The group continued traveling, walking beside some train tracks hoping to hitch a ride. The cold didn't affect their temperature much but it really killed the mood. Hearing nothing but their footsteps and the wind blowing across the snow. Stumbling upon a town or anything that wasn't the vast land covered in snow would ease their woes. To ease their boredom, they discussed their situation for a bit. Mikael told them his story of being a detective for a short time in Osaka, but some memories were hazy. He got to meet all sorts of people but unfortunately lost a few of his friends, notably Midare. He was unsure of her disappearance but had hope she was alive somewhere.

Amelia stretched her arms "This Midare person sounds really important. What did she do that was so special?"

"She was my boss." Answered Mikael.

"She was my wife." Answered Mark.

Amelia awkwardly laughed "Ok-ok I can see how that's important to you."

"You also mentioned a girl named Mary with you. Did she have red hair?" Mark asked.

Mikael nodded "Yea! But she left for America to live peacefully away from magic."

This made Mark ponder. "Weird how he doesn't know where Midare is, but knows of Mary's location. Those two always stuck together…"

“..!” Mark looked up.

The sound of a train incoming was heard behind the group. Mikael quickly sprinted off "Come on, this is our only chance!"

Mark and Amelia followed after him.

"You guys got a way to hitch a ride? I'm gonna accelerate to hop on the train." Mikael said.

"I got a way butーMark give me your arm."

Mark outstretched his arm to Amelia before asking, "For?"

Amelia grinned with her fangs showing "I'm a little exhausted you see." She rolled up his sleeve and bit down on his arm sucking what little blood he had causing him to trip. She grabbed him before he fell carrying him with ease. "Just a little is enough for now."

The train then started to rush past them right on cue. Mikael snapped his fingers and vanished like the wind and appeared on top of the train. He looked down to see Amelia grow bat wings from her back, and with a single flap, she was in the air. Once she landed her bat wings retracted back into her back and she dropped Mark to grip her knees. "Huff... I need to find clean blood."

Mark looked at the small bite mark on his arm. "Is my blood not clean enough for you?"

"You're practically a zombie." Amelia quickly retorted.

"R-really?" Mikael dropped a sweat and looked back at Mark with widened eyes.

"You're still not 100% yet so you still lack many organs and blood cells. Try not to take on fatal injuries because the regeneration process takes a very long time." explained Amelia.

Mikael sat down holding his hat "Now all we have to do is wait a bit. Imperia trains are fast so we'll be there in no time."

Mark let out a deep breath finally letting his mind relax after witnessing so much of the new world he inhabited. Even though it wasn't a lot, it was still so different from what it was like before and a war in his home wasn't something pleasant to return to. He opened his eyes and saw a little girl climb on top of the train cart ahead of them, presumably to confront them. Mark furrowed his brow and stood up "A kid?"

The girl was dressed in a brown duffle coat over a white buttoned dress and black shorts. Her green hair styled in twintails stood out in the white snow fall and she wielded a wide briefcase.

"What's a child doing on a military train?!" Mikael hopped up about to draw his sword then quickly turned his attention to a helicopter flying by. The helicopter's side door opened to reveal a sniper from the TGA army, aiming down at Amelia's group.

"Look out!" Mikael shouted and dove to the right while Amelia and Mark rolled to the left avoiding the shot fired.

Mark aimed his rifle at the helicopter but when he pulled the trigger, the gun jammed.

"Lemme see that." Amelia took the gun and closed her eyes to focus on a spell..?

The sniper fired at the green haired girl but the bullet seemed to curve around her. Frustrated, the sniper exchanged his weapon for an RPG and fired a rocket.

Amelia stood up and dropped Mark's gun, spinning once and aiming now two summoned rifles in her hands. She fired at the rocket just in time causing it to blow up in the sky.

"What'd you do?" Mark questioned.

Amelia lowered her copied rifles "I analyzed the inner mechanisms of that gun and replicated it with my own magic." The rifles then dispersed into purple magic particles that disappeared once touching the ground. "Well, what little magic I had."

"He's preparing to fire a second!" Mikael exclaimed.

The green haired girl pulled back her briefcase and threw it at the helicopter. She then drew a pistol to shoot at it a few times causing it to explode and damage the helicopter. It spiraled out of control and fell behind. "Hmph." Once that was done, she turned her attention back to Amelia's group.

Mikael dropped a sweat too nervous to approach but Mark stepped forward only to stop when a bullet pierced the ground near his feet. Looking down, he saw that it melted through the steel frame. She must've been using elemental bullets.

