Long ago in a time before ours lay a kingdom that was said to have been built from the hands of the great gods. They bestowed upon this small kingdom prosperity, adorning the heavens with a sun that always shined and rich fields that grew numerous types of crops. With these gifts, the kingdom grew in power and dignity and with it brought much happiness to the people that walked its cobblestone streets. Never before had a kingdom seen such a benevolent royal family who cared and watched over their people as this one said kingdom. But, as luck always seems to attract the opposite of what is, a strange wind blew. But if this wasn't the case then there would not be a story to tell now would there my dear sweet child?

Worried for his people, the king stepped outside hearing the bellowing of thunder rolling through the mountains to the east.

"Who seeks entrance this weary dusk?" the King boomed to only the coming darkness. The guards raised their spears only to stop at mid-height as the King put out his hand forbidding any more movement from them. "Speak being, or are thee a demon. Coming from which tempts the soul in the pitch of dark and taints thy tongue. To poison this fairest of utopian lands is what thou seek then speak, speak to me and let your words carry over the walls from this unruly gust thou have caused." But still nothing spoke. No words were carried on the wind, not a single sound could be heard except the breathing of the guards. "Crow then if not speak. Or be gone for no evil shall seek solace here."

"Is that not a way to treat such a guest as me?" A single voice, resembling a hiss rattled through the air. "Is this not the fairest of all kingdoms? One known for its kindness, and understanding. One who never closes its gate upon those who seek aid?"

The King frowned and nodded at the guards who rushed up the spiralling cobblestone stairs to look over the side of the wall that protected the kingdom.

"Yes, this is that place of which thou speak. But the place of which thou seek, perhaps not. Who are thou traveller, to speak to me as if thy am but a lowly soul? Be ye god or human and be your intentions foul or good?"

A laugh arose, airy and cold.

"I am a traveller nothing less and nothing more. Asking for solace for a night and will be gone by dawn. Human I am not for they require hearts, but god I am less. But one night is all I ask for I am tired and sore, rejected from place to place. Intentions I have none."

The King was sceptical of the voice and decided it was best to follow his guards up upon the wall to see what it was that was speaking to him, for demons were known to lie and change shape during this day and age my dearest child.

The sight that he saw sent a shiver through his bones even with the presence of his best guards at his side. There in front of the gate was a small figure cloaked in the shadows, the grass at its feet immobilized in time, no longer green but ashen grey like stone. Not once did one of these blades of grass rustle in the wind while all the others around it moved. An eerie mist seemed to seep out of the cloak that draped the figure causing everything in its path to fall under the petrified curse. His guards looked over at him, unease clean across their faces as they all retreated to fight or flight instincts.

"Demon, that which speaks nothing but lies. Look at your feet and what you cause. Turn back now for there is no solace no refuge, not a place for the likes of you. You bring with you destruction and were it not for that then I would let you in."

The being stood still staring straight at the castle gate.

"Do you not hear me foul soul? Be you good at heart but cursed you must understand that there is not a place for you here." And then the figure did something that chilled the King to his very bone. It turned its head and looked up at him, locking eyes with his. Never had the King seen such a sight, the eyes themselves capable of haunting his dreams for all of eternity. Something that were striking different from that of the darkness that surrounded them, feral like a cats and a hauntingly rich colour.

"Did the gods give you such a blessing that you will turn those that are cursed away? Perchance I am not the Demon you speak of but your foolery. " The being growled as fury engulfed it causing large black tendrils seem to creek up the castle walls causing everything it touched to turn to stone. The King screamed for the guards to attack but neither arrows nor swords to stop the curse.

Children were petrified, still sleeping in their beds, blissfully ignorant and unaware. Parents frozen as lawn ornaments, sweeping, weaving chopping wood. A cat frozen as it walked along the wall where sheets of stone seemed to be stuck as if ready to fly away. No water flowed. There was no movement sole for the creeping fog that clung to earth and the shadowy tendrils which carried the curse. However, there was one soul who stirred. Only moments before the wind arose and the demon made its presence known, the young prince just a weaning little thing cried. Whether he was hungry or sensed the evil, we do not know, but we do know his cries cause the Nursemaid to wake. And with her waking brought a scream as the room began turning to stone from a large black tendril as it slipped its way through the window which shattered. Snatching the screaming child she ran down the stairs and to the Queens quarters to wake her in hope that they escape this fate. And thanks to the Nursemaid escape they did, through a secret passage that lead to the forest outside. To which this is the last known account of the brave Queen and her weaning child.

The gate with a loud groan shattered into a thousand tiny pebbles as the being stepped through. Climbing the walls it stopped to pick up the golden crown and placed it on its head, the gold dimming and turning to stone. "Such a blessing is now mine. All hail the new king." And with that the demon flicked the stone King causing it to crack and crumble into nothing but ash, killing the benevolent King.

But though all looks grim, don't worry yourself my sweet child, for there is always Fate. It's said that only the pure of heart and the bravest will best this demon and lift the curse.