Chapter 21:

Back on track

Do you dream of me in the next life?


Ryan, Alice, and Josie arrived in Illusha. A bird cried above as they leisurely pushed forward through the animated city. Ryan was in front while Josie and Alice kept close behind him.

“So uh, who is this ‘friend’ of yours?” said Josie.

“You said you would tell us once we got here.” chimed Alice.

Ryan stopped and turned around. “Alright. I suppose I shouldn’t hide it anymore. My friend is Lucy.”

“L-Lucy!? Are you her suitor or something!?” blurted Alice.

“What? No, no. Nothing like that,” he pushed the air and waved his hands. “I know her because I am a prince.”

Josie tilted her head. “But Illusha and the Dream Kingdom aren’t on good terms, right?”

“Yes. However, I am not friends with her solely for peace reasons.”

Ryan walked away. Josie glanced at Alice. She looked just as puzzled as her over his last words.

“You guys coming?” he pressed.

“S-Sorry!” said Alice.

***

They pushed open the throne room doors. Josie and Alice couldn’t help but admire the artwork that decorated the walls. Beautiful abstracts, scenery of various locations in Illusha, and family portraits of former royalty. Knights watched them approach the throne like hawks. Charles stood to the side, he was reading some parchment until he saw Lucy’s expression change.

“Josie, Alice, and...Ryan? To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” said Lucy.

Ryan stepped forward. “The supplies you gave me were destroyed by Nightmare Bloombuds. They killed my men. And I almost died too, if it weren’t for the help of these kind people.”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” she paused for a moment. “What can I do to help?”

“I would like to try again, but I need a new path through the mountain.”

“A new path? What happened to the old route?”

“Blocked. When we investigated what remained, Bloombuds swarmed us and I had to punch one into the ceiling.” said Josie.

“I see. That is quite a predicament.”

“Your highness. If memory serves, the mountain has many routes to travel.” stated Charles.

She leaned against her chair and crossed her arms. “Very true. But they are accessible by mine cart only. If we can’t use that then,” she pondered, then snapped her fingers. “How about the project we have been working on?”

“You mean the-”

She excitedly stood up. “Yes! That project!”

“Understood! Be right back.”

He opened the door and left. Lucy descended the steps and took out her tele-crystal.

***

Violet wiggled her feet. She was in the middle of reading a new book when the tele-crystal hummed on her nightstand. With a sigh, she closed her book and answered it.

“Hi sweetie! Just wanna let you know I’ll be going out. Please be good.”

“You’re leaving!? F-For how long?”

“Only a little while. Don’t worry, Charles will take care of you.”

“O-Ok.”

“The man with the hat can’t hurt you anymore. Ok?”

“Ok. I love you, momma.”

“I love you too.”

Violet returned her tele-crystal to the nightstand. She shifted her balance for the book she placed near the far left corner of the bed. Before she could grasp it, her hand zapped her.

“Ah!” She jerked back and shook it. “Again?”

Violet examined her hand. Something raced between each finger.

“What is...thi-”

An intense headache. Her vision created outlines of her bookshelves, the window, her old toys, including herself. Violet felt the same weird tingling sensation spread across her body. She clenched her teeth and gripped her head. With one hand, she reached for the tele-crystal. Until suddenly...

“Ah! Ha...ah.”

She went numb and fell to her side.

***

Charles entered the throne room.

“Is everything ready?” said Lucy.

“Yes, the carriage is out front too.” replied Charles.

“Good,” she started walking. “Please take care of Violet in my absence.”

“A-Are you sure that’s wise, your highness?”

Lucy stopped and turned around. “Wise or not, I have to do this. Josie and Alice will be there and besides, I’m plenty capable of protecting myself,” she grabbed his hands. “Violet needs a bodyguard. In my opinion, you're the best there is. Please...can I rely on you?”

Lucy pleaded with puppy dog eyes. Charles tried to speak but words failed to escape. He looked away and blinked a couple times before sighing.

“Like always, you can rely on me. Go ahead.”

She kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”

“No problem…” he said as he watched Lucy leave the room.

Ryan cracked a smile and immediately left the room. Josie grinned and chuckled to herself, then left. Alice was open-mouthed for a moment. With a hand against her chest and a smile, she opened the door.

“Good for you sir!” said a knight.

