ZHENJUN HALL OF FAME /narrator/
The vast space that looked like a massive hall severely lacking lighting was creeping quiet. Only a low rumbling could be rather felt than heard if you stay completely still and focused. And I felt it in my bones.
I saw a dark figure elegantly glided from behind one big column to another. The same repeated again and again until the figure disappeared in the void. Only the rhythmic rumbling remained in the dark like a squirming invisible force ready to devour any glimpse of light.
So, he came. As I expected. His actions are quite predictable ... only his methods are not. I hope he won't create too much trouble and turn the event into a little flashy nightmare. This is not a desirable outcome at all. If he changes the outcome too much, fixing it would take another two years.
Years that I don't have. I've been working really hard to get here, everything set in motion cannot be stopped anymore but it can be altered by mere accidents and I'm not leaving this to fate.
I need to find a way to get to him before he disappears because I know he isn't the type to be caught easily and finding him later will be quite difficult given that I don't have much time I can't wait till another appointment is arranged.
MEANWHILE ANOTHER CORNER OF THE ZHENJUN HALL OF FAME
Lurking in the dark was his speciality. He loved it as much as he loathed being around people and disdained it when people were staring at him. Thus why He rarely appeared anywhere. He didn't like talking to people unless there was something to gain from it and even then he'd keep it short and sweet. He preferred working alone and relying on his own capabilities. 'Trust no one' was his life philosophy that has proven to work best so far.
Today was just another day when he was denied something he wanted and he was going to get it. He was sure they knew that not letting him have it his way would lead to this. The offer they originally made was preposterous, so of course he refused. It was common for cheap black market traders to do that but he didn't expect it from someone who he has been working with for a long time. And also, this deal smelled, no, it stank. It stank so bad that anyone could smell it from the Milky way to the Orion's belt.
He was also sure they'd guessed he will be coming along and probably took measures but that isn't going to stop him. He knew they knew that too. Surely they had a plan 'B' but so did he.
He slipped into a guard's uniform and walked out of the personnel's dressing room ready to charm everyone standing on his way.
The crowd was... a little wild. The humans were seated by the stage seemingly excited but given the fact that they weren't yet used to aliens the feeling of excitement was mixed with an acceptable dose of anxiety.
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The stage wasn't too big but the hall was enormous. The amount of beings it could fit was unbelievable but that was expected of the infamous 'ZhenJun Hall of Fame'. It was packed with all the latest tech that could be found across the universe. The reason it could fit and contain such a massive crowd was thanks to the tech development after the UUA was set up. Security and safety measures were of the highest standard, better than any government security settings humans would have. It only matched the UUA Council's Hall since they initiated and funded the project. Some minor donations from various species were given to 'buy' the opportunity to ask for using the hall for big and posh events because the Hall of Fame alone would put any event on top of all news.
The main stage was round and in the centre of the ZhenJun Hall of Fame surrounded by 2 sector levels. The first sector level right opposite and surrounding the stage was the VIP sector circling around the stage like 2 halves of a ring allowing two pathways for the crowd to come and leave. It was furnished with glass coffee tables filled with snacks from all over the universe. The second Ayer of sectors was actually Sector A, split in 4 quarters of a ring. Sectors A1, A2, A3 and A4.
Behind each of the A sectors there was a separate compartment with an own Holo Stage (Holo 1, Holo 2, Holo 3 and Holo 4). Now, that was a tech worth dying for or if lucky, risking your life to acquire. The Holo stages were surrounded by a continuous sector marked as 'B' with the corresponding number to the Holo stage it was opposite of. All the four sectors B were fitted with luxurious sits where you can comfortably sit while enjoying perfect real time performance right in front of you.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
In the modern human society the main stage and sectors VIP and A were the most desirable place to be as that's how humans have been for centuries. Humans value the personal touch, closer proximity where they can feel the vibe from the performance and hear the voice in 'real life'. However the modern galactic society preferred the Holo stage thus why Holo stages were everywhere around. And what made the sections distinguishable was the Holo tech, the arrangement, and type of sits and beverage assigned to them.
Behind each sector B was a sector C and every next sector type would be growing in numbers, meticulously organised and this is how you can fit in billions of huynaes in this majestic place. But the most beautiful part about the ZhenJun Hall of Fame was that it was right under a glass-alike dome through which the audience can see the vast of space reaching out to the darkest corners.
