Monsters once began as men. Those men were once boys. Some of those boys were princes. Sometimes fate can take odd turns and play horrible tricks on those who are not aware of it, and the…should one say 'hero' of this story? This hero is nothing if not a pawn of Irony.

This prologue is not, as one might assume, some scrambling of prophecy or details of an arcane world or myth. This prologue serves as all prologues once did, to remind you, the reader, that you know how this story ends. You know who lives and who perishes, you know who is redeemed and for whom redemption comes too late. But details, details, you don't yet know the details! You wonder how some children are made into heroes of light, while others turned into creatures of darkness, don't you? Because they both had such good intentions! It seems strange that the old adage holds true- the path to Hell is paved with good intentions.

You know that our hero will not survive the end of the story. You read on because of your burning curiosity. You are like the princess, upon whom this sad story opens. You wish to know more about Even of Radiant Garden, and those who lived at that time, and why they chose the paths they did. One might think that once they opened the door, down at the catacombs of the palace, they had passed the point of no return. But one might also think that it happened earlier, if they had the details with which to make such a decision.

This story opens with the young Princess Kairi, now sixteen, returning home at last to Radiant Garden. Two years prior, Naminé accepts a token of affection from the Chilly Academic. Nine years before that, six men were disfigured and transformed. And decades ago, there was a little prince who dreamed of following in his father's footsteps.

When Kairi entered the castle, she felt a surge of memories that weren't hers. When Naminé accepted the card, she became part of a solemn final memorial to a man she never knew her own connection to. When Even became Vexen, there was something in his mind that told him all hope was lost, and indeed it was.

Requiscat in pacem

You know how the story ends.

Here is how it begun.