Alara stood in her room, her heart racing. She was an Asian Muslim girl, and she knew the world she lived in was vastly different from the high-fashion, fast-paced streets of Seoul. But today, those boundaries didn't matter. She had seen a luxury mall in South Korea on the internet—a place of glass, neon, and elegance—and that was where she was going.
She gripped the golden chalk. "Take me to the corner near the emergency exit," she thought, remembering a spot she'd seen in a vlog that had no security cameras.
She drew the circle. The air shimmered, and she stepped through.
The air in the mall was crisp and smelled of expensive perfume. Alara moved quickly but quietly, her natural grace helping her blend into the shadows. She found exactly what she was looking for: a stunning Midnight Blue dress that flowed like water, a pair of sleek shoes, a stylish cap, and a classic long coat to keep her hidden.
She ducked into a changing room—a safe haven with no cameras—and drew the portal back to her bedroom.
She tossed the shopping bags onto her bed, her eyes wide. The clothes were modern, stylish, and unlike anything she had ever owned. But as she looked at them, she realized something was missing.
"I'm going to see Lucian live," she whispered. "I can't go without cheering for him."
She knew every fandom had its soul. LUMENIX had the "Lumina"—a light stick that glowed with a deep, pulsing blue light.
She used the chalk once more, returning to a specialty K-pop merchandise store. She moved with purpose now. She grabbed the Lumina Light Stick, a headband with Lucian's name glowing in LED lights (shaped like his signature 'Star-Light' element), and a beautiful slogan banner that read: "Lucian, you are our eternal Light."
When she stepped back into her room for the final time that night, her bed was covered in the gear of a true Aurora.
Alara sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers brushing the fabric of the coat. Her preparation was complete. All that was left was to wait for tomorrow—the day that would not just take her to a concert, but change the very fabric of her life forever.