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desenhosdebolso · 5 months

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song as old as rhyme - Epilogue

{Beauty and the Beast AU - Raphael x OC (Elize)}

chapter 21

Read on AO3

A/N: Here it is, the epilogue, at long last the story concludes. Thank you all who time to read it, who left comments or likes/kudos, you guys are the best 🩷

Taglist: @littlemoondarling

@desenhosdebolso

@shyminnie07

@lemonandhoneytea

Three years had passed since Elize decided to stay with Raphael, now free of any contract. The two of them had come a long way, with the occasional ups and downs, but now their relationship was stable.

The two of them had gotten into a routine. They’d wake up and eat together, Raphael would go out to do his business, while Elize stayed in the House of Hope, reading or playing with Mol. Sometimes she would go visit her Father, but mostly, she preferred staying home, always finding some way to entertain herself. When he’d come back, they’d talk and eat. Some days, they’d retire to bed and sleep. On others, the nightly activities were more…exciting.

Anyways, they were happy and Elize couldn’t ask for more.

Which is why she found it quite strange that in the past few days, Raphael seemed to avoid her like the plague.

He’d spend more and more time away, and when they met up, he wouldn’t talk much. Elize was starting to worry that something might have happened but she decided to keep quiet for now. She would try asking the others if they knew anything and then she’d speak to him .[

…

Meanwhile, Raphael was more stressed than he should be about this.

Three lovely years had passed and he figured it was time to take the next logical step in their relationship.

Marriage.

Raphael was ready to officially make Elize the Lady of his house. He’d even gone as far as to pick out a ring, but for some reason, he could not work up the courage to ask her.

Every time he’d go back home, ready to pop the question, all it took was for her to smile at him and suddenly, Raphael couldn’t do it. For a moment he even thought he was going sick again.

Now, after telling all this to Haarlep, the incubus stared at him for a moment and then laughed.

“Oh, hells, this is too good to be true.” They said, clutching their belly.

“Mind your manners, Haarlep, before I send you back to the hole you came out from.” Raphael warned, brows furrowed.

“I apologize, master.” By the tone in their voice, it was clear they were not being genuine about it. “It’s just too much fun to hear the great Raphael nervous about asking for his woman’s hand in marriage.”

Raphael sighed, putting a hand on his face. “I’m not nervous, I’m just…unsure.” He paced around the room. “I have never thought about this before, and much less about doing it with a human.” He paused. “I…I don’t know what to do.” He admitted. One of the biggest influences Elize had had on Raphael was that now, he was more open about his feelings.

Haarlep suppressed a chuckle and said. “Maybe, you could ask for advice from her father. He could give you some insight.”

“Hmm…you might have a point.” Raphael said. “Besides, humans do have that tradition of asking the father for the blessing.” Before he snapped away, Raphael looked at Haarlep, and with a pained face said. “Thank you, Haarlep.”

…

Elize had thought to first ask either Haarlep or Korilla about what was going on with Raphael, but none of them were present at the moment, and so she decided to ask the only one left.

“Mol, have you seen Raphael as of late?” Elize asked.

The tiefling shrugged. “Sure. Why?”

“It’s just…I think he’s acting strange, but I don’t know why.”

“Oh yeah, the boss’s very nervous, but that’s because he’s going to-” She stopped herself before finishing the sentence.

Elize frowned. “What is he going to do? Why is he nervous?”

“Nothing, he’s not going to do anything, I was just..ah… thinking about Haarlep.” Although Mol was a good liar, she had misstepped, and Elize had caught on.

“Mol…”

“Oh look, I swear I just heard Korilla calling me.” The tiefling turned around, pretending to have heard something. “I should better get going, bye.”

“Mol!” The girl had run away, too late for Elize to try and catch up, but now she was curious.

What was Raphael up to?

…

“What are you doing here?” Audifax asked, when he answered the door and Raphael was on the other side.

“Will you not welcome me inside?” Raphael said, a smirk on his face. “After all, you own this lovely home to me.” After Elize had somewhat mended her relationship with Audifax, he decided to leave their village for good and go live in Baldur’s Gate.

In his grand generosity, and after Elize asked for it, Raphael lended some money for the old man to buy himself a place to stay.

Audifax sighed and let the devil in. “If you’re tying to get me into some trick again I should want you that-”

“I’m not here to do any of that, old man.” Raphael interrupted him. “I’m here to ask for some…advice.”

“What kind of advice?” He eyed the cambion suspiciously.

Raphael sighed and reached into the pocket of his clothes, retrieving a ring, with a big ruby on it. “I have been meaning to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.” He gave the man the ring. “But for some reason…I have been finding it difficult. I was told that maybe you could give me some help.” He sighed. “Besides, it would be good if you could give me your…blessing.”

Audifax inspected the ring and then looked back at Raphael. “Well, you have no objections from me. I know how good you do to Elize, and how…happy you make her.” Audifax let out the part that he also wouldn’t dream about defying a devil again.

Raphael nodded. “Thank you.”

“And if I can give you any advice, it would be to just do it. Rip it off like a bandage. The more you prolonge this, the more nervous you’ll get and it will start to affect her.” Audifax chuckled. “I think that’s why she was asking me about you the other day.”

“What?”

“She came here, asking if I knew anything, because you were acting strange and avoiding her.” Audifax confessed. “So go ask the damn question before Elize has enough of you.” He shooed the devil from out of his home, and sighed.

Audifax was once again reminded that his daughter was no longer a small girl, and instead, was a grown woman, who would soon be married.

…

As soon as Raphael came back to the House of Hope, he strode the halls, searching for Elize. He went to her room first, but she wasn’t there, nor in the library. Thankfully, Mol told him she was in his chambers.

He opened the door, and Elize was kneeling on the floor, looking beneath the bed.

“Love?” He called out and Elize stood up. “What are you doing?”

