Standing on this stage to give a performance. A performance dedicated to what people now call the 5 Pillars. It was said that during "The era of Change" They ensured that the world would survive.
Nobody knew their real names , all they knew were the titles they hold. The Pillar of Conclusion , Deviation , Continuation , Cohesion and Recollection respectively. It is said that they embody their titles.
Many believed they were mere myths of the past , and perhaps they indeed were , this competition was said to honor them. Yet many never really studied or understood them.
The other contestants all used flashy moves or exaggerated avatars. In a world where humans have gained immortality and can customize their appearances. This was the norm.
The others had received countless claps from the audience , their moves truly beautiful , their coordination impeccable , yet perhaps for me they felt artificial , exaggerated.
Many people these days hold others in higher respect. CEO of Herta's Industry Madam Herta , The Cold and Emotionless beauty Acheron , The Omniscient Ray Grisha , The Creator of the game 'When Fiction Bleeds' CEO Bronya Zaychik.
And countless more , Respected figures throughout the entire solar system , the effects they've done has made them a target of admiration , nobody could deny their achievements , those that did were often flamed and targeted.
And now it was my turn to deliver a performance dedicated to these Pillars. I was nervous. I was doing a solo performance , armed with merely avatars that I thought would fit their themes. Manager had warned me but I insisted.
[AND NOW FOR OUR FINAL PERFORMANCE TITLED "The Five Who Held The World"]
The lights had shone onto me as the sound of a string could be heard , it was a soft melancholic melody , sparse like memories surfacing one by one. I stood in the middle , my hands clasped at my chest, my eyes closed.
Here goes nothing
—
"Hm?" The murmurs of the audience could be heard , this was a different performance , one they had never seen from her before. She extended her hands as countless transparent figures tried to reach her yet could only brush before fading away.
She walks slowly encircling the stage as countless holographic flowers bloom and fade as she walks , the countless transparent figures walk towards her trying to embrace yet they only pass through her before fading away.
She stands facing the audience , one hand over her heart , the other extending outwards with her palm opened as she crouches as the sounds of the string fade , followed by a low resonant hum that was slowly building up.
One could see countless threads being shown , tangled as She slowly rose—Her arms trembling as she seemed to be under immense weight , her arms shaken as she seemed to fall before rising once again.
Her face seemed strained as the countless holographic threads untangle themselves , the music began humming a more regal tone as her arms no longer trembled and a playful unpredictable melody played by a flute could be heard.
It's tempo unnatural , unrefined as she moves countless figures could be seen splitting from her , each doing their own moves , like searching for something fascinating , some were reaching high others crouching low like countless possibilities.
Yet as the melody began to fade a soft humming noise could be heard as the countless figures seemed to join back with her. As she gave a smirking smile before obscuring her face.
At the same time a complex and layered melody could be heard , sometimes clashing with each other , sometimes harmonizing, forming an intricate balance of chaos and harmony.
With it her figure seemed to split, turning into the many sides of her , some of them had rigid movements , others confident , anxious , careful , thoughtful and many more , at the same time the complex melody seemed to come to a stand still.
As the melody soon dissipated she was standing in the middle giving a calm expression with a hint of fascination. Before going to the final piece.
There was a confusing melody , it was rigid , straight , like telling them that this is the absolute end that everything shall reach. Her eyes looked lifeless as she stared into the audience without moving a single muscle else.
Then the melody changed , it was soft , it was caring , it was filled with hope , as the melody turned to a soft hum she moved , her movements once rigid were now loosening as she made hand gestures.
Some looked like a snap , others like she was pointing at something , Yet it was still rigid signifying the end of all things. The end of everything that has and shall appear.
As the melody finally stops , she looks at the audience with eyes that seemed to carry warmth yet still cold , but no longer rigis as she gave a deep bow as the melody ended.
—
Silence There were no claps , yes it was unique , it was different. But that was all it seemed to mean. Should I feel ashamed? I don't even know , perhaps I've ruined my career now but I don't regret it
I'll be judged , called old fashioned and whatever—Ah. but for some reason I felt satisfied , I was prepared for this react—
*Clap… *Clap… *Clap… *Clap…
I was confused , who would clap for such a performance yet as I looked in front of me I froze. No it's not only me , the entire stage was silent. They were all looking at a specific spot. How could they not?
There was CEO Bronya and Ray Grisha. No it wasn't just them. Other figures could be seen. The first one had white skin , her eyes were blue with long white hair wearing what seemed to be an old hoodie of a bygone era.
The other a gentleman , his eyes were dark brown wearing a black trench suit reminiscent of a bygone era. Another one a loli? She was small , wearing what seemed to be a famous clothing these days known as the "Feathered Robe of Graria"
There were 2 more , one wearing what seemed to be a shoulderless, backless high-low white dress with layered ruffles and side waist openings, over a sleeveless high-neck garment with a stained-glass motif.
She had long pink hair and an aura that seemed filled with love. The other a male , wearing layered dark green and black robes with a long cape. The pink one was clapping enthusiastically as she seemed to chatter with the one wearing the layered dark green and black robe.
CLINK
Suddenly the 5 disappeared and reappeared right on the stage where I was , the white haired girl was no longer wearing a hoodie , instead she wore a white and dark purple dress-like clothes, adorned with black and purple flowers.
Her hands seemed to be in a gradient. Her hair had turned white with a hint of purple tied in an ornate ponytail, with a metallic crown adorned with a small segmented tassel on top of her head.
