gnarled, twisted rose. The rose, as did the woman, had a malevolent air about it and he almost shut the door on both, only holding back because of the storm. He had not been raised to be cruel to strangers.

“Boy” the woman creaked out. “You who trespass in my Lord’s manor . . . you must leave so I may stay in and bask in the warmth of the fire.”

The word leave made him pale and he shook his head. “Good mother, could you not allow me to rest here as well? Anywhere in this shelter; be it the stables or dungeon.”

The old woman gave a crackle and he shuddered. “Boy” she almost hissed; eyes glowing an unnatural red. “You mussst leave thisss place.”

Fear clenched at his heart again and he crossed himself before attempting to close the door on the woman who seemed possessed by a demon. However his strength, though enough to lift bales of hay or aid in plowing fields, seemed no match for hers. The doors burst open all the way with a mighty crash and she entered. As she crossed the threshold her form melted away into that of a ethereal male with horns of white and mighty wings coming from him. his skin was flawless and pale, as if he were carved from marble. Though he seemed almost angelic there was something wrong with him, almost as if he was mocking the angels.

“Foolish mortal” he hissed. “You dare deny me?” Smirking, he brought the rose to his face as if smelling it's bitter fragrance; before twisting it and with a mear flick of his wrist impaling it into the young boy's chest. As it pieced the flesh the boy let out a scream which turned inhuman, darkness seeming to pour into him. Pain washed over his form and the scream became the roar of a tortured beast. His back seemed to split and his flesh burned as it was changed, his once human form turning into a perverse mix of a demon and wild creature. Clothing ripped to give way to the monsters form.

When it finally ended he was on his hands and knees, weak sobs coming from him. His form was now covered with thick, coarse fur that was the same deep brown his hair had once been. There was a mane of this fur around his head, black in color, and a chestnut brown that made stripes in the coat that covered his once smooth chest. Claws had replaced hands. Once small grace he seemed to be given was that, despite the fur and cruel looking claws, they would still function much like a human's hand. Horns had come up from his forehead, four total, two of black and twisted, about half a foot long, two smaller ones of a red brown were nestled in the fur besides the longer ones. A long, wolf like tail now protruded from the ragged pants, curled between his legs and making him seem like a demon’s version of a whipped dog.

“There now” the man purred. “This is the form you shall stay in. But, let it not be said I am without pity. I will offer a challenge of sorts.” Flicking his wrist the rose appeared in it once more. “This rose will bloom for as long as I deem it to. Let us propose . . . five years then? In those five years you must have found someone that not only loves you but would sacrifice their life for you. In return you must love them back. If you can meet these requirements before the rose wilts then I will grant you your former self. If not . . . then your soul will be forfeit.”

With that the demon vanished into the cold night, reappearing as an old woman at the edge of the woods to warm travelers of the vicious beast within the forest’s castle. The rose was all that was left, and seemed to mock the beast as he staggered to stand, a feat for him in his monstrous form. Letting out a low growl he picked up the rose and carried it to the table, leaving it there and staring out the door at the unyielding rain in despair.

AN: Please tell me what you think, what needs to be improved, ect. First draft. Anything you want to see in it tell me. Might not put it but can't hurt. Also, if anyone thinks up a good summary >>;;;