She passed her hands on her skirt, trying to clean it. “I was seeing if you were hiding something.”

“Hiding?”

“Yes.” She crossed her arms. “I asked Mol what was the deal with you these past few days, and she told me you were nervous about something you were going to do.”

“Oh.” He made a mental note to not tell Mol of the things he was doing in the future. “I assure you, dear, it is nothing to be scared of.”

“Then you are hiding something from me.” She said. “Raphael, please, if it’s something bad, just say it already.”

He chuckled and walked closer to her, placing his hand on her shoulders. “It is true, I have been hiding something, but it’s not a bad thing.” Raphael took a deep breath. “These past few days, there had been a question plaguing my mind, and only now have I found the strength to ask it.”

Before Elize could question, he got on one knee and took the ring out, holding it in one hand. “Elize, we have been together for three years. I believe it is about time you become the Lady of this house - my wife.”

Elize’s mouth was open and her eyes were widened. Raphael kneeled there, waiting. Then, her voice finally came back to her.

“Yes! Yes! I have been waiting for this for so long!” She said excitedly, kneeling in front of him, grabbing him by his jacket and kissing him on the mouth. After a moment, she let go. “You just made me the happiest woman in all Hells.”

Raphael smiled and put the ring on her finger. “And you make me the happiest man.” They kissed again and he stood up, offering his hand.

“Come, let’s tell the others the good news.” She took it, giggling and they left the room, now as fiancees.

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desenhosdebolso · 5 months

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song as old as rhyme - chapter 21 (FINALE)

{Beauty and the Beast AU - Raphael x OC (Elize)}

chapter 20

Read on AO3

A/N: This is the final chapter. Next one is the epilogue.

Taglist: @littlemoondarling

@desenhosdebolso

@shyminnie07

@lemonandhoneytea

Elize sat up and coughed.

Mol was the first to react. “You’re alive!” The young tiefling said. Elize looked at her hands, touched her face.

“I’m alive.” She whispered. Audifax rushed to her and hugged her. She hugged him back and said. “Father, I’m alive!” Elize began to laugh through the happy tears. “I’m alive!”

Mol and Haarlep both rushed to go hug her. She kissed both of them on the head, while Korilla gave her a small pat on the back. Mr. Antoine told her. “It’s good to have you, child.” and Elize thanked him.

After everyone had their turn hugging Elize, Raphael walked forwards and kneeled next to the bed. He held her hands. “How are you feeling?”

“Alive.” She yawned. “But also very tired.” Raphael nodded.

“I think we should let Elize rest.” Mr. Antoine said. “Come, everyone, leave.”

Audifax reached towards Elize, pulled the sheets over her, kissed her head and left alongside everyone.

Outside the room, Raphael turned towards the old man. “Is there anywhere in this village one could go to be alone?”

Audifax eyed him wearily but then said. “There is a hill. Elize goes there all the time.” He told Raphael the way, and soon, the devil had left. …

By the time Elize had woken up, it was dark outside. Now, she felt much more rested, and so, she left her room.

She opened the door to her father’s room and saw Haarlep and Mol sleeping there, on her father’s bed. Elize smiled, closed the door and went to the living room.

Her father was there, a cup of tea in his hand, as he sat on the table.

“Father.” She alerted him of her presence. “What are you doing awake?” She walked to where he was, and sat opposite to him on the table.

“I saw my only daughter die and come back to life in a span of a day.” He said. “It’s going to be hard to fall asleep.”

Elize chuckled and then silence. A moment passed, until Audifax spoke. “This was all my fault.” He looked at her. “From the very beginning, I was the one who messed everything up. I made the deal, I broke the deal, I instigated the people, I even allied myself with that scum.” He looked down. “And in the end, all it did was to hurt the one I loved most.”

“I will be honest.” Elize sighed. “You’ve upset me a lot. You did things behind my back, you didn’t try to talk to me and you even dared to make decisions about my life without consulting with me, and that makes me very angry.” She sighed. “I lost my life due to your mistakes, and it will take a long time for me to forgive you for it.” Elize reached forwards to hold his hand. “But, despite everything, you’re still my father, and I want you in my life.” She kissed his hand. “I love you, dad.”

There was a tear running down his eye. “I love you too, Elize.”

“No more secrets, from now on.” She told him and he nodded. “Where is Raphael?”

“He went to that hill you always go to.” Audifax said. “I’ll see you later.”

“Of course.” Elize nodded and left, making her way towards the hill.

As Elize made her way down the familiar path, she used the time it took to think about everything that had happened in the last few months. How much things had changed. How much she had changed. If Elize could tell her past self that she would fall for a devil that had made a deal with her father, she would have laughed, but it was the reality.

Of course, things would be very different. Her contract with Raphael was still up and now, she had breached it. And they still had to talk about what their relationship was.

From the distance, she spotted him, laying on the grass. She approached him silently and laid beside the devil, the two of them looking up at the stars, not saying anything.

“This is my favorite spot in the village.” She said, after a moment of silence. “I used to come here with my mother, and we’d watch the sunrise together. Now it’s just me.” After minutes had passed and Raphael had yet to say something, Elize turned towards him and whispered. “Please, talk to me.”

He sighed, still looking at the sky. “I have killed many people in the past, I have seen the eyes leaving the eyes of many people but when I saw your eyes yesterday, and they were full of nothing but death…” He paused for a moment. “It felt as if you had taken part of me with you. I did not like that feeling…that hurt.”

Raphael sat up, and so did Elize. She frowned, as she listened to what he had to say. “I know that in the grand scheme of things, your father was responsible for the tragedies that have followed, I believe I share most of the blame.” He took a deep breath.

“Raphael…” Her face softened.

