272 Nightmare (1/2)

Iris started off the song, playing a dark opening melody with the lead guitar. The Pandemonium fans got excited because it sounded exactly the same as how Eros usually played it.

The bass guitar added texture a few sequences later, followed by the slow yet penetrating rhythm of the drums.

Then Blaze began singing in a whispering voice. Pandemonium fans thought it was very sexy. His voice gradually sounded solid as the melody and rhythm became thicker and heavier.

”Here it comes

The nightmare starts

Once we close our eyes

In the dead of the night

The ghosts come out, the demons prowl

If you're not careful

They're gonna get you! Get you! Get you!

Pull you, drag you

Until your soul is all swallowed up”

The beat changed. It became faster and heavier, making the audience jump up and down, pumping their hands up and banging their heads in the air. This was also the time that Iris began to slightly change the way she played the guitar. The expert guitarists watching the live performance narrowed their eyes and began to observe her more closely. However, the other band members didn't seem to notice anything different.

Blaze's singing became stronger, almost shouting out the lyrics but still remained captivating to the ears.

”The haunting starts

Get ready now

Don't lose your way

Or you'll never see the light of day

Just hold my hand and follow me

Together we'll jump down the dark abyss”

Iris began to provide the second voice. Unlike the usual seductive singing of Eros, Iris sang in a haunting manner that the audience couldn't help but feel chills down their spines while listening. They shivered, feeling as if a goddess of death was singing close to their ears. But still they felt thrilled by the eerie yet exhilarating experience.

”Let the ghosts come out!

Let the demons prowl!

I'm not afraid 'cuz you're here with me!

Let's run, run, run

Don't ever stop, don't look back

Or you'll get all swallowed up!”

The melody and the rhythm went into overdrive. The expert guitarists watching the live performance in the audience, backstage and at home, finally noticed what sounded different in Iris' playing. At the beginning, she was just playing like how Eros usually played the guitar. She followed and coordinated with the rest of the members, but somewhere along the way, she began to take over the lead until the other band members were following her pace instead.

'A true lead guitarist,' they thought, becoming more and more impressed the longer they listened.

Blaze was already sweating as he sang with all his might. He held the mic and used his natural stage presence to make the screaming fans go even crazier.

”Let the blood-red moon be our guide

Blend in the shadows

Avoid the traps

Who's a friend? Who's a foe?

We don't know, oh no we don't

The sky can fall

The world can end

I don't care as long as you're with me

You're all I need

So just follow me

Together we'll jump down the dark abyss”

Iris walked forward to the front of the stage beside the euphoric Blaze. Then her guitar solo began. She stepped one of her foot forward, letting her long smooth leg out of her dress' thigh-high slit. Her high heels were like cold and shining daggers, matching the dangerous yet bewitching aura she was currently emitting.

The electrifying solo guitar riff instantly made the fans go wild. They shrieked like they were going insane. Both the Black Stars and the Pandemonium fans screamed Iris' name over and over again.

Blaze, Night and Thunder finally noticed the difference in quality between Iris and their band mate Eros' playing. Their eyes widened in amazement, especially after discovering that they were also playing better together with her. She used her advanced techniques to control the band's chaos, elevating the song's overall musicality to another level.

To show the extent of his amazement and to add excitement to the performance, Blaze fell down on one knee facing Iris while holding his chest.