Chapter 45
A Skáld’s Power
Honestly, I didn’t know what I expected to hear.
Especially when you hear that a song is dedicated to you. In my past this often meant that some boy would pick up their old guitar and strum out the same three keys in a terrible cadence that was only made worse by their attempt to sing over their poor musical standards. Yet, I knew for a fact that this would not be the case.
I knew from our class that Death Machine, aka Madame Voyou my music teacher had a great voice. But it wasn’t until I heard her sing for the first time that I truly got to see just how impressive she was.
It started low, with her sultry voice setting the tone for what would come next.
“This song is for anyone who realized they missed a chance, but only after it was gone. I call it A Lost Chance, please feel free to join once you know the chorus.”
Then she began, her voice making a haunting debut along with a few lingering notes on her odd looking violin.
“A lost chance,
A discarded role
Things that now
Will never be whole”
Breaking her cadence, she spoke to the crowd, “that’s the chorus, I expect you to join me next time.”
Then without word, she went right back to the song.
“You Could have been mine
In another life in another time
If we had more time to see
The connection that could be (between us)”
Somehow, she used a type of ventriloquism Skill that seemed to project her voice outward and have it echo back to her. Echoing the haunting phrase between us.
Then pausing and pointing to the crowd, she gave a quick gesture letting everyone know this was their moment to join in.
As one, everyone joined in. Their minds knowing the chorus after just one mantra, almost as if it was implanted there. Again, I assumed this had to be part of the Skáld’s powers, but for the moment I just let myself get lost in the song. In the way everyone, even Lucia and Luna joined in from Sal’s booth. Their words seamlessly blending with Madame Voyou’s deep resonating voice.
[Chorus]
“A lost chance
A discarded role
Things that now
Will never be whole”
The was a pause as the voice of the crowd that had slowly started to join died down. In that moment, my mind went back to music class from the other day, where I felt the river of voices in the classroom, and I had conducted it.
Remembering that moment, that sensation, I realize now why Madame Voyou seemed so annoyed afterwards. As she had that same resonance, that same ability to make a crowd of people come to life and enjoy a moment.
Four bars, that was how long Madame Voyou let her violin solo come in, filling a void and continuing the magic of her music, without letting even an ounce of energy drop. Then once she was in full control again, and the audience was captivated in silence by her Skill, she continued the song.
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“While I am not angered by your life choice
I wish the world could hear your voice
To hear you sing
To shine a light on your soul”
A slight pause, as she shifted verses.
“I can only see you rise away from me (away from me)
You will still soar as you were meant to be
Just not with me (not with me)”
Again she used some type of ventriloquism Skill to have her voice resonant outward and echo back in a haunting visage. Then with a wink and rise of her left hand, she let the audience know it was their time again to join in the song.
This time everyone joined, even those that seemed hesitant at first.
[Chorus]
“A lost chance
A discarded role
Things that now
Will never be whole”
This time the audience ended, a few off rhythm voices cutting off as if part of the musical wave. Then she continued.
“Don't doubt your choice,
You could always fly (even without me)
Hear my voice (in your soul)
Know that I want you to soar (on your own)”
Her haunting voice, seeming to mirror back the long lost wants of her soul back to her.
“I will just have to learn to grieve
While I watch you leave (watch you leave)”
There was a slight pause, before she slowly ended with a pain filled outro that while unique to her, resonated with everyone universally.
[Outro]
“While I watch you leave
While I watch you leave
While I watch you leave me”
Panting.
After the song, I felt myself panting as I had felt the music stir something deep within me. Looking around, it was clear that I was not the only one in this state, as Madame Voyou, AKA Death Machine was already handing the microphone and violin to Lucia and Luna respectively. Apparently, they had been given an advance copy of the song and knew when to run to the booth to join in, and when to make their way to the stage.
Again, the timing and precision of this operation seemed impressive. Even Sal joined in, distracting people while Madame Voyou prepared for her match against an opponent who came down without any fanfare.
