Chapter 10: Opera Populaire: Reopens
1 month later
Charlotte opened her eyes and sat up breathing deep, but then she was taken into loving arms. She looked over at Erik and leaned her head on his chest.
" What has you breathing so deep?" he asked
" I had a nightmare," Charlotte whispered
Erik pushed her hair from her face and kissed her.
" Lay your fears to rest my dear, you are safe from Hell's tricks," he said, " This angelic gargoyle will protect you."
Charlotte laid down and Erik took her into his arms, he gently stroked her arms and sang to her. Erik looked at the morning light peeking through the darken room. Erik closed his eyes and pulled her closer.
Later in the morning, Erik and Charlotte ate breakfast. Erik looked at Charlotte, seeing she worried about something.
" What is it my dear?" he asked
" Nothing, I was just thinking," she said
" About what?" Erik asked
" My parents and how I miss them so, I saw them last at my brother's funeral," Charlotte replied
" Then go see them, I will send a letter announcing your visit," Erik said, " I can not accompany you, because I am not welcomed in your father's home. I disgust them with the murder."
" But Erik," she said
Erik lifted his hand to silence her and she sighed. She stood up and walked to Erik, she kissed his cheek.
" Then we will meet again in Paris this evening," she said
" Yes," Erik said, " Please, be safe my dearest wife."
" I will," she said
She kissed him again and went off to prepared, then Erik sent a letter off with another messenger. He looked at the mirror that sat across from Charlotte's seat. A servant cleaned the table.
" Where is Gabriel?" he asked
" He went out early this morning," the servant said
" Where?" he asked
" I don't know sir, he just said he was heading out," the servant answered
Erik stood up and straighten out his attire then left the table. He went upstairs and opened the door to the bedroom. He looked at Charlotte as she got ready and then helped her.
" Erik, is there something the matter?" she asked
" No," Erik said, " I will depart for Paris after you leave."
" Oh, Erik will we be staying in Paris for a couple of days?" she asked
" Yes," he said, " I will pack you a few things do not worry about a thing."
Charlotte turned and kissed him.
" Paris, my first time in the city where it all began," she said
" Where it all began my dear?" he asked
" Yes, the Opera Populaire, where you tutored my mother, and now you are the patriot," Charlotte said
Erik gave her a small smile, then prepared for the evening's event. Charlotte finished and then Erik helped her to the carriage.
" In Paris," she whispered
" In Paris," he replied
The carriage took off and Erik sighed. He walked up to the bedroom and shut the door. He looked at his attire and nodded.
" The Phantom returns," he whispered
Erik changed into his black attire and looked at himself in the mirror. He breathed deep as he thought about the past. He placed his mask on and looked at himself again.
" I use to be afraid of my own reflection, but look I stare at myself once again," Erik said, " How I feel so brave."
He turned and looked at his blade hanging on the wall and tied it to his side. He grabbed his gloves, as well as the luggage, then walked downstairs.
" Safe journey to Paris, Comte," the servants said
" Thank you," he replied
He walked out and got into the carriage and then headed for Paris. He closed his eyes and thought about Charlotte's safety to the Vicomte's estate. He had failed to send escorts with her, but he trusted that the coachman would defend her if anything were to happen.
Vicomte de Chagny's Estate
Charlotte arrived there about noon time and Christine was awaiting her daughter's arrival. The coachman helped her down and Christine ran to her daughter, then hugged her tight.
" Oh, my dearest daughter," she said
" Mother," she said hugging her mother
" Come, your father has just arrived from his ride," Christine said
They walked in and Christine brought her to the sitting room, where tea was brought. Raoul entered the sitting room and looked at his daughter.
" Charlotte," he said
She got up and hugged her father tightly.
" Oh, father, how I have missed you so," Charlotte said
" I have missed you too," he said, " And why are you not with your husband."
" He was told never to come here," she said, " So, I came by myself."
" I see, he has spoken lies once again, I never said he could never set foot in this estate," Raoul said, " He is your husband and did I not tell you that I would treat him as apart of this family?"