“I have wronged you, Elize.” He turned his face to look at her. “Several times. ” Raphael snapped his fingers and her contract floated between them. “Let me do you right, for once.” He took the parchment in his hands and ripped the paper apart. Elize’s mouth hung open, eyes widened as she saw the paper become nothing.

“Why…why did you do that?” She asked, flabbergasted.

“What I said was true.” Raphael looked at her again. “I do love you, and I do want to pursue a relationship with you, to court you properly.” He held her hands. “But I couldn’t do that if you were bound to me by a contract. I have hurt you, Elize, and now that you are free, you can go, you can stay here with your father.” She could hear his voice break, just slightly.

Elize placed a hand on his cheek. “I love my father, but there is nothing in this village left for me.” She sighed and smiled. “I can always visit him later, but I’d much rather stay with you, Raphael.”

She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. After the brief kiss, they looked at each other’s eyes, foreheads touching. “Then I promise you, I shall never hurt you or let anyone hurt you ever again.”

“You know, you’re a very different person now, then the Raphael I had originally met.”

“You have changed me, my love.” He said.

Elize smiled. She turned her head, seeing that the sun was rising. “Let’s enjoy this calmness a little longer, and then we should go back to our home.” Elize laid down once again.

Raphael smiled at her saying ‘our home’ and laid again. As soon as his back hit the grass, she curled up beside him, placing her head and a hand on his chest, while one of his arms enveloped her.

As the sky turned from a dark blue, to orange and pink, the couple smiled at the peace and quiet of the new day, bringing with it, a hope for a better and happier future.

THE END.

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desenhosdebolso · 5 months

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song as old as rhyme - chapter 20

{Beauty and the Beast AU - Raphael x OC (Elize)}

chapter 19

Read on AO3

A/N: I used Matt Mercer's rules for ressurection. Also, next chapter is the final chapter and then we get the epilogue.

Taglist: @littlemoondarling

@desenhosdebolso

@shyminnie07

@lemonandhoneytea

For a moment, everything was quiet. The only sound to be heard was the sound of Raphael’s breathing.

He stayed there for gods know how long, not fully processing what had happened. He was not new to death. His own birth was surrounded by death, after all, Raphel had to kill his mother to be born.

Raphael was not new to death and yet, he had never felt this way. He knew, one day, Elize would die, as all mortals do, but he didn’t expect it to hurt him so much. Raphael had never cared for anyone this way and now he understood why: To care was to be hurt, and to love was to lose. If you don’t love anything, you don’t have to worry about eventually losing it.

Maybe, just maybe, he should have kept his heart hardened. Because then, just maybe, it would not be breaking now.

Raphael removed the dagger from her body and stood up, holding Elize close to him. He got out of the cell, the sun was beginning to set. The chaos on the street had ended, most people either dead or having fled the scene. Absently, he did hear a few gasps when people saw him, but he ignored them.

Eventually, he arrived in Elize’s home, where Audifax, Antoine, Mol, Haarlep and Korilla all found themselves arguing over each other. They hadn’t even noticed Raphael had arrived at the door.

What alerted the others was when Mol turned around and gasped loudly. Everyone turned to look at Raphael.

Gasps and sobs were heard. Audifax screamed and rushed towards Raphael, caressing Elize’s cold cheek. “No…my baby…no.”

Raphael looked at him. He wanted to shake the old man, to scream at him, to tell him it was all his fault. But he knew Elize would not have liked that.

Instead, he said. “I’m sorry.”

Audifax cried. “How…how did she die?”

“The half elf stabbed her.”

Audifax felt his knees weaken. “It was all my fault.”

Raphael nodded and then said. “Where is her room?” He let the old human show the way and laid Elize’s body there. Everyone gathered in the room.

Mol held onto Korilla and cried. The dwarven warlock tried to soothe her, but she also had tears in her eyes. Mr. Antoine shook his head. Audifax had gone to his room, and Haarlep…Haarlep was in denial.

“There must be something we can do.” They said. “This can’t be it.” They put their hand on Elize’s forehead, not even noticing the tears falling down their face.

Raphael, who looked miserable, only looked down as he replied. “None of us are healers. There is nothing to be done.”

“How dare you say that?” The incubus said. “You’re just going to give up?!”

“It’s not giving up!” Raphael raised his voice. “Don’t you think that if I could do something to reverse this, I wouldn’t have done so already? Don’t you think this is hurting me too?”

“I can’t believe she’s gone.” Mol said. A moment of silence passed until they all heard the sound of a chest opening and Audifax scream. “I found it!”

He rushed towards the room, a yellowish paper in hand. “We can bring her back.”

“What? How?” Haarlep asked.

Audifax rushed towards the bed. “After Elize was born, my wife saved money and bought this” He showed the paper. “A scroll of the resurrection spell. We had hidden it in a chest, we were to use it in case something happened to Elize. It had been so long, I had forgotten we had this.”

Mr. Antoine walked forwards. “Let me see it.” He grabbed the paper, adjusting his glasses. “Yes…this could work, but there is a catch.”

“What is it?” Korilla asked.

“Resurrection is a ritual, so it will take one hour for it to work.” He explained. “And we have to beacon the soul back into the body. Call her back, essentially.”

“And how do we do that?” Audifax asked, putting a hand on Elize’s hair.

“Well, I think everyone could say something about our dear Elize.” Mr. Antoine said. “The dead can hear us better than we think.”

Noticing people’s hesitation, Antoine spoke first, placing a hand on her. “Elize has always been the sweetest towards me. She was the best at keeping my books in order when I couldn’t do it, and the only one to still care about this old dwarf.” He smiled, and began reading the incantation, quietly enough that the orders could speak over him.

Mol let go of Korilla and held Elize’s hand. “You were really bad at Lanceboard, but I had the most fun playing with you.”

