The Deep Blue Waves

The sharp sound of the alarm cut through the early morning silence. Leo stirred under the covers, groaning softly as he reached out blindly for his phone, silencing the irritating noise. He barely opened his eyes, only to find that it was still too early. With a deep sigh, he felt a faint headache pulsing in his temples, but he ignored it as he sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand through his messy hair.

Then, suddenly, a strange sensation swept over him… a slight dizziness, followed by a wave of nausea settling in his stomach as if protesting his early rise.

Without hesitation, he stood up and rushed to the bathroom. As soon as he stepped inside, he gripped the edge of the sink, breathing slowly in an attempt to steady himself. His gaze met his reflection in the mirror—his eyes were slightly tired, but nothing seemed unusual.

"God… Is this because of the late nights?" he muttered, splashing cold water onto his face. The chilling sensation helped soothe the discomfort, and within moments, the nausea faded away completely, as if his body had decided it was a false alarm.

Exhaling in relief, he began preparing for a shower. He turned on the water, waiting for it to warm up before stepping under the steady stream. The cascading warmth washed away the lingering traces of sleep and exhaustion. His muscles gradually relaxed, and he took a deep breath, letting the water flow over his face and hair. He stood there for a few moments, savoring the comforting heat, before reaching for the shampoo. Massaging his scalp slowly, he let the rich lather form before rinsing it away. The scent of sandalwood filled the bathroom as he lathered his skin with soap, the faint aroma adding a sense of tranquility.

After finishing, he dried himself thoroughly and faced the mirror once again. His damp hair clung slightly to his forehead, so he ran his fingers through it absentmindedly before combing it into place. Then, he slipped into his dark, well-tailored suit, paired with a crisply ironed white shirt. With precise movements, he adjusted his tie, ensuring it was perfectly aligned. Finally, he fastened his silver watch, an old companion that had been with him for years.

"Alright… now for the most important part of the morning." He murmured with a faint smirk, straightening his cuffs before heading to the kitchen.

Breakfast Preparation – Coffee & Deluxe Pancakes

The first thing he did upon entering the kitchen was turn on the coffee machine. The rhythmic sound of water being pressed through freshly ground beans filled the air, spreading the rich aroma of coffee that awakened his senses completely. He grabbed a dark ceramic mug, ready to savor the first sip of caffeine for the day.

Then, he started making pancakes.

He pulled out a large glass bowl and poured in a cup of flour, adding a teaspoon of baking powder and a pinch of salt. Using a wooden spoon, he mixed the dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl, he cracked an egg, added a dash of vanilla extract, then poured in half a cup of milk, whisking until everything blended smoothly.

Carefully, he combined the wet and dry ingredients, stirring in slow circular motions, ensuring the batter was perfectly smooth without any lumps.

Lighting the stove, he placed a non-stick pan on the burner and added a small piece of butter. It melted instantly, releasing a rich, buttery aroma. With a ladle, he poured a measured amount of batter into the pan, forming a perfectly round pancake.

He waited until tiny bubbles appeared on the surface before flipping it effortlessly with a spatula. The golden-brown color was just right, making him nod in satisfaction. He repeated the process until he had a small stack of fluffy pancakes, which he carefully arranged on an elegant white plate.

Now for the final touches…

Opening the fridge, he took out a small bowl of fresh blueberries and scattered a handful over the pancakes. Then, he drizzled a generous amount of honey, watching as it cascaded down in smooth golden streams. Finally, he scooped a dollop of whipped cream and placed it beside the stack— the perfect finishing touch.

For a moment, he simply admired his breakfast before reaching for his coffee cup. He took a slow sip—the taste was strong and bitter, just the way he liked it.

With a faint smile, he settled into his chair, ready to enjoy the morning.

Rianel stepped out of the bathroom, drying his face with a small towel. His hair was still slightly damp from the cold water he had just washed it with. He took a deep breath, savoring the fresh morning air, but suddenly froze as a sweet and delicious aroma filled his senses.

"What's that amazing smell…?" he muttered aloud, heading toward the kitchen.

