Writing

A Guideline to Villainy Fictional books and stories all have some type of story arch. The main character changes, hopefully for the better, and saves the world. Their actions become the pen that writes the entire narrative. Yet, my story became set in stone. Literally… it's written on some stone wall in a grandiose temple where all fates exist. I just happened to stumble upon the seal. Maybe things would have turned out differently if did not give into my young and adventurous self. Peace existed once between demons and humans after all. Perhaps if I remained ignorant and let fate takes its course, I would not have such a guilty conscious. But now, those seem like childish thoughts. No one else seemed to have known of these stories. How some omnipotent existence had gone ahead and decided which path we shall take. If you ask anyone else, they may blaze with justified rage or wallow in the reality that their life does not belong to them… but not me. I could care less simply because I knew the outcome. My thoughts might have remained as a result of not seeing much point to life in the first place. However, I continued to live to protect the only ones who saw more in me than I did myself. I never had some enormous plan to take over the world. However, if I must do so in order to protect my people, I will gladly become the despicable villain in the eyes of all others. So, let’s begin a new chapter, shall we? If I must become the villain of this story, then I suppose I better become a good one. Besides… Disgusting. Unloved child. Demon-born. Freak. Haven’t I always lived as one? — Step one: have a certain flair about you. Ever wonder why villains have more style than the protagonist? The answer remains quite simple. What villain doesn’t want to look good while committing devious acts? “Ugh!” I yelled aloud as I gazed at the lavish mirror in front of me. “Who designed this shirt to have so many ties in the back? And what’s with these boots? They look absolutely stunning, but I do not want ‘Died because of heels’ on my tombstone?” “Your Highness,” William, my attendant, began in a level tone, “what shall I do with these pests?” My smile brightened as I looked at the bloodied and terrified faces of the humans on the floor. They dared to enter my kingdom and touch my citizens. “Oh, William, I think you know exactly where to take them.” “Of course.” The four humans screamed as my guards pulled them away. I could not help the glee in my heart at the pitiful voices of those filthy mongrels. “Happy torturing!” I exclaimed. The screams became even louder. Step two: a good antagonist always keeps a level head and feels great pleasure in the games of manipulation. “We must get rid of those stupid demons!” “Why are we simply waiting? Send our best troupes to just wipe out their castle!” “Ha! I think you’re giving those beasts too much credit. Those flies don’t even have the brain capability to think for themselves!” I laughed to myself and looked around the glamours room. In the center of golden walls and velvet drapes sat a table of human nobles. They argued for an entire hour on the best course of action for the war… now it just seemed like they depleted all their common sense. “Your Majesty,” one of the nobles called my fake name, “you have been quiet. What are your opinions on the matter?” My current blue eyes – dyed with magic to disguise the demon characteristic of blood red irises – gazed at the man dressed head to toe in silk and jewels. My lips lifted to reveal human teeth, another illusion to dull the demonic point of my fangs. “I have a few suggestions.” These poor, simple-minded beings… they have no idea that a predator has infiltrated their burrow. Step three: a good villain must have a heart as cold as ice and tough as steel. Compassion – the key to betrayal. Kindness – the sweet nectar that people latch hold and take advantage. Even the smallest smile could possibly lead to your downfall. My gaze met those of a child, one very small and deathly malnourished. However, even as they struggled to stay open, her eyes held strength most might not even find in adults. They carried fight and hope. I lifted her from the ash covered ground and threw my coat over the child's frame. I yelled orders to my guard, “Search for survivors! I don’t care if you have to lift every piece of rubble here, we leave no one behind!” The knights gave a vocal solute and marched towards the ruins of the city. I watched as I clutched the child closer and tucked her underneath my chin. She took shallow and labored breaths—most likely from the smoke. I then mounted my horse and followed the warriors. “Sire,” one knight approached from the smoke, “we have found the trail of the humans. We believe they were the ones responsible for this destruction.” My gaze looked towards the remnants of the city. Torn flags hung from barely standing posts, buildings demolished, and bodies littered the ground. Both demons and human lived in the town. The creation of the city provided sanctuary for outcasted humans who sought peace as well as