“Lucky!” said another knight.

“Get back to work!” shouted Charles.

***

The horses pulled them through the forest. Lucy finished reading her book and told the coachman to stop. They got out and waited for the queen to thank him for the ride.

“Where are we going?” asked Alice.

“Oh, you’ll see.” smiled Lucy.

Josie grew more curious the further they traveled. Blocks of stone randomly poked through the ground. Idle walls stood without purpose. Street lamps were either rusted or taken by the clutches of mother nature.

Lucy led them up some stone stairs which climbed a hill. At the top was a stone platform with a railroad track next to it.

“One of the kings of Illusha saw a need to be fulfilled when he invented an easier way to transport goods and travel between kingdoms. The Dream Kingdom was the first to test it out. Sadly, the wars spurred by King Fredrick’s assasination ceased development. And the invention got wrecked beyond repair. That is, until now.” said Lucy.

In the distance, a dull sound could be heard. Smoke rose above the sky and shrouded the object around its sides. A whistle resounded. When it got closer, the object screeched to a halt then sighed a smaller steam cloud of relief. As the smoke cleared, a person stepped on to the platform. Their boots made a clicking sound with each step. Josie looked up to see who those boots belonged to.

The woman adjusted her hat. She smiled big. “Howdy y’all!”

Josie’s eyes went wide. “Wendy!? Why are you here?”

“I was in the middle of doing a test run for Lucy. Charles gave me a call, so now I’m here to help y’all once again!”

“Amazing! You can drive a train! Is it really ok for you to help us?” said Alice.

“No need to worry. My deputy’s watching things while I’m gone.”

Ryan approached. “Sorry to interrupt, but where are the supplies?”

“Safely secured inside the passenger cars. Mostly in the front and middle, that way it's a little harder to nab.”

Lucy went up the steps of the platform. “Alright. It’s time to go. I think it would be best to initially split up and protect different cars. Since we have four, one of us has to be with another.”

Josie raised her hand. “Alice and I can be together,” she looked at Alice. “I-I mean, if that’s ok with you.”

She held a hand against her chest.“Yes. Of course.”

The three of them boarded the train. Lucy pulled Wendy aside.

“Are you certain you can drive us there?” she said in a hushed tone.

“Probably. I mean, I’ll try my best.”

She frowned. “If worst comes to worst...let me know ok?”

Wendy nodded.

***

Josie looked away from the window. “Hey. I think we are almost by the mountain.”

Alice woke up. “Already,” she turned her head. “Ah, you’re right. Thank you for letting me take a nap.”

“You’re welcome. Though I see what you mean. Traveling by foot for so long and seeing the distance to travel cut drastically...kind of crazy.”

The train had entered the illuminated darkness. Everyone prepared themselves, looking to and fro for danger. The rhythmic chuffing echoed in their eardrums.

Thump!

Alice gasped.

Thu-thu-tha-thump bump!

Nightmare Bloombuds skittered the train's walls and roof. A group of them broke the glass and then rushed towards Alice. She threw her dagger and froze one. They repeatedly leapt in the air, trying to bite or slash her. Alice juggled between offense and defense as she carefully danced around them. From behind, a Nightmare attacked. On the ball of her foot, she spun and stabbed it into the supply box. Dragwind whooshed past Alice and defeated a Bloombud from above.

Nightmare energy was hurled. Josie deflected it and defeated the last three enemies. When Alice retrieved the dagger she threw, the whole passenger car shook. They grabbed onto whatever was nearby to not completely fall. Josie looked up and then focused her gaze on what was happening in the next car over. Alice glanced over her shoulder.

“Go! I’ll help Ryan.”

Josie nodded. She headed for the door and opened it. A ladder was spotted on her left. She turned around and sidestepped her right foot on to the rung. Josie lifted herself, almost falling when she caught the rail with her opposite hand. After a moment of recovery, she slid her hands and feet on the rungs and pressed on.

Josie reached the top. She ducked her head. Dream energy flew past.

“Die already ya glorified weed!” shouted Wendy from the cab.

Another shot fired. The Bloombud blocked with its arms. A vine shot out from its mouth. Wendy blasted it away. The vine course corrected and slapped her against the wall. Wrapped around her waist, it lifted Wendy off her feet.

Dragwind swiftly lopped through its legs. The Nightmare fell. Wendy burned part of the vine.

