《superNATURAL INveSTIGATOR》


 PROLOGUE - Farewell My Home

    > Wynland, Saint Vaughn, ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€.


    > 1st of New Conception, 1316;


    > 8:30 Aurum Time.


    With the darksun, winter is dead and the preparation for spring is at hand. In the final month of such a season, the streets are no longer cold with violent wind, nor are they diluted in color by the imbalanced mana. A full reset of the worldly cycle.


    Old towns with even older architecture like this, named after a monolith of the church, celebrate the coming spring with a hallowed feast every night until the end of the month.


    Festive lights and other decorations are strung up from street to street, beginning to end. Then the townsfolk gather in their neighbor¡¯s house, usually the biggest on the street, and if ever need be, divide themselves among several houses instead.


    In Lauders Street, then the second house on the left from the entrance, Berringer Hold, we have one such party. Serving both as an upholding of tradition¡­ and something else.


    ¡®Goodbye and goodluck to Brother Aethel!¡¯ reads a rather cheap looking banner above the dinner table. The table itself carries a generous spread of homely meals.


    By an open window nearest to the front door, a mature fellow in priestly attire speaks, his voice quite deep, ¡°I suppose I shall miss you dearly, though, I would not at all fight to keep you.¡±


    His graying hair is tousled gently by the wind as he stands tall next to a younger man in their late teens.


    Judging by the facts that the mature one has a natural hue of chestnut for hair and the younger one with a deep crimson, and how neither share eye colors; the mature, a kind of lilac; the younger, glorious gold, the relation is not so simple.


    That young man smirks, his own voice quite cocky as he scratches his head in an impatient but certainly jestful manner. ¡°Well now, is that your cold, old man way of saying this is what you wanted for me? I accept the sentiment if so."


    ¡°Oh, not at all¡ª if it were up to me I would rather you applied yourself wholly to the service¡­ It is just, well I know you have wanted to leave here, and more than that, to pursue better, more exciting things and opportunities for the longest time.¡± retorts the mature one as he pinches the bridge of his nose and shakes his head slowly.


    The younger man lets a few smart chuckles loose before replying, ¡°Ha, so you can have a heart¡­? But seriously, I appreciate it, Father Dunward.¡±


    This makes the other grin after previously delivering all he had said with a straight face.


    ¡°Please, by tomorrow you will not be bound to the sanctified oaths, call me Falkhein.¡± says the mature one, Father Falkhein Dunward as it were, he says this with a greater grin which threatens to grow into a full-blown smile.


    After a small pause, the younger one gives his better a genuine look as he begins to speak, ¡°Then¡­ thank you, Falkhein¡­ for taking care of me, for guiding me, for everything¡­ Heh, I dare say you were even a good housemate.¡±


    ¡°This is my house, Aethel¡­ but nevertheless, do not thank me, truly. Instead, thank the Goddess for all your blessings, and then yourself for using them well. Ah, if your mother could see you now¡­¡± replies Falkhein, his voice softened while laying a hand on the younger one¡¯s, Aethel¡¯s, shoulder.


    Suddenly a raspy, energetic voice cuts in, a woman¡¯s, ¡°Alright enough of the sappy exchange¡ª Come here, Aethel, we¡¯re gonna take a photo before we begin! Oh and you included, Father.¡± After saying, she grabs onto Aethel¡¯s hand, dragging him towards the dining table.


    Her brown hair begins to trail behind her, and as she looks back to Aethel, her blue eyes seem to catch his gold ones. That interaction makes both of their gazes divert. Fortunately, it is a rather short trip to the dining room; the awkwardness could not last long.


    Around that table a small group of a dozen, mostly young people, standby. All of them were waiting for Aethel¡¯s presence, and as he was brought to them many cheers and greetings resound. Aethel responds in kind; a quick smile and a small word for each.


    ¡°You can stop pulling now, Bryn!¡± fusses Aethel as he turns towards the woman, otherwise Bryn, with a vise grip on his hand.


    Her smile wide and brows raised, Bryn does not turn to Aethel as she begins, ¡°Quit your complainin¡¯ and say¡­¡± she pauses for a second, ¡°Cheese!¡±


    ¡°Wha¡ª!¡± Aethel manages to yelp before a bright light and loud sound rings out in front of the group. Flash! Click! Photo taken, and after the first one, there was a second, then a third¡­


    Then all the voices around him scream out, ¡°Goodluck Aethel!¡±


    Certainly, Aethel was annoyed by this turn of events; having his photo taken while he was off his guard, but that feeling soon dies down and gives way to a merrier spirit. He was in the company of friends, after all, and they are here to celebrate him.


    That night passes in a flash as all things done in the presence of fun do and Aethel lies safely in his bed. As his eyes crack open they allow the dim light, courtesy of the season, to stream through and decisively banish his sleep.


    He groans for perhaps five minutes before finally picking himself up and tidying whatever mess he leaves in the act.


    > Wynland, Saint Vaughn, Berringer Hold.


    > 2nd of New Conception, 1316;Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    > 5:18 Sol Time.


    The water runs cold, it has run cold for a while now, at the very least it ensures no grogginess sticks around as the day begins. Hastily, after washing up, he puts on some clothes:


    A long sleeved white shirt; a red, imperial style coat with a high standing collar, the coat itself extending down to his knees; greyish-green pants that are held up by a black belt with a silver buckle; heeled shoes, the same color as his belt; to tie it all together, a black choker made of silk with an eight pointed star in the middle.


    Taking one last look at his luggage before bringing all of it downstairs, he prepares a breakfast for two. It looks to be nothing complex, just whatever will get him and his housemate through their day and then some. In the middle of eating, Falkhein appears, not in his priestly attire but in casual wear.


    Taking hold of a piece of toast and with it a spoon lathered in some kind of jam, Falkhein speaks calmly, his hands occupied with applying the jam to the toast, ¡°Everything is in order, then?¡±


    ¡°About as much as I could hope for it to be, yeah.¡± Aethel manages to reply, his cheeks full up with food.


    Falkhein looks at him incredulously as he scoffs slightly, ¡°I am not even going to say it today. You are on your own with those bad manners.¡±


    After speaking he takes a bite of that jammed toast.


    ¡°No one will even care in the city, it¡¯s not like here, it¡¯s¡­ something else entirely. They say it''s a whole new world that you have to see to believe, and I want to see it. I hear everything is tall and concrete or metal, that all of it is very modern looking.¡± muses Aethel whose mind now seems elsewhere; at the very least he swallowed his food.


    Finishing up his toast before asking something, Falkhein smirks a little seeing how awestruck Aethel seems to be, ¡°You are quite taken with thoughts of the big city. Did you know that long ago I was once like that?¡±


    ¡°Spare me the story, yes, you¡¯ve told me plenty of times about the capital here. But¡ª Kane City is different from Goldwyn, the cathedral and academy isn¡¯t even the biggest thing to look at in Kane.¡± answered Aethel, stuffing more food into his mouth as he does.


    Falkhein admits, ¡°Fair enough.¡± as he begins to dig into breakfast more deeply.


    > Wynland, Saint Vaughn, ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€.


    > 2nd of New Conception, 1316;


    > 7:52 Sol Time.


    As the car screeches to a halt, the two men exit to a considerably empty parking space. Darksun is never a popular season to visit anywhere, not that anyone would come here, so they pay little mind to this and continue on their way towards a modern building with a sign that reads: ¡®St. Vaughn Train Station¡¯


    ¡°End of the line.¡± warned Falkhein with an unreadable, but more than likely facetious, intent.


    Bringing a hand to his face, Aethel gives a rather disgruntled reply, ¡°Har har, very good¡­ that was¡­ hilarious, you should consider being a comedian as well as a priest. Hold a comedy night at the parish¡ª¡±


    ¡°If I did, I think my congregation would appreciate my jokes more than you would.¡± Falkhein delivers his words dryly, much to the un-surprise of Aethel.


    Aethel scrunches up his face with a gremlin¡¯s smile, then bringing his voice to a much higher pitch, he retorts ¡°I¡¯m sure the Goddess would too, but oh well, too bad I won¡¯t be there to knock you down a peg.¡±


    ¡°But to be serious, past the river from here is the wasteland. This is the end of the line for any trains, if you get on here, there are zero stops on the trip. Moreover, no returns for a long time.¡± sighing, Falkhein explains.


    Eyeing his companion suspiciously, Aethel asks, ¡°I¡¯m well aware¡­ are you trying to dissuade me now?¡±


    ¡°No, just making sure that you understand the gravity of this train ride. Next time we could see one another is next year if, but only if we are lucky.¡± Falkhein muses, scratching his chin.


    The two enter the station after another quick bout of bickering and as expected not many folks, if any, are inside. Most of the staff look and probably are bored out of their minds, the screens which indicate timetables are almost tragically empty, and the general atmosphere is so pitiable that the wind is silent.


    It is a small station with only two platforms. Security is lax, there are only four guards, and the employees only number to about seven. The building side of it only covers the lobby and the employee¡¯s lounge, with everything else being in open air, of course, roofs above them to stave off any weather conditions. Speaking of, it seems ready to rain.


    Spying the aforementioned screen which has only one arrival and two departures scheduled, Aethel cannot help but frown. Perhaps it is the emptiness of the station but something is definitely hitting him where he did not expect it.


    Two entries locked for departures, the first reads: ¡¸8:00 ¡ª BRDR STAT 04 ¡ª PLAT 1 ¡ª ON TIME¡¹


    Aethel looks at Falkhein who stands watching the long stretch of tracks, he watches him for a good few seconds before finding the courage to speak, ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m saying this but¡­ I¡¯ll miss this place.¡±


    ¡°Please, this is not the time to start the waterworks. Cry on the train if you have to, if you do it now I might have to join you.¡± turning to look at Aethel, Falkhein gives out a genuine albeit snarky response.


    Voice wavering, Aethel allows himself to let out a small sob, ¡°Hah¡­ piece of shit¡­¡± which turns into a big one as tears begin to stream down his face.


    ¡°Come here, son.¡± Falkhein tightly embraces Aethel as tears begin to well up in his own eyes, he continues, ¡°I, heh, also forgive you for swearing this one time¡­¡±


    Aethel draws back with a sad smile, he argues a good point, ¡°Kh¡­ I¡¯m not under oath anymore, old bastard.¡±


    ¡°That is true, but still, I cannot stand crass language, especially if you say it. You are practically the son I could never have had, you know? I even taught you everything that I would have loved to be taught myself.¡± says Falkhein as he returns the sad smile.


    Lightly punching the other¡¯s arm, in between a few soft heaves, Aethel manages to grumble, ¡°Don¡¯t say that shit now, man, you¡¯ll make me cry even harder.¡±


    ¡°You deserve it for leaving.¡± Falkhein shrugs as he wipes tears from his eyes.


    A woman¡¯s voice rings out from a loudspeaker, blaring out a message, ¡°ATTENTION: The train headed to the fourth Border Station is arriving, if you are a passenger on this train please check your things and head to platform one to prepare for boarding. I repeat¡ª¡± the message repeated two more times.


    ¡°End of the line for your time here, but the beginning of a new life over the river. Go, Aethel, go forth now.¡±


    With that declaration by Falkhein, Aethel simply nods and starts for platform one. Before completely passing the threshold he turns to wave one last time at the man who raised him, that wave returns to him with a reluctant joy. That done, he continues on, heart only full enough to do as Falkhein says and go forth.


    As he boards, a drizzle begins to start, quite the real moodsetter. Even more, as the train begins to start up, it turns into a veritable downpour.


    Farewell Saint Vaughn¡­

 CHAPTER 1 - Enter, The Strangers

    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Long Travel Train SrTc-22, ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€.


    > 2nd of New Conception, 1316;


    > 8:10 Sol Time.


    Aboard this Sark/tech¡¯s train it is an estimated four days without stops before reaching the destination, and as luck has it the thing provides everything necessary to endure the lengthy trip¡ª principal among them are dedicated cabins complete with tables and beds which also serve as seating. It is far from first class but it does the job well enough.


    Having a total of twenty cars with five closed to the passengers, another five for services, the remaining ten are divided into two travel classes. The first is the first class, and the second is the standard class. Aethel resides in cabin five, car eighteen; the very back end, the smallest room, and the cheapest ticket.


    At the very least there are no restrictions as to where a passenger is allowed to loiter, except for the obvious places, and there are also open air viewing decks on the right-side of and behind the train. Considering all that, the trip may be lengthy but it certainly is far from grueling.


    Getting accustomed to his home for the next half-week, Aethel lazily spreads on the small bed, his legs left hanging, while flipping through a thick, leather backed notebook. The rain hits his window just right, making a perfect atmosphere to relax and let the world slip away.


    But in the notebook, the dates go all the way back to Weltbirth, otherwise the first month of spring this year. Written inside are prayers he composed or general prose and poetry about his thoughts.


    He passed several entries until coming to the first, at current time, empty page. Twenty or so pages left, he counts by eye¡­ twenty left out of four-hundred. Nodding to himself, he sits up and rummages through his things to find a pen, after finding it he looks at the empty page and sets his pen down.


    <blockquote>


    New Conception 2, 1316


    To Arcis, her wills; to Mastema, his stars; to Lightveil, his saints; and to Goldwyn, his records¡ª


    The trip I am on is rather selfish as I leave behind the only home I know, my surrogate father, the memory of my mother, and the hallowed service to all of you; I hope you can forgive me for this. In the book of Valorheart, an angel of Yaveh, he recounts the time that the good king revealed a fundamental truth to him, ¡°You say that the human is selfish and this is why he sins, true, but I ask you now how can he not be selfish? A human is unlike you or me, the core of him is the self.¡± This is the basis I start my prayer today.


    Calling upon the fundamental truth of self, selfishness, and the breakthrough of selflessness, hear the petition of one of your faithful,


    O Arcis, that I am protected from spirits of the old world in passing through to the borderlands thus the wastes. Run your fastest steeds and most vindictive knights, that just as the railways carry my body now, let them carry my spirit from now until the time of my current journey¡¯s terminus. Do this and in the hour of my own life¡¯s terminus, I will journey anew in your realm for glory in your name.


    Arcis Praise.


    </blockquote>


    Finishing up whatever it is he is writing, Aethel closes his notebook and stows away his pen before laying down again and closing his eyes. As his back hits the mattress a bothersome grumble is faintly heard. Groaning for a second, he manages to get up and leave the cabin.


    Passing into car seventeen, however, provides him with a roadblock. In front of him is a group of people, not inherently a problem, until he sees them taking up the entire hallway discussing something.


    On one hand a person may be able to excuse themselves and pass, but the group is speaking in a foreign language. Another solution would be to check out into the viewing deck, but the rain has only picked up since leaving.


    Standing about for a few seconds, Aethel observes the group more closely. Four of them in total, two women and two men, one of the women is far taller than any of them, and immediately catches his eye.


    Her hair is a strange shade of blue, almost exactly like a blizzard, it perfectly suits her eyes of the same hue; she wears a gold and purple cloak which covers one entire half of her body, and below it is an outrageous white, fur coat. The whole way she carries herself is rather graceful too, like the statues at church, purity incarnate.


    On her left is a scarily stern looking man who just barely stands to her shoulder yet is already taller than the remaining two, his hair is a shining platinum gold, his eyes are a violent blood color, and he wears what can only be described as an army major¡¯s uniform. He too wears the same kind of cloak as the woman, all of them do.


    With that in mind he looks to the right and sees a man in a wine colored tux, who contrasting with the previous two, has hair the color of a nebula. He wears a mask fit for a masquerade but from whatever features are visible, he maintains a jovial, almost flippant look that suits his decidedly sharp and handsome look very well.


    Finally, his eyes land on a woman with eyes like his own, but perhaps prettier. Her hair is one of the fullest browns he has ever seen and she wears a navy colored hunting jacket that extends down to her ankles. Unlike the stern major, the graceful lady, or the sharp mask, she has quite the kind look to her face, something near motherly.


    Aethel continues to stand, his face twisted as he falls further and further into thought¡­ a position that certainly asks to be noticed by anyone who sees it¡­


    ¡°Salut ¨¦tranger, I ¡®ave a question for you, to Crowsea or to New Bell?¡± suddenly the towering woman approaches and asks with a soft voice and a strong accent.


