Rest

She lifts the Girasia, tests a few chords. Her fingers find a comfortable grip—the grotto answers her tests with gentle echoes.

“Get comfortable while I sing,” she says, glancing up with a grin, “and Sunthia—how about you take this chance to dance with him?”

Sunthia turns to Nine, smiling, palm offered. “Please.”

“Why not…” he agrees and takes her hand.

Hanla breathes in the damp fresh air, watching the shimmering crystal light reflect on the water.

This place will really bloom if it’s given a chance.

She looks at Sunthia—at the stubborn gentleness in her eyes.

I won’t let myself turn numb. Even if it breaks me, I’ll always choose compassion. Leave the world a little kinder than I found it.

Hanla sets a slow rhythm. “This song is called ‘Silver Sky.’”

Strings ring out, the pond trembling with each note. Her hums thread in—steady, warm.

Sunthia and Nine sway to the opening bars.

One small step, a quick turn. His hand settles on her waist, hers finds his shoulder. They move with ease—uncertain for the first heartbeat, then sure.

Crystals catch the melody and scatter it like stars; fish flick and flash in the waves beneath.

Hanla carries the tune, eyes half-closed, letting the chords ring through her. Footfalls whisper on grass. A soft laugh from Sunthia; a rare happy smile from Nine.

She starts singing.

Fate lies in my hands—but you can hold it
Tell me what you need, and I will mold it
When the last days fall upon our land
I’ll still be here, face where you stand

In our city of light and decay
Smog paints silver skies all day
Even when our breath turns slow
The stars unseen will softly glow

We’ll chase the stars tonight
Beyond the haze and neon lights
Come with me, rise up through the sky
Past the silver veil so high

Even with the scars we bear
There is still magic in the air
Take my hand—this is our start
Hope beats now inside your heart

Sunthia spins with Nine—he catches her mid-turn, lifts her up, and spins them around once more. She bursts into laughter—bright, unguarded—then slips from his arms and dashes over to the pond.

“Wait—be careful!” Nine calls, still smiling.

She kicks off her shoes, toes on the cool grass, and tiptoes onto some flat stones that dapple the water. One step, two—then she twirls, arms wide, skirt flaring, ripples racing out in rings.

Hanla keeps the rhythm steady.

She pivots on a slick stone, steadying herself with a little gasp, then laughs again and points at the grotto.

Nine comes up to the edge of the pond, hands finding her back.

Hanla sings the chorus.

Oh, come on, we’ll break the cycle
Change our fate, no toxic spiral
Raise your hand, defy the night
All fog left, we’ll set alight

We’ll prove that humans still belong
With souls that burn, and hearts so strong
We’ll live, we’ll fall, we’ll rise again
But we won’t bend—we will remain

Tonight we’re free, only human
Under skies we once thought ruined
Jarred and broken—but still try
To reach beyond the silver sky

Nine and Sunthia dance on, within the pond, looking up and watching the different light of the crystals.

Hanla sings the second verse.

The spotlight burns upon our souls
Beyond the smoke, beyond control
We’re fighting back, we’re standing tall
No more silence, no more crawl

This system burns, it breaks us down
But we are more than lies have shown
We are not tools, we’re not machines
We are the spark to rip the seams

And living is no curse we bear
We chase a life beyond despair
We dream, we dance, we scream, we sing
To find out what tomorrow brings

Hanla's voice gets stronger in the chorus.

Oh, come on, we’ll break the cycle
Change our fate, no toxic spiral
Raise your hand, defy the night
All fog left, we’ll set alight

We’ll prove that humans still belong
With souls that burn, and hearts so strong
We’ll live, we’ll fall, we’ll rise again
But we won’t bend—we will remain

Tonight we’re free, only human
Under skies we once thought ruined
Jarred and broken—but still try
To reach beyond the silver sky

Nine and Sunthia walk back toward her. Sunthia drops onto the grass in front, damp hair clinging to her cheeks, chest rising and falling. Nine kneels beside her, leaning close.

“I’ve never heard music like this…” He whispers.

“I haven’t either.” Sunthia whispers back, her eyes shining.

Hanla firmly plants her feet, her shoulders loose. “Last verse.” she says, half to them, half to herself. She picks up the tempo—fingers racing, rhythm snapping sharp and bright. The chords climb, her heel taps in time, the lagoon hums along in tiny echoes.

After we rise, after we fight
After we speak, and choose the light
After we love, after we dream
After we find what was unseen

We will be free, we will be true
We’ll be the flame that breaks right through
We’ll be the kind, the bold, the wise
We’ll be the blaze that never dies

We are dreamers
We are light
We are souls
That burned so bright

And after all…
We’ll say goodbye
But only once
We touch the Silver Sky-

On the final chorus, Sunthia sings together with Hanla.

Oh, come on, we’ll break the cycle
Change our fate, no toxic spiral
Raise your hand, defy the night
All fog left, we’ll set alight

We’ll prove that humans still belong
With souls that burn, and hearts so strong
We’ll live, we’ll fall, we’ll rise again
But we won’t bend—we will remain

Tonight we’re free, only human
Under skies we once thought ruined
Jarred and broken—but still try
To reach beyond the silver sky
We danced, we sang, we dreamed, we tried…
We found the truth past silver skies

Hanla yawns and sets down the guitar with care. Then she drops, to stretch out beside Sunthia on the cool grass. Above them, crystals paint pale colors onto the grotto ceiling—greens drifting into blues, blues into faint rose.

Sunthia folds her hands over her stomach, eyes half-lidded. “I could sleep right here, right now…”

“We can.” Hanla murmurs. “We’re supposed to rest.”