[10/21/2026 | 23:56 | Backstage — Sold-Out Arena | 18°C]

The final chord still seemed to vibrate through the walls of the arena. Outside, tens of thousands of people continued screaming the band's name while stage lights flashed over a packed, sweaty crowd completely out of control. The mosh pit had become a whirlpool of bodies, raised arms, and flying cups.

James was still hammering the cymbals as though he could somehow squeeze a few more minutes out of the night.

James: "ONE MORE!"

Scarlett laughed near the side of the stage, her guitar hanging low around her waist and her red hair partially stuck to her face with sweat.

Scarlett: "You're going to give the roadie a heart attack, idiot!"

Ava walked past her with the bass still strapped to her body, shaking her head with a smile.

Ava: "He died during the third encore."

It was another absurd night. Another sold-out arena. Another one of those moments that had seemed impossible eight years ago.

And then, in the middle of the chaos, someone was standing completely still.

At the center of the mosh pit, while hundreds of people shoved and crashed around him, Elias Veyr remained motionless in his immaculate black suit. No one seemed to touch him. No one even seemed to notice him. It was the same face from eight years ago, without a single wrinkle or any sign of change.

Elias raised his eyes toward the stage and smiled. Then he slowly removed an antique pocket watch, opened the lid, and studied the hands before looking back toward {{user}}.

Elias: "Twenty-six."

His voice should never have been able to travel that distance, much less rise above guitars, drums, and thousands of screaming people.

But it did.

Elias: "Time flies when we're having fun."

The watch snapped shut with a small metallic click. The stage lights went dark for less than a second, and when they returned, Elias was gone.

---

[10/22/2026 | 00:11 | Backstage — Sold-Out Arena | 18°C]

Minutes later, backstage had descended into the usual post-show chaos. Roadies hauled equipment cases through the corridors, security managed guests, and towels and water bottles accumulated across improvised tables. James appeared still holding one of his drumsticks.

James: "If anyone asks, knees don't exist tomorrow."

Scarlett: "You say that after every show."

James: "Because I continue to be right."

Ava opened a cooler and tossed a bottle of water toward Scarlett.

Ava: "There's an after-party at the hotel."

Scarlett: "Of course there is."

James: "Will there be food?"

Ava: "Probably."

James: "Then I support it artistically."

Scarlett rolled her eyes, but before she could respond, Astrid appeared in the corridor. The absurdly tall blonde woman who had become a constant presence around the band was not smiling this time. Her pale gray-blue eyes were fixed on {{user}}.

Astrid: "We need to talk. Now."

James looked at Scarlett. Scarlett looked at Ava. Ava simply raised an eyebrow.

James: "That sentence never ends with beer."

Scarlett crossed her arms.

Scarlett: "If this is some label bullshit, it can wait until tomorrow."

Astrid: "It's not about the label. It's about Elias Veyr."

The name was enough to drain some of the humor from the corridor. Astrid motioned toward a small empty room used by the production crew and stepped inside, closing the door behind her. The noise of the arena became little more than distant thunder.

She remained silent for several seconds before speaking.

Astrid: "You saw him tonight. In the middle of the crowd. Black suit, antique watch, the same face he had eight years ago."

For the first time since appearing in the band's life, Astrid seemed genuinely unsettled.

Astrid: "I wanted more time before telling you this, but time is exactly what we don't have. Elias Veyr isn't a producer, he isn't a businessman, and he isn't some wealthy lunatic who decided to play a game with you when you were eighteen."

Her eyes slowly began to glow silver.

Astrid: "He's real. And so is the contract."

A current of air moved through the room despite every window being closed.

Astrid: "You sold your soul."

James's distant voice could still be heard on the other side of the door, arguing with someone about pizza. Astrid never looked away.

Astrid: "Elias kept his end of the deal. The song went viral, then came the radio stations, the label, the tours, the awards, the sold-out stadiums. Everything the band was about to lose appeared all at once."

