𝕸𝖊𝖑𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖊𝖘 𝖔𝖋 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕰𝖓𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖉 𝕸𝖆𝖘𝖐: 𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝕺𝖓𝖊

Facing Shadows (ɴᴏ ᴏɴᴇ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʟɪꜱᴛᴇɴ/ ᴛᴡɪꜱᴛᴇᴅ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ᴡᴀʏ)

Océane's heart pounded in her chest as she approached the mirror once again. She took a deep breath, mustering all her courage, and stepped through it. The sensation of crossing into another world never ceased to amaze her. The labyrinthine passages seemed different this time, as if they were rearranged, but she pressed on, her determination unwavering.

As she neared Erik's lair, her foot sank into an unexpected pit, causing her to stumble and fall. Panic surged within her as she realized she had fallen into the murky water of the underground lake. Her dress clung to her like a heavy weight, making it difficult to swim or stay afloat.

The water closed in around her, and she struggled to keep her head above the surface. Fear threatened to overwhelm her, but she refused to give in to it. She reached for the brick walls surrounding the pit and found footholds to climb.

The climb was arduous, and her soaked dress only made it more challenging. Her muscles screamed in protest, but Océane pushed on, fueled by her determination to see Erik. Finally, with great effort, she pulled herself over the edge and collapsed onto the floor, gasping for breath.

Shivering from the cold water and exhaustion, Océane wrung out her dress as much as she could. She knew she had to be cautious now that she was close to Erik's lair. The last thing she wanted was to startle him or worse, be mistaken for an intruder. As she listened, she heard the faint,  soft voice singing.

Curiosity and concern battled within her. Why was Erik singing? Was he in distress? Océane's heart ached at the thought of him suffering alone in the darkness. 

He was crouched by the edge of the underneath lake, his hauntingly beautiful voice filling the underground caverns. The sound of his singing resonated through the dark tunnels, echoing off the walls. "No one would listen.. No one but her, heard as the outcast hears," he sang with raw emotion, his words carrying the weight of his loneliness and pain.

Océane couldn't help but be moved by the vulnerability in his voice. She knew that she was the one he referred to – the one who had listened and understood him in a way no one else had. But now, seeing him like this, she realized the depth of his solitude and how much he needed someone by his side.

"Shamed into solitude, shunned by the multitude," he sang, his voice trembling with emotion. "I learned to listen, in my dark, my heart heard music."

Océane watched as Erik walked with purpose towards his desk, where a collection of papers and objects lay scattered. Her eyes wandered around the room, taking in the artistic displays that surrounded her. The walls were adorned with intricate sketches and paintings, She noticed a sculpture on a nearby pedestal, a white mask similar to the one Erik wore.

As her eyes landed on the miniature opera house stage on the desk, she couldn't help but smile. It was clear that this was his sanctuary, a place where he found solace in his art and his dreams. The attention to detail in the miniature set was astounding, and Océane could tell that it was a reflection of his vision for the opera of "Don Juan Triumphant".

"I longed to teach the world, rise up and reach the world," Erik continued, his voice gaining strength. "No one would listen, I alone could hear the music."

She understood the frustration of having so much to offer the world, yet feeling unheard and rejected by society. It was a feeling she had experienced herself as a talented violinist in a world that often overlooked classical musicians. 

"Then at last, a voice in the gloom," Erik sang passionately, his voice growing more intense. "Seemed to cry 'I hear you; I hear your fears, your torment and your tears.'"