Send “Hold on, please.” for my muse to die in your muse’s arms.
he was aware of the armed police , how could he not be ? erik knew what he was risking when he took piangi’s place . all of it was worth it in his eyes when christine did not call out for help at the sight of him in piangi’s stead . christine would not be his death this day , he just knew it . she would not have a hand in killing him . she would not betray him in this way , and erik felt joy . she had every right to wish him dead , she had seen his face after all . but she was not calling out , she was not condemning him . perhaps he could change things , show her the man he could be . if she gave him the chance after this . erik found himself holding onto hope for the first time since he was a small child . he never would have thought he could hope again , not after she saw him .
his heart was racing as they sang together , sang the song he had composed . he would compose an opera of pure joy after this , the story of a man who was lost in sin and saved by an angel on earth … he would write an opera about christine and all she has done for him , she was his muse . she alone could make his song take flight . he glanced up at his opera box , seeing that once more it was occupied by de chagny . the young man was not alone this time , there was an armed officer with him and erik was grateful his plan had not been to watch his opera . he was almost certain that if the plan had been anything but being on stage , he would be dead already .
erik turned his attention back on the opera , back onto christine , de chagny could wait until after the performance . the virtuoso had not noticed the exchange that occurred , the subtle signal that would soon spell his demise . he focused on the young soprano , his eyes not leaving her again as they sang the lyrics that alluded to the sin which the characters wished to partake in . he did not see the police converging towards the stage , towards him . he was prey in a trap and he did not even realize it . the song began to come to a close and erik held her in his arms at last , noticing how relaxed she seemed . this caused him to lower the last of his guard, to succumb to the way he was feeling , to hope and look towards a possible bright future .
❝ say you’ll share with me one love , one lifetime . lead me , save me from my solitude . ❞ he did not see the police situating themselves on the rafters above them , the same rafters he had hung buquet from . ❝ say you want me with you here beside you . ❞ she moved in his arms and he still remained oblivious to what was about to happen . ❝ anywhere you go let me go too . ❞ she placed a hand on his face , then above them taking aim at him . ❝ christine that’s all i ask of - - ❞ and his heart and hope was shattered as she tore off his mask and wig , exposing him to the entire building . he stared in shock , hurt on his face , as she took a step back .
his eyes teared up as he tried to find words . then came the crack of a gun , and the pain in his chest . disbelief covered both his face and christine’s as he stumbled back . “ NO ! “ a hand grasped the support rail of the set bridge , slowing his fall . the other hand on the bleeding wound , warm blood slipping through his fingers . she was rushing to his side , apologies leaving her lips over and over . how she had not wanted a part in this , how this was not supposed to happen , not like this . she was still calling him ‘mon ange’ and erik gave a shake of his head . ❝ erik . my name is erik . ❞ he had not had a chance to tell her his name before , with all the things that had occurred the last few months .
christine was crying , hand over his as she helped erik to lower himself completely to the flooring of the set piece . giry was rushing up , and erik let out a little laugh . ❝ seems i am going first , my friend . i told you i would likely see jules again before you . we will have a ballet waiting for you , as we promised . ❞ he joked at the woman who had saved him so many years ago . he looked at christine with a sad smile reaching up with a bloody hand to stroke her face . ❝ i understand now , what happiness is .oh christine , if only i could have shown you properly . ❞ de chagny would be coming , erik knew that much . the vicomte would not wish to leave christine alone with the virtuoso .
❝ shamed into solitude , shunned by the multitude . i learned to listen , in my dark , my heart heard music .❞ people seemed to stop at the suddenly sound of his voice singing in lament , singing his own requiem . ❝ i longed to teach the world , rise up an reach the world . no one would listen , i alone could hear the music .❞ sobs started to leave christine , and erik wiped a tear away , though it put more of his blood on her face . his sweet , kind christine . ❝ then at last, a voice in the gloom , seemed to cry ’ i hear you . i hear your fears , your torment and your tears . ’ ❞ she was shedding tears for him , she had every right to hate him , instead she was mourning her fallen angel .
❝ she saw my loneliness , shared in my emptiness . no one would listen , no one but her , heard as the outcast hears . ❞ christine was sobbing now , and so he moved his hand from the wound , despite knowing that would just kill him faster . everything was already going slow , his breathing getting harder . his vision was swimming , being dotted with black spots and swirls . ❝ no one would listen , no one but you , heard as the outcast hears . ❞ his hands were cradling her face now , and he softly sang one last thing . ❝ christine , i looooove you . ❞ he stole a kiss then , a brief and innocent meeting of their lips . the man was glad she did not run after he kissed her , content as he began to loose consciousness . her voice screaming his name being the last thing he hears before the darkness finally claims him .