“Thanks!” said Wendy.

“Don’t thank me yet.”

The Bloombud’s legs grew back. It stood up and growled. Josie dashed forward. Vines were swung from the right. To the left. She slashed them both. An attack to the middle. Wideform Dragwind smacked it back. Both arms swung again at the same time. Josie jumped and flew backwards. She skidded upon landing. Josie stopped herself then charged. Behind, a vine grabbed her by the legs. It spun her round and round, then threw Josie straight for the Nightmare.

Before the monster had a chance to react, fire streaked with Josie’s rotation.

“Fire punch!”

The Bloombud soared beyond the smokestack. Wendy quickly moved to the open window. She fired her gun. Smoke bursted into the sky.

“Wow. Nice shot.”

“Thanks.”

Josie turned around. No other threats could be seen. She headed for the ladder. When she was just about to use it, she noticed Alice climbing it. Josie backed away. Alice reached the top. Her gaze fixated on Josie for a moment before accepting an outstretched hand.

“Did you defeat the Nightmare?” asked Alice.

“Yeah, is Ryan ok?”

“For now, yes. He went to check on Lucy.”

“I see. Then let’s head back to check on the supplies.”

Josie went first down the ladder. Alice watched and occasionally looked away. The drop below caused her heart to beat fast. She took a moment to breathe in and out. Suddenly, a violent gust of wind blew behind Alice. She turned around. Black feathered creatures were flying towards the train. Slack-jawed, she turned around again.

“Josie! Come back quickly!” shouted Alice.

Josie stopped and listened to what Alice was saying. She returned to the roof as fast as she could. Josie jogged to her side and stared at what Alice was seeing.

“Those birds...they look like the one Cortez used to escape.” said Josie.

“They are called Nightmare Drifters. Be careful of their talons and quick speed.”

Josie unsheathed Dragwind. “Alright, noted.”

The Drifters closed in. Dream energy fired from Wendy’s gun. With great skill, they bent themselves around the shots and twirled. Josie got closer. She whipped extension attacks. Some connected but others failed. They opened their mouths and cast Nightmare energy. Josie swatted them away. A Drifter dive bombed towards Alice. She narrowly dodged. Another came from the left. Her dagger slashed it.

The Nightmares bided their time, circling the train car. They attacked at specific moments, trying to catch them off guard. Josie and Alice struggled to keep up with their fast movements. Nightmare energy rained down. Alice and Josie did their best to defend.

Wendy aimed her gun. She followed its line of flight until she eventually pulled back.

"No good. They're flying too high. And the Drifters I can hit are too close to Josie," she stuck her head through the open window. "Maybe I can try-" Something caught the corner of her eye. It was a sign which stated, "Steep grade ahead."

Wendy ducked back inside. “Hey Josie! Alice! We’re heading for a drop! Hold on to something!” she shouted.

“What’s she saying?” inquired Alice.

“...Drop? Hold something.” answered Josie.

It was hard to hear between the sounds of the train and the birds who squawked nonstop. Josie looked towards Wendy to see if she could read her lips. But the words were deciphered too late. The train dipped hard into the abyss. Wendy fell back. Josie lost her footing. With Dragwind, she stabbed the roof with all her might and held on. Alice fell on her back and slid. Daggers gripped, she jabbed them above her head. Momentum slowed until her daggers froze in place.

Like waves of the ocean, the train descended and ascended. Josie felt her sword jerk. Time was running out.

Josie looked down. “I should try getting myself to the door. But,” she thought to herself, her expression became more determined. “By the time I do that, it will be too late. I have to get up there fast.”

Josie flapped her wings and flew. Alice heard the sounds of cracking. She looked at the ice.

Pop!

Alice began to slide. The sight of the drop made her heart jump with terror. She closed her eyes.

“Josie!” she hollered.

Alice opened her eyes. There she was. Right above her with a smile. Josie scooped Alice up and held her close.

“You called?” said Josie.

Alice’s expression transitioned from surprise to relief. “Sure did.”

Josie flew to the last passenger car. She was about to open the door when it seemed to open itself.

“Oh. Hello. I was going to help but, ya’ know. Preoccupied.” Lucy glanced at Ryan who defeated the last Bloombud.

