Poems and Short Stories

There was a sudden and loud knock at the door. Arthur answered it, and a hideous monster stood on the other side. It had four horns that curled twice around. A dim yellow glow came from its eyes, and sharp protruding teeth slipped out its foul smelling mouth. The monster towered over Arthur, and its limbs were long and jagged rods.

“I am Khaliz, a demon of the deep,” Khaliz said. “I have come for Arthur the Demon Slayer.”

“Oh good! You are here!” Arthur said with glee. “Fearful and terrible Khaliz, welcome! You have found the right place. Arthur the Demon Slayer is me! Would you like to come in?”

“I have come to bring your doom,” Khaliz said, opened his mouth wide, and let out a terrible hiss.

“Hush! Hush!” Arthur held up his finger to the demon. “Just come on in. For you are one of my favorite kinds of guests! Would you prefer coffee or tea?”

“Oh… Ummm coffee… I will have coffee.”

Khaliz the Demon entered Arthur the Demon Slayer’s house. Arthur brought him into the kitchen and sat him down.

“So what is your message?” Arthur asked. “You demons always come with a message of some kind.”

Khaliz’s smile spread hideously across his face. He reached into his mouth and pulled out a scroll.

“Read it, mortal… If you dare.”

Arthur unfurled the scroll and read it. His eyes widened and his heart raced.

“You bring difficult words, Khaliz. You bring a horrifying message!” Arthur exclaimed.

Khaliz laughed with devilish pleasure. Arthur continued examining the message. His eyes softened and he began to laugh.

“Thank you for this, Khaliz! Thank you for this curse you have brought me!”

“Did you just say thank you?” Khaliz asked in surprise. 

“Your curse will become my boon! For I know more than you realize, oh fearful Khaliz! For I am Arthur the Demon Slayer! And now it is time for your doom!”

Khaliz rose ready to take on Arthur’s attack. Arthur lunged at the demon and spread his arms around the terrible monster. Arthur was quick! Much quicker than Khaliz was expecting! Before the demon knew it, he was wrapped up into a strong hug.

“You thought you would pull me away!” Arthur shouted as he embraced Khaliz. “You wanted to steer me in the wrong direction, but your messages are always a question. A question that I have learned how to answer.”

Khaliz shrunk and his horns fell from his head. Wings spread from his back, and his eyes lost their yellow glow. Arthur took a step from Khaliz and gazed at a beautiful man standing in his kitchen. He had beautiful white wings and wonderful olive skin. His hair was black and curled more than his former horns. Tears were in his eyes.

“Thank you, Arthur,” he said.

“My thanks is all to you, Khaliz. For you have brought me another boon!” Arthur said. “Now… How about that coffee?”