As Selena utters the words, I feel a subtle, yet undeniably real shift in the very fabric of the world around us. It’s as if it responds to her call, molding itself to her will. There is no palpable change in the terrain, in Selena herself, or in any form that my senses can perceive, and yet, I feel it - no, I know it, something has changed.

Slowly, one after the other, never stepping over each other, never rushing, the notes which caress my ears come together, giving birth to a [melody], Selena’s [melody]. I’ve heard the [melodies] of others plenty of times in the past, but somehow, this is different from those instances. I do not have the words to explain it, but if I were to try, I’d say this one feels…real. It’s as if the song being played has fully taken shape, held whole by an unyielding force, and has been accepted by the world which holds its breath to allow it to unfold, bending its own rules. It allows the music to transcend mere sound, permitting it to weave itself into the threads that hold it together.

I want to believe that this is my mind playing tricks on me, that this is nothing more than an auditory hallucination born of someone’s insidious abilities. However, when I glance at Soulweaver, momentarily raising my gaze, I quickly discard that idea. His eyes, still crazed and overflowing with madness, show a glint of apprehension as it all takes shape. It’s in the barely noticeable clenching of his jaw, the slight narrowing of his eyes, that I can tell, he hears it too. The music binds us both, imposing itself without force, but still with an authority that cannot be ignored.

It’s clear then, simply judging from the atmosphere, this must be Selena’s ultimate attack, the apex of her power. I should expect my heart to race, my whole body to ignite with anticipation, and yet, the music that plays is tranquil, so much so that it is unsettling. Within Selena’s [melody], there is no intensity, no strife, no pain.. But also, no joy, nor excitement. All it evokes when I listen is… tranquility, peace, and perhaps even detachment. There is no sadness contained within it, but still, I feel an unexplainable sorrow when I hear it, it’s just so…lonely.

‘How could the essence of one’s life be so empty…?’

Selena addresses me again, her voice low, and her back still turned to me. “Look forward.” She says.

I lift my head, and instantly realize that the world I knew has vanished, replaced by something else entirely. The terrain has shifted from the battered frozen lake to an endless, unfathomably vast sea. Despite that vastness which may contain untold horrors, there is not a single ripple or wave atop its waters, nothing that could ever disturb its peace. I find myself standing on its glassy surface, and I feel as though even if I were to move, even if I were to scream, the water would remain unbothered, uncaring for me, or anyone else.

I gaze down, starstruck by the scenery, and the centerpiece of this image comes into view. On the motionless surface of this sea rests the reflection of a magnificent full moon, its true form in the skies above the only source of light illuminating it. Almost poetically, reminding me of the title of Selena’s [melody], its image on the water turns the part of the sea where we stand from a deep blue… to a soft silver. The sea is vast and brimming with the unknown, but here at least, we really are in a Silver Sea.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

My eyes sweep the surroundings in its entirety, in awe of what they’re witnessing. The moment itself reminds me of Maestro Lauren’s ability.

‘Is this….an illusion?’

“This is no illusion.” Selena interrupts, cutting through my thoughts. “...But it is also not reality. I’ve simply conveyed the meaning of my [melody].” She corrects.

Her words echo in my ears, and I watch her, in awe of the power she displays. This must be the third stage I’ve only heard about - a level of mastery so rare it borders legend. I was already aware that Selena was powerful beyond reason, that she was one of the most powerful [enlightened] in Melodica, in the entire world. Still… seeing it here, enveloping the world around us, it’s difficult to wrap my mind around it.

Once again, I understand the sheer distance between the strongest [enlightened] of this world and myself, and I wonder… Will I ever reach such heights?

“So that’s…true presentation…” I mumble to myself.

On the other side of the moon, Soulweaver places his sharpsong in front of him, standing ready for battle. “Selena…You’re willing to go this far for one brat…!!” He yells, gritting his teeth with such strength that blood spills through his mouth.

And almost as soon as he finishes that sentence, he rushes forward, at a speed that I can not perceive. The air is split, and it thunders in the wake of his charge.

Selena, however, is not in a hurry. She is as calm as the waters she conveyed to me. There is not a hint of impatience within her, and not a hint of concern. Serenely, she raises Nocturne in the air. “Can you hear it? This is the Zenith of my performance.” She whispers, her eyes unwavering.

A drop of water falls onto the surface of the sea. In a sphere around it, the first and only ripple that the water has experienced is created. It moves outward, insulting the peacefulness of the play Selena wanted to convey. It disrupts not only the water, but the moon as well, and the harmony of the scene itself. It does not fall alone, however, with it, Nocturne falls, and the moon is split in half. In Nocturne’s path, everything is severed, air, light, cold, sound, and space, nothing can resist it. Nothing except Soulweaver.

He’s survived the attack, but not unscathed. The blow has stopped him in his tracks, and a large vertical wound spans his entire body. In his attempt to defend himself, he forfeited both his arms and allowed his instrument to be shattered. The only thing that remains is this shell of his, barely holding both halves together through sheer will.

Despite his poor state, he coughs up a mouthful of blood as a maniacal laugh escapes his lips. “HAHAH!! I SURVIVED IT! YOUR ULTIMATE ATTACK! WHAT NOW, LITTLE SELENA?!”

This time, Selena lifts Siren, but she does not point it to the sky. “Haven’t you noticed…? My [melody] has yet to end.”

‘She’s right! Even the moon… it’s cut in half… but it’s still there!’

For the first time, Soulweaver shows genuine concern. With his teeth, he bites onto the handle of his broken Sharpsong, the crazed look in his eyes flaring up. “SELENA!!!” He shouts, before pushing his mangled body toward her.

Once more, a drop of water hits the surface of the sea. Alongside it, Siren is swung horizontally, and a matching scar appears on the moon, now divided in four quarters.

THUD

Soulweaver’s shell does not suffer any other injury, but it falls face first into the ground. There’s no final words, no lingering spite, nothing. I cannot sense anything from him anymore. Even the sinister aura that constantly leaks out of him is completely gone. It’s like his very being has been extinguished.

Selena’s [melody] comes to an end, or perhaps she put an end to it herself. In any case, the imagery she conjured shatters and I am no longer allowed to see the meaning of her [melody]. She pauses, staring into the distance, for a moment. She seems pensive, but I can’t possibly imagine what weighs on her mind. All I can gather is a slight tremor of her right hand, where she holds Siren, which stops as soon as I take notice of it.

Selena turns to me, her eyes shadowed, making her expression imperceptible. “Consider this thanks… for being my daughter’s friend.”

I stare at her, unable to find any words, unable to reply. Before I can think of anything, she disappears from view, only to reappear behind me.

Then, I feel a sharp pain at the back of my neck, and everything goes black.

–End of the Subjugation Royal event–