The night was tense with anticipation among the three assailants: Huia, Akhaqia, and Adinim. The warmth of Akhaqia's earlier conversation with Lilly had evaporated, replaced by the intensity and weight of their mission to ambush the Alfheim Empire's supply line and steal from it. Their thoughts were on one thing and one thing only: the meticulous planning of their attack. They couldn't afford to be distracted.
Moving under the cover of the night, the group made their way through the dim streets of Hasa Curies. Unlike Equilibrium Haven, where stars filled the night sky, the darkness here was complete, offering no guidance. Shadows deepened as they approached the edge of the city. Huia, uncharacteristically quiet, dragged his feet, his usual sarcasm absent.
They arrived at a critical juncture—the edge of the town, which also marked their entry point to the track lance, the transport route they intended to ambush.
Adinim Sebag, already on edge, spoke up. "Where's the track lance? You said it should be coming through here," he asked. Impatience and nervousness were evident in his tone and eagerness to engage as he glanced at Akhaqia.
Akhaqia, clearly irritated, snapped back. "Why can't you just wait, for God's sake? Did you think we'd just walk right into the track once we arrived? It's an approximation, and thank God. We need to be here before the track lance comes through."
He paused, and his frustration was evident in the contortion of his face. His eyebrows drew closer, creating vertical lines between them. "We all understand what needs to be done, right?" His eyes shifted from Adinim after seeing Adinim's fiery eyes to Huia. The question hung in the air as Huia stared at the ground, lost in thought.
Before Akhaqia had a chance to gauge Huia's expression, or lack thereof, the conversation came to an end due to the unmistakable sound of rustling reaching their ears. It was faint at first, carried by the wind, but it grew steadily louder. The noise they had been waiting for was finally within earshot.
The wind howled as the track lance hummed. Its rhythm could be heard on the electromagnetic railroad, elevating the track lance over the railroad and traveling at the warping speed of three hundred miles per hour. The vehicle was sleek and adorned with hues across its metallic frame.
Adinim and Akhaqia readied themselves, focusing on the approaching track lance. Huia lagged behind the two with a look of uncertainty. Whether it was because this part of the plan required a crest or because he was nervous remained to be seen. Huia didn't have a crest like Akhaqia and Adinim; he was crestless, so he couldn't equip or construct anything out of thin air like weapons or, more accurately, gadgets like the other two had just done. He was just standing there.
Then Akhaqia barked, "Now!"
Adinim, without a moment's hesitation, leaped forward. Whether it was his enthusiasm to strike back at the Alfeheim Empire or just pure nerves driving him, he acted quickly. With a swift motion, he conjured a blazing red spear-like weapon from his crest. Without a second thought, he secured himself to the side of the track lance.
Akhaqia followed effortlessly, summoning his own azure-blue weapon, identical to Adinim's, and latched onto the track lance right behind him.
Huia, amidst the other two leaping onto the track, made no effort to do the same. Instead, he raised his hands in a hurry, gripped by Adinim's iron-firm grasp. Adinim exerted all his strength to hold onto Huia, his feet struggling to find a foothold on the track lance. This proved to be very difficult due to the speed of the lance and the lack of any stable surface, with the wind doing its best to loosen Huia and Adinim's grip. His strained expression revealed the effort he exerted to pull Huia up.
Adinim's grip weakened under the relentless pressure of the wind. With no foothold to steady himself, he struggled to hold onto Huia. His arms burned from the effort, and exhaustion crept in with every passing second. The tension mounted, making his strained expression even more apparent. Huia's heart skipped a beat as he sensed the grip faltering. He looked down at the ground, feeling closer and closer to danger with every slip.
Akhaqia, firmly latched onto the track lance, scanned the situation. He saw Adinim struggling to keep Huia from falling. Acting quickly, he created a construct of a hook with his crest, latching onto the track lance and securing himself further.
With a stable position, Akhaqia moved swiftly to help Adinim pull Huia up. He grabbed Huia's other hand, easing some of the strain. Together, their combined effort made lifting Huia onto the track lance much simpler.
Huia was breathless. Looking at both Adinim and Akhaqia, he expressed his gratitude with a sheepish grin and a quiet "Thanks."
Adinim, still catching his breath, replied, "Just hold on tight for now."
The track lance continued through the night with the three of them holding onto its side, determined to accomplish their mission.
Inside the track lance, in stark contrast to the harsh conditions outside, the passengers indulged in luxury. The train hurtled through the moonlit desert, its iron wheels clattering against the tracks like a steady heartbeat. Inside the opulent first-class car, chandeliers swayed gently, casting flickering reflections on the velvet-upholstered seats and mahogany paneling. Passengers sipped brandy, exchanged hushed whispers, and admired the glimmering jewels draped across necks and wrists.