    Shocked, Aethel jumps quite violently, earning a curious look from the group. He replies after a few seconds of catching himself,  ¡°...What? Oh¡ª uh, is that for me or for you?¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    ¡°Your connecting train, is it to Crowsea, Kane City or to New Bell, Bradburton?¡± a clear and commanding voice breaks through Aethel¡¯s stupor, the stern one is talking now.


    Turning to the man dressed like a major, Aethel straightens up more than he already did,  ¡°Kane City, sir¡ª I mean, friend¡ª or stranger¡­?¡±


    ¡°Brilliant darling, allow us to pay for your ticket to Bradburton, then.¡± it is the masked man¡¯s turn to speak this time, his voice practically dripping with guile.


    The kind looking woman cuts in, exasperation threatening to break through her patient tone, ¡°All of you¡­ you¡¯re getting ahead of yourselves¡ª sorry, it¡¯s just¡­ there are some things going on at Kane right now. And we can¡¯t just let anyone head there, so is it alright if you head over to Bradburton instead? We¡¯ll pay for the ticket.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ I¡¯m assuming that since you¡¯re all being so insistent and you aren¡¯t telling me what¡¯s going on¡­ it¡¯s something pretty bad?¡± Aethel croaks out, standing in a guarded position with his hands close to his chest.


    The masked man laughs gregariously before immediately snapping into a grave expression, ¡°Practically speaking, yes, very much yes, love. It is a matter of¡­ life o¡ª¡±


    ¡°Stop talking; too much information.¡± The stern one immediately stops the masked one from speaking any more.


    The masked one argues, ¡°I mean darling, it is not like he is an invalid, anyone could figure out the gravity of all this.¡±


    ¡±That means nothing, our orders said this does not get out under any circumstances, but then here you are speaking about it like it came out on the news.¡± retorts the stern one.


    Soon the two embroil themselves in an argument, this causes the remaining members to try and de escalate the situation, of course, leaving Aethel standing right in front of them.


    Aethel motions to regain their attention, ¡°You see that¡¯s all well and good but¡­ I really didn¡¯t expect this turn of events as you can imagine, so I don¡¯t have much information on Bradburton, in fact, my preparations only covered Kane City and the next city over, Prima.¡±


    All of them turn to him again, visibly disapproving of his insistence to head off into Kane City.


    ¡°Zat isn¡¯t ¡®ow zis works I am afraid, we cannot simply allow you to ¡®ead off into Kane City.¡± the tall woman nods disapprovingly while speaking, her resolve shining through in clarion fashion.


    Interjecting with a revelation written on her face, the kind looking one theorizes, ¡°Oh, but what if he¡¯s only carrying Stella with him? If we drop him off at Bradburton he¡¯d be broke in that case¡­ Is that the case, sir?¡±


    ¡°Yes and no. I do have Stella on me but I¡¯ve always been kind of broke¡­ my plan was to look for a job anyway.¡± sheepishly Aethel answers, a small grin forming.


    Seemingly amused, the masked man suggests a solution, ¡°I got it! Why not just drop him off at Prima then, friends? It is safe there is it not? What is a little escort mission to us?¡±


    ¡°What a pain¡ª but, as much as I loathe to, I do agree with Hal¡ª Oh fuck, he has no clue who we are, does he?¡± says the stern man, looking to his companions for an answer.


    Sighing, the kind woman admits, ¡°No he doesn¡¯t but I think we¡¯re going to have to sit him down for that.¡±


    ¡°Well as long as you¡¯re going to do that, can we get some food?¡± Aethel speaks up.


    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Long Travel Train SrTc-22, First Class Cabin 7-1.


    > 2nd of New Conception, 1316;


    > 9:20 Sol Time.


    The difference of the cabins from car eighteen to car seven are quite baffling, what is one room here in first class is about three separate rooms in second class, and instead of the bed doubling as seating there is actually a dining set in place. It really is a pleasant room even down to the decor and atmosphere.


    Sitting in silence, Aethel is the current object of close observation by both the uniformed man and accented woman. Awkwardly the three sit face to face and none of them look particularly excited to start up any kind of conversation.


    As of the moment the entire group seems to be waiting for both the masked charmer and the kindly woman¡¯s presence, and seeing as no food lies on the table, they must be responsible for the food delivery.


    The rain has not stopped either, or rather it seems to be growing substantially more torrential as time goes on. No longer is the pitter patter relaxing, instead the sounds are more like to evince a disconcerting feeling, and especially more so know with how imperative it is that no hindrances appear on the trip.


    Deciding to break the silence, Aethel attempts a question, ¡°So, where did you guys get on? The train, I mean.¡±


    ¡°All ze way back in ze Aulds, we ¡®ad spent time in ze Magistrate¡¯s ¡®eadquarters. You know of zis Magistrate?¡± asks the accented woman.


    Aethel thinks on that before responding, ¡°I¡¯ve heard of them but I¡¯m¡­ well I was a part of the Fundamentalist church myself as a brother, though I had to renounce the oath in order to go on this trip. So yes I know of them, but no, I don¡¯t really know them.¡±


    ¡°Oo ze Fundamentalists, you might not be useless after all¡ª er, pardon my use of language, I do not mean to insult you with zat. You understand what I mean, no?¡± she smiles in an attempt to soften the blow of her words.


    A sudden interjection from the uniformed man, serious as ever, ¡°But he is¡ª was only a brother after all, and assuming he is as old as I think he is, it is not likely they taught him any divine sacraments, miracles, or anything like that.¡±


    ¡°I suppose not but I am sure he knows somezing or ze ozer. While we are still on ze topic, what do you know?¡± smiling, the accented woman nods optimistically.


    Returning her smile, Aethel responds, eyes wandering to the stern man, ¡°Only a brother, sure, but I do know about consecrating items, making holy water, the basics of rune and writ works, and of course connected to that, composing wards and prayers..¡±


    ¡°Tch¡ª in a pinch, then, I will admit we could make use of your skills, but nothing else.¡± that clear and commanding voice is made only minutely softer by a grudging respect.


    Her optimism swells as she claps her hands in a dainty manner, ¡°C''est magnifique! Indeed, and at such a young age too, you are what¡ª seventeen?¡±


    ¡°Eighteen last autumn actually, specifically in the Auldtide, and it¡¯s part of the reason I wanted to leave home¡ª I felt like I outgrew it all.¡± baring a more sheepish expression, Aethel rubs his neck as he speaks.


    Uneasily, the usually grouchy man in uniform interjects, ¡°Uhuh¡­ hold that thought, I am going to go check on those two, they are taking far longer than I estimated. You two, If I¡ª for any reason¡ª do not show in five minutes, take that as a signal for things being close to F.U.B.A.R.¡±

 CHAPTER 2 - Spirit Railway Part 1

    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Long Travel Train SrTc-22, First Class Cabin 7-1.


    > 2nd of New Conception, 1316;


    > 9:36 Sol Time.


    Tapping his feet in a repetitive motion, Aethel notes, ¡°It¡¯s been a little over five minutes I¡¯d say.¡± he looks over to the accented woman.


    ¡°Yes, zat is true¡­¡± while clasping her hands and keeping her now squinted eyes completely locked on the door, the accented woman responds.


    Aethel slowly leans into her field of view snapping her out of focus, he asks in a slow kind of way, ¡°...Shouldn¡¯t we go and look or something like that?¡±


    ¡°Non, if somezing ¡®as truly gone wrong I am ready to break us out of the window.¡± the accented woman smiles as she motions to the cabin window, the world outside now practically a blur due to the speed of travel, then she continues, ¡°Do not worry about getting ¡®urt or sick by the rain, I can and will protect us.¡±


    Nodding, Aethel probes further, deciding to stand up ¡°...And your friends¡ª or at the very least your allies?¡±


    ¡°If zey ¡®ave fallen or are in battle, zey would ¡®ave rather I minimized any civilian casualties, zis begins wiz you.¡± somehow her smile seems to reinforce as stern while she speaks.


    Nodding again, Aethel presses on, ¡°But I can help if it ever comes to it¡­ and I don¡¯t particularly enjoy the idea of leaving them to fend for themselves, no matter how strong or experienced they are.¡±


    ¡°Zat is unacceptable, I cannot¡ª!¡±


    As the train stops in a violent whiplash the lights go out, Aethel loses his balance but before he can even let out a scream¡­ he is caught in a soft embrace. Looking up, the accented woman now stands beside him utterly unshaken, and though her physical attention is on the surroundings, a certain energy courses readily through her arms.


    Screams and noises are heard all around them, the entire train shakes violently but the woman is steadfast, her grip seems to grow tighter as the sounds and commotion wax and wane¡­ but eventually they all die out and everything goes deathly still. Indeed, this chaos is palpably fierce even without being able to see it.


    After a few moments standing like this, she breaks the silence, ¡°Zis is ze time for you to get off¡ª I shall not take no for an answer at zis time.¡±


    ¡°And¡­ argh¡­. if I¡­ ngh¡­ say no anyway?¡± Aethel challenges, his body struggling in her embrace.


    Suddenly raising him up by his arms to face her, she frowns what can only be described as a severe frown, looking Aethel dead in the eyes, ¡°Why are you so insistent to fight, to walk zis road of peril? You are but young and ¡®ave life yet to live¡­ is zis not ze reason you ¡®ave left your ¡®ome in ze first place? To live?¡±


    ¡°You and your friends aren¡¯t much older than me, I¡¯m sure of that, so really I could ask the same of you.¡± a defiant expression colors Aethel¡¯s face as he matches the tall, accented woman¡¯s rather oppressive gaze.


    Letting a groan loose for the first time to his ears, the accented woman sets Aethel down, it seems she finally relents, ¡°What is your name, mon ami? It is far too difficult to operate wizout zis much.¡±


    ¡°Aethel Gren, no nicknames sadly.¡± flashing a smirk and doing a little curtsy right after.


    A small titter escapes her before reciprocating both the curtsy and introduction, ¡°Jos¨¦phine Morgane Alistair, ze daughter of Marquis Alistair and a detective for ze Magistrate¡¯s Officiad, but I prefer you call me Fi.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re a member of the Magistrate? You should¡¯ve just said so, but, Fi, I am at your behest.¡± Aethel nods with a visible determination.


    Approaching the door, Fi turns to face Aethel, ¡°We will be off but before zis, a few zings: you shall listen to all my commands, including to run and leave me behind; you shall prioritize ze safety of civilians, even over your own; and you shall stay behind me at all times. Clear?¡±


    ¡°Crystal.¡±


    With the affirmation by Aethel the two head out into the hallway, there, a rather disquieting feeling overarches everything. Such feelings of evil must be relentless, after all, a black and crimson miasma is beginning to form up to their knees. This otherworldly mist is gelid, chilling past clothing; it is also quickly thickening, restricting movement.


    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Long Travel Train SrTc-22, Car 7 Hall.


    > 2nd of New Conception, 1316;


    > 10:04 Sol Time.


    Wordlessly they push on, checking cabins along the way, then coming to cabin number three they find a man out cold. He lies sprawled out on the floor next to the dining table, blood dripping from one of the corners, the same story is found on his forehead.


    But as the two approach and begin to enter, there is some kind of guttural scream further along, it is hard to make any clear guesses as to what originates it. At first they resolve to continue and help the man, but another scream rings out, sounding far more desperate than the first.


    ¡°Should we? Whatever¡¯s going on sounds bad, and it sounds like it¡¯s coming from car ten, it¡¯s your call though.¡± asks Aethel, looking at Fi with an unsure expression.


    Fi considers the dilemma for a moment before coming up with an answer, ¡°Zis man is wounded but if we lay ¡®im on ze table, obtain ¡®is key, and lock ze door from inside¡­ ¡®e should be safe long enough.¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Doing just that in record time, they begin their rush towards car ten, but exiting car seven immediately gives them trouble. Obstructing their path is a spectre who wails a haunting tune, it is certainly colorless and mostly translucent, but amidst the mist it is as red as a curse.


    As it weeps and haphazardly levitates across the hall, Aethel reaches into his pocket grabbing some kind of silver bead chain, its brilliant gleam catches the attention of Fi who lowers his hand. She looks at him with a cross expression before wagging a finger at him.


    ¡°...What?¡± Aethel tilts his head, face twisting in some fashion as he asks.


    Fi shakes her head and then explains, ¡°I appreciate your enzusiasm¡ª but a prayer even wiz a rosary will take far too long to cast, draw far too much attention, and for too little of an effect. Zis is no normal ¡®aunting, zis is a spectre from the underworld. A daemon.¡±


    ¡°An evil incarnate, then.¡± concludes Aethel with eyes widening, nods, and then pockets his rosary.


    Shaking her head again, Fi continues explaining, ¡°Not exactly you see, daemons are violent, yes, but zey are not inherently evil; it is just zat zey are spirits, constantly agonized, perceiving zis world in a frantic chaos.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ how do we¡­ kill it, do you have a¡­ special power; technique?¡± another question from Aethel.


    Her jaw falls looking like she was about to speak out loud, fortunately Fi stops herself before whispering, ¡°What? Ma D¨¦esse, no, I am not going to kill zis. I am a detective; an investigator, I avoid killing zis things as much as I am able to. Instead, I will pacify it and see if I can communicate wiz it to ga¡¯zer information, zen release it from its pain.¡±


    ¡°Okay, my mistake¡ª but¡­ how do you plan to do that?¡± Aethel looks at the spectre, then continues, ¡°It looks too dangerous to approach.¡±


    ¡°Watch.¡±


    Slowly approaching the spectre she holds up her arms, chanting a near silent verse in tongues, she stops right before it as a soft glow begins to emanate from the tips of her fingers. Now that he thinks about it, Aethel realizes that this is a similar process to what she was doing while holding him.


    At first the spectre rages, causing Aethel to start, but Fi speaks¡ª or rather casts, ¡°Mandatum Quies.¡± and immediately it stops in its tracks. Sighing a little and relaxing, Fi turns to face Aethel and motions for him to come closer, he does just that but with the utmost caution.


    ¡°Now is ze moment of truz¡ª If you can hear me, daemon, speak to me in your tongue.¡± she speaks directly to the spectre, her hands still glowing, if not crackling, with energy.


    The daemon actually speaks, its voice may be harsh to the ears due to distortion and its frequent wails mid-sentence, but in listening close the language sounds close enough to the common tongue¡­ just with a little divergence in words compared to what is regularly in use now.


    Fi slightly turns her head to look at Aethel, for some reason she smiles as she speaks, ¡°C''est magnifique. You see Aezel, it speaks. Now, daemon, tell me what circumstances bring you ¡®ere.¡±


    Again the daemon speaks, it rambles on about different things but eventually it begins to make some sense. In guttural screeches there is a mention of some evil seed which spreads in the undergrowths of the lands¡­ but then it specifies that only the realms that concrete and metal rule, still far from here, are corrupted thus.


    Unfortunately it soon becomes incoherent as it cries out in pain, begging for their suffering to end, paranoid about the ¡®master¡¯s¡¯ presence. The final words from it are nothing but ominous doomsday, this turnout causes Fi to pull out a marked packet of strange powder, deftly pour it on the ground in a precise pattern before snapping her fingers.


    In doing so the powder rises up and binds the spectre as if it was a physical being. It cries out, starting extremely abrasively, but in an instant; not even one second, the sound dies and the thing fades away with a hiss. Fi turns to Aethel now, pity on her brow.


    ¡°Usually when we do clean up like zis, we ¡®ave a priest at ¡®and¡­ well now I ¡®ave a favor to ask of you, Aezel¡­ could you pray for ¡®er, zis is the least we can do for zem.¡± she speaks with a stable, rather calm voice.


    Nodding, Aethel does not argue, ¡°Alright, I understand.¡±


    After performing a quick prayer, that guttural scream rings out again, Aethel and Fi return to their goal to reach car ten. Not so easily though, but nothing as troubling as more spectres. In car eight they did their checks to every cabin, finding a few more unconscious people, ensuring they were safe they continued to car nine, the scream still at large.


    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Long Travel Train SrTc-22, Car 9 Hall.


    > 2nd of New Conception, 1316;


    > 10:16 Sol Time.


    There they heard a struggle in one of the cabins, they wasted no time in investigating it, the struggle came from cabin two so they decided on approaching with a cautious haste. What sounds like a man fighting something quick comes up muffled from their side of the door, but the door would not budge, Fi tells Aethel to stand back.


