Vira took a deep breath, as her four-inch heels clicked against the mahogany floor of the backstage. On the other side of the curtain, the tail-end of an applause still echoed in the amphitheater.
The host spoke in a smooth baritone voice. "Our next candidate is out to make history tonight, being the very first to come from the floating cities of the Veneran Federation!" Another round of applause filled the air. "Presenting, from the Akatsuki Colony, VENARIA FARI!"
The crowd took to its feet, shaking the theater with its riotous cheers. The only thing brighter than the spotlight, as Vira stepped out onto the stage, was her smile. She waved with reserved enthusiasm, befitting someone vying for the first interplanetary Miss Universe crown.
She slowly moved to the center of the stage, where the microphone stood. As Vira stepped, her pearly-white legs peeked out from the thigh-high slit in her periwinkle gown. The dreamy pastel shade of the fabric was accented with whites and dark blues, crepe and lace that fluttered slightly as she took position. Her buttery blonde hair was done in a loose fishtail braid and draped casually across one shoulder. Her eyes shone in all their bright blue wonder, only closing momentarily as the lights and the applause died down.
The melancholic vibrato of strings filled the air as she opened her eyes again. The lone spotlight that shone on her now bathed her in a golden hue, as white sparkles materialized along the walls. Vira opened her mouth and sang.
The audience was completely silent as the clear and powerful notes washed over them. Vira sang with all her heart, rousing the crowd's emotions with a powerful chorus.
In front of the stage were the VIPs, a who's who of the most powerful and influential people on both Earth and Venera. They were all gathered here for this momentous evening. Vira scanned the line, flashing each an endearing smile. Finally, her eyes settled on the TV camera right in front of her. The song tapered to a cadence, and Vira stepped back from the mic for a second.
Once more, Vira closed her eyes and bowed her head. The final chorus was coming, and the crowd was expectant. As the music started to build back up, a lone tear escaped and ran down Vira's cheeks. Almost nobody saw it -- everyone's attention was enamored by the idea of a Veneran songstress winning tonight's title.
The music reached its peak, and Vira belted out the melody with all her heart. Her eyes flicked open, and fixed once more on the camera.
As the crescendo rolled through the still air of the theater, the rumblings of another music can be heard. It went by unnoticed, until it was too late.
Vira stretched out her arms, completely absorbed in the roaring symphony that played around her. Her celestial notes rang clearly in her ears, but no one else paid attention anymore. All around the theater, the crowd had started screaming and running for their lives. Vira knew they won't make it. And so she kept on singing, the ghost of a smile flashing across her face.
The walls of the amphitheater blasted inwards in a powerful explosion, its ceiling raining shattered wood, plaster, and concrete. A fireball engulfed the stage, consuming everything in its path. The pillars of the theater crumbled as shaped charges detonated, sending the whole structure crashing down on the eighty thousand people in attendance. The organizers of today's grand event made sure no one would make it out alive.
They knew that this massacre would set forth a bloody series of events. It was a gambit, but a purposeful one. At least, they hoped. As Vira's consciousness faded, her only regret was that she would not be there to see what comes next.
But she had made her sacrifice.
"Lira... it's your turn."