- Callan -
Underneath the peaceful surface of the Last Station, chaos and tension were slowly overtaking the serenity.
"The regulars on the train right now are guilty of teaming with FUG to take over the train and manipulate it to reach the top of the tower. This is a serious, unforgivable crime which violates the rules of tower."
Using a communication device, the High Priest Arthur had a discussion with the ruler of the Last Station. He was a gloomy man who had lost his ability to walk and spent his life on wheelchair, Lee Xiawun.
"So in order to make example of them and prevent anything like this from happening again, the Zahard Family wants to have them arrested for their crimes. As the ruler of the station, we also need your cooperation."
"What exactly do you need....?" Lee Xiawun asked after pondering it carefully.
"First, let our advance guards stay here. The same goes to the rankers and regulars who have been ordered to come. And when the train arrives in a month, don't open the station's dock. If they enter the station, we, rankers, won't be able to touch them. Although it won't happen, but if they do, work with the regulars to hunt them down and hand them over to us."
"... but this is a station for regulars," Lee Xiawun softly argued, because the Last Station that he created was supposed to be a resting and relaxing place for regulars who have finished the train by exhausting their bodies and minds. If he captured regulars inside his station, he would be going against the vision and mission of his Last Station.
"I know," Arthur said. "But this isn't a request. This is an 'order' from the royal army. You must know that in the worst- case- scenario, we'll have to close this station and kill everyone, right? The administrator of this floor is aware of the situation. We need you to obey this order."
Lee Xiawun groaned inside. He was left with nothing to say. It was not because he had agreed with the order, but because he had no power to speak. His dissatisfaction was shown on his expression.
"... alright."
Once he has gained the approval of the ruler of Last Station, he returned just to find two of his subordinates were drinking with one another.
"The beer here is amazing!"
"I know, right? It's off the hook!"
"Wow, I didn't know you know words like that!"
"I'm trying to keep up with youngsters nowadays."
"Whoa!"
"Who said you could drinking in the middle of your work?" His voice interrupted their casual conversation. "Are you enjoying yourself?"
"HIGH PRI... I MEAN CHIEF!" One of them, Charlie, was surprised by his sudden arrival and stood up immediately. He ran towards him and asked, "How did it go?"
"He didn't seem to like it but he accepted it for now. But we'll have to see what he actually does to know for sure," Arthur explained.
Charlie rubbed his head and said, "Haha! Well, that's great, isn't it? That was easier than expected! To be honest, I was worried that it might go wrong and we'd get executed when we got back... I can't believe the regulars on the train broke the rules~"
Arthur's expression suddenly became solemn.
"... well, they did...."
The two were confused with what he was saying.
"But even still, ordering us to punish them?" Arthur doubted the orders. "I have a bad feeling about this."
No matter what, the criminals were still regulars. It should be suffice just to send several higher ranking regulars or ordinary rankers to deal with them, unless they were powerful enough to get many higher- ups involved. His gut was telling him that the mission was quite fishy and it might not go as easy as what everyone expected.
But his subordinates misunderstood his thoughts.
'Worrying about regulars when his own life is on the line.... what a thoughtful man... it almost bring tears to my eyes.'
'Chief....'
"IF YOU WANT SOMETHING TO RELIEVE YOUR STRESS, NOTHING BEATS BEER!"
"....WE'RE WORKING! WORKING! SINCE WHEN THE TWO OF YOU HAVE BEEN THIS CLOSE?!"
┌──────═━┈┈━═──────┐
3 Days Later
└──────═━┈┈━═──────┘
"Endorsi, are you going out again?" Charlotte approached Endorsi who she hasn't seen for a long time. While she spent her time for training, Endorsi spent her time searching for White's last clone together with Beta.
Even so, although the two of them were busy with two different matters, it wasn't like they were unaware of each other's condition. And after her training, once she knew that she had the chance to talk with Endorsi privately, Charlotte immediately took that chance to approach Endorsi.
"Charlotte! You've finished your training already?" Endorsi asked with a bright smile.
"I'm having a short break right now," said Charlotte. "I'm going to return to train again with brother after this."
"....is it because of Khun?" Endorsi asked again with a solemn expression.