    As soon as he does, Fi breaks through the door in vicious fashion, revealing the uniformed man struggling against¡­ what looks to be a civilian. Shaking herself off she runs to aid him calling for Aethel to do the same, the civilian however shows themself to have unnatural strength,  this causes the two to struggle just the same.


    Aethel, being knocked into the wall, cries out,  ¡°What the fuck?! Possession?!¡±


    ¡°Hit the nail¡ª argh! On the head¡ª! I¡¯m sure¡ª! At this point you know that we aren¡¯t¡ª fuck! In the business of harming civilians either!¡± The uniformed man replies, dodging attacks all the while.


    Fi, doing the same as the uniformed man interjects, voice sounding frantic, ¡°I¡ª I ¡®ave an idea, Aezel, Karter!¡±


    ¡°Anytime is a good time¡ª! To hit¡ª NOT YOU ASSHOLE¡ª US WITH IT!¡± The uniformed man responds, his tone only growing more and more grievous.


    Crouching to find some respite, Fi commands ¡°Aethel, rip ze curtains off and consecrate zem¡ª bind zem with zis!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m¡ª! on it!¡± screams Aethel as he dives towards the window.


    Taking hold of the curtain and using his falling motion, Aethel tears it clean off the hanger, then channeling his energy and reciting the prayer of consecration, he succeeds in the first phase of the improvised plan. As he lies on the floor he looks to Fi and nods his head.


    Fi, noticing, looks at the uniformed man,  ¡°Karter, assist me¡ª woah! Ah, we must give Aezel¡ª! an opening!¡±


    ¡°Then¡ª! do as I do!¡± nodding, the uniformed man channels his energy and takes hold of one the civillian¡¯s arms; pulling it towards himself as he moves to one side of the room. At the same time, Fi is following suit.


    Now that the civilian is in place, Aethel springs up and begins wrapping them in the blessed curtains, completing the latter phase of the spur-of-the-moment plan. In the instant he finishes wrapping, and also as the cloth first touches them, the civilian loses all strength and collapses to the ground. They struggle roughly but are unable to move.


    Aethel, catching his breath, looks up at the uniformed man, ¡°So¡­ you¡¯re Karter then?¡±


    ¡°I am, and I am ALWAYS fucking right¡ª IN A DAMN PINCH AFTER ALL HAHA¡ª!¡± practically screaming this, Karter begins to laugh through all his adrenaline, his hysteria causes Aethel to join him¡­ Fi on the other hand sits limp and breathless, her expression not as amused as her companions¡¯.

 CHAPTER 3 - Spirit Railway Part 2

    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Long Travel Train SrTc-22, First Class Cabin 9-2.


    > 2nd of New Conception, 1316;


    > 10:30 Sol Time.


    The mist only seems to be rising higher and growing more frigid as time progresses, unfortunately the trio seems quite rooted as of the moment, especially after all the laughing dwindled into visible torpor. All three of them noticed each other''s movements dulling and turning sluggish. Worse more, the screams from car ten endure all the while.


    Fi seems to have it the worst among them, her speech going completely incoherent and her skin clammy to the touch, and she is shivering quite vigorously in addition to all that. Karter is not much better at all, he is struggling to stand straight and his legs cannot seem to stop shaking, his temper is steadily declining too.


    Aethel could still stand and talk but the conditions are visibly chipping away at this as well, the first thing he tries in light of all this is to break the window, but finds himself unable to even crack it. Then he tries to pry it open, still no luck, so he tries once more to break through but with no success.


    As a last resort he informs the two that he is going to check out in the hall, much to Karter¡¯s and Fi¡¯s dissatisfaction, but he goes on with it anyway. Coming to the hall he lurches towards the door which leads out into the viewing deck and sees that the rain has only gotten worse. In fact, a mist has even started to form outside.


    Gritting his teeth he continues on down the hall until he finds the connector, sighing he slowly walks through into car ten. The screams continue on with no sign of stopping and it gets harder and harder to listen as he closes in. As he is getting closer to the source, his movements suggest that he is bracing for something to happen.


    Finally he reaches the hallway of car ten, the miasma, now up to chest level, is beginning to feel like it dips below zero degrees, and the screams are utterly unbearable to the ear. It is resounding so terribly from cabin five, quite a ways away from the head of the car. He pushes on.


    Movement is restricted so much that even walking upright is reduced to the speed of a crawl, and not to mention the rain which violently attacks the steel of the train, creating a second monstrous noise on top of the already chaotic wails. Still, he pushes on.


    His breathing sounds near monstrous with how heavy and laborious it is, he advances as if every errant twitch is akin to lifting weight, all this and the world still assaults his senses with a mind-numbing discord of noises¡ª as if the unending chill was already too lenient. Somehow, he pushes on.


    The final stretch lies upon him, and as minutes lapse in his struggle to move, cabin number four is past and five is at hand. By now the mist is neck high, it seeks to consume him in an embrace of bitter frost, to drown him in his own sweat and fatigue and then claim his soul for Goddess knows what. Death marches, but he is still pushing on.


    Finally the goal is reached, cabin number ten lies in front of Aethel, at this time the noise from all sides is deafening; the miasma is biting¡ª no, ravaging his body with frigid cruelty; and it takes everything to lay his hand on the door much less open it. But he opens it with all that he has¡­


    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Long Travel Train SrTc-22, First Class Cabin 10-5.


    > 2nd of New Conception, 1316;


    > 11:00 Sol Time.


    Horrific is the sight which awaits him there in cabin number ten. Holes and otherworldly growths riddle a man¡¯s body mutilating it in all sense, every orifice that is given allowance to scream is screaming, and the growths are what disperses the miasma. It cannot move but it is too terrible to approach, this is true yet¡­ Aethel still approaches.


    Reaching deep into his pocket, the difficulty is tantamount, especially when facing the seed of all this evil. He pulls his rosary before kneeling, he attempts to deliver a coherent sentence but fails, he tries to stand again but fails. Paralyzing is the miasma so up close now, freezing even his soul.


    Closing his eyes he allows himself to fall to the ground, to accept the cold kiss from death. For a while he lies like that, and the train lies dormant with him, all of everyone lies with them; in the cruel downpour which still finds no end. Darkness swirls around the halls, the windows are black with an unknown soot, and the screaming continues.


    A noise stirs Aethel, cracking glass, and¡­ footsteps. Heavy footsteps approach, the same weight as his own quite a while ago. He feels a sensation and before he knows it he lies being pelt on all sides by rain, and while it is cold it is not as cold as the mist, he springs up with energy to see the masked man before him.


    He turns around to see a group of civilians in a makeshift shelter, all of them looking worse for wear, more so as the screaming is now let loose. His arm is then grabbed by the masked man who leads him into another kind of temporary respite, inside there is the kind looking woman, her brow furrowing with more unease as seconds waste away.


    When noticing his presence the kindly one asks immediately, her speech so fast Aethel almost misses what she says, ¡°Are you okay?! Where are the other two?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡ª in car nine, cabin¡ª uh, c-cabin two! OH! B-but be careful, there¡¯s a person wrapped in curtains in there¡ª they¡¯re possessed.¡± with great difficulty after regaining control of his body, Aethel answers.


    The kind looking woman turns to the masked man, commanding with the prior speed, ¡°Ari, you know what to do!¡±


    ¡°Yes darling, I would only be a moment¡­ but I saw something horrific with this one¡ª what in the name of fucking anything was that thing, kid?¡± babbles the masked man while gesturing to Aethel.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Aethel, still struggling to speak, does his best to answer, ¡°I¡ª I think it''s the source of all these things happening but I can¡¯t be one-hundred percent sure.¡±


    ¡°Ari, we don¡¯t have time to discuss this, go get Fi and Karter, PLEASE!¡± the kind looking woman interjects, pulling at her own hair.


    Gesturing wildly, the masked man argues, ¡°Alright, alright I am going! But, Nerva, we cannot stay out here either¡ª so kid, try your best to recount it, okay?!¡± then he runs off, breaks the door into car nine, and after what looks like a channeling of energy, heads in.


    ¡°Nerva, right¡ª and that was Ari? It¡¯s hard to remember everything I saw but I will try. For now let¡¯s try to calm down.¡± Aethel approaches the kind looking woman, extending his arms towards her, trying to get her to refocus.


    ¡°Yes, Nerva, and Ari¡ª that¡¯s a nickname, short for Arianos. What was that thing he¡ª or you saw?¡± calming down slightly, she wastes no time at all asking Aethel.


    Clasping his head, Aethel takes a moment to recall what it was, eyes widening after a few seconds, then he responds, ¡°It¡­ it was something horrific, it was spewing out mist and it''s the thing that¡¯s screaming¡­ in any case we really need to end its existence.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t really disagree¡­ I just hope that ending it actually does end whatever¡¯s going on.¡± Nerva sighs.


    Ari¡¯s voice calls out from car nine, ¡°Nerva! Give me a hand, love!¡± he drags three people out.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go¡­ uh¡ª by the way my name¡¯s Aethel.¡± he attempts to rally Nerva as he starts towards Ari.


    Nerva smiles and nods while following Aethel, ¡°Good to know.¡±


    The two begin lending a hand to Ari who struggles with alternating between carrying Fi, Karter, and the possessed civilian. In no time they secure the possessed civilian in their own shelter, while both Fi and Karter have seemingly been rejuvenated by being taken out of the train, now all five stand together.


    ¡°So, Ari, your ward is able to stave off ze effects of ze miasma? What luck. Might I also commend you for helping out as many civilians as you ¡®ave?¡± Fi smiles somehow after everything.


    Aethel adds, ¡°There is one left inside other than the conductor.¡±


    ¡°Oh zis is correct, but we ¡®ave a chance to end zis for good, no?¡± Fi speaks while looking at Aethel, in fact, all of them look at him the moment she says that last part.


    Aethel nods back at all of them, ¡°I hope at least.¡± then pointing to car ten and continuing, ¡°In there, cabin five, the thing screaming bloody murder and generating all the mist is planted. It looks to be made of something natural but not to our world, and we can assume it¡¯s the reason spectres are appearing as well.¡±


    In saying all that the four all look at eachother and nod, the first to speak up is Nerva, ¡°Putting it that way, we might have an idea as to what it is, don¡¯t we?¡± the three others nod.


    ¡°It is a Weeping Tree, a kind of catalyst or practically speaking a kind of portal to the underworld.¡± Karter explains to Aethel, pauses for a bit to make sure he understands, then continues, ¡°The problem is¡­ to kill such a thing we need a divine sacrament. I am sure you know why this is a problem.¡±


    Aethel¡¯s eyes widen and he shakes his head slowly, ¡°Ah, well¡­ is there really no other way?¡±


    ¡°Not to our knowledge, darling. I am sure Fi mentioned this to you, but we always bring a priest along on clearing runs¡­ well we do when we are actually prepared.¡± giving Aethel a sympathetic look, Ari reinforces Karter¡¯s words.


    Nerva interjects, ¡°Does this mean we have to travel to the nearest church? That¡¯s quite a long way from here, especially to walk¡­ that¡¯s not even considering the danger of the wasteland.¡±


    ¡°A rock and a hard place, just what I need.¡± Karter sighs, and then he laments, ¡°I wish I had a smoke on me.¡±


    Aethel speaks up, raising his voice slightly in order to grab all their attention, ¡°There has to be another way. I won¡¯t accept having to choose between two deaths.¡±


    ¡°I wish there was, darling, but unless a miracle comes down straight from the celestian¡­ I do not see a way out right now, especially with the miasma, rain, and hellbound screaming weighing down on us.¡± chuckling Ari pats Aethel¡¯s shoulder.


    Still arguing, Aethel points to the civilians posted under the makeshift shelters, ¡°We can¡¯t just give up the ghost, we got people over there relying on us, don¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°Please, we aren¡¯t giving up, Aethel, we¡¯re just weighing our¡ª¡± Nerva attempts to explain but is cut off.


    The culprit is Karter, who looks at Aethel with a severe frown, and when he speaks his voice is cutting, ¡°We? What do you mean we? There is you and there is us, did you forget your place? You are not part of our team.¡±


    ¡°Karter¡­ zis is not ze¡ª¡± Fi lays a hand on Karter¡¯s shoulder but he shrugs her off immediately.


    Karter only continues, his voice turning sharper as he approaches Aethel, ¡°You think you can just come up to us like that and talk about not giving up? Huh? You have no clue the kind of shit we as a team have been through.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s better than sitting in silence talking about how hard this all is. If you want to die, that''s what you do, you sit around and lament the situation¡ª if you want to live, you act. That¡¯s what I do, I act¡­ or at the very least get others to act.¡± Aethel scoffs at Karter, his own voice matching the latter¡¯s sharp tone.


    Karter speaks before lunging towards Aethel, ¡°I have had enough, come here you bastard!¡± as soon as they hit the ground the rest of the team intervenes.


    ¡°HEY, KARTER STOP!¡± Nerva cries out, taking a hold of Karter¡¯s shoulders along with Ari, both of them pulling him back.


    Ari, holding him back, finally chips in as well, ¡°That is not bloody okay, love.¡±


    As for Aethel, it is Fi who helps him up to his feet, even then both men are still glaring at each other. But immediately breaking the palpable tension is a bolt of lightning crashing down in the distance. This sudden wrath of nature shocks everyone, especially the civilians who are now in a frenzy.


    Seeing this, all five drop whatever they had and rush towards the panicking crowd, they attempt everything in speech and peaceful action to calm them down¡­ it is to minimal success. Karter then shoots a pistol into the ground three times, this action elicits silence for the crowd, yet not so much from the rain or the screaming.


    ¡°If you pieces of shit do not calm yourselves in five seconds I am shooting every single one of you.¡±


    Even the team stood in shock¡­ except Aethel, he spoke up as well, ¡°Do you hear that?! We want fucking ORDER, no one leaves alive if you decide to panic like that!¡± then he looks at Karter, and though he looks thoroughly shocked, the man actually gives him a smile. Aethel reciprocates.

 CHAPTER 4 - Spirit Railway Part 3

    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Outside Long Travel Train SrTc-22, ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€.


    > 2nd of New Conception, 1316;


    > ¨€:¨€¨€ ¨€¨€¨€¨€ Time.


    ¡°How long were we out for, or¡­ how long do you reckon?¡± Aethel asks as they lead the civilians down to a section underneath the railway bridge and out of the rain.


    Shaking her head, Nerva responds, ¡°Honestly I can¡¯t even tell the time myself anymore, none of our electronics work and the sky is unclear; both for obvious reasons.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough¡ª over here, sir¡ª suppose we should just focus on getting the rest out of the downpour.¡± Nodding his head, Aethel turns to help another civilian down the steep pass.


    Nerva lets out a chuckle as she does much of the same, ¡°That¡¯s the right answer, keep that up, and maybe Karter will start openly coming around to you¡ª right this way, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just great, but I understand where he¡¯s coming from, so don¡¯t worry about me.¡± Aethel smiles and gives a thumbs up.


    The train makes it stop on top of a wide bridge between a small valley, and though the path to the walkway underneath looks and practically is treacherous, having protection from the deluge is well worth it. Better than standing around in makeshift tents or in the rain itself¡­ more so when looking at the deluge gathering in the valley.


    Leading the last few people down, Karter immediately borrows Nerva to do a headcount, using one of the staff¡¯s passengers list as a reference. Ari is nowhere to be seen as of the moment but no one looks worried, Fi is tending to any wounds that people might have, while Aethel is heading towards that one curtain bound civilian.


    On the far corner of the walkway, Aethel sits down next to them, they shake violently in their bounds¡­ looking far into the distance Aethel says, ¡°Sorry whoever you are, I¡¯m not an exorcist, can¡¯t really help you even though I¡¯d like to.¡±


    Another violent shake in response and perhaps even a muffled warble.


    ¡°I never thought things would end up this way¡ª it hasn¡¯t even been a day, I think¡­¡± Aethel continues, paying no heed to the harsh presence next to him.


    The only reply is more shaking and more screeching, all set to a background of rain and even more screeching.


    Still Aethel continues speaking, ¡°I guess neither did you¡­ nor those strangers¡­ practically no one did.¡±


    ¡°I see you are making friends wiz zis fellow¡ª zough if you wanted company you could ¡®ave come to me.¡± an amused smirk graces Fi¡¯s face as she approaches and speaks.


