The Railroad - Terminus - 6.9
Imported from SF2 with no description.
The scent of burning ashes filled my nose.
But what I recalled wasn’t Adam’s death—it was how he fought until the very last moment.
I think I finally, truly understand how Adam felt.
"I was wondering when you'd show up." The Golden Retriever bared his teeth in a grin as he loaded the grenade launcher in his hands. "Ready to die?"
The humor I had newly acquired immediately took over, forcing me to burst into uncontrollable laughter.
"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be so rude," I apologized once I managed to catch my breath, wiping away the tears that had welled up in my eyes. The Golden Retriever looked at me, utterly dumbfounded. "But it’s just too funny."
"What’s so funny?" he snarled, his fur standing on end. That only made me laugh even harder.
"You’re going to 'kill me,'” I said in between gasps, struggling to control my laughter. "Did you catch that? 'Kill me'?"
"You think splitting up will keep me from finding your friends?" He hoisted the grenade launcher onto his shoulder, baring his teeth threateningly. "I’ll leave you alive long enough to watch me blow them sky-high, and then—"
I couldn't help but laugh again, interrupting the Golden Retriever’s tirade. I was pretty sure his silver eyes would have been blazing with fury by now.
"I’m sorry, country folk like me tend to be a little impolite." I made a few apologetic gestures. "Please, go on."
"Do you think this is funny?" He looked like he was about to burst into tears, and I nearly failed to stifle my laughter again. "When I slice you into little pieces and feed you to the fish, we’ll see if you’re still laughing!"
I hadn’t realized that nobles actually had a sense of humor. I’d definitely misjudged them.
"You know, explaining a joke makes it less funny, right?" I tilted my head slightly, sincerely asking.
The Golden Retriever let out a frustrated bark, and I suspected he was about to explode on the spot.
"Okay, okay, calm down." I raised my hands and made a soothing gesture. "I’ll be kind and explain it to you."
The stunned look on his face was priceless, something I’d savor for a long time. I had to thank 74258 for accompanying me on this journey so I could witness something so wonderful.
"I’ve just realized how ridiculous my old self was," I said slowly. "I used to be afraid of you, envious of you, and even hated you." I locked eyes with the Golden Retriever’s silver ones, solidifying my resolve. "But you’re just... so weak."
"Weak?" he barked in anger. "I’ll skin you alive, and then slowly flay you—"
"Yes, more threats." I kept my tone calm, continuing to reflect on what I had learned from this journey. "Enslaving, hurting, torturing, imprisoning, slaughtering... You want us to fear you. You thrive on our terror."
I listed out the crimes committed by the pedigrees, surprised at my own sense of peace.
"Most of the time, fear works. For those you’ve stripped of everything, fear is an effective tool for control, like the collars you put on us. But that reveals your biggest weakness." I ignored the searing pain coursing through my body as I took a step toward the pedigree. I was sure I saw the Golden Retriever flinch. "You fear those who are not afraid of you. That’s why you’re so weak."
I walked up to the Golden Retriever and stared into his eyes. Only then did I realize—I was taller than him.
"You can put collars on us, you can imprison us," I tapped the collar around my neck with a nail, "but you will never," I emphasized each word, ensuring he heard me clearly, "never imprison the hearts that yearn for freedom."
A slight reddish tint began to spread through his silver eyes. I wasn’t entirely sure what that meant, but I didn’t care.
"Because you are that incompetent, that weak." I flashed the Golden Retriever an encouraging smile, hoping he wouldn’t feel too discouraged.
The sharp pain and impact that struck my snout sent me sprawling to the ground.
It took me a moment to get up, supporting myself in a half-kneeling position. Bright red blood dripped from my nose, splattering onto the lush green grass.
Wow, what imagery.
"Like I said, incompetent." His act of violence amused me again. "Is that all you’ve got? Or is this the only way you know how to get attention?"
The Golden Retriever lifted his leg and kicked me in the stomach. I was sure the force wasn’t normal, as I flew several meters. But I wasn’t particularly bothered; I just lay on the ground, adjusting my breathing.
How had I never noticed? They are so weak.
How could I have ever been afraid of them? They are so powerless.
Now, there was no hatred left in me, only deep pity.
"You see, as I’ve been saying, there’s nothing you can do." I no longer felt nauseous, probably because there was nothing left to throw up. "You can use every means at your disposal to try and make me fear you. But if I don’t fear you, there’s nothing you can do. It’s that simple. You’re so weak, so powerless." My fur was grabbed, and I was lifted off the ground. I met the crazed red eyes of the Golden Retriever. "You can keep lying to yourself, but you don’t own me." I swallowed the blood filling my mouth, savoring every bitter note with gratitude. "Never."
The Golden Retriever raised his fist and slammed it into my face. The sound of bones breaking accompanied my teeth biting into my tongue. I swallowed a few teeth. He didn’t stop, repeatedly pounding my face with his fist.
After a long while, the sound of each impact splattering liquid grew too thick and sticky, and it seemed like he was getting tired. He finally stopped, panting heavily.
One of my eyes could no longer see, and I could barely breathe. The wet, raspy sound of my labored breaths and the burning sensation of blood flowing back into my windpipe told me my nose was broken.
See? Weak, incompetent beings, utterly helpless. They rely solely on fear, indulging in the illusion that they control everything and have power.
The thought made my lips curl into a smile. Even though the pain was overwhelming, I laughed out loud.
This is something you can never take away from me.
I must have hit a sore spot because the Golden Retriever raised his fist again, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
But I thought, let’s not waste precious time on something so insignificant. This journey was a gift, paid for by the sacrifices of countless others.
So I turned my one good eye upward, looking toward that place I had once dreamed of, the vast and boundless sea of stars where I would one day roam free.
Though my vision may not reach that far, the view before me still shook me to my core.
Who knew the sky could be this blue?
"Abel," Luther called softly, pulling me back to reality. "What happened then?"
The mutt’s voice made me realize I had stopped talking for quite some time. The drink Luther had "poured" for me had long since gone warm from sitting in my hand.
"Then..." I began slowly. "The Admiral appeared."
I tilted my head back and emptied the contents of my glass before gently placing it on the table.
"Though it wasn’t as dramatic as that time at the palace, he walked across the water from Greenland!" I chuckled at the thought. "The Admiral always knows how to make a dramatic entrance."
Luther smiled too, and asked if I wanted another drink. I shook my head.
"Then..." I tried to piece together the events that followed, but it wasn’t easy. "Then the Admiral parted the sea and pulled Bert and me from the ocean floor."
I looked at the reflection in the glass on the table. The red fox gazed back at me with olive-green eyes.
Once the lump in my throat subsided, I continued the rest of the story.