Chapter 3
Back in his apartment, the strange encounter at the fountain replays in Axl's mind. It was probably just a trick of the light. Or maybe he's finally losing it. But the image of the glowing coin, the guitar design that wasn't there before… It sticks with him.
The next day, Axl wakes up late, sunlight streaming through the grimy window of his apartment. He stumbles out of bed, throws on some clothes, and heads straight for his laptop. Time to check those YouTube views.
He types in his channel name, clicks on the latest video—the cover song he uploaded yesterday—and holds his breath. The view count slowly loads.
87 views.
Axl deflates. Less than a hundred views. After all that work, all that passion… 87 measly views.
Ugh. Seriously?
He closes the laptop with a sigh. Another day, another disappointment. But Axl is not one to give up. He has a dream, and he's not going to let a few low view counts stand in his way. He's a rockstar, dammit. And rockstars don't quit. They just keep rocking.
He will keep going.
Axl reaches into his pocket, fingers brushing against something smooth and round. He pulls it out. The strange gold coin from yesterday. It gleams in the sunlight, catching his eye. It's like… brighter than he remembers.
Weird.
He stares at it for a moment, turning it over in his hand. Could it be… special? Nah, that's crazy talk. Probably just some cheap trinket. Still, there's something about it that intrigues him.
He pockets the coin, a sudden urge to play taking over. Time to shred.
He grabs his guitar and starts practicing. Scales, chords, riffs – he runs through his usual routine, trying to get his fingers warmed up. The coin in his pocket is subtly glowing. He doesn't notice it.
He is practicing.
But something feels different today. He's playing better. Way better. Almost… too good. Notes he usually struggles with flow effortlessly. His fingers dance across the fretboard, hitting every chord with perfect precision.
What the…
He launches into a solo he's been working on for weeks, a complex, lightning-fast flurry of notes that usually leaves him stumbling. But now? He nails it. Perfectly. Every single note.
It's like his hands are moving on their own, guided by some unseen force. He's playing like a god. Better than a pro would.
Axl stops playing, breathing hard, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Whoa."
He's good, sure, but that was something else entirely. He checks his fingers like they are not his own. He's never played like that before. Never even come close.
Okay, this is officially weird.
He glances at the coin in his pocket again. Could it have something to do with this? Nah, that's impossible. Still...
He decides to record a video for his YouTube channel. If he can capture even a fraction of that magic, it'll be the best thing he's ever posted.
He sets up his camera, adjusts the lighting, and takes a deep breath. Time to rock.
He launches into another song, pouring every ounce of energy and passion he has into it. And again, it just flows out of him. Effortless, perfect. It's like the music is playing him, instead of the other way around.
When he's finished, he collapses onto his bed, exhausted but exhilarated.
He replays the footage, his eyes glued to the screen. Even through the grainy quality of his webcam, he can see it. Hear it. It's his best performance yet.
He quickly uploads the video, a surge of excitement coursing through him. This is it. This is his chance. This is the video that's going to make him a star.
Axl hits "upload" and leans back in his chair, a wide grin plastered across his face. He won't be getting any views for hours, maybe even days. The internet is a vast and uncaring void. Still, he can't shake the feeling that something is different this time. Something big is about to happen.
But waiting around for internet validation? That's not very rockstar. He needs to be out there, playing for real people, feeling the energy of the crowd.
He grabs his guitar case, slings it over his shoulder, and heads back to the park.
The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. It's a perfect day for a rock show.
He finds a spot near the fountain and sets up, flipping open his guitar case to collect tips.
He plugs in, adjusts the volume, and launches into his first song. And this time, it's not just good. It's electric. The music flows through him like a river, carrying him away on a wave of pure, unadulterated rock and roll.
And people notice.
A few passersby stop to listen, their faces lighting up with surprise. A young couple starts dancing, lost in the music. An old man taps his foot, a nostalgic smile on his face.
Axl feeds off their energy, pouring even more passion into his performance. He shreds, he wails, he pours his heart out into every note. He is feeling it.
More people stop to watch. A small crowd gathers, drawn in by the music. They clap, they cheer, they sing along.
Axl can't help but grin. This is what he lives for. This is what it's all about.
Axl tears through his set, each song somehow topping the last. The crowd swells, turning the park into a full-blown, mini-concert.
He looks out at the crowd, their eyes shining with joy. He sees smiles, he sees tears, he sees pure, unadulterated happiness.
Axl loves every moment of it.
