Chapter 6: Promise to Up Hold

After the Opera Populaire fell

Erik looked at Madame Giry as guided him away from police's watchful eyes.

" Erik you have to get out of Paris." She said

" I can not leave Paris." Erik replied

" For the sake of your future Erik. You just need to leave for a little. I will still be here."

Erik sighed and pulled his coat tightly around him, he coughed and Madame Giry looked over her shoulder.

" For goodness sake Erik just do as I say this one time." She pleaded

Erik nodded and Madame Giry got him far enough way so he could find his way out. She hugged him and Erik hugged her back.

" Thank you," Erik said, " you will always be in my heart Madame."

" As you will be mine…now go." She whispered

Erik took off with only the clothes on his back and a little bit of money. She knew Erik would be all right, he always did fine on his own. She watched him vanished and Erik blended with the snow as it blew and walked for awhile when he heard the bells of Notre Dame ringing. He glanced up and saw people leaving from mass and he made his way there. No one saw him enter as the disfigured man, but as a beggar searching for some money, he felt the warmth touch his skin. Erik found comfort in the shadows and covered his face as he saw the last believer leave. The priest looked over and saw the shadow amongst the darken light of the church. The young priest stopped and Erik looked up at him and a smile touched his face.

" Why do you hide away in the shadows?" he asked, " You have nothing to fear in the house of God."

" Only the sins that I bear on my back." Erik replied, " I shame his name for I am to go to hell any which way."

" Are you saying you think God has for saken you?" he asked

" Only that I am a fallen angel. God wants nothing to do with me here, but I feel comfort from this place." Erik remarked

The priest came to bended knee and offered Erik his hand. Erik hesitated and then reached for the young priest's hand. Both stood and the priest pulled Erik towards the light of the church. Erik lowered his head and the priest shook his head.

" Come now you are in heaven's light. Show no shame." The priest said

Erik slowly lifted his head and revealed his flaws and the priest did not cringe at the sight of his face.

" I see only beauty here. " the priest said, " You look as though you have gone through a lot."

Erik coughed and heaved for air and the young priest looked at him.

" Perhaps a doctor is needed. Come let us get you out of the cold." The priest said

The young priest walked Erik away from the drafty part of the church and found warmth in a room.

" You may stay here for as long as you like." The priest said, " You are welcomed here."

" Thank you father." Erik said kissing the hems of the priest's vestments

" Rest now my son and be happy once more." The priest said

Erik laid out on the plane bed and heard the door shut. He removed from his coat the money Madame Giry gave him; he then removed the simple chain with a cross on it. Erik had never been religious, but he had his own belief and practices that kept him alive.

The next few weeks Erik made his way down early to pray and thank God for his kind blessing. He heard a soft voice speaking out and as he approached closer he saw a young woman praying. Her long auburn hair was brushed nicely, but her clothing looked so revealing. He spoke nothing as he listened to her prayer; she stared at the statues of the Blessed Mother and kissed the foot of the statue.

" Amen." She whispered

" Amen," Erik said

His voice startled the young woman and she turned around gasping. Erik hid behind the pillar.

" Forgive me mademoiselle…I did not mean to listen in." he apologized

Her sharp blue eyes looked towards the voice and she walked towards where Erik was.

" Come out Monsieur." She called, " I should have been more open minded to know there would be more."

Erik stepped out only enough that his flawless half showed. She smiled and shook her head then reached out for his hand. Erik looked at her and backed away.

" Forgive me Mademoiselle, I am far from being cleaned. My sins poison my skin." Erik remarked

" Then that makes two of us monsieur." She replied

She smiled and Erik stepped out and reached for her hand. His full-uncovered face showed and the young woman slightly gasped. Erik pulled back once more and she grabbed his hand.

" I have no room to talk of how others look. I am an outcast and unclean to step in this sin free house." She said

Erik walked out and looked at the beauty before him, her soft complexion was so pleasing. Her auburn hair flowed just right for her and he smiled a little.

" What is your name?" he asked

" Elizabeth." She remarked

" Erik." He replied

" It is a pleasure Erik to meet you."

