For thousands of years, humanity has created music in all its forms.Pop. Rock. Country.
No matter the genre, music has always carried the same power —to bring us together,to brighten the darkness,to mourn the fallen.
Music has its high notes and its low ones.Its light and its shadow.
But for me…
The harmony of an orchestra has always been the very core of heaven.
My name is Rio.And I have always dreamed of becoming a composer.
Yet it is a dream I have not been able to grasp.
I have traveled through nearly every country.Listened to countless instruments.Studied rhythms, traditions, tones.
And yes — I am inspired.
But I am not ready.
Everything must be perfect.Every single note must fall into place.Each instrument must flow in complete harmony.
Everything must be perfect.
And yet… the final piece of my puzzle is still missing.
That is why I am now on my way to South America.According to ancient texts, an instrument once existed here —an instrument said to carry a melody from beyond this world.
***
Rio glanced down at his map.
It should be somewhere around here…
He had followed the narrow path through the dense forest for hours.The trees towered heavily around him.No landmarks were in sight.
Had he taken the wrong path?
The thought barely had time to form before he froze.
There.
Right in front of him.
A temple.
A pyramid-like structure rose above the treetops.The stones were covered in moss, yet still carried a majestic dignity.At the very top of the pyramid, a small chamber was visible.
Rio nearly lost his breath.
It was magnificent.
He began walking forward slowly.Each step filled with reverence.
Something within him vibrated.
As if the temple… was singing.
Rio took a careful step closer.
And then he heard it.
A beautiful melody drifted through the air, so clear and pure it almost felt unreal. It came from an instrument he had never heard before — not strings, not wind, not anything he could name.
And yet it spoke directly to his heart.
He began to climb the pyramid, the sunset burning behind him. The sky was painted in gold and deep orange, as if the world itself bowed in reverence to the tone filling the air.
With every step, the melody grew clearer. Sweeter.
It was as if heaven itself had opened.
As if something had been waiting for him.
Rio glanced around. The forest below lay still, almost unnaturally silent. The air felt lighter to breathe, and a warm calm spread through his body.
He felt… fulfilled.
When he reached the top, he stopped.
There stood a statue.
It depicted an instrument he had never seen before. Its form was elegant, almost alive, as if the stone might begin to move at any moment. Though it was only a statue, it seemed to hum faintly.
Behind it, he saw a narrow spiral staircase descending into darkness.
The melody came from there.
It pulled at him.
Not just as sound — but as longing.
Drawn by the beautiful tone and his own curiosity, he began descending the staircase.
Step by step.
The darkness closed in around him, yet the music grew even clearer.
He could no longer focus on anything else. Not on the cold stone beneath his feet. Not on how deep he had gone.
This was what he had been searching for.
The final piece.
The missing note.
He stopped midway down the staircase.
Closed his eyes.
And let the melody wash over him.
He savored every note, afraid it might vanish at any moment.
Afraid of losing it again.
With a slow breath, he opened his eyes.
And began walking once more.
Deeper.
Toward the source.