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The old forest always held secrets, always had truths and stories that only a few would ever know its reality. Reports of unique beings were prominent. Or more routinely described as monsters, mindless beasts that would harm with no hesitation. Whether humans would believe in them or not was another matter entirely. Rumors would float about one particular mysterious monster. Seemingly a stand-out one compared to the more blood-thirsty counterparts.
Regardless he still had a penchant for outbursts, but he had enough sense that one could bargain and escape with their life. But whether they genuinely believed something sinister dwelled in the forest, they didn't dare try to anger but always appease it. "Better safe than sorry" was the unofficial motto of the small nearby village.
One particular person would always wonder if the being was truly so monstrous. They questioned if "Satan" was as evil as he was described. After listening to different tales and stories, their curiosity grew. The common theme seemed to be that the monster had a soft spot for knowledge.
A book was usually the guaranteed means of escape.
An unspoken rule was that if one ventures into the forest, don't go empty-handed if you want to return.
Was the monster truly so evil if people could escape with only a tidbit of information? It didn't seem that difficult to trade something with the beast. It had to be smart enough to know the value and meaning of written words and oral teachings. Was he indeed so horrendous if one could placate the monster with a book of bound children's stories?
The stories of how the monster looked and appeared varied. From being ten feet to looking like an average young man. Every version was different. The so-called beast's reputation was so mysterious, thus fueling the range of the descriptions. There were even fanatics who claimed to have seen a blond prince wandering the forest during the night. Claiming that he glowed with a captivating, enchanting aura as if the monster floated down from the sky. Bright eyes that could easily pull someone in, unable to look away as if in a trance. A tail spiked and barbed that could easily pierce the skin.
All things that should tell people to stay away and he was dangerous.
And yet, they didn't hold stock in any particular rumor. And instead, they heeded the warnings even if their curiosity would almost get the better of them. Of course, they couldn't forget the tangible fact people disappeared, but that was the law of the land, and not much could be done about it. But they couldn't help wondering if they offered something. Would they live to tell the tale? Could they provide adequate knowledge?
This question rattled in their head as they stood in the field close by. They were usually alone anyway and left out due to their quiet nature. So the sudden deep voice that cut into their thoughts made them jump.
A heady chuckle reached their ears. Then, clearing their throat, they smoothed their clothes as if the mysterious man hadn't caught them off guard.
He leaned down and, with a firm voice, said, "You shouldn't."
"Excuse me?" They asked, puzzled by what he meant. They couldn't help the quick look they gave him up and down. He was dressed simply, a buttoned shirt and dark work pants, as if he didn't want to stand out. But regardless, something was off about him.
"You're thinking about going into the forest, aren't you?" The blond man asked, he didn't look at them as he spoke. Instead, forlornly he looked at the forest.
Their face burned in embarrassment as their eyes widened and focused on the ground. Had their thoughts been that obvious? "N-no." They stammered, clearly giving themself away as they shifted their weight on each foot.
The man shook his head, they couldn't see, but his voice seemed to say he was having fun as he continued to talk in an almost teasing tone. "It's not worth it, I assure you."
They paused, staring at the forest before gaining the courage to look up at him once more. "How do you know?"
He motioned to the forest and then to the village. "You've heard the stories, haven't you?"
"Some of them, but if you know of more, I'd like to hear them…" They took a deep breath before whispering. "Will you tell me?" Surprised by their interest, the blond man motioned them both to sit down on a clear patch on the ground. They didn't know each other, but something about the other put them both at ease.
"Before I tell you, can I ask why you are interested?" The blond inquired, his eyes searching over their form, trying to decipher their intentions.
They thought for a moment and compared their motivation to everyone else's they'd previously heard. Some wanted to hunt the creature; some wished to conquer, some wanted to rob, some wished to swindle, and some wanted to chase the monster out.
Almost too nonchalantly, they stated, "I want to know about the monster. I don't know if he really is one."
Puzzled by this conclusion, he quietly asked, "And what makes you say that?"