Leo glanced up from his breakfast, offering a lopsided smile as he gestured toward the table, where a stack of pancakes topped with blueberries and honey awaited.

"A first-class breakfast, made by yours truly. Come, have a seat."

Rianel didn't need a second invitation. He suddenly realized he was much hungrier than he had thought. Pulling out a chair, he sat down in front of the plate, picked up his fork, and sliced into the pancake, savoring the perfect blend of sweetness and soft texture.

"This is amazing… You never fail to impress me with your cooking skills."

"I have many hidden talents," Leo replied, taking a sip of his coffee.

As they ate, Rianel unlocked his phone and began scrolling through the news. His expression shifted slightly as he scanned the headlines.

"Have you seen the news lately? It looks like tensions between Eldaren and the Kingdom of Oria are getting worse."

Leo raised an eyebrow, pulled out his own phone, and checked the latest reports.

"Hmm… it does seem like things are escalating. There have been reports of small skirmishes along the border, even some incidents involving hunters."

Rianel nodded slowly, as if deep in thought.

"If a war actually breaks out, who do you think would win? I mean, in terms of hunter combat strength?"

Leo set his coffee cup aside and leaned on the table with his elbows.

"The Kingdom of Oria has four S-rank hunters, but Eldaren has five. On paper, we have the advantage, but it's not just about numbers."

"True," Rianel agreed. "But remember, the only reason Eldaren has an extra S-rank hunter is because of that mysterious incident five years ago."

Leo stared at him for a moment before narrowing his eyes slightly, recalling the past.

"Oh… You mean the 'Black Rift' incident in the capital?"

"Exactly. When that massive portal appeared out of nowhere and unleashed creatures we had never seen before. It was the biggest crisis Eldaren had faced in decades."

Leo leaned back in his chair, replaying the events in his mind.

"Yeah… Back then, we only had four S-rank hunters, and we were on the verge of losing the entire capital. But then, out of nowhere, a new hunter appeared—someone with an absurd level of power… A man no one had ever heard of before."

Rianel smirked, twirling his fork between his fingers.

"And now… that man is the strongest hunter in Eldaren, yet no one knows his full past. Just a mysterious figure who showed up at the perfect moment."

"Was it just a coincidence, or was something else happening behind the scenes?" Leo mused, his voice dropping slightly.

A brief silence fell between them before Rianel shook his head with a sigh.

"In any case, let's just hope war doesn't break out. Because if it does, strength alone won't determine the winner… Politics, resources, and alliances matter just as much."

"I agree," Leo said, finishing the last bite of his pancake. "But if it does happen… it'll be interesting to see who proves themselves on the battlefield."

Pushing his chair back, he stretched his arms and exhaled in satisfaction.

"Alright, time to get to work. I'm meeting Evelyn to start working on the promotional music."

Rianel nodded as he took the last sip of his coffee, then lazily stretched.

"Good luck. I'll be heading out soon to test my magic abilities. I'll let you know how it goes."

Leo raised an eyebrow, smirking as he grabbed his leather jacket from the couch and slipped it on.

"Ha, just don't forget to tell me if you get classified as 'insane.' I don't want to wake up one day and find out you've joined the ranks of elite hunters without warning."

Rianel chuckled, waving him off. "Don't get your hopes up too high."

Leo returned the gesture as he stepped out of the house, closing the door behind him. The moment he stepped onto the street, he pulled out his phone and tapped Evelyn's number, waiting a few seconds before her cheerful voice rang through the speaker.

"Oh, Leo! You finally decided to call me—I thought you were going to be late."

"I'm a responsible man. Don't expect me to be late," he chuckled lightly before adding, "Anyway, send me the studio location. I'll be there soon."

"Alright, just a moment..."

He heard the rapid tapping of her fingers on the phone before a notification popped up with the studio's location.

"Sent. Don't waste time on the way."

"I'm already on my way."

Ending the call, he opened the map on his phone, hailed a cab, and set off toward the address.

