The train station was a relic of another era, its wooden walls weathered and cracked, paint peeling in long strips. Vines crept over the platform, intertwining with rusted rails that disappeared into the fog. The air buzzed with static energy, the sound faint but persistent, like a distant radio stuck between frequencies.
"This place is alive," Reyes whispered, her hand resting on the grip of her weapon.
"Feels more like it's watching us," Trench muttered. His eyes darted around the clearing, scanning for any sign of movement. The oppressive quiet made every crunch of their boots sound unnaturally loud.
Ryan motioned for them to move forward. "Analyzer's pegged. The source is close."
The team advanced cautiously, their formation tight. Trench's pulse quickened as they stepped onto the platform. His gaze was drawn to the derelict ticket booth, its glass shattered and its interior obscured by shadow. The Resonance Analyzer's hum reached a fever pitch, the display screen flickering wildly.
"It's here," Ryan said, his voice low but firm. "Stay sharp."
A sudden gust of wind swept through the station, carrying with it a low, mournful whistle. The fog thickened, and the shadows around them began to shift and coalesce. Shapes emerged from the gloom, indistinct at first but growing more defined with every passing second.
"We've got movement," Reyes said, raising her weapon.
The figures were humanoid, but their forms were fragmented and unstable, like reflections in a broken mirror. They moved with an eerie fluidity, their limbs elongating and contracting as they closed in.
"Hold your ground!" Ryan barked.
Trench took aim, his finger hovering over the trigger. But as the nearest figure stepped into the dim light, he hesitated. Its face, though warped and distorted, bore a striking resemblance to someone he hadn't seen in years: himself.
"Trench, fire!" Reyes shouted.
Snapping out of his daze, Trench pulled the trigger. The creature disintegrated into wisps of dark energy, but the sight of its face lingered in his mind. Around him, the team engaged the remaining figures, their weapons lighting up the fog with flashes of muzzle fire.
"What the hell are these things?" Reyes yelled, dodging a swipe from one of the creatures.
"Echoes," Ryan said grimly, firing another shot. "Residual energy given form. Don't let them touch you!"
As the last of the echoes dissolved, the station fell silent once more. The fog began to recede, revealing a door at the far end of the platform. It was old and unremarkable, but it radiated an intense energy that made the air around it shimmer.
"That's our way in," Ryan said, reloading his weapon. "Stay close. Whatever's behind that door, it's not going to be friendly."
Trench stared at the door, a knot forming in his stomach. The echoes, the energy, even the station itself—it all felt connected to him in ways he couldn't explain. Taking a deep breath, he tightened his grip on his weapon and nodded.
"Let's finish this."