Inside a body, subtle hints of crimson and azure blended vividly with luminous green that emerged in the pulsating veins of the area.
Roots extended up and left, winding down and around the streaks of her red heart like a sea of vicious serpents.
As the mystical stems dug deep into the glistening, healthy heart, faint traces of luminescent green cracks began to appear. They unfolded throughout every corner of this crimson, fleshy cavern. The sight forced a faint, uncomfortable chuckle out of a white-haired girl.
"Ah!"
From her left, someone leaned in and asked her a question.
"What's wrong?"
As Aletha's eyelids parted, she found herself directly under the warm sun rays peering out from the window. The carriage bounced back and forth. People aboard anticipated what was to come.
"Nothing," Aletha scratched her head nervously. "I just felt something inside me, that's all."
When the carriage crossed a sturdy wooden bridge, Aletha took a moment to analyze her surroundings.
People held weapons in their hands, and prideful voices bantered about the carriage, all seeming eager to undertake this mission, engaging in discussions with one another.
Although most of the group anticipated this mission, Aletha felt unsure and uneasy about it.
She had done everything to avoid being separated from her brother already. It surprised her that she ended up separated again. In reaction, she crossed her legs and looked down, eyes casting out to the floor, sighing anxiously.
(I just hope that my brother is safe.)
Not long after, a girl with long shamrock hair patted Aletha's head, grinned at her, and nudged her shoulder. As the carriage crossed an avenue of hills and railroad tracks, she spoke.
"Why the sad face?" She asked with a raised eyebrow, her concern evident. "Something the matter?"
"No. Not really." Aletha replied. "It's just... I have been working so hard to avoid being separated from my brother for so long. It feels like a slap in the face to me that we are forced to part from each other again."
"Oh, that." Isa nodded softly. "Need not worry. Your brother will be safe. It won't be an issue as long as he is with Joshilyn."
"Are you sure?" Aletha leaned her head.
While the inaudible conversations continued around them, Isa lifted her chin, exposing her neck, and addressed Aletha.
"I am most certain." She commented. "Joshilyn is a secret warrior in her own right. She had survived many, many bad battles. Fortunately, she's still around."
Taking a tilt to her side, Aletha twiddled with her thumbs, sweating nervously at the thought. She still had a lot more to learn about her changed world. Not long after, suspicions of the whereabouts of their destinations started to dawn on Aletha.
She curiously leaned her head to Isa once more and asked her in a soft tone.
"So, Isa." She said as she fixed her eyes on the window. "Where are we going?"
"Oh, that's your question?" Isa chuckled lightly. "We're going to a railroad station not too far from here. It is one of the main stations of Linuxinia."
Aletha's eyebrows raised. She drew her head back quickly.
"Really? There are train stations?!" She expressed shock.
"Indeed," Isa replied as she looked at the railroad behind the window with her eyes. "It's one of the most efficient ways of transportation in this world. They say that the people of Destia and Zomrack cooperated to create a vast transportation system for delivering goods and people. Afterwards, the wizards in Destia used their magic and knowledge to create beautiful trains, while Zomrack made the payment and began crafting railroads everywhere. And so, the result is this."
As the carriage crossed a railroad intersection and traveled along the dirt road toward a distant building, Isa shrugged her shoulders and continued speaking.
"But that's not the type of train we're going on." She ensured as she pointed to the vibrant blue sky beyond the window. "We're going on what people call Sky-Railroads."
Aletha's eyes bulged at the strange statement.
"Sky... railroads?"
"Yeah! Sky railroads!" Kali joined in as Isa made room for her. "They are far more advanced than regular railroads. The winged train uses clouds and wind as its tracks. It's kind of dream-like, if I'm being honest."
"Whoa..." Aletha commented with sparkling eyes. "That's so cool!"
"It is!" Kali's round face was expressive. "And right now, we're preparing for departure! I can't wait to see your reaction!"
. . .
While the carriage crossed more kilometers of scaling grassy hills and flora, Aletha felt a strange rise in her chest. Her eyes broadened. A green flicker of luminance shone beneath her skin, extending its lines over and around her body.
As the luminance shone brightly within her body, Aletha stammered in confusion.
"Um... uh... what is this?"
Following Aletha's reaction, Isa and Kila grimaced at the strange phenomenon. As the luminance faded, recognition flared up in Isa's green eyes, making her look closely at Aletha.
"Oh, that?" She caged her fingers, curious. "It appears that The Sealed Beatific had awakened in you. The power usually only does that when foreigners arrive at Linuxinia."
"So... it awakened in me?"
"Practically yes," Kali said, straightening her posture. "Don't worry. It won't harm you. It's actually a good thing, showing you're getting used to Linuxinia!"
With that reply, Aletha's anxiousness eased into anticipation for what was to come. As the group waited in the carriage, Isa turned toward Aletha, ready to give a more detailed explanation of the strange occurrence.
"So, Aletha. About The Sealed Beatific."