When he arrived, he stepped out of the car and stared ahead in awe.

The studio was a sleek, modern building with an elegant glass facade that reflected the sunlight in a mesmerizing way. The entrance was lined with lush green plants and rare flowers, adding a touch of luxury. Above it, a softly illuminated sign displayed the studio's name in smooth, elegant lettering: "EVE SOUND STUDIO."

He took a moment to admire the refined details before shaking his head with a faint smile.

"Looks like Evelyn has really made a name for herself..." he muttered, stepping forward.

Leo pushed the door open gently, immediately greeted by a blend of polished wood and high-tech equipment. The dimly lit space carried a warm ambiance, a perfect fusion of professionalism and creativity.

As he walked down the corridor, faint melodies drifted from one of the rooms—a rhythmic harmony, as if a song was in the making. A small smile played on his lips as he nodded to himself.

"Let's see what Evelyn is working on this time."

At last, he reached the recording hall, where the cool air from the air conditioners mixed with the constant clicking of keyboards. Staff members were busy at their workstations, absorbed in their tasks. Leo approached a desk where a young woman with neatly tied brown hair and sharp eyes was seated.

Clearing his throat, he spoke calmly, "Hey, I'm here for a music project with Evelyn Durant."

The woman glanced up, her eyes widening slightly as recognition flashed across her face. She quickly straightened in her chair, her tone shifting to one of clear respect.

"Oh! You're Mr. Sevelius, right? Miss Evelyn instructed us to take good care of you. Please, follow me—I'll take you to her."

Leo raised an amused brow but said nothing, simply nodding as she led the way.

She walked with steady steps through the corridors, with Leo following behind. They passed several soundproof rooms—some filled with soft, flowing melodies, others echoing with passionate, energetic vocals.

Finally, she stopped in front of a sleek metallic door with an engraved plaque:

"Recording Room - 01."

"Miss Evelyn is inside. Please, go ahead." She smiled before turning to leave.

Leo pushed the door open and took two steps in before a deep, animated voice boomed through the room.

"Yo, man! How's it going?"

He turned toward the source of the voice—a broad-shouldered man with dark skin and sharp features. His eyes sparkled with mischief, and his hair was styled in tight box braids. He was lounging on a leather couch, looking completely at home.

Lifting a hand in a teasing gesture, the man smirked.

"What brings you here? Came to kiss my ass, or just enjoy my music?"

Leo paused, staring at him blankly before exhaling with a small smile and shaking his head.

"Still as rude as ever, huh, Tyrell?"

Tyrell let out a hearty laugh before pushing himself off the couch and extending a hand toward Leo in a friendly gesture.

"Come on, man, you know I'm just messing with you! Get over here—it's been a while!"

Leo grasped his hand firmly, both of them smiling—a clear sign of an old, solid friendship.

"Seems like you haven't changed much," Leo remarked as he took a seat nearby.

"And why would I? Life's short—you gotta live it the way you want."

Before Leo could respond, the door swung open again.

Evelyn stepped in with her usual confident stride, her radiant smile lighting up the room.

"Oh, you two finally reunited? Guess I'll have to put up with the noise today."

"Of course, sweetheart! My presence alone makes this place a whole lot more exciting!" Tyrell declared with a grin.

Leo, meanwhile, glanced at Evelyn with a small smile.

"Let's get to work, then."

In the charged atmosphere of the studio, the preparations began immediately.

Tyrell settled in front of the mixing board, adjusting the sound levels, while Evelyn stepped into the recording booth. She slid on a pair of large headphones, took a deep breath, and began her vocal warm-ups, repeating harmonized scales with precision.

From behind the soundproof glass, Leo watched her intently.

He murmured to himself in admiration:"As expected from her… Her voice is still incredible."

After a few moments, Evelyn slightly adjusted her headphones and glanced at them from inside the booth before speaking into the microphone in a cheerful tone:"So, gentlemen, what do you have for me today?"

Leo smiled faintly and pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket, carefully unfolding it on the table in front of Tyrell. With a calm tone, he said:"I wrote some lyrics, but I need your special touch to refine them."

