Children of a Lesser God

Chapter 185: Song

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." Plato

...

As the dinner continued and drinks were poured, all of the guests were enjoying the sounds of Leo's band. Although Laz was more of a classic rock and metal fan, that didn't mean he didn't appreciate other types of music. Added on to that Leo's full and melodious voice and Laz couldn't help but wonder if they had ever thought about going farther with the band? Thinking about it though, it wasn't something Leo was planning on. If that was the case, why have a night club and run a business? The more Laz thought about it, the more he realized that Leo's true goal was the family business. After all, fame is fleeting, but family is forever... even dangerous criminal families.

As Laz turned back to the conversation with Ruby and Leona, who seemed to be talking and laughing more to each other than to him, Laz couldn't help but smile while also wanting to frown. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen and ruin this rather relaxing life he had found himself in. He wished it were otherwise, but he couldn't really find a complaint to make. After all, he had stuff to do still.

'I really wonder just where my parents had gone off to?'

Laz never forgot one of his goals in setting out on his own which was to find his parents. Originally, he heard they were in D.C. but that turned out to be old news. He was currently without a lead. That was really the only excuse he had as to why he hadn't gone somewhere else yet. But he knew that he couldn't stay still for long.

"Alright, next in the karaoke portion of the night. So, feel free to dance, have some drinks, laugh and enjoy yourselves. We will be back for more later on," Leo announced as he and his band members left the stage. Some of the stage hands had brought over several new mics and displays for the would be singers. Laz was thinking about what song the girls would be singing when it came to their turn.

As he glanced at them, Laz ended up with a bit of a shock. Both girls were looking at him with a blush on their cheeks, almost as though they were embarrassed about something. Laz couldn't help but wonder what it could be considering they had already pretty much done everything that could be done so what would there be left to be embarrassed about? Laz ended up getting the answer fairly quickly.

After a few rather... talent-less singers took the stage, Leona and Ruby's turn finally came and they of course dragged Laz with them. Leona was a bit scared at being on stage and being looked at by everyone while Ruby was simply cool and nonchalant about it. As for Laz? Well, he didn't really care much nor did he let it effect him. He remembered back to when he participated in the fighting competition with Kennedy and couldn't help but smile. When compared to a fighting match in which people were screaming for blood, what was a bit of booing? Well, at least he hoped he would be the only one booed. As the girls got into place and the MC introduced them, Laz stood behind a the other mic and wondered just what song had been picked. While staring at the display, Leona took a look back and saw that even Laz was rather relaxed and just seemed curious while not being angry in the least. She was originally worried that he would not want to do this but seeing his current self, she put those fears to rest.

She felt like she could do anything with him at her side.

Meanwhile, up in the almost empty VIP area, Leo was chatting with his sister Lessa who happened to notice that Laz had gotten on stage.

"So this boy can sing eh?"

"I really have no idea... but it looks like he is going to try.." Leo laughed a bit. He felt like this wasn't something that Laz would normally do considering his usual character, but he also understood that sometimes you couldn't tell a girl no, even if you looked like a fool in the process.

"Ha ha. Excellent. I'm looking forward to it," Lessa commented as she took a sip of her drink.

"Why is that?" Leo said, looking at his sister.

"Darling. For someone who is so into music, I wonder how you can be so deaf sometimes..."

"The hell?"

"His voice of course. Hmm... How to describe it... It's like, not musical in the least and yet it contains a certain... charm to it. It's not like one he tries with it, but it's natural."

"You paid this much attention to his voice? Didn't you only meet him like twice?" Leo respected his sister's opinion since she had a talent in reading people. So if she said he had a charming voice, he had a charming voice. The point of interest for Leo was that his sister wouldn't point out something so little unless there was a big reason for it. For example, in the past, Lessa had mentioned how a 'friend' Leo had made had very skilled hands. Leo at first thought it was just some sort of strange fetish of his weird sister, but he later found out that the person he had befriended was actually a mass murderer who enjoyed cutting open his victims, draining their blood, removing their organs and turning them into human dolls whose clothes he hand made himself. Her feeling that his hands were skilled was due to his ability to do all of those things.

Needless to say, Leo became a bit paranoid about having friends with skilled hands unless they could play a keyboard or guitar. He also decided to stop meeting so many people from the underworld.

"It's not just me darling. The girls from the other night that he came in contact with all said the same thing. One, he's got beautiful eyes and a hot body. Two, he is incredibly polite while also being friendly. And three, his voice is captivating, even though he doesn't know it.".

