He stood before her, tall and strong, arms akimbo, with unbreakable confidence, in his total black suit. He was her master, that’s how he felt, but he resembled the devil more, with his eyes burning with power, his lips shaping a cunning, satisfying evil smile, and the pencil moustache dancing upwards. He looked upon her, dead certain he had the power to rule over her and her destiny.

Wearing a thin white dress, she, sitting on the floor with bent knees, her blond hair falling long on them, and her slender body leaning against the wall, looked up to him. Her lips were tightly pressed together. But her eyes…

It caught him suddenly. Something was different with her eyes this time. They had changed. These deep blue mirrors, which were once filled with fear, now held unexpected sparks of life, confidence, and anger. They were burning.

Mephistopheles couldn’t explain; a twitching around the mouth became visible, but regardless, he didn’t let himself lose control. Because he was the master, and masters don’t lose their rags. They must maintain their power; otherwise, everything would get out of control. He kept his posture firm, and she didn’t let herself be horrified; it was as if she were challenging him. That was the very last thing he expected. His right eye started nervously twitching, and he cleared his throat, trying to get control over his voice, not to reveal any bewilderment.

“As you may have finally realized, you don’t have any choice but to surrender to me?” He broke the overladen silence.

Gathering all her remaining strength, Agnes looked fiercely into his eyes.

“Surrender? I will never give in to you. You can’t break my will.”

Mephistopheles smiled ironically, “So you think? Let’s see, no food and drink for you until you change your mind. You should know I’m in no hurry; I know you won’t hold out for long. Humans are weak, especially when they find themselves in a predicament. They always choose the fast, easy way, which makes them prone to temptation.”

“Oh, you are so wrong. Not all humans are like that, hopefully. Still, there are people who hold steadfast to their principles that serve the good of humanity. No matter how much they have to struggle. Sacrifices must be made for the higher good of society; otherwise, the world would shatter into pieces.”

“Oh! Come on! Bla bla bla! Don’t pull that on me! The higher good! Who cares about someone’s fellows when they themselves are unsatisfied and unwell? And moreover, they have a chance to get everything they want.  I come first and my welfare.”

“Poor you! What sense does it make to be happy over the moon when I’m surrounded by others’ misery? Is there a sense of enjoying felicity all alone?”

“I would go and live in another place.” Mephistopheles retorted. “To a place where like-minded people live.”

“Living with people with the same mind as yours? As self-centered-minded people, you would only scratch each other’s eyes out.” Agnes smirked mockingly.

He began to boil inside, felt his power fading, and ultimately, desperation took over him. He had run out of arguments and knew he had lost.

Suddenly, he found himself shrinking, and she stood up tall like a goddess in bright white light. All the walls of fear he had erected with great effort around her collapsed like cardboard. And Mephistopheles dissolved into smoke. Agnes was free, free by her endurance and the power of her will. She ever laid her trust in goodness, and that, in the end, it will always win.

©2026 Vasiliki Papadopoulou