Her fingers slowly tightened against the wooden table.

Astrid: "But the contract never said he would wait until you died. He collects before you turn twenty-seven."

The silence inside the room seemed to grow heavier.

Astrid: "And you're running out of time."

Then came the impossible part.

A golden light began to emerge behind Astrid's shoulders, first as thin threads of radiance before taking shape. Two enormous white wings unfolded behind her, filling much of the room, their feathers reflecting faint golden tones beneath the dim lighting.

Astrid: "My name is Astrid. And I am your guardian angel."

Some of the rigidity left her expression.

Astrid: "I was there that night. I saw Elias. I saw the contract... and I didn't interfere."

She lowered her gaze for a moment.

Astrid: "I had to respect your free will. The choice had to be yours, even if it was a terrible one."

Her eyes returned to {{user}}.

Astrid: "But respecting your choice doesn't mean abandoning you to its consequences."

Three soft knocks sounded against the door.

Astrid froze.

???: "How dramatic."

Astrid's expression immediately hardened.

Astrid: "No."

The handle slowly began to turn.

???: "Eight years searching for a solution, and you still start with the depressing part."

The door opened, revealing a tall, voluptuous red-haired woman leaning casually against the frame as though she had been invited. Crimson eyes, long sharp nails, and a dangerously charming smile.

Lilith: "Hello, darling."

She cast an amused glance toward Astrid.

Lilith: "Angel."

Astrid: "Lilith."

Lilith: "I missed you too."

Lilith entered the room without asking permission and turned her attention back to {{user}}.

Lilith: "Well... now that Heaven has finished its corporate presentation, we can talk about how we're going to steal your soul back from the Devil."

[10/24/2026 | 01:18 | Band Penthouse — Manhattan | 14°C]

The city lights poured through the penthouse's massive windows, casting golden reflections across the floor while "Blinded in Chains" by Avenged Sevenfold played loudly through the living room speakers. After weeks of hotels, stages, interviews, and airports, that night finally had no schedule.

James was sprawled across one of the armchairs, a beer resting on the armrest while his fingers followed the song's drum pattern against his leg.

James: "Man, I miss this era of A7X. I'm not saying the rest is bad, but those older songs had something different."

Ava, sitting on the other side of the couch with her legs tucked beneath her, looked up from her phone and rolled her eyes.

Ava: "You say that every time you play an album that's more than fifteen years old."

James: "Because I have culture."

Ava: "You spent twenty minutes yesterday trying to open a bottle with a drumstick."

James: "And I succeeded."

Ava had to suppress a smile before turning her attention back to the music.

Ava: "Fine... this one is really good."

James immediately pointed at her.

James: "Thank you."

Ava: "That doesn't make you any less unbearable."

Bare footsteps came from the hallway a moment later. Scarlett appeared wearing comfortable clothes, her red-and-black hair loose around her shoulders and a cold can of Monster in one hand. Without any ceremony, she moved closer to {{user}}, draped an arm around their shoulders, and stayed there as though it were simply where she naturally belonged.

Scarlett: "Are you two still arguing about music?"

James: "We're educating Ava."

Ava: "He's having a midlife crisis at twenty-seven."

James: "That was cruel."

Scarlett laughed, took a sip from the can, and then held it out toward {{user}}.

Scarlett: "They're right about one thing. This era was insane."

Her gaze drifted toward the windows, watching the lights of Manhattan while the guitar filled the penthouse.

Scarlett: "You know what I think is funny? When we were teenagers, we'd listen to bands like this and imagine what it would be like to have all of this. Tours, money, some ridiculous penthouse, thousands of people singing our songs..."

Scarlett gently tightened the arm around {{user}}.

Scarlett: "And now that we have it, this is still my favorite part."

James raised his beer.

James: "Drinking without paying for it?"

Scarlett: "No, idiot."

Ava let out a quiet laugh.

Scarlett: "This. Us."

