CURSED 7/6 TUNNEL

The hurried steps of Tim and Kano echoed off the uneven streets. The warmth of the midday sun now felt oppressive, beads of sweat trickling down their faces as they moved toward Rensan Railway Station, urgency driving every step.

"We're not going to make it by 3:00," Tim muttered, frustration evident in his voice. The announcement of the Dragon Feast's location was drawing closer, and the clock didn't seem to care about their predicament.

"No kidding! We need to get to the nearest Keit Marks," Kano replied, glancing at Tim. The nearest point was in the sixth circle, but the problem was getting there. For two boys from the seventh circle, it wasn't as simple as hopping on a bus.

"We could hire a low-level Flyer," Tim suggested, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Those guys pass passengers to Keit Marks all the time, right? If we pay them, maybe we can make it on time."

Kano shook his head. "They'll never take me. Xephyruses like me aren't exactly welcomed with open arms, remember? Most Flyers won't even bother slowing down for someone like me."

Tim fell silent. He hated to admit it, but Kano was right. Xephyruses faced constant discrimination, even from common folk like Tim. He couldn't understand why—Kano's abilities were way cooler than anything he could ever do. But society had its prejudices, and they were relentless.

Still, if they didn't use the Keit Marks, they'd likely miss their first Dragon Feast experience.

Tim sighed. "If Iami were here, we wouldn't have to worry about this."

"And drain her kensan energy over a stupid race? Are you kidding?" Kano shot back, frowning. "Using her powers for such long stretches isn't safe for her—she's still young and inexperienced."

Tim didn't argue. He could tell Kano was deflecting.

The Arrival at Rensan Station

The Rensan Railway Station came into view, bustling with activity. Its old brick walls were decorated in red and gold banners for the festival. A faint hum of excitement permeated the air, as families, young teens, and traders prepared for their journeys.

"Oh, finally!" Tim exclaimed as they entered the main plaza.

But their relief was short-lived.

"Well, well. Look who it is… Tim! And his pet Xephyrus!"

Tim froze as a familiar voice sliced through the crowd like a blade. He turned slowly to see Decrepy, his older cousin, standing there with his arms crossed and a sneer plastered on his face.

"Still hanging out with trash, I see. You really have no shame, huh?" Decrepy spat, his hatred directed squarely at Kano.

Tim clenched his fists. His body tensed, ready to strike, but before he could act, he felt a strong grip on his wrist.

"Let it go, Tim," Kano said quietly, his tone calm but firm. "Ignore him."

Decrepy wasn't finished. "You better keep an eye on your friend, Tim. You know what happens to Xephyruses, don't you? Kinnes will come and enslave him sooner or later. And then what? You gonna cry about it, little baby?"

Tim's jaw tightened, but Kano didn't give him a chance to retaliate. He grabbed Tim's arm and pulled him further into the station.

"Let's get out of here," Kano muttered, his voice low.

The bustling station was filled with travelers, and Kano used the commotion to change the subject. "This place is packed! Look at all the decorations. Pretty amazing, huh, Tim?"

But Tim wasn't listening. His mind was still replaying Decrepy's words. "When we get older, Kano," he said, his voice trembling with anger, "and we have power like the top Kinnes of this city, I promise you—I'm going to punch him in the face in public."

______

The train finally arrived five minutes later, an enormous, polished steel beast rumbling to a halt. Passengers scrambled aboard, eager to secure their seats.

"Ah, it's here," Kano said as the crowd surged forward.

"Finally," Tim muttered. "It's all because of your stupid ring, Kano. We wouldn't be in this mess otherwise."

"Oh, come on! You were just as curious about the ring as I was," Kano shot back, rolling his eyes.

Tim groaned but decided to drop the argument. They boarded the train, squeezing through the crowd, and found a small corner near the back to settle into.

It was then Kano's expression changed. Tim noticed it immediately.

"Is something wrong?" Tim asked, lowering his voice.

Kano didn't answer. Instead, he leaned in close and whispered, "Someone's been following us since the station."

"What?!" Tim hissed, startled.

"Don't look around. Just act normal," Kano said, pinching Tim's palm to keep him from reacting further.

"Who is it?"

"I don't know, but whoever it is, they have a strong kensan aura. Be careful, Tim. We need to blend into the crowd until we figure this out."

_____

The train pulled away from the station, speeding through the city's outer circles. Tim crouched lower in his seat, pretending to browse his phone.

He messaged Iami quickly: "Someone's following us."

Her reply came almost instantly. "WHAT?! Are you serious? Is it still watching you?"

Tim glanced around but couldn't spot the stranger. "They might've moved to Kano's compartment," he typed. "But I'm still worried about him."

"Kano will be fine," Iami replied. "He knows some decent spells. You, on the other hand, are just a common Olas kid. Be careful. Keep blending into the crowd until you reach Keit Marks. I'll meet you at Circle 4."

Tim exhaled, trying to calm his nerves. He glanced at the passengers around him—an elderly man sitting beside him, a young man in his twenties seated opposite, and a large family with children a few rows ahead. They didn't seem to notice anything unusual.

But his relief was fleeting.

_____

The train shuddered violently as an explosion echoed through the carriage.

"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Tim yelled, gripping the seat as the lights flickered and the train plunged into darkness. The train had entered the 7/6 Tunnel, a notorious passage connecting the seventh and sixth circles.

Screams erupted around him. Shadows danced erratically in the dim emergency lighting. Then came the sound—a sickening crack.

Tim turned just in time to see something horrifying: A passenger's head was severed clean from their body, a whip-like object drenched in blood retracting into the shadows.

"WHAT IS HAPPENING?!" Tim screamed, his voice barely audible over the chaos.

And then he saw it.

The man in black. The stranger who had been following them. His suit was covered in blood, his hand adorned with a geometric tattoo and an ancient-looking bracelet that glowed faintly.

Tim froze as the man's cold eyes locked onto him.

"You. Red hoodie," the man said, his voice calm but deadly. "You're coming with me."

The other passengers began to murmur, panic setting in.

"Hand him over!" someone shouted. "If we give him up, he'll leave us alone!"

Tim's heart sank as the whispers grew louder. The crowd turned on him in an instant, self-preservation overriding any sense of decency.

"Let him take the boy!" another voice cried out. "Spare the rest of us!"

Tim stumbled backward, his chest tightening as a magical rope ensnared him. He struggled, but the bindings were unyielding.

"Now," the man said, his voice dripping with malice, "watch as your helplessness consumes you."

____

In another compartment, Kano sat alert, his senses on high alert. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

He reached for his phone to call Tim but was greeted with a cold, automated response: "The number you are dialing is currently out of service."

Kano's stomach churned. He activated his sensory hide, cloaking his aura to avoid detection, and stepped cautiously into the chaos.

"Don't worry, Tim," he muttered to himself. "I'm coming for you."