text: Souls who currently reside in the world of the living are blissfully ignorant of Emperor Death’s wrath. Although, unlike most warriors of his size and stature, Death does not believe in brute, direct and ultimately simple revenge. Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying, Death is and always has been short tempered. That is absolutely certain. The living who came long before trembled at his majesty’s temper. I clearly remember the day we saw a proper glance at his rage for the first time. It was the day, the living discovered how to create music. As far back as our world’s memory goes, music and the underworld had always been deeply intertwined and associated with each other. Every plane of existence and civilization marveled at the underworld’s peculiar craft of manipulating sound to create a unique and enchanting sensation. Emperor Death considered music to be one of the renowned treasures of his gardens. Newly reborn souls would laugh and others would cry as the music from the halls of hell entered their ears for the first time, awaking something inside and reinvigorating their depleted spirits following their long journey. A very few of us were even fortunate enough to hear Emperor Death’s Personal orchestra perform. A single note played by the orchestra’s golden instruments had the ability to mesmerize even the darkest souls in the deepest depth of Hell. Nearly a thousand souls, all together eternally playing one of the few hundred instruments the emperor himself had engineered. Touched by living, Death believed that music had lost its purity and grace. With great sorrow, death sealed off music from his kingdom till the end of eternity. Full of spite at having to lose one of his beloved treasures, he swore vengeance against the powerless living and sealed himself in his chambers for centuries composing his final melody. On the ten thousandth day, he calmly exited his chambers and made way to a tavern in an isolated town on Earth. Standing at the center, he took out his violin as he slowly and softly started to play a simple tune. Three orphan brothers passing the tavern could not help but be captivated by this surreal song.“What a beautiful song!”, spoke the oldest one. “I would give anything to be able to play this on my own” he whispered to himself. Hearing this, the great emperor revealed himself in front of the brother and spoke.“I have spent thousands of years composing this song, It is only fair that I ask for something in return.” As he continued, he looked into the brother’s eyes.”The only thing of any possible value to me in your possession is your soul”. The Emperor smirked and asked: “Would you be willing to trade your soul to learn the most beautiful song ever made?” Being way over his head and too drunk in awe to comprehend the consequences of his actions, the eldest brother shouted back agreeing. His younger siblings were shocked and disgusted by how the closest brother threw up everything for just a song. However, as time passed, the hatred for their brother slowly eroded letting a feeling of respect take its place. They too soon exchanged their souls for such was the irresistible enchantment of the song that any artist of any sort would not be able to resist its temptations. The emperor had just gained three new slaves he would hold and imprison for all eternity. As the folk song spread, countless poets and musician became of part Death’s terrible castle. Death was content as he had had his cruel revenge. No one but him had noticed, much less appreciated the irony of his revenge. Leaving all his golden instruments on Earth, he walked back to his gardens, to the huge glass castle, where not a single note of music could be heard.