Part 1: Perfection
Chapter 1: Relocation
It is a dark day. The train is slower than it ever was before. Maybe it is the rough thoughts on the mens’ minds, or maybe it was just because of the blistering cold outside. Shane and L’Karr can’t exactly sit in the safety of the peoples’ cart; they have no money to pay for it. And so they sit on the open carts containing dogs controlling a few small monsters. The ground is wooden with hay spread across it. The dogs are weary of the two human men. The monsters, being babies, are curious and stare unblinkingly. They are kuchakka, a type of over-sized blue rooster-looking bird. They grow large and often become good riding animals. The two men are heading to Tellistra Village, a small town roughly four days on foot from Estrada, the largest city in the area.
The wide open country is very different from the city. The skies are a deep oceanic color, rather than a smoggy blue-green. The land zips past, though most of it is just lightly tinted green fields anyways. So much is left to discover in Ark.
Shane is deep in thought, then looks over to his brother, who is trying hard to fall asleep.
“We’ll start a new life,” he speaks in encouragement to his younger brother. L’Karr just sits there, not acknowledging Shane’s words, as if believing that they were spoken to someone else. Shane’s face turns serious. He wants to say something else to L’Karr, but can’t think of what it is, and looks down at his wrist. A shining silvery claw is wrapped around it. He is left handed, which is an odd trait, but indifferent all the same. It meant that instead of carrying extra weight on his right hand, it is placed on the left. A Silver Hero, a gift from Crimson. Ah, Crimson. Such a beautiful place. He thinks back to when he was there; to when his parents could take them anywhere. They were rich. Their occupation was something like detectives. Now they are gone. Tears well in his eyes.
L’Karr looks up for a moment to see his brother in this weakened state. He scowls.
“They’re gone, Shane,” he mutters apathetically. “Gone. Get over it.” For a moment he feels as though his words might have been a little harsh, but he closes his eyes again and tries unsuccessfully to sleep. Shane shakes his head in disbelief of his brother’s unsympathetic attitude. How could he not feel even slightly sad?! His parents are dead! Dead! What the hell is the matter with him?!
“We’ll find jobs in the square in the morning,” Shane says, moving past the previous conversation. “Try not to get into trouble, L’Karr.”
The younger brother grunts in response. He places a hand on his blade, a large, wide sword made of iron and wood. Not a very impressive sword, but under the right Sand Fighter... it is legendary. L'Karr wishes that he would just hurry up and complete his class. His goal is to surpass his brother. Secretly... he longs to be as powerful as Shane. But he would never let him know...
That’s when they see it. The train begins to slow down and the view of Tellistra comes in full and beautiful. L’Karr doesn’t look up, but Shane is in awe of the sight of the town. It is lush and green, and the buildings are large and brightly colored. People walk about the streets hastily, stuck in business mode. When they are close enough, the train stops for a moment to let off a few people. Shane and L’Karr swiftly hop off before it picks up again and blasts off to a different town.
“Where’s the house?” asks L’Karr, now looking around the town.
“It should be about a mile in that direction,” answers Shane pointing north, past the train tracks.
“A mile?” L’Karr grumbles.
“Don’t worry. Living here won’t be all bad,” the older brother attempts to reassure.
“I’m sure it will be just...” the younger hesitates, his voice trailing off. A girl comes into his sight. Though she is mostly covered in a cloak, L’Karr can see her face. Soft and pale, a set of bright green eyes. A single dimple on the side of her smirk. Her face is shaped as a peach, and radiates a certain fierceness. But then she looks away. L’Karr looks back at his brother.
"Perfect," he finally whispers. Then he smiles.
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