demons who wanted to live quietly on beautiful land. Those animals destroyed it all. I yelled out to my people, “Track the humans. Find whoever is responsible… and kill them.” My eyes focused on the small child in my arms… an innocent life that should not live with the burden of this world’s fate. Step four: become the traitor, not the betrayed. The feeling of adrenaline sends shivers to the soul as you witness the despairing faces of those who trusted you. A feeling so sweet and exhilarating, what better time to also let out the famous “Evil Laugh” as you make your exit? “You… you traitor!” The trembling voice, among so many others, sounded like music to my ears. A symphony performed: loss blared its horns, strings of shock played in perfect tune, the pounding of hearts created rhythm, and betrayal led as the conductor. I stood at the top of the Human Realm’s most prized treasure: a giant, obsidian crystal in the center of the capital city. However, this did not exist as an ordinary trophy. The humans had a sick method of fusing the hearts of every demon defeated into the stone. The Human Realm then receives more power with every addition. I spent several years trying to find its location; however, the humans ended up bringing it right out in the open for me. Such confidence they have! I, of course, needed to send the perfect gift as thanks. Purple flames engulfed the city. They burned through the town with unrelenting force. A pretty villainous move, if I do say so myself. I took back the souls of fallen demons and created despair at the same time. However, the action does seem a little on the cliché side. What true villain doesn’t burn down a town every once in a while? The world could do without a town of only blood-sucking nobility anyway. Step five: a villain must have great power to the point where they pose a threat to the hero. Practically no story would exist if the protagonist didn’t go on some big journey to a hidden power. The night air brought a slight shiver up my spine as wind rolled in from the open archways. The moon shone bright in the sky, casting everything below with a silver light. The evening remained still and silent. I crept closer on bare feet to my destination: the kitchen. I couldn’t sleep and suddenly had the craving for a midnight snack. However, I suddenly felt a presence in the shadows. Slight, like the creeping of a mouse, but there nonetheless. I stopped walking and stood in silence. A quick flash of light appeared in the corner of my eye. I moved my head back as a silver arrow landed on the wall in front of my face. The material gleamed with the reflection of the moon. However, the tip dripped with an inky, black substance. A small laugh left my lips. “They never learn,” I said to myself. I then pulled the arrow from the wall with my right hand and felt as a tingling sensation surrounded my left. I focused on the energy inside my mind to shape the essence of magic into my need. The shining magic, once flowing like droplets of water, solidified into the shape of a bow. I launched the arrow right back into the trees. However, the arrow didn’t just hit its target. The magic from the bow fused into the arrow and launched swirling, purple rays into the area. Once the smoke cleared, only a large crater remained in the forest. “Oops…” I took several steps onto the obliterated earth. The stone walkways disappeared, the water fountain destroyed, and the rows of planted flowers turned to nothing but trampled weeds. Okay, so next time learn to hold back a little bit. Suddenly, I heard a crack beneath my feet. A bone – the bone of a human arm. Ahhh, well, I guess I don't have to worry about the assassin. I let out a deep breath before looking back towards the scenery. I felt as another presence flooded into my senses. The touch of the magic seemed uninvited, like my very soul immediately rejected the unnatural power. However, I fought back against the sensation. I imagined the feeling taking shape and began structuring it into my palms. Golden chains appeared. They snaked up my sides then released into the air. The chains spun and rattled as they wrapped around the damaged area. They spun and spun, creating a light that left no sight to the eye. Then, they snapped. The bright glow dimmed. The previously destroyed area no longer existed. In its place, a stone walkway, with rows of flowers, leading to a flowing water fountain in the center. Step six: a villain must thrive on selfish desires. “Your Majesty… why is the passed-out hero of the Human Realm in the castle? And why are you healing his wounds?” I felt the power of my golden chains recede back into my heart as I looked at Rin, my oldest friend. He leaned against the doorframe to my room with a scolding look. “Isn’t it bad manners to question your liege?” I asked. “Besides, I do believe I gave direct orders not to be disturbed.” He scoffed as he took a step further into the room. “When have you ever punished someone for speaking out of line? You’re literally the one person I know of that speaks the same way to a beggar as you