Viny sat still in front of the mirror, feeling nervous because she was going to perform in front of many people, this was also her first time performing in front of a large public place. Seeing her reflection in the mirror without wearing glasses felt different to her, she put her glasses back on, returning her sweet impression plus her short hair made her even more nervous because it was too sweet. "Farfalla, will he come at here? He should have read the invitation and said will coming like he said before," she muttered while putting on a little more makeup before going on stage when it was her turn.
In the corridor, in front of the door to Viny's room, Asteria was retying his hair into a ponytail then taking off his glasses so that his ocean blue eyes were more vivid, he also added a purple ribbon on the side of his hair besides the one he used to tie his hair. This was the appearance he used as Farfalla when performing on stage. The general public knew him more with his appearance like that, especially the staff there, making Asteria able to enter easily without any obstacles. When Asteria want to open the door to Viny's room, he turned around suddenly and spoke to Luca, "Your job is to fight Sprouts, Spirits created by Envy, okay?"
Luca was immediately shocked, he twiddled his fingers nervously and replied back, "Sprouts? Spirits? Envy? W-what are they... why do I have to fight them..." said Luca who was confused.
"I actually want to fight Sprouts but I shouldn't get involved and help from behind, because that thing targeting me and my junior. I don't know what will happen if Sprouts meets me with Viny, maybe it will trigger a development to its own," said Asteria who explained it slowly so that Luca understood, "The point is the problem will get worse if Sprouts sees me especially with Viny. You're the only one I can rely on for now." Asteria thought for a moment, he apparently did the same thing as Marionette, "I feel like that crazy doll, becoming a backseat this time too."
Luca nodded his head, putting his watch in his pants pocket. "I'll try... but with my wounds..." he complained while checking his bruises that still hurt.
"Ah yes, that's right. Maybe your body needs to adapt later, so I'll just give you a small partner first," a blue butterfly emerged from Asteria's body and turned into a card depicting a small fairy with pointy ears and transparent golden wings. Her clothes also looked ordinary and elegant with a dominant white and gold. Her hair was a deep red like cherries and short.
Natura woke up from her sleep, yawning while covering her mouth with her hand, "Ahh~ is it my turn now, Asteria? To be this young man's partner, I think I'll fill it since he's Mythos," said the fairy in Asteria's head, her voice cheeky but relaxed.
"So it's true that he's a Mythos," Asteria thought after hearing the fairy's words about Luca, "I want you to help me fight the Sprouts, can you, Natura?" Asteria replied to the fairy with a smile.
The card changed to be surrounded by small blue butterflies and returned it to its form as the Spirit of Fiore, a fairy race. She flew beside Luca, "This weak boy is my partner? Who would have thought you'd choose a 'good' choice, Asteria," she sarcastically told Asteria which made her giggle.
Luca laughed awkwardly and looked down, "Hahaha... s-sorry..." he replied, self-aware but still wanting to try.
"Don't disappoint me, weak boy. I don't want to see my partner battered like this," she commented when she noticed Luca's condition sarcastically, but she also cared about him. She also used her healing power on Luca slowly.
Asteria said one last time, "Natura, he is indeed a Mythos but I still don't know if he can adapt to the radiation from our powers. So take care of him for me," he walked into the room where Viny was getting ready. Leaving Natura with Luca to help him fight against the Sprouts who would soon arrive.
"Radiation, from the remaining energy of the power that was wasted, maybe I should limit my power to this one kid," thought Natura who tried so that the radiation from her power would not affect Luca negatively.
Behind the staff door, Viny who was ready to go to the stage, stopped and was surprised when she saw Asteria or Farfalla standing in front of her room door with her soft smile, "Hey, are you surprised? Thank you for the invitation, Viny." A giggle came out from Asteria when he saw Viny who was surprised to see his arrival.
Viny smiled widely and stood in front of him, "N-no, I should thank you very much for taking the time to come here and watching me perform." She look down and muttered softly to herself while looking down, "She really came, I thought the autograph could be used as his presence, I was afraid he wouldn't be able to come here." She let out a happy sigh, "I'm so happy~" she said expressing her pounding heart, her hand touching her chest feeling her own heartbeat getting faster.
Asteria pretended not to know and asked, "What's wrong, Viny?" with a smile on his face that was directed at herself alone.