    Shrugging and gesturing his hands without any thought, Aethel explains, ¡°I just needed someone to listen to my meandering thoughts, ah, but I guess you and everyone else can do that too.¡±


    ¡°Not Arianos, ¡®e would wish to give you ¡®is opinion on anyzing; Nerva would try and offer a solution at every turn; and Karter, well¡­ I guess zis would be ze next best zing to me if ¡®e were not so antagonistic.¡± a light chuckle escapes Fi as she does her own explanation.


    Tilting his head to look at Fi, Aethel brings up, ¡°You know, I¡¯ve been meaning to ask you all something¡ª relating to all this, of course.¡±


    ¡°Tr¨¨s bien, ask and I will try my best to answer.¡± Fi claps her hands together and then motions to Aethel.


    Aethel, nodding, immediately asks, ¡°What are you guys¡ª I mean¡ª I know you work for the Magistrate, but how about the others?¡±


    ¡°Ah I see¡­ well it is difficult to say more zan I ''ave but you can safely assume zat all of us work for ze Magistrate in one way or anozer. I apologize if zis is not enough, zough, especially after what I just said¡ª any ozer questions?¡± says Fi after a few seconds of pause.


    Aethel looks Fi straight in the eyes, responding, ¡°Yes actually¡ª what do you think we should do? Considering that we can¡¯t get rid of that Weeping Tree thing, and I¡¯m of no real use either, do we just¡­ throw everything we have at it?¡±


    ¡°Mm, well I ¡®ope you do not mind me zrowing a question back at you, but you are certain zat ze growz sprouted from a person and not from ze ground, yes?¡± Fi matches his gaze while raising one of her brows.


    Aethel looks away ever so slightly as he replies,  ¡°Yes, it was¡­ well¡­ it IS a horrific sight to behold, I¡¯m kind of freaked out knowing that I fell unconscious next to it. More than just that, the fact that you, Karter, and I were trapped in the mist¡ª not knowing what the adverse effects could be as well.¡±


    ¡°Well in terms of ze mist, it seems for now we can say it simply induces lezargy and permeates in an increasingly low temperature, especially as we are fine right now.¡± Fi explains, laying a hand on Aethel¡¯s shoulder.


    Aethel looks at Fi again, smiling as he nods.


    Taking her hand off, Fi continues explaining, ¡°As for ze Weeping Tree, zis is more troubling to me, for it is zat regularly¡­ zey are grown from accursed seedlings gazered from rituals. Ingesting or ¡®aving one placed in ze body kills a person almost immediately¡ª not zat zis grows in ze ¡®uman body in any event¡­¡±


    ¡°What you¡¯re saying is that this isn¡¯t a normal Weeping Tree, right? Do we have a chance at a different solution?¡± Aethel leans closer in, this time it is him who raises an eyebrow.


    Fi shakes her head, then does even more explaining, ¡°...Yes and no, I am sure zat zis is not a regular Weeping Tree, but also, I still ¡®ave no clue as to ¡®ow we can clear it. Indeed¡ª assuming zat it shares most properties wiz ze regular one, and zis probably does considering ze situation, it could be zat we ¡®ave made no progress¡­¡±Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°Okay, but now tell me¡­ what exactly happens when you, in your words, clear one of those things? Specifically, why are divine sacraments needed in the first place when all I hear is that they work like cursed plants, can¡¯t we just root them out¡ª or in this case kill the body?¡± asks Aethel as he raises an open palm off to the side.


    Nodding and then clearing her throat, Fi obliges, ¡°Alright, listen closely, zere is a need for a sacrament because of ¡®ow quickly and deeply ze roots of ze tree grow. Zese sacraments get rid of all ze roots wiz one spell, and obviously we cannot be expected to dig zem all up¡ª zey can grow from a central city block to ze outskirts in zree monzs'' time.¡±


    Aethel opens his mouth to speak but Fi puts a finger to his lips before pointing the free hand to her ear. She keeps her finger there before continuing.


    ¡°Moreover, a sacrament cleanses ze area affected besides, no more lingering ghosts or what-¡¯ave-yous left. Ze clearing process is simplified¡ª or ra''zer made possible because of sacraments, and realistically all we ¡®ad to do is escort a priest to zis ground zero and allow ¡®im to work.¡± taking her finger off, Fi ends her explanation.


    Aethel takes a few moments to consider in silence, looking off into the distance for a bit, then as if remembering something he jumps up. Fi looks at him as he begins to pace around the walkway.


    Suddenly he turns to face Fi and says, ¡°If there are no roots growing on the physical train can¡¯t we just get rid of the body the growth is inhabiting? And in terms of cleansing the environment, I should be able to go through everything and set down a few writs of denial, then when we arrive in the city we can have a priest properly look at it.¡±


    ¡°I suppose¡­ wait, were zere no roots at all extending downward or anywhere? If so, zen zis would change everyzing.¡± Fi stands up herself as she prods Aethel.


    Shaking his head, Aethel answers, ¡°Not to my memory, there weren¡¯t¡ª do-does this mean we have a path out?¡±


    ¡°I am inclined to say so.¡± Fi affirms while nodding her head vigorously.


    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Outside Long Travel Train SrTc-22, Viewing Deck.


    > 2nd of New Conception, 1316;


    > ¨€:¨€¨€ ¨€¨€¨€¨€ Time.


    After gathering Karter, Nerva, and Ari¡ª Ari after helping him drag the last few civilians out, Fi and Aethel head back to the viewing deck with the party at their heels. On the way Fi explains the contents of her and Aethel¡¯s discussion, a promise of a solution finds the attention of the rest, and the explanation finishes precisely as they reach the deck.


    The group now standing together under one of the makeshift tents, Nerva looks at everyone and asks, ¡°So, who¡¯s going to do what?¡±


    ¡°Well, sweets, based on what we know of the mist, I am quite the must for this operation, my wards afford me a critical amount of time inside there. If I have to estimate, I would say around five or so minutes.¡± Ari declares, revealing one of his wards to the rest, its gleam slightly difficult to see in the rain.


    Karter sighs before practically commanding, ¡°To maximize the time it should be me and Aethel; you Fi, and you Nerva, should stay outside and react accordingly. Remember, prioritize the civilians.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m okay with this, how about you guys?¡± Aethel nods at Karter before looking to the rest.


    Fi responds without much hesitation, ¡°Zis makes sense, Karter is ze strongest among all of us, ¡®e can ensure boz your safety wiz ease.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve no objections to this, well, except for the speed of the operation¡­ I don¡¯t know how long I can stand being in the rain¡ª tent or no tent, it¡¯s way too cold..¡± says Nerva, looking off into the horizon.


    Nodding at Nerva, Fi expresses, ¡°I concur wiz zis, but in any case, if it must take time zen do as you are wont.¡±


    ¡°Then this operation is a go, darlings! Aethel, Karter, come hither now¡ª I will cast your wards.¡± Ari smiles as he beckons the two men to follow him.


    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Long Travel Train SrTc-22, Car 10 Hall.


    > 2nd of New Conception, 1316;


    > ¨€:¨€¨€ ¨€¨€¨€¨€ Time.


    Entering the car, the frigid air now feels like a gentle¡ª though somewhat crisp¡ª breeze. The ward shimmers and reacts to the surroundings, taking a violet sheen instead of the usual clear one. Aethel leads them to cabin five¡¯s door, in approaching it all three men bristle as the screams grow louder, the air too grows noticeably colder.


    Ari muses as they stop at the door, smirking in a pleasant manner, ¡°Too many people say the underworld is of fire and brimstone, but in truth, it is far colder and melancholic than any realm in the world!¡±


    ¡°Focus on the task, this is not the time to be poetic or philosophical, save that for your students! Also¡­ this damn noise is unbearable so let us be as quick as we can!¡± Karter reproaches Ari as he puts a hand on the door, energy now coursing through to his fingers.


    Cracking the door open, the three men stare in silence, the sight did not change from last time. A body beyond all recognition; unstable growths; blood curdling screams; and thick, black miasma from top to bottom. Karter raises his hand, the energy comes to his fingertips, gathering into formless, near-black blaze that turns violet upon a closer look.


    Shaking his head, Karter speaks without looking at either Ari or Aethel, ¡°So there it is, no roots at all, that checks out¡­ and no better time to put it out of its misery! Stand back, both of you!¡±


    ¡°Yes, darling¡ª better listen to him now if nowhere else, his conflagration is rather choleric!¡± Ari pushes Aethel backwards as he himself makes distance. Aethel does not protest.


    Some kind of aura begins to encompass Karter, an ultra-violet shadow which combusts in chaotic pulses; this looks nearly daemonic but it feels divinely primeval. Its pure heat is actually able to pierce through the oppressive cold, forcing the temperature to balance. Karter casts, ¡®Primo Inferno¡¯, and from his burning hands extends a dark fire.


    This fire instantly embraces the growths and begins to incinerate them, in their place are crackling, unstable afterimages, the consumption continues until it reaches what is left of the body. The screams are somehow louder than ever before, but it does not last, soon they are smothered and cut off by the ruinous fire.


    Karter takes a step back, turning to the other two, saying, ¡°These afterimages are unlike anything I have seen¡ª Ari.¡±


    ¡°Agreed, give me a second.¡± Ari channels his own bout of energy, a golden resplendence that flows out freely.


    This auric energy begins to encase all three of them in a small barrier, the walls glint in honorable light, and a pattern of hexagons that coat the thing only further any feelings of security within. Looking back at the running conflagration, it is eating away at the body until nothing physical¡ª even residue¡ª is left¡­ but still it seems an afterimage remains.


    Ari shakes his head before expressing, ¡°Just what is that¡­? It crackles with such an intensity, shall we lovelies leave the car for now? This does not feel right.¡±


    ¡°But what about the writs? Is it safe to let all this linger for now?¡± Aethel interjects with a brow raised.


    Karter crosses his arms while raising his voice, ¡°I do not like either of our options, so, let us just wait for a bit and see what happens for now. Is that clear?¡± both Aethel and Ari nod and do not much else.

 CHAPTER 5 - Spirit Railway Finale

    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Long Travel Train SrTc-22, Car 10 Hall.


    > 2nd of New Conception, 1316;


    > ¨€:¨€¨€ ¨€¨€¨€¨€ Time.


    Slowly as they watch for any change, the miasma begins to clear out, and what used to be a Weeping Tree is now only a ghostly figure that sparks violently on an irregular basis. Karter, Ari, and Aethel simply look at eachother, their faces visibly unsure of what actions to take.


    ¡°Nothing seems to be happening, and the train is beginning to clear up¡­ would you consider this¡­ a majority success? The¡ª uh, the weird afterimage notwithstanding, of course.¡± taking the initiative, Aethel speaks.


    Shaking his head, Ari expresses, his voice in some kind of hurry, ¡°I really do not concur with standing around here¡ª with us standing around here, specifically.¡±


    ¡°Wait, is¡­ is the damn thing growing?¡± Karter interrupts them, gesturing to inside the cabin.


    Just as Karter says, the two can make out a faint expansion; the afterimage is spreading outward ever so slightly by the second.


    Ari looks to both Karter and Aethel, he taps his feet in a repeated motion, saying, ¡°We should leave right bloody now.¡±


    Suddenly a door is heard cracking open, Fi and Nerva appear beside them, and both visibly concerned. Ari¡¯s eyes widen in the instant that Karter walks through the barrier, and as Aethel follows, only Ari remains in the shield. He turns his attention back to the afterimage.


    ¡°What is going on, is zis operation complete?¡± asks Fi, attention all over the place as she inspects the surroundings.


    Nerva asks another question, ¡°...And also, I¡¯d like to know about the barrier, why were you guys in there?¡±


    ¡°Hrm, Aethel¡­ I cannot believe I am saying this but take the lead for now, I am far beyond my wits end.¡± Karter puts a hand on his face, dragging it down slowly as he speaks.


    Aethel answers, scratching his head. ¡°Honestly, me too¡­ so¡­ let¡¯s just show them.¡± he starts off towards the cabin and Karter nods at Nerva and Fi before following.


    Walking over to Ari, who has been silently observing the thing, the group looks upon the afterimage. It is not exorbitantly bigger, but it is certainly growing, and shows no signs of stopping. Its color is somewhat prismatic, and the energy crackling around it is the same; this energy is distorted, it appears like waves and spirals in the air.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen such a thing in my life¡ª you Fi?¡± Nerva takes a step back at the sight before drawing slightly closer.


    Fi shakes her head and answers, ¡°Neizer ¡®ave I¡­ it would look ra¡¯zer beautiful if it were not so¡­ disconcerting.¡±


    ¡°I, for one, am not so taken by its look¡ª though it is intriguing, I cannot deny that.¡± Ari shakes his head slowly.


    Karter groans, turning to the group before speaking, ¡°Well¡­ the only thing for sure is that we need to make a decision quickly, this rain seems intent to keep running down on us, and we all know how cold it is outside right now.¡±


    ¡°Hold that thought, I¡¯m going to go retrieve my journal and camera¡ª it¡¯s imperative that one of us document this. Oh and also a change of clothes.¡± Nerva says as she tugs at her soaking cloak and jacket.


    As she mentions that last bit, the rest of the party finally begin to feel the harsh bite of wet attire, and as Nerva leaves it seems Fi has the same idea. Ari, Karter, and Aethel look at each other again for what feels like the hundredth time; they silently agree on something as Ari and Karter go outside while Aethel heads back towards car eighteen.


    In a few minutes, Karter and Ari are funnelling the civilians back into the train, cautioning everyone to stay away from the entirety of car ten; the two men are the last to enter. But on entering, finally having the chance to grab a change of clothes, they regroup with Aethel, Fi, and Nerva to document the strange afterimage.


    Their new attire is not so complex: Aethel wears a vintage looking overcoat, a white shirt, and slacks; Karter wears a tactical coat, military tee-shirt, and cargos; Fi wears an ornate petticoat, a blouse, and dress pants; Nerva wears some kind of bomber jacket, a sweatshirt, and jeans; and Ari wears an extremely upscale, bespoke suit and a new mask.


    As they meet in car ten¡¯s hall, most of the group equips themselves with notebooks, cameras, and an array of tools to measure the energy output of the unstable anomaly. Looking into the cabin, the thing permeates the entire area, an outcome nowhere close to what they were expecting from the previous slow growth.


    In freely moving about at such a large quantity the distortion is completely visible, creating complete and mesmerizing swirls in the air, and coating the room with an oily sheen. Not only that, but the room¡¯s light is extremely harsh, not quite to the point of blinding, yet still enough to feel straining on the eyes. This causes the group to turn away.


    ¡°This does not incite any confidence, darlings¡ª even under my mask that light is rather annoying.¡± Ari is the first to speak as they all look out the window, away from the unusual luminosity.


    Nerva rummages around her belongings as she assures, ¡°Hold on, let me bring out my meter, see if we can¡¯t figure out just how much energy is coming off that thing.¡±


    ¡°I ¡®ave a feeling zis shall be quite a lot, even wizout a measure it feels quite overwhelming¡­ much like ze miasma before but less tiring and more irritating.¡± throwing her two cents in, Fi tries to sneak glances back but always recoils.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Bringing out a complicated looking device, Nerva fixes her view downward at the meter, and then approaches the room. In one step forward the meter maxes out, but only for a second or less, then it seems to shut off entirely. Nerva leans in towards the tool, some kind of effort to make sense of the situation before she turns to the window again.


    Nerva speaks in the most visible disbelief, ¡°Uh¡­ it just brought it to full capacity before killing the damn thing.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± is the only thing Karter can say at this moment.


    Nerva does not bother looking at Karter while she responds, ¡°You heard me. It completely overloaded the sensors and fried the electronics¡­ whatever is going on in there is expending so much energy that it kills even our gear.¡±


    ¡°Zat is¡­ well I was about to say impossible, but I am sure we can all feel zis power behind us, no?¡± says Fi, shutting her eyes and using her hands to cover them.


    Karter, staring intently out the window, says in a monotone voice, ¡°Evacuate the train.¡±


    ¡°Well the thing is, yes, we really should¡ª but I have a feeling we¡¯re going to run into problems with everyone else. Especially after they were in the rain for that long¡­ and now they¡¯ve all changed clothes¡­ and the curtain man is stowed away in the storage room¡­¡± Aethel raises a few points while doing the same thing as Karter.


