Trae
Saya surely was a strange woman to meet. The exact same as Diva in every possible way, yet entirely different. So curious to find this small, dainty, weak-willed girl holding such a title as queen. Comparing her to Diva was understandable. I've only ever known the terror that Diva would bring when she didn't get her way. How icy her fingers felt when she touched my chin and made me look into her cold blue eyes. Knowing the truth of what she'd done to my own mother, I can't help but compare her ruthlessness to Saya.
"T-Trae, right?" Saya confirmed, her gaze unsteady as she didn't know what to do or where to look.
"Yes," I replied, my voice cold and unwavering.
"Is Konella here?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"No," I said curtly.
"Oh…" Her lips thinned as she looked away, eyes downcast, clearly thinking about what she'd already caused to make me act so coldly towards her. I glanced at Kai, who seemed to reprimand my attitude.
"I am here because there is a danger you will not be able to handle," I said, my tone icy and authoritative. "Whether or not I can assist depends solely on what happens from here on out." I let my words hang in the air, my cold demeanor unchanging, as I desired to strike fear into this feeble queen.
Saya's eyes widened slightly, and she swallowed hard, clearly unsettled by my presence and the weight of my words.
"Hey, guys, let's be civil here." Kai intervened. "Saya, Trae's here because of the danger. Let's just get along and make a plan here." I was intrigued by Kai's resoluteness. He certainly wanted to keep the peace, and by showing he meant to keep his word with my father through me.
"Indeed." I softened a tad bit. "Kai, as I said before, Amshel is dangerous and—"
Something made the train stutter, then rage forward like it was possessed. Viewing out the window to see the landscape a blur of white and black, my gut told me something was happening and we were in danger. The door was slammed open, David and Luis armed to the teeth as they glanced at me before looking to the others.
"Chiropterans. We need to move to the front of the car!" David ordered, his voice urgent and commanding. The gravity of the situation hit me like a wave. Kai hesitated, but then took out his own gun holstered to his hip and moved to protect his brother Riku.
"You," David pointed to me, his eyes intense, "we'll protect you. Just stay close to us and stay out of trouble."
"Thank you." I continued my act as I stayed close behind while they ran through the car with guns at the ready. The chiropterans that were onboard were shrieking, wailing, moving all around from what I could hear. The air was thick with tension and the smell of fear. How they even managed to come onto the train I'll never know.
"Trae," Kai came close as David and Luis scouted ahead. "I need you to protect Riku." He asked urgently, his eyes pleading.
"Alright," I agreed readily, nodding my appreciation before Saya and Haji stopped and turned to find two chiropterans coming from behind. The sight of the monstrous creatures sent a chill down my spine. Their grotesque forms and blood-curdling screams were a stark reminder of the danger we were in.
The train lurched again, and I could feel the vibrations under my feet. The situation was dire, and every second counted. I steeled myself, ready to face whatever came next, knowing that our survival depended on our ability to work together and stay focused.
"We'll handle these guys," Saya spoke loud enough for David to hear, casting a quick glance at me, clearly wondering what I would do. I gave her no reaction as I followed the others, Riku tight in my grasp. Leaning down, I whispered into his ear.
"I'm going to pick you up. It'll be easier for me."
"Ok." He agreed so easily, and as I lifted him, his small arms wrapped around my neck. David and Luis looked at me with curiosity before turning their attention to Kai.
"Let's go before more show up," David urged.
"Right," Kai responded.
They led the way through the empty cars, and the heavy scent of iron filled the air. Chiropterans were swarming the train, making meals of every passenger on board. Could Amshel cause such chaos? Possibly. The man is cunning and fiercely protective of Diva. I wouldn't put it past him to incite this chaos to eliminate Saya.
"Elizabeta!" Luis called out to a woman clad in purple, with short brown hair and a fierce look in her eyes. Her heavy Russian accent as she spoke to David and Luis was hard to decipher, but something about her felt off. Her gaze shifted towards me, and I felt a chill run down my spine.
"We need to get to the front of the train, then dislodge the remaining cars for our safety," she spoke, her eyes shifting back to David.
"Alright, then let's make our way through," David agreed.
I followed close behind, keeping a small distance from the woman, feeling more and more threatened by her presence. She's a member of the Red Shield, that wouldn't make me nervous. No, something else was prickling my skin about her, but I couldn't pinpoint what.
"Dammit!" David cursed as he opened the door, and the storm blew in.
The icy wind hit us like a wall, making us all shiver as the ice pelted our faces. The storm was relentless, with gusts of wind howling like banshees and snow swirling in a blinding frenzy. It was as if the very elements were conspiring against us. The ground was a treacherous sheet of ice, making every step a potential hazard. The cold was bone-chilling, seeping through our clothes and biting at our skin.
"We must cross!" Elizabeta spoke, her voice unwavering. It was a daring proposition, considering we could all fall to our deaths and be lost to the icy tundra.
The train lurched again, and the shrieks of the chiropterans grew louder, echoing through the cars. The urgency of our situation was palpable. Every second counted, and the danger was closing in from all sides. I tightened my grip on Riku, my heart pounding in my chest. We had to move, and we had to move now.
The storm outside was a force of nature, with ice accumulating rapidly on every surface. Tree branches and power lines were weighed down, some snapping under the pressure. The train tracks were barely visible, covered in a thick layer of ice and snow. The visibility was near zero, making it almost impossible to see more than a few feet ahead. The wind was so strong it felt like it could lift us off our feet at any moment.
David and Luis moved with purpose, their faces set in grim determination. The severity of the storm made every movement a struggle, and the threat of the chiropterans added an extra layer of danger. We were in a race against time, battling both the elements and the monsters that lurked in the shadows.
Then I felt something sharp take hold of my shoulder and shove me off the train. The world tilted violently, and I was suddenly airborne.
"Riku!" I screamed, clutching him tightly to my chest. My wings burst from my back, enshrouding us protectively as we plummeted into the white void below. The wind roared in my ears, and the icy air cut through me like a thousand knives. I felt my skin getting lacerated by ice and stones, each impact sending jolts of pain through my body. Riku's terrified screams pierced the chaos, his small hands gripping me with desperate strength.
The ground rushed up to meet us, a blur of white and gray. I twisted mid-air, using my wings to slow our descent, but the storm was relentless. Snow and ice whipped around us, obscuring my vision and making it nearly impossible to navigate. My mind raced, adrenaline pumping through my veins as I fought to keep us from crashing into the unforgiving earth.
I promised Kai to protect his brother. That promise was the only thing anchoring me in this maelstrom. I tightened my grip on Riku, shielding him with my body as we hurtled downward. The cold was numbing, but I couldn't afford to lose focus. Every second counted, and I had to find a way to land safely.
My wings strained against the wind, muscles burning with the effort. The storm seemed to mock my attempts, battering us from all sides. I could feel the weight of Riku in my arms, his fear palpable. I whispered reassurances, though my own heart was pounding with fear.
Finally, through the swirling snow, I spotted a patch of ground that seemed less treacherous. With a final, desperate effort, I angled our descent towards it. We hit the ground hard, rolling through the snow and ice. Pain exploded through me, but I held onto Riku, refusing to let him go.
We came to a stop, and I lay there for a moment, gasping for breath. The storm raged on around us, but we were alive. I looked down at Riku, his face pale and eyes wide with shock.
"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice hoarse.
He nodded, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I think so."
Relief washed over me, but it was tempered by the realization that we were still in danger. My only regret was not finding out who shoved me off the train. But for now, survival was all that mattered.