The Phantom Ascending |✔| [Phantom of the Opera Fanfiction]

Allies and Enemies

I used every shortcut I knew of, skipping steps, glancing behind to see if Christine could keep track with me, and nodding in encouragement when she did. I was typically so focused on her singing ability, that I could sometimes forget how she had the swift instincts of a dancer, too.

"Over here," I led her through the small door and we emerged on the gallery that overlooked the grand foyer, where the voices were being heard speaking in Farsi.

"What are they saying?" Christine whispered, and I motioned her to keep quiet as I listened.

"They come bearing good news. The assassination plot was foiled and all the traitors dealt with," I smirked. "They send the shah's thanks and gratitude."

"Wonderful!" Christine exclaimed as soon as the Persian officials departed. Her voice drew Nadir's attention, and he lifted his head to examine the gallery. I stepped out of the shadows.

"You're welcome, Nadir!" I boomed, laughing. I missed playing tricks with men, and the entire Persian business delighted me now that I knew it all went well.

He shook his head in disapproval but also laughed. We went down to join him and to learn all the details.

"In case you missed anything, I have just received the Persian shah's eternal gratitude for saving his life, even if it had been done in a most convoluted way," Nadir said pointedly, and then held out a strange object he'd been cradling in his hands all along.

"Along with his gratitude, the shah has also sent me this, but I truly believe it belongs to you, Erik."

It was an exquisite jewelry box, made of gold and covered in monkey carvings. My eyes lit up when I saw it. I took it, examining the carved details with my thumbs.

"Won't you open it?"

"The box itself is sufficient," I murmured. There was something infinitely comforting about monkeys, reminding me of an old toy.

"May I?" Nadir said, opening the box carefully. It held a curious black necklace and a male ruby ring. Nadir studied the pieces and nodded as if approving of their value, but still he refused to take anything.

"Was it Darius who managed to dose Arash with Valerian?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Then give him this," I tossed the ruby ring to Nadir. "He earned it, and I daresay he will appreciate a gift from his shah."

"Indeed he will." Nadir looked pleasantly surprised by my decision. "Now, Erik, would you tell me how exactly did you manage to prove Arash's guilt? Miss Daae -- Christine -- I assume you are familiar with the whole situation?"

"Yes, I believe so. You sent a letter to the shah to warn him?"

"Yes, and Erik had hypnotized the traitor... To what effect?" Nadir asked.

I chuckled.

"When the shah asked about you, Arash was compelled to take out his flask, offer it to the shah, and ask him to cut it open and take out the note. It was such a bizarre request that I couldn't imagine the shah ignoring it."

"Indeed!"

"Then, the shah read the letter. Remember those a-b-c instructions I left him there?"

"Ah, I did wonder..."

"When the shah clapped his hands twice (or anyone, for that matter), Arash was hypnotized to say: all that's written in this letter is true. A phrase that's quite innocent out of its context, but in this case...

"Next, when the shah said a phrase Rosy Hours of Mazanderan, Arash was forced to react by saying the shah's life is in danger and then confessing to the assassination plot. His subconsciousness might have resisted the second part of the command, but it doesn't matter."