    Karter shakes his head violently, the monotone turning to impatience, ¡°Fuck it, throw them out if you have to, the damn thing is growing in power¡ª we can all feel it.¡±


    The anomaly was certainly getting stronger and more dominating over the senses, and in the instant that Nerva tried to take her camera out, point it behind her, and snap a blind photo¡­ the camera too was fried.


    ¡°Well there goes that¡­ Shit, Ari come with me, Fi go with Aethel¡ª Karter¡­ do whatever you feel is right¡ª let¡¯s go get everyone out of he¡ª¡±


    Without warning or build up the train starts moving at an accelerated pace, completely staggering the party¡ª except for Fi and Karter¡ª but even then, the remaining three: Aethel, Nerva, and Ari are shot out of place violently. Karter is able to catch Ari who was the closest to him, and the same story goes for Fi and Nerva, but Aethel¡­


    Aethel stumbles backwards into the room, much to the distress of the rest, as he touches down and entangles with the energy¡ª off goes a ruinous detonation! The energy erupts outwards and fills the corridors, it hits the entire party with such a force¡­ yet from the outside looking in¡­ there is no visible damage¡­?


    But within the radius, which was the whole of car ten, all the lights are utterly blinding. Disorienting does not even come close to the situation around them, it is as if an entire crate of flashbangs went off, and along with that, a thousand bolts of what feels like lightning surging through all their bodies, arcing between every one of them.


    All of them lash out in an agonizing choir of screams, the sounds reaching all throughout the train, and a few civilians close by immediately enter the cabin. But¡­ reaching it, the place looks pristine, normal even¡ª as if nothing at all is cause for the hair raising screams.


    Those who enter only find the party lying in an almost deathlike fashion on the floor, the only signs of their life being faint pulses, the kind so hard to register unless one is ready to pay attention to even the minutest detail. Moreover, their skin seems to shine with a prismatic gloss, and their veins are glowing with a white light.


    But in terms of positions, Aethel sprawls out in the cabin, Karter sits by the window, Ari with his head on the outer cabin wall, Fi lying longway in the hall, and Nerva with her back against the doorframe. The good samaritans among the passengers coordinate with the staff in order to safeguard them all, placing them inside one cabin each.


    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€.


    > ¨€¨€¨€ of ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, ¨€¨€¨€;


    > ¨€:¨€¨€ ¨€¨€¨€¨€ Time.


    As they lie in their, from all outside view, inexplicable comas, it is in the midst of their own perception where they awaken in darkness. Aethel opens his eyes to just that, a dark void that stretches for who-knows-how-long, and as he turns to his side he sees the rest of them coming to.


    ¡°Fi, are you alright!?¡± in the instant of seeing them, Aethel runs towards Fi, crouching beside her as he exclaims.


    Breaking through her drowsiness, Fi starts calm before her jaw completely drops, ¡°Mmm¡­ uhh¡ª Ae- Aezel? What ¡®as ¡®appened, are you okay? The last zing I remember¡­¡±


    Fi looks around in several frantic motions, Aethel attempts to calm her down but she nearly knocks him over, then grabbing on to him, she climbs to her feet and looks around even more. At last she sees the rest, and with that she orders Aethel to check on Karter, while she herself begins moving towards Nerva.


    ¡°Psst! Karter, you okay? Wake up, we¡¯re in a pretty bad situation.¡± Aethel shakes Karter lightly while asking.


    Shooting up from his position, Karter screams, ¡°GRAH! Fuck¡ª wh- what just happened?! Am I dead!? Are we dead?!¡±


    ¡°AH! Uh¡­ um, no¡­ darling I do not think that to be the case, but we certainly are far from awake¡­ or physically awake to be specific¡­ well I think at least.¡± Karter¡¯s scream wakes up Ari who immediately tries to interject with his own opinion.


    Nerva calls out, falling on her knees as Fi gently steadies her, ¡°...Just, what the¡­ what is this place?¡±


    Taking another survey of the environment, they are certainly standing on something, they just cannot see it. Light does not seem to be the issue either for they can see each other clearly as if under a clinical bulb. Aethel¡¯s eyes dart from side to side in quick succession as he checks, then double checks, and then even triple checks the area.


    ¡°Ari, are you sure we aren¡¯t just dead and in the void?¡± Aethel then looks to Ari, eyes looking somewhat pleading.


    Ari matches Aethel¡¯s gaze as he responds, ¡°Well I do not like to consider us dead right now, but only because my ideas of death are far too different to this, I was expecting something more¡­ fantastical, or maybe even so incomprehensible that we would not know we were dead¡­ apologies, darling.¡±


    Another surprise for the day, because in the blink of an eye the floor reveals itself as checkered tiles, and the bounds of this strange place are now set. The party finds themselves within a laboratory¡ª an alchemical laboratory, or so it seems with all the formula papers, apocryphal books, odd ingredients, and old but sophisticated workstations.


    There are windows but beyond them lie gears akin to those inside clock towers, above them on the roof is a hanging white gem, the walls are made of brass and other arcane adjacent material, and in the air is something that can only be described as the essence of the world floating freely about.


    ¡°Tis that thou all didst survive, yet perchance for how long, and if the answer is long enough, therein I then must ponder if thou all wilt wish to¡­ at all?¡± a rather eccentric voice addresses the party, the origin lying nowhere the mind can reasonably think, for it resounds all around them but never too close to make out.


    Footsteps are playing out from all directions at once before all culminating on a grand staircase, leading from an unknown place above them, a figure slowly stalks down the steps¡­

 CHAPTER 6 - Principal Energy

    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€.


    > ¨€¨€¨€ of ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, ¨€¨€¨€;


    > ¨€:¨€¨€ ¨€¨€¨€¨€ Time.


    Standing before the party is a slender and androgynous person, their flaxen hair shining in an ethereal brilliance, and sterling eyes looking upon them with a harshly pretentious mien. Yet, presenting in white, loose robes and sporting a youthful appearance seems to discredit that look¡ª in fact they seem not much older than Aethel.


    Be that as it may, it is undeniable that they carry themself to some higher standard, enough to evoke an air of someone older and more grand; if not most certainly fair. At the very least, this presence is more than enough to keep the party standing in a stupor, half made up of awe and half made up of dumbness.


    In the middle of a grand staircase, the mysterious one sneers faintly, they tilt their head to look at them from left to right, and finally, they click their tongue. This gathers the scattering attention towards themself.


    The youth with flaxen hair gestures as they speak, ¡°And silence, I hear not a breath, why? Doth fear take thee?¡±


    The party then looks at one another, looks back to the youth, then again at each other. Their gazes all meet then diverge, then meet again. Aethel shakes his head with a sigh, turns back and extends his hands to the four others, before turning back to the youth and slowly approaching them.


    ¡°Uh, so three q-uh-questions¡­ who are you, wuh-where are we, wha-what¡¯s happened to us¡­?¡± Aethel shakily voices out, his body movements in a visible restraint.


    The youth nods, their sneer morphing into a smirk of amusement, ¡°Straight to the point, I must commend thee.¡±


    Hopping into the air, their robes and hair begin to trail behind them graciously, they land crouching on both feet, legs crossed in an elegant fashion. As they rise they trail their hands upwards and into a flourish while straightening up. With every movement they take, everything follows beautifully. There even seems to be a light glow around them.


    ¡°The pleasure is all mine, Aethel Gren, Karter Aerwen, Jos¨¦phine Alistair, Arianos Lancaster, and Minerva Atres¡­ oh, didst I touch upon a nerve? It appears to be so.¡± after speaking the youth giggles, somehow sounding utterly blas¨¦.


    Shaking off the shock, four of the five enter begin guarding themselves, energy gathering around their vicinity. To this, the eccentric youth with flaxen hair begins to yawn, quite audibly while exaggerating the gesture too. They turn to the party, eyes colored in boredom¡­ and something else.


    Waving them off, the youth takes a seat on the stairs, saying, ¡°That presents pitiful; far too weak to hurt me or thine enemies in the hour of their arrival. Yet pray, waste not thy power and energy. Instead, calm awhile and I shall answer the previous three queries, and if time allows, any extra.¡±


    Shaking his head, Karter defies, ¡°Too bad we have no trust for you, whoever you are! Not to mention, we can hear you fine like this, plus if you tell us something good¡ª who knows? We might just join you sitting.¡±


    ¡°So it shall be. Greetings and again, all pleasure is verily mine, my name as I recall is Lain Illyrian, or better, such who hath beckoned thy souls to meet in this place. Enchant¨¦~¡± swaying jovially from side to side, they introduce themself.


    Lain watches as the group of five tense further, their smirk returns, and they cap it all off with an easier laugh than before. The party does not seem to falter, maintaining their channeling, and keeping a close eye on the youth.


    Tilting their head, Lain continues answering, ¡°Suppose what is next in line is¡­ the where. Oh, trouble not! Welcome to this once grand Alchemical Lab, none of thee art particularly present; speaking physically. But thy souls, oh certes.¡±


    ¡°O-our souls, what do you mean by zis?¡± with an uneasy voice, Fi tries to clarify.


    Lain nods, delivering a new answer, ¡°It is as it might appear, and I am very glad to host. I hadst brought thy souls to this place; tis a matter of import¡ª was, really, I find myself having a lark playing for fools now that all thou art here. Truly, it has been too long since¡ª¡±


    ¡°If you have something to tell us, cut to the chase, because unfortunately for you¡ª no time for games.¡± Karter sounds off, interrupting Lain, the telltale signs of frustration dripping off his words.


    Frowning in facetious fashion, Lain stands and approaches the party, declaring, ¡°No jubilance lives there at all, thy miserable soul, I mean? Yet, again this is of great import, so I shall treat it such.¡±


    As they approach they extend a hand from which a colorless sand is formed and falls to the ground. This sand begins to form a mural depicting a struggle between human-like figures and a creeping amalgam. This image shifts and churns, soon the monochrome dust springs to action with lifelike color.


    Smiling wide now, Lain starts, ¡°A tale is inevitably forgotten, thus we shalt begin anew; from the very beginning. Witness me, Lain, The Beloved Telltale, as I recount this world¡¯s primeval history! Of course, in verse and rhyme~ do remember this, friends, it is the key.¡±


    Lain begins to recite their tale, the mural of sand begins to shift, following the vibrations and content of their words.


    In era bygone whence stars were in youth


    And men aged through a plenty of epochs


    The Hesons of old by dark and light truth


    From thence on were the stuff from the epics


    The Arklands were gold and so were they all


    But besides them the Dremors and Aelid


    The three of the land divide and built wall


    Thus the three kingdoms of Ark were amid


    Time went off fast so soon the world flourished


    In the age which was dubbed as the Sunrised


    Accords to the Wills left all land nourished


    And by Aspect the world was thence baptizedYou might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    This Aspect of Will the prince of all font


    That within this world drew its true vigour


    So magic and study all found and vaunt


    Our Ark in those days quite full of allure


    But evil born bastards wouldst not leave be


    So the darkness of Xercroix did rebel


    And he was armed with the willful decree


    That from good Arcis was this stolen spell


    He plunged the world into despair so dark


    And many of my fellows fled to death


    But I and three of other peoples hark


    We saw the world we knew breathe its last breath


    Now from that inky chaos did emerge


    A new amalgam not of dark or light


    A people who were not bound to our dirge


    The writhing birth of new life more finite


    Four of us resolved to chart the pathway


    My promise was to tell the lengthy tale


    Yaveh took the Humans to a new day


    Gaea the Scorics and Celes the Ael


    But Xecroix was not sated by his works


    So we four enlist a band of fighters


    One band for one land each by knights to mercs


    Secure the world and become its writers


    In time the party reaped all of the grim


    And after being vanguards since the start


    My comrades three left to me this here hymn


    That should the evil rise I do my part


    As Lain finishes, they bow deeply, throwing a flower out of their sleeves. Then, in straightening up, they look towards the party, their smile still pristine. It seems amidst the recital, all five have let down their guards, something that Lain wastes no time to act upon. They raise a hand and cast in an unknown tongue, the sand flying up to now as bindings.


    Wrapping around the team, they are all forced to sit down, Lain remains standing as he speaks, ¡°Now I might go more comfortably knowing that no threats, puny as they might be, face up to me. Again, I am Lain Illyrian, otherwise known as the Beloved Telltale by those far gone¡ª yet tis better to remind people now, I fancy to, at least.¡±


    The team is completely silenced by their binds, not feeling like any kind of sand anymore; they instead have the make of unbreakable chains, which wrap all the way from their legs to their mouths.


    ¡°I am here to guide thee, for there is an insidious will festering and rather infesting the path ahead. Now thou wilt wonder, I know so, who am I apart from my name? Well I venture to say an obliging party; thou art after all, locked in this old banal legend by chance.¡± Lain says, pacing back and forth, voice sounding neurotic.


    No matter how hard they struggle, the binding chains around them seem only to want to cut deeper, restricting more and more of their movement. The party must listen for a while longer.


    ¡°I am held back to speak on everything now, holding souls seems to be more taxing on the engine than I thought¡ª I should have hurried¡ª but know I am not thine enemy, not at all. I estimate thee shalt all be lost to me in a matter of seconds now¡­ so last things, the powers you have are indeed known Aspect, the principal energy of this world¡ª¡±


    Then the surroundings begin to black out little by little, whether it be a wall on the far side, or a lamp. Lain begins to speak in a noticeably hasty fashion.


    ¡°-It doth creates all other energy, or in certain conditions, enhances it¡­ this second coming property is especially true in living beings. How it is embedded in thy system, I have not a single clue¡ª what matters is that thou survived, all five of thee¡ª all I might say now is to explore these powers, we shalt talk again, and remember the key¡ª!¡±


    Lain¡¯s voice fades as the surroundings do, soon back in the darkness, all their consciousness leaves¡­ then returns, though feeling much more as if in a daze. Aethel shoots up from the bed, his surroundings immediately familiar, cabin five, car ten. Sharing the room with him is Karter who is only coming to just now.


    ¡°What¡­ the actual¡­ guh¡­¡± says Karter as he makes his body move in aimless directions, tightening and loosening the grasp on both his hands, really, kicking as many motor functions as possible into gear.


    Aethel sighs as he calls out, ¡°You and me both, I don¡¯t know whether to consider that a dream or take it seriously.¡±


    ¡°Fuck, really, take it seriously? That weirdo was talking about some ancient past¡ª none of which lines up with the history books, and principal energy that makes and enhances other energy¡ª none of which is noted anywhere else.¡± Karter argues, his tone of voice squarely in the irritation and disbelief camp.


    Aethel nods easily, replying, ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re probably right, but what a weird dream to be with all of you guys in, huh?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡ª wait, rain stopped and the moon is up, we were out for a while.¡± realizes Karter, leaning towards the window.


    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Long Travel Train SrTc-22, First Class Dining Car.


    > 2nd of New Conception, 1316;


    > 8:24 Aurum Time.


    After a long day, the group enjoys a meal inside the first class dining car, otherwise car eleven. Aethel is occupying himself by cleaning as much food off his plate as he can; Fi and Ari are taking things slowly or rather elegantly and savoring each bite; while Karter and Nerva seem to be simply eating the food.


    Aethel cries out, tears literally forming in his eyes, ¡°Gah¡­! I was so hungry when I woke up, this is so good, ahhh¡­!¡±


    ¡°I zink we all were, we ¡®ad a long day of things ¡®appening unexpectedly after all, we earned zis meal.¡± Fi giggles and assures as she cuts through a delectable steak.


    Ari interjects, giving his assurances as well, ¡°We did absolutely brilliant, darlings¡ª save for the weird shared dream, but¡­ oh, it is what it is.¡±


    ¡°What was all that about anyway, an account of ancient history, a legend, etcetera and more¡­?¡± asks Nerva, putting a piece of turkey in her mouth as she finishes speaking.


    Karter shakes his head, replying to Nerva, ¡°Nothing we should concern ourselves with right now, all that matters as of the moment is making it to the Border Station¡­ and of course, when we get to Kane, escorting this idiot to Prima.¡± that last part he says while gesturing to Aethel.


    ¡°What do you really want to get rid of me that badly, Karter?¡± Aethel teases with a big grin on his face.


