Path to Becoming the Greatest Space Mercenary

The moment that Nianni Taador made her appearance on stage, the audience members began cheering and clapping their hands.

The sound was so cacophonous that specialized sound dampeners activated in order to prevent the level of noise from becoming too dangerous and causing hearing damage.

It was obvious from this unanimously positive reaction that the people that had shown up today were all immense fans of the current most popular singer in the Dramid Alliance. And there were certainly billions more currently at home or in public places broadcasting the performance that were cheering along as well.

"Oh my god it's her! We're really getting to see Nianni Preform in person, Avery! And from so close to the stage too!" Kasandra said excitedly.

Making Avery wonder how she ever used to be such a cold person when she became like this simply because she was watching someone's performance.

Of course, he had no complaints about Kasandra enjoying herself here and completely opening herself up to him.

'It's not just her voice that draws people's attention either. She practically radiating appeal.' Avery thought as he closely examined Nianni's appearance.

He had seen photos of her before since he enjoyed her music himself, but she seemed far more attractive in person. As if no camera would ever be able to capture her true allure.

She was not a human though and was a member of the Vensian species that were well known for the physic abilities that could influence most plant life. Typically making them the best in the field of agriculture within the Dramid Alliance.

However, they were also renowned for their beautiful appearances, and Nianni certainly proved this notion.

Those of the Vensian species had dark blue to dark purple skin colors, with anything in between being possible.

As for Nianni, her skin tone was a lighter blue, and her long hair was lavender.

Her two eyes were also different from anything Avery had seen before.

She did not have any pupils and her eyes merely looked like two black orbs with glimmering white dots in them. Similar to the night sky of Azade that he could vividly remember.

Finally, the last major district quality of her species was their ears. Instead of being rounded like humans, they were longer and pointed at the ends.

Before Nianni started her first song, she engaged in a bit of stage banter with the audience.

Saying things about how she was excited to be performing in such a large venue and grateful for the support of all the fans that had come out to see her today.

Soon enough, it was time for the performance to begin.

With Nianni deciding to open with the first ever songs that she released and still one of her most popular to this day.

"Now, let trouble fall away. No dread allowed to stay. And hope never-ending…"

The words flowed out of Nianni's mouth in beautiful melody that enraptured the audience. The warm message of her first song giving everyone an uplifting feeling. As if all of their problems had disappeared in this moment.

While there had been loud cheering when she first appeared, everyone was silent now. Not wanting even the smallest of noises to interfere with Nianni's performance.

'I've never truly appreciated her work enough. To think that her voice would be this great in person. It's completely different from the recordings saved on the Dauntless' computer. Her songs are the best. Her voice like that of a divine being. I should support her forever.'

As he continued to watch Nianni's performance, thoughts that were unlike him started to race through his mind.

The music that he had merely liked before was now something so much more. It was undoubtably the best in the galaxy, and he could hardly believe how foolish he had been up to this point not to recognize Nianni's greatness.

Yet, as he felt himself being drawn into something abnormal, Avery snapped back to reality.

To him, it felt as if some glass wall warping his perception had shattered.

The wave of intense emotions he had been feeling had abated and everything seemed normal again.

For a moment, he felt his head hurt, and it sounded like there was a sharp static sound in his ears.

When he looked up unconsciously towards where the source was, he found himself staring at Nianni. And her staring right back at him.

Abruptly she stopped singing as an expression of shock appeared on her face.

This was an unexpected disturbance during the performance, and the trance-like atmosphere started to dissipate.

The audience members began to mumble to each other about why Nianni had stopped singing, though most of those nearest to Avery all glared at him. As if they knew that he was the reason.

"Avery, what did you just do to upset Nianni like that?" Kasandra asked harshly.

He turned to her in surprise, not expecting such hostility from one of the people closest to him.

Except, before he could respond, Nianni said a quick word of apology for faltering in her performance and went back to singing.

The instant her voice resounded through the venue again, Kasandra and the others that had been glaring at Avery all turned forward in rapt attention. Seeming to have completely forgotten about the disturbance.

'Okay, that was definitely weird.' Avery thought, unsettled by what had just occurred.

It was as if he was the only one not in on some strange aspect of the concert.

There was also Nianni's reaction that was suspect. She had looked astounded when she stared at Avery.

'Vensians are only supposed to be able to use their psychic abilities to connect with plants. But what if Nianni is different. For a bit like I was being pulled into something that was warping my perception and emotions. I've always liked her music, but I never considered myself to be much of a fan. But for a moment, it felt like I wanted to worship the ground that she walks on.'

Avery was uncertain as to what was going on, and he obviously could not find answers to his questions right now.

He was afraid to disturb Nianni's performance again, and asking Kasandra for her opinion was not going to work. She seemed fully enchanted by Nianni already.

That meant that all he could do was sit and wait.

He would have a chance later to speak with the star of the day in person after the show. A perk of being one of the pilots in the competition this concert was meant to promote.

Pushing the worries to the back of his mind for now, Avery focused on enjoying the event rather than seeing it as something sinister.

Even if he was not spellbound by her music, he was capable of appreciating Nianni's talent.

Her voice and songs were great. There was no doubt about that.

'Now that I look around, there are other people that don't seem to be quite as entranced as most of the audience.'

In the same seating area, there were two notable individuals that were clearly not fully engrossed in the show. One being Cerise Gunvald, and the other being Katarina Trix.

Neither of them looked particularly interested in the performance and their attentions were directed elsewhere.

'So, it's not like whatever is going on is affecting everyone. But there doesn't seem to be any backlash like what I felt from any of the others that aren't being drawn in. So, what was the difference, and why did Nianni look so surprised?'

Avery still could not make heads of tails of what had happened, and the glances he periodically was receiving from Nianni did not make it any easier.

She looked just as interested in him as he was of her.

The concert continued for nearly three and a half hours, with Nianni singing a total of fifty different songs.

With the last three being new and receiving their debut reveal today at the concert. Something that had certainly gotten the fans riled up. It had been a while since Nianni had released anything new, but these three songs were apparently part of a soon to be released album that she and the studio behind her had been making.

Once Nianni left the stage, the audience that had been focused solely on her turned to those close to them and started raving about how great the performance was. Kasandra being no different.

"That was just amazing. I hope that we can see her perform like this again in the future. You think the same, right Avery?" Kasandra asked, a sparkle in her eyes.

"Yes, it was all really good. I enjoyed the songs. Though, there was one point at the beginning when Nianni stopped, and you seemed to blame me for it. Do you remember why that was?"

For just a second, Kasandra looked at Avery with confusion, before recalling the incident.

"Yeah, you're right. Something like that did happen. But I don't know, it's all a little hazy. Why did I think you had anything to do with it? Nianni said that a cough just got caught in her throat."

Kasandra looked befuddled as she ruminated on what Avery had just brought up. At a certain point, it appeared that she was really straining herself and was in discomfort.

"Don't worry about it. That's in the past now and it hardly mattered. I just wanted to clarify something. And I think I've already gotten my answer."

Avery then quickly changed the topic of discussion and asked Kasandra about her favorite songs.

This time, she was able to remember everything perfectly and without issue. Her other memories of the concert were all vivid and easy for her to recall.