Charlotte tilted her head and smiled, "Yes."
Endorsi sighed and scratched the back of her head, "You are really similar with your brother on certain aspects."
"Of course. That's why we are siblings."
Endorsi stared at the young girl. She was unsure whether she should be happy at her naivety or not. Even right now, believing that there was a chance for her crush to be saved, she maintained her smile and acted like everything was supposed to be alright.
She had heard from the others. Ever since she woke up, she would at least spend half an hour of time to accompany Khun. It was as if she couldn't believe that he was gone, or that she felt guilty of not being able to save him.
'These lovesick people...'
"Anyway, you are going to go out to search for the last clone?" Charlotte asked.
"Yeah," Endorsi answered with much annoyance. "That girl has disappeared for days and who knows where she is now. White could be anywhere and if he gets his power, it's going to be a game over!"
Charlotte smiled when she heard those words, "Endorsi, you are so nice."
Endorsi was taken back when she heard the sudden compliment. The same thing goes to Beta.
"This barbarian?!"
"How dare you?!"
"But there is no need to search for her anymore," Charlotte hurriedly said.
"What?!" The two of them forgot their arguments and looked at Charlotte. Charlotte sighed with a helpless smile and repeated her words, "There is no need to search for her.'
"Why not?!"
"Because you won't be able to find her," Charlotte answered in ease with a secretive smile.
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
"For the last few days, the train has been moving faster than before," Evan said as he approached the red- haired Guide. "And White's close disappeared after you met White. Tell me the truth. You're up to something, aren't you?"
The Red Witch stared at him calmly as if she had expected this situation.
"Do you still not see what's going happen at the Last Station?" Hwaryun asked back.
"Unlike you guys, our specialty isn't seeing fate but rather the crossroads right in front of us. But even I sense that something big will go down at the station," Evan answered. "Tell me, what path you've seen and what you're up to."
"It's true that I was the one who made White's close disappear," Hwaryun admitted easily. "I asked her to join forces with White and help us."
"ARE YOU INSANE?!" Evan questioned her immediately in disbelief. "Don't you know how dangerous he is?! He may not seem like much now but if he recovers his old power---!"
"I know. But we need every bit of help that we can get," Hwaryun replied. "Besides, the spell that was supposed to bind White is broken. Everything is so messed up in this train ever since Bam and Charlotte returned from Hidden Floor. We need something else to bind White before he notices. If the last clone becomes one with White, then she could control him at some extent."
Evan understood it immediately. At the surface, she was helping White. But the truth was that she was also using "his" power as a shackle to control him.
"I didn't force this on her, of course," Hwaryun added, knowing that she wouldn't have the power to control the clone made up numerous vengeful souls. "It was her own choice. She wanted to rescue the twins from the crisis I've told her before."
"Just how serious is this crisis....?"
"Well.... Zahard has probably noticed Bam's existence," Hwaryun replied. "Bam is a threat for Zahard. He'll do whatever it takes to get rid of Bam, along with Charlotte."
"What...? Just because of two regulars?"
"There's a good chance that Zahard's forces have gathered at the station. That's why I asked the engineer to speed up the train as fast as possible so that we could arrive while their forces are still weak. Although even still, there's almost no chance for regulars like us will be able to get past them and escape. But you know this, don't you? As long as you help us, this danger concerns you too. There's a chance that you might get involved in this battle."
The Zahard Princess and the guide from Zahard Family were helping the regulars inside the train filled with the regulars who they considered as criminals. Even if they won't be executed, punishments couldn't be evaded. And knowing Yuri's personality, there was no way she was going to let both Charlotte and Bam suffer on their own.
"How many days until we get there?" Evan asked.
"One week," Hwaryun answered.
┌──────═━┈┈━═──────┐
6 Days Afterwards
└──────═━┈┈━═──────┘
After the dinner, Charlotte held Altaira's hand and walked back to her room. Unlike in the past where they will joke and tease each other, or gossip and discuss about various things and people, they were quiet.
They were quiet as they walked down on the hall.
Altaira couldn't enjoy the dinner at all. His digestive system couldn't seem to digest the food properly knowing what they'll have to face tomorrow.