All too happily, they answered with a bounce, "The cats."
"The cats…?" He repeated dubiously.
They nodded as if on cue; a small smooth black cat appeared, making its way to their lap. Sitting comfortably on their legs, the cat immediately began to purr. "They always go into the forest, but they always come back. I've seen many people go and never come back out, so I figure those people must have done something to displease him. You can't control cats, and you have to give them space to approach. Cats, I think, are good judges of character. So I don't think he could be that bad."
The man chuckled, utterly surprised by this revelation, "maybe so." He looked at them with aquamarine eyes that shone a little too brightly for the time of day. "From what I've heard, the monster has a soft spot for them. People seem to do a poor job of negotiating. Or they specifically poke to anger him. But, on the other hand, he seems to be fond of books and knowledge. I don't blame him when knowledge is power after all."
They nodded slowly, "I do agree knowledge is helpful. But I do hope he finds what he's looking for."
Once again the blond was left dumbfounded couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean?"
"I mean..." They looked down, embarrassed by what they said now. "I just thought maybe he's trying to find an answer to something. I think I relate. Just... There is so much we don't know, so there has to be an answer? I'm not sure what he could be looking for though."
"Possibly… But who's to say what he wants." He trailed off, perplexed that anyone thought they could relate to the monster in the forest. Relate to him? That was utterly new to him and a foreign concept. He cleared his throat before standing up. "Well, I need to get going. Stay safe, alright?"
They nodded and grabbed his extended hand as they stood up. He said his goodbye, and they wondered if they would ever see him again.
For some strange reason, they missed him.
It wasn't until they made it back home they realized they never exchanged names. Days passed with more calm than usual around the forest. So calm, it started to leave them uneasy. It was almost a little too peaceful. No disappearances. No one seemed to have trouble or even feel the need to go into the forest.
It was as if something had changed.
And there were changes. But not ones they had anticipated. It seemed like the blond man they had met started to visit more. They didn't interact often, and as much as they wanted to, they didn't have the confidence to approach. But without fail, he was around whenever they had to run errands. They wondered how much of it was coincidence or happenstance. The short conversations were soon becoming a highlight of their day. As their number of run-ins grew, they began to question how. There wasn't a way he could know they would be or where they would go, not when they decided moments before.
And they still didn't know his name.
The cats seemed to stick to them more too, or at least it started to become a sign that he was close.
They couldn't confront him about it. How could they ask? So instead, they wanted to test something. They had avoided going to the clearing close to the forest since their first encounter, taking the advice from him wholeheartedly.
And so, on a clear sunny day, they packed a basket. Food for two people if needed. Not that they thought they needed it, but just in case. Not even a step into the clearing, they heard that deep voice once more behind them. This time they did not jump, but their heartbeat quickened.
Strange, they thought. They weren't feeling exactly scared, but it was a different feeling.
"Did I not say to stay away?" He asked rather sternly.
"You did." They swung the basked in front of them, with no guilt as they replied. He raised an eyebrow as he waited for an explanation. "I wanted to test something, and I guess it worked."
"Which was?"
"To ask you something." They said plainly.
He blinked and furrowed his brow as he stared, waiting for them to speak more. Satan wondered if this human figured his identity out or if they really were just that curious to know about him.
There was silence as they gained the will to ask what's been plaguing their thoughts for weeks. Then, very slowly, they got their words out. "Are you the beast in the forest? You don't seem like one."
Satan didn't want to seem hopeful, but he had to ask, "And what makes you say that?"
They smiled shyly and lifted the basket. "We can talk about it over a picnic if you'd like."
"So if I was, aren't you scared?" He took a step forward toward them, slowly revealing his more demonic form.
With more confidence than they thought they had, they looked up at him and took a step of their own. "I'd like to get to know you. The actual you and not the rumor one."
He wasn't sure if he had ever smiled so genuinely or had ever felt so seen before, but regardless he offered his hand, "Come and find out then. I know a spot in the forest."