Demon of the Opera

Chapter 3 – The Gears are Turning

Whoo I seem to be on a roll with this fic! The ideas just keep coming to my mind and I'm driving some of my friends insane in the process xD

Khetti: Yeah, like me -o-

-swt- Well, anyway, at the moment Cesia seems to be more of her white self, but even though in the previous note I was unsure of what would happen I am now sure of how this fic is going to go :333 Like most of my parodies, Phantom of the Opera will never be looked at the same again xDD I'll keep some of my more important plans as a surprise but I'm going to tell you now, there WILL be singing xD You'll see how I'm going to do that in the next few chapters. Well, that's all for now so as I always say, READ ON!

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It was after the final performance and as was customary the cast and crew had an after performance party to celebrate another fine opera finished. Alfeegi was especially pleased by the monetary turnout and had extended the budget to let the crew have more than they would have originally.

"He's always a scrooge when it comes to money," Ruwalk muttered to Kitchel and she could not help but laugh a bit.

"Well I don't think he should worry. The previous mistress had saved a lot so there should be plenty in the savings fund," Kitchel said before taking a sip from her drink. "What other quirks does Lord Alfeegi have?"

Ruwalk just grinned. "I think it would be best to leave those unsaid." He looked around. "Where's Cesia?"

Kitchel shifted a little. "Um, she said she wasn't feeling too well so she went back to her room instead. I'll take her some refreshments in a bit. She looked kind of tired earlier so she's probably just worn out," she reassured Ruwalk. "So don't worry, she's in capable hands."

"Hm…all right. If she needs anything just let us know."

Kitchel let out a sigh of relief when he left to go to find Alfeegi. She leaned against one of the pillars, watching the other people mill about the large area behind the stage. Shyrendora had gone to some other place, to everyone's complete relief, but Kitchel could not help feeling a trickle of apprehension go through her. Ever since that day when she and Cesia had gone to the Alfeegi and Ruwalk to discuss the removal of Shyrendora, the prima donna had kept to herself more and on more than one occasion did Kitchel catch her talking secretively on the phone. It had not sound good, but before Kitchel could hear more someone would find her and whisk her away to do some job. She closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh, hoping nothing bad would happen to her friend. If something did, she would never forgive herself. It was her fault that she suggested Cesia to see them in the first place.

"Stupid witch," Kitchel muttered into her drink before taking another sip. "Always ruins everything…"

"I couldn't agree more," a voice suddenly said next to her.

She jumped startled and turned around to see a person she had never seen before and blinked. He had light mint green hair and the deepest green eyes she had ever seen. But he also had a haughty air about him, though not as bad as Shyrendora's. She recovered herself and cleared her throat. "Erm, is there something I can help you with?"

"Why yes, there is something you could help me with," the stranger said. "Could you direct me to one of the managers of this establishment?"

Kitchel nodded and pointed to where Ruwalk and Alfeegi were standing by one of the food tables. "Right over there, Lord Ruwalk and Lord Alfeegi. Just don't do anything to trip Lord Alfeegi's anger system," she grinned a little.

He returned it and nodded to her before striding over to where the two were still talking. Kitchel lingered at her post for a few seconds more before stealthily making her way through the crowd, keeping out of sight of the stranger. She swiftly ducked underneath one of the nearby tables as the stranger finally reached the two managers and she inched closer so she could hear better.

"Lord Alfeegi, Lord Ruwalk," the stranger started to say once the two noticed him, "I have some important papers for you."

"Important papers?" Alfeegi repeated as he took the sheets from the stranger and blinked when he saw them. "Why, they're the applications for judging the contest!" He looked back up at the stranger in front of him. "Who sent you?"

He just gave a grin. "That I cannot say lest I be killed on the spot. But those are all the judges who will be appearing. I am sure you will find those four capable of giving a fair result. Three of them are on their way at this very moment and should be arriving in a few days time." He gave them a bow. "Now if you will excuse I must return. My master has a thing for punctuality." Before any of them could even think of something to say he had turned and left.

However, before leaving the area, he walked over to Kitchel's hiding spot and bent down, raising the tablecloth a bit to look directly into her face. Kitchel gulped and held back a scream of surprise. She also felt heat rushing up to her face when she saw his face so close to hers. Upon such close inspection she found the stranger rather handsome with his short hair hanging like that and his eyes were a lot deeper than she had first thought.

The stranger gave her a small smirk. "I think your eavesdropping skills have gotten a little rusty since your thieving days, miss. You should stick to your singing." And with that he stood back up, dropping the tablecloth in the process, and walked off, disappearing out the door.

