A Soul on Fire, let the journey begin...



People were screaming and running like caged rats about to fall overboard in a stormy sea. The giant tinkling crystal chandelier had broken free. It was descending at a rapid rate. Some people were too scared to move and were flattened by the massive piece of crystal that fell from the ceiling of the Opera Populaire~. Others were trampled to death as the crowd ran this way and that, trying to desperately avoid the flames that now devoured everything in sight.



The orchestra pit was completely demolished. Broken instruments and sheet music lay all around. The conductor had barely been able to get his musicians out before the chandelier crashed into the pit. The fake flames on the stage of Don Juan Triumphant were now replaced with fingers of real fire. Most of the actors on stage were burnt, but would survive.



Poor Piangi was found punjabbed behind the stage by Carlotta, his lover. She cradled his head in her hands and cried real tears for the man that she had secretly loved for the past ten years. She lifted her hands toward Heaven and swore that night, that she would have vergence...the Phantom of the Opera would pay for what he had done to her.



As the flames grew closer to her, she tried to drag, the now stiff, Piangi to the outside. But alas, he weighed no less dead than he did alive, "Did you really 'ave to eat all those croissants and 'am?" she thought as she strained to move him.Actors and ballet girls were running past her, some of their costumes were smoking from the fire. None, however stopped to help her. The Diva's cries went unanswered.



As the flames caught Piangi's stage slippers on fire, Carlotta knew she had to leave him. She kissed his cold dead lips for the last time and closed his eyes. The smell of his burning flesh was more than she could take, so in tears, she fled the burning Opera House.



Raoul and Christine were floating in the Phantom's gondola. Sparks had started to rain, like fallen stars from Heaven, from the ceiling above. Christine stared back at the Phantom. He carressed his lips with his fingers, as if trying to remember the kiss: the kiss that changed his mind about killing Raoul, the kiss that enabled him to release Christine. His eyes were so full of sorrow, so full of torment, so full of pain.



She tried to mouth the words, "Go, leave this place, save yourself, ...My Angel of Music." But he only looked at her, as if trying to make this moment his last memory. He just stared at her, as if he couldn't believe that she was really leaving him. He no longer had any reason to live. In fact, he welcomed Death like an old friend. Maybe, once and for all, this pain would finally end.



He picked up a brass candlestick, broke an antique mirror, walked through the opening, and promptly disappeared. He was so blinded by tears that he fell into a trap that he had set for uninvited guests. Luckily, he knew how to release the mechanism and escaped at the last moment before the razor-sharp spikes came crashing down upon him.



Meg and the murderous townspeople had arrived at his hidden lair. Meg picked up his mask, gently carressed it, looked about the chamber and was horrified to find him gone. The whole ceiling looked as if it could fall at any second. She took the mask and ordered the others to leave, lest they go up in flames.



A few men, who valued treasure more than their lives, lingered behind. One of them even ventured into the mirror. Unfortunately for him, the Phantom did not want to be found. Around the corner, the man met a set of yellow eyes. Before he could utter a scream, he was dead before he hit the ground. Erik quickly changed clothes with the man. The Don Juan costume fit the dead man perfectly. Fully dressed, Erik pulled the man's ragged cap down over his eyes and ran past the other two and up the steps to escape the burning theatre.



The theatre had become a literall Hell, incarnate...everywhere Erik looked, flames danced and licked at him and the other two men. The air was so hot that it scorched his throat to breathe. The other two men had collapsed from the heat.



Suddenly, a massive oak beam from the ceiling fell and pinned Erik to the floor. He lay there bleeding, the very last breath being crushed out of him by the massive weight of the beam. The flames engulfed and consumed the other two men, their burning flesh left a sickening smell and their screams echoed throughout the decimated theatre.



"So this is how it ends, " he thought to himself. As he breathed out his last breath, he softly sang, "It's over now...the...music of....the night." He closed his yellow eyes, as he felt the flames start to carress his face.



Well, dear friends and loyal readers, what do you think? What shall happen to Erik...is it truly over? Will Carlotta get the revenge that she lusts for? Will Christine ever be able to live with the choice she has made? Only time will tell.

Your humble servant,

charming

I like it, but it was a little depressing. I enjoyed how fire seems to dominate all of the separate scenes the characters are in. You're surely not going to kill of our Erik are you? I mean, I can live with other parts of the plot, but Erik's death? I'm kidding, it's your story and you write how you feel. I'll be awaiting your next post!

Very very good my dear. I have to read more just to make sure Eriks ok!

I'm absolutly relieved to see your name as the author of another phic dear charming, I'm over joyec able enjoy reading another of your work. It was excellent the description as always is wonderful, and intense of how you tell the great diaster. Till you post more.

Your Friend and Loyal Reader Mariah

Sweet!!! Your very talanted! But, please don`t let Erik die.

Yes, another story by Charming! I am hooked...no, Erik, somebody save him!

Do not fret dear readers,
all is not over yet, tis only the beginning.
Yours,
charming

I am enjoying this story. There are a few spelling errors that you should watch for, but of course, with a little reediting and rereading that can be helped. Of course we know that Erik will not die... or will he? I am anxious to know. I await your next post, my dear charming.

NO DONT KILL ERIK PLLEEEAAASSSEEE

I know this is going to be a great story! I loved your other phanphic "Salvation, at last" It was so WONDERFUL! I wonder if this phanphic is going to be as great. It sounds wonderful already! Please post soon!

Your Obedant Servant,
Eriks*Loving*Red*Rose

Due to the loss of most of this story to the computer incident, I am requesting that it be closed. I shall work on another Phic and post when I can.
charming

That's happened to many phics, it's kind of annoying.

Come on! Write some more don't be shy.