The electric buzz of anticipation filled the Starlune Dome, the largest arena in the capital city of Caelora, a country famous for its love of music and towering concert halls. The crowd had been waiting for hours, holding signs, chanting names, and singing every song from memory.
Backstage, the atmosphere was just as intense.
"Three minutes," a crew member shouted, adjusting his earpiece as he hurried past.
Inside the dressing room, the five members of ANEW—the world's most loved boy band—were a beautiful mess of nerves and excitement. Makeup was being touched up and costumes sparkled under the bright lights. Someone called for water, another was doing pushups, and someone was already dancing.
It was chaos—but it was their chaos.
Then the lights dimmed outside. A deep, echoing heartbeat resonated through the Dome.
It was time.
As the stage lit up with fire and neon, the crowd erupted.
Five silhouettes emerged against the blinding lights, stepping out into the roar of ten thousand fans.
Liam Lee, the group's leader, walked to the front with his guitar slung across his shoulder, his calm presence grounding the stage. As the sub-vocalist and oldest member, he provided support—never the loudest but always steady and composed. His voice was more than just sound; it was a presence, soft and warm, like a fire on a chilly night.
Leo Han, the group's sunshine, lit up the stage with his sharp moves and boyish charm. The youngest of the five, he had a smile that melted hearts from Veyra to Eldros, and fans screamed his name every time he blinked.
Jace Ravenn, the main rapper, overflowed with charisma. His verses cut through the music like lightning, fast and sharp. With his well-defined jawline and deep voice, he commanded the stage until his dorky laugh between songs reminded everyone why they loved him.
And then came Rhett Morgan.
As the spotlight fell on him, the crowd nearly silent—like they sensed something magical was about to happen. His voice was heavenly, effortlessly soaring above the music. His high notes sent shivers down spines, and his passion tugged at hearts no matter the language of the fans. He wasn't just singing; he was pouring out his soul with every word.
The group moved in perfect sync, each song flowing into the next. Hours passed like seconds. Sweat, tears, laughter, fireworks—it was everything the fans had hoped for.
Just when they thought it was over—
Liam stepped forward, catching his breath, and raised his mic.
"Before we go…" His voice trembled slightly. "We have a surprise."
The lights dimmed again. The screen behind them came to life.
ANEW: World Tour—Coming Soon
"To celebrate our four-year debut anniversary," Liam continued, his voice steadier now, "we're taking ANEW across the world!"
The crowd went wild. Screams shook the arena to its core. Fans sobbed into their banners. Social media exploded in real-time. The tour destinations hadn't been announced yet, but just the news of a world tour sent the fanbase into a frenzy.
ANEW bowed one last time. Confetti fell from the ceiling. The lights faded.
Backstage, the lights dimmed and the adrenaline began to fade. Their van glided through the heart of Caelora, weaving between glittering towers and quiet streets. Inside, the boys sprawled out, still catching their breath from the chaos.
"That was insane," Leo murmured, slumped against Jace's shoulder. "I forgot how to breathe."
"My knees gave out halfway through 'Afterlight,'" Liam laughed. "That high note almost did me in."
"You say that after every concert," Jace replied, yawning. "I saw you jump off the drum riser. Like a flying squirrel. No sympathy for you."
"I was possessed by the spirit of stage energy," Liam said dramatically. "May he rest in peace."
Leo snorted, then pointed at Jace. "But seriously—during 'Come Find Me'? You were flirting with the cameras like you were on a dating show."
"I was connecting with the fans," Jace said with a straight face. "Intensely. Artistically."
Rhett gave a small smile from the window seat but remained quiet. His gaze stayed on the skyline of Caelora, the glowing capital disappearing behind them as the van headed toward their hotel.
Liam noticed a change in Rhett's expression. Just a flicker—but enough. The smile didn't reach his eyes.
Something inside Liam pulled.
Hours later, the hotel hallways were silent. The other members had gone to their rooms. Leo had face-planted into his bed mid-sentence. Jace was likely asleep with earbuds in, music still playing.
Liam walked down the hall in sweats and socks, a water bottle in one hand. He knocked twice on Rhett's door.
No answer.
He knocked again, a bit louder. "If you're sleeping, I'll leave you alone. If you're brooding, open up."
A pause followed. Then the door creaked open.
Rhett stood there in a hoodie, sleeves pushed to his elbows, hair tousled from the shower. "Brooding?" he asked with a slight raised brow.
"Strong maybe," Liam replied, stepping inside.
The room had low light. Rhett's guitar leaned in the corner, untouched. The window was cracked open, letting in the soft hum of the city below. He'd pulled the curtains back, but the skyline outside seemed millions of miles away.
"I brought hydration and bad jokes," Liam said, holding up the water.
"You always bring bad jokes," Rhett mumbled, sitting on the edge of his bed.
Liam smirked. "Consistency is key."
A few moments passed in silence. The room felt heavier now. Liam sat beside him, close but not crowding. The silence was comfortable at first, then turned awkward.
Finally, Liam cleared his throat.
"You know… if you don't want to go back to Elaris," he said carefully, "we can talk to the company. Cancel it. Or reschedule. Whatever you need."
Rhett's jaw tightened slightly. He stared at the floor.
"We can't," he said quietly. "Even if I don't want to go back… We have fans there. People who've waited years. It's not their fault. And I can't run away forever."
"You know they'd understand," Liam said. "You've avoided Elaris for six years. Even on holidays. Rhett… whatever happened there—whatever it was—you don't have to carry that by yourself."
Rhett let out a small, bitter laugh. "It's not that simple. It's not just… a sad memory or a bad breakup. That place, Liam… I buried a piece of myself there."
Liam stayed silent for a long moment.
"You don't have to dig him up," he said gently. "But you don't need to go back there and let it bury you either."
Rhett finally looked at him, his eyes darker than usual. "Do you think I'm being selfish?"
"No," Liam replied without hesitation. "I think you're human. And scared. And tired."
Rhett sighed, rubbing his face. "I hate that it's the last stop. The grand finale, right? Ending where it all started."
"Poetic," Liam said with a smirk. "Or ironic. I never know the difference."
That got a faint chuckle from Rhett. "I know the others won't say anything. But they feel it too. The tension."
"They're worried. We all are," Liam said. "No one wants to push you into something that could break you."
Rhett was silent for a moment. Then he asked, "What if I fall apart on stage?"
Liam nudged him lightly. "Then we catch you. Like we always do."
Silence returned, a little softer now.
Outside the window, the city lights of Caelora sparkled against the horizon. Inside, two bandmates sat side by side—one burdened by a past he never fully escaped, the other offering support without expecting anything in return.
Finally, Rhett exhaled slowly.
"Thanks," he whispered.
Liam stood, ruffling his hair gently. "Get some sleep. We'll deal with Elaris when it comes."
As Liam walked toward the door, Rhett called after him.
"If I can't do it… If I freeze…"
Liam paused and looked over his shoulder. "Then we turn it into a dance break."
That brought a genuine laugh from Rhett—soft, tired, but real.
The door clicked shut behind him, and Rhett sat alone once more. Still looking out the window, but not quite as far away this time.