Scene 9

BEYOND THE LAKE

(The dummy of CYNDER sits crumpled on a large throne. MALEFOR drags CYNDER roughly out of the boat. She frees herself and backs away as he stares blackly out front. Braving her terror, she addresses him fiercely).

CYNDER: Have you gorged yourself at last, in your lust for blood? (no reply) Am I now to be prey to your lust for flesh?

MALEFOR (Coldly): That fate, which condemns me to wallow in blood has also denied me the joys of the flesh . . . this face - the infection which poisons our love . . . (He takes the bridal veil front the dummy, and moves slowly towards her) This face, which earned a mother's fear and loathing . . . A mask, my first unfeeling scrap of clothing . . . (He places the veil on her head) Pity comes too late - turn around and face your fate: an eternity of this before your eyes!

(They are almost touching. She looks calmly and coldly into his face)

CYNDER: This haunted face holds no horror for me now . . . It's in your soul that the true distortion lies . . .

(MALEFOR suddenly senses SPYRO'S presence. Behind the portcullis, SPYRO climbs out of the water)

MALEFOR: Wait! I think, my dear, we have a guest! (to SPYRO) Sir, this is indeed an unparalleled delight! I had rather hoped that you would come. And now my wish comes true - you have truly made my night!

SPYRO (pleading, grasping the bars of the gate): Free her! Do what you like only free her! Have you no pity?

MALEFOR (to CYNDER, dryly): Your lover makes a passionate plea!

CYNDER: Please, Spyro, it's useless . . .

SPYRO: I love her! Does that mean nothing? I love her! Show some compassion!

MALEFOR (snarls furiously at SPYRO): The world showed no compassion to me!

SPYRO: Cynder . . . Cynder . . . (to MALEFOR) Let me see her . . .

MALEFOR (drily): Be my guest, sir. (He gestures, and the fence rises. SPYRO enters) Monsieur, I bid you welcome! Did you think that I would harm her? Why should I make her pay for the sins which are yours? (So saying, he takes the Punjab lasso and, before SPYRO has a chance to move, catches him by the neck. The end of the rope, of which MALEFOR has let go, remains magically suspended in mid-air) (taunting) Order your fine horses now! Raise up your hand to the level of your eyes! Nothing can save you now - except perhaps Cynder . . . (He turns to her) Start a new life with me - Buy his freedom with your love! Refuse me, and you send your lover to his death! This is the choice - This is the point of no return!

CYNDER (to MALEFOR): The tears I might have shed for your dark fate grow cold, and turn to tears of hate . . .

SPYRO (despairing): Cynder, forgive me please forgive me . . . I did it all for you, and all for nothing . . .

CYNDER (looking at MALEFOR but to herself): Farewell my fallen idol and false friend . . . One by one I've watched illusions shattered . . .

MALEFOR: Past all hope of cries for help: no point in fighting -

SPYRO: Either way you choose, he has to win . . .

MALEFOR: For either way you choose, you cannot win! So, do you end your days with me, or do you send him to his grave?

SPYRO (to MALEFOR): Why make her lie to you, to save me?

CYNDER: Angel of Music . . .

MALEFOR: Past the point of no return –

SPYRO: For pity's sake, Cynder, say no!

CYNDER: . . . why this torment?

MALEFOR: . . . the final threshold . . .

SPYRO: Don't throw your life away for my sake . . .

CYNDER: When will you seereason . . .?

MALEFOR: His life is now the prize which you must earn!

SPYRO: I fought so hard to free you . . .

CYNDER: Angel of Music . . .

MALEFOR: You've passed the point of no return . . .

CYNDER: . . . you deceived me -I gave my mind blindly . . .

MALEFOR (to CYNDER): You try my patience - make your choice!

(She reflects for a moment, then with resolution moves slowly towards MALEFOR)

CYNDER (quietly at first, then with growing emotion): Pitiful creature of darkness . . . What kind of life have you known . . .? God give me courage to show you, you are not alone . . . (Now calmly facing him, she kisses him long and full on the lips. The embrace lasts a long time. SPYRO watches in horror and wonder. MALEFOR lakes a lighted candle and holds it above SPYRO's head. A tense moment. But the suspended rope suddenly falls harmlessly - MALEFOR has burned the thread by which the noose was held. Resigned, he addresses SPYRO, as we hear the offstage voices of the approaching MOB)

MOB Some: Track down this murderer - he must be found! Hunt out this animal, who runs to ground! Too long he's preyed on us - but now we know: the Phantom of the Opera is there deep down below . .

Others: Who is this monster, this murdering beast? Revenge for Piangi! Revenge for Buquet! This creature must never go free . . .

MALEFOR: Take her - forget me - forget all of this . . . Leave me alone - forget all you've seen . . . Go now - don't let them find you! Take the boat - leave me here - go now, don't wait . . . Just take her and go - before it's too late . . . Go . . . Go now! Go now and leave me! (SPYRO and CYNDER move off towards the boat. MALEFOR looks mockingly at his mask. The musical box starts up magically, and he listens to it) Masquerade . . . Paper faces on parade . . . Masquerade . . . Hide your face so the world will never find you . . .

(CYNDER re-enters and walks slowly towards him. She takes off her ring and gives it to MALEFOR)

MALEFOR: Cynder, I love you . . .

(She hurries off MALEFOR puts the ring on his finger)

CYNDER (In the distance, to SPYRO, as the boat pulls away in the shadow): Say you'll share with me, one love, one lifetime . . . say the word and I will follow you . .

SPYRO: Share each day with me . . .

CYNDER: . . . each night . . .

BOTH: . . . each morning . . .

MALEFOR (looking after her): You alone can make my song take flight! It's over now, the music of the night!

(MALEFOR walks slowly towards the throne. He takes his place on it, sitting on his cloak. The MOB including STEALTH ELF appears above, climbing down the portcullis. As the MOB enters the lair, MALEFOR wraps his cloak around himself and disappears. STEALTH ELF crosses to the throne and picks up his mask in her small hand)

Talk about and ending! As the curtain falls make note, there's still one chapter left, the coming attractions page of the playbill. Just a note, I will only publish one of those every 6 stories, so make note of that.