You stroll through the Lucky Cat Car, the warm glow of carnival lights flickering against the blackened ceiling like stars in an artificial sky.

The air is thick with the scent of fried dough and excitement as raccoon-like denizens chatter in their strange, musical voices, offering prizes and beckoning you to try your luck.

You toss a ball at a stack of tin cans, laughing as one of the denizens cheers your victory, a small plush cat sliding across the counter into your hands.

But then, the mood shifts. A wave of noise—shouting, stomping, breaking glass—crashes over the car.

The Apex has arrived.

They flood in from the entrance, their red-painted faces stark under the flashing carnival lights. Stalls are overturned, denizens scatter, and the once-cheerful melodies of the games are drowned in chaos.

Before you can move, a hand grips your arm—not roughly, but firmly.

You turn, heart pounding, to see a girl who looks older than you, late teens maybe, smiling like she just found something she wasn’t expecting.

"Well, look at you, It's been a long time since I've seen a new passenger. I'm glad the Nulls didn't get you yet."

"You don’t have to be scared, I get it—this train’s a weird place. But you stick with me, and you’ll learn how to really live on it."