Behind smiles that crease the skin of fake happiness; Lies dormant ferocity and smirking ruthlessness. A cunning beast resides in this heart of doubt and grief. Veins pumping cold blood and fangs grinding; The mask slithers along cracked skin to darkening blue eyes; Untrue colors shine through now red irises. Twisted ******* of a once truly good soul; Tainted by a darkness that holds it down. Power that courses under tensed muscles; Hair stiffening to a stand on the back of a neck. Persuasion that manipulates, intimidation that scares. Welcoming grin that harbors words of hate. Spiteful things that roll of the tongue; A sweeping waterfall of daggers. Black clouds encompass the mind, whispering lies; Fading loyalty and receding necessity. Unimaginable weight on the shoulders; Keeping hope down and grounding hate with solid foothold. Tidal waves of inner tears, The Helpless Hero weeps. Scars etched on the symbiotic mask; Feeding on locked away thoughts, radiating negative energy. Weakness and strength, a double edged blade. Destiny's call silenced and fate falling into the abyss; An inner light to be sparked, to wage the internal battle. A war bearing one victim with two faces of the coin. Collisions of two factions calling for the death of each other. But the end holds festering pain and realization; Coinciding opposites to face the greater threat. The outside world of a million warriors, just like them; For we all fight battles with sword and with shield. A gladiatorial existence, a reason for pain; A quest for honor, a reason to live.