Tyrell raised an intrigued eyebrow and took the paper, his eyes catching the neatly written title:"Deep Blue Waves."

He pondered the title for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle, shaking his head."Mmm... Sounds poetic. The imagery of the sea, summer, rolling waves… I didn't take you for the romantic type, Leo."

Leo waved dismissively and crossed his arms."It's not about romance. It's about freedom and release."

Tyrell skimmed through the lyrics, then whistled lowly in appreciation."The words are really nice… Smooth yet refreshing. They need a melody that truly brings them to life."

Leo's confident gaze shifted toward the recording booth, where Evelyn was making her final preparations. Then he said:"That's why we're here."

Tyrell pressed a button on the control panel and spoke into the microphone:"Evelyn, we've got some fresh lyrics here. Take a look and tell us what you think."

Inside the recording booth, Evelyn opened the glass door and took the paper from Leo's hand. She read the first verse quietly before looking up with a smile."The lyrics are beautiful! I can already picture myself on a sunny beach. But… do you have a clear idea for the melody?"

Leo and Tyrell exchanged a knowing glance before Leo spoke with a mysterious tone:"Actually… I was thinking of something unexpected."

Evelyn raised an intrigued eyebrow."Like what?"

Leo hesitated for a moment, as if realizing how crazy his idea was, then finally said:"Hip-hop."

Silence filled the room for a few seconds. Tyrell looked at Leo in disbelief, then burst into laughter, lightly slapping the table."You're joking, right?! Evelyn singing hip-hop? That's insane!"

But Evelyn didn't laugh. Instead, she seemed to seriously consider the idea. She set the paper aside, deep in thought, before finally saying in a calm voice:"Actually… it's not a bad idea. Hip-hop could give the song a unique edge."

Tyrell let out a whistle of admiration as he leaned back in his chair."Well, well, I didn't expect you to go for it! But that makes things even more exciting. We'll need a strong beat—something that makes you feel like you're on a wild ocean adventure."

Leo nodded enthusiastically, adding with energy:"Imagine deep drums, a heavy bass, with smooth melodic touches… like the flow and movement of water."

Evelyn smiled, then picked up her headphones and placed them over her ears."Let's give it a shot! Play me some beats, and I'll try blending my voice with them."

Tyrell started adjusting the settings, pressing a few buttons before a test beat filled the room. The rhythm was strong, with a deep bass that carried an infectious energy—but it felt like something was missing.

Leo quickly grabbed a pen and began tweaking the lyrics to better fit the new rhythm. Then he looked at Evelyn through the glass."Try this verse, but make it flow smoother."

Evelyn took a deep breath, closed her eyes for a moment, then started singing:

"Crystal waters...Shimmering bright...The deep blue sea...A breathtaking sight..."

Tyrell suddenly raised his hand, signaling to stop the music."Hold on, hold on! This is good, but it's missing something… Try making the tone bolder, add more power to the words!"

Evelyn nodded and gave it another shot, this time with more energy—like she was truly living the moment, feeling the freedom of the waves.

Leo and Tyrell exchanged a satisfied glance. The melody was still taking shape, but something was beginning to emerge… A fusion of summer, hip-hop, and an unstoppable, flowing energy.

After several attempts, Tyrell stopped adjusting the controls, furrowing his brows in thought.

"There's something missing… The bass sounds too weak. It doesn't have the impact we need."

Leo glanced at the control panel, then said with confidence,"Then let's crank it up to the max and see how it sounds."

He immediately lifted his head, excitement flashing in his eyes."Let's fix this! Make the bass fatter. We want it deep and powerful, something that wraps around you like ocean waves."

Tyrell chuckled, shaking his head in admiration."Leo, you've got a better musical ear than I thought! Alright, I'll tune the low frequencies to 60Hz and add a slight reverb so it doesn't overpower the other instruments."

