A Simple Celebration
1265 Words
MAIDEN’S SHROUD CITY
December 2
“What? It’s still December 2? How come? I’m stuck in Licht’s crystal for years…”
“Is that for real, Rylai?”
“Yeah. I wouldn’t lie on that. I spent all of my food stock in my storage just to survive, you know?”
There’s only one thing that could explain this.
Time appeared to be progressing slower in that plane. I can’t say that time stops—I mean, I got out in the night of the same day when I got inside the crystal in the afternoon.
“Let’s change the topic for now since we don’t have any proper leads yet, and if it’s possible, I want to celebrate—never mind. I want to spend the last remaining time of this day at peace. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”
I got headed outside the castle and sat on the stairway. I raised my head and gazed upon the dazzling moon. I sighed.
A lot of things happened during my stay in that crystal. But, I’ve been stuck there for years. What a way to surprise me on my birthday that technically I could be older than any of my generation. Er, culture shock, I guess? Anyway…
I looked at the remains of the once beautiful city of Maiden’s Shroud. The houses are wreaked as well as the buildings and facilities, and most people, Glints as well as the civilians, are injured and were currently receiving treatment. I could help with the use of my potions stored within me but I won’t rob the medics’ job to treat the wounded. Anyway, I need to continue my journey.
I’m exhausted though. I’m way too exhausted.
It’s not the physical aspect, but it’s the mental aspect.
Perhaps I need some meditation? It could be. I’ve been engaged in combat these days, without taking any proper rest.
As proof of my mental stress, I gave them the wrong details of my stats. In reality, I have lots of skills on cooldowns, and what’s worse, I got my Death Points lowered by one. I know it’s not that big of a deal but soon enough I’ll attain that one Death Point if I keep on relying upon [Abysmal Void].
How should I recover my Death Points?
Should I take a rest and sleeping or something like that? I don’t know. If this would be the same as that freaky role-playing game that I played before. There’s that one skill that needs certain conditions to execute (well, my [Death] sub-skill in [Switch] is a real-life example) and there’s that one skill that allows channeling. But there’s that annoying one that needs to kill before you get the effects.
And since my Mantle is [Death]…
Does that mean that I need to kill before I could replenish it? But I already killed A LOT OF GLITCHES when I used [Abysmal Void]. Ah?
Why am I in a lot of problems… I’m not… I can’t even think straight anymore. I’m just exhausted. I want to get some rest. That’s why I asked Miss Ferni that I’ll be just an instructor next year. I just want to travel and, of course, search for clues by reading books, not fighting against a lot of Fallen guys. Sure, I did meet my brother whom I thought was already dead after that tragic incident but…
“Sigh…I want to get some rest. That’s what I wanted as of now, at least. I want to be lazy. I don’t want to become a tardy one even just for this day.”
But well, it’s just a pipe dream, I guess.
“Rylai.”
“Hmm? Oh, it’s you. Is something wrong?”
“Uhmm…”
I raised my head and saw Sven, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck. I smiled wryly.
“Ah, yeah… Did you remember that Aero Morph we once fought during that incident in Crystal City?”
“Yes. What of it?”
“It’s Wenn, the one with me right now.”
“Huh? What do you mean by that?”
“I think it’s because of you. Ah, may I sit with you?”
“Sure thing. Just sit wherever you want.”
“Thanks”, Sven said as he sat comfortably right next to me.
You could sit anywhere though.
“You see…that purple sphere…that’s your skill, right?”
“Yes.”
“After being engulfed in that sphere, she turned back to normal after the orb shrinks in size.”
“Heh…is that so? That’s nice. At least there’s someone you know that you thought was forever dead but was revived after their deaths being desecrated, just like me.”
“Ah, yes, my little sister is back. I’m happy, truly. Now, tell me. Is there something you wanted to say in that room earlier?”
“Hmm? Don’t mind about it.”
“Well, you see… I would like to have this.”
Sven used his G-watch (the one that I gave to him before, of course), and from it comes a chocolate bar.
“Sorry if it’s this late of the evening I’m about to say this but… Happy birthday, Rylai.”
“Fueh? H-how did you know?”
“There’s that one time that I had asked you when’s your birthday. So I remembered it.”
You never cease to amaze me in your own way, Sven. It feels like the prickling sensation coming from the sadness I bear clears out easily.
•••
“Sorry if it’s this late of the evening I’m about to say this but… Happy birthday, Rylai.”
I remember.
“Fueh? H-how did you know?”
“There’s that one time that I had asked you when’s your birthday. So I remembered it.”
Rylai’s birthday is December 2.
I’m not stalking her though. She told me about her birthday before. It was that one time that she and I ate at Blue Town.
“So yeah, what do you think?”
“I do think that what they served here is truly delish.”
“I’m happy that you’re enjoying it.”
“Of course, I am. What do you take me for?” she said and laughed. “Ah, I hope these dishes would be on my birthday too.”
“Hmm? Birthday? What’s the date?”
“December 2. Still too far though.”
“I see. I’ll remember it then.”
“Heh, are you sure about that? Then give me a chocolate bar. A cheap one would do.”
“You preferred to be given a chocolate bar. Didn’t you say that before?”
“Eh…of all you could remember, you could remember that? Haha, how embarrassing.”
While we were peacefully talking two people rushed to see us but were now distracted from each other as they tried to get rid of one another.
“HEY, DON’T PUSH ME YOU FALLEN! I’ll kick your butt if you don’t!”
“I’ve been taught that hitting a girl is prohibited, but this time, I will.”
Rylai and I just looked at them and sighed at the same time.
However, Rylai extended that sigh of hers in a form of words. But it’s too soft to be used. It’s inaudible.
“Thanks, Sven. I… love it.”
“Huh? What’s that?”
“Nothing at all.”
- Writer
