Azure Chronicle

Zaamu

The train was made of blackened steel plates fastenend with thick bolts and welds. The front face of the car had a large iron ram that sloped the entire front. At the backs of the ram were thick blades which cut forward, presumably to finish anything hit by it. On top of the engine was a domed gun and spot light. All the windows had rusty grills covering them and the linkages had metal strips that hung like a curtain, keeping the space between cars guarded. On the side the name "Zaamu" in white lettering followed by a painting of a scantily clad girl in a cowboy hat riding a missile with horns. The back car was a repeat of the engine but facing the opposite direction.

"That there be the first and only train created to run the 5,000 some miles of track across the country. Spans from Crankcase City all the way to Valasia." Hack paused. "Well, used to, before them damn voodoo worshippers destroyed half the tracks. Now it can barely even reach Nimus."

"What did we do to it?" I asked.

"Sorry kid, I know the Cerebrus were just a defendin themselves. I don't mean to blame you or yer kin. But the Vale-Valasia Line used to be the lifeblood of the country. Brought trade from the deserts of Vale to the Seas of Cerebrus. Trades of azure and metal ore. Then, one day they stopped given azure and we stopped given ore. War started and the rail was forever severed. Towns like Accord were the last spots of trade. And if we don't kill Wormwood, that will be gone too."

"Anyway, Zaamu can't go anywhere without us. Better get a move on." Hack gestured. At first the cabin was dark, but my eyes quickly adjusted, revealing the velvet red interior. Seats filled with strangers lined either side of the long rubber mat that traveled the center of the car. Dim slitted windows on either side. They made the light outside seem white hot. 

I kept my eyes on the floor as I walked to the back of the cabin to Lore. But I would occasionally take a glimpse at the rugged faces from the corner of my eye. They were all men. Sweaty faces ground with oil and dust. Most of them either smoking or chewing. Some drank from metal flasks. But no one spoke. The car was deafly sound, every breath seemed to echo through the cabin.

"Hang tight kid, Im gonna talk with the conductor."

I nodded, afraid that saying anything would trigger the zombies in the car to attack.

Feeling Lore move I looked over to see her cleaning something. Upon closer inspection, I saw it was a shiny blade. Its tip permanently stained a faded black. On it were inscribed the words "May Blood Reveal your Name."

I sat idly watching her clean. Stealing a look at her face, she seemed content, but I knew she wasn't.

"Im...Im sorry." putting my hands between my knees, I flinched, remembering the cuts on my fist, the words seemed to travel forever, hitting nothing.

"About what?" Her voice surprisingly calm.

"About earlier."

"The only thing Im upset about is the way you handled your emotions."

Her gray eyes now pointed in my direction.

"That behavior nearly killed you Az. I don't give a jack if you want to fight or if you want revenge or not. But Az this is the real world and you need to get a grip."

She closed her eyes, wrinkling her forehead.

"I know your young, I know you have alot to figure out right now. But this isn't a wild dog in a cave." her tone slowly becoming more personal.

"These people" she whispered pointing around the room.

"These people are not your friends. These people dont give a shit about you. These men would rob your dead body and leave you. You are the only one who is going to care of you."

Zombies I thought.

"We all have things that haunt us. I have a dragon and dead girl that will follow me forever.

She had never talked about a girl, I wanted to ask, but it seemed she was talking more to herself than me now. So, we sat in a sea of silence.

The train violently jerked and lurched forward several times before finally taking off. Hack appeared from a door at the front, quickly walking back and wavering back and forth trying to keep balance. 

Despite the trains solid appearance, it felt as though one wrong bump would send it scattering down the rail in little tiny pieces.

"Hopefully the rail through Accord is still intact." Hack remarked sitting down in the empty seat across the way.

Neither of us said anything.

"Its ok, I was talking to Twits anyway." Hack huffed.

Tweet tweet.

"Thats right." He nodded.

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AUTHOR COMMENTS

That sounds like a tough ass train! Look out Thomas!