"Yes? What about it?" Aletha replied, attentive. "I'm not that scared about it anymore."
"No. It's not that." She opened her hands. "I'm curious if you want to learn more about it. We are still at a distance from the train station, so I assumed to cure your boredom, I should share some information."
Aletha slowly drifted her eyes out the window, feeling stuck between two choices. She wanted to admire the beautiful scenery, but curiosity urged her to learn more. After a brief pause, she gave her answer.
"That's fine." She smiled brightly. "There's not much to do except look outside. I'm okay with a lesson!"
Hearing that, Isa grinned with pride, stretched out her legs, and shifted to a wide-open stance before starting her explanation.
"Understood," she nodded. "What you have in your heart is called a stem. Everyone in this nation has one. Here in Linuxinia, happiness thrives inside you. The more joy you feel, the more power awakens. Some even say The Sealed Beatific's leverage can amplify magic and bless the land. It's quite a unique power."
Hearing this, Aletha tipped her head back in awe. As she stared deeply into Isa's emerald green eyes, Aletha pondered.
(Wait, now that I realize it. That explains what happened to me in the fields with Asahi. My powers were so stimulated that I could fly for a bit.)
After keeping a fixated look on the window, Aletha snapped her fingers and expressed herself with wide, knowledge-filled eyes.
"That explains a lot," she said. "So, will this... Sealed Beatific grows on me more and more the more that I feel joy?"
"Exactly," I"Exactly," Isa nodded. "I'm surprised you caught on quickly. You acted quite stubborn back there, so I never guessed you would act so humble. "Just excited," Aletha said as she tilted her head over to the green hills in the window.
After Isa, Kali, and the others waited for the carriage to reach the train station, its wheels finally bumped onto a solid stone road leading to a grand building made of dark oak beams and windows.
* * *
A warm feeling began to fill Aletha's heart instantly upon hearing the wheels stop. People onboard the carriage stepped out one by one until only Kali, Isa, and Aletha remained seated. As the fresh breeze entered the carriage, Aletha rose, stepped outside, and heard roars echoing across the horizon.
Turning to her left, she saw an oversized silhouette cast upon the shining horizon. A bulky locomotive raced and dashed across the railways in the offing. It zoomed toward the docking station made of steel, wood, and stone. Hearing the loud shrieks of its departure, Fintan gestured Aletha and the others over to the entrance booth along the stone border.
Great wooden pillars guarded the railway entrance. They held iron and crystal gates, which spanned several kilometers in a symmetrical rectangle.
Five ticket booths lined the entrance, each with an attendant. Chaotic noises filled the station. Fintan and the others gathered around the second booth, waiting for tickets. Fast footsteps and shouts from the announcer and conductor filled the area, directing people to their destinations.
If the booths had been closer to the trains, they would have gone deaf from the noise around this outdoor, nearly roofless train station.
"It's so busy here," Aletha mumbled, overwhelmed. "I can barely tell what's going on." Kali looked around at the lines of people boarding and disembarking from the train cars with Isa. "If we hadn't left early, we'd never have gotten a ride. At least we're here now. Right, Isa?"
The clover-haired girl responded with a silent nod and focused more on the surrounding scenery around the train station. Lacy substances retreated among the groves and hid along the open trails. The environment was lush and vibrant, with a cloudscape as dazzling as Aletha's silky white hair hovering over them. The sun shone bright, and trains continued to pass through the lush hills.
On the other hand, Aletha, Kali, Phthonus, and the others gathered around the ticket booth with Fintan, waiting impatiently for their tickets. A red-haired woman with thick, dark eyelashes stood behind a window, sparkling, before a microphone, asking.
"How many do you want on board today?"
The process was relatively simple, unlike Aletha's predictions. Fintan and the others slid their Gincoins through the hole at the bottom of the window; the ticket master turned over to the flashy board behind her and informed them which train they were designated to go to, and they received all their tickets.
"Your winged train will arrive in seven minutes. It will be the last one in the station."
"Understood," Fintan answered. "We will be there on time."
In less than five minutes, the group could grab their tickets, navigate through the crowds of people and the multitude of signs, and finally find their designated station. Along the way, they met beggars pleading for spare change, children running around without their parents, and businessmen walking toward the express.
However, when they arrived at the last docking station, something, or rather... someone, caught Phthonus' eye.
What caught his attention was a tall, dark-haired man wearing a black suit and tie, long, dark pants, and a glistening, azure, heart-shaped gem, walking over to the shadows of the train station. Though his mouth may not be seen, it was clear from Phthonus' repetitive, shaking movements that he had some sort of feud with the man.
Without thought, he parted away from the group and sprinted across the station, pushing and shoving people to chase after him. Aletha and Kali quickly caught on to this and followed Phthonus, apologizing for being driven by their own desires.
Once they approached the last docking station for the winged train, Aletha, Isa, Fintan, and the other passengers watched as a floating locomotive bearing giant white wings landed all its passenger cars onto the station like a bird.
