Shadows of Melody

Portal

Maria had been enchanted by The Phantom of the Opera ever since she first watched the film as a child. The haunting melodies and the tragic love story between Erik, the enigmatic phantom, and Christine Daaé captivated her imagination. She found herself mesmerized by Erik's powerful voice, rich with passion and longing, and often wondered how Christine could choose Raoul over such an intense and devoted figure. To her, it seemed as if the phantom would have given Christine everything she desired—a life filled with music, devotion, and an unparalleled depth of emotion.

On this particularly rainy night, Maria was nestled comfortably in her favorite spot on the couch, watching the film for what felt like the hundredth time. The soft patter of raindrops against the window matched the melancholy tone of the music, creating an atmosphere that enveloped her in its embrace. As the familiar notes of "Music of the Night" began to play, she closed her eyes, feeling the music flow through her veins. She sang along with fervor, pouring her heart into each lyric, her voice echoing through the empty room. Over the years, she had learned to play the songs on her beloved piano, an instrument she spent more time with than anyone else.

Despite receiving compliments about her talent, Maria often dismissed them, thinking that people were merely being kind out of pity. But she couldn't help herself; the music called to her, and she cherished the moments when she could express her love for the story and its characters through song. It was her escape from the mundane realities of life, a world where she could live out her fantasies as Christine Daaé.

That evening, the warmth of her passion ignited a spark within her. She leaped around her room, dancing and singing with reckless abandon. As she spun, she felt a rush of joy, imagining herself in Christine's place—wrapped in the phantom's embrace, the two of them lost in a world of music and love. In a moment of exuberance, she twirled too quickly, lost her balance, and stumbled toward the mirror on her wall. Time seemed to slow as she felt herself falling, the impending crash of glass echoing in her mind.

Then, just like that, everything went dark.

When she finally came to, a dull throbbing in her head pulled her from unconsciousness. Maria groaned softly, blinking her eyes open against the harsh light that seemed to pierce through the fog of her disorientation. "Maria, darling! Are you all right??"

The familiar voice that pierced the haze of her confusion sent a jolt of disbelief through her. She squinted up and saw none other than Christine Daaé, radiant and ethereal, standing before her.

"Christine?" Maria's voice trembled, half believing she was still dreaming. The image of the beloved character was so vivid, so real, it sent a thrill coursing through her.

Christine knelt beside her, concern etched on her beautiful face, her flowing gown shimmering in the light. "Yes, my dear! You fell. I was so worried! How do you feel?"

Maria struggled to comprehend the situation. Had she really crossed into the world of her beloved musical? Questions raced through her mind as she tried to steady her thoughts. Was this a dream or had she somehow stepped into the story she adored so much?

As she sat up, still dazed, she could feel the weight of her own reality slipping away. All the doubts and insecurities she had carried seemed to dissipate in the presence of the woman she had idolized for so long. With Christine by her side, she felt a spark of hope, as if her deepest dreams were about to unfold before her.

"Maria," Christine said softly, extending her hand to help her up.
With her heart racing and the warmth of Christine's hand in hers, Maria couldn't help but wonder if this was the moment she had been waiting for—a chance to step into a world of music, passion, and the love she had always dreamed of.

A/N: Well hello there- This chapter is pretty short but i hope to keep going because i love this kind of trope in the POTO universe