Arc 1, Chapter 12: The Dragon Bassist

???: “I’m terribly sorry for the misunderstanding just now… I’m Lyric Shadowclaw…”

Lyric bows furiously as the trio looks at her with surprise.

A dragon, known to be fierce and proud, can be this introverted and scared?

Mizuki scratches her head.

Mizuki: “It’s also kind of my fault for not being clear here… I’m Mizuki. It’s nice to meet you.”

Lyric: “I’m sorry… I’m scared of people… No, Everyone… And erm… Especially when there are many…!!!”

Lyric grips her bass tighter and tighter as she speaks.

Eillia: “Lyric… Your bass looks like it’s gonna snap…”

Lyric squeals and drops her bass onto the rocky ground as her hands tremble.

Lyric: “Oh…! I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

The trio stares at her in silence.

…Is that really a dragon?

Lyric tries to cover her face with the bass, but it only covers half of her snout.

Lyric: “...Well… I love the bass…But I’m scared of almost everything… That’s why I only play at night when no one is around… So about joining y’all… I’m not too sure…”

Mizuki pats Lyric’s tail in encouragement.

Mizuki: “How about we do a practice run together? No stage, no crowd, no scary dragons glaring at you. Just the four of us, making noise together. If you don’t like it, we’ll call it a jam session and never bring it up again!”

Lyric glances down nervously and fidgets a bit before lifting a finger upward.

Lyric: “…Sure… Just once…”

Mizuki's eyes lit up as though she had just been given an endless supply of guitar strings.

Mizuki: “Yesss! You won’t regret this!”

***

On the rocky ground, the four of them made a rough circle. A peaceful atmosphere filled the entire area as moonlight cascaded over the cliffs.

After adjusting her guitar strap, Eillia started with a steady rhythm, each chord sharp. After tapping her foot, Frida jumped in with a driving beat on her drums.

Mizuki instantly overpowered both with a dazzling riff; sparks practically flew from her strings.

Lyric paused, holding her bass firmly.

Mizuki: “Come on, Shadowclaw! Let’s rock!”

Lyric: “O…Okay… Um…”

She plucks the first string. Though she was anxious at first, the deep BOOM she produced shook loose pebbles from the cliffside.

Mizuki: “OOOOH! That’s the stuff!”

Frida: “Stay on beat, idiot!”

The rhythm stumbled. Eillia was trying to maintain the steady chords while Mizuki was headbanging wildly. In a panic, Lyric plucked random notes that accidentally led to an accidental bass solo.

Eillia: “Wait, what? That actually sounded good!”

Lyric froze mid-note, realizing what she had just done.

Lyric: “Eh!? I…I didn’t mean to…”

Mizuki: “Don’t stop! That was awesome! Keep going, Legendary Bassist!!”

Once more, the sound clashed: A wild lead, a steady rhythm, pounding drums, and a bass that was both nervous and powerful. It was chaotic, messy, and totally out of sync…

However, the four lines came together. The groove clicked for a few beats. Energy vibrated through the air.

Mizuki then ruined it by tripping on a rock while attempting to jump-spin with her guitar, landing flat on her back with a loud thunk.

Mizuki: “Nailed it…”

Eillia sighed. Frida started giggling. Lyric blinked, then hesitantly chuckled softly.

It was the first time she had laughed in front of them.

Everyone was panting a little as the jam came to an end, and their instruments were buzzing softly.

Mizuki sat up, beaming broadly.

Mizuki: “See? Even messy, we sounded great! Imagine what happens once we actually practice!”

Still shaking, Lyric hugged her bass, but there was a glimmer of pride in her eyes.

Lyric: “…It… It was kind of fun…”

Mizuki gave her a shoulder slap as if they were already bandmates.

Mizuki: “Then it’s decided! Welcome to our band, Eclipsera!”

Eillia smiled gently, and even Frida nodded in agreement.

For the first time, Lyric didn’t flinch from their gaze. She starts fidgeting slightly as she continues.

Lyric: “I always wanted to play on stage… to spread the love of music. But I thought it was impossible, because I’m scared of so many things. Yet… with you all, I feel like it might be possible.”

Lyric looks at them confidently, which makes the trio smile.

Mizuki: “Alright! Guess we are ready for the MLC! So Eillia, where do we go to sign up?”

Eillia: “We have to go to Resonara, the city where all the humans are. Many bands around Aria will be there, so we can expect it to be more lively.”

Lyric: “Wait… Y’all are planning to join that big tournament?? With many different races and people!?”

Lyric starts shaking nervously.

Mizuki: “Well… Due to reasons, I really need to join… Are you okay with it, though?”

Lyric grips her hands in determination.

Lyric: “It might be a bit difficult… But I’ll do my best!”

Immediately after Lyric’s response, Mizuki points to the sky and strikes a dramatic pose. As usual.

Mizuki: “Alright!! Next stop, Resonara!”

Lyric: “But… I have to ask my dad first…”

Mizuki’s arms fell, and the other two tried to hold their laughter the best they could.

Mizuki: “Of course. And if anything happens, I’ll help you do the talking!”

Mizuki points at herself with her thumb and smugs.

Eillia and Frida look at each other, with the same thought in mind.

Why do I have the feeling that something crazy is gonna happen again?

***

We’re doomed.

Yes, in front of the 4 of them was indeed Lyric’s dad… But, there's a problem.

???: “Even after ruining the game where I'm close to winning, you still dare to appear in front of me, human!?”

Mizuki glances away sheepishly.

Mizuki: “Well… I didn’t know dragons would take Old Maid this seriously…”

The giant dark dragon huffed and sat down.

???: “Well, after hearing what happened, I support my daughter’s dream and her playing as a band with you all. BUT, I have one condition, band leader human…”

Mizuki glups as Lyric’s dad looks like he is about to take something out of his pockets. His golden eyes, molten with rage, glared down.

He is kind of terrifying, not gonna lie. And waaait… Dragons have pockets? Like D*ra*m*n!?!?

After Lyric’s dad lifts his arm, what seems to be in his hand is… A deck of cards!?

???: “... If you can beat me in Old Maid!”

…

The 4 of them are utterly speechless.

Mizuki: “Huh!? But I don’t exactly remember how to play this old game…”

???: “Well, if you can’t beat me, you don’t have to think about my daughter joining your band!”

Mizuki: “Urghhh… Fine!”

Mizuki dropped to the ground and sat down.

Mizuki: “Just to let you know… I may be a prodigy in music… But I’m a prodigy in anything else as well, especially card games.”

She looked up at Lyric’s dad in determination and smirked.

Mizuki: “Now deal the cards, old man.”

***

As the Old Maid saga was happening, somewhere from afar, someone was watching them.

A golden-haired goddess sitting on a stool, watching from the skies.

Erica: “So Mizuki finally created her own band, and the MLC is happening soon, huh?”

Erica stood up from the stool.

Erica: “Guess it’s time for me to go down, just for some fun!”