The morning creeps over the rooftops, chasing the blue shadows from the cobblestone streets. Bricks and mortar soak up the warmth as the sky shifts from charcoal to soft apricot.
Slowly, the town opens its eyes; chimneys breathe lazy coils of smoke, and the distant chiming of bells ripples through the crisp, quiet air.
People were leaving their homes, to face off another new day of their lives. Not knowing what will be their last day when they won't return, this is the truth of the world.
On the so-called home, preparations were done. Zack opens his eyes, still half consciousness and unaware of his surroundings.
He uses his all to get up on his back. Scrubbing his eyes to see what was before him.
Ruis and Ender weren't on their beds, their bed sheets were tidily maintained. He stares dumbfoundedly for a moment before releasing. What was the day today...
"Shit!"
He began to move hastily, doing everything recklessly and hurriedly.
Few Moments Later...
He opens the door leading to the hall, everyone was already there. Staring at him seriously.
"Dang it! I'm done!"
His small suitcase dropped from his shaking hand while Zack's expression changed to something even worse, but suddenly he felt a warm sensation on his shoulder.
"What happened Zack?"
He glanced to see Misha looking at him with a puzzled face. Then he glanced there again to see no one was there. Taken aback.
"Didn't you sleep well?"
He didn't answer, he couldn't answer something he didn't know, biting his lips as he made a quivering smile while looking at her. Misha took off his hand over him. Silent.
"U– Uhhh, did no one wake up?"
"They're almost ready. By the way, is Mr Azon not here yet?"
Zack shrugged, of course how would this idiot know this, next moment they heard a door creak. It was the front door. Zack swiftly picks up his suitcase.
Azon entered with his usual cold expression pasted all over his face. Observing the surroundings around him.
Zack and Misha stand still, they didn't know but in front of this guy they can't move an inch. It was more like a subconscious act rather than fear.
Ender and Ruis came after him. Standing behind him. He was so giant that they truly looked like 16 year old kids in front of him. On the other side, Sara and Lisa arrived, their suitcases trailing with them. Azon sighed.
"The preparations are done. Let's get going."
Azon turned around and moved before the kids beside him. Then they made their pace.
The remaining group stared, speechless before Misha finally made her steps.
Some had questions lingering in their minds yet they didn't dare to ask, bowing their heads down and walking along where he had led. Without uttering a word.
Coming outside, two carriages were waiting for them, big and well built horses snorting. Ready to lead the way.
The carriages itself were quite fancy, well furnished dark wood exterior from outside. With the scent of Agarwood wood reaching their nose.
Azon waved his hand over the carriage which was before the other. Signaling the girls.
Not long after, the girls went in, then the boys on another one, and at last. Himself with them.
The men lashed their horses and let out a weary groan before embarking on a new journey, driven forward by their steps.
The interior of the carriage was the same in both, the air was rich with the gentle, grounding scent of polished mahogany and warm beeswax.
Soft amber light spilled from brushed-brass oil lanterns mounted on the velvet-trimmed walls, casting a flickering, golden glow that softened every edge.
Beneath their feet, a thick, plush rug absorbed the low, rhythmic hum of the wooden wheels against the road, turning the motion into a soothing cradle.
It was a remarkable choice done by Mr Azon. Some thought, getting comfortable with their positions in no time.
The windows were small, arched panes set deeply into polished wooden frames, framing the passing structures like living watercolor paintings.
Lisa and Sara claimed the rear-facing seats by the windows, while Misha took her place in the forward-facing row.
On another carriage, all the three boys lodged together in the back row while Azon sat alone in the forward one. His body language showed he didn't drop his guard down.
They seemed to ignore him, watching the scenery passing by to distract themselves. The cool breeze struck their faces, brushing through their hair.
Zack, watching the scenery of a garden of a villa, subconsciously closed his eyes but suddenly he heard a call.
'Try not to doze off; we'll get to the station in half an hour.'
Azon said, addressing everyone telepathically. Abruptly, they all got reverted to their alter states. And time passed like that.
...
Time had never moved so slowly. When the vehicle finally shuddered to a halt, the dust settled to reveal their true destination; a sprawling, intimidating expanse waiting to be conquered.
Azon got off first then others slowly, soundly exited the carriage.
Zack was stretching his arms, Misha trying not to close her eyes as she was vigorously scrubbing them. Lisa yawned while looking at the clear sky.
"If I had experienced more than 1 minute, I would have never woken up from my sleep."
She said out loud, Zack overheard it and a grin formed over his cheeks.
"So experiencing 59 seconds is the limit?"
"There were levels of retardness to this."
Her entire expression changed, yet Zack chuckled.
"So am I number 1 on something?"
He spoke, still grinning.
"You!"
"Alright. Stop fighting you two."
Luckily Misha interfered between them. Amidst all this, Sara watched Ender was looking here, she thought for a moment before frankly going to him.
"Are you excited?"
She asked with her casual tone.
"That's something I'll tell after I had experienced it."
He spoke leisurely.
Ruis sighed watching all of this, but then his gaze went at Azon who was discussing something with the riders, at the same time giving them something. Possibly they could be yurums.
Then his gaze diverted and he stared down at the subterranean abyss of the stairs before him, plunging endlessly into the dark. The weight of their journey settled as they finally stood at the station's threshold.
