I travelled for many days to see The Cursed Man of Vita. I had, like most people, heard the stories but I did not believe them, but I was desperate. I could see no other way. He lived in an old castle on the top of a hill. The hill was covered in what seemed perpetual fog and darkness. When I arrived The Cursed Man seemed to be expecting me. He led me through the castle. The place was bitterly cold. The grand room we were in looked to be the only one with any decorations, the others I saw as we walked past were empty. There were many artifacts adorning the walls. He took my coat and invited me to sit. The seat faced the impressive marble fireplace. He sat opposite, "How can I help you?"

"I must confess before we begin I do not believe the stories told about you. However, I can see no other alternative." I said to him. He smiled at me. It was an oddly charming smile, although he smiled with the left side of his face more than the right.

"You are not the first, but hopefully you may be the last." He stood up and rested his arm on the mantelpiece above the fire, looking into the flames as he spoke, "I have had Queens, Emperors, rich and poor alike in that chair. Almost to a person, they do not believe at first but when they have nowhere else they come to me."

He turned to look at me, "Do you know how old I am?" I shook my head. "I am one thousand three hundred years old. Do you know how?"

"I have heard of one story but I believe there are many who tell it differently." I answered.

"When I was young I went exploring. I found a tomb in the mountains of Laztem. There I saw death, and as young men do I taunted him. He could not catch me, he would never catch me. What a fool youthful hubris makes us. Death caught me, as he will do with all people. But for my taunts he did not take me, he kept me here. He banished me to this living plane, to never set his eyes upon me again."

"I cannot believe that to be true." I said to him.

He retook his seat and as he did pulled a box from beside the chair. He opened it and pulled out a statue. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever laid my eyes upon. It was solid gold.

"This is a symbol of the old world, a being of immense power. People no longer remember the old world, but its magic is as strong now as it has ever been." He said, "Do you see it has three eyes?" He turned the figure towards me. I nodded. "The people of the old world believed the three eyes saw into the past, the present and the future. They were wrong." There was that smile again. "The three eyes actually represent the three wishes the idol gives each holder. As is the case with such items the wishes are never quite what they seem."

I looked again at the statue and could see all three eyes were closed, "What is it you wished for?" I asked him.

"I wished to die, and three times I died. Three times Death sent me back." He placed the idol back into the box.

"That is no proof of your tale. It is just an idol, albeit a very beautiful one." I said.

"I grow tired of having this same conversation. I will show you one other, perhaps this will be the last one." He laughed a little as he said it.

He looked back into the box and opened a handkerchief to reveal a diamond. It was the largest diamond I had ever seen. As with the idol, it was amazing to behold.

"You know this diamond?" he asked me.

"It is the Empress stone." I replied.

"I'm sure you know its curse."

"It is said, 'All who should hold the Empress stone will die for the beauty in its heart will consume you.'"

"I want you to watch me, and do not leave your seat."

He placed the diamond in his right hand and held it towards the light of the fire. He stared into its centre. The light danced from it and reflected onto his face. He dropped the diamond and started to convulse. His body spasmed and shook in such a painful way. I could hear the bones breaking as he flayed his arms and legs. He continued in such a way for a minute before he lay back slumped in the chair. I knew he was dead, I could see it in his eyes. Though they changed in an instant, the life came rushing back to them. He took a deep breath and looked around the room.

"Maybe next time." He saw the diamond on the floor by his feet. He took the handkerchief from the box and wrapped the stone. He placed it back into its rightful place. He closed the box, placing it back at the side of his chair.

"There are unseen forces and powers which control and guide us. You know of what I speak." He said as he stared across from his seat to me, "You have seen only two of mine which I have been given. That is my life, take the curses of others. I hope one day I find a curse more powerful than death," he paused, thinking, "Now please tell me, what curse follows you?"

I took a deep breath, "I have the wrath of The Creator coming for me. I have created life." I could feel his stare watching every word I spoke. Although I dare not look across at him, "In that moment I was a god, I had created the impossible. I had created what many thought should not be attempted, life. It was my child, although to say it looked anything like you or I would be a lie. While my child slept I saw The Creator. His anger was so great. He promised me death. He would not allow a being he created to create life itself. Such a sacred thing was not to be done. The Creator stared deep into my soul. His eyes were fire." I finally turned to look at The Cursed Man.

He stared at me for a further moment before he spoke, "There have been many stories of great creators. How do you know who you saw was the one true creator?"

"I know in my soul that it was he."

"Please do go on with your story."

"When I awoke the next morning," I continued, "I looked at my child and wept. He was laid on his bed but did not stir. I knew The Creator had taken his life, and I understood why he had let me live the previous night."

"I am sorry."

"I do not need your sympathy, I need your help. I do not wish to die."

He looked at me, staring into my eyes. Almost looking at me how The Creator had, "I will help you."

We travelled together, although for the entire journey he did not speak. He watched the world around us. When we arrived at my laboratory I took him to see my child. The body laid there as it had before. The Cursed Man looked over my child before turning to look at me, "You must do exactly as I say and I may be able to save your life."

That night as instructed I lay in my bed. He sat in the corner of the room. We waited for hours in silence, in the darkness. I had almost given up hope when the bright light appeared. As it had on the night I gave life to my child. I looked up and saw The Creator staring at me. The Cursed Man jumped from the chair to stand between myself and the light. He spoke softly, "You will not take this man, he has made mistakes but he does not deserve to die." I watched as The Creator looked at The Cursed Man. "I offer myself in his place."

The creator stared into The Cursed Man, deep into his eyes. The Cursed Man stared back. It was a long moment they looked into each other.

I felt the eternity pass between them.

The Creator spoke, "I am sorry my son." He reached out and touched him on the shoulder. The light evaporated, and the room was sent back into the darkness. I turned on a lamp and scrambled over to The Cursed Man. I looked into his eyes, those dead blank eyes I had seen before. I waited for him to come back. I waited all night. His eyes remained dead.

I buried him the next day, and every day for a year I visited his grave. How selfish I was, I see that now. This man saved me so he could die. I asked his grave how many others would die now because of my sin. I summoned Death, he recognised the grave where we stood. I asked him one question.