" As it is a pleasure to meet you."

Erik kissed her hand and she smiled then looked up at him. She saw sadness in his eyes and yet there was hope. She patted his hand with gentleness and Erik felt comfort at that moment.

" What do you do mademoiselle?" he asked

" I am, but a lady of the night. I'm afraid it is the only way I can afford feeding myself." She replied

" A prostitute?" he asked

" I'm not proud of it."

" Why, when there are other jobs available?"

She sighed and looked away then glanced back at Erik. She walked towards the doorway and Erik looked at her.

" Come lets go get something to eat." She said

" I'm afraid, mademoiselle I am an outsider that no one wants to see." Erik replied sadly

Elizabeth stopped and glanced over at her then smiled.

" Then I shall bring you something." She remarked

She walked over to him and kissed his cheek.

" Stay here. I will get something nice." She remarked

Erik smiled as the young woman went off to get a bite to eat for them. Erik walked around the church and breathed a deep sigh.

2months later

Erik walked out in the darkness dressed in a finely made cloak and clothing. He made his way to the red-light district and looked about. His hand was grabbed by creatures of the night pleading for his service.

" I am look for Elizabeth." He asked

" Monsieur Deville." A decrepit old beggar said

Erik nodded and went to find the woman. The beggar grabbed his hand and Erik looked at him.

" Are you the man they seek?" he asked

" Who?" he asked

" A man with two faces that killed and kidnapped an opera singer." The beggar replied

" Why would you think that?"

" You have two faces."

Erik pulled his hand and went on to find a dingy place. He reached and knocked on the door and a young woman answered the door.

" What can I do for you Monsieur?" she asked

" I seek the company of a woman named Elizabeth." He replied

" She's busy." The woman said

Erik sneered and then heard a door open and he saw her.

" Elizabeth." He called

She turned and ran to the door and the woman at the door held her back. She looked at her and pushed her.

" He is a client." She said

" Are you now?' the woman said

" I have the money." He hissed

Elizabeth put out her hand to Erik and Erik reached for it. The woman at the door narrowed her eyes and stepped aside. Erik walked into the slightly warm building and Elizabeth guided him to her private room. She locked the door and placed a log in the fireplace.

" Make yourself at home." She presented

Erik sat down on the slight shabby bed, but felt a warmth come from it. He looked at her as she removed her shawl.

" Come away with me." Erik whispered

She turned and looked at him in surprise. She walked towards him and came to her knees.

" I can't my life is here." She replied

" No, we can start something new if we leave." Erik said

She took his hands and kissed them then stood up leaning forward and kissed his head. She smiled and sat beside him and leaned her head on his shoulder.

" Are you sure you want me to be with you?" she asked

" Yes, I want you." He replied

Elizabeth kissed him on his cheek and then kissed him on the lips. He closed his eyes as she kissed him and he pulled her to him.

" I'll be with you." She whispered

7 months later

Erik and Elizabeth began a life of peace. They were now expecting a child in less than 2 months and Erik's new job paid them well. Erik's health no longer seemed to be a bother to him and Elizabeth had no worries outside the home. Their happiness kept them warm and Erik did not have to wear a mask in front those who served him.

" That was beautiful my dear sweet Erik." Elizabeth cheered her husband's music

" A ballad for you my love." Erik replied

Erik taught Elizabeth music and literature as well as science and history. She was well educated by Erik and Erik began to write his story down in journals that he had kept for years.

Every night he would write his story in a foreign language that was dead to Parisians, but not to him. The Greek language was his favorite and he knew that if any one found his journals they would have to find someone to speak the language. Erik wrote a letter to the one who found them with the intention that there would be an heir that would break bloodline of the ghost. He was quite clever and kept even this from his beloved Elizabeth.

The two months flew by quickly and Elizabeth gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. He knew now that there was something special about this boy. He would teach him everything and even the secrets of the Phantom of the Opera. His son would not be ignorant of the past, but would learn from it.

" Leon," she said

" Leon, what a name for such a scholar." Erik whispered lifting his son

He brought him to the window and opened it up.

