"So, you want to know The Devil?"

This is the most bizarre entry I've found in this journal so far. That's saying a lot given the kind of stuff I've posted from it so far.

s.e.t.(h).(t).h.e.c.(a).g.(e).(d).: So, you want to know The Devil?

_____: Is it time for this again already? I told you before, you can't break me.

s.e.t.(h).(t).h.e.c.(a).g.(e).(d).: Amusing. If we wanted to break you, there would be shards of you strewn across this planet. As always, our aim is brotherhood. Forging a bond--a blood pact if you will. We intend you no harm.

_____: Then why do I feel worse after every encounter I have with you?

s.e.t.(h).(t).h.e.c.(a).g.(e).(d).: The weak feel strain after attempting growth. There is no malignancy in us, only weakness in you. We can assist you in achieving your much sought after apotheosis.

_____: I'll get there myself. I don't need help from you.

s.e.t.(h).(t).h.e.c.(a).g.(e).(d).: Oh? By doing what? Synthesizing another one of your sonic miscarriages? Marking your misguided thoughts in verse and image? As it stands there is no point to you. We can alter that.

_____: Fuck you.

s.e.t.(h).(t).h.e.c.(a).g.(e).(d).: Your beacon of arrogance will crumble, and with it so shall you fall. Take solace that we will be there to catch you with our arms innumerous.

_____: I'd prefer to hit the ground.

s.e.t.(h).(t).h.e.c.(a).g.(e).(d).: Death is not an option for you.

_____: There's always a way out.

s.e.t.(h).(t).h.e.c.(a).g.(e).(d).: If you intend on taking your own life, we will not allow it. We will keep you breathing for as long as we see necessary. We are the animator, you are the marionette.

_____: ...

s.e.t.(h).(t).h.e.c.(a).g.(e).(d).: You have to accept that there is no place for you in this world.

_____: Things can change.

s.e.t.(h).(t).h.e.c.(a).g.(e).(d).: People change, vessel. Things change after people make change within themselves. You are incapable of evolution. You will forever be _____ _____. A pebble plated in gold is still only a small stone. You can accept this as a bitter old man, dying alone in his own filth, or, you can accept it now and become part of us.

_____: Dying alone wont be so bad.

s.e.t.(h).(t).h.e.c.(a).g.(e).(d).: Your persistence awakens the emptiness in our innards. That Aegis-like will of yours calls to us like sirens at sea. Assimilation is inevitable. You can join us this dawn by choice, or at your eventide by force.

_____: I won't do it. Ever.

s.e.t.(h).(t).h.e.c.(a).g.(e).(d).: These words will someday compose your requiem.

_____: ...I'm going to sleep.

s.e.t.(h).(t).h.e.c.(a).g.(e).(d).: Hiding yourself only stirs our presence in you. We know who you truly are.

_____: Is that so?

s.e.t.(h).(t).h.e.c.(a).g.(e).(d).: We knew you before you knew you. Your lies shield you from the world, and the world from you.

_____: Everyone lies. As human beings we lie every single god-forsaken day we wake up. We lie when we say "everything's okay", when we say today will be different, when we set unattainable goals for the sake of appearing alive in the eyes of others.

s.e.t.(h).(t).h.e.c.(a).g.(e).(d).: What you are in the shade will appear on the surface. We already see it, it's only a matter of time before they see it. Except they wont be so forgiving. We'll protect you. You know what you have to do.

_____: Leave me alone.

s.e.t.(h).(t).h.e.c.(a).g.(e).(d).: For now.

Hammer of Trials

""I did you a favor, by the way"

I figured a challenge such as this required a new tool suitable for the task. Up to this point I had been throwing all of my used instruments into the lake. Even though leaving them in the warehouse would cause them to vanish, I felt much better disposing of them myself. My newly found fondness for blunt objects caused me to remember my Dad's favorite hammer. A whole section of my memory unlocked right then. I remember he fixed my window seal with it. The window would leak cold air into my room at nights, but I never told anyone about it. He must have seen me shivering one night and decided to fix it.

It was early Saturday morning, I had just woken up and went to eat breakfast. When I came back, he had already hammered the nails in place and was in the process of finishing up. He held his trademark tool proudly while he inspected his work. I used to call it "sunlight" because of the custom red, orange, and yellow grip he fitted it with. "It does kind of look like the sunrise" he said, "Dawn. That's what I'll call it" he remarked while smiling at me.

I went back to the old house to find Dawn; I knew beforehand it would be a surreal experience. It was an empty shell of its former self. Everything still sat where it did however many years ago it was since I had seen it. I didn't want to stay long, who knows what kind of tabs were being kept on that place. I headed straight for the attic, where my father kept most of his things dear to him. He would spend countless hours up there everyday. After searching for a brief time, I found the hammer in an old red toolbox covered in cobwebs. Since I had found what I needed, I decided to leave. That was when I found a guitar. It sat next to a milk crate with what appeared to be sheet music and guitar tablature sat on top of it. It seems my father was up here writing music. I didn't give it a second thought and left.

This page is a bit smeared. I'll try my best to transcribe it.

I met up with my "father" at an unkempt cemetery outside the cathedral. I figured he wanted more appropriate mood lighting to hammer out the details of our pact. The rules were as follows:

I: Only hearts will be accepted as proof. Anything else will be rejected, and the kill null and void.

II: No children or animals.

III: Whomever has the highest number of hearts six months from now at midnight will be made the victor.

We were both already clear on the stipulations of victory. He "gets" me for eternity if he wins, and I am rid of him forever if should I.

"I did you a favor, by the way" he said with a smirk on his face. "Go check the web." I walked in and saw there was already a heart on my web. "I don't need your help, I--" I stopped talking mid-sentence. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Seeing the heart made my own stop beating for what felt like forever. I felt sick. The heart was still, but I could hear it beating. Pounding in my head like a storm of thunderous drums. "Who is this?" I asked. He just looked at me in silence.

I had to sit down. I literally couldn't breathe. He knelt next to me and said;

"Shall we begin?""