Prologue Chapter: Watching the Darkness All along, a darker shadow watched the Phantom. He himself had an even darker past, one which none know of in this world. He watched as the events of the Opera incident take their course. Another cursed soul, it thought to itself. It bided itself with waiting, knowing what it must do. Jesus gives everyone the chance of redemption, even us monsters, only if they seize it, it thought as the Phantom made his escape. The shadow made its way into the cavern. Meg Giry had set the mask down and was looking through the man operas and compositions that the phantom had penned. The shadow grabbed the mask and stared at the young ballerina. Meg felt a deep coldness and the hair on her neck stood on end. She whirled around and her eyes bulged at the sight. There in front of her was the incorporeal being. She gazed over the torso, seeing strange tattoos and many scars on the muscular chest and arms. Her eyes went up to gaze on the face. A curved tusk grew from each side of the jaw and a skull, covered most of the face, the only openings were the eye holes, the opening at the back so that the dreadlocked hair could hang down, and slits that had allowed the thing to breathe when it was more or less alive, covered the head. The only thing below the lower torso was a fog like cloud. There were black raven wings, perfectly sized for it on it's back. It was staring at her and she had a funny feeling like it was staring deep into her eyes, into her very being and soul. She heard a silent voice in her head. Child, the Phantom has already fled. I am not the phantom. Go back to your mother's arms. Never again will you be alone with her. I see in your future a faithful husband. Leave these catacombs of broken dreams and darkness. Flee to the light, Meg Giry. The Darkness is no place a woman like you to be Meg ran past it, heading to the surface. The shadow floated there for a while as the police and several Opera Populaire men searched in vain for the phantom. None saw the shadow. It had psychically clouded their minds, completely removing itself from their sight and memories. They eventually gave up and headed back up after they doused the lights. The shadow had moved to the exit the Phantom had used. It looked around once, and floated through the curtain. Erik had just ventured into the French catacombs. He felt the coldness of a presence behind him. He stared into the skull's eye sockets, at the gold-colored eyes with blood red pupils. Greetings. I have been watching you, Erik. You kill without remorse or pity. You are a monster. You are a creature like me. We are alike, you and I. I come here to offer you redemption, but know this. There is a high price to pay. Do you accept my offer, young human? "Yes, I do accept the offer. What is the price?" Erik asks the apparition, feeling the pain of Christine's betrayal in his heart. Your mortality, human. That is the price of the offer. You are now an immortal, like me. We watch over the human race, protecting them from harm. You get to watch one family. Your friend, Christine's family to be precise. Come, you have much to learn. With that, the Phantom felt whatever joys disappear. He was going to watch as the world rubbed Christine in his face. This was worse than hell. "Why did I agree to this? Why?" Erik asked the phantom. It is because monsters like us want redemption. I offered this to you for one reason. I see you as a little brother. I too have killed many. Not because of my face, but because of the anger in my soul. You know what I am talking about. You have the same darkness. Erik bows his head. I do have a darkness in my soul. Christine was the light to my darkness. Erik thought to himself as the two walked/floated through the French catacombs. The floating phantom stops and turns around and stares at Erik. Christine is not the light for your darkness. Monsters like us are always loners. I had a wife once, but she died long ago. You will find your mate, don't worry. She will be the light to your darkness, even if she herself has the same darkness. Christine's family is under your protection now, Erik. We monsters are given the task of watching over a certain family that is vital to the human race in the future. There are currently 8 of us out there. You, Me, and the other six. You know your crimes. My crimes are not known by anyone but myself. We each have some crime we need forgiveness for. There are many things that we need to guard our charges from. Vampires, Werebeasts, Demons, their fellow humans, and other evils. There is no need to know about the other gods. Christ and his father have dealt with them. The thing continued to float forward. Erik stopped and said, "Where was God in my times of need? If he is truly benevolent, then why am I 'blessed' with this face?" The thing whirled around Where was he in your time of need? In heaven. All of this is of his divine purpose. He didn't fail us. We get a second chance. At least you never died, like Frunkanstein, who named himself that instead of being called Frankenstein's monster! He truly needs redemption. Remember, all of the human stories are rooted in some truth. You yourself will become legend one day. Erik was shocked. "What, me a legend? Impossible. Frankenstein's monster is a myth! Those things you talked about don't exist! If they didn't exist, then what is that thing in front of us? A figure dashed out of the darkness, heading straight at Erik. The thing was bald, fast, and had long fangs. Before it could get to Erik, the floating phantom had sliced out with a large scimitar at the vampire. The Vampire's torso slid off of its' lower body, Hmm? What is this thing then? Not human? You have much to learn. Time we have. Take this, I believe it is yours. The floating phantom handed Erik his mask. "There is no merciful God. This world has no mercy to give me." Erik said as he took his mask and put it back on. Seeking mercy is always good. "Why should I seek mercy? I said that this world has no to give to me!" Erik said Men who do not seek mercy have no need of God, For they believe that they are God. Believing that you are a god is folly. Nothing good ever comes of that. Now come, it is time to train you. The two phantoms disappeared into the darkness, leaving the dead vampire in the catacombs.