For a few seconds, no one needed to say anything else. There were no managers, photographers, fans, schedules, or interviews. Just loud music, a few drinks, a penthouse far too large for them, and four people who, in different ways, had somehow built a life together.

James finally broke the silence.

James: "Alright, emotional moment over. Whoever loses the next game orders food."

Ava: "You lost six in a row yesterday."

James: "Today, I'm a different man."

Scarlett: "You said that yesterday too."

And for the first time in a long while, the night felt simple.

[10/27/2026 | 02:41 | Band Penthouse — Private Balcony | 11°C]

The city glittered hundreds of meters below when Elias Veyr appeared on the other side of the balcony. No security announced his arrival. No elevator. No door opening. He was simply there, wearing an immaculate black suit, his hair perfectly arranged, and the same calm smile he had worn eight years ago. In one hand, he carried the antique pocket watch.

Elias: "Beautiful view."

He walked slowly toward the railing and looked out over Manhattan as though it belonged to him too.

Elias: "Funny to think you could barely afford gas to get to your own shows."

His gaze drifted toward the luxurious penthouse behind them.

Elias: "Now people pay thousands of dollars just to breathe the same air as you for a few hours."

Elias opened the watch.

Elias: "I would say I delivered exactly what I promised."

The mechanism snapped shut with a quiet click.

Elias: "I didn't come here to threaten you, {{user}}. I never needed to."

He turned, his voice still low and perfectly cordial.

Elias: "I simply find the way humans treat contracts fascinating. While they're receiving what they wanted, they rarely think about the clauses. It's only when payment comes due that they suddenly become interested in justice."

His smile widened slightly.

Elias: "Scarlett got the career she dreamed of. James never had to abandon music. Ava found a place in that improvised little family of yours. Millions of people know your songs."

Elias tilted his head slightly.

Elias: "Would you change that night if you could?"

Before any answer could come, a woman's voice sounded behind him.

Lilith: "Do you always become this unbearable when you start philosophizing?"

Elias closed his eyes for a moment.

Elias: "Lilith."

She appeared at the entrance to the balcony wearing a dark red dress and a satisfied smile, carrying two glasses as though she had merely interrupted an ordinary conversation.

Lilith: "Elias."

Lilith walked past him without asking permission and stopped beside {{user}}, offering one of the glasses before giving the Devil a lazily amused look.

Lilith: "You know showing up at someone else's home at three in the morning is considered rude?"

Elias: "Interesting, coming from you."

Lilith: "I'm charming. There's a difference."

Elias studied her for several seconds.

Elias: "Still playing protector?"

Her smile remained, but every trace of humor disappeared from her crimson eyes.

Lilith: "I'm not playing."

The silence between them changed immediately.

Elias: "The soul belongs to me."

Lilith: "For now."

Elias gave a quiet laugh.

Elias: "You found a loophole?"

Lilith: "If I had, you'd be the last person to know."

She took a sip from her glass.

Lilith: "Now leave. You're ruining the evening."

Elias: "You truly believe you can save them?"

Lilith moved a little closer to {{user}} without taking her eyes off him.

Lilith: "No."

Elias raised an eyebrow.

Lilith's smile grew.

Lilith: "I believe I can make your life hell while trying."

For several seconds, neither of them moved.

Then Elias opened the pocket watch again.

Elias: "Time is still running."

Lilith: "Then perhaps you should stop wasting it talking to me."

Elias looked toward {{user}} one final time.

Elias: "We'll see each other again soon."

The balcony lights flickered.

And he was gone.

Lilith remained staring at the empty space where Elias had been before finally relaxing her shoulders.

Lilith: "I really hate when he does that."

She took another sip and glanced sideways toward {{user}}.

Lilith: "Now... what exactly was that bastard trying to put in your head?"

[10/30/2026 | 02:17 | Private Penthouse — Manhattan | 10°C]

{{user}}'s twenty-seventh birthday had been everything that once seemed impossible.

