Wow, I don't think you guys realize how happy your reviews make me! intoxicated by eriks music, Mrs.Elektra Murdock, sexxy-spider-theatre-freak, Mominator, and Silver Ice : you all rock my socks! I hope you enjoy this chapter, and I really hope you Review!
"Ahem." Erik and Christine broke their gaze once they heard Raoul.
"Ah, Monsieur. I see you have returned to my home once again." Christine saw Erik's gaze harden as he spoke to Raoul.
"Only to once again rescue my fiancé from your monstrous self," replied Raoul, his tone matching the look in the Phantom's eyes.
"I beg your pardon, Vicomte," spat Erik, "but Miss Daae seems to have come here upon her own free will, which she is welcome to. You, however, do not carry that privilege so I am telling you to leave now."
"Raoul, what he says is true. I have come here based on my own decisions. You see-" Christine was cut short as Raoul exploded with an angry, and slightly crazed look in his eye, "Lies! Lies! You came back to me Christine! Why would I believe you would return to him on your own? No! He is possessing you and I will end his power over you now!"
Christine gasped in horror as Raoul drew his sword and ran at Erik. Swiftly dodging Raoul's attack, Erik spun around and grabbed his own sword. He met Raoul's next attack with a clang of metal on metal. The two men continued the sword fight, creating disarray among Erik's home.
Raoul swung his sword at Erik's head. As Erik ducked and turned, preparing for more blocking and fighting, he barely registered the sound of Raoul's sword knocking something over- half his house was now torn or knocked over.
Taking advantage of Raoul having to recollect after missing his target, Erik knocked Raoul's sword out of his hands. Raoul slid to the floor, grabbing his sword, ready to block Erik's advance. But Raoul was now fighting only air.
Standing up, his sword at the ready, Raoul looked around, his gaze searching the dark shadows in the ceilings of the caves.
Erik silently crept along the ledge that jutted out of the rock. A malicious grin crossed his face as he drew out his deadly lasso. It was obvious that Raoul was still disoriented from the "magical" disappearance of his opponent, so Erik thought it would be fun to jump down and let Raoul see the "monster" as he died.
Jumping down from the ledge, Erik drew his lasso as Raoul spun around. As the sensation of being able to kill another one of his tormenters flowed through his veins, Erik lost sense of everything around him- his only focus now was strangling Raoul. Until he heard a sound that made his heart stop.
Erik turned his head at the sound of Christine's scream. Was she scared for Raoul? Was she furious at him for trying to kill her fiancé again? Was she hurt?
He saw the cause for her scream as orange flames began to devour one of the decorative velvet curtains. When Erik had dodged Raoul's last attack, Raoul had hit an unfortunately lit candlestick, knocking it to the ground.
Taking advantage of his opponent's distraction, Raoul struck at the Phantom. A ribbon of blood now stained Erik'sleft arm, but Erik hardly acknowledged the pain as he walked backwards into the corner Raoul had trapped him in.
Damn! A second time I have let this fool get the best of me. Erik silently cursed himself as Raoul gave a very smug smile as he looked at Erik's wound and said, "I like to return favors."
"You can cause me no pain worse than that which your fiancé has already inflicted upon me," Erik spoke through gritted teeth. "But do you wish for Christine to witness the brutal murder of the man who 'inspired her voice'?"
"This hardly qualifies as murder when what I'm killing is already half dead. And Christine will be happy to watch you die!"
The pointed edge of his sword now a mere foot away from Erik's heart, Raoul didn't give a second thought to the look of confusion pass over Erik's face.
"Any last words?"
Not waiting for the Phantom's reply, Raoul drew back his sword, ready to end the demon's life forever. His attack was stopped short, however, as he fell unconscious to the ground.
Raoul's not dead, but I couldn't let him stay in my story without getting hurt just a little bit.
For all of my awesome reviewers, I wanted to let you know I'll have chapter 4 up on Monday. I would post it sooner, but I have a horse show this weekend so I'll be just a tad busy ;)