Chapter 13: Phantasma's birth
Nadir had told Erik of how his son Reza had lost his arm in a tragic accident that caused injuries that resulted in it having to be amputated... People had began to look upon them in disgust and were practically chased from Persia's borders; The former Daroga had heard of New York; How it was deemed, 'The New World' and presented the chance for a new beginning for himself and little Reza. The last time Erik had seen the boy was when he had been little more than a toddler; Practically still a baby when he had left Persia... It didn't take the former phantom long to invite Nadir and Reza to come with them and join in the project that would soon bring Phantasma to life.
~ 6 Months Later ~
Construction was still happening and the people whom Erik and Rose had found within the slums were growing more and more excited. Rose entered the construction site that would become Phantasma's crowing jewel; A concert Hall that was to be far bigger than the metropolitan itself!,
"Be careful with that! And be sure to not spill a drop of that paint. It was made using flakes of pure gold and it is not so easily replaced" Rose told some constructors whilst checking her clipboard that held a list of things that she still needed to do,
"Erik?!... Erik! We need to discuss the order of wooden beams for the roller coaster. I received a telegram this morning telling me that its going to be a week late... Erik!" she called looking around in frustration but gasped when Erik suddenly landed at her side after dropping from the ceiling, holding onto a rope and wrapped an arm around her waist,
"Hold on" he instructed,
"Erik... What..." she tired but Erik tugged onto the rope causing them to go flying upwards and Rose screamed in shock, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly, dropping her clipboard as they flew towards the ceiling at a very fast speed.
A trap door opened allowing Erik and Rose to fly through safely before the trapdoor closed behind them and they soon came to a stop before a platform walkway; Erik swung the rope lightly and set Rose down on the platform safely before stepping onto it myself and chuckled as Rose put a hand to her heart as she caught her breath,
"You really need to give some warning before you sweep a girl off her feet like that" she grumbled, smacking his arm teasingly and couldn't help but smile as he chuckled before taking her hand and lead her down the platform and Rose looked around curiously,
"So this is what you have been working on whilst hiding away for months" she accused teasingly as Erik opened a door and lead them into the office which overlooked the whole island,
"Yes... It's finally finished and I wanted you to be the first to see it" Erik told her, releasing her hand gently as she approached the row of five gigantic glass windows that had been lined with black curtains,
"... It's stunning" she praised gently, turning when she heard something being wound up and smiled to find Erik turning the handle of his beloved Monkey music box that sat on his desk; Erik turned to her with a smile before offering her his hand which she accepted gently, coming closer before placing her free hand on his shoulder as he placed his on her waist and they began a slow and hesitant waltz,
"... Thank you for everything you have done to make this possible, Rose" Erik told her softly and Rose smiled softly up at his masked face,
"I'm proud of you, Erik. It won't be long until Phantasma's grand opening... Are you nervous?" she asked gently and Erik chuckled gently, spinning her out gently before bringing her back so that her back was to his chest,
"Indeed I am..." Erik admitted, keeping two gentle hands upon Rose's shoulders, keeping her back to him,
"I got this for you... To thank you for all your all hard work" Erik told her before lowering a stunning diamond necklace around her necklace and Rose was stunned,
"Erik... It's beautiful... You shouldn't have..." Rose tried before turning back to him but he smiled down at her gently before brushing the back of his hand against her cheek,
"You gave up one diamond for me just to help make all of this possible... Why should I not have given you 10 in return so that I might thank you?" Erik teased lightly before they both shared a gentle hug,
"ERIK, YOU BETTER GET YOUR MASKED ARSE DOWN HERE AND START HELPING BEFORE I FIND YOU AND MAKE YOU FACE MY WRATH!" Nadir yelled causing both Rose and Erik to laugh in amusement before heading downstairs to help with the construction.
~ 7 Months Later ~
Rose stood nervously toying with the diamond necklace that hung around her neck,
"How many are out there, Nadir?" Rose asked the Persian whom was currently peaking through the curtain, looking out at the awaiting public and press,
"More than we anticipated, my dear... Are you alright?" Nadir asked gently and Rose couldn't help but smile softly as little Reza lightly tugged on the skirt of her blue dress before snuggling into her side in an attempt to comfort her and she ruffled his hair gently before smiling at Nadir and nodded hesitantly,
"Yes... It is probably best that we don't keep them waiting any longer" Rose reasoned as she calmed herself down by taking a deep breath before making her way out onto the stage and stood before the podium.
Erik watched quietly, hidden within the crowd as he kept his mask face covered by the hood of his cloak and watched as Rose made her way onto the podium and offered a nervous but welcoming smile,
"I would like to thank you as well as welcome you all to the Grand Opening of Phantasma. I am sure you will leave, finding that your every desire has been made real. I'm afraid Phantasma's owner and designer, Mister Y could not be here today as he has a lot of paperwork to do..." Rose explained, earning some laughter from the gathered crowd as the press began to take photos,
"Phantasma is a place in which everyone is unique... This is what makes the magic within this place. People are not different. Nor are they odd, freaks or abnormal in this place" Rose told them with a smile,
"... I hope that you will enjoy your day. Thank you" Rose bid before making her way down the platform steps, accepting a pair of scissors before cutting the ribbon the acted as a barrier to the crowd and Erik smiled brightly as a great applause rang out... It didn't take him long to join in with the applause.
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Kind Regards,
TheAuthor1996