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Grey War

Chapter 6

• Aria Julian Grand -

The past few hours on the train, were mostly in conversation with the Sheppard named "John." She and Ray pressed him for information, hoping that something might jog his memories to help him remember. But after three hours, and nothing more than a name came back to him. Soon after they all simply agreed that it would be best if he went to see a nurse or doctor the moment they arrived at Central.

"Yeah, that seems like a good idea." He agreed. "But where is Central exactly?" To this, Ray pointed to the window and a little to the front of the train. It was darker out, they had been in the train for a majority of the day, and the sun was starting to set, giving off that early twilight glow to the air.

"Just a little while ahead... We could be there in less than hour or two." He sat back down in his seat and turned to Aria. "Great way to start off a year, am I right?"

"It's a sign alright." She agreed.

John didn't really know how to respond to this, so he just sat back in his seat.

Aria gave a sympathetic smile. She had no idea what he could be going through, but she agreed to herself, she would help him any way she could.

There was a loud whistle from up ahead. The engine of the train.

"Uh? Guess we're getting near Central." Aria observed. John jumped a little from the sound, and looked around for the source of the noise.

"Twitch?" Ray asked with a little grin, he stood up and went to the compartment window. Aria joined him as well. She could hear the neighboring compartments, all their occupants standing up and going to the windows. Hoping to get a look at the station that leads to Central. She could see the lights around the corner of the train cars. But not the town and Central.

"Arrr' There she blows!" Ray exclaimed. She pressed her muzzle to the glass. And could just start to see the town. Bright lights from the shops and homes.

In comparison to other cities, with large buildings, offices, and busy streets. The town in front of Central was small despite it's important location. Right next to one of the most important schools in the entire four Kingdoms. It was cozy though, and that's what made it special to many of the Guardians who spent their free days in the town. "Wow..." John said, he looked absolutely mesmerized by the small town. Aria smiled when she looked at his face of excitement and wonder.

"Time to armor up." Ray said, a little bit of excitement in his voice. He reached to the little storage areas above their heads. The place where most Guardians who didn't feel like carrying their weapons on the trip stored them. Ray reached into the compartment and pulled out his signature weapon. A sickle with a long grip, he could wield it one handed, or two handed.

Aria reached in at the same time and grabbed her sword. Her trusty broad sword. They both turned to John who was still sitting in his seat. He recoiled back a little to see their two weapons.

"Whoa!" He clenched his fists and raised them. Then lowered them, almost if he didn't know he had raised them. Aria didn't notice, and swung her sword onto her back, and sheathed it. Ray sheathed his sickle as well. John looked rather blankly at both of them being armed with such weapons.

Ray motioned to John's hip, the edge of a handle was just seen under his coat. John looked down, and moved his coat to grab the handle. Aria had never seen a weapon like that before. Or better yet, it wasn't even a weapon.

A black sword handle without a hand guard, a small slit on the top of the handle gave way to the thought that it could be a spring loaded blade... But it looked to small and fine for a blade to fit inside of the handle. No matter the size of it... It was unlikely.

"Well... I guess it's a sword..." Ray said modestly. "Or at least it was..." But John looked at it with almost a sense of longing. Like he knew what it was, or like it was something special to him. Perhaps it was... But that wouldn't help him get his memory back. Aria thought to herself.

There was a final screeching sound as the train slowed to a stop, there was clamoring in all the neighboring compartments to get out onto the station. Aria opened the compartment door, young and eager Guardians were all crammed into the halls. She decided it would be best if they waited for a moment or two. She turned back to the two behind her. John was still investigating the handle of the sword with Ray making small hints to what it might have, or could be.

"Is it spring loaded? There would be a safety, or a trigger on it..."

"I don't know... But it seems like it's right..." John said back to Ray's hints and opinions.

She decides it's best to break the conversation to something more pressing. "As soon as we're off, John, we'll take you to a nurse or an officer at least, they might know what to do." She offered. It was all they could do. Ray or her had no idea on how to hand this situation... Although it seemed to defuse over the ride... It was still a serious problem that they had no experience with.

They were Guardians trained to fight law breakers and evil forces in kingdoms... Not to understand a single man's mind to why he can't remember who he is. That was for doctors.

Aria could hear Guardians started to make their way off the cars. She motioned for Ray and John to draw themselves away from the sword handle and start to make their way out. They filed themselves into the crowded hallway, John looked a little uncomfortable being so close to so many people... It was to be expected. He was tall, so he stood out a little from the others in the hallway. "At least they wouldn't lose him." Aria thought to herself.

Much pushing and shoving later. They made it to the exit, where it opened to a wide station platform where Guardians were already collecting themselves and leaving for the station exit for Central.

Most Guardians, like Aria and Ray had sent their bags ahead of them on another train a few days earlier. So that they didn't have to carry them during the trip. They would have already been transported to Central by now, and waiting for them. From there, they would take them up to the rooms on their own.

John stepped out of the train along side of Ray. They Joined Aria,

"We should find someone who knows what to do." Aria pointed to John. "This is something we should take seriously." Ray nodded in agreement. "It is." Aria turned and looked. She needed to find someone that might know what to do... An officer.