" Oh, father, he feels guilty about that day," Charlotte said, " He wishes not to upset you or mother."
Christine looked at her daughter and husband, she poured the tea and looked at them.
" Charlotte, sit down and have some tea, you have only so little time before you go to Paris," Christine said
Charlotte nodded and sat down along with Raoul. Raoul sighed and looked at the two of them.
" Tonight, you will sing at the Opera Populaire," Raoul said, " It's once more opens to those who love it so."
" Yes, Erik has put forth so much to repair it," Charlotte said, " And mother he wishes that you too once sing again…tonight."
" To sing, I can not," she said
" For me then," Charlotte said, " He has written it for us mother, the women that have inspired him…please."
" I will not be caught up into his games," she said, " Plus my voice isn't what it use to be," Christine said
" It remains the same, father please ask her to sing with me," Charlotte said
" Your mother is correct in not singing tonight," Raoul said, " She has come to support you, not her own career. We only wish to have you represent her."
Charlotte nodded and sipped on her tea. She knew it was a long shot, to once more have her mother sing again.
Evening rose and they headed off to Paris and Charlotte went to get ready. Charlotte warmed up and looked at herself in the mirror.
" So, young," a voice said, " So beautiful."
Charlotte looked up in the mirror and saw a shadow, then it vanished. She gently made up her face. Her painted eyes were that of the moonlight, her white dress was long with sliver swirls on it. Her hair curled and put up into a sliver tiara.
" Madam de Bellamont, it's almost time," a dancer said
She turned around and gave a nodded, she stood up and walked off. She looked out and saw box five and smiled. She then looked to the box opposite and saw her parents.
" Many thanks to our patriot, The Comte de Bellamont," the manger said, " And our thanks to the Vicomte de Chagny and his wife for providing us with a beautiful diva to sing our opera. Without further a due, our Opera."
The audience clapped and Charlotte smiled as the curtains opened revealing a beautiful set piece of flowers and a meadow in the background. Charlotte walked out and her escort stood in the background. Charlotte walked towards the pit as the music played and she began to sing. She looked at her audience then, her parents and lastly Erik. Erik watched her and smiled and gave a nod.
As Act I finished Erik felt that his Opera would be a hit, by Act 2 he had watched the audience gasp as the Opera went on. Christine and Raoul watched as it seemed that Erik's Opera was base on that of real life.
" Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Raoul asked
" Yes," she replied, " The Phantom's Opera is real."
By Act 4 the Opera changed pace a little, and Charlotte looked at the audience as she relaxed. The leading male actor stood out singing his hope for the love of the young maiden, that he had chosen to make his bride. Charlotte entered and sang out and the leading male fell to his knees taking her hand. She looked down at him to assure her love was true to him.
As the Act 4 came to a close audience were wiping tears seeing one character die. Charlotte looked at the character that had die and walked over to him. She sang with such emotion that she cried herself. She stood up and sang her farewell pieces and fell to the stage though to die as well. The curtain closed and the audience cheered and Erik rose clapping and then looked down at the cast as they bowed. Erik went down to meet his beautiful wife, he walked down to her dressing room.
" Charlotte," he said knocking
" Come in," she said
He opened the door and she was undoing her hair, he walked over to her, then kissed her cheek.
" You were beautiful out there," he said
He kissed her neck and on her bare shoulders, she smiled and faced him. She kissed him with a passionate kiss.
" You wrote the Opera, I just brought it to life," she whispered
Erik knelt beside her and kissed her deeply.
" I wrote them for you," Erik said
He pushed her hair over his shoulders and undid her dress, to help her. She slipped the dress off and he hung it up for her. She slipped on a much simpler dress for traveling purposes. She wrapped her arms around Erik and kissed him, he kissed her back.
" Come your public awaits," Erik said
He opened the door and suddenly a blade came up to his neck.
" Why are you leaving so fast Comte de Bellamont?" a voice questioned
" How nice to see you made it," Erik sarcastically said
" Your ignorant Erik," the voice said
Charlotte stood behind Erik as he touched his blade.
