The Midgard Park teemed with life—lush vegetation, towering trees, and countless plant species. It radiated an almost surreal peace, a stark contrast to the carnage that had swept through just hours earlier.
Amid the stillness came a warping sound. Tiny pixels of light, shifting in color, danced and coalesced, gradually forming a physical shape. Fingers first, then arms, and finally a complete body. Yet one problem remained—the figures hovered in midair, just above the ground.
As the mouth formed, a scream shattered the quiet.
"Shiiiiiiit!"
Bray shouted, every note dripping with frustration.
Phu… Phu… Phu…
The boys hit the ground, each impact sending ripples of pain through their bodies. Yet something was different—they looked renewed. Bray's blue hair glimmered brighter than ever, their clothes spotless, untouched by the dirt and grime of battle. Even Jamie, still unconscious, appeared revitalized; his hair shone, and his face was clearer than before.
After a moment of stunned observation, only one explanation made sense: the teleportation had purified them—a transformation that would prove invaluable later.
Another warping sound followed, and within seconds, three girls materialized beside them.
Phu… Phu… Phu…
"My ass!" Charlotte yelped, clutching herself as her eyes twitched in pain.
"Girls," Alexander and Bray said simultaneously, heads snapping toward the newcomers.
"Boys," the girls replied in perfect unison.
Their eyes met, silently acknowledging one another, pride radiating in the brief connection.
Little did they know the carnage that still awaited—out of the three hundred who had started, only two teams remained. If the numbers weren't already alarming, only eight games were left.
"You won?" Bray asked, astonishment written across his face. The last time he had seen them, they had been surrounded by assassins and former teammates bent on death. Survival had seemed impossible.
"Why do you ask like we were going to lose?" Charlotte shot back, eyebrows raised.
"Don't blame me! You were outnumbered!" Bray countered, defensive against the narcissistic girl.
Tension simmered, but Lora intervened, her voice soft and concerned.
"What happened to Jamie?" she asked, walking closer to the unconscious boy. Kneeling, she lifted him gently onto her lap, concern etched on her face.
"He got knocked out by poison," Bray admitted, his gaze dropping.
"Poison?" Charlotte asked, seeking reassurance.
"It's a long story," he said.
"Will he be okay?" Emily added.
"He will. He just needs some air," Alexander reassured, forcing calmness that the group didn't fully feel.
For a moment, silence hung in the air, broken only by Charlotte's curiosity.
"So… Greg is…?"
"Dead," Bray finished.
Sadness settled, yet amidst it, one emotion endured—the comfort of being together again. A gentle breeze swept through the park, tousling hair and filling lungs with clean, revitalizing air.
"Cough! Cough!"
"Jamie!" they shouted, rushing to him.
His eyes fluttered open, blurriness fading, ears ringing with the echo of imagined crowds.
"Guys…" he murmured, weak but conscious.
"They're here, and so are we!" Lora said, a triumphant smirk on her face as she held his hand.
"Lora?" Jamie's gaze dropped awkwardly.
"Yeah," she replied, matching his tone.
"Lora!!!" Confused, he scrambled upright. Panic replaced grogginess as he bowed repeatedly in apology.
"You did nothing wrong," Lora reassured, trying to calm him.
"Jamie!" Bray's protective voice rang out. He stepped forward, pressing two fingers to Jamie's forehead. Jamie froze, overwhelmed and disoriented.
"Don't ever die on me again!" Bray warned, his overprotectiveness evident.
Jamie's tension melted into a smirk, deep in thought.
"So much happened in one game… the good and the bad," he murmured. "But one thing's for sure—we did it all as friends."
Charlotte, intrigued, asked, "What are you smiling for?"
Jamie quickly regained composure.
"Nothing to worry about," he said, standing tall, his face bright with determination.
"Before I forget… what's with the golden hair?"
Silence fell, followed by exchanged glances.
"We don't know either," Alexander admitted.
Suddenly, a bright light erupted before them. A small figure materialized midair, descending slowly. A short girl clad in a white robe with purple stripes appeared, a green melon-shaped helmet covering her head, holes in it translucent enough to leave her mouth free.
"Hey humans!" she squeaked.
"Heeey!" they answered uncertainly, in low, cautious unison.
"Don't you recognize my voice?" she pressed.
"Sorry, but we don't," Jamie replied.
"Ooh…" she murmured, snapping her fingers. "I get it now!" She raised her left arm, pointing to her neck.
Everyone froze. Gasps rippled through the group. The mechanical voice guiding them since their arrival in Midgard belonged to this little girl.
"You're the mechanical voice!" Bray exclaimed.
"Not only that, I'm also the system," she added.
Jamie's heart skipped. The system… does that mean she knows about the Glitch? he wondered.
Alexander bowed. "Thank you for your service to us!"
The girl giggled. "I like you. You're a nice human!"
Alexander blinked, surprised.
"There's no need to thank me, human," she added.
He straightened, curiosity winning over silence. "Why did you appear now?"
"Oh! I almost forgot—I'm here to take you to the third stage," she explained. Fear and tension surged—they had just finished one overwhelming mission and were in no shape for another.
"We'll start when the last human arrives."
Silence fell, curiosity overtaking fear. Everyone looked around, uncertain what she meant.
"Everyone we know is already here," Bray said.
She giggled. "Not everyone. Him!" She pointed behind them.
They turned—and there he was. Long hair, movements precise, confidence radiating. Bruises vanished; he looked completely renewed.
Everyone froze. They had assumed he was dead, his body lost after the attack.
"Wait for me!" he shouted, grinning.
Jamie's eyes welled with emotion. It was Greg—he was alive.
Instinct took over. Jamie's muscles tensed as he rushed forward, joy flooding his face. He threw his arms wide, embracing Greg like a long-lost family member.
"Ooh," Greg muttered, startled at first, but seeing Jamie's pure happiness, he relaxed.
Behind them, the teams watched in astonishment. Lora's cheeks flushed with jealousy, unnoticed by most—except Emily.
"You wish it was you," Emily whispered.
Lora said nothing, letting her expression speak. Jamie had woken on her lap without gratitude, yet greeted his returning teammate warmly.
"Cut him some slack. He thought he was dead!" Emily whispered. Her words pricked Lora's heart, slowly shifting her expression to reluctant acceptance.
Clap… Clap…
"Come on humans, I don't want to be late for my tea party!" the girl called, a note of unease in her voice.
Within seconds, curiosity and excitement buried deep, the group gathered, ready for what was to come.
"Hmhhmh," she cleared her throat, preparing to speak.
"It's time for you to know the truth about Midgard, humans!"