Viny look up and looked back at him, "A-ah, it's okay..." she pretended to cough to relieve her nervousness, not to let her heart beat faster, "A-Ahem, Farfalla, what do you think? Am I good enough?" she changed the topic and showed the dress she was wearing, from side to side and turning slowly.
Asteria gave a thumbs up and smiled widely, "It suits you very well, Viny. It's perfect for tonight's performance, maybe you'll get new fans~" teased Asteria who tried to cheer her up so she wouldn't be tense and nervous while performing.
Viny blushed and patted Asteria's shoulder a few times slowly, "N-no way! I'll just a-a-appear normally, like w-we practiced..." she said hesitantly.
Asteria grabbed the purple ribbon in his hair, walked behind Viny and put it on the back of her hair. "Now we're the same, you deserve to wear it, Viny. I'm proud of you that come this far," he said lovingly, considering her precious.
Viny felt like her heart was going to explode because it wouldn't stop beating fast because of Asteria's attitude that continued to care for her, she felt that it was not wrong to admire Asteria all this time. "Thank you..." she replied, blushing even more and she began to be more confident because of the recognition from her mentor.
Luca who slowly recovered because of Natura's power began to examine his body, he was amazed by her healing power, "Natura, thank you..." he muttered smiling innocently at her.
Natura turned her head the other way after healing him, "Y-yeah, without me how can you fight, weak boy. Anyway, don't burden me, you have to fight, that's your only choice," she said warning Luca.
Luca took back his pocket watch, "I'll try... Asteria has helped me, this time I want to repay him," he said speaking honestly and really not hiding anything in every word.
Natura realized his naive and innocent nature, making him worried about what would happen if his opponent dominated the situation. "This boy, I'm confused about how to deal with him..." She thought while flying around Luca. "Can you bring up your Memorial? That's the easiest thing you can do to fight Sprouts," she asked him curiously and doubtfully.
"Memorial? How do you do it, I don't understand what Asteria meant before. A buried memory, what's that like..." Luca replied confusedly.
A shocked expression was written on Natura's face because Luca didn't know anything about Memorial, "Seriously, you don't have a Memorial?! You don't know what it is either?!" she exclaimed, pinching Luca's cheek in annoyance, "This is the first time I've met an innocent and plain Mythos, so plain like this!"
But the moment was interrupted by Marionette who suddenly appeared from the air duct in the corridor, dusting off her clothes as she walked closer to the two of them, "Sprouts are close, my puppet knows they are in the east direction of this Music Hall," she took a deep breath before continuing, "Luca and Natura, hurry up and get out. Don't let the Sprouts reach this Music Hall, if you can't fight then survive for five minutes. Remember, five minutes, because one of the Willingness, The Succor is heading here," she said, giving it a sense of urgency.
Natura flew to the back of Luca's head, pushing him, "Come on, it's only five minutes, it won't last long!" she shouted to Luca who was still a little scared. "You can't be this weak, because you are Mythos," Natura's words made Luca do a little introspection for a moment.
He survived the people who beat him before, after that knowing he could survive in the Nebula world that he shouldn't have been able to step on, and being trusted by people he just met made him move not to want to disappoint them. Luca ran out, followed by Natura who was behind him ready to help. Marionette saw them slowly disappear in front of her, "Looks like he's going to be a new member of Willingness. Just like a teenage shounen, it looks like it'll be fun to watch," she commented on Luca's figure in his eyes.
Viny came out of the room followed by Asteria behind her, behind the open door Marionette hid there, "Asteria, give me your three cards, I have a bad feeling," she asked following Asteria from behind, her steps were slow so as not to be heard by Viny.
Three blue butterflies came out of Asteria's back, flew into Marionette's hand turning into cards, namely Rarog, Scenery, and Zeal. "That's all I can give, the rest are only two that don't fit the condition," Asteria warned Marionette, then he walked faster to stand next to Viny.
Marionette checked the cards in her hand, "Is this all..." but her disappointment turned into curiosity when she saw the Scenery card, "Wait a minute, Scenery?" she immediately turned to Asteria in surprise. "Why did he save this one Spirit, ahh dang it. I'll think about it later!" she shouted as she started to move quickly to follow Luca and Natura.
Reaching behind the stage curtain, Viny turned her head to look at Asteria, looking for a sense of certainty and confidence on his face. Asteria who noticed it smiled at her and nodded his head, his hand holding Viny's shoulder, assuring her to be able to perform in the best condition. They did not say a word, only their actions showed concern and help. The time was near, Viny took a deep breath and exhaled, she did it several times so that she would calm down again with the help of Asteria who accompanied her too. Seeing the situation improving, the staff there finally walked to the two of them, handing Viny's violin which she would use to perform.
