Nights like these were made for lovers, a night where the skies were lit with glittering explosions, and all of Paris toasted the Opera Populaire. Below him, hundreds of couples came and went from the magnificent building, loudly celebrating the New Year. Fate precluded Erik from such things, from the comfort of other human beings. Tonight his companions would be his own dark urge for power, and a lust for vengeance.
The fireworks continued to thunder and brighten the night sky, making it seem nearly day. Erik slipped the mask of the Red Death over his hideous visage, preparing to make his entrance. On a night when love sparkled as sure as the dazzling lights in the sky, he could not afford to be weak. He must take them by surprise while they drown in their petty emotions. For him tonight could not be about love, it must be about possession, the only way to ensure his ultimate victory. He could not be swayed from his course, not even for her voice, should it call to him to stop.
One more explosion tattered the night sky and the Red Death stalked to his favored path through his labyrinth of tunnels. The light that caught his eyes in that moment sent a blade of ice through his heart, with its ominous blue light, echoing an angel's eyes.