do a king.” Rin’s red eyes shifted to look at the unconscious boy on the bed. “He’s a lot younger than I expected.” I remained silent and nodded my head. This child – because yes, despite the burden the young one carried, the child only looked somewhere in his mid-to-late teens – had a fate to unite the world. “Why are you helping him?” “Shouldn’t you always help a child when they are in need?” “Maybe not one that works with our enemy and could lead to our demise.” I let out quiet chuckle. “I suppose you’re right, but I have my reasons.” My eyes looked towards the large window of my room. I saw the view of my entire kingdom. “This child is the one who shall bring peace to our world. I cannot let him die… I am very selfish after all. He won’t remember this interaction anyway, so what’s the harm?” Step seven: become the irredeemable villain. Who wants to read the same boring sob story where the antagonist magically has a change of heart? Way to cliché. Some of the best villains have no motives at all. They destroy the world purely on impulse and become drunk on the ecstasy of power. I stood in an empty, dark void, like night had ripped all life and sound from the world. However, I then met the gaze of the one figure in front of me. The void of darkness stopped at his feet. Instead, a blinding white replaced the black. I locked eyes with the young boy. I could sense a certain anxiety through his gaze. He desperately wanted to speak, but no words would come. I don’t really blame him for his awkwardness. Standing before the person fate demands you to kill might give quite the shock. “We finally meet,” I said. He continued to look at me. His blue eyes frozen in their gaze. “It’s you… what are you doing here?” His gaze faltered for a moment. “Wait, what am I doing here?” “I suppose we are here because this meeting was predetermined.” “You know of the Fates?” he asked. “Of course.” “Then… then…” “I know what you are about to say, but please listen to this. My story was written a long time ago. And now, the final chapter is set.” “So, you knew – about the Fates and stories – about everything. If you knew, then why didn’t you do anything to change them?!” “Because, young one, I am not like you. Where you see a chance to change this world for the better – to fight against the red ties that bind the fabric of reality – I see no point in me forging the blade to cut the string.” “Don’t you have people you care about? Those you love?” “Yes.” “Then, why not fight for good?!” “That is not my destiny.” “Why not?!” “Because, in order to achieve the happiness in which you speak, I am doing exactly what is needed.” “What?” “From the very beginning, I saw what the Writers had in store for me. I knew what would become after my job was complete. And I am willing to make that sacrifice.” I laughed, “Besides, death doesn’t have to be some grandiose ordeal. I’m more than happy letting myself disappear into this abyss.” I could see apprehension in his eyes. I have committed many sins against his people. I can imagine he did not want my defeat as peaceful as this. I reached my right hand out and gripped the blade of the sword in the boy’s hand. I brought it to the right side of my chest. Unlike humans, demons do not have hearts of the left side of their bodies. In fact, unlike humans, the form of our hearts exists as a black core made purely of forgotten magic. I took one final glance at the young boy. My voice echoed softly – a desperate plea hidden under a blank composure – and I spoke my final words. “I love my people and I would gladly die for them. Just please, promise me, no harm will come to them after I have left this world.” “I promise you,” he said in a shaking a breath. “No more lives will be lost.” The sword plunged into my chest, but I felt no pain. White cracks escaped from the hole in my chest. The snaked up my body like breaking class. They ripped through my eyesight until I could barely make out his face. However, I could hear his final question. “Why put your trust in me?” he whispered. “I sense your heart. You are not like the humans I have fought on the battlefield. You are kind.” I heard him take in a deep breath like a new fire stirred in his heart. “I promise you… I will change this world.” I could only smile at the boy’s words. I have done my job as the villain; the hero must now take center stage. “Write your own story. Live.” — I wrote this note for those who see themselves as the villain. A person worthy of no love, but desperately craves its warmth. A person who hides a darkness behind their mysterious mask. These steps provide the base for becoming a true villain. And, if you really want to, follow them. I know I tried. However, I plead that you listen to my final words. Break the Fates. Become a person of your own volition. Despite what rules you must follow, stories told, and fate bestowed, know that sometimes the smallest light can become the hardest to kill. So, I urge you to throw out these guidelines. I regret not having done so. Or do not. You live as your own person after all… keep it that way.