The hours fly by in a blur of music and energy. Axl is in his element, feeding off the crowd's enthusiasm. He barely notices the sun starting to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple.
But then, he hears it. The distant wail of sirens. Getting closer.
Uh oh.
He glances around, spotting flashing lights in the distance. The crowd is big. Really big. Way bigger than he expected. He hears the police over a megaphone. Something about permits, noise ordinances, and disturbing the peace.
He cuts the music. "Alright, folks, looks like the party's over! Gotta run before I get a free ride downtown."
A collective groan rises from the crowd, but they understand. He gives a quick bow. "Thanks for coming, you guys were awesome!"
As Axl slings his guitar over his shoulder, the crowd erupts in cheers, clapping and whistling. "More! More!" they chant.
Axl grins. "Next time, for sure!"
He turns and runs, dodging through the crowd, adrenaline pumping through his veins. This feels like a movie scene. He glances back, seeing the police trying to navigate the throng of people. He laughs and keeps running.
He ducks down a side street, weaving through alleys until he's sure he's lost them. Finally, he collapses onto a nearby park bench, breathing hard.
The adrenaline slowly fades, replaced by a warm glow of satisfaction. He did it. He rocked. He finally felt like a star.
He closes his eyes, remembering the faces in the crowd, the cheers, the energy.
That was… exhilarating.
Axl arrives back at his apartment, heart still pounding from the impromptu concert and the quick escape. He can't stop replaying the day's events in his head. The crowd, the music, the feeling of pure, unadulterated rock and roll. It was like a dream.
But it wasn't a dream. It was real.
He kicks off his boots and collapses onto his bed, staring up at the cracked ceiling. How did he suddenly get so good? He's been playing for years, grinding away, trying to make a name for himself. But nothing ever clicked like it did today. He could not have improved overnight.
He sits up, a thought striking him. The coin. He reaches into his pocket and pulls it out. The gold catches the dim light of his apartment. It is warm to the touch.
Could it be? Could this strange, mysterious coin be the reason for his sudden transformation? It seemed impossible. Ridiculous, even. But what other explanation was there?
Axl stares at the coin, a crazy idea forming in his mind. He has to test it.
He sets the coin down on his desk, picks up his guitar, and starts to play. Just a simple chord progression, something he's played a million times before. It sounds… fine like his usual level.
He stops and picks up the coin. Then, he starts to play again.
And everything changes.
The music flows out of him, effortless, perfect. His fingers dance across the fretboard, hitting every note with pinpoint precision. The chords resonate with a power and clarity he's never experienced before. It's not just good. It's transcendent. The coin is glowing in his hand.
Axl stops playing, his heart pounding, his mind racing. He sets down his guitar and stares at the Astra Coin, his eyes wide with disbelief.
What the hell is this thing?
He picks it up again, turning it over in his hand, examining every detail. The intricate star pattern etched into its surface, the way it gleams in the light, the strange warmth that radiates from it. It is beautiful.
He plays again, and the music swells. He stops and it dulls. It is obviously the coin.
He still doesn't know what it is. He has no idea where it came from. But one thing is clear: this coin has changed his life. This coin holds the key to everything he's ever wanted.
He closes his eyes, imagining himself on stage, bathed in the glow of the spotlight, the roar of the crowd washing over him. He is a rockstar. A true star.
And now, with this coin, he knows he can achieve that dream. He can become the rockstar he was always meant to be. All thanks to this weird, glowing piece of metal.
* * *
The portal spits Marvella out onto a sidewalk. She clutches the suitcase containing the Stellar Braces, her only remaining connection to Aetheris. The coins... I have to find the Astra Coins. She scans the bustling street, eyes wide with wonder. Humans rush past, their faces buried in glowing rectangles. Buildings scrape the sky, a chaotic jumble of steel and glass. Vehicles roar, a symphony of strange noises. It's overwhelming, so different from the serene beauty of her home.
Marvella takes a deep breath. I need to focus. Her mission is clear: locate the Astra Coins. They are the key to saving her home. Father entrusted me with them. She can't fail him.
Closing her eyes, Marvella focuses her magic. A soft, ethereal glow emanates from her hands. She reaches out with her senses, seeking the unique energy signature of the coins. It's like trying to find a single star in a galaxy, but she has to try. The magic pulses, searching, reaching. A faint glimmer sparks to life. There! The coins are nearby. Marvella opens her eyes, hope surging. She takes her first step into this strange, unknown world, ready to begin her search.