Next Destination, a New Challenge

Whenever Cherry’s heart ached with immense sorrow, she always looked up to the stars. On the night her family had to move yet again, she did just that, and she began to wonder if she sought the stars simply because it was the only thing that stayed with them through all those years of farewells.

She snapped out of her daze when a large raven flew across her view. She gawked at it as it perched, its calm, crimson eyes staring back at her.

She turned to her brother sitting beside her and tugged on his sleeve. “Charlie! Look! A crow!”

Charlie looked in the direction where she pointed, squinting his eyes through the dark. “That looks more like a raven.”

Cherry frowned. “What’s the difference?”

“Ravens are bigger and have those puffy throat feathers. Their tails are more wedge-shaped whereas crows’ tails are fan-shaped.”

“How the heck can you see those details in the dark?”

“I don’t need to see all the details. Their size usually gives it away, but…” Charlie leaned forward. “I’ve never seen a raven with red eyes before…”

The raven broke its gaze and looked away, gradually perching on a lamp post across the railroads and where the young twins sat.

Faint footsteps gradually grew closer until they stopped beside the kids. “You two, hold onto your bags,” said Fiona, staring at the spectating raven. “It’s time.”

The raven gently stared back at her, subtly nodding as it scouted the scene.

The twins got up from the bench and grabbed their luggage, gripping them tightly while they stepped behind their mother.

A nearby street clock struck midnight.

A second later, a roaring train horn blared across the sky followed by the floor rumbling.

Another second later, a heavy gust of air blasted the scene as a train with blue, scale-like patterns sped by out of nowhere, forcing the three to back further away.

Among the ear-piercing screeches, howling laughter boomed out. A middle-aged man with azure hair popped out of one of the windows, playfully waving at the three with his cap. He snapped his fingers, and the train radiated crimson energy, quickly slowing it down to a halt.

“That lunatic,” said Fiona, sighing. “Showing off his skills as always.”

“But it’s so cool!” said Cherry, excitedly hopping with starry eyes. “How the heck does he do that when he’s in the passenger car?!”

“Sis, what happened to being sad about parting with our neighbors?” asked Charlie.

“I’m already over it. It’s not like we spent that much time with them.”

“Fair enough.”

The three faced the car stationed before them, faint mist clouding by the wheels. The door slid open, revealing a man in a dark blue uniform with a long, scale-patterned scarf.

“Well, well, well, here we are again,” said the train conductor, grinning. “How do you fare, my favorite trio?”

“Mister Ortrone!” said Cherry with a cheerful wave. “Good evening!”

“Haha, good evening, little one,” he said, taking off his cap and bowing. “Seems like you are in a pleasant mood.”

“Yeah, that entrance was amazing!”

“My, I’ll be flattered! Perhaps I should do it more often!”

“Please don’t,” said Fiona and Charlie in unison.

The train conductor drew his head back and howled with laughter. “Oh, what is so wrong with having a bit of fun? You and my comrades worry too much.”

“That was dangerous, Ortrone.” Fiona narrowed her eyes in criticism.

“And loud,” said Charlie.

“Nonsense. I have full control over my precious train. Besides, no one should be able to see or hear my train unless I grant them permission!”

“Wooaah, how can you do that?!” Cherry excitedly asked. “It looked like… like real magic!”

“Haha, when you grow up, you will understand how.” Ortrone ruffled her hair. “For now, let us keep this a secret between us vampires, alright?”

The girl nodded. “Are your friends vampires too?”

“Why, of course. Did you know? Before we all settled down, we used to be the most powerful vampire knights in Theatreux!”

“Ooh! You were a knight?”

“That is correct! We were all once members of the royal army.” He grinned and pointed a thumb at his train. “And my train happened to be my best companion—it used to be quite a force!”

“What do you mean?”

The raven loudly croaked, signaling a warning as it glared at the train conductor.

“Erm, uh, it… i-it used to be a… a cargo train! Indeed! It used to carry many of our supplies—that is what I mean.”

The raven raised an eye with judgment before sighing and looking away.

“Oh, okay,” said Cherry. “Do your friends still ride this train?”

“Well, not as often as you three, I suppose.”

“Have we met them before?” asked Charlie. “What do they look like?”

The train conductor awkwardly laughed. “Considering that they were all once part of Theatreux’s military forces, I daresay my former comrades all appear to be… big, strong, scary-looking people.”

“Ohh, then I think I saw a few of them somewhere a few hours ago!” said Cherry.

Fiona, Ortrone, and the raven gaped their eyes at the girl, gawking in horror. They glimpsed at each other, and Fiona and the raven frantically scanned around the area.

Within the shadows and hidden corners, a few silhouettes slithered around.

Fiona held her breath and glanced at Ortrone, who returned an understanding nod. The raven’s gaze grew hostile as it expanded its wings and flapped around, circling the space.

“P-Pray tell, what did they look like?” Ortrone nervously asked.

“Uhmm, they all covered their faces, so I dunno,” said Cherry, shrugging.

“D-Did you talk with them?”

“No way. They look too creepy.”

The train conductor quietly sighed in relief. “Good thing you did not. They were not my friends. They would never wear such distasteful clothes. Plus, none of them should be present in this town.”

“Oh.”

Ortrone spared a glimpse at Fiona, who discreetly began to draw scarlet tarot cards from her sleeves.

He turned to Charlie with a smile. “Heed my words, children,” he said, drawing the kids’ attention to himself. “Should you find my companions out there, do not hesitate to get along with them, alright? They are much friendlier than they appear to be.”

