Aurin and Luna boarded the train with Shamtile and Innogon skipping merrily after them. They were heading north towards the town of Maplewood and planning to work their way down through a few other stops across Bretonia in search of both adventure and tamers to battle.
“I can’t believe we’re doing this!” squealed Luna, throwing her arms in the air.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Aurin, leading her into an empty cabin. “With all of the Zodiac Squad mania and the advent of the National Championships, it feels like we’ve had no time to just relax and take in the world.”
Shamtile hopped onto the seat by the window and Aurin yanked him away before sitting down himself. The masked lizard shook his fist angrily before flopping down on the chair and crossing his arms in a huff.
“You don’t get to take the window seat when you’ll look out for two minutes before getting bored and falling asleep,” Aurin told him, only to be met with a derisive snort.
“Anyway,” said Luna, upon changing an awkward glance with Innogon, “what’s our plan when we reach Maplewood? You mentioned the tower there, Maple Tower?”
“Yep,” said Aurin, pumping his fist. “Another tower to leave in my wake!”
Luna raised an eyebrow.
“Alright, I doubt I’d be able to clear it first time, especially when I’m not sure of its class or type.”
“And the fact that you already have a Breminia. Something you kept from me and I’m not even a little upset about.”
“I do wish I could have seen your face when I summoned her.”
Luna stuck out her tongue. “Well, don’t expect me to defend you if Klaus and his Minakai Guardian cronies come trying to take two of your Minakai from you now. I’d have helped you with Zeera, but not Breminia.”
Innogon looked upset about this and started slapping Luna on the arm.
“She’s joking, mate,” Aurin said to the drake. “But it’s good to know that you’re as loyal to my team as you are to your own teammates.”
Aurin and Luna stared out the window, commenting on the various sites that passed them by. The Bretonian countryside was a perfectly carved work of art, filled with lush trees and vibrant fields, while the human-made landmarks of towns, churches, and arched bridges were found dotted between the rolling rural landscapes. Admittedly, Aurin had never left Bretonia, but he also knew that it was the most beautiful place in the world.
“Look at that,” he said, pointing to the sky and watching as a tamer flew along on the back of his Fyrvern.
“We’re faster than he is,” said Luna.
“But do the rails go where he wants to go?” asked Aurin.
“Good point. I wonder if—”
Luna was suddenly distracted by a few people running past the cabin. She stood up and opened the sliding door to see where they were all heading. Curiously, the three runners rushing down the corridor were all wearing tamer gloves and they had their fists clenched as though eager to summon their Minakai.
“Something’s going on,” she said, turning to Aurin.
“Is that so?” he asked nonchalantly before grinning deviously.
“What else are you keeping from me, darling?” she asked with a frown.
“It’s time to reveal why I paid extra for these train tickets,” said Aurin, standing up and walking into the corridor. He beckoned Luna and the two Minakai to follow him.
The four made their way down the hall, with Luna not enjoying having so many surprises thrown at her in such a short period of time. Irked as she may have been, she couldn’t deny that her curiosity was piqued by tamers needing their Minakai on this train. Upon moving down three carriages, they met a conductor standing guard at the door of the next one over. The windows were dark and it was impossible to see inside.
“Tickets, please,” he said, holding out a small machine with a reader on top.
“Here you go,” said Aurin, presenting both his and Luna’s tickets.
The man looked the tickets over and then scanned them on his device before handing them back. “Welcome to the Battle Carriage,” said the conductor, opening the door for them and gesturing inside. “The pair of you are registered for one battle each. Any Minakai that fall from the train can be resummoned as required, but disqualified from any battles. Any damage done to the train that is not repairable by our metal elementals will be added to your bill.”
“Battle Carriage?” muttered Luna, having never heard of such a thing.
“Oh yes, my love,” said Aurin, putting his hands on her shoulder and marching her through the door. “The best way to pass the time on a train…well, I would assume. This is my first time too.”
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Upon entering the carriage, Luna was surprised to see that a Minakai battle was currently underway while spectators lined the room. A young man was using his Gorungol to fight against a middle-aged lady’s Vambra. Both monsters were battling hard and giving seemingly no attention to the spectators, all of whom were at risk of being brutally mauled. Or so Luna first thought.
She spied four Arium sitting in the corner, all with their hands raised as they focused on creating an invisible barrier that shielded the audience from harm should the battle get out of hand. The same could not be said for the metal floor of the carriage, which was being torn apart by the Gorungol’s rocks and the Vambra’s eye laser.
“Good surprise?” asked Aurin as Luna stared at the vigorous battle wide-eyed.
“Yes,” she said. “We’re each registered for a battle?”
“Yep, I’m booked in for a quarter past ten and you’re booked in for half past.”
Luna looked at her watch. “It’s ten past already!”
“And I’m raring to go,” said Aurin, punching his fists together. In his tamer glove sat an orange stone, a grey stone, and a yellow stone.
“How many Minakai are we allowed?” Luna asked, looking into her bag for the summoning stones not already embedded in her glove.
“One. Choose wisely.”
“Ahh,” she groaned in a panic, not able to think under the pressure of an imminent battle in an unfamiliar environment. “Alright, alright. I need a few minutes to think.”
