The moment Seojun's fingers touched the keys, the air thickened, charged with an unseen energy. The music spilled from the piano, fluid and unrestrained, carrying an unspoken yearning that resonated in his chest. This time, he played without fear, without hesitation, surrendering to the pull of the melody.
Elias watched him intently, his usual composed expression shifting to something unreadable. The room seemed to vibrate with an invisible force, the very air humming in response to the music. The light filtering through the windows dimmed, as if the world outside held its breath.
Then, it happened.
A sharp pulse rippled through the room, and for a split second, everything around Seojun blurred. His heart pounded as the walls of the music room wavered, fading into an unfamiliar scene. He gasped, his fingers still moving across the keys, though he was no longer sure where he was.
He found himself in a grand hall, its vast ceiling adorned with intricate carvings of constellations. The chandeliers above flickered with an ethereal glow, casting elongated shadows against marble pillars. A long row of empty chairs stretched out before him, as if awaiting an audience that had yet to arrive.
Seojun's hands trembled as he pulled them away from the piano. He turned sharply, expecting Elias but he was alone.
"Hello?" he called out, his voice swallowed by the immense space.
No answer.
He swallowed hard, his mind racing. This wasn't just an illusion. He had truly crossed over again.
A soft rustling echoed through the hall, and Seojun spun toward the sound. From the shadows, a figure emerged a man dressed in elegant attire, his face obscured by the dim lighting.
"You played the song," the stranger said, his voice smooth, almost knowing. "And so, you have arrived."
Seojun took a step back, his pulse quickening. "Where am I?"
The man tilted his head slightly. "Somewhere in between."
A shiver ran down Seojun's spine. "Between what?"
The man didn't answer right away. Instead, he took slow, deliberate steps forward. "Between worlds. Between time. Between memories long forgotten." His eyes gleamed as he studied Seojun. "You are the first in a long time to find your way here."
Seojun's mind reeled. None of this made sense, and yet, it felt...right. Like he was meant to be here. Like the music had been leading him to this moment all along.
"Who are you?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The man finally stepped into the light, revealing sharp features and piercing eyes. "You may call me Alden."
Seojun hesitated. "Why am I here?"
Alden's lips curved into a small smile. "Because you seek answers."
Seojun's breath hitched. That was true. But he hadn't expected to actually find them at least, not like this.
Before he could ask more, another pulse rippled through the air, and the grand hall around him began to distort. Seojun stumbled back, his vision blurring as the world twisted and pulled him away.
With a gasp, he found himself back in the music room, his hands still pressed against the piano keys.
Elias was already by his side, gripping his shoulder. "Seojun!"
Seojun's chest heaved, his heart racing. He turned to Elias, his voice shaking. "I was somewhere else. A hall. A man named Alden was there."
Elias's eyes darkened slightly, a flicker of recognition flashing across his face. "Alden?"
Seojun nodded, gripping the edge of the piano. "He said I was the first to arrive in a long time. That I was between worlds."
Elias exhaled slowly, his grip tightening just slightly. "Then it's beginning."
Seojun looked at him, confusion laced in his gaze. "What is?"
Elias met his eyes, a shadow of something unreadable in his expression. "Your journey."