Kitchel sat there frozen a second before floundering out from beneath the table, her face still flushed though now it was mixed with anger and frustration. "HEY COME BACK HERE!" she yelled but she knew he had gone and instead she had everyone staring at her as if she were insane. Ignoring the stares she just stalked over to the punch bowl, refilled her cup, and slugged it down as if it were water and everyone returned back to what they were doing.

Kitchel sighed as she once again leaned against her pillar. She wondered who the stranger was and from what she had heard neither Alfeegi nor Ruwalk knew who he was either. For a crazy moment she thought he could have been the Demon Lord himself but then shook the idea away. Still, she wondered if perhaps the green haired stranger was somehow related to the demon who "haunted" the opera house. In hindsight she could see that he was actually youkai. So it was possible yet also not at the same time. Frustrated even more she just downed another cup of the punch and went about getting some refreshments to take back to Cesia, deciding to just try to forget about the whole incident completely.

Not like I'll see him again anyway, she thought.

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Cesia had been lying down on the small couch in the sleeping area of her room, her eyes closed and her face a little pale. Her breathing was a bit heavy as well, and it seemed what Kitchel had said was true. She was turning to lie on her side when she felt a soft breeze and, wondering where it had come from, she slowly opened her eyes to see an elegant white rose lying on the small glass coffee table in front of her and sat up. She picked it up and saw that there was a note attached to it. Still holding the rose close she slowly read the note.

My Angel of Music,

It seems that you are not feeling well and I hope that this small symbol shall help you ease your troubles. Now rest and stay well and keep the rose fresh or your voice may also wither.

Though it was not signed, Cesia knew who had sent the gift and smiling a little she quickly stood up and searched for something to use as a vase. Upon finding a glass cup she quickly filled it with water and gently placed the rose in it. She then quietly removed one of her drawers and opened a secret door behind it, revealing a small hidden compartment where various small things were stored. She gently folded the note and tucked it among her treasures, closing the small door and replacing the drawer afterwards. Feeling a little better, she returned to the couch and laid down upon it, instantly feeling sleep come to her.

So deep asleep was Cesia that she did not feel the soft gentle gloved hand brush through her soft strands of hair nor feel the blanket suddenly placed upon her. She also did not hear the soft whirl of a black cape, nor the soft but heavy booted footsteps leave her room and through the hidden door no one knew that was actually her mirror.

After closing the secret door, the figure let out a soft sigh and leaned heavily against it. He could hear someone enter the room and set down a tray on the table before leaving a minute later but he almost did not hear the soft footsteps coming toward him. But he did and after a moment he moved away from the door and walked through the dimly lit corridor to meet with the light mint green haired youkai. He raised a brow at the suit but the youkai just shrugged.

"Gives a good impression," was all he said and the two continued to walk through the corridors together in silence, their heavy footfalls the only sounds echoing around the stone walls. After a few more moments they were in the large underground lair and the Demon Lord returned to his desk where he sat, one leg resting upon the other, quill instantly in his hand, while Sabel went over to a nearby couch and flopped onto it, one leg hanging off the side while the other hung off the arm rest. His back propped up by several fluffy pillows, he raised a hand and a martini instantly appeared in it.

"So you met with your girlfriend?" Sabel grinned over at the masked figure above him and took a sip of the martini. After no response the youkai just shrugged. "You'll have your chance, my Lord. I daresay you introduce yourself after the contest. We both know Shyrendora will throw a fit after she loses and everyone will be distracted by her not to notice."

The Demon Lord put his quill down and let out a sigh. "If only it were as easy as you say, Sabel," he said after a moment. "But how could I show her myself? How could she accept me?"

Sabel just scoffed. "We both know why you're wearing that bloody thing."

The Demon Lord said nothing and instead returned back to his work. Sabel let out a sigh and finished his martini, the glass disappearing after he placed the now oliveless toothpick back into it. "I met an interesting girl on my way to deliver the papers," Sabel said in a bored tone.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, that thief turned singer chick. Tried to eavesdrop." He laughed. "I didn't let her hear anything important though. I even caught her by surprise. She was hiding underneath a bloody table! Can you get more novice than that?"

"Hm."
"And so she's sitting there gawking and I heard her yell after me after I passed through the door – I actually waited a bit to see if she would – but as if I would go back just to amuse her. Though it probably would have been amusing for me."

"Hm."

"Things will be pretty interesting within the next few days, don't you think, my Lord?"

"Hm."

Sabel rolled his eyes and let out an obviously bored sigh. "Oh please! At least humour me a little!"

"Hm."