"Nice try but you TGA spies fall for the most simplistic trap." The girl outstretched her arms wide "Naive, That's what your organization is. Falling back on the worst tactic of all, rushing head first. You think you can pierce our defenses that way? Stupid… if it were up to me then Japan would be crushed by superior magic."

Mark took out a small pistol from his pocket to aim at her only for Mikael to grab his arm and lower it. "Don't do that, she's only a child!"

"Hahaha! That's right. Stick to your human morality. The rules that bind you and cause you to lose time and time again." The girl pointed downwards showing that their train carts were becoming distant. "There are no rules to warfare. Anything goes on the battlefield and the winner? They get to decide history whether they were right or wrong. This time… Imperia will win."

The train cart Amelia's group stood on started to slow more and more until it came to a halt and the girl was out of sight.

Mikael let out a deep sigh. "Damn…"

Back at square 1…

》》》》》◆《《《《《

The group dragged themselves to a small town nearby on the outskirts. Thankfully this town hadn't been affected by the scars of war. The inhabitants were few and TGA soldiers were there to camp out of sight from the enemy.

"If I could feel hunger then I definitely would be feeling it right now." Mark moaned.

"I must've used all my energy in those confrontations." Mikael chuckled while rubbing his stomach.

"You two find a place to rest. I need to er.. refill my appetite." Amelia nervously began to sweat as she tried to sneak away. Mark grabbed her by the shoulder making her shudder "Do it out of sight and try to get your hands on supplies too."

"Nehehe… so evil Mark-tan." Amelia smirked and walked away to handle vampiric business. Meanwhile Mark and Mikael explored the town seeking advice or help on getting inside Imperia. None of the inhabitants had a good answer to give as getting into and out of the city was extremely difficult. Eventually they settled inside a bar. Small with dim lightning and both civilians and soldiers drinking their woes away trying to feint ignorance of the reality which surrounded them. War proved to be difficult as evidenced by the ragged TGA soldiers sitting in a group, adorned with bandages and a mean glare towards anyone who walked near.

Mikael patted Mark's shoulder getting his attention "What do ya say? Let's drink up Mark." he took out his wallet with a wide grin.

Mark rubbed his chin. "I don't know."

Mikael slammed down some yen "Give us something nice. We've been traveling for awhile you see…"

The bartender stared at the cash briefly before taking it and walking off to fetch them a drink.

They sat at the bar together not discussing much, instead taking in the scenery. The place was dimly lit with small lights hanging from the ceiling. The wooden interior was like home to Mikael. He talked about how he worked at a cafe similar to this but didn't have much else to say about that part of his past. Their ears overheard a discussion from a table across the room full of TGA soldiers. Mark couldn't make out what they said word for word but key phrases like 'Mech' and 'Mass weapon' made him ponder. He wanted to inquire more but then someone from behind grabbed his shoulder.

"Well look at who we have here."

Mark turned around to see an old and grizzled TGA officer. His grey bread covered most of his face but his eyepatch was a signifier that Mark may just have to throw a few punches.

"Lotta nerve for an Imperial to show his face around here." The old officer tightened his grip. Mark forgot he was wearing their winter uniform that he stole.

"Tch!" Mikael cursed at himself for throwing his badge into the sky. If he had it then he could explain that this was one big misunderstanding. Although the outcome may not have changed much.

Mark looked past the officer to see if the other soldier noticed and they did, sharing a side glance here and there while still talking with each other. "Is that a problem?" He replied to the officer.

The old officer removed his hand "It's because of those Imperials that I lost my eye. I was living a relaxing life until they started a war with Japan. Now I'm called once again to this graveyard, I'm too old to be doing this."

"It's your duty, get over it." Mark turned back around.

The old officer unsheathed a dagger he placed on the back of Mark's neck. "It is my duty. The less Imperials, the sooner I can return to my family and regular life."

Mikael held up his hands. "L-look sir, we're just here to get a drink. After that we'll be on our way."

Mark stood out of his seat, "No, we're leaving."

Mikael sighed and followed Mark out.

When they returned outside, Amelia was there waiting for them on the outskirts of the town; Licking the blood on her stained fingers. She carried a messenger bag with medical supplies since ammunition and guns wouldn't fit.

"We're going to have to keep moving. This place is controlled by the TGA." Mikael looked around searching for a road they could take.

Amelia walked ahead of them "I'll lead the way! I managed to get some information out of a soldier before I sucked his blood."

Mikael dropped a sweat "Brutal…"

"There should be a supply outpost ahead. They managed to capture one of the train stations so maybe we can convince them to let us on."

"That's if the train is still operational." Mikael crossed his arms.