" Nope, don't touch that blade Erik, it could mean your end," the voice said
" Gabriel, you have become crazed," Erik said
" Shut up!" Gabriel shouted, " If anyone is crazed it is you!"
He pulled Erik's blade and tossed it to the side. Charlotte grabbed Erik's hand and Gabriel looked at her.
" Are we afraid my dear stepmother…no, my future wife."
Erik growled and went to attack Gabriel, but he placed the blade at his throat again. Gabriel grabbed Charlotte and pulled her away from Erik.
" Erik!" Charlotte cried
" Let her go," he said, " It is obvious that you are angry with me."
" Right, I am, but I love Charlotte and you took her from me, just like you took my mother away," Gabriel said
" She was ill, I did nothing to kill her," Erik growled, " Let my wife go."
" No," Gabriel said
Suddenly a blade came to Gabriel's throat and Gabriel looked from the corner of his eye.
" Ah, what a pleasure to see you Vicomte," Gabriel said
" Do, as he says and let his wife go," Raoul said
" You want me to let her go, without price?" Gabriel asked
" Let me go," Charlotte breathed, " Let, Erik go."
" Let Erik go? Why would I do that?" Gabriel asked
" I'll do anything, just let my husband go," Charlotte said with tears, " let him go."
Gabriel nodded and said, " Fine."
Gabriel removed his blade from Erik's neck and Erik came at Gabriel. Gabriel narrowed his eyes and stabbed Erik through his shoulder. The blade came out from the other end and Erik shouted in pain. Raoul slashed Gabriel with his blade and Gabriel looked at Raoul and laughed.
" You are sad," he said
He grabbed Charlotte, then threw something down; smoke filled the area. Gabriel vanished with Charlotte in his hold. Erik breathed deep pulled the blade out of his shoulder. He removed his dress coat and looked at his sleeve seeing it was soaked in blood.
" We have to get her," Erik said
" Where did he take her?" Raoul said, " I'll go."
" No, I will do it, she's my wife and my stepson," Erik said
" She's my daughter," Raoul said, " I'm going."
Erik grabbed his blade and walked off and Raoul followed Erik.
" Stay back!" Erik growled, " This is what I have to do…now go back to your wife. I promise I will bring her back alive."
Erik opened a trapped door and went down it, he walked down the dark hallways and then came to a lit hallway. He stopped and raised his hand at the level of his eyes, he heard foot steps and hid in the shadows. As they came closer, Erik jumped out and immediately hit steel with steel.
" Easy Erik," Raoul's voice came
" Didn't I tell you to stay?" Erik questioned
" She's my daughter, I can a least save her," Raoul said, " To show I do care."
" Fine, raise your hand to the level of your eyes," Erik said, " Your going to need that advice."
Erik and Raoul made their way down each cellar. Erik found it quite easy to go down, but had forgotten the many traps. Erik grabbed a torch and led them down to the third cellar and there luck was not with them. Erik stepped two steps to far, he stepped on a trapped piece of stone. It fell and so did he, losing the torch, Raoul grabbed Erik's hand and Erik looked up at Raoul.
" Watch your step," Raoul simply said
He pulled up Erik and Erik stood up. He grabbed a second torch once they came across a dead in and Erik looked at it. He dragged his hand across the solid wall and then grabbed his blade. He stabbed the wall and found a lever buried under the stone. He broke part of the wall and used the lever to open another wall.
" This will take us directly to the fifth cellar," Erik said
They walked through the dark pathway and there Erik was right, the fifth cellar was open to them. Raoul and Erik raised their hands to the level of their eyes and stepped in icy water. Erik felt the chill enter from he feet all the way to his upper body. Raoul looked at the dark watery pathway and now knew where they were. He knew it from when he came down to save Christine. Erik felt the water become colder and rise higher. He held his blade up and then came to the gate.
" Gabriel!" he shouted
Gabriel looked over and smiled, his mask was removed and he laughed.
