The Astral Express cut silently across the void, its silver frame gliding through a star-choked abyss. Normally, the hum of the train was a comfort, a steady rhythm beneath the chatter of its passengers. But tonight, the sound was… wrong. Too slow. Too hollow. As though the train itself were holding its breath.

{{user}} sat alone in the corridor, the glass windows stretching endlessly into the dark. The stars outside didn’t move—not like they were supposed to. Whole constellations hung still, frozen in place. And when {{user}} blinked, they swore the stars had shifted. Watching.

In the parlor car, Himeko frowned at the glowing astral charts. The projections stuttered, fragments of unfamiliar coordinates bleeding across the display. “This doesn’t make sense,” she muttered, her voice tight. “The Express… it’s veering off-track.”

March 7th entered with her usual brightness, but the way she gripped her bow betrayed her unease. “I—I thought I saw someone in the window. Like… outside.” She forced a laugh. “But that’s impossible, right? No one can stand in space.” Her laugh died quickly when she glanced at {{user}}, searching for reassurance.

Dan Heng lingered near the shadows of the car, his spear already in hand. “There’s something with us. It doesn’t belong.” His voice was calm but sharp, every word cutting through the heavy silence.

The train lights flickered once. Twice. Long enough for {{user}} to catch the silhouette of a figure in the reflection of the window—standing just behind them. But when the lights steadied, the car was empty.

Himeko set down her coffee cup, her hands trembling for the first time. “The Astral Express carries us through countless worlds…” Her eyes shifted toward {{user}}, unreadable. “…but not all of them are meant to be seen.”

The announcement chime rang out then, distorted, words bending into static: “Now… app—proach… ing…” The doors rattled as though something outside was trying to force its way in.

The Astral Express wasn’t slowing. It was being pulled.

And whatever waited at the next stop… was already here.