Acting should have been a hard thing for me. A person devoid of all emotions. Forbidden to show any true emotions. But it was easy for me. Somehow. As long as it's acting, my mind allows it. Past emotions are also allowed. That's strange because that's technically my 'true' emotions, but…I don't really care about that right now. Because acting is acting. I just have to make it seem like my genuine emotions.
I have a small trick for acting. For negative emotions, I just have to use the emotions I had in the past and dig up some awful memories, like…let's not think about that right now. It'll lose its effect if I use it too much. But as for positive emotions, I'd just have to imagine 'what if' this happened after each negative emotion. For instance, what if I didn't need to go to work? Ella and I would probably be chilling at home every day, laughing and eating ice cream together on the couch.
I guess you could call that a happy scenario. Yeah, that's a good example. But for…
"Alistair, could you turn your head to the left? I need to touch up your makeup on your right cheek," Sarah's voice cut into my thoughts. I didn't wear any makeup today, because Sarah and Katelyn might realise that I'm wearing makeup and force me to take it off. I'm going to be putting on makeup anyway, so why not?
Quite a lot of people in my class complimented my facial complexion today. They all said I was really fair. This is why I wear makeup. Sigh. What could I do now that everyone has seen me without makeup? I might as well just not wear it anymore. That's one less thing to do in the morning.
"Hm, your face is perfect for putting makeup on. But it looks without too." Katelyn studied my face. "I can see why Kaori fell for you," She said in a serious tone.
"For the last time, our relationship is not like that," I stated. "We are merely just friends, nothing more."
"I would never date that woman anyway," I muttered.
"What was that?" Sarah raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing!"
"Hey, Sarah, Katelyn," I called.
"Yeah?"
"Why is my costume so revealing?" I looked down at my bare chest.
"Uh, it's to show the scars on your body from the previous battles," Sarah hastily answered.
"…"
I glanced at myself in the mirror.
I stopped for a second, catching my breath, and leaned in so close to the glass that I could see every detail of my face. My hair looked white with the wig on now. No more cold, bottomless violet eyes staring back at me. Instead, I see a pair of deep, dark blue eyes, full of despair. It was the colour of a midnight ocean. The white hair falling across my forehead just makes that blue stand out even more, sharp and strange, like I'm seeing someone unfamiliar—someone a little untouchable.
I run my hand over my long, silky hair. It was long enough, up to slightly below my chest. Then, there were my horns. It was mostly black with some sapphire, a dark blue. My ears also felt different. They looked like an elf's ears, but not. It was longer and pointier now. And on one of them was a small black cross earring.
I stood up from my seat. A long sword hung at my waist, matching my tall stature. I am around 177 cm now. Still growing, I guess. Around my index and ring fingers were two rings. Silver and obsidian.
"I assume you're Lucian Alistair Thorne?" A sweetly seductive voice rang behind me. So the acting has already started. I turned to see her, my fiancée. She had long, silky hair up to her hips. Her eyes were bloody crimson, asserting her deadly nature. Her horns were almost like mine, mostly black, but with some crimson or dark red.
"Yes. And can I assume you're Celestia Mortain?" A soft smile softened my features. She was slightly taller than 165 cm. Kind of short, I guess.
"Soon to be Celestia Thorne." A teasing smile touched her lips, and she poked my nose playfully.
"Yes, yes, Celestia," I smiled. From the corner of my eye, I could see the staff judging us from a shadowy corner. She must have noticed it earlier.
"Lucas!! How many times must I remind you to call me Celeste?!" She puffed out her cheeks and stomped her feet cutely.
"Sorry, Celeste, you know how I am," I rubbed my head in embarrassment. The role I'm playing, the Demon Lord, Lucian Alistair Thorne, is quite forgetful in his private life. He also has a fiancée, Celestia Mortain, who loves him very much and can be very playful when they're alone.
From my interaction with her, I can tell that she was rehearsing her lines with me. It was probably to judge my acting. During my conversation with her, I could also tell I wouldn't need to back her up. She handles things very well.
"Let's go find the others, shall we?"
"Yes, Lucas!" She wrapped her hands around my arm.
As we walked towards the backstage, I decided to test her ad-libbing skills.
"Celeste, would you like a Princess Carry?" I bent down and held her hand.
"Of course!" She exclaimed, though she blushed when I held her hand. That was the reaction I was looking for. Although Celestia loved openly expressing her love for Lucian, she was very sensitive to physical touch.
"Eeep!" She squealed as I scooped her up.
"How do you like it, Princess?" I smirked.
"I love it." She quickly averted her gaze, hoping no one would notice the slight pink spreading across her face.
"You're hot pink," I teased.
"I know that!" Her cheeks burned more intensely now, her embarrassment audible in her tone.
"We're here," I told her quietly. "Be careful."
