Rise To Stardom - Chapter 159

Chapter 159: Veiled Words, Heartfelt Farewells
The time had come.

Finally, the last episode of the tenth season of [The Curator] was about to air.

As fans of the show, both old and new, waited in a mix of anxiety and anticipation for the last episode to begin airing in a few minutes, Jon, Barry, Tiana and Bruno, alongside various other DreamLand Inc. employees, watched the metrics of the tuned in viewers for the show.

Currently sitting in the same private screening hall as before, the broadcast of the last episode was being projected side by side with the metrics to give everyone a real-time tracking for any spikes or dips in viewership.

There was also a lively chatter in the room that wasn’t too loud but wasn’t exactly silent either as the employees discussed their various thoughts on what to expect from the last episode.

“The episode hasn’t even started yet and we’re back to the all-time rating of 35.5 million viewers.” Bruno commented as he noted the constantly increasing metric of tuned in viewers.

“Yeah. At the rate it’s even going, I wouldn’t be surprised if it cracks 36 million…” Barry responded with an acknowledging nod, only to get silenced by Tiana who gently placed a finger on her lips.

“Shhh. It’s starting.” she politely told her fellow colleagues, her words simultaneously and indirectly, silencing everyone else in the room as the recap of the previous episode was being shown.

Jon who was watching too mused to himself, the iconic theme of the show playing as the names of the main cast was being shown in an infinite, looping wormhole.

’36 million huh…’

‘I’d bet on 38 million though.’ Quentin’s sugar-gray irises, was noticeably relaxed as he watched the first scene of the show’s last episode.

* * *

“W-w-what happened to the sexy, brilliant dame?!” Gabriella’s tone was evidently distressed, confused and angered the moment the destroyed Horologium and ravaged Index was shown in the first scene.

Originally, she had been sitting side by side with Adam on the couch but the moment the first scene was shown, she immediately sprung off the sofa in instant retaliation while pointing at the TV screen.

“Oh for the love of God…” Adam who was already in similarly straits, had an inkling towards the only set of beings over the course of the show who knew just how to access The Index forcefully.

–

“We have your associate.”

“You will not intervene.”

“Intervene in our plans to take over the earth and she will be exterminated.”

–

“These fuggin’, darn, vile, no-good piece of shit tin cans!” Dahlia audibly cursed while gritting her teeth in anger, her gaze already furious.

Over the course of the series, despite every fan of the show knowing fully well that The Curator himself was the indirect cause of the Kali’s existence, the fact that the most hated aliens found new ways to garner even more hate each season with some of their actions, was remarkable in its own way.

The Horologium, dearly treasured by the fandom, was one of the major things in the show that fans would instantly flare-up for if she got anywhere near a single scratch.

And yet, the Kalis had the effrontery to go as far as destroying her to an almost irreparable state?!

And as if that wasn’t enough, they also kidnapped Kiera, one of the more interesting and loved companions by fans in the show thus far?!

Currently, most new and old fans of the show alike whom were watching the episode in the comforts of wherever they were, felt and related to the simmering fury of the 10th Curator, who spoke in response.

–

“You can still stop now. While I’m still, The Curator.”

“Explain yourself.”

“No.”

–

That single response alone, gave Dahlia quite the chill, goosebumps forming across the entire length of her forearms.

–

“Obey or she will be exterminated.”

“I said No.”

“What is the meaning of this negative?”

“It means No.”

–

The fact that a single word could contain so much defiance, resentment, fury, and deep-rooted hatred from the 10th Curator, was something she had never witnessed in the show till date.

Even as a hardcore, long-time fan of the show, the lady whom for the longest time, had believed the 5th Curator to be the one who had the most disdain for the Kalis amongst all his iterations, had a rethink at that exact moment as the 10th Curator struck fear into the hearts of the Kalis with a maniacal grin that proved her new belief even further.

–

“Because trust me, I’m going to wipe every last one of you, out of the bloody exosphere!”

“But you have no chances of winning against our troops of millions. Even your time machine is destroyed.”

“Yeah. Yet, doesn’t that just scare you to death!”

