The sky was a vast, ink-black dome. Stars glimmered faintly, distant and cold. A soft wind whispered across the ridges, carrying the scent of dry earth and dust. Silence pressed against the cabin like a tangible weight.

  Inside, the group leaned against benches and walls. Eyes followed the subtle slowing of the train. Every creak, every vibration, magnified in the tense quiet. Hearts raced with the rhythm of the decelerating wheels.

  The train rolled on, gradually losing speed, the desert waiting silently outside. The next stage of their journey lay ahead, under the silver gaze of the moon, and the night held them all in its vast, tense embrace.

  CHAPTER - 6: THE POLES OF THE TRUTH

  The train’s wheels ground against the tracks, screeching loudly as metal met metal.

  And then… the train came to a complete stop.

  As soon as the train stopped, Clive leapt off, followed closely by Mateo. Eliza hesitated for a moment before stepping down.

  They landed on the ground, moving swiftly, keeping low behind the shadows.

  The sky was dark now, the mountains encircling the train and desert, leaving only its light to pierce the night.

  Clive’s eyes scanned the scene.

  Daego lay off the tracks, his body riddled with bullets.

  Clive looked at him—but didn’t stop.

  Mariana lay just outside the tracks, battered but alive, her breaths heavy and ragged.

  She had given up hope, yet her eyes caught sight of the stopped train—and Clive and the others approaching from the front.

  Clive ran toward her, calling out, “Are you okay?!”

  Mariana couldn’t speak, but she lifted her head to look at him.

  Clive reached her side and lifted her gently. They moved back together, moving cautiously in the shadows.

  Eliza’s voice broke through the night, frantic. “Are you okay, Mariana? Mariana, are you okay?”

  Mariana gave a small nod, signaling with her head that she was fine.

  Clive, in the dark night, guided her back toward the train, ready to rejoin the others inside.

  Mariana’s eyes drifted toward Daego’s body lying nearby. Her eyes widened. She looked at Clive—but he kept moving forward, his gaze fixed ahead.

  Soon, they brought Mariana back onto the train. Inside, everyone turned toward her, seeing her injured state.

  Clive carried Mariana toward the wooden cabin at the back.

  Everyone watched, standing still, their eyes following them.

  Nayeli asked softly, “Mariana… are you okay?”

  There was no reply. She followed them inside.

  Clive laid Mariana down in the sleeper cabin and gently settled her in, letting her rest.

  The train began to move again.

  It continued its journey through the desert that lay fallen between the mountains.

  Stars started to shimmer across the sky, and the moon cast its pale light over the land.

  But at this moment—

  far away, at the North Pole—

  Within one of the great structures created by the beings, thousands of people were gathered.

  They were the ones who had been abducted. Taken from different places. Brought here.

  Outside, endless snowfall blanketed the North Pole, white and unforgiving, the cold stretching across the land without mercy.

  Yet inside the structure, they were safe.

  The walls stood firm against the storm,

  shielding the population within—warmth, light, and uneasy silence holding them together as the snow continued to fall beyond the glass and steel.

  Among the thousands,

  There was a woman gripped by fear.

  She stood frozen, her breath unsteady, her hands clenched tight—helpless, unable to do anything.

  Her name was Zaya.

  Clive’s wife.

  But outside—

  High above the skies of the North Pole, a spacecraft cut through the storm at high speed.

  The snowfall was merciless, thick and blinding, yet the object did not slow. It pushed forward, descending toward the massive structure built by the beings.

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  The craft landed outside.

  The ground trembled slightly.

  Its gates opened.

  From within stepped Zin-qas—the third highest authority among the beings.

  A few others followed closely behind him, silent and obedient.

  Zin-qas moved with purpose, his steps steady as he walked toward the structure.

  He entered.

  Without hesitation, he advanced deeper inside, heading straight for the assembly hall—

  where thousands were already gathered.

  Zin-qas entered the hall.

  Before him stood thousands of humans—

  watching from the ground floor,

  from the stairs,

  from the first-floor railing,

  and the second.

  Eyes everywhere.

  Fear. Anger. Confusion.

  Zin-qas walked forward, unhurried, his presence heavy.

  He climbed the stairs to the stage and stopped before the microphone.

  He looked at them all.

  Then he leaned slightly closer to the mic and spoke, his voice calm, carrying across the vast hall.

  “Humans.

  I am Zin-qas… the third highest authority among the beings.

  We did not abduct you to kill you.

  We abducted you because we wanted to speak to you.”

  A voice rose from the crowd.

  “If you wanted to talk, then why kidnap us?!”

  A few beings moved to seize the man—

  “Stop,” Zin-qas said.

  They froze.

  Zin-qas continued, his tone steady.

  “We are sorry for abducting you. But we had no other choice.

