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Chapter 25 - CHAPTER 25- Hall of Fame

Dayo reached his hotel and waited patiently for Luna to post the video. Surprisingly, it went live that same evening, and as expected,

IT BLEW UP.

The internet went into a frenzy. Many fans who thought Luna had retired were stunned. She had barely made public appearances in years and hadn't released any music in a long while, yet here she was, lending her voice to a song by an unknown artist.

But what really got everyone talking was how different the track sounded. Luna had always been known for her soft-toned, atmospheric ballads—gentle, ethereal, and slow. This new track was nothing like that. It was bold, powerful, and unlike the Luna they knew.

The video became the most shared and reposted clip in weeks. Searches for "Luna's new song" skyrocketed across streaming platforms and Google. Even more surprising, the original video of Dayo's open call for collaborators went viral again, as countless people began dueting the sound. The song was already a hit before it was even released.

And Dayo? He was no longer just "that promising local talent." He was now knocking at the doors of national recognition. His TikTok following exploded overnight, jumping from 500,000 to over 1.03 million, and his Instagram surged to 739,000 followers and is climbing fast. The comments on both their page were a mix of excitement and disbelief:

"LUNA'S BACK?!"

"Who the hell is JD — and damn, boy can SING."

"They sound like a stadium anthem."

Within four hours, the video had hit 3.3 million views on TikTok, trended in multiple countries, and even landed on FIFA fan pages. One caption read:

"If this isn't the official World Cup song, we riot."

This was part of Dayo's deal with Urich to push the song so hard that, even if FIFA didn't select it as the official anthem, they'd at least be invited to perform at the opening or closing ceremony. That kind of exposure would help him reach a global audience and secure more support for the upcoming competition.

Later that night, Dayo reposted the clip with a short, confident caption:

"We have a winner. And we're just getting started."

***

The following week, Dayo and Luna dove into recording sessions. For Dayo, it was more than just music. It gave him chances to gently tease the usually reserved Luna, whose walls slowly began to come down. What started as professional chemistry quietly grew into a genuine friendship, at least for now.

When the recording wrapped, production began in full swing. Dayo and Victor locked themselves in the studio for days, poring over every beat, every note, every harmony. Meanwhile, the hype machine worked overtime. Offers started pouring in from record labels even one of the "Big Five" labels reached out. Dayo didn't outright refuse them, as that would do more harm than good. He was still a small fish in the wide ocean, knowing a quick "no" could burn bridges. Instead, he smiled, thanked them for their interest, and said, "I'll get back to you. I'm in the middle of something special right now."

Victor, who rarely praised anyone, couldn't hide his shock at Dayo's sharp ear and production skills.

"Why don't you come over and let's make magic together here in UC Label?"

Dayo smirked, amused. He had been holding back some of his full capabilities to avoid unnecessary attention.

"You know my answer, Victor."

Victor chuckled, shaking his head.

"Alright, alright. But if you find a sound you need help with, just call me, yeah?" Dayo said.

It was during these sessions that Victor realized what Urich had meant when he'd warned him:

"That kid's a schemer, a trap master, and too smart for his age."

Spending two weeks with Dayo made it clear. The boy wasn't just talented; he was strategic.

With their combined effort, the final mix was completed in record time. Urich made a few calls, summoning top reviewers, critics, and industry insiders to hear the track.

The studio was dim, the soft hum of the equipment filling the silence as they waited. Executives, critics, and influencers from major blogs and sports channels sat with crossed arms, their expressions unreadable. This was the power of a big label—a level of access Dayo's small independent setup could never have offered.

Victor glanced at Urich, who gave a small nod. Then he pressed play.

Dayo's Verse

A soft piano opened the track, just twenty seconds of delicate notes. Enough to make everyone in the room lean forward, holding their breath.

"Yeah, you can be the greatest, you can be the best..."

Dayo's voice entered with quiet intensity—controlled, deliberate, and powerful without ever straining. He didn't oversing. He anchored the song, letting the melody breathe. His tone was gritty when it needed to be, smooth when it transitioned, every word carrying both intimacy and scale.

"Standing in the hall of fame... and the world's gonna know your name..."

The drums kicked in like a steady heartbeat, synths rising in the background like stadium lights powering on. The mix was pristine.

Luna's Verse

"They told me I was fragile, too quiet to lead the fight...But fire doesn't scream — it burns from the inside..."

Her voice soared. No trace of the quiet ballads she was known for. This was Luna reborn—assertive, soulful, and commanding. Critics glanced at each other, eyes wide. She had reinvented herself, and it was glorious.

"And when the pressure rose, I found my voice...The world will hear it now. I had no choice."

She was the perfect counterbalance to Dayo. Where he struck with sharp precision, she glided with conviction.

Final Chorus

Together, they sounded like a perfect harmony.

"Be a champion...

Be a fighter...

Push through the pain — be a survivor..."

Their voices didn't fight each other; they combined—two sides of the same journey, harmonizing in a way that felt inevitable.

When the last note faded, the room fell silent.

One second.

Two seconds.

Five full seconds.

Then, slow claps. Murmurs. And finally, full-blown applause.

"Where the hell has this version of Luna been hiding?" one A&R rep muttered under his breath.

"That drop before her verse? Man, that gave me chills," a Rolling Stone critic said, shaking his head in disbelief.

Another reviewer from Pitchfork leaned forward, stunned. "Dayo's control is insane. He didn't overshadow her—he flowed with her. That's rare. Especially for a rookie who hasn't even debuted officially."

A Billboard executive whispered to Urich, "If this doesn't chart globally, nothing will."

Even the more stoic reviewers, the ones known for their poker faces, nodded appreciatively.

Valery leaned toward Wayne with a grin.

"He just turned this song into a story."

Wayne, who was beside Valery, just chuckled.

"I underestimated him. Again."

A/N:If i can get more power Stone extra chapters today 💪 +1

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