–

“Oh, that is one, furious hybrid!” Collins and William simultaneously let out similar comments even though they were in completely different places, their interest piqued even further as they watched the 10th Curator, use the mini-Horologium to phase shift out of existence.

Having respectively played both the roles of the ruthless 5th and 6th Curators, both individuals knew exactly how his mind ticked and they understood, that in that singular moment, the 10th Curator had lost all restraint to wipe out yet another alien race.

It was something The Curator actively avoided doing because he didn’t want any more lives broken, worlds shattered or children orphaned due to mistakes of the past that still haunted him till date.

Yet, in cases where it was necessary, as in this case of the Kalis, all of whom were ruthless killing machines that he had tried erasing from the universe far more times than he could count, he spared no effort getting as genocidal as he possibly could.

That was why, as both experienced actors, watched from the comforts of their home, they weren’t the least bit shocked to see him return back to that same spot in an instant with an army of his own.

“What… what, did he do…?” a curious yet confused Gabriella, her anger a bit subdued now, asked her boyfriend who was honestly, just as stumped as she was… only to realize a moment after!

“The mini-Horologium!!” he exclaimed, quickly filling in his girl on the information as succinctly as he possibly could.

And just like that, viewers around the world were treated to a full-on war between the Kali’s and The Curator’s allies, the CGI impeccable!

Soon after, the next main scene was shown as The Curator, finally arrived aboard the Kali’s main spaceship.

–

“All these years, I thought you’d run out of ways to make me sick…”

“Curator. You… have… arrived.”

“Curator! Don’t give in to them! You don’t need to follow through with their plans, you hear me?! Don’t!!”

–

As Dahlia watched the scene before her with a growing feeling anxiety, her worst fears soon came through as she tightly clutched her pillow.

–

“You… have… once again, thwarted our plans. That much… is expected.”

“But, we will… not go down… without a fight. Unless you… take her place, she… will die.”

“Do not, try… to deconstruct the chamber, or she, will… die.”

“We will now go and face… our defeat at the hands, of your allies. But you too, will fall here.”

–

Watching the scene on screen, her heart rate getting faster as dread filled her up, Dahlia silently began mouthing a few words in denial;

“No… no… no…”

–

“Always accepting, of whatever hand life deals you…”

“‘Cause that’s who you are, Kiera Snow.”

“You’re always this. Always putting others first, even if it means you’ll be forgotten and left behind…”

–

‘I knew it’d come to this. We knew it’d come to this…’ Adam inwardly commented with a nervous yet uneasy movement of his fingers.

‘Still, I never thought I’d feel this bad…’ the young man inwardly stated with a saddened gaze as Gabriella who was also watching, realized what was about to happen, tears already brimming on her eyelids.

–

“But I’ve lived a very long life Kiera. The least I can do, is ensure that you outlive this, current me…”

“No. No, no, no! Please, no! No! Curator! No!!”

“Αδύνατος Άντρας… That’s, my real name… Might as well inform you before I go…”

–

No sooner had the 10th Curator entered the radiation cubicle, Dahlia burst into a mess of tears… and so did Gabriella as they watched The Curator slowly die due to the radiation.

Adam, holding onto his girlfriend, began consoling her while he himself, held back his manly tears.

Even though one half of the bootstrap paradox seemed to have being resolved, he couldn’t feel intrigued because all that filled his heart, was a saddening, harrowing pain as Kiera, constantly banged her hands against the wall of the cubicle in agonizing, heart-wrenching wails.

This same sentiment, was shared by so many viewers all over the world as they watched the scene, the same thing even happening to quite a lot of the employees in DreamLand Inc’s screening hall.

However, considering the amount of time left before the show ended, everyone watched on as Kiera got knocked out and the 10th Curator, struggled to get her to safety a few minutes later, even as he himself was dying.

After safely getting her into The Index which had already started fixing itself, viewers around the world, due to it being in focus for a brief moment, noticed The Curator’s fresh footsteps.

This hinted at the fact that he had jumped to the future for a brief moment to contact his allies in retaliation against the Kalis without disrupting the future.

It was an extremely smart move that treaded the edge of screwing up the timeline but still didn’t because the 10th Curator had briefly popped in and out without coming in contact with anyone.

