The performance began.
As the music progressed, the entire stage seemed enveloped in an invisible force.
Nameless deities cast down compassionate gazes.
Masks trembled amidst the surging waves of sound.
Clang—clang—
Bizarre, divine, and devout.
This was... Aurora's music.
As the performance built toward its climax, everyone's emotions were pushed to the absolute limit.
Suddenly, the music stopped dead in its tracks with a sharp, heavy chord.
The entire stage plunged into instant silence, as if time itself had frozen.
Until Sakiko Toyokawa's voice rang out once again:
"Arche, origin." All eyes locked onto her.
"Aoide, song." Ui Misumi stepped forward, opening her arms in supreme devotion.
"Thelxinoe, intoxication." Yutenji Nyamu, her face flushed, knelt on the stage floor.
"Melete, meditation." Hairin Yahata pressed one hand to her forehead as intersecting lights danced across her face.
"Mneme, memory." Mutsumi Wakaba stroked her guitar, her gaze hollow yet natural.
Finally, the spotlights all converged on Bai Xian.
He tilted his head slightly, a subtle, elusive smile playing at the corner of his lips:
"Orpheus, music."
"My muses, let the carnival truly begin..."
Chapter 131