Tomorrow, after 6 days, the train will finally reach the Last Station with rankers and soldiers waiting to capture them.
'This war is going to be more terrifying than anything else.'
Altaira glanced at Charlotte who said nothing. Curiously, he wondered if his sister was feeling the same anxiety as him.
"Don't you feel worried of tomorrow?" Altaira asked.
Charlotte remained silent for several seconds before she nodded her head.
'So I'm not the one who feels worried.'
"But you've trained hard to the point you are willing to give up your rest and lunch time just to get stronger as soon as possible. You also have mastered by [ New Beginning ] and also practiced with Bam and God of Guardians," said Altaira.
Charlotte remained quiet again.
"...But it's still not suffice," she said. "The hourglass could only affect those with the power of A- rank regular. It's far from enough."
"But you have your lotus power, right?" Altaira asked.
Charlotte shook her head.
"No, I can't rely just on that," she said. "I've said it to you and Brother Bam. This lotus hasn't went through a second awakening. Unless I could get it awakened tonight, then I won't have certain power to face advanced rankers."
"What about ordinary rankers then?" He asked.
"....... it's not impossible to defeat them.... but I'll probably be injured," Charlotte answered. "And this is just not one against one fight."
Her brother was deeply impressed by her confidence now. But he didn't doubt her words. He knew that his sister now did have the power to challenge ordinary rankers. But advanced and high rankers would be different.
"I wonder when my lotus is going to bloom..." Charlotte voiced. "That is... if we could survive tomorrow."
Altaira smiled bitterly, "Yes. If we could survive."
"....... if everything is similar with the plot, then I wouldn't be worried a lot. With brother's strength, he could get us out safely."
"But you are worried of unknown variables that could show up in the middle of the war, right?" Altaira guessed.
Charlotte said nothing. She remained quiet all the way to her room.
'It's because I've offended enough people. Those who should have appeared, those who shouldn't have appeared. Tomorrow... could just be my last day. I could just hide and push everything for my brother... but... what's the use of the strength I've gathered all these years if I'll just act as a coward?'
'I want to fight. Just like how I fought for my identity and place, I want to fight for my survival... although I know that...everything may be in vain.'
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
The next day, Charlotte and Bam were in the middle of their training with the God of Guardians.
Taking the form of a small thorn, the second thorn began to show itself. Bam admitted that it was still hard for him to use the power of the second thorn properly, although the God of Guardians claimed that he didn't have to feel discouraged since he was doing well already.
'In the original plot, this is also his limit for now,' Charlotte thought as she sat on the floor while waiting for her brother to finish her training. 'But he will soon be able to use the power of second thorn.'
It was at this moment that his pocket showed itself.
"Viole."
"Hwaryun?"
"I have something to tell you. Meet me here. I'll send you the coordinates," said Hwaryun. "Wash up, get changed, and bring Charlotte with you before you come. And say good bye to the guardian."
"Say goodbye...?"
Charlotte sighed. She had seen this coming.
After they did as what Hwaryun told them to, they went to see her in the room that Hwaryun had chosen. Inside there, Bam found Boro and Phonsekal Irure.
'No matter how I look at her, I still find it uncomfortable,' Boro thought. The fact that such a bright girl became quieter because she lost her eyes made him felt disturbed. It was quite upsetting for him.
"Four people including Bam and Charlotte, huh?" Boro asked as he looked at Hwaryun.
"I have something to tell you," said Hwaryun who stood before the four of them. "The four of you have to take the path I'm going to tell you and lead your teammates our of here."
Bam held Charlotte's hand tighter, something that Hwaryun noticed.
"Of course, Viole and Nox are in the same team," she said. "In few hours from now, we'll arrive at the Last Station."
Except for Charlotte, the three others were surprised.
"What?! There's supposed to be awhile until we arrive!"
"I asked the assistant engineer to move it faster," said Hwaryun.
"Why...?!"
Ever since Pedro was killed by Yuri, the train has been moved by the assistant manager. And compared to Pedro, it was easier to talk some senses to him.
"Because you won't be receiving warm welcome," said Hwaryun again. "You'll probably face the start of the worst possible crisis."
