Ascending above the skies, Aletha watched in awe as the land and mountains below shrank. The engine's hum resonated through the train, blending with the gentle breeze that slipped through the nearly sealed windows.
Aletha felt a sense of escape and freedom, as if she were leaving behind the burdens of the world below. Yet, fear gripped her heart, knowing that her journey was filled with uncertainties.
The train, a marvel of advanced technology with a touch of magic, soared effortlessly through the clouds, making the journey feel both real and fantastical. A beautiful mountainside dominated the glass, with clouds flowing beneath the wings, almost within reach. The faint scent of pine, mingling with the crisp, high-altitude air, invigorated her senses, deepening the surreal atmosphere. Would her journey bring her closer to fulfilling her destiny, or would it only lead to unforeseen perils?
Discussions flickered through the passenger car. Yet Phthonus remained silent. Silence stood between them, a brutal pause sparking tension and unease in Aletha.
Aletha glanced at Phthonus from the corner of her eye, wondering if he would decide to speak. He remained silent, and she waited, hoping that, with time, he might finally offer a response.
Seconds and minutes passed; still, Phthonus said nothing. Discussions moved through the carriage, from both familiar and unfamiliar faces.
And yet, not once had a discussion formed between Aletha and Phthonus.
. . .
Even above the skies, the sound of the train's wheels reached Aletha. Looking out the window, she searched for the tracks and saw them curving and dropping away from the sky below. She stood so high up she couldn't feel her feet move, as if suspended above the world.
Suddenly, a quick flash of the door stole her attention away.
(SLAM)
The passengers watched as a tall, masculine figure slipped in, wind rushing through the carriage.
"All who show resistance will be dematerialized by this weapon."
The ambusher held a double-edged pistol, purple lines strapped around it, and focused energy at the center. Its color scheme matched The Ending, but with a darker purple.
"Everyone, on your knees, now!" The man yelled with dominance. "Don't resist. Or else punishment will be made."
. . .
Aletha and other passengers ducked down, shivering at the sound of struggling whimpers and cries of the passengers.
"Please, don't kill me. My family is waiting for me." A woman pleaded as she dropped her purse.
"I just want to see my kids. I mean no harm." A man yelled with trembling eyes.
Standing with shoulders back, chest out, and chin high, the dark-haired man approached a blonde woman. He lowered his weapon, paused in front of her, and looked gently into her eyes. The room grew silent as everyone braced for his next move.
"Then please, follow me," he said to the woman, his tone gentle.
At first, the woman stood frozen and unsure whether to follow the man's orders.
After a moment's hesitation, the woman stood up and followed his instructions. She noticed the genuine look on his face and, trusting her instincts, thought, 'Okay. I trust you.'
As passengers saw the woman safely escorted outside, some stood and asked,
"Can you take us too?" a short man asked.
"Of course," he replied with a trustworthy grin. Nodding, he finished, "I mean no harm. That is... to all of you."
Aletha watched as all passengers stepped outside the door, boarding another carriage.
As Aletha and Phthonus listened to the passengers' footsteps grow distant, a loud door slam startled them.
Tension rose again as the lights flickered. The thuds of boots shook Aletha. Creaks, the jangle of weapons, and faint locomotive sounds emerged from the silence. Aletha felt rooted, elbows in, making herself small.
(Who... who is he?)
Though Aletha trembled in fear, Phthonus prepared to confront the intruder. He clenched his fists, ground his teeth, and rose from his seat, a low growl building as he readied himself to address Duron.
"Duron."
As Duron's piercing purple eyes settled on Phthonus, Aletha crawled toward a corner, trying to remain hidden. When her feet moved a fallen pencil, Duron made eye contact. Instead of rushing, he crossed his arms and spoke in a steady, low voice, both puzzled and determined.
"I know you are there," he called, his voice echoing in the nearly empty car. "Do not attempt to hide. I know exactly where you are. It would be foolish enough if you continued to hide from me."
Upon his voice, Aletha locked her knees and expelled her breath as if pained.
(Dang it.) Her chin lowered to her chest in defeat, and she stared down at her hands and feet.
With no options, she rose, arms up, and revealed herself to Duron with a sigh.
Duron slowly shook his head, released his arms from his posture, and smiled with relief. He stepped forward and spoke calmly.
"I know you are confused about what's happening, Aletha... but I need you to bear with me."
"Wait... how do you know my name?" Aletha mumbled, turning her head away.
"Everyone in the nation of Wraileza knows your name, especially The Queen," Duron replied, forming hands into a steeple. "I need you to come with me immediately."
Sweat dripping down her lip, Aletha stepped forward, gulping in uncertainty.
Phthonus's orange eyes flared. He lunged at Duron, roaring and breathing heavily as he attacked.