That said, as they all waited for him to exude his bright silver sheen before he finally metamorphed, most, didn’t expect the next few words from him as he picked up his long coat.

–

“It’s a treadmill, isn’t it?”

“This, game… I keep playing…”

“I save the earth… time and time again, yet, unfortunately… like a silly little child, who doesn’t know light from flame, she keeps running… into the flame… over and over again, always needing saving.”

“It’s a tiring process, running… on this treadmill…”

“Makes me wonder every now and then dear…”

“Am I the disease, or am I the cure?”

–

Pushing out that question to viewers and fans of the show around the world whom had been following it for the longest time, Collins and William individually, soon had their gazes, widen in realization!

To the average fan or even a core fan of the show, it must’ve seemed like it was just The Curator speaking in his usual, sagely manner.

However, for Collins and William, alongside every other actor whom had taken up the mantle of The Curator over the years, it was Kyle’s way of respecting, appreciating and acknowledging all the effort they had put into getting the show as far as it did.

Yes, they all had been worried before taking up the role, wondering if they’d be any good running on a treadmill that someone else had already claimed as theirs previously.

Yet, even then, they still ran on that treadmill while hoping to at least make the fans of the world happy, even if at times, they were never really appreciated for the tireless efforts they put in.

Still, even with that, with some of them questioning if they had ever been any good as the titular time traveler after their time was over, they moved on, hoping to at least be remembered.

–

“Oh… I don’t wanna go…”

–

Watching and hearing that part, Collins smiled with a sad, nostalgic gaze, and so did William, both understanding perfectly Kyle’s state of mind as an actor right there and then.

This line alone, was simply for him as the actor whom had played such a titular character… a titular character he probably wouldn’t ever get the chance to play again.

Yet, all the previous actors whom had played the role of The Curator, at least those of whom were still alive at least, and were currently watching the last episode at the moment, had also felt like this on their last day on set.

However, as if returning back to the fans of the show who made the show as popular as it was, the dying 10th Curator, twirled to face the cameras and not just, Kiera Snow.

–

“Everything ends, and it’s sad, Kiera Snow.”

“But everything begins again, and it’s beautiful…”

–

As Dahlia, Adam, Gabriella and so many other fans around the world, watched the last parts of the episode, most, were instantly taken aback as they watched Kyle’s gaze flip up from Kiera’s to land, solely on theirs through the screen.

–

“No…”

“Everything begins again, and it’s, brilliant!”

–

Veiled beneath those words, was the hidden message;

Hey. I know you’re gonna miss the 10th Curator, but, make sure to give the 11th Curator a chance too, okay? Don’t make the same mistakes you made when I was first cast for the role.

And yet, without even being outrightly told, it seemed like most fans had gotten the message, their eyes widening in realization as Kyle, finally bid both The Curator and everyone farewell.

–

“Kiera.”

“Y-yes, Curator?”

“Have a brilliant life!”

–

No sooner had he completed that last sentence, his metamorphosis, finally happened and viewers, keeping in mind The 10th Curator’s last words, looked forward in anticipation for whom the 11th Curator was going to be next season as the silvery light shone brightest on their screens.

Sure they would have to wait for more than three to four, if not five to six months before they knew who the next Curator was but, they were actually, really looking forward to it now.

Whoever said Curator was going to be, they would approach it with maturity and give them a fighting chance.

However, their shock knew no bounds when the light suddenly dimmed down and a hand, suddenly popped out of the cocoon as a feminine voice spoke in slight irritation;

–

“Those darn Kalis…”

“Well, it’s good to know radiation won’t do the trick eith-”

“Tongue…? I’ve got a new tongue… Weird…”

–

Just as Kiera stared at the new Curator on screen in shocked befuddlement, the eyes of almost every fan around the world, seemed to almost pop out of their socket at the 11th Curator continued;

–

“Oh hello Kiera! You look terrible!”

“C’mon dear! Let’s get you back hoooomeeee …”

–

And with that, the internet exploded!

And so did the viewership count of the show, a new record high of exactly 40.1 million viewers, attained!