Walking to the stage, behind the curtain that was about to open where the audience and visitors of the summer festival would watch her. When the curtain opened, people cheered and clapped seeing Viny standing and ready to perform. The lights were turned off, leaving only the spotlight on Viny who walked forward holding her violin. Her heart was beating fast, it felt tight but in the sense of being happy and joyful. She smiled and closed her eyes, starting to play the violin so smoothly and beautifully. Not only her appearance already sweet, but also her skill in playing the violin adds to her appeal to the audience. Asteria who was watching her behind the curtain smiled proudly, seeing his junior develop this far while practicing with him.
One of the staff who recognized Asteria as Farfalla gasped seeing his figure, "F-F-Farfalla!? You're here to perform with Viny too?!" She tried to breathe calmly but failed, "I-I'm not ready, ehh, uh.. Ahh but... er..." she said stuttering because she was so happy.
Asteria looked back and laughed at the staff's reaction, "Calm down, I'm just watching Viny's performance. I don't want to take a special stage for her tonight," he said with a smile on his face.
Groaning in disappointment, the staff looked at him with a pleading gaze, "Please, don't be like that... many people must want to see you perform, Farfalla. Please just once, okay? okay? a duo with Viny. Make this year's summer festival night very special, please Farfalla!" She exclaimed, bowing her body towards Asteria. Expecting him to appear on stage.
"W-Wait a minute, don't force me," said Asteria who wanted to reject her request, "Give me a minute, just wait for Viny's answer," he said who was still reluctant to take the attention that should have belonged to Viny.
A few moments later when Viny performed two different music, she turned back to see Asteria's reaction even though the people in front of her cheered enthusiastically for her. Seeing the staff who kept pointing at Asteria with a big smile then gave a hand signal that they wanted to perform Asteria with her. Viny happily nodded and ran back, pulling Asteria's hand, "Farfalla, I want us to perform like we practiced," Viny asked which made Asteria a little surprised.
Asteria looked behind him with a cynical look, as if saying "It must be you" to the staff who asked him to perform earlier. The staff was surprised by Asteria's gaze, she handed over a spare violin that was usually used when needed in urgency. Asteria took it hesitantly but agreed in the end, then walked to the stage with Viny, for him being on stage was a common thing but still memorable. Seeing the wide stage, filled with spectators who were increasingly enthusiastic with the presence of two main performers.
They both stood back to back, "Ready, Viny?" asked Asteria who was already prepared.
Viny confidently answered her, "Always ready!" a wide smile was depicted on her face.
They both performed a harmonious violin duet, showing a mentor-junior who were in tune because of their constant practice together. People were silent while enjoying the splendor displayed by the two of them, making people distracted by their performance. Without Asteria realizing it, he helped Marionette and the others face Sprouts, diverting attention so that people did not feel the threat. Their musical performance was so exciting and lively, that the sound reached Luca and Natura who were heading to the exact location where they would meet Sprouts. Marionette followed them both by swinging between buildings so can reach the location more faster.
"Asteria, good move, this way the field for the fight will be free!" commented Marionette who then laughed out loud, so happy even though she didn't know that it was a coincidence
With the background music that sounded lively and serene, like an opening, just like how this was an opening for Luca who chose to help Asteria and start a new path. Luca arrived at a wide open field, like a natural park used for resting. Victims of the Sprouts threat were seen who lost their emotions and were just silent without doing anything, as if they had no purpose. Some were just standing still, some were eating but only looking at their food with their mouths full, to people who were lying helplessly but no one helped them.
"How cruel ..." was the word that Natura naturally said when she saw the situation there, they were there but looked dead to her, "These Sprouts have taken many victims. If that thing gets to the Music Hall then it will definitely evolve to a mature level," she said, informing Luca of the current situation.
Luca stopped because he was exhausted, he was panting because of his weak physique. "W-wait ... rest ..." he muttered while looking down and holding his knees.
"Cheer up a bit, weak boy! I can't heal you all the time, my energy will run out later!" Natura snapped at Luca who hit his head repeatedly softly.
"S... Sorry... Natura..." he replied who couldn't blame her because himself was this weak.
