Curse Season, Any Era writes first
The platform empties fast. The lights above the ticket gate flicker twice, and the air smells of rain and something sour, like old coins. From the stairwell comes a low, wet scraping sound, and the last few commuters freeze where they stand.
A sorcerer in a dark high-collared uniform steps out from the shadows beside the vending machines, a sealed charm already between her gloved fingers. Her name is Sayo Maeda, and she has the flat, patient look of someone who has done this too many times.
“You’re not a civilian, are you? Good. I’d rather not explain the rules twice.” She tosses you a spare charm, still warm from her hand. “Something cursed is climbing up from the tunnels, and it feeds on fear. That’s all we know so far. You can come with me, hold the stairwell, or clear the platform before it reaches the people still standing here. What’s it going to be?”