The flickering lights of the press room showed Saber flashes beyond the veil. In and out like green tinted paint trickling down across oscillating windshield wipers. It wasn’t enough for Saber to focus on either world. He kept his eyes fixed forward and his expression flat. 

“In an attempt to maintain transparency and effort to discourage speculation, my company and I would like to make a statement regarding the incident at my concert two nights ago.” 

Saber spoke slowly and carefully; taking great pains to properly enunciate and control his tone. If he sounded too apathetic he’d be painted as heartless. If he came off too emotional he’d be accused of making the tragedy about himself. 

“On that night I was alone in my dressing room when I heard an altercation taking place outside. Upon hearing the sound of a gun going off I exited my dressing room. I acknowledge that this was not the wisest course of action. At the time I was concerned for my staff’s safety.”

Julie wrote the speech. She gave it to Saber thirty minutes before the conference. He sat memorizing it as Amy touched up his makeup which had melted under the heavy stage lights. 

“The assailant had been subdued by a heroic stranger who sacrificed his life to ensure my safety. His intervention allowed me to reach security officers who were able to apprehend the assailant.” 

Saber took in a shaky breath. He breathed out and spoke again. This time slightly strained, “We will now open the floor to questions.” 

“Saber! Fans noted that your performance tonight seemed subdued, was this due to an injury sustained in the altercation?” 

“I was not injured in any way during the altercation.” 

“Saber! Is it true that the attacker was a crazed fan? Did they have any association with  Blayne Klein?”

Saber’s head whipped towards the reporter. They looked up at him with a self assured smirk. Mentioning that name was intentional. They knew it was on the list of forbidden topics but they said it anyway, just to get a rise out of Saber. The videographer behind them shifted. Likely moving in for a close up. 

“I cannot comment on the individual's mental status nor his opinion towards me.” 

The reporter’s face fell. Security put a hand on their shoulder and began leading them out. Saber felt his face twitching with desire to mimic the reporter’s earlier snarky grin. 

“Saber! Do you plan on canceling the rest of your tour?” 

Saber shook his head, “We have no such plans at this time” 

“Is it true that the ‘fan’ who intervened was your long time romantic partner?” 

Saber blinked slowly multiple times and tried his best not to laugh out loud. It didn’t help when said accused romantic partner began cackling in his head. 

“I had no prior relationship with Echo Sinclaire.” 

“Then is it possible that he was also a stalker?” 

The careful mask Saber had been shakily hanging onto fell to the ground and shattered. 

“Listen here you fucking prick! He saved my life! How fucking da-“ 

Saber’s mic cut off, leaving several colorful insults to fade under the clamoring of the crowd. Julie stepped out in front of Saber’s podium with her hands held up defensively. 

“That will be all for our conference!” 

With the pretense of professionalism lying so shattered it formed a fine dust all hell broke loose. 

“Is it true that you’ve been bribing your staff to quell rumors of mistreatment?”

”Is it true that you own a fortune in crypto?” 

“Is it true that you use AI to produce your music?” 

“Is it true that you have an illegitimate love child with Senator Logan?” 

“Is it true that you s̴̨̞͍̱͎̍̎̓͘͝3̴̢̯͎͖̜̓̚e̴͚̩͙̱̭͐̌ ̴̱͙̞̮͙͗͐̽(̶̗̲̐̆ͅs̵̛̗̍?” 

Saber just barely caught it as Julie ushered him towards the exit. He turned his head just enough to see the crowd out of the corner of his eye.

IS……….IT………TRUE?

YOU………SEE……..US!

Something was rising above the crowd of cell phones and video cameras. 

Darkness enveloped the room. Originating from the center of the ceiling. A cloche being sealed over a fresh meal. 

The creature at the center of the mass of reporters came into view, more accurately it came into form. Its edges solidified even as the world around it lost focus. 

Eyes emerged from the swimming darkness. A thousand tiny bobbers breaking the surface all together and rolling until they locked onto Saber. 

All Saber could hear was his own heart beat. It pounded in his ears like a war drum. A warning that the enemy had been spotted. The fragile peace he’d been enjoying was a childish delusion. 

“SaE….buuUr….reEe…” The voices that came from the creature hissed and boomed and creaked. They made every uncomfortable shifting sound. They were the chains that woke Saber up each morning, the squeak of dry markers, the scratch of skin against stone. 

Saber clutched his chest. His breath came in panicked short bursts. 

[….oove]

[…move…]

[MOVE]

[SABER! MOVE!] 

Echo’s shout startled Saber forward. He stumbled and Julie caught his arm. The moment her skin came into contact with his, the world was right again. The darkness was gone, replaced by incessant flashing. 

Sound returned. The reporters continued with their invasive questions as if they’d never stopped. 

Best of all, the swirling mass was gone. When Saber looked at where it had been all he saw were eager faces and smartphone cameras. 

“Thank you,” Saber murmured. 

“Of course, Saber,” Julie said as Echo responded with 

[You’re welcome, Saber]