Location: Orion High – Auditorium, Evening of the Competition
The lights dimmed. The crowd buzzed with anticipation. Students, teachers, and even a few local reporters filled the auditorium. The school's annual Sing-Off was about to begin.
Backstage, Lyra adjusted her mic with steady hands—but a storm brewed behind her calm eyes.
Kael (softly): "You don't have to prove anything to anyone."Lyra (smiling): "I'm not. I'm here to remember who I am."
Across the stage, Seren Vale stood tall in a silver dress, confidence oozing from her every move. Her hair shimmered under the stage lights.
Seren (spotting Lyra): "You're brave for showing up. I heard your voice gave out."
Lyra (coolly): "Maybe it did. But I'm still here."
Seren chuckled, mistaking Lyra's calm for weakness.
Seren: "You'll never hit the notes you need. I've already won."
Lyra didn't respond. She stepped onto the stage as her name was called.
Stage – Moments Later
The lights fell on her. The music began—a gentle piano intro. The crowd held its breath.
Then—
Lyra sang.
Her voice soared, soft at first, then rising like dawn over silence. It was strong, clear, and flawless.
Gasps echoed across the auditorium. Seren's eyes widened in disbelief from the side of the stage.
Seren (whispering): "What...?"
The final note rang out like a bell. The crowd erupted in applause—cheering, clapping, shouting her name.
Zayn (whispering in the crowd): "It worked."
Rayna (grinning): "It more than worked."
Backstage After the Song
Lyra walked offstage to her team's waiting arms. Seren stood frozen nearby, watching her.
Seren (quietly): "How… how did you recover?"
Lyra (softly): "I didn't. Not fully. But I remembered who I was."
She paused, her gaze kind—not victorious.
Lyra: "You're talented, Seren. But it's not about winning. Not anymore."
Seren said nothing as Lyra walked past.
Behind them… in the deepest corner of the school's rafters…a shadow flickered. Watching. Waiting.
Synkris had seen enough.
The Echo of Pain
Location: Nova Base – Medical Lab
An hour after her breathtaking performance, Lyra gripped the side of the med-bed, her body shaking as sharp pain tore through her throat.
Zayn scanned her frantically, eyes narrowed in focus.
Zayn: "Your vocal cords are under severe stress. The antidote worked—but only for one hour. The damage now rebounds… double for the time you sang."
Kael (concerned): "How long will this last?"
Zayn: "A few hours of extreme pain. But only once. After that, her body—and the shard—will begin to stabilize."
Lyra nodded weakly. She couldn't speak, but her eyes said it all:
It was worth it.
Location: Orion High – Auditorium (Later That Night)
The stage was still set from the competition. A few teachers lingered, and students were starting to leave. Then—
A sudden shriek. A rift tore through the air.
From it stepped a hulking beast cloaked in red bone and smoke: Gorehowl, Karnex's newest creation.
Student (screaming): "MONSTER!"
Chaos erupted. Students fled, chairs flew, curtains caught fire. But one person stood frozen in the middle of it all—
Seren.
She stared in shock as Gorehowl raised a burning claw toward her.
Gorehowl: "The singer. Weak. Unarmed. Easy target."
Just as the claw came down—
A blur of pink.
Lyra tackled Seren, rolling them both away just in time.
The Nova Rangers landed moments later in a flash of radiant light.
Kael (Red Ranger): "Everyone out! We've got this!"
Zayn (Blue Ranger): "Target: armored, flame-enhanced. Watch his spin attacks!"
The Rangers engaged—but Gorehowl didn't flee immediately. He roared, spinning toward the girls again.
Lyra (Pink Ranger), breathless: "Are... you... okay?"
Seren looked up, wide-eyed. That voice, even strained… she knew it.
Seren (shocked): "...Lyra?"
Lyra's suit flickered as she stood to fight. She turned, grimacing in pain.
And yet, she raised her hand alongside her teammates.
Jett (Black Ranger): "Let's end this, team!"
The Nova Rangers launched a synchronized strike. Light arced, blades clashed, and just as they were about to land the final blow—
Gorehowl vanished.
A dark portal swallowed him whole, his laughter echoing behind him.
Aftermath – Quiet Corner of the Auditorium
Seren sat in stunned silence as Lyra, now back in civilian form and clutching her throat, approached her.
Seren: "It... it was you. The whole time. You saved me."
Lyra nodded slightly, unable to speak.
Seren (quietly): "You sang with a broken voice. And still came back to protect people."
She looked down, shame in her voice.
Seren: "I didn't know how strong you really were."
Lyra placed a hand gently on her shoulder.
Even in silence—her strength sang louder than any note ever could.
Location: Orion High – Late Afternoon
The school corridors were quieter than usual. The echoes of the competition had faded, the damage from the monster attack cleaned up—but something still hung in the air.
Seren stood outside the music room, clutching a small envelope. Her steps were slow, hesitant, like she was walking toward a memory she wasn't ready to face.
Inside, Lyra sat near the piano, scribbling softly in her notebook. Her voice was still resting, but her presence felt stronger than it had in days.
Seren gently knocked, then stepped in.
Seren (softly): "Hey. Mind if I interrupt?"
Lyra looked up, surprised, then gave a faint nod. A tired but genuine smile crossed her face.
Seren sat beside her—awkward, emotional.
Seren: "I'm leaving tomorrow. My parents are transferring me back to Caloris Academy… kind of a reset, I guess."
Silence.
Seren: "I came to say goodbye. But also... to apologize. I was the only one who knew how alone you were last year. You had no one."
She clenched the envelope tighter.
Seren: "And I made it worse. I became the one thing you didn't deserve—a rival when you needed a friend."
Lyra lowered her eyes. Then gently reached out and touched Seren's hand.
It wasn't blame. It was understanding.
Seren: "Please… take care of her."
She turned to where the rest of the Nova Team stood in the doorway—Kael, Zayn, Rayna, Jett—all quietly watching, respectful.
Seren: "She's stronger now, but back then… it was just me. And I left her alone."
Jett crossed his arms, half-smirking.
Jett: "She's not alone anymore."
Rayna nodded softly.
Rayna: "We've got her now. All of us."
Seren gave a shaky smile, tears in her eyes. Then she looked at Lyra one last time.
Seren: "Before I go… did you ever find out anything? About your mother?"
A pause. Lyra hesitated—then reached into her bag and pulled out a folded photo. Her mother, younger, smiling… and wearing a Nova Shard fragment as a pendant.
Seren gasped.
Seren (whispering): "She was one of them… wasn't she?"
Lyra nodded slowly.
Seren: "Then maybe that's where your voice came from. Not just here—" (touches her throat) "—but in your heart."
The two girls hugged. Quietly. Finally.
Then Seren turned and walked away, her figure fading down the hallway—leaving Lyra surrounded by her real family.
To Be Continued…