"I swear, those friends of yours..."

"They are reliable girls so give it a rest."

"Is that why you wanted to do a male strip party next Thursday?"

"I can't believe you won't even consider it..."

"Do you have any idea how many regulations there exists for that? AND I DON'T WANT YOU TO JUST DO IT ANYWAY, UNDERSTAND?" Leo was getting the feeling that Lessa wasn't paying attention to him.

"Sheesh... fine. Damn... Anyway, sit down. They are going to start soon," Lessa commented while pointing to the stage.

Ruby and Leona's power was around the same level while Laz was currently stuck as he looked to venture into the next realm. Even though he was told how to go about it, that didn't mean that he could just go and do it. It was still a learning process. This aside though, all three of them had made great gains to the improvement of their bodies. Whether it was their strength, speed, agility, skin, or even bone strength, everything about them could be considered superhuman when compared to a normal person. Strangely enough, this also included their voices.

In the same way that a professional singer would have a stronger voice that a person who smoked a pack a day for twenty years, Ruby, Leona and Laz's voice's were something that even professional singer couldn't hope to match.

This was nothing more than a fun side effect of their cultivation.

As the lights dimmed and the music started playing, Laz couldn't help but sigh... of course he knew this song.

Leona began by herself.

How can you see into my eyes like open doors?

Leading you down, into my core

Where I've become so numb, without a soul

My spirit's sleeping somewhere cold

Until you find it there, and lead it, back, home

Laz couldn't help but be memorized. Leona's singing voice really was a reflection of her normal, sweet sounded voice, but she was able to put a rather haunting vibe into it

Suddenly, it was Laz's turn. He had listened to the song tons of times, so of course he knew how it was suppose to go.

Wake me up inside

Wake me up inside

As Leona was currently vibing with the music, only Ruby was still really paying attention. She was just doing some backup vocals with Leona for fun, hearing Laz sing though, she was stunned. It was a small part, but the power behind his voice blended well with the haunting sound of Leona's voice.

Of course, Leona ended up joining him for the next part.

Save me, call my name and save me from the dark

Wake me up, bid my blood to run

I can't wake up, before I come undone

Save me, save me from the nothing I've become

Leona and Ruby both had the next part while Laz started to enjoy himself. Afterall, they were just little inserts he had to do. Therefore, he was mostly enjoying hearing Leona sing with Ruby's backup.

Now that I know what I'm without

You can't just leave me

Breathe into me and make me real

Bring me to life

Wake me up inside

Wake me up inside

Call my name and save me from the dark

Bid my blood to run

Before I come undone

Save me from the nothing I've become

All three were singing while Laz hid his hands behind his back and let loose a bit of formless energy. Normally, something like this would go undetected as it was formless. But because of the stage lights along with the darkened crowd, the formless energy caused the lights to refract as though they were going through a prism, creating a rather strange and beautiful light show.

Laz:

All this time, I can't believe I couldn't see

Kept in the dark, but you were there in front of me

Leona:

I've been sleeping a thousand years, it seems

Got to open my eyes to everything

Laz:

Without a thought, without a voice, without a soul

Leona:

Don't let me die here

Laz:

There must be something more

Leona and Ruby:

Bring me to life

Wake me up, wake me up inside

I can't wake up, wake me up inside

Save me, call my name and save me from the dark

Wake me up, bid my blood to run

I can't wake up, before I come undone

Save me, save me from the nothing I've become

Bring me to life, I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside

Bring me to life

As Laz, Ruby and Leona ended the song, Leona was looking at Laz while her eye's blazed. Ruby was glad as well. Leona had wanted to express herself to Laz, but she never found a way to properly tell him. Although Ruby was a bit jealous, she knew that she had already found a place in his heart. But had she waited or not gone for it as soon as she sensed Laz, she would probably have no way in now.

The crowd was obviously clapping and cheering their heads off since this was the first performance of the night, minus Leo's band, that didn't make them want to stick their heads in their phones. Even Lessa and Leo were clapping form the VIP area. And commenting on how great of a voice Leona had.

Leo had started to make his way down since the band was going to play a few more sets after the next performance when suddenly the M.C. announced that Laz would be doing a solo number, much to his surprise.

Laz turned and stared at the girls who were still excited from their group performance when he noticed Leona's face turn a dark shade of red while Ruby was suddenly preoccupied with stirring her drink while staring off into space.

Laz suddenly understood their attitudes from before.