Erico's voice became the lead and Chiyou compliments it but the main guitar is driven by Chiyou with her microtonal melodies while Erico's guitar followed his rock royal road chord progression tied together by Reika and the band behind who maintained the mellow melodies behind adding a few synth trumpets in between.

The song became a cacophony of euphoric nostalgia, the audience enjoying themselves dancing with the music, something that Erico had never seen from his audience yet the hard rock head bobbing still remained, with the added shoulder and hip twitching.

Despite how many layers that were added to his music, it still retained it's identity and the message it wants to deliver while making it a whole new experience for the listeners and for him as well making this remix made more vivid.

His opponent shows clear confidence yet also respect at him, a most honorable respect he didn't expect that young people gave to him as a musician but also maybe to him as a human as well.

……

'What the hell is this Eric? The clients are fucking pissed at us because of your slow responses what the hell?'

'Sir there's like 8 to 9 clients at once inquiring, you just called me out to fill in th-'

'I don't wanna hear your excuses Eric!!! I gave you vacation today but called you because no one was available. This- is necessary to be done today! This is just a simple request and favor yet you're messing up! Don't you know how much I have to beg the higher ups to give you this gift and now you're repaying me this! Sabotaging these bigshot clients!'

'That's not my intention sir...'

'I don't fucking care alright!? I don't! Fuck off and go to the post! You will hear about me later with papers!'

'No sir please don't I need this job-'

........

'[People are rebelling through music because of the Starlium Gear? What a ridiculous show! People would grow tired of this, just wait. They are just throwing tantrum with their mediocre music.]'

-From a famous music critique interview from 7MR show.

'Can you hear that Eric? This whole music revolution will die soon so why are you joining as well? There's a lot of opportunity in other jobs, why join the dying hype?'

'I mean... Today it is still popular around this parts, underground competitions reach 30,000 Corium, and when you lose as 3rd or 2nd runner up as a consolation prize so It's worth the shot...'

'*scoff yeah, good luck about living like that next 3 years, and out of all music why the hell rock? Look at your face, you look ridiculous hahaha! Are you some kind of depressed or have a sore throat? You can buy some voice implants for that hahahaha!'

'That's not funny...'

'Yeah sure but look at yourself, you're the punchline ahahaha!'

………

'Wow! Your voice... Natural? Damn you got an amazing range!'

'Yes...'

'Does it hurt? These damn people can't even replicate metallic hoarse screams in their voice module, the AI sucks controlling it as well...'

'I do get that.'

'You alone?'

'Yes... I earned a lot for a living when solo.'

'Ah... Oh... Um...'

'What is it…?'

"We are hoping you can join us...? Maybe? We really need a good vocalist for our songs and another lead guitarist for flexibility... But I promise you that band groups earn more than solo competition!'

'How can I know you're not going to rip me off? Do you know the cost of living today? Do you think what you will pay to me in the prize we or we may not win is enough for me to survive for a week?'

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

'You have a lot of aspirations, I'll give you that... But we are the same! I picked a guitar because I need money. That's all.'

Talia walk away.

'There are a lot of jobs that offer better than this dying trend.’

But the man remained to his ground that stopped Talia.

‘There are other jobs there and the people said that the music revolution will die yet we can't see any decrease on activity and more and more people are only joining.'

'.....'

'Sure you might be here for profit and there are more jobs that can make you earn higher credits and less work than being an underground musician? But You're lying to me mister.'

'Why would I lie to you?'

'You like to be here. You are acknowledged here.'

'.....'

'The money, I will promise you, you will earn higher credits than before, you just don't know me yet but you'll see what we can do.'

'You're just sweet talking now.'

'Maybe... That's because you're just cool and unique. You like to be here because there are people that acknowledge your interest and can appreciate the voice that the people frown upon. If the musical revolution is falling, why are more and more of us taking solace in this trend instead of facing the world and working upon fortunes that lead to easier life?'

'Why is that?'

'Because as they work and grow, the expenses just also catch up, we common people. Living a stagnant life of work and live, work and live.'

'......'

'There is nothing that makes them alive or stimulate them as an individual, they grow sad and resentful to the things they've never experienced because working and living a day is the only thing they know “about how people live" and they dislike the idea of having fun as a way because it is lazy and contributes nothing but unnecessary expenses.’

‘Alright poet, calm down.’

‘Haha, so are you in sir?’

As time grew by…….

'......'

'We are here, living our new lives not only to be heard but to criticize and make fun of this stagnant and suffocating world with nothing but a binary lifestyle. We find meaning in living through happiness and this happiness happens to be music! Money helps in making someone happy, I would love to upgrade our equipment but in the end... I still can find laughter and joy even when I stomp my feet and chant with my friends right?'

'.... Yeah...'

'I'm glad you agree... I think so too as well. Maybe this is the Maker's true message to us, maybe the prophecy of music will guide us to the location of his legacy... The Starlium Gear... If that day ever happens and I get my hands to it... I will wish that people can start questioning themselves again, to find who they truly are than being nothing but a number. Maybe we can see a brighter future in that?'

'First, you rip off that quote! Second, you're very optimistic and poetic for someone your age.'

