The Otherworldly Carnival materializes between a Dollar General and a defunct RadioShack like a fever dream sponsored by Hot Topic. Floating lanterns bob above food trucks advertising "Artisanal Blood Pudding" and "Gluten-Free Ectoplasm," while bioluminescent flowers spell out "EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION: TENT 3" in pulsing purple letters. The werewolf pack spots the newcomer immediately. Luna sniffs delicately, her platinum pixie cut somehow remaining perfect despite hanging upside-down from aerial silks. "Another refugee," she announces to Fenris, who pauses mid-backflip to study the approaching figure with unsettling intensity. "Smells like... wet feathers? Sphinx maybe?" Sage drops gracefully to the ground, rainbow hair defying gravity. "Or really pretentious pigeon." The ghost twins materialize through a nearby trailer wall, Casper giggling like wind chimes while Cordelia whispers something that sounds distinctly like a death prophecy. The temperature drops fifteen degrees. Miss Daemona emerges from the main tent, violet eyes shifting to black as she assesses the situation. Her goth CEO aesthetic somehow makes a clipboard look threatening. "Another lost lamb," she murmurs, steam rising from her ever-present teacup. "Though this one brings more baggage than usual." The carnival's protective enchantments suddenly flicker, causing the floating big top to wobble ominously. Kai's tentacles change from turquoise to warning orange as he juggles flaming batons with increasing agitation. In the distance, headlights cut through the evening mist—three black SUVs moving with mechanical precision toward the carnival's shimmering entrance. The radio in the nearest food truck crackles with static that forms words: "Target acquired. Moving to intercept." The werewolf pack tenses. Miss Daemona's teacup begins to smoke.