From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals
Chapter 114: A Train away

As General Mattison led Ty out into the open, they were greeted by a breathtaking sight. Before them lay a vast expanse, a sleek black road cutting a straight path through it, disappearing into the horizon.

The road was bordered by fields of lush, vibrant green grass, swaying gently in the breeze, creating a stark contrast against the dark pavement. The air was fresh and invigorating, filled with the scent of the greenery.

Ty couldn't help but turn around, and when he did, his jaw dropped. There stood a colossal structure, imposing and majestic.

It towered at least 40-46 feet tall, its width comparable to four or five football fields laid side by side.

The building's design was a captivating fusion of Earth-like architecture and something uniquely otherworldly.

It was cloaked in a vibrant red, wood-like material, yet its grandeur and scale were beyond anything Ty had seen, even reminiscent of a more grandiose version of America's White House.

Ty's reaction was instinctive, a mix of awe and curiosity. "Woah, why is this such a big building?!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing around them, capturing the sheer wonder he felt.

General Mattison, with a knowing smile, turned to Ty, understanding the awe in his eyes. "It's a multipurpose building," he began, his voice carrying a hint of pride. "This is where the main houses convene for discussions and interventions. It's a crucial hub for our governance and decision-making. But that's not all," he paused, ensuring he had Ty's full attention.

"It also serves as a holding facility for the most dangerous criminals, those who pose a significant risk to our society."

The explanation added layers to Ty's understanding, his eyes scanning the massive structure with newfound respect and a hint of apprehension. The building, a symbol of authority and safety, stood as a testament to the civilization's advanced societal structure.

Ty gazed across the expansive grassy field, his curiosity piqued by the sheer size of the open area. "I suppose that makes sense," he mused, still looking at the large building, "but such a huge opening of grass, you'd think this was a lot of wasted space for other buildings, no?"

General Mattison followed Ty's gaze, understanding his perspective. "I suppose," he replied thoughtfully, "but this area out here serves a much different purpose, mainly for security reasons."

He gave Ty a hint of a smile, adding, "Maybe I'll show you if we get the chance to spar again." There was a playful yet serious undertone in his voice, suggesting that there was more to this vast space than met the eye.

As they spoke, Mattison reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, black square device. With a practiced motion, he pressed a button on its side, causing the device to blink red two or three times. The action was smooth and seemed habitual, indicating the device's regular use in his daily routine.

Ty, caught off guard by this familiar yet unexpected object, couldn't help but express his surprise. "You have a phone?!" he exclaimed, a bit astonished.

As Mattison explained the device's purpose, Ty's surprise turned to intrigue. "A beacon device to call our ride to the 3rd house? Otherwise, it'd take way too much walking to get to the horse stables or even a motor transport," Mattison said, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

"You have cars?!?!" Ty exclaimed, his voice pitching up in excitement and disbelief.

"A what?" Mattison repeated, clearly baffled by Ty's term. His confusion was genuine, painting a slightly humorous picture as he tried to grasp the concept.

Mattison, now with a finger placed thoughtfully over his chin, seemed to attempt a connection. "I assume you mean like the train but smaller, right?"

Ty's confusion mirrored Mattison's. "Wait, you call trains trains, but you don't call cars cars?" he asked, trying to make sense of it all.

Mattison, still puzzled, shrugged slightly. "Well, they have motors, and they transport. So, they are motor transports. Why would we call them... cars?" His tone conveyed a mix of curiosity and amusement at this strange Earth term.

Just then, a loud horn echoed through the sky, drawing their attention upwards. A blue streak of energy appeared, and the train Ty had seen entering the kingdom hurtled overhead, slowing to a majestic halt mid-air. It was a spectacular sight, almost like something out of a sci-fi movie.

"So what, do we like, just wait for it to land somewhere?" Ty asked, looking up at the floating train with a mix of awe and practical concern

Mattison's chuckle, a rarity for him, lightened the mood further. "For those who aren't physically gifted, they can wait for a ladder rope or one of the train yards. But otherwise, you can just jump," he explained.

Then, with an athletic squat, he pushed off the ground, propelling himself high into the air with a display of strength and agility that was impressive to behold.

Ty, still grappling with the nuances of this world's terminology, looked up in slight confusion. "You still didn't tell me why this can be a train, but a car can't be called a car!" he called out, his voice a mix of amusement and bewilderment.

Shaking his head with a resigned sigh, Ty placed a hand over his skeletal face, a gesture of humorous exasperation.

Then, suddenly, he lifted off the ground, propelled by flames that erupted beneath his feet.

To his relief and surprise, he noted that since gaining the ability to use his black flames, they no longer burned his clothes - a peculiar but welcome development.

As he soared upwards, following Mattison's path, Ty's thoughts drifted. The train, riding on a rail of blue energy, sparked a memory from his childhood.

It was reminiscent of videos he had watched as a kid, featuring a man who could create things with a ring.

The similarity was uncanny, and for a moment, Ty was enveloped in nostalgia and wonder.

Mattison landed gracefully on the metal walkway of the train, his hand gripping the railing with ease. With a hint of impatience and anticipation in his voice, he said,

"Let's get a move on. I want to finish up delivering you so I can go get some drinks and replace some hot women in the capital. I don't get time here often."

Ty, nodding slightly, couldn't help but think to himself about Mattison's straightforward priorities. "Man sure has his priorities straight.

I bet him and Todd would get along nicely in the long run," he mused silently. Then, a thought crossed his mind, "Then again, where was Todd again?" He was momentarily lost in his thoughts, pondering over Todd's whereabouts.

His reverie was broken by Mattison's voice, turning a giant wheel on the metal door. "I'll lock you out if you don't hurry up, and you won't be my problem!" Mattison warned, half-joking yet firm.

Ty snapped out of his trance, replying with a hint of humor, "I could probably catch up anyways," as he walked into the train. As he stepped inside, he was immediately struck by the astonishing interior.

"Now that I think about it, I've never actually been inside of a train. The last time I saw the inside of one was probably on this show about zombies and people using trains to get away from them," Ty commented, his voice reflecting his awe. The interior was unlike anything he had imagined.

The chrome-like surface of the train's interior gleamed, lined with thousands of blue cords running along the walls.

The seats, designed for luxury, were golden with black accents, each one crafted to offer comfort and a touch of elegance.

The entire setting was a stark contrast to the Metal exterior, showcasing the advanced and luxurious design of this world's transportation.

Mattison, clearly puzzled by Ty's description, asked, "What's a zombie? You sure have a lot of weird terms."

Ty explained, "Oh, well, it's like a human who's dead but then they become undead again and start walking around and what not."

This seemed to intrigue Mattison, who quipped, "So, like what, yourself?"

Ty quickly shook his skeletal skull in response. "No, No, more like if you have a person still having their skin and they lose all thought of themselves. And when they bite someone else, they also become infected, turning into a brainless 'zombie,' bent on just biting and eating people."

At this, Mattison's eyes widened in shock. "And where did this happen?!" he exclaimed, the idea clearly striking a nerve.

Ty, realizing the misunderstanding, quickly clarified, "Oh, it was just a show, but it's a very popular medium where I'm originally from. Scientifically, it's not a possible thing to happen… Well, at least it shouldn't be, but that's funny coming from a talking skeleton."

Mattison still looked a bit horrified, trying to wrap his head around the concept. Ty couldn't help but think to himself, "Out of everything he could be scared of, zombies?" But not a skeleton...