CHAPTER 811: TWO MORE ROCK AWARDS

The energy inside ArtReam Hall remained electric, with every passing moment of the 130th Sapphire Melody Awards intensifying the anticipation. After ZoZ’s unforgettable performance, the mood was set for a string of rock genre awards that would honor the best in the industry. The awards for Best Rock Solo Performance and Best Rock Group Performance were next on the docket, two of the night’s most anticipated categories. Both would showcase not only individual prowess but also the collective power of rock bands from Sakura Abode Country, Eagle Country, and Nordic Country.

The audience murmured in excitement as the stage lights dimmed slightly, signaling that the next award was about to be presented. The screen behind the stage flashed with the title Best Rock Solo Performance, and a presenter walked out to the microphone with an air of confidence. The presenter was none other than Sylvia Gold, a renowned pop-rock artist from Sakura Abode Country, known for blending catchy melodies with hard-hitting guitar riffs. Sylvia’s presence on stage instantly captured the attention of the audience.

"Good evening, everyone!" Sylvia greeted the crowd, her voice warm and charismatic. "I have the privilege of presenting the award for Best Rock Solo Performance tonight. This category celebrates those incredible moments when one artist stands alone in the spotlight, guitar in hand or behind the mic, and delivers a performance that resonates with all of us."

The crowd clapped in anticipation as the screen behind her lit up, displaying the names and faces of the nominees. This category was a fierce competition, with artists from three of the world’s biggest rock-producing countries vying for the top spot.

"The nominees for Best Rock Solo Performance are..."

A short video clip played, showcasing each nominee’s powerful performance from the past year. The first to appear was Ryo Takanashi from Sakura Abode Country, whose song "Inferno" had been a fan favorite for months. His raw energy and raspy voice, combined with a heavy guitar riff, made for an unforgettable performance.

Next came Vera Stone from Eagle Country, with her song "Ashes to Ashes." The clip showed Vera standing in front of a roaring crowd, her powerful voice cutting through the air as she sang with passion and grit. Vera’s performance was filled with emotion, and it was clear that she had poured her heart into every note.

The third nominee was Kai Jorgensen from Nordic Country, performing his hit "Cold Iron." Known for his technical mastery of the guitar, Kai’s performance had a haunting quality, his fingers moving deftly across the strings as the crowd stood in awe.

Sylvia continued presenting the nominees until, finally, the clip showed the last nominee, Mika Kuro, a rising star from Sakura Abode Country, with her electrifying performance of "Wildfire." Mika’s high-energy, fast-paced guitar solo had left the audience breathless during her last tour, making her one of the strongest contenders for the award.

As the final clip faded, Sylvia turned back to the audience. "And the winner of Best Rock Solo Performance is..."

She paused dramatically as she opened the envelope, the crowd holding their breath.

"Vera Stone, for ’Ashes to Ashes!’"

The hall erupted into applause as the camera cut to Vera Stone, who sat among her team from Eagle Country. She looked genuinely shocked, her hands covering her mouth as the reality of her win sank in. Her team cheered around her, clapping her on the back and hugging her in excitement.

Vera rose from her seat, a look of disbelief still on her face as she made her way to the stage. The crowd continued to applaud, and as Vera approached the microphone, she took a deep breath, still clearly emotional from the win.

"I... I don’t even know what to say," Vera began, her voice shaking slightly. "This is such an incredible honor. ’Ashes to Ashes’ was a song that came from a very personal place, and to have it recognized on such a global stage is beyond anything I could have imagined."

The crowd cheered again, many clearly touched by Vera’s humility.

"I want to thank my fans, my team, and my family, who have supported me every step of the way. This award isn’t just mine—it belongs to everyone who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself."

Vera’s voice cracked slightly as she finished her speech, but she smiled brightly as she held up the shimmering Sapphire award before exiting the stage to more applause.

As soon as Vera stepped off the stage, the screen behind the stage shifted again, this time displaying the title for the next category: Best Rock Group Performance. The buzz of excitement in the crowd intensified. This award, which honored the most exceptional performances by rock bands, was always a highlight of the night, especially given the incredible talent in the rock genre from Sakura Abode Country, Eagle Country, and Nordic Country.

This time, the presenter was a rock icon from Eagle Country, Tyler Graves, a legendary frontman from the internationally renowned band Thunderstrike. Known for his deep, gravelly voice and commanding stage presence, Tyler strode confidently to the microphone, his long hair tied back in a messy ponytail, and a leather jacket completing his signature rockstar look.

"How’s everyone doing tonight?" Tyler growled into the mic, the crowd cheering in response. "We’ve had some incredible performances tonight, but now it’s time to talk about the real backbone of rock—the bands. There’s nothing like the chemistry of a group of musicians coming together to create something that blows your mind."

Tyler gestured toward the screen behind him as it lit up with the nominees. "These are the bands that made us jump, scream, and feel alive this year. The nominees for Best Rock Group Performance are..."

The screen showed the first band, DragonFire from Sakura Abode Country, performing "Rising Flames." Their high-energy performance, complete with pyrotechnics and intricate guitar solos, had made them one of the most popular rock bands in the country.

Next up was Black Reign from Eagle Country, performing "Fury Road." Known for their aggressive, no-holds-barred performances, the band had taken the rock scene by storm, and their live shows had earned them a massive following.

The third nominee was Steel Serpent, another band from Sakura Abode Country, with their performance of "Cursed Road." Their dark, melodic style, paired with intense guitar work, had captivated audiences and earned them a spot among the best of the year.

Following them was Fenrir from Nordic Country, with their song "Ragnarok." The clip showed the band’s primal, thunderous performance, which had become a defining feature of their live shows. The raw energy they brought to the stage had made them legends in their home country and beyond.

And finally, the clip showed Winter’s Bite, also from Nordic Country, performing their hit "Frozen Throne." Their atmospheric, frostbitten sound captivated fans worldwide, making them a force to be reckoned with. And they already managed to win the Best Rock Song Award with this exact same song, so they were coming hot to win this award as well.

As the final clip faded, Tyler grinned. "Some killer bands in there," he said. "But only one can win."

He opened the envelope, pausing for dramatic effect before announcing the winner.

"The award for Best Rock Group Performance goes to... Steel Serpent, for ’Cursed Road!’"

The crowd erupted into applause as the camera zoomed in on the members of Steel Serpent, who sat at one of the tables near the front of the hall. The band members looked at each other in stunned disbelief before bursting into grins and jumping to their feet. They hugged one another, clearly overwhelmed by the win, before making their way to the stage.

Once on stage, the lead guitarist, Kazu Sato, took the microphone, still grinning from ear to ear. "This is absolutely unreal," he said, his voice full of emotion. "We’ve been playing together for years, and to be standing here tonight, holding this award, is something we’ve dreamed about since we were kids."

The rest of the band nodded in agreement as Kazu continued. "We want to thank our fans, who have been with us from the very beginning, and the Sakurean Music Society for this incredible honor. To all the other nominees—you guys are legends, and we’re just grateful to be in the same category as you."

The crowd cheered again as Steel Serpent bowed and left the stage, clutching their Sapphire award. As the lights in the hall dimmed slightly, the anticipation in the room grew once more. Three rock awards had already been handed out, but there was still one more to go—the most prestigious award in the rock genre: Best Rock Album.

The crowd buzzed with excitement, knowing that this final award of the night would cap off what had already been an unforgettable celebration of rock music.