Seen from the outside the Hall of Fame looked like an exquisite and luxurious space ship resembling a halo with a bubble on top, perfectly round with the Dome on the top blasting dazzling lights whenever there was an event. The Dom being just a force field containing a certain atmosphere and serving as a shield.
The bottom half incorporated three levels. Where level one (right below the Hall) contained the Green room and the gate that beams the performers onto the stage, a massive Ball Hall, personnel's quarters and a big kitchen occasionally occupied by a little over a hundred chefs and trice more support staff. Seen from the outside the structure looked a lot like a control centre dashboard with tiny lights lit randomly.
Level two enclosed the guests quarters, some offices, few meeting rooms and a big meeting hall very similarly designed to the UUA's Grand Meeting Hall and of course top notch security so eaves dropping was just a faint dream in someone's curious mind.
This is where he was heading, the big meeting hall. He must find out what's going on. According to his information the meeting was due 30 mins before the end of the concert. The performance was just about to start but he needed time to blend with the guards and had to walk his scheduled route before finding an opportunity to sneak out.
He wanted to give a last look to the performance before doing his rounds. A young and handsome performer came out on the stage. His smile was so charismatic even he couldn't look away from the screen. That guy must be around his age. He was pretty sure that to achieve such a success at these age he certainly didn't go through the Scarlet Trials.
He was probably somewhere safe and cosy learning all the shit like dancing and singing while poor children were dragged to test centres being plucked by needles, given unknown medications and tested like little guinea pigs. Worse, sold to the black market for the worst to come.
Some people were blessed with luck while others were not. This is why, him, as an unlucky person would do anything to survive. And just like a scavenger noone can come between him and his survival, this was a promise he made to himself when he escaped the Scarlet Trials.
Even though he despised the guy on the stage he couldn't dislike his music. There was something unexplainably genuine and charming in his songs that he couldn't resist. This young man's songs made him feel longing for a life he never had and made him dream for joyful times with the people he could've loved, and then he would feel so sad as if he lost a brother and angry at society for being so unfair.
Lost in his thoughts he was pulled back by a gentle music. He realised he had to go but couldn't resist the beauty of the music and the performance. An internal fight broke out inside his mind. His heart and his brain could not agree on whether he should leave immediately or not.
----??????3
Intro:
T'was a dark day when you suddenly left.
Too much pain too much tears nothing to gain but a heartbreak.
True love is pricey (True love is pricey)
----??????1
Couplet:
You and I were not the end. We were the beginning ...
Don't go,don't leave me, I don't want to live in a world without you.
Yes, I don't want to let you go.
But I..... I cannot let you go without a fight
I cannot see you happy with someone else and I can only be happy when I am with you.
----??????2
People say it's true love to let you go
To let you be happy to be happy for you.
Am I wrong? Am I wrong?
Am I wrong to want to be with you?
To want to see your eyes smile when you look at me? To dream of your beautiful face? To desire your touch?
... I can smell your scent everywhere.
----??????1
Couplet:
You and I were not the end. We were the beginning ...
We will never be apart, as I only see you and you will only smile at me.
Yes, Letting you go is the hardest.
But I..... I cannot let you go without a fight
I cannot see you happy with someone else and I can only be happy when I am with you.
----??????2
People say it's true love to let you go
To let you be happy to be happy for you.
Am I wrong? Am I wrong?
Am I wrong to want to be with you?
To want to see the sun shining in your hair when on a sunny day? To dream of your plum lips? To desire your presence?
... I hear your voice everywhere?
----??????1
Couplet:
You and I are not the end. We are the beginning ...
The beginning of something beautiful that will last forever.
Yes, I won't give up till you are mine and I'm yours.
But I..... I cannot let you go without a fight.
I cannot see you happy with someone else and I can only be happy when I am with you.
----??????2
People say it's true love to let you go
To let you be happy to be happy for you.
Am I wrong? Am I wrong?
Am I wrong to want to be with you?
To want to see the sun shining in your hair when on a sunny day? To dream of your plum lips? To desire your presence?
... I can feel you close to me all the time.
----??????3
Outro:
T'was a dark day when you suddenly left.
Too much pain too much tears nothing to gain but a heartbreak.
True love is pricey (pricey)
T'was a dark day when you suddenly left.
Too much pain too much tears nothing to gain but a heartbreak.
True love is pricey (True love is pricey)
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'Him too, my saviour!' were his last thoughts before the darkness fell upon his mind.
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