  If we had approached you directly, you might have rejected us.

  And that… we could not allow.”

  Another voice shouted,

  “Then what do you want?!”

  Zin-qas replied without hesitation.

  “We want coexistence.

  We are not here to fight.

  We are not here to attack.

  We are here to live with you—

  as your friends… or as your neighbors.”

  A man spoke again, louder now.

  “Why do you want to live with us?!”

  Zin-qas answered calmly.

  “Because in this vast universe, we are not the only species.

  There are many others—

  and some are far more powerful than both you and us.

  If something were to happen to our planet, we would need shelter.

  And for that… we chose Earth.

  Your planet.”

  Another voice cut through the hall.

  “Why Earth?”

  Zin-qas looked across the crowd.

  “Because other beings hoard their resources only for themselves.

  But you, humans…

  you possess resources that we can share and live alongside.

  So I ask you—

  Will you accept us as your friends?”

  For a moment, there was silence.

  Then—

  “No!”

  The crowd roared in unison.

  Zin-qas’s eyes darkened with disappointment.

  The beings beside him noticed it immediately.

  He said nothing.

  Zin-qas stepped away from the microphone, descended the stage, and walked out of the hall—

  leaving behind thousands of humans, and a future hanging in uncertainty.

  Meanwhile, in Seoul.

  The day had begun, stretching quietly over the city.

  A strange calm had settled—too calm, almost unnatural.

  The streets were empty, silent under the pale sunlight.

  Schools stood deserted, their gates swinging gently in the wind.

  Offices sat vacant, windows reflecting the morning light but revealing no movement within.

  Sunlight poured from the sky, soft and unwavering, spilling across buildings and roads alike.

  It was ordinary light, indifferent and steady, shining as it had every day before.

  Yet beneath this ordinary glow, the city felt suspended, as if holding its breath, waiting.

  Every corner, every alley, seemed to hum with quiet tension—

  a silence so profound it pressed against the ears,

  leaving only the faint rustle of wind and the soft echo of distant footsteps that weren’t really there.

  Even the sun, bright and golden, could not chase away the unease.

  It illuminated a city that felt frozen in time, ordinary yet… foreboding.

  A voice echoed faintly in the distance—

  low, mechanical, almost unnatural.

  It seemed to vibrate through the still city, unnoticed at first, yet impossible to ignore.

  Suddenly, the silence was shattered.

  A spacecraft emerged from the sky, slicing through the calm morning.

  Its form gleamed under the sunlight, moving with precision, cutting across the empty streets and towering buildings.

  It headed straight for the government building in Seoul.

  Slowly, deliberately, it descended, the ground beneath trembling ever so slightly as it approached.

  The city, still wrapped in its eerie quiet, now seemed small and vulnerable beneath the looming shadow of the spacecraft.

  The spacecraft descended steadily, drawing closer to the government building.

  The sheer pressure from its massive form made the ground tremble, sending tiny vibrations across the empty streets.

  A low hum filled the air, almost like the city itself was holding its breath.

  The spacecraft’s gate slowly opened.

  From within, Hyons emerged—the fifth highest authority among the beings.

  He stepped out, imposing and calm, followed by others in quiet formation.

  Hyons glanced around, his gaze sharp and deliberate.

  He spoke to one of his followers, his voice deep and commanding:

  “How does this place look for my throne?”

  “It will be perfect, Sir,” came the respectful reply.

  A faint, knowing smile curved across Hyons’ face as he continued forward.

  Reaching the government building, he stopped at its doors.

  With a single, precise motion, he pushed them open and stepped inside.

  The rest of his entourage followed without hesitation.

  Hyons surveyed the entire space, his presence filling the hall like a shadow cast over every corner.

  Every desk, every hallway, every silent office fell under his watchful gaze.

  The building was no longer just a structure—it was a stage,

  and Hyons… the ruler who had come to claim it.

  But inside the government building, Hyons and his followers were not alone.

  Dae-hyun was there, standing tensely beside Seo-ah.

  His eyes followed every movement of Hyons and his entourage, calculating, cautious.

  Silently, he took Seo-ah’s hand and guided her toward the back, away from the open hall.

  Each step was deliberate, careful—like they were shadows moving through light.

  Seo-ah clutched his hand, her voice barely above a whisper:

  “Uncle… what’s happening?”

  Dae-hyun didn’t answer immediately.

  He glanced over his shoulder at the imposing figures ahead, then back at her,

  his grip firm, reassuring yet urgent.

  The hum of the spacecraft outside and the soft echo of Hyons’ footsteps filled the building,

  making every creak of the floor under their feet sound louder, more dangerous.

  They moved quietly, shadows among shadows,

  trying to disappear from the eyes of the being whose presence alone commanded fear.

