Chapter 763: The Goddess in Waiting
Backstage at Mafra Q Hall, a quiet yet palpable energy filled the air. The roar of the crowd beyond the thick curtains was ever-present, muted only slightly by the walls that separated the world of the audience from the carefully orchestrated chaos behind the scenes. Amid the flurry of staff and crew, Aurora, better known to the world as Tsukuyomi, stood calmly in front of a large mirror, her reflection staring back at her like an ethereal goddess from another world.
The notes of "Before You Go" hung in the air, and even though she couldn't see the stage, Aurora could feel the emotion in the room from the vibrations in the floor, from the way the backstage crew was unusually quiet, all eyes fixed on the monitors showing Moonlight performing his heart out. Her brother, Theo- or rather, Moonlight- delivered a performance that, if she knew him at all, had poured every ounce of his soul into it.
As the crowd chorus swelled through the venue like a wave, Aurora smiled softly, her heart swelling with pride. This was his moment, the culmination of months of preparation, late- night rehearsals, and shared dreams. And soon, it would be her turn to join him.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Aurora was already dressed for her part in the concert, her transformation into Tsukuyomi complete. The shimmering outfit she wore was a masterpiece crafted by the renowned designer Jubo E, who had drawn inspiration from ancient Japanese mythology. The kimono- style garment was woven with delicate silver threads that glittered under the soft backstage lights, reflecting a soft radiance that gave her the appearance of a goddess stepping out of legend. The sleeves flowed like water, and the intricate patterns of cherry blossoms and stars stitched into the fabric seemed to move as she did, giving the illusion that she carried a piece of the night sky with her.
The ensemble was both elegant and ethereal, with the obi tied perfectly at her waist, and her long black hair cascading down her back in loose, soft waves. A small, intricate headpiece adorned with silver crescents rested on her forehead, completing the look. Plus, she wore a delicate mask that covered the lower half of her face. Tsukuyomi was the Moon Goddess, after all, and tonight, she was prepared to step into that role in front of thousands.
Aurora took a deep breath, her fingers lightly grazing the fabric of her outfit as she stared at herself in the mirror. Jubo E had outdone himself with this creation, and though she knew it was just a costume, it made her feel powerful. Majestic. Like she truly could step out onto that stage and command the attention of everyone in the audience-not as Aurora, but as Tsukuyomi.
Behind her, staff members buzzed around, ensuring everything was in place for the next act. She could hear the faint hum of people talking into headsets, relaying messages to stagehands, and coordinating the upcoming transition. The mood was calm but charged with anticipation. They all knew what was coming next.
Aurora moved away from the mirror and settled into a small seating area backstage, her thoughts drifting. She had always known this moment would come, from the very first time Theo had shared his dream of becoming Moonlight with her. From the very beginning, he had told her that she would be a part of it. They weren't just siblings-they were partners, two people who had survived so much and had come out stronger on the other side. Aurora could still remember the nights when Theo, with a quiet smile, arrived from a heavy day of work and cooked for her the little amount of food they could afford, she remembered how he starved so she could have something to eat. She never imagined that someday, the two poor siblings would become superstar singers performing for tens of thousands of people.
But no one in the audience knew who she really was. Like Theo, she had kept her true identity hidden. Tsukuyomi was a mystery to the world, just like Moonlight. Only a few people-Ayia, Shizuka, and Sam-knew the truth. To the fans, she was the enigmatic voice that had appeared in one of Moonlight's songs, captivating everyone with her ethereal sound and powerful harmonies. They knew her face from the animated music videos that accompanied her features-videos that depicted her as a celestial being, draped in light and shadow, her beauty and grace transcendent.
Aurora smiled to herself. The world only knew Tsukuyomi, and tonight, they would finally see her in the flesh.
But for now, she had a few minutes of peace. She closed her eyes, centering herself. The slow and romantic melody of "Before You Go" still hung in the back of her mind, the emotional weight of the song settling into her bones. Theo had a way of making every word, every note, feel like a personal confession, and she knew the audience felt it too.
The crew member responsible for cueing the next part of the show approached Aurora, signaling that it was almost time. Her breath quickened just slightly, but she steadied herself, rising from her seat. She had practiced for this moment for months. Everything was ready- her voice, her outfit, her presence. All that remained was for Moonlight to call her name. Aurora stood just behind the thick velvet curtains, hidden from the view of the thousands of fans who were still cheering for Moonlight. She could feel the vibration of their voices beneath her feet, the rumble of excitement as they waited for what was next. She adjusted the microphone in her hand, smoothing out the nerves that danced across her skin.
In the distance, she heard Theo's voice, speaking to the crowd again. His tone was lighter
now, playful. He was preparing them for what was about to happen.
"Now..." he said, his voice amplified across the hall. "I think it's time we bring someone
special to the stage."
Aurora's heart skipped a beat.
"Someone who means the world to me," Moonlight continued, his voice filled with affection, though his tone remained mysterious. The crowd was already buzzing with curiosity, the
anticipation building like a wave.
"Are you ready to meet her?"
The crowd exploded into cheers, the noise almost overwhelming as the lights dimmed just
slightly.
Aurora, standing backstage as Tsukuyomi, took one last deep breath. This was it.