Knowing that no matter what he said or did, even if he juggled chickens while riding on a unicycle trying to imitate a clown, the Demon Lord would not break from his concentration and so he just closed his eyes and envisioned the days to come. Imagining Shyrendora's livid face when she inevitably lost caused him to laugh a bit but as he suspected, the Demon Lord did nothing in response and Sabel just let out another sigh and dozed off.

Hearing the deep, soft breathing coming from the youkai, the Demon Lord let out a sigh and put his quill down and looked at the sheet in front of him. It was a complete disaster, words scratched out and underlined, arrows littering the page and he had somehow even doodled a flower at the corner. He stared at it a moment before just crumpling and tossing the whole page altogether. He pulled out another sheet of paper from his desk and as he looked up his eyes caught the photograph resting on his desk and he looked at it a long while before gently running a gloved thumb over the face.

"Soon…soon we will know if our story will continue to develop or if it will be doomed to be crossed out and tossed into the realm of failure."

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There was a buzz of activity during the next few days. Alfeegi had announced to everyone of the contest for the next lead role they would be holding between Shyrendora and whoever was voted to be her opponent. Unanimously, Cesia was voted, much to Shyrendora's disgust. No one else was really surprised. Anyone would jump at the chance of getting Shyrendora sacked or even spited. And so with everyone's help – except for Shyrendora of course – they set up the stage and brought in a table for the judges to sit. No one knew who the judges were exactly and no one would ever know since they were going to be masked.

Alfeegi let out a sigh as he watched everyone work. "Do you really think this is a good idea, Ruwalk?"

"Well, if it will get Shyrendora out and the Demon Lord happy, I don't see why not. And we haven't heard anything from the demon either."

"That's what I'm worried about," Alfeegi muttered. "What if he tries to sabotage the contest?"

"And risk hurting Cesia? Based on the fact that he suggested her to replace Shyrendora, I doubt that he'll want any harm to come to her."

"That's another thing I'm afraid of," Alfeegi groaned. Ruwalk never knew Alfeegi was afraid of so many things. "What if Shyrendora tries to harm Cesia so that she gets a sure win? And who are these judges anyway?" He pulled out the applications and read the names aloud. "Three females and a male. One of them being only but a child. The names listed are Alena, Khetti, Relle, and Nadil. I've never heard of them before!"

Ruwalk frowned a little. "…Khetti…Khetti Khetti Khetti…somehow that sounds familiar…"

Alfeegi shrugged. "I think of a kettle, personally. But she's the youngest. And it says she works for a fast food place called Chik-Fil-A!"

Ruwalk raised a brow. "And the others?"

"Alena is a free-lance writer, Relle works with computers, and Nadil…well it really doesn't say anything about him," Alfeegi said in an exasperated voice.

"Interesting…"

"And who was that youkai who gave these to us? What if they're fake and we've fallen for a horrible joke and have set this up for naught?"

Ruwalk chuckled. "I doubt that, Alfeegi. Besides, even if it were, we could probably find some off hand judges. We basically just need people to see whose voice is better."

But Alfeegi was far from being reassured and just looked at the activity anxiously. He had a horrible feeling growing in the pit of his being and he just could not shake it loose. "What if we had one of the royal family members also be a judge? Like a special guest?"

Ruwalk blinked. "Do you think they would? Lord Lykouleon and Lady Raseleane never leave without their son and I can tell you for sure that he would not come to hear Shyrendora sing."

Alfeegi sighed. "You're right, which is what I despise most about you!"

Ruwalk just grinned. "Thank you, I hear that often actually…"

Alfeegi just gave him a dry look. "Just be careful where that takes you. Your wit has been known to land you hot waters."
Ruwalk cringed. "Don't remind me. So what songs shall our contestants sing?"

"I actually thought it would be interesting and probably better if they sang a song of their own choosing," Alfeegi said. "I had already told them the other day."

Ruwalk laughed. "Hm…I can only imagine the song Shyrendora would choose. I'm sure they would want music so I'll tell them to send the music to Ringleys so he can practice."

Alfeegi nodded and watched as his friend go off to find the two women. He watched everyone working and felt his lips twitch into a small smile as he saw everyone actually having fun with the set. They were going all out since Shyrendora had told the crew what song she would be singing. One side of that stage looked like it was to represent the Arctic North or some other frigid place. There was even an ice sculpture being made at one point. Just looking at it sent chills through Alfeegi.

Cesia, on the other hand, had yet to choose which song and was with another group to help her decide what she should sing. No surprisingly, Zoma and Kitchel were there to try and help. But after a few more minutes of discussion, Cesia just sighed and stood up from the chair she was sitting in and shook her head.

