The city becomes more dangerous at night —
not because of the sounds…
but because of the silence.
Mira parked the caravan at the corner of an old, narrow alley.
Noen, Sera, and Lio — all were quiet.
Here, silence wasn't fear.
It was survival.
But Noen's heart…
was still making music.
---
> "Do you remember that girl?"
Noen asked Sera quietly.
> "Who?" she replied,
eyes focused on a glass window ahead.
> "The one on the balcony… the one who was humming something."
Sera's expression shifted slightly.
> "Are you sure? I didn't hear anything."
Noen just smiled.
> "I heard it with my heart.
Not with my ears."
---
Just then, a guard walked past the alley.
At his waist, the same glowing soul crystal —
the one that caught even the tiniest vibrations.
Every step on the ground carried a message…
and the guard could hear them all.
Lio quietly hid his drumsticks.
> "These guys probably arrest people for dreaming too loud,"
he whispered.
---
The next morning, Noen went out alone.
He moved through the city's market —
dodging eyes, avoiding footsteps.
Everything was being sold…
except music.
Bookstore: "How to Speak Without Emotion"
Café: No songs, only the ticking of clocks.
Temple: "Blessed are the mute."
And on one wall, written in bold:
> "Music corrupts the soul.
Silence purifies it."
Noen read it.
His fingers clenched the necklace around his neck —
the one his mother gave him on Earth.
And just then…
---
A whisper near his ear:
> "You didn't sing, did you?"
Noen turned.
A young guy stood beside him —
half-smile, eyes glowing with something wild.
> "People like you don't survive in Silencia,"
he said.
Noen stared back, fearless.
> "I'm not here to survive,"
"I'm here to make them alive again."
The guy chuckled…
and slipped a paper into Noen's hand.
> "Echo Circle — Basement 3, Red Lantern Alley."
And then… he vanished.
---
Across the street…
on a window ledge…
She was there again.
The balcony girl.
She was watching Noen —
eyes full of fear…
but also something more:
Hope.
---
Chapter End.