Deathmask

Azreal was the most dreadful necromancer the world had ever known, but even he had to eventually, succumb to death. Or, did he? All that remained of his vile works was a beautiful mask, his death mask. Within the mask, Azreal's black soul waited patiently... Polianna always wished that she was a more powerful sorceress. Be careful what you wish for. Little did she know, when she donned the mask that it harbored, more than just magic. Azreal had been, dead long enough, and Polianna was just what he was looking for. When the seduction of power unleashes Azrael once again upon the world, the living suffer anew. But, his conquest will not go unopposed. A tenuous union between two warring nations offers the only hope for the living, for all who draw breath are the necromancer's enemies. But, how can an army win against a necromancer when every soldier who falls becomes a new recruit for his army? Love may be the only weapon. Azrael is dead. The most terrible necromancer the world ever knew has at last succumbed to the call of his own trade, and all of his foul works have fallen into ruin. Or has death itself been cheated? A thousand years later, the earth once scorched by death magic is again alive and green, and coveted by two empires of men. Azrael is all but forgotten. But history forgotten is often relived. A small troop of soldiers stumbles onto the rubble of an ancient keep and finds a relic of chilling beauty and tremendous power. But with power comes the seduction to use it, and when life and death hang in the balance, that seduction becomes overwhelming. Yet there are fates worse than death... For when Azrael’s deathmask is taken up by a human hand, the master of death will live again, and his ancient and terrible powers will be reawakened. Even faced with horrors unspeakable, there are those who will pay the price—any price—for power and victory. But how can there be victory when life for Azrael means death for the world?