Beauty And The Beast
A Modern Retelling
Be sober, be vigilant for your adversary, the devil as a lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
Paul 5:8
Once upon a time there was a handsome, young man who was rich and the envy of everyone. He owned land and had women fall at his feet. He ate the best food and went around the world. He lived in a large mansion with his army of helpers and aides. He wanted for nothing and had everything that a young man could dream of.
Alas he was beautiful on the outside but his inner heart was as black as night. He was vain, egotistical and very cruel, delighting in the torment and misery of others. He cared very little for anyone other than himself and his vast amounts of wealth.
One cold winters night as he relaxed in his expensive lounge he heard the bell ring on the front door. None of his vast army of servants answered it so he went himself, muttering angry words and curses under his breath. He answered the door with an annoyed sigh and was met with an elderly woman, dressed only in a ragged shawl and tattered dress. She was shivering and all alone in the world, with not a penny to her name. However she begged to be let in.
The handsome man was repulsed by her outward appearance and found fault with her tattered rags and haggard looks. He sent her away with a wave of his hand, but the old hag was not going to give up. When he slammed the door she tried yet again. The handsome man flung the door open and cursed the woman, telling her to leave, stating her outer appearance was hideous.
The old woman merely smiled at the handsome man and informed him that true beauty was found within. She removed her shawl and her ugliness melted away to reveal a beautiful angel. The handsome man realised his error and got down onto bended knee, begging the angel for forgiveness.
However the angel saw that the handsome man's heart was not pure and she wasn't fooled by his grovelling. The angel told him that he had no love in neither his heart nor soul. She took both and stored them in a small, glass phial. She then laid a curse on the handsome man, turning him into a demon of vengeance and death. She took his name and dubbed him Pyro.
He was repulsed by his own lust for life force and was forced to wander the world, whispering words of destruction in people's ears to satiate his lust for destruction. He became more lonely and bitter when the angel revealed that he must find someone who will love him and who he loves in return before 40 years runs out. If he could find love then his years would be renewed and he could start again from the age he was, but he fell deeper into despair, for who could ever love a beast.