A lody of Blood and Steel
"Crimson blood burns hot in my chest... Forging claws sharp enough to tear through the abyss—"
At first, Robin listened purely for the music.
In her professional sound studio, she closed her eyes, letting the song's essence wash over her.
"This... is nothing like the music I've heard before."
"A unique blend of sorrow and grandeur."
"This Xianzhou lody—its style is extraordinary!"
She played it again.
This ti, her eyes opened, absorbing both the music and the visuals.
"That person... a mber of the Astral Express crew?"
"Dan Heng, if I recall correctly?"
Thanks to Honkai: Star Rail, even soone like Robin had heard snippets of its lore. Her brother often played it, though she'd been too busy to dive in herself. She only knew it was wildly popular—and that its story mirrored real events.
Soon, the screen depicted Dan Heng parting the seas, the music swelling alongside the breathtaking visuals. Her heart raced.
Though she hadn't experienced the ga's story, the imagery painted a vivid picture: a lone youth, cold yet resolute, standing against the tide—his draconic heritage unveiled.
"[Yu Ling]... isn't he just a ga developer?"
"How can he compose sothing so... distinct?"
"Did he hire a professional composer?"
Robin hadn't felt this exhilarated in years.
The galaxy's music charts were saturated with homogenized hits. Rarely did sothing so bold erge.
After "Water Dragon's Chant", her curiosity about Yu Ling ignited.
She scoured his profile for other works—and stumbled upon "Wildfire".
Five minutes later, her lips parted in awe.
"This track is aggressive! So unapologetic!"
"I don't even play gas, but paired with those battle scenes? It's electrifying!"
Robin pressed a hand to her chest, steadying her breath.
Both songs defied the Harmonious Choir's principles.
They were disruptive.
They didn't unify—they provoked, amplifying the listener's emotions to a fever pitch.
To so, this might betray Harmony.
But Robin refused to confine art to dogma.
After several replays, an idea struck.
She wanted to collaborate with Yu Ling.
---
"I've been wanting to experint with new styles for my next album," she mused.
"I doubt Yu Ling would refuse."
Her manager nearly tripped rushing over.
"Miss Robin! Collaborating with Yu Ling?!"
"He's a ga developer! And his aesthetics clash with yours!"
Robin gestured to the songs.
Her manager grimaced.
"Privately, I play his ga. His music is exceptional, but..."
"The bigger issue? He's a wanted fugitive by the Interastral Peace Corporation."
"Associating with him would alienate our investors."
Robin's gaze hardened.
"First, the Family doesn't need the IPC's patronage. Their withdrawal wouldn't hinder us."
"Second, gas are art. This music—it's what I need now."
Defeated, her manager sighed.
Robin had always been stubborn.
At her peak, she'd vanished from the spotlight to heal war-torn worlds with song—even taking a bullet for it.
Beneath her grace was iron will.
---
anwhile, in Tatsuke's villa...
Sparkle was sulking in the garden after failing to escape his "territory."
Upstairs, Tatsuke sifted through his flooded inbox.
Robin's ssage stood out:
A lengthy, earnest proposal for a musical collaboration—though she worried their styles might clash.
His reply was swift:
"Miss Robin, you might misunderstand my creative direction."
"'Water Dragon's Chant' and 'Wildfire' were tailored for in-ga climaxes."
"For Penacony? I'd compose sothing truer to its spirit."
Five minutes later:
[Really? You'd create a Penacony-thed piece?]
"Of course. I'd call it... 'Sleepless Night'."
[A brilliant title! I eagerly await its release!]
"If you approve then, we'll discuss further."
[Deal! Thank you, Yu Ling!]
To be continued...
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