“Ah, it's fine,” she walked inside and let go of Alice. “What matters is we’re all alive and well.”

“Not for long. Those Drifters will come back. Once they find food, they don’t give up.” said Alice.

“Yeah? Well, we don’t give up either. Let’s fight them together!” said Ryan.

“Right. If they do come back, we’ll show them a thing or two.” said Josie.

Lucy took a seat. “Indeed. Though best not to get too excited. Save your energy for when it happens.”

They sat down and took turns watching and resting. No signs of the Drifters or other Nightmares had appeared yet. The train chugged along the straightforward path.

***

Sunlight greeted the train as it exited the tunnel. They snaked around the narrow path until it crossed over a wooden bridge. The bridge eased the train into the forest below. Everyone was asleep except for Ryan. He leaned on the railing outside and was about to go back when a peculiar sound caught his attention. Ryan rushed inside.

“Wake up, the Drifters are coming!”

Josie stirred awake. She was resting her head on the cushion. “They’re here?”

“A-Are you sure?” said Alice. She tilted her head away from the window.

“Without a doubt. I heard their loud cries in the distance. So they cannot be very far.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go.” stated Lucy, who was resting her head in her arms.

“Hold on a second. I think we should split up again. And maybe Lucy could protect the middle car?” said Josie.

“Hmm, y’know,” Lucy placed a hand on her chin. “I like your train of thought.” she winked.

Josie laughed. Alice chuckled. Ryan let out a pained groan.

***

Josie climbed to the roof. Alice was already there. Lucy and Ryan waited at their respective roofs. Soon enough, the source of the sound revealed itself to them. Clusters of Drifters flew high above towards the train.

“Looks like they brought reinforcements.” said Josie.

“Must be their flock.” Alice replied.

A gust of wind wildly charged towards the Nightmares. The attack decimated the front line while the rest scattered. Josie used Dragwind to hit Drifters that hovered above. Fire exhaled on those that got close. Ryan swung his sword left and right. Nightmares either breezed past or died trying. Alice alternated between magic and physical attacks. She used water to block, attacked distant enemies with dream energy, and swiped whoever tried to claw her.

Drifters appeared at the sides. Magic was flung at Josie. Deflected, she stepped back. Lucy’s wind slammed into one of them. The other dodged. It got close to Josie and engaged in close combat. She repeatedly shifted her body around and blocked. Nightmare energy intensified within their beak. Alice stabbed the Drifter. She pushed it off her dagger and the bird broke apart.

“Thanks.” said Josie.

“No problem.” smiled Alice.

They continued fighting. Lucy’s wind performed its dance with many Drifters. She helped Ryan, then Josie and Alice and back again. The number of Drifters present had been greatly reduced. Josie observed the surrounding skies and then nodded.

“Great. With so few left, we can-!”

Josie gasped. Dark flames floated and transformed into Drifters right before their eyes. In a matter of seconds, they were once again surrounded by a large flock of Nightmares.

“This looks like what Shizuko did.” she thought to herself.

“Alice, do you think a Nightmare Summoner is here?” said Josie.

“I haven’t seen one anywhere, there’s no way. Unless,” she held up her palm. A ring pulsated. It hit something and bounced back. “O-Over there!” she pointed, “The Summoner is concealing itself with a Drifter!”

“Ok. I will handle this. Let me know where it goes,” she turned her head. “Lucy! Can you keep them away from me?”

“I got you covered.”

Josie took off. Drifters tried to swarm her, but wind pushed them away, providing a path straight for her destination. Dragwind extended.

Alice cupped her mouth. “To the right!”

The sword adjusted. Josie managed to clip its wing. It appeared and started descending. The Summoner dropped down on a Drifter that flew below and revealed itself.

“Nyahahaha! Food! Food! You’re all my food!” said the Summoner with a smile.

“Not on my watch.” Josie retorted.

Josie nose-dived after him. He darted away right before Dragwind connected its sweeping stroke. They rushed through the sea of black and blue at breakneck speeds. The winds roared with so much ferocious might that both Josie and the Summoner struggled to navigate the crashing waves. He raised his staff. Nightmare energy shot across. Josie slipped past.

Annoyed, the Nightmare raised his staff once more. Flames rotated around Josie.

“Die!” he shouted.

The flames transformed into Drifters and collided with Josie.

“Josie!” said Alice.

