The hybrids kept pushing against the captain's cabin door, doing everything to overpower the four men inside. Meanwhile, the leader ordered others to check on the allied group at the berth.
"Guys, I think I hear footsteps!" Elizabeth leaned close to the door, panic rising in her voice.
"They're coming for us! What do we do when they open the door? We're unarmed!" Jasmine exclaimed.
"We need to push the beds against the door while the rest escape through the windows," Jenny suggested urgently.
"There's no time! Quick, everyone!" Elizabeth urged.
They shoved the beds hard against the door. Jenny was the first to slip out the window, followed by Jasmine. Elizabeth moved swiftly and agilely to escape through the window last. The hybrids struggled to force the door, but it was too late — the three girls had already fled.
"Where are those guys?!" one hybrid growled, pushing the door open.
"I think they escaped through the window — look, it's open!" another pointed.
On the train's rooftop, the girls spotted a few hybrids ahead.
"There are hybrids up front!" Jenny warned.
"And behind us too! They're closing in. We're trapped!" Elizabeth said grimly.
"Then we fight! What choice do we have?" Jenny urged.
They sprinted forward, surprising the hybrids before they could react. Flying kicks knocked some out cold, and they seized their weapons. Quickly arming themselves, the girls neutralized those chasing them from behind.
"That's done. We're lucky to have escaped!" Elizabeth breathed after the last hybrid fell.
"No time to waste! Let's signal the boys to let us inside the cabin!" Jasmine urged.
Lying flat on the rooftop, Jasmine shouted down, "Hey boys, it's us! We've taken care of the hybrids here. Please, hold your fire!"
"Can I see your face, Jasmine?" Lama called from inside.
Jasmine lowered her face to the window, and Lama nodded. "Okay, you may come in — quick!"
They hurried inside and shut the door behind them.
"Do you even know how to drive this train?" Jasmine asked skeptically.
"We're doing our best! Just try to distract the hybrids — there are too many!" Nick replied anxiously.
"Try to steer the train away from their territory. We need to evade them!" Elizabeth pressed.
"We are, but this train is slow. I haven't found any divergent routes yet. Bear with us!" Nick said despondently.
Meanwhile, the leader hybrid regrouped his forces. "Let's come together! We've been outmaneuvered tactically. They've neutralized some of our hybrids and barricaded themselves in the cabin. We need to stop the train to trap them!"
"How?" a hybrid asked.
"If we dismantle the engines, the train will stop. Others take positions on the rooftop. Once the train halts, we launch a full assault on the cabin!" the leader commanded.
The hybrids moved swiftly to the engine section and tampered with it. Suddenly, the train screeched to a halt.
"The train just stopped!" John exclaimed.
"What's going on?!" Jasmine asked nervously.
"They must have interfered with the engines," Nick guessed.
From outside the cabin, hybrids began attacking through the windows. The fighting intensified.
"They've surrounded us!" Elizabeth warned.
Suddenly, the leader dropped a choking gas inside. Darkness swallowed the group as they lost consciousness.
When they awoke, the ropes binding them were tighter, and they were surrounded by hybrids at the berth.
"What… why are these guards surrounding us?" Nick muttered as he opened his eyes.
"What are they even saying? They sound like they're laughing like clowns!" William noted.
"Quiet! You're surrounded! You have the right to remain silent! You will be arrested and taken to the secret dungeon!" one guard barked.
"We're moving forward without you. So stop whining like babies! Everything here is recorded for future reference! Imagine your files being exposed in embarrassment!" another guard sneered.
"Recorded?" Jasmine repeated in shock.
"Yes. Hidden cameras throughout the train monitor everything — even where you lied and bypassed guards," Lama said.
"This train has cameras for security. We have all the evidence. Anything you say or do can be used against you in court!" another hybrid warned.
"For the embarrassments coming your way! The highest court in the land awaits! Two will step down personally to deal with you… I prophesy!" the guard added ominously.
"Who? Two will step down to deal with us?" Jasmine questioned.
