Chris and Cecilia whipped their heads towards the ghost and at the same time replied, "Us? No way!"
Randy recoiled from the reaction he received. "Sorry…I was just asking, no need to bite my head off."
Like quarreling children, Chris and Cecilia turned their backs on one another. After an awkward few minutes, the captain extended his hands to her. "What? I don't want to hold your hand; others may think the wrong idea," she explained to him
"We are teleporting out of here, and you need to hold onto me, or you will be left behind," Chris hesitantly explained. "Imagine what these humans will think if you suddenly pop out of thin air."
Cecilia glanced up at the ceiling as if thinking, then she held on to the captain's hands tightly. "Point taken."
After making sure that everyone was holding on to him, a bright light invisible to human eyes engulfed their little group, and when the light vanished, so did the three of them.
The twilight glided smoothly over the waters of the Kasanaan River. The lights of the gold deck dance rhythmically along with lively music, and at the center of the music was Cecilia. Her black silk dress effortlessly followed her steps as she danced and pranced on stage. The spotlight followed her wherever she went, making sure that she was visible, in case somebody wondered to whom the angelic voice belonged.
After her vibrant, high-energy number, the stage lights softened to a muted glow, perfectly mirroring the delicate, somber notes of the piano that began to fill the room. Cecilia lifted the microphone with effortless grace, pausing just long enough to let the first haunting chords settle before her voice emerged—a rich, velvety sound that captured every nuance of longing woven into the song.
Each note she sang was a masterful expression of raw emotion, her voice rising and falling with a natural, heartfelt intensity that held the audience spellbound. Her subtle, deliberate gestures and serene stillness spoke volumes, embodying the song's tender melancholy without a single extraneous movement. In that moment, Cecilia didn't just perform the song—she breathed its soul, revealing a depth of talent that transcended mere singing.
As the song surged into the chorus, the tempo quickened, the piano now joined by the driving pulse of drumbeats and the vibrant strumming of guitars. Cecilia's voice soared with electrifying power, each note charged with a fierce, passionate intensity that sent waves of emotion rippling through the crowd. Her control was flawless—effortlessly navigating the crescendo with a blend of strength and vulnerability that left the audience breathless, hanging on every word as if it were a confession.
The orchestra, inspired by her commanding presence, matched her fervor with precision and heart, creating a dynamic symphony of sound that elevated the entire performance. In that moment, Cecilia didn't just sing; she commanded the stage, transforming the song's raw emotions into a living, pulsating force felt by every listener.
When the chorus returned, Cecilia unleashed the full power of her voice, effortlessly soaring into the soaring high notes with precision and clarity that left the audience captivated. Each elevated pitch was not just a display of technical brilliance but a deliberate surge of emotion, intensifying the song's heartfelt message.
During the bridge, Cecilia poured every ounce of her soul into the performance, elevating the song to new emotional heights. With remarkable control and grace, she sustained the soaring high notes effortlessly, each one ringing clear and true as if they were second nature. Her voice carried a raw, unfiltered passion that resonated deeply, drawing the audience into the very heart of the song's story.
Every subtle movement—each deliberate gesture and expression—was perfectly synchronized with the intensity of her vocals, creating a seamless fusion of sound and emotion. In that moment, Cecilia's artistry was undeniable: she didn't just sing, she embodied its fervor, captivating everyone with a display of pure, heartfelt talent.
The transition was seamless, each note imbued with heartfelt sincerity that lingered in the air like a whispered confession.
As the last words were sung and the last notes chimed, the audience vigorously clapped for the human while all were in a standing ovation. Cecilia smiled brightly, her heart filled with joy as she watched and listened to how the audience showed their appreciation for her talent.
Then she saw something in the corner of her eye. It was the captain; he was leaning against the arched entrance of the bar, his arms crossed over his chest, but it was his smile that caught her attention. For her, it was a smile that could brighten the darkest of rooms and gloomiest of days.
The ship has finally returned to port after completing another voyage. Cecilia was in her cabin, packing her things. Chris has just arrived at the gangway plank to see the new set of passengers boarding the Twilight.
"Do we have the manifest of the new passengers?" He asked the officer overseeing the boarding. The officer handed a clipboard with several sheets of paper. Chris examined the list in passing. "The guests in the gold deck have alarmingly decreased again," he lamented at the fact that the majority of souls are in the engine room, "From four hundred thousand to a measly hundred twenty thousand. What is this world coming to?" He sighed in disappointment.
"Captain!" Chief Murillo called out to Chris suddenly; her tone was in distress, trying to catch Chris's attention. "Captain, you need to see this!"
"What is it, Murillo?" The chief pulled with her an old man and handed the captain a piece of paper, and when he read the name written on it, shock was the only expression that registered. "Ernesto Gabriel"
Chris walked towards the old man who was looking with awe and marvel at the ship he was on. The captain took the old man's hands, who then looked at him with a bewildered expression. "Who are you, young man? Where am I?"
"You're her grandfather, aren't you?" Chris's voice trembled with sadness
"Whose grandfather?" a cheerful voice asked from behind the captain.
Chris closed his eyes; he did not want her to know about it this way. He slowly turned around only to see Cecilia's bright and smiling face looking back at him. He was about to speak, but the old man beat him, "Cee?"