The Devil's Étude

————————————————————
-Transcript-
————————————————————

Damn it, again?!

For god sake, the clock strikes midnight!

Could you not arrange a more appropriate hour to execute this plight?

To think I went from bullet, bomb, and saber, with ranks upon my sleeves!

To an old man… in an empty castle…

…plagued by a set of curs-ed ivory keys.

Hmm.

I could turn you into firewood, you know that?

It wouldn’t be so hard.

Chop you into little pieces,

and bury the brass parts in the yard.

No, no…

On second thought, I’ll keep your legs, and fashion them into a table.

Then you’ll finally be useful for something, and I wont live this godforsaken fable.

But not tonight.

For tonight the night grows old. Come to think of it, you may be of some value if sold…

Besides you had been a gift from the Duke of Nukem, and I should never be so bold.

Though that leaves us a conundrum. For I am powerless yet can’t sleep in this humdrum.

So, I ask nicely, please old chum, please for one night would you just succumb?

Blasted box of wires and screws.

Do you remember last week when I asked for your name?

(piano hits wrong key and stops playing)

Oh, come now! It’s answer I seek yet you vanish like a flame!

But I can’t… I can’t just ignore. For the more I think of that bloody war…

…the more I’m sure we’ve met before.

Lay claim to yourself, give me your name!

Do you hear me?

Have you no shame?

Must you continue to play these childish games?

Edward

Edward is that you?

Edward can it be true?!  

No… no…

No dear god the tragedy, I almost can’t abide.

That name brings waves of sorrow, they come crashing like the tide.

Dear dear.. Edward I’m so sorry you had died. I really am.

But… this isn’t your home specter; you don’t belong here they say!

I’m a withered man who needs sleep, I’m dying a bit more each day.

You have to stop.

If you keep going I’ll drop.

You left me no choice.

I met with a woman, in a caravan outside of town.

She claimed that she can help me, for only a fist full of pounds.    

She took me to her crystal ball and put on quite a show.

Mixed together a potion, told me spraying would make you go.

I hope you know I hate this.

But do this I simply must.

This old man wishes to be alone again.

Company to only dust.

No, wait!

What in god’s name, stop shaking the shutters!

And is that also you outside banging the gutters?

Why does this bottle grow warm in my grasp?

It’s heat is making it harder to clasp!

She warned me against the whole glass breaking!

For if it did my soul would then be for the taking.

Gypsy magic, what swill. Wouldn’t even hurt a ghost.

Still, you had to go ruin the fun, and force me to take host.

Silly arrogant little man, tampering with forces you couldn’t possibly understand.

Let fate play out.

Those sisters don’t need meddling of your clumsy mortal hand.

And now, the weight of my embers ablate your soul.

Cremating your insides.

I can already hear deaths toll.

There’s no logic, rhyme, or reason here.

No moral to be had.

Take away from this what you will.

I come forth to you…

My wings unclad.