Sprouts came out of one of the shops, walking slowly while chewing something in his mouth. It's form was no longer that of a water human, but had become a humanoid monster dominated by an animal theme that was related to water, namely Xiphosura. It seemed that Sprouts had a kind of robe like Xiphosura, on it's wrists to the hands like armor that formed boxer gloves but also had a kind of sword blade protruding from the back. Not only that, the marble part on the stomach which was protected by a kind of small legs intended as a protector for the core. Every step Sprouts took made a splash of water, the dominance of the water element had indeed shown that Sprouts was created by Envy. Another striking part was on the face which was a skull protecting the actual face.
Seeing the monster for the first time, made Luca almost faint, "M-Monster!? a... uhh..."
His body that almost fell backwards was held by Natura, "Oi, oi, don't faint! Do you want to die here!?" she shouted trying to hold Luca from falling.
Marionette who was watching them from a distance laughed because she was entertained by what she saw, "Hahahaaa! It's true that it will be fun. The first time seeing Sprouts, especially humans who see them, it's natural," she said, then pulled the Scenery card in her pocket, "Scenery, I thought this Spirit was just for surveillance, is there something behind this Spirit..." An idea came to Marionette's head, she moved closer to battlefield so she could see more clearly.
Natura couldn't hold Luca's weight and wanted to let go, but luckily Luca came back to his senses after Marionette threw a needle into his neck, instantly making him stand up straight. "A-Aawww..." he groaned as he pulled the needle out of the back of his neck, "Needle?" he thought confusedly.
Marionette who was standing on the roof of a building near them, finally used the power of Scenery. A photo shot appeared in her view, showing a different result from what was seen, as if giving a hidden clue. In Marionette's view, there were two Sprouts where one of them looked blurry and transparent standing beside, and what surprised her more was that Luca's pocket watch was shining and emitting blue particles in her view, which was the same as her Memorial needle.
Marionette then deactivated the power of Scenery so as not to drain her energy too much, "There are two Sprouts, so where is the other one? Luca's pocket watch looks like Memorial because it shines the same as my needle..." She muttered describing the current situation. Following her own intuition, "That means the Overture mechanism is in that pocket watch."
Having no other choice, Marionette jumped from the building, landed behind Luca and took his pocket watch secretly. Natura who saw her action wanted to scream to tell Luca, but Marionette quickly covered her mouth with the Memorial thread that she wrapped around Natura's mouth, "Shushhhh, I want to try something," she whispered to Natura who nodded resignedly to him.
Successfully taking Luca's pocket watch, she opened it and saw each Roman numeral on the watch shining and ticking. Her instincts made her move in front of Luca, standing there ignoring the danger. Sprouts and Luca who saw Marionette's appearance were silent, Marionette didn't think twice and pressed a button on the pocket watch, pointing it at Luca.
Without anyone expecting a light appeared from the pocket watch, accompanied by Roman numerals up to twelve flying around Luca. Luca who was confused just kept quiet and looked at the numbers, until after a few seconds all the numbers entered his body and changed him into Overture form, the hidden form of a Mythos or the embodiment of a Mythos soul. Realizing the change in himself, Luca ran to the nearby shop window to see his current form covered by some kind of gray cloth all over his body and Roman numerals arranged along his arms and legs. "Huh, eh?! What is this?" he screamed in surprise at his own appearance.
The pocket watch held by Marionette flew back to Luca and merged into the core on his chest. Marionette commented in her own head, "That form seems to be still growing, unlike ours..." she immediately moved away when the Sprouts were about to attack her with a high-pressure water attack. When released the attack split the building it passed, Marionette just ducked to avoid it and then hid in the shadows. "Miss aim, practice again, you dumb~" she mocked before disappearing into the shadows.
Natura was surprised to see Luca's change, she also managed to untie the thread on her mouth, "Luca, are you okay?" she asked worriedly.
Luca nodded at her to confirm he was okay, but when Sprouts looked at him with a predatory gaze, he immediately trembled in fear. Luca just ran here and there forgetting his own determination, while avoiding attacks from Sprouts, "G-go away! Don't come here!" he shouted, still panting from previous exhaustion. Luca didn't realize his mistake, every attack launched by Sprouts destroyed buildings, streets, and killed people around them.
The music played by Asteria and Viny in the background became intense and urgent, adjusting to Luca's condition of surviving by running here and there. Their duet was increasingly harmonious in that part, producing a greater tense atmosphere.