Guardian officers were experienced Guardians that were basically the hall monitors for Central. They had special privileges, and were usually knowledgeable about what to do in a situation. At least one might be able to get John up to Central to see a doctor or nurse as soon as possible, it was their role after all. It was possible identify an officer by one similar marker. They all had a red and white band across their chests and with their gear.

Aria scanned the station for any sign of one... But she couldn't see any hint of an officer.

"They might be out of the station." Ray commented. "Guiding the fresh meat to Central." He grinned as a few younger first year Guardians walked past him. "Yeah... Probably." Aria agreed.

They began to push their way out to the exit. John followed behind them. "Excuse me, pardon me, make way, excuse me, pardon." He said as he bumped into people as he followed behind Aria and Ray. They exited the station. And got a front view of Central.

"Wow..." John said, he was speechless.

Central was always something to marvel at. Even Aria and Ray took a moment to admire it's beauty and, as Ray put it. "Awesomeness."

It was a monstrous sized building, a huge dome in the center, that was the Great hall. Surrounding it were five story buildings all connected to the domed center, and with glass bridges connecting the buildings. These were the assorted class rooms and studies. To the left of all the giant structure. Was another building the size of a professional football stadium, with another on top of it. That was the training areas, where Guardians went to practice against each other or against drones. And the last building they could see from their distance, were to the right. The dorms. The lower floors were larger, usually if you wanted to sleep with your friends or team members. Upper floors were smaller rooms, usually if you wanted a private room to yourself.

The best part about that system, since being accepted to Central was such an honor, and difficult task, you always got your choice on what type of room you wanted... Of course there were acceptations occasionally... But apparently, two years before Aria came to Central. Every person got their own room... And on top of the dorms was a small tower complex... Officer dorms. Private rooms that could house around six people comfortably. They were support to be very luxurious... Aria hoped to get to see them some time...

John was still staring in awe at Central. If he really didn't have any memories, of course it was bad. But this would have to be the most amazing sight for him... Aria guessed it was.

Aria went back to her search, she needed to find an officer... Or better yet a professor, but an officer was more likely.

She caught a glimpse of red. Just then, Ray grabbed her arm, and pointed ahead of them, to the right. "There you go." He was right. An officer was talking to another Guardian just a little was off. Aria turned back to John, who was still in awe. "Come on." Aria grabbed both Ray and John's arms and dragged them over to the Officer.

"I'll be..." Ray said, never finishing his sentence. The officer turned to them as they approached. Aria and Ray both knew him. "Joel!" She ran forward and embraced him. He Grunted in pain a little from her sudden embrace.

Joel was one of their best friends... Also the oldest out of them. He was a tall arctic fox with sleek, combed back black hair with tinges and hints of silver in it due to an anxiety disorder he had. He had a thin figure with a little curve to his hips that gave him an almost girly figure. He wore glasses that were halfway down his muzzle, letting him see over his glasses, almost as if he didn't need them. A dark navy colored coat, a decorative shoulder cover, with a vest and white shirt underneath, and dark grayish brown pants and high boots. He also had a scarf hanging loosely around his neck. And the most interesting piece on him. An officers strap across his chest. Needless to say, anyone could tell he was from the northern kingdom, the "upper crust" of the kingdoms and society. Hence the nickname Ray gave him. "Royal white."

Joel gently pushed her back. "Alright, alright." He had a slight accent.

"I'm on duty now, I'll see you lot later at the start of year address." Joel turned back to the young Guardian he was previously talking to. "So, just head up the street, follow everyone else, and... Take a... Right when the road splits, it's faster than left." The Guardian nodded he was a snow leopard. And thanked him. "Oh? And might I ask for your name?" Joel inquired quickly. Aria waited behind him, hoping he would be done quickly so that they could get to the more serious issue at hand.

"Umm... My name is Pax." He said a little timidly. "Pax... Well, if you ever need help with anything... Come and find me. Ok mate?" Joel gave a friendly smile looking over his glasses with his storm grey eyes. Pax nodded to him, and started to head off into the sea of Guardians heading for Central. He muttered to himself. "I like that little guy..." Turning back he was face to face with Aria once again. "What are you still doing here?" He said a little confused.

Aria took the moment to quickly explain the situation. "We found this guy on the train, I think he has amnesia." Joel stared blankly for a moment, his glasses slipping a little lower down his muzzle. "And... Where is this guy?" Aria waved for Ray and John to come over.

"John this is Joel Miles. Joel, John." She said pointing to both of them. "That's leftenant Miles..." Joel muttered.

It almost seemed like a switch for John. He snapped into a ridged position and into a salute. "Sir!" He was standing like a military unit. Aria and Ray jumped a little, they never had seen him say something so firmly or jump like that. Joel raised an eye brow. "Umm... At ease." John snapped back to a stiff position without the salute. After a moment, he blinked a few times. "What... Just happened..."

"Well... This might be interesting..." Joel mused.