"You're going to the supreme court," the hybrid confirmed.
"Nikoome will be one of the judges."
"And who's Nikoome?" Nick asked.
"He's the chief justice. He and his deputy will not only deliver the verdict but publicly declare your punishment. He's ruthless — be warned," the hybrid said.
"Then let's meet in court! I'm not afraid of you. I know the divine is on my side!" Nick said boldly.
"You sound brave," the hybrid remarked.
"It's tortured poetry. I've been through prison and mental institutions. But look at me now — free from the drama. It's always been tailored that way. Keep that in mind!" Nick said defiantly.
"Even if you escaped prison and mental institutions, do you think you'll escape court drama?" the hybrid challenged.
"I'm sure the divine's got me. Why not?" Nick answered.
"Okay then, see you in court, bold guy. Now be quiet!" the hybrid snapped.
Silence fell. The train resumed its smooth journey after repairs.
Days passed, the captured group fed once a day but not allowed to refresh or leave their quarters, except escorted for basic needs.
One hybrid suddenly asked, "Who brought you here? Why do you keep meddling in our secret societies? Can't you just leave us alone?"
"We are leaving you and your secret societies alone. We solve problems before they escalate — amicably and harmoniously. We only want our rightful inheritances, legally," Elizabeth answered cryptically.
"The earth is the Lord's. That means people have legal inheritances," Nick added in riddles.
"What are you talking about? The earth belongs to the Lord… legal inheritances? How does that relate?" a hybrid asked.
"Legend says the gems belong to two communities who founded them, but power greed split them. The gems ended up in secret societies. We believe these gems are divine — that's why I referenced the earth belonging to the Lord to explain such analogy." Nick elaborated.
"Do you have evidence?" a hybrid asked. "You'll explain everything in court. Just pray magic or 'the divine ' won't back you up! If it does, you'll gain favor — and the losers will face death!"
"So if you lose, secret societies hang you because magic or divinity favored us?" Jasmine asked.
"Exactly. It's like a game. If magic backs your case, we get hanged — whether here or elsewhere. Secret societies hate losing to stronger magic. Our contracts say if we lose, we pay with our lives. Otherwise, the opposite happens," the hybrid explained.
"You risk your lives over court cases? I can't imagine dying over debts or finance bills. Those gems are valuable — they belong to us! We pray justice prevails, with or without magical interventions," Nick said.
"We want no executions whatsoever. But choices have consequences. Justice will be our shield!" Elizabeth said firmly.
"Looks like only the supernatural can defend your cases. Our judges will back us up. We fear only lion-type powers. You could be freed while we're hanged. Reminds me of when another snowden arose — a powerful wizard who scared us all to the wits. But we convinced him to join us later on. Rumbling the skies with spells —really terrifying!" the hybrid recounted.
"I heard you laughing at silly stories. What kind of stories?" Nick asked suddenly.
"Silly? We were laughing at how you tried to control the train while fighting us. Your efforts were futile in the end. But you fought well. It was juicy watching you!" the hybrid said with a smirk.
"You said you escaped prison and mental institutions, but this court has judges on our side. Good luck!" another hybrid sneered.
"We'll dodge the secret dungeon and supreme court. I'm sure of it. Mock us all you want!" Elizabeth said confidently.
"Your opinions don't matter to us!" Jasmine retorted.
"There's nothing left to save!" another hybrid said coldly.
"Heaven or divinity is never out of sight. We're always a family! Keep your dramas — let that sink!" Jasmine said boldly.
"Jasmine's right! The divine will come through for us — either by feeling the roar or through amicable resolutions. It's either this way or the other!" Elizabeth added.
"Silence! Enough talk! No one speaks until we get to the secret dungeon. Then the lion's roar will be known. Kingdom wars, divine resolution enhancers,inheritance claims — no more arguments. You're all prisoners!" the hybrid commanded.
"We will rule our kingdom. That's the final truth!" Nick declared before a hybrid slapped him hard making him fall unconsciously at the train's floor.