After a few hours…
Finally, Missio and Dante stepped back into their comfortable RV after a long day. Missio flopped onto the bed, groaning. His face pressed against the mattress as Dante went into the bathroom. After a minute, he exited, rubbing his hands. Noticing this, Missio pushed off and entered the bathroom. Finishing his business, the transcendent exited with wet hands. He wiped them on the towel nearby and sat down on the bed right after.
Dante took off his clothes, wearing a new, more comfortable pair.
"Why don't you change as well?" He raised a brow, sitting down beside his little brother.
Missio nodded and stood up. He changed into a fresh pair of clothes – a T-shirt and shorts to be exact and sat down beside his elder brother. The supreme commander laid down and rolled onto his side. Taking off his glasses and putting them down, he closed his eyes.
"I'm gonna sleep now." He yawned.
"This early?" Missio blurted, turning around.
"Yeah… Good night."
"…Good night."
Missio slowly nodded, curling his lips. He lifted his head. Alone in the silence of the RV, he stared into nothingness. Then, a realization struck him.
'Oh, right. I have to write a song."
Standing up, he walked to the front. He bent down and opened up a compartment, picking up a pen and notebook. Then, he returned to the bed with a stoic expression. He stared at the empty page for a while, just… thinking and letting his thoughts run amok.
Through the chaos, only a single, lone image made its way to his mind.
He narrowed his lazy eyes, a somber smile spreading across his face. Ruffling his hair, he glanced at the notebook. Then, at his elder brother. Lifting his head, he glanced at himself in the sink mirror as well. The bitter smile never left, becoming even more apparent. He gazed out of the window, seeing the darkness enclosing them from every direction. Finally, he rotated his head and stared down at the notebook.
'Music is all about… saying what you want… drawing from real-life too… and being as creative as possible.'
Grabbing the notebook and pen, he shook the pen. The pen met his cheek, holding it up. Contemplating the title of his song, he dug deep into his own self.
'What do I want to say to her…? What do I want to ask?'
He asked himself over and over again. The chaos around him fluctuated, almost as if reacting to his thoughts and emotions. Finally, as the lights flickered, he clicked the pen. The nib poked out of the metallic interior. Missio pressed the tip against the page and wrote down as best as he could,
[Are you fine?]
***
Three days later…
The day finally arrived.
September 5th of the year 2984 of the Modern Age.
Missio and Dante arrived before a studio at the city center.
"Are you ready?" Dante inquired, turning towards his brother.
"Never been more ready in my life." Missio gripped his notebook.
Dante smiled. He led them inside the studio and was immediately greeted by the producer.
"Mr. Dante deus Augustus." The man reached his hand out. "Welcome to my humble abode. I'm extremely grateful for your presence."
"You don't have to be that dramatic." Dante shook his hand. "Is the studio ready?"
"Absolutely. All the time." The man spun around. "Follow me, please."
Dante lowered his hands. He turned his head, meeting Missio's eyes.
"C'mon, let's go." He flicked his head ahead.
Missio nodded, heaving a heavy breath. Walking beside Dante, the duo followed the producer into the studio. Once they entered, all noise from the outside world cut off. A neon glow besieged the entire room layered with sound-proof panels.
"So, who's singing?" The producer asked.
"Me." Missio spoke.
"Then, head right in, little man."
Missio stepped forward, moving into the recording area. However, Dante stopped him.
"Missio, could you give me your Music Box?"
Missio flicked his chin up. "Sure."
Missio, who had worn his Music Box for the first time in over a month, handed it over to his big brother. Then, he went ahead and entered the recording room. Closing the door behind him, only one window separated him and the producer. Beside the producer, his brother stood – watching. The ascendant smiled, laying his notebook down.
Dante linked Missio's Music Box to the panel.
"Uh… sir?" The producer called out.
"Yeah?" Dante responded, connecting the Music Box via port.
"Why are you connecting that?"
"To get the right beat." Dante straightened.
"But we have plenty of tracks to work with." The producer stated in confusion. "Why connect an old Music Box to it?"
Dante smirked, chuckling slightly as he locked eyes with the producer.
"It's not just any Music Box, John."
John raised a brow. He opened his mouth to the ask another question but just then…
"I'm ready!" Missio exclaimed.
The producer froze, turning towards Missio. He glanced at the Music Box one more time before sighing.
'It's not gonna mess up the systems anyway, forget it…'
He pressed a button, allowing him to talk with Missio.
"You ready, kid?"
"Yep." Missio replied.
"Got your lyrics down?" John adjusted some settings.
"Yes, sir." Missio held his headphones in his hands.
"Got a beat in mind?"
"Sure, do."
"Got a theme?"
"Yes…"
"Well, then let's begin!" John flicked a switch. "Session number one begins!"
He pressed a button, trying to play the first track. However, the void-like Music Box fluctuated with a surge of golden light, hijacking the music panel completely. John's eyes widened. As a heavy, harmonious and upbeat track exploded through the studio speakers. Dante's grin widened. Missio put on his headphones. Catching the driving rhythm, he took a breath, looked down at his handwritten lyrics and began to sing.