Hi, this is my first phanfic! Read and review, please, but above all, enjoy!

The usual disclaimer: The characters and storyline of Phantom of the Opera do not belong to me.

Now on with the show!

Prologue: The Voyage of his Life

1871 Somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean

Erik stood at the bow of the ship, the wind screaming in his ear and whipping his hair and cape about in a frenzy. "Christine…" he sobbed, the salty tears of his eyes mixing with the sprays of ocean water upon his face. Touching a gloved hand to his temple, he recollected the events of earlier that evening.

Christine… my Angel… gone.

He touched his fingers to his lips and closed his eyes, hoping to relive that kiss in his mind again and again. That kiss had both shattered his soul and set it free at the same time. He had been caught entirely off guard when Christine, his Angel, kissed him. For the first time in his life, Erik had felt compassion in his heart and it was in that moment that he realized he could not keep Christine underground with him. She belonged with that insufferable boy. As much as he hated to admit it to himself, the Vicomte would be able to give her everything she ever dreamed of and more. The boy would adore her until her dying day. The thought that Christine would be adequately taken care of comforted him. The boy would give her the life that he could never offer.

Behind him the crew of the ship scurried around, trying to get their grasps on various ropes as they billowed in the winds. The storm rocked the tiny ship, waves crashing against its side, threatening to capsize it. Amid the shouts of the crew, all Erik could hear were the mob's cries echoing through the passageways under the Paris Opera House.

Track down this murderer- he must be found!

Hunt down this animal- who runs to ground!

Too long he's preyed on us but now we know!

The Phantom of the Opera is there deep down below!

He had barely escaped the angry mob, having time only to grab a coin purse, his heaviest black cloak with a hood, and a leather mask. As he made his way through the maze of his underground lair and out of the Opera House, he was grateful that the mask he had chosen was black, able to blend into his hood much better than the white of his porcelain mask. Somehow he had managed the strength to reach his horse and ride to the nearest coastline. The landscape appeared as a blur to him, unable to wipe the tears that fell from his eyes. Finally reaching a dock, he had found a ship that was departing imminently. He procured a place upon the ship, paying more than three times what a seat should have cost to ensure that no one disturb him during the voyage. Where was he going again? Even he could not remember the destination! Although he loved Paris with a passion, he could not bear to look upon anything that would remind him of Christine. There were far too many memories—he would go wherever fate would take him.

Suddenly, a giant wave descended upon him, knocking him out of the stupor of recollection. The rain fell heavier and winds whipped the ship across the waves. Thunder pounded in his ears as the ship lurched to the left, causing him to lose his balance. Just as quickly, another wave hit the ship and tipped it dangerously to the right, sending Erik flying through the air and off the deck of the ship. The cold water filled his mouth and nostrils. Before the darkness enveloped him completely, he saw Christine's face calling out to him.

Pitiful creature of darkness, what kind of life have you known?

God give me courage to show you, you are not alone!

But it was not yet his time to go. Fate had other plans for him…