  Dae-hyun held Seo-ah’s hand tightly as they moved quietly toward the back of the building.

  A faint sound of footsteps reached them, echoing softly across the empty hall.

  Seo-ah’s voice trembled as she whispered,

  “Uncle… who’s coming?”

  The sound carried further than they realized.

  Hyons, standing ahead, paused mid-step.

  Even the being approaching from the other side seemed to notice, his gaze sharpening at the faint noise.

  Dae-hyun didn’t stop.

  His grip on Seo-ah’s hand tightened as he guided her further into the shadows,

  moving carefully, deliberately, each step measured to avoid drawing attention.

  The distant footsteps grew closer,

  and every heartbeat in the silent building seemed to thrum louder against the tension in the air.

  They pressed on, shadows among shadows,

  trying to remain unseen under the looming presence of Hyons and the unknown approaching figure.

  The sound of the approaching beings grew louder, echoing through the empty corridors.

  Every step they took was sharp, deliberate, a warning that danger was closing in.

  Dae-hyun tightened his grip on Seo-ah’s hand, urging her forward.

  Their own footsteps now sounded louder against the floor, clattering like drums in the silent building.

  Behind them, the footsteps of the beings quickened, relentless and unyielding.

  The echo bounced off the walls, chasing them, reminding them that every second mattered.

  Seo-ah clung to Dae-hyun’s hand, fear evident in her trembling fingers and wide eyes.

  Her breath came in shallow, nervous gasps, matching the quickening rhythm of their hurried steps.

  Dae-hyun didn’t speak.

  He focused only on getting them further into the shadows,

  his heart pounding as fast as Seo-ah’s, their small forms weaving between darkness and faint light.

  The beings spotted them and froze. Heavy, deliberate footsteps echoed through the hall, growing louder with each passing second.

  Hyons’ voice cut sharply through the silence.

  “Stop.”

  Instantly, they halted. Every gaze turned toward him.

  Hyons walked forward, his shadow stretching long across the cold floor.

  “Side!” he commanded, firm and unyielding.

  Dae-hyun glanced over his shoulder, heart hammering. The beings surrounded them—front, back, and sides. There was nowhere to run.

  Hyons’ eyes locked on them.

  “Oye, bring him here,” he said, voice calm but dangerous.

  From behind, a being approached swiftly and handed Hyons a sleek pistol, its surface reflecting the faint light of the hall.

  “What do we call this one?” Hyons murmured, amusement in his tone. “Ah yes… pistol. Pistol it is.”

  Dae-hyun froze. Seo-ah, trembling, clutched his hand tighter, her small frame pressed close.

  Hyons raised the weapon carefully, aiming toward Dae-hyun.

  “Here. Right here,” he said, calm and deliberate.

  A sharp, startling click echoed. Pain shot through Dae-hyun’s shoulder—not severe, but enough to make him stagger. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay upright.

  “Uncle! Are you okay?” Seo-ah whispered, voice tight with worry.

  Hyons didn’t hesitate.

  “Take her,” he ordered, and the beings moved immediately.

  Seo-ah struggled, small panicked cries escaping her lips.

  “No! Leave me! Leave me!”

  Dae-hyun reached out, but a strong shove knocked him off balance. Pain radiated through his arm, but he forced himself to stand.

  Another being grabbed Seo-ah, pulling her toward Hyons. Dae-hyun’s hand was held fast, twisted slightly, leaving him unable to break free.

  Hyons’ grip on Seo-ah was firm and controlled. She hung tense in his hold, eyes wide with fear but unharmed.

  The hall was heavy with silence, save for the echo of measured footsteps. The weight of tension pressed down on them—unyielding, inescapable.

  Dae-hyun was dragged toward Hyons.

  He looked around—surrounded, cornered, yet somehow free from the being that had held him just moments ago.

  His eyes found Seo-ah. Her face was pale, etched with fear. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, a mix of disappointment and determination washing over him.

  Then he glanced to his right. Without hesitation, he shoved the being standing there aside and bolted forward.

  Hyons froze, shock flickering across his face. He raised his gun, ready to fire—but instead of shooting, he let out a frustrated shout.

  “Hyu-nen!”

  Dae-hyun’s eyes darted back. Seo-ah was still there, standing frozen, her fear and worry written clearly on her face.

  “Don’t go! Don’t go, uncle! Take me with you!” she screamed, her voice cracking.

  Dae-hyun paused at the doorway, looking back at her. His voice was steady, full of resolve:

  “I will come… to protect you.”

  And with that, he ran.

  — — — — TO BE CONTINUED — — — —

  SURVIVAL ISNT TO PROTECT,

  SURVIVAL IS TO KILL

  CHAPTER - 7: FEAR