"It was a beautiful performance," The girl with white hair said rather calmly.
"It was quite an accurate depiction" The man with a black trench suit replied as he chuckled slightly
"It was a fascinating performance especially in this era" the loli girl said , her tone filled with fascination
"HA! HA! HA! I Ezron Pillar of Cohesion Approve of your performance" the man wearing the layered dark green and black said with a laugh reminiscent of a ruler yet his laugh sounded like that of a child trying to look cool
"You should be grateful y'know~ They never planned to reveal themselves but your performance really impressed them" the pink haired girl said with a charming tone.
Wait. Wait. WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT. DID THAT MAN WHO CALLED HIMSELF EZRON JUST CALLED HIMSELF THE PILLAR OF COHESION?
DOESN'T THAT MEAN THE OTHER 4 WERE—Eh? Yet as I looked forward all 5 of them had disappeared. The stage was quiet. Too quiet as the stage light returned to the seat yet not even Ray and Bronya remained. They too had disappeared.
"What-? What-?" "WHAT?!" Was all I could mutter before the last one which was a rather desperate scream.
—
In the end I didn't win , but I didn't lose that badly… I think? I expected myself to be looked down upon , yet everyone only looked at me silently , I couldn't tell what they were thinking—How could I when I'm also confused?
"It was a splendid performance." Ray Grisha suddenly appeared right beside me , his limpid and innocent eyes seemed to look at me with a piercing gaze , it felt like I couldn't hide anything from Him.
"Mhm…" Bronya only nodded slowly right beside him before disappearing in a holographic blue light and as she was in daze and tried to look for Ray , he was already gone like he was never there.
Now of course the truth is nobody knew what the Pillars even looked like thus the authenticity was questionable , but if they were the real Pillars. Then this would be their first formal appearance in countless Eons.
"Hah… As if they were the real deal huh." I sighed , such possibilities were rather small , almost impossible actually. Unless the God of Luck or something were to give me a—
[Call Request from Manager] [Take Call?] [Accept] [Decline]
Ah , the manager called.. Am I doomed? Am I gonna get scolded… Ahhhh whatever , no use in regretting it , I've done it after all. As I thought to accept.
[SERA YOU CRAZY BASTARD DID YOU KNOW WHAT YOU JUST DID?] Manager's voice filled with rage could be heard , Alright I'm cooked ain't I?
"Uh… I'm fired? Haha? Don't worry I'll pack my th-"
[NO YOU DUMBASS , THOSE WERE THE ACTUAL PILLARS. IT WAS CONFIRMED BY COUNTLESS SOURCES]
What? What? Huh? WHAT?
[It was confirmed by famous figures and even unexpected people. Bronya , Ray , Herta , Acheron , Amon , Sparkle , Lawrence and even more DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT THEY SAID?]
[And I quote Amon's words "Huh. I didn't expect Him to show his face." Sparkle's voice was also echoing with glee as she said "This is gonna get interesting~" ]
Ah I see. I'm in a dream right now… I should be waking up soo—
[OI I KNOW THAT LOOK IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME LOOK AT THIS]
[Recording sent*]
[HOLY SHIT THEY WERE THE REAL DEAL? User XXXX]
[DUDE IT'S BEEN CONFIRMED BY COUNTLESS SOURCES] User XXX
[Really now? You'd think those myths are real] User XXXX
[DUDE. CEO Bronya , Herta and Lawrence LITERALLY VOUCHED ON THEM. NOT ONLY THAT. AMON ADAM SPARKLE ACHERON AND MANY FAMOUS FIGURES LITERALLY CONFIRMED THE SHIT] User XXXX
"Huh." I said with a tone that has accepted defeat. You know what. Whatever I'm just gonna teleport back…
[Destination : My Home] [Commencing] [3] [2] [1] [Destination changed : House of "The Family"] What?
—FWISH
"Huh?" This isn't my house? Where is this even? I thought to myself as I was greeted into a gigantic place. It had a rather traditional look , reminiscent from the 2000's during "The Era of Change"
"Oh you're finally here!" A rather soft voice could be heard as I saw a woman with red eyes and 2 holds reminiscent of the Sarkaz race. She was giving me a heartfelt smile.
"Ah there she is" "Oh dear you look so thin…" The voice of a kid? Could be heard , with blonde hair and eyes that seemed to have a butterfly.
"Mom get her some natural orange slices" The white haired women with horns said in a rather calm manner as the small girl merely nodded before she left.
"Ah~ You're here" "Huggggg~" A melodious voice could be heard before she was hugged rather tightly , she smelled really nicely almost enough to make—Wait no what are you thinking?
"Urgh—Can't Breathe" "Ah. Sorry Sorry." The voice said in a guilty manner , as I catched my breath and looked in front. WAIT IT'S THE SAME GIRL FROM BEFORE. The one with pink hair.
—
"Hi~ Did you miss me? Ah?" Elysia said in a happy tone before realizing Sera had frozen in place…
"You short circuited her brain" Gaby said in exasperated tone.
"So She's the one?" Gavin asked filled with curiosity
"Ah? She fainted…" Kanade said with a helpless tone.
"I told you she's too thin, she should eat more," Kim said with a sigh.
"…" Bronya was looking at this scene with a dead pan expression. As she looked at Kiana who merely shrugged acting like it's not her problem—