It is a simple thing really, the songs that the birds sing before the dawn breaks. But to me it was a marvel, as I had never woken to anything so wonderful before. Living in those cavernous cellars of the opera house had kept this small miracle from me, forcing me to always awake in the depths of Hell.
As I lay in my bed in the early morning light, memories of the previous day flooded into my mind. I slowly brought my hand up to my face, as doubts seized me if it was all true. However, all my useless fears were silenced once I touched my skin and felt the smoothness my features now possessed.
I swiftly leaned up and looked about the room, observing how the soft light from the window covered the floor. The embers in the fireplaces still glowed from the previous night. A clock that rested on the mantle gently ticked. As I looked, making sure that I really was there, I noticed a small table with a blue cloth atop it set in the corner. A nice breakfast rested atop it, attracting me with its scent. I quickly threw off the warm sheets, and stood up and made my way over to it.
My appetite grew as I looked at the meal greedily that was laid out before me. Fresh brioches, jam, and hot coffee all bedecked the tiny table. It was a quite wonderful yet simple breakfast. As I sat down to eat, I felt so odd partaking in such a normal task as this. It had been so many years since I had last ate while being bathed in sunlight.
Upon finishing, I decided to take a look at this new land. Moving towards the sun-lit window, I opened it, letting cool refreshing morning air pour into the room. The sky looked like the palette of an artist, with bright pinks, oranges, blues and purples smeared across the heavens. Over the fields a light mist had settled, heightening the already mystical atmosphere.
Gazing out over my new domain, I suddenly felt the strange feeling of victory rush through my veins as I realized what I had done. I had triumphed over fate itself. My fate. Joy filling my spirit from this realization, my feelings towards Fate burst forth from my mouth.
"You have lost the battle, Fate. I have won." Said I aloud, the birds and the sky being my only audience. "You can never dictate my life to me again, condemning me to a half-life! I dictate my own fate now."
Being able to say those words at last felt like being reborn. I was a new man now, capable of deciding what I wanted to do with my own life.
It was wonderful to dress in front of a mirror—not hating myself—not cursing myself, but actually feeling like a normal person for the first time. I had thrived in hatred and self-loathing far too long.
Actually, I couldn't help but admire this new reflection of mine. What Morpheus spoke was true…I was rather attractive. I now contained a full head of dark, thick hair. The skin on my face was smooth, and fair as any gentlemen's complexion. My eyes now looked full of life, being the fascinating color of mixed green and yellow. I would never have believed that one day I would think well of my appearance and myself. How things might have been different if Christine would have seen me then as I was now.
Christine…
Yes, I wonder if it would have been different…
Suddenly somberness afflicted me again, as my mind was filled once more with all those eternal "what if" questions. Although, wasn't it Morpheus himself who said I could have Christine back? Was it truly possible…even to change one's own past?
Then I remembered. Fate was now mine for the taking. I could create my own destiny—a new destiny.
Perhaps…I would see her again. Perhaps…
Believing that a bit of fresh air would help clear my thoughts; I decided to take a stroll in the garden. I took a small path that led to a little clearing of grass situated right on the banks of the lake. The clearing was completely encircled by rose bushes, with carved statues of ancient Greek gods and goddesses placed every so many feet within the radius.
The sweet scent of roses was strong, bringing back memories of how I had once made use of them. I had always left Christine a simple red rose with a satin black ribbon tied around its stem—A symbol of my eternal love and affection.
The overwhelming fragrance of the roses wafted into my senses, and I began to suddenly feel quite drowsy. Not being able to resist the temptation of sleep, I slowly closed my eyes and lay down on the soft, welcoming grass.
When slumber finally over took me, I began to dream a most marvelous dream!
As I looked through that utter darkness which assails one's mind in that living death of sleep, a vision slowly started to emerge. I only at first saw a blurry white shape moving towards me. Then ever so gradually, the smearing of color began to focus into the form of a woman.
Transfixed by its bizarre beauty, I stared at the ghost. Yet, even though she was close enough for me to touch, I could not see her face. Her features were hidden, as though covered by some invisible veil.
The woman sat gracefully down next to me, reaching out her delicate hand, and caressed my now unmarred face. As I fell into bliss from the touch of this specter, she started to sing the song that I knew all too well…the last song I ever taught my beloved Christine…Ruhe Sanft.
Ruhe sanft, mein holdes Leben,
schlafe, bis dein Glück erwacht;
Her voice immediately threw me in absolute ecstasy. The melody and her voice combined, spellbound my senses, making me feel that I barely knew myself anymore.
da, mein Bild will ich dir geben,
schau, wie freundlich es dir lacht:
As I lost myself in the siren's song, I noticed her voice started to change, sounding more and more like a voice very familiar to me…that of Christine! The veil that had once hidden the woman's features now seemed to slowly lift from her face revealing to me none other than Christine's smiling porcelain face. It truly was her singing to me. I lovingly wrapped my arms around her. Oh, I could have died happily in that dream with her. If only it could come true…
Ihr süssen Träume, wiegt ihn ein,
und lasset seinem Wunsch am Ende
die wollustreichen Gegenstände
zu reifer Wirklichkeit gedeihn.
When the reminiscent melody finally came to an end, I heard Christine whisper my name, "Erik. Wake up, Erik. Do not stay sleeping."
Her words unsettled me greatly. I wanted to stay in that dream safe in her arms forever. I did not wish to awake.
Yet I began to feel the dream disappear as sleep slowly receded from my body. I desperately tried to grasp on to and retain the remaining vision, but I felt her fade away from me into the darkness.
Why did she have to wake me? Even in this realm of dreams was I to be refused her?
Suddenly I felt a light hand touching upon my shoulder, stirring me awake from my deep dreams.
"Erik…," closer still gently whispered in my ear.
It was Christine's voice…but how? I quickly opened my eyes, and finally realized that I was no longer dreaming! I bolted upright to see if I was going mad. Time seemed to stand still as I looked at her straight on. Christine stood there in the flesh before me, just as in my dream…my angel, my dear, sweet Christine!
"Hello, Erik." She said with the kindest of voices.
The thing that I had yearned for most had somehow come true in this strange land of dreams. But how?
I then thought…Morpheus…
A/N: Again, thank you so much to all who reviewed! Reviews make me happy.
I also wanted to mention that the aria I used in this chapter is "Ruhe Sanft" from the opera Zaide, which was composed by W. A. Mozart. Here is the basic translation of the text: Gently rest my dearest love, sleep, until good fortune comes to you; here, I will give you my portrait; see how kindly it smiles at you. You gentle dreams, rock him to sleep, and may the imaginings of his dreams of love become at last reality.
