Chapter 86: Never Say Never

Jace put on his mask the moment he was called on stage. The stadium erupted in deafening cheers as he stepped forward. Millions of people had gathered to witness his long-awaited live performance. The air buzzed with anticipation, and the energy was electrifying. There was also an after-party planned following the concert, but right now, all Jace could focus on was the stage in front of him. Smiling, he waved at the crowd, feeling a surge of confidence rush through him. It had been so long since he had stood before an audience without fear weighing him down. "Hey, guys! I missed you all so much," he greeted, flashing a dazzling smile. The crowd went wild. "Gosh, his smile is heaven..." "He's so handsome..." "I love you, Star...." Thousands of comments flooded the fan boards as the audience roared their love for him. Jace chuckled. "I love y'all. It's really good to be back." A few beats of silence passed, then he added, "Tonight, I'll be performing Never Thought. This song is for someone special to me... actually, it's for my girl." Excited murmurs rippled through the crowd. At that moment, the stadium lights went out, plunging everything into darkness. Then, boom! The stage lights blazed to life, illuminating Jace and his backup dancers who had appeared behind him in perfect formation. Their silhouettes held a striking pose, ready for action. The intro beat dropped, heavy and smooth, and the moment it hit, the entire stadium erupted again. Jace moved with the rhythm, his body syncing effortlessly with the beat. Even though he wasn't known for dancing, tonight, he was letting himself go. This was his moment. The crowd swayed, feeling the pulse of the music, their bodies moving in unison as the song began. [Jace:] I never thought I'd ever fall in love Been through heartbreaks And it seemed like love wasn't for me Right before I could give up on love You came to me as a light Bringing me out of my hidden corners You make my life so beautiful [All:] Never thought you're the one for me Never thought You could bring so much joy into my life You took away my pain And replaced it with your undying love You are all I want [Jace:] Never noticed you at first Ignored you 'cause of my ups and downs Being with you Made me realize the missing parts of me I love you now and till eternity You're more than everything to me [All:] Never thought you're the one for me Never thought You could bring so much joy into my life You took... As Jace sang, he slowly removed his mask, revealing his face. For a second, the crowd fell into stunned silence. Then, screams erupted from every corner of the stadium. People gasped, jaws dropping in awe. "Did an angel just drop to Earth?" "He looks like a Greek god..." Some fans clutched their chests, utterly mesmerized. Miranda, sitting in the VIP section, felt heat rush to her cheeks. She blushed uncontrollably as her friends giggled and teased her. "Jace really went all out tonight," one of them whispered. Miranda buried her face in her hands. She couldn't believe he had dedicated the song to her in front of millions. Jace, on the other hand, was completely immersed in the moment. As the final note echoed across the stadium, the lights cut out again. When they came back on, Ronald was on stage, and the backup dancers shifted into new positions. The beat changed. The crowd roared once more. [Ronald:] Never back down, no, we rise, We pick it up, pick, pick, pick it up, Pick it up, pick, pick, pick it up, Yeah, yeah, we rise, never compromise! [Jace:] I never thought I could reach this high, Never thought I'd spread my wings and fly, Had my doubts, had my fears, But now I see the road, crystal clear! I'm on my way, I'm breaking free, No more walls, no more chains on me, Every step, I feel the fire, This is my destiny, I'm climbing higher! [Both:] I will never say never, I will rise, I will rise ‘til forever, reaching the skies, Whenever you try to pull me down, I'll stand tall, I won't hit the ground, Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, up, up, And never say never! [Ronald (rap):] Hold up, you ain't seen nothing yet, I'll take the crown, no time to regret, I've fought the battles, faced the storm, Now I'm shining like I've been reborn. No, you won't break me, I'm too strong, I'll keep pushing, all day long, Like fire and ice, watch me rise, Destiny's calling, no more disguise. From the streets to the stars, I'm set free, This is my journey, just wait and see! [Both:] I will never say never, I will rise, I will rise ‘til forever, reaching the skies, Whenever you try to pull me down, I'll stand tall, I won't hit the ground, Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, up, up, And never say never! [Jace:] I never thought I could face the fire, But now I'm running faster, taking me higher, I've got the strength to take the lead, My destiny's here, it's all I need! I won't back down, I'll stand my ground, With every breath, I make no sound, I'll keep rising, I'll keep fighting, ‘Cause this is my destiny, it's so exciting! [Both:] I will never say never, I will rise, I will rise ‘til forever, reaching the skies, Whenever you try to pull me down, I'll stand tall, I won't hit the ground, Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, up, up, And never say never! [Final Outro:] Never say never, never back down, I'll keep on rising, wearing my crown, With destiny in my hands, watch me climb, I've come so far, and now's my time! [End of song.] As the final beats of the song echoed, Jace and Ronald stood at the center of the stage, taking in the roaring applause. Confetti rained down, and the lights flashed in celebration. Jace looked toward the VIP section, where Miranda sat, smiling at him. Tonight was more than just a performance. Tonight, he had broken free.