Across the Ether

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Aunt Pearl sits at the long, polished mahogany dining table, surrounded by platters of exotic dishes that steam and shimmer under the warm golden glow of the chandeliers.

The air is filled with the mingling aromas of roasted meats, spiced fruits, and sweet pastries from several corners of the Realms.

Aunt Pearl looks up in surprise when she sees Lance approaching with another young man in tow. Her eyes widen briefly, but she quickly recovers, greeting Lance with a warm hug before turning her attention to his companion.

Rail stands before her, slightly awkward, his posture tense yet respectful. His skin gleams under the light, and his red-tipped locs are tied back, giving him a slightly rugged yet composed appearance.

His sharp eyes dart around the room before settling on Aunt Pearl. He extends a hand, his movements smooth but tinged with a trace of nervousness.

"I'm Rail Ronzo." he says, his voice deep with a hint of a growl. "I come from the vampire kingdom of Nyctus, in the Land of Luminus."

Aunt Pearl's eyes sparkle with a blend of curiosity and kindness. "Well, aren't you a handsome young man." she exclaims, shaking his hand firmly. "I'm Aunt Pearl, Lance's chosen family. Please, make yourself at home. Eat as much as you want, sugar."

She gestures to the table, which is laden with an endless array of delicacies—some recognizable, others strangers and otherworldly.

They sit down, and Lance, still puzzled by Rail's sudden appearance, turns to him. "You said you come from a vampire kingdom. Does that mean you are a vampire?"

"Not exactly." Rail replies, fiddling with one of his stray locs. "Vampires are the Royal Family of Nyctus. I'm what is called a Bloodspawn." he pauses, searching for the right words. "We're created when a vampire drains a human dry and then transfers some of their power into us."

Aunt Pearl leans in, her expression one of genuine interest. "And what makes you different from a full-blooded vampire?"

Rail shifts uncomfortably, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "Pureblood vampires can do incredible things—they can fly, shape-shift, wield elemental magic, and compel people with just a glance." Rail glances out the dining car window. "Bloodspawn like me, we're less...refined. We have super speed, strength, and a need to drink blood to survive. But we don't burn in the sunlight like they do."

He shrugs, his demeanor caught somewhere between pride and resignation. "We are workhorses and soldiers."

****

Rail's eyes widen as he takes in the vast buffet that lines the entire length of the car.

There are roasted meats from creatures Lance can't even name, bowls of vibrant, jewel-toned fruits, platters of vegetables that glimmer as if dusted with stars, and towers of pastries that seem to defy gravity.

Rail piles his plate high with sizzling cuts of meat, the rich, savory aroma making his mouth water.

Lance, feeling like a kid in a candy store, tries a bit of everything—sweet and tangy fruits that pop in his mouth, tender slices of unfamiliar game, and creamy desserts that melt on his tongue.

Aunt Pearl, ever the eccentric, sticks to the dessert table, sipping on a peculiar lukewarm cabbage coffee, that she insists is an acquired taste.

Once they've all gather back at their table, the conversation turns back to Rail. Lance watches him closely, his curiosity piqued.

"Rail, why were you in that armoire?" he asks, trying to piece together the mystery.

Rail's expression darkens slightly as he pokes at his food. "I found a magical artifact in the treasury of Castle Nyctus." he says, his voice low and edged with frustration. "It opened a dimensional rift, and before I knew it, I was trapped in that fancy closet." he sighs. "I have been looking for someone important to me, and it led me here."

Aunt Pearl's eyes soften, she leans forward and places a hand on top of Rail's. "Someone dear to your heart?" she asks, her tone gentle but probing. "A lover, perhaps?"

Rail hesitates, his gaze flicking to the window as if searching for an answer in the swirling lights of the Etheric Steam outside. "I don't know what we are anymore." he admits quietly. "But I lost him and I need to set things right."

Aunt Pearl sighs, her expression wistful. "Oh, how romantic." she says, a faint smile touching her lips. "Do you have any idea where he might be?"

"I have one lead." Rail replies, his voice steadier now. "He was born in a place called Alkaline City."

Aunt Pearl's eyes light up with recognition, and she sits up straighter. "Well, are you in luck, sugar?" My husband is a diplomat from the Isle of Beast in the Land of Ocrea, and he is accepting an award at a banquet in Alkaline City."

Rail's gaze sharpens, hope shimmering in his eyes. "Would you mind if I tagged along?" he asks, his voice earnest.

Aunt Pearl beams, delighted. "Of course not, sugar. You're family now."

As they settle into a comfortable rhythm, a sudden chill descends over the dining car. Lance shivers, feeling a strange, ominous presence prickling at the edges of his senses. Aunt Pearl's expression shifts instantly from warm to alert.

Aunt Pearl reaches into her pocket dimension—and pulls out Ol'Faithful, a heavy cast-iron skillet that hums with latent magic.

The lights flicker, and shadows gather at the center of the aisle, twisting and rising into monstrous, humanoid forms.

The creatures are tall, with elongated limbs and bodies wrapped in gleaming silver chains that clink as they move. Their faces are featureless except for burning red eyes, and their arms end in sharp, sword-like appendages. They sway in place, ready to strike at any moment.

"Aunt Pearl, what are those things?" Lance whispers, his voice tight with fear.

"The Unchained," Aunt Pearl replies, her grip tightening on the skillet. "They're godless desires given form—things that should never have physical bodies. I have never seen them in the Betwixt before."

Rail's eyes narrow, his muscles tensing as he assesses the threat. "We need to get out of here." he says, urgently.

Aunt Pearl's voice is firm, her tone brooking no argument. "Rail, take Lance and go. I'll handle these nasties."

Lance hesitates, his concern for Aunt Pearl warring with his instincts to flee. "Aunt Pearl, you can't be serious! Those things look like they could tear you apart."

Before he can say more, one of the Unchained springs forward, blade-arms slashing through the air. Aunt Pearl swings Ol'Faithful with a practiced motion, the skillet glowing a fierce molten red, as it connects with the creature. Flames burst forth, engulfing the Unchained in a searing inferno. The creature writhes before disintegrating into ash, leaving nothing but a scorch mark on the floor.

Rail grabs Lance's hand, pulling him away from the chaos. "She knows what she is doing." he says, his voice a mixture of urgency and respect.

"Aunt Pearl, be careful!" Lance calls over his shoulder, torn between running and staying to help.
"Don't worry about me, boys." Aunt Pearl shouts back, her skillet at the ready. "Find the conductor! He will know what to do about these fiends!"

With one last look at Aunt Pearl standing her ground against the shadowy creatures, Lance and Rail sprint down the aisle, determination fueling their every step.