Korilla was next. “I didn’t speak much with Elize, but now I regret that. She knew what she wanted and she knew what was right. She wasn’t afraid to step up and act when the situation called for it. Maybe we could have been friends, had we had the time.”

Haarlep took a deep breath before speaking. “You were a true friend. You’re the only one who listens to my whines, the only one who cares.” They sniffled. “You have to come back. You have to. Or else, who’ll listen to me complain about Raphael.” Haarlep broke in a sob. “Please, I don’t want to lose the only friend I ever had.”

Audifax and Raphael looked at each other. The father spoke first. “Elize, the only child I ever had. You were the best thing to have happened to me in my miserable life. You saved my life more times than I can count, and it is not right or fair that you should lose your life before I do, because of my mistakes.” He looked down and then back up again. “I have not been a good father to you, but I promise, when you come back, we will fix that. Please, Elize, come back.”

The magic flowed in the air, enveloping all of them. A thin thread of golden light, which shine brighter the more everyone spoke.

“I am not a good man.” Raphael began. “Before you, I hadn’t cared about anyone, not in a very long time. I didn’t want to care about anyone but myself. However, since the moment we first met, when you defiantly protected your father, you have captured my attention.” He paused for a moment.

“You saved me, even after I had mistreated you. You stood your ground, and you called out the error of my ways. You apologized when you misspoke and you opened yourself up to me. You, Elize, shattered my defenses and opened myself up to feelings I would have rather buried.”

He inched closer to her. “You lost your life to save mine, and in your dying words, you told me what I had longed to hear.” His tears fell in her face, and delicately wiped them. He whispered in her ear. “Please, come back, Elize. I love you too.”

As they all had finished speaking, only Antoine’s voice was heard. The thread became brighter and stronger, and then it lowered itself into Elize’s chest.

Everyone held their breaths as the incantation was finished, hoping that it would work.

…

Nobody knows what lies between life and death.

At least, that was what Elize had been told her entire life. But now, as she walked around a never ending darkness, she knew they had lied to her.

What lied between life and death was simply nothing. She had woken up here, alone and cold. She crossed her arms, called for help but nobody came.

Elize was scared. She was too young to die, she had too many things to solve but now everything was gone. She didn’t regret saving Raphael, and she never would, but Elize hoped that there could have been some other way.

She sat and buried her face in her knees. No one would bring her back. There were no clerics in the village and the only healer had died years ago.

She didn’t know for how long she cried, but suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. “Why are you crying, Elize?”

“Mom?” Elize turned around and looked up, and there she saw her. “Mom!” She stood up and hugged her mother. She cried on her shoulder as Floriella caressed her hair. “Mom, I’m missed you so much.”

“Shh, I know, I know.” She held Elize’s face. “I know, my love. I have been watching you.”

“You have?” Elize sniffled.

“Yes.” Floriella smiled. “And I know you have been carrying a burden that isn’t yours.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, it is I who has to apologize.” Floriella said. “I was miserable, in that life, but it was never because of you. You, my child, were the only bright spot in my life.”

“But it wasn’t enough.” Elize said, looking down.

Her mother lifted her head up. “You are enough, Elize. I did what I did, and that was my problem, my sadness, and none of it was because of you. You have to let that go.” Elize nodded.

“Thank you, mom.” Her mother kissed her forehead. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Elize. But…you should not be here. At least not yet.”

Elize sighed. “I know, and I’m so scared. I don’t want to die.”

Suddenly, Elize felt something physically tugging at her heart, pulling her.

“But you don’t have to.” Her mother said. Another tug. “Do you feel it? They are calling for you.”

Another one, this time even harder. “Who are they? What-what’s happening?”

“The friends you have made. Your father. The one you love. They are trying to bring you back.”

“But-but how?”

Floriella smiled. “You don’t think I would have let my child die so soon, would you?” She kissed Elize on the cheek. “Go, Elize. I’ll see you again one day, but it won’t be today.”

Elize hugged her mother one last time and allowed herself to follow the tugging.

A bright light encased her.

…

A moment had passed and nothing had happened.

“It didn’t work…” Mol said.

They had all abandoned hope.

Then…

Elize’s wounds began to heal. All the red and purple marks on her body faded, as if they never existed. Her skin had become warm and her cheeks were rosy. Her hair was shining once again.

Finally, Elize took a big breath and opened her eyes.

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desenhosdebolso · 5 months

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song as old as rhyme - chapter 19

{Beauty and the Beast AU - Raphael x OC (Elize)}

chapter 18

Read on AO3

Warnings: violence and death.

Taglist: @littlemoondarling

@desenhosdebolso

@shyminnie07

@lemonandhoneytea

Pain.

That was what Elize was feeling. Her face thorabbed, her wrist hurt and she could feel a headache forming. As her senses slowly came back, she noticed a few things.

Wherever she was, it was a cold, dark place. She felt that her clothes and body were dirty. Elize could also feel something metallic on her wrists. Slowly, she managed to sit up. Looking around, she figured she must have been in some cell of sorts. Looking down, her wrists had been handcuffed in front of her and they were attached to a chain behind her.

Elize took shallow breaths, leaning her head backwards to rest against the wall. She didn’t know how she was out, but thinking was becoming harder and harder.

A door opened and Sylvester walked in. “I see someone has woken up.”

Elize groaned but didn’t say anything.

“Awwn, seems like someone’s grumpy.” He pouted and she rolled her eyes. “Is it because that devil hasn’t come here to save you yet?”

“Fuck you.” She said. Elize didn’t normally curse but the situation was calling for it. “If you’ve come here to taunt me, you better find something better to do.”

“Did I hit a sore spot?”

Elize shrugged. “Why would he come here? He doesn’t care about me.” She bluffed, trying to make him give up this stupid plan. “Actually, if I died that would be even better, my soul would go straight to him.”

“Doesn’t care about you, yeah?” He raised an eyebrow. “Then what is that hickey in your neck?”

