Axel leaned back on the chair, his gaze outside. Sodium lamps flashing rhythmically, red, black, red, black, as the car zoomed past them.
The wipers clicked lazily against the drizzle, not rain, the mist clinging to the city at night.
The city glowed faintly on the horizon. Vostyn's skyline a jagged halo of white and blue light against the night sky, looking like constellations.
The air inside the car hummed with the low thrum of the engine and the faint, tinny sound of an old radio station.
His eyes stay fixed ahead, but his thoughts miles away.
His mind drifting back to Optima, specifically her anima, it gave him hope, a possible way to help Ophelia.
And he'd find it, no matter what, he made a silent promise to himself.
If there wasn't, I'll just find those blacksmiths and get them to make one, no matter what.
His gaze moved to his laps, the sheathed katana resting on it.
And this is the key to that.
Axel adjusted it and turned his attention to Serif who was laser focused on driving.
I doubt he'll be willing to talk.
The car took the turnpike south, the road threading through overpasses and empty lots, billboards looming out of the dark.
Axel sighed, and turned away, looking at the side mirror, the billboards blurring into pale ghost, as the car pulled away.
That blank look on his face is so annoying. And to top it off he refused to answer any questions unrelated to the katana, the Gishiki, according to Optima.
Based on her, the katana was a unique case among anima, able to exert its will on the world, even without a wielder.
It could subtly manipulate people, an insidious ability, considering you wouldn't even realize you were being controlled.
That was how it eventually ended up being delivered to him.
Choose him according to Serif.
But that wasn't even it's true abilities. Even she didn't know what exactly it could do.
But something still bugged him, Optima had said only the wielder can use an anima. So how was he able to use the Gishiki's ability.
He had intended to ask Serif, but he stopped himself, the memory of those chains dripping with blood still vivid in his mind.
How am I sure he wouldn't just kill me…after all, this seems like a big deal.
If I'm able to use it, doesn't that mean something is wrong, perhaps I could be considered a threat.
He sighed again.
The best thing would be to observe for now, he saved me but so far, I know it's because of the katana, I can't trust him yet, he glanced at Serif.
"So why don't you just take it and deliver it yourself?" Axel asked.
"Because it choose you," the answer came, direct and short.
Axel rolled his eyes, apparently he was beginning to realize Serif was an avid believer in fate…that sort of thing and highly dedicated too.
His gaze flickered to Serif again, his white hair gently being blown back by the wind rushing in from the open window.
His hair is surely unique, did he dye it, Axel wondered.
But he quickly discarded the thought, somehow he couldn't imagine serif doing something like that, Optima, most certainly.
He leaned back, the signs for Logan Airport flashed by; planes blinked in slow arcs overhead, descending toward the runway lights. The smell of salt and diesel drifted through the air vents.
I bet there are anima that allow flying, he thought as he looked at the planes.
Axel's mind wandered back to all he had been in the last twenty four hours, the encounter with the man at the door.
The Katana saving him.
All in less than a day, He smirked.
That'll be some report.
Speaking of which, Axel opened his eyes and examined the wheel shaped hilt carefully.
It was made of metal, he gently touched it, it was cold, smooth.
Inscriptions intricately carved into it, forming patterns, nothing he recognized.
But the metal sure didn't look like something that'll glow normally.
I wonder if anima are science based or more supra mundane, it'd make sense if it was science, considering all it all came from a meteorite.
Though there was a lot science can't explain, like the compatibility. Reverting atoms back to a state.
Those can't be science at least not the one I know of.
At least the speed and the increase in length of the chains, he could explain that or try to, but still.
He sighed, "so many questions, yet no answers."
Serif's eyes flickered to him briefly, then back to the road.
I bet he's this way due to his anima.
He blew a raspberry.
Out of habit, he pulled out his phone.
"Unfortunately this has seen better days." Axel sighed.
He looked forward as they followed the signs for a parkway, glowing palely against the dark.
"If it's supposed to be secret, how come the katana is in an anime?" Axel muttered, half to himself and partly to Serif, not expecting an answer as the car pulled up into the parking lot outside a train station.
The parking lot was half-lit and quiet. The wind carried the salty smell of the sea, mixing with the diesel tang of the city.
Axel stepped out of the SUV, following Serif's lead.
"By the way where are we going?" Axel asked following Serif as they descended the stairs into the subway station.
"To deliver the katana," Serif answered as he calmly fed in a few bills to the ticket machine; the paper ticket sliding out.
"Wait, where," Axel muttered as he hurriedly followed Serif to the platform.
Not that it mattered much to him as long as he got more involved in this world of anima.
"Nova Yoren," Serif answered as he stood at the platform, waiting for the train.
Somewhere in the distance, the rumble of an approaching train building up like thunder in a tunnel.
"So the wielder stays in Nova Yoren?"
"No?"
Axel's brow scrunched, "then what are we going there for."
"To find transport," Serif answered flatly.
"To where?"
Serif raised a brow, and said, "Krovia"
Axel stood silent, letting the words sink in, then his eyes widened.
"What, I am not prepared to leave the country, I need my passport, my documents, I'm totally not prepared," Axel protested.
"Besides, why didn't you let me know of this earlier," he added.
Serif took a deep breath "because you were unconscious."
Axel grimaced, don't say that looking so cool, he was about to protest when Serif's voice cut him off.
"Besides, if we go back to your apartment, what do you think will happen? and we don't have time," he looked at his wrist watch as the train stopped, the door opening with a hiss, "they'll be coming after you."
Oh right, those guys, Axel thought back to Zoran's face, shivers travelling up his spine.
"So how are we going there then, don't tell me there is a secret train network," Axel said jokingly.
But Serif said nothing as he sat down near a window, Axel's eyes widened, for real.