Story 960: The Rotting King's Gambit

The train shuddered as it hurtled through the night, its metal frame groaning under the weight of something unnatural. The air inside was thick with whispers, voices that slithered through the dark like unseen parasites.

Mira kept chanting, her fingers gripping the Cursed Book as its pages bled ink, the words shifting beneath her hands. Each syllable sent a pulse of energy through the train, forcing the shadows back into the walls.

Draven stood firm, shotgun raised, eyes locked on the hulking abomination before them. The rotting beast swayed, its flesh dripping like candle wax, exposed bones gleaming beneath the crimson lights.

Elias reached into his coat, pulling out another flask of holy whiskey, but before he could react, the beast lunged.

Zara tackled him out of the way just as jagged claws slashed through the air, slicing into a nearby seat like it was butter. The seat shrieked—alive, suffering.