𝐌𝐘 𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐈 || 𝐃𝐎𝐔𝐗𝐈𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐍

𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐊 | 𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐈

I SMILED, LEANING back to the rocking of the subway while Nari hummed and tended to her vibrant violet flower. It was peaceful, even though I knew it wouldn't be soon.

Douxie was uneasy, his eyes always turning and looking for any signs of danger. He tapped his foot in his state of restlessness. Part of me wanted to reach out and reassure him. The other part wanted to tease him. But I did neither.

Archie, in his form as a crow, squawked, seemingly as uneasy as his human familiar.

Douxie suddenly got up and faced both of us. "This is a bad idea."

Nari laid a hand on his arm. "No. No more running, Douxie."

I smirked. "Honestly, Douxie, were you going to have us jump off a speeding train? You really are reckless."

Then I gently grabbed his hand and pulled him back down his seat. "Nari is right." I felt my own eyes grow even stormier. "I'm sick and tired of running."

Douxie hesitated then smiled at both of us. "Alright. No more running."

I gave him a single nod, intending to let go of his hand. But Douxie intertwined his fingers in mine, having no intent of pulling away.

I sighed and tried to relax.

The air turned a bit too chilly for my taste. My breath came in wisps of cloud, condensed in the cold air. I gripped Douxie's hand tighter. "The Arcane."

Nari's flower's petals curled inward and her eyes grew worried. "They're here."

The lights flickered and died out. We all looked at the front of the train car, where it was beginning to glow from heat. Glass shattered into a million shards.

I let go of Douxie's hand, and his familiar warmth. Then jumped up from my seat, back on feet. He help Nari up, holding Archie the crow in the cage with his other arm.

"Here we go," Douxie whispered.

We slowly backed up the opposite direction. I could hear Bellroc chanting in some foreign language. But I didn't need a translator to know that whatever they were chanting was not a good omen.

Smoke began to rise. Douxie slid open the gangway connection's door and we jumped to the next train car.

We realized that that train car was wholly frozen much too late. Douxie was the first to slip on the cold surface, yelping like a dog. Nari followed, sliding on her arse.

The ice beneath my feet turned to water under my influence and my combat boots offered a better grip to the floor. I stood, my blades out in a reverse grip. Always my combat stance grip.

Douxie and Nari slid to a stop after colliding with one of the many benches. On the other side of the train car, a whirlwind of ice appeared.

I scowled. Skrael was always one for theatrics and dramatic entrances.