His fingers moved swiftly over the control board, adjusting levels, adding subtle effects, until the rhythm gradually shifted. On the screen in front of him, the sound waves surged higher, confirming that the deep frequencies had gained clarity. A booming bass reverberated through the room, pulsing in sync with each beat.

Leo opened his arms wide, grinning as if embracing the music itself."Now that's what I'm talking about!"

Meanwhile, Evelyn prepared for her next attempt. She put on her headphones, closed her eyes for a moment, as if diving deep into the melody.

Tyrell raised an intrigued eyebrow before saying in an eager tone,"Alright, let's see if our star is going to dazzle us today."

Leo smirked with unwavering confidence."Oh, she definitely will."

The music began to play. At first, it was soft, dreamy, like an invitation to drift into the ocean's depths. Then, Evelyn parted her lips and started singing, her voice gentle, like a sea breeze carrying its tune.

[Verse One]Crystal waters...Shining so bright...The blue sea...A mesmerizing sight diving in...Lost in the swirling tide...A wave of emotions...I cannot hide...

Feel the rhythm of the ocean's beat…

As she sang, a soft blue glow began to dance around her—an unconscious response to the music, as if the magic within her was resonating with the sound itself. Both Leo and Tyrell felt a strange calm wash over them, as if her voice was lifting the tension from their shoulders.

Leo murmured in awe, watching the surreal scene unfold."Her magic… It's affecting the sound waves themselves."

Tyrell folded his arms, eyes widening in amazement."Damn… I feel like I'm in the middle of the ocean. This is insane!"

The melody remained serene, flowing like gentle waves on a summer night. But beneath that tranquility, something lurked—a storm waiting to break.

Then…

She reached the second verse, and that's when the shift happened.

The Fat Bass kicked in, shaking the room with a newfound energy. The song transformed, gaining a pulse that made every beat come alive. Tyrell's body jolted for a moment before he let out an exhilarated yell."Damn! This bass HITS! What the hell is this magic?!"

(This is where the beat drops with Fat Bass.)

[Verse Two]The salty air…It tastes so sweet…Under the sun…As the waves crash by…In this paradise…I wanna fly high…

As Evelyn sang, her expression shifted. She closed her eyes, lost in the moment, as if she could actually feel the sun on her skin and the sea spray against her face. The music was freeing her, unleashing something within, as if she were floating weightlessly in an endless sky.

Leo and Tyrell exchanged a knowing glance.

This wasn't just a song anymore.

It was an experience.

A world coming to life within the music itself.

When Evelyn reached the third verse, she paused for a heartbeat. A flicker of mysterious energy shone in her eyes before she shot them a playful smile and whispered,

"Like a mermaid…"

Her voice surged like a crashing wave—fluid, enchanting, overflowing with a magic that swirled around her in glowing tides.

Leo stared in disbelief. Her voice had become something beyond human—deep, resonant, charged with an emotion that carried the very essence of the sea itself.

Then, a new element entered the mix—an unexpected electronic pulse, like water rippling over rocks, setting the stage for the final crescendo.

[Verse Three]I'm dancing in the sea…With each breath…I feel so free…

(Here, a sudden electronic beat layers in, subtly shifting the atmosphere.)

The blue expanse…It calls my name…In this endless beauty…I'll never be the same…

Ahhh...

As she reached the final note, the room was bathed in an otherworldly glow. The blue light surrounding her began to fade, like the sea itself responding to her voice and calming down. Then—silence.

A single, weightless moment where time seemed to stop.

Then, the silence was shattered by thunderous applause.

Tyrell clapped hard, crossing his arms with a wide grin."Holy shit! That wasn't just a song—That was a damn curse. A beautiful one."

Leo laughed, shaking his head."I think we just made the best commercial song for Joga Cola in history."

Evelyn pulled off her headphones, catching her breath. Her eyes sparkled with exhilaration as she turned to them with a confident smile."I think we did it, didn't we?"

Leo nodded enthusiastically, folding his arms."Oh, we definitely did. And so much more."

Everyone in the room knew that what had just happened wasn't a typical recording session.

It was something rare.

Something magical.

A moment that would never be forgotten.