“Just a reminder that we are here for the troops and for the academies. All taxes and donations generated here will go directly to fund the troops and the academies to train our troops better. All fighters who win tonight will not only get a $500 prize per victory but will also get a scholarship of equal value should they enlist in the Academy and commit to a simple six-year military contract after graduation.” Sal spoke, and hearing his words I could see the next layer of this whole scheme. This was all just a grand recruitment campaign.
A recruitment campaign with live music, monsters, and above all else combat.
Looking around, I could see that while there were many rich dignitaries and the like at the lower levels. The fans, that is the ones that were here for the spectacle, were all young and fit people that a government would want directly amongst their military forces.
I felt a wave of revulsion rise in me, knowing that I was part of this spectacle, but quickly dismissed it, as I knew a military was important for a government’s stability. That said, I did not like the way I suddenly felt used as part of the propaganda arm of this event.
I also wouldn’t besmirch anyone trying to get a better education, but I almost wondered what the academies here had to offer. Then as if Sal was reading my mind, or likely answering the obvious thoughts that most people would have by this point he continued.
“Ever think that you Skills and Attributes are too low to meet the Classes you were truly meant for? Ever fear the idea that you will be stuck with a basic Common or even Uncommon class while you were meant for more? With the various academies around the capital, you can find your weak points, get necessary Skills and Badges needed to get your Attributes where they are needed for the future you want for yourself—” Sal’s voice droned on, but by this point I had heard enough.
Suddenly, I realized that what Madame Bloom had offered me was a personalized Academy experience. Both the exceptional Class and Skills were likely very guarded subjects at most Academies. I would of course need to research and verify this insight, but if this was correct, Madame Bloom had apparently saved me from a life as a mediocre trade Class. A Class that I would have ultimately been accepting of, but would have likely left me feeling slightly unfulfilled in this world filled with magic.
While I realized my Class might make it so I can never truly reach my full potential as an Earth magic caster, I think this one is ultimately the best for me, as I can do what I love best, helping people.
I am lost in this sort of headspace, one that is brought about by hearing compelling live music, and then immediately hearing focused advertisements that seemed directed specifically towards me. Suddenly, my mind is drawn back to my past life with the idea of the radio. Of driving and listening to a profound song that moves you mentally, only to hear about opportunities at the nearby college.
Thinking back to those thoughts, I can’t help but chuckle a bit, as I realize it was one such advertisement that spoke to me about becoming a nurse. I can even remember the exit and giant billboard for the local college that held the classes I needed.
Blinking.
I close my eyes to remove the distracting memories of my past life. Memories that only seemed to be uncorked due to the violent strum of emotions that were released by hearing the Skáld’s song. For a moment I wonder if this is a Skill. Some type of resonating mind alteration.
Pop.
Then almost as soon as I have that exact thought, I realize that my thoughts were not far off. It was a sort of weak mental illusionary state, one that promoted thinking.
Realizing that my own thoughts and emotions had just been played with, had been forcefully pushed to the extremes by a musical genius, I suddenly realized again just how scary this world was.
For a moment, I thought that giving away six years of my future would be worth it, to have the Class and career I wanted.
Thinking back, I dissect the song. It was perfect for eliciting such a mental state. Even the title A Lost Chance is both universal and seemingly noncommittal, other than letting you know that you lost something. Even now, had I not already had a great class, I might feel that I was missing something.
Out of curiosity, I made it a note to see how many people enlisted their futures to attend the various Academies so that when they repaid their six-year commitment they were as optimal as possible to fulfill their duties.
I also wondered, exactly how powerful of a class was the Skáld class to generate such thoughts.
Turning my attention to the ring, I intended to learn just that, to see just how powerful a Skáld truly was, but as I looked, I saw something that truly seemed odd.
There up on stage, I saw Madame Voyou staring at me with her one perfect blue eye, the color and energy draining from her face as she almost seemed to have a look of panic form.
That look was short lived, as the referee’s voice quickly cut in, letting everyone know that the next event was ready to start.
“Begin!” The Referee’s clear voice shouted out, cutting through the audience members that were only now starting to break free of the illusionary hold of the song that had captivated all our minds a moment ago.
Then the unthinkable happened.
Song A Lost Chance can be heard on .
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