Week 2 Story: The Warlock and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast from Wikimedia

Once upon a time, there was a warlock who was known for giving gifts to those most deserving. He would travel far and wide just to find the perfect recipient. He often granted wishes as part of his gift. Sometimes he even changed reality to sooth the person's regrets. The thing that was certain, however, was that he changed people's lives for the better.

On one fateful day, the warlock came across a gorgeous but heinous woman who came from old money. She was used to gettings things with her charm and money, but it was rare for her to ever be giving. The warlock was immune to her charm and money, however, because he had no need for such things. He asked for her to prove herself to be worthy of his gifts, already knowing how she would respond. 

"I could give you any piece of land you so desire," she mused. She did indeed own quite a bit of land, among other things. Her lineage was quite impressive.

"I don't particularly desire any piece of land," he responded. "The only thing I desire from you is an act of selflessness." 

"Selflessness?" she asked with astonishment. "How could you only want something so simple from me? I have riches you could take if only you would award me the gift." 

The warlock studied her and made a decision that would change her life. "If all you can offer me are riches, I can offer you a gift, but it will likely be a gift you were not hoping for." Of course, the woman readily accepted this. All she wanted was to receive something. She'd didn't mind offering something she was in excess of to get something she knew she'd never have otherwise.

With a bang of light, the woman's reality was drastically changed. Not only did she lose her riches, she lost her charm. Where she used to have smooth, beautiful skin, she now had warts and sores. Where she was strong, she was now weak. Her hair was even affected. The beautiful auburn became a dirty yellow. 

"How could this ever be considered a gift?" she wailed. "All you've done is take everything away from me! You've given me nothing!" She collapsed to the floor in a dramatic fashion, sobbing.

"You only see the surface of my gift. If you look deeper, one day you will see how this is a gift, and at that moment, you will be freed from this new reality," the warlock explained. If she could manage to become a truly selfless person and learn to care for someone despite her circumstances, perhaps then she would become a better version of what she once was.

Now, all the warlock could do was wait and see how she does. He was accustomed to this wait and quite enjoyed watching the events unfold. He already knew she would one day be able to reverse his gift, so all he had to do was keep watch over her and enjoy the show. How was she the most deserving of this gift you ask? Only the warlock will ever know.




Authors note: So if you couldn't tell, this is a twist on the classic story of Beauty and the Beast. I decided to tell this story from the story of the witch who curses the beast, but I also gender-flipped everyone, so instead, it was a warlock. From the warlock's perspective, this is a gift rather than a curse... a learning opportunity of sorts. It ends abruptly, however, because this is the warlock's story, not the beauty's or the beast's.

Bibliography

The Three Roses by Josef Baudis