    Karter chuckles but nevertheless, responds bluntly, ¡°Yes, yes I do, thanks for noticing.¡±


    ¡°Zis is going to be an interesting few days I reckon, do try not to bite eachozer¡¯s ¡®eads off before we get to ze Border Station at least. We will need boz of you should a repeat of zis occur.¡± smiling at both men, Fi jokingly warns.


    Nerva lightly slams the table as she reprimands, ¡°Oh please, don¡¯t jinx us, Fi! I don¡¯t want to deal with supernature on a train ever again in my life. At least if I can help it¡­¡±


    ¡°...Oh how I love being on this team~¡± Ari dryly muses as he eats, his words eliciting a few laughs from the party.

 CHAPTER 7 - The Magistrate

    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Long Travel Train SrTc-22, Viewing Deck.


    > 3rd of New Conception, 1316;


    > 5:10 Sol Time.


    The train barrels through the wastes, its speed still at unusual levels, but not as fast as it was during the flash. Aethel enjoys a drink on the viewing deck, holding tightly onto the railing, and keeping his cup close to his chest. It may be rather dank, as coming from the heavy rain, but he stays anyway.


    No one else seems to wish to be outside at the moment so Aethel is alone,


    Crags and dead land pass by in a blurry flash, the wind howls beside, but, at least the sunrise paints the sky pretty and the train is surprisingly stable. As Aethel sips the drink he takes great care, his movements slow and steady, contrasting the violent disturbance which the wind lays to his hair and clothes.


    Taking in the fresh albeit forceful air with such a clear expression, and lingering on every burst of flavor in a sip, Aethel allows his eyes to wander across the horizon; some kind of faraway stare. The door opens behind him and Ari takes cautious steps out.


    Ari¡¯s jests, though his tone sounds a bit on the concern, ¡°Taking risks so early in the morning~ I am sure you know, but if you slip, spilling the drink is the least of your problems.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know¡­ but, I needed the fresh air.¡± Aethel shakes his head, replying.


    Smiling easily, Ari sidles up next to Aethel, ¡°I will not fault you for that, I mean, you have had a crazy start to a trip.¡±


    ¡°Heh, I couldn¡¯t even make any of this up if I tried. I mean¡ª if I told anyone back home, no one would believe me!¡± chuckling, Aethel muses, then takes another sip of his drink.


    Gesturing to Aethel¡¯s cup, Ari asks, ¡°So, darling, coffee, tisane, or tea¡ª also, iced or hot? Personally, my fondness is for hot tea.¡±


    ¡°Right now? Iced coffee, though, at home I like it hot¡ª  Oh, but my father likes teas and tisanes too, he has boring taste though. What kind of tea do you like?¡± Aethel shakes his cup slightly while responding.


    Ari smirks as he brings up a finger, explaining, ¡°No drink is inherently boring, love, it all comes down to the quality of the products. But, to answer your question: have you ever heard of white tea?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ but it sounds really upscale¡ª kind of fitting for you, thinking about more. What is it?¡± slowly turning to completely face Ari, Aethel admits.


    A careful smile graces Ari¡¯s face as he reflects, ¡°It is an exquisite tea, absolutely divine, not the kind that¡¯s vegetal or fruity, white tea is much more soft, delicate. The first time I came upon it was over a decade ago when I was but a student, my lover at the time treated me to some¡­ I was captivated immediately¡­ for various reasons.¡±


    Aethel''s only response is to nod and take a large sip of his drink. Ari takes this as a cue to continue.


    ¡°Ever since, I regularly have it imported from the east¡ª over there is a certain brand of it that I am affectionate for; it reminds me of those days¡­ even if the situation over there is¡­ difficult now. Perks of having contacts there, I suppose. How about you, Aethel, any specific loves in the world of coffees?¡± finishing his explanation, Ari asks.


    Another nod from Aethel as he replies, ¡°I guess I have a favorite brand of coffee¡­? Nothing as sentimental as a drink shared with someone special. But the east, huh? I wasn¡¯t sure anyone here was privy to what¡¯s going on over there. What¡¯s the scoop? If¡­ you don¡¯t mind, that is.¡±


    ¡°No I do not, but, the most I am allowed to tell an outsider is¡­ perhaps disappointing.¡± Ari closes his eyes, smirking.


    Aethel shrugs gently, ¡°That¡¯s fair, I¡¯m not exactly a member of your covert Magistrate¡ª but as long as were comfortable, answer me as best and as far as you are able to: who are YOU guys exactly, why were you on this train, and what¡¯s going on at Kane?¡±


    ¡°Striking at the heart of the issue, I see~ You are not one to mince words are you, darling? Cold blooded, and I say that as a compliment.¡± after saying that, Ari sighs as he puts a hand on his head, continuing, ¡°...Well we did promise that much at least, but, better we tell you as a group. Come with me.¡±


    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Long Travel Train SrTc-22, First Class Cabin 7-1.


    > 3rd of New Conception, 1316;


    > 6:02 Sol Time.


    The team and Aethel gather in the cabin to pick up where they left off before the disturbance. Aethel sits across from Karter and Fi while Ari and Nerva flank him.


    Nerva scratches the back of her head, smiling as she says, ¡°Sorry for the intimidating set up, this is just a precaution¡ª not that we don¡¯t trust you, it¡¯s just kind of how we do things.¡±


    ¡°Oui, do not be intimidated, Aezel, we are simply doing zings as we would wiz anyone. ¡± assures Fi, smiling.


    Clearing his throat to get everyone¡¯s attention, Karter begins, ¡°Now we will begin our little briefing, Ari recording start.¡± he looks to Ari who nods before activating a tape recorder, Karter nods back then continues, ¡°Aethel Gren, you now have a choice: sit here and be bound to the consequences, or, leave now and divert your path to Kane City¡ª choose.¡±


    ¡°I choose to sit here and bind myself to whatever might come. Hell or high water¡ª well, ¡®high water¡¯ has happened, so there should be no doubt, heh.¡± Aethel nods directly at Karter, almost puffing out his chest as he smirks.


    Aethel¡¯s words elicit a smirk from everyone save for Karter who only leans forward and glares with some kind of intent. Then, Karter shakes his head before returning into a neutral position, he looks to his companions who straighten up at his visible chagrin.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Karter continues, ¡°So you say, then as of this moment you have become an honorary member of the Vex Arcanis Magistrate¡¯s third Concordant Inquisition, the Vellaveir dispatch. There are other groups but we cannot tell you of them as you are not a Magus actual. Fi, take his oath,¡±


    ¡°Aezel Gren, ¡®onorary member of ze Vellaveir dispatch, zough you are not a Magus actual you must take ze oath we all ¡®ave and swear allegiance to ze Magistrate even for zis fleeting time. Are you ready?¡± Fi declares before standing up and walking behind Aethel.


    Aethel nods, ¡°I know no other way to be.¡±


    As soon as the words leave Aethel¡¯s mouth the cabin goes dark, fills from floor to ceiling with an opaque energy, and within the field of effect an imminent crackle of energy. It changes from any color that perception allows. Swirling from one side of the room to the other, it begins to circle Aethel with an almost human curiosity. Fi begins the oath.


    ¡°Zen Aezel Gren, upon ze name of ze Ornatissima Magister Magorum, Altereus ze first of true insight, do you swear to do everyzing in your power to serve and fight for ze sake of all zat is living?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    The energy glows yellow, a sigil appears within the room, right in front of Aethel. A crown. Some kind of weight begins to swell within Aethel¡¯s heart.


    ¡°Do you recognize zat to learn is one of ze greatest abilities known to ze living?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    On the left side of the crown a jade eye appears. It watches Aethel in a genuinely harsh manner, furthering the weight upon his heart.


    ¡°Do you swear to judge and punish anyone who would zreaten ze peaceful world?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Now on the right side of the crown a hand of wisteria takes form. It begins to writhe with a severe want, only making it harder to bear the weight in his heart.


    ¡°Do you understand zat utter control and freedom is not wi¡¯zin ze public¡¯s luxury?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    On the furthest left an azure shield reinforces. It vanguards the energy with fierce determination, its stalwart defense weighs down on his heart.


    ¡°Do you conform to waging ze eternal war against ze forces of all supernature?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Finally, on the furthest right a blade of blood sharpens viciously. It threatens Aethel with its very presence, furthering the weight that suffocates his heart.


    ¡°There in front of you, dear Aethel, are the sigils which govern the Magistrate, us. The crown of our rulers, the council, Legendis; the eye of our learners, the academy, Arcaneum; the hand of our judges, the court, Covenary; the shield of our inspectors, the bureau, Officiad; and the sword of our legions, the army, Nihilica.¡± Ari interjects, voice impassive.


    Nodding along, Nerva adds, ¡°Though you¡¯ll only be one of us for a short time¡ª for as long as we need to escort you to Prima¡ª you¡¯ll need to respect our way of doing things.¡±


    ¡°There is also a code but we do not have it at the moment, not that you have any need of it, seeing as you are only in a temporary arrangement. Just know that violation of your oath and in the unlikely circumstance of the code, the weight upon your heart will tear it apart¡­ You will not die though.¡± Karter interjects, now leaning backwards.


    Aethel lays a hand on his chest, feeling that his heart beats with a strange rhythm, as if a distinct and lethal force pulls it with the austerity of a teacher a century in disappointment. Almost like a critic who will judge everything he has done, will do, and is doing with all the vitriolic words possible in the language, or even invent new ones to fit.


    Laying a hand on Aethel¡¯s shoulder, Fi assures, ¡°Do not worry Aezel, I am¡ª we are all sure zis violations will not come to pass, you ¡®ave proven a worthy Magus actual in all but official recognition. Zis is correct, no, Karter?¡±


    ¡°I am¡­ certain enough that if he would go through the necessary channels, he would make a tolerable Magus actual.¡± Karter shrugs and shakes his head as he replies, that audible reluctance once again in his voice.


    With that, the rest of the party smiles, and the dark aura in the room dissipates along with the sigils, Aethel seems to relax as this comes to pass.


    Somehow a sigh so resoundant leaves Aethel¡¯s mouth, ¡°...I never knew this would be that intense. Fuck, you¡¯re telling me you all went through that but worse?¡±


    ¡°Something like that, darling~¡± Ari shrugs, his voice far too flippant.


    Karter does a lazy gesture before standing up and lying down on one of the beds, ¡°Just be glad you are over it and relax for the next few days¡ª looking at the speed we move at, it will not be long before we reach the Border Station. Hey seriously, relax, even I can recognize when a clown has earned that.¡±


    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Long Travel Train SrTc-22, Standard Class Cabin 18-5.


    > 3rd of New Conception, 1316;


    > 9:30 Aurum Time.


    An abyss that consumes everything, even the stars that in any other season shine clarion in the sky; this is what Aethel sees outside his window. The darksun, foreboding and eerie, an all consuming dark. An all consuming abyss. He turns away from the window now, turning back to his desk, the journal sitting in front of him.


    He sets his pen down on the paper.


    <blockquote>


    New Conception 3, 1316


    I wanted adventure. I just wonder why now of all times, I get what I want. Father Falkhein, I do wish you were here to offer me some guidance. I recall your stories of the Magistrate, the uniformed men in black who carry themselves with eldritch purpose, they who you had once cooperated with in your youth. I recall your words clearly:


    The Magistrate deals in a world we can scarcely understand, I had aided them in their missions but they work so clandestinely that I never felt like I knew what I was aiding them in. They are not bad people, there are rarely any completely bad people in this day and age, but they are guile and they will do everything in their power to get their way. Should you cross their path, Brother Aethel, trust them as you would your neighbor but never let them play you.


    I do understand this sentiment, but seeing it with my own eyes, I hardly believe they are a monolith. Nothing is, of course, you would call me foolish for assuming in the first place, but hearsay treats you differently to experience. I would like to believe that they are noble actors and I am sure you do too¡­


    I do not treat your words lightly.


    In any case, if this is the adventure I had so wished for¡­ and I said to them, ¡°Come hell or high water.¡± I shall live by these words. I will prove, whether to myself, to Arcis, or whoever, that I am worthy of such a challenge. Moreover, and this is another foolish thought, I feel as though my calling is not simply to arrive in Prima and be done¡ª no, this is only the beginning.


    It can only be the beginning.


    </blockquote>

 CHAPTER 8 - Arrival at Dawn

    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Long Travel Train SrTc-22, Standard Class Cabin 18-5.


    > 5th of New Conception, 1316;


    > 4:30 Sol Time.


    An announcement plays over the PA system, resounding through the entire train, ¡°ATTENTION: We are approaching Border Station number four, please check all your belongings and prepare to detrain in a few minutes, I repeat¡ª¡±


    Dressing himself with slow, lethargic movements, Aethel inspects the room from top to bottom. Finishing that, he checks his bag. With everything seemingly set, he departs to the viewing deck, meeting the rest of the passengers.


    Aethel lingers behind most of everyone, choosing to spend this time in a relative silence, but then Fi approaches him.


    ¡°Aezel, ¡®ow are you, mon ami? ¡­Are you not a morning person?¡± she walks up, the early morning not affecting her energy, or so it looks.


    Aethel only shrugs as he speaks slowly, ¡°I¡¯m usually less of a corpse in the morning, believe me. I guess the whole Weeping Tree debacle took more out of me than I thought.¡±


    ¡°Ha, zis is ¡®ow Karter used to be. You know, back when we were students ¡®e used to be so le¡¯zargic, ¡®e refused to even speak in ze morning¡ª ah but ¡®e was also quite ze meek fellow, no¡¯zing like nowadays.¡± Fi chuckles, her eyes wandering to the horizon.


    Squinting at that, Aethel asks, ¡°Uhuh, meek¡­ I guess you said that¡¯s how he used to be, but how do you reckon a guy goes from that to whatever he is now? You guys don¡¯t seem that old, it has to have been only what¡ª three, four, years since you were students right?¡±


    ¡°Ah, zis is correct, you do not know how ze Imperial Academy works. To simplify it as much as possible, an emerging mage as young as seven can enroll, the oldest you can be is twenty-one. Long story short, I and Karter enrolled at zis age, ten years later we were magus actual, and zen zirteen on top of zat brings us ¡®ere.¡± explains Fi.


    Eyes widening, Aethel nearly screams, ¡°You¡¯re all thirty?! You guys don¡¯t look past twenty-four yet.¡±


    ¡°Not all of us are. Nerva and Arianos are actually closer to the age you thought¡­ Also what the damn is wrong with being thirty or above anyway? As far as I am concerned ¡®that¡¯ is when adulthood actually starts.¡± Karter interjects, approaching while crossing his arms.


    Extending his arms out, Aethel argues, ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with it, you just look younger than I thought you were, it¡¯s a compliment if anything.¡±


    ¡°Zis is because we are young, Aezel¡­¡± Fi actually looks at him with an expression of displeasure for once.


    Aethel scoots away ever so slightly, ¡°I don¡¯t doubt that, guys, I really don¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°ATTENTION! Everyone, we are approaching the destination, please be advised. I repeat¡ª¡± one of the crew members yells out from a megaphone.


    Karter slaps Aethel¡¯s back, grabbing him by the shoulder as he speaks, ¡°Saved by the bell, Gren¡ª anyway, shall we meet with the others to detrain?¡±


    ¡°Yes, let us go.¡± Fi smiles at Karter as lays a hand on Aethel¡¯s back.


    The two of them push him forward as they walk to the other end of the viewing platform, there Nerva and Arianos stand idly, but, when noticing Aethel¡¯s peril, the remaining two simply smile at him. The man himself though, deflates with a sigh, shaking his head slowly.


    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Border Station #4, Lobby.


    > 5th of New Conception, 1316;


    > 4:50 Sol Time.


    The group gathers at the lobby and all, except Karter, sit down at one of the many rows of chairs, around them is their luggage and other packed necessities, Aethel rests his head on one of his cases while looking up at Karter. The entire group is looking at Karter too.


    Karter stands with his chest out and hands behind his back, ¡°All of you know the procedure¡­ except Aethel, and seeing as I have no better excuse, this gives me a good chance to give you all a rundown of everything again. Hear?¡±


    ¡°Hear.¡± all members respond with varying levels of volume and enthusiasm.