“Could have been plenty of different things, but it was definitely not Raphael.” Elize was getting tired of this. “You know, this is quite a stupid plan, trying to use me to lure him out.”

“Oh, really?” He said, debochando. “Why do you think so?”

“I believe your research was poorly made.” She closed her eyes, once again laying her head against the wall. “If a devil is killed in the material plane, he’ll simply go back to the Abyss. To kill him, you’d have to do it in his home.” Elize yawned. “So really, you’re only showing how dumb you are.”

She opened one eye and saw him seething. “And actually, I will be quite please if he does indeed arrive.” When he didn’t reply, she finished. “It’s going to be interesting seeing him rip you to shreds.”

Sylvester ran towards her and pulled her up, putting both hands around her neck. “Shut up, you whore.” As Elize gasped for air, he talked. “He will come for you and when he does, I’ll kill him, and I’ll enjoy seeing you cry over his corpse.”

Using the last bit of air she had, Elize said. “Good…luck.” Sylvester choked her harder and soon, she passed out.

…

Raphael’s appearance in the village had caused some chaos. It wasn’t everyday that people were used to seeing a devil.

Most ran away, some tried to fight him but he quickly threw them aside. When Korilla, Haarlep and Mol arrived, the scales turned even more in his favor. He let the three of them fight the others while he went after Audifax.

Remembering some conversations he had with Elize, Raphael eventually found the house she had once described: white on the outside although it looked like it needed a repaint, not many neighbors around and some flowers around it.

He knocked on the door until Audifax opened. “You-”

Before the old man spoke, Raphael shoved himself in. “Where is Elize?”

“After everything you’ve put us through, you think I’ll tell you, fiend?! She’s somewhere safe, you won’t take her-”

Raphael, who has shifted into his devil form, towered over him. “Where. Is. Elize?” He grabbed Audifax by the throat. “Either you tell me now or I’ll-”

“I know where she is.” A voice, belonging to a much older and smaller man, spoke. “I can show it to you.”

Raphael turned his face and saw an old dwarf, with white hair and a long white beard. He let go of Audifax, who gasped, took a breath and then said. “Antoine, how could you! After all he’s done?!”

“Oh, shut up, Audifax.” Mr. Antoine said. “This whole situation began because of your mess. Everyone with eyes can tell that Sylvester is no good for Elize.” The elderly man turned to Raphael. “Now come, I will show you where they hid her.”

Before they left, Raphael turned towards Audifax again. “If Elize is harmed in any way, you’ll be the one paying.”

Once outside, he followed the dwarf and said “Thank you for your help.” In another time, maybe he wouldn’t have said that, but Raphael has long realized he was changing.

Antoine said nothing as he led the way.

…

Outside the cell, a half elven man was there, with two blades in hand.

“Finally, you’ve arrived, fiend.” He said.

“Get out of my way, boy.” Raphael snickered. “Lest you lose your life.”

The half elf huffed and rushed forwards, screaming. Raphael stepped to the side and dodged his attack. The boy tried again, and once over, Raphael dodged him, at one point, even putting his foot forward to make him trip.

He was having fun playing with the half elf.

After getting shoved for the umpeenth time, the elf boy turned around and tried to attack Raphael when the devil had his back turned. He shoved one arm forward. Raphael trapped the limb under his armpit, and headbutted him. While he was disoriented, the cambion shoved him with his foot, sending the boy to the ground. He walked over to him, kicking away both of his swords, and placed his foot on the half elf’s throats, nose flaring.

When the half elf stopped resisting, Raphael heard the rattle of chains coming from the inside of the cell. He let go and shouted “Elize!” before breaking the door.

…

When Elize woke up again, she tried moving but it was difficult. Her chains rattled around as she listened to a commotion outside. Then, she heard someone call for her. A familiar voice.

“Elize!”

Raphael had come for her. Soon, the door was broken. Raphael rushed in, already kneeling at her side. With one quick motion, he broke her chains. He helped her up and hugged her.

“Ra…raph…” She tried to speak up. “You..you-” Elize saw something moving behind Raphael, but her throat hurt too much to be able to say it. She needed to act quickly.

“Shh, I’ll get you out of here.” He tried to sooth her but Elize’s eyes widened as she finally saw it.

Sylvester, looking terrible, was running towards Raphael, with a raised dagger in hand.

Mustering the last of her strength, Elize held onto the devil’s biceps and turned both of them around just in time to feel the dagger lodging itself on her side.

Immediately, she could feel the damned thing was poisoned. Elize knew she didn’t have enough time.

…

Raphael heard Elize gasp as the bastard stabbed her. He looked into her eyes as she whispered “I’m sorry.” in a raspy voice and fell to the ground.

In one quick motion, and with a scream that echoed all around, as if it came from the pit of the hells itself, Raphael raised his clawed hand and stroked the half elf’s throat. The boy fell to the floor, bleeding to death.

Raphael turned his attention to Elize, dropping besides her. He cradled her head in one hand, while supporting her body with the other.

“No no no no no.” He kept saying. She trembled in his grasp. Raphael could hear her heartbeat getting weaker. “Please, don’t leave me.” He put his hand on her cheek, caressing it.

With the little strength she had left, Elize covered his hand. “I…love..you.” As soon as she whispered that, he saw the light leaving her human green eyes. Her hand fell to the floor and her chest no longer rose.

Raphael, speechless, hugged her body close to his, burying his face in her hair. He had been too late. He had failed again, and now…

Elize had died in his arms.

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desenhosdebolso · 5 months

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song as old as rhyme - chapter 18

{Beauty and the Beast AU - Raphael x OC (Elize)}

chapter 17

Read on AO3

A/N: TRIGGER WARNING: Violence towards women. Elize kicks someone's nuts and they beat her. If you want to avoid that, it starts after Elize says “He’s a pathetic piece of shit, that’s what he is.” and ends with the … There's also some sexist things that one character says so be mindful of that.

