38 Regaining Entry (1/2)
”No one should gain access to the important areas of your life.”
-Carlos Wallace
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It's already night when we were dismissed. Not from the first day of class. Not from any formal gatherings. But from when everyone knew for the first time what they ended up with, and how dire their situations really are.
That psychopath of a deity gave us instructions to harbor tools that we think are somewhat useful outside. Ergo, what lies beyond the perimeter of this island still remains a mystery. We are yet to set foot in this NÆthervale and we are yet to experience the new paradigm that awaits us there. Those Salamanders, Dyrads, Gnomes, Undines' facades are still soon to be seen and it is not yonder when we will get to experience a new type of system where magic is in subsistence. Why call it magic though? It's ubiquitous. They should have had called it something else to give an unusual vibe, like 'artes', 'phantasm' or something.
I checked my watch to see how much time I have left and to prepare for our new pilgrimage, beyond the city gates which will soon be out of access. It's still 7: 58 PM. I still have eight remaining hours. I'll have to make the most of it.
The city id still brimming in despair. It did not seem the same from when it was on earth. the bustling streets were silent. The cars remained unmoved making the traffic lights useless and the lively atmosphere it once gave is now but a fragment of the past.
Truth be told, I expected that the people will act corruptly and violently after those several moments with Hermes. I thought that shoplifting, more havoc, and stealing would become the new deal as scarcity today is at its best. But they reacted differently anyway. For diverse races coming from different cultures, everyone is well-disciplined to boot.
I wonder how those 'earthlings' back home are reacting, seeing how an entire island suddenly disappeared without prior warning. It's probably in the news by now and as well as on the different social media platforms. They better not think that the Bermuda triangle suddenly suctioned us wholly or a conspiracy alike of those cattle mutilation got us. It just shows in retrospect, the retrogression of men's supposed-greatness. If I were to read online articles like that the moment I get home, the author might want to start seeking refuge in Area 51. 'If' I'm able to go home that is.
Or maybe, on the other hand, the deities already had the situation covered. I mean, they have the means to outmaneuver natural laws. In a single snap, they can erase or nullify everyone's memories that an island such as this had existed without difficulties. Yet, I can't be distracted by such thoughts that are void of merit. It would only spell death on my behalf. For starters, I have to retrieve some belongings in the classroom.
Thereafter, I started to walk away from the venue point with a little girl holding my hand. If others are to see this, they might think that I'm a pedophile taking advantage of the situation, but hell do I care about their thoughts now. I don't incorporate confirmation bias, letting the false judgment of society affect my logic, albeit, that is far from happening. Everybody by now should probably be too disturbed by the fact that they are here rather than to think of something else, sulking on their room alone, wishing that this is all a nightmare.
(...)
”Shiro.”
”What is it? Oni-Chama?”
”You have been pretty silent, are you okay? You want to sleep?”
”I'm just...hungry”
”Oh, right. What do you want to eat for dinner?”
”Fried chicken!”
Again? What is it with these kids today? While in my case, I ate nothing but green-leafy vegetables way back. Well, I surely can't act like a legitimate parent. I'm just a newly-found and a self-proclaiming older brother, so it should be ok to spoil her a bit.
”Roger! But I left my wallet in the classroom, so we will have to get it first. Would you be okay with that?” I asked, having ulterior motives to retrieve some belongings left there that might be useful for our departure starting tomorrow.
”Hai! Mochiron oni-Chama” (English: Yes! Of course, brother), replied Shiro with the same faultless expression. I'm very proud of this little girl. In the wake of such a catastrophe, she does not hesitate to let all of her fear show and then recover as if only a minimal disaster is plunging her. Maybe it's a part of childhood innocence? I guess so, but I can assure, that not all kids of the same age have the same guts to move on just like how Shiro did, also being a girl.
”Yoshi, Yoshi. Ikuze!” (English: Ok. Ok. Let's go) Wait, why am I speaking Japanese now? Prior anyone can enter this city back when it was on earth, proficiency in English is a must to learn, or maybe they gave exemption to kids? Shiro is a Japanese-decent and she is still a child so it's highly commendable how she can speak and understand the complex international lingo. Oh well, doesn't hurt, does it?
With that being said, we then head to AU's Class 12-A8 with the roads quieter than ever. And with nothing but auxiliary street lights illuminating the impotent darkness of the night, as the moon continued to shine its monochromatic radiance.
Time check. It's exactly Eight PM.
What the hell is that Lacrimosa doing? She better not be sleeping this entire time. We need to choose what faction we want to take a side on. Wait, does she even care? Most likely not. It might be dumb but it's concerning. We need this to be discussed right away. This should be of the utmost priority. *Sigh*. There's no helping it. The things in my classroom can wait.
”Shiro, before getting my wallet, can we first visit Aunt Lacrimosa?”
”Lacrimosa?”
”Remember, that lady I introduced to you earlier? ”
”Oh, Lacrimosa onee-chan!” ...Not aunt huh?
”Shall we visit her?”
”Hai! but where is she, oni-chama?”