Suddenly, the floor of the carriage was torn open and the Gorungol was flung underneath the train. The carriage bumped wildly before the young man who owned the Gorungol summoned his Minakai back before him. It was notably missing a few chunks from its body that it had no doubt left on the tracks that were quickly being left behind.
“And the winner of the battle is Colby!” called another conductor. “Please allow one full minute for repairs to be made. And may I remind anyone watching that another match will be beginning shortly on the roof.”
“That’s me,” said Aurin with a grin. He marched over to the stairs with Shamtile clinging to his leg to avoid being trampled on while Luna followed with Innogon on her shoulders.
Aurin emerged onto the flat roof that had already been cleared and repaired in preparation for his battle. The perimeter of the roof was surrounded by a chest-high metal railing and four more Arium stood in the corners, no doubt serving a double purpose here in ensuring nobody got struck by the fighting Minakai or tumbled over the railing.
“Isn’t that him?” muttered a young girl.
“No, it couldn’t be,” said an old woman.
“That’s the same Shamtile,” nodded a man.
As Aurin took his spot and waited for his opponent, at least a dozen of the fifty or so spectators were murmuring about him. Some were convinced that he was the one they had seen in the National Championships, while others were in denial. What would a superstar tamer be doing on a random train and battling strangers?
Luna and Innogon took their spots close to Aurin and watched as a man with mid-length jet-black hair that was swept over his shoulders took his place at the opposite side of the rooftop battlefield. He squinted at Aurin before opening his eyes wide upon realising who his opponent was.
“It’s you!” he said. “Y-you’re the one…”
“No idea what you’re talking about,” said Aurin with a sideways smile.
“And the tamers have taken their positions,” called a conductor as the train rumbled down the track. “Welcome to both Richard and Aurin, fighting in the second of our eight matches on the upper deck today. When I count you both in, summon your Minakai and the battle will begin. Understood.”
“Understood,” said Aurin.
“Yes,” said Richard, looking apprehensive.
The announcer nodded. “Three. Two. One. Begin!”
Aurin threw out his hand and summoned Skrow to the rooftop while Richard summoned his Volcarrow. Both Minakai were taken aback to find themselves flapping atop the train, but the barrier created by the Arium prevented them from being left behind by the rushing train.
“Don’t let your type disadvantage hold you back, Skrow,” said Aurin. “Give this your all!”
Skrow charged head-first in, his beak primed to strike the flaming bird he was faced with. Volcarrow swerved out of the way, only to find Skrow match its impressive agility by flipping over and swiping his claw out. The Volcarrow squawked in pain as Skrow’s nails cut along its back.
“This isn’t fair!” Richard protested to the conductor, making Aurin raise an eyebrow while Skrow continued to strike at his enemy.
“You’ve got a problem fighting against me, Richard?” asked Aurin.
“The match continues,” said the conductor.
Skrow whipped up a powerful wind to bat away the flaming breath of Volcarrow, sending it back towards its owner and blinding the bird. As the flames cleared, Skrow appeared in a flash and struck Volcarrow in the neck with his sharp skeletal beak, sending the fiery flyer towards the ground.
“I demand a refund!” cried Richard as the crowd cheered for Aurin. “He was the top-ranked tamer at the National Championships and almost beat Tobias. How in the world am I supposed to compete if I’m paired up with him?”
“Because I’m an experienced tamer, I don’t get to battle here like everybody else?” asked Aurin. “Get off your high horse and take the fact you lost like a man. You were too busy grumbling and complaining from the get go that you gave your Minakai no attention and you lost without putting up a fight.”
“The outcome of the match stands and there will be no refunds,” said the conductor.
Richard stormed off while the crowd murmured. Aurin turned to the nearest person behind him who wasn’t Luna. “Did I do something wrong coming her to compete?” he asked.
“Nope,” said the man, shaking his head furiously. “Nothing at all, Aurin. No siree.”
Aurin knew the man was just telling him what he wanted to hear. “Alright,” he said. “That’s my match over anyway.”
“I would have fought you!” called a girl from across the rooftop. “I would have killed to fight someone who fights in the highest league in the country.”
“Me too,” said a boy who couldn’t have been older than fourteen. “You got to fight Tobias!”
“Wait a minute,” said a nearby woman with an inquisitive look. “Isn’t the girl with the red hair the one you fought in the top eight?”
“Wasn’t it top sixteen?” asked a girl.
“It doesn’t matter where she ranked, she was near the top either way!”
“Well,” said Aurin, his smile and optimism returning. “Considering so many of you are eager to battle against a tamer who is highly ranked nationally, then you’ll be pleased to know that the girl behind me is indeed the one I fought in Ludonia.”
Luna shook her head and hid her face while Innogon raised his arms victoriously and spurted water from his mouth.
“In the next battle, whoever is fighting will be up against the one and only, Luna. My training partner and one of the toughest in the entire country. Prepare yourself, mystery tamer, if you’re already here.”
“Oh no,” sighed Luna, her face beetroot red. With Aurin’s straightforward victory, she was worried she would make a fool of herself in her first battle after competing in the National Championships.
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