Moments Later...
They stood shoulder to shoulder before the subterranean tracks, enveloped in a pool of warm, ambient light. The crowd was steady, a quiet sea of patience.
With every preparation meticulously handled, time hung suspended in the air. They waited not just for the train, but for the moment to arrive and let them bloom.
Azon was in front taking the lead as usual, surprisingly only he was the one who didn't have a suitcase, rather than everyone who had, all of them had finally realized now.
But of course this thought brushed off their heads, as many positive emotions and feelings were already lingering in them.
The small crowd was watching them, spectacularly Azon, and that was understandable because he was the tallest person standing in the crowd.
Azon grunted, glancing again and again where the train should come at any moment.
Misha checked if she had actually brought her suitcase only to realize it was resting on her hand. She let out a hitch, Lisa who was near her checked how many people were there.
Then...
"Do you even pack skin care essentials?"
She surprised Misha with a sudden question. Still, she replied with serenity.
"Everywhere I stay."
"Even six-hour train rides?"
"Especially six-hour train rides."
They chuckled together. Before Misha went where Ender was standing.
Zack was murmuring some things with Sara, both had a faint smirk curved over their cheeks so that should be a good one. While Lisa tried to join their chat and started whispering too.
"And please don't lose your ticket this time."
Sara requested, a bit moody.
"I lost it once."
"Exactly!"
Lisa exclaimed with clarity.
Misha glanced at Ender who had an unreadable expression pasted over his face, she cleared up her throat just enough so he could notice. After that...
Finally making her guts, she asked.
"Having a decent time?"
"Exhausting."
"You didn't sleep well?"
Ender looked towards the tracks.
"Sleep doesn't always quiet the mind."
"...I see."
He made his pace and went where Ruis was standing. Misha looked at the ceiling and started looking anywhere which could grab her attention. Unfortunately she couldn't find it.
Ender and Ruis were standing side to side. Azon was simultaneously checking the time on his watch before them.
They both remain silent, though they could hear their group banter coming from behind. It wasn't clear but it was enough to be heard.
WOOOSH!
It finally arrived, everyone got distracted with their actions.
SCREEECH!
Perfectly stopping before the passengers, the doors opened automatically; a huge crowd of passengers came through, men, women, families. When they had gone.
A digital screen which was beside the doors, blank a few seconds ago, started displaying cities names where the crowd wanted to go.
"Vudena."
"Kurdeiulm."
"Qijzas."
The doors opened automatically; letting them in, the group tried to rush but Azon extended his hand, ordering them to wait. Even though their class barely had many people.
After the crowd went first to their respective class, then they moved in. They had car 9 as their A class berth.
Everyone pulled out their tickets except Azon, checking which rooms they had booked. Then moving to their respective rooms.
This time one person had their entire room. Misha got 24, Zack got 19, Lisa got 12, Ruis got 8, Sara got 16, Ender got 22 as their room numbers.
Azon was unknown because he had already disappeared.
Finally after settling their suitcases, everyone laid on their beds. Closing their eyes. But again...
'You all should know but, expect a six-hour journey to reach Barsciminia.'
He addressed them again, telepathically. Nevertheless they somehow brushed it off, as their rooms had AC exhaling cool-chill air out.
Even though this guy acted strict outside, he did give a good treatment to his juniors. Though it wasn't like it was his money which was being spent at, even so a good choice.
Ruis took out some snacks and started eating them.
While he was crunching his snacks, he realized something. Getting up and going out of his room. He goes to Zack's room.
As Azon had also picked up Ender and Ruis for this work, he remembered where their numbers were as he knocked on room 19.
After a while, the door opened and Ruis, without seeing, tossed a packet of snacks over Zack who could barely catch it.
"You'll probably need more than this."
He said with a faint smirk, Zack was dumbfounded.
"How do you know?"
"You didn't pack some snacks?"
"I thought the staff would provide us some
scrumptious meals."
Ruis clasped his forehead.
***
Both Lisa and Sara had brought some books with them so they spent their time like that.
But not being so fond of loneliness. Sara knocked at her door and she gracefully let her in. They shared some words and Sara inquired amidst their conservation.
"Do you have an interest in fantasy stories?"
"Aren't we already living in fantasy!"
Their giggles echoed in many rooms.
***
After Ruis left the room. Zack turned on the television but quickly turned it off because he wasn't familiar with the whole Raiheart media.
Then started unpacking his suitcase because he was the only one who hadn't done this before.
***
Ender sat quietly at the heavy wooden table, his sharp eyes taking in every detail of the room. He sank into a deep, meditative calm.
After a long moment of studying the shadows and edges of his surroundings, he rose from the chair and moved toward the bed, surrendering to sleep. Until...
TAP!
TAP!
The door knocked gently so he went for it, expecting a staff. But when he opened it.
"I remember to pack this up for you."
Misha was standing there, offering her warm smile. She had a medication pill packet on her palm. Ender was startled.
He always had motion sickness whenever he traveled, on Earth he always kept medication for it just in case.
"H– How do you get this here?"
"I spoke with our professor about it, and he assured me the medication is available here, though under a different name. He actually provided me with this alternative."
Seeing it might be a bit rude for her to stand outside, Ender sighed.
"Come in."