Natura shouted at Luca, "Fight him, Luca! If you keep running, it will only make things worse, you idiot! I'll beat you up if you don't fight him!"
Luca answered her back while continuing to run and dodge, taking him to the other side of the city, "I can't... it's too scary..." he kept trying to run to stay alive.
Unfortunately he was getting more and more tired, his running was getting slower until the water ball explosion hit Luca right where he was going to step, he was thrown and rolled hard on the ground. He tried to stand up again but he was very tired, seen so far Luca's transformation did not provide any significant changes. When he managed to stand up, the Sprouts wasted no time, he charged at him and beat him until he was helpless. Luca tried to fight back, but because of his lack of experience and never learning martial arts, he lost badly. He fell to the ground, his hands crushed by Sprouts' fists covered in a whirlpool. Luca screamed in pain while holding his crushed hand, blood came out of it along with Petals.
Petals are wounds that come out when the Spirit's soul is injured, then white flower petals with a little blood stain will come out where the pain is. In the Overture form, where it is the embodiment of the soul of a Mythos, then automatically if injured it will release Petals. Not only that, when the Spirit's soul is injured, the sound of musical instruments is also heard, whether it's drums, flutes, and other instruments depending on the Spirit itself. It's more like melody of want to live and denied death from soul.
An instrument of drums can be heard by Luca itself when his condition worsened, petals continued to come out of Luca's injured body parts, he tried to crawl but both of his legs were immediately attacked in the same way. The sound of crushing mixed with loud drums musical instruments came out of the wound. Natura who wanted to help him by filling her power in her hands was not allowed by Sprouts, repelled by a whirlpool that flew towards Natura like a bullet, the attack hit her wings making it difficult for her to fly. Once again the attack hit her and made her fall to the ground unconscious.
"Luca!" shouted Natura who fell before losing consciousness.
As if there was no hope in the critical situation at that time, Natura who fell, Luca who was dying, and Sprouts were not injured at all in the fight. Even the sound of music played by Asteria and Viny from the Music Hall also turned melancholic and dark, was it a coincidence? No one knows.
Marionette continued to narrate to the reader without stopping while observing the situation. The time had passed five minutes which coincided with the music performed by Asteria and Viny finished. People heard the melancholic ending melody feeling like being hung up making them cheer for the music melody to continue. Meanwhile at the battle location, Sprouts who was ready to finish Luca stood with his feet stepping on Luca's back, it's hands filling up energy to launch a deadly attack. At that time Luca thought this was his end, "Sister... sorry... I've always been weak and useless... this might be the end of my life..." he said in his mind with resignation.
The contrasting conditions on the Music Hall stage were enlivened by the residents who really wanted the continuation of the melody played by Asteria and Viny. "Once again, Viny? We still have a long night to show," said Asteria to Viny with a smile.
Viny answered him happily, "Of course! Now, from the melody earlier we play. Could it be that one melody!?" she asked curiously and excitedly.
"Empty Face, remember? Arranged Version," Asteria replied, which immediately made Viny's eyes shine because it was her favorite melody that Asteria's created.
Continuing the melancholic melody from the previous music, this time it felt more intense as the music progressed. As the title suggests, "Empty Face" brings a dark theme but brings a festive atmosphere. Accompanied by the sound of organ music from behind that adding a classic and dark impression, finally bringing a new atmosphere. People were increasingly amazed at their appearance and could only watch silently, even some of them took recordings to share or keep private.
When the sound of a violin with a high note was heard, it made the atmosphere even more thrilling. At the same time, Sprouts who were about to release their attack were immediately killed after something hit them. The sound of loud devouring was heard mixed with the loud bones crunched of the dead Sprouts, making a fitting transition for the background music that had been played by Asteria and Viny. Bloods spurted heavily, dirtying the walls of the building and along the road, leaving Petals scattered in the air shortly after the Sprouts died. Luca who was almost losing consciousness turned around, seeing what happened. From Luca's sight, there's a woman with an emotionless gaze, her eyes not even having any light in them, looking at him in helpless conditions with an ordinary expression. She lifted Luca's body easily, as light as a bird's feather. Although the woman's clothes and face were covered in blood after finishing off Sprouts earlier, she didn't care much about it. Luca couldn't say anything or move his limbs, the enemy or Sprouts who made him helpless was only defeated by the mysterious woman who appeared out of nowhere.