Taglist: @littlemoondarling

@desenhosdebolso

@shyminnie07

@lemonandhoneytea

The portal had led Elize to the front of her house. For a moment, nostalgia overtook her, tears forming in her eyes as she saw the place she had called home for the first time in months.

She wondered what her father would think, seeing her again. Elize knocked on the door, hearing familiar loud steps from inside.

“Calm down, calm down, I’m getting there!” She heard Audifax shout. “It’s late at night, who -” He stopped when he looked at her. “Elize? How-wh- what are you doing here?” He ushered her inside before she answered.

Elize noticed the worried tone in his voice. “I had a feeling that you were in danger, so Raphael let me come here”

“He let you go? How?” Audifax was bewildered.

“I asked him so, on the promise that I’d return before dawn.” She took his hands in hers. “He is not as bad as he seems, father.”

Audifax pulled his hands back, an angered look on his face. “Not as bad? He is a devil!” Pointing at the bruise on her neck, he continued. “Look, he even hurt you!”

She put a hand on the spot. “No, this isn´t a bruise, we-”

“He must have put you under some spell.” Audifax interrupted her. “It’s the only reason why you’re saying such nonsense.”

“Father, please, listen!” She tried to plead.

“You don’t understand!” He shouted. “You were not supposed to be here! We were going to go rescue you?”

“Rescue me? But I wasn’t in danger?” Elize frowned. “Father, what does this mean?”

He sighed and sat on a chair. “After I came back, everyone started to question what had happened. I told them everything, the deal I made, how wicked that devil was, how you saved me. I discovered that there were others who had also been wronged by Raphael.”

She kneeled beside him. “So…the people got angry?” Maybe that explained the looks she had seen in her dream.

Audifax nodded. “Precisely. They wanted to go after him, take you back and kill the devil.”

“But that doesn’t make any sense! No one in the village ever cared for us before.”

Audifax shook his head. “It wasn’t about you, or us, necessarily.” He explained. “They believed that if Raphael took you, soon they would take the others.”

“He didn’t take me, I made a deal with him willingly!”

“That is almost the same thing!” Audifax exclaimed. “Do you have any idea how painful it was to see you making a deal with him? Not knowing when I would see you back or what he would do to you?” He began to sob.

“Father…” Elize held his hands again. “I’m here now, you don’t have to worry.” She tried to comfort him.

“You’re here now, but you’ll go back soon, and what difference will that make, hum?”

“I’ll talk with Raphael, I’ll change the terms of my contract and-”

“No, Elize. It’s too late.” He stopped her.

“I don’t understand.”

“Since that day, we were planning on how we would take the devil down. We tried sending poison to him but he survived and-”

“Wait…did you send the Devil’s Bane to him, in a wine bottle?”

“How do you know?”

“Because I was the one who saved him from dying!”

“Elize!” He got up from his chair. “Saving a devil? What has gotten into you?!”

“Mother always taught me to save people, regardless of anything!” She stood up as well. “What did you expect? To just let him die?” She shouted.

“Yes!” Audifax put his hand on his face. “Anyways, when that didn’t work, we tried to gather more information on him. We put posters on guilds everywhere, even in Baldur’s Gate. There was even a warlock who said he had seen you cry in a ball.”

“Wyll? He spoke with you?” She asked frowning.

Audifax nodded. “He told he saw you cry, and that you had refused his help, and how furious Raphael was. He had seen the posters and gave us more information.”

“Like what?”

“Like how to make the ritual to enter his house.” Audifax put his hands on her shoulders. “We had everything planned, Elize. We would barge into his home in two days time.”

She shook her head. “But you don’t have to do that anymore.” Elize looked at the window, seeing that it was still dark. “Look, we still have time to tell them to call it off.”

Audifax shook his head. “We can’t”

“But Father-” Before she could reason with him, someone had barged into their home. She jumped due to the noise and turned around, being met with none other than Sylvester, the half elf who had once, long ago, harassed her.

She immediately put herself between the two men and huffed. “What in the Hells are you doing here?”

“I heard the shouting and came to see what had happened.” Sylvester spoke with a smug look on his face. “Imagine my surprise when I heard your voice all the way down the street.”

Elize scrunched her face up. “What do you want then?”

“I came to see how my future father-in-law is doing.”

“Father-in-law?” She turned to look at her dad. “What did you do?”

“Oh, he didn’t tell you?” Sylvester spoke. “Your father spent weeks trying to convince me to join the fight.” The half elf looked at his nails. “After all, I am the best hunter in the village, but I didn’t have a good reason to go help some poor woman who had rejected me…unless” He smirked, as she turned to him eyes wide. “I received a prize in return for my troubles.”

“No…” She said.

“Oh yes, darling. And I was quite delighted when your dear old father offered to make you my bride, should I rescue you.”

“Why me?” Sylvester inched closer to her. “I don’t even like you! You could have any one in the village.”

“True. But I love nothing more than putting a woman in her place.” He wrapped a strand of her hair in his finger. “Especially those who have wronged me.”

She kicked him in the nuts, remembering how Mol once told her she was too soft and insisted on teaching the human how to throw a punch or a kick. While the man moaned, she turned to her father.

“How could you do this to me?!”

“Elize, please, he’s a good man, I thought he would take care of you after I died.” As she shook her head, he continued. “Please, I only want the best for you.”

“Good man?” She barked out a laugh. Elize turned to point at Sylvester. “He’s a pathetic piece of shit, that’s what he is.”

At that, Sylvester growled. “You bitch!” And slapped her hard across the face, sending her to the floor. Her glasses fell from her face.

“Elize!” Audifax kneeled next to his daughter and shot a murderous look at Sylvester. “How could you?”

