The Eiffel Tower glittered like a beacon in the night sky, casting long golden reflections across the Seine. But Rex Kade barely noticed. He was sitting on the edge of the hotel balcony, guitar in hand, playing the outro to Fade to Black under his breath. The Paris leg of the tour was tomorrow—but the City of Light had plans for them before they ever stepped on stage.
---
Earlier That Day – Paris, France
The band had arrived at Gare du Nord to a scene of absolute chaos.
Swarms of fans had gathered after someone leaked their travel itinerary online. Phones flashed, chants echoed, and a few overenthusiastic fans tried to climb barricades just to touch them. Security barely got them into their vans.
Samuel Owen was fuming inside the vehicle. "Who the hell leaked this?!"
Kai was laughing. "Bro, we're famous now. That's just how it is."
"Still," Ash grumbled, brushing confetti off his shoulder. "I almost got tackled by a grandma wearing leather."
Silas nodded. "She had good taste."
As they arrived at the hotel, Samuel's phone rang. He listened, face tightening with each word. Then he hung up with a deep sigh.
"We've got a situation."
"What now?" Rex asked.
"The local promoter screwed us. The venue booked for tomorrow night double-scheduled the date. We've been bumped for a pop idol showcase."
The silence was sharp.
"What kind of idol?" Silas asked.
"Someone named 'Chérie Pop.' Apparently she's big on French TikTok."
Ash clenched his jaw. "You're kidding."
"We're finding a solution," Samuel said. "But Paris might not happen tomorrow."
---
Later – Rooftop of the Hotel
The sun was setting, casting crimson hues over the rooftops. Rex, restless, wandered up to the roof with his guitar. As he started to strum, a small voice called out behind him.
"Excuse me?"
He turned. A girl stood there, maybe sixteen, wearing a black Obsidian Saints shirt two sizes too big. She held out a note.
"I—I'm sorry," she stammered. "I snuck up here. I just… I wrote this."
Rex took the note. It was in French, messy handwriting. Samuel had taught him enough to roughly make it out:
> "Your music made me feel like I'm not alone. Please don't leave Paris without playing."
Rex looked up. Her eyes were watery but bright.
"What's your name?"
"Elodie."
Rex smiled. "Well, Elodie. How would you feel about a rooftop show?"
---
That Night – Rooftop Performance, Livestreamed
Samuel, once furious, now had his phone out filming. The band had set up an impromptu acoustic set on the roof, illuminated by string lights from the hotel staff—who turned out to be massive fans too.
Pete Harrison, who had flown in from London for this show, helped set up and ran the band's social accounts.
"We're live in 3… 2… 1…" Pete announced.
Rex stepped up to the mic. "Paris, we got bumped by bubblegum, but that's not stopping us."
The livestream went ballistic. Comments in French, English, Spanish, and even Arabic poured in by the second.
They played an acoustic medley: Ride the Lightning, The Four Horsemen, and a haunting rendition of Angel of Death that gave even the Eiffel Tower pause.
But when they ended on Fade to Black, the Paris skyline felt like it was holding its breath.
Elodie was sitting in the front row, barely blinking, lips moving along with every lyric.
---
The Next Morning
Warner Bros' international department called.
"That rooftop show? Ten million views overnight," Samuel told the band. "And we've been invited to headline HellFest next summer."
Rex raised an eyebrow. "That a good one?"
Samuel just grinned. "It's the one."
Ash clapped Rex on the back. "From a screwed venue to viral gods. Classic us."
Silas was sipping coffee. "Still mad about getting bumped for Chérie Pop though."
"She's opening for us next time," Kai said, smirking.
They all laughed.
Rex looked out the window at the waking city.
They hadn't just played Paris.
They had conquered it.
---