Choo-Choo!

  The long metal rails stretched out infinitely below the ground as a large steampunk train headed towards station three. Its chimney brought out white steam as the train made a loud sound before coming to a halt. The design of the train was complicated. It looked like a mage punk type of train with an electrical device right beside the door. The heavy metal door opened slowly as a screeching sound was produced.

  Tens of people wearing long coats, dresses and so on descended down the stairs and towards the ground below. The air was filled with humor and talkative voices. Another ten people were waiting to board the train which headed towards the capital of Torian, Mindale.

  A young man with light brown hair, caramel-brown eyes and red cheeks stood there with a complicated expression on his face. He waited patiently as he wore a linen shirt and a long brown coat above it alongside a pair of dark trousers. The young man knitted his eyebrows as he glared at the people getting off the train. He sighed deeply.

  "Aboard the train, Aboard the train!"

  A man with a metallic device shouted in a small hole that produced a whistle. He wore a simple blue outfit with one angelic symbol on his right arm, a white eye. The young man neatly folded the newspapers as he picked up his suitcase boarding the train. A person sitting at a desk in front of the train sat there with a heavy expression.

  The young man had to go through an initial procedure to be allowed to board the train. The woman had short silk dark hair and looked at young man as she brought out a clipper. The young man gave her a small look before taking out a yellow ticket. She took it away from his hands, had a small glance at it and clipped it with a heavy sigh before shouting out in a hoarse voice.

  "Next."

  The young man nodded and headed towards the second-class seats and looked at all the chairs. They were all polished brown chairs which stood high. There is a small table in front of them with wine, tea or coffee. The young man sat on the furthest end beside a window as he looked out of the train while sitting down. My profession is starting to get more serious…

  He let out a deep sigh as he frowned for a moment before shaking his head heavily. The young man, Louis Wright, was a detective that investigating different cases assigned to him. Sometimes he was a private detective, other times he was a public detective. A private detective was assigned by a civilian.

  The latter, however, were cases or missions assigned by the leaders. This time it was the latter. Louis massaged his temples in a light manner as he looked outside. The people walking past the train expressionless looked all delicate. Of course, manners were important if you wanted to be respected!

  Louis brought out the neatly folded newspaper and placed it on his lap. He then took out his suitcase and placed it on the table pushing away the empty cups standing there. Opening his suitcase, he brought out a pair of bronze-shimmered glasses and placed them on his face before closing the suitcase and beginning to read. Police Agencies are investigating a mysterious death of Sir. Valve Tron. Health professionals concluded that he died in a non-natural way.

  At first it was said to be murder or poisoning, but no harm was shown to his body. Earlier today, Mighty Order has stated that they will take over the case as a supernatural force was in play…

  Louis took off his glasses and placed them neatly on the table. He glanced outside as he heard a commotion. Many men wearing long dark coats with three angelic symbols on their right arm was running towards the train. Louis looked at him in a hurry as he suspected that a wanted criminal was on board.

  The police officers got inside and had a small talk with everyone onboard asking if they had seen a man. One of them turned to Louis and looked at him before asking the same question.

  "Have you seen a man with round glasses, a slender build and dark brown hair? He should be easy to spot after these descriptions." The young police officers said with a worried expression.

  Louis slowly shook his head as the police officer let out a sigh. "Well, thank you." A few minutes later they found him nowhere and quickly got off the train. Louis raised his hands delicately and a woman wearing a feminine attire quickly approached him with a soft smile.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "Yes, sir. What can I help you with?"

  Louis pointed at the empty cup and smiled vividly. "I wish tea. I should cost only one quill for a whole tea." The woman nodded and took the empty cup and the beautifully designed kettle. She then leaned over and asked him a new question.

  "What tea can I bring you sir? The Steam Train, Axel Drive, is known for its delicious drinks. For example, we have Southern Continent tea known as Mountain Tea. It tastes incredibly delicious! We also have our very own Eastern Continent tea, although we aren't really known for tea, and it is called Sunlight tea."

  The young man showed no sign of listening as he glared outside. The woman continued to ramble on for a few more moments before Louis turned to her and smiled. "I just want tea. Give me the southern one."