While her father shouted at the half elf, she reached into her pocket and took out the spell scroll, trying to read the spell to go back.

“We have a deal, old man!” Sylvester shouted. “You may try to chicken out of it now, but I won’t let you.” He noticed what Elize was doing, and stepped on her wrist, making her scream and let go of the spell. Audifax tried to help but he was shoved by the younger man.

“You know, I heard your conversation, how you had to go back before the sun rose.” He took the paper in hand, looking back at Elize, who was clutching her wrist. “If you don’t go back, that devil will come here to get you, and cut us the trouble of finding him.”He then snapped the paper in half, destroying it.

“NO!” Elize screamed. She knew that Raphael would get paranoid, and she feared that would ruin what they had built.

“Now, you’re gonna be a good little bait while we wait for him.” Sylvester stepped close to her. “Good night.” He kicked her in the face, making Elize lose consciousness.

…

The sun had risen and Elize had yet to be seen. After Korilla, Haarlep and Mol all pleaded for Raphael to have mercy, he waited.

When the next day passed and Elize hadn’t made a comeback, Raphael knew he had been betrayed again.

He was furious, throwing things around in his room.

“How dare she!” Raphael screamed, breaking a chair. “After everything I’ve done, after what we’ve been through it was a lie?!” He breathed heavily. “I knew, I KNEW, I shouldn't have trusted her! I’ve opened my heart for her and it was all just a scheme.”

Haarlep, who was watching the meltdown, had long stopped to try and reason with his master. They were just as worried about Elize’s disappearance as everyone else, and they hoped that Korilla, using her magic, would be able to discover something.

Raphael turned to look at Haarlep, a look of rage of the likes the incubus had never seen before. “I’m going to find her, I will drag her back to the Hells and never let her go! I’ll punish her for this!” Raphael was seething, he felt as if his whole body would combust into flames. This felt worse than when Tav turned their back on him.

Suddenly, Korilla burst through the door. “Master, Elize is in danger!”

He turned to look at her. “Oh, she will be-”

“No, you don’t understand.” She took a deep breath. Clearly, she had ran there as fast as she could. “I went to the Devil’s Den, to scry on her, and I saw her in some sort of dungeon, beatend and unconscious.”

“What?!” Both Haarlep and Raphael said at the same time. At those words, the cambion felt a new sort of rage build in him.

“I think… I think the people in her village did something to her, and that is why she hasn’t returned.” The three of them looked at each other. “We have to do something now!”

Raphael nodded, jaw clenched. “Haarlep, use some other disguise. Korilla, get Mol. I’ll be needing the three of you.” He barked orders to them, and they quickly got to it. “I think it’s time I pay her father a visit.”

The cambion snapped his fingers and soon, he was in Elize’s village.

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desenhosdebolso · 5 months

Text

song as old as rhyme - chapter 17

{Beauty and the Beast AU - Raphael x OC (Elize)}

chapter 16

Read on AO3

A/N: y'all, my home had no internet for like two days (i was able to keep posting due to wireless wifi but still, the struggle was real), this is why it took a bit longer to update, but here it is. Also, we are rapidly reaching the end of this story.

Taglist: @littlemoondarling

@desenhosdebolso

@shyminnie07

@lemonandhoneytea

Elize was plagued by strange dreams that night.

She had visions of her father, arriving in town, looking miserable. Then she saw him speaking of this evil, this devil that tempted him and took his daughter. There was a crowd around him, other citizens, all of them with a murderous look on their faces. She saw Audifax talking with that half elf, it seemed as if they were scheming.

The dreams ended with someone screaming for help, making Elize suddenly wake up in a cold sweat. She was breathing rapidly, eyes darting around and for a moment, she didn’t know where she was or why she couldn’t move. Elize closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. Then she opened them again, now remembering the events of last night - the ball, the dance, the sex.

Elize looked down and realized why she couldn’t move much: she was laying on her side and both of Raphael’s arms were holding her, one was draped over her waist while the other was across her collarbone. Besides that, her legs were sandwiched in between his, and his chin was reasint above her head. Elize felt like one of the stuffed bears she used to hold as a child, and in a way, the weight on Raphael’s body calmed her. She managed to free one of her arms, and she used to hold on to the limb across her chest. That movement made Raphael’s chest rumble and he tightened his hold on her. Elize closed her eyes again and slept.

Hours later, Raphael woke up. At some point during the night, he had let go of Elize and now she laid on her back, although her head was turned. He looked at how softly her chest rose and fell, and he smirked at the purple marks he had left on her neck. Raphael had never awoke to such a peaceful morning before, with someone he cared for besides him but he liked the feeling. As he looked at her face, Raphael allowed himself to fantasize for a moment, thinking about waking up like this every morning, of having dinner with Elize every night, of her smiles, of a future together. The thought of children even crossed his mind, but that was a conversation for another moment.

With his finger, he delicately stroked her cheek and soon, her eyes fluttered open.

“Good morning.” He said as she yawned and stretched her arms. “How are you feeling?”

Elize sat on the bed. “Tired but overall, I’m good.” She gave him a small smile. She decided that later she’d speak about the dream.

Raphael smirked. “Good.” He got up from the bed. “Come. There are healing pools in my boudoir.”

Elize made her way towards the edge of the bed, and when she stood up, her legs were wobbly and shaking. She tried to walk, but almost fell, if it wasn’t for Raphael rushing towards her and steadying her. “I guess I’m more sore than I anticipated.” Elize hissed.

Raphael put one arm underneath her armpit and the other underneath her knees, raising her in his arms, effortlessly. Elize made a noise of surprise and held onto his neck. Raphael smirked and carried her towards the pool.

He lowered the two of them on the water, and Elize sighed in relief. The healing powers of the pool worked quickly, and Elize soon felt better. She let go of Raphael and dipped her head in the water.

