Chương 23: Chapter VII — Finding a Place to Belong

A sudden, piercing wail from a flute cut through the murmurs of the crowd, silencing every voice. After a breathless pause, the steady plucking of a lute began, soon joined by the flute as the two musicians walked onto the stage. They took their seats as a soothing female voice flowed from behind the painted screen.

Toki no nagare ni Kaze to tomo ni yuku Then, as the Princess of Crows rose into the air, flying gracefully over the screen in a shimmer of black and crimson robes, Galan's mindcast translated the song, its meaning clear and melancholic. To the ends of the sky A lone traveler I have become The song rose in intensity. Memories beckon me Guiding my wings But as I arrive I no longer know my own nest Her voice swelled with a fierce, lonely power as she landed on the stage, the instruments matching her fervor.

My voice drifts upon the wind Searching for days long gone Yet the sky remains silent In a world now changed You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. She continued into the second half of the chorus, the energy of her voice descending with every line. I once soared upon the winds Flying beside my friends Playing in those trees Her voice turned to a whisper. Those fleeting days are far behind me As her words faded, the audience sat completely absorbed.

Galan, however, took another bite of his duck.

"Hey," he said to Masahiko, his mouth full as he pointed a chopstick at the man's half-finished meal.

"You gonna finish that?" Masahiko blinked, pulled from his trance.

"Hmm? Oh, of course." He took a bite, then glanced back at the stage.

"It's... breathtaking. I've heard many performances, but this one... it feels like a memory I never had."

"The chorus certainly evokes images of the past," Galan noted.

"Indeed," Masahiko nodded.

"It invites us to ponder what the world was like through her eyes."

"I'm sure he'll tell us more," Galan swallowed.

"Who?" Galan grinned.

"Her husband. The Prince of the Sky. Coming in three, two, one..." As if on cue, a deep male voice emerged from offstage, accompanied by the resounding beat of a hand drum. Even now, this road Still holds memories Even in disrepair It's still precious to me A massive, red-skinned daiten-gu strode onto the stage to meet the Princess of Crows, his voice rising.

My longing for home beckons me Guiding my feet And as I arrive Someone is standing there Once he arrived, his arm encircled her waist, pressing gently against the rich fabric of her robes. They sang together, their voices rising in a powerful duet. O wind, dance forth Wrapped around our wings As we soar to the heavens Let us ascend together Then, with voices rising in unison, they took flight, their wings cutting through the air as they sang.

The paid singers followed, but they hit notes that were much lower, harmonizing with the lead singers. The mountains answer The water stirs The forests whisper The Prince of the Sky's voice faded to a breath as the hall became quiet.

'You are not alone' The instruments erupted in full force while the two singers spiraled through the air, synchronized like twin leaves in a current. The entire audience held their breath until the song's final, soft refrain. The duo landed back on stage, and the Prince of the Sky's voice remained in that same, soft tone. O wind, come to rest Followed by his wife. Protect our wings They sang together again.

Resounding through the sky To remind us where we belong The final note faded into a profound, weighty silence. Then, the hall erupted. The applause crashed through the space like rolling thunder.