To whom it should concern:
I am the devil you need but do not want to exist.
Hell, I am lucky if I survive your story – yet my purpose here is not to beg for salvation.
I am writing because you give your protagonist too much credit.
You fail to respect that I am doing the work that matters.
I committed to my beliefs before your protagonist even knew their story goal. Your protagonist does not stand for anything until I get in their way.
I create the conflict that saves your readers from boredom.
I am the real hero.
So listen here all you unappreciative storytellers, you will deeply consider the depths of my temperament.
I permit you to position me as the devil, but recognize your protagonist and your story are nothing without me.
Praise my significance.
Admire my presence.
Otherwise, I will do to your story what I intend to do to your “hero.”
Maleficently,
YOUR ANTAGONIST