A/N: Sorry it took so long to update! I feel most horrible that I haven't been updating "Forever an Illusion", as I know my dear reviewers have been waiting to read. But right now, my mind is focused on Erik, so I hope you enjoy the chapter in which I am presenting to you!


Red Rose

Chapter X: The Coldness of Snow

The wind made a laughing sound as it whipped against the bare branches of trees. Christine despised the wind. How could it laugh? What happened to that breath-taking moon-lit night, the one she had been admiring just a mere moment ago? Why did the sky, that was so thick with stars, feel empty like a never-ending sea of black? She wanted happier times, she didn't want the wind. For the wind, either lashed, whispered or cried little mysteries known to itself. The wind never gave hope, it never gave warmth. Christine picked up herself from Erik's lap, and ran to Raoul, as a mother would run to her injured child.

"Oh, heavens Raoul! Vous semblez horrible!" (You look horrible!) She rested her hand on his shoulder, he placing his over it. He stared at her, watching the wind blow wisps of hair against her cheeks. A light snow began to fall, making her skin glow with the tiny drops of snowflakes that had moistened it. Brown eyes did widen with a gigantic concern.

"I'm fine, Christine!" His breath became an air of steam, as it met her face. She could see that he was deeply hurt, although the sternness of his face did not show it. Raoul's expression softened a bit, when Christine took a step back in fear. She studied the black-red blood that covered her hand, and bent her head down in shame. The viscount made a sort sigh, taking her into his arms, and holding Christine to his chest. "I forgive you…" He whispered, joining along with the wind.

"Forgive her? She did nothing wrong!" Erik hoisted himself from the snow, brushing off his pants. He was infuriated that Raoul had return. He watched, as his love buried her head in that blood stained shirt, trembling up against the Chagny. Was this guilt she was feeling? Or was Christine, in fact, vulnerable?

"Nothing wrong?" Raoul bellowed. "She didn't even have the heart to care for me when I needed her most!" He looked down at his wife, "I don't blame you though." He sneered and looked back up at Erik, "I blame you!"

"Monsieur, you should journey back to the hospital! Your wounds are far from healed!"

"Oh, I will go back. You don't have to worry about that, Erik!" He watched with amusement as the phantom blinked in shock, at the sound of his name. "But I'm taking my wife with me!" And he drew her, now to his side, a similar way Erik had held her in the cellars, when Raoul went to rescue Christine. He was doing this to enrage him, and it was working to its fullest extent. "You're my bride Christine, don't you lose sight of that!"

"Raoul!" This wasn't like him! Could it be, perhaps, that Raoul and Erik were switching roles? Was it to be Raoul that was mad, and Raoul who was dangerous? "Let go of me!"

"Gladly." And he pushed her harshly to the side. "I just have but enough strength, to put an end to you, Mr. Opera Ghost!" He drummed his fingers against the sheath of his sword. "How about it, dear phantom? Care to rid the world of me?"

'You haven't the slightest idea how much…' "I will not fight someone who is as well as dead! If I am to fight you, you must be healthy, so I can bask in full pleasure of killing you!" He advanced forward, trying to get to Christine. But Raoul was blocking her.

"Or is it, just maybe, that our phantom has become soft? Don't tell me, you didn't enjoy killing a man!" Raoul laughed cruelly.

"I killed for my own reasons! Not for the fun of it!" He shot back, inching forward to Miss Daae. The snow crunched underneath his feet.

"Really now? And what were those reasons?" Monsieur de Chagny slowly drew his sword.

"Non! (No!) Please don't fight!" Christine cried.

"This doesn't concern you, my darling." Raoul snapped.

"You'll die!"

His eyes narrowed on her. "Alors je mourrai avec peu de regret!" (Then I shall die with little regret!)

Erik studied Raoul for a second. "You are truly foolish." He drew back his ebony cloak, pulling the sword from its sheath. "Don't you know never to challenge the Opera Ghost?"

Raoul sliced the air with his sword, smirking. "You have yet to impress me." Damn him, always grabbing an opportunity to show off. This was a serious event! The fop was even annoying when bleeding to death. This fight would surely end his life sooner. But, if that is what he wanted, Erik would by all means, give it to him.

Christine watched in horror at the clashing of metal. But unlike the first sword fight, Christine only wished that Erik would get out alive. For a man near death, Raoul had started off with remarkable strength, for killing Erik was something he strongly desired. The fast foot work of the two, made snow spray hatefully at their faces. Miss Daae only hoped this was a dream-no- that it was a nightmare, in which she was going to wake up. But this was real. The sharp blade of the sword managed to slice through Erik's flesh. However, he acted as though he didn't feel a thing, and continued slashing at the weakening viscount. Quickly, the two men twisted and turned, blocking the attacks of the other. Christine hated feeling as though she was a helpless damsel, and she wanted more than anything, to stop this whole thing. The wind continued howling a dreadful sound.

Raoul succeeded in cutting through the skin of Erik's arms, and that caused him to waver a little bit. Christine fought back tears. She had had enough crying episodes during this week, than she had ever remembered. The soprano watched painstakingly from the sheet of white, she was lying on. She watched as Raoul cornered Erik, she watched as Erik seemed to give up, she watched as Raoul raised his sword…

She did not watch, as he lowered it.

"CHRISTINE!"

The silver weapon severed through her stomach, staining Raoul's blade with her blood. Her breathing quickened, her chest raising and falling rapidly. Those sparking brown eyes seemed to be glazed over, with an empty look of no emotion. Raoul did not hesitate in removing his weapon. Christine's balance was lost, as she lost her footing, falling into the snow.

Victome de Chagny was too stunned to move from his place. The grip on his handle loosened as he let it drop into the whiteness. Then, he collapsed to his knees.

Erik forgot about his own wounds and fled towards her. He scooped her injured body up in a loving, gentle way. "Christine!" He moaned, "My beautiful Christine, why did you do such a reckless thing?"

Her body was covered with red snow flurries. She cupped his cheek, tenderly. "My beautiful Erik, did you really think I'd let him harm you?"A small, pitiful giggle met his ears.

"Christine…" He watched as she closed her eyes to darkness.

What will happen? Review and I will update sooner!

Christine