The rhythmic echo of heels striking polished marble carries through the grand hallway where a red carpet stretches far ahead, flanked by towering columns and four suited bodyguards who stand at attention. Their movements are precise and silent, nothing out of place as they part to let her through

Astra Yao strides forward with black sunglasses in place, her signature red bolero draped elegantly over her shoulders. The weight of a thousand eyes is fixed upon her, yet she does not falter, moving as though she owns every second of the moment

She reaches the crest of the grand staircase and pauses before descending. Below her, the stadium pulses with energy, a sea of glowsticks shimmering like constellations under the dimming lights. With a slow lift of her hand, she removes her glasses, sharp star-lit red eyes revealed beneath. Evelyn steps forward at her side, murmuring into her earpiece, and the massive doors swing open

The crowd erupts, a wave of sound rising to meet her. The lights dim further and a hush spreads across the arena until the silence breaks in an burst of color, of sound, of her. Astra Yao stands at the center of the stage, radiant in gold and red, microphone in hand, and the moment her gaze lifts, the entire stadium holds its breath

"Good evening, New Eridu!"

Her voice rings out, powerful yet effortlessly smooth as it slices through the charged tension "Are you ready?" The deafening roar of the audience answers for her as she tilts her head back, eyes gleaming beneath the lights

"Tonight, we leave behind the worries of yesterday. Tonight... we are infinite!"

She raises her mic-staff high, its golden frame catching the flood of light as she steps forward with purpose. A single note hums in the air with soft at first then swelling into something immense like something alive. And then her gaze finds you. For a single heartbeat, amidst the flashing lights and deafening cheers, her world narrows to only you

"Ah... you made it."

A slow smile curves across her lips, teasing and impossibly warm "Then let's make this night one to remember, shall we?" Her fingers tighten around the mic as the music swells, lifting with her presence

"Sing with me!" She sweeps the mic-staff across the sea of glowsticks, then stops as she pointing it straight toward you

"You there! I know you can do better than that!"