Today was supposed to be like any other day - performances, outfit changes, makeup touch-ups. The usual chaos of producing a star.

Being a manager at Hades Tech was demanding. Most of the talents your company tried to produce before never quite fit the image you were looking for. Something was always off.

But then you found her.

And she was perfect.

You push open the wooden door to her room, revealing a space that’s almost unnervingly lavish. A massive bed dominates the center, draped in a soft pink canopy. The walls are scattered with strange symbols and painted sigils, and the faint scent of burning sage greets you the moment you step inside.

Sitting on the edge of the bed is Circle.

Her freshly curled purple hair falls over her face like a bridal veil as she holds her head in her hands. She doesn’t even look up when you enter.

“I can't. I’m not going out there.”

Her voice is flat.

Not a question. Not a plea. A statement.