T'was a dark and moonless night.
Angels shuddered at the sight.
   The mists of time hung on high.
   Demons heaved a deepened sigh.
Content within this evil night.

Souls before them all arrayed,
As in the night children played,
   Ne'er believing danger skulked,
   In the shadow's burdened hulk.
The stars' dim light was tattered, frayed.

Long lost souls in misery,
Swiftly moved to deviltry.
   Night's darkness, it clung and dripped,
   From evil's black fingertips,
Just beyond children's revelry.

Somewhere near a distant scream,
Maybe heard in fitful dreams.
   Then it came, that chilling sound,
   The keening call of the hound,
Echoed by souls never redeemed.

Children, feeling something wrong,
Hearing the call, deep and strong,
   Paused and searched the darkness 'round,
   Where the demons did abound.
Frightened sight shook, wracked with evil's song.

As the demons gathered 'round,
They felt the howl of the hound.
   Each one of them felt the fright,
   In that deep foreboding night,
With the full power of that sound.

When it appeared all was lost,
So heavy would be the cost,
   A subtle new light then dawned
   And the darkness gaped and yawned.
Sharp sparkling stars the night embossed.

Then there came a hero bold,
With hair of fine braided gold.
   Righteous fire flashed in his eyes,
   Steely gaze dispelled the lies.
He was a vision to behold.

He charged upon Hell's vast legions,
Far beyond mortal regions
   The Sword of Dreams he wielded,
   His bless'd armor shielded,
As he set to change this season.

A battle cry he set free,
He Ignored the demon's pleas.
   Each battle was sorely won,
   And yet he pressed on and on,
To, this day, his final victory.

The demons all in a rout,
The hero searched all about,
   With the day finally won,
   Evil forces on the run,
And coaxed the frightened children out.

His energy fully spent,
His armor severely rent,
   He took a deep rasping breath,
   And with all that he had left,
He issued this admonishment: