Deep in Europe sits the Tower of Semaxii, a structure that is described as having a height that could caress the very stars. Yet, as towering as the monolith is, there's an equally robust underground chamber that hosts a devilishly routine ceremony. It is here that the narrator watches from afar, advising readers that within this tower of darkness is a gathering of 77 fools that are paying tribute to their lord and master.
Within a few paragraphs, this shadowy narrator, cloaked in a cape, approaches the base of the tower and quickly passes through the gatekeeper using a blunt command. Inside, the narrator descends seemingly thousands of steps to arrive at his destination, a black mass celebration complete with blasphemous rites. It is here that the narrator asks about the ceremony and shockingly learns that a priest is leading the proceedings. Equally stunning is the display of Jesus Christ and a cross with the assumption that a type of communion will take place.
Shortly, as the communion takes place, 77 men begin to squirm on the ground while howling and moaning with a demonic frenzy. This is when the narrator steps forth and is quickly interrogated by the Devil worshipers. He declares he is equally Ahriman, Melek Taus, Lucifer, and Satan. He then points to the cross and the caricature of Christ and declares him a worthy adversary. Yet, the men deny Satan's claims. He then creates elemental fire, a red blinding flame that enshrouds his appearance. He cries out that he disowns and denies all of them.
Later, Satan is alone at the ruins of the Tower of Semaxii, a monolith he has destroyed off page. Here he says:
“Nazarene, on that day wherein I challenged you to meet me with weapons and on ground of your own choosing to do battle for the empery of the world, I was foolish and knew not whereof I spoke. You they crucified; me they would have torn in pieces, their lord and master; both of us they have denied. I wonder whose folly is the greater, yours in seeking to redeem mankind or mine in striving to make it my own.”
Price's story is rather basic – the Devil himself meeting his admirers and failing to achieve their trust. As a short story, it maintains a plot-centric flow that doesn't require any character development. In fact, there are really no characters other than the narrator who proves to be the Prince of Hell. However, it offers a unique dialogue and perspective from the Devil.
He admits that Jesus is a challenge with his underhanded eulogy. But the most surprising is the Devil's acceptance that humanity would have him torn asunder. He admits that both the son of God and one as free falling as himself have both been denied. The story has the Devil humbled and emotionally subdued. He's less of the mythological two-horned pitch-fork variety and more of a philosopher pondering acceptance and value.
Price's story preaches a type of sentiment that even Lovecraft himself was moved by. He was quoted as describing Price's story as “powerful”. As one can imagine, many readers found the work to be blasphemous. With this type of commentary on religion and its worshipers...the audience take will vary.
You can read this story outside of Weird Tales in the DAW anthology Devil Worshipers (1990), 100 Wild Little Weird Tales (1994), The Devils & Demons Megapack (2015), and E. Hoffman Price's Fables of Ismeddin Megapack (2016).
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