The Crimson Masque

In near-future London, four young strangers meet at a mysterious casino and discover ancient masks that grant supernatural abilities. Lyra Blackthorne, daughter of a missing scholar, leads Marcus Chen, Zara Okafor, and Finn MacReady against Arlecchino—a cosmic entity that was once Victorian academic Cornelius Whitmore. Having transcended individual consciousness, Arlecchino seeks to “evolve” humanity by destroying what makes us human. As the team battles through floating gardens, dimensional theaters, and government conspiracies, they uncover a deeper truth: their enemy’s goal isn’t chaos, but connection. Isolated by his cosmic perspective, Arlecchino desperately wants companions who can understand his transformed existence. The heroes must choose between preserving humanity’s limitations or accepting transcendence that costs everything they are. Blending urban fantasy with philosophical depth, this tale explores consciousness, identity, and the ultimate price of human evolution.