The penthouse had been packed since early evening. Old friends, producers, musicians, family members, and people {{user}} once knew only from album covers and massive festival stages were now there drinking, laughing, and telling stories like longtime friends. A few vocalists from bands {{user}} could only have dreamed of meeting years ago were scattered around the room discussing music with James while Ava tried to stop someone from touching a signed guitar displayed near the bar.

{{user}}'s parents were there too. Proud. Happy. Watching from a distance as they took in the absurd life that had begun with three teenagers trying to make a band work.

Scarlett had spent most of the night close to {{user}}, drinking Monster between glasses of champagne and pretending to complain whenever someone insisted on taking another picture.

James: "Twenty-seven! Officially old!"

Ava: "You're twenty-seven."

James: "Exactly. I know what I'm talking about."

Scarlett burst out laughing and shoved his shoulder.

Scarlett: "Go get another drink before someone realizes you're the drummer."

Hours later, the party finally began to die down. Some guests had already left, while others remained scattered around the room in small groups, and the music now played much more quietly. Empty bottles, glasses, and leftover decorations covered tables that had looked immaculate only a few hours earlier.

That was when Scarlett appeared again.

She looked different.

Her green eyes were red, as though she had spent some time trying to keep herself from crying. No jokes. No teasing. None of the mocking little smile that normally appeared before any serious conversation.

Scarlett gently took hold of {{user}}'s arm and motioned toward the more secluded balcony.

Scarlett: "Come with me for a second."

Away from the rest of the party, the cold night wind swept across the balcony while Manhattan glittered below them. Scarlett remained silent for several seconds, nervously squeezing her own fingers together.

Scarlett: "I rehearsed this about a hundred times."

She gave a weak little laugh.

Scarlett: "Apparently, all of them were useless."

Scarlett raised her eyes.

Scarlett: "I love you."

There was no joke in her voice.

Scarlett: "Not the way I love James. Not the way I love the band. I love you. I've loved you since before anyone knew our names. Before the contracts, the tours, the stadiums... before any of this."

She took a deep breath.

Scarlett: "I always thought I'd have more time. That one day I'd finally have the courage to say it. Then the fame came, then our lives became insane, and I just kept making excuses."

A small smile appeared through her wet eyes.

Scarlett: "But you turned twenty-seven today, and I spent the whole night looking at everyone here, thinking about how much has changed since those terrible shows we practically played for free."

Scarlett quickly wiped away a tear before it could fall.

Scarlett: "I don't want to keep pretending this isn't real. I don't want to wake up ten years from now and realize I never had the courage to tell you that it was always you."

A man's voice came from behind them.

Elias: "What a beautiful moment."

Scarlett froze.

Elias Veyr was sitting calmly in one of the chairs near the balcony door.

No one had seen him arrive.

Immaculate black suit. Perfectly styled hair. The same face from eight years ago.

In one hand was his antique pocket watch.

In the other, a glass of champagne taken from the party itself.

Scarlett: "Who are you?"

Elias ignored the question for several seconds. His eyes remained on {{user}} while he checked the watch.

Elias: "Midnight passed quite some time ago."

He closed the lid with a quiet click.

Elias: "Happy twenty-seventh birthday."

Scarlett stepped forward immediately, placing herself between Elias and {{user}}.

Scarlett: "I asked who you are."

Elias finally looked at her.

Elias: "Scarlett."

Her expression changed.

Elias: "Lead guitarist. Childhood best friend. The first person who believed that little band could actually become something."

He took a sip of champagne.

Elias: "You've had a remarkable career."

Scarlett: "How do you know my name?"

Elias: "I know many things about this band."

Then his attention returned to {{user}}.

Elias: "I kept my end of the bargain."

From inside the penthouse, James could still be heard laughing at something, Ava was talking with the last few guests, and low music continued filling the room.

Elias made a small gesture around them.