"Now, you guys have to lead the teams I have divided for you and escape from this crisis. To be honest, I'm not sure if this is the right path, but it won't hurt to at least increase our chance a little bit, right?"
"What kind of crisis is waiting for us?" Bam asked.
"I'm not sure, but nothing will get in your way more than sitting around and letting your fear build up. Just trust me and follow what I say."
'It's not wrong to think that Hwaryun and Khun are similar in some ways.'
Not only the two of them could be cruel, although Khun was starting to be warmer and more caring towards the people around him, the two of them were good in strategies and manipulating people. They made good judgements, if Khun wasn't disturbed by the twins, and they knew how to use their resources efficiently. If both of them could get along together, the strategies will no doubt be more dangerous to their enemies.
'And I'm just one of the pawns that they could use in their chess game.'
It wasn't like she felt depressed. She felt a little bit jealous indeed. But she had no talent in field that requires her to manipulate everything around her. Her talent lies on raw power and it was suffice already. She was not a God required to be perfect, but she was just a human.
'If I could be a stronger ally for them, then they'll have easier time to devise a plan for us. They won't get injured, and they won't have to face too much risk. It's a win- win situation, right?'
Once the meeting ended, Hwaryun told everyone to leave but Charlotte. Bam was a little bit reluctant, but since Charlotte convinced him that it would be fine, he left and waited her at the outside.
"So, what do you want to ask me?" Charlotte asked.
"Is your clairvoyant ability still working?" Hwaryun straightforwardly asked.
"............"
Charlotte said nothing at the moment.
With this war as the last part of the season, Charlotte did remember some great details. But after this war, she would know nothing. The clairvoyant ability who everyone believed she possesses was nothing but an excuse for her knowledge of the plot in the original work.
"Anyway, I think we could take advantage of this situation."
She remembered Altaira's advice.
"If someone asks about your clairvoyant ability, just say that you can't use it anymore."
"What?" She was confused.
"Now, at the upcoming war, I assume that everything will go the same just like in the original plot, which means that there might not be any big changes... unless the fake Christ shows himself up and we're dead. But after this upcoming war, you won't be able to provide them with the knowledge of the future again since you are unaware of it. So I'm saying that we should take advantage of your blindness, and if anyone asks you about the future, regretfully say to them that you can no longer see it."
And she did as what her brother advised.
"I'm afraid I can't see anything," said Charlotte with a solemn expression. "I can't see things anymore since I lost my sight. So we could only guess."
After hearing her answer, Hwaryun remained quiet for several moments which made Charlotte wonder if her act was working, considering that Hwaryun was very sharp.
'I wish that I could see her expression right now. I don't look too suspicious, right? Even after lying for a millionth times, I still feel anxious.'
"Alright then. It couldn't be helped."
Charlotte inwardly cheered when she heard that.
"You can go now," Hwaryun dismissed her. Charlotte nodded her head and walked out of the room.
But she suddenly stopped. And Hwaryun asked, "What's wrong? Need someone to show you the door?"
She turned around and asked, "Don't you want your eye back?"
Hwaryun scoffed and said, "I thought you have something more important to tell me about."
"How could it not be important?"
"Compared to the chaos in front of our eyes, it's nothing but a small loss," Hwaryun said. "You may be able to cure my eye, but we might just lose our lives tomorrow."
Charlotte then asked, "But what if we survive? If we survive and you have your eye healed, wouldn't it be great?"
"Naturally it would be great," said Hwaryun. "But are you really fine with it?"
"Of course I'm fine," she answered. "I mean, I am the one who offered the help for you willingly."
".........sometimes I wonder why you haven't killed me yet."
Charlotte tilted her head when she heard that in confusion.
"Is it because the things I've done are not as heavy as what Rachel did?" She asked again with a smile. "Don't forget. Although I'm here to help all of you now, I'm also one of the people who forced you to join FUG."
Charlotte's jaw dropped slightly as she remembered the small detail that she almost forgot.
"In another word, I am also one of your enemies."
Khun never regarded her as an ally. It was simply because the two of them had the same interest which is to ensure both Bam's and Charlotte's safety that they worked together. Otherwise, knowing that she was the reason why he was separated from the twins, he would never speak a word with her.