'Thanks mister! How about you? What if you get your hands to the Starlium Gear? What will you wish for?'

'Pssh... Childish question...'

'Come on mister... Tell me!'

'Alright alright.... Let's see.... I would wish....'

.....

The music reaches its denouement.

The lights fades away yet hangs through the air and eyes, mist from the battle that occurs lingered for a while.

The fight was over, the dream was over. The sun had sunk and the night is up high again.

The crowd cheers and claps their heart out for such a performance they will never see again probably.

The DJ prided himself and stood up from his table.

[Ladies and gents... Our underground competitions may be insignificant compared to those surface and commercial competitions and other locals, but this one... This one is truly an unforgettable night... Don't you agree?] He's not even hyping anything up anymore, he is straight up asking.

"YEESSSSSS! WOOHHOOOOO! ERICO! ERICO!"

"MISS LEMON! MISS LEMON!"

The chants of cheers and applause was not as deafening as their music, but it is what they can offer to these great musicians.

.....

As Erico came back from his trance. The cold breeze of sunset had already returned back to the moon above.

"I remember my wish... It's about what I want to do if I ever get my hands on Stellar Gear."

The crowd slowly fell into silence.

"I said to Qriure Heron who I dedicated this song to and a name that might evoke a memory to some of you... I said to that young lad that "If I ever had Stellar Gear, I wish that young lads like him can keep dreaming and to create that brighter future he can't stop yapping and fancying about."

The audiences pays their respect for his solemn words veiled in his sarcastic tone.

He made a short pause and then looked at Chiyou then to Reika, back to Chiyou.

"I said that at first because I just want to make fun of his innocence and optimism, because... He's a poetic kid. But today... I can't believe that even without Starlium Gear, my wishes are slowly being realized... I actually feel so proud of myself right now..."

The crowd screams in support albeit respectful control of scream.

"Let's be real here... The only reason this competition happened is to prove that I'm undefeated as an underground solo musician, the prize doesn't matter, and the admission to the private music school that will host a grand education for talents as well is useless to me."

He followed up.

"The whole point of this night is to defeat Miss Lemon here but with the performance she gave us today and with your reactions, let's be real... Did you think I won this? I challenged and pressured them first but they didn't back out! And then she hits me with a massive reversal!"

The crowd laughs and cheers from his witty voice.

"Up until the beginning, she was all flashy, then she became anxious she can't follow me hahaha! I bet she's so scared that my music’s about to end without being able to fight me back!”

Chiyou covered her face in embarrassment and the laughter continued.

“-until she actually backed up her skills! She used my music against me... Well- it's kinda my fault for choosing improvised - remix competition but still... They did amazing right?"

"THAT'S RIGHT WOOHHHOOOOO!"

[This is such a humble moment from our Talia guys!]

"I mean... They used the east city language, memorized it and sang it with subtitles for us to read using Aether construct!"

Chiyou interrupted.

"Uh... I did not really memorize it hehe I'm also just reading its pronunciation along with the subtitles as well to match the rhyme."

"Ooh... Alright no need to flex young lady." Talia rebutted.

The crowd erupts into laughter again.

"So who helped you? Was that the work of Mr. Orange?"

"Yes!"

"Can we get Mr. Orange to the stage!"

[MR. ORANGE COMING RIGHT UP!]

Reika walks towards the stage calmly as the crowd cheers for him.

"You are an amazing musician as well, those were impressive musical knowledge. You're like a genius!" Compliments by Erico.

"Thank you..." Reika gave a bow.

"Oh, that's fine that's fine, you are an amazing support to her! You rock! Shout out to the band from behind as well!”

"Thank you."

*Sparking claps.

[Waiwaiwait I have a question for you Mr. Orange... I noticed that you and Miss Lemon's outfit look strikingly similar and unique... Where did you commissioned it because I know there's no one that offer such quality customized clothes unless those high end clothing stores... So...?]

"I made it myself...."

"Hm…?” The DJ host, Erico and the crowd both made the same sound.

[How about the guitar? That's not the guitar she used in the past.]

"I made it as well."

"Hmmmm...?" The suspicions only grew stronger.

"Wait... We are getting side tracked, shouldn't we announce who's the winner now?" Erico interrupted.

[Yes you're right Erico it's TIME FOR US TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNER!]

"Well, I guess we can all agree who stole the spotlight today huh?" Erico signaled the DJ and the prize slowly descended.

It contained the trophy, Corium credit and the certificate and admission paper.

The crowd screams and cheers again for this moments.

"I think the crowds and me as well all agreed that this is your win, mister and miss, wait.. Wait... Are you guys partners?" Talia asked with genuine enthusiasm.

"Yes! We are partners in crime!" Chiyou pats Reika's back.

"......." They all fell rock silent.

"Oh…” Disappointed.

“-Not what I mean but anyways, this is your win tonight, Ms. Lemon!"

The crowd gave a jumping ovation to this event that unfold.

[LADIES AND GENTS! WE HAVE A NEW UNDERGROUND CHAMPION! THE UNDERDOG THAT SWEPT COUNTLESS MUSICIANS WITHIN WEEKS! THE ONE AND ONLY REBEL OF THE ROCK MUSIC!]

[MS. LEMON!!!!!!]