𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑷𝑯𝑨𝑵𝑻𝑶𝑴 𝑶𝑭 𝑩𝑳𝑶𝑶𝑫 (𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎)

Chapter Eight

Deep within the lowest levels of the Opera Garnier, flickers of candlelight illuminated the inner structures of the building and carved immense arches out from the darkness by which they were obscured. The shadows casted by the warm light passed quickly, fading with the sound of hollow footsteps that resounded throughout the maze of cold stone.

The catacombs of the Palais Garnier were a place that very few knew of. The dark side of a crescent moon, unseen and untouched by the light so seemingly close to it. It was very unlikely for anyone to dare to descend to those levels, and even less likely for them to be cunning enough to find them in the first place.

If they did however, they could never be sure if they were the only ones there or if the catacombs harboured a dark secret within them. It was chilling, how the faintest of sounds seemed to reverberate. The passing of obscure waters from the lake in the canal, the stray gusts of wind, and perhaps, if not a madness created by the fear in one's mind, the haunting whispers of a ghost…

Bedelia du Maurier walked through the most challenging of the dark passages carefully, candle held firmly in her hand. The smell of humidity and dust felt increasingly heavy on her lungs. The ambience of the place, heavy on her heart. All of it proved to be disorienting, but even so, Bedelia persevered. She had been down there before after all, so it wasn't very long before she found her way at last.

Being able to stand upright after crouching through the narrowest of spaces was a relief in itself. Upon turning a corner, Bedelia was met with a broad reception. The sudden brightness and warmth of the scattered candlelight almost blinded her senses after having been accustomed to venturing in the dark for so long. Dozens of small flames glimmered across stone walls, bright around the area that she knew to be the Phantom's lair. Subtle notes of aromatic scents intensified as she came towards the centre of the room. The burn of incense, firewood, hints of lavender and smoke.

In truth, the place was opulent. Its bearings built from tall arches, pointed as a blade facing up to greet the unloving gods. The polished stone walls met by those very arches were exceedingly tall and of considerable grandeur. Every alcove and protrusion that graced them was strategic, made to accommodate lavish furniture by design. The array of columns spread across the room reminded of those of a Corinthian craft, their engravings much alike. Beyond the cold stone however, the floors were pleasantly plated with oakwood and the blaring fireplace was adorned with the antlers of a stag.

Despite what the monumental structure alone suggested, the intricate furnishing and decor gave the room a more lived in appearance. Various armchairs, cultural artifacts and animal furs. The candles as a source of light, gold accents engraved across every surface to reflect it. The colour scheme was deliberate, one of deep reds and stormy blues. All of it so devilishly him, unmistakable in style and essence.

It was very clear that this served as a home to the Phantom, and if not for its unfortunate placement in the depths of the catacombs it would have almost possessed an equal prestige to the Opera House that stood just metres above it. The lair was the only place in the entire underground floor to have been expertly refurbished. Presumably, by the Phantom himself. Given that he was viewed as a mere legend by most and by others as a serial murderer, the combination of rather unfortunate circumstances made for foreign services to be complicated. Regardless, his skillset made the first idea more than believable. His many talents were as uncanny as the man himself.

Bedelia turned towards the wall to her left. It looked the brightest, as there was an especially extensive array of tall beeswax candles placed over the countertop in front of it. Just above the candles there was a large mirror with a gold-embellished frame. A mantel was draped almost entirely over the reflective surface, and Bedelia felt an ache in her heart for she knew precisely why that was.