The Legend of Masquerade

1. The Creature

First there was a creature, small and frail
First there was a trembl'ing little thing
Living in the forest as an animal
Eating wild berries as an animal
Sleeping 'neath the stars as an animal

One eye in the middle of it's head
Two feet to walk the ground
Large ears to hear all around it
Fanged mouth to bite and tear
Though it needn't so

The animal, it smelled a truffle
A favorite food to be sure
It smelled, and dug, and dug
And at the bottom, it found not fungus
But an ancient mask

2. The Artifact

First there was a mask, of red and white
First there was a horrifying presence
Lying buried in the ground
Lying hidden from all else
Lying from those who would abuse it

Two holes to let the light shine through
Perfectly rounded edges, despite its age
Two sides, one crimson, one alabaster
Buried in dirt, but clean and bright
Yet terrifying all the same

The creature looked upon it
Saw that it looked a perfect fit
And proceeded to put it on
And there it sat, upon his face
Yet did not move after that

3. The Negotiation

"Off, mask!" said the creature
And the mask did not budge
And the creature's sight turned to darkness
And a voice rang out inside his head
"I will not move, my good man."

"Please, off with you!" said the creature
"My face burns, my eyes have gone,
My ears are ringing! Help me!"
Yet the voice did not comply
"I have quite a deal for you."

"You let me use your body,
And I shall give you power."
The voice laughed, the creature did not
"It's too good to refuse,
So you may as well give in."

4. The Demon

Then there was a demon of shadowy black
Then there was an evil masked being
With skin ethereal, eye glowing
Mask contorted, distorted, shaped
As would be a demon's face

And the creature's brain was muddled
And the demon's mind took over
A name for itself -- "Masquerade"
A perfect name for one so shady
Sinister, terrifying

And it used its tremendous powers
To bring its wrath upon the land
Bringing darkness to every stretch of sky
And murky waters to every mile of sea
And a plague upon the land