Chapter 1: The Silent Train

Rain covered the streets of London like a silver curtain.

Ethan Walker stood alone under the flickering station light, holding an old leather bag that belonged to his grandfather. The station was almost empty. Only the sound of distant thunder and the ticking clock could be heard.

It was nearly midnight.

Ethan looked at the letter again.

The paper was yellow with age.

If you ever feel lost, take the last train from Blackthorn Station. Do not ask questions. Do not leave before the final stop.

There was no signature.

Only a strange symbol at the bottom — a circle crossed by three lines.

His grandfather had disappeared ten years ago.

And somehow… Ethan believed this letter was connected to him.

A cold wind rushed through the station.

Then the lights suddenly went out.

For a moment, everything became silent.

No rain.

No thunder.

Nothing.

And then he heard it.

The sound of a train approaching.

Slowly, a black train emerged from the thick fog.

It looked ancient.

Its windows glowed with pale golden light, and strange symbols were carved into the metal doors.

The train stopped without making a sound.

The doors opened.

No passengers came out.

A tall conductor stepped forward. He wore a long dark coat and silver gloves.

"Mr. Ethan Walker," he said calmly.

Ethan froze.

"How do you know my name?"

The conductor gave a faint smile.

"We have been waiting for you."

Before Ethan could ask another question, the conductor moved aside.

"Please board the train."

Every instinct told Ethan to leave.

But another feeling — something deeper — pushed him forward.

He stepped inside.

The doors closed immediately behind him.

The train began to move.

Inside, the cabin looked impossible.

The ceiling was covered with glowing constellations.

The walls shifted like moving water.

And every passenger sat completely silent.

An old woman held a cage filled with blue birds.

A man in a gray suit read a newspaper with blank pages.

Near the window, a little girl stared directly at Ethan.

"You shouldn't have come," she whispered.

Ethan's heartbeat quickened.

"Why?"

The girl pointed outside.

The fog beyond the windows had changed.

Shapes moved within it.

Huge shadows.

Watching.

Following the train.

Then the lights flickered.

The passengers slowly turned their heads toward Ethan at the exact same moment.

Every single one of them.

Their eyes were completely black.

The train suddenly screamed through the darkness.

And far ahead, hidden deep inside the fog…

a glowing city appeared.

A city that did not exist on any map.