From backstage, Zander, the vocalist of Black Crux, was getting ready.
"We're about to start," their guitarist announced.
"Alright, dude, just let me finish this," Zander replied, fine-tuning his guitar.
Shortly after, they made their way to the stage. The crowd erupted into cheers, especially as the spotlight focused on Zander.
With a burst of energy, they began to play.
The women erupted in excitement and cheered aloud upon hearing Zander's voice. Since the disbandment of the Moonlight Knights, Paradiso Bar had lost its allure, but with Zander's arrival, it regained its popularity once again.
No one knows where Zander is from. He doesn't share any information about himself with his bandmates. In the morning, he's hard to find; he only shows up at the bar at night.
While Zander was singing, he felt something strange. He glanced around.
After the performance, he bid farewell to his bandmates. He suddenly felt uneasy while inside the bar.
Xylon and his companions had just arrived at the Paradiso Bar.
"Oh, where's the band they were talking about?" Maddison asked.
"It seems like they're done already," Stephen replied.
"It's too early," Jade commented.
"Let's ask," Xylon suggested.
They approached the counter.
"Boss, is Black Crux performing tonight?" Xylon asked.
"Oh sir, they just finished performing. Their vocalist left, so they might not perform again tonight," the bartender explained.
"Oh really? That's disappointing," Jade said.
"Ah, what a waste of our trip," Blake added.
Suddenly, Xylon had a brilliant idea.
"Since no one's performing anymore, why don't we play instead?" Xylon suggested.
Heberlin grinned. "That's a good idea, dude."
Xylon looked at Jade. "You guys sit down first, we just need to talk to someone."
Jade nodded with a smile.
Xylon, Xenon, Stephen, and Heberlin walked towards the bar manager's location.
The manager was surprised to see them. "Xylon? From Moonlight Knights?"
"Yes, that's us. How have you been?" Xylon greeted.
"Doing fine. It's been a while since I last saw you," the manager replied.
"We've been busy. We heard there's a new band here, and we wanted to watch, but it turns out they're already done," Xylon explained.
"Zander suddenly left, why don't you guys give it a try? After all, their performance is over," the manager suggested.
"We won't say no to that," Heberlin replied.
They headed to the backstage and prepared the instruments that were there.
Jade and her companions settled at a table conveniently close to the stage.
"Are they going to perform now?" Lilith inquired, her eyes scanning the stage.
"Yes, they are. It seems their band is staging a comeback," Aria confirmed, excitement evident in her voice.
"This will be the first time I'll hear Xylon sing," Jade remarked, her gaze fixed on the illuminated stage.
"Huh? Doesn't he sing to you?" Maddison asked.
"Xylon's always busy," Jade replied.
As the stage lit up, revealing Xylon's band presence, a hush fell over the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's all extend a warm welcome to the return of Moonlight Knights," the emcee announced, eliciting loud applause from the audience.
"OMG, it's MK? They're making a comeback?" exclaimed a woman nearby, her excitement palpable.
With the crowd's anticipation mounting, Xylon and his bandmates began to play, their music filling the venue with electrifying energy.
Jade and her friends cheered enthusiastically for Xylon's band.
"Whoo, you guys are amazing!" Maddison's voice rang out in excitement.
"Kyaahh, I love you MK!!!" exclaimed another woman.
Maddison couldn't help but roll her eyes at the woman.
After their performance, the manager expressed his delight at hearing their band's music again.
Approaching Jade, Xylon smiled warmly.
"You guys were incredible," Jade praised.
"Of course," Xylon agreed, wrapping his arm around her.
"You're still amazing," Blake remarked, impressed.
"We're legends, dude," Heberlin proudly said.
"I'm starving," Zake announced abruptly, breaking the moment.
"Oh, come on, let's leave before Zake gets an attack," Blake suggested.
They exited the bar, unaware that someone was watching them from afar.
.
....
Hell. The realm of demons. A world teeming with suffering and evil.
Here, the echoes of whips reverberate, mingling with the desperate cries of demons who were hungry and eager for flesh.
At the very top sits a throne occupied by a demon with red hair and red eyes, long fangs, and devilish horns and wings.
He is Leviathan, the king of hell.
"Your Majesty, the demons below are starving," a messenger demon said.
"Feed the weak and dying demons to them," Leviathan ordered.
The messenger nodded then bowed and descended into the depths.
Summoning another demon, Leviathan inquired, "How's the progress with the portal?"
"It's slowly developing holes, Your Majesty," the demon replied with his head lowered.
"Excellent. What about the news regarding my brothers' children?" Leviathan inquired further.
"They have been slain, but one has escaped and is still being pursued," the demon answered.
"Tss...kill him! No one else can sit on this throne but me!" Leviathan angrily commanded.
"Y-Yes, Your Majesty," the demon stammered and flew away.
Leviathan rose, surveying the scene below where demons were eating their fellow demons, while others were being whipped.
"Just wait a little longer... we will soon break free," he said.
With resounding laughter, Leviathan echoed throughout the infernal domain.