  The woman instantly nodded flustered. "Y-yes, sir! It will cost one quill and three pence!"

  It got even more expensive. Louis stroked his chin lightly before nodding. He gave her a green paper-currency which had a man in the front with a top hat and long brown mustache. This was one quill. Alongside he gave her three bronze shimmered coins which were all one penny each. The woman took it and quickly disappeared leaving Louis back to his thoughts.

  The train continued its journey, and the spring breeze howled at the trees. Their leaves swirled in the wind, and it resembled an untouched grass field. The sun was hanging high above the skies hidden barely by the clouds. Louis closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

  Minutes passed and the lady arrived with a kettle full of tea and alongside the cup which had already been poured on. Louis could smell the extravagant aroma the tea produced. Caramel with a mix of wood and flowers. A delicate smell one could only wish to relive the moment over and over again. This was the Southern Continent's well-known tea. Mountain Tea or also called Honey Tea.

  The cup was filled with a light brown liquid that filled all the way up to the top. Steam arose from the cup and Louis slowly brought it towards his mouth. Blowing the heat slowly away he took a sip and was instantly bombarded with flavors.

  Newly brought honey, a mix of orchids and tulips, melted caramel and a small drip of sugar. It also tasted bitter and sweet, the bitter was thanks to the wood and the sweetness was due to the sugar and honey. Louis's lips twitched as he let out a sigh of relief. He had always enjoyed this type of tea, and nothing could ever top it!

  The sunlight shone through the window onto his red cheeks, Louis brown eyes had a dazzling smile to them as he showcased a wry smile before chuckling. Moments like this make you appreciate life fully. Louis brought up the suitcase and found a leather book hidden inside. He picked it up alongside a fountain pen. He was deep in thought.

  I will now travel to Mindale inside the kingdom of Torian. Ironwood is another part of Torian but just not as big or popular as the capital. Hmm, the 'government' I suppose I'll call them that for now, told me that they needed me to investigate the royal family. Even though I am a professional detective, Investigating the royal family is a hard task. A minimum of a hundred pounds should be given at the very least! It is a shame that they want me to investigate 'supernatural' forces driving the royal family.

  I wonder what that meant. Is it a joke? Perhaps the royal family themselves are planning a huge thing in the future. Yes, it is the Light Festival in a few days. It is too big of a coincidence… Perhaps I should take the measures of securing a weapon in case anything goes bad.

  His thoughts continued for more than ten minutes before the train stopped. The train conductor spoke up loudly again with a metallic device. "We have stopped in Lein, we have stopped in Lein! Next stop will be Mindale which is still pretty far away. Those getting of Lein, get off now!"

  His eyes darted at the crowd of people who seemed immersed with their own things. A few people got off the train. Lein was a small village that connected Mindale and Ironwood. The village was known for its healing products, making Louis visit there every time he had finished a dangerous mission.

  Healing products referred to as Seeds, Orbs and Potions. With the seeds you'd have to crack them open and quickly place them inside your mouth. The magical air leaving the seed would enter your body and heal you from the inside. With an orb you'd have to make an incantation. Not many resorted to this method as it was harder and more expensive. Although it proved to be more effective. Lastly, potions. These were very expensive. Ranging from thirty pounds to five hundred!

  Potions gave you a small number of ancient powers and at the same time they healed you fully from any sort of illness or condition! For example, if you can't hear it would heal it. If your vision has gotten bad over the years, it can restore it! And so on. Only the riches of the rich would buy these potions as a way to heal themselves and secure a long life. They also woke your hidden powers flowing inside your bloods, up ultimately making you have different kinds of powers ranging from what kind of potion you drank.

  Louis glanced at the small village which resembled the usual medieval village. It had shops, pubs and even tea shops. Louis took a sigh as he looked away from the window back to his leather book. The sunlight continued to shine on his face making him slightly flustered. As a full minute passed the train conductor with a bulky build and short brown hair spoke up louder this time.

  He looked at the crowd and only a few had their attention diverted towards him. "Well, this is the last stop. Next station is Mindale." His deep soothing voice made Louis chuckle before looking far beneath the village's mountain. Where he could see a large castle created out of marble alongside blimps flying above the skies…