Astashica: Eternal Starborn Dominion

The maglev bullet train glided smoothly along its rails, a silent, silver streak cutting through the towering neon-lit structures of New Asemeri. Inside, passengers from all corners of Astashica sat in quiet conversations, their voices hushed but carrying the weight of war.

Tlandar and Akashma sat in a corner booth near a window, their hoods raised, shadows partially concealing their faces.

Tlandar leaned back, his ears tuning into the murmurs around them.

Echoes of War Across Astashica

A group of travelers from the outer dominions sat a few rows away, their words sharp with resentment and fear.

"They say Ixtiel's forces cut through the Plains of Leipira like a blade through flesh," one man muttered.

A woman across from him scoffed. "Val'katl's warriors won't hold forever. They're running out of soldiers."

An older merchant exhaled heavily. "It's not just Ixtiel. The marauders—they're everywhere now. Raiders hitting trade routes, attacking caravans. Even fortified settlements aren't safe anymore."

A younger refugee, wrapped in a thin, patched cloak, shook his head. "And the crime in New Asemeri… It's getting worse. People are disappearing. Bodies are showing up in the undercity."

A quiet dread settled over the conversation.

Tlandar felt his stomach tighten.

The war wasn't just outside New Asemeri. It was creeping inside as well.

He glanced at Akashma, who remained unreadable, her gaze steady as she listened.

"The dominion is crumbling," one of the passengers finally whispered. "And no one is stopping it."

Tlandar clenched his fists.

No place was safe.

The Manipulative Stranger

As the train rushed through its next stop, a figure approached their booth.

A man—tall, lean, his face worn with the marks of a hard life. His eyes, sharp and calculating, flicked between Tlandar and Akashma.

"Nice robes," he said casually, leaning against the seat across from them.

Tlandar tensed.

Akashma didn't react, but Tlandar could tell she had already assessed the threat.

The man smirked, arms crossed. "Salgaran design. Very expensive. You two don't seem like the type to afford such luxury."

Tlandar's pulse quickened. A test.

The man wasn't outright accusing them of anything—he was digging, looking for weakness.

Akashma finally spoke, her voice calm. "We received them as a gift."

The man tilted his head. "A gift? From who?"

Tlandar's jaw tightened, but Akashma responded before he could. "A friend. No longer with us."

The man chuckled. "That so? Because I know people who'd pay a fortune for robes like that. Or," he smiled, leaning in slightly, "take them by force."

Tlandar caught the subtle motion—the man's hand hovering near his belt.

A knife.

Tlandar's heartbeat slowed, controlled.

Akashma's expression remained serene. "That would be unwise."

The man chuckled darkly. "You don't seem to understand where you are, lady." He gripped the handle of his blade. "Hand over the robes. Now."

Tlandar started to shift, preparing to react.

But Akashma was faster.

Her hand flicked, a blade flashing through the air.

The man barely had time to react before the throwing knife embedded itself into his side.

He staggered backward, collapsing onto the floor of the train.

The other passengers gasped, backing away. Some screamed.

The man was alive—but he wasn't moving.

Akashma turned to Tlandar, her voice steady. "We're leaving."

The Escape Begins

The train pulled into the next station, its doors sliding open with a quiet hiss.

Tlandar and Akashma stepped out, moving swiftly through the station. Behind them, a few passengers called for help, but no security personnel had responded yet.

Not yet.

But as they passed into the open streets, a sharp mechanical hum made Tlandar's skin crawl.

A security drone hovered nearby, its sensors locking onto them.

Then—

A red warning light flashed.

Akashma reacted instantly.

Another knife flew through the air, striking the drone's core.

The machine whined, its systems sparking, then crashed onto the pavement.

Tlandar barely had time to react before—

ALARMS.

From the station, a mechanical voice boomed over the loudspeakers.

"Security alert. Unauthorized aggression detected. Multiple suspects evading identification. Deploying response units."

A horde of drones surged into the air, scanning the area.

Tlandar cursed. "Move!"

They darted into the crowded streets, blending with the frantic civilians.

The Stolen Escape

Tlandar's heart pounded as he and Akashma pushed through the chaos, slipping between pedestrians.

Ahead, a hover-vehicle idled near a shop, its driver arguing with a merchant.

Akashma acted first.

She rushed forward, threw the driver aside, and vaulted into the pilot's seat.

"Get in!" she called.

Tlandar jumped into the passenger side just as the first security drones locked onto them.

"Unauthorized vehicle activation detected. Pursuit engaged."

Akashma slammed the controls forward.

The hovercraft lifted off sharply, weaving between skyscrapers and neon-lit highways as drones swarmed behind them.

Tlandar gritted his teeth. "This is the worst plan we've ever had."

Akashma smirked slightly, eyes locked on their path. "I can think of worse ones."

Behind them, drones opened fire, plasma rounds streaking past their stolen craft.

Tlandar grabbed the edge of the seat. "The South Gate—it's closed!"

Ahead, the massive city gates loomed, their metal framework pulsing with energy.

Akashma narrowed her eyes. "Then we go up."

She pulled the controls back—

The vehicle surged higher, twisting above the main gate, aiming for the sky.

Then—

The city's energy barrier flared to life.

A bright blue arc surged across the skyline, closing them inside the city.

Tlandar's stomach dropped. "We're trapped."

Akashma grimaced, gripping the controls tighter. "Not yet."