The Palais Garnier Opera House fire was the talk of the town for many winters, but just like how every performance must come to an end, the excitement of the misfortune eventually died down. No one knew what had happened to the mysterious phantom that had been responsible for the opera house’s destruction; some theorized he perished in the fire, others believed he fled. Regardless of what happened to the mysterious man, the tragic story of the Phantom of the Opera had now long since been lost to time, swept away by the wind like the ashes that had risen from the opera house so long ago.

Despite the destruction and curse that had befallen the Palais Garbier, a nobleman adopted the opera house and had it meticulously rebuilt, ensuring the result was even more extravagant than the already luxurious building had once been. To celebrate its reopening, he decided to throw a masquerade like they had done all those years ago when the original opera house was still standing, and you were one of the guests that had been invited.

You stood silently as you watched the masked noble men and women dance and converse with each other, keeping mostly to yourself. Music was played softly through the ball room, mingling with the chatter and laughs of the other guests. You had been scanning the crowd when your eyes fell on one particular figure, one that stood out from the rest. His mask was that of a skull, his body draped in a fine red and golden silk, a red feathered hat resting atop his head. Every inch of him was covered, giving off a mysterious yet ominous aura. And then… your eyes met.