But Charlotte's judgement was different from his.
"... but you have also suffered a lot just to help us," said Charlotte again. "You helped us many of times. I guess I've considered you as a friend."
She answered with a warm and sincere smile that she found ridiculous.
'I was wrong to think that she has grown up already.'
She turned her back against her and said, "It's indeed a good thing to have Khun by your side."
Charlotte was confused, "Khun?"
Hwaryun snorted, "I guess it would be better for you to just focus on your training. This kind of thing doesn't suit you."
"But what about your eye?" Charlotte asked again.
She snorted twice and replied, "Wait until you've recovered your own eyes and we'll talk about it."
Charlotte couldn't guess what Hwaryun was thinking. Perhaps she didn't want her eye to be healed. Perhaps she was giving her a chance. But all she knew was that as long as she had her eyes recovered, then she would be able to do something for her friend.
She smiled and walked out of the room.
'I'm taking this challenge.'
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
"Do you really intend to fulfill their request, father?! Handing over the people in the Hell Train?! This station is for regulars only!"
In the Last Station, a brown- haired girl protested towards her father, Lee Xiawun. Her name was Lee Soyong.
"Even if they break the rules, how could they do this to them?! I'm absolutely against this!"
"Lower your voice around dad, Soyong," said the third person inside the administrative office of the Last Station. His name was Lee Sowa.
"Just be quiet, Sowa!" Lee Soyong argued against him. "Dad! You said it yourself that this station is a paradise only regulars could create! You wanted to make an utopia free from competition and outside interference! The idea was to create a true resting place for regulars on the Hell Train who survive until the end! I listened to you because I genuinely respect you, dad! If I had known you would give in to a little intimidation like this, I would have---"
"Soyong," her father called her name in stress. "Leave now."
"DAD!"
"I'm now stripping you of your rights as the ruler of the Dome," he said, shocking his daughter. "I can't leave someone as emotional as you in charge of such position."
"Soyong!" Sowa called her name out of worry. "Just get out! Before you make things worse!"
"Damn it!" She turned her body around and left the room in anger. As she descended down the stairs, someone contacted her pocket.
"Ryu- Ahn?" It was her friend. "I'm glad you called me, Ryu- Ahn. I need you to remember something! Whatever my dad says, make sure you tell me right away--!"
"We've... we've got into serious troubles, Soyong! The train is reaching the station! It's way sooner than expected!"
"What...?"
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
The rankers who were resting in Last Station noticed something flying was moving towards them.
It was the train!
From the D- rank regulars until high- rankers, all of them were waiting at the station for the war. They expected the train to come at least in one month, but neither of them expected for it to arrive this fast.
"It couldn't be that someone inside the train knows that we're waiting here to butcher them up?" The third batalion commander, Ranker Holly, asked him through pockets.
"That's impossible," he replied. "After all, people inside the train are secluded from the outside world."
"It can't be that there is someone among them who could see the future right?"
His smirk grew wider.
The man who sat on a soft black sofa, wearing a grey turtle neck outfit with long black pants. His hair was obsidian black, as well as his eyes. And on the back of his right palm, there was a black lotus mark.
"Maybe," he answered with an interested grin.
Holly laughed instead, "You must be joking. I'm going to end the call now."
As Holly turned off the call, the pocket vanished by itself. And the man smirked as he watched the pocket slowly disappear.
'I heard that there is a small lotus bud growing inside the train.'
He smirked wider.
'Let me see your strength then, Sacred Lotus.'
High Ranker- Callan, one of the high rankers from Squadron Four Division Two.
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
White laughed when he heard his last clone's offer.
"So you need my help, huh? I can't believe I've gotten so lucky right before getting off the train," he said. He raised his head and looked at the last clone, "All right. I guess you must be in the same position, but what other choice do I have now? I'll respect your conditions."
"...All right, good."
The last clone pulled out the glowing white sword from shinsu. When White saw that sword, his mind wandered off to somewhere else.
The unbreakable sword that she held, her fan.
'I really can't wait....'
"I didn't expect things to turn out like this either, but it's time for us to become one again."
'To break that sword.'