Fiona began to throw her tarot cards into the darkness, her brown eyes gradually growing bright crimson. A moment later, a quiet burst of lightning flashed behind the corner.

“How do we know if they’re your friends?” asked Charlie.

“Ah, good question. One is a very benevolent physician in Loumont. His name is Doctor Soli—er, excuse me—Doctor Solomon.”

“Loumont? We’ve never been there before,” said Cherry.

“Not yet, that is. Surely you shall step foot in the capital sooner or later.”

The raven swung a wing, throwing blades of feathers into the shadows, and a soft grunt leaked out.

“Did you hear that?” Charlie began to look away.

“Th-That was the bird emitting gas!” Ortrone blurted out without thinking.

“Huh?!” the raven also blurted out. “Er—c-c-ca-caw…” It kept coughing, gradually turning its voice back into hoarse croaks.

Fiona sighed and facepalmed. “Idiots, both of you.” She threw another tarot card, hovered it above her, expanded its size, and engulfed herself from view.

Cherry looked around. “Where did Mom go?”

“Ah, she went to the lavatory. She will be back shortly.” Ortrone loudly cleared his throat. “Anyway! I have another comrade who also lives in Loumont. In fact, he is in charge of a very important academy there. He is Fantario, the headmaster of Astrale Academy. Considering his curious nature, I am fairly certain you shall cross paths with him eventually.”

“You sure have important friends,” said Charlie.

“Haha, fascinating, yes? I do have one friend who decided to run a pottery shop, though. His name is Grimhilde.”

“His name sounds kinda scary,” said Cherry.

“Alas, he does portray a more bitter demeanor than the rest of us.” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, it is all thanks to my last comrade who granted us our dream careers.” He looked up, staring at the perching raven. “And I am certain you know who it is.”

Charlie frowned. “You’re talking about our dad, aren’t you?”

The raven glimpsed down at them.

“Haha, why would I help you Eltheans otherwise? He, too, is an old friend I owe my life to.”

Cherry gradually grew gloomier. “But where is he?” she asked sadly. “You know where he is, right?”

“My sincerest apologies, your father will not be happy if I—”

“If you tell us anything about him. We know already,” Charlie grumbled. “It’s fine. Honestly, I don’t care about Dad anymore.”

The raven flinched.

“Me too,” said Cherry. “If Dad doesn’t want to see us, then screw him!”

“Oh, dear…” Ortrone pitifully stared at the raven, who visibly shrunk away with each word spoken. He sighed and shook his head as he turned around. “I, too, fail to understand what his intentions are,” he murmured, “but I have faith that your father’s heart has not forsaken the light.”

He opened the car’s door with a wave of a hand. “We have talked quite enough for now. Let us depart to your next home!”

Seemingly out of nowhere, Fiona stepped right behind her kids. She glanced at the raven, its gaze somewhere else. “It’s time to go, you two.”

The twins nodded, picked up their bags, and headed inside, followed by their mother. They made their way to the sleeper cars and prepared for bed. Fiona slept on her own roomette, and the twins shared another with a bunk bed, where Cherry claimed the upper bed while Charlie took the lower one.

As they twisted and turned in their beds, though, the realization of them going on another new adventure finally settled in. Cherry curiously crawled to the edge and peeked down at her brother, who stared back at her.

Neither of them said anything for a brief moment.

Charlie glanced out the dark windows, the shadowy trees quickly sliding by. “I’m just a little worried about our new home,” he muttered. “What if the neighbors won’t like us? What if we somehow find trouble again?”

“Same thoughts, huh?” Cherry sighed and dangled her arms. “But maybe it’ll be different this time. Maybe it’ll be friendlier than our last one!”

“Optimistic, aren’t you?”

“Someone has to be. You and Mom always see the bad side of things.”

“I just want to prepare for the what-ifs.” Charlie frowned and looked away. “Just in case… you know… if one day, something bad happens to us, I want to mentally prepare for it.”

“No.”

Charlie faced her, who curved a frown.

“Don’t think of such terrible things—you’ll scare me too.”

“Sorry, it’s just…” He bit his lip. “I’m… still not over Daisy.”

Cherry softened her expression with an understanding gaze. “It’s okay Charlie. You’ve already saved so many animals ever since. You really changed for the better. I’m sure Daisy would be so proud of you. I’m proud of you.”

Charlie slowly inhaled, his gleaming eyes slightly welling with tears. He shifted away from her gaze, his face flushing. “Thanks, I guess. I’m tired now. Go sleep.”

Cherry nodded, raised her head back up, and laid on her bed, satisfied with the talk. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” he shyly murmured.

As the room fell quiet aside from the noise of the moving train, her heart gradually returned to its calm, serene state. She smiled warmly as she drifted to sleep, believing their future wouldn’t be as bad as he feared.

…Or so she thought.

✦☆✦

Cherry woke up with a weak groan, fluttering her eyes open and meeting her brother’s gaze.

“Rise and shine sleepyhead,” said Charlie, folding his arms. “Come on, it’s time to start training.”

She groaned and stretched her arms and legs. “Ugh, okay, okay. Give me a moment.”

Charlie nodded and left the room, as for her, she slumped her shoulders and sighed. Even though she should concern herself with the troubles ahead of her, she still couldn’t help but worry about Dorothy, Clover, and Horace on the other side of the kingdom.

Knowing Horace, he should be able to take good care of them. She knew he meant well, after all.