“Feeling better?” Raphael asked, arms resting on the poolside.

“Yes.” Elize replied. “Thank you.”

Raphael nodded. “It is the least I can do, after last night’s activities.” At that mention, Elize blushed, remembering how things had gone down.

Although, she couldn’t help but wonder: what did that mean for the two of them? They had been intimate, but she still had a contract to follow through. Were they still debtor and debtee? It couldn’t be a relationship, they hadn’t talked about that, but for days now Elize had questioned her own feelings for the devil. Could there be more between them?

“You’re frowning.” Raphael said. “What is on your mind?”

Elize shook her head. “Nothing… I just… from where I’m from, we’re taught that young ladies should only be… intimate with their husbands. This is all very different for me.”

“I understand. Maybe we could discuss that later tonight.” He motioned for her to come closer. She swam towards him and he held her with one arm, while she put her hand on his chest. “For now, let us enjoy this peace.” She sighed and nodded.

…

After eating breakfast, Elize did not see Raphael for the rest of the day.

Instead, she was met with Haarlep’s instant questioning.

“Darling, what in the Hells is that on your neck?” They asked after entering Elize’s room. Although the healing water had managed to make most of them fade, she still had one hickey showing in her neck, and even after putting powder on it, the mark was showing.

“It’s a- I-” She stuttered and blushed, which was enough for the incubus to figure out what happened.

“Oh my…don’t tell me you two fucked.” Elize bit her lip and nodded, answering his question. Elize was sitting on the chair near the vanity, and Haarlep sat on the bed, taking one of her hands in both of his.

“Tell me, dear, was it awful? Terrible? Do you need someone to help you feel better?” They asked that last line with a mischievous look on their face.

“No, no, it was…quite good, actually.” She freed her hand and stood up, walking around as she spoke. “Raphael was very attentive, and he made me feel good, even if it was my first time.”

Haarlep’s eyes widened. “That…does not sound like Raphael.”

“If it helps, he did ask me to ride him at one point.” Elize said, remembering how Haarlep mentioned that their master liked being on the bottom.

“That sounds more like him.” Haarlep said. “Still, are you sure you are good? You do have that look that you want to talk about something”

Elize sighed. “It’s just that…I don’t know what this all means.” She turned to look at them. ”We had sex, yes, but does that mean something?”

“Well…do you want it to mean something?”

“I…” She wanted to say yes. But she couldn’t say it. “What if what I want isn’t what he wants?”

“Then…you can always have me.” Haarlep raised one eyebrow while smirking.

Elize chuckled. “Yeah, but you and I both know it wouldn’t be the same thing.” She sat down next to them. “I feel so conflicted.”

“Why?”

“I have all these feelings inside me because of Raphael. I mean, I should feel what I feel towards him, he almost ruined my dad’s life!”

“But?” Haarlep continued.

“But now…I feel safe with him. He makes me want to open myself to things, and I look forward to the times we talk. I think I’m…” She didn’t finish the phrase but both of them knew what she meant. “But what if he doesn’t feel the same way about me?”

Haarlep sighed and side hugged her. “Then that’s something the two of you have to discuss.”

Elize sighed, anxiously waiting for night time.

…

Meanwhile, Raphael paced around in his room.

He knew what he wanted. He wanted her. And he knew that Elize wanted something more out of the two of them. But he was a cambion and she was in his debt. Fiends weren’t known to love, but she brought the human side of him, putting his repressed emotions into display.

Should they begin a relationship, what could it mean, especially considering that she was in his debt. Raphael feared that with the contract in the way, and nothing could guarantee that she’d stay after her time was over. A small voice in the back of his head tried to convince him that Elize was playing games, that this was all an act to make him null the contract but he ignored the thought. She had proven herself enough already and he wouldn’t let his paranoia get the better of him.

Tonight could be decisive.

…

Dinner had been silent. Neither Elize nor Raphael wanted to bring up the topic but both knew they had to talk about it. Raphael felt as if there was something stuck in his throat that didn't let him speak, while Elize was nervous about bringing up her feelings.

Instead, Elize decided to talk about something else. “I had a dream last night.” She spoke, and he looked at her. “I had these visions of my father. He was talking with these people and they all looked angry. “ She paused. “I think he could be in danger.”

“It was a dream, dear.” Raphael said.

Elize shook her head. “You don’t understand. Sometimes…what I see in my dreams come true. It was off of a dream that I knew father had made a deal with you.” She looked at him, frowning. “Mother always said I had good intuition and I feel that my father needs me.”

Raphael sighed. He too, in the past, had been plagued by prophetic dreams. “And what do you want to do about it?”

Her lips tightened. “I think… I think I should go see him.” Raphael scrunched his nose. “If only for one night, just to make sure he is okay.”

“I would have to grant you permission.”

“Please, Raphael, just for one night.” She pleaded. “I’ll just make sure things are right and I’ll come back immediately.”

‘She’s trying to trick you.’ The voice in the back of his head spoke. But he didn’t have a good enough reason to doubt her intentions. He had to trust her.

“One night, then. You’ll go after dinner is over and once you’re done, you’ll return.”

Elize nodded. “And how will I come back?”

Raphael snapped his fingers and a paper appeared next to her plate. “That is a scroll for the Gate spell. Use it to conjure a portal here.” Elize took the paper in her hands and nodded again. “One more condition.”

“Yes?”

“You have to come back before the sun rises.” Raphael said. He didn’t have to tell her what would happen if she didn’t come back.

“Of course.” Elize went back to eating and so did he.

After both of them were done, Raphael snapped his fingers and a portal opened. “Go. Remember our conditions.” She walked up to the portal but before she stepped inside, he said. “And Elize…once you come back, we have something to talk about.”

“I know.” She nodded and entered the portal.

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