She nodded.
"Oh, Lucian and Celestia are here now—" The hero's jaw dropped upon seeing us.
"Hm? What's wrong, Hero?" A sly grin tugged at her lips, her eyes sparkling with unspoken mischief. "Feeling too single this afternoon?" I bent down and carefully let her down.
"N—no! It's just that, why are the two of you acting so lovey-dovey already?!" Gideon Sterling stuttered.
"Do you have any problem with that?" She grinned.
Before he could respond…
"And cut!!!" A voice cut in.
We all turned to see one of the staff.
"Lucian and Celestia, you may break character." He stepped in between Gideon and us.
Upon receiving permission, I returned to my usually cold face. Whew, I was thinking that if we started so early, I might not have enough energy to keep up the demon lord act till the end of the play.
"The play is starting soon, and all of your friends are also outside waiting, so give me a minute to tell all of you this," He said quickly, glancing at the stage. "It doesn't matter if you're the villain or a side character. As long as you play your role well, maybe you'll be part of the main cast. As for the protagonists," He looked at Gideon and Athena Cross. "Being the heroes doesn't mean that you'll definitely be on the main cast."
"So, everyone," He addressed all of us. "Do your best out there."
"Yes," Everyone responded.
Looking at the sea of people already settling down in their seats from backstage, I…didn't feel anything. Not nervous, just confused. "Wait," I muttered. "Why are they all here?" Almost everyone from Class D was sitting in the front row, especially Remi and Liam's friend group. Even Crystal was there, though she looked like she had been dragged here by Tank.
But Remi didn't seem to be among them. "Maybe she was one of the actors. That's why they're all here," I thought, glancing back at the hero's party. They were all talking to each other cheerfully.
Meanwhile…
"Butterflies in your stomach?" Her voice carried a soft, teasing lilt.
"No," I stated.
"Hm?" She didn't look convinced at all. That smug look of hers was still there. "Lucas, the hero, has already started talking to his party members; you should probably talk to your own subordinates."
Oh? Are we playing it this way? She's still using my nickname, so…is she challenging me? Two can play that game.
"Talk about what?" I smirked, wrapping a hand around her waist.
"Wa—wait! What are you doing?" Her ears tingled, announcing her unease more loudly than she wanted to. Her acting was good.
I then bent down and whispered into her ear, "I accept your challenge."
"I know." Her lips twisted into a small smile.
"Demon Lord's army, assemble!" Celeste placed her hand on a questionable part of my chest, 'showing her love for me'.
"Demons," I said slowly.
"Yes, sir!" They bowed on one knee.
"We must defeat the Hero's party no matter what. Not only in the play, but also in reality. No matter what, we must beat them in acting!!" I commanded.
"YES!!!" They roared.
They seem more energetic than me. Sigh, socialising is tough and tiring. I can feel my social battery already dropping by a few bars.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the play is starting shortly. Please refrain from taking any photographs or videos and strictly put your phones on silent mode. And with that, please sit back, relax, and enjoy Elegy of the Fallen Halo."
The lights dimmed.
The first scene was us. Celeste and my scene. I need to execute this well.
Celeste nodded at me.
"Good luck out there," She told me.
"You too."
Her hand slipped into mine.
"Act I: The King Who Chose Damnation. Scene 1."
The first scene was the Demon Realm. It was elegant, quiet, almost melancholic, contrary to what others would think. There, in the corner, was my obsidian throne with silver carvings. Tall arched windows showed the twilight sky with faint floating feathers. A large circular symbol behind the throne resembled a halo…although cracked.
The soft wind blew as a slow orchestral choir with very subtle Latin vocals sounded.
The distant bells tolled once.
That was my cue.
I stepped onto the stage.
It was still completely dark.
Then the spotlight shone on a single white feather that fell from the ceiling down into my hand.
A soft piano note played. But I was motionless. Silence stretched long enough to create tension among the audience. They squirmed around in their seats uncomfortably.
I finally spoke quietly,
"Tell me…
When does a man become a monster?"
There was a pause.
"Is it when he takes a life?
When he tells a lie?
Or…
…when the world decides it no longer wishes to understand him?"
I studied the feather resting in my hand.
"They call me Demon Lord.
Tyrant.
Calamity.
Enemy of humanity."
I almost smile faintly.
"Such grand titles…
For someone who merely wishes to be left in peace…"
Another feather falls.
"History is an interesting thing.
It remembers victories…
…but rarely does it remember the desperation that created them…"
I stand slowly. The lighting behind me shifts slightly brighter, and I seem to appear almost haloed.
"If the heavens themselves decree your existence a mistake…
… Is rebellion truly evil?
Or is it…inevitable?"
I crush the feather in my hand.
Black ash falls instead of white.
"Purity is fragile…
…this is why it fears everything…"
The distant thunder rumbled.