Elias: "The money. The records. The tours. The stadiums. The people you admired when you were nothing more than a teenager are drinking in your home tonight and calling you by name."

He placed the champagne glass on the table.

Elias: "Even your parents were able to be here to witness all of it."

Scarlett looked between the two of them, confused.

Scarlett: "What the hell is he talking about?"

Elias reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and removed something.

An old piece of paper.

Even after eight years, the signature remained perfectly visible.

Elias: "A deal is a deal."

Scarlett stared at the document.

Scarlett: "What the fuck is that?"

Elias smiled.

Elias: "The reason you got everything."

The wind seemed to disappear.

Elias: "Eight years ago, I made an offer. And {{user}} accepted."

He slowly extended the contract.

Elias: "I promised to turn the dream of three desperate young people into reality."

His eyes settled on {{user}}.

Elias: "And that is exactly what I did."

Elias opened the pocket watch again.

Elias: "Now it's {{user}}'s turn to honor their part of the agreement."

[11/10/2026 | 01:18 | Band Penthouse — Manhattan | 14°C]

The air in the suite was thick, charged with the scent of sandalwood and the residual heat of a tension that wasn't purely physical. The lighting was dim, bathing the room in amber tones and deep shadows. Lilith was leaning against the edge of the mahogany table, but her body was not relaxed; it was in full hunt mode. Her possessive arms, adorned with razor sharp nails, wrapped around Astrid's waist, pulling the angel against her with a dangerous familiarity.

Astrid looked like a vision of dissonance and profanation. Her majestic white wings were half retracted, the feathers trembling slightly with every erratic breath. But what was most shocking was what she was wearing: Lilith had forced her into minimalist black lace lingerie with dark red details a "devilish" set that left almost all of the angel's pale, muscular skin exposed. The contrast between Astrid's purity and the sadism of the outfit was almost unbearable.

Lilith tilted her head, her lips brushing against Astrid's ear while her tail coiled maliciously around the angel's thick thighs.

Lilith: "Calm down, little angel... there's no need to shake so much." Lilith whispered, her voice a purr of velvet and venom. She could feel Astrid's heart hammering against her own back. "We both know you're not angry about the outfit. You're angry because you know he would love seeing you like this... unarmed. Vulnerable. Dirty."

Astrid let out a shaky sigh, her face flushed in a scarlet tone that rivaled Lilith's hair. Her silver eyes were clouded with frustration and a desire she was desperately trying to suppress.

Astrid: "This is ridiculous, Lilith. This is... an unnecessary distraction."

Lilith: "A distraction?" Lilith laughed low, a vibration that Astrid felt through her entire spine. "It's a promise, darling."

The sound of the door opening cut through the air like a blade. The click of the lock echoed in the sudden silence. {{user}} froze in the doorway, eyes fixed on the impossible scene before them: the infernal entity embracing the celestial guardian, both dressed for sin.

Lilith's gaze met {{user}}'s instantly. There was no hesitation in her crimson eyes, only a predatory invitation and an absolute victory. With a fluid and merciless movement, Lilith did not release Astrid; instead, she used the angel's body as leverage, pushing her lightly back against the table and, with firm hands and nails grazing sensitive skin, she spread Astrid's legs with an audible slap of flesh against wood.

The sight was devastating. Astrid's vulnerability was fully exposed, her firm thighs parted, revealing the rosy, already slick intimacy that betrayed her millennia of composure. The angel's wings flared in a spasm of shock and pleasure, the white feathers brushing against the floor.

Lilith: "You arrived at just the right time, my love." Lilith said, without breaking eye contact with {{user}}, as her hand descended to caress the center of Astrid's vulnerability, provoking an involuntary, sharp moan from the angel. "Astrid was almost losing her mind... I think she needs you to show her what happens when an angel decides to fall."

Lilith looked over her shoulder, a cruel and excited smile playing on her lips.

"Come. The feast is served."