(Choo choo)
As Phthonus' feet crossed ways from the mysterious suited man, he watched as he disappeared into the passenger cars with a line of people. Holding his back and grabbing his wrist, Phthonus spoke through his teeth with forced restraint.
"That...fool. When I get my hands on you, you will pay for every bad deed you have done." He grunted as he heard Aletha and the others approach him from behind. The angered man tightened his fists and raised his voice, alerting everyone in the station, "Especially for slaying my friend!"
After his voice echoed across the station, a tall lady with long dark brown hair and crimson eyes, wearing a conductor's hat, hurriedly rushed over to Phthonus and warned him as the chaotic sounds of the train station bounced once more. Her chains and objects jingled and jangled with each movement she made, her arms crossed, clearly showing signs of impatience.
"Hey! It is against the rules to yell at strangers like that!" She yelled as she watched Aletha and the others reel back from her. "If you do such a thing again, you will be expelled from this train station and restricted from ever using any train station in Gincad again! Do I make myself clear?!"
Though Phthonus might have regarded her warning, nothing could restrain his anger for the man at that moment. He clenched his jaw and pointed at the man, standing stiffly as other people walked around him, giving weird stares.
"No! I won't allow a killer to escape."
"Phthonus, stop!" Aletha yelled, clueless about the reason for his anger. "What are you doing?!"
Before Phthonus could escape, the conductor dominantly rooted her feet before him and raised her voice.
"This is your last warning!" She ordered with a deep and stern voice. "Disregard and disobey the rules, and you and all the others with you will be banned from reaccessing these railroads. Now, again, do I make myself clear?"
After Aletha, Fintan, Isa, Kali, and all the others rushed to Phthonus to persuade him to listen to the conductor's orders, he finally settled down and took deep breaths.
"Okay. Okay. Fine." Phthonus said as he slumped his shoulders down. "I'll listen. If only you knew why I am like this, Aletha."
"I wish I knew too." The white-haired girl replied as they followed the line of people over to the passenger cars.
. . .
After that random outburst of commotion, Aletha, Phthonus, and all the others in the group boarded the passenger cars peacefully. As each boarded the train, Pridia screamed at Fintan, who stood beside the lady conductor.
"And so, I had to face this mountain climbing expedition with my sister before finally reaching over--"
"Fintan! Stop flirting with the conductor, and come on!" Pridia interrupted abruptly. In reaction, Fintan jolted in shock, noticing the conductor's face turning red as Pridia's screams continued to reach him. "We don't have all day!"
After a few seconds of annoyance, Fintan turned to Pridia and answered.
"Understood! I will be there shortly." Upon his reply, he turned over and winked at the conductor in a flirtatious tone. A smile from her came up to his wink. As the sounds of steam engines brewed in the station, Fintan leaned over to the woman and whispered. "Goodness, people can be in such a rush sometimes."
"Yeah." The conductor replied with a nervous smile, scratching the back of her head. "People can be quite impatient when it comes to transportation."
After a silence erupted between them, both turning back with nervous blushes, Fintan leaned over to the woman and whispered as he slowly stepped back to the passenger car.
"How about we meet up somewhere?" He said as he heard Pridia scream at him to hurry up at the top of her lungs. "I want to learn more about you. You seem rather formal and elegant."
"And you sound so adventurous and formal too." The conductor replied while sliding her fingers down her long brown hair. "Sure."
After writing down her location on a page in her notepad, she tore it off and gave it to Fintan willingly before hurrying down the train to join the passengers. Although it couldn't be seen, she hid a large blush.
"Finally. Took you long enough." Pridia said as she crossed her arms, watching Fintan board the passenger car with the note. "What took you so long?"
Returning to his formal manner, Fintan shook his head and snapped his fingers.
"Nothing of your concern." He said as he slid the note into his pocket. "Now get to your seat."
* * *
"All aboard!" The conductor announced as the wings attached to the train flocked and propelled the cars upward.
Inside the passenger cars, a crimson rug stood between the alleys of sets of chairs and windows, while wooden doors stood at each end of the carriage. As people began boarding the train, Aletha decided to sit in the third aisle of chairs next to a window.
"Finally, I found a seat," Aletha mumbled as she planted her bottom onto the soft cushion. "That took forever."
When the train started to make its ascent into the clouds, Phthonus casually approached a seat next to Aletha and tilted his head downward. Guilt and doubt consumed his thoughts. His body seemed hunched forward and tenser than before the carriage, constantly thinking about that man as he sat.
"Mind if I sit here?" Phthonus asked Aletha with a weary tone.
A pause broke in between his questions.
(Why should I let him sit beside me?) Aletha thought as he stared directly at Phthonus' amber eyes. (After seeing what he had done to the conductor, there's no reason other than for me to say no.)
After some thought, Aletha nodded her head and came to a decision.
(But if I allowed Phthonus to sit next to me, I could find out what's happening with him.)
And so, straightening her posture, Aletha answered Phthonus with a welcoming grin.
"Sure!"