The magenta glow of the vortex is dazzling, drowning out some of the brightness in the lighting of the Subway's platform.
Three creatures emerge from that whirlwind of purple magenta energy. Short, chubby anthropoid guinea pigs, half covered with chainmails and pelts, wooden metal bucklers in one hand, and morningstars in the other.
These Creatures are ready to unleash chaos in Dhägna'Hür, and N'Ïrk couldn't be more astonished by the sight.
The whirlpool is closing, and the beasts are not running back with relentless despair. On the contrary, they don't seem to care.
{What's going on here?!}
The young man has practical experience dealing with Zones. But that's only a tiny fraction of all the knowledge that is veiling the mysteries around the Zones.
The commotion is non existent. People in the platform barely glance to the Creatures, continuing with their lives as if nothing was happening.
"Should we intervene?". Asks Gagk'Xannia with interest. She is awful attacking others, but her defensive prowess is extremely high, having no problem to tank a whole crowd on her own.
"There's no need, Gagk'Xannia". Gently explains Dyll'Phá. "The Subway Sentinels and Volunteer Vigilants will take care of this pests".
"Volunteer Vigilants?". Questions N'Ïrk, what wins him a quick but stern response from Dyll'Phá.
"Is the designation for anyone who wants to be waiting here in the station, until a Zone sprouts or deliver beasts. The Administration in charge of coordinate the City's security, pays a decent Economic Compensation for this type of service, plus, they cover medical expenses, give a discount on the transport's fee, and otorgue additional payments for those who manage to get rid of a Zone, especially if is a Travelling Zone".
At one third, and two thirds of the platform's length, there are two waiting rooms with several benches, armchairs, couches and other commodities, a jukebox, a television (Black and white old TV), magazines and spending machines.
The people there hardly reacts to the danger, glancing each other with apathy, quietly deciding who is going to eradicate the threat.
A door is open, going out a yawning, athletic young lady. She is 2.10 meters tall (7 Feet approx) with obscure brown skin similar to dark cinnamon, clad in pearl leather mini-shorts, black top with gold edges and pearl harnesses that combine with the makeshift choker of pearl leather.
Her lustrous black obsidian hair with golden bee like strands, is styled in twin high buns at the back of her head, which allows her to have her seductive face completely unobstructed.
With blazing orange eyes and a wanton gaze that is placated by her flat serious, confident expression, enhanced by her dark burnt maroon plump lips.
"Hey!. Young Man, you are next!".
Complains the person behind N'Ïrk. The young man nods with a kind smile that is not different than an assassin ready to stab his target.
Stepping to the selling booth. He purchase three cards. The attendant is taken aback but complies.
N'Ïrk is still surprised after seeing a not so old acquittance, Káth'Dria Verderben, a woman with whom he has been intimate on several occasions during their multiple encounters on different outposts.
"My Boyfriend. Why did you bought three cards?".
"So each of us can pay".
"You can stand outside the train and pass the card three times on the scanner". Comments Dyll'Phá at the dumb misconception of N'Ïrk, as he thought the card and the payment is a combination of actions that deactivates the Emeneld of the train's doors.
"Oh!. I didn't know that was an option". N'Ïrk confess while giving the second card to Gagk'Xannia, and the third to Dyll'Phá. "We will be needing these cards to make use of the train, right?. Now the three of us have one, just in case one of us loses it".
N'Ïrk is observing his acquittance, pending on the ongoing fight as he advance to have a closer look.
Káth'Dria's right hand has a metallic glove that glows with yellow energy, slicing with it the creature's buckler, along the anthropoid's forearm, cauterizing the evisceration, and preventing a bloodbath.
Káth'Dria is unimpressed, and couldn't be otherwise. After living in an outpost, the weak creatures lurking under the city are no match for her, or for the apathetic and bored older veterans that no longer had the reflexes and vigorous vitality to be in the frontlines.
"Why are you so slow now?. Or do you need a hand like a damsel in distress, Glutton Gobbler?". Teases N'Ïrk, receiving an annoyed glare and a grunt from the female in combat. "Shut up, Meat Mushroom".
The rivalry between the two is nonexistent, and while Káth'Dria isn't proud, there's no way she requires assistance dealing with a few worthless weaklings.
Dashing forward, Káth'Dria tackles and bashes back the injured guinea pig, pushing him away and stamping it against the second invader.
Both shorties are momentarily stunned, instat used by the fierce female to pierce her arm through the creature's heads, like a thread entering the a needle.
With a graceful turn towards her left, the third anthropoid is reached by Káth'Dria's glowing hand, beheading cleanly the chubby beast. This causes a chorus of cheers, applauses and compliments from the bystanders, along slick or indecorous comments from the posted Sentinels, and bored Volunteer Vigilants.
"Am i still slow, Meat Mushroom?".
"You are. Or who were you trying to impress with those fancy moves?".
"You". Káth'Dria mutters, her voice too low for N'Ïrk to hear it, and the woman's grimace is concealed with her pouting grunt.
Yet, the Young Man continues with his assessment. "You could made a single move, and skewered the three fattys at once, Glutton Gobbler. Or are you lethargic because you haven't had breakfast".
"Always so insightful!. You are not wrong though. I barely stood up. The beds here are more comfortable than what the Intercultural Academy residence offers".
"WHAT?!".
"Why the surprise, Meat Mushroom?. They are not going to invest on good facilities for those who probably are going to drop the year".
"Not that Glutton Gobbler!. Your waking up hour!. It's almost 14:30! (7:15 am for reference)"…