With a toothy grin, he chuckled to himself. The Nightmare steered his bird and positioned it a distance away from the front of the train. He charged forward with his staff raised, building up energy.

“Nyahahaha! Ahahahaha! Mine! Mine! It’s all- eh?”

“Fire Punch!”

The Summoner was punched in the face. It caused both the Drifter and the Summoner to burst in smoke. Josie returned to the passenger car.

“W-What did...H-How did you-!?” said Alice.

“Ahem.” said Lucy. A ball of wind expanded in her hand.

Alice smiled. “Thank you.”

Lucy smiled. “Anytime.”

“Uhh, I hate to interrupt you guys, but we still have all these Drifters to deal with.” said Ryan while fighting.

“Right. How do we solve this problem,” Lucy slashed the air and defeated the Drifters by Ryan. “It looks too big for us to handle alone.”

Lucy looked towards the horizon. She grabbed her tele-crystal from her magic.

“Wendy, could you please increase our speed?”

“Ya sure about that?”

“Yes. Absolutely.”

Wendy searched the controls. “Okay then. Here we go!”

The train wheels started moving at a faster rate. Drifters followed the train as it pushed through the forest and entered the grassy fields. Alice, Josie, Ryan, and Lucy used magic to repel them. Wendy glanced behind her and saw the Drifters getting closer. She grabbed the lever and pulled. Coal tossed in the furnace, the train huffed and puffed smoke. Noise of the whistle resounded.

Josie and Alice were hunched low, weapons used to brace themselves.

“Arrows!” blurted Alice.

Josie looked above. She held her free hand towards the projectiles. But as the situation progressed, none of the arrows landed on her or anyone on the train’s roofs. Instead, they pierced the Drifters.

“Ha Ha! We finally made it.” cheered Ryan.

The Nightmares spread out and diverted their attention to the archers along the tall, thick stone wall. A portcullis lifted and the train entered the city.

Lucy used her tele-crystal. “We’re safe now. Can you please return the train to normal speed?”

“Normal speed? That would be...the brakes right,” she said to herself. “Let’s see. Should be over...h-”

The brake was broken.

“No. I must have it wrong or something. Think, think.”

She reviewed the controls again and again. Wendy’s fingers tapped the console. After a moment of pause, she shook her head.

“I fell on the brake and broke it. The emergency brake might stop the train, but I’m going to need help.” she said to Lucy by Tele-crystal.

“I see. On my way.”

Wind enveloped Lucy’s body from head to toe. She made big leaps boosted by wind until landing on the cab’s roof. Wendy pulled the brake. Though the train was still moving fast. Lucy swiped left. Right. Then straight down. Powerful winds crashed and ascended beside the passenger cars and steam locomotive.

People ran or ducked for cover as the train barreled on. Wendy sounded the whistle to warn all in danger. Minutes passed yet the momentum felt like it only slowed ever so slightly. 

“If nothing changes, we’re going to crash. I have to help somehow.” Josie thought to herself.

“Wait, what are you doing?” said Alice. She saw Josie flap her wings.

Josie smiled and flew high above. She thrusted herself ahead of the train and hovered on the track. Josie held her hands out.

“Evelynn said Dragons are strong. Hopefully...this works.”

The train came into contact. Josie grunted as she used all of her strength to push. Sparks were popping.

“C-Come on...come on...come on!” repeated Josie.

The train started to dramatically weaken. Eventually, it slowed to a screeching halt. Josie let go and planted her feet to the ground. Josie caught her breath and surveyed the area from where she stood. They stopped at what seemed to be a railroad yard. Moments later, knights appeared and circled the train.

“You’re under arrest!” said one of the knights.

***

Charles walked down the hallway. He stopped at a door and knocked with his backhand.

“Is everything alright in there? Just wanted to check.”

Charles listened for a response. Nothing. He gripped the door handle and turned it.

“Violet? Are you sleep-”

Charles gasped. He rushed to the bed. Her face was flushed and she was panting heavily. A knight arrived at the scene.

“Sir!? What’s happening?”

“Find me a doctor! Hurry!”

“Yes sir!”

Violet opened her eyes. Charles held her hand.

“Everything is going to be ok. Hang in there.” said Charles.

Violet fluttered her eyes open and shut. Until she couldn’t bear it anymore.