"There's no way I can do this!" she cried, must to everyone's surprise.

"Yes you can, Ces!" Kitchel said sternly and handed her the small binder of songs they had gone through. "Look, you still seem tired so why don't you take these back to your room and if we think of other songs I'll send Zoma to you for you to look at, okay?"

Zoma looked up at Cesia concerned. "I hope you're not getting sick, Cesia…"

She just smiled and shook her head. "I'm okay…just a little stressed I guess," she said in the most cheerful tone she could muster before leaving the group. But before she could get much farther, she stopped abruptly to find Shyrendora glaring at her haughtily, all dressed in the most expensive styles she could find. Cesia just looked grimly back at the prima donna. "Is there something I can help you with, Madame?"

Shyrendora just smirked a bit. "Help me? I don't think you're even capable of that," she laughed as she moved to walk past her. But as she came right alongside Cesia, she whispered fiercely, "Don't expect your little teacher to help you, wench."

Cesia whirled around as Shyrendora continued to walk on laughing with her high annoying laugh and just stared at her back for a few more moments before stumbling backwards and dashing back to her room, barely avoiding the people bustling around the area and ignoring their questions. Once she reached her room she fumbled with the lock and burst through the door, closing the door firmly behind her and locking it before dashing to her sleeping quarters and crying out, "Oh my teacher! Are you here? Please answer me!" she half sobbed before falling to the floor and starting to weep into her hands.

It was not too long before she heard the familiar voice. "My angel what is wrong? You seem to be in great distress. Tell your teacher, your guardian what is bothering you."

"She knows!" Cesia cried. "She knows you've been tutoring me!"

"Who?"

"Madame Shyrendora!"

There was a moment of silence and Cesia feared he had left her but she heard his voice again, though it seemed a little more hushed and serious.

"Did you deny or agree to that claim?"

Cesia shook her head then realizing that he might not see the action she said softly, "No…I was too shocked to say anything and she was already walking away…but I'm sure she suspects it!" She then said in a hurried voice, "I swear I've never said or even hinted at being tutored by you! I've kept our lessons a secret, I swear!"

"I don't doubt that," he said kindly, "but I must again stress for you to be careful. Maybe she heard you singing and is drawing on that face that you must be being tutored. She might be going off that instead of assuming it is me."

Having not thought of this and instead panicking to the point of crying, Cesia felt slightly foolish and ashamed. She wondered what her teacher thought of her now but as if he had read her mind, he let out a soft laugh and said softly, "Do not worry, I will continue to guide you. But what else is the matter?"

She let out a soft sigh. "Just…just all that's been going on…this…contest for the next lead…I don't really think I can do it…and I don't even know what song I should sing…"

She soon felt a soft breeze and there was a soft flutter as sheets of music suddenly appeared before her. She was caught in surprise even though this was not the first time her teacher had given her music in this manner. She hesitantly took the papers from the air and looked at them wondrously. "…You want me to sing this…?"

"Yes. I think it would be perfect."

Cesia hugged the music close to her and looked back up, her eyes shining now. "Thank you, my teacher! I shan't make you regret this!"

There was a small laugh and the voice was gone, Cesia once again alone in her room though now she was in lighter spirits than she had been before. She looked once more at the sheets of music in her hand and softly murmured the title aloud. "Deliver Me…it already sounds sad yet beautiful…" She took one last look at the notes before standing back up, undid the locks and exited her room, quickly looking around before dashing off to find Ringleys and the others. She only had a few more days until the day of the contest would be held and she had to work in time to practice with Ringleys before Shyrendora hogged him like she tended to do.

In her haste to find the water light she did not notice the strange figure dressed in black casually leaning against the wall nor did she feel the deep green eyes watching her run down the hallway from behind. Closing his eyes with a grin, he shrugged off the wall and turned down the dark deserted hallway. No one seemed to notice him go through the chained door or how the chains and locks had just slithered back when the youkai approached.

Sabel went through the door and immediately spotted the Demon Lord walking towards him. "Another mission complete, it seems," he said grinning. His master just looked at him and continued walking toward the underground lair. Sabel just shrugged and followed him. "Do you suppose I could also listen in?"

"If you kept in hiding, I'm suppose you could," the Demon Lord said as he once more returned to his desk and once more started working on his opera. "You didn't torment that girl again did you?"

Sabel blinked. "Who?"

The Demon Lord just shook his head. "Never mind. Did anyone pass by while were conversing?"

"Nope, though I did feel this strange presence nearby. But when I looked around it disappeared. I think someone or something tried to get past the barrier."

