Regicide [ORIGINAL SERIES]

11. Train Arc

Escapade.

PREVIOUSLY..
"Come with me, Amy, we must exit the train first!" Wendy exclaimed, her voice carrying a spark of enthusiasm that seemed slightly at odds with the gravity of their situation. Behind her feigned confidence was a palpable excitement, an eagerness to delve into the unknown and assist those caught in the web of cosmic errors.

Amy, despite the chaos swirling around her, found a measure of solace in Wendy's presence. Here was someone who not only acknowledged the absurdity of her situation but also seemed capable of guiding her through it. With a deep breath, she prepared to follow Wendy, stepping off the train and into the uncertain, hoping that this time, she might find answers to the mysteries that had upended her life.

----

Amy and Wendy ventured out of the train, stepping into a landscape that is surreal and ever-shifting, representing the unstable nature of the matrix malfunction. The environment around them is a visual representation of digital decay, with pieces of reality glitching and dissolving.

"Alright, Amy. Our objective is to reach the 'Heart of the Matrix'-ah, explaining this to you is going to be a bit of a challenge," Wendy said, her impatience thinly veiled as she struggled to simplify the concept for Amy's understanding.

"'Heart of the Matrix'?" Amy echoed, her confusion evident in the tilt of her head.

"It's, well, essentially a central control hub. There, we can initiate a reset of the matrix and correct whatever's gone wrong," Wendy clarified, her words laced with a touch of exasperation. Despite her frustration, the youthful prodigy couldn't entirely mask the pride she took in her role.

"This journey won't be easy, so brace yourself. But worry not, for you are in the company of the extraordinary, unparalleled machinist, Wendy!" She boasted, her smirk conveying a confidence that seemed almost too grand for her young age.

Amy absorbed her words in silence, her thoughts drifting away from the immediate crisis. She yearned for the simplicity of her own time, her home in 1856-a place untouched by the bewildering complexities and dangers of this futuristic world. Exhausted by the relentless pace of her unwelcome adventures, Amy's heart ached for nothing more than the familiar comforts of her non-advanced city and the quaint warmth of her house.

Wendy tried to stride ahead with what she hoped would be an air of grace, but her attempt was more comical than elegant. Amy couldn't help but smile, trailing behind Wendy, who had unwittingly become her guide in this bewildering journey.

Suddenly, with her back still turned to Amy. "Amy," she called out, a rare seriousness tinting her voice.

"Hm?" Amy responded, her curiosity piqued as she tilted her head slightly.

"Do you think... adults are always superior to teenagers?" Wendy's question floated back, heavy with an uncharacteristic somberness. She didn't turn to face Amy, as if the question was directed more at herself than at Amy.

"...uh..." Amy was momentarily taken aback, the question catching her off guard. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before responding.

"It really depends on the context," Amy began thoughtfully.

"Like what?" Wendy pressed, her voice laced with a hint of desperation for understanding.

"Adults often possess a wealth of life experience, which can endow them with wisdom and a deeper understanding of the world," Amy explained, her voice gentle, aiming to bridge the gap between Wendy's curiosity and her own understanding.