Echoing loudly, the train's whistle signalled their imminent departure, the train cars rattling as the wheels slowly grinded into rhythm. With a few clouds blotting out the setting sun's rays, the inside of the trains casted a mix of orange light that sliced through the shadows. Sitting alone in the far end of the row of seats, Akira watched the flickering movement of light against the darkness.
"It's a little dark in here, don't you think?" said Conductor as the room illuminated back into its white essence.
Not bothering to turn around, Akira only sank deeper into his seat.
"I probably should've asked if you wanted me to turn the lights on, huh?" he continued, sitting in the seat across from him.
"Conductor." spoke Akira "I know why you came in here, just say what you need to already."
"You're right." he admitted with a soft chuckle "I guess you were already anticipating me coming in here."
"Out with it then."
With a small sigh, he answered "Listen, I trust what you say about the Emperor of Darkness, but maybe you shouldn't have acted that way at Arya."
"It was for her own good!" exclaimed Akira "If she can't understand the danger she's putting herself in, then she might as well hand her life over to the Shadow Line!"
"Well, you can't completely blame her. It was only a matter a time before the Emperor of Darkness took an interest in her."
"That is why we need to keep her away from him! It's the only way to protect her!"
Another soft chuckle escaped as he responded "Not too long ago, I was saying the exact same thing you are."
"What do you mean?" Akira questioned.
"Back when I first met the empress, I was shocked to see such a small, little girl standing before me. She was hardly tall enough to reach my hip!" he explained "I just couldn't believe it, someone so young was to carry the responsibility of the Rainbow Line on her shoulders alone someday. For years I took care of her, and each day I worried and pestered her about her safety. If I had any control, I would have locked her inside the trains all day long. But the thing is, as time flew by, I could see that she wasn't the little girl anymore. She was finally becoming independent and didn't need me protecting her anymore. She was fully capable of making decisions for herself."
"Then what do we do?" Akira asked.
"Nothing."
"How can you say that?" Akira demanded "Are you just going to allow her to get hurt?"
"Of course not, Akira." Conductor's voice becoming more strained "However, it is not my decision to tell Arya what to do, she's bound to get hurt some time right?"
"But she's the empress, isn't it in the best interest of the Rainbow Line to keep her safe?"
"Some things are just beyond our control." whispered Conductor "You can take all the precautions and heed all the warnings, but some things just aren't good enough."
"Conductor…"
Breathing heavily, he buried his face in his hands "Then you're left wondering what you did wrong. If things could have been different."
"Conductor?" asked Akira "Did something happen to Arya?"
"Long ago, there was a war that broke out between the Shadow and Rainbow Lines. We did all we could to help her escape, but somehow, she got caught up in the battle herself. In the end, we found her barely breathing on the field. She was lucky to have enough energy to seal herself within the Heaven's Stone." replied Conductor, his voice hoarse "But we had given up hope of her return after so long."
"Then shouldn't we try to keep her safe?" he pleaded.
"No." he responded strongly as he stood up "Protecting her now is only prolonging the inevitable. When she dies, I believe it will be when she is ready."
Exiting the door, Conductor called out behind him "Besides, it's in her nature to want to save everyone. I can't deny her desire to do just that despite it being the Emperor of Darkness."
Alone once again, Akira was left still wondering about Arya.
Does she truly believe the Emperor of Darkness can be saved?