The weight of the silence between them was crushing, pressing down on Louis’s chest as he held Sona’s trembling hand. He could feel the conflict inside her—the desperate need to push him away, along with the powerful need to let him in. Her fear seeped into the air like a cold fog. A living, breathing thing that filled the room like smoke.

Neither of them moved. The only sound was Sona’s ragged breathing. The tears she had tried so hard to suppress now streamed freely down her cheeks. Louis’s grip on her hand tightened, trying to offer comfort. But words wouldn’t be enough—not now. Not when she was so close to the edge.

“Sona,” he said gently, voice barely above a whisper. “You don’t have to be afraid. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

She shook her head, body trembling. “You don’t understand,” she whispered. “You don’t know what it’s like… to lose everything. Everyone you love. I can’t go through that again.”

Louis swallowed hard. He had known she was hurting, but this—this depth of pain, the way it shaped her—it was more than he imagined.

“I know it’s hard,” he said. “I know you’ve lost people. But you’re not alone, Sona. Not anymore.”

Her expression twisted. She pulled her hand from his, stepping back as if his presence hurt. “You don’t get it!” Her voice cracked. “You can’t understand what it’s like to live with this curse. Everyone I love leaves. I can’t let that happen again.”

“That’s not true,” Louis said, stepping toward her. “I’m not going anywhere.”

But she was already unraveling. Her breath came in short gasps, panic tightening her chest. “Don’t you see? If I keep you at a distance, if I don’t let you in, it won’t hurt as much when you leave.”

The words hit Louis like a blow. He had never seen her like this—so vulnerable, so afraid. And it tore something open in him.

“Sona,” he said, voice thick with emotion, “please… don’t shut me out. Let me in.”

Her knees buckled. She collapsed to the floor, curling into herself as sobs tore from her. Louis stood frozen, watching her crumpled frame, hearing the anguish he couldn’t fix.

This was the girl from his vision at the concert—alone, crying. And now she was here, real, and just as broken.

He knelt beside her and pulled her into his arms.

Sona stiffened. For a moment, she fought it. But then she broke. Her body sank into his, arms wrapping around him like she was drowning and he was the only thing keeping her afloat.

Louis held her tighter.

“It’s okay,” he whispered. “I’m here. I’ve got you.”

And Sona cried.

For her family. For her friends. For the band she lost. For the little girl who had been left behind with nothing but silence.

When her sobs finally faded, she stayed in his arms, drained. Louis didn’t let go. He knew this was just the beginning—but it was a beginning.

Outside, Omega perched on a distant ledge, its red sensor pulsing. It had recorded everything.

Why do they cling to one another through pain? Why endure suffering only to risk it again?

It had no answers. But it wanted them.

Its wings spread.

If my existence causes only pain, what is my purpose?

It took flight into the dark, leaving behind the warehouse—and a question its code was no longer capable of silencing.

Inside, Louis and Sona remained. Just two people, holding on.

Together.

The memories of the past still linger, where the truth of Rock On awaits…

The End of Act 1.