Phoenix has discovered what he must do to conquer the circle of pride. Will he be able to save his belovèd?
Quick author's note: The second part of the circle of pride ended up being very long, so I have broken it up into two.
Circle VII - Pride
The doors clanged shut with an ominous echo,
And Phoenix spent only a moment alone
Before he saw a dark figure stride forward:
An image of his lover stood before him,
Still a demon as before, but not so large,
And he stared, and bowed, and beckoned to Phoenix.
The stone floor was hard 'neath Phoenix's feet,
The tower dark, lit only by candles;
Nervous but determined, the law man followed.
Soon he was led to a brightly lit room
With a sumptuous feast laid before him:
Food beyond imagining met his gaze.
Treats and delights, the aromas were divine,
And Phoenix felt his stomach rumble and ache,
And the demon smirked at his easy win.
"For you, my belovèd, eat all that you like."
The image of Edgeworth gestured grandly,
Sweeping his hand across all of the food.
Phoenix smiled – the first test, come back once more.
He ate a single grape. "Will you dine with me?"
The demon laughed, the sound dark and foreboding.
"Such simple entreaties will not work with me.
I have more restraint, the control I need
To abstain from over-indulgences."
Phoenix shook his head. "You show restraint here,
But you have not always done so, have you?
There was a time you let yourself to be free."
The demon frowned, and the rebuttal was quick:
"When have I not shown you utmost restraint?"
Said Phoenix: "Simple: when you were most happy.
After you shed your guilt of false patricide,
You cheered, you celebrated, we ate like kings,
And you were free and unguarded 'mongst your friends."
Phoenix moved 'round the table, touching each chair.
"With Maya, with Larry, with Gumshoe and me.
Isn't life better with food shared among friends?"
The demon form of his lover roared loud,
For he could not deny his time of excess,
And one wing from his back crumbled to ash.
The law man felt his heart lighten and soar,
For the demon visage of his lover
Was fading away, leaving only a man.
Said he: "Show me your next perfection, Edgeworth!"
And he was dragged up countless flights of stairs
Until they reached the next floor of the tower.
A plush room, comfortable, with lush carpet,
Soft-hued walls, and an over-stuffed sofa
That called out to Phoenix to lay his head down.
Said the demon: "You have journeyed far up here.
You must surely be tired, your bones must ache.
Forget your quest. Just leave me be and rest."
Weary, Phoenix sat upon the plump cushions,
Closing his eyes for only one moment,
But remembered Larry and the second test.
He grabbed the demon's hand – mindful of the claws –
And pulled his lover down to rest with him.
"If I rest, I wish for you to rest with me."
The demon's head shook. "I must watch out for you,
Keep your guard, and be ever diligent.
My work is ceaseless, there is no time for rest."
Phoenix tightened his hold, knowing his next words
Would bring discomfort and hurt to his lover,
Reminding him of darker times in his life.
"Dearest Miles, sometimes even you need to rest,
To take stock of your life, time to hide out,
Time to run away from all you must do.
And yes, you have done so. You have run away.
'Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth chooses death.'
You gave up your responsibilities.
But you came back stronger! Your sin gave you aid,
You found new purpose, new joy to life.
Too much diligence would have obscured the truth."
Again the demon bellowed, his sin brought to light,
And the other wing on his back joined its twin
And crumbled into ash beneath their feet.
Phoenix smiled: his turnabout was working,
And his lover was shedding his demon guise;
And his smile remained even as they moved on.
Through the tower they went, ever higher,
Still climbing toward the top, 'neath the starry sky.
The next room was even more welcoming:
Musky scents, soft light, a feeling of bliss,
A warm inviting bed with room for two
That ignited memories of shared passion.
The law man had no doubt as to this room's test
And felt it would be easiest to pass –
A mercy, as he felt his loins stir.
The demon spoke first, gesturing to the bed:
"I have no need for rooms such as this one,
For I have no lustful thoughts of women.
I am content with the love of friendship.
You may use the room as you see fit, Wright.
Indulge yourself, if need be, with sinful acts."
Once more, Phoenix grasped the sharply clawed hand
And pushed his demon lover onto the bed,
And moved astride him, breathing heavily.
Said he: "You may not think of women, dear Miles,
But you certainly have lustful thoughts – of me.
Or do you not remember the nights we've shared?"
He pressed his lips to the demon's tender neck,
Delighted in the gasp that followed, and said:
"Your body gives you away, if not your mind.
Friendship is good, but sometimes you crave more,
And even 'neath this lust burns the flame of love.
But you cannot deny our times of passion."
The demon huffed and he rolled, and the law man
Fell with a hard thump upon the cold floor,
But he did not mind the momentary ache;
For one of the horns atop the demon's head
Fell off and dissolved into dust on the bed,
Even as his lover roared with displeasure.
Half the trials passed, half the guise discarded,
Phoenix was determined to finish the test;
He steeled himself for the next virtues to come.
Through more halls the law man was pulled about,
'Till a new room was reached, and Phoenix entered:
An office, adorned with marks of achievement.
Other trinkets, too, from grateful citizens
Were scattered about, thanking his lover
For bringing them justice: pictures, notes, cards.
As Phoenix looked 'round he felt a sharp twinge
Of envy shake him: the fame and fortune he lacked,
His partner displayed in great abundance.
Said the demon, smirking: "These accolades
Prove not only my skill, but my kindness.
I've given the masses justice. Why stop me?"
But as the law man looked over, a photo,
Nestled amongst the tokens, caught his eye:
His own young face, a boy once more, with Miles.
Phoenix smiled, wistful, as he picked it up.
"I'm surprised you have this small memento.
Those were cheerful days, filled with friends and laughter."
And as he spoke aloud, Phoenix saw the truth:
While his youth was normal and happy and free,
The demon's was not – cut short, demolished.
This room of success, of kindnesses rendered,
Hid a yearning for that which was long lost.
With a deep sense of remorse, Phoenix spoke:
"Dearest Miles, you are indeed kind, but heed –
It is all right to miss what has been taken,
To envy those who had what you lacked.
I had everything you did not: many friends,
A loving family, my hopes and my dreams.
Even now I live the life you once desired.
You may be famous now, successful and rich,
And you may show kindness to those who have none,
But you still envy those who had happy youths."
The demon snarled and curled his fists, but his horn,
The last one, shattered to pieces and fell down
To the floor. Another sin was exposed.
"You are human, my dearest," said the law man,
"And sometimes envy can foster greatness.
You are loved, regardless, even with your flaws."
The demon, seeming now more like a man,
Had no clever retort, his voice silent
As he led his lover through the tower.
