CHAPTER 808: NORDIC ROCKING

The stage of the ArtReam Hall was still vibrating with energy after the mind-blowing performance by ZoZ. The audience, which had been on their feet for much of the performance, was slowly settling back into their seats, though the buzz of excitement remained palpable. The air was thick with anticipation as the show moved toward the next major moment: the delivery of the award for Best Rock Song.

The heavy beats and screaming guitars of ZoZ’s set had left the crowd amped, and now the spotlight was shifting to recognize the best of the best in the rock genre—a category that always drew fierce competition. This year’s nominees represented some of the most powerful voices and bands in rock music, hailing from Sakura Abode Country, Eagle Country, and Nordic Country. It was a lineup that showcased the global dominance of rock music, and everyone knew that the next few minutes would be intense.

As the lights dimmed again, a towering figure emerged from the side of the stage. Dressed in a rugged leather jacket and boots, with long blonde hair tied back in a loose ponytail, Atreus, the rock superstar from Nordic Country, stepped into the spotlight. His powerful presence immediately commanded the attention of the audience. Known for his thunderous vocals and heavy guitar riffs, Atreus was one of the most famous rock stars in the world, and his influence on the genre had been undeniable for over two decades.

The audience erupted into applause, many cheering for the Nordic legend as he walked confidently to the center of the stage. Atreus flashed a smile as he approached the microphone, his gravelly voice cutting through the noise as he addressed the crowd.

"Wow, how about that performance from ZoZ, huh?" Atreus began, his voice booming. "I don’t know about you, but I’m still recovering from that! Those guys really know how to tear up a stage."

The crowd responded with more cheers and applause, clearly still riding the high from ZoZ’s electrifying set.

"Rock music," Atreus continued, "is more than just loud guitars and crazy solos—though, let’s be honest, we all love that. It’s about passion, rebellion, and telling the stories that no one else dares to tell. And tonight, we’re here to celebrate the best of the best in rock, the songs that made us feel alive this past year."

As he spoke, the screen behind him came to life, displaying the title "Best Rock Song" in bold, fiery letters. The audience’s attention was laser-focused on Atreus as he prepared to announce the nominees.

"This year’s Best Rock Song nominees," he said, his tone growing serious, "come from all over the world. We’ve got some incredible talent on this list, from Sakura Abode Country to Eagle Country to my homeland, Nordic Country. Let’s give a huge round of applause for all of these amazing artists."

The crowd clapped in unison, and Atreus nodded appreciatively before turning to face the screen behind him. As he read each name, a clip of the nominated song played, giving the audience a chance to relive the power of each track.

"The first nominee is Ryo Takanashi from Sakura Abode Country, with his hit song ’Inferno.’"

A powerful, gritty guitar riff filled the hall as a clip of Ryo performing "Inferno" appeared on the screen. Ryo, one of the most celebrated rock solo artists in Sakura Abode, had made waves with his raw, emotional lyrics and thunderous guitar work.

"Next up, we have the band DragonFire from Sakura Abode Country, with their song ’Rising Flames.’"

The screen cut to a live performance of DragonFire, their pyrotechnics blazing as they performed their high-energy anthem, "Rising Flames." Known for their epic stage shows and fierce guitar solos, DragonFire had built a loyal following across the world.

"The third nominee is Steel Serpent, another band from Sakura Abode Country, with ’Cursed Road.’"

A haunting guitar melody played as Steel Serpent’s darker, more melodic rock sound filled the hall. Their song "Cursed Road" had captivated audiences with its eerie atmosphere and introspective lyrics, offering a contrast to the more aggressive rock anthems.

Atreus paused briefly before continuing. "Now, let’s move on to Eagle Country. Our fourth nominee is Vera Stone, with her song ’Ashes to Ashes.’"

The screen displayed a clip of Vera Stone, a powerhouse vocalist from Eagle Country, whose song "Ashes to Ashes" had become a staple on rock radio. Her soaring voice and emotionally charged performance had cemented her as one of the top solo rock artists in the world.

"Our fifth nominee is the band Black Reign, from Eagle Country, with ’Fury Road.’"

The next clip showed Black Reign on stage, their heavy riffs and pounding drums shaking the venue. Known for their aggressive, high-octane sound, Black Reign had taken the rock scene by storm in recent years, and their nominated song, "Fury Road," was a perfect example of their uncompromising style.

"And finally, from Eagle Country, we have the band Shadow Hunt, with their song ’No More Tomorrow.’

"

The audience was treated to a clip of Shadow Hunt, their hard-hitting, apocalyptic-themed rock track sending waves of energy through the crowd. Their dark, gritty lyrics and relentless sound had earned them a spot among the best of the year.

"And now," Atreus said, pausing for dramatic effect, "we come to my home country, Nordic Country. Our first nominee from Nordic Country is the band Fenrir, with their song ’Till’ Ragnarok.’"

A deep, thunderous guitar riff played as Fenrir appeared on the screen. Known for their mythological themes and heavy sound, Fenrir had gained a massive following with their raw, primal approach to rock music. "Till’ Ragnarok" was one of their most popular tracks, a song that encapsulated the fury and intensity of their performances.

"And our final nominee," Atreus said, "is the band Winter’s Bite, from Nordic Country, with their song ’Frozen Throne.’"

The final clip showed Winter’s Bite, a band known for their atmospheric, frostbitten sound, performing "Frozen Throne." Their haunting melodies and chilling vocals had set them apart in the rock scene, and the song had gained massive popularity for its unique blend of heavy riffs and eerie soundscapes.

As the last clip faded, Atreus turned back to the audience. "There you have it—eight incredible nominees, each one bringing something special to the world of rock. But only one can take home the award tonight."

The tension in the room grew as Atreus opened the envelope, the crowd holding their breath in anticipation.

"And the winner of Best Rock Song is..." He paused, drawing out the moment as much as he could. "**Winter’s Bite, for ’Frozen Throne!’"

The hall erupted into applause as the camera zoomed in on the members of Winter’s Bite, seated among the Nordic contingent. They looked momentarily stunned, their eyes wide with disbelief, before breaking into wide grins. The band members, all dressed in black with silver accents, stood and hugged each other before making their way to the stage, clearly overwhelmed by the moment.

The audience cheered loudly as Winter’s Bite climbed the steps to the stage. Their lead singer, Johan Lindgren, took the microphone, his hands trembling slightly as he held the prestigious Sapphire Award.

"Wow... this is unreal," Johan began, his voice shaky with emotion. "To be standing here tonight, at the Sapphire Melody Awards, is something we never imagined would happen when we started this band. We’ve worked so hard for this, and we couldn’t be more grateful."

The crowd applauded warmly as Johan continued, his bandmates standing proudly beside him. "We want to thank our fans, first and foremost. You guys are the reason we do this, and your support has carried us further than we ever thought possible. This award belongs to all of you."

He paused, looking down at the award in his hands. "I also want to thank the Sakurean Music Society for this incredible honor. To be recognized here, among so many amazing artists, is truly humbling."

Johan took a deep breath, steadying his voice. "And to all the other nominees—thank you for pushing us to be better. Every single one of you is an inspiration, and we’re proud to share this moment with you."

The crowd erupted into applause once again as Winter’s Bite bowed and waved to the audience. As they made their way off the stage, clutching their award, the sense of camaraderie and respect in the room was palpable. The Best Rock Song category had delivered a worthy winner.