    Karter begins,


    ¡°Well enough. So, first things first, we are located at the fourth Wasteland Border Station, this in particular is the passover between the southern stretch of the old world with the eastern line of the new one. Our departure will be at eight-thirty Aurum, meaning that you all have the rest of the day to stretch your legs or whatever it is you wish.¡±


    ¡°Our train is due for Kane City, located in the very center of the east, it is the center of commerce and the most populous city there. From Kane we will take the westbound train to Prima, the neighboring city, and also the home of the fairly new Skywake Academy. It is there in Prima that we will drop off this sir, Aethel Gren of Wynland.¡±


    ¡°After that is done we will return to our duty as the Vellaveir dispatch, take the first train back to Kane City, and report to the Magistrate¡¯s office there. With that being said, and Aethel is owed this much, we should expect to be attacked by the abominations of supernature. The report we received a few days ago, regrettably, said as much. Hear?¡±


    ¡°Hear.¡± again, everyone responds.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Smirking as he nods, Karter declares, gesturing to the group, ¡°Outstanding. Now please, do not allow me to hold up the rest of your free time.¡±


    The group disperses for the time being, all heading towards different locations on station grounds, which has many various amenities. For starters, the lobby connects to four wings, the northern, southern, eastern, and western wings. These wings all serve their own purposes.


    Going over yonder to the northern wing is Arianos, over there is the public library and study hall, popular with many Magistrate members. Here you will find the latest news and magazines, books of all sorts, computers for public use, and other informational or academic purposes.


    As for the southern wing, Karter takes himself there, for within this wing is the mall. Exactly as it sounds, this mall houses many different establishments: from supermarket, department store, brand franchises, and most importantly, a bar. Early as it is there are plenty more reasons to visit than drinking.


    Moving on, the eastern wing is the recreation center, Jos¨¦phine heads this way along with what seems to be some parents and their children. Over here are games for all, ranging from games like bowling to even chess, there is a pastime available for everyone.


    Finally where Nerva is advancing, the western wing, or rather the restaurant and lounge where businessmen and other serious sorts gravitate. More than just a place to find food and a seat, the lounge is where negotiations, impromptu meetings, and other grown-up affairs are held. It is also the only smoking zone in the station.


    While everyone is going off to do their business, Aethel decides to get more fresh air, opting to ascend to the balconies. There he finds a suitably remote area, sets his luggage down, and sits down with his side pressing up against the railing. Half paying attention to the area, half taking in the sights, and completely alone.


    In the beyond, or rather the horizon, there lies a vast stretch of wasteland. Farther beyond, a promise of civilization awaits, the new world as they all call it. It seems like this wasteland never ends, it seems like the cities far off will never get close, and it seems like the world does not care either way.


    In the now, or rather the station proper, many people talk excitedly down below and in the populated areas of the balcony. No one seems to care at all, to spare any thoughts to anything that is not in the present, perhaps this is best¡­ Perhaps not. No one knows except time, and it never tells.


    It is then that his eye is caught by something, an arm reaching over from the wasteland into the station, it trembles greatly as it holds onto the platform. Aethel scrambles to his feet, going off to check it out.


    Excusing himself through different crowds and onto the platform where the train bound for New Bell will arrive, Aethel spots a man climbing up on the opposite side of the tracks. Immediately, he calls the attention of a guard, who signals for other workers to come along.


    Aethel watches as they pull him up, drag him to safety, and lay him on the floor. It is then that he approaches, seeing that the man looks terribly unwell. This man¡¯s skin is unusual; almost completely sallow and grey, his hair is wet with a viscous substance, and he shakes in what can only be described as a possessed rigor.


    Silently, Aethel grasps the silver beads in his pocket, muttering a quiet prayer underneath his breath.


    In the instant he begins¡ª the man shoots up and wails in a familiar way! Someone tugs at Aethel¡¯s arm, pulling him back with an irresistible force. Aethel looks to his side: there stands a boy with hair similar in color to Fi¡¯s, he wears a white frock coat and holds an expression completely on guard. Violent energy pulses through him.


    Screams and sounds of torn flesh turn Aethel¡¯s attention back to the man, but there is no more man, nor are there any employees. In their place a writhing mass of broken bones and tree-like growth begins to wail and disperse a black miasma. Aethel immediately gets on his feet.


    ¡°D¡¯you have experience with this?¡± the boy asks him, his voice is rather youthful.


    So much so that in taking a closer look Aethel can immediately recognize that they are probably the same age.


    Aethel shakes his body a little, then he responds, ¡°Ah, kind of, but I had lots of help.¡±


    ¡°Yeah? Well, I¡¯m all you need right now, so stone the fuck up.¡± the boy smirks as the energy swells around him.


    Taking hold of the boy¡¯s arm, ¡°Wait! How about¡­ I mean¡­ what a horrifying thing¡­ all those people who tried to help too¡ª¡±


    ¡°We can mourn them later, I said stone the fuck up!¡± shaking Aethel off him, the boy runs towards the writhing mass.


    Aethel freezes, the boy notices, but continues nevertheless. He channels his energy into an impressive sword, ¡°Arcane Gladius!¡± he casts while jumping up, felling it into the mass as he comes down. As he does, the thing splits apart, and begins to scatter into luminescent dust.


    But as he returns to his feet another bout of screams come in from around the station, he returns to Aethel with a scowl, before taking him by the collar.


    Practically screaming, the boy reprimands, ¡°The shit was that¡ª? You know, fuck it, go hide in a corner or something, it¡¯d be a pain in the ass if you died on my watch.¡±


    Just as he allows Aethel to fall to the ground, Karter comes running in with a few civilians. He looks to the boy and Aethel with wide eyes before commanding whoever is following him to stay in the area. After that, he approaches and crosses his arms.


    ¡°R¨¦gis meet Aethel Gren; Aethel meet R¨¦gis Alistair. That out of the way, we have a situation, as I am sure both of you know by now.¡± Karter speaks as if restraining himself.


    Looking at the boy, R¨¦gis, Aethel asks, ¡°Alistair? Like¡ª okay, I get it, we should hurry then!¡±


    ¡°With this amateur, really, Karter? You¡¯re just like Josie, getting all soft in your years. No, we can handle this on our own¡ª we don¡¯t need this guy¡ª¡± letting out a loud scoff, R¨¦gis protests.


    Karter towers over R¨¦gis, commanding, ¡°Listen here, kid. Aethel is with us whether you or I like it or not, now no more wasting time, move out!¡±


    Unable to argue anymore as chaos begins to overtake the station, the trio head off towards the lobby, Aethel turns to the platform while following. His expression seems somewhat unsure, but at the nudging of Karter, he shakes his head and turns his face back to the front.


    As they enter the lobby, the place is in utter disarray: people running away from beasts that look straight of the underworld, fearful and blood curdling screams from all around the station, a formless coat of mist beginning to form at their feet, and unfortunately, the first few casualties lying with rent flesh in their own blood.


    Aethel feels something strange at this point, like the words of old swirling through his head, telling him to do something without actually speaking. Not that the words make any sense, for no language in the world sounds like it, and neither would he understand if it did for it is also swirling far too quickly.


    He clutches his head before noticing that Karter is doing it too, R¨¦gis on the other hand is looking at them with a scowl, yet it seems to turn softer through some kind of concern. R¨¦gis takes a hold of Aethel¡¯s shoulder, wordlessly asking him a question.


    ¡°W-we¡¯re fine, right Karter?¡± smirking slightly, he assures.


    Karter shakes himself a little, slapping his own face, then responds, ¡°Yeah, this is no problem, kid¡ª kids, both of you.¡±

 CHAPTER 9 - State Of The Station Part 1

    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Border Station #4, Lobby.


    > 5th of New Conception, 1316;


    > 6:10 Sol Time.


    ¡°We secure the area first, then we hit the northern wing and get Ari, after that we split; me and Ari, R¨¦gis, you and Aethel.¡± Karter commands as he lights a flame in his palm.


    Grumbling for a second, R¨¦gis concedes, looking at Aethel, ¡°Gah¡ª fine, don¡¯t die on us, idiot.¡±


    Aethel only nods before they enter the fray. From where the trio is entering they are closest to the western wing¡¯s entrance, and the stairs to the lobby¡¯s second floor is on their left. The platform the group were disembarking from hours prior is on the upper-right.


    Karter finds a vantage point, sending down fire on the daemons as he commands civilians to reach the New Bell platform; Aethel gathers items on the ground and in luggage to consecrate, handing them to people to ward off daemons; R¨¦gis busies himself cutting up any foes, several swords fly around him.


    Their formation is rather spread out, as if three pillars in an arrow shape slowly advance through the lobby doing a sweep. Karter on the left side, R¨¦gis further ahead in the middle, and Aethel on the right. Conversely, the daemons themselves keep on coming, wave by wave.


    It seems that for every one they kill, two to three more reinforce. Though, at the very least, it seems most civilians have evacuated. Aethel, now having helped as many as he did, takes a second to find anything that could be used to help fight more actively.


    ¡°Give me some cover! I¡¯m looking for a weapon.¡± calls Aethel, looking at both R¨¦gis and Karter.


    R¨¦gis replies quickly as he cuts down three at once, ¡°On it!¡±


    Rummaging through as much luggage as he can, one of R¨¦gis¡¯ swords flying around him as protection, he finds a belt. Shrugging, Aethel takes it out to concsecrate, whipping it a few times to test its ergonomics.


    Suddenly¡ª! A daemon jumps out at him while the sword is cutting another one, at the same moment he lets the belt loose. As soon as it connects, with a crack, the daemon is sent flying back. Although, it does not look at all injured.


    ¡°It¡¯ll do.¡± R¨¦gis¡¯ says, still not looking in Aethel¡¯s direction, he cuts down another one before continuing, ¡°Guh¡ª there¡¯s no end to these bastards are there?!¡±


    The underworld monsters begin to swarm more and more, Karter jumps up on a booth while providing cover support. Aethel retreats to R¨¦gis¡¯ side as they both slowly approach the aforementioned booth. The trio is squarely in the middle of the lobby.


    Aethel reminds, looking over to their right, ¡°Wait¡ª shit! The people on the platform, are they gonna be alright?!¡±


    ¡°I advised one of the employees who came in with me to shutter the gates and only open it for people¡­ so¡­ they should be okay for now.¡± shaking his head, Karter explains.


    R¨¦gis attempts to argue, ¡° For now, but in time¡ª¡±


    ¡°In time, we all die together, so keep your heads in the game! Fuck, buy me some time and I will look for where most of them are funneling in from, okay?¡± Karter interrupts, his eyes darting from one side to another.


    R¨¦gis screams out, sending a large cleaver sideways through the horde, ¡°Fine! But¡ª die you fucking daemon¡ª! I¡¯m going to kill you again in the afterlife if you die.¡±


    ¡°Be safe, Karter¡ª fuck.¡± Aethel whips without aiming, trying to push back as much of the enemy as possible.


    Karter scoffs before jumping away to somewhere unreachable by most, he looks at R¨¦gis and nods, signalling something. R¨¦gis, in response, grabs Aethel by the wrist using his left hand and puts his right hand on the ground. ¡°Arcane Thousand Armaments!¡± he cries out.


    As soon as he does, a large radius covering almost the entire lobby, begins to glow a violent blue hue. R¨¦gis jumps up on the booth before jumping up futher on to the second floor, cutting a few beasts around him when he lands¡ª Aethel, of course, can do nothing but trail behind him as R¨¦gis is clutching his wrist.


    In a few seconds after landing, a surge of magical weapons come up from the ground, they ruin the horde and cut them up into pieces before flying around the lobby. R¨¦gis¡¯ hand slips off of Aethel¡¯s wrist as he falls to his knees.


    Aethel crouches down and grabs R¨¦gis¡¯ shoulder, asking, ¡°Are you alright?!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine, the spell¡¯s just a bit taxing on my energy¡­ I¡¯m not yet as powerful as Karter or Josie.¡± shaking Aethel¡¯s hand off, R¨¦gis states as he shakes his head.


    Aethel stays crouching as he asks another question, ¡°Okay¡­ but, how much time did you buy us?¡±


    ¡°Enough¡­ you ask too many questions by the way, it¡¯s such a dorky look.¡± R¨¦gis smirks a little before shifting to sit down on the floor.


    Standing up, Aethel crosses his arms, saying, ¡°...You don¡¯t seem bothered at all.¡±


    ¡°Bothered by what exactly?¡± turning to look at Aethel, R¨¦gis frowns while responding.


    Aethel puts both his hands on R¨¦gis¡¯ shoulders before shaking him, ¡°By how many people just FUCKING DIED?! AND WE DON¡¯T EVEN KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE DYING RIGHT NOW EITHER!¡±


    ¡°What good would it do me to worry about that while facing the enemy, huh?! Besides, Karter gives as much a shit as I do at the moment. We have a mission, we need to complete it. If you wanna save people¡ª don¡¯t go lookin up to the Nihilica, we¡¯re soldiers.¡± quickly rising from his position, R¨¦gis slaps Aethel.


    Practically ignoring the slap, Aethel just looks at R¨¦gis for a second before replying, ¡°Wait, you¡¯re part of the Nihilica¡ª the Magistrate¡¯s army? I thought you were a student.¡±Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    ¡°Are you fucking stupid? Being in the Imperial Academy doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re not allowed to join up with the rest¡ª I¡¯m not even that young. Shit, you¡¯re running with a guy who¡¯s done what I¡¯m doing and you¡ª who the fuck are you anyway?¡± crossing his arms, R¨¦gis frowns even harder than he was originally.


    Aethel gestures in visible exasperation, ¡°Someone¡¯s who¡¯s WAY out of his depth with this Magistrate shit, if you didn¡¯t FUCKING realize by now!¡±


    ¡°So you aren¡¯t fucking part of the Magistrate?! Why the damn are you here? I was fucking wondering what school you practiced¡ª you aren¡¯t even an amateur, you¡¯re a civilian.¡± his jaw almost drops to the floor, but R¨¦gis composes himself before utterly exploding.


    Karter storms in between the two, punching both men, causing them to fall to the floor, ¡°FOR THE LOVE OF THE GODDESS, STOP, I HAVE THE FUCKING INFORMATION.¡±


    Both Aethel and R¨¦gis dust themselves off before looking at Karter who begins explaning,


    ¡°I was at the control room, there was a damned Weeping Tree there but I got rid of it. Checking the cameras, it seems the rest of the team are holed up safely, they secured as many people as they could¡ª BUT¡­ there are Weeping Trees around the station¡­ and an especially worrying one in the basement.¡±


    ¡°It was only a few seconds before the feed cut out, but, it was as big as a damn building down there, the place was completely devastated. More than just that, it did not seem to be a special one¡­ it has roots in the ground. Killing it the way we did these last few ones will not cut it.¡±


    As Karter finishes his explanation, Aethel puts his hands on his hips, while R¨¦gis crosses his. Both of their expressions darken¡­ but not for long. A new, albeit smaller, wave of daemons begins to pour out of the wing and platform entrances, and the trio spring into action.


    ¡°Same plan, you two, kill them all and then shutter the gates.¡± Karter commands as they engage.


    Both Aethel and R¨¦gis reply, ¡°Right!¡± as they enter the fray, cutting daemons in two or sending as many of them back.


    The trio, being able to manage this smaller wave, begin to rush to each door and shuttering them. Eventually after a few skirmishes, the lobby is secured, although they do not allow any of the civilians to enter it for the time being. After doing some double checking, the three gather at the New Bell platform.


    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Border Station #4, New Bell Platform.


    > 5th of New Conception, 1316;


    > 8:21 Sol Time.


    ¡°We should rest for a spell before heading to the western wing.¡± eyeing both Aethel and R¨¦gis, Karter suggests.


    Immediately upon hearing that, R¨¦gis has an outburst, ¡°Hell no. We have to fix this as soon as possible, Karter, you of all people should¡ª¡±


    ¡°You look exhausted, kid. We are dead if you gas out in the middle of a battle.¡± Karter raises a hand to R¨¦gis¡¯ face as he cuts him off. Then continues, ¡°And, Aethel, we need to talk¡ª also you look like shit, you need to take this chance and rest too.¡±


    Sighing a long sigh, Aethel hits Karter¡¯s shoulder as he walks over to a bench, ¡°Gee thanks¡­ Major asshole.¡±


    After a few minutes of forcing R¨¦gis to lay down, Karter approaches Aethel with a bottle of water.


    ¡°Drink and listen, okay?¡± extending the bottle out, Karter sits next to Aethel as he takes it.


