The rule of the modern world was simple:
If something could go viral,
and Aria Lane was within a five-meter radius—
It would.
No planning required.
No consent requested.
No survivors guaranteed.
The Clip That Should Not Exist
It started with a harmless upload.
A junior editor, still traumatized from Chapter 112, compiled a short behind-the-scenes montage meant only for internal review.
Thirty seconds long.
No music.
No captions.
No marketing intent.
Just:
Aria walking calmly through smoke
An explosion blooming behind her
A brief moment where she casually catches debris midair
Her saying, deadpan:
"It was small."
That should've been it.
Unfortunately, someone mislabeled the file.
Instead of INTERNAL_TEST_07, it went out as:
BTS_FIRE_SCENE_FINAL.mp4
And the internet said:
Thank you.
Six Minutes Later
Trending topic #3 worldwide:
#WhoIsShe
Eight minutes later:
#ExplosionGirl
Ten minutes later:
#SheDidNotFlinch
By the time Mason's phone started vibrating violently on the table, it had evolved into:
#AriaLaneIsNotHuman
Mason stared at the screen.
"…I just fixed the chicken situation."
Daniel peeked over his shoulder.
"Oh no."
Julian leaned in, curious.
"Oh yes."
The Internet Loses Its Mind (Again)
Comments poured in like a flood.
@FilmTokObsessed:
WHY does she walk through explosions like she's late for brunch???
@ActionCinemaNerd:
Pause at 0:12. She CATCHES debris. That's not CGI. That's NOT CGI.
@StuntCommunity:
If this is acting, give her every award.
If it's real, recruit her immediately.
@ConcernedCitizen:
Is she okay?? She didn't even blink??
@AbsolutelyNotOkay:
No but WHY is she hot while explosions happen???
The Shipping Escalates (Of Course It Does)
Someone clipped the moment Julian stepped into frame behind her.
Someone else slowed it down.
Another added dramatic music.
And just like that—
#CrossLane returned with vengeance.
@ShipCaptain:
He stands behind her like he KNOWS she'll be fine.
@FrameByFrameAnalysis:
At 0:18 he relaxes AFTER she stops moving.
That's trust.
@DirectorMasonDefenseLeague:
Someone check on Mason. This is not what he wanted.
Mason screamed into a jacket.
Studio Executives React (Poorly)
The studio called within the hour.
On speaker.
"Director Mason, we're seeing incredible engagement."
Mason closed his eyes.
"…I see."
"We'd like to lean into this momentum."
Mason opened one eye.
"…Define 'lean.'"
"Well—more action-focused promo.
Maybe a featurette on her physicality.
Possibly a tagline update."
Daniel whispered:
"Here it comes."
The executive continued cheerfully:
"We're considering:
'She doesn't run from explosions. She walks through them.'"
Mason slammed his head onto the table.
"That's not a tagline—that's a threat."
Aria Finds Out
Aria was eating quietly when Daniel rushed over.
"You're viral again."
She blinked.
"…Again?"
Julian smiled.
"You broke the internet."
Aria considered this.
"…Is it broken permanently?"
Daniel choked.
"No! It's a metaphor!"
Aria nodded.
"Then it is acceptable."
Daniel dropped to a chair.
"She's impossible."
The Interview Requests Begin
Emails flooded in.
Morning shows.
Late-night talk shows.
Action magazines.
Fitness channels.
A very suspicious account named @NotTheMilitaryWePromise.
Mason scrolled in horror.
"They want to ask where you trained."
Aria looked up.
"…Trained?"
Julian raised an eyebrow.
"That's a dangerous question."
Mason snapped:
"YOU WILL SAY YOU DID YOGA.
OR PILATES.
OR SOMETHING NORMAL."
Aria nodded obediently.
"I have done stretching."
Daniel screamed:
"THAT IS NOT A LIE BUT IT IS ALSO NOT THE TRUTH!"
The Clip That Pushes It Over the Edge
Then someone uploaded another angle.
This time with audio.
Clear audio.
Aria's calm voice, right as the explosion went off:
"It is louder than expected."
That was it.
That line alone got ten million views.
Ten.
Million.
Memes followed instantly.
Aria walking away from disasters
Aria photoshopped into historical explosions
Aria standing next to volcanos
Aria in space
Captioned:
"It is louder than expected."
Mason stared at the meme of Aria next to a meteor strike.
"…I'm directing a legend."
Daniel nodded.
"A very snack-motivated legend."
Julian's Quiet Observation
Julian watched Aria scroll through her phone.
"You don't seem bothered."
She shook her head.
"It is noisy."
"That's fame."
She thought for a moment.
"…It will pass."
Julian smiled slightly.
"It won't."
Final Beat
Aria put her phone away.
Picked up a protein bar.
"…At least I am hungry again."
Daniel shot upright.
"WAIT—DID YOU JUST SAY—"
Mason screamed from across the set:
"NO MORE FOOD SCENES!!"
Julian laughed softly.
Aria took a bite.
Chaos continued.