The storm outside grew violent.
Rain slammed against the broken train windows while thunder shook the mountains surrounding Moonfang Academy.
Nyra stood frozen in the middle of the compartment, staring at the ghost before her.
Fear.
For the first time—
The silver-eyed ghost looked afraid.
Not of her.
Of something else.
Something approaching.
The academy bell continued echoing through the night.
One.
Two.
Three.
Each ring made the air colder.
The ghost slowly stepped backward toward the train doorway, black smoke curling violently around his body now.
His silver eyes remained fixed on Nyra.
Warning her.
Then suddenly—
Every wolf outside began howling.
Not aggressive.
Not angry.
Desperate.
Nyra’s heart dropped.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
A loud scream echoed from the academy courtyard.
Then another.
Students started running again outside the train.
Nyra rushed toward the broken doorway.
“What’s happening?!”
The ghost turned sharply toward the courtyard.
And vanished.
Black smoke exploded into the storm instantly.
Nyra stared after him for only a second before forcing herself out of the train.
Cold rain soaked her immediately.
The academy grounds had become chaos.
Students in black uniforms shoved past each other in panic while teachers shouted spells across the courtyard.
Silver wolves ran between them protectively.
The giant iron gates of Moonfang Academy stood open behind her now, creaking loudly in the wind.
And beyond them—
The forest looked alive.
Trees twisted unnaturally.
Dark shadows moved between branches.
Something enormous was watching from deep inside the woods.
Nyra could feel it.
A sharp whistle suddenly pierced the chaos.
“All first years to the main hall immediately!”
Nyra turned.
A tall woman dressed in black stood at the top of the academy stairs.
Long silver hair flowed behind her despite the storm.
Her sharp golden eyes scanned the terrified students coldly.
The moment her gaze landed on Nyra—
She froze.
Only for a second.
But Nyra noticed.
The woman’s expression shifted into something unreadable.
Shock.
Recognition.
Fear.
Then it vanished instantly.
“Move,” she ordered sharply.
Students rushed toward the academy entrance immediately.
Nyra hesitated before following them.
As she climbed the massive stone stairs, she glanced behind her one last time toward the forest.
And deep between the trees—
Two enormous crimson eyes opened.
Nyra stopped breathing.
The eyes were gigantic.
Far too large to belong to anything human.
Or alive.
A monstrous growl echoed across the mountains.
The ground beneath the academy trembled slightly.
Then the crimson eyes disappeared.
“Keep moving.”
Nyra flinched.
The silver-haired woman stood beside her now.
Up close, she looked even more intimidating.
Elegant.
Cold.
Powerful.
Strange silver markings glowed faintly across the skin near her throat.
The woman studied Nyra carefully.
“You are Nyra Vale.”
It wasn’t a question.
Nyra swallowed nervously.
“…Yes.”
The woman stared at her for another long moment.
Then quietly said:
“You should not have returned here.”
Nyra frowned.
“Returned?”
But the woman had already walked away.
The giant academy doors slowly opened.
And Nyra stepped inside Moonfang Academy for the first time.
The entrance hall was enormous.
Towering black pillars stretched upward into darkness while silver chandeliers floated near the ceiling like glowing moons.
Ancient wolf statues lined the walls.
Their eyes seemed almost alive.
Hundreds of students filled the hall now.
Some looked nervous.
Some exhausted.
Some completely emotionless.
And some…
Did not look fully human.
Nyra noticed:
a boy with black veins moving beneath his skin, a girl whose shadow moved independently, twins with glowing white eyes, and another student whose body flickered transparent every few seconds.
No one looked normal.
For the first time in her life—
Nyra felt like she belonged somewhere.
The realization hurt unexpectedly.
A loud cane struck the marble floor.
CLACK.
Instant silence filled the hall.
An elderly man wearing dark robes stood atop the grand staircase.
His face was covered with old scars.
One of his eyes had been sewn shut.
“Welcome,” he said calmly, “to Moonfang Academy.”
His voice echoed through the massive hall unnaturally.
“This academy exists for those rejected by the outside world.”
Some students lowered their heads quietly.
“You are cursed.”
No softness.
No sympathy.
Just truth.
“You are feared.”
Silence deepened.
“And some of you…” his visible eye darkened slightly, “…are dangerous.”
Nyra felt something cold crawl through her chest.
The old man continued.
“This academy has three rules.”
The chandeliers flickered above them.
“First.”
CLACK.
His cane struck the floor again.
“Never enter the forest after midnight.”
Several students visibly paled.
“Second.”
Another strike.
“If the wolves bow to you…”
The old man’s gaze shifted slowly toward Nyra.
“…report immediately to the Headmistress.”
Whispers spread through the hall instantly.
Students started glancing toward Nyra.
Uneasy.
Afraid.
Nyra’s stomach tightened.
“And third…”
The old man’s expression became grim.
“If you hear knocking beneath your bed at night—”
The hall became deathly silent.
“Do not answer it.”
A cold shiver ran through every student.
Then suddenly—
BANG.
Something slammed against the academy doors violently.
Students screamed.
Another loud impact shook the entrance hall.
BANG.
BANG.
BANG.
The doors bent inward slightly.
Like something enormous outside was trying to enter.
The old man’s expression darkened instantly.
“Dorm leaders,” he ordered coldly, “escort the students now.”
Chaos erupted again.
Students hurried toward different staircases while teachers began sealing the entrance with glowing symbols.
Nyra stood frozen among the crowd.
Until someone grabbed her wrist suddenly.
“This way.”
Nyra turned sharply.
A girl around her age stood beside her.
She had short silver-blue hair and tired amber eyes.
A scar crossed her lower lip.
“Move before the teachers notice you,” the girl whispered quickly.
“What—”
“No time.”
The girl dragged Nyra toward one of the side staircases.
Students rushed past them frantically.
Another deafening slam echoed behind the academy doors.
Dust rained from the ceiling.
Nyra looked back briefly.
And for one horrifying second—
She saw massive claws pushing through the opening between the doors.
Something outside was smiling.
The silver-haired girl yanked Nyra forward harder.
“If it sees you now,” she whispered shakily, “you’ll die before sunrise.”
Nyra’s pulse quickened.
“What IS that thing?”
The girl looked at her.
Fear filled her amber eyes completely.
“That,” she whispered quietly—
“…is the reason Moonfang Academy was built.”