Chapter 14: United Spirits
Victoire sobbed over Nicolas' body, Henri took the young chorus girl away. Meg her down the grand stair case and let her cry in her arms.
" He will be alright," she whispered, " Don't think of bad thoughts."
" Oh, Nicolas," she whimpered
Henri looked at the doctor as he looked over Nicolas' wounded body.
" I can still save this young man," the doctor said
" Then do it," he said
" I need light," the doctor said, " A room with plenty of light."
Henri looked around and then said, " The office."
" That would be fine," the doctor said, " Help me lift him."
The doctor placed the white mask over Nicolas' face and then they lifted him. Nicolas was carried into the office and laid out on the ground. The doctor carried his tools and looked at Nicolas.
" You have changed so much my dear boy," he said
" Nicolas,"
Nicolas opened his eyes and looked around, the green fields around him, just bloomed with freshness.
" Nicolas,"
Nicolas sat up and saw a young woman running through the fields. She came to him and knelt down before him and kissed his cheek.
" Nicolas, what a foolish man you are," she said
" Patricia," he said embracing her
" Nicolas," she said softly
She kissed his head and touched his face and wiped tears away from his face.
" Where am I sweet Patricia?" he asked
" In a place called paradise," a voice said
Nicolas looked over and saw a man standing there, his black attire, was that of wealth and his white mask matched his own.
" Hello Nicolas," he said
" Erik," he said
Erik gave a bow and walked over to the young man.
" Paradise, isn't what you want is it?" Erik questioned
" No," Nicolas said
Erik nodded and stood there as he looked over the endless green valleys. He sighed and then turned to Nicolas.
" It is not right for someone so innocent to be killed, but it happens," Erik said, " We can not do anything about what kills our weak bodies."
Nicolas rose and looked at Erik.
" I'm dead, is that what your saying?" Nicolas asked
" Shot dead before your lovers eyes, she is suffering, can you not feel it as a soul?" Erik said
Nicolas closed his eyes and suddenly he was in the opera house. He saw Meg trying to calm the young chorus girl down.
" He's alive, he can't be dead," Victoire cried
" I'm here," Nicolas said as he went to touch Victoire's face
Erik grabbed Nicolas by his vest and Nicolas looked at Erik.
" Spirits can only see, never touch," Erik said
" Please, I can't be dead," Nicolas said, " I can't."
He walked off and looked at Patricia as she gave a sadden look. She walked over to him and kissed his cheek.
" I'm sorry Nicolas," she whispered, " Erik is right, there is only death in this world."
Erik looked at the shadow of the opera house fade away from sight. He turned and looked at Nicolas.
" There is one way," Erik said, " but it has never been done before."
" What is that?" Nicolas asked
Erik sighed and turned around and looked at Nicolas.
" There is one thing that will always connect you with the living," Erik said, " An object that has been there for many years. Something that keeps each of us there to say one last good bye."
" What is that?" Nicolas asked
" For your beloved Patricia, it is the ring that you were going to give Victoire, so that you could love them both. A thing that keeps me with Meg, is you my friend," Erik said, " The mask upon your face, is the median I use to be with Meg. She gave it to you so that the legend of the Phantom could continue."
" So, I am able to continue to see Victoire only in spirit?" Nicolas asked
Patricia grabbed Nicolas' hand and he held hers.
" Not in spirit my love, but in flesh," she said, " You and I have been together long enough, it is time that you let me go for good. I will always be with you through the woman you love. Erik and your self have been bonded through the mask, your spirit is one with his own. So, if you use his spirit as a median it is then that you can be reunited with your own flesh."
" What will happen to your spirit?" Nicolas asked
" It will vanish from all existence, I will only be a story," Erik said, " But it is alright, it is time a new story begins."
" Then why not unite, Meg would be please to see you," Nicolas said
" You do not understand, I will be a shadow that follows you," Erik said, " Something that will effect your future."
" I'm willing to take that risk," Nicolas said, " It is after all love that keeps us all bonded."
Erik looked at Nicolas and then looked at the young woman.
" I will not be alone," Patricia said, " Off with you boys."
Erik unsheathed his blade and made a cut through the air. The exact cut Henri made with the red blade.
" Then let it be done," Erik said
Erik removed his mask and Nicolas removed his, Erik closed his eyes and the skull blade seemed to break in half. Nicolas was presented with a blade and Erik with his own.
" Now," Erik said
He raised the blade and made a final slash across the last. Light pierced through and Erik came at Nicolas and Nicolas came at Erik. Once their blades met one another's flesh the light broke through, engulfing their bodies in light.
Nicolas opened his eyes gasping for air and the doctor looked at him.
" Easy," the doctor said, " Lie back, your alive, don't worry."
" Erik…where's Erik?" Nicolas asked
" He's been dead for 4 years, are you sure your ok?" the doctor asked
Nicolas placed his hand on his head and took in a deep breath, before passing out again.
" Is he alright?" Henri asked
" He's fine, this boy goes through more injuries than I did as a child," the doctor laughed, " Nicolas Cassé has been the common patient since he was 3. He'll be alright Monsieur, the Phantom of the Opera lives…but now that you know who he is, let it be silent."
The doctor and Henri walked out and the girls looked up, they rose in complete anxiousness. The doctor smirked and nodded and Victoire smiled.
" Are you there?" Nicolas thought
" A shadow, but yes," Erik's voice replied
" It worked," Nicolas replied, " It worked."
" Yes, now the future holds many dangers for the Phantom of the Opera," Erik said, " Are you willing to live in darkness for now on?"
" I have my light, she dances on stage," Nicolas replied
" Yes, we all have our light," Erik replied
The End
Thanks to my fellow readers