GLITCH

Lonely No More 2

MAIDEN’S SHROUD CITY

December 7, 2500

“I’ll be fine, please don’t be worried that much. I’ll make sure that I’ll do just fine.”

I pleaded to my worried family that I’ll be fine despite the thorny path ahead of me. I’m heading north, to a place named “Land of No Return”. It was dubbed like that after several travelers met their demise after stepping foot to this place. It’s a now-abandoned island encircled by several islands, Maiden’s Island included. Its real name is Greg Island, a part of a three-island nation, Covebodee.

Covebodee, as I know and stated, is a nation that consists of three islands. However, Greg Island could no longer be inhabited by the people. This place has recently become a hotspot for Glitches. Dispatch orders from guilds and the AGA itself were made but they just couldn’t handle it. In short, this place is abandoned.

The reason why I need to come to such a dreadful place is due to the fact that there’s something that holds this place that intrigues me. I mean, most Glitches could roam the world, let alone traverse to a new island just next to their spawn area. I heard the news that there’s a Glitch dubbed “Wanderlust” since it’s something that’s been traveling around the world for quite some time now. It randomly appears from any point of the world map, mostly attacking airships without prior notice, and eventually evades from sight. That’s how elusive it is.

Back to Greg Island’s mystics, it seems that the island itself is enshrouded with a rainbow-colored barrier that prevents ALL the Glitches from getting out of the island’s premises. As of who, why, and how this barrier was created was still a mystery. I could only hear baseless rumors about it. Some say it’s created by a Glint to keep the Glitches from spreading out and causing havoc. Others say that it’s something that’s made out of a miracle, the world tried to protect the people. Of course, there are a LOT MORE gossips here and there, but unless there’s a piece of concrete evidence, I wouldn’t believe it otherwise.

“Well, er…where’s Sven?”

“Huh? Sven? What do you mean?” Ferni tilts her head in confusion as she asks me.

Actually, it’s not just her, but all of the people present are silent.

Er…did I do something?

“We’re going together though?”

As soon as I told them that, the crowd cheered.

What the…? Is something going on? I don’t understand the sudden outburst of excitement and thrill they’re feeling.

Of course, those who are close to me are having their own reactions about this.

“Oh my, Sven…? I didn’t meet that guy. Is he a decent person, Ferni?” Miss Syakila, my second foster mom, (I would love to refer her as my mom but I’ll refrain from now) said with a grin.

“Well, Sven is a polite kid and gets along with Rylai TOO well”, Miss Ferni replied, also with a grin on her face.

Oy, just what is going on here?

“Oh my, look at that. Sven sure is devoted to our daughter, don’t you think dear?”

“I do think that he’s a fine man. Hohohoho…”

“Huh? Mom? Dad? You’re fine with that?”

Ma, Pa, and Reme were discussing such things that I can’t comprehend at all.

“Er…is something wrong with going with Sven?”

“Oh, no. Nothing at all, dear.”

Come on, please tell me already. I’m feeling bad for being oblivious. Just what are they…wait. Sven, coming with me…does that mean?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Why didn’t I realize it until now!? I accepted Sven’s request to come with me, doesn’t that mean that we’ll be together!? Uwahhhhh!

Should I try and revoke my acceptance of his request? But that would mean that I’m a liar! I can’t do that! Ugh, I’m getting anxious now…

“Sorry for waiting! Did I make you wait?”

“Ah, no…you didn’t Sven. Wait, umm… Sven…”

“Y-yes?”

Sven appeared in front of the crowd, wearing his usual…eh?

He’s wearing the hoodie that has built-in temperature regulation enchant on it. It’s the one I gave him before. It’s the same with his pants. It has the same enchant, plus an enchant that would make the pants fit his size. Uwah, I’m getting conscious.

“Is something wrong Rylai?”

“A-ah! No…I’m sorry, I’m just distracted. Should we go?”

Er…this is awkward.

“I can’t take it, I’m going with you two.”

“Ey! I’m going with you two!”

Two individuals broke the awkwardness.

“Huh?”

“Huh?”

It’s Reme and Wenn.

“Don’t copy me.”

“Don’t copy me.”

Aren’t you guys in total sync?

They’re getting a little too close, it seems. Wenn is a good lady, so I think there’s nothing wrong except my brother getting his fuse lit faster whenever Wenn is involved.

Ever since they met, they’ve got nothing to do except nag at each other. Wenn often wins their argument, so that made his water boil faster, I guess? I don’t know. But they didn’t necessarily hate one another. It’s just that they don’t get along that well in terms of their uh…what am I explaining for…

“Sigh…”

“Rylai, are you alright? You kept on sighing right now.”

“Hmm? Don’t mind that. Anyway…hey you two.”

“Yes?” Wenn responded while holding Reme’s collar.

“What is it, sister?” Reme said while pinching Wenn’s nose.

This might be my chance to hide my anxiety. Sorry if I’m going to use you two but this is for the sake of my sanity.

“If you want, you can come with us”, I said nonchalantly.

“Eh? Are you sure? That’s not a joke, right?”

“Why would I joke about it?”