Interlude: From the Destination.

Rung-shuck-ruck

The sound of pen meeting paper fills the room.

The pen, guided by their hand, writes the character for child. The pen moves on, writing the character for mother, then woman.

“Haah.” A sign marks the end of the pen's movement.

Tap Tap

The pen is tapped on the table, leaving dots of ink on the desk.

Moments pass. Warm sunlight fills the room through a window, which causes the light to refract into caustics.

Knock Knock

Suddenly, two knocks ring out from the door.

“Ms. Anael?”

“Yes?”

The door is opened, revealing a person wearing a brown and dark blue uniform.

“What is it?”

“Um… The train from Lyscynal has arrived.” The young woman says.

“Ugh, so the idiots here?” A woman with light purple hair exclaims, sitting at her desk. In front of her is a piece of paper lying on top of an envelope. Her face is beautiful, her eyes deep and alluring. A mole lies under her deep purple right eye.

“Um… Well…”

“Seriously, that dumbass shouldn’t have been sent on such an important job. I would have done it, but I have to be here to welcome those problem students.” Anael goes off. Contrary to what she's saying, a light blush shows on her cheeks.

“Um, well about that…”

“Hm? Is there a problem?”

“Well… Mr. Uzziel isn’t on the train…”

“What?! Is the package there with him?” Anael asks, standing up quickly.

“No, none of the others that went with him are aboard either.”

“What?!!” Anael screams as she moves from behind her desk.

“Wait, Ms. Anael! Getting mad won’t do anything.”

“I know that! I’m going to the train station myself.”

You're clearly mad!

“That Idiot, I knew sending him was a bad idea…” Anael reaches the door, pen still in hand.

“Ms. Anael!” A voice calls out from the hall.

A young man in the same uniform as the young woman runs down the hall towards them, holding a letter in his hand.

“We just received this letter! It's from Uzziel!” The young man calls out. “Eek!”

“Lucky bastard,” Anael says, tearing the letter from the young man's hand.

Quickly tearing the letter open, Anael reads:

Hey, so funny story! The train we were on was delayed due to some monsters being on the tracks. Haha, so we ended up missing our last train to Delphoscere! Funny right? Anyway, one of the guys told me about some students meeting in the city. Lucky me! I’m gonna take their tickets, guess I'll make it a test for them to get more! I'm such a genius! Anyway, I wanted to let you know so you don’t break my knees again! Can’t wait to see you!

-Osmond Uzziel

Crunch

The sound of the pen, still in Anael's hand, being broken rings out in the halls.

“Eep!”

“Eek!”

The two scream out in fear.

“That. Idiot.” Is all Anael says before stomping down the hall. “Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah”

“Um… What did the letter say?” The young man asks, watching the purple-haired disaster walk off.

“I only caught a glimpse… But I think it said he got on the next train… after taking the tickets of the students meeting up in the city.” The young woman tells him, shutting the office door.

“Do you mean those really dangerous students that all of the higher-ups agreed shouldn’t be allowed in the city…”

“Yeah…”

The two look each other in the eyes, worry plastered on their faces.

“I heard a rumor… That one of them’s a de-”

“Shh.” The young man shushes her, sticking a finger to his lips. “Not too loudly.”

“You're right.” The young woman turns and starts walking down the opposite way from Anael.

“But hey…” The young man whispers, following the women. “I heard that amongst that group is..”

The young woman looks at him quizzically.

“You know, the sole survivor of that tragic fire…”

“Really?!”

“I heard Anael scouted them herself.”

“Wow…”

The two continued down the hall, exchanging rumors. Attempting to avoid the ire of the Amethyst Hero.

Only 12 hours later would the next train arrive from Lyscynal, and who would be on it? Only time would tell.