"Hm…"

At that moment something bubbled in the lake below them and soon a giant green fish poked his head above the surface and made a "blub" sort of sound. Sabel jumped down from the platform and landed atop the fish's head. "It looks like our guests have arrive, my Lord. Wish me to send them in?"

"Yes, just take them to their rooms," he said distractedly as his quill continued to work furiously.

"Aye, aye, captain!" Sabel grinned before yelling, "Lets go, Galaba!" and with another loud "blub" both he and the fish disappeared underwater without even so much of a splash.

The Demon Lord idly twirled his quill with his fingers. He actually dreaded the arrival of his guests and he knew that Sabel would also wish they were gone within the next few days. But they were necessary and it had been a while since they had seen each other. He picked up the letter he had received that very night Alfeegi and Ruwalk had sent out the applications.

Naaaaadddiiiiillllll! I hope you've kept our rooms clean over the past few months. I've caught wind of the contest and you know I'll want to be part of it! So make sure our rooms are prepared and I'll be bringing Khetti and Rellie over to help judge :D:D:D:D:D:D And fill in our forms for us, pleeeeaaasssseee? I hope you're almost done with that opera, you've been working on it for a rather long time now. And have you made any progress with Cesia? –snicker- You haven't been peeping have you?

At that he had flushed a bit. It had not been his fault Cesia had called to him while she was changing…

Anyway, Khetti can't wait to meet Sabel and play with Galaba. I had told her allllll about them. And you, too. She's just mooing with joy! –teehee- And Relle says she hopes you have internet access down there. Or at least electricity. I assured her of that. You should feel lucky, you're one of the very few to have any of that during this time period.

He somewhat doubted that actually. He had found his bills to be higher because of it.

I'll see you within the next couple of days then! Ja!

Nadil sighed. He had a feeling the next few days were going to be more chaotic then he had bargained for. Why couldn't they just rent a hotel? he thought muttering a little. And when did she get that…that…well whatever she is. That trip must have done more to her mind than I expected…

At that very moment he heard a loud splash and Sabel yelling and the voice he had hoped he would not have had to hear a while yet.

"Naaaadddiiiiilllll I'm baaaaaaaack!"

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Bwahahaha…just to let everyone know, there will be some personality changes later on that will be on made on purpose. Cesia and Nadil will be the most hit. But I shant say more, I've already said enough –shiftyeyes- But yes. Is there a SabelxKitchel pairing going on o-O? To be honest…I'm not sure xD;; But you never know –evillaugh- Originally this chapter would have been the contest…but uh, as you can see I didn't get quite close to it, eh-heh…so yeah, the next chapter for sure! …Or at least close! –swt- Now for those three incoming characters. You should probably know who Khetti is—

Khetti: Yeah you better! -o-

c-c But you don't know who the other two are…yet. I'll tell you this much, I didn't make either of them up. Maybe Alena's name. But you should know Alena very well…

Oh and Rellie is Khetti's sister.

Khetti: -cheers- I'll have my sister with me this time! nOn

Yep…(By the way, Rellie is not Khetti's real sister –coughcough-) so now the reviews!

Demonhunter: I'm writing, I'm writing…lol

Yokai no Miko: xOOOOO Why do people NOT like Nadil? T-T What is with people and going against the main villain T-T And he is NOT creepy he's just super cool n-n Not my fault that Rath can't seem to handle him very well…And he's just being the evil demon lord that he is T-T At any rate, I'm having fun with him )D Just wait until you see what I have in store for him…and everyone else for that matter x)

Shorea Tashinnaku: Uh…do I know you? O-o Maybe you're pen name has changed…And the reason why Khetti and Rellie are in it is cos they're actually really close online friends of mine and Khetti is being the beta reader for this. Plus she's just so cute and fun to work with x) And they're not really making any big cameo appearances…Okay so being judges is kinna big but still. On the Nadil and Sabel thing, in the original Phantom of the Opera, the book, the phantom has a servant I believe. He didn't appear in the opera though. But at any rate, this is my, MY MY MY MY MY MY MY MY MY MY MY, version so I have the freedom to what I want with it n-n Alfeegi should be stressing about firing Shyrendora because, well, she's the "villain" and you haven't seen Shydeman, right? Well you will later x) And yes, Rath is not like Raoul. In fact, some characters, as I stated at the very beginning, will not be like the original counterparts. And Cesia may or may not be like her original self later. But there'll definitely be personality changes…-evil cackle-

banaluvie-rc: Glad you like it n-n And you shall have more! Like this chapter xD; Since you reviewed the previous chapter xD;; …Yeah.