In compartment number 28 of the train, four people are seated. The train makes the sound of the engine starting as it departs.
"So how come we are together again?" Felix asks.
Frieda and Emma sit on one side, while Luna is on Emma's lap. Opposite to them sits Felix, arms crossed, looking at the two of them with irritation.
"Look, we didn't know we would meet you here again," Frieda replies.
"Hah! Of course," says Felix sarcastically.
Emma puts on an awkward smile, contemplating the strange energy she felt when Felix held her during the Rush Hour. She looks at him intently.
Noticing Emma's suspicion, Felix tries to divert the conversation. "So, your friend here doesn't look like she's from Anywhere Town." He smirks.
"What are you talking about? She's from here, and we're going to fetch her brother," Frieda responds.
"Mhm, trying to fool me until the end. She said her magic tier was 3 when I asked her."
Frieda glances at Emma, looking defeated.
"She didn't seem to have any idea about the Rush Hour. Now you should start talking about your friend."
Frieda hesitates before saying, "But you're a member of the Elite Magic Society. How do you expect me to tell you? You'll inform the authorities."
"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. I've left it."
Frieda is shocked. "What? What do you mean you left? How can you even leave a society after changing your hair color?"
Luna purrs while falling asleep.
"You don't have to worry about me," Felix replies dismissively.
"I'm not worrying about you; I'm shocked and confused. What happened?"
Felix looks at Frieda, deep in thought. "I was kicked out."
"What?!"
"Don't give me that 'what' reaction."
"Felix! Why are you acting like this? What has been happening with you? Is your family okay?"
"Oh god, Frieda, what do you take me for?" Felix replies irritably.
"Okay, I think we should calm down. I'll tell you about Emma, but only if you also tell me what's going on with you. Is that okay?"
"Fine. Start talking."
"You see, Emma is not from this world," Frieda begins.
Felix's eyes widen as he listens. He listens to Frieda closely.
"She was searching for her brother when she stumbled upon a portal that led her to this world. We both met at that abandoned house. She said she was looking for her brother. I knew a boy named Anton was staying at the Helpers Association. We went there and found out someone had already taken him home. So now we're trying to get her brother back."
The compartment falls silent. The sound of the moving train can be heard, but nobody says anything.
"Now you should tell us what is going on with you," asked Frieda.
"I heard my seniors at the Elite Magic Society say that people in the kingdom are being used."
"What do you mean the people are being used?" Emma asked.
"Thalmar is going to make the capital the only place where people can live and—"
"Who is Thalmar?" Emma interrupted.
Felix and Frieda exchanged glances.
.
.
.
A decade ago, when Frieda and Felix were ten and eleven years old, the kind and beloved King Eldric was dethroned by Thalmar, his younger brother. They both fought a grand war, and many people lost their homes. During King Eldric's reign, all the towns were united in what was called the kingdom. However, after Thalmar took over, he divided the kingdom, leaving the capital of the kingdom, Opirath, as the place for the most influential people. Those living in other parts of the kingdom were demoted, and every town was always under surveillance. Most people don't know what is happening; they are just working within this oppressive system. Trying to make a living. they cannot use their magic in the open and are only required to learn magic for King Thalmar. So whenever a person reaches magic tier-4 he/ she is sent to Opirath and is trained there.
Felix continued after giving Emma a summary, "Did you see the person who was giving out tickets? It turns out that people in those positions were summoned to the capital one day and transformed. They were originally humans, but now they don't live with their original families."
Emma couldn't bear listening to this.
Emma interrupted, "What do you mean they were formerly humans? They changed their own people; they performed magic on them to turn them into something inhumane."
A silence hung in the air for a few seconds before Felix continued, "I didn't mean to, but I ended up eavesdropping on my seniors. They were talking about how people have gone missing. It turns out the capital, Opirath, is still turning humans into... unrecognizable beings."
Frieda and Emma listened closely.
"I got caught and was told to keep my mouth shut. But they've always known me as a person who stands for justice. So they threw me in a room and placed me under house arrest. But I couldn't just sit there, you know."
Frieda shouted, "So you ran!"
Emma told Frieda to keep her voice down.
In a quieter voice, Frieda asked, "So you are on the run. What are you trying to do now?"
"I need to stop Thalmar!"
"Shhh!" both Emma and Frieda said in unison.
As they listened, Emma grew impatient, wondering what if those people took Anton to turn him into...
Felix and Frieda glanced at Emma, realizing what she might be thinking. They exchanged worried looks. "Uh, so Felix, you are going to Opirath?" asked Frieda.
With a serious expression, he replied, "Yes."
"So we're on the same path. Emma, I didn't tell you earlier, but we are also heading to Opirath. We should accompany Felix."
"You don't have to. I don't want you two getting involved."
Frieda looked at Felix with anger. "And how are you going to take down Thalmar? You are only a Tier-5 magician."
Felix stared out the window, remaining silent.
"I don't know. Maybe I'll figure it out when I see him."
"Are you crazy or something?"
"Maybe I am. But I have to do something. They have taken my dad, and I don't know what they are going to do with him."
Frieda looked in disbelief. "What do you mean? What happened to Mr. Braun?"
"I don't know. I got a letter from my mom saying that the authorities took him, and he hasn't returned yet. That's why I decided to break house arrest. And now I'm here."
"Felix, I will help you. What do you say, Emma? We should help him."
"Yes. But... Anton."
Frieda didn't say anything. Felix continued to look out the window.
"Felix, I want you to wait for me before you go to Thalmar. I will first go get Anton with Emma and then come straight to help you."