Marshal. This word echoed throughout the far reaches of his mind, etching itself into his soul. Engraving itself as an identity; his identity. Many other sensations began to join it, such as a low hum and ever so soft warmth of sunlight which streamed in through windows of moving forest. The great huffing of an ancient steam engine pulled along an empty rail car void of life save for himself.

Marshal looked down to his hand in which a black pocket watch rested, the blue numerals gently glowing while thousands of miniature gears ticked to the heartbeat of passing time. Snowy hair fell over milky eyes as his gaze searched the space around. It was clean and well kept, each of the luxury seats a comfortable brown leather.

Standing up to feel the first ever stretch of his own muscles, he walked over to the window just as a wide platform came into view. Only now did he notice the creeping pace as they pulled beside the smooth grey concrete which roots climbed with abandon. The whistle caught him off guard as a roar of sound danced across the land, punctuated by the exhale of a grand mechanical beast.

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Checking the watch revealed it was exactly midday upon arrival. The wind and birdsong harmonised with a deep primal thrum which was discovered to be rails of light as he stepped forth onto the station. Curiosity became tempered by caution when a tall and thin woman came forth from the train up front, dressed in stormy grey overalls with brilliant green eyes that looked back at him seemingly out of confusion.

“Where the hell did you come from?” she asked, voice monotone. “I don’t recall picking up a passenger.”

“I... don’t know, honestly.”

She remained silent for a moment as gentle rains continued to pour from unseen clouds above the canopy. When she spoke again, it was with a sigh.

“I see. Been a while since we had a lost soul.”

“Wait, lost soul?” asked Marshal, an umbrella being pushed into his hands.

“You’ll learn soon enough.” she replied, brushing lengthy silver hair out her eyes. “See that stone path over there? Follow it through the woods and when you get to the Valrose house, tell them Akanji sent you.”

“You aren’t coming with me?”

“I got a schedule to keep.” she said, turning around and climbing back into the cab.

Without much of a choice left he turned to stare at the path before walking to the edge of the station and down its many steps.