" Welcome to the world Leon." Erik said

Erik looked at Elizabeth as she smiled and glistened with the light of the morning. He walked over and kissed her on the head.

" What a beautiful son and wife I have. I am truly blessed." Erik whispered

" I am blessed for the man who rescued me from a life of shame." She replied

2 years later

Erik stared out the window and just watched the rain. The sound of his son's cry carried through the empty house.

" Master your son. He's crying." A maid said

" Deal with him Amelia…I am going out." Erik whispered

" You can't run from who you lost master." She said

" I said deal with him!" he growled

Erik walked off and walked out into the rain and walked to a single tree, which a grave sight was. He fell to his knees and placed his hand onto it.

" How could you leave me?" He whispered, " How could you abandon your son?"

Erik leaned against the grave and tears fell from his face. He could no longer see a future after death of his beloved Elizabeth.

" Erik, we share something special and as long as you write your music I will be there with you." Elizabeth's voice echoed

Erik placed a hand on his disfigured half and traced it.

" I am a dreadful man." He whispered, " I can not write."

After an hour in the rain a maid came and got him. She pleaded with him and finally he came and was guided to the fire. His clothes soaked and needed to be dried, but Erik stared in the fire.

" For you I will write." He whispered, " For you I will be powerful."

It was the following years Erik raised Leon and taught him everything. He taught him what would make him survive when he was not there. Leon grew to be a handsome young man and Erik saw his dear Elizabeth in his son.

" Father, will I be as gifted as you?" Leon asked

" A better man than me son. A better man if you keep the promise I have told you to keep. For every son you have with a wife he will promise to save one person. Like I saved your mother from darkness you will save someone." Erik remarked, " This is your mission."

Leon looked at his father then down at his plate. Erik looked out into the darkness and then rose.

" Come let us work on your studies so no woman thinks you ignorant." Erik told his son

Leon nodded and walked with his father to the library for his studies. Erik watched as days became weeks and months became years. His son grew into a man of high status and Erik aged greatly as his health failed.

" Father, I want you to give your blessing." Leon said

Erik looked at the young woman that stood by his son. He saw a past in the young woman, which made him know this woman, was worthy of his son's saving. Erik nodded and placed his hands on his son's and young woman's.

" I bestow my blessing. Abigail welcome to my family." Erik said

Leon looked at his father and hugged him and then looked at Abigail. Erik did not see his son for months after the wedding, but it was his bond with his son that brought him back. Erik laid in bed and nursed by maids and checked by doctors from all over.

" What is wrong with him?" his son asked

" Age my boy, he's far from youth now. But your father asked one request from you." The doctor said

" Anything." Leon said

The doctor handed Leon a rose with a black ribbon on it, tied on the ribbon was a ring.

" Bring this to Madame de Chagny's grave." The doctor said, " It is your father's deepest wish."

" Where is this woman buried?" Leon asked

" Paris." The doctor said

Leon looked at the rose and looked at Erik as he slept.

" Paris then." He said

Two months of pain brought Erik's dearest friend to relieve him from his pain.

" Erik," an old voice said

Erik's eyes opened up and saw an older woman looking down at him. She smiled and placed a kiss on Erik's head.

" Madame you came." He whispered

" Yes, I came." She said, " Now Erik tell me what request do you wish."

" Tell the Opera house I will return when my great, great granddaughter sings. I will come and reign once more there through her." He whispered

" Erik how do you know you will have a great, great granddaughter?" she asked

" I have asked for one. She will be greater than Christine Daaé." Erik whispered

Madame Giry nodded and took Erik's hand as he laid there.

" I promise." She said

" What ever happen to your daughter?" he asked

" Meg is well, she is married to a Belgium Duke. After the opera house incident she danced in Belgium and met him there." She replied, " Perhaps her children will take on a duty like I did."

" Dear friend do not burden yourself with any man like me." He whispered

It was the eve of Christmas that Erik passed away and all of his kin mourned for him. He laid to rest beside his beloved Elizabeth and the promise remained. The journals passed on until the bloodline ended with his great, great granddaughter.