"Nocthollow Academy"
When the clock struck thirteen…
The world did not explode.
It did not shake.
It simply… folded.
Aarav felt the air bend around him like paper being crumpled.
The golden ticket in his hand burned warm.
The platform lights froze mid-flicker.
People froze mid-step.
Time stopped.
Only he was moving.
And the train from Chapter 2 — the black one with golden lines — reappeared.
This time, it was fully solid.
The door opened.
Slowly.
Without fear now… but with determination, Aarav stepped inside.
The moment his foot crossed the doorway—
Platform 7 vanished.
🌌 The Journey Between Seconds
The train did not move on tracks.
It moved through darkness filled with floating lights.
Like stars.
But each "star" was a memory.
He saw glimpses:
A little girl reading under a tree.
A boy crying alone in a classroom.
A teacher hiding a glowing book.
People who once stood on Platform 7.
People who were chosen.
"Chosen ones are those who feel invisible," a voice echoed.
The mysterious guide from before appeared again.
"But invisible people see what others ignore."
Aarav swallowed.
"Is Mira here?"
The guide didn't answer directly.
"You will see what you are ready to see."
🏰 The Arrival
The train slowed.
Ahead, through mist and moonlight, a massive structure appeared.
Not a normal building.
A castle carved into a mountain.
Towers spiraling into the clouds.
Windows glowing silver and gold.
Bridges connecting floating platforms.
And above it, suspended in the sky—
A giant clock with 13 numbers instead of 12.
This was Nocthollow Academy.
A school hidden between time.
Invisible to the normal world.
Accessible only through Platform 7.
🖤 The First Rule
The doors opened.
Students stepped out.
Aarav froze.
There were dozens of teenagers his age.
Some wore dark cloaks.
Some had glowing symbols on their hands.
Some whispered spells that made sparks appear in the air.
No one looked surprised to see him.
As if they expected him.
A tall woman stood at the entrance.
Silver hair.
Sharp eyes.
Voice calm but powerful.
"Welcome, new Keepers."
Her gaze stopped at Aarav.
"And finally… the Seventh."
A murmur spread among students.
"The Seventh?" someone whispered.
"What does that mean?"
Aarav felt heat rise in his chest.
"What am I?" he asked.
The woman stepped closer.
"You are the final Keeper of the Seventh Gate."
"The gate to what?"
Her eyes darkened slightly.
"To the truth the Watchers fear."
👁️ The Watchers
Inside the academy hall, candles floated mid-air.
Books moved on their own.
Portraits blinked.
But not all was beautiful.
On one wall hung a massive painting.
It showed shadow creatures tearing through a glowing gate.
The same creatures from the train.
"The Watchers," the silver-haired woman said.
"They were once Keepers like us."
"What happened to them?" Aarav asked.
"They wanted control over memory."
"Memory?"
"They discovered that whoever controls memory… controls reality."
Aarav's stomach tightened.
"And Mira?" he whispered.
For the first time, the woman hesitated.
"She crossed the Seventh Gate before you."
His heart nearly stopped.
"She's alive?"
"She is… beyond."
🔥 The Awakening Class
That night, Aarav was taken to the Awakening Chamber.
Circular room.
Ancient symbols carved on the floor.
Thirteen pillars around the walls.
In the center, a mirror made of liquid silver.
"This mirror shows not your face," the woman said.
"It shows your true sight."
Aarav stepped forward.
The mirror shimmered.
At first, he saw himself.
Then—
His reflection opened its eyes.
But golden light shone from them.
The glowing eye symbol appeared on his forehead again.
Behind his reflection—
Seven gates stood.
Six were closed.
One was cracked open.
And through that crack…
He saw her.
Mira.
Standing in darkness.
She looked at him.
Whispered something.
But no sound came through.
The mirror shattered suddenly.
A loud boom echoed.
The candles blew out.
The room turned dark.
The silver-haired woman looked shocked.
"It's happening sooner than we thought."
"What is?!" Aarav demanded.
She looked at him directly.
"The Seventh Gate is opening."
⚡ Cliffhanger
Far away, in a shadowed tower of the academy…
A hooded figure stood before a black flame.
"You were right," said a voice from the darkness.
"The boy has arrived."
The hooded figure slowly removed his glove.
On his hand—
The same eye symbol.
But broken.
"He must not open the gate," the figure whispered.
"Because if he does…"
The black flame grew violently.
"…she returns."
🔥 End of Chapter 3