Then darkness and silence again.
"Scene 2."
The doors open slowly behind me, but I do not turn. Celeste enters, as elegant and composed as she always was. She watches me before speaking, "Lucas, the council awaits your decree."
"Decrees imply choice."
Celeste walks forward and says, "Then call it resolve."
"Resolve is merely fear wearing armour."
She stopped beside me. "And yet armour keeps one alive." She paused before adding, "Reports from the northern territories have arrived. Human forces continue expanding fortifications along the border."
"They are afraid," I whispered.
"Would you prefer they were not?" Celeste asked.
"Fear makes men cruel."
"Fear also makes them obedient," Celeste argued.
"I do not wish for obedience. I only wish for understanding," I sighed softly.
"Understanding does not win wars."
I turned slightly towards her before answering, "Wars should not need winning."
Silence.
"You are hesitating." She studied me carefully.
"I am remembering."
"Memories are luxuries kings cannot afford." She rested her hand on my shoulder.
"Then perhaps I am unfit to be king."
"No. That is why you must be one." She adjusted my robe gently. "Those who desire power rarely deserve it. And those who despise it rarely escape it." I looked at her with quiet gratitude.
"You should have chosen someone kinder," I told her.
"I did."
She smiled gently at me.
"Scene 3."
The council bells rang faintly.
"They grow restless." She mumbled.
"They should," I said quietly. "Restlessness means they still care whether they live past another day."
"You carry their fear as though it were your own," Celeste said, clinging to my arm.
"It is." I walked down the steps. "Do you know what a king truly is?" I asked Celeste.
"Enlighten me."
"A king is a man who stands where arrows gather," I explained.
"Then I shall stand beside you." She looked up at me.
I gave her a bitter smile. "I would rather you stood far away from danger."
"And abandon you to it alone?" She crossed her arms.
"I would abandon the entire world before abandoning you."
She smiled softly. "What a dangerous thing to say to your fiancée."
"An honest thing."
There was a pause.
"They already call you a monster."
"Titles are efficient," I said. "They prevent inconvenient questions."
"And if history never learns the truth?"
"Then history will remain consistent."
She studied me carefully again. "You intend to accept their hatred."
It wasn't a question; it was a statement.
"Hatred is lighter to carry than extinction."
"You saw something."
"I saw enough,"
"And you will not tell me?" A teasing smile played at her lips.
"I would rather you hated me than feared what is coming."
She stepped closer, closing the gap between us.
"I could never hate you. You know that," She smiled.
"Everyone can. Given sufficient motivation."
"Then let the world prove you wrong." She rested her head against my chest.
"Scene 4."
A servant enters quietly, carrying a ceremonial crown. Black metal shaped like intertwined wings.
"Your Majesty…"
I looked at the crown without touching it.
"Tell me…does it look heavy?"
"It looks worthy."
"That was not the question.
He hesitated.
"It looks…lonely."
I nod. "An honest answer." I take the crown, and the lighter shifts darker. Feathers fall again slowly.
Placing the crown on my head, I spoke,
"If the world demands a monster…
…then I shall become one worth fearing."
"Scene 5."
"Human armies gather near the border!" A messenger bursts in the middle of the council's meeting.
"Of course they do."
"Shall we prepare defences?" He asks.
I paused.
"Prepare evacuations."
"Evacuations?" He asked.
"War spares no one who stands too close to righteousness."
He bowed quickly and exited.
"You will protect even them," Celeste murmured.
"Lives do not become less valuable simply because they oppose me."
"You truly are an inconvenient villain," She smirked.
"History rarely rewards convenience." I smiled back, slipping my hand into hers.
"Final Scene."
Celestia got up from her throne and prepared to leave the council chamber.
She pauses.
"When this ends…
…what do you hope remains?"
The silence stretched.
"Enough people alive to misunderstand me."
She smiles, faintly, exiting the room.
I was left alone again.
I looked at the cracked halo symbol behind the throne.
"Heaven," I say softly. "You should have chosen a kinder enemy…"
The light dims slowly.
A single feather falls.
Darkness and silence once more.
"You were good," I told Celeste backstage. "Good enough for me to fight the urge to step in."
"Oh?" She turned around to face me. "You still had to fight the urge to step in? I thought our act was perfect."
"Not perfect enough," I replied. "The background we were given about Lucian and Celestia was that they were a couple deeply in love. In Act I, we didn't deliver the impression that you were my fiancée. We looked more like acquaintances than lovers."
"I thought about that too," She said thoughtfully. "The script does say that we can change our dialogues as long as they fulfil the requirements."
"And the requirements were to follow the backgrounds we were given for our respective characters and stay as close to the script as possible."
"Right." She brought a finger to my lips. "Shh, dear, now let's see the hero's party fall to their doom."