'Don't touch her! I won't let you slay Aletha like your daughter!'
Duron effortlessly kicked Phthonus away, chuckled, crossed his arms, and snapped his fingers as Aletha froze.
"Excuse me, who are you?" Duron asked, squinting his devilish purple eyes. "I am only here for the girl. I have no time to waste on random strangers."
Duron punched Phthonus, sending him into the wall and rocking the passenger car before it steadied.
Aletha's eyes shrank at the force of Duron's blow.
Aletha froze, mouth covered, trying to grasp Duron's strength as he approached formally, bowed, and spoke to her.
"Excuse me... Ms. Adtraic," Duron said as she trembled in fear. "Mind if..."
Without thought, Aletha threw her fist at the man with rage and panic. But just before her knuckles touched Duron's chin, he quickly clutched her fist, sighed, and threw her arm away.
"What a pity," he said, shaking his head slowly. "I guess I must inform you of what I'm doing."
After he took another honorable bow to Aletha, Duron inserted his introduction to her and Phthonus.
"My name... is Duron. I am one of the leading generals of The Promise."
He paused, tilting his head to the window, watching the train soar in the sky at incredible speeds.
"I was ordered to travel here all the way from the nation of Wraileza to find... and cap- I mean... escort you."
He glanced at Aletha's tattoo, a mark of unknown origin but one that legends speak of as being tied to an ancient prophecy about reclaiming lost kingdoms. His tone shifted, as if wrestling with his own orders.
"Your presence, Aletha, is of utmost importance. The Queen believes you hold the key to the future of Wraileza... and perhaps beyond."
After Duron's reveal, Aletha raised an eyebrow and brushed dust off her arm.
(Wraileza? I never realized she had never heard of Wraileza before. While her thoughts grew louder in her mind, she leaned forward in curiosity and asked, "What do you want from me?"
Duron caged his hands attentively and answered sincerely, his intimidation gone.
"The Nation wants YOU."
He stared directly at Aletha's tattoo.
"The Queen of Wraileza ordered all people and followers of The Promise to search the world for you. The symbol on your face is more than just an unknown mark; it is a link to legends foretelling a power to reclaim lost kingdoms of The Second Incarnation. If you or anyone else shows resistance, harm may be involved. However, we don't want to cause you any direct harm. It isn't our method of doing such a task."
Suspicion filled Aletha. She never wanted to go to that nation—especially without her brother. Overwhelmed by disbelief that a distant queen would wish to her, Aletha felt her anxiety lift. She offered her hand to Duron, trusting him.
'Okay. As long as you harm no one....' Before she could finish, Aletha's pupils flashed white. She squinted at Duron, mumbling in her mind.
(Is he lying? She silently wondered whether Duron was lying or being genuine. Despite carefully observing and searching for any sign of a lie, nothing appeared, confirming her suspicion. This man's telling the truth.)
After her pupils slowly returned to normal, Aletha stepped near Duron and finished her sentence as she felt the air enter the passenger car.
"...Then I'll trust you."
Nevertheless, before Duron and Aletha reached the door, an amber luminance shot from the other side of the passenger car, zooming over to Duron.
A purple transparent barrier formed quickly, deflecting the laser and returning it to its sender. Phthonus rolled across the floor and shot five more lasers, grimacing in pain and hatred as he kept his unique book clutched in his hand.
"No! Don't take her!"
When the attack occurred, Duron, in return, deflected all of the lethal lasers and sent them all back to Phthonus. As the lasers came into contact with the wall, the passenger car toppled back and forth, tossing Aletha and Phthonus from the ceiling and the floor.
Duron expressed with a nearly unphased gasp and shook his head, mumbling as he kept his feet on the floor.
"What a pity." He said. "I suppose I must follow this demand the painful way."
"Phthonus?! What are you doing?!" Aletha screamed, her arms jolting wide in confusion. "Do you WANT to get hurt?!"
"There's something he's not telling you!" Phthonus hollered. As Duron quickly grabbed his strange weapon from his pocket, Phthonus sprinted to Aletha and screamed, "He killed DRIMI!"
A disturbing silence viciously entered after his scream.
Following that reveal, Aletha jerked her head back, flinching and clenching her fists to her chest in surprise.
She shuffled back a step or two, showing an incredulous stare toward Duron.
"W…What?" Aletha said with a trembling, shaky, disbelieving voice. "He k-killed…"
A tear struck Phthonus' eye as he saw Duron's face veil in the shadow of guilt.
"Not only that," He pointed to the necklace draped on the dark-haired man's neck and cried. "Her soul is in that necklace! He tried to abandon us, but I stopped him for a little bit. That ruthless scumbag had no hesitation in killing his own daughter! T-That's why…"