    Aethel quickly opens the bottle while speaking, ¡°If this is a lecture because I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Drink and listen.¡± Karter insists while raising his voice, eyeing Aethel seriously. As Aethel sighs and takes a drink he nods and continues, ¡°I appreciate you reprimanding R¨¦gis for his detached behavior.¡±


    Aethel spits the drink out, coughs a bit, then in a rather goofy fashion¡­ looks at Karter like he just killed a baby.


    Karter almost laughs, immediately attempts to suppress it, fails, and then replies shakily, ¡°W-hah-wow. I did not ex-expect you to do that, but heh, now whenever you tell that story to the others I will have to say I planned that hahaha!¡±


    ¡°Fuck¡­ you¡­ Karter¡­ hah¡­ hahahahaha!¡± Aethel joins him, at the same time he begins hitting his shoulder with rapid, but weak, punches.


    Karter guards, replying, ¡°Hey¡ª but being serious, thanks. R¨¦gis is¡­ not a bad guy¡ª cocky sure¡ªbut really he just lazer focuses on the doing parts and not the feeling parts.¡±


    ¡°What does that even mean?¡± tilting his head a little, Aethel asks.


    Shaking his head slightly, Karter explains with a solemn look on his face, ¡°It means that he does care about people and the casualties, just like Fi and everyone, but he just chooses to act like it does not bother him. A lot of soldiers go down that path, believe me, to them it helps cope with seeing things fall apart¡ª shit, even I can be that way at times.¡±


    ¡°Well, I guess that makes some sense, but¡­ I just can¡¯t see how that helps at all, doesn¡¯t that just avoid dealing with¡ª¡± Aethel expresses before being cut off¡­


    R¨¦gis approaches them with an unreadable expression.


    He reasons, a little hint of desperation in his voice, ¡°I can¡¯t just sit around, Karter, not while Josie¡¯s¡ª you know, in fucking danger.¡±


    ¡°...Well then, fair enough, I guess this is as much rest as we are getting.¡± sighing, Karter nods at Aethel before standing.


    Aethel pumps his fist as he smiles at Karter and R¨¦gis, ¡°This was a good, albeit short, rest. We¡¯re sure to win now!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you both?¡± R¨¦gis looks at them with visible bewilderment, he continues, ¡°Weren¡¯t you guys at each other''s throats literally ten minutes ago?¡±


    Smirking, Karter lays a hand on R¨¦gis¡¯ shoulder, explaining simply, ¡°A break does wonders for morale, kid, soldiers need a little R-and-R once in a while. Besides, Fi and the rest are some of the strongest bastards I know¡ª the strongest bastards you know too.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s no excuse to sit around.¡± R¨¦gis scowls as he speaks in a harsh tone, beginning to walk to the lobby.


    Aethel argues, stopping R¨¦gis in his tracks, ¡°That isn¡¯t fair, R¨¦gis, we can¡¯t all go at a problem with a hundred percent all the time. Even you¡ª¡±


    ¡°You know nothing about me, that little sitdown wasn¡¯t even anything serious, just a reminder of how weak I still am. All I need to do is get stronger, otherwise, nothing YOU would know about.¡± immediately snapping back, R¨¦gis turns his already serious scowl into an even more venomous expression.


    Aethel begins to scowl himself, R¨¦gis approaches with his hands balling into fists, the two begin to poise themselves before¡ª


    Karter steps in between them, ordering, ¡°Hey, break it up, we should move while we have the energy to.¡±


    Wordlessly but with heavy amounts of reluctance, R¨¦gis turns away, shaking slightly. Aethel¡¯s expression softens as he mutters a quiet apology to Karter, the latter only nodding in affirmation as he gestures to continue moving. The trio make their way to the lobby in silence.


    Arriving, they find that the miasma is slowly crawling to be taller, though, not as quickly as it would have were the Weeping Trees still in the area proper. Curiously, Karter and Aethel do not feel the temperature lowering like before, however through discussion they chalk it up to the size of the place compared to the rate of black mist spreading.

 CHAPTER 10 - State Of The Station Part 2

    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, Border Station #4, Lobby.


    > 5th of New Conception, 1316;


    > 8:30 Sol Time.


    ¡°Same plan as before, you two, northern wing first. Having Ari on board would eliminate most problems.¡± Karter calls out, taking a brisk pace towards the north gate.


    Wordlessly, the two agree as they follow closely behind, the tension still noticeably thick. They approach the northern wing¡¯s gate, wary of any noise that suggests movement, but they hear none from behind it. Shaking his head, Karter gestures to carry on as he lifts the shutters.


    As the location reveals itself, it is in utter disrepair. The entire lobby has scratches and severe damage all over it, not to mention the copious helpings of somewhat fresh blood, and unavoidably, a few bodies. Something about the place seems more violent than in the lobby, not that daemons seem to be pacifists in any place, but still¡­


    Just as Karter is about to take the first step in, a bone-chilling snarl-like sound bristles the trio, Karter lightly puts his foot back into its previous position. Looking at the other two, both of them shrug in a weak manner, making him shake his head in much the same way.


    His voice down to a whisper, Aethel asks, ¡°And what exactly did you see on the camera that made you think everyone was fine?¡±


    ¡°I saw him leading a group through the backrooms of the place, it seemed to me he was just peachy¡­ although, in my defense the damn place was in a better state a few minutes ago.¡± tilting his head slightly, Karter replies.


    R¨¦gis, face coming into another scowl, manages to spit out, ¡°I told you bastards, time was of the essence¡ª¡± but is cut off by another snarl¡­ one closer to them.


    Suddenly, into perfect view, a translucent thing crawls on all fours. It looks far more vicious, though its true detail is in obscurity, than even the daemons in the lobby. Truly, the thing is horrid, it has uncountable rows of bloody, sharp teeth. It has claws that cut and ruin the floors as it walks. It is something anyone would call abominable.


    It draws close to them but it does not attack, it simply passes on by, perhaps not seeing them or something similar. The group is at a standstill all the while, all three of them visibly in a state of perturbation, but undeniably in far too much fear to show it.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t see us¡­ I think.¡± whispers R¨¦gis after making sure the monster is long gone.


    Aethel, warily moves his eyes from side to side, arguing, ¡°Do we wanna take the chance right now?¡±


    ¡°Of course we do, if we don¡¯t kill it, who realistically will?¡± R¨¦gis immediately responds.


    Crossing his arms, Aethel continues to argue, ¡°Yeah but if we die¡ª¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not going to die. Come on, Karter, tell him.¡± gesturing his hands out, R¨¦gis¡¯ voice has hints of exasperation.


    Extending his hands in front of both men to calm them down, Karter reasons, ¡°R¨¦gis is right¡­ somewhat¡­ if we leave it here, nothing good will come of it. I dread to say it, but we have to take it upon ourselves to kill these things, it will also help Ari and the group he is leading.¡±


    ¡°Fine, but it isn¡¯t like I don¡¯t want us to go in, it just doesn¡¯t feel right at the moment¡­ this just feels like a bad approach.¡± Aethel concedes, his hands balling up.


    With no more words between them, the trio take cautious, silent steps through into the wing proper, making sure that whatever lurks within does not take note of them.


    Aethel keeps his voice as low as possible, asking, ¡°What¡¯s our goal right now, you know, other than tempting fate?¡±


    ¡°The employee¡¯s access, Ari should be somewhere there with the civilians, then we can think about what to do next.¡± with a similarly quiet voice, Karter replies, nodding to himself.


    Narrowing his eyes a little, Aethel asks another question, ¡°Are you guys always this unprepared? Two times now.¡±


    ¡°If you did not notice, it was more like we have been blindsided two times, so I think we are doing the best we can.¡± mumbling before clicking his tongue, Karter glares at Aethel.


    R¨¦gis butts in with a whisper, ¡°I have my own damn question, what''s with the constant bickering¡ª¡±


    ¡°Quiet, our destination is close now¡ª dead ahead.¡± Karter cuts R¨¦gis off with a finger to his mouth, before pointing out the door in front of them.


    Standing there before them is a door labelled ¡®EMPLOYEE¡¯S ONLY¡¯, it is slightly bloody but otherwise seems to be nothing of note to the daemons, the trio nod to one another before stealthing their way to it.


    Upon it, Karter grabs the handle and gently turns, cracking the door open as silently as he can. Peeking inside as he brings it across, a deserted and looted lounge greets the trio, as if everyone here left in a haste¡­ understandably so. Nevertheless, they head in as Karter slowly closes the door behind them and locks it.


    > ¨€¨€¨€¨€¨€, BS #4 Northern Wing, Employee''s Lounge.


    > 5th of New Conception, 1316;


    > 9:05 Sol Time.


    Aethel begins to speak, ¡°That was¡ª¡± but is cut off by a small creak on the other side of the room.


    The trio turns to the origin immediately, it is a large cupboard with its door slightly ajar, that door then suddenly closes. Seeing this the group turns to one another, and as they all shrug¡­ they decide to approach it.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    ¡°Whoever you are in there, we are not here to harm you, we are here to help as best as we can.¡± Karter takes a commanding tone once again, although he does so in such a way that keeps his voice quiet.


    At that, a squeak comes out of the cupboard, after that, a rather violent thud¡­ seconds later, a voice, ¡°...Who are ya, and wassup with the military-man cadence?¡±


    Aethel stifles a laugh while R¨¦gis simply puts his hands on his hips, otherwise, Karter shows no reaction at all. Instead, he calmly crouches down to grab the cupboard¡¯s handle¡ª before pulling it open with force.


    Inside the thing is a young woman, perhaps slightly younger than Aethel and R¨¦gis, wearing a unique looking green jumpsuit with elaborate embroidery. More than just that, she has a rough look to her which the white streaks in her deep purple hair only reinforce¡­ the best way to describe her is¡­ delinquent.


    ¡°The fuck you doin, you tryna get me killed?¡± she yammers with her accent sounding very citylike, after a few moments, she crawls out and takes on some kind of stance.


    Doing a slow facepalm, Karter laments before asking, ¡°Great. Another fucking kid¡ª did you see anyone pass through here, or with you with anyone before deciding to hide?¡±


    ¡°Nah, I crawled in here after I woke up from my nap, sum real freaky shit was happenin¡¯.¡± says the girl as she motions hither and thither without any real aim or reason.


    Aethel takes a step forward, suggesting, ¡°Should we¡­ like¡­ take her back to the platform?¡±


    ¡°Too damn risky at this point, especially with how she runs her mouth.¡± R¨¦gis literally waves away Aethel¡¯s suggestion, taking his own step forward.


    The delinquent girl attempts to respond, ¡°Hey I¡¯m right he¡ª¡± but is cut off by Karter walking in front of her as he faces the other two.


    ¡°We have to take her to Arianos, under these circumstances, she would be safer there with the other civilians.¡± states Karter in a very matter of fact kind of way.


    The girl walks out from behind Karter, an intense scowl on her face, reprimanding in a concerning volume of voice, ¡°Don¡¯t fuckin¡¯ go ignorin¡¯ me, asshat.¡±


    ¡°Be quiet¡ª¡± R¨¦gis fires back almost immediately, though his voice is still rather quiet.


    Cutting R¨¦gis off, the girl raises a fist to the trio, ¡°What¡¯s with all this sexist shit?! I can decide wherever and howev¡ª¡±


    A loud crash breaks through from behind the door, with it, a loud and disturbing snarl. The door begins to budge in a horrible way, causing the delinquent to retreat to the far end of the room, while the trio ready themselves for whatever might come.


    With another crash and violent budge of the door, a hinge begins to come loose. Then another hit, the top hinge comes off, bending the door in an awkward manner. Bracing for the inevitable¡ª the final attack on the door connects and it sends its barreling across the room, forcing the trio to evade.


    The delinquent girl, however, is not too lucky¡­ she is directly hit and sent forcefully into the wall, unconscious¡­ or¡­


    No time to ponder it¡ª for as the breach has come open, three of those translucent terrors enter, they all focus on the point of impact¡ª or rather, where the girl lays vulnerable. The trio in separate corners of the room after evading, realize this, and all make their own noise.


    Aethel kicks a chair off to the side, turning the attention of one of the daemons; to similar effect, R¨¦gis knocks a random appliance off of a table; finally, Karter stomps the floor hard enough to make a cracking-esque sound.


    Successfully diverting the three foes, who all separate to each sound¡¯s location, the trio all make daring and silent escapes, crawling with extreme caution. Things go well enough, and each member is nearly by the still laying delinquent¡ª but Aethel cries out in pain, having put his hand down on a sneaky shard of glass.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± Aethel screams, falling to his side, his eyes darting towards Karter and R¨¦gis.


    Without much time to react, the translucent daemons are starting toward Aethel, their claws and myriad fangs out and ready to rend. In that instant, Karter launches himself towards Aethel, channeling his energy to the point of gleaming in an inhuman manner.


    He speaks no words as he lands by Aethel¡¯s side, releasing a power so otherworldly¡ª its hue so violently crimson and radiating so oppressive a heat. It envelops his entire being, then clears, and in his place is a humanoid, but not human, clad in infernal¡ª literally looking to be made of brimstone and blazing infernos¡ª and rather gothic raiments.


    The beasts sic upon him, tearing at his figure, but Karter stays stalwart as he calmly shakes them off¡ª before exposing them to a veritable geyser of fire, setting each and every one of them in a conflagration of pure melting ruin.


    Squealing in agony, the beasts flail while alight, their erasure from this world slowly creeping up by way of the reddest, most majestic billows and flame. As they are made nonexistent, The humanoid figure begins to wane, and as it does, blood begins to pour from its side. The origin appears as a deep and cruel gash, one of the beast¡¯s works, no doubt.


    As the blood pools, falling into it is Karter, now seemingly back and with a grievous wound. Aethel immediately crouches, with several yelps of pain in the process of, next to him. R¨¦gis, in a stupor, takes a second to shake it away before following suit. R¨¦gis cradles Karter in his arms, inspecting his wound.


    R¨¦gis speaks in a frantic and quick voice, pressing his hands on to the wound, pleading, ¡°Aethel¡ª! This is a goddamn fucking nightmare! It¡¯s¡ªthis is really fucking bad¡ª how are we¡­!?¡±


    ¡°Shit¡ª guh¡ª I¡­ I¡¯ll try and go find¡­ fuck¡­ I¡¯ll go further¡ª augh¡ª and try to fin¡ª¡± Aethel struggles, speaking through his winces, trying to come up with a plan¡­ he is cut off before finishing his sentence.


    Ari¡¯s voice rings out, he soon halts¡ª almost tripping¡ª from the mad dash that brings him here, and kneels beside Karter, ¡°What the fuck, loves?! What the fuck has happened?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s¡ª it¡¯s k-kind of fucking obvious¡ª goddamn¡ª Ari¡ª! Karter¡¯s fuh-fucking injured an-an-and¡ª¡± almost babbling, R¨¦gis looks near the verge of tears.


    Wordlessly Arianos takes his coat off, hastily ripping parts of it into long strips of cloth, he pushes R¨¦gis off of Karter and begins wrapping it around the latter. His hands move in an awkward and shaky manner, but Arianos pushes on, bandaging Karter¡¯s waist as best as he can.


    All of his clothes staining in a disturbing amount of blood, Arianos finishes the wrap, but before beginning to tie it up¡ª a new set of snarls begins to approach, and quickly at that.


    Pausing for a second before continuing the procedure, Arianos does not look at R¨¦gis while he commands, ¡°They can smell the fresh sanguine¡­ R¨¦gis, you must defend us.¡±


    Bloody himself and breathing heavily, R¨¦gis gives Ari a shaky nod, before standing up and channeling his blades. Aethel can only watch as the scene unfolds¡­ and it¡­ is bloody? No¡­ it had not begun¡­ there was time yet¡­ yet Aethel knows he saw¡­


    With his own blank expression, Aethel sees both Ari and R¨¦gis staring dumbly at him.


    ¡°Aethel¡­? Is that you?¡± Ari asks unusually¡­


    This causes Aethel to look at his hands¡­ and they are not his own. Aethel, or whoever sits in his place, is similar to the previous, infernal humanoid figure, but is instead clad in white and kingly robes. As if the very ideal picture of heaven is the weave of the robe itself, and upon its head is an impressive crown, but not with gems¡­ no, with eyes.


    The voice which leaves his mouth is grand and so brilliantly clarion, ¡°It¡­ is¡­ It is me, Aethel.¡±