Arc 1, Chapter 7: The Right Stage

As the crowd of dwarves was stunned, the expression of the dwarven girl who was caught twisted from a look of surprise into anger. She scoffs.

???: “Don’t joke with me…”

The dwarven girl breaks away from the crowd of dwarves who are gripping her and runs away, towards the dim, torchlit alleys of Dwarven town.

???: “After her!”

Eillia: “W…Wait…”

The crowd of dwarves stayed still.

Eillia: “Let us handle this…”

Eillia then grabs Mizuki’s arms and starts pulling her towards the torchlit alleys.

Mizuki: “Whoa–! What’s wrong…”

Eillia: “That girl… Has something familiar in her eyes.”

                               ***

After Mizuki and Eillia ran, trying to find the dwarven girl. Just then, they heard a “Clang” sound.

Clang. Clang clang. Clang. Every blow echoed like a heartbeat that was too loud for the world to handle.

Eillia: “Mizuki, look!”

They caught a glimpse of a little girl’s silhouette.

The dwarven girl is drumming on some metal trash cans; the alley echoes with the sharp crack of sticks against metal.

Too loud!

The voice in her mind slammed into her ears.

She will ruin the song.

She wasn’t smiling. She clenched her jaw and narrowed her eyes, releasing a wild, desperate rhythm. Every metal crash screamed louder than her voice ever could.

As she plays, her mind starts projecting shadows that turn away from her and disappear into the dark.

Leaving only her own echo behind.

Mizuki: “She’s not playing a song. She’s… Pleading and demanding…”

With each blow being heavier than the last, the girl's arms swung like a storm. Her hands are raw, but she continued.

Eillia's voice shakes as her eyes grow wide.

Eillia: “That face… I’ve seen it in the mirror before…”

Mizuki looked at her for a moment. Eillia appeared to be reliving something rather than merely watching the Dwarven girl based on the way her fists clenched at her sides.

Mizuki nods and gently squeezes Eillia’s hand. Then she nods, her eyes hardening with determination.

Mizuki: “Let’s go.”

They moved forward together, their footsteps gentle on the cobblestones.

Clangs faltered. With sticks hovering over the dented metal, the girl froze in the middle of her swing. She turned slowly, her eyes moist and sharp in the torchlight.

Her voice broke the silence before either of them could say anything.

???: “I’m never gonna join.”

Eillia gazes at the familiar look of bitterness and longing.

Eillia: “I’m just curious. If you don’t mind, did you…ever get rejected by a band before?”

Silence. With her hand shaking on her stick, the Dwarven girl averts her gaze.

The drumsticks dangled as if they had become too heavy for her, and her arms fell. Short, bitter breaths heaved in her chest. She avoided looking at them. She gazed at the floor, uttering words through gritted teeth.

???: “Not only a band… Everyone…They couldn’t handle me.”

Despite her low voice, the words carried great power.

In her memory, many passersby covered their ears as they listened to her drumming passionately.

Too loud! It’s irritating.

???: “They said that I ruined the song and that I was too much.”

You're dragging us back. Just stop.

The words from her memory hissed into her ears.

She clutched the drumsticks to her chest as if they would protect her; her grip trembled.

???: “But I don’t want to stop. I just… I want people to hear me. To know my presence, my passion for drumming…”

Her eyes were burning as she raised her head.

???: “I want to play… even if it’s only me.”

Raw, jagged, and unforgiving, her words reverberated in the alley like drumbeats.

Eillia and Mizuki remained silent for a long time. Then came Eillia's quiet, shaky voice.

Eillia: “You know… I have a similar experience. My band rejected and hated me for my music, so I played on stage alone, wanting to be noticed. I thought… maybe if I changed myself, people would accept me. But even then…”

Curling her fingers against her own arm, she came to a halt.

Eillia: “But I was lucky… Mizuki found me, before I could give up…”

Mizuki folded her arms and snorted.

Mizuki: “Yes, and I was also told that I was too much. Too pushy, too loud, and too careless.”

Mizuki grinned.

Mizuki: “Later on, turns out, some people like it that way. I suppose all I needed was the right stage.”

Eillia took a step forward, her eyes fixed on the girl.

Eillia: “You still haven't gotten the chance yet. It's not your fault.”

Mizuki spoke bluntly but warmly as she leaned in.

Mizuki: “Perhaps you don't have to hold back. Perhaps all you need is a stage where your sound truly matters.”

The girl's hold on her drumsticks became firmer. Caught between rebelling and passion, her mouth opened, then closed again.

Eillia held out her hand.

Eillia: “So let us be the ones that give you the chance, let us listen, and let’s play together. The 3 of us.”

The girl wiped her tears and hesitated before she grabbed Eillia’s hand.

Eillia: “What’s your name?”

Eillia asked as she helped the girl to her feet.

???: “Frida. Frida Goldenshield.”

Frida is visibly shaken, with a hint of hope in her eyes.

Frida: “You two better not regret it, I’ll ruin things.”

Mizuki: “I disagree, though. You see, I have an idea.”

Mizuki starts sharing her idea.

Her idea led Eillia's eyes to sparkle, but it made Frida tremble with fear and nervousness written on her face.

Frida: “But what if they laugh once more? What if nobody notices?”

Mizuki: “Then we play louder. Until they are unable to ignore you.”

Mizuki then grabs Frida’s shoulder to show support.

Mizuki: “It’s okay to feel scared… Making the first step may be scary, but that's the crucial step to achieve your goals or prove to everyone something, isn’t it?”

Frida grips her fists in determination.

Frida: “You are right… Maybe… I’m able to find the right stage.”

Eillia pats Frida’s back encouragingly.

Eillia: “That’s the spirit!”

                                ***

The crowd of Dwarves stood in the same area; some were curious, while some were eager. Just then…

???: “Look! They are back!”

The crowd sighted the 3 girls walking towards them. As the crowd starts cheering again, the town elder immediately rushes at them.

Town elder: “You’ve caught her again… You two have done so much for us dwarves…”

Mizuki: “Mister, I have a request…”

Town elder: “Of course… Ask me anything, and we Dwarves will provide you with anything you want, the best we can! So, what do you want this time? Jewels? Gold?”

Mizuki smirks and places her arm over Frida.

Mizuki: “Thanks for your thoughtfulness. But we neither want jewels nor gold! Just give 3 of us a stage, and the guts to rock this town to its foundation!”

The town elder’s jaw dropped. Again, the crowd stopped cheering, some eyes widened in surprise, and some even fainted. This time, however, some even whispered. Not in disapproval, but in awe, as if they weren't sure if what they had just heard was noise… or something more.