The world is going to end soon. Those were the words Rune's mother told her before they parted ways. However, Rune never imagined that this day would actually come.
When Dan, Rio and Rune arrived at the airship terminal, the scene they witnessed was nothing but pure chaos. People aggressively pushing and shoving others to get ahead the line, shouting arguments loud enough to be heard even from a far distance.
"Why are you letting him in and refuse to let me board the airship?! I'm far more qualified to survive than him!"
"What did you just say?! I don't want to waste my time talking with you low lives who can't even afford a unit at the Skyscraper!"
Upon receiving the news last night, the Palace in the Sky immediately issued an official declaration denying the entry of anyone without an access key.
The Residential Skyscrapers announced they will accept a limited number of new tenants on the condition that they must either purchase a unit at the Skyscraper or be identified as a high value individual.
Rio: "Huh? What do you mean you'll stay here?"
Dan: "This entire city will be completely submerged in water soon. There's nowhere to escape"
Rune: "Don't worry about me. I can sense a portal nearby and escape on my own"
Dan: "Then why didn't you mention about the portal earlier?"
Rune: "We were in a hurry earlier so I didn't notice it until now. Go ahead, you two. I will escape this place using the portal"
Dan: "I understand. I'll agree if you promise you won't waste any time and go straight to the portal"
Rio: "What's a portal? Are we really leaving Rune here by herself??"
Dan: "Rune, honestly I don't know how I could ever repay you for all your help. Thanks to you, I was given an opportunity to make my dream a reality. I hope you will also achieve your goal"
Rune: "Yeah. Best of luck, Dan! Take care, Rio!"
Once Dan and Rio boarded the airship, I went back to the main air terminal where chaos ensued in every corner.
In the midst of this chaos lies a spherical object displaying a large holographic screen. Using advanced analytics, the machine has the capability to determine the value of a person.
It made me contemplate a bit. Each and every one of us possess different personalities, accomplishments and experiences in life.
Is it really possible to measure the value of a person's life?
******************
After leaving the air terminal, I decided to head downtown and try to find a portal.
I feel guilty about lying to Dan about the portal but what right do I have to take Rio's place?
The bustling city turned to a ghost like city. While wandering the streets, I saw some people wearing life jackets preparing supplies and storing them in their small to medium sized boats.
In a nearby park, I saw a young girl around 8 years old sitting alone in a bench staring at the fountain with a dazed expression. When I approached her, she briefly glanced at me without saying a word.
"Hi. What's your name?"
". . . ."
"Is it okay if I sit here?"
". . . ."
"Can I stay here with you? You see, I'm alone too"
This poor girl was probably abandoned by her family.
Meanwhile, I checked the news using my smart glasses. The flood already reached Orbis Vortex and this area will be submerged in water soon.
The video of countless buildings collapsing along with the desparate screams of the people helplessly getting swept away by the rough waves sent chills to my spine.
It's all over. I'm really going to die here.
There was something Rune kept avoiding thinking about ever since she arrived in 2126. It was the fact that her parents, her grandma and her friends were no longer here in this time period.
That's the reason she had been distracting herself with Dan's personal affairs. The only way to get out of this predicament was to find a portal and go back 100 years in the past, to her original time. However, Rune was unable to find a portal no matter how hard she tried.
I know I should just accept my fate but . .
a small part of me hopes a miracle will happen.
That things can still change.
Mom, Dad, Nessa, Mia. . Grandma Erin
I want to see you again
Even if the chances are slim, I want to try looking for a portal one more time.
"Let's escape from this place. I might be able to find a way for us to survive"
"No. I'll wait here"
"Even if you wait here, nothing will change!"
Those cruel words were not directed to the innocent child, it was directed to myself.
"I can't die yet . . I still need to go back home"
In the face of death, my honest feelings poured out. There was no need to hide it any longer. There was no need to pretend to be fine anymore. Even if there is no way out of this mess, I was still hanging on the faint hope that maybe, just maybe a miracle would happen.
The tears I had been suppressing overflowed uncontrollably.
At that moment, a familiar sensation crept in.
This feeling!
When I looked up, a light as bright as the sun appeared a hundred meters away. Unlike the usual green portal, this one had a different color.
"Is that a golden portal?"
The strange little girl with chesnut hair braided in twin tails and amethyst eyes looked at me with wide eyes and asked.
"Hey you. . Why do you have that power? . . Those green eyes"
What is she talking about? My eye color is brown, not green
"You said you don't want to die yet, right?"
" . . . . "
"Then follow me"
The strange child confidently walked towards the golden portal without a shred of hesitation.
The sudden appearance of the golden portal distracted me so much that I almost failed to notice the raging waves rapidly approaching the park.
I desparately ran towards the portal, my last chance at survival.
The moment my eyes opened again, I found myself in a place unlike anything I've ever seen.
"Where are we?"
"Welcome to Estolia, a place where eternity exist"