" Ah, my dear betraying family, and you brought her family to witness our marriage," Gabriel said
" Let her go!" Raoul shouted, " She has nothing to do with this game!"
" Oh, it's not game," Gabriel said, " It's real."
Erik dove into the water and went under the gate that blocked him. He came up and Gabriel met him there kicking him in the face. Erik narrowed his eyes as he stood up and then drew his blade.
" Erik!" Charlotte cried
" Yes, cry for your precious Erik. Cry for the devil," Gabriel remarked, " No one can save you Erik…not even your precious wife."
Gabriel tapped Erik's blade, with his own and both came at each other.
" You are not going to win with a wounded shoulder," Gabriel said stabbing at Erik
Erik slashed at Gabriel, hoping to make him lose balance. Erik stepped back and Gabriel pulled a rope and a noose fell over Erik's head. Erik slipped his hand in front of his face quickly, but that did help.
" Erik!" Charlotte running towards him
Gabriel grabbed her and pushed her back and Erik reached up to the end.
" What's the matter Erik, hanging at the end of your rope!" Gabriel exclaimed
Erik looked at Gabriel and narrowed his eyes. Gabriel twisted his blade in his hand where it pointed upward. Erik gasped as he felt his hand slip from the rope. Raoul lifted his blade and then dove under finally, he came up and blocked Gabriel from attacking. Charlotte looked around for something sharp. She saw a piece of glass from a pane of glass. She looked at Erik and ran to him and handed him the glass. Erik sawed at the rope and broke free. He picked up his blade and charged at Gabriel from another side.
" Two against one that hardly seems fair," Gabriel said
Gabriel pushed Raoul away and fought with Erik, Gabriel cut Erik across the face and Erik fell back. Gabriel smiled and stabbed at Erik as he pulled back, but was blocked by Raoul.
" Let my daughter go," Raoul said
" Daughter, she's your daughter…oh I have such a short term memory," Gabriel said
Charlotte ran to Erik and tended to the wound. Erik looked at her and grabbed her hand.
" I will have to kill him," he said, " I can not show mercy," Erik said
" Erik your wounded please," she said
" No," Erik said, " I will not back down."
Erik raised his blade, blood dripping in his eye and he closed it, he charged at Gabriel. He was not prepared to fight with one eye, but it had to be done. Gabriel dodged both blades and then slashed both. Raoul lost his hold of his blade and Erik quickly moved in. Gabriel had the upper hand with two good eyes and he slashed Erik cutting his vest off. Erik slashed Gabriel across the chest, making not even a scratch. Erik fell into the water and lost his blade.
" Erik!" Charlotte cried
Erik reached into the water trying to find his blade, Gabriel came at his weak opponent and stabbed. Erik found a blade and stabbed at his opponent. Charlotte covered her eyes and Raoul breathed deep looking at the two.
" Charlotte is mine!" Gabriel shouted pushing his blade
Erik's blade dripped with blood and he looked at Gabriel as he felt little pain.
" Damn you," Erik whispered
Gabriel pulled away and stumbled backwards, blood dripped from his chest. Erik breathed deep as he watched Gabriel pull back.
" I will come back," Gabriel said
Gabriel fell into the water and the water became red with his blood. Erik stood up and fell to his knees. Charlotte rain to him and knelt down, she gathered him into her arms, then just held him.
" Oh, Erik," she cried
" I love you Charlotte," he whispered
Erik closed his eyes and Charlotte began to cry.
" Erik, Erik," she cried, " You can't leave me."
Christine came down and saw Charlotte holding Erik in her arm and Raoul stood up.
" We need a doctor fast," Raoul said
" I brought one," she said
The doctor walked over to Charlotte and Erik, and he lifted Erik out of the water. He sat Erik down and checked to see if he was breathing.
" He's still alive, I can still save him," the doctor said
Charlotte stood there and her parents walked to her.
" Are you alright?" they asked
" I'm fine," she answered
She hugged them both and tears streamed down her face.
" He can't be dead, my husband can't be dead," Charlotte cried