To the Stage

At the center of the grand base was an enormous open square. Buildings of grand brutal simplicity lined its edges as metal and stone mixed together in an organic flow. Hundreds of cables ran through the air, sending energy and power across the open space. Banners as large as buildings hung idle in the breezeless atmosphere beneath the dome’s protection. Thousands of bodies stood in nervous waiting as the sunlight vanished behind the horizon.

With the arrival of night, more neon lights began to glow, casting blues, oranges, pinks, and reds along walls, scales, skin, and fur. Excited whispers of curiosity drifted through the massive crowd. Far, far away, high in the air, the edges of an imperial skyplate were visible. But that was so far removed, The Silence had no way of knowing what fascinating events were culminating down in the darkness of that floating fortress.

At the center of the square was an elevated stage. For so long, The Revolution had used it for speeches, debates, proclamations, and other formal business. Now, it held something different. Dozens of mysterious devices were positioned in waiting. Many of them bobbed in quiet waiting. Some spun in silence. Most in the audience had no understanding of exactly what they were, but many had an idea.

“Those are instruments, those are.”

“Sacred sounds! What wonder!”

“What wonder!”

“Sound machina!”

“Lost Instruments of Sacred Sounds!!”

Words like this danced through the crowd for several minutes. They had been summoned to the square in absolute urgency. By now, it was relatively well known across the entire base that a songstress had returned to the world and was now in their midst. Rumor spread, and Sayane’s mystique was amplified.

“They say the songstress is a she-hume!”

“They say she is beautiful!”

“I heard she healed the sick with a single verse!”

“I heard she can break the very walls and ground with her power!!”

Not far away, hidden beneath the stage, Sayane sat in the near pitch black secrecy of the loading bay. Though she could not hear exactly what was being said, she could hear the voices of thousands just beyond the stage. She had never performed for a crowd this size. More than that, she had never performed for something so important. Every decision of her life had led her to this moment, and to her relief, she felt absolutely confident.

Gone was the meek voice and reserved nature. Confrontational confidence and commanding compassion coursed through her veins as she rehearsed her lyrics in her mind. Beside her, Azag, Attis, Echo, Can-Mo, Eros, Saxum, and Anahita were waiting in silence. Attis and Saxum mouthed quiet prayers with closed eyes. Azag sat in reflection as he held Sayane’s crown. Erosc was pensive. Anahita reclined on Can-Mo’s soft body.

There was a chime, signalling the end of the day, and Sayane opened her eyes. Attis hopped down from the seating and faced Sayane.

“I am so very proud of you, dear child,” he said with a deep bow.

“Get ‘em hyped up for me, my friend,” Sayane asked with a returned bow.

Cables whirred, and Attis rose from the darkness up into the spotlight. As he did, cheers of the thousands in attendance roared out in greeting.

“Let’s do this!!” Sayane said as she clapped her hands together.

When she stood, all around her stood in salute and acknowledgement. Her eyes flickered purple as she looked up at the stage door.

Up above, Attis stepped onto the stage and faced the crowd. There were thousands upon thousands in the audience. Attis laughed and wondered if this many had ever shown up for any Revolution event.

“Friends! Guests! Comrades! How are we all feeling?!!” Attis bellowed with a booming shout.

Hordes of voices cheered back to him. Their volume was strong enough to pierce through the stage secrecy and strike Sayane’s heart. Feeling their anticipation sent another glowing pulse of purple through her eyes.

Back on the stage, Attis continued.

“We all know the stories of the world before this. Once, there was music. Once there was color. Once there was life! But then The Silence came and wiped it all away!!”

Boos erupted.

“But now I am here to tell you that all of that is about to change!” Attis called as the banners behind him fell to reveal the Grand Harmony Shard and its Dissonance barrier.

Gasps of shock and confusion echoed all around the square.

Goosebumps rose on Sayane’s arms.

“This is one of the four Great Harmony Shards! These sacred stones were poisoned by The Silence. Cursed with Dissonance, which brought about the silencing of the world! Tonight, this Shard will be freed! Because tonight, Sayane the Songstress is going to perform for you!!!”

Confirmation was all the crowd needed. Now they screamed. Now they jumped and clapped. Now they were ready.

Now, Sayane was ready.

Azag squeezed her hand and placed the crown on her head before bowing.

Sayane held out her hand once more, and Azag placed his over hers as he motioned the others to join.

Tentacle, paw, claw, stony mass, and Anahita’s petite feet came to rest on Azag’s hand.

“Let’s go!” Sayane cheered as she dropped her hand then threw it into the air.

They all followed.

“Let’s go!!” they cheered.

With that, Sayane stepped onto the stage riser. Cabling churned and the overhead door opened. One final breath filled her lungs as Sayane closed her eyes and braced for the most important show she had ever had.