The screen lit up with deep purple light.
Mist rolled across the stage floor, thick enough to obscure the trainees' feet. Nine figures stood frozen in formation—heads bowed, hands clasped together like prayer. Dark robes pooled around them, hoods drawn up to shadow their faces.
One figure lifted his head.
Ren.
The lavender spotlight caught the sharp angles of his face, the pastel pink hair now streaked with silver glitter. His gray-brown eyes reflected the stage lights—cold and ethereal.
A single music box melody chimed through the speakers.
He began to sing, voice soft and whispered.
"Hush now, midnight
Candles burning blue
Turn the page slowly
There's a little magic waiting for you."
His hand rose, fingers tracing patterns in the air. The music box melody twisted into something darker—minor key strings layering beneath.
"Shh..."
