The morning sun cast a warm glow over Azura Station in Easton, illuminating the bustling crowds rushing to catch their trains. Code Weber led the group, his stride purposeful, followed closely by Ken, Alpha, Hina, Nara, and Van.
As they entered the station, Van let out a sigh of relief. "Good grief, we made it just in time." Hina shot Nara a pointed look. "And only because we cut it so close, thanks to someone's beauty sleep." Nara's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Hey, a guy's gotta sleep sometime."
Ken intervened, his voice firm but amused. "Alright, alright, shut yer yappings already. We've got a long ride ahead of us." The group chuckled, and the tension dissipated as they made their way to their train.
As they walked through the station, the sound of hissing steam and clanging metal filled the air. The group made their way to Platform 3, where the locomotive train awaited its passengers. The engine, a massive beast of iron and steel, belched smoke and steam, its wheels hissing as it prepared for departure.
Code consulted the ticket in his hand, his eyes scanning the platform for their carriage. "Carriage 7, let's go," he said, leading the group through the throngs of people.
As they approached the carriage, a porter in a crisp uniform stood at attention, eyeing their tickets with a critical gaze. "Tickets, please," he said, his voice firm but polite.
Code handed over their tickets, and the porter examined them carefully before nodding. "Very well, you're bound for Hazen. Boarding will commence shortly."
"Alright, looks like this is my stop," Van said, his voice low. The group turned to him, their faces a mix of surprise and disappointment. Code's eyes widened. "Van, you could really come with us." Van shook his head, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Nah, I'm good."
The group fell silent, unsure how to react. Van's gaze swept across their faces, his expression unreadable. Alpha broke the silence, her voice laced with impatience. "Can we get going already?"
Hina chimed in, her tone lighthearted. "Yeah, it's just a week's journey, so don't miss us too much." Nara walked up to Van, his face struggling to find the right words. "Man, I don't know what to say right now... it's just..." Van cut him off, his voice gentle. "I get it, Nara."
Van's gaze shifted to Alpha, who met his eyes with a disdainful snort. "Hmph," she said, turning toward the train, as the kuro-kaze clanked with her legs. Van sighed, his eyes lingering on her before turning to Ken. "Oi, Ken, you guys be careful. There are demons out there."
Ken grinned mischievously, stuffing their luggage into the carriage. "Who do you think you're talking to? The more demons, the more fun!" Van's expression turned exasperated. "Good grief."
As the group climbed the steps and entered the carriage, Van called out to Code. "Code!" Code turned back, his eyes questioning. "What?" Van's voice was low. "Whatever you do..." Code finished the statement for him, his smile wry. "Don't open the Aidra."
Code's brows raised. "Why do you always have to tell me that? I thought he was sealed?" Van's expression turned enigmatic. "Don't worry, you'll understand one day." He raised his hand, waving goodbye. "Bye."
The group waved back, their faces visible through the window as they settled into their seats. Nara flopped down onto a plush seat, exhausted. "Ah, finally. I'm exhausted from all that rushing." Hina rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "You'd think we'd never make it, the way you dawdle."
The train's whistle blew, and with a lurch, the locomotive began to move, slowly pulling out of the station and into the morning sunlight.
Ken chuckled menacingly, settling into his seat. "Let's just hope we meet a lot of demons," he said, his tone dripping with anticipation. Code, seated beside Ken, chuckled at the statement, unfolding the travel route map the porter had provided.
As Code scanned the map, his eyes widened at the route: they were going from Azura in Easton, followed by Kaida, another major city in the region, and then the treacherous Blackthorn forest, which marked the border between Easton and Wistal. Code's gaze lingered on the forest, and he nudged Ken, pointing to the ominous landmark.
Ken's smile grew, his eyes glinting with excitement. "That's where we'll have some real fun," he said, his voice low and ominous. Code's eyes met Ken's, and he knew the Blackthorn forest was no ordinary place – it had a dark reputation. Code couldn't help but wonder how he and Van got to Easton from Wistal in less than a day.
The train rumbled on, its wheels clanking against the tracks. The group chatted idly, discussing various topics. As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow through the windows, Alpha gazed out the window, her eyes fixed on some distant point.
Hina and Nara slumped in their seats, looking exhausted. Code noticed Alpha's distant expression and furrowed his brows, wondering what was on her mind. Ken, seated beside Code, caught his gaze and leaned in, whispering, "She's pretty cute, isn't she?"
Code's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he turned to Ken, who was grinning mischievously. "Just kidding," Ken said, his voice low. "She's in her own world, just leave her be."
The group's conversation dwindled, replaced by the rhythmic clatter of the train's wheels. Alpha remained lost in thought, gazing out the window, while Ken closed his eyes. Code studied the transport route, occasionally glancing outside. Nara and Hina, however, were visibly bored, shifting in their seats and sighing heavily.
"Arrrgh, this is so boring!" Nara exclaimed, throwing his hands up in frustration. Hina nodded in agreement. "It's so dry." Code chuckled at their antics, amused by their restlessness.
As night fell, casting a silvery glow over the landscape, Code stretched and yawned. "Finally, it's night." Hina and Nara sighed in unison, their exasperation palpable. "Are we going to endure this boredom for three days?" Hina complained. Code chuckled. "Yeah, and it's just the first day."
Suddenly, the carriage's speakers crackled to life. A smooth, recorded voice announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, we are now approaching the Blackthorn forest. Please be advised to keep a safe distance from the windows and remain seated until further notice. Thank you for your cooperation."
The announcement ended, and Ken's face lit up with a grin. "Finally," he whispered, his smile unnerving. Code felt a shiver run down his spine as he caught Ken's smile. He glanced at the window and saw Alpha had already moved away. 'Blackthorn forest? Here we go,' Code thought, his mind racing with anticipation and unease as the train rumbled into the ominous forest.
***
Here we go